ArtFest is one of my favorite retreats, and I am sorry it has taken me this long to post. So here is a brief overview of the whole shebang. The new banner is just a small piece of the big project I was working on in Anahata's class, Funky Wallpaper People. I struggle with working large and thought this would be a great opportunity to experiment. I kept wanting to cut this in half and do two instead of one, but I did continue on. So...when I get back to this, I hope to have a ton of flowers in the upper section, kind of a secret garden with a house etc. But as you can see by the first image, I can use some of it as background for my banner.


I also took adorable Misty Mawn, a sweet, quiet, soul with a smile that eludes to a secret sense of humor she only shares in small groups. She was amazing to watch and a great teacher. Now this project too is in progress. Imagine a sepia toned tree in the center panel with a bird or two and branches that stretch into each of the panels and then my other daughter on the far right. My daughter on the left still needs some arms etc.




I also took Nina on the last day...I love her southern accent and sense of humor. I am always a little tired on the last day and wanted to just have fun and chat. So jewelry is my comfort art...here is my bracelet. The beach is a pretty constant theme in my jewelry. If I can't be at the beach, at least I can wear the beach.

Vendor night is a huge event at ArtFest and here are some of the goodies I managed to get...
Box by Misty Mawn. I collect boxes...big, small, metal, wood. It doesn't matter I just love boxes. This was beautiful and a box. How could I not get it?

I bought a few of Amy Hanna's jewels. I had tried to get some of her items online, but was never quick enough. So when I heard she would be vending I knew I was going to her table first. Now I originally only planned on getting a necklace and pair of earrings, but after being at the table for 10 seconds it was swarmed and I was slowly pushed into the table. I just decided to buy what I had in my hands and leave before being trampled.




I purchased this sweet face from the delightful Katie Kendrick. It just made me smile.




Last but not least, a gift from Minnie. I met her at previous ArtFest and she made this little necklace just for me. ArtFest has always brought me new friends that are so different, but love making art. I think gathering all these creative people in one place just feels comfortable. No one questions you when you pick up that rusty bolt...they get it.

Looks like image import is working now....I will do Hawaii today and ArtFest in the next post. Notice how I didn't promise tomorrow. Trying to keep my promises and not feel the blog guilt.

So here we go...Hawaii. I am a sunshine kind of gal. I am just happy when the sun is out. Here we are the first morning off to scout out the location. Most of the time the girls were bent over picking up gifts for me. Oh...did you notice my toe ring. We were walking one day and my husband spied toe rings and thought that our oldest is a toe ring kind of gal. Now my husband is not a shopper so when he stops to shop, we all stop. So she tried it on and it was sooooo cute on those little piggies. I then thought...I need one. My husband smiled and said, "You are not a toe ring kind of gal." Hmmm, I really really want to be the toe ring kind of girl. So here you see me sporting my new toe ring. Now you may be wondering what is a toe ring kind of girl, and I am not really sure...but to me a free spirit, do what you will, jump first think second, wild kind of girl that's is what I want to be.

I spend time traveling to art retreats without my family and the event is always kind of bitter sweet. I love attending the retreats, but each night I am just missing them a little, and at the end of the retreat I am rushing to get home. This vacation was so different. Granted they are older so makes traveling so much easier, but we tried to keep it very low key and relaxing and it was. We met so many people that just vacationed in Hawaii once and then decided to move there...oh to just pick up and move without a thought. It is truly a beautiful place.

Sorry for the rambling thoughts...but now that I am working again my mind is groggy from all this computer work.




Here is the mermaid lagoon for our little collage.

I hope you enjoy the photos

Ok guys...if you are reading this, "Thanks for hanging in there with me!". I promise I will post some pictures from Hawaii sooooooon. I just sent off the instructions on the earrings for the other book, and I am feeling much better.

I will be re-entering the working world on Monday for a temporary 12 month assignment. Every year since I retired I have taken a short term assignment (3 months/part time) so this is a big step. The group sounded great and there is a possability that it will become part-time. Gotta keep those technical skills sharp in case I really need to go back to work one day. I have two kids to put through college, and now I am now dreaming of a little beach shack in Hawaii...don't think I could sell enough jewelry to fund that dream. But I am saying it, writing it, and thinking it! Oh...while I'm saying it...I want a condo in Paris too!

At ArtFest I have convinced a couple of gals that we need to go to Paris soon. I am listening to my french tapes so when it happens I'll be able to parler with the best of them.