Author: denise

I have done beadwork for over 25 years and got so interested in jewelry design that I took two metalwork classes at Arrowmont School of Arts & Crafts in Gatlinburg, Tennessee from wonderful teachers Deborah Lynn Gold and Marjorie Simon. I can't choose a favorite medium. I love sculptural work and adore forming and fabricating metals, but three-dimensional beadwork is more colorful. I sew a lot! Lately I've been making lots of purses and wallets as well as upcycling used clothing into new items. Lately I've gone back to sewing and refashioning cast-off clothing–mostly men's shirts, into girls' clothing. I also enjoy making handbags and wallets. They are really fun to put together–like a puzzle.

Leave them wanting more

Yesterday, I went in for bloodwork and a followup appointment at my doctor. I turned off my phone as is appropriate at the doctor’s office. The nurse called me back, made me weigh and took all my vital signs and drew blood. A lot of blood. That’s my excuse–well, part of my excuse.

She then said, “Okay, I’ll see you next time,” and walked out the door, closing it behind her. I was a little confused. I had thought that I would talk to the doctor that day, but I’m used to just doing tests and leaving too., so I walked out and drove to my friend’s shop to visit with her for awhile. Of course, I forgot to turn my phone back on.

After several minutes I took my phone out to show her a picture and saw that the doc’s office had called 4 times. Before I could call them back my son called and said, “Your doctor called me and asked me why you would leave their office. They said you checked in and then left without seeing the doctor.” I told him what had happened and wondered why they were forgetting all those samples I left them.

How I felt while in the exam room alone and after they called my son.

I called them back. They said, “No, you were supposed to see the doctor today, but you left before she could get there. Did you have an emergency or something?” I explained.

So I drove back to their office and talked with the nurse practitioner who just went over my meds and sodium levels, etc. Everything was normal. Why all the fuss? After the nice man at the checkout desk gave me an appointment for mid-May, he said, “I saw you leave and thought you must be a family member of a patient.” Then, quieter, he said, “I tell her all the time that if she doesn’t start saying something other than ‘I’ll see you next time’ we’re going to have patients walking out.”

I told him, “Yes. I swear I thought I was done. I’ll try to remember next time that she does that.” And I didn’t say it, but I’ll probably leave my phone on.

When I went back to visit my friend, I showed her the photo of the dress I made for an Indian wedding. She referred the lady to me whose child is getting married.

It looks much better on its owner than hanging on my sewing room door.

This project was an adventure. That’s all I’m saying about that, but it turned out just fine.

Happy October Sky

It was a good show at Waldens Ridge Gallery for the October Sky Festival. Not great, but very good. Our group was small, but we’re all friendly and play well together. I’ve found that the better time you have, the more people are willing to buy from you, too. If you never smile and complain about things, potential customers leave. Okay, that’s pretty much my only secret to sales. Be pleasant and kind and not too silly.

I tend to avoid conflict. I actually go to great lengths to avoid conflict. My parents’ favorite activity was arguing. I’m not kidding. They did it for sport. My siblings and I hated it. I rarely run potential customers away because of my attitude unless I’m getting really silly. Sometimes that happens.

I had a great time at October Sky, though, and had pretty good sales. The weather was not cooperating. The forecast all week had been for a gorgeous Fall day, but we got rain and cold. Not torrential rain, thank goodness. The kids did get to paint pumpkins and small canvases under the big tent. After the wagon was refilled the little girls were so cute trying to push a wagon full of big pumpkins.

Punkin’ Paintin’ at Waldens Ridge Gallery in Oliver Springs, TN.

The student art was wonderful. One 10-year-old girl had amazing talent. She stayed and helped out all day and showed off her work at the least prompt–which was good. She deserved praise, and her enthusiasm was contagious. When the clouds finally released a few sprinkles she went out into the parking lot, raised her face to the sky and twirled. And she ate donuts. And she petted a sock toy I had made. It became her First Place Award at the end of the show. She was surprised! I love to surprise people. And now my buck-toothed bunny-type guy went to a good home.

October Sky Festival & Waldens Ridge Gallery

I’m doing a show! Saturday, October 19 I’ll be in Waldens Ridge Gallery, LLC on Highway 62 in Oliver Springs TN as a part of the October Sky Festival. I’ve been busily making pumpkins and a mushroom. I’ll make more mushrooms before Saturday.

I swore off shows for awhile, but this one is different. I get to stay inside a building. I’ve been in too many outdoor shows where everything blows away, including the tent, or everything gets flooded and/or washed away, or the heat and sun are so bad that my fair skin and heat intolerance are unbearable. This time I will get to stay inside with climate control and no possibility of sunburn here. I will also be with good friends. That makes a big difference too. It should be fun even if I sell nothing. I hope I sell something though. Even one of these little gift/business card cases.

I’ll have hats, key fobs, card cases, purses, jewelry, wallets and other things. It’s been awhile since I set up my displays. Hope I can find all my things.

I’ve been making some business/gift card cases from cork fabric–something new for me. A customer ordered two for teenage boys in masculine fabric and I thought of cork. I think they would be great for males or females. I really like cork fabric. It’s soft and supple, but sturdy. I lined them with some plaid fabric scraps from a men’s shirt that I found at a thrift shop and used for one of my granddaughter’s dresses when she was much younger.

Musing is one of my favorite things. I come up with some strange thoughts sometimes, but other times I get realizations that are, to me anyway, basic truths. Here are some.

  • I’m always taller when I leave the chiropractor’s office.
  • There is really nothing better than a terry washcloth to clean and exfoliate.
  • Every time I have a week with no appointments or meetings, something happens to take most of the week away from me.

See what I mean. I ramble and one thing leads to another and another and another. I love trying to figure out how words came to be. Anyone else do this? Do you love speculating? It that part of being creative? It seems to be with me.

If you’re a star-gazer like me, the Orionid meteor shower will peak on Monday and Tuesday, October 21-22. Watch for falling stars!