Getting ready for a crafts show is another story altogether. Prep work starts weeks before. There are some shows that are large enough for me to take everything (well, almost -- some of the sculpture work stays home). That means packing the basics (table and chairs included for some shows): portable shelves; my 10-drawer cabinet for behind the table to hold extra products; tools; extra findings (for instance, I can change to Sterling or gold ear wires right then and there); projects for down-time; table covers; earring holders; displays; and all my inventory sheets, credit card reader, cash for change, extra tags, food, drink, and not to forget my Mom (or other helpers). I no longer do outdoor shows, so at least I'm not putting up a tent! 

Some shows require tags with their codes on them, which means I need to retag or add a second tag to those I already have and sync them up with my inventory codes. I have that to do now for a Thanksgiving weekend show. For about 200 pieces of jewelry! 

Prepping is a great time to listen to music. Besides Country, I have my new favorite CD -- which I bought at the last crafts show! It's Bob Folse's Rumbeando -- marvelous Latin American uptempo music. Check his website if you want to take a listen.

I'll be at the Delray Holiday Festival at Old School Square on Thanksgiving Weekend. Come on by to say hello!

I love meeting the people that come through, spending the day chatting with folks who enjoy handmade art and craft, with other artists, and with Mom, Dad, Sandy, Harold, or whomever else I rope into helping me! 

But the amount of work it takes to choose what to bring, packing it all up (carefully...very carefully!), lugging it to the car, hoisting it into the car, dragging it out of the car, setting up the displays, unpacking the pieces (carefully...very carefully!), spending the day in the heat of South Florida, then reversing the whole process......oooooooweeeeeeeeeee!! It's a lot of work. A one-day show takes 3-4 days of work. It's a lot. And I'm no spring chicken anymore! 

This past Saturday was a nearby Multicultural Festival including an Art Show that sounded like a lot of fun. It was put on by the Recreation folks of Coconut Creek, who are a great bunch of cheerful, happy people. The running of the show was one of the smoothest, most pleasant art/craft shows I've ever participated in. So thank you to all of them, especially Josh.

I brought pottery only, and sold a commission for a piece I'm going to really enjoy making. It's a double-pinch pot vase with a little gecko, similar to one I made but can't bear to part with because it took me three years from start to finish. If you're an artist, you'll understand my connection

to the piece. Making it wasn't what took all that time. All that time was spent looking at it before I could decide on the glaze! At least it was dry enough for the kiln. Yup. Sure was! 

The best part of the Art Show was the live music that played all day. Bob Folse played guitar and sang with a wonderful backup percussionist. The

music was so good I danced through the afternoon! And bought Bob's CD. (I haven't bought new music since leaving Nashville five years ago, so you know I really enjoyed what I was hearing.) You can hear some of it at his website. There's so much em

otion in it, so much energy. I'll be dancing around a lot until I wear that disc out. 

I know I swore off more shows, but I'm looking around for something for the holidays. Sometimes I just don't learn!!! (and sometimes that's a good thing!)

Well – after many sleepless nights, very busy days, help from all around, prayers, foot stomping, nail-biting, camera throwing, ice cream eating, and cross-eyed hours – Journey Road Arts has a website!! (and I have a biiiiig grin on my face that won't go away!)  

I'm beyond thrilled.                                              

HAPPY BIRTHDAY WEBSITE!!!

(and 6 days before my birthday!)

The blog will show up once or twice a week, rarely more, so if you'd like to sign up to receive it I promise it won't fill up your entire e-mailbox.

Remember Julia Cameron's The Artist's Way? Which was a well-marketed version of Brenda Euland's earlier and deeper work, If You Want to Write? Both recommend journaling for creative folks (it works well for anyone working through any thoughts or processes).

I'll be blogging sort of like journaling, about the process of creating jewelry, ceramic art, fashion doll fashions, and anything else I can get my hands on. The process in general and the process in particular.

• The joy of finding a new, irresistible bead.
• The addiction to shiny objects
• OCD and the arts
• Organizing – or not – as the case may be
• Multitasking
• The joy of clay in my hands
• Popping the lid on the kiln to see what's happened during a firing
• The details of making a new design

And I'm sure lots more stuff.

I hope you find it interesting. Funny. Commiseratable. (I love making up new words.)

And before it even starts....thanks for reading!