A Decade Gone Too Fast

Tomorrow my daughter turns 10. Yes, it is true that time really does fly by. I was in my 30's (sniff, sniff). I'd quit my job at the cooking school (actually, due to circumstances, I had flung my keys at the owner and stormed out. Not recommended if you actually want a reference letter, but that is a long and complicated story.) In that time, I had a great stint at an investment company and rose through the ranks, had my son who is almost 7, put on a few pounds (sniff, sniff) and started this gig. My husband has done 6 Ironmans and shaved his head. We've been to Disneyland 4 times and have a torpedo of a pug named Hugo. To tell you the truth, she is not too happy about leaving the single digits behind. She's not ready to become a Tween, and I guess I don't really want her to either. But I am so very proud of her and all her accomplishments, her empathy, her sweetness, her persistence and everything about her. She is definately high maintenance and I pity the boy/man that falls in love with her. But she is amazing and beautiful. (And she is in the front yard right now talking to a boy.....hmmm)

It's been a good week on the gargoyle side of things too - I've been accepted into the Harrison Festival of the Arts in July, the Steveston Farmers Markets and Creative Finds in November. Still waiting for a few more responses from other markets and then the year will be squared away.

BTW - we saw the Secret World of Og at Carousel Theatre. Such Fun! They do such a good job there. Can't wait to see Robin Hood in the fall and Frog & Toad next spring.

Got to go - karate tonight and off to make a birthday cake.

Bright Lights, Pink Bling

On Thursday, April 16th, I was very happy to see one of my bracelets (silver squares with black coin pearls) featured on an outfit on Breakfast Television. It was very quick but there is a mention of Pink Gargoyle and a shot of the piece. My first few seconds of my fifteen minutes of fame. The link is below. It's near the end of the video so be patient (and ignore everybody else's jewelry!.....)

http://site.btvancouver.ca/video/?bcpid=16157553001&bclid=16349005001&bctid=20023227001

Anyway, it made me happy. I'm confirmed for Vancouver's Health and Beauty Show, May 8-10 at the new convention centre at Canada Place. Can't wait to see the new building. It's a big show for me to do and I am going to be burning the candle at both ends but am so happy with what I am making now.

Just making plans for my daughter's 10th birthday. Hard to believe. I sound so old but time really does go by fast. Not only is she not a single digit girl anymore, she's coming home with wt pits. I thought I had a few more years before puberty started but apparently not. And the mood swings....That is what the red wine is for.

I hope the link works. If not just go to: http://site.btvancouver.ca/video/ Choose the first segment of the Fashion police.

Coming into my own

The other day I had the pleasure of meeting with a very nice woman from the Surrey Planning & Development department. She had contacted me some months ago about participating in this summer's Flavours of Surrey festival. We chatted about the event, she looked at some of the new pieces, and I decided to get on board. What made my day was when I asked her how she had heard about me. I was expecting to hear that she'd been by my table at one of the White Rock Farmer's markets last summer, or maybe she'd seen someone wearing one of my pieces. But no - she'd found me online and liked what she'd seen. There are only 5 spots for artists at the Flavour of Surrey event, and she was inviting me to be one of the artists. Gobsmacked would be a good word for my reaction. It's the use of the word "artist" to describe my work. And it's a long way from where I started 18 months ago when I would mumble to people that I made jewelry. As I become more and more confident in what I am doing, especially now as I am working to create as much of each piece as possible by hand, I am comfortable saying that I am a jewelry designer. I think my work can stand up to the title without seeming pretentious. "Artist" is something else - and it's a very good thing. I like the sound of it. And I certainly do think that jewelers are artists. The vision, the painstaking work, and the absolute beauty of what so many wonderful artists create using metal, stones, pearls and gems, is truly breathtaking. Even if I am only standing in the doorway, it's so wonderful to be invited to the party. I will post more practical info about the event as details get confirmed.

On another note - I had a lady recently insist that when she gets hot & sweaty, the soldered silver will rub off on her skin and make her messy. Now, the solder melts around 1000 F, give or take. I am sure she won't get that overheated on a summer's afternoon. She really wasn't convinced. In fact, there was some mention of finding me ("hunting me down") in the event that the bracelet she bought did ooze all over her arm. If anyone knows of such a thing happening, please let me know and I will gladly retract all my assertions to the contrary. But really....

So I am not too consistent at this blogging thing am I? It's like a quartlerly update. I have been really busy making new pieces and things are getting more sculptural all the time. I've pretty much got the year planned out for shows so will updating when more confirmed dates come in but I've been invited and accepted at some pretty cool shows. Being invited to attend an event as an artist, and the only jeweler at that, is very flattering. I've done a bit of freelance online writing to make a few bucks which has been a good experience too - haven't had to write like that for quite some time. What else? The diet and exercise thing is coming along. Planning to attend the Las Vegas half marathon in December with a couple of friends. We should be done in time to hit the casino at lunchtime (martinis in hand). My husband, who has his own ironman blog site, has finally shaved his head. The first day I thought I kept glimpsing Howie Mandel out of the corner of my eye. I finally touched his head yesterday, four days later. Ok, I'm a wimp - I didn't think it would be that big an adjustment. He does look a lot younger though and I am sure he will go so much faster at the Penticton Ironman now that he is more aerodynamic.

My friend Donnalin has started her own blog, www.dishingwithdonna.com
She's got lots of opinions, is totally sexy and has no problem telling you like it is.

One other thing, my sister-in-law, who makes fabulous belt buckes in LA is relaunching her website next week, www.frankieandjulie.com Handcrafted and gorgeous.

Other than that - I haven't got enough hours in the day to create all that I want, market how I want, photograph and sell, sell, sell. But I love what I am doing and feel that this is the year that the pink gargoyle really takes flight.

When it rains...

It was a dark and rainy night......seriously, after two weeks of snowfall, the rain came today. Where we were crunching along on a hardpack of several feet of snow, we are now up to our ankles, and beyond, in water. Thank goodness my boots are truly waterproof. It was the first time really testing out my cool Koi Tattoo rainboots (check out the line of Chookas). But I also want to wear my Ed Hardy Geisha winter boots - just need some cold, dry weather and I will be so styling. Hmm, one would think that I should be a boot designer....I just can't get enough of them. Anyway, the business at hand - I've been playing around with the overall look of the site and like the more solid pink. I've photographed everything now and have started uploading the pictures. About halfway through so far so should be done before the week is out. Other than that - day two of eating healthy. The goal is to lose 30 pounds before summer. Too much time snacking on chips and wine while I play with wire. Love Clean Eating magazine - great recipes and easy to use menu plans. Also - excited about the Biggest Loser starting up again tonight. So inspiring. What I would give for Gillian to kick my butt.

Happy New Year

Best wishes to everyone for the new year. You may have noticed that the website seems a little bare - I'm in the process of updating it - finally. The beaded pieces are mostly gone and the new photographs of the soldered pieces will be coming in the next week. I'm excited about the new collection of soldered wire and glass rings. It's been a long time in coming, but after a Fall of shows practically every weekend, I've had a bit of a breather and am ready to relaunch. I will be building my silversmithing workshop in the garage as well. Surprisingly, I haven't set anything on fire yet with the propane torch! Looking forward to applying for a full calendar of shows for the year - even though my schedule has caused a few meltdowns for my daughter. I take her with me as much as I can but she wasn't impressed with me being gone every weekend. Note to self - create a balance between work and kids - even working at home doesn't mean one is really there for them all the time. But we will muddle through....
So check back soon - looks for some new pics, new thoughts, new shows, an occasional rant....
Let me know your thoughts, ideas and hope to see you soon!

Christine.

Well, it's been over a month since I posted my last comments. Oops! Been busy though and took some time off to go to the Okanagan for the Penticton Ironman. Not me...my husband's 6th time through. And despite the terrific downpour - last year it was a fierce windstorm that threatened to blow our pulled pork off the table - we all had a great day. We managed to get a nearly dry table to chow down at Piggy's. Yeah - it's all about the food, forget the race! He's all signed up again for next year. Done some more markets and just spent the weekend at the Harrison Hot Springs Castle and Crafts market. The weather was amazing and as always - some fabulous feedback from all of you who stopped at the table. The collaging and soldering are where it is at for me! I've got some great new ideas to keep going with the Brambles collection - incorporating some glass and gems into the flowers. I've got whacks more tile and will be doing a lot more with the toile pieces and chainmaille. In November I am signed up for a silversmithing course which I am very excited about. I've already told them that I am there to learn to make some big honking rings! Can't wait to incorporate the silversmithing into all the vintage pieces. I am looking forward to attending the Winter Fab Fair in Vancouver too - that's on Sunday November 23 for me - the show runs Saturday and Sunday though. On the Saturday, I will be at the Mompreneur show in Vancouver so it should be a great weekend all round. But first some more fun - off to Disneyland at the end of the month, then a parents -only getaway to Vegas Baby! Kids are back in school - loving it - (they are, not just me!) Ok - I really should be getting out the art clay - it's time to play with some silver! Take care,
C.