the Last Show of the Season
November 15th 2009

Yesterday was my last craft show of the season and I feel like I ended on a good note. It was called the Holiday Cheer Craft Festival. We had 38 vendors and, by my count, about 500 visitors. Money seemed to be a little tight but there was a lot of enthusiasm and positive feedback.

The greatest reward for me is actually getting out and meeting people. When I was younger and less sure of myself, I never would have thought I would hear myself saying that, or even thinking it, for that matter. I've grown. I've learned that if I'm the kind of person that I enjoy being around, other people will most likely feel the same way.

I actually have fun exercising my 'gift of gab'. I enjoy interacting with people; finding out what they like, what they don't like, telling little anecdotes about my jewelry making adventures. Every once in a while, a fellow crafter will stop by and we trade techniques and tricks of the trade. I like getting ideas from other vendors' booths and displays.

I've been spending a lot of time in my studio these last few months, with only Mister May to keep me company. He's a good buddy but not much of a conversationalist. Getting out and being around other people keeps me from going crazy. Teaching classes and working craft fairs is good for the business but it's better for me personally.

It's time to get back to the grind stone, now. I've picked up some new ideas and I want to try some new chain maille weaves, new poly clay techniques and new wire sculpting plans.

I hope to post products in the next few weeks, so drop back by and visit soon.

A Blog to Celebrate LIFE

I'm not going to get all sappy on you, but after having taken care of two people, so far, who were dying from terminal diseases, it occurred to me that Humans are pretty darned arrogant about what's important in life.

Most people will say that they value quality over quantity but they don't really mean it.  They don't mean it because they don't really know what it means. If asked, "would you like to live to be 100?" most people will say, "yes, as long as I'm not a burden". I hate to tell you, pal, but you're probably already a burden to someone and you are definitely a burden to your planet. And, by the way, it's my planet too.

I'm not going to go on a tirade about saving the planet. The planet is stronger than all of us put together. Earth will abide. We will not.

We're a burden to each other when we don't recycle. We're a burden to each other when we don't look out for one another.

Putting an aluminum can into the garbage bin, instead of the recycle bin, would be like me going to your smoke-free house, lighting up a cigarette, smoking it and then crushing the butt into your nice clean carpet. Consider your carpet an analogy for my back yard.

Not taking an active part in your local public school system, just because you don't have school-aged children would be like dining in a restaurant without a sanitation rating. Even though you didn't cook the meal, you'd like to be sure it was safe and free from disease, wouldn't you?

The only purpose I can find to life is to live it. But not at the expense of another.