How quickly things change....

I prefer bones to be intact, rather than the state of my very own fractured fibula. It took me 54 years to be casted and this week I have both limbs on my right side restrained.

Ice covered with a little snow = treachery. All of you out there in frigid climes, please be careful!

I am going to proceed with plans to sell in Tucson. Leaving here Monday morning being met with a cart/scooter/mini walker to rest my knee and cast on in order to negotiate the rigors of a six day show.

It has been interesting, trying to make this decision to go to AZ, informed by conferences with doctors and availability of cool tools like this cart thing, all signs have led me to believe that it is doable.....so I will go. It has been too long for me in a laid up state, I really am looking forward to the sociability of being 'out in public', and Tucson in February, Yay.

Gathering.....

One of my favorite parts of my job is to gather all of the bounty into one place and then to pack it up, organize it for a safe journey, and to consider how to juxtapose it for display.

This activity is one that I am good for. I have been noodling around in the studio for the last two days, feeling hopeful and entertained, as I pack up the 'goods' for sale. It is not a typical 'readying' but fun nonetheless. I spent the day yesterday with copper clay, noticing that a lack of dexterity can bring interesting results.

After my time at The Whole Bead Show I will be in Mesa,AZ at a meeting of the East Valley Beaders on February 10 where I will give a talk and have a trunk show, won't you come by?

Tucson bound.......

To illustrate the bounty of the universe.......I have willing and ultra capable help to carry out what my right hand usually does. It will be so nice to be at my booth and have help! Thanks Beth, Anne and Kathy!

Included in these pictures are bits of what I will have with me. Lots of metal pieces, glass eyes, felted brooches, earrings and kits as well as glass beads and pendants and plenty of finished jewelry! Luckily I got ahead in production this fall which will enable me to have plenty of handcrafted work along with my bits and pieces.

I will be at the Windmill Inn at The Whole Bead Show, inside to the right in the ballroom. I am loving the thought of moderate temperatures, good friends and the stimulation of so much to look at!

looking forward..........

Anne Mitchell and I will be teaching this class at three different locations this coming year. First section will be in Santa Fe at BeadFest Santa Fe, THE place to be in March. I love that we now have the continuity from year to year, it lets you look forward to the visit within a reasonable time frame. Two years between shows in a lovely and fun city is too long to wait. There is so much more to explore, I look forward to it and hope you will consider adding Santa Fe to your roster, hopefully joining Anne and I in this fun, colorful and useful class! We'll not only add tons of color to our metal pieces but we will learn and practice ways of cold connecting all of your bits and pieces together.

The other venues where we will offer this workshop will be at Bead and Button on Tuesday, all day! Then we jump ahead to August, accompanied by a trip to Pennsylvania....The Philadelphia BeadFest. We hope that you will join us at one of these locations!

visualizing.....

.....both hands in perfect working order. I bought my tickets to Tucson. Still more movies to watch, friends to connect with and time to tame my frustrations.

Trying to remember the 'grateful list', and that all is temporary, all things change.

cross bones...

As I was walking, walking, joyfully walking, the streets, avenues and alleys of Kyoto, I happened upon this sign. Thought of Meesh and wondered what this sign was telling me, if anyone can read it, please let me know what it was telling us....curious with its attachments and all.

In wanting to be as efficient as possible regarding the outpouring of people's desire to help surrounding the proposed ebay auction to start a trust for Meesh's boys, Jordy and Seren, I thought that I would include the following letter that I have drafted, just to save any more typing than is necessary.

I say Thanks again to all, what a wonderful thing...to rally around and want to make a difference.


If you would like to be part of this auction please read on,

I am thinking that the best way to proceed is for people to determine what
they would like to contribute to the auction and if you could photograph it
to be shown in a clear, 'intriguing and eye catching light' with the
emphasis on the piece/product, and not the background it would be best.

These images are what we would use for an ebay auction in the near future.

If people could do the photography and send the image to either Anne
Mitchell, aemitchell6482@yahoo.com or myself, gail@gailcrosmanmoore.com and
then send the piece/object/parts along with a description and a copy of the image to:

Anne Mitchell
1004 W. Alameda St.
Tucson, AZ 85745

It would be perfect.

I decided to write a 'group letter' as this is gaining momentum and with
only my one hand in working order answering individually was a challenge.

The outpouring of love and support is so grand, thank you awesome and
generous humans!

My very best,
gail

the fast train.

Yesterday's post brought forth so much support and love, words just don't say it~ how awesome it is to get out of your own way in order to try on somebody else's shoes for a bit. There is a spirited desire for people to help where they can, the requests from you to be a part of the auction or to help in other ways is so great. If you want to be a part of the auction, please email me. I have written up a couple of paragraphs to help us come together with a possible way to proceed. Thank you all.

This photo, taken of the iconic Mt.Fuji was taken a couple of weeks ago. This was at the end of my journey, as the light changed to become my last night on this wonderful and foreign experience. In third grade I made a stitchery on burlap, featuring this mountain.....with an alligator in front of it, ha.

Traveling on the bullet train proved to be more of a challenge than I had thought it might be. I was first ousted out of first class, not knowing I was in it. Mr. Miyamoto, my wonderful host, had said to get on the right side of the train in order to see the mountain. In my cozy first seat I was in the perfect position, it went bad fast. I was in car 5, told that any of the 'four fore cars would suit me'. They were either smoke or people filled, I was all the way up to car one and took a seat on the opposite side of the train. At this point exhaustion and humiliation took over as I was sure we were passing the mountain, I rubbernecked around people and seats to try to catch a glimpse of this most important visual.

The train stopped and let a few people off, I switched sides of the train, on the off chance that we hadn't passed it yet, through a mist of tears this did appear.

A new dawn.....

In my ego-centric world things aren't going so great, but my plight will be relatively short lived. I'm going to follow sage advice and bring your attention to my/our dear friends plight....Michele Goldstein is caring around the clock for the dying father of her children. (There is no time for their family to prepare for the end of his life. Steve's sickness was unexpected and the cancer is moving quickly through his body. His death is imminent, and it's only been three weeks since he was diagnosed.)

If you know Meesh, you know that she is the kindest of souls and is always generous and puts others first. She would never think about asking for money from others. That is why her friends are asking you to think of sending her something.

In looking at the dawning of a new 'age', a new year, I want to start it right and send a loving message of direct help to one of us who is in need. Meesh has been unable to work, has needed to cancel shows and is looking at an uncertain future for herself and her two young boys.

It is my hope that we could take some immediate heat off of her situation by laying down a little padding to her nest. Could you help?

If you can help, the most direct route would be through her Paypal account.(meesh@michelegoldstein.com) If you could forward this to anyone who might be interested in helping, please do!

We will be following this up with an interesting auction of donated items, if you would like to become a part of this please contact either me at gail@gailcrosmanmoore.com or Anne Mitchell at aemitchell6482@yahoo.com to develop a trust for her children.