When we started we HAD no style, no understanding of ourselves or what we were doing.  We had feelings, vague ones, a sense of what we liked, maybe, but no unified point of view, not even a real way to express our partnership.  We fought constantly and expected to break up every other week.  But we did have a few things, things I think you might profit from knowing:

We loved what we did.  More than anything.  More than sex.  Absolutely.

We always felt as if every show was the most important thing in the world, but knew if we bombed, we’d live.

Read the full story here…

Lucas runs through the house inspecting everything in his path. If I’m not quick enough to put it away, my phone charger belongs to Lucas. Man does he love it, almost more than the dog’s rope.

Visit Beads of Courage to learn how you can help. There are several ways you can support this amazing program. They even have a comfy T-Shirt. I wear mine at most of my art shows. You may also shop for my beads at the Artists Give program, just click this link, proceeds go to the children.

I love you Joyce and Scotty, thank you for helping take care of my Lucas.

Blurry crooked iPhone photo

Monday I spent a long day at the studio. I didn’t arrive home till 11:30pm. What did this accomplish? A blue wall, a lot of mess and a crippled hand. Painting crumbling bricks around a radiator is a pain. With no time to relax I showered and collapsed into bed. Now I have mixed feelings about my color choice and how I went about it – Too bad, I like it enough, there is no turning back. The entrance is next. A turquoise door and blue trim. I want to be bold, bright, and fun. I’ll paint the main walls white for good light reflection. I know I said I would wait to profit before I went ahead with studio improvements, but shows are going to eat up my time so I went for it.

Today I feel overwhelmed and excited, but mostly scared. After getting to know myself for about 30 years, I realize that this feeling will pass. Things tend to crash in on me when I don’t rest well, it can become difficult to see the big picture. Everything is riding on my project. Precisely why I invested every last penny of my savings into art show applications. This is my dream, this is my one life, no time for delay.

To do: (list updated 2/19)

• Chain tanks to wall
• Fire extinguisher inspection
• Fire Permit
• ventilation system
• DBA
• Insurance
• Paint bricks blue
• Paint studio entrance
• Paint walls white
• Storage system/glass rod organizer
• Displays/Frames with bead photos/wall hanging bead and jewelry displays
• File sales tax for current quarter
• Income tax 2011
• 25 feet of O2 hose
• Fridge

Click here for directions.

What: Craft show benefiting The John Calvin Presbyterian Church and Rush Nursery School.
When: Saturday, March 10 (9am – 3pm)
Where: John Calvin Presbyterian Church
Directions: 50 Ward Hill Road, Henrietta, NY (off East Henrietta Rd)

Beads available for sale at my Etsy shop or inquire via email.

Sarah also caters to people with Gluten sensitivities!

As a mother of two boys, one with a gluten sensitivity, I am inspired daily to create sweets that appeal not only to the masses, but also those seeking dietary alternatives.

I must confess that I’m miserable at baking. I’m glad there are talented people out there like Sarah to do it for me, I gotta have sweets! Support your sweet tooth, Like Flour  City Sweets on Facebook.

Monday morning I received the keys to my new working space. After spending all day lugging things in, it’s still a mess. I plan to get my supplies in order, put my tanks in a cage/dolly, scrub on my hands and knees and call for a fire inspection. After everything is straight it will be work, work, work. This won’t be a pretty environment until I profit from my shows. Once it seems reasonable I’ll put a little time and money into making the place esthetically pleasing. For now functionality comes first.

The windows face the train yard which is great, a little noise and train watching can be good company when you work alone, not that I’ll need it. During my move I met my friendly neighbors who will be in the building working hard along side of me.

To the right of the door a wall thing was left behind. Pondering what the hell I could use it for, it almost fell and crushed a pile of my stuff. Needless to say I’ve removed it. Anyhow, my studio will be open to the public from here on in every First Friday, unless otherwise announced. The space is in rough shape, it will be a long while before I have an official grand opening, but there is no sense in waiting to open for First Friday!