Too much to talk about

I have so much going on I don't dare wait
to at least list some of them as a reminder for when
I have more time to really give you the full story.
Well, speaking of the full story,
Clare Howard is writing an article about
Simply Everything Boutique

that I hope is going to be in Sunday's paper.
I can't wait to see what she writes about us.
I hope they took pictures of my
hand painted chairs
because they are selling like Halloween hot cakes!
Unfortunately, they are selling so fast I
didn't get a picture of the last 4 or 5 of them.
But, I did get some quick pictures of these!


I am hoping these fun wine purses sell
just as well as the chairs.
Gee, I think these are swell!
Snow Leopard, Hot Pink, Holiday Red
are just a few of the great colors they come in.
What a great hostess gift! They even include the corkscrew.
This sure beats the heck out of being announced
at your next soiree with a brown paper bag in hand!!

I also have a picture of the ffaaaabbbbuuulllooouuusss
necklace Leslie Schenkel lent me
to wear to the Fine Art Fair today.


I got a million great comments and compliments, even from other
glass artists!
This one is still for sale if you can get me to give it back!

I spent the day at the Fine Art Fair,
not just as a patron but as an invited
guest to display our
See Change Mural

for all to enjoy!
The purpose is to not only show off
how great our artists are but to give an
example of what we can do to improve the
city of Peoria if we all pull together
instead of compete.

Come by tomorrow and see our
proud display and say hi to me.
I'll give you a discount coupon for
my art work at SEB if ya do.

This is the first time in 22 years
I WON'T be at Spoon River Drive in Farmington Park.
My sadness was washed
away by the rain as I set up the tent for the
Fine Art Fair on Friday
with my wonderful husband Tracy
and his buddy Jim.

Then again
today when I got a call from
one of my artists saying he was on his way to the show
but had to pull off the road because of the
rain and hail in Metamora as he drove through
I remembered why I am not racing to
Spoon River Drive this year!
Luckily Deb Inman of Little Creek
will be there at Reed Park in Farmington
selling her lotions, candles and soaps and
letting people know I'm not dead yet
(which I am sure is the only reason
they could imagine for me not being there).
Jennifer Slater will be
displaying Scentsy Wickless Candles
in Canton along with a couple of my princess
pieces so those people know I'm around as well.
I'm looking forward to talking
with Amy Lambert of CICreative
about working on future projects together.
Speaking of future projects,
I hear through the grapevine that Arts Partners is going to
be trying to one up themselves after their fine job
on the
One State in the Arts Conference!
Curious? Good!
Check back in for details!

Arts Partners, Peoria Art Guild, Heartland Partnership, Peoria Next

What do these things have in common?
Arts Partners, The Peoria Art Guild, Heartland Partnership and Peoria Next.
Answer: See Change Progressive Mural

I spent the most delightful morning speaking with City Councilman Ryan Spain at the Heartland Partnership offices discussing the possibility of our progressive canvas mural, See Change, finding a temporary home at the Heartland offices and Peoria Next building.

Ryan was delighted that our mural was invited to be part of the Peoria Art Guild's Fine Arts Fair and saw it as a "natural" progression to be able to literally POINT to where it will show next!

While details still need to be worked out, I am confident that you will be seeing our art progressing around town soon!

Thanks to Suzette Boulais of Arts Partners, Jennifer Lee of Peoria Art Guild and Ryan Spain of Heartland Partnership and Peoria Next for working together to help make Peoria See Change!!!
I am so so happy!
Come see us at the Fine Art Fair this weekend and let everyone know how happy you are that we are there!!!
Enjoy!

We really DO have everything!!!

So, I got moved into my new studio in the back of

Simply Everything Boutique!
I am going to be working the counter a bit more
now that I am there but hopefully I will be
spending a lot of my time painting
wonderful orders for creative clients.
I also plan to continue painting
murals in homes and businesses.
I am looking forward to showing you the
Dome I am painting in the most
beautiful home being built!
For now here are a few pics of the art
IN the store!

This painting is on sale
50% off ONLY for those reading this blog.
Mention you saw the sale here and save $400!!!

A little variety adds some spice to life!

OOOpppsss! Sold.
Order one just how you like
it for only $28.

I have been searching for the best new artists
craftsmen and craftswomen
to add variety to our store
and I am so happy
to announce that
Deb Inman of Little Creek
is making wonderful natural
lotions, oils and candles
for us now.
(And at such amazing prices!!)

I personally love the
caramel nut and frosted pumpkin
scents for fall.

Has anyone besides me been chewed
on by every spider and mosquito on the planet lately?
This anti-itch roll on is fabulous!
It really works!

I've been having such fun with our new customers!
Brooklyn's Bows
is known for her children's accessories
but doesn't this flower look great on
this customer?
Did you notice her finger nails just happened to
be a perfect match to the flower?


This customer was sooooo excited
about the handmade ceramic
tic tac toe games
made by Chuck Flagg
that she ordered 10 more sets
to send as gifts to
Norway and England!
For just $8 a set
they come with all the pieces
AND a cute little carrying bag
that doubles as the board to
play on!
So easy to ship!

Today Vicky came in looking
for a pin to dress up her basic
beautiful black top.
She found the perfect pin
handmade by Ann Pastucha.
This polymer clay design added
the perfect accent that
took her outfit from
plain to eye catching
for just $15!
Okay, I'm going to work on my photography skills.
This picture just does not due justice
to Vicky or the pin.
They are both stunning!
I am soooo proud of our artists.
I hope you come and get to know them all.
If you've had a good time shopping
in our store I would love
for you to share your thoughts
with our fans!
Write a comment here or
send me a note on my
personal Email.
momboe630@aol.com

We're In!

I am so proud to announce
that we are going to be showing
our progressive mural
"See Change"
at the
Peoria Art Guild's Fine Art Fair
on the Peoria River Front
Sept. 26 & 27, 2009.
Here is where we will be!
Right under the bridge in a beautiful
shady spot.

Who are WE you ask?
Tom Gross, Adrienne Risby, James Flanigan,
Ross Stovall, Tom Warren and myself
created art on site at the
Pere Marquette this past June,
thanks to Suzette Boulais and Arts Partners
who asked me to gather some of my fine artists
to participate in the
One State in the Arts Conference.

We would love for you to come by, say hi
and announce to the entire Art Guild Staff
how happy you are to see them
support our local artists
at their fabulous art show!!!

Happy Birthday Jennifer!!!

What is 9/11 known for?
Jennifer Slater's Birthday!
YYYYEEAAAHHHH!!!!
Jennifer, not only did I bake you a cake...
but I'm going to eat it for you too!
30 never looked better!
Have the best day ever!!
Please send Jennifer your well wishes to
Simply Everything Boutique

Our First Day

Labor Day was the first official full time day for
Simply Everything Boutique.
Annette and Leslie officially manned or I guess womaned the sales counter

with the support team of Shelia and Keith while I moved van load after van load of painting supplies from my
Something Unique Studios
in Bartonville to the back of SEB.

What an exciting first day. The weather was perfect, the store was clean and bright, brimming with unique art and the customers came streaming in!!!
Unfortunately you will notice Jennifer is missing from the story:>(
Her son had a health emergency Wed. which has lead them to Florida to find a miracle cure which I firmly believe is going to happen:)
This one's for you Jen!!! Here is a bit of what you missed.
Congrats on being brave enough to change your whole world so I can take over the world and fill it with art and fun people!
Leslie and Annette were at the ready with the chant-
Show me the Money!!!
Professional and beautiful they played Romy and Michelle, straightening and displaying so everything was just perfect.
Look!!! Our first dollar as a new full time store!!! Now just a million more to go!

I, on the other hand, would escape from the back room where my new studio will be located, with hair pins flying to ramble about some found art treasure I hadn't seen since I moved into my art palace three years ago in Bartonville, to bump into an entire store full of art
cone suers and fairy princesses!
These two adorable divas were lucky enough to add two tutus from
Brooklyn's Bows
to their wardrobe.

Emma and Lily
were more than happy to model for the store audience and a fine job they did!
I'm sorry to say I missed the photo op with the couple that was lucky enough to buy Andrew Odum's copper dragonfly. The picture would have been of them trying to figure out how to fit the the 6 ft. wingspan into their vehicle!!! None of us thought about that when we were mesmerized by the beauty of his sculpture!
Where there is a will there is a way and they drove their treasure home. I pictured in my mind the dragonfly strapped to the roof of their car, wings out, ready to take them away!!
I work today Tuesday from 4-9 so come out to see first hand The Adventures of Amy in my new world!

Wanna know a secret?

I'm going to tell you a big secret!!!

Curious fans have asked me for years where I get all my great treasures to paint on. Some of them I buy at garage sales or find them garbage picking, many are given to me but the majority of fabulous finds are found here at
Pekin Used Furniture
215 Court St. Pekin, Il 61554.
(309) 346-9811.

The handsome mature man there is Fritz with his wonderful son Tony.
Together they run one heck of a treasure hunt! They have the best deals around by far and you won't meet a more friendly guy!
Truth is I have been buy from him for about 15 years now!
He has always done me right. He has donated whenever I've asked him to. He has actually give things to me for free when I've bought waaayyy too much.
Today I donated items back to him since I am leaving my studio and told him I had to find a mattress and box spring for a gentleman getting out of the hospital who was coming home to absolutely NO furniture. He has a place to go but NOTHING in it, not even a bed. I just couldn't stand hearing that!
Fritz being his wonderful self not only found me a mattress and box spring but a frame as well and DONATED it to me!
I sure hope you guys will all go visit Fritz and tell him I sent ya.
It's sooooo much funthere! Treasures every where!!! There is another kind of semi open, semi secret store up the block too. If you ask real nice his son Tony will walk you down there for a little look-see. You'll be one of the special few who get to.
Show me what you find!
I LOVE that place and Fritzy too!!!