Santa Barbara Gem Faire

This weekend my friend Vicki Greene and I took a drive to Santa Barbara to view the gem and mineral show. Oh my what an adventure! Have you ever been? We were absolutely just over taken by the display of so many beads and gems . We didn't know where to start! So, so much to see! So many like minded people.

Reams and reams of beads,wire,findings,tools,jewels and stones.Gorgeous beads simple to exotic,I had never seen so much. So tempting , all of it!

We were exhausted by the time we left with our bags of fabulous do-da's and have to haves that we knew we couldn't live with out! This was our chance to purchase and see everything we needed to pursue our plans of jewelry making.

A drive past the house I used to live in, another past my gramma and grampa's house. The memories that came flooding back of family.An over night stay in beautiful Montecito, lot's of talking about our day , out to dinner at "Cava" a delightful dinner house. Up the next morning for one more turn through the show!! We couldn't resist!The weather stayed lovely the whole time we were there only to rain on the way home.

This show is not to be missed if you love beads and gems of any sort imaginable!! It will return again next year! We will be there to do it all over again!

BIRD SHOW

Yesterday was the bird show and exhibit in Morro Bay California. My sister Julie and I were so pleased to see the number of wonderful book displays, cameras, field glasses , telescopes and artisans. Lots of "birders" signing up for nature walks and bird observing in the various natural preserves.

Morro Bay is home to the Morro Estuary Natural Preserve. This encompasses 2700 acres including 800 acres of salt marsh ,wetlands area located with in the bounds of Morro Bay State Park. This beautiful and protected area is an important stop over and fly way and winter home to numerous water fowl, shore birds and different bird species.

Among the artists exhibiting in the show was one of my very favorites, Paula Teplitz. A potter from Arroyo Grande California. I have shown one of her pieces here. Her wonderful work( I have many special pieces) is available at the Chambers Gallery here in Cambria.

It was a very nice show and fun day being with like minded nature enthusiasts.If you are in the area it goes though Sunday!

Clay and Glass show ,Palo Alto

What a fabulous day! Yesterday Gayle and I went to Palo Alto to the huge Clay and glass show.

Incredible work, miles of it!! Alot of Gayles artists from her gallery were participating and that was fun. A wonderful demonstration on the wheel. Throwing off the hump which I had never seen, (Nichibei Potters)all of you potters out there know what that is!?
The most beautiful glass work and huge clay pieces, thrown and hand built and sculpture. All of it just blow away! I didn't leave with out a little something!
Gayle met up with many of her artists and I was so fortunate to be introduced to some of these extraordinary glass makers and potters.

It was a beautiful day, a bit of smoke from the fires but not too bad. Nice for the artists and a wonderful turn out. If you ever get a chance to go it should not be missed!!

Highway 1 is open to Big Sur!! We are so happy to hear that. God Bless the Fire men, real heros!