Back on track!

Well the holidays are now behind us and it time to start getting organized for the production months ahead, if Jan- April goes by as fast as Sept- Dec did, I might start to panic!! There always seems to be so much to do and any interuption seems to throw me off the creative wagon... I have lots of projects lined up and several paintings started but I need a good kick in the behind to get in gear. I've had a cold for the past week, feeling better now so of course I didn't get all that much done. I have decided to try ( sort of a new year resolution) to do a weekly update here, daily is impossible, my life is pretty routine so I don't want to bore anyone ! But on a weekly basis, I can probably find a few things to blab about and hopefully post a few pictures of some finished goodies. The holidays here were quiet which is how I like 'em, I am not a fan of big get togethers, suppers etc... most of my relatives live far away so it's easy to keep it simple. I did make some cute ornaments for some of my girlfriends using some decorative papers, glitter and glass. I'm the little one in the front who's slouching! I can do custom pieces for anyone who might be interested. Hope you all have a great week!

Here are a few pictures of my new goodies I had made for the Christmas shows. I did one last weekend and was quite disappointed , the people that did buy were were far and few but were appreciative, the rest expect to get everything for dirt cheap. It's annoying to see them pick something up , make a OMG face about the price and leave your booth without even saying a word. I know the economy has something to do with it, but lets face it, plenty of people are still full of money, but I guess they're the ones that will least likely part with it. Also , quality here does not seem to be a priority, the imported stuff (garbage) has really hurt the handmade craft industry I believe. If it looks similar and is less than half the price of quality handmade, it seems to be good enough for them. Frustrating... I was just reading someone else's post about a disappointing show in their area and although I am sorry for her outcome, I'm glad to see that someone else is having this problem and that it isn't just me.I have another show next weekend, we'll see if that one will be better. I have a website and don't have much luck with that either. Maybe I should just find another job....

Where does the time go??

Can't believe we are already past the middle of November! The shop has been closed for about a month now but I have been very busy preparing for some craft shows. The first one was this past weekend and was a bit of a disappointment. Down about 1000 people at the door, I made a bit of money but not as much as I had banked on. Hopefully the next one will make up for it. The fall here has been windy and wet, so it made for a not busy end of the season. Before you know it though it will be May again so as soon as the craft shows are over, I have to get back to work on next season's stock. Hope to post some photos of the craft show booths soon!

keeping busy...

Well I have been absent for a bit again, I find myself spending less and less time indoors once it starts getting nice out, I am at the shop part time presently until June 18th and then it's full time.It's not busy right now and I still have lots of work to do at the shop so at least I have time to do that. Late spring is the most wonderful time of the year! The trees are blooming, birds singing, beautiful temperatures and everything is so full of life! I have a few pictures to share of the new shop displays for the season, hope you enjoy and most of all enjoy the splendid weather!

And yes, we are indeed in May...

It's already been almost a month since my last post, how time flies! Well we are thrilled to have the motorbikes out and thought it would be fun to share an unlikely scene for motorcycles. This looks like a very cold scene but it was actually quite a lovely day. We live near the Cape Breton Highlands National Park in Nova Scotia and this is on top of North mountain(appropriately named) . At times during the winter this section of road is closed because of the inability to keep it cleared for traffic. Snow here can linger well into June! I am almost 6 feet tall just to give you an idea of how much is left of this bank!

Onto other news... I am opening shop this coming Thursday. It's always exciting at the begining of each new season but also scary. We have been on steady decline in tourism traffic since 9-11, our economy has never bounced back and to top it off an official recession is now upon us...sigh...

Here's hoping to a good season...

Here are a few shop pictures form last season, my window boxes were just starting to bloom, thry looked awesome in August, very full! Hope you enjoy!

Here a some more recent paintings, the fisrt one was done last season and is a 10x20, the others are 5x7's and one 5x 10. All local scenery her in Cheticamp, Nova Scotia, Canada.