Art Is.....ME!

Squeeee! I leave today for my very first art retreat Art is...You in Stamford, CT. I. CAN. NOT. WAIT!!! I have wanted to attend one for years and didn't think I'd ever be able to. I've treated myself for my 50th! I've spent my life putting everyone else first the vast majority of the time that I thought it was time I did it for me. As my friend Sue says, "treat yourself like company"!

Prepping my trades - sea glass chip and resin filled bezels.

I am stepping waaayyyyy outside of my comfort zone on many levels, and I'm hoping it pays off it many ways, for a long time. I'm rooming with a gracious woman whom I've never met - we've only exchanged several emails. I've never really stayed away without my family. It's going to be great! I have my mini-Moo cards, my trades (I hope they're okay), a smile, and an open heart!

I'm taking two classes with the amazing Deryn Mentock of Something Sublime and Jewelry Works. I've read Deryn's blog for several years. She is a lovely, faith-filled, talented woman. I've taken two of her online classes and thought that was the closest I'd get to taking a class with her. She's from Texas, and I don't know that I'll ever get to the south or our west for a retreat. Well, lucky day!, her son is attending the Culinary Institute of America in upstate New York and was able to combine this teaching opportunity with a visit! I'm taking both her Wildwood Earrings class and A Charming Reliquary. As a bonus, I'm taking a polymer clay class with the very talented Laurie Mika of MikaArts. Laurie is an author (Mixed Media Mosaics) and national/international teacher. I'm taking her Ornamental class. It looks fabulous!
Whelp, I need to pack (I have not packed one item.....) and I'm off!

Finished!

And a very happy 25th birthday to our son Matthew - may you have many, many more my boy! We are so very proud of you and love you so very much!