butterfly landing

I've been home from Asilomar now for almost a week. Where does the time go? I had a wonderful, magical time.

I've sat down a dozen times ready to write and tell you all about how nervous I was preparing for a venue I've never been too. About how I waffled between uncertainty and surrender and about how wonderful it all turned out. I've sat down a dozen times ready to write and tell you about how beautiful it was there - the scenery, the setting, the light of the coast, the salty smell of the air, the twisted, sculptural trees, how I didn't take NEARLY enough pictures, the eager students trusting in my ability to share something inspiring with them, the looks on their faces and they watched and patiently awaited their turn to play - those same faces morphing throughout the day from anticipation to frustration to pride by the end of the day. I've sat down a dozen times ready to write and tell you how grateful I am for each and every student. Every. Single. One. Grateful for their time, their energy and most of all, grateful to those who kindly and respectfully gave honest feedback and wonderful ideas of how I could improve the experience more for the next class. I've sat down a dozen times ready to write and tell you how blessed I feel to have dear friends who have opened their hearts and shared feelings with me, who have invited me into their space with other friends to laugh and share more stories. Thank you. I've sat down a dozen times ready to write and tell you how nothing in the world means more to me than seeing the sweet and natural and unrestrained joy in my daughters faces when they don't care who's watching....for the dear husband (here, dipping into the sacred headwaters of the Sacramento River at the base of Mount Shasta....mmm....delicious ) who supports all my efforts and encourages me - reminds me I'm capable in the most gentlystrong way imaginable. I've sat down a dozen times ready to write and tell you how exhausted I am - how amazingly, physically challenging this whole reality of globe-trotting and teaching is for me - and how it's worth every ounce of energy and then some...but...because i am so busy I won't take the time to tell you all these things. :) Instead I will keep soldiering forward preparing for the next round = Valley Ridge this coming weekend. Just a day and a half after returning home from that, our little family will be jet setting to Virginia where I will teach three and a half FULL days of classes there.

Comments

[Lee Anne Wallace]

What a treat it is to see you at these events and to watch your growth. I am always so honored that you remember me. Each time that I see your work I am amazed at how talented you are. I love listening to your students comments, also, because I remember thinking the same things when I took your classes. Things like, she is so calm; I can't believe that someone that young could handle that much going on in such a graceous manner. You know, things like that.

You and your family add such a breath of fresh air to these events. I meant to tell you how happy I was that you brought you girls with you. They will learn so much more on these trips than they ever will sitting in a classroom. Kudos to youd!

Have a great time at Valley Ridge and Hampton. And please, remember to rest!

Wtih Love,
LeeAnne

[kecia]

hi miss stephanie! i am sure i have your email somewhere, but can't locate it. for your junkdrawer metalsmithing class: the oven bake clay - is "sculpey clay" what you are looking for? that's all i've found in my searches so far.
thank,
kecia (keeshagirl4@aol.com)

[wanda miller]

You're back, yay and then you'll be gone again, boo hoo. the pics of your girls esp. the one of anabelle just makes me want to laugh and run and feel that kid feeling right at this moment. I felt just like a little kid in your classes with the kindest and clearest teacher ever!thank you, stephanie, Love, wanda

[Tonia Davenport]

Breathe . . .
You are a machine. A MACHINE. I look forward to catching up with you when you get caught up. :-)

[Diane Cook]

I am ready for your class and look forward to meeting you. I have been soldering some, using your book as a guide. I posted about it recently on my blog: www.rosajosies.com
See ya soon~

[jane]

Hi, Stephanie! Here's a link to an article in the New York Times indicating a possible reason why the PCB etchant and all its component chemicals have been pulled from store shelves. Yikes.
http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9F01E7D8133DF93AA25751C1A9649C8B63

[jane]

Whoops, didn't mean to make it look like I think the chemicals are a bad thing. I have followed your photo tutorial and had good results, and will be doing some more with it later this week. Your method works great, and the results are worth whatever effort it takes to bring 'em about. My only problem was when I was using new sheet metal and did not lightly sand it first...if the surface is too slick, the ink will not grab onto it. Thanks again for all you're doing to help us make new metal look old!

[annie lockhart]

hey sweetie...
i'm glad you took a few moments...so i can take in your dear way with the written word! i'm thinking seriously of artnest...will be able to make a decision here real soon! xo

[Jen Crossley]

SO Glad you home oops your gone again :{
Jen