Kate Creates

A Never-Posted Post from a Few Weeks Ago

2009-03-02T17:45:00.001-06:00

Things here have been very…umm…up in the air. We have been waiting…baited breath and all…for the next step in our lives to arrive. We’ve been hoping and planning and working and waiting and anticipating for a couple of years now. We thought that the time had arrived. December was a tough month…and the first two weeks of January weren't so hot either. We’re coping…barely. I feel like that’s the best we can do right now…it’s all we can do to be honest. I think we’re both just focusing on putting one foot in front of the other…repeat...let’s just get through this day…repeat…let’s try to get at least a little bit of sleep tonight…repeat.

What’s making it even harder is that we don’t know where to go from here. This has shaken us…deeply. And as we attempt to piece things back together, to grieve and to accept and to move on, we are left to wonder which direction to turn.

Needless to say, I haven't felt much like creating. I haven't felt inspired. I haven't felt like doing much of anything at all. Depression rears its ugly head. We're old friends, but I refuse to let it in this time. I'm trying to keep busy...mundane things mostly...cleaning, organizing, working, laundry, baking. I need to nest. I need to rediscover the things I love, the things that make me happiest.

Send me warm thoughts for these chilly times. I'll bounce back soon enough.

Brutal Honesty

2009-03-02T17:41:00.001-06:00

It has not been a good day. I’m irritable and restless and generally irked. I want more….something more…anything more. And yet I realize the folly in wanting something…anything…different. It can be summed up in the old “the grass is always greener” adage.

I try to picture myself as a stranger driving down the streets of downtown small town Wisconsin…seeing the quaint houses, the small businesses, the drawbridges over the river…I try to imagine myself pulling up to my house for the first time. It has tremendous curb appeal and it’s fabulously quirky inside. I try to remind myself to focus on all I have and not to get restless…not to close my eyes and wish myself elsewhere.

We’ve had such a sunny winter…unusually sunny, I think. And yet, I’m so restless, so aimless and drifting. The icy landscape isn’t helping.

Here’s to writing a gratitude list tonight and to a better day tomorrow.

The Artist’s Life

2009-02-27T08:54:00.001-06:00

Years ago when I was working as an editor/writer, I dreamt of spending my days making things. I’d already served a brief stint with dried flower crafts, explored the world of polymer clay, learned the fine art of tole painting (remember tole painting??), and spent years with various paper crafts. I had recently discovered stained glass and my obsession was growing. I LOVED MAKING THINGS. And that is how I really wanted to spend my days.

And so it began, my life as an artist. My co-workers and I sold the magazine we had started, and I began working full-time at a local stained glass shop. Under the owner’s generous tutelage, I spent the next year learning as much as I could and growing my glass collection at home.

During the next few years, I spent practically every weekend at an art show or street market selling my glass wares and eeking out a living. Once I moved into the organized goodness that is wholesale marketing, my days became a bit more routine and the weekends became mine again.

Working as an artist is a dream come true. And I would not change a thing. I work independently and the amount of money I earn is proportional to the amount of work I put in. Plus, I spend my days working alone in the haven that is my studio. My personality is well suited to this arrangment. I thrive in it.

But the reality of working as a self-representing artist is that 80% of my time is spent running the business (paperwork, taxes, marketing, ordering supplies, budgeting, product shots, etc.) and 20% is spent in the act of creating. I spent years trying to shift this ratio. But it is what it is. As soon as I spend too much time in my studio, my business suffers. And the hours upon hours of playing paperwork catch-up is never worth it.

I love working as an artist. I love the freedom and independence. I love the kind emails I receive from customers. I love working with shop and gallery owners. I love being home all day with my dogs. And I have truly enjoyed the quirky personalities with whom my occupation allows me to interact. I even love going to the occassional art show.

My desire to spend each day making things is as strong as ever. And the itch to explore new mediums is alive and well. Yep, life is good.

Today's Tune

2009-02-23T20:09:00.001-06:00

Lovin' the dance tunes. Here's today's tune...just try to hold still while this is playing!

"P.Y.T." by Michael Jackson

Dance on!

Blizzard Bliss

2009-02-21T19:34:00.003-06:00

It's been snowing all day. ALL DAY. It's peaceful and clean and beautiful and quiet. I love the snow. And I was so ready for it today. This week has been a little on the warm side, which left us with low, dirty snowbanks and muddy grass.

In celebration of the yummy crisp white landscape we awoke to this morning, I spent the morning making bread and cooking a BIG lunch. Lunch consisted of my take on chicken tetrazzini...complete with shredded rotisserie chicken, mushrooms, onions and broccoli and baked to perfection. It was delicious. Smile.

The bread was for dinner and was my first attempt at following the French boule recipe from my new favorite book. It turned out perfect and it was SO EASY and SO FAST!

Yum! Fortunately, I have enough dough for three more loaves calling to me from the bottom shelf of my refrigerator. I'm super excited to continue making our own bread, and I can't wait to try the other recipes in the book.

After that big lunch, a simple supper hit the spot. It consisted of fresh bread slathered with butter and a warm drink.

Is there anything better? Nope. Not today. Good food + cozy handmade blankets + comfy couch + finally accomplishing some weighty tasks = perfection.

Tomorrow is sewing day. I hope to finish some simple purses for the shop. I'm super excited to work on them. I'm using some scrumptious fabrics from Anna Maria and Amy. SO PRETTY! It will be hard to part with them, but I hope that they'll find a home with someone who will love them as much as I do.

I also want to finish the fabric portfolio and lunch bag I promised Rit for Christmas. Yes, I am two months late. December was busy and I was sick. Luckily, Rit is patient. I'm trying.

I hope your weekend is as relaxing and peaceful as mine.

xo
kate

The Soundtrack of My Life

2009-02-21T18:10:00.002-06:00

Has anyone else ever had the sensation that the music they are listening to could very well be the soundtrack to the movie of their life? Is it just me? Those who know me well know that I always have something playing in the background...something going on to keep my mind occupied while my hands are busy. So, I've decided to share the love and post songs that become the soundtracks of my days.

Today's song: "Written in Chalk" by Buddy Miller.

He's phenomenal in concert. Enjoy.

Welcome, Winter!

2008-11-24T08:01:00.001-06:00

After an unusually warm night, here's what I woke up to this morning:

And it's still coming down! In recent years, we've been hoping for snow right up until Christmas. They say that this year we'll have an abundance of snow. YEAH! It's so beautiful! Welcome, winter. Bring it on!

Sewing Can Wait...and Other Responsible Thoughts...

2008-11-20T09:05:00.001-06:00

I CANNOT WAIT to start cutting out my felted wool pieces for my blanket. But first, I have some work to do in my studio (orders must go out!) and then some quick grocery shopping (I realized during breakfast this morning that the swallow of milk left in the jug isn't going to last much longer...).

I CAN'T WAIT! By the way, after a short web search this morning, I can't find the previously located directions on to back my blanket with pieced flannel. Any ideas? So, yes...I will be winging it. Wish me luck...

Let the Felting Begin!

2008-11-19T21:33:00.001-06:00

Winter has me wanting to nest...to pull out all of the blankets and snuggle in for the cold weather. And yes, it is COLD here in Wisconsin. With temps dropping into the teens at night (not including the wind chill), we need as many cozy blankets as we can get.

So, I'm making a nice wool and flannel blanket. And the best part is that it's made of sweaters and shirts and pajama pants that I cleared from our closet and drawers this week. YEAH!

Here's the pre-washed pile of sweaters before the felting began:

After a run through the washer (a hot water wash and a cold water rinse) and then a cycle through the dryer, they shrunk down nice and tight and thick. Now they're ready to be cut into squares. I'm so excited!

Sunday

2008-04-29T21:18:00.003-05:00

So me and my two pooches were attacked by a couple of dogs on Sunday...two VERY LARGE dogs...of the KILLER DOG VARIETY. We are all fine...physically speaking...but color me terrified. Not cool, slacker neighbor. Tie up your damn dogs.

The One Where Otto Kills Something...

2008-04-29T19:49:00.003-05:00

Hmmm...the last couple of weeks were...llllooonnnggg! I had busy work weeks combined with volunteering at Rit's school teaching an art class. And the general piling up of stuff to do around the house left me falling into bed each night, utterly exhausted.

My sweet Otto unfortunately killed a little baby bunny. I was in my studio working with the windows open (GORGEOUS WEATHER!!) when I heard a ruckus right outside followed by a loud and terrible shrieking. Yuck. Really yuck. Not a good sound. However, squirrels have been known to make very unpleasant sounds when chattering their disapproval at the dogs and their chasing antics. Anyway, I looked outside and saw Maggie sitting calmly in the middle of the patio. And yes, she did have a forced look of innocence on her face..."I did NOT do it!"

I stepped outside and rounded the corner of my studio. There is a small space roughly a couple of feet wide between my studio and the fence. We store the canoe on the side of the studio which creates a lovely canopy...and therefore a cubby for our cubby dog, Otto. She hangs out back there and digs to her hearts content. It's her cave.

I peeked around the corner and much to my dismay, Otto was sitting looking down at her catch...a freshly killed bunny...about the size of my hand...very small...so sad. Anyone who knows me or who has read this blog in the past is aware of the fact that I cannot handle dead animals. I just can't do it. I tear up at the sight of roadkill. So the sight of a dead baby bunny almost put me into a tailspin. I stepped as close I could manage without passing out to see if it was possibly still alive. No such luck. Of course, in hindsight, I don't know what I would have done had it still been alive.

I called Otto and Maggie and put them in the house...so grateful for obedient dogs. Then I looked just to double check that the bunny wasn't miraculously still alive and dragging its limp body toward cover. Yuck. I cannot handle dead animals. Obviously. It's just too devastating to me. I couldn't pick it up...not even with a long-handled shovel. So I called Ed and explained that I was in the most dire of circumstances.

Ed lives next door. He's our sometimes-sweet-sometimes-sour ex-farmer neighbor. He spends a lot of time over in our yard trying to create work for himself so that he doesn't get bored. He's accustomed to long days filled with hard physical labor. He needs that still...even though he's 80. Our relationship is best described as a mix of unadulterated appreciation sprinkled with sheer exasperation. Sometimes his efforts to help border on distructive and blatantly unattractive. Our prickly sides have clashed a few times, causing Rit to intervene, but we always make up and we're good friends.

So, Ed came over with a plastic bag and proceeded around the side of the studio while I hid inside. I couldn't even be party to such things. Cringe. He shortly came back around with a plastic-wrapped bundle, much too small to be a dead thing. So sad. He then proceeded to tell me, in detail and much to my horror, how the bunny looked, the location of the mortal wound, and did I know that these critters die with their eyes open? I almost passed out. I couldn't protest strongly enough to keep him from divulging. He spoke as though of course I would want to know such things...as any good landowner would.

Well, that was over a week ago and I'm still too scared to look into Otto's cubby.

This senario is not uncommon for me. This is why I have to laugh at my occassional desire to buy a farm. "Sure," I tell my equally Little-House-on-the-Prairie-minded sister. "We would totally raise our own turkeys and chickens and goats. Maybe a cow or two." What am I thinking? Do I truly believe that I could make it one week on a farm where animals are present and most likely will meet with some feathers-and-blood-everywhere fate?

We had chickens growing up....and dogs. And the two never did quite see eye to eye on the whole let's-both-survive thing. Inevitably, the dogs would masacre the chickens...usually during the night...in some long-planned and perfectly executed under the fence dig. Imagine six impressionable children coming around the back of garage to the site of flies and blood and gore and feathers. No, I don't think I'd make it long raising livestock.

Maybe an organic farm....a CSA...

SCORE!

2008-04-09T19:29:00.002-05:00

I dropped into a thrift store yesterday looking for a leather belt to repurpose into a purse strap for a purse I'm making for my sister. Although I didn't find the perfect belt, I did find some other goodies: a different belt for a different purse and some phenomenol hand-embroidered pillowcases. They are in fabulous condition! LOVE THEM!

Check us out!

2008-04-06T20:22:00.001-05:00

Rit and I have started a new blog. We've started a fun new project and want to share the very exciting ride with all Internetdom. www.theuglyhudling.blogspot.com

Enjoy!

FREE STUFF!!!

2008-04-06T20:19:00.001-05:00

My very sweet and very talented BFF Kim is having a giveaway on her blog. Take a look and enter to win some FABULOUS stuff! Her Lake Michigan art is great!

Ooooo...Aaahhhh...

2008-03-26T09:49:00.003-05:00

After feeling like dung lao schlar (a phrase most likely only used within our family...but you can only imagine the meaning behind it...) for the past several weeks, I finally got my groove back last weekend. I started sewing again and I can't wait to get back into my studio this afternoon. Here's a little hint about what I've been working on...

Hmmm...interesting. What will this lovely pile of strips and shapes become? Tune in tomorrow...

The One About My Tiny Toes...

2008-03-19T16:15:00.005-05:00

Just as a side note, I went to have a hot stone massage a couple of weeks ago. By the way, yum. I would highly recommend it. I melted. Anyway, at one point during the massage, the therapist places very small, flat stones between your toes.

Yep, they wouldn't fit. The itsy-bitsy stones would not fit between my miniscule sausage-like toes. Nice. Really nice. It's amazing I'm able to walk.

Good Peeps

2008-03-19T15:55:00.008-05:00

I have some good friends. Travelling and moving around has taught that there are good people everywhere...people with kind hearts and gentle ways...people from whom I can learn.

Moving here to Wisconsin from Utah five years ago was a strange and wonderful adventure. I knew only Rit and her family. In fact, I'm ashamed to admit that my friend Banessa and I had to look on a map to find Wisconsin a few months before my move. We had the vague notion that it bordered Canada...which it does not.

But I love it here. I love the hot summers. I love Lake Michigan. I love the myriad of little bodies of water that dot the countryside. I love calling to tell my family in Utah that it's 30 below right now outside. I love the migrating geese flying overhead. I love the farmland and the dark richness of freshly tilled earth. I love the sunrises and sunsets over the lake. There is much to love here.

But most of all I love the people. Life moves at a slower pace here. I have learned from native Wisconsinites to be more empathetic, more willing to help another at a moment's notice, more aware of slowing down and enjoying life's small, frequent pleasures. These are good, kind-hearted people...and I have made some good friends during my years here.

I've been feeling quite under the weather lately. I was surprised yesterday with a knock at the door and a happy smile beaming at me through the window in the front door. My sweet friend Kim stopped for a quick visit to bring me a beautiful bouquet of daffodils.

I love you, Kimmie G. You made my day!

My Laptop Can Eat Your Laptop...

2008-03-19T15:19:00.006-05:00

Several weeks ago, I decided that it was time to upgrade to a new laptop. With the recent addition of Office 2007 to my cache of software goodies, my little Dell could no longer keep up. I asked my all-knowing computer guru brother-in-law for a little direction on what to look for. With his advice in hand, I dove into the search for a new love.

I become quite attached to my laptops. I spend much time up to my eyeballs in the accounting and marketing and other doldrum-inducing tedium of my business. Then there are the blogs...and the nonstop emails...and the games...and the photo editing...yes, yes, I become quite close with my laptop. Knowing what I wanted in the down and dirty guts of a new laptop, I really didn't care what it looked like, what size it was or any other "cosmetic" issues. Last Friday, I finally found what I needed. Imagine my surprise to see that the refurbished laptop I picked out was even red. Yippee! I went ahead and placed my order.

Fast forward through the weekend...the daydreams of me and my new laptop sitting outside this summer...me and my new laptop hanging out on the couch together...I drooled at thoughts of a quick start-up, smooth software transitions, and multi-tasking.

Monday morning I heard a shuffling at the door. The dogs went crazy. I peeked out the front window and saw a DHL delivery man jogging to his van across the street. Could it be? My laptop had arrived already?

I sprinted down the stairs and threw open the front door. (Okay, it was really more of a slow, methodical stride, both hands securely bracing my descent down the stairs...more about that later....but the feeling was still there.) There it was. I brought it inside and ripped open the box.

Huh. Interesting. I was certain that the white box on top held the actual laptop. That thing packed below it must be a case or something. Weird. It took me a minute to realize that the case thing was the laptap. It was HUGE! MAMMOTH! There are no words to describe the unimagineable size of this thing! Why hadn't I taken a moment to look at the specs?? Good grief! Can I even lift it out of the box without throwing out my back? I spent the next 20 minutes laughing... laughing at myself...laughing at this monstrosity sitting before me on the ottoman...it was one of those great gutteral laughs that comes from deep inside. I needed that.

I don't think Rit really believed me when I tried to explain the size of this new thing over the phone. When she finally came home that afternoon and saw this thing perched on the couch, she just sat and stared..in awe. Then she said, "I thought they were making laptops smaller these days." We played around with it a little bit...trading off holding it as it does tend to cut off the circulation to one's lower extremities.

I will be sad to say goodbye to my old Dell. We've had some good times together...and I could lift it with one hand. But it is moving on to a nice home with my good friend's teenage son. Who knows what wild times lie in its future. But, I do love this new monster. It's fast and convenient and it never breaks a sweat.

Right now it's cooking a roast and vacuuming the living room, all while checking my email.

The One about Seven Things...

2008-03-02T20:01:00.002-06:00

All right...one more to go...I was tagged by my bff Kimmie G. to reveal seven strange or unknown things about me. Hmmm...

I don't know how strange any of these are...but they are unknown, for the most part...

1. I love action movies...the dumber the better. I also love scary movies. Unfortunately, Rit does not like either of these genres, so I typically watch these alone while working or working out.

2. I love playing video games. I have a PS2 for which Rit gives me a couple of games every Christmas. I don't have much time to play with it during the year, but I pretty much play non-stop over the holidays. I also love computer games.

3. I crave down time by myself. I need it. It keeps me sane. Working by myself in my studio all day is heaven to me. I can set my own schedule and I don't have to put up with annoying people. I love it.

4. Working in the yard is completely rejuvenating to me. I love to feel the dirt between my fingers and grass beneath my toes. Planting and weeding and watering is healing for me. I don't think I would survive living in an apartment in the city. The dirtier I get, the better.

5. I really enjoy cleaning the house. I am a whirlwind of activity when I set aside some time and put on an audiobook or some excellent music. I work nonstop until I'm finished.

6. I have really small toes. Weird, I know. They're like little sausages. And they curl under slightly which makes them practically disappear. Rit often wonders out loud how such small toes can balance my body. Nice.

7. By the time Rit leaves for work in the morning, I've already watched the morning news. So I usually watch "Saved by the Bell" while I eat breakfast. Wow. Now it's out. They say that the first step is admitting that you have a problem...

I'm so embarrassed.

Tag, you're all it.

The One about Eight Things...

2008-03-02T19:51:00.004-06:00

I was tagged by a fellow blogger to divulge the following info...here goes!

8 Passions in my life:
My family
Being happy and content
Living a good life, a balanced life
Homemade gifts
Creating
Color
Being cozy at home surrounded by the people and things I love
Music

8 Things to do before I die:
Own a huge piece of land with trees, water, fruit trees and a huge garden
Travel, travel, travel
Find balance
Be well and fit
Become an adoptive and foster parent
Visit Machu Picchu
Witness a more caring, more peaceful mankind
Refresh my French, Spanish and Portuguese

8 things I often say:
I love you.
Sorry we quarreled.
Oh, hello.
Nothing you can do about that.
Thank you so much.
Adoption is the longest process of my life.
Don’t look at Maggie right now…she’s just too cute.
Wolves are just wild like that.

8 books I’ve read recently:
Deep Storm by Lincoln Child
The Family at Home by Anita Kaushal
Book of the Dead by Patricia Cornwell
Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen
7th Heaven by James Patterson
Now and Then by Robert B. Parker
Daddy’s Girl by Lisa Scottoline
Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert

8 Songs that mean something to me:
Dear Mr. President – Pink and The Indigo Girls
This is Home – Lucy Kaplansky
Where You Lead - Carole King
Here Comes the Sun – The Beatles
9 Crimes – Damien Rice
Favorite Adventure – K’s Choice
Hallelujah – Leonard Cohen
Just Like a Pill - Pink

8 Qualities I look for in a friend:
Honesty
Compassion
Humor
Charity
Loyalty
Uniqueness
Silly/Fun
Loving

8 TV shows I never miss:
Lost
Amazing Race
Survivor
Bones
Dexter
Prison Break
Terminator: The Sarah Conner Chronicles
48 Hours Mystery

Okay, so the next category really isn’t applicable to me…8 Radio shows I listen to…since I never listen to the radio…so I changed it to 8 things I do in my spare time:
Sew, sew, sew
Work out
Make stuff
Play the piano
Dance
Organize
Read
Cook

I hate doing these, and quite frankly, I think that's way too much boring information about me to share with the general Internet population. Whatever. I've still got one more to go...just suffer through it with me.

I'm not tagging anyone, but if you'd like to endure torture similar to being hanged by your toenails, by all means dive in and expend time and energy that you will never get back. Enjoy!

And Yet Still Winter...

2008-02-27T21:48:00.004-06:00

This is the current state of our backyard patio...or as we like to call it, The Treacherous Icy Expanse of Death.

It's several inches thick! Seriously, who needs this much ice???

Ask me again when July rolls around...

SPUTNIKFEST 2008

2008-02-17T22:05:00.002-06:00

My friend Kim Geiser came up with the fabulous idea to start a city festival to celebrate the landing of a small part of the Sputnik satellite right here in little ol' Manitowoc. You can check out the official website at www.sputnikfest.com. It's going to be a fabulous event!

Anyway, Kim and I are putting together a fine art/funky craft fair, Artta This World, as part of the event. Anyone interested in applying can now find the application on the website.

Come and play with us!

NEW ONESIES!

2008-02-17T22:02:00.003-06:00

After a long trip visiting family in Utah, I returned home with a major cold firmly engrained in my being. So fun. Anyway, I finished these onesies before I left and today is the first day I've felt well enough to get them photographed and online. Check them all out at www.kategadd.etsy.com. Enjoy!

Wow...What a Night!

2008-01-23T21:12:00.000-06:00

Wow. Who doesn't love a great concert...fab music, great atmosphere and many, MANY middle-agers?!? I LOVE CONCERTS!

Buddy Miller

Shawn Colvin

Patty Griffin

Emmylou Harris

Just...wow.

I fought off the dregs of the stomach flu, and we drove into Milwaukee Saturday afternoon. After some quality time with family, we braved the frigid weather (damn, damn cold...a balmy -25 degree wind chill...yum) and hit the incredible Pabst Theater for some equally incredible music.

I was mesmorized by the awesome talent filling that small stage. It was simply "Three Girls and Their Buddy" and I loved every minute of it. The four folk legends strolled onstage and sat amongst their numerous guitars and basic percussion instruments. They took turns playing and singing and entertaining for the next two hours. I swooned.

Michelle's Tote

2008-01-15T20:52:00.000-06:00

So, I'm heading back to Utah in a couple of weeks for a quick stay. During my visit, I'll be attending my sister's birthday bash.

By request, I made her a little tote, and I have to admit, I love how it turned out.

I had a blast making it. It's a revised version of the all-day tote from Lotta Jansdotter's "Simple Sewing". I LOVE THAT BOOK!

Next project: A purse for my other sister, Dayna.

A Year in the Life...

2008-01-10T20:19:00.000-06:00

I love the concept of this project, and I've officially signed up. You can check it out here: Project 365. I can't wait to get started.

I CAN'T WAIT!!!!

2008-01-09T13:50:00.000-06:00

I overheard my sister-in-law describing me to someone the other day. She said that I usually have a quick, deep fascination with a particular craft and I immerse myself in it. It's typically fleeting, but I always hold onto my main obsession...my favorite fascination...glass.

I guess I'd never thought about it before, but she's right. I'm always on the search for the next challenge, the next colorful craft to cross my path. I love learning new skills. I love being able to make things with my own little hands. And I love being part of the crafter/artist community.

My latest obsessions revolve around fiber and fabric. I'm grasping at some of the handicrafts that seem to be falling by the wayside. I'm learning embroidery, crewel work, knitting, crocheting, sewing and felting. LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this stuff!

I currently have an intro model Singer sewing machine, and I love it. But with my growing desire to sew more complicated designs, I'm ready to move on to the big leagues. After much research, I've settled on the Pfaff 2038. It's gorgeous and hopefully, the last sewing machine I'll buy. I'm saving up, but the mere thought of it makes me drool.

My growing stash...let the fun begin!

It's rough to be these girls. This is Otto's favorite perch. She can survey the entire back yard from that window. And yes, that is a pillow she's sleeping on.

Mrs. Maggie Greybeard. She wild, collarless and sleepy. Life is rough and nobody loves her.

Have a great rest of your week!

Back to the Ol' Grindstone

2008-01-03T16:52:00.000-06:00

I had THE most relaxing and enjoyable holiday season. I sewed and read and spent time with family and played my PS2. I'm a total gamer at heart, but I typically only play during the holidays. The rest of the year is just too busy.

We also had some time to sit and work on a new puzzle. Nothing like a geography puzzle to show how truly little you know about the world you live in. It was snowing outside, the house was quiet, we worked on our puzzle, and it was perfect.

Here's hoping your holidays wonderful as mine.

Just My Luck...

2008-01-02T15:34:00.000-06:00

All I can say is that I have, by far, the greatest customers of all time. I always knew that my retail customers were fabulous--the cream of the crop, so to speak. I loved meeting and interacting with them at shows. I cannot put into words the extraordinary feeling of satisfaction it gives me to see people light up at the colors and patterns and designs of my glass work. It simply makes me smile...from the inside out.

The customers I have met over the years have been kind and generous and incredibly sweet, but I had no idea that there was an entirely separate group of extraordinary people out there with whom I would have the privilege of working.

I started selling wholesale to shops and galleries in August 2006. Since then and much to my joy and amazement, my wholesale customer list has grown and grown and grown. You can now find my glass work in various locales across the country and soon to be in Canada. I love working with business owners who are creating their own unique stamp on a landscape overwhelmed by big-box competitors. They support artists and craftspeople like me who crave to eek out a living by doing what they love. These customers are kind people who are a joy to work with.

I am sincerely grateful for the support and encouragement I have recieved from all of my customers over the years. Your kindness means the world to me, and you have made it possible for me to immerse myself in creative production day in and day out. I truly love what I do. Here's to 2008...a year full of great possibility.

Memorial Day Bliss

2007-05-28T18:46:00.001-05:00

I love the spring! LOVE IT! I spent today in my own personal version of heaven. A kind friend was good enough to share some of her amazingly healthy perennials with us. We spent some time with her this morning gathering up the lovelies and picking up a few annuals for the planters and hanging baskets. YUM!

I was in color heaven, surrounded by all of the delectable sights and smells of summer. If I were a millionaire, I'd have to drop a few thousand on plants and flowers at Lowe's. I'm equally tempted by both indoor and outdoor plants. I simply love to grow things. I love to be surrounded by greenery and blossoms.

Despite not feeling 100%, I was still drawn outside to enjoy this perfect, sun-filled spring day. Rit and I spent the afternoon on our knees and up to our elbows in freshly turned soil planting the new additions to our garden. She's not quite so addicted to the experience as I am. I love feeling the dirt between my fingers and toes. I love planting and watering and nurturing. I'm one of those crazy people who talk to their plants, who attempt to coax slow blossoms into revealing their color through gentle conversation. I love spending summer evenings in the yard watering my garden, willing the peacefulness and serenity and patience of the greenery to soak into my being as though by osmosis through my bare feet. It calms and inspires me.

Tonight my fingers are crossed, hoping that all of the transplants we welcomed today will brighten back up and embrace their new home. Tomorrow brings a long work day spent in the studio with orders to fill. No complaints.

I hope everyone had an equally relaxing weekend and enjoyed time spent with family and friends.

Hello, Sunshine!

2007-05-25T15:50:00.001-05:00

So what did you do Friday afternoon, Kate? Oh, I just spent the last 20 minutes or so worshipping my good friend, the sun, el sol, le soleil, il sole, giver of wonderful warmth and happy and bright thoughts, lifter of my mood. I wasn't worshipping in the traditional sense of my youth--slathered in oil and lying spread eagle on the trampoline. No, I was simply sitting in my back yard with my eyes closed, soaking up the warmth and letting my thoughts float around and over and through future creative endeavors involving glass, paper and fabric. Color and emotion being at the forefront of each. I can't wait for the ghostly images to settle into something I can bring out and shape into some tangible object. A little quiet creative time is good.

Basking the bright orange and red and yellow warmth of the sun inspires me. I hope you find these photos equally inspiring. They seem so fitting today.

Complements of Rit, I give you YELLOW:

What a great eye! Enjoy!

White Noise

2007-05-24T20:39:00.001-05:00

Today's inspirational color is...

WHITE (or the combination of all color).

Think light, think balance, think clean and bright and peaceful.

Enjoy: White...

Kudos to Rit again for an assignment very well done.

Bye, Bye Georges...

2007-05-24T19:10:00.000-05:00

So the Georges have officially flown the coop, so to speak. I noticed that they were becoming particularly bold in their wandering throughout the weekend. I checked on them Sunday afternoon and then went to take a shower. All were cuddled up, sleeping soundly. About an hour later, Rit came into the living room with a look of such sadness on her face. All she could say was..."Don't look outside. Just don't look."

After much wailing and a puddle of tears, we buried two of the Georges. I still don't know what happened to them. The rest had left...gone. I did a little research online and learned that it was time for them to leave the nest...they were plenty big enough. They had to make a 4-1/2 foot leap down from the nest onto the concrete of the driveway. I don't know if those two just didn't survive the leap or what. I was so sad. I know, I know...the whole circle of life thing...survival of the fittest and all that. I was just heartbroken that two of them died. I did see one of them later hiding in the tall grass of our front yard. I hope he finds a new nest to call home.

As I dug a hole in our soon-to-be flower bed for the burial, tears streaming down my face, I went through an internal session of kicking myself for getting so attached to the little guys. See, no thick emotional skin. What did I tell you? (See previous post...)

But as I've thought about my complete and total emotional vulnerability, I can't help but smile. It's what makes me who I am. Yes, I cry during sappy commercials and I gasp at the sight of dead animals by the side of the road. But I'm also so easily amused that I laugh openly and loudly at the same commercials over and over, regardless of how many times I've seen them. I think it makes life more enjoyable to feel deeply...to be emotionally available and open and aware.

I take great pleasure at the little things...the perfect grapefruit, fragrant lilacs, grass under my bare feet, a mid-afternoon nap cuddled up with my girls, a newly painted room. But I also drop into emotional turmoil when two of my little Georges don't make it to their two-month birthday.

It's what pulls me into my studio each morning...to surround myself with glass and to create...to pull from my deepest inside a seemingly endless supply of whimsical designs and eye-catching color combinations...all while keeping my brain occupied with books on tape, excellent music or taped season finales of my favorite shows. It's what allows me to do what I do day after day...and enjoy it so much. It's all part of the overly sensitive package called Kate.

I hope there are more Georges next spring.

BUT I LOVE THEM!

2007-05-17T14:31:00.000-05:00

Winter is hard on me. Don't get me wrong--I enjoy a good yummy snow storm. I enjoy the quietness of a winter day. I love snowshoeing and skiing and snowmobiling. I love hunkering down with a thick blanket and a good book while a mad, crazy blizzard rages outside. But after the rush of a busy fall and the craziness of the holidays and seasonal orders, I find myself sinking into a deep funk after Christmas. I think January through April are the hardest times of the year for me. I claw my way out of darkness every day searching for some semblance of a routine to get me through to the next morning. It's rough. I don't feel anything like my usual self.

That's part of the reason I anticipate spring with such glee. I can't wait for the days to start growing, for my ferns to begin their long arching stretch toward the sun, for the birds to return and greet me each morning, and for the blossoms to unfold and reveal their magnificence. I love hearing children's laughter as they dare to venture into the outdoors once again. I love the feeling of the sun on my face. I love seeing all of the new life that slowly spreads across the once barren artic tundra. It delights me to no end. This spring brought a wonderful new surprise.

If this doesn't melt your heart, then you must be completely lacking in softness and affection for all things small and loveable and furry and too cute...

About a week ago, I noticed a rabbit hanging out in our yard. This isn't TOO abnormal in that this area does have its fair share of rabbits. However, we have two large dogs, both of which obsess about small furry things that dash about in a teasing manner. This has turned our yard into a mostly small-furry-animal-free zone. Only the bravest of squirrels dare cross the threshold into an up close and personal--not to mention potentially fatal--version of "When Good Pets Go Bad."

So there she was...just sitting there, huddled up against the house. I watched her for a minute, and then I came in the house and called Rit. I thought it was so odd that a rabbit was hanging out in our yard that I had to a share the shock of it all. The next time I looked, the rabbit was gone. Since that day, I always look in the same place for her. I would hate for the dogs to catch sight of her before I did. Much screaming and barking and fur-flying would ensue and it would take me weeks to recover from the horror.

I have had my fair share of dead-animals-in-my-yard experiences growing up. We had a pet chicken named Gloria who met with an untimely demise. And then there were the baby chicks I was raising, which were slaughtered by my own dog while I was at church one Sunday. Not to mention the time my pet kitty was hiding in the lawn mower when my sister attempted to mow the lawn. All quite scarring. But I LOVE animals. With my healthy stash of animal death horror stories, one would think that I have developed a thick skin when it comes to this sort of thing. But no. I still choke up when I see a poor deer or raccoon by the side of the road, struck down in the prime of its life. I can't even handle disposing of the little songbirds that mistake our front window for a lush forest. Any time I hear that sickening thump, I immediately dart out front to see if the little fella needs CPR or crutches...perhaps an aspirin.

As I approached the planting bed this afternoon, my eyes settled on the same spot in search of a furry little ball. Instead, I was greeted by a tiny little pile of dark eyes, twitching noses and perfect pairs of ears. My delight was palpable.

"I will hold you and kiss you and stroke you and call you George."

I think I've counted six little ones, but such a mass can be hard to separate into individual palm-size bunnies. I love them already, but I am refraining from touching them or getting too close. I'd hate to throw a wrench into the whole circle of life thing. I was so excited that I've already shared the news with my mail carrier, the incomparable Lynn; my neighbor, Michelle; and anyone else who will hold still and feign interest long enough.

LATER:

Well, Otto, in all of her wild wisdom and tracking prowess, has discovered that something is amiss in the yard. I've talked with her about how devastated I would be and how long it would take me to forgive her should she harm the Georges in any way. She doesn't seem to care much. I'm keeping her far, far away until they find their way out of their cubby. She is wolf-like after all. The call of the wild runs through her veins.

Here's a photo of cuteness incarnate...I give you the Georges:

I'm taking the appearance of these new little lives as a sign. It's going to be a great summer.

So much color, so little time...

2007-04-25T07:16:00.000-05:00

Last year, our digital camera bit the dust. It just gave up the ghost....wouldn't focus any longer. It had a good life, I guess. Anyway, so I spent weeks online researching digital cameras. We needed one for around the house, but I also needed one for work...taking pictures of products, etc. We didn't want to spend too much, and although I really wanted a digital SLR, we couldn't afford it. But I wanted to find one that had the most features possible. And I did. Enter the amazing Olympus SP350. I love this camera. It has an fabulous super-macro setting that I find highly addictive. And it takes great photos.

Last summer during the annual Lee Family Big Lake Retreat Week, a challenge was extended. A photo contest to end all photo contests. Our camera was a mere couple of months old, and yet Rit embraced the challenge and set about attempting to familiarize herself with our new digital wonder.

And that's how it all started...her photography obsession. I have to admit that it delights me to no end to see her get so excited about a hobby. She loves it. I've given her a few photography books to foster this new love.

I gave Rit a photography assignment a couple of weeks ago. The assignment? Color. Go and seek out colorful shots of everyday items. Give us new perspective and make each shot single color dominant.

Wow. I continue to be amazed at the shots she shows me. Let me present to you the first of many color days. Today, enjoy BLUE:

Enjoy!

Kate

Water Colors

2006-11-25T19:52:00.000-06:00

My choice of colors on any given day reflects the ebb and flow of my ever-changing mood. Today my pallette consists of muted blues and greens and purples. I don't feel morose, just pensive, I think. I'm aching to spend some time by the water. I think I'll head down to the lake this weekend.

Thankful

2006-11-25T19:24:00.000-06:00

I sit back behind the table and try to hide my eager watchful eye, waiting for a reaction from the passers-by. Please accept this, my color, my life, my day in and day out, myself exposed and laid out before you. Please smile back. Please be kind. Please respect that those funky colorful baubles are my heart, my soul, blood drawn from my living being and spread out before you--displayed in living color, highlighted by cheap fluorescent lamps.

I do this because I love it. But that is not all. I create because I am compelled to do so. It's my impulsion, my therapy, my strongest urge and my deepest contentment. It makes my soul soar and feeds an ache deep within me. It makes my heart weep one moment, and the next I'm singing along to my ipod and dancing around my studio.

A most sincere thank you to all who have supported my endeavors as an artist--you who have inspired me, you who have shown me where and how to find beauty in the world, you who have wrapped me in kind words, you who have enjoyed my work, you who have shared my passion with others. Thank you. You have allowed me to live as my true self, not only to make a living, but to make a life--a very happy one at that.

Everything Looks Better in Colour

2006-10-22T16:26:00.000-05:00

http://www.bravia-advert.com/paint/thead/

Buy Original

2006-10-15T07:19:00.000-05:00

I've noticed recently that there are some pretty blatant copies of my work and designs circulating, especially in the Manitowoc County area.

Yuck. I hate dealing with this kind of thing. It makes my insides hurt. I hate the idea of someone copying or stealing someone, anyone else's designs. I know firsthand what it takes to be creative. I know what it takes to be an artist. I know what it takes to try and make a living as an artist. I know what it takes to nourish your creative side, to sit there with a blank canvas in your mind and play with colors and designs until inspiration hits.

I've also experienced watching customers mull over my work as I make notes on what sells and what doesn't. I've done the leg work of honing my product offerings after attending countless shows and listening to customer feedback. This is my living we're talking about.

But more than that, this is me we're talking about. I'm the one who sits in my studio hour after hour and day after day (loving it, of course, but that isn't the point). It's my insides turned outside and fused into each piece I pull from the kiln. Each item's color palette is determined by my mood the day it was made...or what I'd like it to be. I admit, sometimes it's wishful thinking. Each item is representative of some piece of me. For someone to take that cuts deep.

On the flip side, I know that it isn't the end of the world that others are mimicking my work. I guess I'm just expressing the meanderings of a moody artist.

They say that imitation/plagarism is the sincerest form of flattery. Somehow I don't feel very flattered...I'd describe it more as violated.

Moral of the story: When looking for my work, make sure you're buying Kate Gadd Glass originals. Trust me, it's worth it.

New Offerings...

2006-08-03T20:32:00.000-05:00

I now have loose lampwork beads for sale on my website. Go to www.kategadd.com to see what's available.

I also offer wholesale for established shops and businesses. Contact me for more information.

Originality

2006-07-13T12:46:00.000-05:00

Don’t worry about your originality. You could not get rid of it even if you wanted to. It will stick to you and show up for better or worse in spite of all you or anyone else can do. (Robert Henry)

Happy Life

2006-07-13T12:39:00.000-05:00

Difficult times have helped me to understand better than before, how infinitely rich and beautiful life is in every way, and that so many things that one goes worrying about are of no importance whatsoever. (Isak Dinesen)

Favorites

2006-07-12T22:11:00.000-05:00

I think that if I lived alone, I would subsist almost entirely on Kashi GOLean Crunch, Cheerios, toast and peaches.

oh, and popsicles.

and grapefruit.

and I would have a chocolate fountain on my kitchen counter...always on....
surrounded by various tasty delights for dipping.

oh, and a banana to go with my Kashi.

Coming Home

2006-07-12T21:43:00.000-05:00

Working with glass is so fascinating to me. For better or worse, I've chosen not to focus on one element of glassworking. Instead, I work in stained glass, fusing and lampworking--each of which requires a unique skill set and a much different approach from the other aforementioned techniques.

When I'm working, I really get into a groove. I have a system...a production line, so to speak, for each type of work I make. It's always so interesting to gauge my reaction when I attempt to shift gears from one technique to another. It's hard on me. It's hard to change my focus. And it always seems that no matter type of work I'm shifting to, it doesn't excite me...I don't look forward to it...I struggle.

Take today, for example. Rit and the dogs are out of town for the week, playing at the cottage with Rit's family up north. So, I've been taking advantage of the work time sans interruptions and pretty much stayed in my studio practically non-stop getting ready for a show this weekend. Okay, I admit that part of my diligent work effort has to do with my lovely air-conditioned studio and the lack of air conditioning in the house. With that said, back to my story...where was I? Oh, right...

So, I started out the morning bright and early working on some fusing projects. I thought I would just work on them long enough to get enough ready to fill my large kiln while waiting for my smaller bead kiln to heat up so that I could work on beads.

By the time I sat down to make beads, it was getting close to mid-morning. I hadn't spent time beadmaking since last week. I simply sat and stared at my torch. It suddenly seemed so foreign to me. We used to be best friends. I wanted to spend every waking moment at that torch. And now, I was almost afraid to turn it on.

Crazy. Afraid of what? Blowing myself up? Charring the glass? Making ugly beads? I don't know. It's strange that even a few days away from the torch can seem like years...a lifetime even. It all seemed so unnatural at first...winding the molten glass onto the mandrel, slowly and methodically shaping it, adding enamels and details, watching the interaction between colors and the play of light...

After a couple of less-than-stellar beads, it all came back to me. I suddenly fell back into the groove. The torch, the glass and I became one. It became effortless again. Without conscious thought, my hands moved--molding, shaping, detailing, watching--as I sang to Maroon 5 playing loudly on my stereo. I fell back into myself (if that makes any sense) as I relaxed into the warm glow of the molten glass. It felt like coming home.

Summer Bugs

2006-06-25T17:34:00.000-05:00

I love summer. I love everything about summer. I love the sun. I love wearing flip-flops. I love playing outside in the daylight until 9 p.m. I love waking up early with the sun. I love hearing the birds sing. I love being barefoot. I love popsicles. I love gardening. I love grilling and eating outside. I simply LOVE summer!

There are, however, a few things that I have not loved about the past couple of summers. One, I hate mosquitos. Unfortunately, mosquitos love me. Apparently I have very sweet blood, and it seems as though mosquitos can track me from miles and miles away. Strangely enough, they also love my dog, Maggie. They don't seem to bother my other dog, Otto. However, Maggie and I find ourselves covered in bites each year when the weather starts to warm. Not fun.

Two, the past couple of years, the warm weather has carried to my door some rather unfortunate bugs...and by bugs, I don't mean the kind with wings, I mean the infectious, causes-you-to-be-bedridden kind.

Last summer was a bust...officially. It started off well enough. The sun came out, the birds started to sing, I started to do my usual summer shows. And then, out of the blue and without warning, it hit...MONO!! Yes, it is rare for someone my age (thirtyish) to come down with mono. Lucky for me, I tend to grab hold of all rare illnesses and infirmities. Let's just chalk it up to my oh-so-funny immune system and it's quirky sense of humor. It loves those good rare germs that all others seem to pass up. I can picture it now...I'm walking into the grocery store...I'm going for a cart...I pull one from the cart line-up...and lo and behold, some delightful prior customer has coughed, blown their nose, sneezed and grabbed hold of that cart. And just like that, my immune system thinks that mono sounds pretty rare and exciting...you know, something new to share with fellow immune systems in the neighborhood. Yeah, real funny.

I remember when it hit. I was at a show and I thought I might be coming down with the flu or something. I was really groggy and just not feeling so hot. I was so sleepy that Rit took over my booth for me and I fell asleep in the car. TWO HOURS LATER, Rit came to rouse me. It was all downhill from there. I have never been so sick in my entire life. I thought I might die. It took me months to recover. And by the time I started to feel even remotely like myself again, summer was long gone. I had slept through summer. No popsicles. No flipflops. No playing in the late evening sunshine. No gardening. Nothing. No summer. I was devastated. I happen to also love autumn, but it wasn't quite the same. I felt cheated. My internal season clock was off. I missed the sun.

Fast forward to this summer. Obviously, I counted down the days with eager anticipation. I couldn't wait to feel the warm summer sun on my face. That old immune system...what a joker! Summer hadn't even officially begun yet when a particularly tempting pack of germs sauntered by. And there it was. I was in the thick of it when I finally succumbed to peer pressure and dragged myself to the doctor. What I thought was an eternally lingering cold turned out to be a nice, ripe bronchial infection. How delightful. So, I've spent the past couple of weeks moaning, coughing, eating popsicles, sucking on cough drops, and glued to my Advil Cold & Sinus(R) and Chloroseptic(R). I struggled to chug down some Nyquil each night and kept sore throat lozenges in my pillowcase. I know, I know, never a dull moment in my corner of the world. My sister-in-law Emily blames my immune system's lack of integrity on not being of "good Wisconsin stock." Could be, could be. We don't have such vicious cold spells or humidity in Utah. Nevertheless, I am on the mend, and I vow to resume my usual routine this week.

On a different note, the Art vs. Craft show yesterday was AWESOME! For those of you who weren't able to make it, you truly missed out. There were some odd things and some really cool things. The indie craft movement is weird, wild stuff. So much creativity under one roof. Some of the best booths are those run by my favorite indie crafters. Check out their sites: http://www.brightlights-littlecity.com/ and http://www.etchouse.com/EKRA/. There are many more. I'll post their links on my site. Thanks to Kim and Faythe (www.paperboatboutique.com) for organizing such a fabulous show...again! Here are some photos of my booth from the show:

I would just like to point out my recent most favorite thing I've made. She's resting in the watering can in front of the table. That's right, it's a Garden Cheerleader garden stick complete with pom poms. Just stick her in your garden and she'll cheer your plants on to bloom-filled victory. I LOVE HER! I'm happy to say that she went to a good home yesterday. I'll miss her, but alas, the squad must go on.

I love these new rings I've added to my product line. They are super fun to make and to wear!

Tribal faces galore

A very smiley Rit, a great helper yesterday, watching over a myriad of pendants.

Anyway, great show, good time. I hope to see you all at the next Art vs. Craft show in November. I'll keep you posted on the details.

p.s. For those of you who received a bazillion emails from me on Friday, I apologize. Apparently, the newsletter software I was using got the best of me. I just couldn't get it to work quite right. I left the details about the show out of the first email accidently. My later attempts to rectify the situation went seriously awry. Again, sorry! Better luck next time!

Long Time, No Write

2006-05-31T13:42:00.000-05:00

I know, I know... it's been much too long since I've written. What can I say? Life's gotten the better of me this past month! I was busy preparing for our local art association's first ever Studio/Gallery Tour. What a great idea! I'm fascinated by the work of other artists and to be able to view their work space and see how the inspiration and medium come together is wonderful. It was a great experience. And I enjoyed showing off my new digs to local art lovers.

Here's the final product of our weeks of labor and a couple of shots of me working on a bead:

What great fun! I absolutely LOVE my new space and I love working on my torch! Anyway, I've been working on fused glass rings...keep an eye on the website. They're coming soon!

The Studio is Almost Finished!!!

2006-05-04T20:05:00.000-05:00

I've spent the past several days working on my studio. It looks incredible. The interior walls are now painted, the trim is painted, the door is painted, the electrical is finished and the siding is almost complete.

Once the air conditioner is installed and my exhaust hood is in, I"ll be all ready to move in. YES!!I can hardly wait! Here's an updated photo.

Quote of the week:

"Men are tatooed with their special beliefs like so many South Sea Islanders; but a real human heart with divine love in it beats with the same glow under the patterns of all earth's thousand tribes." (Oliver Wendell Holmes)

Quote of the Week

2006-04-26T16:35:00.000-05:00

So I've decided to start posting a new quote each week...hopefully something inspirational and awe-inspiring, but at the very least, something I like for some reason.

"Don't ask yourself what the world needs. Ask yourself what makes you come alive, and go do that, because what the world needs is people who have come alive." (Howard Thurman)

And the Studio Saga Continues...

2006-04-25T14:02:00.000-05:00

Wow...what a busy couple of weeks! My adorable studio is coming along nicely. I should be able to move in sometime before mid-May. Rit and I spent last weekend trenching for the electrical lines from the house. Not the most fun job in the world. This weekend will be spent working on the interior walls. Anyway, here are some updated photos of the progress. Is it the cutest lil' building or what? Any ideas on colors for the inside?

I've been working on some fun new products lately. Keep your eye on the website for upates!

My Dream Studio...

2006-04-17T20:04:00.000-05:00

I'm so excited I can hardly breathe. I began feeding my glass obsession in a modest studio in my basement. Alas, it was too dank and dark. So, I moved upstairs into a spare bedroom at the front of the house. It was great. Two windows, an attached bathroom (however mini...)...who could ask for anything more?!? Well, apparently I could.

We live in a small house--a fabulous house possessing great character--but a small house nonetheless with small spaces and no storage. After having my studio on the main floor for over a year, I began longing for our guest room back...and more space for my studio. Plus, it would be nice to reclaim the areas to which "Kate Gadd Glass" has metasticized...i.e., the basement, the garage, the ledge in the dining room, etc. What to do? Well, we began looking for a new house, but to no avail. There are no larger fabulous houses possessing great character in this area. Hmph. Back to square one.

That's when the great epiphany descended upon us, a true ah-hah moment. Let's tear down our leaky, much-in-need-of-a-new-paint-job old shed in the back yard, expand it ever so slightly, and turn it into a one-of-a-kind Kate Gadd Glass studio/storage space for all of my glass-related stuff (and there is much). And so it began--the bidding war, the meticulous planning, the envisioning, the dreaming, the drooling, and the not-to-so-eagerly-anticipated all-day tearing down of the old shed. Wow. It was a true back-breaking day. But, thanks to our neighbor, Ed, we finished it in one day. And a clean slate appeared. Construction on the new pad begins tomorrow. I'll keep you posted. Enjoy the photos!

BEFORE

DURING

THE CLEAN SLATE...Let the fun begin!

I love this stuff!

2006-04-05T15:32:00.000-05:00

How fun! My first blog! Although I've had a website for awhile now, this feels so much more personal for some reason. Crazy!

So I had a show last weekend in Kohler, the Spring Garden Market at the American Club. What fun! It was a two-day show--both long days. The preparation for the show and the show itself were physically exhausting, but I had a great show and I met some great people. It was such a reaffirming experience for me. I LOVE being a glass artist. I feel like I'm totally in my niche. I feel like I've found what I'm supposed to be doing. I love spending all day every day in my studio pulling creations from my mind. I love the energy of a show when all of the vendors are setting up and customers are just starting to arrive. The air virtually hums with it. I love it. I love seeing a smile spread across a customer's face as their eyes fall on one of my tribal faces. It's exhilirating to see a customer's eyes light up when she looks at herself in the mirror wearing one of my necklaces or pendants. I love chatting with people from all over the country.

I will never be a millionaire. Few artists are. But even fewer people in this world find the perfect job in which they can express themselves, unleash their creativity, relish some much-needed solitude, and feel perfectly alive.

Life is good. I love this stuff.