'08 Ends... the Gallery Kicks into High Gear!

Wow, where does the time go? I seriously cannot believe that yet aNOTHer year has slipped away. I guess it's true that time waits for no one. Sometimes I think I need about six more of me, just to get everything done! Gabe (yes, THAT Gabe) begs to differ with my conclusion, however, and has no trouble stating his opinion, in his outdoor voice nonetheless, that one of me is plenty for him and this world to handle. Ok, for him, maybe, but the whole world? I'm not buying it... and I'm going to find a compliment in there somewhere... :)

I continue to meet some really great people during the course of promoting the Gallery and networking, people that hopefully I will get to know better and maybe even work with at some point. When you get a chance, stop in to see Donna at The Sugar Lane. Her website is full of wonderful information- and do not leave without seeing her pics! She is a self-taught decorator (like me) and she does fabulous work. I had a blast browsing her site.

Our first print ad started in the City Paper last week- and I forgot! lol I know, right? I have been so swamped that I completely forgot that the Gallery ad went live. But I'm still very excited about it. Even though I haven't actually seen it... remember the good ol' days when a publication that ran your ad would send you a complimentary copy so you could see the ad? Nowadays, you're pointed to the nearest newsstand. lol I guess I should track down an issue to make sure it's there, and of course to ad it to our media kit. One more thing to ad to the to-do list. I'll do better at keeping up with the next ad launch... when I recall what that is... :)

Another thing to mention: we've made it super easy to reserve an Exhibit (booth), entry and display space, etc. You can do it online now- just visit our Eventbrite page for details, and use PayPal or Google checkout. E-A-S-Y! The actual paperwork will still need to be submitted, but that's not a problem- drop it in the mail, or email it if you have a scanner (sorry, I don't fax anymore). We still accept checks in the mail, if you prefer- that's perfectly fine and your choice. Around here, we just like providing options.

Enjoy extra rich and insanely decadent dessert tonite... it IS New Year's Eve, you know...

What a Week!

I guess I should say TWO weeks- they have been crazy! But I'm sure most everyone can say the same thing. Even though I'm not a huge holiday person, I have to adapt because the rest of the world is (family included), and I'm on the rest of the world's schedule. :) Throw in a birthday exactly one week before Christmas, and a couple of what seemed like never-ending baking sessions (cupcakes AND cookies), and you have the makings for, well, a crazy two weeks! I do, however, hope everyone had a fabulous Christmas, and that all will have a safe but bangin' New Year!

The Sugar Is Art Gallery is moving along, though, and I'm getting more excited with every day that passes! We've done soooo much research and made soooo many contacts that I feel like I know everything there is to know about sugar art and cupcakes and chocolates (I know I don't, it just feels like I do! lol). I'm so happy to share all of that with anyone and everyone interested in receiving it, and soon- SOON- I will. As we're moving toward the 2009 show, only a couple of short months away, we're also working on the 2010 event. This one, as it stands now, will be a two-day Gallery, and if we keep receiving demonstrators and professionals to conduct classes, we'll have to go to three days. Since our goal is to showcase the industry, we'll make room for everyone who wishes to participate, as we want the biggest, most informative event we can create. Now, to find the perfect place for a multi-day sweetstravaganza... sorry, I couldn't resist. :)

I've found lots more cool sites and blogs to share- I'll give you a few (minus descriptions but with links and my total adoration) here: Bakerella, Bake or Break, Masala Chocolates, and Food Infinity.

I'll get more to you soon... but for now, I have an enormous mailing list to tame. Gallery tickets are discounted through the end of the year, so take advantage of the savings and get yours now!

Finally for now, Gabe's Gurl is working on some fun food events that anyone even remotely interested in culinary finds and gourmet treats will really enjoy- the foodie inside will rejoice! They will make wonderful date nights, girls nights out, and fabulous gifts for the person in your life who has everything. Those details will be coming your way shortly...

Enjoy dessert tonite!

Cool Sites: Craftlister and Eventlister

Visit the "sister" sites for the most comprehensive listing of fairs, festivals, and exhibitor opportunities anywhere!

The Gallery Goods

Visit Cafepress and Printfection to get your own and support the Gallery!

I would be completely out of order if I didn't share our wonderful merchandise here! Todd, the graphic designer I raved about earlier, created some fabulous logos for us to work with- just wait until you see the other event we're creating (think FOOD)! In the meantime, we absolutely appreciate your support of our endeavors.

I can't believe it's already Friday! This has been one hectic week, and a crazy one if you include the total snow-out we received Thursday evening that has all melted today (just enough to cancel school, of course!). I have been on the phone the majority of it. As much as I loathe the phone, my personal misery will sooo pay off for you, Gallery attendees, in a huge way. I am so committed to seeing this event have a beautiful and successful launch, that I will work tirelessly to reach sweet victory. Just for the record, the 2009 Gallery is a "soft" economy-friendly launch. The BIG cookie- a multi-day sugar extravaganza- is slated for 2010! Yes, it IS aleady in the works already, and some big names will be on board. No, you'll have to wait for the details. lol Let's get through this one first. :)

Someone asked during a recent conversation why we're doing this event. After thinking for a moment, I responded that I love food- not the gorge-yourself-until-you're-sick-and-567-pounds kind of love. I love the ART of food. I love combining raw ingredients, like sugar, butter, eggs, and flour, and seeing them transform into a luscious thick batter, then into a moist delicious hunk of cake just waiting for its crowning icing glory. My passion for food is way more passionate than I can explain to you here. I know, I know- unless you are a foodie, you totally wouldn't understand. I am particularly fond of the amazing things that can be done with cake, chocolate, plain old sugar, and other creative sweet mediums. I loved the reaction of a customer picking up a sculpted cake order ("Oh my goodness- that's CAKE?!"), or a bride seeing her wedding cake for the first time displayed at the reception ("It's just beautiful, better than I imagined- THANK YOU!"), even a stuffed-to-the-brim-and-loosening-his-belt customer pulling me to his table to say "Hey, could you teach my wife to cook like this? But don't tell her I sent you!". Those moments made it all worth it.

My goal is to share my passion for food and enhance other people's dining and food experiences by encouraging the utmost appreciation for cuisine. I want people to indulge every sense and be exposed to the vast options available to them, and the talented chefs and artisans who can provide it for them. Everyone has to eat, right? May as well do it in the most amazing, delicious, festive, and glamourous fashion possible!

You know, I would feed anyone and everyone for absolutely free if God would bless me with the means to do so... but we all know that, with Him, all things are possible, so you just never know how this company will grow...

Enjoy dessert tonite!

Updates, Progress, and Reminders!

The past week has been so hectic, so crazy, and so productive! We have been meeting people, developing sites, creating ads, and networking, all in an effort to produce an amazing event and introduce our brand. I am bursting at the seams to share the latest exciting news, but I've been sworn- SWORN- to secrecy for the time being, just so details can be perfected and finalized. I WILL say, though, that I have come in contact with some pretty amazing people in developing this event, and sugar artists LOVE their craft and are willing to shout it from the rooftops when given the chance! Equally as fabulous, the foodie community rocks! :)

As always, I run across TONS of unique information on the web during my many quests for the latest, greatest, and funnest (lol) food, chef, mag, and site. Believe me when I tell you that I spend a lot of time online. A bunch. When you think about it, the Internet is the most vast (visit the entire world on your laptop), convenient (open ALL the time), all-purpose (find anything about anything), resource there is. I love, love, LOVE email, and my interest in food runs deep- I want to see it, experience it, hear about it, create it, and share it with the world. I want to bring the best of the best that I can find to one place and share it with anyone and everyone who is interested. I want to educate and excite others about food, desserts, and chocolates, just to let them know there is so much more out there, and, well, since you have to eat anyway, might as well make it the best it can be!

Here are a few interesting sites and articles I've run across, mixed in with a few of my favs... Foodbuzz, 44 Surprising Things You Can Eat, Chocolate Showpiece, Local Wine Events, and Pastry Profiles.

I'll also take a quick moment to remind you that (1) for the rest of December, Gallery tickets are HALF PRICE when you purchase two. We all know the economy is a mess right now, but we still have to live, eat, have fun, and maintain in order to weather the financial crisis. Life is what you make it, and instead of freaking out and being depressed about what I don't have, I choose to have fun with what I DO have- and can create! AND, (2) to be included in our first round of promo, you'll need to secure your Exhibit space (booth) and reserve your demo space NOW. I know, finances again- we'll work that out once you contact us. (3) If you are a business owner, now is NOT the time to stop promoting your company, products, and/or services. You need to find creative avenues to get in front of your consumer- and what better way to do that than a super affordable space that you can use as you desire at a custom event created just for you and the people near and far who love what you do (customers-to-be)!

Merchandise and more is the perfect way to show your support! Enjoy dessert tonite!

Creating Special Events

I have always been a planner by nature. No matter what the situation, I remember as early as junior high looking ahead to possible outcomes and weighing out scenarios. If I have to make a post office run, I'm thinking about the other things I can accomplish on that trip. No, not just the average errand-running plan- most everyone does that. I have to save maximum time and energy, and I need to know what I'm planning to do well in advance of doing it, and what else I can do at the same time to get more done. lol I organize my runs by taking into consideration the time of day for traffic and parking issues, the side of the street in relation to the direction I am travelling and whether I have to deal with oncoming traffic, etc. I know, it sounds silly and extreme. I am a multi-tasking nightmare- but it totally works!

Creating an event such as the Sugar Is Art Gallery- or any event even remotely similiar- is a lot of work. It is totally detail driven and time consuming. It's a good thing that I'm driven by passion and a love for the game! I totally take on a challenge with gusto, and am ready to surprise even myself at what can be accomplished. I spend a LOT of time researching, planning, designing, developing, thinking, contacting, negotiating, networking- did I mention researching? And negotiating? I work all hours of the day and night, as it's easier to do my internet scouring at night when I don't have to answer the phone and the family is tucked in and, if I'm lucky, actually sleeping. And did I mention how much I dislike phones? We have a love/hate relationship- I swear, sometimes I'm ready to toss my Dash off a bridge. :) Anyone who knows me knows to send an email if they really want to reach me, because there is a 4% chance that I will answer the phone. lol

Creating an event is hard work, we've established. Now create mutiple similar but different events, going at the same time, and you have Gabe's Gurl Event Productions. But we love what we do, and we do it well. We look forward to taking Nashville by storm, and really doing amazing events to for our guests and clients. We have a website in development, and a few fun promos to announce shortly with local businesses to allow us all super-affordable advertising and professional relationship building for our businesses.

If you haven't checked out the cool Gallery merchandise, go here and here to see it now.
So much more to come...

Eat Dessert Tonite!