Mary A. McCunn

Credit cards at festivals...

2012-01-18T12:51:00.003-05:00

Don't be afraid of it - Mobile payment processing of your credit card at my festivals! Have you found yourself at a festival wondering how safe it is to hand over your credit card and/or have it swiped or hand-keyed into the new technology such as a smartphone or iPad? It's ok for you to ask us how this works!

It's better for you as a customer, here is why: It is an application, usually by a large credit card processing company and it DOES NOT let the smartphones store any credit card or personal info, the info is encryped and immediately sent to the payment processing company, JUST like when you use a credit card in a store! In my processing company's case, it won't even store your email on my iPhone. We can email you a receipt immediately and we don't see the email address after it processes! As a business owner, I like that I do not walk away with YOUR info and the only time I see your credit card is when I am swiping it! It is more secure for you and I don't have to be responsible for safeguarding your card information! Only draw back is if I don't have cell service, then we have to do it the good ol' knuckle buster by-hand way!

So, if you find yourself at a festival where an artist asks for your credit card info to put either in their smartphone or iPad, it's all good! Technology and companies out there have finally caught up with our "traveling businesses" and realize we need safer ways to safe guard our customers!

Artisan Marketplace.....

2012-01-17T07:33:00.004-05:00

Come on out to Lakeview Golf Resort & Spa in Morgantown WV and visit Macee at the Artisan Marketplace during their 28th Annual Festival of Food & Wine. The Artisan Marketplace will be open on Saturday, January 21st from 10-6. All other food and wine activities start Friday and continue through Sunday. You can come out for the day or jump on their Getaway Package. This years event features "A Culinary Road Trip Across America". Find the details at http://www.lakeviewresort.com/media/docs/FOFWebFlier.pdf . Check out their food & wine schedule here http://www.lakeviewresort.com/media/docs/2011FestivalofFoodschedule.pdf and of course you must see their menu for the weekend here http://www.lakeviewresort.com/media/docs/FOFMenuList125.pdf . YUM! And finally, reservations and direction can be found here http://www.lakeviewresort.com/west-virginia-vacation/index.cfm . Come say hi and enjoy and fabulous weekend! Maybe even book a Spa treatment!

Itty Bitty 2 opening Sat. Oct 1st 6-8 pm...

2011-09-30T09:04:00.003-04:00

Arts at Canal Place co-op gallery is featuring the work of member artist, Mary "Macee" McCunn in "Itty Bitty 2". The solo jewelry show opened Sep. 25th and is going on through October 30th. McCunn will be present to discuss her work and greet visitors at the Opening Reception with refreshments on Saturday, Oct. 1st from 6 to 8 p.m.

McCunn is know for her sculptural jewelry that has an antiqued textural appearance and includes earrings, necklaces, rings and other items made of silver, brass, steel and copper, yet with a subtle primitive appearance. All work is handmade through the forging process as performed by many blacksmiths and metalsmiths from the earliest of times.

The typical feel of her current works will be available, but also a repeat of her new dainty and more delicate line of necklaces, earrings, bangles and rings called "Itty Bitty" that was introduced successfully last fall. The new line is perfect for those who want the look that the artist is know for, but that want something more light and airy to wear. "I constantly re-evaluate my merchandise and listen to what the customers want and the "Itty Bitty" line adds another choice so there is something for everyone for the holiday gift giving season" says McCunn.

You can learn more about McCunn, her upcoming shows and where you can purchase her work at other galleries by visiting her blog at www.meadowbrookarts.blogspot.com or Meadowbrook Arts on Facebook.

McCunn's work can also be found at Lost River Artisan Cooperative, Gifts Inn Boonsboro, The Gallery (Oakland, MD) and Mountain Made (Thomas, WV).

Arts at Canal Place is a local co-op artists' gallery. Any artists that may be interested in jurying in to become a member is encouraged to call (301) 777-8199 for information regarding becoming a member. The gallery, located at 16 Howard St. among the Shops at Canal Place Heritage Area is open seven days a week, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Festival summer & fall list 2011, what we are planning...

2011-05-20T15:26:00.003-04:00

A quick recap of upcoming shows....

Frederick Festival of the Arts
Carroll Creek Linear Park
Frederick, MD
June 4 & 5

Arts on the River
Hazel Ruby McQuain Riverfront Park
Morgantown WV
June 11 & 12

Deep Creek Lake Art & Wine Festival
Garrett County Fairgrounds
McHenry MD
September 10

Itty Bitty 2
Arts at Canal Place
Cumberland MD
Sep 25 through October 30
Opening receptions Oct 1 from 6-8pm

Springs Folk Festival
Springs PA
October 7 & 8

Mountaineer Week Craft Fair & Quilt Show
Mountainlair WVU Campus
Morgantown WV
Oct 28 - 30

Inspiration at any age!

2011-04-10T09:53:00.002-04:00

We are blessed in life if we find those individuals we can look up to, but even luckier if we find it in a different generation. I find a kinship in such a person - Willard Dominick. The gap in our years is large, almost by 50 years! That, however, doesn't stop the flow of conversation. Though our visits tend to be short and few and far in between, they are always interesting and dearly precious to me! This is someone who I could sit with for days, just taking in all the wonderful stories that come from his life. Maybe it's because he reminds me of my grandfather, Pappap, who passed away some years ago. They both have this innovative and creative nature and it makes me feel at home in my own skin. Willard is my kin, even though it is through being only an in-law... he is a brother-in-law to my father-in-law! Sounds funny, but he is my family, none-the-less. We had a chance to visit him at his Retrospective show "Viva L' Arte" that was on display at the Gallery at the Gamble Mill in Bellefonte, PA last weekend. http://www.bellefontearts.org/GMG_pages/2011shows/Dominick.htm

The Last Supper - Urban Renewal is a favorite. I remember seeing this oil painting (dated 1962) in his absolutely fabulous studio!

The event was held at Gamble Mill, which is rich in history dating back to 1786. This fabulous old mill has been through many conversions and several owners, of which, it now houses a wonderful restaurant and microbrewery. It was the first building in Bellefonte to be placed on the National Register for Historic Places (http://gamblemill.com/).

Stone Henge was in a show in New York, back in the day.

Baths of Caracalla and Villa Petto, Chiesa are two of my favorites!

Love the textured details in this acrylic!

And the use of color.

Carved Fish, is actually a carving before it's painted and very fun.

Music is a part of his life, so I'm not surprised to find this Split Violin assemblage. It is interesting if you walk through the show or check it out online to see the diversity of his work and characters over the years. Truly an inspiring man and I'm lucky to have met him.

Jewelry, pottery & Nora Roberts....

2011-04-01T15:48:00.012-04:00

Come have fun with us at the Open House and the book signing event! Mary McCunn & Steve Sullivan Open House at Nora Roberts' - Gifts Inn Boonsboro. 4/2/11 SATURDAY 11-3p.m. Stop by & visit Mary (jewelry) & Steve (pottery) in Nora’s giftshop that features regional artists. Next door at her bookstore, Turn the Page, Nora will be signing her new book (Chasing Fire)! http://www.ttpbooks.com/ http://giftsinnboonsboro.com/events.htm

Off to WVU & Mountaineer Week...

2010-11-15T14:52:00.001-05:00

and what fun that was! Ok, so it wasn't so fun to lug everything up a "shared" freight elevator for the set-up, but once it was set up and we were ready to go, it was fabulous. The students, professors, parents and other vendors were just wonderful! I can say I thoroughly enjoyed it. This festival, held in the Mountainlair Student Union, has been around for a lot of years (somewhere around 63) and the whole week is packed full of all kind of activities worth checking out. Though my booth typically doesn't have blue in the background, I thought it was very appropriate to use their colors and I thought it turned out very "WVU festive". Some of my favorites purchases were handmade soaps and a "way cool" poppy pillow! They had everything you could think of from tasty pastas, bee products, fiber, pottery, chocolates, of course jewelry, stained glass and much much more. http://mountaineerweek.wvu.edu/ http://wvutoday.wvu.edu/n/2010/11/17/mountaineer-week-celebrating-appalachian-heritage is a little recap of the week - notice my wacky and fun Topper Stoppers (bottle stoppers) are featured and sold out at this event!

Canalfest....

2010-09-27T14:53:00.006-04:00

What a picturesque moment during CanalFest. I felt like I was a big part of Cumberland Maryland and it's C&O Canal history.

Did you know, that the celebrated opening in Cumberland of the Chesapeake & Ohio Canal occurred in October of 1850, where 5 coal boats awaited the first trip to Georgetown? Canal engineers began near the nation's capital in 1828 to construct 184.5 miles of ditch and towpath.

The new Fairfield was behind me, along with the canal boat replica. Set at night with a glowing lamp post above and wha la, atmosphere!

Nothing like friends surrounding you during an event. We sure end up at a lot of festivals together and it can be a really good time! Printer Eddie and Potter Steve surround me as we enjoyed the great music line-up!

I can't forget my wonderful friend Annie and her beautiful booth and work. She does such fun paper products and always keeps me company! Sometimes events don't go off perfectly for us and it's times like these that it becomes more than about the mighty dollar.

Deep Creek Art & Wine...

2010-09-13T14:54:00.005-04:00

This was my first year of attending the Deep Creek Art & Wine Festival. It was a short but fun event. Everyone had jolly spirits as they shopped for goodies, like my newly introduced my fun and wacky Topper Stoppers, while they sipped (or gulped) tasty wines. Most of the area is under cover since it's held at the Garrett County Fair Grounds in McHenry, MD. Even though the event is to benefit the American Red Cross each year, it certainly benefits the many wonderful and quality vendors, as well as, the tummies of all those who came out to support it! I went home with a few bottles myself! Mmmmm.....

WV cabin creativity....

2010-08-30T15:44:00.000-04:00

Nothing quite like being one with nature while you make work while under deadlines!

I'm not stocked with a ton of tools at this location - since it is supposed to be a place for rest, relaxation and recovery from what life throws at us.

That doesn't stop fun designs or the ability to be creative. There is something to be said for working in the woods. It lends to inspiration!

Odd textures....

2010-08-29T16:09:00.001-04:00

So, I'm intrigued by the oddest of items, and images photographed of them lend to creation at a later date. This image is trash built up in the Inner Harbor of Maryland.

I found the next amusing, reminding me of soda bottle lids.

And finally I loved the lines of architecture versus the bricks, peeps and tables below. Don't you just wonder who those little heads belong to at the Maryland Science Center?

TIME OUT for tye dye.....

2010-07-28T15:09:00.001-04:00

Like mother, like daughter, or in this case daughter and friends of daughter! They all got their creative juices going and produced some fun shirts! Chaise, Sydney, Moriah & Georgy had fabulous time.

Macee was selected to join Mountain Made....

2010-07-23T14:15:00.005-04:00

West Virginia has so many wonderful places to visit, this being one of them. If you want some really cool art in a really cool building, check out Mountain Made.

Mountain Made is deep in the area near Canaan Valley. Lots of outdoor skiers head out to vacation and typically end up in Thomas to check this store out! They also have an online catalog if you can't make it there. http://www.mountainmade.com/

Macee's work will be available in the late fall, just in time for the holiday season. Stop in and check it out and pair it up with a stay at one of the many fabulous resorts. You have Timberline and Canaan Valley Resort to take on some down hill skiing activities and one of our favorites for cross country and FABULOUS alternative foods, is White Grass http://www.whitegrass.com/ ! It is well worth a trip to the area! Just talking about it makes me want to book a stay myself!

Art in the Park....

2010-07-13T14:35:00.007-04:00

Another festival down and with new merchandise, mixed in with cool older classic Macee designs.

It was a beautiful weekend with the weather being gorgeous along the side of Deep Creek Lake! I went back to my older display since we were on uneven ground. Such is the life of an artist that goes to outdoor shows, ALWAYS uneven ground!

Lucky me, I got to be beside my good friend Annie and her lovely handmade paper creations! She keeps exploring and these quilt like sewn paper 2D works are fabulous!

Dropping off art for jury in WV....

2010-06-30T14:22:00.003-04:00

In my world, it will forever be about the art, but it can certainly do me no harm to also be about the food. The Purple Fiddle in Thomas WV is one of those places, if you haven't discovered, you need to drop in and check it out. They have a line up of music that includes old-time and traditional bands, but also a little rock n' roll, jazz, funk, raggae, Celtic, folk, Latin and more. The menu consists of a lot of fresh made unique wraps, homemade falafel, hummus, and pico de gallo and is served in a dining area either outside or eclectic in nature inside. You can even draw with chalk on the walls in the lady's bathroom! Fun.

A cute and small artsy gallery is located just a short jaunt away. It is owned by a couple local artists.

One of their displays is quite interesting. They had a bow in the floor and decided it would be really cool to insert a door to take care of the issue, then suspend another door on top to use as a display table. Clever and fun. This was currently being used for "buttons", of which Seth created a lot of the sayings and images on them. My daughter ended up with many of them. They included a couple of my favorites that he made to just see if you would say them out loud to make you sound silly: "supa sep secky suchy saba susser sa!" and "licka lally lupa luck luk!". Then there were "buttons are sexy"and "cheeses priced".

This is Sean, one of the co-owners. His work is super cute and comic in nature about life, drawn with sharpies and microns. His work can be seen at http://www.theartofseth.com/. We spent a good bit of time talking to him and Chaise walked out with several items, to include a print. He had a wonderful and welcoming personality and was super easy to talk to about why he does what he does.

Our main goal to our journey was to stop in to Mountain Made. It is this wonderfully old, large building and has a fabulous gallery of art and fine craft. Not only can you shop here, you can shop on-line at http://www.mountainmade.com/. Since I also have a home in West Virginia, I was able to take my jewelry to be juried to see if I could become an artist represented by Mountain Made that was established to promote WV artists. They offer classes, art studios and, of course, art. The work is dropped off and the wait time of about a couple weeks begin as they look over my work to see they agree that I am a nice fit for their gallery and that my quality is what they are looking for. Judging by the work currently there (I've shopped there many times before), I think I'll make a nice addition. Wish me luck!

Art on the River & the new display....

2010-06-21T10:51:00.001-04:00

It was that time of the year for me when you decide it's time to go be one with your customer base. It never is a small task and I always appreciate what other artists do to get their work out to the masses. I started this season with a trying out a new, and what I hoped to be, easier and less time consuming display to set up. My family humored me as I roughly tried it out in our livingroom for about a week!

My daughter helped me pack the Rover. This is only part way filled and with the new display, quite the puzzle to put together! I can't believe what I stuffed in there! Uhm, time to buy a larger vehicle.

The new display. It set up, knocking 2 entire hours off my time! It is a flat surface set-up only though, so on unlevel ground, I'm back to tacking on those hours. I was pleased with how it clean it looks.

I love my snazzy banner a friend created for me out of my images. It all added to my professional image and was very well received by my customers at Arts on the River in Morgantown! Thanks to those who always make it worth my while to hump and slump my entire store to them.

Another contemporary artist was at the festival and decided to play artist on the sidewalk in front of his space. Some kids even joined in, and it ended up to be a pretty cool piece. He almost had his own type of language and it was about 20 feet long by the time he stopped. It stuck around for both days considering people were walking on the Deckers Creek Trail that begins at the Hazel Ruby McQuain River Front Park, where our small festival was located. Funny, but people didn't want to step on it!

Of course, one of my favorites is the paper booth! Annie Morris Simcoe (from http://www.annabellpetunahead.com/ or check her out on facebook.com under ABPH) makes fabulous hand made paper, out of things like ramps, vegetable matter and so many other items. Then she sews the papers together to make both 2D work and 3D vessels, jewelry and lamps. This lovely friend put me up for the weekend in Morgantown and we both tried to deal with the upper 90's that mother nature threw at us. It is always lovely to be at a festival, side-by-side with a friend, but especially one that has such refreshing and original work. Did I mention, I own many of her pieces! Now, on to the next festival.

Chincoteague + girls + art + BILL = fun!

2010-06-17T22:48:00.026-04:00

So we left the big city behind by crossing the linear and cool geometic Bay Bridge on our long girls week & end adventure to go hang at a cute little vacation pad on Chincoteague Island in Virginia, owned by another friend who graciously said - have it.
We arrive to see lush, marshy areas as we made our way to the island.
The trip surrounded this lovely chickie because it was her special birthday. We all got to enjoy the yummy peachy dessert Ceil made for Dalis.

And who could resist purchasing her something from this way cool shop!
Truth be told, we must have been in here a half dozen times, at least during the trip. This coffee and way fabulous art shop sits right at the entrance to the island and you can't miss it or it's quaint attitude!
We just couldn't leave it. There was something crammed in every nook on both floors.

So we went to the island for the water, right?! Annie had a wonderful suggestion that we take a tour with Captain Ray. We got to explore for 3 hours, since the Captain was passionate about the island. Good thing we thought to bring wine and cheese over this dinner hour! Ceil and Annie were enjoying the wonderful breeze of the evening, prior to spotting some dolphin. Favorite quotes from the Captain? "Maam, I think you're losing your dress!" and "My goodness...."
And speaking of the sea... do you sea what I sea?

Annie in her new island cowgirl get-up, that has made it's way back to Cumberland.

A nifty assemblange.

Who

can be so close to Ocean City without going and

playing with Ceil's family who has a vacation home by the beach. We got together with them for a fun and fabulous dinner at Fager's Island. Elizabeth , Theresa, Helen and Maria told us wonderfully entertaining stories.

Maria has a lovely

evening walk way through the dunes to the beach outside of her condo.

One of our mornings,

we decided that Dalis, Ceil and I would take a bike ride through the Assateague Island Wildlife Refuge.

The mist was still apparant above the water.

The Great Egrets could be seen in large flocks having marsh parties.

I was taken aback at how uniquely beautiful and preserved this area was.

I thought perhaps I could sit here for days. That could have been the case, had it not been for the plastic bag that was wrapped around my camera, that came loose and took a hike on the wind, making it's way at this beautiful scene.

My mad dash to stop the tumble of the plastic bag into the marsh, put me behind a bit and I had to pick up my speed to catch up. Trust me, these girls have been exercising a bit more than me lately. I did so, right about the time of seeing Dalis and Ceil pass through these tall trees. I felt almost as if we were going through a tall gate, because all the surrounding trees were dwarfed compared to these tall'ies.

I wanted to stop and sit right there to see what would pop out of the refuse, but alas, the girls were always ahead of me and we had a beach to go plop our butts on. Annie was already there by car, waiting for our arrival.

We got detoured one last time, to see the famous wild ponies of Assateague Island. They were all bowed down to nibble on the grass and one little one decided it was nap time.

The beach is only backed by the Assateague Island Wild Refuge, so there are no condos, restaurants or shop in view. Only nature. AND BILL. He was always around, every day we went to the beach and loves Goldfish brand crackers.

This is BILL, BILL, BILL, BILL, BILL, BILL & BILL.

I am and forever will be a texture girl. I love applying it to my art in so many forms. So my images tend to not be of the people on the beach, but the waves crashing in, creating such a mix and play of colors, shapes, light, and I can almost touch the bumpiness of the view.

The transistion of the color and textures are fabulous. I found myself almost trying to pick out shapes to throw into my jewelry designs. Almost! I was tired from all the biking and decided to go read a book on my new beach chair as the breeze and mist from the ocean washed over our mini vacation. Okay, okay, so MY final trip to the coffee art shop ended up in more purchases, to include a little cup like vessel from this artist. AGAIN with the texture. Love it. Too bad I procrastinated and missed a set I was going to purchase. But I was happy to take any one of these little guys home for my art collection.
Our mini vacation was coming to an end and we had had a fabulous and relaxing time of it. I enjoyed my time on the beach with great friends.
BILL was even there and we learned he spied something else orange on the picnic table behind the pad. What's witht he orange BILL? I'd like to think he was there to say goodbye.

Friends felting on Friday....

2010-04-24T10:26:00.011-04:00

A beautiful day, some fiber & silk, two friends and some fun was the perfect way to spend a Friday afternoon on a porch in Cumberland! The result: lots of laughing, lots of strong java, lots of serious business talk, a "little" wine and a way cool scarf! I'm modeling my fabulous Nuno Felted Scarf that we spent about 2 hours making. Takes a little less time if you aren't "yapping" - but what fun would that be?!

This scarf ended up with so much texture and is made by felting hand dyed merino wool, silk hankie, mohair, wool yarn and glitz onto a hand dyed 90" silk chiffon scarf.
The colors were simply gorgeous together. And look how the edges of the chiffon are left to sort of curl. This is the outcome due to the felting process as the wool sinks deeply into the chiffon as you work it while it's wet. It is a fun process and you get a little exercise while making it!

The edges at the bottom of the scarf have wool yarn that extends down past the chiffon to create fringes.

I would love to take credit for this gorgeous creation, but it is actually a kit that is created and sold by my friend Dalis Davidson. Dalis is as vibrant in her personality as her scarves and other products she creates and sells at http://www.dancingleaffarm.com/. You can buy a premade scarf from her or the kit to make yourself! It comes in all sorts of colors and can be made all sorts of ways and even using a shorter scarf. She also teaches this very fun class on making this fabulous neck art. She hand dyes her own scarves and wools at her sheep farm in Barnesville MD and then assembles the kits for sale. Doesn't she look wonderful in MY scarf?!

Jewelry to Lost River...

2010-03-30T13:25:00.011-04:00

It was the time of year to clean the barn and install art work at the Lost River Artisans Cooperative in Lost River West Virginia. As usual it was a wonderful collaboration of cleaning fiends or should that be friends, because it sure seems like this is a great group of peeps who come out to lift a dust rag and eat good food together to get ready for the public!

The buds will hopefully soon be popping in time for this seasons opening of April 10th. The Lost River Artisans Cooperative was founded in 1988 in the scenic Lost River Valley in West Virginia's Potomac Highlands and is home to nearly 100 regional artists and crafts people. http://www.lostrivercraft.com/

Tim Wheeler (current LRAC President) is directing his artistic cleaning crew to paint, dust and sweep this large space. About 30 people showed up to lend a hand.

A little window washing (also known as an outside comedy act!). Much more goofing off from the heights of the ladder would have resulted in a few broken bones!

Yours truly on another ladder for a calmer job of dusting lights. Trust me, Tim was running out of jobs to give people. "What do you want me to do now, Tim?!"

After clean up, a little installation of some of my work.

After a nice warm day with this lovely group, I took off in my old car for a nice 20 m.p.h. ride home. Okayyyy, I was BEHIND this slow poke, but what a cute slow poke it was, until I passed him. This is always a nice country ride to and from Lost River and well worth the drive. So is the art - take a stroll and wheel on down sometime. Check out their site and see the demos, classes and festive activities ramping up for the year. If you are an artist interested in selling your wares, they will still jury new artists in for 2010. There is even a cool shop next door for a yummy bite to eat.

"What's New" exhibition......

2010-03-18T10:42:00.006-04:00

Arts at Canal Place is featuring a collective art show titled "What's New". Included in the exhibition are necklaces and earrings by Mary "Macee" McCunn, made of copper, brass and steel. Pat Hilton is included in the show with her lovely pastel titled "Snow Shadows". Other artists showing photography, monotype prints, felting, watercolor, enameling, 2d paper, steel forged items and sculpture are also part of this show that is open to the public from March 7 - April 10. Stop by the gallery anytime between 10-6 daily to check out the show. For more information visit www.artsatcanalplace.com.

Because of friends.....

2010-02-12T21:28:00.003-05:00

I'm not a fiber artists, but as I sat next to two good friends last year on a plane bound for Michigan on a girls weekend, apparantly they thought I should be! They also thought my name was not artsy enough and so they dubbed me Macee, which has since stuck. We sat side by side knitting as the balls rolled under the seats. Ok, THEY were knitting and I was trying to knit, since I haven't picked up yarn in years. Mom taught me to crochet as a kid, but I stepped away from those toilet paper covers a long time ago. Most of you who are wonderfully experienced fiber artists, to include my good friends, would have this scarf done in one sitting. Not me, it took me forever because I forgot what I was doing, got side tracked and then had to be taught how to do it again. It also took a little youtube.com instruction as well to finish things off, but alas, here is my first knitted piece. Though it may not be perfect, it is finished and I've moved on to the next scarf in between making jewelry!

The Hard & Soft of It

2010-02-10T09:06:00.001-05:00

After lots of hard work and a great artist to partner with, The Hard and Soft of It show went off beautifully!

A new direction for me. What a fun collection of jewelry to work on and have available to the public and what a neat way to present "hugs and kisses". This is becoming part of the wholesale line and will be avaible to retailers very soon.
Jean (Barnes Downs) explored new directions and has such a great way of exposing texture and this happens to be one of my favorites!

More "hugs and kisses"! I love the way the softness of the idea behind a gentle kiss can be combined with such hard steel & brass.

Our opening mug shot! More importantly, look at Jean's organic works in the background. Her works are always wonderfully soothing and if you happen to explore the new hospital (Western Maryland Health Systems - Cumberland, MD), her artwork can be found in the halls surrounding the waiting area on the Outpatient Surgery floor. You can explore more on Jean at http://www.solitudestudio.com/. More fun, colorful and fuzzy! This bracelet stretches over the wrist and reminded me of the days when sweat bands were cool to wear on your wrists and head! Hum.... 70's, plastic, wool & bullet casings.... what a combo!

Work Hard Play Hard

2010-02-05T12:16:00.055-05:00

Since the fall and winter season was very full of festivals, shows or holiday orders, we decided to take off to Barbados where it is between 72 & 82 degrees year round. I loved the night because of all the really cool lighting used around this quaint 21x14 mile island. It provided, in this instance, a wonderful backdrop to really cool silhouetted models!

Every walkway was lit with recessed lighting.

It was either organic in feel or geometric.

What great arched doorways. This one led to our villa.

The doors all opened but contained decorative rod iron bars, but were perfectly laid out to allow the air to really circulate. The lighting created such a wonderful ambiance at night. We were sucked in by it.

Some windows were no more than 1.5 feet high, but added such a wonderful element of "adorabubbleness!" (Ok, so that's my daughters word, so is "awesome sauce", but both are a sweet way of saying how much we enjoyed the villa!)

Outside, leading a wonderful stepping stone path around the entire villa, were these wonderful lights.

A perfectly warm evening, a glass of wine and a walk in the fresh air with my family proved to be very special.

You can't stay out of the water at Barbados! You can swim, snorkel, ride water craft and even surf on the East side of the island. We chose to make arrangements through a fabulously eco-friendly small business called - what else - Ecodive! (http://ecodivebarbados.com/) This business is small and personal and truly believes in catering to tiny groups of adventurers. Our two days consisted of either diving, snorkeling or swimming with sea turtles. What a professional, yet very friendly staff! We truly enjoyed the time spent with them as we snorkeled above old ship wrecks in Carlisle Bay Marine Park.

Mikey was testing out the local sushi! (Ok, so he was really holding some food for the sea turtles, just a bit TOO closely to his pie hole!)

While Mikey entertained us with his sweet humor, Andrew was a bit more serious, giving us the skinny on the island, its people (Bajan or Barbadians), its culture, its food (flying fish, bajan rice, roti and mac pie - of which we had all of them while on the island made at the hands of the locals) and whatever else his wonderfully packed mind could dish out in our two days with him. If you ever make it to Barbados, you seriously have to look him up!

A baby sea turtle at the beginning of our journey, but the ones we had the opportunity to swim with were about 4 feet in size.

Mikey provided my daughter with sushi as well, but I couldn't get over the true blue color of the water and the natural textures of the waves. It made the water look shallow, of which, it was not.

Nothing artsy about this, but it sure was fun!

Andrew explained, this is where the sugar from this British island is loaded on to the huge ships and is also where the cruise ships come in. I thought they looked like little robotic creatures. Sugar is what Barbados has harvested and is known to export, well, along with RUM! Mmmmm and trust me, I had a few of Big Dave's rum punches while hanging out on our beach.

My daughter had the opportunity to shop for her friends with a local art vendor in the area of Speightstown. There was a great local art shop nearby I found myself lingering for quite some time.

A little bunch of trees right?

Uh uh, nope, a huge bunch of trees and located right outside our villa.

Everywhere you turned, you'd see just a peek of ocean and a perfect spot to just wander through to put your feet in the sand. This also was in Speightstown, not far from our villa and on the calmer West side of the island.

Salt is naturally doing what I try to accomplish at times in my metal sculptures.

In Speightstown, we stopped to try some local food, in this establishment, we had the islands Mac Pie. It is sort of like mac and cheese but doctored up the island way. It is rib sticking and delish! This cool cut-up doorway led into the kitchen.

Along our walk as we sucked in more of the ocean air. I loved the repetition of the stones and lights.

Old, warn and weathered.

Churches can be found all over this eastern most West Indies island and the island is divided up into 11 parishes.

Rush hour is around 3-4 in the afternoon as all of the local children descend upon the local bus systems widely used across the island. At times the sidewalks were packed with children, all clad in their different colored uniforms. The roads were shared equally (no road rage allowed) by children, horses, cars, bikes and the like. How refreshing as the drivers were quite courteous, even to the many tourists who had to adjust (ahem, like us) to driving on the left!

Deeper into the island we visited a very cool (even if commercial) pottery shop called Earthworks!

Hum, I wonder how long it took them to tile this wall, along with the many other walls that decorated the surroundings?

This was available at the shop, but it wouldn't fit into my purse to bring home! Darn.

How would you like the ability to have that much clay available to you at any given moment?

Large pottery bowls ready for firing.
Their kiln actually slides on a track system on the floor to cover this entire stack of pottery to be fired at one time.

Some colorful, finished pieces. Their pottery is available at many of the stores and shops around the island.

These will make a lot of coffee drinkers happy!

Even their pile of scrapped junk pieces looked cool!

Another wonderful church at one of their many round abouts. Built in 1836, St. Thomas Parish Church is not along the coast line, therefore we found ourselves lost deeper in the island. That being said, have I mentioned that Bajan people are the friendliest group of local people on any island I've ever visited and in this instance, one very kind man helped us find our way again. It always amazed me at how accommodating and how kind they are to one another and to tourists.

One of our final sunsets on our villa's beach before we left the island.

I took so many images of the ocean crashing along the beach, picking up on the wonderful textures that were created. It was mesmerizing and a wonderful way to end our trip, that was simply too short.

The view on our somewhat turbulent, but gorgeous flight above the friendly skies and ocean, as we dreamed of the day we would once again return to what has quickly become our favorite vacation spot. The beaches were wonderful, the restaurants yummy, the pace SLOW and the island large enough that we simply HAVE to return to explore more of its hidden treasures.

Brrrrrrrrrrrr

2010-02-05T10:05:00.006-05:00

Since we are getting this.....

I thought I'd give you this! My studio sure looks pretty as it is beginning to get another load of snow, but I must say, one of my favorite trips this year took us to Barbados and I'd rather be sitting on our beach with this view! Notice, the same hues of color from one photo to another.... so how can one be so frigid and the other so deliciously warm????

December at Arts at Canal Place...

2009-11-16T15:49:00.002-05:00

The Hard & Soft of It

by Mary A. McCunn & Jean Barnes Downs

Arts at Canal Place - Featured Artists
December 3, 2009 - January 9, 2010
Opening Reception w/ refreshments: Saturday, December 5, 2009
Hours: 6 - 8 pm
Arts at Canal Place, Cumberland, MD
http://www.artsatcanalplace.com/
(301)777-8199

Along with some of what you normally see from Mary, will be a strong presence of steel in her jewelry and sculpture. The typical feel of her current works will be there, but with a new and occasional soft direction, by incorporating wool and other softer materials into her work. She will utilize her metal techniques, presenting work that has both a soft natural and organic feel, while also blending it with a harder edge using geometric shapes and harder lines. As in nature, these two usually can be found together, the soft fuzzy baby chick awaiting feeding in a hard branchy nest or perhaps the soft flowing hay around a piece of farm equipment or a steel metal bridge or especially a lamb by a steel barbed fence. Always present is this natural hard and soft pairing.

Jean Barnes Downs
Planting Roots
Monotype with pastel
http://www.solitudestudio.com/

Downs' monotypes will feature strong simple abstract compositions with blocks of color and variations of hard and soft edges suggesting tender plants growing in a rock crevasse or water cascading over solid stone. Geometric shapes will be offset with the flowing contour line of drawing as she plays with mixing mediums incorporating pastel and the printing process of chine collé. Ever present are her multiple layers of color and texture drawing the viewer into each piece to seek out a story hidden there.

1 studio tour weekend down, another to go!

2009-11-12T14:09:00.017-05:00

The first weekend of the Artists Studio Tour kicked off last Saturday and Sunday. Of the many people who stopped by, lots checked out the merchandise on this fantastic weekend!

We talked about the antique power hammer and its purpose.

I talked about parts used to create jewelry with a fun couple from Little Orleans.

Hazel stopped by and joined in on the beautiful day.

Checking out product for Christmas gifts.

Pam is enjoying a yummy cup of home made beef and barley soup! Or should I say two!!!

Stamping some copper on an old rail road piece.

Our final weekend of the studio tour is this Saturday (14th) and Sunday (15th). Drop by and say hi. We will be around from 10-5 each day. Review the prior blog post for details and directions and we look forward to seeing you!

For the funkiness in all of us...

2009-11-10T12:50:00.013-05:00

Turkey Teaser! Cuddlies A very contemporary, fuzzy & fun, one-of-a-kind line of jewelry made of: plastic, wool, copper, steel, brass, and bullet casings! There are caterpillar, rock, disk and cocoon necklaces. Also, some earrings and really fun and unusual bracelets. If you like wacky and off the wall, stop in and check them out. They won't be a regular from Meadowbrook Arts and are limited in quantity.
Arts at Canal Place - Featured Artists
November 1, 2009 - November 30, 2009
Check out our "extra" inventory as a teaser of the show to come in December at AaCP. We will have two full cases available for those who want to GOBBLE up unique pieces prior to "The Hard & Soft of It" show in December. Ask anyone working at AaCP where our two cases are and happy shopping! Ho Ho Ho!
Hours: 10-6 Daily
Arts at Canal Place, Cumberland, MD
www.artsatcanalplace.com
(301)777-8199

Studio tour begins tomorrow, come say hi!

2009-11-06T13:29:00.001-05:00

2009 Mountain Maryland
Artists' Studio Tour

37 articipating Artists including Mary A. McCunn
Two weekends: Nov 7 & 8 10-5
Nov 14 & 15 10-5

It's going to be a fabulous weekend for weather so come join Mary at her studio in Cresaptown, MD for a tour of her studio, see her old Fairbanks antique power hammer, her pappap's old anvils, see some demoing (I'll more than likely be hammering on jewelry), enjoy free refreshments and purchase some jewelry or sculpture for someone for Christmas. Sip on some hot Aspen mulled cider and eat some home made beef & barley soup while we catch up. It will be fun!

Directions: From I68, take Exit 42 and follow 220 South (McMullen Hwy towards Keyser). After about 5 miles, go straight through next 2 lights (in Cresaptown). Make 3rd RIGHT onto WYOMING (before Scarpelli's Funeral Home). Make IMMEDIATE RIGHT onto CONNECTICUT. Make next LEFT onto FLORIDA. 13817 is at the top of the street on the RIGHT before it T's. White rancher w/red shutters. Red studio behind the house.

Meadowbrook Arts studio: 301-729-3750 if you get lost!

For more information on this event and to receive a beautiful guide book with directions to all of the participating artists, contact the Allegany Arts Council at 301-777-2787 or visit their website http://www.alleganyartscouncil.org/ to learn more.

Studio clean up begins...

2009-10-28T15:55:00.006-04:00

The studio is quite the mess.
It's that time of year when I need to get it whipped into shape to be able to invite people out during the Mountain Maryland Artists Studio Tour that kicks off Nov. 7th! That doesn't leave a lot of time.
Yoki ruffly says, "wanna drop by for some mulled cider and soup?" She's helping out watching that I clean up properly and will be here to greet you all if you decide to come out and take a peak at my studio.

I hope the leaves stay on long enough for you to see it. Doesn't it look lovely nestled in amongst the colors today?! Who is gonna rake those leaves that have just STARTED to drop?

I've even created an area inside the larger studio so everyone can stay out of the cold and be able to shop for Christmas gifts. Of course, I still have lots of cleaning to do because I have three small areas you can step into to see how and where I do what I do. If time and space allows, I even plan on doing a little jewelry demoing. Meanwhile, it's back to cleaning and back to creating new work!

Hiking with the girls!

2009-10-22T10:38:00.013-04:00

A few of my favorite artist friends decided to take the day off from our studios and go for a hike in the Appalachian Mountains of Western Maryland.
For me, it was so refreshing to be out and crunching on all the crispy leaves with Ceil, Dalis and Piver, smelling that wonderful smell that only happens with the changing of summer to fall.

Ceil and Piver decide it is waaaayyy easier to decend the trail, than backtracking up it.

Just look at all the wonderful colors that surrounded us as we talked about our lives, and yes, our art!

What inspiration of color for us to take back to our studios or just the quite peace that allowed us a breather from our busy lives.

We had to gingerly step on mossy slippery stones and decided it was necessary to use sticks because a couple of my friends accidently dipped their feet in the babbling stream!

Ceil, myself and Piver, after stripping ourselves of some layers and saying goodbye to the warm fall day, jumped in the car with Dalis and decended the mountain back to our busy lives. Now, where did I put those pliers?

Gobble Gobble....

2009-10-15T15:47:00.000-04:00

Turkey Teaser!
Arts at Canal Place - Featured Artists
November 1, 2009 - November 30, 2009
Check out my "extra" inventory as a teaser of the show to come in December at AaCP. I will have two full cases available for those who want to GOBBLE up unique pieces prior to "The Hard & Soft of It" show in December. Ask anyone working at AaCP where our two cases are and happy shopping!
Hours: 10-6 Daily
Arts at Canal Place, Cumberland, MD
http://www.artsatcanalplace.com/
(301)777-8199

Night time jeweler!

2009-10-07T10:51:00.001-04:00

As I was searching for images preparing for the upcoming 2009 Studio Tours, I came across some older photos I had hidden (May 2007). So, I was taking some nice night time images of my studio. After I turned all the lights on and climbed up on to our tall deck, I happened to notice something out of the corn of my eye. I zoomed into the yard and caught this lovely mother raccoon heading for the studio to make some jewelry!!!
Actually, she was going up the humongous oak tree next to my studio to her awaiting babies. She decided I was harmless as she eerily gazed down upon me as I got closer for a picture of her. She later relocated all her babies somewhere deep into the woods on the mountain behind our house and was never seen pounding on metal in my studio again, nor were her off spring. Her babies were so cute though, that I would have taken them in as apprentices.

Western PA....

2009-10-05T15:56:00.005-04:00

Those who protected the West. Okayyyy, so no, not really. Instead it was those who make really cool stained & painted boxes and bonnets during the Springs Folk Festival.
We had a new location this year at the festival, right next to the information booth and on the other side, Jim & Robin were our wild, wild neighbors! It must have been all the caffeine from the chocolate they were eatting and feeding us. Maybe instead it was the spiked cider from the festival - okaaayyy, so there wasn't any spiked cider, though there was talk of how to make it. As it was made for the festival, the cider was delish and there was also fragrant and tastebud bursting warm apple butter bread amongst all the wonderful foods served at this years festival.
The weather held out pretty nicely this year and there were plenty of good vendors, lots of demonstrating and a lovely attendance of people. I was busy enough that I couldn't slip away to really catch any cool pics to post and had to grab my farmer man in the suspenders to help out in my booth. I happened to be wearing my Pappap's old clothes! He frequently had on his old chambray blue shirt & very high wasted pants, of which I refuse to show you how NERDY I actually looked under that leather apron. Who wears their pants THAT HIGH?! Instead I'll show you the classic pocket he always had on the side used to hold pliers and old rulers, etc.
And we joked that I was "Eddie" at the festival, since my Pappap always seemed to grab the nearest sharpy and write his name inside his pants. Anyone out there have a family member who thought they needed to identify their pants for fear that someone in school or work would take their PANTS accidentally?!!!

CanalFest was cold & rainy....

2009-09-30T14:28:00.004-04:00

Ok, so I didn't dress properly for this fesitval and was super cold! Lucky for me, my loaned orange leather jacket and wayyyyy cool scarf came to me by way of some fabulous friends who stopped by my booth.

Yep, you guessed it, here they are after they dropped off the warm goods. Dalis is wearing another of her fabulous scarves (and yes you can get one by contacting her at http://www.dancingleaffarm.com/). Now, I say THEY dressed me up, but in all honesty, it was Dalis who dressed me AND her wonderful husband Houston and he is wearing those ultra cool and hip plaid shorts! P.S. Despite the crappy weather that cancelled out much of the festival, it was still a surprisingly good event for me and in the course of the weekend, I was visited by lots of fabulous people. Thanks to all who came out and supported the event.

Mark your calendar....

2009-08-19T07:32:00.009-04:00

Meadowbrook Arts has joined up with this festival as an art vendor, so come to Western Maryland to enjoy the festivities and new artwork that Mary has available! Plus listen to one of her favorite groups performing at this festival - Herb & Hanson.

12th Annual CanalFest/RailFest

September 25- 27, 2009 Canal Place Heritage Area - Cumberland, MD

http://www.canalplace.org/

Artisan and Food Vendor Booth Hours
Friday
5 PM - 9:30 PM
Saturday
10 AM - 7 PM
Sunday
10 AM - 4:30 PM

Enjoy three fun-filled days of activities including train excursions, live music, children's activities, fireworks, canal boat tours, and more! Great food and traditional crafts are available for sale beginning Friday night. For more information call or email: Dominique Nabholz, Festival Coordinator (301) 724-3655 or dnabholz@canalplace.org

Schedule of Events*

Friday 25th
The Hillbilly Gypsies 5:30PM

Cornmeal in the Kitchen 7PM
Fireworks Display 9PM

Saturday 26th
Western Maryland Scenic Railroad Train Pull 9AM
Children's Activities 10AM-5PM 2:30PM 4PM

Western Maryland Scenic Railroad Train Excursion 2PM
Herb & Hanson 2:30PM

Bill Emerson & The Sweet Dixie Band 4PM
Halftime String 5:30PM

Band Ghost Tour 7:00PM
The Bridge 7:30PM

Sunday
Western Maryland Kidney Ride

- Cyclist Ride 9:30AM

- Family Ride 10AM

Children's Activities 10AM-4PM
Missy Raines & The New Hip 2 - 4 PM
*Subject to change

Rescue Me show at AaCP meets Chibi & Orange

2009-07-27T13:41:00.006-04:00

My daughter and I took a quick stab at cartoonish type painting/drawings on canvas yesterday. Left is Chibi Puppy by my daughter and right is Orange Kitti, by Macee (my new name given to me by friends). They go to Arts at Canal Place for the "Rescue Me” featured Artist show. Most paintings have part of the sale donated to our local animal shelters. Along with the normal show, there are these small cute paintings made by members or the public that are being donated so the proceeds will go also go to the Animal Shelter.

Road Trip to Lost River

2009-07-26T10:44:00.003-04:00

It was time to add more inventory to Lost River Artisan Cooperative. Now available are cool copper rings, more earrings and necklaces and my newly designed 22's for $22! Since I was making this beautiful country ride, I decided to invite a few friends along. Dalis and Ceil were gracious enough to hang for the day, though we did leave another wonderful friend (Piver) behind that was out sick, sniff. Dalis and Ceil decided it was time to introduce their products (that consisted mainly of glass jewelry, but also included felted purses and "lambscapes"!) to the Lost River area. They were juried in while we ate lunch in "The General Store" next door. What yummy chicken tarragon salad sandwiches they had! MMMMM, my belly growls as I rethink the meal.

Here are the girls as they prepped their lovely work for sale. Sassy vixon jewelry for sale!

This is a cool old tractor that sits outside the Lost River building. What a beautiful location for the coop, nestled into the trees.

Of course there had to be purchases, as well as installation of our work, because we like to support other artists' talents. We purchased yummy coffees, a tasty pecan pie jam and this fun textural large pot and serving dishes by Kathryn Kavanagh.

Art in the Park on Deep Creek Lake

2009-07-13T10:01:00.010-04:00

I love this little festival. It's location is lovely, right on the bank of Deep Creek Lake and in front of the Discovery Center in the State Park. There are usually not a lot of vendors, it's a small festival, but it proves to be a wonderful, more personal experience and there is nature abound. Grand Daddy Long Legs usually find their way onto my inside walls, which is only appropriate considering my inspiration sometimes originates from them. The customers are usually super friendly and very supportive of my style of work, and this year included both jewelry and sculpture.
This lovely hottie with the WAY cool shades is Annie. She's chillin' during a great weekend of sales of her wonderful homemade paper art that includes journals, lamps, 2D originals and prints and even sculptural paper items!

Annie happened to have front row view of a major event happening in nature DURING the festival. It just so happened that in the past week, the park volunteers said that a colony of Wild Honey Bees were relocating queens. Apparently there can be 4 queens born of the original and they had already seen two be relocated. The third happened during the festival. It may be hard to see, but in the center of this photo is a darker area on the branch - sort of shadowed. This is where the bees were protectively swarming over the new queen as they began the relocation. Off to the left you can see peppery dots that indicate a large number of bees still in the air. One of our favorite vendors was directly under this unusual occurrence.

In the very center of this image you can see a vertical shading in the tree. This was the clump. At one point, almost the entire section dropped for the weight of the bees on the queen was tremendous. Of course the bees never touched ground as they fell, for they quickly gained flight and recovered the cluster. My camera couldn't zoom super close so you can't really get a gauge on how large this clump was from the image. It was a unique event to be seen by such a large group of people and as the volunteer explained... there aren't many Wild Honey Bees left in nature. It doesn't appear like much in such small photos, but it was quite the site to see so many bees taking flight over your head.

Another occurrence was going on at the same time.... ahem... the sale of many pieces of jewelry in my booth such as the new "cut-out" designs featured here! They were taking flight onto many a ears over the weekend!

New at Arts at Canal Place

2009-05-22T13:26:00.008-04:00

Check out the new style of sterling silver earrings & necklaces I've created for the Arts at Canal Place. They are great for long hair and lightweight. I always use sterling silver earwires so they are safe for senstive ears and won't cause allergies in most people. They are longer and dangle on the ears to create that sexy summer look. The necklace is on a thick handmade neckwire and looks great against that summer tan! The earrings are currently only at the AaCP location, but the necklace you can find at both AaCP and Gifts Inn Boonsboro!

Squiggle Mops

Circle Dot Slabs

Sterling Silver & Blue Lustre

Oh balls...... a packed weekend!

2009-04-20T10:58:00.015-04:00

The weekend started off with me teaching the booth display class. It was a great success. Lots of time and energy went into this class to have it be over in a short 2 hours. I had a nice bunch of ladies attending on what turned out to be a beautiful weekend weather wise. They were all troopers to sit inside listening to me yap on and on when it was so gorgeous outside! Since it was so nice this weekend, I decided to meet up with two friends to travel to the Countryside Artisans Spring Studio Tour located in the foothills of Sugarloaf Mountain in rural Maryland. I picked up some Golden London Pride (feeling like Spring and wanting to plant something) at Alden Farms. Mixed in with all the plants, David Therriault makes way cool garden type sculptures. Passion leaked out of Tina Brown, from Morningstar Studio, as she spoke of oil spills of the past and how they affected nature, plants and animals. She was able to portray how she felt to the world through her abstract images and is pictured with my two friends, Olga and Pam. I had met her one time before and thought she was shy. Oh balls, she is a pistol! One of my talented and wonderful friends, Dalis Davidson at Dancing Leaf Farm was also on the tour with her fabulous wool and jewelry stuffsesssss! I picked up some of her awesome dyed merino sheep wool roving. She has these fabulous kits to get you started on felting and my daughter and I already started to play. Sharp little needles! We don't have a clue what we are doing or what we are going to do with them, but we are making balls anyhow! Oh balls, balls, balls!!!

Taking a break...

2009-04-13T10:22:00.014-04:00

We took a break over Easter from work, school and art. Yoki, our very loveable yellow lab, decided to get in on the art of dying Easter eggs. She had to be a part of the Easter egg hunt, finding more than just eggs that E. Bunny decided to drop on the ground at the cabin. A quick and always inspirational trip put us on the lake with our daughter and her new kayak. She jumped right in and took off, even though it was quite chilly out. Would you believe we were the only ones crazy enough to play on a very cold wet body of water on Easter!?!

Dust Bunnies Be Gone for Easter

2009-04-06T08:35:00.008-04:00

Lots of artists showed up for the annual cleaning at Lost River Artisans Cooperative in Lost River WV to get ready for the opening weekend over Easter. Most work will be installed this week since the dust balls have been removed, after lots of sneezing on my part! Also arriving on the beautiful Saturday were plenty of lovely ladybugs. It simply was a gorgeous day and a beautiful hour and a half ride on back country roads. After the cleanup came a wonderful spread of potluck for everyone to munch on. What a crowd we had, so you can just imagine how nice the munchies were - there was actually an entire ham and the largest darn chocolate chip cookies I've ever had! Yes, I had to have one! Everything was delish. What a nice group to hang with for a while. There was the cheery Albert Hutchings (aka Mr. President!) and the wonderful manager Kathy Welch there to arrange the cleaning and display and help everyone get their applications in for the day. Don't know how they stayed on top the large group that descended on the barn for checkin and cleaning. Heck, I even saw one of my old Cumberland artist friends in the midst of all the hustle and bustle - Anita Rickenberg! She was the lovely lady who told me about LRAC years ago and decided to bring in her fabulous ceramic work for the year. Can't wait to see the beautiful juried work from what looks like a talented group of artists. If you get a chance, swing by the area and check out my work and the work of about 70 other artists! The trip will be well worth it. Visit http://www.lostrivercraft.com/ to check it out and read their blog!

Festival at Deep Creek Lake....

2009-04-01T16:55:00.000-04:00

Arts in the Park
Come see our booth

Oakland MD - July 11 & 12, 2009
Hours: Sat. 10 - 5 and Sun. 11 - 4
301-334-6580
Garrett County Arts Council
http://www.garrettarts.com/programs.html

Studio opens to the public.....

2009-03-26T16:58:00.000-04:00

2009 Mountain Maryland
Artists' Studio Tour

Participating Artists including Mary A. McCunn
Two weekends: Nov 7 & 8 10-5
Nov 14 & 15 10-5

Join Mary at her studio in Cresaptown, MD for a tour of her studio, refreshments and artwork for sale.
Come see her Fairbanks antique power hammer from the late 1880's!

For more information on this event and to receive a beautiful guide book with directions to all of the participating artists, contact the Allegany Arts Council at 301-777-2787 or visit their website http://www.alleganyartscouncil.org/ to learn more.

Our third pairing for another show.....

2009-03-20T17:01:00.000-04:00

December Show
by Mary A. McCunn & Jean Barnes Downs

Our third pairing together!

Arts at Canal Place - Featured Artists
November 30 - January 2, 2008
Opening Reception w/ refreshments: Saturday, December 5, 2009
Hours: 6 - 8 pm
Arts at Canal Place, Cumberland, MD
http://www.artsatcanalplace.com/
(301)777-8199

Upcoming Booth Display Class...

2009-03-02T20:57:00.004-05:00

Selling at Craft Shows: How best to present your work and yourself with Mary McCunn

at the Allegany Arts Council
04/18/2009

Allegany College of Maryland’s Institute for Professional Development and Extended Learning is pleased to partner with the Allegany Arts Council to offer “Become a Master at Marketing Your Artwork,” a timely and educational series of classes on Marketing Your Artwork.On Saturday, April 18 from 10AM-12PM, the class “Selling at Craft Shows: How best to present your work and yourself with Mary McCunn (PRO366)” will be presented. Mary holds a degree from the Art Institute of Pittsburgh. She lives and works from her studio in Cumberland where she utilizes her extensive experience in business management, merchandising and marketing. If you are considering making your art work available for sale at art & craft events, this is the class for you. Mary will introduce you to the basics of designing your physical booth and display space while highlighting some important do’s and don’ts of display. She will touch on how best to present you so you keep customers once you have grabbed them with your booth design and art work. She will provide a list of various suppliers and prepare you with an art & craft checklist to cover your needs before and during the show.The class will be held at the Allegany Arts Council’s new special functions room located at 9 North Centre Street. Coffee, tea and light refreshments will be available. Brochures are available at the Allegany Arts Council. For more information call Kathy Condor at 301-784-5121. To register call Allegany College of Maryland at 301-784-5341. Sign-up for all three spring classes and save $23! The Spring series includes: Creating Powerful Slides (03/28/09), Selling at Craft Shows (04/18/09), and Working with Local Galleries (05/30/09).

In the beginning...

2009-02-02T11:09:00.002-05:00

I think the best way for me to communicate with you (my customers, my buyers and your customers) is to finally join the world of blogging. What better way to stay in touch and share my stories and inspirations behind my art work. My work is ever changing and there is always inspiration and stories for my sculptures and jewelry and sometimes that inspiration is brought about by you. You help me stretch myself and it’s only fair that you should be able to know more about me and be included in my world.

I'll try to back track a bit to give you a time frame into my world if possible so you may have a better understanding, if interested, into why I fell in love with this style of art. Check out prior years and postings to see what has been going on over the years.

And so it begins.......

Mary's work in Nora Roberts gallery.....

2009-01-06T16:52:00.002-05:00

Gifts Inn Boonsboro
16 N. Main St.
Boonsboro, MD 21713
301-432-0090
http://www.giftsinnboonsboro.com/

Gifts Inn Boonsboro will be hosting a Jewelry Exhibition Feb. 6th - 28th
Pick up a great gift for Valentine's Day!

February 21st events:
Mary will be present along with several other jewelers.
J.D. Robb (aka Nora Roberts) will be present at Turn the Page Bookstore for a J.D. Robb book signing next door to the jewelry event.
Inn BoonsBoro officially opens to it's first guests.

Looking at artists past......

2009-01-01T16:48:00.001-05:00

Famous Favorites

Collective Artists Exhibit

Arts at Canal Place - Featured Artists
January 12 - February 21, 2009
Opening Reception w/ refreshments: Saturday, January 17, 2009
Hours: 6 - 8 pm
Arts at Canal Place, Cumberland, MD
http://www.artsatcanalplace.com/
(301)777-8199

The member artists at the Arts at Canal Place Co-op are presenting a unique show during the months of January and February. Working within the constraints of their own mediums, the members are presenting “Famous Favorites”, works of art inspired by and done in the spirit of the artists’ favorite masters. Would you recognize Picasso in a cubist pot or Van Gogh’s brushwork in a pastel? Come and see how many “Famous Favorites” you can identify. Speak with the artists about how their favorite inspires them and the work they are presenting. Mary will be presenting jewelry work inspired by sculptor Louise Nevelson who presented very unique work of a very modern nature during her life.

Necklace takes top award...

2008-10-27T20:38:00.004-04:00

I was fortunate enough to have one of my most favorite and fun necklaces took the top award in the jewelry catagory in the Frostburg State University Community Art Exhibition. They announced the winners of this juried exhibition during the exhibition’s opening on Friday, Oct. 17. The exhibit will remain on display at the Stephanie Ann Roper Gallery in the Fine Arts Building through Friday, Nov. 7. Winners in each category were awarded $100. The exhibit was open to artists throughout the community working in all media. Each artist was allowed to submit up to three pieces in any category. Susan Dodge, lecturer in art at Frostburg State University, was the juror for the exhibit.

The Stephanie Ann Roper Gallery has free admission and is open to the public Sunday through Wednesday from 1 to 4 p.m. For additional information, contact Patti Graham at (301) 687-4797 during business hours, or Dustin Davis at (301) 722-6397 after business hours.

Frostburg State University101 Braddock RoadFrostburg, MD 21532-2303

ol' Stompin' grounds....

2008-09-01T14:10:00.003-04:00

Springs Folk Festival
Mary is located in the woods on the forest trail

Springs, PA - October 3 & 4, 2008
Hours: Fri. & Sat. 9 - 5
(814)662-4158
http://www.springspa.org/

Come say hi and visit my old stomping grounds. Wears some good boots and wet weather clothes. That may scare most of you from an outdoor festival, but let me tell you, the rain is part of this festival and there are true die-hards that come out no matter what and you'll get the best home made foods..... it's worth a little wetness, that is, if the rain decides to show up in the first place.

Back at Art in the Park

2008-06-25T14:02:00.003-04:00

Arts in the Park
Oakland MD - July 12 & 13, 2008
Hours: Sat. 10 - 5 and Sun. 10 - 4301-334-6580
Garrett County Arts Council

http://www.garrettarts.com/programs.html

Come visit our booth by Deep Creek Lake & the Discovery Center!

Studio opens to the public....

2008-06-08T16:45:00.001-04:00

2008 Mountain Maryland
Artists' Studio Tour

34 Participating Artists including Mary A. McCunn
Two weekends: Nov 1 & 1 10-5
Nov 8 & 9 10-5

Join Mary at her studio in Cresaptown, MD for a tour of her studio, live refreshments and artwork for sale.
Come see her Fairbanks antique power hammer from the late 1880's!

For more information on this event and to receive a beautiful guide book with directions to all of the participating artists, contact the Allegany Arts Council at 301-777-2787 or visit their website http://www.alleganyartscouncil.org/ to learn more.

Mud meets some metal....

2008-05-05T16:34:00.003-04:00

Mud & Metal
by Mary A. McCunn

and Steve Sullivan

Arts at Canal Place - Featured Artists
August 11 - September 20, 2008
Opening Reception w/ refreshments: Saturday, August 16, 2008
Hours: 6 - 8 pm
Arts at Canal Place, Cumberland, MD
http://www.artsatcanalplace.com/
(301)777-8199

Back again at Deep Creek Lake....

2008-02-20T16:32:00.002-05:00

Arts in the Park
Oakland MD - July 12 & 13, 2008
Hours: Sat. 10 - 5 and Sun. 10 - 4
301-334-6580
Garrett County Arts Council
http://www.garrettarts.com/programs.html
Come visit our booth by Deep Creek Lake & the Discovery Center!

Come see the studio.....

2007-05-09T16:17:00.000-04:00

2007 Mountain Maryland Artists' Studio Tour

37 Participating Artists including Mary A. McCunn
Two weekends: Nov 3 & 4 10-5
Nov 10 & 11 10-5

Join Mary at her studio in Cresaptown, MD for live demonstrations, refreshments and artwork for sale.
This is the first time Mary will have her studio open to everyone and this event is free and open to the general public. Come see her Fairbanks antique power hammer from the late 1880's!

For more information on this event and to receive a beautiful guide book with directions to the participating artists, contact the Allegany Arts Council at 301-777-2787 or visit their website www.alleganyartscouncil.org to learn more.

Festivals and a show....

2007-03-07T16:10:00.006-05:00

Arts in the Park, Oakland MD - July 14 & 15, 2007
Hours: Sat. 10 - 5 and Sun. 11 - 4
301-334-6580
Garrett County Arts Council
http://www.garrettarts.com/programs.html
Come visit our booth by Deep Creek Lake & the Discovery Center!

Springs Folk Festival
Mary is located in the woods on the forest trail
Springs, PA

October 5 & 6, 2007
Hours: Fri. & Sat. 9 - 5
(814)662-4158
http://www.springspa.org/

On My Own
Solo Show
Gallery in Oakland
Show runs Dec 3 - Jan 5, 2007
Opening Reception Dec 14, 6-9pm
In conjunction with "Christmas on Alder Street"
Hours: M-F 10-5, S&S 12-4
Garrett County Arts Council
301-334-6580
http://www.alleganyartscouncil.org/

Jewelry Classes at......

2007-02-28T15:32:00.002-05:00

Jewelry Classes at Meadowbrook Arts studio!

We have just added classes for 2007! Come join Mary at her home studio for a very personal art jewelry experience. Classes are limited to two participants per class to provide a very hands on experience and more one-on-one time with the instructor.

*Join our mailing list to be notified of future classes or send an email to be included on our list in the event of a cancellation. We always give our mailing list participants first shot at the class dates. And believe me, they fill up fast and have ALWAYS had a waiting list.

Metal Jewelry 101:
This one day class provides instruction in the fundamental techniques needed to cold fabricate metal jewelry. You will complete at least one jewelry piece while you learn how to cut, saw, pierce, bend, form, hammer, file, sand, polish, and finish copper, brass or sterling silver. No experience is necessary for this class. Tools & supplies will be covered and a basic list will be provided to take home so the participants can further pursue jewelry as a hobby or more professionally.
Instructor: Mary A. McCunn
Level: Beginner Child 16+ to AdultsClass size: Limit 2*Length: 9-5 pm "day class"Tuition: $100Materials: $20 per personTotal cost: $120 per person
Date & Time:
May 20, 2007
Sunday Full
June 9, 2007
Saturday Full
July 22, 2007
Sunday 2 slots available
August 4, 2007
Saturday Full
September 16, 2007
Sunday 2 slots available

Registration deadline: One month prior to class dates (i.e. April 20 for May 20 class)

Silver Solder 101:
In this one day class you will learn to solder silver. After you learn the basics about the tools, materials and equipment, you will have hands on torch soldering time and will design and complete at least one jewelry piece with a bezel cup and semi-precious cabochon stone. Prerequisite required: Metal Jewelry 101, Earring 101 or prior class knowledge of techniques or skills included Metal Jewelry 101

Level: Beginner 18+ to AdultsClass size: Limit 2*Length: 9-5 pm "day class"Tuition: $125Materials: $30 per personTotal cost: $155 per person
Date & Time:
May 19, 2007
Saturday Full
July 21, 2007
Saturday Full
August 5, 2007
Sunday 2 slots available

Registration deadline: One month prior to class dates (i.e. April 19 for May 19 class)

Brazing 101:
This one day class is similar to soldering, but instead you will learn the techniques to brazing copper and brass. Learn about flux, tools, materials and equipment. You will form a necklace piece out of copper and brass and learn how to forge and heat form brass. Torch time will be provided. Prerequisite required: Metal Jewelry 101, Earring 101 or prior class knowledge of technique or skills included Metal Jewelry 101
Level: Beginner 18+ to AdultsClass size: Limit 2*Length: 9-5 pm "day class"Tuition: $125Materials: $30 per personTotal cost: $155 per person
Date & Time:
June 10, 2007
Sunday 2 slots available
September 15, 2007
Saturday Full

Registration deadline: One month prior to class dates (i.e. May 10 for Jun 10 class)

Kids Beginner Class - Homeschoolers:

Are you a homeschooling parent who wants to give your child some extra art to add to their curriculum? Depending on age and gender of the participants, two to three projects will be performed. Kids will learn about sculptures where they will make and paint a small abstract plaster sculpture. Another project would be learning about metals and how they are used in sculptures and jewelry in the past and present. They will be supervised using hand tools to make a metal pendant, earrings, bookmarker and/or small metal sculpture.

Level: Elementary Grades 1 - 5
Class size: Limit 2*Length: 9-11 am 3 sessionsTuition: $100Materials: $20 per personTotal cost: $120 per person
Date & Time:
Oct 15, 22, 29
Mondays 2 slots available

or
Level: Middleschool Grades 6 - 8
Class size: Limit 2*Length: 9-11 am 3 sessionsTuition: $100Materials: $20 per personTotal cost: $120 per person
Date & Time:
Oct 17, 24, 31
Wednesdays 2 slots available

Registration deadline: One month prior to class dates (i.e. Sep 15 for Oct 15 class)

Adult Hobby Beginner Evening Class (2 sessions):
This two session evening class provides instruction in the fundamental techniques needed to cold fabricate metal jewelry. You will complete at least one jewelry piece while you learn how to cut, saw, pierce, bend, form, hammer, file, sand, polish, and finish copper, brass or sterling silver. No experience is necessary for this class. Tools & supplies will be covered and a basic list will be provided to take home so the participants can further pursue jewelry as a hobby.
Level: Beginner Child 16+ to AdultsClass size: Limit 2*Length: 5:30 - 8:30 pm eveningTuition: $100Materials: $20 per personTotal cost: $120 per person
Date & Time:
Nov 5 & 19
Mondays 2 slots available
or
Level: Beginner Child 16+ to AdultsClass size: Limit 2*Length: 5:30 - 8:30 pm eveningTuition: $100Materials: $20 per personTotal cost: $120 per person
Date & Time:
Nov 7 & 14
Wednesdays 2 slots available

Registration deadline: One month prior to class dates (i.e. April 20 for May 20 class)
The materials fee is for basic materials needed in class and for wear and tear on tools. Participants have access to hand tools & power tools at Meadowbrook Arts. Feel free to bring whatever favorite jewelry supplies you already own (i.e. pliers, beads, wires).

We also recommend that you bring the following items:
hair accessory (pony tail holder, hat or bandana, etc.)
sketch book & pencil
zip lock baggie, craft box or your own favorite beads & container
brown bag lunch (we have a microwave!) & drink or lunch money
1 hour break for lunch - pack a lunch if you don't feel like driving out
Because we pride ourselves in your safety and want to make sure we have a fun time without accidents, there are a few safety tips we would like to pass on to make sure you are prepared. You may want to consider bringing an apron made of cotton to protect yourself or your clothing. Because long hair and loose jewelry items can get caught in some machinery, you should bring a pony tail holder or hat to pull back your hair at certain times. Loose jewelry (chain bracelets & long necklaces) as well as loose ties on shirts and scarves can get caught in machinery. If you wear them, you should remove them during class. Eyewear will also be provided.
You will be provided with a mailing before the class of pertinent information! Please read it thoroughly because it contains a liability waiver that you will be required to sign to participate in our class!

REGISTER FOR YOUR CLASS TODAY!
Complete the registration form below and return it with your registration & materials class fee (payable to Meadowbrook Arts or Mary A. McCunn) by check, visa or mc. If you want to ensure your spot in the class, register early since space is limited and on a first-come first-serve basis! Class fees due to cancellations on your part 14 days prior to the class are NOT REFUNDED for any reason!
Classes are filled on a first come, first served basis!
Register early to avoid disappointment.
Your place is held only upon receipt of payment in full.
Please call (301) 729-3750 with questions or to check availability or e-mail Mary at mary@meadowbrookarts.com for specifics pertaining to the class.
Class Registration Information Form (MS Word document)

2007-01-03T15:43:00.016-05:00

Nossa Segunda Mostra

AaCP Featured Artist Show by
Mary A. McCunn & Jean Barnes Downs

Show runs Apr 2 through Jun 9, 2007
Opening Reception w/refreshments Apr 7, 6-8pm
Hours: 7 days a week 10-6
Arts at Canal Place
301-777-8199
http://www.alleganyartscouncil.org/

Mary will feature primarily new wearable jewelry works out of copper, brass and sterling silver, while Jean will be showing work utilizing a viscosity technique and with woodcuts or linoleum cut florals over monotypes.

Earrings and Necklaces by Mary A. McCunn

Mary and Jean came together once before at the AaCP for a successful show titled "Pulse & Currents" in July of 2005.

Jean's wonderful monotypes and monoprints can be found at her new website Solitude Studio. You can contact Jean at info@solitudestudio.com.

Earring 101 at Deep Creek Lake

2006-09-15T16:33:00.012-04:00

Another fabulous class. This time we were on the Lake and had plenty of room to stretch those legs, fingers and arms as they went a-hammerin'. Two days worth of classes produced another group of creative earrings out of some creative peeps! Made some new friends and had a great time with these lovely ladies! Look at the Discovery Center! We had the entire bottom area and what a nice view of the Lake, we had lunch by the water. Two images show Mary teaching filing and cutting with a jewelers saw. Cecelia was hammering and didn't smack any precious fingers. Everyone took to the class well and had a great time.

Two cousins coming together.....

2006-08-09T17:19:00.004-04:00

Kindred

A metal art show where cousins Mary A. McCunn and April Wood will both be featuring sculpture and sculptural jewelry.

Show runs Mar 8 - Apr 7, 2007
Hours: M-F 10-5, S&S 12-4
Allegany Arts Council
http://www.alleganyartscouncil.org/

Mary A. McCunn: Nature will be recognized once again in this collection of sculptures and sculptural jewelry. Bringing found and forged together, rusted and refined, while always pulling inspiration from items in nature. The works of art this time are of those left in nature but in junk and scrap piles, as well as, the creatures that crawl in them.

"Drop Ripple"
Sculptural Bracelet & "Of The River" Assemblage w/
Necklace

April Wood:
“Man himself is mute, and it is the image that speaks. For it is obvious that the image alone can keep pace with nature.” Boris Pasternak
I am drawn to the aesthetic forms and variants of plants and organic materials, the dialogue of growth and decay, strength and fragility. These natural forms are a language. I observe what they have to say.

"Hearing Implements" "Quadgenate" "Hearing Implements I & II"

April Wood is a metalsmith living and working in Baltimore, MD. She received her BFA in Metals from Texas State University in San Marcos and is currently pursuing her MFA from Towson University. She has exhibited her work locally and nationally, including an exhibition of fine art jewelry at the Walters Art Museum located in Baltimore. She has taught metals and jewelry for the Maryland Institute College of Art Jewelry Center, Towson University and this summer will be returning to Texas to teach at her alma mater, Texas State University. When she is not working with metal, she enjoys getting her hands dirty in her garden.

An added festival

2006-06-05T17:07:00.001-04:00

Hey, I added a festival. Art and Wine then Drink and Buy! Come check it out. We'll be featured at The 31st Annual Virginia Wine Festival, the Oldest and Largest Wine festival on the East Coast! Please find us September 30th & October 1st from 11-6 at Morven Park Equestrian Center in Leesburg. For details, tickets and directions call 703-823-1868 or visit http://www.virginiawinefestival.org/. Tasty and some fine artists!!!

My show with Murray

2006-05-06T17:12:00.001-04:00

Captured Elements & Moments

A jewelry and photography show by Mary A. McCunn and Murray Schrotenboer
Opening reception w/refreshments Aug 19, 2006
Show runs for 6 weeks starting Aug 14 - Sep 23, 2006
Hours: M-Th 10-6 & S-S 10-8
Arts at Canal Place
http://www.artsatcanalplace.com/

New Jewelry by Mary A. McCunn

Twigs, pods, insects, webs and things caught in webs, trees, and eddies in the rivers are explored. Some recycled products were used to gain texture, as well as to literally be included in the sculptural jewelry pieces. My work will have an antiqued appearance. The work will be primarily wearable jewelry such as earrings, necklaces, rings and more made of silver, brass & copper, yet with a more primitive appearance as opposed to polished. The work is abstract in nature and my take on what you would find weathered or textured by our environment.

Photography by Murray Schrotenboer
Aside from his interests and talents in stained glass, Murray has been a semi professional photographer since college in the early 70's. His specialty has been nature, but he is open to anything that looks interesting. To combine his interests, Murray will feature photography and will combine a number of pieces, housing them in a frame of stained glass.
You can learn more about Murray and his stained glass work by visiting his website at http://www.grouseland.com/stainedglass/stainedglass.htm.

Deep Creek Lake earring classes now offered...

2006-05-01T16:57:00.005-04:00

Earring 101 at Deep Creek Lake
Two dates available!!!
Saturday September 9, 2006 9-5pm day class
or
Sunday September 10, 2006 9-5pm day class
*Join our mailing list to be notified of future classes or send an email to be included on our list in the event of a cancellation!

Instructor: Mary A. McCunn
Level: Beginner Child 16+ to Adults
Class size: Limit 8*Length: 9-5 pm "day class"
Tuition: $55
Materials: $20 per person
Total cost: $75
Date & Time: Saturday, September 9, 2006
Date & Time: Sunday, September 10, 2006
Registration deadline: August 9, 2006
* (minimum 12 participants required between both days)

Location:
Deep Creek Lake Discovery Center in Deep Creek Lake State Park
898 State Park Road Swanton, MD 21502 (301) 387-7067

Class Description:
This fun day class provides instruction in the fundamental techniques needed to create sterling silver metal jewelry. You will complete at least one pair of sterling silver earrings while you learn how to cut, saw, bend, form, hammer, file, sand, and finish sterling silver. No experience is necessary for this class. Depending on pace and if time allows, additional earrings will be added and all will range in worth of $50-75. A basic list of tools & supplies will be provided so the participants can further pursue jewelry as a hobby or more professionally.

REGISTER TODAY!

Complete the registration form below and return it with your registration & materials class fee of $75 (payable to the Garrett County Arts Council) preferably via check. If you want to ensure your spot in the class, register early since space is limited and on a first-come first-serve basis! This is a never before offered class in Garrett County and we expect this class to fill up quickly! Please remember that as a general rule, we reserve the right to cancel a workshop due to insufficient enrollments (fees will be returned in full). Class fees due to cancellations on your part 14 days prior to the class are NOT REFUNDED for any reason!

Please call (301) 777-8199 with questions or to check availability or e-mail Mary at mary@meadowbrookarts.com for specifics pertaining to the class. You may also contact the Garrett County Arts Council to register or check availability at 301-334-6580 or garrettarts@earthlink.com.

Registration Information Form
Enrollment deadline: August 9, 2006
Name:______________________________ ____________________________________ Address:____________________________ ____________________________________ ____________________________________ Phone:______________________________ Email:_______________________________ Workshop____Earring 101_____________ Total Fee Enclosed:_____$75_____________

Please bring or mail registration form and enrollment fee to:
Garrett County Arts Council
206 East Alder StreetOakland, MD 21550(301) 334-6580
garrettarts@earthlink.net
www.garrettarts.com/contact.html

Materials & Tools - Earring 101 class
The materials fee covers:
sterling silver (s.s.) sheet
s.s. round wire
s.s. earwires
various beads
additional tools & supplies will be provided for USE during the class

We also recommend that you bring the following items:

hair accessory (pony tail holder, hat or bandana, etc.)
sketch book & pencil
zip lock baggie, craft box or your own favorite beads & container
You may want to consider bringing an apron made of cotton to protect yourself or your clothing.
brown bag lunch & drink or lunch money
1 hour break for lunch - pack a lunch and eat by the lake or venture to a local deli

Because we pride ourselves in your safety and want to make sure we have a fun time without accidents, there are a few safety tips we would like to pass on to make sure you are prepared.
Because long hair and loose jewelry items can get caught in some machinery, you should bring a pony tail holder or hat to pull back your hair at certain times. Loose jewelry (chain bracelets & long necklaces) as well as loose ties on shirts and scarves can get caught in machinery. If you wear them, you should remove them during class. Eyewear will also be provided.
You will be provided with a mailing before the class of pertinent information.

You can buy stuff at....

2006-01-31T16:11:00.001-05:00

Arts at Canal Place-Cumberland, MD
301-777-8199
http://www.artsatcanalplace.com/

Connoisseur Interior & Gallery
57 N Centre St. Cumberland, MD
301-777-9233

Rocky Gap Resort and Lodge-Flintstone, MD

800-724-0828 (Toll Free)301-784-8400 (Local)

http://www.rockygapresort.com/ - Mary has temporarily removed work

Lost River Craft Cooperative-Lost River, WV

304-897-7242

http://www.lostrivercraft.com/ - Season opens in April 2006 and runs to December 2006

Upcoming shows

2006-01-30T16:07:00.001-05:00

13th Annual Frederick Festival of the Arts, Frederick MD - June 3 & 4, 2006
Hours: Sat. 10 - 6 and Sun. 10 - 5
(301) 694-9632
www.frederickarts.org

Arts in the Park, Oakland MD - July 15 & 16, 2006
Hours: Sat. 11 - 5 and Sun. 12 - 4301-334-6580 Garrett County Arts Councilhttp://www.garrettarts.com/programs.html

Springs Folk Festival - Springs, PA - October 6 & 7, 2006
Hours: Fri. & Sat. 9 - 5
(814)662-4158
http://www.springspa.org/

2006 Bedford Fall Foliage Festival ~ Bedford, PA - October 14 & 15, 2006
Hours: Sat. 9 - 5 and Sun. 11 - 5
(800)765-3331
www.bedfordcounty.net/fall/index.htm

January Earring Class Offered

2006-01-26T15:58:00.003-05:00

Earring 101 Classes are now FULL*

Saturday January 14, 2006 12-5pm afternoon class
or
Sunday January 15, 2006 12-5pm afternoon class

*Join our mailing list to be notified of future classes or send an email to be included on our list in the event of a cancellation!

Instructor: Mary A. McCunn

Level: Beginner Child 12+ to AdultsClass size: Limit 8 (minimum 5 required)Length: 12-5pm "afternoon class"Tuition: $40Materials: $15 per personTotal cost: $55
Date & Time: Saturday, January 14, 2006 (or January 21, 2006 - Snow date) Full as of 10/23/05

Date & Time: Sunday, January 15, 2006 from 12-5pm (or January 28, 2006 - Snow date) Full as of 12/16/05!
Registration deadline: December 14, 2005
Location:

16 Howard Street, B-2 Cumberland, MD 21502 (301) 777-8199

Class Description:
This fun afternoon class provides instruction in the fundamental techniques needed to create sterling silver metal jewelry. You will complete at least one pair of sterling silver earrings while you learn how to cut, saw, bend, form, hammer, file, sand, and finish sterling silver. No experience is necessary for this class. Depending on pace and if time allows, additional earrings will be added and all will range in worth of $40-75. A basic list of tools & supplies will be provided so the participants can further pursue jewelry as a hobby or more professionally.

Complete the registration form below and return it with your registration class fee of $40 (payable to Arts at Canal Place) on or before the enrollment deadline of December 14, 2005. The materials fee of $15 is due the day of the workshop (cash or check only) and made payable to the instructor (Mary A. McCunn). Please show up 15 minutes prior to class time to finalize your payment. If you want to ensure your spot in the class, register early since space is limited and on a first-come first-serve basis! This is a never before offered class at AaCP and we expect this class to fill up quickly! Please remember that as a general rule, we reserve the right to cancel a workshop due to insufficient enrollments (fees will be returned in full). Class fees due to cancellations on your part 14 days prior to the class are NOT REFUNDED for any reason!
Please call (301) 777-8199 with questions or to check availability or e-mail Mary at mary@meadowbrookarts.com for specifics pertaining to the class.

Registration Information Form
Enrollment deadline: December 14, 2005
Name:______________________________ ____________________________________ Address:____________________________ ____________________________________ ____________________________________ Phone:______________________________ Email:_______________________________ Workshop____Earring 101_____________ Total Enclosed:_____$40_____________

Reminder: materials fee $15 due 1/14/06 prior to class start time.
Please bring or mail registration form and enrollment fee to:
Arts at Canal Place 16 Howard Street, B-2 Cumberland, MD 21502 (301) 777-8199

Materials & Tools - Earring 101 class
The materials fee covers:
sterling silver (s.s.) sheet
s.s. round wire
s.s. earwires
various beads
additional tools & supplies will be provided for USE during the class

We also recommend that you bring the following items:
hair accessory (pony tail holder, hat or bandana, etc.)
sketch book & pencil

Because we pride ourselves in your safety and want to make sure we have a fun time without accidents, there are a few safety tips we would like to pass on to make sure you are prepared. You may want to consider bringing an apron made of cotton to protect yourself or your clothing. Because long hair and loose jewelry items can get caught in some machinery, you should bring a pony tail holder or hat to pull back your hair at certain times. Loose jewelry (chain bracelets & long necklaces) as well as loose ties on shirts and scarves can get caught in machinery. If you wear them, you should remove them during class. Eyewear will also be provided.

Earring 101 participants...

2006-01-20T17:11:00.007-05:00

What creative ladies I had the pleasure of teaching in my Earring 101 class held in the loft space at Arts at Canal Place. It was a little comfy with all those fabulous women bumping into one another as we worked together so they could create some wonderful earrings! There was some talent in the class and it was a very eventful two days. We had a nice group of locals, but even some traveling as far away as northeastern Pennsylvania! They also stayed and toured the local area eatting some of our finest on the downtown mall area.

Valentines on eBay...

2006-01-20T13:37:00.001-05:00

We have some Very special Valentine's Day jewelry up for your purchase on eBay! Go to ebay.com and enter the key words Meadowbrook Arts. Items will be available for sale through Feb. 2, 2006. Shop for your loved one today!

Some upcoming shows...

2005-07-06T14:26:00.000-04:00

Arts in the Park, Oakland MD – July 16 & 17, 2005
Hours: Sat. 11 - 5 and Sun. 12 - 4301-334-6580
Garrett County Arts Council
http://www.garrettarts.com/programs.html

2005 Bedford Fall Foliage Festival ~ Bedford, PA
October 1 & 2, 2005
Hours: Sat. 9 - 5 and Sun. 11 - 5
(800)765-3331
www.bedfordcounty.net/fall/index.htm

Springs Folk Festival - Springs, PA - October 7 & 8, 2005
Hours: Fri. & Sat. 9 - 5
(814)662-4158
http://www.springspa.org/

Ebb and flow in nature...

2005-07-05T14:07:00.000-04:00

Pulse & Currents

Jean Barnes Downs & Mary A. McCunn
Arts at Canal Place - Featured Artists
August 1 - 28, 2005
Opening Reception w/ refreshments: Saturday, August 20, 2005
Hours: 6 - 8 pm
Arts at Canal Place, Cumberland, MD
http://www.artsatcanalplace.com/
(301)777-8199

"Beech Dances I"
by Jean Barnes Brown
~Jean Barnes Downs~

"There is a rhythmic pulse in all of creation that moves and flows through our natural world. The contour line that I see and love in that world reflects this movement and flow finding expression in my monotypes and monoprints. In this body of work I combine my love of contour line drawing with the printmaking process." Jean's other work can be found at the Washington Printmakers Gallery by visiting www.washingtonprintmakers.com or at the Arts at Canal Place www.artsatcanalplace.com.

"Brass Centipede Sculptural Necklace"
by Mary A. McCunn

~Mary A. McCunn~
"Some words should be spoken on the ebb and flow in nature. Insects as they meander in waves across a fallen tree or how a variety of organic items move and gain a rhythm on the gentle and not-so-gentle waters of our rivers and brooks. Wearable jewelry in sterling silver, brass and copper, as well as sculptures in metal and select driftwood will be featured to include some of these words."

Chelsea Show NYC

2005-05-13T12:47:00.000-04:00

"Buggin' Out"
Sculptural Ring

The SoHo - Chelsea International Art Competition
Agora Gallery, Chelsea, New York City
(212)226-4151

Exhibition Dates:
July 16, 2005 - August 6, 2005
Opening Reception - July 21, 2005, Hours: 6 - 8 pm
www.agora-gallery.com/siacWinners2005.asp

Second Messages at FSU

2005-01-28T19:52:00.007-05:00

Frostburg State University’s Visual Arts Department presents the “Second Message” art exhibition from Friday, Feb. 4, to Sunday, Feb. 27. The opening reception will be held on Friday, Feb. 4, at 7 p.m. in the Stephanie Ann Roper Art Gallery in the Fine Arts Building on campus. Refreshments will be served.

The exhibition, which showcases the works of area residents Ken Braitman, Mary McCunn, Kurt Bonello and Kate Keely, will feature different forms of artistic expression including paintings and sculptures.
Ken Braitman’s sculptures give new life or perspective to old discarded objects. Kate Keely’s paintings explore issues related to the human condition translated in a symbolic manner. Mary McCunn’s sculptures and jewelry are produced using mixed metals, creating an abstract metamorphosis on small insect-like elements in nature. Kurt Bonello’s sculptures are influenced by or constructed from found objects or natural formations.

The Stephanie Ann Roper Art Gallery is open to the public 1 to 4 p.m., Monday through Wednesday. Frostburg State University 101 Braddock Road Frostburg, MD 21532-2303

Red Door Gallery picks up wholesale....

2004-12-01T16:32:00.001-05:00

The Red Door Gallery
107 East Patrick Street,Frederick, MD 21701
301-668-1491

New cool and original designs are available for purchase at a gallery carrying my work. The Red Door Gallery in Frederick is collecting together smaller works to feature in a new show called "Small Wonders". They also are wholesaling some of my brass earrings, new cool funky bracelets and other copper and brass original necklaces. All are one of a kinds. Stop by and visit them when in Frederick. It has a great downtown area and is worth snooping around while you shop the gallery!