Vacation Catch-up, Part 2: Squam Art Workshop

Ahhhhh... Squam Lake! Could there be a more beautiful setting for an artist retreat? Located in Holderness, New Hampshire, the Squam Art Workshops were held at the Rockywold-Deephaven Camps. My accommodations were on the second floor of the Longhouse Lodge...
A rustic building only feet from the lake. Here's the view from my 2nd floor room, overlooking the lake...
Not too shabby! Although, the lodges (other than a fireplace downstairs) were not heated, and New Hampshire temperatures were down into the 40's overnight... it all added to the charm and atmosphere of being "at camp"! And that down comforter sure did help!
The "path" to the Dining Hall was not what I expected! It was a path! In the woods! Ten minutes long! And I brought my dress boots! I figured, who has time for hiking? Well, 6 times a day... I did! But, hey... I didn't gain one pound from the all-you-can eat breakfast, lunch and dinner buffets because of it. Too cool. The path was also strewn with tributes to the late, great dirty dancer himself... Patrick Swayze. Our camp looked much like the one in the movie and the staff was very amused.
And... as a pleasant surprise... I "found my courage" on this path! Good thing too... because I had been looking for it for quite some time. The "Rock Fairy", a.k.a. Kim Mailhot had left it on the trail (along with many other rocks with perfect sayings for the finders-keepers) for a soul like me to find. Thanks, Kim!
On the first night, after dinner and an inspirational welcome speech by Stampington & Company's Editor-in-Chief Jenny Doh, we got to sit around a giant bonfire and listen to the amazingly delightful voice of Jonatha Brooke. She's very talented.
Classes the next day were a hike... literally! I had a giant suitcase, and two smaller cases filled with goodies for my class... Step Into The Story with Nina Bagley. A 3-day jewelry intensive on how to incorporate your precious mementos and treasures into a magnificent jewelry piece. We did lots of wire wrapping, collaged art to put into bezels and filled them with resin...
Wrapped unique vintage items and made these cool "cocoon" beads...
And got personalized attention from Nina on how to "build" our own personal story... and some tips for when we got stuck. [Note that I "accidentally" put my watch face on upside down! I just kept it that way... part of my new philosophy of letting go!]
It was a really different experience, being with the same people for 3 days. By the end, I felt like I had known these people for years. Everyone was so caring and sharing with ideas... supplies... thoughtful creative advice... personal stories... and wine!

And Nina taught us more than how to make a necklace... she made us all remember how special we are... and how we can do anything we set our minds to... and even some things we don't! She taught us how to see through her eyes and then to see through our own.
It was a fantastic experience. All around. The camp and it's staff, the accommodations, the scenery, the woods of New Hampshire, the food, the "hiking", the teachers, the people, the bonding, the laughs... and tears (good ones!), and a big shout out to Elizabeth MacCrellish for putting this whole thing on! I might just have to do this again next year...

Thanks for the love! Riding high on Squam...
xoxoxox

© indoor classroom and "luggage" photos by Carol Belliveau. All others by me!

Vacation Catch-up, Part 1: Porstmouth, NH

Well, folks. I had a spectacular time on my recent vacation to New Hampshire. This was the first time in a very, very, very long time that I had gone on a trip by myself. And, I'll be honest... it was tough at first. But I stayed on plan... did things that I enjoyed... and made the most of the time I had!

My first stop was Portsmouth, on the coast of New Hampshire. What a cute, quaint town it is. I did lots of shopping... bought this awesome chocolate brown wool coat with a vintage flower pattern (I actually left all my coats at home and so I had to buy one!)... and a cool owl pillow (found this in the dressing room of another store while I was trying on another jacket!). And lots of other goodies!

There were just too many restaurants with yummy menus to choose from, so I went for "atmosphere". On the first night I ate at the Portsmouth Brewery and on the second night, I ate at the Dolphin Stryker...
Walked around the town for two days and enjoyed all the different architectural elements. I really love all the chimneys!
On the last day, I went to the living history museum at Strawberry Banke. That was Portsmouth's original name... as the settlers that landed on her shores found tons of strawberry plants that had fruit as big as their fists! What if they had landed during apple season?
Historic sites are one of my favorite places to visit. I'm not sure why. Maybe it was a simpler time... when great care was put into everything people did...
I absolutely love the old timey general stores...
Maybe it's the vintage packaging. I do love graphic design and these old boxes and cans are sooo retro...
And the gardens were absolutely beautiful. I walked around for hours just amongst the plants and flowers...
All-in-all a great trip. A little lonesome being on my own... but that's good. I'm finding myself again... and I was really lost. I'll be covering my art retreat in the next post, so stay tuned for more tales from New Hampshire...

I'm Baaaaaaaack...

Whew! I'm back from vacation... well rested and artistically inspired! Spent some time in beautiful Portsmouth, New Hampshire before going over to the Squam Art Workshops this past week. I had an absolutely amazing time.... first, getting to know myself all over again... and then getting to know 150+ creative souls. I'm still catching up with unpacking (as you can see!), bills, grocery shopping and laundry... but stay tuned for highlights from both legs of my trip...

Giant Flea Market This Weekend!

Just a reminder to all you locals... and maybe not so local... that this Saturday, September 12th is Ocean Grove's Giant Flea Market. Over 400 vendors will tempt your wallet with endless catagories of vintage finds, antique treasures and collectible objects. It's pure heaven for me. I'll especially be on the lookout for vintage jewelry pieces and antique ribbon for my upcoming art workshop. See you there...

As If...

As if I weren't busy enough, I promised a local gallery that I would create several of my mixed media flower collages by this Saturday to hang for the monthly Collide-a-Scope event! So I've been busy with that between packing, sorting and regular day-to-day stuff! Whew!

Busy, Busy, Busy...

My Goodness! I have been so busy at work and at home and very excitedly getting ready for a jewelry class I'll be taking at the Squam Art Workshop in New Hampshire next week! Nina Bagley will be teaching a 3-day intensive workshop where we will learn multiple techniques for creating jewelry with found and vintage objects. So I've been feverishly gathering bits and baubles from my collection...
As well as antique rhinestones...
Vintage trims...
And miscellaneous fabrics...
Going through my stash takes tons of time. I'd like to say it's hard work, but it's not. It's lots of fun and that's the dilemma! There's just not that much time...