Busy week and DAR invitation

Last weekend I did my first two day and one night show flying solo at St. Aidens in Alexandria. Lucky for me Bo helped me set up and take down and he did all the lugging in the rain so I could stay dry. Both last year and this year the weather has been rainy for this show but it did not stop people from coming out. Gina Lee, the organizer, did a great job and had wine and cheese for shoppers and vendors on Friday nite. Lucky for me Bo was able to help me set up and take down the booth. I stayed so busy I never got to take a picture of the booth but here is a picture of the show at St. James - it was the last one Nancy and I did together, a few days before her surgery.

Nancy has had her stitches out and can move around on crutches - but only for 5 minues each hour - she has to have her foot elevated at waist height the other 55minutes.

We had an exciting invitation, from the DAR in Alexandria, to participate in their Christmas Bazaar. It seems their Regent saw us at one of our previous shows and liked our work. So the first week of December will be a busy one with two shows in 5 days and my dentist appointment in the middle.

So far this week I have two trays out of the kiln and cooling right now are two candle plates. I have a load of "jewels" waiting their turn to go in.

Earrings - circles, squares and triangles.

A friend, who bought one of the red pendants I made, wanted a matching pair of earring that don't match. Well she wanted different shapes. I finished them and am waiting to hear if she likes them so I can mail them.

I got inspired and made a second pair - I have not decided how to orient the little square so the findings are not yet attached.

Black cats and Glass shopping

I know it's late but after selling out of all our black cat pendants and pins I got a jump start on next year, with this new litter. I have to put pin backs and necklace bails on them.

On Friday I had the most exciting day. Gerald and I went to Vitrum Studio for their annual Bullseye glass sale. At first I was so overwhelmed there was so much. We left about four hours later with my car loaded up with beautiful glass. It was neat to see original works of glass art by their on staff designers, who were more than willing to share "secrets" of how they created such wonderful pieces. What a great bunch of people.

Tuna Does Vegas , Ocean Windchime

Yesterday we met Nancy and Bo at the WarnerTheatre for the Sunday matinee of "Tuna Does Vegas". It was wonderful and we laughed so much.

This is the last week Nancy will be mobile, or at least on her feet, for a good while. On Friday she has surgery - they will start with her on her stomach to release her Achilles tendon, from just behind her knee, then they will turn her over for three more procedures (among them to remove that floating piece of bone the is causing her so much pain). The surgeon anticipates a four hour surgery after which for several weeks she has to keep her foot elevated and can lower it no more than 10 minutes - she will be issued a wheel chair. When all of this is healed she will finally get the knee replacement on her other leg.

I also picked up a windchime she finished that one of our friends commissioned as a gift for someone. Isn't it pretty? Of course the colors are so much prettier in person. I will string up the chimes later this afternoon.

Fishy tray, Crozet festival and the Blue Ridge

I came back in town last night and will be leaving again tomorrow since we get to set up for Saturdays show at Lake Braddock HS tomorrow evening.

Nancy made this neat Fish tile as a commission for a friend. She has the patience to bend stringer in a flame for the tenacles.












I took this shot while Nancy she was setting up our "booth" at Fort Belvoir - she doesn't know I took it! The Potomac is outside that window behind us.












Sunday Gerald and I went to an early church service then went to the Crozet arts festival where a vendor offered to take our picture. We had a great time. When we finished there we went to Carter's Apple Orchard and picked apples. We also ran into some friends, the Parker's, that we had not seen in a while - we had a great visit.











Blue Ridge from Carter's Orchard.

Turquoise! I loved those red rocks and thought that I would be making red glass but it was the turquoise that grabbed me and inspired my newest tray in turquoise, maze and hints of those purple sunrises out there. Picture coming soon.

Nancy and I had a successful show here at the officers club on Fort Belvoir. It is such a pretty setting - the back wall is a window overlooking the Potomac, where eagles are often seen soaring . I'll be heading home tomorrow morning and returning Friday morning to set up for our Saturday show at Lake Braddock HS. It is a juried show in its' 24th year. If anyone is up this way come see us - we've added a new component to our display.

Where did September go, solo show, Nancy's surgery

September flew by and took with it my favorite season...Summer. I really like those hot summer days, especially the ones in the desert with no more than a miniscule percent of humidity.

October has brought my second favorite - I really love fall and the smell of early morning air but just wish for 90's in the afternoon. Last weekend worked the Selma Railroad Days show - we had a great spot just down from the main bandstand.

I booked my first show solo show. On Novemeber 7 I will be in town at Clover Hill High School for their annual fall craft festival. Gerald will set me up early and send James to pack me out. Nancy is having her first surgery on November 6 for a bone chip that is floating around loose and damage to two tendons - there will be 3 incisions -ouch! She has to get that fixed before she can get her new knee.

I am thinking of going camping this weekend - just turned the 'fridge on in my Winnebago.