The weather is changing; I can see the gravel in the driveway and tufts of winter green grass lying on slush and mud.  The birds are much more vocal.  While there's still snow in the forecast, yesterday the temp hit 45.

Sunday, hubby and I went to a Hawk Walk at one of the Medina County parks.  The paths were wet, icy and snowy.  The group was very large.  No one saw even a glimpse of a hawk; I think since we were in such a large group, no self respecting hawk dared appear.  It was nice to get out, though.  I was wearing a light sweatshirt and fleece jacket and was comfortable - I felt like I could actually move for once, instead of being insulated inside my winter coat.

Inside, things continue to heat up.  The Ohio Jewelry and Metal Arts celebrated it's 1st anniversary on February 13th with a meeting at the Summit County Library.  Meeting size was around 30; lots of talented folks brought samples of their work.  It's so wonderful to be in a group like this.  Just being around others who like to talk about the whys and hows of creating is so refreshing.  As I've said before, love my family, but if I start talking about anything jewelry, their eyes roll back in their heads, they leave the room....  The forum on the Ohio JMAG's website is also a wonderful place to exchange ideas between crafters, artists and lovers of jewelry and metal art - www.ohiojmag.com.  There's a calendar on the site and our meetings and events are listed for the year.  You have to join to be able to view some of the content, but there's still information to check out regardless.

In December, while fuming and fussing over the economic times, I came up with the idea of inviting gallery & store owners, artists and promoters to join a discussion group with the intent of sharing ideas to help promote the arts in Ohio.  With the economic changes over the past year, year & a half, we all need to change our ways of doing business.  The economy just isn't going to be the same.  Joining forces and sharing resources may be the best plan of survival.  So far we've had two meetings, one in January and one in February and have another scheduled for March 22nd.  We are the Ohio Arts Community, "Sharing knowledge and resources to promote the arts in Ohio", www.neohioartists.com.  OAC not only has the website - thank you again, Paula Atwell of Lake Erie Artists Gallery - but a Facebook page.  Check it out!

And this time of year begins the sweating over applications for shows and trying to figure out my schedule.  It's hard to plan when you have no idea which shows you'll be juried into.  More on THAT later.

While working out of the home does have some advantages, like sitting at the computer in your pj's, it is so much harder than I thought it would be.  I have to plan, and I mean sit down and schedule on a sheet of paper type plan, every week.  Otherwise.. well, I'm really good at distracting myself, getting too many things going at one time and finishing none.

My workroom/studio is pretty much the way I think I need for it to be.  Just some tweeks here and there.  Plus, you never can have enough tools! 

But, I'm expanding my skills, trying new tools and techniques.  Got to keep moving forward.

I've had a mental block, for lack of anything else to call it, on bezel settings which I let affect my confidence.  My dear, talented friend, Melissa Muir, melissa@melissamuir.com, has helped me tremendously.  While I had developed a fairly solid comprehension of the concept and steps to bezel setting, my attempts just weren't what they should have been.  Let me tell you, there's nothing that can compete with sitting down and learning all the little dos & don'ts from a pro.

One of my current projects is a pendant and earring set of Botswana Agate, of which I'll post photos on the site when completed.

And earrings, earrings, earrings!  I'm trying different chain maille looks and combinations; these too will make it as photos shortly.

If you check the Special Events section of this site, you'll find several area events coming up this month, two demos and a boutique sales event.  Hope you can come!

And, as always, there'll be more to come.

Ok, so in the past 8 days I've finished: updating my site, a small commission, cleaning and rearraging my workroom. 

Unfortunately, I've also been playing host to a virus.  You know the type: sore throat; snotty; sneezy; headachy; chilling & burning up; coughing.  Sigh, I just *love* uninvited house guests.  Why do I feel like I'm in a bad TV commercial for OTC cold/flu medicine?  Or that my brain cells have drowned in excess mucus?

But, onward!  I still have a couple of events and a show to get ready for during this upcoming week, so the brain cells must be given mouth-to-mouth.

Did get out of the house today, though, which felt really nice.  The weather was lovely, even if the trees are stripped naked.  Plus, I got to walk around a bookstore, and, of course, ended up buying a couple of books.  Ghosthunting Ohio by John B. Kachuba.  Ignore Everybody And 39 Other Keys to Creativity by Hugh MacLeod.  I know, I know; my reading is just a bit odd at times.

Hugh MacLeod has a blog @ www.gapingvoid.com.

Ghosthunting Ohio  mentions Sherri Brake of http://hauntedhistory.net/index.html.  Earlier in October I went on two of Sherri's tours in Canal Fulton, the Ghost Walk and the Canal Boat, both of which were a real hoot.  Sherri is great with the local history.

Anyway, hope you like the New! Improved! website.  More stuff will be added soon.

Finally, a day when I can work on my web site!  WooHoo!!

I got my new torch and I can't wait to work with it.  Really think that this will help me expand and create the items I've struggled with lately.  But first.. back to work on this site.

The 2009 Ohio Sauerkraut Festival is over!  Weather was good, lots of people attended.  However, this must not be my venue, because I didn't sell very well.

Met some very nice folks and got to look at the wonderfully charming Hammel House Inn, a restaurant, shop and bed & breakfast.  Hubby Dex and I left on Monday morning and went back to Waynesville to have an early lunch at Hammel House Inn and walk around the village for a bit before heading back home.  I really would like to spend a few days at the Inn - they have "Ghost & Goblet" dinners and haunted tours!

I recommend going to the Ohio Sauerkraut Festival to do some shopping.  With 400 to 500 vendors, you're sure to find something to start working off your Christmas gift list.  All the sauerkraut goodies are yummy, too.

But, now, back to work - I taught my Spiral Mania class at Beadtini Boutique today for four lovely ladies.  Unfortunately my classes at the Lake Erie Artists Gallery for the afternoon and evening didn't fill, so perhaps I'll be back there later in the month.

Still have several orders I need to finish for folks, plus need to make items for Canal Fulton Gallery and items for my next show, Cleveland By Hand at the IX Center.  Yikes!  Better check my stock and get to work!