The van glided down the roads that wove through wetlands and grassy vistas. The old growth oaks stood like solitary sentinels, bearded with Spanish moss. Along the roads we traveled palm trees swayed and flowers brightly studded the waysides. Orange groves formed orderly rows, neat and tidy. We kept our eyes peeled for gator sightings. We only saw two. This is the Florida I dream about. I dream about a sun-soaked land, both beautiful and dangerous.
Above Left: Azalea styling my mom's hair. Above Right: Dad striking a pose.
While we were in Miami for the Best Bead Show, our parents drove down to take advantage of our proximity, for my mom to scope out some beads, and to spend time with Azalea. It was good to see them. Azalea definitely had fun playing with Lula (what she calls my mom) and Lulu (what she calls my dad). It is nice to see how much Azalea likes to spend time with them.
We had really great neighbors at the bead show. To our left was Lewis Wilson of Crystal Myths, to our right was Rare Gems International, and catty-corner to us were Stephanie Ann Dieleman and Kerri Fuhr. Not only are they wonderful people with a delightful sense of humor, but these Canadians are masterful glass beadmakers. I adore Stephanie's ocean themed beads and Kerri's bees. You might remember Kerri's work from a spotlight I did on her raven bead HERE.
The show was nice because we got to spend a lot of time catching up with the loyal Green Girl Studios customers and reconnecting with them. We always like seeing everyone and what they've been making.
4 comments:
Andrew-
Welcome back! It has been lonely in the world without your unique perspective and creative spin! Sounds like a great time was had by all....that little Azalea is a cutie...and I love that your mom is a beader too. So lucky to have had such encouragement from such a young age and to be pursuing the things you are passionate aobut! Your finds are incredible as always and I look forward to seeing the magic web you weave with the creations that are sure to spring from your nimble fingers. But I have to say that I love the poetic meanderings that you take us on....through words and images. Thank you! Enjoy the day! Erin
Aww I love the work Kerri Fuhr does! Her work is worth the money!
Hey Erin!
It was definitely fun. I think it's cool that my mom is making jewelry as well. We used to go to the local Benjamin Franklin craft store and get plastic beads and make things. It wasn't until later though that she really got into beading. We were always making things as children and we near wore out our Child's craft Encyclopedia. I wish that I could find it, but it's lost somewhere in the mountains of boxes in my parents' garage. I'd like for Azalea and the new baby to be able to do the same projects that we did.
Hey Janet!
Kerri is such a sweetheart! She and Stephanie do the shows together. It's funny because I knew them before as customers and then later as beadmakers. Strange how things work out like that. But they are both darlings who make fantastic work!
One of these days I'm going to get one of her raven beads!
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