Pretty Pretty Bang Bang

During the show I was asked a lot of questions about my work, myself as an artist and how I the show was going. But I also received my share of, shall we say, not so smart questions. Here are my favorites and the answers I wanted to give:

“Is this silver?” Ok, not really a dumb question until you get to the follow-up question…”Does it tarnish?” Yes, you moron, silver tarnishes! One lady then wrinkled up her nose and stated that she hated tarnished silver. Well, thank goodness mine was all polished just for her.

“Are these PMC?” Silversmiths absolutely hate precious metal clay (PMC), at least snobby metalsmiths. These are “real” metal not that clay crap.

“Do you know what this is made of?” asked the lady pointing to an enameled brooch. I sure hope so since I’m the one who made it!

“Do you just sell the chain?” No and stop asking. I’m so tired of people telling me their stories about how hard it is to find a nice silver chain for pieces they bought at TJ Maxx or Walmart. Don’t think I’m selling you my nice chain unless you’re buying one of my pendants to put on it.

“These look like cookie press discs.” I get this all the time about my silhouette necklaces. I don’t really mind the reference because I like cookie presses, but it does get old when several people comment during the weekend and act like they’re the first ones to notice the resemblance.

“You should be giving away samples.” The show had a lot of food vendors giving away samples so several men thought they’d be really funny and ask for jewelry samples. It got old really quickly.

On a positive note, I did receive many, many compliments on my work and my booth. Several people commented on how professional things were and how talented they thought I was. It was a nice balance to all the silliness I encountered!

Well we’re back from St. Louis and we managed to survive the show with few problems. Although Steve was bragging on my packing and organizing abilities I did manage to forget my shampoo and the replacement parts to the display. It was a test for both of us to learn to go with the flow.

We left Springfield on Thursday night so we could arrive at 9 a.m. to the gardens for set up. I was really glad we’d planned to leave the night before because it was a busy morning! The first “issue” of the show involved a giant tent pole right in the middle of our space. Steve discussed it with the organizers who told us we would just need to work around it. We did and the display ended up being just fine but it made us a bit crabby for awhile! The other thing we battled was the wind. It was cold and blustery which wouldn’t have been a problem except volunteers were going around opening the sides of the tent which created a wind tunnel. We didn’t have many problems when it came to our display set up, but I know some people with walls were having issues keeping them up. A couple of hours later we had the whole display up, except for the skirt, and decided to take a break for lunch and a little retail therapy. I needed some new foundation, that I could only get at Saks, and I wanted to make a quick run to the Gap. We ate lunch at the food court (I love Subway for lunch), went back to Sally’s for the display skirt and returned to the show to put the final touches on the booth. It looked great and we were ready for showers and a nice dinner out.

Saturday morning started very early with a 4:30 a.m. alarm. The show opened at 7 a.m. and we needed to be there at least an hour early to put out the jewelry. We arrived at 6 and Steve went off to find coffee and a parking space. I thought I’d be ready in plenty of time but one vendor decided to ramp up the crowed with announcements of how many people were waiting to get in so I became a little frantic. My stress was all in vain because I was ready when the crowd arrived. It was non-stop all day! I have never seen so many people at an event. At one point I left the booth for a break and could not walk through the other tents. I did very well the first day and was optimistic day two would give me enough sales to meet my goal. At the end of the day we were dead tired, but still some beer and white chili at Sally’s gave us enough energy to enjoy an evening with her and the family (more on that in another post).

Sunday the weather was warmer and the crowd was a bit slower to form. I didn’t have as many sales and fell a bit short of my goal, but I still think the show was a success. An artist friend of mine gave me some great wisdom when she told me that I had proven to myself that I had what it took to get ready for and attend a large show. Very true. I didn’t think I had it in me but I did. Of course, I had a lot of help. My studio assistant Stacey was amazing and I could not have done the show without Steve. He loaded the car, helped organize the display, lugged all my crap around, put up the display, listened to me bitch, got up at the wee hours of the morning, worked all day with me, tore down the display and drove home late on Sunday night. What a guy. I’m really lucky to have him.

Will I do it again? I don’t know. I have to be invited back, for starters, and I’d have to see what my situation is next year. I made contact with three potential retail outlets so I think the show will be well worth my time. I also pushed myself to create a lot of stock and do a show that’s out of my comfort zone. The potential for future sales just from the contacts I made at this show is amazing. I gave out hundreds of business cards! Right now I’m just glad we had few mishaps and a safe trip. I’m going to spend this week getting organized and relaxing but it’s back to the bench soon. Christmas is just around the corner!

The big St. Louis show is this weekend and I’ve been getting everything together over the past couple of weeks. Stacey and I have been working in the studio since July getting inventory made and I feel pretty good about that. The past few weekends Steve and I have taken time to get the display out of storage, price all the inventory and put together office supplies. I have several piles around the house but everything feels organized. Today I picked up the credit card machine and some cash at the bank, finished all the pieces still on my workbench and ordered more display pieces to be delivered on Thursday. I still have a few things on my list, but I think it’s all coming together.

Still, doing a show out of town is nerve-racking. Not only is this an outdoor show, but I won’t have the luxury of popping home if I forgot something. Plus, I don’t have any extra help except for Steve. The Best of Missouri Market at the Botanical Gardens is a big show with around 27,000 people expected to attend. I have no idea if I have enough product, or even the right product, but I worked my butt off getting stuff made so I’m hoping for the best. The vendors are all under four huge tents in the parking lot. The good news is that I didn’t have to secure a tent and being on asphalt means the ground should be fairly stable. The bad news is that it’s still outside which means we’re hoping for good weather. We’ve tried to plan for most problems – uneven ground, cold weather, etc. – but it’s impossible to predict everything. I’m just going in with the attitude that I’ve done all I can and I’ll figure out how to deal with problems should they arise. If all else fails, I’ll just start drinking (kidding).

While I’m not a fan of traveling, I do like planning the trip. I like thinking of the shopping we’ll do and the places we’ll eat. Traveling with Steve is always nice because he not only likes to travel, but takes care of the details I don’t like (driving, for instance). I’ve been saving my November issues of my magazines for the past two weeks just so I have something new to read in the car. I guess the main reason I don’t like traveling is the inconvenience. I like having my entire wardrobe available should the weather (or my mind) change. I like sleeping in my own bed. I don’t like paying for a hotel or for breakfast or lunch. I do like the adventure, shopping, eating a nice dinner out and the fact that no one knows me in the town I’m visiting. I feel like I can let down my hair and relax.

Another reason I like to travel can be summed up in two words: travel size. I love the travel size aisle at Target! It was all I could do today not to spend a fortune on tiny tubes and bottles of lotion, face scrub, toothpaste and mouthwash. I had to remind myself that I really didn’t need any of those items, but they sure were fun to look at. Ok, I did break down and got Steve and I each our own toothpaste and a couple of bottles of hand sanitizer, but those were necessary.

Tomorrow is a work day and Thursday I’ll be scrambling around to pack and get the car loaded. We’re heading out as soon as Steve gets home from work so we’ll be ready on Friday to set up at the Botanical Gardens. If you’re in the St. Louis area this weekend stop by and say hello. If you introduce yourself to me and tell me you read my blog, I’ll give you a nice discount on your jewelry purchase!

We received a phone call yesterday from a local magazine who wants to possibly feature our house in an upcoming edition. I told the woman that our house wasn’t like their normal profile homes and asked if she was sure she wanted to see it. She assured me she did and that they were looking for different kinds of houses and that she just wanted to see ours to consider it. I agreed to a meeting and we’re scheduled to get together the first full week in October.

I had mixed feelings about the whole thing once I hung up the phone. Sure, I’m flattered that someone thinks my house is interesting enough to possibly devote several pages to in a magazine, but it’s also a bit intrusive. I don’t want people seeing my house and the things I have and making assumptions about my life or lifestyle. Hmm, could my feelings be because I’ve made assumptions about others in the past? Certainly not! Also, the homes this magazine has featured in the past have mainly been huge McMansions built with too much money and very little taste or style. Most rooms look like they were taken directly out of a catalog where the owner pointed to a page and said, “I’ll take it,” meaning everything on the page from the wall color to the picture frames complete with images of strangers in them. I told the woman that our home was a 1973 contemporary and hadn’t been updated to death. She said her boss (the magazine owner) had told her to look at our house because it was interesting and different from those they’d featured. They wanted to find unique houses in the area and ours seemed to fit the bill. She assured me, again, that this was a preliminary look and in no way was a guarantee it would be featured.

Our meeting date is October the 8th and I’ll probably know more a couple of weeks after that. I’m assuming she’ll come by, we’ll chat and she’ll take some photos so she can report everything to her editor in the next meeting. I’ll keep you posted.

When my best friend from high school asked me to be the godmother to her firstborn I was so honored I cried. I never wanted children of my own but being asked to be a godmother seemed like such a great compliment. I attended her christening and vowed to be the kind of godmother who was involved in her life. At first I sent cards and little gifts for birthdays and Christmas but time wore on and I became less and less involved. Sure I had the best intentions, but I wasn’t in touch with her or her mother like I had envisioned. I had dreams of being the hands-on godmother that my sister and I had when we were children, but the reality was that I wasn’t as close to the family as I had once been.

I thought of her often and kept in touch with her mother. On her sixteenth birthday I sent her the sapphire earrings (her birthstone) I’d been saving for her. She sent me a beautiful thank-you note and I knew she was growing into a sharp young lady. She recently turned eighteen and is now a legal adult. I lost track of time and didn’t get a card or gift mailed to her. I feel like the world’s worst godparent. Little does she know that I keep up with her and her sisters through her mom’s blog.

While I know she won’t read this I just want to tell her that I’m proud of her and that I think of her often. The gift of being named her godmother meant more to me than I ever showed her. I can’t believe she’s headed to college in the fall, but I don’t doubt she will find success in whatever she chooses in life. I want her to know that even though I’m practically a stranger to her, she’s always welcome in my home and I’d do whatever I could to help her. That also applies to her siblings.

Happy belated birthday, Alison! You’re a wonderful young woman!

I survived the first round of the Great Tooth Refill yesterday and only needed four novocaine shots to get me completely numb. My dentist, Guy P. Bates, Jr., DDS, is awesome and so is his staff. Knowing I’d had a horrible experience 23 years ago when he last filled a tooth, they walked me through the whole process, told me what to expect and praised me for being so brave. Admittedly, I felt a little foolish being such a 43 year-old baby, but everyone assured me that my feelings were quite normal.

The worst part, for me, isn’t the sound of the drill, but the feeling of pressure and the anticipation that all isn’t numb. The drill sound is no big deal probably because I work with a flex shaft and am used to the high-pitched whine I get out of it. Basically, being at the dentist is a bit like being in the studio. It’s the drilling and possibly hitting a spot that isn’t quite numb that keeps me on edge and makes me hold my breath. Dr. Bates talked me through the whole thing, told me how far along he was and stopped often to ask how I was doing. We even joked about how little I was breathing. What a great guy!

I had a small moment of panic when they couldn’t get a good read on my bite because I kept biting my numb tongue, but all was ok in the end. My favorite part was the 800 mg Ibuprofen they sent home with me to keep ahead of the pain. Nothing like some good drugs to take care of any discomfort! Today I feel fine expect for some bruised feelings in my cheek and jaw pain from keeping my mouth open too far for too long. Now I just have to psych myself up for the next round three weeks from now!

On a different note, check out this cool table I scored last weekend while I was flea marketing. Actually, I saw it the week before in the back room of my favorite place, but the owner wasn’t ready to put it on the floor. She cleaned it up and I went by on Saturday to look at it again. We put it in our newly rearranged coffee area and it looks so great!

Now I think I’m going to need a third job to support my flea marketing habit! Damn you, Funtiques Flea Market!

It’s been almost a year since Steve and I moved into our 1973 contemporary pad. During that time, we’ve adjusted our tastes to reflect the era even though we still love our Danish Modern furniture. While I’d never give up my beloved Heywood-Wakefield dining room set, I admit the idea of smoked glass and chrome are quite appealing. I don’t want to get too kitschy, but the ’70s are alive and well at the Kirks’ household.

It all started with a few accessories here and there. You know, the brightly colored plastic pieces and drip pottery from that era. I found some funky ashtrays and whatnots, but things really started rolling when I found this end table and lamp:

Adding the Sculptura phone was only natural. While I was out shopping on Saturday, I found a gorgeous Danish Modern Lane coffee table. I called Steve, who measured the existing slat bench we’re using as a table, and thought the new table was too long. I didn’t think it would be a problem, but agreed to wait on the table and take a chance it would be there when I returned the next day. When I got home, we rearranged a bunch of furniture and decided the table would work. We went back to the flea market the next day to buy the table which was still there. After some discussion, we decided to walk around and think about it. While wandering we found this awesome chair that looks just like something out of a 70s modern waiting room:

I think it’s the original vinyl and it was only $14. Steve and I determined $14 wasn’t too much to chance so we grabbed it instead of the table. Of course, bringing home a chair meant more rearranging of furniture. Originally we had a gold barrel chair and ottoman in this area but we moved it to the coffee area and put the new chair there. This morning I added the chrome and vinyl magazine rack to complete the look. Next up I have my eye on a Saarinen-style pedestal end table for the waiting room. That way you’ll have a place for your coffee. Please have a seat, we’ll be with you shortly.

Last night Steve had a haircut scheduled for 6:30 which meant dinner would be late. I went along so we could spend some time together and it soon became apparent we would be having a later dinner than planned. Steve and Duane decided Steve needed highlights (and I agreed) so the entire process took much longer than a simple haircut. While we were waiting, Prudy arrived after work and I helped her address some invitations for a bridal shower she and Duane are hosting. By the time Duane finished with Steve and his last appointment, it was after 8 p.m. and we were all starving. The decision was made to eat out (something Steve and I rarely do anymore) but we wanted something inexpensive, healthy and close. Duane had heard good things about a newer place on Jefferson called Grad School so we called, found out they were still open and decided to try it.

Grad School is located in a tiny building next to Hoover Music on the corner of Jefferson and Elm. It was the home of one of my favorite places, Kim’s Korean B-B-Q and has been several other restaurants over the years. The owner has some of the recipes of the old Rasta Grill so we figured it would be good. We were right. Steve started us off by ordering the hummus appetizer. The hummus was creamy and garlicy and was served with crisp pita chips and soft pita strips. We all devoured it in no time. For dinner, I decided on the taco trio. I asked our server what protein I should have (you choose your protein – tilapia, steak, chicken or falafel) and he suggested I have one each of steak, chicken and tilapia. I agreed. Steve chose a Cuban sandwich which was ham, chorizo, avocado, pickle and soft cheddar cheese. When my tacos arrived the first thing I noticed was the presentation. They were individual shell bowls lined up on a rectangular plate and garnished with a little sour cream and hot sauce. Rice was included, but not necessary. I dug into the steak taco first and was amazed. The steak was spicy and tender with no gristle at all. I loved the combination of flavors with the black bean salsa, shredded cabbage, fresh guacamole and sour cream. The size was just right. The chicken was shredded and was also very tender with no gristle. I loved that the meats were spicy without being too hot. The tilapia was fried, but not greasy and added a nice balance to the spice. I did not eat all the taco shells, but they were crisp and fresh and not greasy at all.

Steve raved about his sandwich and declared it perfect. He said the soft cheddar cheese was almost like provel and was a nice balance to the meats. I took a bite and thought it was good, but not as good as my tacos. An appetizer, two entrees and two waters were about $30 with tip so it wasn’t as cheap as fast food, but much more satisfying. I can tell you, we’ll be back. I give Grad School an A!

My track record at the dentist over the past 20+ years has been flawless. I have had no problems, cavities, inflammations or anything. I’ve gone in every six months (at least during the past few years) and had my cleaning and x-rays done. I even still have my wisdom teeth, even though my dentist tried for years to get me to have them removed. My perfect record ended yesterday.

Six months ago I went in and had my x-rays and cleaning with no issues. So it never occurred to me that yesterday would be any different. Then Dr. Bates started talking dental-ese about some sort of crack in one of my teeth. As I’m laying there with my mouth open, my eyes got wide and I told him to speak English. Two of my fillings (those that are over 23 years old) have tiny cracks around them. This means that the old silver filling must come out to be replaced by a new, enamel-colored one. Ok, that’s great that I’ll get rid of the nasty silver filling for a clean one, but the last filling experience I had was so horrific it’s etched in my mind as if it happened yesterday.

When I was about 20, I had two teeth that needed fillings. They were on the same side of my mouth, one above and one below. Both were going to be filled the same day because it was easy to numb one side of my mouth and take care of business. I was nervous so Dr. Bates prescribed some Valium for me before the procedure. I went in and they gave me two shots (one above and one below), left me to numb for a few minutes, then started drilling. I jumped. Not numb yet. So they waited a bit more then proceeded again. I jumped. This went on until they decided on a couple more shots. No biggie since I couldn’t feel them anyway. Lather, rinse, repeat. Six shots later and I never got completely numb. He had to proceed with me jumping and gripping the chair for dear life. I got home, called in sick to work and crashed. When I awoke and the numbness started wearing off, I discovered I’d chewed up the inside of my cheek while it was numb. This was one of the worst experiences of my life.

I relayed to Dr. Bates that the last time he’d done some fillings on me it had been a terrible experience. He assured me he’d had some practice over the last few years. Joking aside, I told him that I wasn’t up for a repeat and he said we’d only do one at a time this time. I still wasn’t thrilled. The minute I left the office I called our family dental professional, my brother-in-law Blair, to drill him (pun intended) about the procedure. The best piece of information he gave me is that over time our tooth nerves shrink so I probably won’t be as sensitive as I was last time. Also, if the Novocaine doesn’t work, they have another drug that they use in emergencies that’s guaranteed to numb the mouth.

We’ll see. I’m still not convinced.

This is the time of year when clothing most excites me. My willpower to pass up spring styles is pretty good, but fall/winter fashions are very hard for me to resist. Case in point: my trunk show orders at work are coming in almost daily. Armed with the latest issues of my favorite fashion magazines, I’ve put together my “must have” list for this season.

1. The Boyfriend Jacket/Shirt/Jean. I bought my boyfriend jeans about three years ago before Katie Holmes Cruise made them chic. Of course, I don’t get followed around by paparazzi recording everything I do so my jeans didn’t garner the fuss hers did. I wear mine in the summer since they are a light wash and have several holes in them. To keep them from looking sloppy, I usually pair them with a simple black t-shirt. Earlier this summer we had a Karen Kane trunk show at work which included a black Boyfriend Jacket with tapered sleeves that could easily be pushed up. I liked the one-button front and the simple lines so I ordered it. I was dismayed to find that it was the most popular piece from the collection but I figured it was a good price for a classic jacket so I could overcome the fact that half our customers ordered it (along with most of the staff). With the cooler weather we’ve had, I’ve actually worn it twice already so I’m predicting it will be worth the money. This season’s boyfriend shirt is a plaid version and I’ve already found the one I love at [Banana Republic](http://bananarepublic.gap.com/browse/product.do?cid=5039&vid=1&pid=671391&scid=671391012). The ruffle makes it more feminine and a recent coupon means I got it at 40% off.

2. Jeans. No wardrobe would be complete without several styles of jeans. I already have several pair of my favorite Gap jeans from previous years (before they did the fit updates) so I doubt I’ll be buying anything new to wear with boots. What I have embraced is the skinny jean. God may not have blessed me with a flat stomach, but I do have thin enough legs to pull off this look. My favorite pair is from [Banana Republic](http://bananarepublic.gap.com/browse/product.do?cid=35286&vid=1&pid=670813) and has a zipper at the ankle. Yes, I’m channeling a little 80s vibe here but I love the look. I bought them (with another 40% off coupon) in the regular length because I think they look better when they hit the ankle rather than pooling around the foot as the website shows. Right now I’m wearing them with my sandals but will add an ankle boot or ballet flat when it gets cooler. Another great skinny jean is the one by [Levi’s](http://us.levi.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3518602&cp=3146849.3146879.3146884.3146903). The ones advertised on their site are $69.50 but Dillard’s had a dark wash version for $34.99. I bought them and wear them almost every day. I love that the thighs aren’t skin tight.

3. A Belt. You know a trend has saturated the market when I start to cave into a look. Being self-conscious about my waist means I never wear belts. Last spring, I had the opportunity to buy a belt at work for next to nothing. I figured for $15 I could take a chance so I bought a simple black patent belt with a silver buckle. I actually wore it all spring and every time I did I received comments on how thin I looked. Now that’s music to anyone’s ears! My favorite one is a double belt by Fossil that comes to a “v” in the front and makes me look thinner. I plan to wear it over my boyfriend shirt with my skinny jeans. How’s that for putting all the trends together!

4. Booties. At the end of last winter, I bought a pair of platform oxfords at work for 90% off. These babies are about 4″ tall but amazingly wearable for a 4-5 hour workday. I wore them with my wide-leg jeans and a dress or two before putting them away for the summer. A few weeks ago I was looking for a way to punch up my cuffed dark denim jeans and I pulled out my platforms. They looked great with my jeans and boyfriend jacket. Now I’m on the lookout for a bootie that cuts right at the ankle and isn’t too high. So far I haven’t found anything but it’s still early in the season.

5. A Vest. About four years ago I bought a pinstriped vest at Old Navy and wore it with a white t-shirt and jeans. We went to dinner that night with some friends and the husband started making fun of my outfit. I proceeded to tell him that he should can it because he had no idea what was hip. He laughed and told me that I was probably right. Fast forward to fall of 2009 and menswear looks are everywhere. At the same Karen Kane trunk show where I ordered my boyfriend jacket I also ordered a black vest with matte black embellishments. So far I’ve paired it with a short-sleeved white camp shirt and a 3/4 sleeve black t-shirt. I love that a vest adds structure to an outfit but is much cooler than a jacket when the temperature is still soaring.

None of this in your budget? Pick up a bottle of one of the new fall colors of [OPI for Sephora](http://www.sephora.com/browse/product.jhtml?id=P243703&categoryId=C19281), Dark Room is the trendy choice for fashionistas. Even if you don’t paint your fingernails, your toes can look chic as you squeeze the last bit of summer out of your sandals. It may still be in the 90s outside but cooler weather is just around the corner and I can’t wait to drag out all my fall clothes. This is my list of “must haves” for fall. What’s on yours?