Monday, January 12, 2009

AmericasMart ~ Atlanta, Day 1...

I have just returned from an eye-opening experience at the international gift and home furnishings market in Atlanta! Wow! I only saw a teeny bit of what 4 downtown high-rise buildings had to offer, filled with showroom after showroom of vendors offering their wares for the new year. Our main purpose for the trip was to meet the kind and talented folks of Bethany Lowe Designs, see their fabulous permanent showroom which now includes my new product line and be present for a Halloween artist signing party! What fun!..... I have to say that I was in vintage eye-candy heaven upon entering their space. Everything, including the rare antique props were perfect for product placement and really a treat to see in person. Of what I saw, it was my favorite showroom, and I am so honored to be a part of that beautiful collection today! The following are photos from our first day's visit.... Stay tuned for images from the Halloween artist signing!....

~ Johanna


* Me standing at one of 3 entrances to Bethany Lowe's Atlanta showroom... This entry lead to my spring collection...


* A portion of my spring line greets buyers.... yummy yellow and blue birds serve as containers and bowls while bunnies dressed for spring sit and admire their surroundings...


* Meandering through, we encounter all of the various collections for Christmas... I was enamored by all of the vintage-inspired beaded and glass ornaments and garlands that looked so old and so loved....My holiday display was up and around the long harvest table where the black and white checkerboard floor began....


* Here's a peek at my Christmas collection, and be sure to click on ALL these images for a larger view. It was obvious to me that BLD had really taken the time to prop and display each collection. My Christmas nook had been painted a lovely soft hue of green to complement my pieces and allow them to pop!...


* More Christmas displays welcome guests and truly capture that holiday spirit no matter what time of year...


* Another entrance here invites folks with a love for all things Halloween to enter!.. As you pass through the glass door, you quickly come upon my collection of orange and black delights!...


* Here I am just thrilled to see my largest collection displayed so beautifully! My pieces were sprawled across the bottom shelf / counter of the large black cupboard, and my hats and ornament clips decorated the black feather tree...


* One of my 3 Halloween party hats festively perches on a tree branch. What a fun way to display these hats!...


* My papier mache candy cone characters with removable heads looked spooktacular hanging around amongst their friends...


* Another view of the various Halloween collections offers a chair to rest those tired bones...


* A pair of my Halloween candy containers await the trick-or-treat-loving buyers...


* My Halloween owl bowl proudly stands in front a pair of my illustrated Halloween plates, perfect for eating sweet treats. I am so excited about all of these fun and festive products!...


* And another one of my party had designs rests atop a feather tree branch...

This is only a glimpse into their most amazing showroom. They have so many visual delights to offer that I could spend my whole day in enchantment within their space!
What a treat to see it in person and feel so very welcomed! Thank you Bethany Lowe Designs!..... Please check back to see me and several other BLD artists in costume at the Boo Fest signing.....
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23 comments:

Kitty Forseth said...

Hi Girlfriend!!

I was hoping that you might have posted a few pics and some info.. but wowwwwwwwww, what a huge treat to see so much! You must have been in heaven :~). Bethany did a wonderful job, and your designs are delish!! You even got to design plates?? I wish I were rich, I want one of everything!

Hugs to you, JP and Jack. Take care, and rest up!

xoxo Kitty

MaygreenFairies said...

Ohhhhh my.... Johanna, was a truly scrumptous set of photos, I want to jump right into my computer screen and rummage round the little stores with you. Can't wait to see more pics when you post them. Hugs, Mandy x

Monkey-Cats Studio said...

Johanna, this is just a dream come true!!! Bethany Lowe did a fabulous job displaying your wonderful designs and what a treat it must be for you and the buyers to be able to see this visual feast. I am elated for you and kudos on your success!!!
Laurie

Halloween Fanatic said...

I cannot wait to BUY BUY BUY the new Johanna Parker collections!!!! Maybe there is hope for our economy!!!

Jo James said...

WoW!!!
What wonderful work, Johanna!
Thank you for sharing it with us. Dylan and I sat and drooled over all your latest designs.
Maybe someday we'll get to come and keep you company :)

Hugs- Joee

Carolee said...

Okay, I'm absolutely drop-jawed here!! Your collections are all amazing of course, but how VERY cool to see them all displayed in one place like that!

Thanks so much for sharing the photos, and congrats on a successful event!!

~ Carolee

Anonymous said...

Wonderful work Johanna! I especially love the bunnies being a house rabbit owner.

Enchanted Productions by Joyce Stahl said...

Oh My Johanna! Congratulations! Your collection is breathtaking! I'm just in awe! You must be so pleased and Bethany Lowe did such a wonderful job displaying it! WOW!

Thank you for sharing those pictures with us! I can't wait to see the pictures from the artist signing!

Hugs,
Joycee

Nancy Malay said...

Wow, Johanna, what a beautiful display of your awesome new creations! I'm sure Bethany Lowe is just thrilled to have you on-board. (Good thing I don't have to decide which ones I like best - I do have my eye on those sweet rabbits, though!)

I can't wait until they're released!

Nancy

vintagepaletteart said...

That's it! I'm ordering for their catalog for my shoppe! All that eye candy is making my mouth water Johanna! lol COngrats! You are such a hard working artist!!! =D

Hugs, *Lori

Christopher A. Klingler said...

EVERYTHING looked FAB Johanna!

BIG congrats!!!

Chris :-)

Anonymous said...

Your art looks amazing and they did such a wonderful job displaying it! How proud JP must be! And how proud YOU must be!! What a great experience too. Can't wait to see the signing photos. Hugs to you...Iva

Tinsell and Whimsy said...

OK.......what that like the Academy Awards of Folk Art? What a great job done by all you and Bethany together forever! It is so nice when someone really believes in you, and it shows. I am sure you and Bethany have a mutual admiration society. You deserve all the success that comes your way........why, because you deserve it.........hard work and talent always makes a winning combonation..........plus you have JP and Jack too! Thanks for sharing if it looked this good in the photos......then up close and personal I am sure was amazing!

. said...

Fantastic! YOu must be thrilled. Bethany does a wonderful job at reproducing...you are sure to be a huge success. Congrats Johanna!!

Colleen

Sam I Am said...

Oh my lord, Johanna..you reallllllllly need to post a 'WARNING..DROOL BIBS NEEDED" before showing these pictures!!!!!!
You are adorable as usual..and your art ..just so darn YUMMMY!!!!!!!!

xox
sam

CCs Whimsies said...

Johanna... You rocked it, girl! I am sure your line will be wildly sucessful! Congratulations and here's to many more years of happy designing. Big Hugs! Christy

Melissa Valeriote said...

...speechless...bowing to your greatness!

Kingfisher Farm said...

JoHanna! It all looks wonderful, simply delightful! Well done. Thank you for sharing. Pam

Leah's Art Magic said...

Johanna,
SO excited for you! Beautiful work and BLD is really showing it off! All your collections are absolutely wonderful!
Cheers!

Leah

Anonymous said...

Johanna,

I loved everything! Awesome job.

Candy

HopHopJingleBoo said...

Hello johanna, thank you for sharing the Atlanta Showroom, as doubt I will ever get there..but maybe..the displays look fab and love your work I will definately be buying your owl pieces!Happy Sales to you!

Anonymous said...

Hey Johanna... You did a terrific job on the pics but I've got to say in real life it was every bit as wonderful and maybe even better! It was wonderful to share this special time with you. I'm so proud of you, my friend. Your work is so charming and springs from your kind and imaginative heart. Tell JP hi from me and happy working! Sharyn

Robin Armstrong Seeber said...

omg Johanna... speechless...