Every year around this time I find I start suffering from burn-out. Going full bore in the workshop for 10 months will do that to a person. I've learned to expect and deal with it. I step away from the saw and focus on more traditional woodworking. I'll spend some time hiking with my family and just kind of sit around and play my guitar or some such diversion. It usually takes me a month or two to get over it and be rejuvenated to get at it again. So, I've been somewhat sparse around these...

Well, here it is, 1 day before a show and once again I'm scrambling. I've got hangtags to print, 6 portraits awaiting framing and tons of other "little things" to take care of. I wonder, does everyone go through this for every fair? You would think that after 7 years or so I'd have a peaceful day the day before a fair. Oh well, at least I won't be bored, hehehehe.

OK, I received a call about doing a seminar on "shadow art." Isn't this what folks do with their hands in front of a light and make shadows on a wall?

OK, I'm being a little facetious here but really, "Shadow Art?" Why not fretwork art or fretwork portraits? I believe Shadow Art in the Arts and Crafts community already refers to sihouette paper cuttings that are very popular.
A quick search of the term turned up nothing to do with portrait style cuttings...

After perusing the latest catalogues, I just have to ask. Why do some folks feel it necessary to rip off other folks' patterns? Is it for the money? Do you really need the money that bad? Is it for the notoriety? I counted at least 6 of mine that had been pilfered, one even from the pages of my favorite magazine. How do I know they were my patterns? Easy, I took the original photos, duh! That's what makes me laugh about it, a certain designer seems to really like my patterns, they take them,...

Well, here I sit on a Monday morning at 9:00 AM still in my jammies. I've already laid out my plans and patterns for cutting today (more ornaments, oh boy) and will likely head down into the shop around 10:00 or so.
Unfortunately, my show this past weekend was postponed until next week which is sort of ok as I didn't have one scheduled anyhow. The downside though is that I have no real income from the woodworking other than the minimal amount that came in from pattern sales last week. ...