As 2023 comes to an end...

After Mistletoe Market, I still had orders for this years Limited Edition Christmas Gnome (Santa with Gingerbread). I only had 2 remaining after Mistletoe, so I made enough to fill the rest of the orders. 

I still have 6 to make today to finalize the Limited Edition of 35 pieces. All but 4 are spoken for.

In early December we chose to take the house off the market temporarily. 

Home sales traditionally are very slow this time of year. 

Of the few people that viewed the house, the only specific comments were about the bathrooms needing updating. So, we are planning to update at least the small bathroom, if not both. 

Then we plan to re-list the house sometime in March.

The house is now officially in my name. It's scary being a first time homeowner at my age! 

The fact remains that the house is too much for me... space and budget-wise. I need a smaller place.

Jordan Bannister and John Perkins 2023 PABA Co-Presidents present Cindy Higgins the First Annual PABA "Higgins Award".

The Higgins award was established to  recognize an PABA Member for exceptional service and dedication. Cindy has served on the PABA Board of Directors for 10 years. During her tenure Cindy has given her time and talents which has resulted in invaluable contributions to the Pendleton business community.

Not only is Cindy the first recipient, the reward itself is named in her honor and will be awarded annually.

THANK YOU CINDY!!!

Several years ago, I became Secretary of the Pendleton Area Business Association. A couple of months later, the group fell to the wayside because the President and VP didn't want to continue. It was dormant for a few years. 10 1/2 years ago, business owners wanted to resurrect the organization. I was the only remaining officer still in the area, and was the only one on the signature card for the bank account. 

We were able to re-group and I retained my position of Secretary. One President served 2 years, the next served 1 1/2 years. Not long before his term ended, our Treasurer unexpectedly passed away. One the President left, I was the only officer. I had a volunteer help with the treasury. Finally, I was able to encourage the right people to step forward and serve as full-time Treasurer and Secretary, and I became President (officially). About half-way through 2022, I stated that I could not serve any longer. I had my own business to attend to with my sister. The crickets didn't even chirp. I got blank stares in return... Then, in September, Dad passed away. I said at the next meeting that I REALLY couldn't do it any longer and needed a Nominating Committee to find candidates. FINALLY a few people stepped forward and volunteered for that committee. As a result, there were nominations for officers and a new Board of Directors was elected that November. I would remain on the Board as Past President per the By-laws. I was good with that. Today officially marks the last day of my time on the Board of Directors of the Pendleton Area Business Association. I am ready to let go... and I am grateful to those who  are taking the leadership of our organization on. I will remain an active Member at Large.

At our Christmas Party, they presented me with this award, which they named after me! 

I am beyond honored!

My wish for all is that 2024 have fewer obstacles and more joyous moments.

 

FINALLY!

The long, emotional haul is nearing the end. The house should be listed by tomorrow. I don't have the kind of attachment to this house as I did to the house I spent most of my growing-up years in. Although, I have lived in this one longer. This was a safe place to land when my world was turning upside down. There are memories of my looking for a job. Memories of my marriage breaking up. Those years of Mom in cancer treatment (as well as all the wonderful years in between). Memories of finding Dad after he died. Memories of the emotional struggles I went through in the 23 1/2 years living there. There has been quite a bit of anxiety laden times during the cleaning and packing. I am more than ready for a new, fresh life in a new-to-me home... wherever that may be.

Checking in

This is Jeffrey. He is my newest pet-sitting sweetheart.

He loves scratches behind his ears, he loves to sit in your lap, he loves food (what cat doesn't).

His mom and dad will be back the beginning of next week. I am just stopping in twice a day to make sure he is fed and his litter box is cleaned out... 

 

Busy weekend ahead

 The first full weekend in April for these last 45 years has been Historic Pendleton's Spring Jubilee. 

This is a juried art festival with over 70 artists displaying their creations. There will be entertainment, food vendors and what appears to be beautiful springtime weather. 

We have a store full of fun things for all ages, including not only my gnomes and angels, but Terri's fused glass jewelry, toys, games, bulk candy, candles, gourmet coffee beans, and more.... We will also be open on Sunday (when we are normally closed).

Many years ago, when I was still making the Ebonyware mugs and table ware, I was in the show twice.

 It is a wonderful show and if you are ever in the area the first full weekend of April, stop by and check it out.

A photo for inspiration

These are two angels I made last year for a special order.  I plan to glaze more of them white this year, as well as the other colors I have on hand. No more sticking to a set color palette.  Whatever color I feel like glazing is what color they will be.  I will still make some for special requests, within my reasonable capability.

I did have a productive day "off" yesterday, making 16 more angels before having to stop due to my fingers getting all wrinkly.

Kiln troubles

One of the things about creating with ceramic clay is that it needs to be fired in a kiln to finish it. And as fate would have it right now, BOTH of my kilns are off the operational list.

The larger kiln needed a new power cord and had to be re-wired.  I think I made a mistake because it tripped the breaker when I tried turning it on. I have the wiring diagram now and will need to take a closer look at it. 

The smaller kiln is firing things too hot.  That is something I have not had a problem with before.  I may need to replace the kiln sitter tube (it is cracked) and sensor rod.  Both things I cannot afford to replace at this time.  In a couple of weeks when I get paid again, maybe.  Other bills take priority at the moment.

I am looking forward to getting my hands back into the clay, but not until I know that I can fire them.

Meanwhile, I am working on designing cards for classes at The Mercantile.

Keep cool in this hot weather and let me know you were here.

Thankful

I have not had the time to post this last month as I was feverishly producing for the Mistletoe Market.  I can report that the show was a great success again this year with a lot of Angel & Santa Hat ornaments finding new homes.

The ornament display when I had forgotten to bring the Christmas tree...

The rest of the booth.

I brought the tree the second day and placed it on the other table.

I had some great feedback about the ornaments.  Some thought the angels should have bells inside to go with the famous quote from It's A Wonderful Life.  Some thought the Santa Hats should also have bells, jingle bells.  I am not sure if I will do either, but they are not bad ideas.

Here is a close-up of the Santa Hats.

Santa Hat ornaments, introduced 11/18/2016

Thanksgiving was a fabulous day filled with my family and delicious foods.  This evening I am house-sitting & cat-sitting for a friend.  Tomorrow is a long day at work.  Black Friday and we will also be staying open late during the Tree Lighting Ceremony on the Village Green just out in front of our store. 

With all of that going on, the return of kidney stones is not a good thing.  Hopefully they will sit in one spot and not move. 

Wishing you and yours a very Happy Thanksgiving (what is left of it) and a Merry Christmas.  May the New Year bring you peace and happiness.  (I do hope to check in with you before then.)

Progress!

I have been busy with a lot of house & pet-sitting jobs lately, but I am trying to squeeze in some creative time in between to build stock for the Mistletoe Market.

I have a kiln load of angels bisque firing at the moment, and included in that firing are some pumpkins!

The pumpkins second from the left in both rows are mine, the others were made by 3 of my students.  I have since made more and will have some available at Mistletoe Market.

A customer came in The Mercantile yesterday and asked if I had a new design for ornaments this year (in addition to the angels), so I am working on a couple of ideas there.  I am also working on some leaf ornament samples for a class I will be offering in a couple of weeks.

I had a scare today while Dad was out, I looked out the front window as a Pendleton Police car pulled into our driveway.  P A N I C!!  It turns out that some kids called 9-1-1 and would not let the operator speak to an adult.  And it was from a cell phone that showed it was about where our house is.  I sent him to a house a couple of doors down where I know they have children.  There aren't many on our street.

So, that is about all I can report on today.

Where oh where has Cindy been? She hasn't blogged in AGES!

I haven't been very good about blogging... my apologies.
I haven't even spent the time browsing other bloggers writings... shame on me!
I am busy with work, my sister is just now able to be at the store more hours.  The radiation treatments took a lot of energy away.  The one thing we are the most grateful for is that it was NOT cancer.  If it weren't for Dad and the wonderful friends we have, I would have run myself into the ground!  I am thankful for that every moment of every day.
It is the time of year that we start stocking the shelves with wonderful gift ideas.  Terri had the window of opportunity, after recuperating from the surgery and starting radiation, and went to the Atlanta Gift Market in July with our friend Phyllis.  (I went to Chicago with Mary for the Craft & Hobby Association show)
We also are gearing up for Christmas and the other end-of-the-year holidays with card and gift making classes.  That is where it gets tough for me.  I want to offer everyone lots of classes, but in the evenings, I am the only one who can teach for the time being.  If I were to offer classes every Tuesday & Thursday evening, and throughout the days Tuesday, Thursday & Saturday, I would not have a milligram of energy for life.
Next week, Mary & I are headed off to Orlando for a trade show.  The rep group deals with paper arts (rubber stamping, scrapbooking...) and Mary & I will be taking several classes between us to learn new ideas and techniques.  We have a lot of talented & creative people in our lives, it is nice that Mary can be a part of our staff and share her talents with those interested, and share a big smile while she is at it.  And, since Terri is still physically unable to handle a trip like this, I am glad to have Mary as a travelling partner as well as someone whose opinion I can get while shopping for creative goodies for the store.
What do I do in my spare time these day, you ask... and do I even have any spare time?!?!?  Well, I still do occasional house & pet sitting and enjoy these little get-aways so the pet's humans can get away.  I am at my nephew's house this weekend, enjoying the dogs and the peacefulness here at the lake.
When I am at home, I am working on my pottery.  I have my Fall show coming up in November at the Anderson County Museum;  Mistletoe Market.  It is my 6th or 7th year (I lose track of time...).  That is the first weekend of November.
I would post photos, but I am not on my own computer...
I hope to not be such a stranger 'round these parts...

Rainy Saturday

It is a beautiful rainy Saturday here in Pendleton. Beautiful you ask... yes, we have had drought conditions so long that Lake Hartwell is many feet below full pond. Although rain is a nuisance and makes even running errands a pain, we will not complain that a steady soaking rain is here today.

Enjoy your day!