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Become Part of My Rya Book–Strike a Pose!

Denise with Lloyd (1)

Denise from Washington state by way of France.

Thank you once again for your patience in awaiting the completion of my book.  Now I have something fun to offer you.  I don’t know about you, but I enjoy people-watching wherever I go.  It is fun to watch people go about their lives whether they are creating art, walking through an airport, or standing proudly with a rya rug they have created.

Theresa from Pittsburgh by way of Zambia

Theresa from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania by way of Zambia

As they say, inquiring minds want to know.

Over the years, many of you have sent me photos of your completed ryas.  Now I am asking you (and even those I have not met yet) to send me a picture of YOU holding your handmade rya, standing in front of it, sitting on it or laying on it, but I want to see your face!  I don’t care if it is a kit, or your own design, or made by your grandparents.  I am inviting YOU to submit a photo of yourself with your favorite rya for possible inclusion into the book in a random photo spread.

Jo Ann from Maryland

Jo Ann from Maryland

Our demographics are very diverse, our faces are beautiful and happy, and the ryas colorful and creative.  Wouldn’t that be a page-spread you would enjoy seeing in the book?  And all the more fun if you are among the many faces of rya in this unique book?

OK, even if you have sent me photos in months or years past, please resend or take another shot or two.  My book producer will use the photos that have high enough resolution to be clear, and fit well into the double-page spread.  They can be square or rectangular.

Melinda with "Purple Loosestrife" from Maryland

Melinda from Maryland with “Purple Loosestrife”

We will probably reduce them to 2″ x 2″ or 2″ x 4″, but send fairly large clear digital images. We will probably caption with your first name and the state, province, or country you are from.  If you tell us a tad more, we might be able to add a note about if it is your 1st or 10th rya.   We will need to have a Release Form signed which we ask you to send along with the photo (which basically says you give your permission for us to use your photo for this book and book-related press.)

Click on the link below for the Release Form. It is a PDF.  You can print, sign, and scan to send back, or sign and take a digital photo to send with your picture, or snail mail if that is easier.  Click here for form:  Release Form for Rya Book Inclusion

Sarah's first rya of her own design under her husbands feet in Kentucky

Sarah’s first rya of her own design under her husband’s feet in Kentucky

You get the idea.  I don’t care when you did it, I don’t care where you got the supplies.  I am looking for clear pictures that show your happy face with your rya (you don’t have to show the whole rya if it is big.  Just sit on it, or lay on it and have a photographer friend shoot you with your face in clear view.  For best light, shoot outside on a cloudy day so the shadows are soft, but many of these indoor shots are fine!

Erma from Pennsylvania.

Erma from Pennsylvania.

Send a couple of photos and we can choose the best for the book. If you are thinking, “Oh, she probably doesn’t want my little rya,” Yes, I do!  Big, small, simple, complicated, almost done, or done years ago…  If in doubt, just send the photo and release form.  If we can use it, we will.   Please don’t make me beg!  Feel free to ask questions.

Please have your photos and release form to us by May 15, 2016.  Thank you!!

judy nelson-moore with rya

Judy from New Mexico with her first rya rug.

David from Cincinnati with his most recent of dozens of ryas

David from Ohio with his most recent of dozens of ryas

For the Cause … Mark Your Calendars!

Oscars jpg

As much it seems like my life is all-rya-all-the-time, I take a divergence in activity on occasion.  Recently I joined a group of really nice women who pool energy to work towards worthy causes such as fighting cancer through Relay for Life and this year, working towards ending Alzheimer’s Disease. As the newest member of the “Boozum Buddies,” I, too, am assisting with fund-raising by offering things that I do, (or used to do that I am looking for an excuse to “do again.”)  You’ll understand in a minute. Hint:

Bouquet of glass flowers

A set of flower wine glasses I painted many years ago.

As part of our fund-raising goals towards this year’s “End Alzheimer’s Disease” efforts, the Boozum Buddies are collaborating with Oscar’s AleHouse in Eldersburg, Maryland on Tuesday, May, 17 from 11 AM – 11 PM.  Oscar’s will donate 10% of ALL PROCEEDS of the day to the cause.  In addition they have offered their lobby for us to hold an awesome Silent Auction throughout the day.  The amazing auction items will make the trip worthwhile for you, but to be honest, plan on eating lunch or dinner or enjoying a beverage here while you are at it.  (Oscar’s is one of my very favorite places to go for food and bev in the area.)

glass painting at SRV

This class was held at Serpent Ridge Vineyard a few years ago.

glass painting class1

There is nothing like an evening learning a new skill with your favorite friends while nibbling on munchies and sipping a glass of wine.

Mermaid Wine Glass Set

This is one of my favorite wine glass sets. The customer bought these as a wedding gift for a special friend.

For this silent auction, I am offering a class I used to teach, but I have turned down many recent requests since I’ve been book writing:  A Wine Glass Painting Class in Byrdcall Studio in lovely Woodbine for you and up to 5 of your friends. I provide everything you will need. We will agree on a weekday evening or a Saturday afternoon for a three+ hour class where you and your friends will go home with two glasses YOU have painted. (Many choices of glassware available.) I will provide wine and light snacks. You can bring food contributions if you like. In the past these classes have cost $50 per person.  As a Silent Auction bidder you might get a better deal! But talk it up with your friends now to see who of your friends might want to go in on this item with you for a fun “girls night out” (or day).  The other thing that makes this a rare item indeed is the fact that I am kinda known for my glass painting ability. (Go ahead and click here to see some of my glass paintings.) I will be sharing with the class all the tricks of the trade.  Since my studio is mostly a rya rug studio now, you will not find this class offered (by me) anywhere else–maybe ever, but I won’t swear to that. 😉  Every penny of your bid goes to “End Alzheimer’s.”  So go ahead and bid.  If you can not make it to Oscar’s that day, but you have a group of fun folks who would want to join me for this class, call or email me with the highest bid you would be willing to make, and I’ll get it on the bid sheet for you.  You or one of your friends may need to check out the bidding before 11 PM in case it goes higher.  All for the cause!

What if you don’t have 5 friends in mind to line up?  I would be happy to hold 6 spots for 6 women who want to make friends that night for the commitment of $50/person.  If you commit, I’ll write $300 on the Silent Auction form and likely you will win–BUT maybe not–because if it goes higher, well somebody else wins.  Talk to me.  Send a buddy in late to bid up if needed.

Great Blue Heron modeled

Andy (back in college) modeling a Great Blue Heron shirt. I will also have these in the ladies style shirt at Oscar’s Ale House on May 17 as a gift to those making a contribution of $25 or more to help End Alzheimer’s Disease.

Another item I am offering for the Oscar’s Fund-raiser is a free silk-screened Great Blue Heron organic cotton T-shirt (designed as a 2-block linocut by me) to those who make a contribution to our cause of $25 or more. . . while they last!

See you at Oscar’s on May 17th.

Oh, did I mention that my contributions are just a few of DOZENS of fantastic items on the silent auction block?  Really, don’t miss out.DSCF0006

If you don’t live anywhere near Eldersburg, but you would like to contribute towards the Boozum Buddies fund-raising goals to help fight Alzheimer’s Disease.  Click on this link to learn more or to make a contribution.  You can contribute through me, or the Boozum Buddies, or however your would like to help out.  Click here to read more and make a contribution.

As a teaser, here are a few more items you can look for at the Silent Auction at Oscar’s Alehouse:

  • 4 ORIOLE TICKETS w/PARKING PASS
  • KAYAKING FOR 2 ON LIBERTY RESERVOIR
  • BEAUTY GIFT BASKETS & SPA CERTIFICATES
  • BASKETS OF CHEER
  • WINE GLASS PAINTING CLASS FOR 6 at BYRDCALL STUDIO
  • SHELL GAS CARDS
  • CLUB LEVEL RAVENS TICKETS
  • CORD OF FIREWOOD
  • TOOLS FROM HOME DEPOT
  • TEVIS HOME GRILLING BASKET
  • MODERN COMFORT SYSTEMS “TOTAL COMFORT” SERVICE PLAN
  • RENTAL SOLUTIONS and NATURALAWN GIFT CERTIFICATES
  • FRAMED ORIGINAL WORK OF ART
  • TUTORING ART PAINTING CLASS W/ VIVIAN DAVIS
  • ALEXANDER OVECHKIN(CAPS) CERTIFIED PHOTO W/HOCKEY STICK
  • MULCH FROM HIDEY’S
  • MUSIC LESSONS FROM OPUS COMMUNITY MUSIC SCHOOL, ELDERSBURG
  • PHOTOGRAPHY SESSION
  • 4 HR GARDEN CONSULTATION FROM MASTER GARDENER
  • CANINE CHIROPRACTOR GIFT CERTIFICATE
  • PLUMBING & WATERPROOFING CO. GIFT CERTIFICATES

AND MUCH MORE!

Thanks for reading.  Feel free to share with anyone you think would like to know about this fund-raiser.

Melinda

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