Fuzzy Lizard Studio
Artisan Lampwork Beads and other Art
History Lesson
So much has happened, I am getting behind in my posts! I'm currently at the Gathering, and I feel it has been weeks since my last post. I had a long day, so I will try to keep this quick.
Where did we end off last time? Ah, yes. Tom (aka Tam the Hat). Anyways, Tam is a vintage and costume dealer. He goes to various festivals and events selling recycled clothing in a wide range of styles. I showed up at his house last week very early, very very early in the morning and being sympathetic to the daywalkers, I didn't ring the bell and instead opted to snooze in my car until a more reasonable hour. Tam woke me around 7am and chastized me for not waking them and then put me to work. He brought me to the local Goodwill Outlet store were we stood in line with the other enthusiasts and treasure hunters. Man, what a madhouse! At the appointed time, they unlocked the doors, and everyone stampeded in, trying to be the first to get to rummage through the various bins.
Everything in the warehouse is sold by weight, so if you can find valuable items, you can get them for amazingly little cost. Some items are hot commodities and people will actually get into full out fist fights over them. I happened to grab for the same jacket as another woman, and she put her nails into the back of my hand until I let go! I'm not nearly cut-throat enough for such places. I did manage to find some really nice pieces for Tom, some Pendleton wool, tartan fabric and a few antique books about Ireland. For myself I managed to pick up a copies of Morte d'Arthur and Watership Down, as well as a nice storage box for my glasswork. I accompanied Tom to Goodwill at 7:00am every morning I was in Hillsboro.
The following weekend I headed down to Roseburg to get fitted for my bridesmaid dress. My friends Craig and Lillian are getting married this coming November in Portland and they asked me to be part of the wedding party. I am completely honoured. Not only that they thought me important enough to ask, but that they thought of me at all. Living so far away from my friends on the West Coast, I find that I tend to become an afterthought.
I got to choose out my own patterns, and though I am exceptionally picky and tend not to like dresses in the first place, I think I managed to pick out something rather flattering and elegant. I think Lillian's mother (who will be sewing all of the outfits) was rather relieved that I found it, because previously I couldn't find anything that was quite right. I kept finding things I liked, but could she change this?, add that?, etc etc. It will be in a deep midnight blue silk with a sheer organza ribbon lacing down the back and then trailing behind.
On Sunday, we caravaned to Silver Falls State Park for a late afternoon picnic. I wish we had more time to explore the other waterfalls in the area, but the South Falls are breathtaking. It is a bit of a hike, but even with each of us being rather out of shape, we didn't have too much trouble getting around.
Next blog entry: A Gathering we will go!