New(s)

It's a quickie of a blogpost.


The Crafty Bastards vendor gallery is up and running. I think this is going to be a fantastic year. The vendor list looks hip and fun, and it seems like there will be a fantastic variety of products this year. Oh, and I sound like a real live professional in my artist's statement. haa!





ArtSpring has re-opened in beautiful downtown Silver Spring. They are the gallery collective I am a member of (previously known as Pyramid Atlantic) and the new store looks amazing. I did a drive-by craft drop this weekend with Mr. Smart Guy, and I was totally impressed. The new shop is huge, the artisans are varied, and the merchandising is top notch. If you are in need of an original handmade gift for someone in the DC area, check this place out. They have things for almost any budget ($3 cards to $!@#$ fine art). Swing by, and help support local DC metro artisans.







Things are a buzzin' at the theatre as well. We are about to open our Free For All production of The Taming of The Shrew (set in the 1950's!). I generally don't talk too much about my 'day job' on this blog, but this seems like such a great community event that I just can't help but get the word out. The show is free to the public, and a great way to get introduced to the Shakespeare Theatre Company without spending big$$.
**Just remember, in this current economic state, the arts are struggling as much as any other not-for-profit-- so give a donation at the door, and feel good about yourself.**
Listen up fellows! This is a date night that will win you billions of good boyfriend points, without costing you billions of dollars. For added bonus points, pack a romantic picnic and eat dinner at the Building Museum lawn.

Back to it!

It has been a lovely summer. I spent most of June traveling, July hosting travelers, and the beginning of August trying to make myself get back into the habit of making things daily. It's been a bit of a struggle to get my act together, but this week I am going to make a real effort. I have 5 techs between now and Christmas, as well as at least 3 big shows with a website and graphics to design for one of them.

It's time to get some music playing and my craft on!!!!

Here's a little music to get the mood going. This is what the inside of my head feels like:




If anyone has any suggestions on how to get back into my groove, I'd appreciate them now.

This week has been strange.

On Monday I received several horrible pieces of news: A very dear (maybe even my best) friend lost his father without warning. Another friend lost her brother after a lifelong battle with illness. It was a hard week. I have a difficult time with friends and loss. I also have a difficult time with the conventions of language and what is proper. My initial response generally involves at least 2 or 3 expletives and the idea- "I cannot imagine how you must be feeling". Which is not the comforting words that you are supposed to say while handing over a bundt cake or fried chicken. My lacking social grace is one of my less charming attributes, and at times like this it comes raging out.

The most helpful thing I can think is to remember the time I lost my Grandmother (who lived next door and helped raise me) and recall how destroyed I was, and how the thought that she is still looking out for me helps at times. So that's what I said. Hopefully in 5 or 10 years they will be able to feel a little comfort in the idea that they have a wing-man. It's not much, but sometimes all we get are the comforts we create in our minds and hearts.

In the midst of all this sad news I have managed to meet and become smitten with a darling man. We met online, and have been seeing each other for about 6 weeks. Each time we are together I find out something we have in common, and something we can experience for the first time. He is a dear, and so f**king sincere that I don't even know what to do with him at times.

As you can see: I'm having a bit of a dichotomy of emotion that I'm not sure what to do with. It's been a strange week. It's been days of switching between tears and smiles, and not really feeling right about either because of it.

If you are the praying type- Light a candle and say a prayer for my friends. They are dealing with some astonishingly hard emotions and sad realities this week. If you are not the praying type, cherish your loved ones and tell them how much they mean to you. Personally, I'm doing both. It's important.