Holiday shows coming up!

Likely my last two shows of the year--this weekend, both Saturday and Sunday. I've been playing around with holiday themed pieces and small items that would make nice gifts--magnets, ornaments and small stone plaques.

I'm also going to have a few new lamps, two very different from any others I've made. The one shown here is made of stones from the Taconic Mountains in Copake, NY. The top stone has a lot of iron in it; in fact, in the late 19th century, Copake was home to Copake Iron Works, the country's main supply of iron products. Between the iron and colorful quartz swirls, these stones make for some very interesting pieces.

So, Saturday I'll be at the Durham Craft Market Holiday Show and Sunday at the Big Barn in the Daniel Boone shopping center. It should be a great end to a fun, creative and productive year.

Fountains and lamps

I have 3 fountains and 3 lamps ready for this weekend's show at Hillsborough Elementary School. I will be sad to part with them, but will have fun making more.

Fountains!

I went to Market Imports near the Farmers Market yesterday and found a beautiful copper bowl. As soon as I saw it my mind said "Fountain"! So here is what I came up with. One with river rocks and the other with slate. I love the sound they make.

Posting a photos of some of my new items that I'll have at this weekend's craft show (Durham Armory on Stadium Drive). The last batch of slate I used has lots of orange and gold--a nice complement to fall decor and fall flowers. I also had fun making the river rock vase with the copper wire wrap. I used my grinder to make a groove for the wire to sit in. Very pretty with fall mums.

Last weekend, I went to a bead show and found some really cool accent pieces for my necklaces. Here are a few photos. They will be available at the Kiefer Landscaping Fruity Fall Festival this weekend. My favorite is the beach glass--what a great way to reuse and recycle!

Looking forward to this weekend's events--Hillsborough Last Friday and the Creative Hearts Marketplace. I've been working a lot with slate and have many vases, candle holders and business card holders. I have also made some photo holders made out of river and beach stone. Come one, come all!!!!!

An idea I've had brewing for some time came to fruition today: business card holders. I think these will make great unique gifts for colleagues, friends and family. Last week I made my first lamp, which, along with the business card holders, I hope to sell at my next show.

This entire experience (making stone crafts) has really made me think about the concepts of both potential and possibility, especially those we don't expect. More thoughts on this another day, as I need to put my son to bed.