It is black history month, and there are many fabulous exhibits and showcases to celebrate the contributions of African Americans to the U.S. economy and cultural landscape. Thanks to the internet many black voices are amplified and more historic figures uncovered. My recent visit to Caravans of Gold had me wondering how far back colonialists […]
January has always been a sluggish month, but I didn’t know what I was in for in February. Apparently the polar vortex did not kill off cold viruses, and one outing in early February caused me to be felled for almost 3 weeks. Normally I can fend off a cold by resting for 2 days, but […]
From polar vortex to ice storm. This winter is definitely packing a punch. My frosted windows melted away on Friday and my car started without a hitch. This weekend most of the ice and snow also melted away in above 40-degree Fahrenheit temperatures. This cheerful snowman had a very short life. But our brief time […]
I am hunkering down for the polar vortex today. It is interesting how weather events can be very distracting. I was already planning a work from home week (rather than visiting a cafe or finding outside excursions), but when the weather dictates your schedule, it gets distracting. The temperature flux this week also requires extra […]
January started off mild, but now we are getting the brunt of winter. A first blanket of snow appeared January 12. By mid-week the temperatures had become frostier, and the Lake had a visit from the Ice Queen. I enjoyed the stroll, although fingers get frosty by the lake when the wind is whipping. The […]
Here are some of the ‘leftovers’ I have in stock. They won’t arrive in time for Christmas if you want them shipped, but I am happy to send them off to new homes. The Santa Angel almost left, but then a Chicago Flag won instead… The top one (red) is claimed, but the other 3 […]
I wrapped up the Holiday Fairing this past weekend with the DANK Haus Weihnachtsmarkt. It was a lovely 2 days with fun vendors. I knew some of them already, and others became new artisans to follow. Nomadic Ant was advertising the event a block away. They were booth neighbors. On Friday I set up early […]
So, this year I’ve made 70 pieces of Jewelry, 71 Stakes and Swarm ornaments, and, believe it or not, 231 angels, frosties, trees, and stars! No wonder my pliers were getting worn out cutting all that 16-gauge steel. So I visited Brenda Schweder’s lovely site to reorder the ‘Buttah Cuttah,’ and since I had just […]
The holiday assembly line continues as I prepare for the next and final Holiday Market. On Friday evening and Satur-day, I will be at the DANK Haus for their Weihnachtsmarkt. On Friday, December 14 from 6 pm to 10 pm, there will be an exclusive Weihnachtsmarkt Party. This ticketed event includes: Rahm Schnitzel Dinner- Pork tenderloin medallions […]
This month the JigUFacturer Design team for Brenda Schweder’s Now That’s A Jig! was challenged to make holiday ornaments. As you know this is kind of my jam. I started making ornaments in 2013. Initially I was freewheeling all the designs with pliers, but when I saw that Brenda Schweder had developed Now That’s A […]
