It REALLY Happened!

Our Spidey powers were with us as we were Michigan bound.

I worked all year for this....

the biggest honor

of my art journey.

Tim had spent 

the last 3 months

keeping house...

making meals...

and going solo

 to family and friend events.

My surgeries had put me behind. 

I had to make up for lost time

and abilities.

An overnight stop on the way, to see family in Buffalo!!!
The start of a new tradition~

I also knew, 

it would take a village.

Nothing of this scale, 

comes without others.

And so I enlisted

dear friends.

Thank you Pea, for my amazing Banner.
It truly made the booth beautiful!
Thank you for also being as beside, as beside can be,
when you live on the other coast!

I called upon my Ohio friends,

that we had not seen in 6 years

at the Simple Goods show.

We have been friends for many years, 

but we don't get a chance to see each other.

Could you????

They became my set builders...

set up/tear down crew

and basically

they ran the ship,

so that the Goode Wife booth 

could shine

and run smooth.

We couldn't have done this without them.

Thank you Angie and Jake

for all that you did

and for being such a huge

part of our journey family!

We are already excited
 for next September~

Kaf and Joyce of
Grimitives and Enchanted Productions.

I met fellow artists, 
that I had long admired.
This show is more than a show...
it is a family.
They embrace you,
they guide you.
They hold you up when you feel shaky!

Hi Becky~ my neighbor across the way!

Set up was ...
busy~
crazy~
and FUN!!!

Lots of Ladyes and ratties!
my Nattie Rats, in this style are now retired
after 6 years.

A few last minute changes;
lots of encouragement~
and
everyone telling us...
"this will be unlike any show you have ever done"
(we were already seeing this!)

Kaf really did bring Cape Cod to Michigan as promised!

We were all

giddy and silly that morning, 

before the opening!

ARRRR!!!!
~congratulations Kaf on winning Best Booth!

A peek of some favorites!

Nicol Sayer's work is stunning!
who woulda thunk,
that I would see her work up close and in person!

My breath stopped at Nicol's booth~

She has been an inspire 

for so many years.

Oh Carolee! You paint magic!

The King of Mice Studio

and the magic paintbrush 

of Carolee.

~Hats in the Belfry~

How cool are these hats??

We saw many a

amazing noggin 

throughout the day!

The Acorn Cottage

I fell in love with David's

artitstry and imaginative booth!

Enchanted Productions is right!!
how fun!

As a doll maker,

I have loved Joyce's

work for years! 

Joyce is just as magical as her dollies!

Joyce has stitching magic
within her
for sure~ 

Monkey Cats Studio

Laurie Harding's
skill at Paper Mache
and painting,
makes for
collector's treasures!
How could you not smile just
looking at her booth?

Dustin and Matt

...and these two?
Dustin creates and Matt
runs a tight ship!
(full of laughter, of course).

They took me under wing
in the most amazing way.
.....I am still reeling
and shaken~

My art journey
is forever changed.

my favorite piece of the show
because...IRISH!!!!

you can see the pores 

in his face

in person~

such an attention to detail!

 Prim Pumpkin

Jennie's

Pumpkins

are so unique~

I am in awe of their coloring~

and the freckles just make

your heart smile.

I am in love~~~

Rucus Studio

I would have never dreamed,
that I would have the opportunity
to see Scott's work.
I have admired his mastery
for a long time.
The details
up close
and in person~
just amazing!
(I think I am using that word
too much in this post~
but I call it as I see it!)

group smile!!!

...and then we were called...
time for a group picture
before the show begins.
lots of laughter!

Angie, Rebecca and I

I was able to meet

friends and collectors

that have been

 a part of my journey

from it's beginning.

Angie, 

along with husband Jake,

kept the booth running smooth.

and 

Rebecca

is a collector,

 that I have long 

wanted

to meet and say

THANK YOU~ 

Angie, me, Diane and sister Erine


The night before,
while at the hotel~
Angie and I
had met up with longtime
friend Diane
along with her sister, Erine.
So we were in
 prime giggle mode,
by the time that
we met up again
at the show.

Rene, Ang and I

....And this gal~
blows me away.
Rene
has been a part of my journey
for many years.
Can you believe she is
a
race car driver???
She also
is talented in many other ways~
patterns,
lamp beads,
folk art..
and a stitching magician.
She made this upcycled outfit.
oh. my. goodness.

Nicol Sayer and I

... I was able to meet
Nicol Sayer.
all those years ago,
as I sat in the 1812 house
with Netty,
she shared the
Holly Berry Hill
catalog.
I was forever changed
when I walked
into the 1812 house,
and then as I saw the catalogs
I collected them as well
and
would pour over them for hours~
soaking up
the drawings
and the works
of the artists.
The catalog itself
was an artful
masterpiece.
...this group of artists
inspired me.
I had little
sewing experience
other than basics
in
Home Ec
(which was not my best grade).
I would not be
this far
without their inspiration.

To meet Nicol
was to come
full circle.


Suddenly,
it was over.
we packed everything up.
went to the hotel~
had dinner
and crashed.

Me, Jennie, Kaf, Laurie and Joyce

The next morning,

many of us gathered.

Lots of laughter.

Kindred 

one of my treasures (I also have the sister)
Mourning Glory Jewelry by Avery


Unbelievable~
is the family
that welcomed us with open arms.
 Such gifted
artists
along with,
 the loved ones that help
us
as we join together
to make a magical show.

Avery, you are my spirit sister...
it's like you saw my soul.

I know that I am so late
in getting this to you.

I needed to recoup
and regroup.
I had time with family...

 I have been so blown away,
with the friends
that lifted, guided
and rocked me to my core.
I am forever changed.

My heart,
my soul
my journey.
I am sorry that I didn't get
so many other booths,
and pictures of
new friends and fellow artists
(and their support teams!).

The level of artistry~
the gifts we are given as makers,
is unique
to each of us.

This group
celebrates...
Celebrates each other ....
celebrates those that
do all of the support work
to make it happen....
and
celebrates the love of Halloween.


I am back...
and rested.
Building my plan..
challenging myself~
and ready to post
more frequently.