And Best of Show Goes to.....ME!!

That's right! I was quite honored to be be awarded Best of Show in Contemporary Crafts at the 2007 Peddler's Village Fine Arts & Contemporary Crafts show! It was a real accomplishment for me...it was my first year in the show, and I was judged against some very talented artists whose crafts ranged from woodturning to glass lampworking to stained glass and more. The honor came with a $500 cash prize, which was much needed and very unexpected!

Of course, my luck being what it is, it was 93 degrees out and let me tell you...I did not glisten...I was not sultry....I was beyond balmy....simply stated, I sweated. And sweated. And sweated. So when they came around to award the prize, with video cameras in tow, I looked like I had taken a 5-hour steam bath. There I am, completely surprised that I won, looking like I'm going to melt into a puddle, having to be coherent for a video interview. I think I was delirious from the heat because I actually let them take a photo of a very sweaty me with my huge blue ribbon pinned on my chest with my arm around one of my mannequins--completely THEIR idea. I just KNOW that photo is going to come back to haunt me one day. My only hope is that I looked so bad that they won't want the photo associated with them now way no how and it was immediately relegated to cutting room floor! And of course I let this great opportunity for publicity pass me by...if I had my sh** together, I would have sent out press releases to the local media in hopes of getting some press, but alas, I was, well, me, and didn't do what I should have done. And now 2 weeks have passed, so I think its too late!

In jewelry news, I just finished a couple of custom pieces, one that was given as a gift to a young woman for her Sweet 16, and one to be given as as special gift from a woman to her best friend for her 50th birthday. I LOVED working on both of them...I wish I had photos of both, but I don't! I do have a photo of the 50th birthday piece. Here it is:This necklace incorporated photos of loved ones and friends, custom-made charms that had nicknames, lucky numbers, favorite quotes, pet names, etc. on them, and charms taken from pieces of jewelry that held meaning for the woman receiving the piece. I'm hoping she'll love it as much as I do!

FREE JEWELRY WINNERS!

I am WAY behind in announcing the winners of the free jewelry drawing from my last two shows and sending out the pieces!

From the Bethlehem Fine Arts and Crafts Show, the lucky winner was Christine R. from Bethlehem, PA.

From the Peddlers Village Fine Arts & Contemporary Crafts Show, the winner was Reina L. from Bensalem, PA.

Congratulations to both of you! Your jewelry will be shipped out Monday!

A Boy & His Dog
I just had to share this photo of my husband Rich and our much loved Cairn Terrier, Dexter relaxing together after a hard day's work. I'm sure I'll be the one in the dog house after posting this, but I couldn't resist!


A Little Bit More About Me...

I took this "What Number Are You?" quiz recently and it was surprisingly accurate. So for those who don't know me that well, I thought I'd leave you with a glimpse into my inner psyche (although I hope I'm much more complex than what an online quiz can deduce!). But I'm happy to be in the company of my all-time biggest crush, Johnny Depp!

You Are 4: The Individualist

You are sensitive and intuitive, with others and yourself. You are creative and dreamy... plus dramatic and unpredictable. You're emotionally honest, real, and easily hurt. Totally expressive, others always know exactly how you feel. At Your Best: You are inspired, artistic, and introspective. You know what you're thinking, and you can communicate it well. At Your Worst: You are melancholy, alienated, and withdrawn. Your Fixation: Envy Your Primary Fear: To have no identity Your Primary Desire: To find yourself Other Number 4's: Alanis Morisette, Johnny Depp, J.D. Salinger, Jim Morrison, and Anne Rice.

What Number Are You?