The holidays consumed my time and I did not get a chance to write until now. With the new year, I am refocusing on my work and recommitting to my blog! If you are out there reading, make a comment, I'd love to hear from you! Since I wrote last in November, I made the decision to skip applying for the exhibit which will happen early next month. I am not abandoning my work, but when it came time to submit my application, I evaluated how much work I had accomplished to that date, what was left to complete, how much time remained before the exhibit, and what I would be doing for the holidays. I realized that if I was to finish on time, I would be rushing and skipping well-loved holiday traditions and time with my family as well as working to deadline instead of making the piece I truly envisioned. So, I did not submit an application, and my goal now is to complete the piece for the Sunapee Fair in early August.
I took some time away from that piece, but I was not idle. As is my custom, I made beaded gifts for several friends as well as my sisters. It is a pleasure to do something for people I cherish, and a real gift to see them enjoy my work so much! The big piece is fairly monochromatic (as I've mentioned in the past), and since I did not need to work to deadline over the holiday, I entered a League of NH Craftsmen exhibit which opens tomorrow, called "Child At Heart." It allowed me to do something on a smaller scale in bright colors. It meant I did have to work over the holiday, but the size of the work made it easier to do while I was with my family, so I could still spend time with them. It was fun to work in color again and satisfying to start and finish a piece. A bit stressful for the holidays, but a fulfilling way to start the new year! I will post some resolutions for the New Year and a photo of the new piece in my next post!