Back to business

    Well, vacation is over and it's back to business.  Even though I wasn't able to make jewelry while I was on vacation; I did have good intentions.  I planned on sketching everyday, working on my Etsy site and working on marketing plans.  Just like New Year's resolutions, my plans went by the wayside.  (As did my diet!!!)

   Spending a month in Florida was great!  We golfed, we swam, we walked, we biked, we shopped and we shopped ( I know I repeated that twice but we did LOTS of shopping. Well I did lots of shopping, not the hubby.)  We visited with friends and family and I actually read three books for enjoyment and not for knowledge.  (Speaking of books, Barbara Becker Simon's new book is coming out early...... mine should be here by March 9th.  I'll be sure to share my opinion.)

   If you are ever on Pine Island, FL be sure to visit Matlacha.  It is a colorful little community that you have to drive through to get to the Island and it is very arty.  The little shops there have a creative weekend the second weekend of each month from November to April.  They have food, music and artist demonstrations.  There is some really nice work there.  (If I only had money!) 

   I did sketch a little (only one day and it wasn't jewelry.)  Although I did get a lap quilt made for my mother's birthday, so some creativity was going on.  

I knew the business would take a hit with me being away for a whole month.  I didn't have internet connection at the house and had to travel down the road to the library every time I wanted to use it.  What a pain that was!

   Anyway, we got home last night.  We left Florida on Thursday and got to NC to visit my daughter and her family on Friday.  We should have been home yesterday but what a surprise it was when NC got 5 inches of snow.  So.... we stayed an extra day.  Boy that was so hard; an extra day with the granddaughter.  But we managed.  (She is such a little doll!)

   Today I am facing one month's worth of mail, newspapers, dust and an empty refrigerator.  Plus, the family room is full of suitcases, bags and dirty clothes.  That must be why I'm in such a funk right now.  Don't really want to do anything.  Hopefully tomorrow is another day (Yes Scarlett, I know!)   And, next Monday I have jury duty.  (That is another story in itself, which started in January)

   So, it is back to business and making up for lost time.  I've got two classes coming up (one is full), an event at the studio, a class to make up for some school students and a class for a private inquiry, a radio interview, and business taxes to get done (I'm  sliding into a deeper funk now.)   And my display studio needs to be decorated for St. Patrick's day.  I need to make samples for my bell cap and toggle class and get things ready for Arrowmont which will be here before I know it.  

   Sorry, I can't take any more.  The thought of all that has wiped me out and I need to go to bed.  Good night!  

   

Kumihimo

It's an annual tradition for my college roommate to come and visit over the Labor Day weekend.  We always have a nice visit and usually do something arty while she is here.  One year we worked with polymer clay and another year we made beaded golf counters.  This year we worked on Kumihimo bracelets.  One of my TN friends, taught me how to do Kumihimo when we were in Gatlinburg in June.  Kumihimo is very relaxing and I think I have hooked my roommate and another friend.  We are heading to the bead store in Erie tomorrow to hunt for Kumihimo supplies.  It is hard to find bead caps that are fat enough to handle the thickness of the beaded braid.  Also, the cord and the board are not something that can be found easily.  Since the bead store offers Kumihimo classes, I'm hoping that they offer the supplies to sell.  My friends are joking that when I see them next, they'll have hundreds of pieces for me to finish with the metal end caps and toggles.  Sad, thing is, they are probably not kidding.    I'll post some pictures of the bracelets in a couple of days.  I may end up making my own end caps and definitely my own toggles.  

Musings or ramblings

     Well, we are home from our vacation in Gatlinburg, TN.  What a beautiful place.  I think I could live there. 

     I wanted to apologize for having such a long post yesterday. We got to our hotel room early and I was bored.  Thus, the post got out of hand. (But it did keep me busy until midnight.  Sorry that it probably took you that long to read it.

    My Mom and Dad haven't taken a vacation in years and we were able to talk them into going with us.  They had a great time.  Dad didn't want to leave.  But as with all things, everything has to come to an end, like this post.