Saturday, September 19, 2009

How does a chicken earring become your claim to fame?


Another not to be missed event at this year's EDAC was the Gypsy Tea Party. Wearing gypsy outfits, we danced around showing our elaborate costumes and some of us got a little crazier than others. There was a contest for the best 'art' ragious Gypsy tea cup. Of course, the tea cups used for actually drinking tea are provided, so the materials used for our own creations were left to the imagination.
With all the excitement and preparation that goes along with this conference, there was no way I was going to do the tea cup thing. But somehow I found a little extra time a day or two before departure. My mind wanders- a light as air, sparkling vessel with matching base... I head to my studio and pull out the Angelina, some gold beading wire and the bead box. With a saucer from the kitchen cabinet and a dessert cup, I have my forms to mold the Angelina. When I emerge from the studio, I have an elegantly embellished tea cup and saucer. I safely pack it away for a trip across the country, but in my haste, I break one of my strictest rules: I let one of my creations out of the house without photographing it first. No problem, I think. I'll just do it when I get back. Sure!

Although I was very happy with my creation, there is an abundance of extreme talent at EDAC. There were many beautiful, elaborate and humorous tea cups in the mix. So, imagine my surprise when, two days later at the awards banquet, someone taps me on the shoulder and asks me how much I want for mine. Okay, I've sold my art quilts and I've sold my dolls, but had no idea what to charge for a little Angelina tea cup and matching saucer. I look up to find elinor peace bailey herself, complete with her chicken and egg earrings. "Do you want to trade something?" she asks. I relax and smile. Pressure's off. "What do you want?" she continues. I eagerly point to her chicken earring that I had noticed earlier that day. "This one?" she asks as she removes it and hands it to me.

I'm thrilled to have taken a chicken right off the ear of epb. One of the things she emphasized at the conference was once you've enjoyed something, pass it on to someone else to enjoy. Elinor, that's the best advice I've heard in a long time! I couldn't be enjoying this little chicken more. Thanks.