A Not So Simple Life

Today was the Blooms n' Blues Festival in Altus, Arkansas, and I was planning to exhibit at this event.  I sent out discount postcards to people in the area who might be interested in going.  I packed up everything and loaded the van.

Then, the weather came.

Storms brewed up yesterday afternoon and continued throughout the night and this morning.  I decided not to go.  I really hated that I had to miss this event as it was to be my first show of the season.  It has been unusually calm this spring, very little rain, and this was really the first storm so far, and it just so happened to fall on this weekend.  I was really bummed, and... admittedly, a little pissed off with Mother Nature.  The typcial "why me?" scenario completely dominated my thoughts this morning.

A friend of mine, Jim, a wood turner who is the president of my local art guild, did go and set up.  He called me about 10 a.m. to tell me that I had made the right decision.  He went on to say that his canopy had blown over in the wind and was now a pile of twisted metal.  I feel so bad for him.

Now I am hearing reports on the news that tornados broke out in Mississippi and destroyed many homes.  This brought me back to reality and my "woe is me" attitude is completely gone, replaced with feelings of gratitude that the outcome of this morning's storm wasn't much worse for me.  I still have my home.  I still have my family.  Some people will have no homes to sleep in tonight.  To those people, I apologize for having felt sorry for myself.

Next weekend is the Altus Springtime Gala, a small, yet, fun event in the small town's city park.  Altus was made famous several years ago when Paris and Nichole spent their first season of The Simple Life there.  I cannot think of Altus or visit the town without thinking of that show, and that Paris Hilton walked on the same park grounds, sat in the same bar, or frolicked in the same gazebo as I have.

Last year the Gala was rained out and I did not go.  Let's see if this year we'll actually have a good day and good weather.  Only time will tell.  Meanwhile, I am leaving my van packed all week for the show.  At least I won't have to reload it.  There is always a silver lining in everything that happens.  We just have to know where to look in order to find it.

Dogs, Lizards and Frogs, Oh My!

OK, I've been busy!

Busy making beads!  Yes!  I said beads!  I need to update the slide show there, but yeah... been makin' beads.  Yeah!

OK, so I'm excited.  Can you blame me?  I've made a whole bunch of critters:  Dogs, kitties, lizards, frogs -- and an Arkansas Razorbacks!  What the heck?  Lotsa Hog fans in these here parts.

I finally got caught up on my listing, so most of them are on etsy.  Go check it out - you know you wanna.

Don't know when I'll update my ol' website.  Haven't tried to log in to publish changes since I got the new computer.  Probably requires a fair amount of head-scratching configuration.  Just don't wanna...  I'm sure you can dig that.

Anyway, shows are coming up!  Two in Altus, AR, on the 24th of April and on May 1.  After that, a show in Memphis, TN and another in Branson, MO both in May.  Anyone nearby should come see me.  Mention the blog and get 20% off on everything in my booth!

Yeah, now that's exciting!  :)

The Land of Oz

Oh my!  Has it been that long?  I'm sorry...  I just fell off the face of the earth it seems...

Well, I'm here.  Short on time and long on projects as usual.  Up until last weekend, things truly were in a whirlwind--almost to tornado status--as I was trying to prepare for a needlework retreat in Heber Springs.  This was my first time teaching at this retreat and I had a wonderful time.  All of the ladies were really fun and lively, and I enjoyed listening to their stories.  Many of them have built long-lasting friendships of over twenty years and it was obvious by the way they were so relaxed and jovial with each other.

My classs went well, but this group had a way of striking off to do their own thing.  I think I only had one student that followed directions!  That was fine with me, as long as they didn't blame me if their project didn't quite come out the way they wanted.  They were all very gracious about it and seemed to enjoy taking my classes.

Next up is a polymer clay bead and macrame jewelry class next Saturday here in Clarksville.  I'm pretty much already prepared for that, but I may want to refresh my macrame skills sometime during the week...

Then, two weeks after that is a Blooms and Blues show in Altus, with two more shows coming up in May.  I will be doing the American Gem Show in Memphis with my show buddy Sharon Stoffel the weekend of the 15th and the weekend after that, we expect to be at the Plum Nellie Arts and Craft Show in Branson.  I am still waiting on confirmation from the promotor on that one.

So my crazy world continues to revolve around like some whirling tornado...

Still looking for that yellow brick road...