Day 1: Advent-ure

It's a crazy time of year but I decided to challenge myself. I've been noticing that with each passing month, I have fewer and fewer posts. So this month, I am offering an advent calendar of sorts. I'm going to attempt to post at least a photo a day.

Growing up Jewish, I didn't have an actual advent calendar of my own. But some of my friends did. I just loved how each day they would open a little paper door or window and behind it would be a little surprise. Usually, it was just a cheery little drawing, but nonetheless, it seemed like a wondrous thing to look forward to. Let's just say that I will try my best to provide you with some little surprise each day.

Last night was Artfete at The Art League School. It was great fun. I arrived early and had lunch with my friend Kathy then off to shop for ceramics at the Ceramics Sale. I bought some beautiful pieces and I'm so looking forward to giving them as gifts (and maybe keeping a few for myself!). I will be sure to post some photos in the coming days.

Here I am in front of some of my printed fabrics.

More of my fabrics on display.

The rest of the day entailed helping with set up. I was in charge of the displays in the Fiber room. I also managed to get talked into giving a demonstration that evening. It turned out to be a blast! In the past, I would stand by my table of samples and talk about my classes. Giving the demo made so much more sense and I ended up in some very engaging conversations. One woman seemed so smitten with the idea that just about anything could be turned into a print block, she was just overwhelmed with the possibilities! She happily took my class schedule and I am hoping that she will become a future student.

There were other demos taking place as well as a fashion show. Sorry to say that the room where the fashion show was taking place was very dark and crowded, so no photos. I was soon back to my demo table.

Denise V. demonstrating silk painting.

A design by Candy Edgerley using thermofax screens.

Fleece roving ready to be spun.

As I was demoing, I got caught up in a couple of print block combinations. I'm a sucker for eyes! It was fun making some spontaneous designs. Hmm...maybe some larger pieces of fabric with eye motifs in my future?

Getting ready for Artfete

I had a fun visit in the studio with Maria yesterday. Although, the camera was handy, we got so involved that I forgot to take photos!

To thank me Maria brought lunch, including her famous Swedish ginger snaps! O.M.G....yum!

Today, I'm taking the day off from working at Star's Beads and heading down to Alexandria, Virginia for Artfete (formerly ArtFest). This is a wonderful annual event given by The Art League School to celebrate the work of teachers and features teacher and student work. There is the annual Ceramics Sale (a personal favorite!), Jewelry Sale and for the first time this year, a fiber fashion show. Of course there is lots of yummy food and live music. This is also an opportunity for teachers to mingle with prospective students, show samples of class work and hopefully drum up enrollment.

Every year, I go down early. I shop for gifts at the Ceramics Sale and spend the afternoon helping with set up. I'm bringing lots of class samples hoping to entice people to take some of my classes.

I'm bringing my camera and this time hope to remember to use it!!!