…is three weeks away. Now this isnt a surprise, I signed up for this in March? But it hadnt seemed real, you know?

What it is: a weekend long fairy and fantasy convention in Baltimore MD. Created by Brian and Wendy Froud, of "Fairies" and "Labyrinth" fame – the guests of honor this year are Charles Vess and Charles de Lint. Only two of my favorites… A weekend of presentations, discussions, shopping, music… a palce removed form the real world, a fantasy realm.

The idea came up in discussion with Sarah of Toadstools n Treestump. We decided to enter the event as vendors, each having an artist’s table. In the last month it has finally dawned on me that I am doing a large national 3 day convention. Wow. Wish I had that epiphany sooner. I am feeling overwhelmed, and trying to keep up a frantically productive pace.

The event itself will be a blast. I am not sure how many panels or discussions I can attend, but the people watching? Out of this world! I am excited, anxious, enthused… and a little crazy!

This just in! Should be a super fun event. Chatting live on blogs, prizes, recipes, shop sales… these artists are amazing and talented.

I plan to come hoem from teaching that morning, change out of my clay covered clothes, make some coffee, and tune in! I hope to win me a little treasure!

With FaerieCon around the corner, (more on that in a minute) I am working on a variety of mixed media pendants. Resin, collage, gemstones – oh my!

1st: a series of Fairy dust vials: filled with metallic leaf or mica glitter; metal tags are hand stamped with words: magic, dream, believe…  

Then there are miniature collages in frames; the text elements are exerps from antique books; there is a sense of mystery and wonder when you find the right words, phrased oddly in a 200 year old poem… 

And them the resin! These are metal bezels, with collages incorporating antique postcards, cigarette cards, and stamps. The latter are donuts of mother of pearl.

   Resin first, then yummy dangles…

I usually dont do this type of thing, except for myself. So I am excited to debut these, and although they arent "fairy" specific, I hope they are a hit!

… for November 23rd! I have confirmation from the HGTV website that my episode (#557) will air the Monday of Thanksgiving week!

I am feeling excited to finally see the footage. I do, however, feel a bit of tredidation, that I will be edited into a silly goofy girl crafter. <sigh> The filming was fun to do, and I do vaguely recall getting punchy and doing a few silly things. You know those are sure to be included. I hope to come across as creative and intelligent, which I am . <smile>

It was so long ago ( June 2007) that I will be as surprised as you, my friends and loyal readers. So I will set the Tivo, make strong coffee, and tune in. Wish me luck!

I sat down to read a few blogs and eat my cereal. What did my wondering eyes spot but…

Read the post at Art Bead Scene!

Selections from the first batch –

I have to thank Marsha – for the bead tree review, the loan of said bead tree, the tutorial on hanging hooks, the silk cord… and for being such a good " clay sister"!

I am happy with the way they turned out, and they were well received at Artsfest. (It was a fabulous weekend, and a great show, as always!) Actually sold my favorites. I have another batch drying, and 2 new designs. I think I like them best when I add a second loop underneath and dangle a few gemstone beads. I will be making a large batch of them for FaerieCon – which is frightfully just around the corner! Yikes.

This is a short post, I am in the midst of some mixed media pieces for FaerieCon, and am sure they are ready to come out of the liver of sulphur…

My loyal readers have undoubtedly seen a shift in my entries this summer…beads, jewelry, more beads… I have been making jewelry and at time selling it, since I was 15. It is the thing I kept for myself (and select friends and family!)…a hobby in a way.

That is changing. Over the past three years, I have been experimenting more and more with mixed media jewelry. Not so surprising , as I do MM sculptures and shrines. I am developing some ideas for shrines with jewelry components inside – look for them in 2010.

For now – I am creating mini tiles, my same techniques and symbols, on a wearable scale. I am glazing the first batch today… They will debut at Artsfest this coming weekend!

So  – was it 2 weeks ago?  – I went to visit my sister and brother-in-law in Austin. My sisters and I are very close, and with one in TX and the other in Albuquerque; I miss them, and go visit as often as I can.

One of my pilgrimage destinations in Austin was S. Congress St, and my sister, H was happy to ablige! First: Uncommon Objects. We must have poked around in every nook for 2 hours; heavenly. 

There are pieces here destined for mixed media jewelry…the enameled Elgin watch face is for H’s birthday…

After that extravaganza – I had to keep it small, to fit in my carry-on… we had delicious Tex-Mex nosh at Guerro’s, then on to Tesoros…

 These carved milagro stamps are headed to the ceramics studio; I am always looking for quality symbol stamps to add to my texture vocabulary.

 And a boxed set , a band of Ganeshas! I will hate to break them up, but they will shine in small shrines! An auspicious find!

The weekend was so much fun, too short…when do I get to go again?

Here’s the news: I received a call last night from Meg of Bead my Love. She and I met at a DE by Hand art show, and discussed our HGTV experiences. She called to let me know that I am finally on the list! I have an episode # 557, and am on the website. As of right now, no air date yet. But finally a glimmer of hope!

The back story – I applied and was selected to be featured as a Delaware artist on HGTV’s That’s Clever in April 2007. The crew of 4 arrived at my home studio June 2nd, I think it was. We filmed for two projects over the course of 6 hours, and it was truly a blast. If you watch the show, you see people doing extremely silly things. I confess, after a few hours, you do get a little punchy, and your guard goes down a bit…The director and producer said I was a natural, and that it went smoothly – I suppose years in the classroom helped with the speaking clearly, getting my message across… Then they left. I had been informed to look on the website for news in the spring of 2008.

Now I was thrilled to have this opportunity. I had cleaned the studio, created multiple versions of the same projects for shots while filming, and generally worked long and hard to prepare. It was anticlimactic after a 1/2 day of filming to be done, wiith no reward in the immediate future.

And time went on, and on…. Spring 2009, still no word. No answer to the emails sent to the production complany. No new episodes recording on the Tivo. Is there hope? Will the show return?

 So now – a glimmer of hope. It will be surprising to watch. Not only to see how 6 hours of work is distilled into 12 minutes!? But it seems like a lifetime ago! And I am sure I will be elated, and embarrassed all in a bundle, but I will set the DVR, and keep my fingers crossed.

Well, September is here. It used to mean back to school for me… now I turn my attention to the fall shows and festivals coming up, quickly!

Bethany Beach Boardwalk Festival: Sat 9/12, 10 – 5. Bethany Beach, DE

   One last weekend at the beach, anyone? I will be on the boardwalk, witht he ocean at my back. What more can a girl ask for? Please stop by if you are in town…

Artsfest at Annmarie Garden: Sat & Sun 9/19 & 20, 10 – 5. Solomon’s Island, MD     This beautiful garden setting, with over 100 artists, music, sculpture gardens… is a picture perfect weekend. I have my usual spot, nestled under a green canopy on the Wooded Path. Annmarie Gardens is an affiliate of the Smithsonian, and this weekend is not to be missed!

Art on the Avenue: Sat 10/3, 10 – 6. Alexandria, VA

     For me this festival marks the true beginning of fall. Children create scarecrows and cornucopias, bands play, great food… This community based festival is the ideal place to begin your holiday shopping! 

I look forward to meeting new people, and seeing familiar faces! And I will have many new things for you to see! Check back here for more pictures … I am loading a kiln today…