dare i say it? 1st thursday was close to awful. oh dear, not quite the report i was hoping to give you this morning! booths had been rearranged, so instead of a lovely old brick building as backdrop, behind my booth you saw the messy back of another vendor's booth.

the crowds were massive, it's true. the swell due to a holiday weekend was not a boon, sad to say. it seemed the bulk of folks were speeding by, round and round, seeking entertainment. a real "mall mentality" was felt. not so pleasant for hardworking artisans and their carefully crafted wares. our regular crowd of folks that appreciate art and come to see interesting things, meet the makers and perhaps buy a new treasure were there, to be sure. however their lovely voices were drowned out by a startling number who saw fit to haggle prices and talk on their cell phones while coolly perusing my booth. sigh. to top it off, a band of truly unskilled roving drummers took up residence on the street corner near me and played so loudly that we could hardly hear ourselves think, let alone converse with customers.

ah, well. i knew i didn't love street fairs, i should not be surprised in the least. further proof as why i am a maker, not a retailer.

yet as dusk fell, nature gave her gifts and the sky grew ever more beautiful.

the construction cranes that i love so much stood watch...and breathtaking ripples spread across the clouds.

how about tonight? let's say 6pm in the pearl district? yes, it is 1st thursday art stroll tonight! i will be set up with my fabulous street boutique from 5-10 pm on nw 13th, between irving & johnson streets, almost to the corner of johnson and 13th, i believe. i would love to see some familiar faces and meet some new friends. if you are local and have been lurking, reading this blog and secretly wishing you could just try on some of the jewelry...this is a perfect opportunity. please do introduce yourself.

i have been busy as a bee, making many earrings this week (along with rings and other pretties) including the pair pictured above. perhaps you live far away from portland and want to snatch this pair up before anyone tonight gets a chance? right here, baby.

well, my loyal portland readers, i still don't have an exact booth location to give you for 1st thursday tonight down in the pearl district, but i do know it is booth #208. please do come find me if you are out and about, i'd love to see some friendly faces! the fair takes place from 5-10 pm on nw 13th ave, between everett and johnson, it starts behind the paragon restaurant.

i'll have most of my wares from both honey & milk and bread + butter, so there will be lots of selection. and i've been a busy bee making some fabulous new earrings and lockets, which no one has seen yet! above is one of my favorite rings, just waiting patiently for the right person right here, like cinderella's glass slipper.

tomorrow i'll show you some photos of the booth and event, so all you readers from far away can get a feel for portland. hope to see many of you locals tonight! don't be shy, come introduce yourself.

i'm very excited to announce that i'll be participating in the uber-cool virtual street fair, put on each month by poppytalk handmade, of the wonderful blog, poppytalk. there is a great showing up now that features art and design with a green/recycling bent (i didn't get my act together soon enough for that one, ekk!). but tune in starting monday, april 14, because a new show will be open for business and the theme is Mother's Day & Kids. i'll be showing my collection of etched vintage lockets and even more exciting, will be taking orders for custom sayings inscribed inside! 

what a wonderful day yesterday was! the holiday sale in my studio was a smashing success. i want to thank everyone who came out during this busy season and supported me. i feel very good about the sales and delighted to meet so many of you who read this blog and are following my story, day by day. by your purchases, i am sustained.

thank-you, thank-you, thank-you! 

if anyone who was not able to make the sale is still wishing for a jewelry treat, please do consider shopping in my web stores. there are treasures to be had and if you are thinking of gifts for christmas, the time is ticking! today is actually the last day i will ship before christmas, as i am having surgery again, tomorrow. if you've just landed on found object and have no idea what that is all about, read the story here. 

any orders placed by 3pm, PST will be shipped today. otherwise, you can shop to your heart's content and i will resume shipping again around december 26.

the lovely pair of earrings above features a 1920's ruby glass button and is still available, right here.