The Visit

Since my show last weekend, I have been trying to clean up the royal mess I created. The 7-14 days before a show, I drag out boxes of beads and they are scattered all over my “Studio”, living room, even the kitchen. I devote my time mass-producing beaded earrings (as much as that is possible) for the upcoming show. My efforts are in creating inventory, not housekeeping.

Typically the week after a show, I put things away. This last week was somewhat typical of my post show habit, except that I was driven to “tidy up” a bit more than usual. I was going to have company on Saturday morning. So I spent much of my free time fretting about cobwebs, dust bunnies, and general “Stuff” that needed to be put away. Even Steve helped me spruce things up. He was a great help!

Six ladies from the Marin County Embroiderer’s Guild were coming to my town to shop at a local Embroidery shop today. One of the members emailed me last week to ask if they could visit my “Studio” since they would be in town.

Gee, when ANYONE who wishes to visit and is into beads, or embroidery, I am thrilled! I am such a hermit, it is so nice to have a visit by similarly minded people. Embroiderers are just as passionate about embroidery as beaders are about beads. I guess I would even go so far as to say, perhaps even a bit more. After all, embroidery has been recognized as a “sophisticated art form” much longer than beadwork. We are still in the steep uphill curve as far as that is concerned.

What I love about embroiderers is that they also have a keen interest in beadwork. Whether it is to embellish embroidery or as a stand alone art form, it is all good to them. Through my wonderful friend Gauri, I have been introduced to many fine ladies of various embroidery guilds, and as a result, I am hoping to start teaching thru several guilds.

When someone comes to my house for a beading session, or as these ladies did, to go through my beadwork and kits, it seems my German upbringing on treating guests is deeply engrained in my psyche. Treat guests as if they are royalty, and FEED them. If you wish to insult me, come over, and don’t eat anything. That will do it.

I did tell you my “other” hobby is cooking (and subsequently eating), right? Well, no store bought crap for these ladies!! Since I expected them mid morning, I decided to fix tea. No not JUST the beverage, but old-fashioned tea with the trimmings.

Menu

• Cucumber Sandwiches (of course!!) on white bread with the crusts cut off (is there any other way?), cream cheese and basil leaf

• Pear and arugula with melted Gargonzola on Pumpernickle
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• Raisin Scones with Apple Butter (yes, both homemade)

• Donuts with pomegranate glaze (homemade again!) (risky as I never tried this recipe).

• English Breakfast and Mint Tea (plus I have about 40 other varieties if they wished for a different flavor)

It all went well, I think. The ladies were impressed with my work, and their snack. They want me come to teach!! We’ll be working out the details.

But I have so much left over!! Anyone want to come over and help eat what’s left?