I'm Broken

That's right. Broken.

My left foot. The 5th metatarsal to be exact. Today is my appointment with the Ortho, and I'm hoping for good news.

A broken foot doesn't work so well when you're a glassblower. It's an "on the feet all day" kind of craft.

Am I down? A little. This has been a heck of a year. And it seems that perhaps I should change this Blog title to "What life was like as a glassblower". Since March (and the floods), I have spent a total of 5 hrs making my work in the studio. All my energy was put into recovering what we could, and getting my good friend (and boss) back in business. I'm so proud of our efforts.

As an Artist, the need to create is vital. But, the need to rejuvinate, recharge and refocus is more vital. And that is what I intend to do while I have the opportunity. For those that know me well, know that I am a workaholic. Time off? A nice concept, I imagine.

My Etsy shop is open, wholesale orders are coming in (and shipping out), and I'm still in business. Just not at my usual pace. And that's okay.

So, excuse me while I crutch my way to the backyard, sit in the sun and read my book.

Re-Design

When I started doing craft shows, settling on a good booth design was a challenge. I knew that shelves were key to my display. But, I had a pretty strict criteria. So, I looked to Ikea, with these thoughts in mind:

Ease of use

Versatility

Aesthetics

Function

And they were perfect. And I loved them.

After my last Holiday show of 2009, I decided I should redesign my booth. Give it a little makeover. For as much as I loved them, I needed a change. Although I believe change is good, sometimes I am reluctant to embrace it.

Forward to March 2010....
I lost all my beloved Ikea shelves in the flood. And I lost a lot of other things, too. And I've learned that comfort and stability are important when dealing with devastation. So, my first thought was to return to Ikea and buy the same shelves. After all, they were familiar.

But, I did not.

And I will not. I will go to Ikea, but with a new model in mind. It's exciting!

And if all goes well, it will debut at the Guilford Expo in July. And with the recent upgrade to a corner booth (I always chose an inline booth), the challenge to redesign is even greater.

Stay tuned, as I will post on the progress.

Change is good.

Earth Day! Hooray!

I try to be as Earth friendly as possible when I create my magnets, paperweights and hooks. Sure, new things are cool, but recycled, and Vintage things are even cooler.

The colors and graphics of Vintage papers just can't be compared to their newer counterparts. It's a bit of a win-win! Not only do I recycle and upcycle items, but I love the look!


Also, I've discovered some great, local sources for my Vintage sheet music,maps, and books (which means I leave less of a carbon footprint, as they don't have to be shipped to me). Another win-win!

The studio has been a great source for supplies, as well.....I use scrap cardboard that is destined for the landfill for my magnet packaging, and scraps of felt to line the bottom of my paperweights.

(thankfully, I stocked up on those items before the flood!)


In the big picture of being Eco-friendly, I realize this is a small, small thing. But, I believe that anything (big or small) that each of us can do to minimize our impact to our Earth is invaluable.


Happy Earth Day!

Before & After

Before cleaning & After the flood.

For the last 2 weeks, my kitchen, sun porch and driveway have transformed into The Clean Zone. All the glass that I salvaged had to be cleaned. Seriously cleaned. The great thing about glass is that it's not porous. So, as long as it didn't chip, crack or break during the flood, I am able to salvage it.

Most everything looked like the vase in the picture....covered in a layer of sludge.

The outsides were easy....rinse, soak in bleach water, scrub down with soap, and a final rinse.

Cleaning the insides proved to be the challenge. All my vases have a little opening (perfect for little arrangements, but not so perfect for cleaning). I now own every style scrub brush on the market, and even used an old toothbrush.

And my dishwasher....that's right, my dishwasher! (shortest wash cycle, and cool dry). I'll be honest, I held my breath when I took a look at the first load, afraid that everything would be cracked.

This has been a long process, and it's ongoing, but I'm so grateful to have salvaged so much of my inventory.

For all that I have lost, it's encouraging (and motivating) to have so much.

Thanks again for all your kind words and support.