Thinking Summer

Well,

it seems the only thing to chase away a wretched cold is to lock oneself away in a tiny studio and work nine hours a day.

My health has improved, somehow I caught up on my sleep quota, and I produce a many fine item.

This neckpiece, as I mentioned in an earlier post, will be heading to the Salty Teacup in Portland, Oregon for their grand opening on April 2nd.

I really should take some photos of the finished piece as I oxidized (of course!) the necklace before setting the buttons.

It. is. a. killer.

The piece below is for my own inventory.

I included two porcelain cabs from Magpie Pottery.

I LOVE. LOVE LOVE Maggie's work!

I have a lovely selection of her cabs, all waiting patiently for

a new home.

I apologize. The photo does not do the colors justice.

The colors are far richer and more of a minky,

burgandy than the photo suggests.

Lastly, I was juried into the Common Ground Country Fair this coming September! We had a blast last year and made many new friends and customers. I'm thrilled to be

a vendor again this year!

Is it too early to start talking fairs?

I certainly have to think 6 months ahead of now....that puts me in early Septmeber with 3 shows over and done with, happily eating tomatoes straight from the vine, and enjoying the wonder that is late summer.

Barefoot, I may add.

Ah.

Before, During, and After

Ah. The Common Ground Country Fair was excellent! Three days of greeting, chatting, and selling (and eating glorious organic food, LOTS of food!), two mornings for set-up and break down, weather of all sorts (including blustery winds, drizzle, and a frosty start on Saturday) has whooped me into a PJs week. I'll get dressed to run to the market and to Annabelle's pre-school, but lounging at home requires cozy pajamas.

Here's some pic of my Common Ground adventure.

Sweet Tooth

After a furious and jovial morning of apple picking last week, I made a big batch of applesauce and this pie. My best pie ever, if I do say so myself. We celebrated our 5th anniversary the same day, so the air vents in the dough reflect our union. The pie is now gone... next time I'll save you a piece, maybe :)

Besides creating in the kitchen, I worked away in the studio for the weekend preparing inventory for the Common Ground Country Fair which begins Friday morning. I wish I knew when to stop making items. It never seems like I'll have enough inventory... not that I will sell out, but I want my booth to look FULL! By tomorrow morning, I should have all pieces completed, priced and packed. Then, onto to some last minute booth changes (adding a drape at the back of the tent, adding more hanging panels for the "walls" of the tent, painting a checkout stand).

Here's rings from the Candy Collection. The top photo are the rings waiting for their vintage buttons. I have a few more almost complete. I adore making rings and most likely have far too many for this show. What doesn't sell will go into my Etsy shop!

New Rings

Introducing my new collection: the Candy Dish. This is a 'rings only' collection: colorful vintage plastic and glass buttons and stackable, too! Many of these lovely buttons came from Nicole at Brizel Supplies.

However, I will not be selling these in my Etsy shop until October. For now, they will appear at Roots and Tendrils in Belfast, Maine starting in June and the 2 craft shows I'm doing this summer/fall:

HarborArts Arts and Crafts Show

Camden, Maine

July 18-19

Common Ground Country Fair

Thorndike, Maine

September 25, 26, 27