Goodbye summer, Hello FALL

Certainly has been too long since I wrote a blog post.  What have I been up to?

Definitely enjoyed my vegetable garden this summer.  My harvest lasted from May for lettuce through November for the last of the lettuce.   We grew:  yellow beans, tomatoes, zucchini, broccoli, mesclun, lettuce, cucumbers, bell pepper, jalapenos, banana peppers, snow peas, radishes, raspberries, chives, and sage. 

Here are a few pics of our harvested fruits 8 ball zucchini, broccoli, lettuce and radish, and tomatoes. 

 The weather was not kind to farmers or gardeners this year.  Spring was way too wet.  Our garden did well this year, all things considered.  I have canned tomato sauce and frozen zucchini for bread or lasagna later.  Also some baked zucchini bread and peppers in our freezer.

As for fall there have been some challenges for me.  In mid September, I had a fall and now have a serious injury to my left knee.  Reconstruction surgery is schedule for 12/12, next month.This drastically changed all my plans for fall and holiday shows.  Having no idea what I would be able to do more than a few days ahead of time.  On a more somber tone.... there have been some members of my family dealing with terminal inoperable cancer diagnosis.  This has been the most difficult fall I have  had since my father died.

The holiday season is upon us.  this is late November.....one show is planned for the first weekend in December for my local buyers.  I still have my online shops for those who are not local.  I am on Ebay, Supadupa and facebook selling my cabochons, rough and jewelry.   Stay tuned for details about the event next post. 


My store: http://panda-wear.mysupadupa.com/

My Facebook:  PW Facebook

My Pinterest:  Panda Wear Art
 

Festivals for 2014

Currently reviewing and deciding which show to participate in this year.  If money grew on trees, I would do about 15 before the end of the year.  Three would even be in another state.

The way I decide which to do is based on the below logical questions.  The top 5 are from my earlier post about how to choose a show.  This is is part of the criteria I am using to decide which shows to do.  Applications are due starting the end of the month.  

Show Critique and Criteria for Choosing an Event

1. What is there that brings people to the show? 
2. What size crowd does the show normally have?
3. How many vendors are planned & what is the mix of types of media at the show? 
4. Is it there a jury for acceptance?
5. Have you been to the show?
6. Has the show changed since the last time I was a vendor?  Is it larger, smaller, different target audience, different mix of media, new location, new date?  

This is a difficult decision to make as to which shows I do not sell my work.  Also need to decide which to just visit and plan for next year.  the show season for outdoor shows runs May through October here in Rochester, NY.  I do shows in my home state right now.  This leads to another topic for next time.  Booth layout or design.  

Your  questions and suggestions are always welcome.

 My store:  http://www.zibbet.com/PandaWear

My Facebook:  PW Facebook

My Pinterest:  Panda Wear Art

Winter Almost Done

Though is is not my favorite season, I like winter.  Without all four seasons I would not love where I live.  My two favorite seasons and spring and fall.  I am planning my vegetable garden right now.  I need to decide what we are growing this year and plant the seeds inside this week.

This winter started quite early here in Rochester, NY.  It  has been a wild one with really warm weeks followed by bitter cold.  I enjoy the snow cover  and it helps my plants to have a dormant season.  Not to mention it kills lots of fungus and disease which in a warm winter ruins the growing season here.

Here is the snow in my front garden.

Photo of my vegetable garden from a late spring photo.

In the front is my Broccoli and the back shows tomatoes, lettuce and peppers.  The fence is deer netting to keep critters out. 

I am inspired my nature and as you see the light through the leaves and branches think of the bends and twists in my wire work.

Upcoming topics will expand on the quality and why I choose the materials I work with.  
Your suggestions are always welcome for future topics.


My store:  http://www.zibbet.com/PandaWear

My Facebook:  PW Facebook

My Pinterest:  Panda Wear Art

2014 New Year and New Designs

Started the year off with many ideas for new designs.  I am still working out the specifics for them.  Photos will be posted when they are complete.  If only wishes make things happen.  Wishing for more time to work on them.  I no longer do New Years resolutions.     I have committed to working on my lapidary projects(stone cutting) at least one day a week.  Cutting again is fun and relaxing.  I currently have about 10 stones in process. Photos when they are finished. 

This is a  new piece from last month, Dichroic Mirror in sterling silver.

My store:  http://www.zibbet.com/PandaWear

My Facebook:  PW Facebook

My Pinterest:  Panda Wear Art