We all know that Chicago is called the Windy City and now I know why! I was blown away by the whirlwind weekend we had!

The show was in the courtyard of the Tribune Tower and the gardens and the fountains made a beautiful back drop for our booth. (The only drawback was that we were located near the Port-a- Potties and spent all Friday listening to the "whomp" of the potty doors. By Saturday though they were full so they closed them off and hid them around the corner which gave our ears and customers a welcomed relief from all that "whomping"! Not to mention a better view for those of us near them.)

Again it was a good show for us and a lot of fun to get to spend four days in downtown Chicago. I didn’t realize what wonderful architecture there was and how friendly the people were. The people we met at the fair were fantastic. So many different stories and cultures. We laughed with the five sisters on their reunion and the woman and her friend who taught me the proper use of ungaptze and Meshugener. We met a new rising star who was studying to be a jeweler and it felt good to share as much information with her as I could. I got to meet the father in law of another Melissa Shipley! (Later she and I were able to speak on the phone.) And we were deeply saddened to hear of the theft of one of the artists, but were grateful for the extra security and efforts by the staff to insure our safety.

The wind showed up during our show and I’m pretty sure that my husband spent a good portion of his time sitting in a chair attached to the booth to keep it from blowing away! Other than that I understand that we were blessed with the weather. It was really cool and the wind was blowing away from the Port-a-Potties so what could be better!

Our after show opportunities gave us a chance to take a boat ride down the river and out into Lake Michigan at sunset. It was beautiful. We also ate at some of the best restaurants ever. We never had a bad meal and still had fun sampling some of the goodies that Chicago is known for like deep dish pizza and loaded char dogs. There was a McDonald’s near us at the booth so that was an easy go in and grab a snack place. Yet every time we ordered they got it wrong! It happened so often that it became a joke and we couldn’t even go in the door without giggling. We wondered if we ordered the wrong thing would we get what really wanted?!

We send our best to our neighbors on both sides and gratitude to them for their help with the wind and the tips on future shows. We offer our thanks to Chicago for the great weekend and to the weather for being just perfect to bring out the crowds. And finally, our appreciation to our customers who made it such a wonderful windy weekend!

See you at the next show!

They say that there is a first time for everything and this was true for the quaint town of Frisco, Colorado this past weekend.

The citizens of Frisco were host to a wonderful first time art fair. They planned well as the weather was great (nice and cool with just a hint of rain and wind), the people were warm and sunny and the setting was beautiful. It was an easy setup as well which for artists is a big deal!

I wanted to do more shows close to home this year so I thought I’d try this one and I must say it was an unexpected treat. I think my favorite part was meeting all the people. So often those visiting my booth are from some other city (than the host city) that I get to meet people from all over the country. This time, however, I’d say 90% of the people I met at the booth were locals!

One of the main reasons that I enjoy doing so many shows in so many different places is that I get to meet so many fascinating folks. I had no idea that there were so many locals (to me even) that were so enthusiastic about art. I think that I spent most of my time on my feet just talking away. What a blast! One of my most memorable customers was a woman from the great state of Texas. She started out small and then just got carried away as we talked and designed all these possibilities for her jewelry. I think I may have a new designer to contend with someday!

Of course there was one young couple that was just a riot to talk to! Kept me laughing for almost twenty minutes! And then there was the gentleman who was as passionate about working with opals as I was with pearls. And a couple of woman came by who were trying on some pieces and when one of them put on one particular grey pearl necklace it just sang! It was made for her! She was thrilled! And I can’t wait for another customer who put a suite on layaway to get her pieces. When she put them on her face just lit up. You could see it in her eyes that this was a piece that was going to get a lot of wear. (I think the thing that surprised her most was when her hubby could even see it and totally agreed with not only her choice, but the decision to buy!)

So many new friends I made this weekend and so many new memories. This is one first that truly was successful for everyone!

Thank you for sharing this show with me, and to all my new friends in Frisco – see ya next year!

This was a wonderful trip for me even though I have been to St. Louis a thousand and one times, as it was where I originally grew up. This time was different. This time I was actually going for a show. Well, not just one show but several, back to back.

Actually, it would be considered my first one man show in many respects. I was there to meet new friends and to share what I do with so many old and cherished friends; friends who have known me forever, but were there, at the show, to see what this home town girl was really all about.

Sales were great and it was so much fun to see my work draped over the wrists and around the necks of lifelong friends. I had to ask myself "Were these people buying because it was me or were they buying because they loved the work?" and I had to answer-the work, which was really wonderful. What a feeling of joy to have made something for someone you care about and they just love it!

This is a business, yes, but isn’t it great when we can do what we love and have others love it too?

My husband became a firefighter for the reason that he wanted to "make a difference" and I loved this attitude. So I asked myself "Is what I do making a difference or is it just about stuff?"

When a mom comes to my booth and buys her young daughter her first set of pearls, when parents want something special for their daughter’s twenty-first birthday, when a husband needs to find the perfect gift for his dear wife after twenty years of marriage, to show her how much she still means to him; and all find those treasures in my booth or at the gallery, this is what makes a difference to me and I have to say to my patrons as well I should think.

No it isn’t putting out fires or even rescuing someone from a car crash, but I think it has just as much importance. It is nourishing the soul and enriching lives with beauty and expression. Many times, I think, and in some ways this is rescuing, and /or restoring ones inner life.

So anyway back to the shows. I just want to say thanks to all those who were involved in making the St. Louis exhibitions so successful and for those who made all the plans. Who said you can never go home!

With regards to you all,