Untitled Document

Ahhh! The first warm day in about ten and temperatures should hit 85 or thereabouts. I picked a huge bouquet of peonies and praised my yard for keeping itself going so far this year. With the help of frequent showers, which the perennials seem to love, my peonies, iris and roses are in fine form this season. Compensation for the rains which made the first outdoor show of the year an iffy affair. Wyoming folk are dedicated , but I think the showers and threat of showers kept attendance down a bit. But on to other venues. I have three shows the last three weekends in June - by far our busiest month.

First comes Art By The Falls at beautiful Chagrin Falls near Cleveland June 12 and 13. Not a huge show, but definitely worth doing. They have a private bidding system for the donated crafts of participating artists and some wonderful bargains are always available. Stop in at Booth

Next is the new and improved Shaker Heights Arts and Music Festival June 19 - 20. This is a merging of the old ODC Hathaway Brown show with Shaker Heights festivities at the Corner of Farnsleigh and Van Aken Blvd. at the Van Aken Shopping Center in Cleveland. Saturday hours are 10 - 8 for the Crafts Fair and 4 - 10 for the Summer Solstice Musical Celebration. Sunday Hours for the Crafts Fair are 11 - 5. My hopes for this merging of activities into a brand new affair are very high.

Comfest is the third venue in our trio. The old, established hippie fest of music and craft booths is eagerly awaited every year in the Short North area of Columbus, Ohio. Dates are June 25 - 27, Friday through Sunday. It won't run as late as previous years, shutting down at 9, reflecting an effort to stay on good terms with both the neighborhood and the aging hippie population.

So come early for good food, a flagon of your favorite draft, and the sweetest live music variety ever. And your favorite crafts as well! I will be at my spot under the tall trees in the half-circle drive where the air is coolest.

As for newest additions to my repetoire there is only one - "Rosa". The sweet proprietor of her own tea shop south of the border, she was inspired by a ceramic on a similar theme by a Oaxacan artist that sits on my studio shelf. As artists, we look for inspiration from many sources and my trip to Mexico a few years ago continues to be a source, a wellspring for me.

Adios til we meet again, amigos