Going North...

So, I am finally settling in here in Pennsylvania. The drive up was spectacular. The roads were lined with brilliantly colored trees and the air was cool and crisp – perfect for rolling down the windows for a refreshing cold blast. Along the way, I would catch a whiff of smoke here and there. I love the smell of wood fires and leaf burnings. I guess it reminds me of autumn and the time that my best friend and I lit a fire in my childhood plastic playhouse to make baked potatoes (and consequently melted one of the walls). I don't think I've had a better baked potato.

I saw the Monica Cook show at Marcia Wood Gallery in Atlanta with Anne Choi and Lynn. It was a great show. If only I had a million or two laying around and then I'd have a few of Monica's beautiful paintings, glistening and dripping with painterly life. It was a nice stop. I was able to rest and stretch a little, catch up with Anne and Lynn, and get caffeinated again.

I survived Atlanta traffic just as rush hour was starting. It was like a scene out of the Fast & the Furious.

My stay with my family was nice, but all too short. Cynthia and I always come up with a thousand things to do. It seems like we came up with even more than usual, even though I was only there for the day. One of the things we came up with, was a craft challenge. Each of us got the same components and had to come up with a design. Each kit contained faceted pearls, labradorite, copper chain, a fine pewter charm, a shibuichi toggle, carnelians, and Swarovski crystals in heliotrope and dark red coral. We were allowed to use any stringing materials and findings in addition to the kit, but had to use everything from the original mix of materials. I finished mine up in record time! I really love the little fine pewter courage doll. I think this would be a perfect necklace for anyone embarking on a new adventure.

Unfortunately I didn't get to stay long. We had fun though and then I was back on the road again. Everything was going smoothly except for the traffic jam in New York during rush hour. What should have taken 15 minutes took three hours. I learned two things: I'm not a good driver, but I'm also not a bad driver. At least I use my turn signal and don't park in the middle of the intersections causing gridlock.

After loading up the last of my possessions, we headed out to Pittsburgh for the Bead Mercantile show. I really like the show. Mostly because of all the nice people who attend. I had the pleasure of seeing Gina Chalfant of White Swan Illuminations, Leslie Zabel of Bei Mondi, and Melissa (who I met maybe five years ago and didn't believe me when I said I made the Metamorphosis necklace in Stringing magazine way back when).

The other good thing about the show was that I received a call from Greg letting me know that Cynthia gave birth to Max. He's such a cute baby! 8 pounds and 11 ounces. Max is a Halloween baby. Too bad Cynthia didn't get to go to her doll show, but I think that meeting Max for the first time far outweighs any doll convention. I can't wait to see him!

The other good news from the weekend is that Cynthia's book, Enchanted Adornments: Creating Mixed Media Jewelry with Metal Clay, Wire, Resin & More came out! The wait is over! It has finally hit the book stands and is being shipped out from Amazon. I really am so very proud of Cynthia and the Interweave team for all the hard work that went into making this book. It really is amazing. So many hours went into making this the best book it could be.

I am looking forward to the new adventures unfolding before me: a new home, a new nephew, a new time to make magic in the studio.