This large home in Preston, had a family dog that was 16 years old. He was on his second round of chemo and it was a lost cause. The vet recommended euthanasia. The yellow lab was depicted in his younger years, as the owner needed to remember a happier time with “Freddy”.These deer were a sore subject for this home owner. Living on a large piece of land in West Virginia, he adored the deer, grazing in the field at dawn and dusk. The deer also adored his prize rosebushes. When his daughter commissioned this birthday present for her Father, she wanted to be sure I added the deer, it was a love/hate relationship.A historic barn is not a real barn until it has an animal in it. The Sears property in Cary had a historic barn for nearly 100 years. This barn housed a many horses, all descendants of the original Ghostbuster. This barn was scheduled to be demolished. The owner, Bill Sears, my former employer, was building an assisted living facility on the property and needed to make way. He used the image for family Christmas cards for 2 year and now has a forever image of Ghostbuster and his barn.As soon as I say Churchill Downs, home of the Kentucky Derby, the first thing that comes to mind is HORSES. I had to draw some racing jockeys mounted on their steeds as they round the first corner of the track. This banner is for sale at the store on-site for Churchill Downs.I am not opposed to sketching animals, it is just not my passion. Have some GREAT referral partners for that, Ingrid Beckman (pencil & pastel), and Jennifer Varela(oil & pastel).

Brenda Priest
Your Door & More

Two friends of mine, thought my banners would be great gifts for their sons.  Laurie bought the New England Patriot – Gillette Stadium and Erica bought the Green Bay Packer – Lambeau Field.  They wrapped them up and gave for Christmas morning.  I had actually hand-signed Laurie’s banner, I have known her son since he was a baby.  The boys were both very excited to have their favorite team banner for display in their preteen man caves.

Thus far, I have completed 11 banners, and 8 of them are on the market now!  Think Christmas gifts and more!

Brenda Priest
Your Door & More

If you visit 5 studios, get your “passport” signed by each artist, you can be entered to win one of two large baskets of goodies.

This video Studio Tour was created, with a one word description of each artists and a screen shot preview of who is participating.

“Tour Teaser” Exhibitions

Cary Arts Center
Oct. 28-Nov. 13
M – Th 9AM – 10 PM
Fri – Sat 9AM – 11PM
Sun 1PM – 6 PM

Halle Cultural Arts Center
237 N. Salem St., Apex
M – F 9 AM – 6PM
Sat 9 AM – 1 PM

Opening reception:
Fri., Nov. 4, 7-9 PM

Western Wake Artists’ Studio Tour
Nov. 12-13
Sat. 10 AM – 5 PM
Sun. 12 PM – 5 PM
Self-guided tour, free and open to the public. Download map and brochure here.

Brenda Priest
Your Door & More

I was asked to be a vendor, as Realtor, buyers/sellers agents use my illustrations as closing gifts and thank you gifts.  We had 15 attendees.  What a great afternoon!

The event is scheduled on the first Friday of the month at McCormick & Schmick’s from 3-5pm.

Brenda Priest
Your Door & More

Finding those places that people connect with, a slice of history of a particular town or famous place, now that is something a consumer will buy.  When I travel to a vacation spot or historical location, I look for a small souvenir to remember the place.  Yes, this is something that I can do, sell prints, note cards and mugs!  I live in a small historic town, in a VERY historic state.  There are places all over the country that I can illustrate and print on demand in small quantity to fill the orders.

It started with the Town of Cary, North Carolina.  Cary is a beautiful southern town with lovely old buildings.  History has been made in this town.  I happened to have registered to be a vendor at the 35th Annual Lazy Daze, Arts & Crafts Festival, right in the heart of downtown Cary.  One staple building is Ashworth’s Drugstore; Full Service Pharmacy, Old-Fashioned Soda Fountain/Lunch Counter, Medical Equipment Sales/Rentals & Hallmark Card Shop.  The Downtown Cary Depot that serves as an Amtrack Station, the Page-Walker Hotel, the New Cary Arts Center and the Ivey-Waddell home.

I have completed the Town of Apex and now have plans for Holly Springs, Fuquay-Varina, Raleigh, Chapel Hill, etc.  The possibilities are endless!

Brenda Priest
Your Door & More

• Big Bad Ball
• 5 Bucks is Change
• Triangle Spokes Group
• Safe Haven for Cats
• Uncork for a Cause
• Holly Grove Elementary School
• Holly Grove Middle School
  

Donating has been an integral part of my business model.  From the first day I started the business, paying it forward was a given.  I have been the benefactor of others generous opportunities.  My duty is to do the same.

If we all do something with our time, talent or treasure, there would be no need unfilled.   What have you done lately to help a non-profit organization?

Brenda Priest
Your Door & More

I have been working with Winning Streak Sports since January to arrange this exciting project.  They are wholesale manufacturers of sports banners.  They were interested in exploring having a contract illustrator to create a line of banners.  We negotiated and I now have 6 drawings done and two banners in hand.  As they are created, they will become on the market.  Thus far:Lambeau Field (on Amazon), Gillette Stadium (for sale at the New England Patriots Stadium Shop), are on the market.  Boston Garden, Tiger Stadium and Soldier Field are in production.  Churchill Downs in in the approval process.  There are plans for an additional 50+ banners.

Constructed of high quality wool fabric with embroidery and applique detail.  Each banner features a stadium illustrations and team graphics.  Includes a hanging cord for display.  Actual size 20″H x 15″ w.  The perfect gift for every true sports fan.  Ideal for the Office, Den or Gameroom.

This world-wide exposure to is amazing.  I eagerly anticipate where it leads!

Brenda Priest
Your Door & More

I will have samples of the large 15-ounce mug and the 11-ounce mug.  They will be for order at Lazy Daze Arts & Crafts Festival, Saturday, August 27, 9-5.  Find me on Chatham Street in downtown Cary, booth A37.

I will also be selling limited edition prints of 5 Cary historical sites, including…

• Page-Walker Arts & History Center (shown right)
• Cary Depot
• Ashworth Pharmacy
• Ivy-Waddell House
• Cary Arts Center

15-ounce mugs  $15.00  [add_to_cart item="011" quantity="user:1" text="Remit Payment" ] 
11-ounce mugs  $10.00
5″ x 7″ prints  $8.00
8″ x 10″ prints $10.00
20 notecards of Cary sites   $15.00
Individual notecards of Cary sites  $ 1.00
Personal commissions are also available starting at $ 150.00 for a matted & framed pen & ink illustration.

Please contact me for more details or see my website for further information and prices.

Brenda Priest
Your Door & More

“Nothing is more important to us than the safety of our artists, entertainers, guests, volunteers, and workers,” said Town of Cary Festivals Coordinator Joy Ennis, who recalled the August 13th weather-related collapse at the Indiana State Fair that killed seven an injured 40 people. “For over three decades, we’ve built a reputation for providing one of the most wonderful festival experiences in the nation, and with our not being able to meet that standard this year, we’re really left with no other choice but to wait until Lazy Daze 2012.”

Ennis pointed out that, for several reasons, the festival could not be postponed to Sunday or moved to another date entirely. “First, we set up the festival one day before, so with the Hurricane’s effects being here on Saturday, there would be no way to prepare for a Sunday festival. And, if we do sustain damage in Cary, we’ll know that on Sunday, and our first priority will have to be to help our community recover from the storm. As for picking another day later this fall, most of our artists, venders, and entertainers are already committed to other events, so we wouldn’t be able to get them here on what for them would be such late notice.”

Next year’s Lazy Daze is scheduled for Saturday, August 25, 2012. But if you can’t wait for good art until then, mark your calendars now for Cary’s Annual Spring Daze Arts & Crafts Festival, which will be held on April 28, 2012.

Lazy Daze is coming up August 27, 2010 9-6pm.  What is Lazy Daze?  This Arts & Crafts festival Lazy Daze Festival has been selected as one of the Southeast Tourism Society’s Top 20 Events for August 2011.  They are expecting at least 60,000 people to visit the event.  This takes up 12 full blocks.

I am so EXCITED to be part of such a historical event, see below.  This juried show is so hard to get into.  Glad that I can display and show off some never-before seen work!

Brenda Priest
Your Door & More

August 27, 1977        1 block large –Chatham Street between Academy and Walker Street.  Cost for artist = 10 foot space was $10.00, 100 artisans.  Organizers forgot to bring piano from Jordan Hall for the stage, had to go on the morning of the festival to bring it over.

1978      180 artists, Grassroots arts grant from the State’s Art Council was for $500. Part of this money paid for a permanent backdrop for the stage.

1979      Held 1st Flower arranging contest, 200-250 artists. Booths = $15.00 for space/ Concessionaires = $35.00/space

1981      5th Annual Festival, Festival is rained out and moved Sunday.   Festival is held on the Cary Town Hall Grounds because of downtown renovation.

1983      $2500 of the profits was donated for the Cary Town Clock in downtown Cary.   Also, funds were given to the Cary High School Band to help fund a trip to the Rose Bowl.

1984      339 artists, 422 display booths, 18 concession stands, 9 entertainment groups.   Town Clock is presented to the Town by 2 Rotary Clubs.

1986      10th annual, 4th largest craft show in North Carolina   350 individuals/406 booths.  Artists/craftsmen from 7 states, Lazy Daze is six blocks large

1987      500 artisan booths, 1st year for Parking shuttle.

1988      Artists from 10 states

1989      Lazy Daze is a juried festival for the first time

1991      15^th annual, 500 artists.  1st year for Civic displays.

1992      Rated 8 out of 10 in a national arts and crafts magazine for quality.

1993      Expanded to 8 blocks large.  Donated $19,300 to 18 groups

1994      Train ride to Durham on Amtrak and back for LAZY DAZE.  First year for fancy restroom trailers with air conditioning and piped in music.

1995      Stage had to be closed by mid-afternoon because of rain.

1996      First United Methodist Church has a cooled lunch spot (church opened its fellowship hall).  Grants of $19,500 donated to 19 groups.

1998      Lazy Daze playground re-dedicated after face-lift.  Grants of $22,000 donated to 17 groups.

1999      Hurricane Dennis threatened to come, but didn’t.  14 states represented.

2001      1st Invitational Awards Issued.  Special exhibit reflecting the 25 year history of the festival.

2002      Record heat brought early morning crowds.  “Sun Face Lazy Daze” was centerpiece of winning Lazy Daze commemorative poster.

2003      Artists came from 15 different states to participate in the Festival.  A chainsaw sculptor created animals and other works at the festival Visitors from Cary’s Sister Cities Le Touquet, France, County Meath, Ireland, and Hsinchu City, Taiwan were special guests at the Festival.

2004      The 2004 Festival is named Regional Event of the Year for North and South Carolina by the North Carolina Association of Festivals and Events

2005      Artists came from 20 different states to participate in the Festival – including California.  A five foot Ice Sculpture was created at the Festival in the Cool Zone

2006      30th anniversary 50 disposable cameras placed on kiosks for festival goers to take photos of a favorite memory.  A Lazy Daze Diet Pepsi (2 million) can were distributed.

2007      The festival’s Sunshine Artist national ranking moved up from 23rd best festival to 13th becoming the highest ranked only one-day festival in the Top 25 and the top rated One Day Festival in the country in the Classic and Contemporary Crafts category.

2008      Lazy Daze dodged a hurricane heading right for Cary the week leading up to the Festival!

2009      Rain came on and off all day during the festival, but didn’t dampen attendees’ enthusiasm!

2010      A beautiful day greeted festival goers as the Beringer Vineyard Great Steak Challenge arrived in Cary!  55,000 attendees!

2011    35th Anniversary of Lazy Daze.  Hurricane Irene forced the committee to cancel the event, no reschedule.

Pat was the Mayor of a small town in Colorado. He gave a demonstration on how local money was spent and how it passes through the town 7 times. He compared a small town to the members of Inside919. We are a small town of 4,000. We are all in the geographic are of area code 919. If we can spend our money with other business owners in the Inside919 town, we all benefit!

A fisherman pulls a great haul. He sells the fish at the market. He goes to the local pub and buys beers for his friends. The pub owner then buys a new dress for his wife at the local store. The store owner then upgrades his website. The website designer…and so on and so on.

Another comment they made is that the economy will only improve from the bottom up in a formula like this one. We should not expect the US Government to get us out of this situation, it is our responsibility to help where we can.

I am off to the Holly Springs Farmers Market to buy some fresh fruit and veggies from my local farmers, bringing money into my town. I prefer to do this rather thank go to Harris Teeter or Food Lion to buy them…keep local!

Brenda Priest
Your Door & More

(I do apologize to Pat if your example is not exactly as you stated.)