Duluth - pretty sticky, but I'm glad I stuck around.

Two days tenting on asphalt at Highland Fest in the July heat didn't seem to phase me. But two days at Art on Bayfront Park near the shores of Lake Superior took its toll. Heat exhaustion! Sunday there was no wind; lots of heat, sun and humidity, too much for this out-of-shape body. I drove home sick and had to skip a half day of work. However, it was a great event, with great crowds ..... well, on Saturday. I connected with some people from the days when I lived in the Twin Ports, and I had a chance to dine Friday night with bead artist Cheri Meyer at Lake Avenue Restaurant. Was the food ever good. However, as a sign of things to come, the electricity went out and it got a bit steamy; they treated us to their CEVICHE, as a reward for "sticky"-ing around. I truly loved the festival, but I don't think I'll be back next year. They are running it in conjunction with the Tall Ships that will be visiting, and extending the event to four days. Yikes, that's a pretty big financial and time commitment. I wish the planners well, but I just question whether (even with the tall ships visiting) that Duluth can support a four-day art festival. Well, it's time for me to say goodbye to summer shows and start planning for fall. Check my new website for dates and locations

Summer time and creativity flourishes

I was so worried that I wouldn't have enough inventory for the three shows that I scheduled for June, sooo I've been sewing soo much of the time. The Stillwater Rivertown Art Fair was the first, and it was amazing. It was fun to see some of the artists that I met last year..... Lauren and her Hopelark Jewelry was my neighbor at a show last year, and we were side-by-side at this show. For years, I have been an admirer of Cherie Meyers beadwork and I've now gotten to know her, and she is so willing to share her art-show-knowledge to those of us just starting out. It was great to visit her at this show. A new artist-colleague is Chris Swedzinski, whom I've known as "Representative." He displays as Swede Steelworks. Yes, politicians have lives away from the state capitol. I saw his work for the first time. Pressure of a deadline motivates some of my best work, and I am so pleased with this nautical-themed bowl, table topper and trivet that I have made for this weekend's Excelsior Art on the Lake Art Fair. These pieces are the result of a stop to the clearance room of ColorZ quilts in Brainerd..... it's amazing how somebody's scraps turn into somebody else's treasure. The bowl stands 8 inches tall and about 6 inches across the top. The table topper is 16 inches in diameter, and the trivet.... well it's about 7 inches in diameter. Sold as a set or separately. Molly will be with me at the Excelsior show displaying her fabric flowers. Please stop by. If you like art shows, this is one that you don't want to miss. (On June 20, I will be in Lanesboro at the Art in the Park show)