Archangels, Timmy's, Wall e, 17 More Days

Last night was Canada night at the Celebration of Light, the fireworks competition over English Bay. The show was spectacular. It was choreographed to the sound track from the movie Godzilla. No, no, it really was good. The music was better than I thought it would be. One of the participants in the Canada display was Archangel Fireworks from Winnipeg. Yes, there are a few good things about Winnipeg. They did a great job. I'm working at LD this Saturday so I'll miss the US entry. But I will get to see the China entry next Wednesday and the finale on August 2. I'm having a little fireworks party that night. Should be fun, fun, fun.

I guess I'd better enjoy the sight of English Bay while I've still got it. The building next door is right up to the bottom of the fireworks barge, so if they add any more storeys I'll lose my view. So sad. I think there will be one more storey.

But they are hard at work preparing the Tim Horton's downstairs. In a few short weeks I'll be able to go to Timmy's for my morning coffee and muffin. Yay!!!!!

Today I went to see the movie Wall e. It was an enjoyable way to spend an hour and a half. Very well done. Kudos to pixar once again.

More necklaces are ready to take around, so next week I'll be looking for more retailers. Hoping to get at least four more. So far no word from any of the new places on sales. It's hard to be patient.

Speaking of patience and angels, G-day is only 17 days away. Darling Mama is becoming uncomfortable. Some contractions and baby's head has dropped. Hang in there, Sweetie. It's worth all the discomfort.

Adversity is like a strong wind. It tears away from us all but the things that cannot be torn, so that we see ourselves as we really are. ~Arthur Golden, Memoirs of a Geisha

A Long Sleep, A Good Laugh and Fireworks

Only 23 more days till G-Day!!!! Darling Daughter says she is ready any time baby girl decides to make her appearance. The last few weeks are the hardest, of course. But I have been spending lots of time with her.

I am just now feeling almost up to par. I had three days where I was so sick, I just wanted to go to sleep for a month. I had to go to emerg. twice. The antibiotic I just finished today was causing nausea, so I'm glad to be finished. And I start back to work at LD today. But, yay, I've given my notice. My last day will be August 16. Then I will devote myself full-time to jewellery and being a grandmother. Whoopeee!!!!!!

Darling Daughter and I went to see "Spamalot," and a good laugh was had by all. Eric Idle took all the good bits from the movie, MP and the Holy Grail and expanded on them. Very colourful, musical and enjoyable. And tap dancing!!!! Woo Hoo!!!

Two of the locations with my jewellery were without power for about a week. Not so good for a business. But the power is back on now and I'm hoping for some sales. I sold two more pieces at the Calla Lily.

The upcoming big event is the "Celebration Of Light." It's four night of fireworks. I am working LD only one of those nights. Two others I will work at a sidewalk table at Calla Lily. And the night of the finale I am having a fireworks party. That should be fun.

Bye to everyone out there in blogland. Keep on blogging. And to those who don't have a blog - get one. It's really easy. Just go to blogger.com.

A good laugh and a long sleep are the best cures in the doctor's book. ~Irish Proverb

Sick and New Outlets

I am sick today. Fever, aching all over, tired. Taking lots of Tylenol. Bummed out to be missing my enamelling class today.

Great news - two more places now carry my jewellery. One is a designer dress boutique called Blushing Boutique. The other is an studio store at Horseshoe Bay called Starfire. I have so many pieces out, I have hardly any to take around to other places, so I have to get busy in the next week. Good to have that problem, let me tell ya. Brother-in-law J. is making me some more pendants. Go, J.

The day I quit LD just gets closer and closer. Luckily I am not working at LD today, so I can rest up and try to get better. Just 30 days to G-Day!!!!!! Love to everyone.

Creativity is allowing yourself to make mistakes. Art is knowing which ones to keep. ~Scott Adams

A Theft and A Sale

This must be a record - three blog postings in a row. But I had to write about it. Unbelieveable...I don't believe it, but it did happen. I have had one of my pieces stolen!!!!

A girl came into London Drugs this evening wearing the yellow earrings on the left in the picture. I asked her where she bought them and she said, "The Quick Nickel." That's a thrift clothes store down the street. Well, the last time I saw them they were in The Calla Lily, the flower shop down the street. So I told her they looked exactly like a pair I made and mine were never for sale at The Quick Nickel. So then she said her brother gave them to her. Couldn't even keep her story straight.

Well, I knew immediately that she stole them, but at the time I wasn't quick thinking enough to ask her to take them off so I could look at them. Damn!!!!! I know they were mine because I noticed that the wire on the left-hand one is not quite snug to the bead. Yep, I think I could convince a court of law that those were mine. An artist knows her own work. It's a little like the instant recognition of your own infant. Then I found out from another LD employee that she was a customer to watch because they suspected her of pilfering there. Well, that clinched it.

Now I have to go to The Calla Lily and let them know and see if there isn't something we can do to minimize the pilfering. I can't really blame them. She probably waited until they were serving another customer and slipped them into a pocket or purse. LD has a lot of pilfering, too, sometimes even while we watch.

A much happier experience earlier in the evening counterbalanced the theft. A regular customer at LD went to the Calla Lily and bought one of my necklaces. I know he bought it because he came back and showed it to me and it was in a little silver box that customers get from the Calla Lily when they buy my jewellery.

Such is life. It is composed of good moments and bad. Gotta go now. Just did an eight hour shift and tomorrow I do a six hour shift. I'll be so glad when I don't have to work at LD any more. Just a few more galleries and retail shops.....

Don't find fault. Find a remedy. ~Henry Ford

Painting My Own Nature

Unbelieveable! An art gallery here in Vancouver has five of my pieces of jewellery for sale. They have two necklaces, two pairs of earrings and a bracelet. See the first picture on Thursday's blog and the second picture on the blog just before that. Wow! Someone might buy them. Kim, the owner, also has artists' showcases where the artist works and the public comes in to watch. She asked if I would be interested in that, too.

http://www.eclektica.ca/

Now I truly can call myself an artist. I am still investigating other places to carry my jewellery. It is so satisfying that other people think highly of my work. Now, let's just see if that translates into sales.

Gotta go do some more work!!!!!!

Every artist dips his brush in his own soul, and paints his own nature into his pictures. ~Henry Ward Beecher

Romancing The Stones

Here are two more pictures of my pieces. I have been hitting the bricks looking for places to sell my new line. I think I have one, a chi chi little boutique right downtown. Their demographic is the younger woman, twenties, thirties, with money to spend. The woman working there was impressed and said my designs fit right in with the type of clothing they sell. She just has to wait for the owners to return from vacation and she will give me a call. She also put me on to some other stores to try.

This afternoon I took them to a place on Granville Island that sells rocks and stones. The women working there said they really liked them. They are going to get the owner to call. Apparently if he likes them, he buys. No messing around with consignment sales. That would be great if he would buy some.

The buyer for the BC ferry gift shops sent me an email after looking at some pics and invited me to call her in early fall. It seems that's when she starts the buying for 2009. Wow, that would be really great. Lots of tourists take the ferries and usually the tourists are the ones who have the money to spend.

And every contact I make the person knows of one or two other places I could try. So who knows just how far this could go. Tomorrow I plan to make a few more calls.

My jewellery instructor is forming a jewellery-making co-operative at her studio and I am going to be a member. That way I have a place to get down and dirty with precious metals and the tools I need will be available.

There is a new stone store a few blocks away on Denman Street and they have some beautiful stones. I have my eye on some blue sapphires. Well, I just have to get them - they are my birthstone! I bought some moonstone and labradorite. And I have been out to another rock and gem store in Burnaby. I am on a list to take a class in metal clay. Can't hardly wait. They have beautiful quality gems in that store. Amber and rubies. I bought a funky star quartz cabouchon and have plans to use it in one of my silver clay pieces. When I take the class.

Next Tuesday I start a class in fusing glass to metal, techniques such as cloisonne and champleve. Should be great. Everything seems to be coming up rose quartz!

My life is now full of precious stones, pearls and silver and gold. Learning about the differences between amber and copal. Talking to other crafters about techniques and suppliers. Who knew I would be starting this kind of new life when I moved here last year. Life is amazing! And doubly amazing: 37 days until G-Day!!!!!

Got my ticket to Winnipeg. Will be visiting there from Sept. 16 to 30. Looking forward to spending time with old friends.

The karaoke at the bar across the street is loud tonight. They have the windows open because of the heat and humidity we've been having lately. Some drunk is singing..."I did it myyyyyyyyyy wayyyyyy." On that note, bye all.

There is in them a softer fire than the ruby, there is the brilliant purple of the amethyst, and the sea green of the emerald - all shining together in incredible union. Some by their splendor rival the colors of the painters, others the flame of burning sulphur or of fire quickened by oil.

~Pliny, about the opal