On the Horizon: Exhibits & Projects

• The Art of Flight: I’ve officially finished two birds for the Birds of Northern NY exhibit at the Arts Center Lake Placid (May 22 – July 3). I have to keep them under wraps for now, but I can’t wait to reveal them!
• I also SOLD several pieces at Gallery 46 this month! 
• Grant Update: I’m still playing the waiting game on the Artist Grant. Fingers crossed for some good news to share with you all next month.
• Personal Growth: My latest personal project is growing beautifully—I’m absolutely in love with this one.
• My personal project is growing and I love this one!

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I finished two birds for the The Art of Flight – Birds of Northern NY
Exhibit at Arts Center Lake Placid from May 22 – July 3, but I can’t reveal them just yet.

Big Hopes & Crafty Dreams
Two weeks ago, I attended the Baltimore Craft Made Show, and it was spectacular! The oversized sculptures were a highlight, and I’m already setting my sights on applying for next year’s show.
Next up: the Smithsonian Craft Show in April. I’ll be attending to study their standards of craftsmanship as I dream big for my 2027 application season.

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I'm finally, FINALLY, working on some class/kit pieces! I have two almost completed including instructions. There will be a survey coming next week once I have several pieces worked up to choose from. Here is a sneak peek at two of the options. ​

Personal Project
I’m experimenting with embroidery on Paper Source paper.
Stitches need to be spaced intentionally so the paper doesn’t tear—making this a new and mindful challenge.
​I’ll create one new 5x5 a month for the year



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What I’m excited about in the year ahead:
• An upcoming exhibit featuring birds—such an honor to be invited!
• Waiting to see if I was accepted into a few new indoor festivals
• Hoping for another Regrant this year
• Getting my tax prep finished and off my plate
• Designing new classes to share at various locations
• And most importantly, creating lots of new artwork!

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The first sculpture of 2026! Amanita Mushroom will be available soon on the website. Contact me if you are interested in it. 
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What an unexpected year—personally and artistically!
As 2025 draws to a close, I find myself reflecting on a season that brought far more twists and turns than I anticipated. On a personal level, this year has been heavy with loss, stress, and unexpected challenges. I am more than ready to welcome 2026 and am hoping for a gentler, more peaceful year ahead. I’m also grateful that I didn’t commit to a full schedule of festivals and shows like I did last year—there’s no way I could have managed it.
Artistically, however, this year has been incredibly rich. Opportunities arrived at my door unannounced, and I am both amazed and grateful for the growth, recognition, and connections that this season brought.
A Year of Exhibitions, Grants, and New Work
A major highlight was receiving my very first art regrant—funded by NYSCA through Saint Lawrence County Arts Council—to create a new body of work and present it at a local venue this fall. Stitching Science: The Anatomy of Leaves in Fiber included six pieces (three sculptures and three microscopic leaf studies), and I’m thrilled that one sold right away. The presentation was well attended, and I’ve already applied for another regrant for 2026.
I also had the honor of participating in a six-artist fiber show at the Lake Placid Center for the Arts this summer. Being invited to join that group was a privilege—and I even sold several pieces. As a result, Gallery 46 on Main Street in Lake Placid is now carrying 25 pieces of my works.
The Adirondack Experience Museum at Blue Mountain Lake is exhibiting my Luna Moth sculpture in the Artists & Inspiration in the Wild permanent exhibition this year. They are also carrying my felt bird ornaments in the gift shop along with a print of my aerial view of Blue Mountain Lake.
And I’m excited to share that tomorrow, December 12, 2025, five of my pieces will open in the “Curious Constructions” section of the Whimsy Exhibition at View in Old Forge, running through March. When I first started my business, View was on my “dream list” of galleries—and now I’m in. Time to set a new goal!
I am now represented in several galleries: Tupper Arts, Gallery 46, Michael Ringer Gallery, and the Adirondack Experience Museum.
Shows, Festivals, and Recognition
This year’s shows and festivals included
• Inlet Art in the Park
• Along the River’s Edge at Thousand Islands Arts Center
• Central Adirondack Art Show at View
• The Elves’ Fair
• Colorscapes
At Colorscapes, I was honored to receive First Place in Fiber for the second year in a row.
My year-long personal project, the Gratitude Journal, is finally complete. I’ll share more about that in a future update.
Looking Ahead
I’m eagerly awaiting news on the next regrant—fingers crossed for March!
I also have a new personal project in the works. If you’re on Facebook or Instagram, I’d love your input: check my post from December 9th and vote on your favorite background color.
This winter, I plan to develop a few classes and kits, and several galleries have expressed interest in hosting workshops. If you have something specific you’d like to learn, please let me know—your ideas are always welcome.
I also became a member of the Pennsylvania Guild of Craftsmen last week and am applying to sell my work in their store. I’m hoping to be selected for two major indoor shows in Pennsylvania in 2026.
Just a few goals for the coming year—each bigger than the last—and I’m excited to see what unfolds.
Thank you all for your support, encouragement, and kindness throughout this unforgettable year.
Wishing you a Merry and Bright Christmas, and a blessed New Year!
Warmly,
Connie

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        Dear Friends,
Firstly, thank you so much for your kind thoughts and prayers following my mom’s passing on April 22. I truly appreciate your support and understanding during this time. It's meant a lot, especially as I’ve been slower than usual in creating and sending out newsletters.

• I have one more 11-hour trip home ahead to help with moving and a large garage sale, so next month’s newsletter may also be delayed.

Exciting News!

• In late 2024, I applied for an artist grant and was thrilled to find out in February that I was selected!
• My project is titled "Stitching Science: The Anatomy of Leaves in Fiber Art."
• Community involvement is a key part of the grant, so I reached out for leaf photo submissions, which helped me choose my subjects.
• The work will be exhibited at the Croghan Free Library this fall, with a focus on educating children and teens about leaves and their anatomy.

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• The new collection will include six pieces:
  • Three wool panels
  • Three sculptural fiber artworks
• Leaf subjects: ginkgo, maple, and waterlily
• I’ve already completed two of the six pieces!

💬 Want to support the project?
The grant helps, but doesn’t fully cover my time or material costs. If you’d like to contribute financially or with materials, please email me at info@connienoftsierstudio.com and we can discuss details.
“This project is made possible with funds from the Statewide Community Regrants Program, a regrant program of the New York State Council on the Arts, with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature, and administered by the St. Lawrence County Arts Council.”


More Great Opportunities!

• 🎨 I’ve been invited to participate in a gallery exhibition in the Adirondacks during the peak of summer tourist season—more details coming once the contract is finalized!
• 🦋 My fiber sculpture, Luna Moth, will be on display in the Artists & Inspiration in the Wild exhibition at the Adirondack Experience Museum in Blue Mountain Lake this summer.
  • If you’re visiting, be sure to check out the museum’s incredible permanent collection!

Upcoming Festival Appearance

• 📅 I’ll be back at the Inlet Art in the Park Festival on July 19 & 20
  • Stop by to see my new booth setup and fresh new artwork
  • Bonus: An aerial view of Big Moose Lake will be available this year—rumor confirmed!

Grateful Journal

• I continue to work weekly on my Grateful Journal, a grounding and reflective part of my creative process.

Thank you again for subscribing to my newsletter. I’m so grateful for your continued encouragement and support.
Wishing you a joyful, creative, and peaceful summer!
— Connie 🌿

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Thank you for your support, it means the world to me. 
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To brighten my days with color, I created Happy Trails Abstract, a vibrant and uplifting piece.
🔹 Happy Trails Abstract 

The project I dedicated the most time to this month is a stunning poppy, requiring 60 hours of meticulous work. This intricate piece includes a carefully designed mounting system and comes with a protective dome to prevent dust accumulation, though it looks best displayed in the open.
🔹 Poppy Artwork

To receive this as a pre-released email sign up for my newsletter, as a subscriber, you will get an exclusive sneak peek at these new pieces before they go live on my website. 
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Thank you for your continued support!
​Connie

Embracing Balance
This past month and a half has been about finding balance between my art business and personal life. I’ve come to realize that time spent with family and friends is far more rewarding than overworking—and it’s about time I embraced that! Prioritizing my physical and mental well-being has also been time well spent.
So, where does that leave my art? I’m still creating plenty, but with a newfound sense of freedom—some pieces just for myself, without the pressure to sell. One of my favorite new projects is a Stitched Gratitude Journal. Twice a week, I stitch a small wool penny with a symbol representing something I’m grateful for, connecting them into a banner that will showcase the entire year. It’s an exciting personal journey!
In addition, I’ve been working on small felt projects and even learning to crochet! So far, I’ve crocheted seven baskets to hold supplies for my creative endeavors. January has been a wonderful time to regroup, explore, and simply “play” in the studio.
Next month, I’ll be sharing progress pictures of four projects and listing them on my website at the end of the month. If you’d like an exclusive first look at the finished pieces before they go live to the public, be sure to sign up for my email newsletter—you’ll get early access before anyone else!
Thank you for your continued interest and support! I truly appreciate your time in reading my blog and newsletters, as well as engaging with my posts on Facebook and Instagram. Your support means so much!

​Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
I hope you all have a wonderful holiday season, enjoying Christmas with family and friends.
Looking back, 2024 was a whirlwind of a year for me! Here's a quick recap of all the highlights:

• 12 Festivals across New York, including Chautauqua, Blue Mountain Lake, Inlet, Norwich, and Saratoga Springs, along with many local events. Each one meant setup, teardown, and countless projects to prepare.
• 1 Pop-Up Exhibit at Fibonacci in Watertown.
• 56 Major Embroidery Projects, plus many smaller ones. This year, I introduced new designs like a dragonfly, fabric panels, and Petoskey stone motifs.
• New Materials, including hand-dyed wool, fine wool thread spun by my friend Carol, silk floss, and my own photos printed on fabric panels.
• Joined Several Art Centers and Guilds, expanding my connections in the art community.
• Attended the Artist Entrepreneur Workshop by NYFA and SLC Arts, where I met amazing presenters and participants.
• Showcased Work at Tupper Lake Arts and Cooperstown Art Center.
• Published Article on the Tug Hill Artist Network website, thanks to Kelley Martin: https://tughillartistnetwork.org.
• First Place in Fiber Arts at the Colorscape Festival.

It wasn’t all smooth sailing, though—tear duct surgery brought challenges, including temporary hearing loss and restrictions on bending over due to eye pressure. On the brighter side, I enjoyed plenty of camping trips, family visits to PA and Michigan, and hosting wonderful guests at our Bed and Breakfast in Croghan: https://atbeautiful.smugmug.com/Bed-2/B-and-B.
Looking Ahead to 2025
I plan to slow down, regroup, and evaluate what’s working and what isn’t. While I’ll be trimming down the number of festivals I attend (12 was a bit much!), I’m open to suggestions—let me know if there’s one you’d like to see me at. I’ll also be pursuing some gallery opportunities instead.
Thank you for subscribing to my newsletter, following me on Instagram and Facebook, and for supporting handmade, local art. Every purchase of a hand-stitched piece means the world to me, and I’m deeply grateful for your support.
Wishing you a joyful holiday season and a bright New Year!
Warm regards,
Connie