RIVETING CLASS

I wanted to mention here that I will be teaching a new class at Bead Haven in February. It is a class on cold connections, in other words connecting metals without soldering. In this particular class we will be concentrating on nail head rivets. We will be using copper and brass cut-outs and copper and brass vintage-style stampings. We'll also have time to play with the torch to heat patina our pieces as well. It will be lots of fun and you'll learn a skill that you'll use over and over again.

The class is on February 18th. Contact Bead Haven if you're interested. I promise it will be "riveting"! Sorry. I couldn't resist.

All I CAN SAY IS "HOW BOUT THEM HAWKEYES!"

IOWA 24- Georgia Tech 14

ORANGE BOWL 2010

Tonight is the Orange Bowl. The Hawkeye Nation is excited. Ok, by that I mean we are excited at my house! Paul can hardly contain himself. Actually, the buzz in our part of the state, anyway, really is all about football. We couldn't go to the game this year, but we did go to the Orange Bowl the last time Iowa went and it was crazy! There were 50,000 Hawkeye fans in Miami. People who didn't have tickets went down just to party. It was a little overwhelming for South Florida I think. We're having friends over to watch the game and I've made goodies (as if any of us need more food after the holidays!) including a yummy orange cake in honor of the Orange Bowl. Keep your fingers crossed for us and Go Hawks!

THINKING OF YOU, MEESH

I haven't blogged in a while, I guess I blame the holiday slump. When I read this today on Gail Crosman Moore's blog, I knew that today was the day to come back to it. Michele Goldstein is a wonderful lampworker and an even better soul. I've gotten to know her from the Bead and Button Show and from the Bead Fest and she's a really special person. Please read on from Gail's blog.

"In my ego-centric world things aren't going so great, but my plight will be relatively short lived. I'm going to follow sage advice and bring your attention to my/our dear friends plight....Michele Goldstein is caring around the clock for the dying father of her children. (There is no time for their family to prepare for the end of his life. Steve's sickness was unexpected and the cancer is moving quickly through his body. His death is imminent, and it's only been three weeks since he was diagnosed.)

If you know Meesh, you know that she is the kindest of souls and is always generous and puts others first. She would never think about asking for money from others. That is why her friends are asking you to think of sending her something.

In looking at the dawning of a new 'age', a new year, I want to start it right and send a loving message of direct help to one of us who is in need. Meesh has been unable to work, has needed to cancel shows and is looking at an uncertain future for herself and her two young boys.

It is my hope that we could take some immediate heat off of her situation by laying down a little padding to her nest. Could you help?

If you can help, the most direct route would be through her Paypal account.(meesh@michelegoldstein.com) If you could forward this to anyone who might be interested in helping, please do!

We will be following this up with an interesting auction of donated items, if you would like to become a part of this please contact either me at gail@gailcrosmanmoore.com or Anne Mitchell at aemitchell6482@yahoo.com to develop a trust for her children. "


Please help with a donation or an item to auction.

YULETIDINGS TO ALL

A STREET VIEW OF A LOST CITY

The Amphitheatre at Pompeii, with Mt. Vesuvius in the distance.

Ok, this may possibly be one of the coolest things that I've seen on the Internet. Google Maps now has a street view tour of ancient Pompeii that is very cool. When I was a senior in High School, the first exhibit outside of Italy of artifacts from Pompeii came to Chicago. Our senior class trip was to the Field Museum to see the exhibit and the top of the Sears Tower and all of the other good stuff that you do in Chicago. I don't know why it is, but that experience has always stuck with me. It's sort of the same thing as how the tragedy of the Titanic lingers in so many of our imaginations. I suppose that it's partly the sudden and great loss of life that was the ultimate equalizer between the classes. The iceberg and the volcano care nothing for your social status. But I think it's something more. I think it's about how quickly everything can change, especially when you don't heed warnings. I think there's something captivating about all of the fabulous architecture, art, wealth, commerce and simple everyday life being completely covered over in 20 feet of ash for all of those centuries, waiting to see the light of day.

I've always wanted to travel here, and I hope one day I will. Until I do, this very cool street view will make me feel at least a little like I'm there. Check out the link in this article by Discovery News. Once your at the street view, scroll in the direction that you want to see and double click.

HERE I AM

Dad in the hospital, desperate for reading material.

Wow, I've been gone for a while. My Dad wasn't feeling well last week and ended up in the hospital. He's doing fine now, but hanging out in the hospital is no fun for anyone. He was short of reading material so I lent him my favorite magazine, Art Jewelry. I'm not sure he was impressed. His tastes run more towards Ducks Unlimited or Wood Carving Illustrated, but beggars can't be choosers. He probably won't like seeing his picture here, but I figure you can't see him behind the magazine anyway.

This afternoon I had the nicest group of ladies come to the studio to shop. They were so sweet. It's nice to see a group of friends like this. We had cupcakes, wine, sparkling cider and lots of laughs. Thank you so much Barbara, Nancy, Kate and Joanne! Also, Happy Birthday Joanne!