Guess and Win!!! A giveaway

Want to win something? Of course you do.

Tell me what you think my best selling item will be at the upcoming Guilford Expo (see this post to learn more about the show). At the end of the show, I will randomly draw a name from those that guessed the correct answer. Yup, it's that easy.

So, all you have to do is tell me what you think will be my top selling item in the Comment section. You will get a bonus entry if you tweet (use hash tag: #bestseller) or Facebook this, too!! Just make sure you tell me that you did so in the comment. And make sure I have a way of contacting you if you win!

Only one entry per person, please!!!!

What do you win?

The best selling item (you can pick the design)!!! Totally free. I promise.

I know, I make lots of different things, so let me give you some choices:

Magnets

Map magnets

Dog/Cat magnets

Bottlestoppers

Vases (all styles)

Hook (all styles)

You can see all these items in my Etsy shop

(I don't often list the Map Magnets in my Etsy shop, but trust me, I have lots of them).

Show Time

I love this show, plain and simple. This will be my 8th year exhibiting, and I am never disappointed. Of course, I expect this year to be a little different, as I will have to navigate on crutches. But, I couldn't let my broken foot stop me from being there.

If you're interested in attending, or know someone who is, please be so kind as to spread the word!!

When: July 15-17
Where: Guilford, CT
What: Super awesome craft show

Linkedy link: Guilford Expo

I must give a special mention to my friend KimV
Without her help, and her minivan, I don't think I could be there. Thanks a million Kim!!!

See you in Guilford!!!

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.