November 29th is Small Business Saturday!

Before you go off looking for deals, first understand that 

cheap goods are not always the best deal. 

But also, remember to ask yourself this: 

Which stores are most likely to go away if not enough people shop in them? 

Then, ask yourself if you're okay with that. 

4 Days and Counting Down: PYRO Art Glass

Today's Positive Eye On Small & Local: 
PYRO Art Glass in Mount Clemens. 

You have no idea how incredibly blessed I feel to have a glassblowing studio and store such as PYRO Art Glass just two miles from my house (123 S. Main). Not only do they create some of the most gorgeous glass pieces I've ever had the pleasure to set my eyes on, but they are the most friendly, good-hearted people around. They love what they do and show it by holding demonstrations during events (or, when possible, even if you just ask 'em) while talking with the customers and onlookers about what goes into this beautiful art. They are constantly inventing new things to make and new ways to make them. While I was shooting this Tout video, I saw the vintage Chevy Bel-Air they whipped up out of molten glass... fantastic!
The really cool part of this is that they are not just a local shop... the items for sale are made right there! You just can't get any more local than that! 
No... I did not include the glass Chevy in the video. But, If you get over there quick enough, it may still be around to look at. If you miss it, don't fret... they have a lot of pretty things to please the eye! They also have extended holiday hours. Click on that link and give 'em a ring!

Small Business Saturday! Shop Local and Shop Small!

Before you go off looking for deals, first understand that 

cheap goods are not always the best deal. 

But also, remember to ask yourself this: 

Which stores are most likely to go away if not enough people shop in them? 

Then, ask yourself if you're okay with that. 

This Saturday in Downtown Mount Clemens!

The festivities go on all day long! They start at 8:00am, when the Mount Clemens Farmers Market begins their annual Pumpkin Party... then Turning Point starts their Trunk or Treat event at noon. Of course, there's the multi-activity kid's event, The 6th Annual Halloween Spooktacular, followed by the 2nd Annual Block Party, and it winds up with the 3rd Annual Zombie Walk! You want details, you say? We got 'em! They can be had by clicking right here: http://ymlp.com/zR3g3z! Also... the PYRO Art Glass Studio has created even more beautiful glass pumpkins, so stop in and have a look! If you want to know even more of what is going on around the area, check out the Positive ION RebelMouse page (or peek at it here, just below the current blogpost)!

This Weekend: Oct. 12th & 13th!

Coming up fast this Saturday and Sunday in Mount Clemens: Two events offering a lot of really nifty stuff and fun for everyone! Whether you're Christmas shopping early or you just love creative and interesting things, this is for you! Even better... they are less than a mile from each other!

Here are links to the Facebook event pages for these fabulous happenings:

Trunk & Treasure Extravaganza
51 Belleview, Mt. Clemens, MI 48043 (October 12th, 10am - 5pm & October 13th, 10am - 3pm)

Pick a PYRO Pumpkin Patch
123 S. Main St., Mt. Clemens, MI 48043 (October 12th & 13th, 11am - 6pm)

Here's a map showing how to get from one place to the other (click on it to go to the Google map):

Max & Ollie's Vintage Boutique will have a booth at the Trunk & Treasure show... and I count myself as fortunate to be setting up my own Gothro Studios table! I will even have a little time on Sunday to skate on over to the Pyro Art Glass Studio for their glass pumpkin event!

I hope to see you!

Oh, yeah... don't forget to check out the Positive ION Facebook Page for more news and events!

Brief Highlights

   This doesn't have anything to do with strolling around the shopping district, but I really would love to share how proud I felt when I watched my sister, Lucy, walk across the stage and collect her Associate's Degree in Applied Sciences from Macomb County Community College, last Friday.
   That's the kind of local phenomenon I love to spread around. Congrats, kid!

   Another highlight came on Mother's Day, when I could finally give my mom that uniquely beautiful glass flower that I was able to create with the help of  Philip Yamron and Robin Ochs at PYRO Art Glass, the weekend before. It turned out beautifully... and the smile on her face was really worth it. Being part of the creation process was so much more fulfilling than just going out and buying a knick-knack, since it is a one-of-a-kind gift with a personal touch.

   Tonight is Weirdsville Movie Night. The feature tonight will be Bubba Ho-Tep which, according to Davey Taylor's description should be just my kind of funny. If you've not experienced the Thursday night Weirdsville after-hours fun, you should get it in gear and come on down to 36 New Street in Downrown Mount Clemens at 8:00pm, tonight!

Art Attack

   You might notice that I've been adding links to the websites, Facebook pages, and Twitter accounts of various local people and places to the right-hand sidebar of the blog. Among them is PYRO Art Glass, which is located just north of the Mount Clemens Post Office.
    These guys create some of the most beautiful hand-blown glass works that I've ever had a chance to personally regard... and I've seen a lot of good blown glass!
    They also do their best to get everybody into the act. For instance, this afternoon I have a 3:00pm slot to participate in a special event. They describe it this way: "Saturday, May 4th our glass artists will help you, and/or your special person, make a one of a kind glass flower. The cost is $25 per person and we can accommodate 2 people every half hour.". I couldn't pass that up!
    At last report, there only two time slots left for this pre-Mother's Day flower pull... that means 4 spots for people: 2 at 2:30, and 2 at 7:00. Call the studio to reserve your spot: 586-954-4994!
    I am so lucky that these artists are only a couple miles from me!

   I'm sure there will be some cool arts and crafts at the 2nd Annual "Made in Michigan" Show which will be going on downtown in Mount Clemens Friday, May 10th and Saturday, May 11th, 2013.

   While I am on the subject of local artists... didja know that more than a few quality artists from our general neck of the woods will be having tables set up in the Artist's Alley, May 17th through May 19th, at the Motor City Comicon in Novi?
   I knew that my longtime friend and brother artist, Bill Bryan, would be there as a guest, and I was sure a few artists that belong to the Motor City Sketch Facebook Group were going to have tables (like Jay Fosgitt)... but beyond that, I wasn't sure. So, I struck up a conversation with Kelly O'Hara, who not only draws with the MCS group, but also happens to be a manager at the Rainyday Art Supply & Framing Company (another very cool small business that is not as close as I wish it was, being in Grosse Pointe Woods, as it is... but, as an artist myself, I have patronized the shop more than a few times). She was kind enough let me in on who she knew would be there from the group off the top of her head. The list includes Bruce Gerlach, Anne Garavaglia, Bill Pulkovski, Jason Westlake, and Alex Buechel. I'm sure there is going to be more local talent at the convention than we could come up with.
   You might want to check it out!

   In addition to all this, there is currently an exhibit entitled, "The Portrait" at the Anton Art Center in Mount Clemens, which runs until June 2nd.