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Most people look at everyday objects and see them for their intended purpose. Stacey Olszewski looks at those same objects and sees artistic possibilities. Olszewski's specialty is turning found objects into decorative conversation pieces. She prefers the folk art antiqued style, which coincides with her love of collectibles and antiques. She enjoys creating from a variety of recycleables such as furniture, benches, wood bowls, bottles and driftwood, transforming them into works of art and selling them under the business name, Old Green Road since 1994.Olszewski, 47, finds painting surfaces at yard sales, flea markets and thrift shops, a pastime that began when she was seven. She and her grandmother would go junking all day long at flea markets and thrift shops, enjoying the challenge of the hunt never knowing what may be found. Like her grandmother, Stacey became a collector. Much of her work depicts yesteryear scenes: saltbox houses, churches, and sheep as well as a line of equestrian themed work including hunt scenes and horse silhouettes. She also does custom work, painting a special home or a church. When children came along, she wanted a job that could be done from home allowing her to raise her children full time. She had a barn full of collectibles and started painting them. With the help of her mother, she did her first show fifteen years ago. Although she focused on pottery and soft sculpture classes in high school, in East Brunswick, NJ, she is largely self-taught. A former store manager and merchandiser for TJ Maxx stores, she traveled the East coast opening and running stores. She loved the quick pace of retail and the training and development of the store associates. After getting married she became an executive recruiter. Olszewski has taught art in Hawley School's after-school programs and she ran the school's annual spring art show. Stacey shares her 1847 farmhouse in Sandy Hook, CT with her husband of 19 years, John and children Brian, 14, Daniel, 13, Megan, 11 and chocolate lab Piper. After several years doing craft and artisan shows Stacey naturally began meeting other crafters and artisans making friends and contacts. She enjoyed meeting folks just starting out and guiding them with merchandising and promotional advice. In 2006 she formed Piper Promotions. That business includes running craft shows mostly for non-profit organizations. She is always on the lookout for people truly passionate about their craft. She loves to find people who have new ideas, or who resurrect old time crafts, or combine the two. She likes to run shows that have a variety of media to give the customer many choices. Stacey does referrals and keeps a log of information on all vendors because she has people contact her on a regular basis looking for specific products. Stacey is currently looking for vendors for 'The Taste of Greater Danbury' in Danbury, CT September 12 and 13, 2009, 'The Festival of Crafts' in Brookfield CT, November 7, 2009, 'The Winter Artisan Festival' in Newtown CT, December 6, 2009 and 'The Gathering', a home show that features the works of 40 artisans, and the 'Summer/Winter series' at Lexington Gardens in Newtown, Ct. You can contact Stacey at 203-270-9461 or email: staceyolszewski@yahoo.com. |