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January Musings

Happy New Year 2019!

The last month of 2018 gave us a lot of weather challenges. The second week of December turned out to be a nail biter – we were waiting to see if our Holiday Sale at the Folk Art Center was going to happen or if Mother Nature got her way once again. Last year we were snowed out and so happy to get a green light this year, just in time to set up the afternoon before. About 2 pm on the day of the Sale, rain changed to snow and everybody packed up in a hurry to make it home safely. We still had the usual fun and enjoyed the customers that did come in to shop with us and an opportunity for Christmas hugs with other artists.

My 4 demo days the following week were slower than usual, many people assume if parts of the Blue Ridge Parkway are closed, the Folk Art Center must be closed as well. We were open and accessible from the Tunnel Road ramp in Asheville and several of my local customers came by to shop and say hello. My booth was very festive, with lights, ribbons and stars to celebrate the season. Demonstrating at Christmas time is especially nice, since there seem to be lots of goodies appearing daily in the lunch room!

After this last demo session we took a short vacation in Cherokee and re-visited The Museum of the Cherokee Indian. I was there many years ago, it has been totally refurbished since and many new exhibits have been added. A leather artist was making moccasins in the lobby and we had a good visit with him. Later we checked into the Harrah’s Casino Hotel and even played some slots. It brings out the kid in me! Visiting this huge Harrah’s complex is quite an experience; you walk for miles to get from your room to the venues, restaurants, stores, the pool and the casino. That exercise made up for enjoying some of the delicious meals we had onsite.

Christmas week held get-togethers with neighbors and friends and a trip to South Carolina to our favorite Chinese Buffet in Shelby. They are worthy of the hour -long drive and it is always peaceful on weekends and holidays. The buffet is outstanding and they feature my favorite seaweed salad and baby octopus. After all, I must have been a Viking in a previous life!

King’s Mountain State Park is nearby; we often pass it on our way to see family in York, SC and this time we took time to explore the exhibits, old log structures and even the camp grounds. What a peaceful retreat from all the holiday hustle and bustle.

It was fun to take a little time off from my fiber work, now I am back in full swing to several restoration projects. I have almost completed the resurrection of a beloved baby blanket; a ripple afghan whose ripped ripples need attention and a beautiful bedspread from Napa Valley are my January restoration projects.

At the beginning of this new year I am grateful for all my fiber friends, my work, family and good health. Thank you for taking this monthly journey with me and taking time to feed your creative spirit.

Here is wishing you a wonder filled and joyous 2019!

“I do what I love and I love what I do.”