I'm savoring life right now. I sneak away and work on a crochet sunhat for myself every now and again. I'm also dreaming up what I'm making for my son's second grade teacher... last day of second grade is quickly approaching, maybe I should just do instead of pondering, but dreams really do make the best creations.
I am working on several ideas that I'll be working on over the summer in preparation for the autumn markets and exhibits. I look forward to sharing them with you as I create them.
I am dreaming of the art I want to hang in my bathroom once it's finished. I've settled on a canvas wrapped photograph that I took on an early morning in Virginia Beach last year or Panama City Beach, both taken in November 2012 after our exodus from Sandy. These are the photos I'm considering...
Panama City Beach I
Panama City Beach II
Panama City Beach III
Virginia Beach
In my searches for just the right thing, I have decided that sometimes the right thing is to find someone to make it for me. I think that we forget about the artisans in the world. We got to Etsy and browse and then to Pottery Barn, Restoration Hardware, Bed Bath & Beyond, the Dollar Store, and all of those places that have things that are cookie cutter, mass produced. I'm guilty of it. I have done it, too often. I'm making an effort to go to those I know, or seek out artisans who have the know-how, and hire them. It's made a hop-skip-and jump away, not having a trip through Customs. I can work with the artisan to achieve exactly what I want and I have the thrill of having something that no one else has. Sure it costs a bit more than I would pay for mass produced or even vintage, but sometimes that's okay. Sometimes one needs to indulge. I look forward to sharing what I am having made when it's complete, sometime next month, but I wanted to encourage you to seek out the local artisans in your area to help you if there's something you're in need of that you cannot make on your own. It will be so satisfying for all parties.
Now I'm off to make sweet cherry jam because I am craving it and I know that it will taste this winter on the dark, cold days to come! I'm also nostalgic about sweet cherry jam because it was my favorite breakfast condiment many years ago when I visited Europe - sweet cherry jam, croissants, and coffee.
Be well! Thank you for stopping in to read.
Have a blessed week!
~Nicole
Oh, my! How can it be June already?
Last month I was in the Birds and Blooms Exhibit at Markeim Arts Center in Haddonfield, New Jersey. That was fantastic. At the closing party a kid, really a kid - he's 14, did abstract painting and it was spectacular to watch. I never "got" abstract art before, but he had such energy and such a method - it really was something. His name is Nick Kepron, his work is vibrant! I sold a few pieces at the show, so that's always a pleasure.
Now everything's home. I've gone through my inventory and have several items to photograph and list on WoodstreamDream and WoodstreamPapery.
My summer looks good for creating and listing. I am available for custom work - think about what your winter weather accessories looked like before you packed them up. Needing a new scarf or cap? Drop me a line and I'll work with you to create something just for you!
I'm continuing work on my studio. That was put on hold while my husband had a flurry of travel and my older son had two bouts with the stomach bug last month. It's back on track. Furniture has been moved. More "stuff" to sort through and rearrange. The destash table at my friend's yard sale last month helped to clear some stuff out. After rearranging and sorting, my largest task is finding a table top surface to go over the filing cabinets (so I have smooth flat work surface) - the dimensions are 27ish by 54ish. I think too deep for formica (my first thought). Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
This month ends with my husband's birthday and my younger son's birthday back to back. I'm working on getting everything settled for birthday parties and plans for the summer - trying to get travel plans nailed down.
I'm also working on ordering all that will be needed for our bathroom renovation coming up in July. I will be posting renovation photos here. Some of the projects are DIY - I bought an antique dresser and mirror that will be transformed into our vanity and medicine cabinet. This is a gut job, right now it's a drafty 1964 bathroom with blue tile and tub. I have showered for nearly four years straight and I'm ready for a good long soak in my new tub! Most fixtures are chosen, some have been delivered and now reside in our garage. We went through a kitchen renovation three years ago and this one should prove to be great for before & after photos, too! I'm looking forward to the finished product, or at least when I can take a bath!
I will be back to photography and listing some time this week or next. I have a couple new baskets and several new gift tags to get photographed and listed. My delay is because yesterday morning I scratched my cornea when cleanser flicked up into my eye while cleaning the kitchen sink. I find myself fatigued with wearing glasses, always needing to refocus it seems. I go to the eye doctor tomorrow and hopefully sometime next week I can switch back to contacts. For now it's eye drops every 4 waking hours and glasses. It's not as painful as it was yesterday, so I'm hoping that I feel back to normal in a day or two.
Have a blessed week! Thanks so much for checking in!
~Nicole
