Well after working to get my show entries finished and taking two days annual leave to exhibit at the show, I can’t believe it was cancelled! Why? The Equine Flu!
The Parkes show has only been cancelled twice in it’s 127 year history this time and back in 1942 because of the war in New Guinea. The whole town is stunned and I would hate to think how much money has been spent by the Show Society and local businesses getting ready for it. Unfortunately the show grounds were put into lock down because an infected horse had been stabled there for a night. There is some talk about trying to restage it later in the year, but there’s not much year left, so I’m not sure if that is likely to happen. The up side is that I have had two days at home free to do as I please, which has been nice, I’ve done a bit of gardening, a bit of sorting out ready for my classes at the Bead and Gem Show in Sydney and a bit of sorting out in the bedrooms. Not a lot of beading although I still have one day to go so hopefully I’ll get to that tomorrow.
It was disappointing that the judging didn’t go ahead, I did work hard to get my main piece finished in time. I was really proud how it turned out and was looking forward to “showing it off”. I entered three pieces in all, the pink beaded cab necklace (the main one), a kokopelli needle case and my colour challenge cellini spiral. This year they actually had a section for Beaded items (last year I had to enter under “Craft not previously mentioned”).
This was my main piece, made using beautiful glass cabachons by Wendy Hearn
My Kokopelli needle case
and in case you forgot what it looked like, my Cellini Spiral
I still have to find out where they are and when I can pick them up, someone had said they were still up at the show ground which of course is locked up and no one can enter.
It was also a shame because I was planning to promote the upcoming workshop with Wendy Hearn and Donna Fox. I can’t believe it is only two weeks away! We already have a few people booked in but I would really like to have the workshop full to make it worth these two tallented ladies while. I’m not too worried though it is such a fabulous opportunity to learn from two great teachers.
I guess my disappointment is only a small thing compared to how the organisers of the show must be feeling now. They have put many many months into organising this even, it must be such a blow to them all.
Cheers
Sharyn
I have such a lot of news. Firstly I have been working for some time to have Donna Fox (Sympatica) and Wendy Hearn (Guru Creations) come to Parkes to run a weekend workshop and we now have a date! Both Wendy and Donna are not only talented artists and great teachers but also fun people to spend time with. The workshop, which is to be held on the weekend of the 8th and 9th of September, will combine using Precious Metal Clay, Resin, Polymer Clay and found objects. The workshop is being held in the classroom at Vanessa’s Wool and Craft (so we will be very close to good coffee at Bella’s all weekend!) (Well Saturday anyway, unfortunately they are closed on Sunday). I’m so pleased we have finally got this going, I can’t wait! I know it will be a really great weekend (both learning and socialising wise)
The next thing is that the workshops for the Sydney bead and gem show are now up! (check them out here)I have two classes, one is the spiral rope pearl bracelet I did in Melbourne and the second is the African Helix necklace. Seems I’m the only one teaching seed bead/needle weaving techniques so that is good. Now I really had better get to and organise the kits and info sheets! Oh and cross my fingers that someone actually registers! I’m really looking forward to that weekend as well. I will be sharing ‘digs’ with some other very talented beady friends from Adelaide and Melbourne and my ‘bridesmaid’ who is also coming up from Melbourne.
Our local show is coming up at a staggering pace (always seems to creep up on me), only a bit over a week to go! I plan to put a couple of entries in and this year they actually have a beadwork section which is great – last year I had to enter my jewellery in “craft not previously mentioned. I have a couple of things on the go to finish off so I will need to get onto them this weekend. I have taken a couple of days off work this year to be at the show and help on Vanessa’s booth and I will be showing some of my jewellery and promoting the Wendy/Donna workshop as well as my classes. It will be two long days and nights but hopefully worthwhile. 
I’ve been using up the beads I bought for the two workshops I did recently making bracelet and earring sets to have as “show specials”.
The third thing that is coming up is a local primary school’s art show which is in late September. The exhibition is called “Art through our eyes” and as well as invited artists the pupils have their own art on sale and they have an Auction of collaborative works completed by classes. Last year the Auction items were fabulous and a few went for quite astounding prices. I have been invited to exhibit again this year. I had a theme last year, “Spring Affair” but not sure if I will do that again. I do know that I really need to get working on a selection of items as the list of items to be exhibited needs to be in by the end of this month. So all in all it is looking like the next month or two will be quite busy. Luckily the house renovations are almost complete (the inside anyway) so my time won’t be taken up with that anymore.
Cheers Sharyn
