IPCA Retreat - Chicago

I had a chance to attend the IPCA retreat last week. It was a wonderful experience and I had a great time. This is my first retreat and it sure won't be the last. As you know, I haven't been able to sit down and clay and finish a project as I want to. The first day I was there, I was lost, confused and felt guilty that I left my daughter home. I sat down at the table in the back of the room, next to me was Maureen Carlson, whom I met at Synergy last year and Leslie Blackford.
As people start walking around the room, some familiar faces, some new faces stopped by my table and looked at my rings. I showed everyone how to make it and Christi F. wanted to buy one, then Lisa P. wanted one. I ended up selling and making more rings each day.
I have to admit that I can't sit still or stand still long enough for the demo. There are many artist who demo and shared their wonderful techniques. Most of the time when I saw other artist's works, instead of asking them how they do it, I like to figure out myself. The challenge of trying to figure out how they do it is more exciting.


I finally had time to sit with Leslie Blackford and she showed me how to make these bird. She grew on me. These two lovely birds I made while she was stepping out and told me to do something with it. LOL It is not easy to think outside the box, but I think I got the hang of it.

Speaking of box. Lisa P. gave us a small tin to cover. I just finished the pink and purple ring above so I decided to make some grass with a Dandelion (the official flower of my yard). The beautiful butterfly is a cane made by Scott.

We went out to dinner and I told people that I did not read Dr. Seuss books for my kids when they were young because it did not make sense to me. Maureen was talking about the "Who" so I made a tiny little house for the "Who" under the Dandelion. The title of the box is "The greener grass on the other side of the fence". I won 1st place and received a box full of wonderful things from Lisa P.

It was nice to get away so I can clear my head, gather some thought and feel good about myself again. Driving home during midnight hour by myself was quite a challenge though. So many clay friends who care about me and my daughter just filled up my heart over the weekend. Spending an evening with my best Friend and his mom was memorable. To be able to get out of the house and be sure that Ada will be very well taken care of is a good feeling.

Life is still good.