Geneva Publication Downtown Development

From: City of Geneva, Economic Development Department [mailto:jheflin@geneva.il.us]
Sent: Thursday, March 26, 2009 9:27 AM
To: Divita, Ellen
Subject: Upcoming Events and Business Tips

Downtown Events and Planning Updates Save the date! Next frontline training session Tuesday, April 28. Details to follow... Articles Crime Prevention Tips Small Store Success Stories Upcoming Events Tax Free Weekend April 18 & 19 French Market Sundays, starting April 26 60 Men who Cook May 8 To benefit Geneva non-profits Gardenology May 9 Geneva Green Market Thursdays, June 4 - Oct. 29 60th Annual Midsommar FestivalSwedish Days June 23-28 June 28, walk with the downtown merchants during the parade. Contact Sandy Portincaso for details, 630-232-6060. Mighty Viking Boat Race July 17 Geneva Academic Foundation Fundraiser Shakespeare in the Park July 18 Geneva Arts Fair July 25-26 First Fridays First Friday evening of every month For more details visit www.genevadowntown.org Get Involved! Committee Meetings: Geneva Downtown Partnership - 2nd Tuesday of month, 8 a.m. at City Hall MERCHANTS Group - 3rd Wednesday of month, 8 a.m. at City Hall Business Improvement and Retention - 4th Wednesday of month, 8 a.m. at Infusion Tea Shoppe Geneva Bride - 2nd Wednesday of month, 8:30 a.m. at Riverside Receptions Cultural Arts Commission - 1st Thursday of the month, 7 p.m. at City Hall Join Our List Forward this email to someone else who you think might wish to join our list! BASIC RULES OF STORE DISPLAY AND DESIGN "When it comes to retailing, there are basic display techniques that apply whether you are selling records, rowboats, bats and balls, or gift items and collectibles. When you're in a bind about what to do next, consult the basics, and they'll provide a road map for changes." - Sharon Leicham, Country Business Magazine Click on the link below for a great article that goes well beyond the basics of display. Read Article UNIQUE MERCHANDISE Pam Warden is an artist who was raised in Geneva, lives in Wisconsin and markets her art work across the country. She'd love to find the right store in Geneva to sell her merchandise. You can view her work here. You'll find Pam's profile and a link to her blog and links to other unique artist venues. If you're looking for unique crafts, try the vendor shows listed on the Country Business website. There is no better way to stand out from the stores on Randall Road than to sell quality merchandise made in the United States! GET YOUR NAME OUT THERE There are so many directory type websites out there it can be a daunting task trying to determine which are legitimate and worthwhile to submit your information to. Listed below are just a few that are known to be viewed by visitors planning a trip to the suburbs. www.visitnorthernillinois.com - submit information about your store, events, and more www.triblocal.com - submit unique stories http://chicago.metromix.com/page/get_listed - submit store info and events UPCOMING CHAMBER EVENTS Cabin Fever Carnival Windy City Amusements, Inc. on the Midway will open their Cabin Fever Carnival with rides, games and food on April 16-19 and 22-26 at Rt. 38, just east of Randall Rd. Proceeds will benefit Geneva festivals. Tickets $20/per person/per day. Hours: Wed & Thurs 6-10 p.m.; Fri 6-11 p.m.; Sat 1-11 p.m.; Sun 1-10 p.m. Dollar Day on Wed. April 22. Unlimited ride specials Wed & Thurs 6-10 p.m.; Sat & Sun 1-5 p.m. $5 off coupon for unlimited ride specials available at Ace Hardware of Geneva, Good Cents Children, Egg Harbor Cafe, Geneva Cleaners, Genoa Pizza, Giesche Shoes of Geneva, Graham's Fine Chocolates & Ice Cream, Leapin' Lyrics, Subway, Viking Office Supply and at the Geneva Chamber office. For more info, call 630-232-6060. 60 Men Who Cook Local male celebs will demonstrate their cooking skills when the Geneva Chamber of Commerce presents "60 Men Who Cook" to benefit the Geneva History Center, Geneva Lions Club and Rotary Club of Geneva at 6 p.m., Friday, May 8 at the Kane County Fairgrounds. Attendees will sample hors d'oeuvres, main and side dishes and desserts and then vote for the four "People's Choice Awards". Tickets $25 in advance or $35 at door; includes food tastings, voting and entertainment. Evening also includes cash bar and raffle. Tickets at www.genevachamber.com, Geneva Chamber, Geneva History Center and Viking Office Supply; in St. Charles at Hotel Baker; and in Batavia at K. Hollis Jewelers.

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City of Geneva | 22 South First Street | Geneva | IL | 60134

Ellen Divita

Economic Development Director

City of Geneva, Illinois

Phone: 630.232.7449

Fax: 630.232.1871

Cell: 630.768.8441

edivita@geneva.il.us

Welcome Jane

I'd like to welcome Jane DesRosier as a new contributing artist and author at Faith Folk Cafe. She is joining Mystele and I and I can't tell you how happy I am. (See the fabulous article and interview below that Mystele wrote to learn more about Jane). Jane is "prayerfully" joining and I'm so thankful for her heart, as I am with Mystele's. A true desire to serve the Lord and to commit to serving others on this website is what we are seeking. Please pray for us as we attempt to create a place where you will be blessed and Christ will be magnified.
If you would like us to feature your artwork on Faith Folk, please email Mystele or I, we'd love to do an interview with you.
We hope you'll tell your friends about us and again, pray for us.
If there is anyway that we can serve you or better pray for you, please let us know.
Welcome Jane~

THAT I MAY KNOW HIM,
pam

Featured Folk Artist ::: Jane DesRosier of Gritty Arts Studio

(photo used by permission. © Jane DesRosier)

We are thrilled to welcome Jane DesRosier to the Cafe today! Jane has a well-established presence on Ebay and has recently launched her own website. When I think of Jane's creations, the word that comes to mind is "inspired." Jane's work has a deeply spiritual undergirding that comes through so clearly in her folk art paintings and dolls. Her work is simply mesmerizing. Without further ado...

(photo used by permission. © Jane DesRosier)

♥ when & how did folk art sweep you off your feet?

Gosh, that’s a hard one. When I say I paint folk art I am referring to a particular style of naïve painting with bold colors often outlined in black. I draw very much the same as I did when I was 12 yrs old. My style has developed and I have gained some techniques, but I’ve been painting the same faces a long time.

My father is a fabulous watercolor painter and he does very realistic looking marine art. I think that when I was young I felt like I could never paint as good as him or as realistic as him, so I went the other direction for a long time. Now, I find myself with more confidence and a desire to give realism a try…I want to mix the two somehow.

As far as the sweeping me off my feet thing is concerned…I have been pretty into painting since I started selling on ebay. I was so thrilled that people would buy what I painted, that it drove me forward. The more folks were interested in my art, the more I wanted to paint. I feel very blessed.

♥ what are your favorite mediums and/or tools to use?

I love wood, tin, canvas, acrylic paint, papers, clay, wax, charcoal, coffee, and rust. I wouldn’t want to be without my paintbrushes, big Liquitex knives, DeWalt power tool, plyers, wire-cutters and the computer.

♥what is your favorite time to create?

The morning. I love to drink a cup of coffee and work. After my second cup I am finally awake and am pleased to see I made something! There is something about that lucid sleep-state that is good for creating. Late night is good too…but I get kind of loopy.

(photo used by permission. © Jane DesRosier)

♥ any tips for beginning folk artists?

If you have the desire to create, pay attention to it. Just get moving. There is an incredible abundance of inspirational videos, books, classes, and magazines. These can be good resources but don’t forget to look within. Be inspired by others, but don’t try to copy them. Pray and ask for direction.

♥ what are your dreams for your folk art business?

I kind of want to move outside of ebay and have been heading in that direction for some time. Ebay has been a huge blessing in many ways and is a great opportunity for anyone to be able to sell something. Unfortunately, it seems like the second someone gets a good idea or a big sale, there are a handful of imitations up within 24 hrs and I am kind of tired of it. Other top-selling artists are feeling the pain as well but there doesn't seem to be much we can do about it. I guess it is like that anywhere in the world though. I have been fortunate to be able to sell some paintings and dolls directly from my website and that makes me very happy!

I suspect good things are going to happen, but I have no idea what they are. My hope is that I could make a living and glorify God with what I do. I know I can dream or set goals, but all too often my Father has different plans for me and I find my big ideas were nothing compared to His. I really just try to do this day by day.

I have so many ideas just waiting to manifest. I am a bit obsessed with art. Even when I am doing something else, in the back of my mind the wheels are turning and ideas are forming…I am usually thinking about making something before my eyes are open in the morning. That kind of inspiration must be God-given so He will most likely use it for something, huh? Lord help me if it goes away.

(photo used by permission. © Jane DesRosier)

♥ how do you manage family and your business?

Not very well. I always feel like I should be doing more. I deal with the same stresses other working women do who are married with children. It is a constant struggle to keep my priorities in order and manage my time well. My house is never very clean, I can’t seem to keep the flowers on the front porch alive, and my old dog hasn’t gone for a walk in a long time.

I even wanted to spend more time on these questions but figured I had already taken too long...=)

♥ how did you come up with the name for your business?

I just thought about what would describe my style and what I like...and the word "gritty" seemed to fit. For some reason I just love things that are aged, crackled, stained, broken-down, and rusty. I have always been resourceful and able to make-do with what is around me. I just started painting on whatever I could find.

I was a lost sheep and Jesus found me. He took my wreck of a life and is making it beautiful. In some way, that is what I am trying to do when I paint on these found objects.

(photo used by permission. © Jane DesRosier)

♥ tell us about how you've 'met with' Jesus through your art.

That is actually a tough question…

Any success I have is because of God. I am nothing without him. Jesus said, 'I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. (John 15:5)

I have known for a long time that of myself I can do no good. It is only by God’s saving grace that I am alive and have been given a second chance (many of them).

I guess the way I have “met with” Jesus through my art is just by constantly asking for direction…Asking every move to make big or small and trying to be obedient to his promptings. This communication is what builds the relationship. It also builds my faith.

+++Super big thanks for having me over!

(slideshow used by permission. © Jane DesRosier)

We want you to be aware that Jane is doing a series of tutorials on youtube. Here is her introduction video...

Jane is also gearing up for some workshops. Needless to say, you'll want to keep up with her! So, here are links to all things Jane :::

♥ Gritty Arts Studio Blog ♥ Gritty Arts on Youtube
♥ Grittyjane on Ebay ♥ GrittyJane.com

We hope you've been encouraged and motivated through today's featured folk artist interview. Keep learning how to see the Master Artist at work in everything about you, whether it be through joy, pain or a mixture of the two.

wazzup???

hi, everyone! just wanted to check in with you. how are you? no, really. how are you? please let us know what's up with you. we'd love to rejoice with and/or pray for you. never hesitate to check in here. this is a place for refreshment, an oasis of sorts for the creative soul no matter where you are in journey to Truth. grace abounds here because we know the grace Giver.

so, what's new here? well, pam and i are excited to begin a new endeavor. we'll be highlighting folk artists who are also Jesus followers. i am so excited about our first featured artist, but you'll have to wait...to be unveiled soon!

if you have any ideas for a featured artist or would like to be one yourself, please email us or leave a comment. we're looking for folks grounded in their walk with Jesus. perfectly grounded? of course not, but definitely those who are holding on to the plow and bringing others along with them through their art.

hoping you have a super weekend of listening and growing.

What's Pam up to???

Well, I'm getting along with the painting, here are some new photos (near my front door at home) and today was the exciting moment of clarity...I know exactly where I am going now. Finally I'm moving smoothly in the direction that my heart is set on. It's so exciting. There is a similar feeling when you "discover" a truth in God's Word and it's so overwhelming that your heart pounds. We bow our knee and cry, "My Lord and my God". It is sometimes almost too much, this utter love of the Holy One. When I am writing a song or painting a picture I stop and ponder, play things out, turn all the stones over looking, looking, looking...until the aha moment. Then a smile, relief! My feet are on terrafirm once again.
As you read and study the Word of God you are moving spiritually in familiar territory, pleasant discoveries are just around each bend, sometimes painful truths that you must deal with in your life are found out, glaring truth...repent, undo, do over, be kinder, help, love...love...love. He is the King and Creator of LOVE. We are to be His image. If you are not reading the Word of God as you know you should be, dear sister in Christ I call you to move smoothly in the direction of the Saviour, set your heart on finishing the race in a way and manner pleasing to Him...
Love Out Loud!
This painting should be done soon.
Buckets of Blessings, Goblets of Joy, Baskets brimming with Glory, Pam
Tuesday: I was able to paint a little bit in between customers today, I got a start on some of the flowers. I sketched lightly with pencil-erasing on top of the dried coffee is a trick- can you see the rest of the flowers that are sketched? It took 2 days to complete the background. But I'm still working on it, looking for the day it is completed.
Photo #2

Monday:I've been working on a large canvas piece. I'm totally inspired by Mystele's homes and flowers. (Can you tell how much I love her art and her heart :) So, flipping it in my own little way I thought I'd take a photo as I go. But of course I thought of that after I put the second coat of coffee on. So picture in your mind a white canvas...that now looks like this:

Photo #1
The canvas is quite large and it's taking on a look of leather. There is a children's song called, He's Still Working On Me.

He's still working on me,
To make me what I ought to be.
It took Him just a week to make the moon and stars,
The sun and moon and Jupiter and Mars.
How loving and patient He must be,
Cuz He's still working on me.

Buckets Of Blessings, Pam

Interviews...

This is an idea Mystele had, she and I will be interviewing other artists out there in the blogosphere. Interviews and we will highlight that artist and her work for the day.
This is gonna be FUN :) You are all going to LOVE who we have first up... COMING SOON.
Pam

Interview with An Artist...

What are your favorite tools to work with?
Pam: Good, expensive Brushes (I've only got a few...the rest are cheapies :) and I love to paint with watercolor and coffee.
Mystele: charcoal, doll house detail brushes, and filbert brushes.

What are you reading now?
Pam: Life Management for Busy Women by Elizabeth George
Mystele: reading? what's that? oh, yeah, i remember...well, i've been working on a book called "that's my son" for about 2 months now! it's NOT a long book. oh, well.

What are you working on now?
Pam: I'm working on a greeting card for Legacy Card Company. I also have a new Oz pic in mind..."Trespassers Will Be Melted".
Mystele: bringing a sketch to life of three hip little angels.

How long have you been drawing?
Pam: Since I could hold a pencil or crayon.
Mystele: started drawing again in 2006 to sketch out original patterns for my folk art dolls. i began drawing for painting in 2008.

What music inspires you?
Pam: I love Fernando Ortega. If his CDs cost $500, I'd save up for one.
Mystele: everything from opera to folk.

What is your favorite scripture?
Pam: Joshua 1:9 Because of my husbands illness there are days I've been very afraid.
Mystele: Deut. 30:11-20, and, no, i don't have them memorized...yet.

What church do you attend and what do you do there?
Pam: A Bible church. I'm the kid's choir director and I have a crochet class with the older girls. I also teach Sunday School to the older girls 10 and up. I LOVE them. My husband teaches at church sometimes and he also teaches the high school and college kids on Wed. nights.
Mystele: the church my husband "grew up" in and where he serves as the junior high youth pastor. i love to encourage, come along side other people making their way Home, through music.

Why does Faith Folk Cafe exist?
Pam: I could not find a place like this in blogworld so I'm in the process of creating it. It's what I wished was there. Walls don't stop me, I go through them. I am pretty fearless, although I can't deal with angry/crazy people. I just shut down. I want a Christian friendly site that is here to glorify God and a place to fellowship with his people. It is evolving as we go. I wanted Mystele because I loved what she'd write to people, so positive and she has such a good testimony. Always giving glory to the Lord. I'm so glad she joined me.
Mystele: to encourage christians and seekers with the redemptive love that we've received from God, both through spiritual and creative avenues. i'm so glad the Lord brought the two of us together!

Anything else you'd like to add Pam. No, but thanks for asking Pam. You're welcome Pam. Now, say goodbye to your invisible friends. Goodbye invisible friends! Until we meet again. Keep Painting and please leave comments. WE LOVE them and it shows us that you are out there.

My Friend Mystele...

I am collecting some of Mystele's work, it was decision I made when I saw it on ebay. I put in a bid and my husband kept watch and bid for the fun of it. We now have a small, but serious collection. Not all of the pieces are included and I'm sad that my photography skills are not what they should be...
Click here on the word blog and find her on ebay...I don't know why I'm telling you this because I want all of her work. If I could tell you how happy her piece with the 4 little girls makes me you'd be reading for an hour or more. And she can sing...my favorite on her CD, yes, she has a CD, is her song, Say The Word! She also writes scripture on old library book cards and attaches them to the back of the painting. COOL!
Buckets of Blessings and Joy,
Pam

thinking outside the canvas box

did you know that you can use anything - ANYTHING - as your canvas??? i have an old suitcase full of wonderful old junk that is intended to be used in my paintings. well, i was recently re-inspired by wyanne to get it OUT and use it!



use what you have. buy 2nd hand. buy vintage. use it to create new treasures. and ENJOY the process!!!

take care!

♥ mystele

how to seal your paintings with beeswax

please let me know if you have any questions!

sketch with me..again!

this time the prompt is "pretty in pink". ready, set, GO!

sketch with me!!!

hi! this summer, pam and i (mystele) hope to encourage you with some basic folk art skills. sometimes the hardest part is getting started and allowing yourself to feel silly and uncomfortable.

so get out your sketch pad, canvas, cloth, napkin...anything to draw on. your prompt is "magic time". let's get to it!



i leave you with a question ::: are you doing what you were made to do?

Some thoughts on Creativity...by Pam Warden

"Pamella tries to harmonize with me and she draws on everything."

My baby book, age 2

As I wind down the rabbit trail that leads from one fantastic blog to another, I am always amazed at the creativity I find out there (too many to name, but you know who you are:).
If you ever doubt your artistic bent or wonder to yourself, "why do I need to buy one more skein of yarn, bolt of cloth, tube of paint"... this is what God says, "She makes coverings for her bed; she is clothed in fine linen and purple. She makes linen garments and sells them, and supplies the merchants with sashes." Proverbs: 21-24
Rest in it.

I offer private watercolor classes in my studio and some women say, "I can't even draw a stick person." I reply, "Then you are probably a wonderful artist, you just don't know the techniques yet". (Most artists can't draw a straight line!)Remember when we were children, we practiced for hours and hours to spell our names, our streets, spelling MOM. We had a new and powerful way to SAY STUFF. As tiny little women we liked that :) You bet we did. And we developed the technique. We can sign our names now without so much as a thought or glance. Are you shaking your head, saying, "I can't draw a stick person and even my hand writing looks like that of a serial killer or doctor :)".... remember what God says, "For if the willingness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what she does not have. 2 Corinthians 8:12
Rest in it.

In the days before I could read music (I still read music slowly with a dominant right hand) I would take blank music papers and draw little half notes, quarter notes, whole notes and rests all over the page. In my mind, once I could get my mom to come to the piano and play the song, it would be what the world had been waiting for, a song above songs, maybe something the angels sing...She would sit at the piano and play my random notes, telling me, "This isn't music." And she was right, it wasn't...I didn't know the techniques yet, the order. Our God is a God of order. (But I was still kinda pleased that the piano was playing something "of my very own"). I am a guitarist and traveled around for years, singing and playing for a living, I've written many, many songs.
If you think to yourself, I wish I could paint, blog, write, sing, be as creative as so and so....remember, this is what God says, "Each one should use whatever gift she has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms..." 1 Peter: 10-11
Rest in it.

My mom could play the guitar a little bit, a few years later and I could play the guitar a lot. In the early years she would sing us to sleep with cowboy songs. I always requested, Billie Joe by Johnny Cash and it always made me sad. I longed for him to live in the song, but he always got to0 big for his britches, took his "guns to town" and turned them on a grown gun slinger where my lovely Billy Joe "fell to the floor." I sang it to my children. My oldest son still likes Johnny Cash. I think that began my love for the minor key. Happy songs just didn't make me, um, well, er, ah happy! They were/are not as "thoughtful" in my ears. I still feel that way. The minor key.. I paint and sing in it. You will hear it in the sidebar playlist. The sound of the deeper things! We grow in the valleys, it has been said, not on the bright mountain tops. How true, how very true. I paint many funny women, but I also have titles like, The Angel of Loss and You Are Not Alone. I am reaching out to others with those paintings, shared pain, telling them they are not alone, they are loved, pointing them to Christ. Taking a little of the heavy weight from a sister's shoulders. The other day I was bemoaning to John, "Why are my paintings so different, even though women buy them, why am I not getting more contracts. Why am I so different?" The next day a Greeting Card company wanted to sign me, they said, "We love your work, it's so different." Have you wondered, "Why do I feel like I'm different?"....remember that God says this, "Each one should use whatever gift she has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms." 1 Peter 4:10
Rest in it.

As children of THE Creator of everything in existence we've inherited the desire/inclination to create from Him, our Father. If you ever wonder why you can't read a magazine without thinking, "Hey, I could do that!" Or if you draw a picture with your index finger in the soap suds at the kitchen sink, smell your childrens crayons and sigh, wander around flea markets with a big cart and back-pack "just in case", or __fill in blank______?
It is because you are filling your life and home with creative works, taking what someone else has sold or thrown away and making it your "very own". Writing your own songs of praise, in whatever medium you work in. We write our life songs to this wonderful, wonderful God, who loves us so deeply that He sent His Son... Remember what God says, "Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the Heavenly Lights, who does NOT change like shifting shadows." James 1:17
Rest In It.
No matter what the creative issue is, get out your bible and "remember what God says about it." And then just rest in it as you continue on your way.
Blessings, Pam

Scriptural proof that it is the man's job to make the morning coffee...

Best Friends Coffee Painting

My Daughter-In-Love hugging the Daughter I Love

Hi everyone...I do hope you have been enjoying the wonderful YouTube tutorial that she blogged below as much as I have. Wow, what a talent. When I was mulling over the concept of Faith Folk her name just kept popping into my head and heart, we talked via email, she accepted my offer of coming alongside of me here and Ta, Da...here we are. Hope you enjoy. Pam

Pam

Plan on thinking of things today that you are thankful for and then actually stop and thank God for each one. Share them with us in a comment, we'd love to hear from you.


Oh, the Biblical proof that men should make the coffee? God says so in... Hebrews.

Transfer Paper & Beeswax Tidbits

If you have any questions, please let me know! I'm happy to help!

Have a super day!

~Mystele

The Serene Folk Art of Mystele...WELCOME MYSTELE!

Introducing to Faith Folk Cafe is the delightful work of Mystele. I feel so blessed to have her working with me on this blog as a fellow follower and fellow artist. Her work is so full of sweetness and joy. She is an inspiration. Mystele is self taught, she just does what she does, the sign of a true folk artist. Anyone interested in the world of Folk Art be sure to hang around, we've got a myriad of offerings up our collective sleeves to share with you.

Beyond delighted I wish to say WELCOME to Mystele! Keep checking us out as we will be offering tutorials, classes and behind the scenes "glimpses" in the near future.
Here is her NEW BLOG some of the places where you can find her work for sale.

www.littleglimpses.wordpress.com (my website)
http://search.ebay.com/_W0QQsassZlittleglimpses (my ebay studio)
www.littleglimpses.etsy.com (my etsy studio)
www.littleglimpses2.etsy.com (my handmade goods)

Welcome to FAITH FOLK CAFE

An experimental blog offering free on-line art techniques and tutorials. A unique and empathetic place for give & take advise from Folk Artist Pam Warden and Mystele Kirkeeng.
At FAITH FOLK CAFE we will be creating with various mediums including: the elusive Watercolor, painting with Coffee, Acrylics, and Collage to name a few.
I am playing around with this new blog idea so please excuse it if you got here by accident :)
Hope to see you again.
Prayers requested.
Pam