Sunday, February 14, 2010

Every year as I am taking down the remnants of the holidays and feeling the winter blah's I start looking forward to Tucson. (My daughter has again made the request that we leave up the tree till I get back from Tucson…and I oblige). For all of us who embark on this pilgrimage once a year in February, we have a hard time explaining to others what Tucson, in February, is like. In short for anyone into rocks, gems, minerals, fossils and of course beads it is a one stop shopping paradise consisting of about 35 to 50 shows encompassing the whole city. You can find every kind of bead and in between, new trends and old favorites, great quality and not so great and I can go on and on. Tent after tent filled with wonders from all over the world. And, if we are lucky great weather! (Remember I am coming from Wisconsin so it doesn't take much to impress me.)

But it is more than that; it is acquaintances that have become friends through the years. All come with the same goal of fueling their passion with new products, ideas and warm weather. I can't explain the wonderful energy this city has. I came back not only with new stuff but great ideas to add to my ever growing list of all those visions I want to create. I also come back with the hope that I wont let life get in the way this year and I will be diligent in the studio, writing on my blog and getting that list of proposals out.

This year some of my highlights included the Ambassador meeting for Create Your Style with CRYSTALLIZED – Swarovski Elements. This group of incredibly talented designers are so inspiring to be around. We had a great time getting to know each other even better and sharing ideas. There was the Create Your Style with CRYSTALLIZED – Swarovski Elements party...always a highlight. With a signature drink and lots of bling. But, best of all is my "Tucson Family" as Helen coined it. Being able to explore with Helen and Brenda, each of our tastes very different, we are able to see the best Tucson has to offer through each others eyes. We do have a few favorites we go back to but always looking for the new “fav”. 

Now that I am back...it is my time to focus again on me, with the promise to write on my blog, keep in touch with everyone, create more, teach more, yell at the kids less and be good to me including eating better, exercise more, aligning things in my life that need realigning...and, for those that know me, give up the soda! Till next week

List of Classes in 2010:

Racine, WI – Loose Bead Society Bead Retreat 
March 13th, 2010 -- 
- Classes in Resin   

Santa Fe, NM Bead Fest Santa Fe 
March 18th – 21st, 2010
http://www.beadfest.com/beadfest/santafe.cfm
-Classes in Resin 

Madison, WI – Art Glass and Bead Show 
March 27th and 28th, 2010  
www.beadshowmadison.com 
-Classes in Resin  

Muscoda, WI – Valley Ridge Art Studio 
July 31st – August 1st, 2010 
http://www.valleyridgeartstudio.com/Default.asp 
- 2 Day Workshop in Encaustic  

Philadelphia, PA – Bead Fest Philly 
August 18th – 22nd, 2010 
http://www.beadfest.com/beadfest/philadelphia.cfm
-Classes in Resin

1 comment:

  1. I couldn't have said it better! I'll have to wait another year to get to know you better!

    Peggy Sturman

    ReplyDelete