Back on deck....where has the time gone?

It's been a whirlwind, chaotic and emotionally draining year to date. Hence no blog entry. I won't bore you with all the 'stuff' that happened, but will outline the major events that will forever be in my mind as the year of 2010. My darling Dad who had been ill for quite some time with a really rare disease Amyloidosis, went downhill rapidly from just before Christmas, and he passed away on 3rd May. A truly beautiful, loving and gentle man and not just my opinion (of course I'm biased)- our family was gathered together for the thanksgiving service for his life and the people who came to give him tribute all gave the same message to us. The service was such a loving and happy remembrance of him. Not a day goes by when I don't think about him, I go down to be with Mum each week for a day or two, not just to help her but to help myself work through this time of grief. Bill (my darling husband) has been a total hero for me during this time. Supporting me emotionally and physically, by keeping the 'home fires burning' and looking after the shop.

The other major ordeal for me has been the concern for

my youngest grandson Brody.

My daughter and her family live in Kalgoorlie, Brody was diagnosed with kidney problems and had to undergo surgery. When first diagnosed I aimed to be with them for the surgery to support her in looking after him. However this all coincided with Dad's decline and in the end we decided I was better at home supporting Mum. The operation went fine and his recovery has been very good. This morning he is back in Royal Perth Hospital for his next operation, hopefully all will be well and he'll be out again maybe tonight (this one is a day procedure only we hope).

I won't bore you with any other 'stuff' I'm looking to the positives now. Business is building here in the new place. Mainly through hard slog and attention to our customers. I'm stocking all sorts of other accessories and some other artists' jewellery too, which takes the pressure off me.

The bead shop has increased dramatically. My main aim is to stock the interesting and unique along with broad range of findings and a good selection of wire and altered art materials. All the things that I like working with myself. The website continues to build and each week more products are added. Thankfully my customer base is also continuing to build and I look forward to the day when the website competes with the bricks'n'mortar shop.

I'm teaching more off-site than here at the studio at present. I've restructured the teaching so that instead of teaching a set program and expecting students to adhere to a timetable and subject I've set, we've created an 'a la carte teaching' program. During the year when the shop is not open 7 days per week - approximately mid April to mid October - I am available to teach either here or at student's home or community centre etc. a class created around their specific

needs. One example: Two ladies who wanted to learn a couple of basic chain maille weaves came and spent a couple of hours happily learning enough to go and play at home with the new techniques they learned. Another example: a student, already quite capable beader in her own right, wanted to refine some skills and learn some finishing techniques, we had an hour together and she's well and truly sailing now!

Artistically, it's been a drought. I've really struggled to create anything, even work on the simple 'bread and butter' work. I'm glad to say that the light is on at the end of the tunnel and I've started to dream pieces again. When the work starts to invade my dreams again, I start to feel safe and secure again. Sad but true. The pictured piece is 'Autumn', hopefully the first of a series of seasonal neck pieces. I've got the 'Winter' piece in clear picture in my head, only need to hatch it :-)

I'd better load up some pictures and head out and tackle the backlog. Chat soon.