Day One of Open Studios

Well, day one of our annual Open Studios is done. This year our studio manager made a change and decided to not have our event in conjunction with the local town festival. Not sure if it was a good or bad idea. I guess we'll know by the end of the day tomorrow.

We artists talked about how it went, how the turnout was. It seems that no matter what, I always talk a lot, so my throat is sore anyway. But I certainly didn't sell in the volume that I usually do. I could blame it on lower numbers, which I believe was the case. Or I could blame it on the economy, which most agree is in the toilet. But I think I'll blame myself—I didn't make hats to please the masses this time. It was a choice. As you may know, I've been doing other things this year—making two-dimensional art. So I'm not upset by my lack of sales. It's still fun putting stuff on peoples' heads.

Visitors who noticed, were pleasantly surprised by my mixed-media collages. Some asked me to tell them the story of this one or that. Taking my friend Paul's advice I said, "It would be so much more interesting if you told me what you see." And it was. People saw all kinds of interesting things. For a few clips, I got to be entertained. Nice.

Still one more day to go. My feet are sore and I'm beat. Time to go kick back. A chilled glass of wine would be nice.

If you're interested in coming, tomorrow's calling hours are noon to five o'clock, 63 Summer St., Maynard, Massachusetts.

And the Bride Wore...

She wore a hat, of course, one of mine! Oh, I was so thrilled!

Let me give you a little background story. Fellow artist, Lisa, was going into her second marriage—the right one—and bought a wedding hat from me last year before she had a dress. Several months later, she found the dress of her dreams... but it don't go with the hat. And now we were tight on time. I looked at a grainy picture of the dress taken with an older phone. Would I be able to get anything in time? I got her original purchase back, so I could keep in mind what looked good on her, then I thought about the graceful flow and folds of the dress—very classy. I had a straw that seemed like it might match. Little did I know it was a perfect—the exact color! I sculpted something up, hoping it was right, and bingo! We had a new hat.

You never know how these things are going to turn out until the wedding is done and you see some pictures, and what pictures they were. Susan Huszar is an excellent photographer. I used her myself when I needed some shots done. When I saw the pictures I was blown away. The bride looked gorgeous and the hat looked magical. Looking at the photos I can't imagine Lisa without this hat—it simply had to be this way.

I am so thrilled to have been able to be a part of this wonderful event. I'm including just two for you to see, but I may have to post more. Apparently I haven't seen all the wonderful shots that were taken. When I do, my heart will melt and I'll post again. In the meantime enjoy these. And if you're looking for a fabulous photographer check Susan Huszar out: http://www.susanhuszar.com/