Daunting Knitting

I have a HUGE list of things I want to knit as gifts for the holidays this year. I don't know that my fingers and wrists will be able to handle it without needing surgery by the end, lol. But I am excited about it. Really, really. There are baby sweaters, kid sweaters, mittens, and oh my stars... my most daunting project to date, a coat. I highly doubt I will get it all done, but if I can finish half of my to-do list, I will be over the moon.

I love my sister. I love her a lot. She is probably the best friend I have, and there isn't much I wouldn't do for her. How do I show her how much I love her? I make her things. She is always the first person I think of when I see a new knitting project. I wonder, "would Bonnie like that?" Yes, she is a blog reader too, and probably won't like me talking about her like this, but oh well sister, deal with it. It's my blog and I'll type if I want to.

Sister's gift this year is a coat. She knows this. I first showed her "Sylvi" in the spring. I knew the minute I saw it I would make it for her. I found some great yarn and started it the other day.

OH MY STARS, what an even bigger undertaking then I thought!! Y'all that are familiar with knitting know about "charts", right? (see my laptop screen in the image below) Each block represents a stitch and you read it back and forth following the chart "key" at different points to create the twist and cables of the design on the back. I have never done a project with a chart and I picked a hell of a chart to start with. It is two pages long with more then 157 rows. It is crazy and it is taking every single neuron in my brain to tackle it. HA! When I am looking at it and trying to figure something out it reminds me of something I read about stimulating an infant's brain and growing synapses, literally growing their brains. Yeah, I think I am growing my brain right now. Told you there isn't anything I wouldn't do for my sister.



Here is hoping I get it done!

And for those that have been asking... YES I will be posting jewelry from this past weekend's show on my website!! YOO HOOO!! I will start listing it tomorrow or Friday so stay tuned.

My Birthday Boy

I have always thought that Jacob would make the perfect Campbell's Soup commercial kid. Don't you think? As I was thinking on which photo of him I would share today I knew this should be the one. It is my favorite. I took it a few years ago on a very snowy day while sledding at the park. I don't think that there is a photo that better catches who he *is* to me.

I am feeling very reflective today about Jacob and his life so far and what it will be someday. And maybe it is because of the stream of questions he has had for me over the past several hours. Mostly, "what were you doing at this time in 1997?" and then a few hours later he asks again "what were you doing now? what were you thinking? what were you feeling?" How can it be that my little boy has grown so big. Where did the time go? I can barely believe that today he is twelve.

There are many moments lately that I think I can see the man in him waiting to be grown up. I notice it in the way he carries himself, they way his body moves, the shape of his hands, the quickness of his wit, the heart in his laugh, and tenderness in his sad moments. I can feel in my being that he is going to be a kind and caring, gentle and loving, devoted and funny, strong and supportive, intelligent and imaginative man. I can't wait to get to know him better. But for now, I am thankful to still have him saying "I love you Momma," before leaving for school.

Happy Birthday Jacob, I love you more than you'll ever know.

Show Recap

*sigh* and *sigh* again.

I bet y'all are waiting to hear about what a huge success The Fine Craft Show was this weekend. I wish I had a huge success story to share. Unfortunately, this year, this were just so-so this year.

Wait a minute... I am starting this all wrong.

I had a fantastic time at The Fine Craft Show this weekend. And honestly, I totally did. There isn't another fine art show in the world that treats it's artist as well as this show does. Seriously, what other show does a chili dinner for the artists the opening night, hosts dinner parties at council members' homes the second night, has an artist lounge with brownies and coffee to relax in during the day (while offering to set in your booth for you while you are relaxing), serves a continental breakfast the final morning, and oh oh, for out of towners, you can stay at council members' homes if you don't want to be in a hotel! Truly, I have never been treated better at a show.

Unfortunately... we got screwed. All of us artist. The weather was spectacular. And in Rochester, a city where you could possible have snow on the ground by now, when you get a weekend with both days full of glorious sun and temps flirting with 70 people just ain't going and hanging out inside at the museum. They just aren't. There were only 537 patrons at the show on Saturday. 537. LOL. That is a rather small turn out, wouldn't you say?

It really wasn't a total bust though. I did sell a lot of pieces. Overall, my sales were about half of what they were last year. And I am happy with that. It covered my booth fee, what I spent on a reorder of glass and sterling, and it paid for a new dress I got too, lol. And really that's all that counts, right? I don't do what I do to get rich quick... as long as I can break even I am good with that.

I was pretty exhausted last night and this morning, but life moves quick and goes on. We have already started our next big thing around here. Hardwood floors. Yep, Ron and I are installing hardwood floors in our great room. He took the afternoon off today and we started busting out tile that was in front of the door leading to the deck and ripping up carpet. I already have my first injury. A puncture wound in my knee from a stray chunk of tile. OUCH! I will be sure to take lots of photos while we do the work and I will be able to show you the new fireplace I have been hinting at. There is birthday quilting coming up, and holiday crafting... and then a new publication I am designing some pieces for. It is a busy time... stay tuned.

0... SHOWTIME

I thought y'all might like to spend yesterday with me , through pictures. Here is what my day looked like, from start to end...












More pictures HERE in my Flickr gallery. And I'll be adding more photos tonight, I am sure. I am going to be completely rearranging that booth set up with I leave for the gallery in about 15mins!! I am just not feelin' it, so it is getting switched up.

Thank you so much for counting down to this show with me. I have had fun sharing all the excitement with you!! Wish me luck.

MY BOOK!!!

AAAAGGGGHHHH!!! I can finally share!!! Totally Twisted: Innovative Wirework + Art Glass Jewelry is now available for pre-order on Amazon.com. I am offering signed copies on my website, HERE, and read more about what you'll find in the pages of Totally Twisted, HERE.

I spoke with one of my editors and was told that as of right now, copies will ship out in March 2010 (not April as listed on Amazon). It maybe a little early to be posting this, but I was too excited to resist!! I just had to share!! I would love to hear what you think of the cover.

1... Weekend Buzz...

SURPRISE!! Yesterday afternoon I went to The Gallery Store at The Memorial Art Gallery to be interviewed!! The piece is to promote The Fine Craft Show this weekend. I did my hair, my make up, and sported my new favorite dress (unlike what I am wearing while watching the tv spot, LOL). I stopped by my sister's, who lives about 2 blocks away from the gallery, to make sure I looked the part. I brought a bunch of my latest designs and went from there.

I was so nervous. More nervous than when I demo-ed for PBS's Beads Baubles and Jewels. I can show how to make a piece of jewelry no problem, but try to articulate on the fly about my work had me sweating bullets. Of all the things they asked me and the things I answered, I am surprised that this is the sound bite they used, but that is okay. At least I didn't "um" during this part.

YNN 9 News is our local cable new channel so this little segment will run over and over and over again all day!! I am honored to have been asked to be the artist representing the show. I can't wait for the preview party tomorrow night!! But until then, I have loads of work to do today. Everything needs to be priced, polished, and packaged, the van needs cleaning and loading up of my display, and I need to wash all the table linens I use for the booth. I better get to work!!

Thanks for sharing my 15seconds of fame with me. And in case you are wondering, this is the piece I am wearing in the interview... ::Chandelier::

2... Building Nerves...

(text reads: For then, despite of space, I would be brought, From limits far remote, where thou dost stay.)

Oh what a whirl wind day I have had!! I am not going to reveal the biggest part of today until tomorrow. But I will tell you this, there was a dress involved and stopping by my sister's house for a hair and make up check. LOL.

I spent the morning finishing two more paintings and making beads too. I never got the brights I wanted to yesterday afternoon. Ron has been home sick for two days and I just couldn't resist vegging out on the couch watching 24 with him. And I think the break did me a little good. I don't want to over work myself to the point of exhaustion, so an afternoon off was a good idea. I think I have around 40 pieces for the show right now and I am good with that.

Here are some more details from the latest painting...




Come back tomorrow for what I think will be a pretty cool surprise!!

4... 3... Two Words...

Silvered. Ivory.

It isn't very often that I get my "organic" on but yesterday I decided too. With ivory rods and silver foil in hand I got so caught up in the creation process that I totally forgot to blog! LOL. I am in love with these new designs.

They are rustic, natural, modern, ancient, cosmic, bold, subtle, captivating, and intriguing. I could get lost under the encasing of clear over silvered ivory any day of the week. *sigh* Oh, and I saved the best one, my most favorite one, the one that has the most amazing shades of purple and pink ever, for last.

::Organic Pendants::


::Organic Ring A Ling::


::Lunar Trinkets::


::Sticks & Stones::


::Collecting Stardust::



For "Collecting Stardust", I individually punched 26 copper and brass discs from textured sheet metal and used a dapping set to form the cupped caps for each disc bead. There are 13 large-ish ivory discs that were rolled in silver foil then encased in clear glass. The mini spacers between the caps and discs are also silvered ivory. I am so so so happy with how this one turned out. EEEKKKK!!!

Now back into the studio I go. I am thinkin' I will work with BRIGHTS this afternoon.