Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Stayin' Alive

I made it to the end of the semester finishing the measly, but exhausting 6 hours of art classes. I enjoyed a few days off and flew to Chicago for the SNAG (Society of North American Goldsmiths) Conference.

The first day I attended a workshop on self-publishing a picture book. A great idea actually. If I am ever teaching a workshop, I will make it part of the class fees and hand out a nicely photographed how-to book. A picture is worth a lot of words, especially when you are trying to figure out HOW to do something new.
At the pendant swap, my lovely thorny hearts went like crazy. It was gratifying since I was terrified to show my pendants to anyone in the first place. I had to make a simple pendant that represented my work, was a somewhat quality endeavor, and would act like a calling card to the people I was networking with. That was a tremendous amount of pressure for me. I spent weeks trying to get the damn mold to work with pewter and it just wasn't happening. Finally, at my parents house in chicago, I managed to make a functioning mold. Alas, I forgot to bring my pewter with me so I cast the pendants in resin instead. I spray painted them silver and they sucked. I painted them with acrylics in "cute" pastels and they were great. What stress!

Later that night, the Russian General, Natalya marched us all over Chicago and from train to train through the bowels of the city to several seedy bars. She drank lots of vodka and did her homeland proud. Stalin was proud when she speed marched us up and down Michigan Ave. and over miles and miles of sidewalk in her knee high black boots. I was the only one without a hangover the next day since I alternated water and booze at each bar. Our general was a little under the weather.

I really don't remember much of the conference (to my critics, I wasn't drunk the whole time) but the slides and artist presentations were great. My favorite part was the auction. At least four people bid on the earrings I donated (Some of the stuff didn't get any bids or went for just $5) so I wasn't humiliated. I was actually thrilled because there were bids on the first day.

My beanstalk ring was juried into the student slide show and SFA gave me an extra $100 traveling money. I now have a CHicago line on my artist resume.

I have been relaxing at my parents house and suffering withdrawal from Cymbalta. I am officially anti-depressant free. I am so tired and I feel nauseaus. Hopefully the withdrawal symptoms will pass or I have a virus that will go away anyway.

Love to all.