Swix Pix - The Hot New Thing

A picture is worth a thousand words . . . (author unknown)

A picture is worth a thousand words, and now you can create them (the words!) with pictures here at EarthWorks.  Lori and Swix Pix joined the team recently  (referred by our valued customer and collector, Cheryl).  The first sale came within hours of setting up the display.  We LOVE when that happens.

Lori travels alot, and in her travels she looks for things in nature and objects around her that are shaped in letters.  She takes a photo, and there you have it.  Frames aare on hand to accomodate words or names from 3 to 11 letters, and with hundreds of photos in color and black and white are here to choose from.

I say this is THE mother's day gift to give this year.  Along with a nice bit of bling.  And a card.  And a journal.  And a painting.  And the place to get them all is EarthWorks! 

Come and spell your favorite word, or the name of your favorite person!

PL&BB-

Penni

Head West, Young Man (and woman)! Or: Mom & Pop Move to Lovettsville

Do not plant your dreams in the field of indecision, where nothing ever grows but the weeds of "what-if."  ~Dodinsky

Well, that's quite true isn't it?  And Lord knows that Dewey & I don't linger long when a question begins with "What if . . . ?".  We brainstorm and beat eachother's brains with our points of view.  

Finally, then, we lay our opinions out as though they were two maps to the same location.   And the spots that agree are our decision.  For those of you who have witnessed Dew & I resolve a "what if" scenario this way, from the type of cookies to serve at an event or the way a piece hangs on a wall it is quite the ride sometimes!  (But that's a digression to another topic for another day, which will be "What happens when two A-types come together in love and in business")

As many know, Dew & I have spent the last year or making our home in Western Loudoun.  We hoped we would love it, and we do.  It's spacious and quiet, and pleasing to the eye.   Naturally, then was born the question "What if EarthWorks were relocated to Western Loudoun?".  The decision is a result of a long study of facts and emotions and fears.  In the end, we decided that emotions and fears would be checked at the door.  Facts won the day, and we believe it to be a wise decision (both business and personally) to move the store to Lovettsville, VA.  

And I just heard that - a collective "What?  Did she say Lovettsville?".  Why yes, I did.  Wineries, antiques, artsy-folk, the best of Loudoun with a market into Southern Maryland and even West-By-God-Virginia!  Mayfest, Arbor Day, Movies on the Green, Oktoberfest and so much more brings folks to Lovettsville, and it is bringing us there as well!

We now call home the historic Potterfield House  - over 1800 square feet in 8 spacious rooms will make a superb back drop for the beautiful things we and our artisans bring folks.  And you know your spot is cool when it has it's own "Cat's Meow" (and ours does!!)

Here's how it will go:

Last day open in Leesburg, VA -            04/13/13
First day of open in Lovettsville, VA  - 04/20/13

I'll be posting pictures of our progress for the next few weeks so you can keep up with the excitement of paint drying!  And who ever laid bets that Dewey would actually paint the walls the colors we "agreed" on loses.  Not a single room or color is as agreed.  But, as you know (and so do I) he was right.  It's looking awesome!

Peace, Love & A Salmon Colored Wall -

Penni
 

 

In Memorium

On Thursday, March 21 2013 my father passed away.  He had emphysema (COPD).  Although he had been in the hospital for several weeks, it was a shock to us.  He had been doing better and getting stronger.  He was on the path to home.  And then he got pneumonia and there was not a thing to be done for him.  The doctors gave us the news Wednesday afternoon.  And about 24 hours later he took his last breath.  We were not prepared to say goodbye, but somehow we did.   

Much of our family was with him when he died, and we are grateful for that.  As he took his last breaths, it felt as though I went out of myself.  As strange as this may sound, the sight of my family gathered around him - every hand touching him and the person next to them, murmuring words of love to him - it was beautiful.  I was overwhelmed with love for my family. 

My sister said, during his funeral, that the greatest gift he gave us was this incredible family we have.  I have to agree with her.  In our immediate family, we number just over 20.  His wife of 34 years, 4 children, 11 grandchildren, 1 great-grandchild, 4 children-in-law and 1 grandson-in-law. 

We spent the next days together as a family, really only separating to go to sleep. Although, sleep didn't really come easily.  It turns out we would just go to our homes and, alone,  look at more pictures and think of times past.   A few of the days,  our spouses were people we passed in the night.  They were so wonderful and supportive, knowing intuitively that we needed to be with each other. and taking care of hearth and home so we could sit together and reminisce and look at thousands of pictures, and cry and laugh. 

On Wednesday, we officially memorialized him with family and friends at his funeral.  We all struggled with exactly how we could put into words just who he was and what he meant to us.  We used photos to display decades of memories, and that helped.  We each wrote and said words that helped.  But the impossible task of bringing it all home for people who were not his child - who he was - still eludes me.  In the few days since his funeral, I'm still eulogizing as I don't quite feel I found the depth of words to describe him. 

And finally today, I realize that I might never succeed in saying or writing what is so plainly in my heart. 

Maybe it's as simple as his smile.  The brilliance, the love, the dedication, the humour, the tenderness, the tenacity, the spirit, the beauty of his heart.  All in his smile.  What do you think?

Peace & Love,

Larry's Daughter

The Art of . . . weather forecasting

A lot of people like snow.  I find it to be an unnecessary freezing of water.  ~Carl Reiner

Well we survived "Snow-vereaction" 2013, and hope you did as well.  

I was so confused by the reports coming through at around 11:00 in the morning yesterday, with the weatherman reporting 10 inches of fallen snow on the ground in my little spot in the woods - and calling for 10 more.   At first I figured I didn't hear him right (because of course, I didn't have my glasses on).  But I went and got my glasses and put them on and he was still saying I had almost a foot of snow on the ground at my house.  

But I didn't have anywhere near 10 inches.  Even when I scooped a bunch of it up and piled it . . . not 10 inches. Maybe 4 inches.  And it was sloppy wet.   I even looked yonder, into the neighbors field, and saw a kitty cat scampering.  It didn't disappear and re-appear with each step, so I'm guessing he didn't have 10 inches either.  

So, I think think it was one of my fellow rural-ista's pulling a fast one on Topper and was just sitting back laughing, knowing he would report the lie as truth.    Because now we had a weather man that not only botched the forecast, but the actual reporting on the results of the forecast.  Haha.  Good one!

Around 2pm, when the rain had stopped and the sun was out, and it was warm and not windy at all, The Beav and I laced up our boots to brave the dirt roads and see what the rest of the world looked like.  Maybe it was an anomaly and everyone in Western Loudoun had more than a foot of snow except us (and of course our yonder neighbor).  We had to go see, and we did. 

Imagine our surprise when we pulled out from our slushy-sloppy dirt drive way onto our single lane dirt road  to town and it was covered in . . . nothing.  And then when we approached the pavement a mile or two later and it was covered in . . . nothing.  And we got into town and the roads were . . . clear.  Damp, but clear.  

So from now on, I'll make my own forecast.  When Topper tells me to stay home where its safe, I may not heed his advice.  I may chill for a while, and then look out my own window and see what my brain thinks.  As for yesterday, our little family was set for a foot of snow and more.  We proactively decided our business would be closed for the day  due to inclement weather.  That was dumb.  Next time someone says a foot of snow is coming to my door, the sign at EarthWorks will read "in the event that this forecast is accurate, we may not be here.  So call in advance".  

But on the bright side, I made a kickin pot of chicken soup and a white cake with buttercream frosting that was devoured by my boyz.  Along with a dozen eggs and a dozen donuts.  But no yogurt or salad.  In our family, when a big snowstorm comes along we put on the feed-bag in a big way!

PL&BB - 

Pen
 

I'm BACK!

So, I've taken not really a vacation in the true sense of the word, but I sure have dialed down the daily work for the past weeks.  I learned early on in this whole "owning my own store" thing that you have to take advantage the slow times (ie:  January & February) and catch up on the behind the scenes tasks - such as inventory, budgets, closing the year, planning the future, sweeping, dusting, re-arranging, cleaning windows.  And that was just at home . . . .

But now my little winter hibernation is over, and it's time to get back to work at what we love the best - focusing on our artisans and their work!  I find I missed the blogging and the social media snippet-ing, and after a few weeks of "down time" I"m thrilled that the creative juices are flowing again

The event of the week at EarthWorks Gallery & Gift Shop will be the book signing event for our favorite Fae - Erin Ewer.  Yes, boyz & girlz - our amazing fantasy artist has published her first book.  You guessed it - in the fantasy genre. 

I thoroughly enjoyed Erin's "The Lord of Shadows" - fantasy is easily my favorite of the genre's.  Life is real - I don't need to read or watch "real" when I'm looking for entertainment.  I want to escape to a world of fantasy in my leisure hours! 

I have to tell you, it is so much fun reading a good book by a person that you know.  You catch little things that are of the authors personality that other folks won't pick up.  Habits of characters, favorite foods, even the way a sentence is structured. It makes the book so much more fun.

So, if you want a chance to meet Erin and get a copy of her book  come on out Saturday night (February 23rd) from 6pm until 9pm.  Not only will Erin be here signing copies of her book and taking photo's with her fans - we will have some of your favorite artwork here with us (as always). 

See you then!

PL&BB-
Penni

Wow! We sure are busy these days :)

The holiday shopping season is surely in full swing, and we couldn't be more thrilled to be working so hard. 

I know lots of folks are getting some really special treats from EarthWorks this year - I can't believe how "nice" you guys must have been this year.  I would expected alot of "naughty" from more of you.  He He.

So here's where we are as far as updating the blog for the next week or two - Sweet Brown says it best!

PL&BB -

Pen

The Twelve Days of Christmas at EarthWorks

Tis the Season, and I couldn't help but write a custom version of our favorite old carol, The Twelve Days of Christmas.

Enjoy!

On the first day of Christmas, my true love gave to me
an IPad case from Crafty Natalie

On the second day of Christmas, my true love gave to me 
Two stained glass stars
and an IPad case from Crafty Natalie

On the third day of Christmas, my true love gave to me
Three druzy gems 
Two stained glass stars
and an Ipad case from Crafty Natalie

On the fourth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me
Four Mark Routt prints
Three druzy gems 
Two stained glass stars
and an Ipad case from Crafty Natalie

On the fifth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me
FIVE DENHOLM RINGS
Four Mark Routt prints
Three druzy gems 
Two stained glass stars
and an Ipad case from Crafty Natalie

On the sixth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me
Six shaggy loop bracelets
FIVE DENHOLM RINGS
Four Mark Routt prints
Three druzy gems 
Two stained glass stars
and an Ipad case from Crafty Natalie

On the seventh day of Christmas, my true love gave to me
Seven slumped glass snack trays
Six shaggy loop bracelets
FIVE DENHOLM RINGS
Four Mark Routt prints
Three druzy gems 
Two stained glass stars
and an Ipad case from Crafty Natalie

On the eighth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me
Eight knitted wash clothes
Seven slumped glass snack trays
Six shaggy loop bracelets
FIVE DENHOLM RINGS
Four Mark Routt prints
Three druzy gems 
Two stained glass stars
and an Ipad case from Crafty Natalie

On the ninth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me
Nine Raku vases
Eight knitted wash clothes
Seven slumped glass snack trays
Six shaggy loop bracelets
FIVE DENHOLM RINGS
Four Mark Routt prints
Three druzy gems 
Two stained glass stars
and an Ipad case from Crafty Natalie

On the tenth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me
Ten Beaded Treasures
Nine Raku vases
Eight knitted wash clothes
Seven slumped glass snack trays
Six shaggy loop bracelets
FIVE DENHOLM RINGS
Four Mark Routt prints
Three druzy gems 
Two stained glass stars
and an Ipad case from Crafty Natalie

On the eleventh day of Christmas, my true love gave to me
Eleven Philomont Boxes
Ten Beaded Treasures
Nine Raku vases
Eight knitted wash clothes
Seven slumped glass snack trays
Six shaggy loop bracelets
FIVE DENHOLM RINGS
Four Mark Routt prints
Three druzy gems 
Two stained glass stars
and an Ipad case from Crafty Natalie

On the twelfth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me
Twelve watercolors
Eleven Philomont Boxes
Ten Beaded Treasures
Nine Raku vases
Eight knitted wash clothes
Seven slumped glass snack trays
Six shaggy loop bracelets
FIVE DENHOLM RINGS
Four Mark Routt prints
Three druzy gems 
Two stained glass stars
and an Ipad case from Crafty Natalie

And that's it. 

I know many of you are laughing, because you know  that my true love wouldn't ever give me all these things.  He knows his love is all the gift I need, and expects me to save all the good stuff for you guys.  Which I usually do.   

 Peace, Love and Bubble Bath -

Pen