Just wanted to share a few photos. Enjoy!

Feedback

I received the nicest email from a friend's mom who bought a vase from me last month. It reads:
"I wanted to let you know how much we have enjoyed our natural stone creation. The flowers you gave us the day we bought it lasted a long time and were so beautiful. Then I received several flower bouquets from my students the last days of school. I put a few in the stone creations and the rest in vases. As the bouquets diminished, I would save a few nice blooms to put in the stone. Each group of flowers in the stone lasted quite awhile. We just threw the last ones out today. It makes it so easy for me to create a beautiful arrangement. I really like it.

Thank you and good luck with future sales."

I am so glad she liked it and love to see others get as much joy out of displaying their flowers in my vases as I do!

Today I am preparing for tonight's Last Friday event. I have made some small flower arrangements to give with the vases so that folks can begin to enjoy their piece right away. So much fun!

My first sale and a new item--plantholders!

How exciting it was. My neighbor, who is a great entrepreneur, bought a candle holder! The next day, I sold two to another neighbor and then seven at the Hillsborough Last Fridays! I think that is a spectacular start, for sure.

The Last Friday's event was lots of fun. I was nervous, of course, but once I got in the swing of it, I relaxed and enjoyed talking with people. I was pretty happy with my display. I 'm so glad I thought of putting the electric candle holders out because around 9, it really started getting dark and I was not near a street light. The candles added a nice glow to the table and made it stand out. I don't think I'm going to put as many stones on my display next time, since I think it was a bit overwhelming for some. I have signed up for the next 4 Last Friday events, so am looking forward to them.

This week I started making plant holders. I am using a slightly bigger bit and thus making a larger hole, and planting a small plant--ivy, herbs, etc. in the saucer. I love them and hope others will too.

Another windchime

I made this windchime last night. Still working on getting it to hang straight.

Noah and I went for a walk along the Eno River the other day and found some nice stones, so I will work on them next.

Another vase

Here is a vase that is made of the same kind of stone as the candleholder with the black/gray beads. It has some sort of quartz or other shiny mineral in it that makes it sparkle. I love it!

Windchime

Here's a photo of the windchime I made this weekend. I used a stone that had split when drilling it for a vase. I love using beads with the stones. I think it is a great opportunity to compliment the stone's colors.

Stones, stones everywhere!

My house is being overtaken by stones--I have stone vases, candleholders, paperweights, a windchime and a suncatcher. I've even made a few stone statues that I have placed in my yard. You see, my Dad has always been a creative and industrious person. For as long as I can remember, he's had a project going that involved making something. For a while now, I think even years, he's been making these beautiful vases made out of slate. The concept is pretty simple--you take a stone that is fairly flat and not too thick, 1 to 2 inches maybe. You drill a 1 inch hole in the middle of it. Then you attach a saucer to the bottom and insert a pin frog into the saucer. You have to make sure the saucer is waterproof and that you properly seal the space between the saucer and the stone, so that the vase doesn't leak. Then, voilà, all you need is a few flowers to make a beautiful centerpiece. If you like conversation pieces or one-of-a-kind decoration, then this is the way to go. You won't find any such vase at your local flower shop or craft store. You will be the only one of your friends to have one. Anyway, so I've talked to my dad lots of times about how he makes them, and brainstormed different ideas for expanding beyond the vase. In the few months I've been working with the stone, I've not only made vases, but lots of candleholders and paperweights. This week, I also made a windchime. It's hanging on my back porch. My dad also makes lamps. I haven't been able to find the right stones for that kind of project, but I hope to soon. His lamps are pieces of art and one-0f-a-kind. I'm going to post photos of some of the pieces I have made. Like I said, I have them all over my house. Our dining room table is a mass of stone. Later this spring, I hope to set up a table at a local craft fair and try selling them. Who knows how they will go over, but I think it will be a fun experiment. Enjoy the photos. I'd love your ideas, comments, suggestions. Thanks.