Christmas and the holiday season are fading from the rear view mirror and winter has moved in with a vengeance.  In the past few years it seemed that when it got to -12 that it was cold.  Now when it it gets to -12 it almost feels warm and I don't have to put on so many layers!

This posting is a follow up to my comments in November.

I made a donation to one of my favourite charities in early November - a special set of chargers made from wood they had given to me that included comments on the back about the story of the wood.  I regret to say that once the donation was made I have heard nothing more from them.  They have fallen into somewhat the same mold that I described before.

However, over Christmas, I met the couple that purchased the vase that I had put the reserve bid on.  They really wanted the piece so I am happy that it is where it should be.  I heard through the grapevine that the charger set went for several times its retail value and that the buyer is very pleased with the purchase.  Again good news for the bidders and the charities.  Not so great for the artist.  This shouldn't be how we find out about these things!

Just this past week I have been approached by yet another group for a donation.  I resolved to handle this differently.  I suggested how I could make a valuable contribution but that the time was very short.  I also asked that they read my blog and get back to me if they were still interested.  I pointed out that if the past pattern was repeated, then my donation to them would be the last I would make to anybody.

I wasn't sure if I would hear from them but they called back yesterday.

We agreed that the time was too short for me to make a meaningful contribution to their event but we are going to put something special together for next year. Great.  I don't have to jump through hoops in the next two weeks although I was willing to if they could have found the wood.  Better to work on something very special that will be to the benefit to all concerned.

The blog had been read and they resolved not to be like the others.  As I am not contributing this year I won't be able to test that resolve directly.  However, I have several friends in the arts who have promised work and I will follow up with them to see how they are treated.  

I will report back on this in my next posting.

If you are outside, may the wind be at your back.  If you are inside may you find yourself with a good book by a merry fire.  If you are in a warm climate, think of us but don't be smug!

Stay warm!

Until next time...

It snowed last night.  Well, I didn't see that coming.  I am sure not ready for it.  I still have to clean the eaves.

My work was accepted into the Art Gallery of Hamilton Show.  Lisa and I took a body of work to them on Monday.  The show opens next Thursday, October 31 and runs until Sunday, November 3.  You can find more information here.

I am now working on pieces for the Holiday Treasures Show which happens at the end of November.  For more on this show, visit holidaytreasures.ca.  As a member of the committee I am working on some shelves and the website.

Christmas and December commissions are drifting in and I am preparing some pieces for the fundraising event at Theatre Orangeville.  They have given me some wood from their recent renovations and I am thinking of making some chargers for them.  If you are interested in theatre you might want to drop in on their website.

I am also preparing some work for my newest gallery, The Kingston Glass Studio and Gallery.  You can find out more about them here.  I hope to have my work there before Christmas.

It is very satisfying to have work to do far into the future.  It wasn't always like this (but that is for another day).

Until next time...

More water under the bridge.

The show at the Guild Shop in Toronto has wound down.  This was a very successful show although at first it was not encouraging.  Jane and I sold 12 plate sets (a plate set is a plate on a charger) and two salad bowl sets (a wooden salad bowl and 4 stoneware side dishes).

The plate sets were special in that the wood for the chargers came from the bottom of Georgian Bay.  The story of that wood was written on the bottom of the chargers.

The show called "Harvest", at the new Headwaters Arts Gallery, opens this Friday, September 13.  I have 4 pieces in it including 3 of my NICHE Award finalists from the years 2009, 2010 and 2011.  This event runs for about a month and coincides with the Headwaters Arts Festival.  If you are in the Alton - Orangeville area of Ontario, do take some time to visit these happenings.

Later this fall I will have my work in a new (for me) gallery in Kingston, Ontario, called Kingston Glass Studio & Gallery.  The Clay With Wood collaborative bowl sets will be there and later some of my chargers and stick vases.
 Look for more information on the Galleries page of this website.  This info will be up in about a month's time.

Now I have to get back to work.  It seems that the older I get, the busier I am.  No complaints, just strange how it all works out.

Until next time...