I have a quiet morning with nobody home and animals are all quiet.  There is a pile of pots waiting for me  and all kinds of ideas popping in my head.  I have shipments to wrap, and barn to clean.  I need a clone, preferably a 30 year old version of myself to get everything done.   I did not mention the ongoing house mess that has a deadline because of graduation.  I have to clean before my friend comes over to help.  

  Paul is in Steven's Point Wisconsin for one of the few shows we do every year, if we get in.   It meets all of our criteria for a show , one day, less than 6 hours away, high quality work, old friends , artist dinner, good sales.    I highly recommend it to anyone thinking of doing shows.   Since we retired from the full time art fair circuit 5 years ago,  Our business has shifted to what we can sell locally, Galleries, what I sell on Etsy, and   my website.    We are featuring with horses at Blue Iris Gallery in April.   Sivertson's Gllery in Duluth and Grand Marais also carry our work.  

  So as you can see,  thereis a steady demand for our work, even though,  there is a recession going on.   As an Artist, I feel recession proof.  There's no giving up on our work for either of us. We've been doing it too long.  But if anyone would care to comment, I'd like to know others thoughts on creative thinking in hard times.    For one thing we've always had to get by on less.  I have alaways gardened and  We don't spend one drop of expensive oil to heat our house or fire our kiln.   we approach the five year mark of the end of Rockhard,  I see us as on our feet , and ready to rock!  

   I am now having to seriously think about giving up my day job,  in order to spend more time in the studio.    Etsy has been a big part of this transition, and I feel like I have finally found a home there.    The handmade is making a comeback, and Etsy is a force.   No longer does the craftsperson have the middle man in the form of promoters , juries, judges. The buying public has never had a wider choice or variety of handmade goods in one place.  It is making it possible for me to have precious time in the studio        Thanks  Etsy!!!!  Dreams can come true!!!

    One point from above that I'd like to elaborate on....No Juries no Art snobs telling the buyer if it is worthy.  The buyer is the jury.  It is so much more fair.   

     Up until now I haven't  promoted my blog.   I have used it as a way  of family and friends to keep up with my activities.   Although I have journaled all my life,  I have had to ease into  this a little bit.     I am going to  maybe use it to elaborate on threads I read in other forums, where I get all kinds of Ideas and tend to sound like a ranter when I dare to post. And  I think I am a thread killer

   Well I'm burning daylight I gotta get to work!