Miscellaneous Mullings

Lots of little stuff to report today:

• The second copper clay firing was a worse disaster than the first one. This stuff is so picky! One day I'll attempt it again but I'm VERY frustrated with it. I used up the package of clay that I had, so it will be a while. Probably a long while.

• I went to Asheville last weekend to go to the Intergalactic Bead Show and met up with Molli Koltun, one of my fellow Etsy Metal Clay Team members. It was nice to meet her in person. Too bad for me that she's moving away from this area! It was a beautiful day for a drive. We went for a cold drink after the bead show and, while sitting at an outdoor cafe, I saw people from Boone. I guess it was National People from Boone Go To Asheville Day.

• Spring is happening here full-force. The pollen is really bad and I've been dealing with major sinus issues. BUT I'M NOT COMPLAINING. After the horrible winter it's wonderful to see that all the plants and flowers that were buried under huge piles of snow didn't seem to mind it at all. I'm itching to do some gardening and have had to restrain myself to only do clean-up projects until after Mother's Day. That's when it's safe to plant tender annuals around here.

• I saw the first hummingbird of the season yesterday! It's time to get out the feeders and invest in a sugar plantation. Last year I went through almost 15 pounds of sugar feeding those little suckers. But I love 'em! According to the migration map, they come back here about the same time they arrive in Pennsylvania, probably because of our elevation.

• Business is still reallllllllyyyyy slloooowwwww.  I need some money to fall out of the sky until the tourist season picks up. I'm thinking about running another sale in my Etsy Shop. Be on the lookout for that coming up soon.