Touched by Angels

I just came from an amazing weekend in Columbus , Ohio at the Country Living Fair!!  So my girlfriend Jen O’Conner of Earth Angels fame invited me to set up shop in her booth at the Country Living Fair in Columbus Ohio and now I am an honorary member of the Earth Angels and I can tell you it is a huge privilege to work with such lovely women and such a tight knit team. Every woman there excels in their craft and are extraordinary  multi talented artists.  The bar is set way high with these compelling artists and all around nice gals!  I would never tell them this but I actually wept a bit when I departed because I got to be part of such an amazing family.  They live, they love, they laugh.  The Olive Branch was actually a whole tree. What’s wonderful about Jen O’Conner because as tough as she is as the master marketing brander of Earth Angels and keeping so many women at there absolute best, she is in the trenches.  I admire people like that, not afraid to get dirty for the common cause of all and what that does is make you proud to be part of the whole and really want to dig in.  Her energy is astounding and all any of us want to do is sell more and be a part of that energy.  I’d like to take a moment to introduce you to all my new friends and I’m sure you will love them the way I do.  Lets start with Melody  Elizabeth and lets call her a triple threat.  She sews, she re-purposes, she solders and creates the most exquisite glistening jewelry the kind that you would love to find buried deep underneath the sea in a pirates booty treasure chest. Yes that amazing.  Then there was her sister Marie Pendley not yet listed on Earth Angels site but I just wanted to take her home in my pocket , we got each other we just always ended up in the same place when we shared with one one another.  As she is stepping out into the world of redefining herself she was able to contribute the most luscious adornments ever to find there way out of the Victorian ages and given a fresh modern twist.  She also interviewed me on stage for Country Living and never had done it before but let me tell you I felt like I was just chatting with an old girlfriend.  She helped me relax and I needed her guidance so badly.  Lets go to Valerie Weberpal , the easy going one of the bunch she makes without a doubt the best stuffed animals, the kind with personalities,  the kind that if I knew I wouldn’t be caught would actually talk to on a daily basis.  I could not stop looking at them. So many went off to happy homes!! She helped me unpack as soon as I arrived and never stopped offering to help, we both love diet coke too..oh yes she’s a keeper.  Then to ok are you ready???  Letty Worley cracks me up  who loves to woop it up and have fun..I was drawn to her personality immediately, then I walk over to her booth and realize omg she isn’t just selling the most amazing artistic bears since Steif she is making them by hand.  Wait until you see what she sells, the best are the bear handbags!! Lets go to Sue Parker of Skippy Doodle Design who really is a tireless worker bee that was so kind and loving to the Earth Angel customers.  The line was around the tent and she was able to make them all feel so very special ok that’s one half of Sue then there is this amazing creative side.  You must must must look at her tiny vignette ornaments.  Precious, and love comes through each one!!  Ok Cheryl Kuhn it‘s your turn..wow where to start .  quiet unassuming, non judgmental, appreciates my color sense but is really really comfortable with grey and I am ok with that.  Loves life and the journey and makes so many amazing art assemblages that are works of art I adored her Halloween assemblages and the amazing poetry she finds in old books. Cheryl is one sweet soul. What I find with these women is that we are so much more alike then we are different.  We got to share intimacies, share our passions, our hurts, our struggles, our love for our children and that’s what comes out of a weekend with the girls is a kind of balm that nurtures and soothes the soul.  There are still more Angels. Meet lovely miss Donya Obrien with the most amazing jewelry collection just be careful cause you are going to want everything she makes. She is so dynamic and loving and crazy about her son! She was also a newbie and we were comforted in that!How about that Jennifer Lanne the kindest loving most supportive peep you’ll ever want to meet.  She gave me the ins and outs of the market so you can imagine how this place so overwhelming became so simplified with her magical touch.  Talk about artistry, Jen Lanne kicks butt!!!!!  Her paintings not only call to you and beckon to be owned by you but they are affordable!!  Wow a mouthful but I needed to salute them individually.  They are new art comrades in the passionate pursuit of creating.  I am hear to tell you a piece of each of them are with me now as I go forward and create new things they are my inspiration in all things magical.  Thanks for the whimsy!!! xoxox love, Jennifer  See you in Atlanta!!  See me in my West Indies skirt??