I've been busy!!

I have to apologize for not posting here in so long! Since my last post I have made tons of product from my canes. The new ones are up on the web site now! Getting enough inventory finished for 3 large shows in a row, can be very tiring! My DH, DD, Niece and I worked almost night and day trying to get things done. Even then I didn't finish all that I wanted to finish! But that's not new, It seems I am always under estimating how much time I have, and how long it takes to get things done.


Along with getting ready for the shows, we had to get ready for the bathroom remodel. Which meant we had to pack up a lot of stuff. My studio is on the opposite side of the wall from the bath. I had to take down everything on the shelves, and pack them into boxes temporarily.

Then on Easter weekend my 2 oldest girls came home for a visit. My niece had a surprise 40Th birthday party for my "baby" sister! My 2 sisters from the twin cities area and parts of their families came up for it. And then we had a nice Easter dinner at my mothers.

We left for our first show at 5AM Monday morning after Easter!

So, last weekend I was at the first of my 3 show run, in Lancaster PA. It was a good show, up from last year, which is great! I am sorry I didn't get any pictures, the camera is still at home, on the desk, waiting for me to grab it as I go out the door. I forgot!

Right now I am sitting in my hotel room, somewhere in Indiana, on the way home. I should be back in Minnesota sometime late tomorrow night (Tuesday). Then I will spend a day catching up on paper work, reading mail and all that. After which I will be filling orders, and then doing some work to fill in weak spots in my inventory. We will be leaving for Chicago a week from today for the next show! Whew! Talk about a whirlwind!

I look forward to getting home, the plumber and carpenter have been working on the bathroom while we were gone. I know they won't be done, but it will still be a big change! This is something that we have wanted to do for years! They will have replaced all the fixtures, the walls, the floor, the lights and I forget what all else. Living in a 100 year old house, there is always work to be done!

My middle daughter Errin is a traveling Respiratory Therapist and is currently on a mission to Peru as a volunteer with a group called "Cardiostart" I am really proud of her! You can read about her travels on her blog: http://errinlynn.blogspot.com/2008/03/another-day-another-adventure.html
It seems my kids have inherited my travel bug, Amy the oldest has been to China and Ireland. Errin is currently in Peru, and Tena my youngest will be traveling on a tour to England, France and Italy in June. It seems the sisters are a globe trotting gang! LOL

Well I am off to bed, I need to be up and on the road early tomorrow morning.

Until next time
Jenny P

http://www.quiltedinclay.com/

Another McKim flower

This is my most recent cane, another one based on the designs of Ruby S. McKim. I am very pleased with this one! I love how the colors pop, and the design definitely says "Pansy" The large one will be used for pins and large pendants. The small one will be used to make beads in various sizes, to be used for necklaces, earrings and charms.

I am going to have to pop into Lindly's blog, and answer her question about using "yellow" in Jewelry, with a YES! LOL

This is the last new cane for spring, although I do have a number of other designs I wanted to make. I just ran out of time! I leave for my next round of shows on March 23, and then I have 3 shows within a 6-week period. Not only that, but also these are 3 of my top 5 shows of the year!

So now, I start what I call panic mode! I will work night and day until I leave, slicing and baking, making beads, stringing necklaces (my Daughter's job, but I do the finishing) and assembling earrings and such. I do have a couple of girls who help with the earrings. My husband does all the gluing, pricing, and packaging that needs to be done.

People ask me how much inventory I bring to shows, well I am not really that organized. I always say I am going to start planning better, but never do. SO! I will make as much as I can get done. Then I will bring with me extra beads and supplies, and while at the shows, will put together things as they are requested.



Until next time
Jenny P

http://www.quiltedinclay.com/