Detroit...

Due to some traffic complications, I arrived in Detroit a little later than planned. I was greeted by Anne Terry, who was wearing one of my collages in a piece that she made in a class with Anne Mitchell. It turned out lovely and I was able to at least stow my stuff.

I made my way over to Melanie Brooks of Earthenwood Studio's house. She generously offered to let me stay so that I wouldn't have to kill myself by driving all night, setting up, doing the show, breaking down, and then driving all the way back for the one day show. After all that I'd need cheap health insurance! When I got there, Melanie had a couple of people over for a little soiree. It was a delightful treat! I felt so welcome and warm.! When I got there, Melanie had a couple of people over for a little soiree. It was a delightful treat! I felt so welcome and warm. She went to a lot of effort to produce a fabulous spread and for that I'm super grateful! It was the perfect way to wind down after a long drive. I had a delightful time talking with her and her friends and family.

I brought a cake I had made the night before to add to the general splendor. It was my take on a Rum Raisin Cake. It turned out lovely, but I was disappointed that in the last hour in getting there, a car stopped in the middle of a ramp and forced me to slam on the breaks (as she was sort of hidden behind a bend). Of course a suitcase shifted and half the cake got smashed, but it was still edible.

Below are a couple of pictures from the show. I quickly snapped these in the morning before the show opened.

Above is a picture of Sak behind his Saki Silver booth at the show. I love all the new capped Buddha beads that they're doing now and all the new bronze and shibuichi they are making. It looks awesome.

Another really fun friend and talented artist at the show was the ceramist, Diane Hawkey. She was one of the folks who came over last night to Melanie's house. I've admired her work for awhile from afar, so I feel lucky to have gotten an opportunity to see her work in person and up close before the show started. She had so many new and different pieces that were really exciting.

Pictured above is the delightful, Melanie Brooks of Earthenwood Studio. I had a lot of fun talking with her and catching up. She's definitely one of those people that I wish I saw more of. Melanie had a lot of really awesome new stuff and her Big Cartel shop is definitely not to be missed.

Anne Terry told me that this lemon cake rocked. Apparently they hire a really nice caterer for the event instead of having the standard show food. The cake was tasty. It was super zingy and zesty! It probably wasn't a good combination with my warm can of Coke, but I made do.

The show was a lot of fun and I could tell that everyone was excited to see us. We took a break from the show, so it was sort of like our home coming party.

After the long ride back, I'm finally home and will have a little while before the next show. I'm looking forward to it.