Kids

I had a great Sunday with my 3 grandkids–one little girl who is SUPER into princesses, fairies and kingdoms and two little boys into wheels, trains, and rough play. They had a good time until everyone got tired and a little cranky.

I use them as a guide for making jewelry durable. If it can hold up to a three-year-old for a couple of minutes, you’re probably doing a great job.

Kids also have a way of putting a hodge-podge of things together, with varying results. Try this with your beads. I’ve had some great surprises happen when beads and stones got mixed together by accident. You can also deliberately mix things together. I’m working on a RAW-based embellished bracelet right now for a class. I first made one like this about 9 years ago and wore the bracelet for about a year, then sold it right off my arm. These are fun to work on–not boring at all. It’s almost as much fun picking beads as it is wearing it.

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Sheep and Dragons?

I know. Sheep and dragons don’t mix well. At the Foothills Craft Guild Fine Craft Show last weekend I asked one little girl if she thought that my sheep were safe next to the dragons, because dragons eat sheep. She said that the butterfly on a nearby necklace would keep them safe. Butterflies have magic. I love children! They have no qualms about magic–they know it’s real.

Don’t lose your belief in magic. It will nourish your creative side.
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East Tennessee Renaissance Festival

I am now officially the Craft Coordinator for the ETRenFest.   We need leather, pottery, face painting, wood carving/turning, antler/horn art, costumes, baskets, candles/oils, fiber, garlands, favors, weaving, blown glass, musical instruments, paper, sculpture.  Please contact me for more information.   Preview weekend is October 25-26. dcruey55@gmail.com