Lawrence, KS to Newton County, AR

GREAT PLAINS ART AND MUSIC FESTIVAL

"I put in the time, for the dime",,, is my quote from last weekends Great Plains Art and Music Festival.  I would have to say that camping by Clinton Lake making jewelry all week in preparation for the show paid off.  I sold several pairs of earrings including the Bumble Bee Jasper and Ammonite Pair that I had listed on the website.

I was fortunate to have been at the Great Plains Art and Music Festival last year also ( the first year of the show) to see how the show was laid out and had a plan of where I would like to set up. I got in touch with Tom, the Manager of the show, the week leading up and told him that I wanted the same spot as last year.   This usually lets the show manager know you are serious and would like to take initiative for selling your art at the show.  He complied at the show about keeping my original spot from last year and I had close to $1000 in sales for the day.  

After closing the show in Lawrence I had a couple pop up sales at the local Harry's Diner on Douglas in Wichita, KS.  I had stopped for a quick bite when this gal walked in with about a 5 carat diamond on her finger.  I knew I had to pitch my business and before long her husband broke out a $500 bill for some of my most resent work that had not been posted on my website.   I took a picture of her with my work on, Ill have to post it here. 

Newton County, AR

Since last Sunday, I have made my way down to my family friends house in Newton County Arkansas(The Heart of the Ozarks).  It is a treat to be here because Ryan was the one to introduce and teach me the craft of wire-bending.  I started taking annual wire lessons from him in 2008 when I was getting my master's degree in Music.  I visit the farm and Ryan Rathje will show his mastery in Wire Bending to me and I try to emulate his noted style and cleanliness in my work.  Ryan has semi-retired from Wire-Bending and I hope to take the time has one of his only students to provide a similar framework to each of the stones I set. 

Suzanne, my mother's Best friend, is easy to be around and she has the best lessons from the heart each time I visit.  Her Buddhist teachings resonate with her and each word that comes from her, shows a true connection and balance to Earth and trueness.

To be here is to be Zen.  I can tell the city has an effect on people.  I will have just about caught up on the city reset before I'll be leaving the farm this week in preparation for shows coming up next weekend in Whitewater, KS and Kansas City, MO.  Lots of jewelry to make, lots of pictures to take and people to meet.   All in good time, for now, each day, devoting time to my wire craft.