I'm Leaving, On a Jet Plane...

...thanks to my sweet brother Scott...he knew the only way I'd fly out to see him in San Francisco was to just book me a ticket...so I'm going...hate to fly, period, but he's worth it. Wish me luck and if you have any suggestions on places I MUST see, let me know! I've sent him a list already and am prepared to go non-stop for the whole week! Hopefully I will come back very motivated and get back to doing some paintings...

We are still in limbo waiting on what's going to happen with the building in downtown Searcy, but hopefully that may be cleared up by the time I get back as well! I'll post again soon...

I Have Not Fallen Off the Face of the Earth...

...just yet! We have just been covered up since the changeover at work from Coldwell Banker Complete to Dalrymple Residential!!! We are now, however, going to get back on the downtown project after next week...Stuart came up with a great name suggestion, Artisan Alley, but if you think of something cool that may work, send it my way! We are also going to be needing someone fantastic to help run the place, so if you know of anyone, direct them to us! Be back soon...

I've Been a Loser...But With Good Reason...

...sorry I have not posted in what I've found to be in over 2 months!!! Time sure flies, especially when your busy! Per the following announcement below, I have been so crazy at work, I've had to let everything else go, but I promise to do better after the next week or so when all is calm!!!

We want to let you about some exciting changes in our real estate company! First off, as some of you may already know, Stuart Dalrymple has purchased our company back, with Sherry Conley staying on as an Executive Broker, along with myself! We are so excited to announce our name change and new owner, I especially, as I worked for Stuart originally when I became licensed as a Sales Associate back in 2002. We are moving in a new direction as an independent brokerage and the reason why this was our decision as a team is simple!

Back in the mid 1990’s, the internet was on fire, but out of reach for small offices and companies, which spawned a real estate franchise boom! Corporate franchises could offer them an internet presence that they couldn’t afford on their own. It worked wonderfully for years, but as the internet has become more and more accessible to everyone, a lot of us have come to realize that we are paying way too much in franchise fees, but not receiving the attention from the corporate world like they do in major metropolitan cities. We were paying the same fees as they were, but not receiving the benefits. Nationally, trends in real estate offices are heading back to independent brokerages, just like we have chosen to do. What does that mean for you as a potential seller? It gives us more revenue to spend on our local advertising, which will help us assist YOU in meeting the goal of getting your property SOLD! It will also help us gain more of the market share and a much broader internet audience! We are the only branded company in Searcy, Arkansas on Realtor.com, who accounts for 85% of all real estate searches!

We are also pleased to announce that Terri Milligan is now affiliated with us here at Dalrymple Residential! Terri comes to us from Exit Natural State in Searcy, where she has been licensed since 2006. Terri is a lifelong resident of Searcy, has been married to Mike for 21 years and has 3 children, Katie, Reed and Marshall. She has a Bachelor of Art’s degree from UALR and has done design work since 2001. She is a Life Member with the Junior Auxiliary of Searcy and also a member of the First United Methodist Church. Terri currently serves as the Secretary on the Searcy Board of Realtors. She is a recipient of the ARA Silver Award, a member of the National Association of Realtors and has earned the E-Pro and GRI designations. We are also excited to let you know that we will be co-listing agents on all of our listings! We feel like the experience, the contacts and the involvement in the community will be an asset to all of our clients. We will both continue to work with buyers as well, so if you know anyone looking to list or sell, be rest assured, we will take great care of them in that area as well! Please note changes to our email addresses of kelly@searcyhomes.com and terri@searcyhomes.com and send us your updated info, as we are establishing a shared database to keep you informed of changes in our real estate market. Call or email us at anytime…we are here for you and Dalrymple Residential is on the right track to make a difference in our community!

Terri has been a wonderful friend of mine for years...she is also a very talented fellow artist, we both love to golf, cook and hang out with friends and family. I look so forward to our working together! Have a great day everyone...

Mod Monday...

...I have a true love of mid-century modern furniture and artwork and sometimes wish I had been a homeowner back then...I love the clean lines and the saying that less is more, plus, I hate to dust alot of accessories, lol! I also love blogs that I visit that have themed posts...sometimes you want to share something you love, but can't figure out just what to do...I thought since Mondays are generally a crazy day, browsing through things I enjoy would be a great way to end the day and I could show off some fabulous finds!

...one of my favorite Etsy sellers is Atomic Lodge, featuring artists SuZanna Anna and Mykl Stanley...they are a husband and wife team from Milwaukee! They both have their own shops on Etsy, but this one in particular is for their joint projects and mid century inspired art that they do individually. Atomic Lodge is what they call their house because it's a really funky mid- century home, modern, but rustic at the same time...if you know me and have seen my house, you know why I love them!

...the individual print shown here is a digital painting by SuZanna Anna and I love how she grouped it with other Cell Block Series prints, also available in their shop...they use high quality inks and all prints are signed and dated...mat, frame and hang them like they did in this modern retro room setting! I love the retro vibe...they have prints in vibrant colors too...check them out!

Storefront Coming Along...

...just wanted to share a photo of the front of the building, which is now complete except for the front doors...they will be darkened up more to match the metal beams you see...

They are currently working on the inside and the backside of the building which will be painted too...we are still working on space rental fees, so I will keep you posted!

Special Thanks to Interior Complex...

for the article featuring my artwork...you rock! Much appreciation to be included with other such fabulous artists and designers...

A New Business Adventure...

...has kept me busy in the last week...my dear friend and former broker Stuart Dalrymple, are currently working on a new project for downtown Searcy. There is a story behind this...a couple of years ago, I sold the building that housed the Van-Atkin's Department store for decades to Stuart...it was owned by Rick, my husband and his family...they did not wish to keep it even though I adored the place and would loved to have worked and lived in it...with that being said, Stuart purchased it with the intention of keeping retail space on the lower floor and turning the upper area into lofts...

The ground floor consists of 10,000 square feet, 5,000 of which is shared by The Boutique and Tara Dalrymple's Dance Studio...that leaves us 5,000 square feet and an idea of what to do with it...

Stuart knew that I love art and was looking for a place to display and sell it, that I love the building in particular with it's history and beautiful old details that it presents, such as the ceiling tin shown here...(it was built in 1895 and is included in our Main Street Searcy District which we became a part of a couple of years ago)...so he called me in to see if I would like to help in making the place into a gallery type rental spaces for artists, crafters, gifts, decor, etc...we are currently looking for interested parties and are working out the details...if you have always wanted a small business but didn't want the big overhead, or if you are looking to show off your work and a place to sell it, contact me today with what you have in mind...we are very excited about bringing a great place to Searcy where you can find something for everyone or a great place just to come and browse and see what's happening...you can reach me anytime by email...kelly@cbcompleterealty.com!

A New Found Friend...

is Pamela Kelso Craig, artist and owner of Rivertown Gallery in Memphis, TN! Rivertown Gallery
is a small, independent, artist-run gallery located on Mid-America Mall (Main Street) directly across from a trolley stop and one block north of The Orpheum. I am currently working on a new business venture (I will fill you in on the next post!) and she has so graciously shared information and ideas with me after I sent her an email with questions regarding her wonderful place...

You know how it is...some people love to help others...others not so much...I don't know why that is, but I do know that Pam has continued to be in contact with me and I'm grateful...I feel like she is going to be a great friend, even though I have never met her in person...I so look forward to going and seeing her beautiful work in person, along with the other artists currently displaying their work...shown here is a sold piece from Pam entitled "Yellow Afternoon"...I thank my new found friend and if you're Memphis, stop in and see her...

Soaking Up Art in the Rock...

My hubby Rick and I started the day off last Saturday by going to the Arkansas Arts Museum in Little Rock to see the Andy Warhol, 15 Weeks of Fame exhibit...

Warhol was and still is, a pop art artist, international celebrity and cultural icon. Warhol changed the art world's definition of what art truly is. The exhibit features Warhol's paintings, drawings, celebrity silkscreen prints, three-dimensional objects, famous screen tests and his Silver Clouds installation, which we both really loved. This show is the first of its kind in Arkansas and we are lucky to have gotten to see it! The exhibit runs through February 1st, so be sure to go and check it out...

Our next pitstop was to the Cox Museum, simply because it's located in the library parking lot where we usually end up! I love the Cox Museum building and would live in it if I could! Kathy Bay is one of my favorite artists that you will find there...

Next it was on to my favorite gallery, the River Market ArtSpace...I wish I lived closer so I could go in more often! Megan Chapman's current work is available there, so I wanted to see it in person...I've enjoyed her blog and she is also fellow Etsy seller artmaven, so I had to support her in some way! Three of her paintings are shown here and she has a new body of work entitled "Fire and Noise", that will be on display starting February 13th! She is a beautifully talented artist and is very inspiring to me...Debra Wood, the owner of the ArtSpace, has done a fantastic job of bringing the world of art to Little Rock and I appreciate all of her efforts...go by and see her when you are in town and soak up some wonderful art yourself...you will be so glad you did...

Artwork by Megan Chapman

First Thursday Art Day...

...with my mother, Pat Eaton of birdnestontheground and some of her friends...they have a regular KNOT meeting every month where they discuss what they are working on, etc...but decided they would love to get together on a different day, strictly for the purpose of trying new art and craft projects! They all specialize in different areas of art, but like me, want to broaden their horizons!

It was such a fantastic idea...mom decided on an abstract art project, as some of the group had never painted OR did more fine art pieces instead of the freedom that comes from painting abstracts...with that being said, since that's what I enjoy doing, she wanted to have it at my house! I was tickled to be a part of their day... they are extremely inspiring and motivational, funny and like me, love trying new things...it was quite fun and I look forward to hopefully getting to attend more of their First Art Thursdays!

A Few Days Late...

...but we wanted to wish you all a very Happy New Year! We hope you try something new in 2009 that has always interested you, but you never took the time to do...

Rick, my sweet hubby, you know - the one always golfing, lol, is definitely into painting...he is totally entertaining to watch, he's loving it and we've had a blast doing it together. Stay tuned to my Etsy shop, as I will be adding some of his work soon!

We wish you much happiness, hope, prosperity and health in 2009 and thank you for a fantastic 2008...