OH WHAT A DAY…

First layer is on.

Wait a minute, that skylight’s got legs!

Kyle’s lovin’ that baby duck.

I love this little guy…or gal

Awww, just look at that face!

Eeek! Get off my car.

Large male turkey…the animal variety.

Kristen spins her magic wheel…

Lovely Colors

Somehow I had the urge to finish that with “late September back in ’64.”  But that’s an old song and another story.  Today’s story is the Yurt Raising (yes, I said ‘yurt raising”) where I had a booth and sold my wares with my good friend & fearless booth mate, Shannon.  Held at Crown Point Alpaca Farm in Strafford, NH , it was a beautiful drive from Wolfeboro.  Neither of us had ever seen a yurt being built so we said “Well, let’s try it; it could be fun” and it was.

Alpacas, and turkeys, and goats…oh my! Critters everywhere…and I never knew that Alpacas make the softest sort of cooing sound.  It was actually kind of calming and quite a contrast with the turkey gobbling, chicken clucking & goat bleating (is that right…do goats bleat??)  Anyway, it was a new and wonderful experience for us; loved watching the children that were there, chasing the turkeys (yikes!) and cuddling baby ducks. 

Thank you to all our customers that found us there; we appreciate it, especially given the rural location.  Of course, the food was outstanding too…pulled pork & all sorts of good eats.  We enjoyed the wool spinning demonstrations; she spun some lovely oh-so-soft yarn from alpaca wool (or is it fur, surely it can’t be “hair”.)  There were also skeins of handspun yarn for sale.  Shannon had her wonderful felted scarves there; her “summer scarves” are light as air and look like watercolor paintings.  I had just a few felted items – purses & don’t laugh…a felted rock.  Well, I call it a paperweight but it has a rock inside and is rather impressive I think.  Of course, it goes without saying (altho’ I am saying it) that we both had our jewelry & more fiber art on display & for sale.

I’m sure Paul from White Mountain Yurts appreciated all the willing workers that came to volunteer their help. Watching a yurt raising is magical; in the morning there was just a wooden platform and by afternoon it was almost done.  Finishing touches will be added tomorrow, Sunday.  Val & Gary who own Crown Point Alpaca Farm were gracious hosts and made everyone feel at home.  All in all, it was a successful show and a beautiful day weatherwise as well.

Some New Work

This post will be a quickie…the poor, overgrown yard has taken precedence over writing (& other things.) But, of course, I have managed to squeeze in a bit creative time for myself. So I put in a couple of new pieces in Sandy Martin’s gallery here in town…and a few things I still have in my studio. I may put something new on my Etsy store. Haven’t taken pics of all the new items yet but am posting a couple of things. Speaking of new items, I have several pieces in various stages of unfinishment (I know that’s not a word but somehow it seems the best description.) Will write more later…

Cold-connection Copper Pendant

Three Sisters on a rock

Same Three Sisters

"Hammered" Clay & Feather Brooch

It’s Therapy!

Color Me Cool

Here’s a sample of the results of my “playtime.” I’ve always loved making things…well, not just ‘things.’ It has to be a statement; it has to be unusual and I have to want to wear or use it myself.  In fact, I think that may be a problem.  I have many pieces I’ve made that I can’t bear to part with.  I can’t let go…is that a character flaw??

However, in my defense I have to say there is a fellow artist I sometimes do shows and Open Studios with who does the same thing.  We both love wearing our own jewelry and I suspect that we are not alone.  I should do a poll asking other jewelry artists if they get so attached to their work that they keep more than they sell.

Of course, all this leads to jewelry boxes, dresser tops and earring trees absolutely overflowing.  So sometimes you just have to say “Enough!” and find good homes for your babies.

Regarding “It’s Therapy!”…Don’t you just feel good when you create something all your own.  The theraputic value is a huge factor is doing what I do.  That’s why I don’t do production work; well, that…and the fact that I may be just lazy.  One day while doing a show with the friend I mentioned, she summarized both our feelings.  People were in our booth, admiring our work and paying compliments.  So, in an aside to me she said: “They don’t know it but we’d be doing this whether people bought it or not.”  We both laughed but it is totally true; the joy of the creative process is just too addictive.