Spring has Sprung!

Spring is in the air and is inspiring me to get into action. Spring is all about new growth, exactly what I need in my studio....growing inspiration.

So what's new with me....

• New equipment (soon will be able to create a whole new variety of jewelry)
• Chickens (yes, eleven of these guys and gals....no eggs until July though)
• New ideas!

What came first the chicken or the egg? I don't know maybe I'll be able to figure that out if I ask the chickens in my backyard, but then again if they talk back to me they may lock me up for insanity. I'm working on some new ring ideas, they are still in wax yet but my new kiln should help make them become a reality. I'm so excited to do my first casting. 

I took advantage of today and got some great shots of some new rings outside. 

Aftermath

I'm in festival down time now. It's been two weeks and I feel as though I am still recovering. Craft shows and festivals are great despite the hard work and rush madness of the whole affair. Great food, time to socialize, and a weekend away from home. We prayed to the rain gods all weekend and cheered when then sun came out. The Palmerton Community Festival was a great success. This year was even better then the last (it helps that the rain held off). The festival is crazy, every year there is something...

Mud...need hay!

Bees...need spray!

Worms falling from the sky...? (not even sure what to say to that)

I love the atmosphere of being at a show. The Palmerton Festival is my only show of the year...as of now. It's great, but that's enough. It means long days, short nights, and a very full stomach from all the food. Oo, yes the food. It's the highlight of the whole event, unless you are a hard core bingo player then you might try arguing with me. Sorry if you missed it....get there next year!

Now it's time to hit the studio again, if those darn errands wouldn't get in the way. Car to the garage, cat to the vet, food shopping...you know, those types of things. At least now that the rush is over I can concentrate on creating some really interesting pieces and I can spend a whole day in the studio just experimenting. Yay! Is it the weekend yet?

I have some great mosaic tile pieces that I want to turn into something different. I'm not sure yet what they will turn into but that is the fun of it!

Palmerton Festival - Prep Time

What to do on a rainy day? Not just any rainy day...HURRICANE IRENE. So, what better to do then work on jewelry...and type this blog entry as a listen to the creek roaring and crashing off the rocks, at least it hasn't washed our bridge away so I can still get to work in the morning (wait...is that a good thing?).

There are only two weeks left to the Palmerton Festival where I will have jewelry set up, but I need more jewelry! There always seems to be artists block the rest of the year, but about a month before the festival or any other big show when the pressure is on, the pieces just flow right out. There isn't enough time to finish everything. Some designs will just have to wait patiently in my sketch book until after the show. I've been working into late into the night assembling new and different pieces of  jewelry. I can't wait to get a response from the public. I'm not posting any pictures of the latest stuff! That's a surprise.

Designs float around in my mind every evening. The only way to stop thinking about something is to sketch it or make it. It's tough to work around my schedule, I only have day to spend in the studio with my work hours.

Just recently my Dad got back from Alert, Canada. Where is that? Way up north with the polar bears...brrr. He brought back some great crystals. They are so neat in their natural state, why change them by cutting and polishing them. Their natural facets are perfect as is. I really want to get into the studio and turn them into something, but I need more time! Projects like this are a challenge, I love it.