WHEW!

I have survived my first art opening!

hand painted wine glasses & canvases

What an amazing experience these last five weeks have been ... and to have it all come to a close at a lovely barn on a chilly Saturday in November was such a gift. My thanks to the Ward family for their generosity and support in welcoming this event to be held at Gap Creek Farm. I am ever so grateful.

Well - the weatherman was right on the temperature (a bit brisk...), but thank Heavens he was wrong on the precip! The day remained dry - which was a bonus, since our sign was on a dry erase board! LOL!! After a morning of setting up (thanks to my crew!) and a number of coffees to warm the toes, the barn doors opened and one of my dreams became reality. I'm on a slight high that I have crossed off one of my five-year goals within a year! WOOT! WOOT!

Many thanks to all who came out to share the day! It truly meant the world to me.

hand-painted scarves

hand painted jewelry

my gram :)

handmade earrings

friends :)

buying customers - Yea!

browsing...

my sweet girl & friends

part of my crew!!

my hubby chatting with the gals

my sunshine

A day that I will never forget. Thank you...

And now, back to the drawing board - - literally! I have a LIST of orders for Christmas! I'm happily a busy gal! :)

Dream lofty dreams, and as you dream, so you shall become. Your vision is the promise of what you shall one day be; your ideal is the prophecy of what you shall at last unveil.

- James Allen, English author & poet

... still adding to the list ...

My husband walked past me this evening and nearly fell over ... no, I did not bounce him off my ever-growing rear (damn that Halloween candy!) ... I was making more jewelry. See, he thought that since I had cleaned off my work space and began to make some sense of the madness that has been consuming our home - well, that I was done "creating."



Nope.



I just didn't feel right offering "jewelry" with really only one style - necklaces. So, I put together some earrings to be added to the mix.



I really love the irregularity of the freshwater pearls and the jasper stones are full of beautiful earth-toned colors. I hope that ladies will fancy them ... :)

Two more days (well, actually only one - since it is about 1:30 Friday morning.). The idea of opening my very first art show is beginning to dwell heavy on my heart. I keep doing my breathing exercises that my sister insists on (thanks, Miss!) and many ... many prayers. I'm excited, and yet a little hesitant too. I am so ever grateful for the outpouring of support and encouragement that I've been receiving from my incredible friends & family. Thank you - my cup runneth over.

Did I mention the snow in the forecast? Yes. Snow. And, where is the show? In a barn. Actually, a very nice barn, and I do believe that my dear friend will be turning on the heaters - Thank Heavens! God Bless, Penny!! Otherwise it would just be the source of wine for warmth ... and that could be scary by 5:00!! LOL

Speaking of which ... too bad there are no cocktails in sight right now. I could use something to calm me to sleep, other than sheer exhaustion. Have you ever gotten to the point that you've stayed up too late and now it is terribly hard to quiet the mind and fall asleep? I'm there. :)

Happy Friday!!

... Three Left ...

... that is days AND canvases ... Art in the Barn is this Saturday (a small reminder to those attending!!).

I just wrapped up three paintings, which took me all day. It's funny. Despite the size - whether 8 x 10 or 16 x 20, the paintings take the same amount of time!!
This has been a dangerous time for me to be planting my bee-hind in one spot for days ... chocolate is everywhere!! Darn that trick-or-treat tradition .. looks like my kiddos will be upset - yet again - that more is missing from their stash!! LOL
Well - off to scratch the last bit of art off my list ...

Make a list of important things to do today. At the top of your list put "eat chocolate." Now, you'll get at least one thing done today.

-Gina Hayes

"CHECK!!" :)

Two weeks left!

... and if I allowed myself, I could fall into a heap of panic. But. I will not.



Consciously, I am breathing in peaceful breaths with every stroke of the brush. Telling myself that with each finished piece, I am crossing more off my list; getting closer to the day that I stand before those graciously attending the show ... buck-naked - figuratively speaking, that is - saying, "well - here I am, and here is my soul." It's a bit nerve wracking. I have wonderful family and friends who have been lifting me up in beautiful ways of kind words and encouragement. I am blessed. And, that is what keeps me pushing ahead with paint-spattered clothes and a messy house. :)



So, what have I accomplished thus far? (20) Pendant necklaces, (23) wine glasses-one broke during shipment; (3) varieties of note cards; (5) framed prints; (5) painted scarves and (1) lonely painted canvas. (soon it will be a partridge in a pear tree .... )



What's left? (10) scarves; (14) canvases; (maybe some) note cards; (a few) Pendants; (possibly) earrings; (many) painted bags/boxes for purchases ... and well ... I'll just have to see how much time's left! :)



Here's a sneak peek at the scarves ...
What do you think?



Well - off to do more. I'm hoping to bust my rump and finish them all today - - Positive Thinking. :)

Let everything about you breathe the calm and peace of the soul.

-Author Unknown