Taking The Plunge....

Looking for something to do on a cold snowy winter day in Maryland? Why not take a plunge into the Chesapeake Bay with 1000's of other participants in the 2010 MSP polar Bear Plunge. Why? I know you are asking yourself this question...why would people that have their right mental faculties about them take a dip into the Chesapeake Bay on a frigid day in January? Simple answer: to benefit the Maryland Special Olympics.

The local tv and radio personalities all donate their time and efforts to this worthy cause...many by taking the actual dip themselves. There are team events where they plunge once an hour for 24 hours. Kinda nuts, if you ask me...How do you convince yourself to go back in after the first time, but to do it 23 more times...well that's just beyond me!

This year my middle son Josh decided to take the plunge. He was able to raise $170 in donations for the cause. Wish I could have been there to see it, but it's freezing here and snowing...did I forget to mention that? Well it is!

picture out the front door....brrr!

Josh is suppose to go in to the Chesapeake Bay at 1 pm...hopefully someone in his group that he is with will get a picture for me to post.

So far the plunge has raised in contributions almost $2.8 million. You don't have to plunge to participate. You can just click on the link that I have included above and donate. I know I have twice. Once in my sons Josh's name and once for my other sons, Sean's, Community Employment Advocate Kevin that is plunging, who works with him to find employment.

Anyway, just thought I share what the crazy people in Maryland do on a snowy frigid day in January!

New facebook fanpage!

I finally got my facebook fanpage up. It took some work and I'm still finding my way around over there. Found out I love to play Farmville...very addicting game! And don't anybody go calling Dr. Phil on me either! LOL!

Anyway, if you have a moment to pop over and fan me, I'd love to have you. Also if you have a fanpage, website, blog, sell on etsy, artfire or ebay, be sure to leave your links on my page.

Love to Read Blogs?

Love to read blogs? Want to get your blog out there more? Then this is the place for you... Just click on the link on my sidebar.

A Little Bit Of Spring?

Since most of the country has been in the grips of an arctic blast....
Thought I share a few pictures of one of the amaryllis that we have had for years. In the summer, I repotted the bulbs into a larger, more roomy planter. This year it certainly has outdone itself. It reminds me that spring may be right around the corner...


Well one can hope, can't they? LOL!

Where Did December Go?

Well December started out with a 5 day craft show. We did the Harrisburg Christmas Show at the beginning of the month. It was an interesting show...over 500 vendors and 750 spaces. I took a few pictures of my booth but didn't get out of my booth much since I was by myself. I was fortunate to be able to stay with my good friend Eileen instead of having to run back and forth. The show was so-so and may be worth another try next year. While at the show the websites that I sell on went wild...I came home to over 80 orders. Which leads me to my next picture...






The postman picked up many, many piles of packages for 2 1/2 weeks at my house..much like the piles in the pictures. He wasn't always a happy camper...I tell him to look at it like job security.



At last count we shipped 260 packages containing 310 items to all points in the US. We shipped to Canada, United Kingdom and The Netherlands without any packages being lost, they may have been delayed or have wandered but none were lost. Thank you United States Postal Service.

I finally was able to go Christmas shopping for my family on December 23rd! It was not looking to good for presents til then. We managed to get all our shopping done in 2 days. Sad to say there wasn't any Christmas tree to put them under as the snow prohibited our trek to the tree farm to search for the perfect tree..oh well things could have been worse.

I think I've finally rested up from all the rush of December and it's been much slower. Hopefully with the new year will bring more of a commitment to my blog and my selling sites.

Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow

Not really! I don't care for the snow. My friend Eileen, who absolutely adores the snow, says I'm a grinch. Not really, I use to love playing in the snow as a child, but as an adult it just is an inconvenience. Especially here in Baltimore...people drive crazy on a good day!


The above 2 pictures were taken about 10 am. It had been snowing since about 10pm Friday evening. We had around 6" on the ground and still more was coming.



Yes, it is pretty to look at...but enough already! The forecast is for 20-30"! Yep, that's right! We don't even live in the mountains!

Josh is hard working, shoveling the sidewalk for the second time today. It's hard to keep up when snow is falling at 2" an hour pace.




The above pictures were taken at about 1pm. As you can see we are getting pretty much snowed in. The snow plows haven't even made it into the neighborhoods yet. They are having problems keeping the main interstate opened and plowed. The malls in the area have all closed down as traveling conditions have become too hazardous. The national weather service has declared that we are officially in a blizzard.

Ian is measuring how much snow we have gotten so far...we have 12" on the ground and no signs of it letting up. I guess we will have a white Christmas afterall. That is if we get to go to the tree farm to find our tree and I actually get to do some shopping...one Christmas present isn't going to cut it!

Tomorrow is another day and the snow is suppose to be out of here...of course what's on the ground won't be leaving anytime soon but maybe we can get the tree...can you just hear the whining as I drag them from tree to tree on the farm only to go back to one of the first ones that I picked! LOL!

Howard County Crafts Spectacular

Last weekend we set up at the Howard County Fairgrounds. We have done this show for the past 10 years, taking off the last 2 years. The former promoter took what was once a vibrant, thriving, successful show and ran it into the ground. Two years ago, Mark Zienda of AtoZ Crafts took it over trying to turn it around. He still has a ways to go. Gone are the flea market type booths...you won't find any socks here folks. Nor the displays for windows or food plans. That's a positive step in the right direction.

I spoke with Mark prior to signing up for the show, quite extensively on the phone regarding the advertising he was doing for the show. It sure looked like he had his bases covered. Only thing, it still didn't pull in the crowds like had attended in previous years. One suggestion that should have been made was to do a postcard mailing garnered from your targeted audience of the craft show goers. Guest come to sign up to win one of the many $10 gift certificates that are given away, that are provided by the exhibitors, so why not have them sign up for the mailing list too?

Anyway, the slippery slope that this and many other craftshows are on, can't be rectified in 2 short years...afterall, I am a realist! But there is still much room for improvement. The jewelry category needs to be cleaned up...too many jewelers and alot that wasn't handmade by the exhibitor. Also some more clarification on enhanced products need to be made. Simply putting a name on a manufactured item isn't handcrafted...I know a little harsh, but truthful nonetheless!

I wish Mark much success. I hope that Howard County continues to evolve and will one day return to the wonderful craftshow that it once was.



In my continuing quest to better my booth display...yes, I am always tweaking my display, I have changed my display pieces to metal grid work...very heavy, but also very sturdy. Not to say that I have retired my old display pieces, but my new grid pieces will be used to enhance my old display, especially at my larger shows.

So some major changes were made at this show. I added shelf brackets so I could use my wood shelves to display my handpainted pieces. I changed how I hung some of my signs to make it easier to set up and I could have more on hand for customers to buy.

Let me just say that the hubby was so glad that my new display didn't entail him having to make me new display pieces...he usually runs for the hills when I say..."what do you think about this for a display". LOL!



This guy was awesome. He had a sign making press, like the one many larger department stores had to make their sale and other signs, so my friend Pat says...well she said she used one when she worked for Montgomery Wards...really way before my time, being the youngester that I am! LOL! Anyway, he had newspaper blanks and changed the headlines to customize the sign for customers.


This was the sign I had made for my family. Never has there been a truer sign. And in case you are wondering just who Paulie is..he's our cock-a-tiel. I compare him to the parakeets the coal miners would take into the mines with them to check the air quality. Poor Paulie...and yes some days I do get blown away! LOL! Gotta love a family full of males!



And this picture is of my friend Pat and her husband Lou. They look like a pair of lovebirds even after all these years of marriage. Of course, this is not how they always are...some days she wants to throttle him! LOL! But isn't that they way it is with any marriage that has survived for a long time.

And on that note, I'll close this post by saying, that the jury is still out on whether the Howard County craftshow will make a full return to it's former self or simply fade away into the sunset. Take care and I promise not to be so long between posts.

Catoctin Colorfest

Last weekend we had the privilege of participating in Catoctin Colorfest held in the scenic little town of Thurmont Maryland. It's a quaint little town with many gifts shoppes, antiques shoppes and a few nice eateries. On the second weekend in October this sleepy little town of 6000 is flooded with more than 150,000 visitors.

During Colorfest weekend you will find yard sales, flea market items and lots of arts & crafts located in any nook or cranny that someone can pop up a tent and set up in. Vendors even set up in the local car washes bays! It's an amazing sight to newcomers to the show. Parking is at a premium but there is regular shuttle bus service from many outlying locations into the town during the show.



This is one of the biggest shows that we do each year, and we spend many hours gearing up making product to sell. My family helps with set up, manning the cash registers, restocking and packing up, so you could say it's a family affair for me.







We see many friends each year there and make some new ones along the way. Here's Bill Anderson, who we have been friends with he and his wife Rhonda for years. Bill and Rhonda travel from the lower Eastern Shore of MD to set up and sell. We use to see Roni and Bill at many shows, but due to circumstances they have cut back on their shows and we see them 2 times a year. This year Rhonda wasn't able to come to the show due to the flu...missed seeing her.


I took this picture of Steph from Puppywear...she is quite the character as you can see from her pose. We had a good time chatting and getting to know each other this past weekend. She sells all kinds of clothing for dogs...from the little bitty ones to the oversize 2x ones.



Here is Bella one of Steph's customers modeling her new Puppywear coat. Isn't she the cutest little thing?



The weekend turned out to be beautiful and a big success. If you are ever in the vicinity of Maryland on the second weekend in October, be sure to stop and take in all the Catoctin Colorfest has to offer. You'll even have a spectacular view along the way from Mother Nature and the fall foliage.

Darlington Apple Festival

Last weekend I was able to participate in a nice little festival held in the quaint town of Darlington, Maryland. Darlington is just a little speck on the map but come the 1st Saturday in October, the little sleepy town of 700, turns into a mob scene of approx 70,000 people...yep, you read that right....70,000!

This is the first time we have ever participated in this show, but it has been around over 27 years. There is anything and everything to do with apples, including a apple pie baking contest, hay rides, pony rides and musical entertainment. An way imaginable to cook, bake or serve an apple, you could find it at Darlington. There were apple pies, apple cakes, apples with carmel and whipped topping which I can say is yummo but very, very sweet, so it's best to be shared. There was apple butter, apple dumplings, candy and caramel apples on a stick and just plain ole bushels of apples to take home.



Along with the apple fare and entertainment, there were around 200 craftsman in the town located in various parking lots, the school grounds and along the Shuresville Rd which is the main street.

The one nice feature about this show, was the food. The food vendors had to be sponsored by a non-profit group which means that the money raised there at the show, goes right back into the community. It was a very nice and well thought out plan and the food for the most part was very reasonably priced.

The weather held out and it turned out to be a beautiful day although the forecast was for scattered showers. If you are ever in the area in October be sure to make a stop to eat and shop the Darlington Apple Festival...hope to see you all there next year...and if you do come be sure to stop by and say hi!

Bel Air Festival of the Arts

Last Sunday we participated in Bel Air Festival of the Arts held the 3rd Sunday in September in beautiful downtown Bel Air, Maryland. There is all day entertainment, including numerous events staged on the bandstand, arts and crafts and children activities.

Here are a few pictures that I took of my girlfriends from New Jersey...



Donna paints french country or shabby chic on tin, mirrors, glass, wood. She was busy working changing the colors on a design as a customer waits. Donna was unaware that I was taking her picture! Love candid photos!










In this picture she was telling me not to take her picture! LOL! Too late!








This is Janice...she was just sitting back and relaxing. These gals deserved it as this was their 3rd show in as many days. I did this weekend a few years ago and I can tell you by Sunday, you are wiped out!





Of course my craft shows are a family affair. Ian is in charge of running the cash register and generally helping customers. He's been going to craft shows since he was 6 days old. Of course we were just visiting at that one, but he was at his first official craft show when he was a month old. He's a big help with set up and break down too.




As you can see I still need to do some work with learning how to take pictures with my new camera...maybe someday soon I'll get it! Sigh!

Anyway, if you are in Maryland on the 3rd Sunday of September, Bel Air Festival of the Arts, is certainly worth the trip.