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Sunday, September 16, 2012

Peace and Open Studios

I am sitting here a little bit tired and weary - today was a busy day with the Open Studios.  Yesterday was generally relaxed and quiet - only ever two or three people at a time and often times just ourselves.

Today was steady and then went a wee bit ballistic towards the end with about 15 folk inside and others outside. It was a real hoot with lots of enthusiastic folk asking questions and seeming to enjoy the studio space and the work. We also made steady sales which has been wonderful as well.

Barry tends to work the outside - he meets and greets and often shows people around the block a bit and also demonstrates beating and folding metal.

Inside I show folk all of the displays - Barry's jewellery and bowls and leaves; as well as my books and prints. I talk a lot about paper and books and calligraphy and do the odd demonstration, and also manage all the recording of numbers and the sales. In fact, quite a few people are fascinated watching me burn words out of pages!

Given that International Day of Peace is coming up this Friday 21 September, as a gift to folk I was handing out bookmarks made from some of my calligraphic overwriting of "peace is every step".

It was just nice to remind folk and share a little bit and I love how the book marks look placed all together...





Quite a few people have added to the peace tree as well, writing on the brown paper bags and hanging them in the tree as they departed. It was dark when we finished today, so I'll have to photograph them tomorrow.


20 comments:

  1. It sounds like you both had a great day. Your bookmarks have photographed well, Fiona. Such a good idea as is the peace tree idea. I have my shweshwe peace flags up and flying for Friday.

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    1. Thanks Robyn - we did indeed. I'd love to see a photo for your shweshwe peace flags - I have no idea what they might look like, but they sound fabulous!

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  2. Congrats to you both on another successful day and on your sales!! These bookmarks are stunning!

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    1. Thanks Jane - they look good all together like that don't they? Visually intriguing I think!

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  3. I can imagine the thrill your visitors got, listening to both Barry and you, witnessing the birthplace of so much art, and step by step discovering more and more...
    Congratulations!

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    1. Hi Anna - thank you. It is quite a lovely experience to share your work with folk, see them explore and exclaim and discover things. It's tiring but rewarding. I think we're lucky there are two of us; we share the roles around a bit.

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  4. Tis after midnight and I have been to bed but am up again. Enjoyed reading about your day and loved seeing your bookmarks. A measure of you and a measure of peace - a lovely gift.

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    1. Thank you Susan - hope you got some sleep finally...I think small gifts of peace are nice reminders for folk.

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  5. I'd have likedto make it up the mountain, but visitors put paid to that idea. However, I love to catch up with friends so all was not lost. Maybe next open day.

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    1. Time with friends is always well spent Jo! We are open all this coming weekend and then again on 6 & 7 October (but not 29 & 30 Sep). Might see you then!

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  6. sounds like a lovely day was had by all

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    1. 'Twas lovely indeed Ronnie and now to do it all again next weekend!

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  7. Those bookmarks are gorgeous Fiona! What a lovely give-away! I bet everyone who received one was well-chuffed.

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    1. Thanks Amanda - it's nice to give a little something I think, and these were timely and simple. They also encouraged folk to write a peace flag as well!

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  8. congratulations are in order! i hope you got to rest and look back happily upon your visitors and their interactions with you...
    the bookmarks are wonderful - and it is something that people will have for long into the future... (i know i always hang onto a good bookmark and yours is so meaningful)
    f - i have to go back to see if you discussed your 'language of peace' (is that right?) book in depth... i am intrigued by the embossed doves and the words in soft blue...

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    1. Thanks MJ - they are nice little ones and I hope people hang onto them and remember peace with a fond smile. We were weary but satisfied if you know that feeling? It was a good weekend and we have a few more to go. I'm not sure I have written properly about languages of peace, but will write you sometime soon...

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  9. I am not surprised you had lots of visitors. All that hard work in preparation deserved its reward. I am sure they went away with lots to think about and the bookmark idea is a typically generous gesture and idea. I love those graphic photos Fiona. Such a strong way to encourage support of such a gentle message.

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    1. Thank you Lesley - it's nice to have folk show up I must admit! I think our studio is a bit different to others who paint, and people also get a kind of two for one experience (and a great view). I always love a book mark, and they seemed a personal way to give a gift with meaning...

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  10. Wish I could have been there to absorve myself in the creative spirit.
    I love your book marks and look forward to seeing the peace tree with more paper bags.

    Diane.

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    1. Thanks Diane - oftentimes the interweb brings us closer, yet makes us wish we were even closer! It rained today and I didn't get to photograph the peace tree - but am looking forward to seeing them all after a shower of rain...

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I appreciate your thoughts and comments; thanks for taking the time.