Category: Events and Happenings

May 26, 2013

My Annual Sojourn to BlogPaws

Toby – My Doggie Pal at BlogPaws

Every year, I make at least one trip far away from home. That trip is to whatever location in the country the BlogPaws Conference has found itself.

This year that location was Tysons Corner, VA, the same location from 2011 where we happened to be when Hurricane Irene rolled through.

No hurricanes came through this time, thank goodness, although there was plenty of reminiscing about the craziness of that year’s event.

Teri Thorsteinson and her Cornish Rex Cat Brighton

I go to BlogPaws for a number of reasons. I meet new people who help me spread my network and potential customer base for my pet themed artwork. I learn new things about blogging and social media. I get SEO and other tech questions answered.

But mostly, I have more fun than any other time of the year with some of the greatest people (and pets) EVER!

Besties!

I have fun with these same people every day, but it is in the virtual world of social media, as they all live far away from me. When we can get together in real life, we try to pack as much fun as we can into every minute, because the conference only lasts 3 days.

With Dorian Wagner of Your Daily Cute

For past conferences, I went with responsibilities: In Columbus (2010), I was part of the organizing team and coordinated an art auction; in Denver (2010), I created a Dialogues Mural that was a centerpiece for the conference; in 2011, I presented with Miah Thornton about Okey’s Promise: Art for a Cause; and in 2012, I was sponsored by Temptations and represented their brand.

Traveling with Henry J. Puppypants, Spokesdog for Embrace Pet Insurance at BlogPaws 2013

This year, however, I won second place in a photo caption contest, meaning that BlogPaws covered my registration and room, and my friends at Embrace Pet Insurance covered my travel. Thanks BlogPaws and Embrace!

With no responsibilities, I was able to simply learn, network, and have fun. And that I did!

Rocco Havanese and Diane Silver

I spent lots of time with feline, canine and human friends, and I also made a few helpful networking connections along the way.

Great Cat Writer Ladies

It all ended too soon. But…

I look forward to guest posting for some great blog sites in the future. I look forward to joining the Cat Writers’ Association. I look forward to creating artworks for new friends. And I look forward to many other opportunities that are likely to arise in the future.

Oh yeah. And I am already making plans for next year’s BlogPaws Conference. Are you? 🙂

May 11, 2013

Spring Fling 2013 Art Auctions are live!

All auctions have expired.

“Spring Fling Pup” Painting by BZTAT

The auctions for the artworks created in yesterday’s Spring Fling 2013 Create-a-Thon are now live!

Each artwork has its own bidding page. Please do not leave bids in the comments of this post. Click on the images of the artwork below for which you’d like to bid. Simply leave your bid in the comments on the artwork’s bidding page, and keep checking back to see if others have made bids after you. There is a “Buy Now” option for each piece. You can buy the piece now for the stated “Buy Now” price as long as no bids have been made before you. Simply write BUY NOW in the comments and the piece is yours for $125 + shipping.

NOTE: If you have artwork currently on order (excludes Etsy orders), or you plan to attend the BlogPaws conference, there will be no shipping costs for any artwork you purchase from these Create-a-thon auctions. I will either include it with your existing order free of charge, or I will deliver it to you at BlogPaws. These artworks all can fit in a suitcase!

Bidding will conclude on Sunday, May 12, 2013 at 10 pm ET.

Winning bidders will need to allow 4 weeks for shipping.

Thanks for your support of the auction. Happy bidding!

Click on images to get info on each artwork and to make bids.

“Sunflower” painting by BZTAT

“Snapdragon” painting by BZTAT

“First Sign of Spring” painting by BZTAT

“Spring Fling Pup” Painting by BZTAT

“Maine Coon Stare Down” painting by BZTAT

“Cat Tail Coctail” painting by BZTAT

May 9, 2013

It's time for a Spring Create-a-thon!

“Snapdragon” painting by BZTAT

It’s Spring and the weather in Ohio has been fabulous! If you know anything about Ohio, you know that FABULOUS is rarely a word used to describe the weather. To celebrate our great fortune, I am going to have a Spring Create-a-thon tomorrow (Friday, May 10)!

What is a Create-a-thon? A Create-a-thon is an event where I create artworks in my studio for 12 hours (9 am – 9 pm) and make them available for auction the following day. The works created during the Create-a-thon will be auctioned to raise money for my annual trip to BlogPaws, the best pet blogging event in the world, and my cats’ ongoing veterinary costs.

I was lucky to win a contest that covers my registration and room for the conference, and Embrace Pet Insurance is helping me with the travel. But there are always other expenses. Also, Slick has another vet visit when I return, so some extra cash for that will also be helpful.

Some of the artworks will be paintings, some drawings, and maybe a surprise or two.

Be watching my posts on Facebook and Twitter to see the works in progress throughout the day, and be ready to bid on Saturday!

By the way, if you have artwork currently on order, or you plan to attend the BlogPaws conference, there will be no shipping costs for any artwork you purchase from the Create-a-thon. I will either include it with your existing order free of charge, or I will deliver it to you at BlogPaws. These will all be artworks that can fit in a suitcase!

Happy bidding!