How can it be mid-December?

I'm feeling a bit baffled at how it can already be mid-December!

I worked all summer in my gazebo studio to be ready for my September exhibit of driftwood sculptures.  My darling husband worked as long and hard on a consulting project, for which he presented the results in October in NYC.

Once we returned we both agreed to catch up on all the chores we put off all summer, beginning with the Paint-the-Deck project, begun last September, 2013!  For anyone who has undertaken this "joy of home-ownership" project, you know that we totally underestimated how LONG and exhausting this chore becomes.  We finally ran out of acceptable temperature days (thank you, God) and it became too cold to continue as the deck stain we're using can't set if the nights get below 40 degrees.

So, thankfully, Mother Nature saved us from further staining, but we at least got the horizontal work done--floor and railings.  Next summer more of the trim and we're guessing by the time THAT project is completed (YEARS, no doubt,) it will be time to start all over again.  

That brings us to Halloween and I managed to get my beloved decor out into the front porch and throughout the house.  It's a good thing I like pumpkins and scarecrows as they've served as decor for Thanksgiving and likely Christmas!  

A funny thing happened after Halloween.  November simply disappeared.  Yup.  Gone.

Long story short, at my opening reception for my sculptural work in September, my daughter-in-law and my realtor were wearing fused glass pendants I had made and give to them as gifts a few years ago.  They sparkled and snagged the interest and imagination of the gallery owner, Suzette.  

Thus, the Holiday Boutique was conceived and slated for the first week of December, featuring the artwork of five women artists from Windsor, Greeley and Cheyenne, WY.  I was asked to make and sell...guess what?  Fused glass jewelry!

Some of my readers will know that when we lived in Ohio I created and sold fused glass jewelry--pendants, earrings, bracelets, rings, even pins and cuff links!  I continued to make and ship jewelry since moving to Colorado but realized I was enjoying it less because I had lost touch with my customers.  So, in August, just before my September exhibit I ceased my relationship with the gift shop that had carried my work in Ohio for the last several years.  I thought I was done making fused glass jewelry.

Apparently, that was not to be.  When I agreed to the Holiday Boutique, I realized I only had a few weeks to get A LOT of inventory created.  Fused glass jewelry and small copper wire, lead crystal prisms and upcycled wood blocks were my primary pieces followed by smaller items including all-occasion cards featuring my favorite photos, slumped bottles and magnets.  Lots of small items that take considerable time.

I think that's what happened to November.  I remember spending hours upon hours at my glass desk (for more on how I make fused glass jewelry please read my other blog, Whimsy Call) while listening to the same five CDs over and over.  

I happen to like these CDs and find them conducive to losing myself in the creative process.  I suspect that it drives my sweet husband a bit bonkers that it's the same music over and over, but I happen to like singing loudly to Springsteen and knowing every note in the soundtrack to "Ratatouille."

Meanwhile, two of my flood stick sculptures were selected into juried exhibits in Littleton and Lone Tree, Colorado!  I got work release permits for good behavior to attend these opening receptions, in the same week no less!

Littleton

From nearly 300 entries, "River Dancer" was one of five sculptures among a show of 62 pieces of art from 42 artists for Littleton's "Own an Original" exhibit, Nov. 20-January 11.

There were 385 total entries received by the Lone Tree exhibit, with 30 submissions in sculpture.  "It takes a crooked stick to float a crooked mile" was one of eight invited to show.  The show consisted of 62 pieces of art by 55 artists.

I was thrilled to have work in both! 

Lone Tree

Holiday Boutique

Another work release for Thanksgiving and then, remarkably, it was time to set up our booth space for the Holiday Boutique at the Boardwalk Gallery!

I had a EUREKA moment when searching for a stand to display my hanging copper wire and prism pieces.   Of course I went to the Habitat thrift store to begin my search and to my utter amazement I came across the neatest brass retail display stand! Ken polished it up for me and it literally sparkled with prisms! 

For my table covers I used unbleached painting canvas that was both sturdy and durable.  

The Holiday Boutique was a delightful experience.  Not only was I reunited with customers who love fused glass jewelry, I got to know the other artists involved and lasting friendships were created. 

One of the artists, a delightful young woman named Maura Jacobsen, has a ceramics studio and gallery in Cheyenne, Wyoming, named the Wyoming Art Factory at 500 West 15th Street.  She asked if she could take everything of mine that was still unsold with her to sell in her gallery.  I was thrilled.

As a girl from Wyoming, it warmed my heart to know that my first area gallery presence is in Wyoming!

After so many hours in the studio and then the busy excitement at the Holiday Boutique, it has taken a few days to get traction under my wheels.  Again, all those nagging little chores that I put off through the invisible month of November were waiting for me and I was beginning to realize that, gosh, it was already mid-December and maybe we should replace the pumpkins with Christmas lights.  

I think I was jogged into reality when Ken asked about our Christmas card.  What card?  I suggested we send Valentines instead.

Just as I was emerging from the fog of creative endeavor I got a call from a charming gallery in Greeley, Madison and Main.  Wouldn't I like to be a guest artist and feature my fused glass jewelry?  Oh, yes, and can you deliver it by Jan. 3?

So, here's to my dear friends who are likely to get a card from us sometime in the new year.  We wish you joyous holidays and mirth.  As for me, I'll be in my garage studio singing loudly to Springsteen's "Live in Dublin" album and making art!