In 2008 I missed the Synergy banquet due to illness. I vowed that would not happen this time around. This final post features pictures taken on the night of the closing banquet.
Before we sat down for the keynote, dinner and the auction, everyone gathered for drinks, a book signing, and conversation.
Socializing
Janice Abaranel and Sandra McCaw
Libby Mills and Karen Ottenbreit
Quassia, Diane, and Helen (CT Guild)
Libby, Janice, and Me
Dayle Doroshow and Carolyn Skei
Even the Food was Artsy
Around 6:30 the doors opened to the “Mirror Room” for the final event.
Lisa Pavelka introduced the IPCA’s secret handshake:
On one side of the banquet room:
All Eyes on the Head Table
And the other side of the banquet room:
Alison Lee of Craftcast was our keynote speaker. Alison shared one of her favorite books, Mike and His Steam Shovel as a reminder to take on a challenge, to think creatively, and develop alternate solutions. (This also brought back memories of watching Captain Kangaroo and listening as he read this story.)
The banquet ended with Tracy Holmes leading a rousing auction of wonderful polymer artwork.
Synergy2 attracted over 175 attendees representing several countries including:
The United States
Canada
The United Kingdom
The Netherlands
Spain
Israel
The Czech Republic
Germany
New friendships were formed and old friendships were reestablished. Synergy2 truly represented its theme of Exploring Connections.
I was not able to dedicate much time this past week to the CED January Theme-Body. I have some wholesale orders to fill and have been working on those instead. However, using what I learned in Lindly Haunani’s color workshop, I am working on some new designs and colors for my functional art line which you can see below:
New Color & Pattern
New Card Case & Perfume Pen Designs
These new colors and patterns will also be available on my wine bottle stoppers.
Body and Soul
In other body-theme related activities, I did return to yoga class after being away from it for more than six months. We both stopped going to yoga due to injuries and finally felt ready to give it a try this week. Appropriately, we went to a restorative class with one of our long time teachers. The class was definitely good for the body and the mind. Hopefully we’ll return to some sort of regular schedule in the near future.
And I visited a friend who is battling cancer. Several months ago a group of friends formed a helper’s schedule after her diagnosis and surgery. Different people visit on select days providing support and being of service. Being of service to a friend teaches me appreciation and gratitude.
Happy 2nd Blogiversary to Musings from the Moonroom!
Well, technically, the blog’s second anniversary was last month but I was on this little trip to France and, well, it is better late than never.
This year, I’m offering readers a chance to win one of my collectible Friendship Bowls. Just leave a comment at the end of this post and your name will be put in a drawing to win the Friendship Bowl.
It is always fun to review the past year and the second year of blogging has seen some changes. For one, I’m not as anal (yes, I am not afraid to use that word) about blogging. When I first started blogging, I was determined to blog 5 days a week. That, in reality, became way too stressful. I admit to being a bit of a perfectionist about some things, hence the high standard I set for blogging frequency. It is possible that some of the gray hairs that have found their way to my head are due to my self-imposed stress. I do feel some twinge of guilt if I don’t blog at least 3 days a week…but I usually get over it. And I’m definitely not ready for a full head of gray hair yet. (And if my mother’s gray hair track record is any indicator, I’ll be in my 80’s before mine really start blossoming.)
I originally intended to blog about creativity and my art creations. Boy did that change. Sometimes I feel the content is all over the board. Some may say that isn’t a good thing. You know, choose a niche, a brand, a market, and stick with it. Sorry, ain’t gonna happen on this blog. I’ve too many interests, too many thoughts, and sometimes too many distractions to keep myself on a narrow path. You know how us creative types are. Bruce Baker has referred to artists with multiple art medium interest as M.A.D (multiple artist disease). I think the same can be said about my blogging topics.
This past year I even attempted a second blog devoted to fitness; the trials, tribulations, and funny stories that result from exercising. I didn’t get very far with it or the exercising for that matter. It was hard enough maintaining one blog, a business, and the other things that life throws at me and trying to keep up a second blog. However, I had to try it, realized it wasn’t going to work, killed the other blog, and moved on.
Robin Williams once said, when asked about some of his less popular movies, “we don’t make mistakes, we make interesting choices.” I like that attitude. No mistakes, no failures, just interesting choices.
Here are the top 10 posts over the past 365 days. Do you have a favorite?
These bowls were inspired by the Quaich, which is Scottish Gaelic for “friendship.” A quaich or friendship bowl was used to hold whiskey or other libation. The whiskey was then shared among friends with each person taking a sip from the bowl. Some of the early quaiches had glass or clear bottoms. When the leaders from two or more clans would gather, the clan leaders would share a drink in these clear bottom bowls. The reason? As one would drink from the clear bottom quaich, it allowed him to keep an eye on his rival.
This particular Friendship Bowl has an Asian influence. Made entirely of polymer clay, this bowl features the hand carved kanji symbol for “thanks” and hand carved bamboo leaves. Around the rim of the bowl is hand formed polymer clay bamboo. A turquoise wash brings out the carvings. The bowl measures approximately 4″ in diameter. A display stand and story card are included.
So leave a comment below and you might win this Friendship Bowl.
Musings from the Moonroom 