Fox Run Studios - News

UpCountry Artists show at Sugarloaf Homecoming

2023-09-25T15:08:27-04:00

It’s that time of year again when I bring my self and my silks out into the big wide world and show them off at the UpCountry Artists show at Sugarloaf Homecoming weekend October 7/8.

It’s a fabulous opportunity to see the brilliant fall foliage in the western mountains of Maine. Sugarloaf offers chairlift rides up the mountain to enjoy the splendor of the whole Carrabassett Valley laid out below. Food and drink options abound. There’s a bonfire outside and usually some kind of musical entertainment.

But best of all is to be able to see my hand-dyed silk scarves and silk artwork in person. This year I will have approximately 40 scarves and 17 pieces of original artwork on silk in a range of sizes. The most I’ve ever shown at this show!

Hope to see you there!

new website format

2022-10-28T15:27:19-04:00

I've neglected my website for too long! I finally took a break from the silk studio and resigned myself to updating the website. I expect there will be some kinks to work out over the next few weeks. I wanted it to look fresh for the upcoming holiday season--which is TOO fast approaching! As a one-woman show, it's up to me to do ALL aspects of this business. Most of it I enjoy, but I'll be honest, mousing around trying to figure out layout of a website is not in my top ten!

So, the bulk of it is done, I hope. Back to the silk studio to keep creating yummy silks for you to gift or treat yourself. They are so worth it. Especially my "Activity Scarf"...it's the all purpose, wear it every day to do anything scarf. I love mine and wear them, literally, every single day...and most days inside too.

Keep tabs on new work on my Instagram channel. I'm learning how to do reels to keep the engagement up on the platform. The way of the world....

I hope you will include a Carol Sullivan silk in your holiday gifting. Enjoy the upcoming holidays. I hope I hear from you!

Cheers!

More art

2019-01-11T13:30:00-05:00

A year and a half between blog posts is a little long, I'll admit! Life gets in the way sometimes and I had to take a break! I'm back now though. I'm working at new techniques, more wall art, and always doing scarves which were my first silk love! Stay tuned for some small works with some very different techniques. Always feel free to email me if you are interested in a commission. It would be my pleasure.

Autumn colors abound

2017-10-05T14:02:00-04:00

This time of year usually brings some spectacular color to these western Maine mountains. I'm not sure what the reason but this year has been kind of a dud. The maples went dusty pink and things are just drying up and falling. It's the exact opposite of last year at this time. I recall the drive over to Sugarloaf--I could hardly catch my breath for the glorious colors at every turn of the road! Well, the berry, fruit, and pine cone set has been extremely heavy this year. Portending of a cold and snowy winter--we all hope! The color going on in my studio has made up for Mother Nature's lack. Hope to see you at Sugarloaf!

Summer is Winding Down

2017-08-27T14:58:00-04:00

The leaves have started changing here in the western mountains of Maine. The light has changed--fall is coming. I know...it's not even September. This always urges me on to squeeze the most out of what's left of summer! We have had a relatively rainy and very buggy summer. But finally, this last week of August, we have perfect weather and no bugs. I love the change of seasons here. It means there's something different to experience outside, different foods to prepare, fires to be be built, wood to be stacked, and colors to revel in as they change literally by the day. Nature's paintbrush gets a workout!

I'm using this as a cue to change my color palette on my silks as well. My hands are stained with magenta, red, orange, and yellow as I dye silk scarves for the upcoming shows in Wells (Laudholm Preserve, Sept 9/10) and at Sugarloaf Homecoming (Oct 7/8).

I have not loaded my website with my recent creations since I'm saving them for the shows. After October, I'll be working on new inventory for the holiday season and the website will be updated on a regular basis. But don't hesitate to contact me if you see something you like on IG (carolsullivan_silkartist) or FB . That's where you'll find pics of the latest pieces coming off my frames in the studio! Enjoy the rest of your summer!

Mother's Day discount on silk satin pillow cases

2017-05-02T12:38:00-04:00

20% off all silk satin pillowcases now through Mother's Day. Use coupon code TREATMUM for your discount now!

Winter on Repeat in April

2017-04-22T15:10:00-04:00

I may have jumped the gun on that last post about spring being here. Umm, not quite yet. We've had snow coming from the sky in 3 of the last 4 days and the temps hovering in low to mid 30s. So...we wait. I'm not putting the Christmas tree back up! I'll just keep dyeing things with spring and summer colors and wait...it'll get here and then we'll be complaining about black flies and mosquitoes. So, for now, we're bug free and I'm happy about that.

Spring time is finally here!

2017-04-14T09:37:00-04:00

Here in the western mountains of Maine, spring takes its sweet time getting here. But I think we're on the way. Rain and daytime temps above freezing are making the snowpack reduce daily--and there's plenty of work to do there. Ice out on the lakes will be several weeks in the making. But a trip to the coast of Maine gives you that fast-forward to REAL spring! We overdress on those days we go to Augusta for shopping--we're still wearing boots and coats while down there it's 60 degrees and woman are wearing sandals and men are wearing shorts! All in due time, people will be wanting to be in Rangeley to escape the city heat. Enjoy the moment! Happy Spring!!

Stella Savings - 20% discount til 3/25/17

2017-03-16T15:52:00-04:00

Enter "StellaSavings2017" and get 20% off your scarf order until next weekend, March 25! Just making way for some new inventory. Hope you aren't still digging out from the storm! Happy Shopping!!!

Holiday Shopping Discount

2016-11-16T16:03:00-05:00

I'm joining in the shopping fray with a super discount on EVERYTHING on my website. Enter discount code "Grateful2016" and get 16% off your order from now through December 31st. This includes scarves, pillow cases, paintings, and...the brand new must-have accessory called "The Float".

2016 Holiday Season Fast Approaches

2016-11-01T17:41:00-04:00

Wow, November 1st! The countdown begins... Follow me on FB to get first dibs on these luscious scarves. They make the most impressive gifts. I'll be hosting an online POP-UP show each week between now and Christmas! The way it works....I'll post a limited number of photos for a specific 24-hour period. If you want one, comment "SOLD" under the picture and I'll invoice you. When I get payment, the scarf will be shipped. Easy shopping!!! And FREE SHIPPING! See you there.

Spring and Summer on the Way

2016-04-27T15:15:00-04:00

The peepers are peeping, there's no sign of any snow or ice left, the mud is drying up, and the daffodils are starting to bloom. The studio is busy creating new scarves for the summer season and new paintings for a gallery show to be held at River Arts in Damariscotta July 7-27. The title of the show is "Eyes Wide Open". It will feature framed work as well as a select group of scarves.

I'm very excited about branching out into wall art pieces. I am headed to the Pacific Northwest to study with a master silk painter again in May. I did a few days in October and just had to come back for more! Stay tuned for more paintings on silk!

New Year 2016

2016-01-13T15:55:00-05:00

Here we are halfway into the first month of the new year and lots of ideas are brewing. New projects are on the drawing board, new ideas for silk scarves, and new designs for framed art are on the front burners, so to speak.

We are finally getting the sold and snow of a typical Maine winter...almost enough snow to go snowmobiling, enough for snowshoeing, but not enough ice on the lake yet to be safe for snowmobiling. Maybe by the end of the month or February sometime.

Meanwhile, keeping the home fires burning (feeding the pellet stove!) and keeping busy in the studio.

Stay warm and buy silk scarves!

Approaching the Holidays

2015-11-05T15:31:00-05:00

As I write this, the weather is unseasonably warm and doesn't give us a hint that the freezing temps are right around the corner. But with only weeks til Thanksgiving, it's on its way! And with that comes the fun of the holidays, decorating, baking, gathering with friends and family. And here in Maine, you'd better really like those Christmas decorations you put outside because, more than likely, they'll be out there til you reach them again in April! With that in mind, we decorate with just a winter theme outside, which is nice when it gets dark so early, we have extra lights on outside that brighten up the place. It's busy here in the studio getting new pieces ready to put up on the website and fulfill holiday orders. Be sure to get your order in as early as possible to make sure you get your gifts before Christmas. I look forward to hearing from you all soon!

Why Tourists Come to Maine

2015-07-31T13:24:00-04:00

We are now at the height of the tourist season here in Maine. And for good reason. Blueberries are ripe, local produce is finally producing, the weather is PERFECT, the lake water has warmed to a swimmable temperature. And you get to wear you favorite sweatshirt sitting around the evening campfire or on the deck having cocktails. Ah, yes, this is the life. Hurry and enjoy it, because in only a matter of weeks the temps will...well, we'll just save that subject for another post. Go out and enjoy some of this awesome summer we're having right now! Hope to see you at one of the upcoming outdoor art/craft shows.

Real Maine Summer (Summah)

2015-07-14T15:07:00-04:00

It's finally summer here, highs in the 70s and lows in the high 50s, a hint of humidity, and the threat of thunderstorms in the afternoon. The breeze picks up pretty quickly after sunrise as the thermals start moving around from the lake to the mountains. I LOVE IT! I grew up in Maryland so I know about heat and humidity--glad to be done with that!

I've got two shows under my belt and now I'm gearing up for three more in August. I hope they are good ones! Getting the word out about my wearable art is the main goal. I've handed out lots of rack cards, made some nice sales, and just hoping the trend continues.

Treat yourself to some wearable art. It makes you feel different, feel good, and classy and oh-so-special. I remember the first piece of wearable art I purchased--it was a handwoven hat with lovely embellishments. I ALWAYS got compliments on it, loved wearing it, the color was luscious and I felt like a million bucks and very fashionable when I wore it. Unfortunately, someone else (or fortunately for them!) is probably enjoying it now. It was lost a couple of years ago.

I encourage you to expand your wardrobe and try a piece of wearable art. You can start right here! http://foxrunstudios.com/collections/all or come see them for yourself at one of the next events where we will be. http://foxrunstudios.com/pages/events-locations

Public Debut for Fox Run Studios

2015-06-17T15:57:00-04:00

This weekend is my public debut at the Boothbay Windjammer Arts & Crafts Show. I'm nervous and excited to put my creations out there and, more importantly, get the feedback! I am taking 60 scarves with me, plus a collection of "small works" that are framed. Wish me luck!

Anticipation

2015-06-03T12:44:00-04:00

I have 2 1/2 weeks til my first show of the season. The anticipation is running high. I don't know what to expect as far as sales or what people like for designs, so I'm doing what I like to do, just dyeing as much silk as possible!

Last week I sent 24 scarves out to sea aboard the Nova Star Cruise Ferry. I hope they are finding good homes and are traveling off the ship! I await news from the shop manager.

Not feeling badly about spending so much time in my studio because the weather has been not summer-like at all. Been wearing down jackets and having a fire in the woodstove the last few nights. It could prove to be one of those non-summers due to the El Nino effect.

Hope to see you in Boothbay soon! Come say "Hi"!

Seafaring Scarves

2015-05-26T15:31:00-04:00

My scarves are about to hit the high seas! They will be aboard the Nova Star Ferry ship that goes from Portland, Maine to Yarmouth, Nova Scotia (and back!) from June to October--80,000 people. Now THAT's exposure! Delivery is Thursday--they are getting a display unit and 24 scarves to fill 'er up! I will post pics on the Fox Run FB page just for fun!

Summer's Coming...Fast!

2015-05-20T12:18:00-04:00

It's been a busy couple of weeks working to fulfill orders for retail accounts. I'm really looking forward to summer shows. You can see my schedule of where I'll be right here at http://foxrunstudios.com/pages/events-locations This will be my first real foray out in to the big, wide world with me accompanying my product. The feedback will be invaluable. I hope for good weather and no tents getting blown over! Back to the studio to create more stock! See you at the shows.

Back to production

2015-05-06T12:47:00-04:00

I hit the ground running this week after a nice vacation time. It's now time to get the creativity ramped up to build stock for summer shows and some orders that came in while I was away. Good to be back home in my studio! The weather has been dry so it looks like we skipped mud season once again this year. Hoping that means the bug season will be less than vigorous as well!

Color Therapy

2015-04-09T15:36:00-04:00

Working on a nice colorful scarf today as "color therapy" since we were blanketed with that fluffy white stuff once again last night. We've had about a foot of fresh snow in the past week. It IS April 9th today...but next week temps will be in the 50s every day. Let's not talk about the "liquid snow" that will be falling then. :-}

Contemplating New Techniques

2015-04-04T16:32:00-04:00

I'm going to bring home some salty sand from the Outer Banks. Using salt for special effects with dye is a well-known thing. Snow dyeing is also a technique, pouring dye over a pile of snow with the fabric underneath. I'm going to try to combine these two techniques and see what happens. Sprinkle it, pile it, draw designs in it and use it as a "resist", hmmmmm....the possibilities. I love experimenting!

One Spring Day

2015-04-03T15:24:00-04:00

Oh, yes...58 degrees and sunny. We got one!

Spreading the Love

2015-04-02T13:41:00-04:00

I'm pleased to announce that my hand-dyed silk scarves have been chosen by the fine folks at Archipelago, The Island Institute Store, in Rockland, Maine! We'll be delivering the first batch to them in time for Mother's Day. Thank you, Archipelago!

New Website for Fox Run Studios

2015-03-27T18:42:00-04:00

Many of you may already know how time consuming it is to create a website. I'd so rather be in my studio creating more beautiful silks and working with new techniques and ideas than pushing a mouse around all day! It's exhausting instead of exhilarating. But, alas, one of those necessary evils in life these days!

So, here it is. Ready to shop, browse, and contact me if you have comments, questions, special interests for a commission. I'd love to hear from you. My picture is strictly wishful thinking...soon spring WILL be here, I just know it will!

"I believe in process. I believe in four seasons. I believe that winter's tough, but spring's coming. I believe that there's a growing season. And I think that you realize that in life, you grow. You get better." -- Steve Southerland