Patt with Two T's

  I'm excited about opening an etsy store and have yet to announce it.  I've challenged myself and also Annette to add 30 pieces in 30 days onto the etsy site.  I just added a new bracelet I did last week using dagger beads:  I saw a picture in a magazine of something similar but not done with Kumihimo braiding, so I gave it a try.  I'm ready to do another one soon.   In the meantime, I've started making something I saw online--wire-wrapped bead sprigs.  I want to figure out a way to turn them into pins for shawls and felted hats.  They're really fun to do -- a new obsession for the week.  I just snapped a new picture even though they're not quite finished.  They come out as a bouquet of beaded flowers, and I added a couple of leaves on this last one.  Meanwhile, I discovered the author of the no-knead bread has a new book on no-knead pizza dough, so told Matthew about it and he happened to see it in the latest Bon Appetit magazi...

 On Saturday night, Matthew and I attended a beautiful event which was held for a not-so-wonderful reason.  It was a bon voyage party for a local activist Matthew knows who has pancreatic cancer.  This was not held as a depressing evening--it was lovingly thought-out and planned and a way for Paul to share his life with everyone he encountered from all walks of his life.  There were 500 guests, and we knew many people from the coast.     We were at the Palace of Legion of Honor with the entrance encased in a huge plastic tent.  The first thing we encountered, after champagne, was the sound of a large band--14 piece orchestra--playing great music and an ice sculpture in the shape of a ship.  This was going to be a memorable evening.   I took a few pictures, which I'll post here.  I didn't take too many because I was busy eating my way through the first room, having people sign my passport, and then sitting downstairs in the theater to h...

More fingerless fancies....worked on a turquoise set during Stitches when I had time to knit. Stitches West 2012:   I managed to write the first night, then not at all after that.  The little netbook is good for travel, but it's hard to type on it, plus I didn't leave myself that much computer time--go figure.  Actually, I gave myself more down-time this year and enjoyed having a room by myself to escape to once in awhile.    After arriving and checking in, we sat downstairs and waited for the market preview to open.  I'm posting out of order since I already showed us after the 3-hour feeding frenzy, but this is Edelle, Harriet, and Donna from Santa Fe sitting near the door to the market.  I guess we don't look very involved with each other here, do we?  I haven't seen them in a year, but they see each other often. On Saturday, I met up with Tina and Michele as soon as the doors opened.  I'm so glad we got to shop together since we we...

One of my favorite times of the year...with friends from Santa Fe--Donna, Edelle, and Harriet-- after the market preview, where everyone bought something just to get us started.  More time to shop today, tomorrow, Sunday....oh oh.  Last year, over 10,000 people were here for the 4 days....and most just came to shop!  Vendors are here from all over the country.  And this year, lots of  beads in recognition of Betsy Hershberg's new book on knitting with beads.  She's the woman who got me going on knitting beads, so I'm thrilled for her.    More pictures today...more to add tonight after the fashion show and dinner...oh, and the pajama party.  

I might not have much time to write, but at least I have pictures.  My excitement for the day is finally getting an etsy store together...with all of 3 pairs of earrings on it.  I've taken many pics of my bookmarks to add them next, so will get them on today or soon. First many pictures of Bad Art Night from last week.  We had a great group there--doing everything from silk painting to knitting to decoupage to making leather-bound books and more!  What a diverse and fun group to hang with...

  I was interviewed a couple of months ago by Wendy Andary who had been hired by CoastViews Magazine to do a story on me.  I never did find out how they heard of me, but am always open to spreading the word about Colony of Coastside Artists and what we do.  Oh, and open to spreading the word about my own work as well, of course!   Wendy's writing is so awesome, after reading what she wrote, I wanted to buy my own work!  The article can be found here:  http://coastviewsmag.com/an-artist-looming-in-the-coastside-mist .   We're in the midst of planning a May open studios, so I've been busy with emails and decisions for the past 2 weeks.  Each time, we hope to grow and add more, especially in advertising.  I want the group to think globally, which means get off the coast and over to other areas away from here.   We have so many talented people and such an awesome area to visit.  We'll be very busy that weekend with Gathering of Women ...

  I recently finished knitting a shawl, which now I call a wrap since it is a bit out of control for a shawl.  When one knits on circular needles, it's hard to judge exactly how long the piece actually is since it all hangs together.  Because I'm under 5'3" I didn't want a real wide or long shawl, so I was careful to stop before it overwhelmed me.  What I didn't realize until I washed and blocked it last night is the length--it is over 9 feet long!                       When I tried it on before blocking, I hung it over my neck and each side reached almost down to my shoes, so I will have to wrap it around me in some creative way in or der to wear and not trip over it.  Oh, and blocking might make it a bit LONGER.   But let's hope not....I'm actually doing more to stretch it width-wise.                           Surprisingly, I have ya...