Fun in the Dirt!

Oh, Hiddenite was FUN! Digging around in the dirt looking for pretty rocks, what could be better than that? I'm definitely going back next year when I swing back down!

Sorry, no pictures right now; since I'm using someone else's computer and my phone isn't that sophisticated... I didn't find any emeralds but, I did find a sapphire; a dark purple one. Also found some garnets, a black tourmaline, tiny green tourmaline, amazonite, tree agate, green moss agate, red banded jasper, rose quartz, smoky quartz, amethyst, orange calcite, bloodstone, peach moonstone, flourite, blue aventurine, green aventurine, red aventurine, some really great 'just river rocks' and some other stuff I don't know what it is yet, and probably some I just forgot to tell ya.

I sifted through one bucket (where I found the sapphire) and then tooled around the creek a bit. Well, moved big flat rocks into the creek to retrieve a lot of them actually. Found the garnets and moonstone in the creek. Well, the moonstone IN the creek, the garnets next to the creek actually. If I'd had more time, I would have stayed there all day looking through dirt and water!

Even still, in just a couple hours I found a pretty good haul. Which is to say, I have a fairly heavy bag of rocks to take home and clean up and look at and wrap up into pretty jewelry for all ya'll. Looking forward to it in a big way!

Also really looking forward to the reason I came down to GA this week: tomorrow's Jewelry Party at The Next Chapter Bookstore in Griffin, GA (see last entry and the link on the where I'm at in the side bar for details and map). Going to be a beautiful warm, sunny day and a good day for one of a kind bargains in Griffin! Maybe we'll see you there?

So that's going until 7pm and after a good night's sleep, I'm off to Franklin the next morning to sift through dirt once again. Looking for sapphires, rubies, and emeralds ostly. Maybe this time I'll find rubies and emeralds in the dirt? More sapphires would be cool too.

I'll have pictures next week. Probably look like a pile of rocks, but I'll try to get some good close ups of the best finds.

So, hope to see you tomorrow, or in the next week at another event or somewhere on the road... or maybe I'll run into you while looking for pretty rocks?

Hope everyone had a lot to be thankful today!

Neither Rain, Nor Snow, Nor Broken Tent...

Well, it looks like my last weekend of outdoor festival and market going for the year will be spent in the snow and sleet and rain under a (hopefully) repaired tent.

Last Saturday the wind ripped the moorings from the ground and hurtled my tent over the top of my tables, bringing another table with it, and broke and bent in several places. I managed to get most of it hammered out and put back together, but one side arm that shattered at the drill point is a little sketchy and the holes in the tent top may or may not have all been found and patched...

And...

It's supposed to snow tonight (depositing up to an inch) and tomorrow morning and then just rain all day after it warms up too much to snow.

None-the-less, it is rain or shine - or snow - at the Fall Foliage Festival in Highland Falls tomorrow. My check was received and, I will be there to try to make my money back and then some - in space number 78!

Hopefully, some of you will come out to see me (and help me warm up) somewhere in front of the West Point main entrance on Main Street (I have some new jewelry:)



and then head north up 9W to Beacon for the auction to benefit the Audrey Chibbaro Youth in Arts Scholarship Fund! A lot of wonderful artists have donated work for the Auction. Besides the jewelry/watercolor that Phil and I donated, Edie Nadelhaft, Judith Peck and Eileen McTiernen have all donated work. Hopefully some of you can make it to both events.

And that's it for me this weekend. I'll let you know where I'll be next weekend, um, next week...

[Ok, it'll be Squish...]

Right now I'm off to get 200lbs of sand to keep my tent from flying away again!

Why You Should Be in Beacon This Weekend...

So, why should you spend your weekend in Beacon? Well, because I am! Oh, and it's going to be a lot of fun if you do...

Second Saturday is this weekend - when the galleries have most of their art openings, restaurants and bars have special entertainment and the Main Street businesses stay open late. And this 2nd Saturday is going be the last Hudson River Market I'll be at. Maybe the last one in it's current incarnation ever, actually. They're looking to make it a "European Style" Market for next year - which means the handmade arty stuff will be pretty much absent.

So.. this Second Saturday will be your last chance to get some one of a kind and handmade jewelry, clothing, bags and fine art from some of the Hudson Valleys local talent. Well, on the street on Main anyway...

Plus, Sunday, Mount Beacon Fine Art Gallery is hosting a Jewelry Party - with jewelry by Andrea N. (that's me...) - from 2pm to 6pm. Refreshments will be served and I will have 4 tables of jewelry set up so there will be even more one of a kind to choose from than on Saturday. Plus, it's indoors, so I can bring stuff I wouldn't put outside... Though, if the weather is as nice as they say it's supposed to be (Fall Foliage anyone?), I'll probably sell quite a few one of a kind jewelry things on Saturday. So, if you want first dibs on anything I've got, you might want to come see me both days... If you can.

Oh, and I just dropped off some new necklaces at Raindance so you can run over to Beacon Friday if you want to be the first to get one of those. I just created a whole new unique-to-the-store design; all with a Vintage bead as the focus and gemstones on the chain. Since I've only made Sterling jewelry for Kathy's store up til now, and Fall is more of a Gold time of the year, I made 4 of the 7 new necklaces in Gold Fill. It went better with the Fall colors. So, if you're more of a gold person and you like one of these:

(the top four are the Gold Fill) you might want to get down there asap before someone else gets the one(s) you like...

Let's see, lots of art and activities plus special shopping opportunities... perfect weather and gorgeous mountain and river sides full of spectacular Fall color... um... the chance to hang out with great people and enjoy a wonderful weekend... um... um... nope, I think that about covers why Beacon NY is the place to be this second weekend in October.

See you there!

Blah Blah Blogging... In Utah

Well, we made it to Utah.

Tomorrow is the first Park Silly Market for me. I'll be on Main just below 7th on the left side heading toward 9th (orange row, number 9) under the umbrella.

No Arkansas diamonds revealed themselves to us, unfortunately. Lots of Arkansas Jasper did though. We found some nice Rhodonite, Mica Schist and Agates in the Rocky Mountain National Park too. Stayed in the Manor House at the Stanley Hotel in Estes Park (not really haunted where we were at least, but a bit run down and very squeaky doors for effect - we assumed) and got up to 12,000 plus feet above sea level. Beautiful Alpine Meadows and a little sleet and wind burn. Very nice.

Oh, and we ran into some almost tornado clouds in Kansas. There was a warning where we were going to stay, so we drove up a little further and the skies cleared. Phil took a bunch of pics with his new iPhone. So, here are some of the pictures from our trip so far:

This is at the Precious Moments Chapel in Missouri just north of Arkansas (we had to get Bethany a wedding gift there. You can ask her about it:). It was kind of like a big eyed children smurf place. Kinda creepy and kind of inspirational all at once.

Lots of people were hoping to dig up some diamonds. No one did while we were there:

The storm clouds over Kansas. They were really beautiful! Didn't manage to get any pictures of the lightening though.

Oh yah. They had the Shining channel at the Stanley. There was a Stanley Steamer one too. They just played the same thing over and over. Obviously, this is from the Shining channel.

The beautiful Rocky Mountains. We got sick on the first day of hiking. Not sure if it was altitude or heat. We went from 8100 feet straight up to 9500 in less than 3 miles of hiking. Strenuous, high altitude, bright sunshine heat hiking. Man, we're out of shape!

The next day we drove out through the park and stopped a lot and did the views and short hikes. This is wayyyyy up there, but not quite the top.

Oh, yah. We stopped at the Dinosaur National Monument when we got over the Utah border. The Visitors Center was closed for repairs, but we got to take a short walk and see about three fossils in the mountains next to it. This is one of them.

So, today we're hanging with my sis and taking a walk around the wonders of Park City. Hiking wonders. The rain is coming so maybe we'll find a few Quartz Crystals washed down the trails. Been a while since I was able to walk around here and find any, but I have a lot of them from back then.

And, that's the trip up to now.

Oh. There is an update on show dates... if you're in the Salt Lake area...

Cousin Matt hooked me up for another independent craft show on Sunday, August 2nd. It's called the Craft Sabbath and runs from Noon till 4pm at Nobrow Coffee and Tea, 315 E 300 S in Salt Lake City. So cool, they were voted best of the Beehive for 2009 by Salt Lake Magazine! I'm really honored to be included and I'll have mostly $50 and under goods with me and probably a lot of new stuff that I'll be making next week (since I plan to sell most of what I have at that level tomorrow;).

There's Still Time to Schedule a Party...

Well, it's getting down to the wire for the big trip cross country.

Met a couple people in the last few weeks at the Hudson River Market who live along the route from NY to Utah who were interested in hosting a party on my trip back. So, if you happen to be one of the people who wants to get some free jewelry and have a lot of fun with your friends, make sure you get in touch to schedule your day before I head West. That means get in touch before the 15th of July. I'll be heading back from Utah on August 10th and plan to be back in NY by August 15th.

So. You have exactly 3 weeks from the date of this blog post before I leave town. So, don't wait. Make your return trip party date today!

Oh, I made some new cameo jewelry too. AND, my first wire sculpture bracelet - with a cameo. They're fashion cameos (resin). That's always a good place to start out, since shell is infinitely more delicate (and much more expensive to boot). Brass and Copper and some vintage chain... and I made some earrings this week too.

Whatdya think:

Cuff from the front

Cuff from the side

Pendant with handmade vintage chain (1940's) I threw a clasp onto.

If you're signed up for my newsletter, you'll get to see the pictures of the earrings and the newer pendant (no chain). They're all pretty in salmon pink and blue...

Newsletter goes out next week. If you're not signed up for the newsletter, there's a link just to your right on the sidebar...

Oh, and I'll be at the Mower's Market in Woodstock this Sunday (June 28th) as well as the Hudson River Market in Beacon on Saturday. Hope to see some of you this weekend!

Saturdays in Beacon... And Then...

Well, it looks like you'll be able to find me in Beacon for the next 5 Saturdays... then skip the 4th of July... and I'll be there on July 11th too.

THEN, I'll be skipping the state to head West.

Stopping in Arkansas for my exceptionally talented friend Bethany's wedding, maybe scooping up some diamonds the day afterward...

Then jetting over to Albuquerque to drop in on a friend or two before scooting on up to Utah to vend at a couple of Sundays at the Park Silly Market, set up at a few Jewelry Parties, and gear up for a couple selling days at a retreat.

If I can swing it before he flies off to Scotland, I might even bolt up to Montana to visit Bill, and take a side trip for some Garnets before going back down to Utah.

If it wasn't for the crazy heat of mid-Summer in the desert, I'd take a serious side trip to dig up some Opals too... leave that for an earlier - or later - time of the year I think.

Then, when I get back up here, probably be at the Hudson River Market on Saturdays through the last one in September or so.

Still waiting to hear back, but I might be in Georgia again mid-September... I'll let you know when I know.

And I might do a thing in Albany in October. Again, let you know...

Then, for almost for sure, I'll be at this year's Indiemade Craft Market in Allentown. Had such a great time last year, I wouldn't miss this year's!

So, if you're going to be near any of those markets or shows, please stop over and say: HI! Otherwise, if you want to have me stop at your place on the way anywhere in between shows for your very own Trunk Show/Jewelry Party, let me know. {You know that I'd rather attend your parties most of the year, anyway;}

And that's pretty much the rest of my year so far.

So...

To recap:

You can catch me every Saturday until July and then again on July 11th on Main Street in Beacon at the Hudson River Market.

I'll be at Park Silly in Park City, Utah the last Sunday in July and the 2nd Sunday in August.

Back to the Hudson River Market.

Might be at Shakerag in September.

Possibly in Albany in October.

Probably at Indiemade the first Saturday of December.

Hopefully, at a whole lot of people's parties in between all those, and preferably for most of October and November. If you want to be one of those peoples, you might want to start planning now. Time is starting to fly already;}

Oh yah, I just finished a bunch of necklaces for Raindance too. I'll be delivering them this Saturday if you want to head over and get yours before they're gone, here's a preview:

From Creative Living 101 (aka It's Art, Damnit!)

Some great Candisa beads from the early 50's (you really can't see how gorgeous they are until you see them in person), and some other gorgeous old Venetian beads on these as well. Plus some precious gemstones and higher end semiprecious (Emerald on one, Larimar, Turquoise, Lapis, & Sugilite on others). 7 new necklaces for this round - all with 40's or 50's Venetian beads - and I'll probably whip up some new necklaces and earrings to deliver to Raindance before I head off to Utah as well. [Remember; I'm only doing this necklace style for Raindance, so if you like what you see, you have to get yours there. It's an exclusive, dontcha know...]

Ok. So that's the news and up and comings. [Can you tell I plan to be a little too busy to type up more than one or two of these before I head out in July?]

Hope to run into a bunch of you in the coming months, one way or the other, and all the best to everyone til then!

It's All-Most-Over!

So, Saturday was the closing day - thanks to everyone who came and drank cheap champagne and brought gifts and enjoyed the evening with us! 

Then yesterday, Sunday, all the remaining jewelry and bits and bobs got thrown into boxes so the furniture could be removed - dragged hither and yon by various people who had use for it. Cleaned out and cleaned up and now the new old store is waiting for new tenants once more. 

Final store closing, unless you count online stores. That one will remain until the remaining jewelry from that chapter is safely in loving hands. Which will then be the final pearldaddy chapter finished and shut.

Exhausted and somewhat relieved, I dreamt all night that I would be going back on Wed, then saw the empty room I had just left behind... 

Bitter sweet. 

So, now I have to rest up for the big reorganizing at the homestead so what's left can find it's way out to the public - and out my doors. Not much, really. But, in such a tiny space, it's a little oppressive. 

Naturally, the next step will be finding more room to work and store work supplies in... 

Enough of the exhausted ramblings. I'll write a post listing my next few "gigs" in a couple of days and again when my website is all updated for the new directions. 

All the best to all and sundry. Happy Spring - szzzzzzznnnnnnnnnnnnaaaaccchhllllzzzzzzzz!

Rant and Roll - AND Updates

Ok. So, I did have a big rant planned, but I think I'm all wound down now. I'm sure I'll wind back up, so I'll just start with what's going on this month. And next month. Well, I did manage to eliminate February from the blog roster, and since there is so much going on right now, I just want to put it all in just in case I wind up not writing anything for another month plus. 

So, pearldaddy's last day is March 28th. Going to have a big closing party on that last Saturday - the 28th - and I'll be doing deals all day and we'll party until I get tired and throw you all out after that. One of Phil's bands might play and all musicians are invited to bring instruments and accost our ears until we beg them to stop too. Then, I have to have it all cleaned out and give the keys back by evening on the 29th. So I'm a little stressed trying to get that to happen on schedule while making as much merch and all the display furnishings disappear by then. 

AND, if one more non-buying blankity blank comes in just to ask me "Why are you closing" I might say something not nice. See, I got wound up again. 

Well, not really surprising since I was talking about pearldaddy and Sunday was another day where 90% of the people walking in asked that exact question and walked back out without purchasing anything. Way to answer your own question, don'tcha think? Actually, without fail, every single person who's asked that question hasn't bought a thing. Oh, Wait. I know what I'll say next time: "Let me ask you this: are you going to buy something or are you just browsing?" When they say: "Just browsing." then I'll answer: "Well, you just answered your own question." Of course, what I really want to say will be this: "@@#$(!&&$#)#)$#!$!*#$&%"

And, while I'm at it, Carbon Offsets?! Either you pollute or you don't. Buying someone else's good intentions doesn't make you a better person! And what about all the wasted money NY State has spent on roads that just have potholes - even worse than before - just two months after they're repaved?! That winds up being good for mechanics and just about no one else! Ok. That's the rant - for now;}

Let's see, what else? 

Well, right now I'm really just too busy getting everything sold off and moved out and cleared up at pearldaddy to teach any beading classes, but I'll try again in April. Don't have a schedule yet, but you can check on the Pink Cloud blog site at the end of March and look for the classes taught by Andrea - cause that's me - if I don't get around to listing the classes and dates here before then. 

Oh, and I have some exclusively made for, one of a kind jewelry at Raindance in Beacon. Be sure to drop by if you like the following pictures because Raindance is the only one who has them - well,  it's all one of a kind, isn't it? - 456 Main Street (next to the Piggy Bank parking lot).

Seven one of a kind Sterling necklaces and seven matching earrings. All with Vintage beads and gemstones.

Also, I'll be making customized picture frame necklaces in conjunction with Paper Presence in Beacon (296 Main Street) throughout April for Mother's Day. I'll have sample necklaces on view there by the end of March. Basically the way it will work is: you pick a frame style and metal type, choose the birthstones (or tell us the birth months) of all the children giving the frame to mom, and give a picture of the kids in question to Lydia to miniaturize. A week or less goes by, and you'll get a customized picture necklace to give to mom.  We're still finalizing all the details but, as I mentioned, should be up and running with that by the end of March. 

In other news: Still waiting to hear back about craft shows for May and the one planned for June was cancelled for lack of location, but I'm definitely going to be at the Park Silly Sunday Market in Park City, Utah on July 26th and August 9th. If you live in that area and want to host a jewelry party while I'm out there, get in touch. We have to speed through to get there in July but, if you're along the route back to NY, and want to throw a jewelry party the second week of August, let me know that too. 

Ok. Well, that's pretty much it for now. Hopefully I'll get time to update ya'll in the near future. If not, I'll make sure I get at least one in for April. Oh Ya. Almost forgot: mark your calenders if you're in NYC and not otherwise engaged on April 9th. Phil will be playing at the Delancey with the Children.... Larkin Grimm is on the bill too. Should be a really good time. 

Right. That's really it for now. So. All the best of the best to everyone until I type atcha again.

Teaching Jewelry Making Classes in Harriman

Hello Everybody! 

I'm just logging on to make a quicky announcement:

Marci at The Pink Cloud Boutique (in Harriman) asked me to teach classes at her shop. 

Yes, I'm teaching classes in the fine art of jewelry making starting February 6th. That's a Friday. It's going to be a very basic wire wrap class to teach the most basic technique used in wire wrap jewelry to link beads together or hang them from things or whatever you want to do to connect something to something. I'll have everyone finish a bracelet by the end of class. 

The class is $15, runs from 7pm - 8:30pm, and there's a $25 materials fee which includes everything you need. Even the tools. Plus there'll be enough beads etc. to make a matching necklace when you get home. 

Oh, and I'm teaching a Peyote Stitch class on the 27th. That one will be earrings by the end of class and is $20 for the class plus $15 for materials - again, everything you need for the class plus enough to make another pair of earrings when you get home. It runs from 6:45-8:45, also on a Friday. 

And those are the classes I'm teaching in February. 

In March (still have to figure out the dates and times I'm available) I'm teaching a Brick Stitch class - earrings made in class - and a Pearl/Bead Knotting class - bracelet made in class. I'll put up the specifics of those as I have the dates and times finalized. 

Gonna try to teach two classes a month until I get too busy with home jewelry parties and craft shows to have time {any help on filling up my time that way is always appreciated;} Of course, I don't know when that might be. Maybe in the Summer, when I have to move out of my apartment in June, and then I plan on heading West in the middle of July; coming back in mid-August only to do another craft show - hopefully. I still have to get the apps in and get accepted... 

And then maybe again in November and December when I hope to be doing a show every weekend and will need to be making things non-stop in between... the plans are not always what happens as you all know, but keep checking back for details as the acceptance letters start rolling in;}

In the meantime, if you live in the Hudson Valley, and might be planning to be going down to the Woodbury Commons anyway... Pink Cloud is just a short drive down Route 17 from there so you might as well sign up for some classes! ;}

Don't forget to leave me a post if you want more info or have requests for classes!

Is Obama the Reincarnation of Honest Abe?

Following the same train route prior to the inauguration aside, it does seem that there are more than just a few similarities between President Obama and the 16th President. 

The "Honest Abe" aspect is very evident in the way that the new president has a tendency to answer questions without guile, and speak about things that others tend to hide. Of course the common trait of being tall and lanky doesn't really help to dispel comparison either. Then there's the matter of both being eloquent, convincing and popular orators. Lincoln certainly knew the constitution inside and out and Obama taught constitutional law. Which brings us to the point that they were both lawyers. Lincoln also represented Illinois in the House and Obama was an Illinois Senator. 

Now, I'm not sure if Obama has any patents pending or if Lincoln ever wrote a best selling novel or two but, aside from these two things, it would be hard not draw the parallels. 

Throw in the fact that Obama swore into office on Lincoln's bible and it's completely understandable to say: Hmmm...  Which is to say that it's a little easy to assume that Obama could be Lincoln reincarnate. If you believe in reincarnation that is. Which I do. Though, I'm not making a declaration; just throwing it out there;]

Ok. Enough metaphysical politic musing. I need to wrap this up quickly since the day is more than half over and I still have way too much to do. 

I'm applying for craft shows alllll over the place for the coming year and more than half of the applications are due in the next 4 weeks! So, I  have to get all the best pictures of a variety of my work (some of them are still waiting to be photographed while the other's still need editing) in all the corresponding correct formats and views, then put onto discs in all the right numbers and sizes - everyone seems to want something different. Then, I have to fill out the forms and get the money together for the application fees and show fees and get them all in the mail on time. Without double booking! 

Which is not that hard if you have nothing else going BUT, the store is finally done. Yes, the end of the year sales were only enough to pay the current month's bills and January is just as slow as it always is so there is no money for February. Absolutely none right now. 

So, March 31st will see the physical incarnation of pearldaddy over and out. Still going to sell off the remaining jewelry online, and take some of it around to the fleas when I do those. Plus, I'm going to do jewelry parties so the option of bringing pearl jewelry will come with that too. No more boutique and gallery after March though. So... I have to find people to buy all the furniture - since it's going on the street if no one buys it because I'm not moving it again! No room in my garage anyway. Plus, I have to redo the website, add more jewelry to the online store (gotta take all the pics and write the descriptions as well), clean things out and pack stuff up. 

Oh, and I'm going to be doing some jewelry making classes starting next month too. 

AND, we have to find another place to live by June as well. 

I'm feeling a little overwhelmed. But, not unhappy. 

So, even though I haven't gotten nearly enough done today and still have pics to fix and laundry to do, I did feel like I should get a blog on about everything that's going down; even a short one. Since all that stuff about Obama and Lincoln was roaming my head like a wild beast, and since it's inauguration day, you can thank that for today's writing impetus. 

I'll post again when I have new pics of work to show and some dates and places for upcoming craft shows (the first one might be in Albany at the beginning of April, and then there are a possible two at the end of April and beginning of May in Atlanta). Keep you posted. 

All the best and hope the New Year and New President bring nothing but better days - for EVERYONE!!! 

Indiemade Craft Market Report

Well done Ann and Terri! 

No one could believe it was the first ever... not the vendors, not the attendees. It was crowded and really well organized and great vendors were selected to be there. Of course, being only the third of my year's experiences for shows, I don't have quite as much experience as a vendor. But, all the more experienced that I spoke to concurred with me on that point. There were even a lot of great customers there I would love to see again! It was a great show, and everyone said so to the organizers as they were packing up and heading home too - I heard quite a few of them. 

Another one is planned for June and of course a repeat of the December show as well next year. I've already expressed interest in being at both. I'll let you know. 

Yes, a good show also means I sold a bit of jewelry - and gave out even more cards. The music was pretty good too, but the first of two was an acoustic lilith fair style cover band - yes, two chicks and their guitars - that eventually drove a few of us batty. Really, that was the only disappointment of the day though. 

Phil even helped out a lot. I'm really glad he was with me. 

And now for the pics:

Phil was sitting right infront of that vintage santa poster and, of course, now has a close up of the poster on his phone. Some of his friends to now as well;} 

Thanks to everyone who was there. It was great to meet everyone and I hope I get the chance to run into you all again in the Summer, if not before! 

Getting Ready for Indiemade

Well, I'm powering through new designs and getting even more ideas right and left - most of which will have to wait until later, but that's how it often is. 

I just posted a whole slew of jewelry shots - all stuff I've made in the last couple weeks in preparation for the Indienade Craft Market on Sunday - on the Flickr... there's a slide show thing in the middle right of this page (next to the pic of the Citrine earring) if you want to click on it and check them out. Plus, here's a couple for you now: 

 

This is a brooch I made a couple of days ago with an AzuriteMalachite cabachon all hand wrapped in Sterling Silver. The pin base is steel for a stronger base though. I wrapped the Silver around it. Mostly this is Silver, and stone... and of course, as always, it's the only one. 

There are two of these, being earrings and all, but I only took a picture of one. It was really hard to get the color right. This is a 1940's Vintage Czechoslovakian Crackle Glass bead (that's the main theme for this show) with Citrine. The light on this eventually came out really nice and the Citrine just glowed. They're on 14K Gold Fill wire and hooks and the other earring swirls in the other direction. Don't snort... not all of them are mirrored like that...

Ok. I have to start scrounging for food to make dinner with and get back to the making. 

If you're in the Allentown, PA area on Sunday - grab your wallet and come on in! If you get there early enough, you'll get a swag bag - which will have one of my rings in it; and first dibs on all the new stuff. Bring lots of cash though. Not sure if I'll be able to connect to wifi and get the credit card thing goin. Not sure if anyone will. There's a lot of talent scheduled for this and unlike most of craft shows, there's a bar AND food to go with the live music and crafty sellers. 

Wish me luck and maybe I'll see someone I know... anybody? Hint, hint;}

Quicky Stormville Fleamarket Pics

Ok. 

You wanted pics of Stormville, I have a lot to do. 

Yes there are things I want to write about, but I'm saving on the electric by not turning on the heat just yet so my hands are a little cold and stiff and I have to make some jewelry to get ready for the Indie show on December 7th so I thought I'd just pop up some pics of the booth at Stormville - no jewelry wearing that day I'll tell you... it was windy and cold and a lot of displays did not get put out because everything was blowing; the tent next to us came up and sailed away with the vendor at one point! That was exciting. 

Anyway, this is all that Phil took of the set up we had. There are tons of pics of other stuff he took and I think some of them got on his iStock page; but this is all he took of our tent: 

I'm off to make, so type atcha more after the Craft Market. 

No Fuel From Food!!!

A couple years ago, when I heard about the new fuel they were making from corn, I was happily surprised that they finally figured out how to and started making fuel from the wasted corn stalks. Which is what any normal person would have assumed right? Who in their right mind would make ethanol fuel from the actual corn? Which is, as I read further and found out, is exactly what they're doing. Plus biodiesel production from Soybeans (now one of the leading illegally denuding farming culprits in the Amazon rain forests) and Palm Oil (plantations of which are now destroying the forests of Indonesia, Malaysia and Borneo) is becoming such a huge industry that it's affecting people in other parts of the world too. With the millions of extra acres needed to grow food plants for fuel, that also means billions of fewer trees to absorb the problem they're being cut down to solve. Which also leads to other problems, as most of us know, such as lower biodiversity and water issues.

But, with the new flex fuel cars, other straight alcohol burning cars, electric and hydrogen fuel cell cars being designed and developed; plus lots of scientists working on ethanol from non-food sources and lighter, stronger materials to use in basic construction and longer lasting batteries; it looks like a move is being made in the right direction. 

Wrong. The flex fuel cars are only available on a limited basis and mostly sold in the corn belt, where E85 is available all over. Surprise. Not really, since the government actually gives huge subsidies to farmers to use their corn crops for fuel and virtually no money to research and production of other non-food sourced ethanol; with absolutely no discernment between processes that cause more pollution in the production phases and ones that don't. And, E85 flex fuel efficiency is already way lower than regular fuel. Oh, that and the production process of corn based ethanol is actually polluting more than the end result saves, so it's actually making more of an environmental problem. It's a lose/lose product. Can you say: "Greedy scam!"?

With all the hype, you'd also think the move to hybrids is a good thing. Which it is, if the technology is optimized. Did you know that the newer "more efficient" electric with gasoline back up hybrids actually get worse gas milage than the discontinued gasoline with electric back up ones did? Honda Insight was the first of the later type and it got lower gas mileage as it was rereleased right up until it was discontinued but, still gets better gas mileage than the newer hybrids of the same size! Actually. It got about the same gas mileage as a Geo Metro. Hell, I get the same gas mileage on my five year old non hybrid Hyundai as a friend does with a similar sized, brand new, Honda Hybrid! As for the other hybrid options, well, they aren't even options until they start making them. 

So, even though over use of mass produced food based biodiesel is becoming a definite problem, current ethanol fuels are still the worst of the "environmental" helpers here in the States. Besides all the other problems, most of the ethanol from corn is going into our regular gas tanks - none of which are made to run on alcohol - which actually makes every tank of gas "up to 10%" less fuel efficient (I get up to 10 miles a gallon more on gas without ethanol or very little ethanol added!) which means we're all buying more gas so it defeats the purpose. Not to mention the production process for the corn ethanol they're spiking our tanks with is actually more polluting over all than if we didn't use it. 

So, how does this directly relate to jewelry makers and other crafters? 

Well, more food being used for fuel is mostly what's driving up food prices - even when fuel costs are lower - so more people are spending otherwise disposable income on necessities. Worse gas mileage while prices are so high means more of that same income is being spent on gas. Which means less money being spent anywhere else. Which is why fewer people are coming out to the fairs and shows. Crafters and artists and designers, of course, are all in the same boat: paying high prices while trying to make a living, while no one can afford to help them out in that respect. Plus, with delivery costs being so high, all of our basic necessities for our crafts are increasing in cost as well, so we have to charge more to make a profit. Not a good thing. 

It all effects everyone in some way, and this particular "It" is a doozy! If this race to make food based fuel keeps up, it's only going to get worse. Even when gas prices go back down. 

Eliminating corn, and other food crops, as fuel will lower the prices of ALL food products. Eliminating ethanol from our fuel will increase efficiency (and actually reduce the pollution the corn ethanol production makes), and so require less gas while the prices are so high (so does keeping your car tuned and regularly maintained by the way). Changing over from gas to fuels made from waste products, or to electric, will strengthen the country's economy over all. That in turn will mean more money goes back into the regular economy and everyone wins. It's really simple economics. 

So, what can you do to help change this current abuse and get us all moving to the win/win situation we'd all like to be in? Lobby to have the 10% ethanol requirement removed. Write your representatives and tell them you want a ban on using food for fuel and the subsidies going to pay for that food based fuel rerouted to people producing switch grass, algae, corn stalks and other waste product fuel. Tell them you want research grants to go to people working in these fields so they can speed up the research process to get viable mass production from those sources in the next couple years, not ten. If you can afford it, invest in companies that are investing in more sustainable fuel production (GM, surprisingly, is one of them). Tell the major car companies that you will buy their cars IF and WHEN they run on non-gas, non-food fuels; ask if you can reserve yours now. Plug in hybrids are a good idea too; and those are currently  much more feasible for a quick turn around for change; so encourage the companies that have put that technology on the shelf to bring it down. Tell your representative you want extensive tax breaks for switching over to non-gas powered transport now. 

If we all encourage government and commerce to invest in the infrastructure necessary to publicly provide these alternative fuels, now (most companies won't even start production until the fuels are widely available), things will start changing as soon the new government is in. You have to let them know that's a priority though. The more people who speak up, the more they will listen. You can even suggest that the government make these types of changes first. Starting with their own fleets! Hello, Post Office!? No lip service required. Telling them this now, and implying that making these changes is implicit in getting your vote, is key. 

Most people think this is going to take YEARS. In fact, the only barrier to the problems we have are more social and psychological - and governmental. If we speak out and demand products that are possible now, then the companies and government will change quicker. It would be economically better for everyone, so if everyone wants it... and makes a lot of noise about it... it will happen sooner. That's how California almost changed over to electric cars in a just a couple years. It's completely feasible and completely reasonable. As long as we all speak up and ask for it. Demand it. NOW!  

Rainbows in the Sink

Sometimes I have one of those days: Nothing is going well; someone tried or did run into me on the drive into or while parked at work; machinery stops working or starts working like it's possessed by evil gremlins; no matter how gently I work the wire, the gemstones still break. Sometimes it just feels like the world is out to get me. 

Eh, we all have days like that, right? No point moping and sulking about it though. Too much to do. So, like a lot of people, I take steps to get over it. Occasionally, besides deep breathes and premeditated exercises in perspective, I'll also get a sign that everything is still just fine. 

In the form of rainbows. Not always in the sky either. In fact, as I age, the sky type seem to come less and less frequently but, the indoor types seem to get more so. I see them on the ceiling, on the walls, on the floor, in the sink... no prisms necessary! 

This last one came to me in the bathroom sink. There are these great blocks in the window that refract light - if it hits at just the right angle - into wonderful rainbows all over the place. I see the rainbows, stop, and everything seems much better. 

Mommy... Where Do Ideas Come From?

Ok. So I don't have kids tugging at my skirt asking me questions about life, the universe and everything but, I have had a lot of people ask me where I get my inspiration lately. A question I've always found odd. 

Why?

Because.

Just because. 

Ok. Not just because. Because it seems like a strange question to ask. Like: "why do I have a mouth?" or: "why do I think?". Strange because, what do you do with an answer to that question - where does inspiration come from? Do you use it to look for your own? Does it concretize the object the inspiration creates in some vast bubble of "Ohhhhh."? It's just something I've personally never wondered about in regards to anyone else's art or anything else. Personally. Myself. Plus, it's such a complicated question to answer. You might as well ask: "why do we exist?" 

Inspiration. Some people have it. Some people don't. That's it. Like being able to dance or play an instrument. Like seeing the sun rise and knowing life is good. Like watching the sunset behind a storm and being mesmerized by the color and shapes of the storm clouds roiling before it. It's just there. Or it isn't. No specific place. No specific thing. Many places. Many things make up inspiration. Sure. Skills can be learned, but there has to be talent to develop behind those skills or there is just robotic motion. Same with inspiration. Can't force it. Just has to be there.

Ok. That said. How does one answer such a question. Most artists say:

"I don't know. It just happened."

Or some such thing. Which makes art critics crazy so they wind up making something up; which is why they looooove to critique dead artist's work. No one to say: "That's not it at all." Which inevitably, all living artists do; at some point. 

Right. I just make jewelry and I make it mostly from other people's things. True. Right now. I have, however, created small metal sculptures from nothing. And choreographed movement to music. Something else I've at some point in my life created from nothing. Words form in my head and get translated into poetry and short stories and essays from time to time as well. Sometimes I draw things that are recognizable or swirl paint around so I can have pretty colors on something. I didn't go to art school. I have taken classes in different art forms. There is much I want to learn and more I want to do. I will. No. I don't consider myself an artist. I do consider myself artistic - though, sometimes I feel more autistic. 

(a picture of my favorite small sculpture - in Sterling)

I digress. 

I'm supposed to be answering the question: "Where do you get your inspiration?" aren't I? Ok. Here goes:

Everywhere. 

Really. From the things I see around me. From music and sounds I hear. From things I read. From the materials I have to work with. From my dreams. Sometimes things just pop into my head and I have an overwhelming desire to make it. Or write it down. Or move with it. 

Of course, sometimes there is no inspiration. Things won't work the way I want them to or my hands aren't working; or my mind. So, whatever I'm trying to do at the time gets set aside until a better time. This is a good thing to learn: If it isn't working out, walk away from it and come back later. If it still isn't working out, leave it alone a little longer and try again later. Eventually, if it's something you're supposed to do, it will work out. If not, there are always other ideas to work on. Personally, there are dozens of ideas still in my head - that's where I file them, mostly - that are just waiting for the right time to come out into the world. If the time is never right, there are dozens more that might get the chance. 

So, anyone else got a different outlook on inspiration? Leave me a note for all to see.