This week

Heading into a busy week starting tomorrow with my residency with the Fredericton Arts Alliance in their casemate at the Garrison District. I have 4 days to work away on some fabulous ideas for the "Sea Life" entries for the Metal Arts Guild of Nova Scotia. I worked up some maquettes earlier this week for a bracelet, pendant and neckpiece. I'll be working these all in sterling silver and will be using a lot of textile techniques in the construction.

I built a slide presentation that can run on my laptop for the residency as well so that there are images of past work, show booths, and most importantly, studio shots of where the work is usually done as well of some slides of quick and random facts about me. Sometimes technology is helpful in capturing attention when you are doing low tech work.

Once this coming week is through, then it is back to the usual studio again, to finish up the entries for the guild show and start work on some new items for the New Brunswick Crafts Council show in Fredericton, September 4-6. In between here and there, there is a women's show in Officers' Square on August 22 and I have some classes to teach as well a few casemate days to put in.

Sometime after the 20th of September when the shop closes for the season, I will be doing my first live presentation, as compared to dead or via forums, on working in the handcraft industry. This first seminar will be geared for a jewellery making audience. Once I get a trial run of this done, and secure my feedback, I'll be figuring out how to take that show on the road too.

It was an interesting week at the Garrison shop for me, a lady walked in one day wearing a pair of earrings that she purchased at the Originals show in Ottawa, from me. She loves them, and what a complement that she would choose that pair for her trip east. A couple of other ladies form the area were in too, and they were very pleased to see my work, very expressive in their appreciation. They'll be back to see more.

I realize now, what a great opportunity it is to be able to present my work to the local community. It has been a rarity until now and mostly restricted to NBCC related events for the past 3 years. Doesn't hurt to get out there and get known at least a little bit in the home town.