February in Denver
Okay–I was in Tucson for 9 days, I almost considered myself a “snow bird”. Now I’m home in the cold!! This birdbath I made years ago has been outside through thick & thin. It’s on a tilt now, need to help that in the summer. I’m taking inventory & photos of the things I bought down there. Hope to get to the very warm metal studio today–which is not my garagio studio! Soon will get back to making some more tear-away sheets. Thinking warm thoughts….
Tucson is so diverse–minerals, fossils, gems, beads, handmade jewelry, handmade beads to name a few. The African Village offers an amazing selection of art, beads, home decor & food. The people are super friendly and willing to make a deal. I was looking for unique beads, but also sculpture & masks. Here are just a few of the offerings.
Wooden carved shields
Stone sculpture, very heavy, very old
woven telephone wire baskets
Masks
If you are a collector, it’s best to drive a car to Tucson, the sellers frequently have friends traveling, and are willing to call you when they get to your city & make a delivery. I’m hoping to hear from a vendor who was selling African walking sticks. He said his friend was coming to Denver & would bring the stick here. Oh, the fun of Tucson!
Gargoyles in Tucson
Leaving one of our favorite small drive through restaurants, we turned into this neighborhood to get to another traffic light. This compound had high cinder block walls, and gargoyles perched atop. It was a small fortress, with a beautiful iron gate. I suppose they wanted privacy!
It’s been a great week in Tucson, shopping, of course, and taking a class in glass casting. I learned so much from all the wonderful artists here! My friend & fellow jewelry designer and I have the routine down, our 7th trip to shop & take classes. We have our favorite Mexican food restaurants, and tried a few new ones this year. One is a possible keeper, the other will not need repeating. Tonight will be our last dinner out, so we’ll flip a coin to see which “favorite” we’ll choose. We’ve been known to board the plane with fresh HOT tortillas. On Sunday, we’ll shop until 3pm when we are forced to head for the airport! I found some amazing stones to add to my work.
January seems to be a long month for me. The fall is so busy, lots of creating, craziness, selling, so many things on my plate. After the holidays–I begin to look forward to the new year. Sales tax is due. Accounting for income tax needs to get done. Inventory, or “cost of goods sold” needs to get done. This year I spent 3 days at my computer, entering sales, expenses, etc. I had all my sales entered by the 20th of the month when Colorado sales taxes were due. I have 99% of my expenses entered. I went through each bank statement. Now the daunting task of counting inventory! Help!!!
New pajamas for the new year
Oprah recently did a make over show and the guest suggested that we women should get a new pair of pajamas every year. Mine were on the way from Garnet Hill, as they had been backordered. Funny, they arrived a few days after that show aired. It is fun to receive a new pair of pj’s. My others are worn out! My husband suggested donating them–and I’m thinking–cleaning rags!! They have seen their day, believe me!
So, back to January. Taking some time out for creativity helps. I’m working on some new “tear-away” texture plates. (I need new ones!) I went to the metal studio twice this month. Made a silver ring necklace & a copper bracelet. Finding a balance is my new mantra for January. Do some book work, do some creating, do some planning. Look at what shows to apply for in the new year. Did the shows last year work for me? Make a game plan!
Wow! Did the year blitz by? I am starting to work on tax stuff already, inventory, cost of goods sold, etc. My least favorite part of owning a business! How do you count a bizillion beads?? One thing I’m looking forward to though, is my 7th annual trip to Tucson to the huge, gigantic Gem Show, end of January! I am signed up for a Glass Casting class through the Rio venue, “Catalog in Motion”. Sounds like fun.
Thought I’d post a picture of these earrings I’ve been making. They are fused fine silver, pounded for texture and then tumbled for extra strength. They are fun to wear & lightweight. I am still trying to take casual photos–why is this so hard?? Anyone have any ideas, I’m open for comments! Thanks, CC
Fine silver earrings
I will be hosting my home show today-I hope those of you who planned to come will try & make it over. At 382 Cherry St. That is east of the Cherry Creek shopping area, off Colorado Blvd & 3rd, or you can take 6th Ave east to Cherry. We’ll be here with lots of wonderful new things!
December 5 & 6 — my home show is this weekend! Please stop by & say hello and look for your holiday gifts, enjoy some refreshments & get warm.
Holiday Show & Sale
Please stop in — the Sellars Project Space
http://spsboutique.squarespace.com/
this Friday for First Friday and a cool show put on by the members of the Colorado BeadCluster. The gallery is located in the historic Berkeley Highlands Neighborhood of North Denver at the corner of 44th and Tennyson (directly across from the Swing Thai restaurant and just south of Parisi). Address is 4383 Tennyson Street 1D, Denver, CO 80212.
I will be showing my silver, bronze & copper pieces. I just finished a batch of copper clay and some pieces look like they were tie-dyed–they are so colorful! I fired at this batch for 3.5 hours at 1650 degrees and ramped a bit slowly–1000 degrees an hour. The colors are amazing! Oranges, yellows, blues, catch my drift?
I am also participating by selling my jewelry, this Sunday evening, in the 2nd Sip n Shop which helps kids with special needs. The link takes you to the invitation. It’s an evening of sipping wine & great food, and some shopping too. The donation is $40.00, for a really great cause. Be sure & R.S.V.P. if you plan to attend. After this weekend, I have a few more shows, Sunday November 22 at a friend’s house, 1st Friday December 4th at a gallery, and my home show, December 5 & 6. I’ll post details as it gets closer.
