Hello, friends!

It's been a long time, but Facebook doesn't give me enough room to really write!  I miss writing ... not enough to write another book ... but enough to get my blog going again!

Family is so important.  People ask me, "It's great that you all live near one another.  How did not happen?"  Well, it wasn't an accident, let me just say that!  From the time Laura was 12 years old she complained of Maryland winters.  She would say, "When I grow up, I'm going to live some place warm."  This was not a single complaint mind you.  This happened every winter.  I'd hear the familiar refrain many times throughout the cold, dark Maryland winters, something not easily forgotten.

So, when it came time for Laura to transfer to a four-year university, I said, "If you want to live some place warm, why don't you consider finishing your degree in a warm climate?"  Then I put on my thinking cap, "Hmmm, where would Jim and I like to live?"  He did his psychology internship in the mid '70's in Miami, but so much had changed there.  When we lived in Coconut Grove, it was filled with creative people who owned and operated the shops in the village ... instead of Banana Republic and Gap!

St. Pete's sense of community, affordable housing, arts and culture, and beautiful water has been a great choice for us.  We bought a home for Laura to live in while finishing her degree in Finance at USF.  The difference between out-of-state and in-state tuition nearly paid for the monthly mortgage payments.  We moved Painting with Fire to its location on Central Ave and David, our inventory specialist, came with it.  Laura graduated from college, she moved out of the house, we moved in!  It was like synchronized swimming, very well orchestrated, with God's hand moving us as if we were marionettes. Life is good! 

A birthday celebration is all the sweeter when you're with family.  Jim graduated from his 66th birthday (which he called being "two-thirds evil") to 67.  His interest in music was re-emerging.  He figured out how to create a play list on Amazon through his Prime membership. :-)   Songs we grew up with by Creedence Clearwater, Gordon Lightfoot, Janis Joplin, Jimi Hendrix ... it was quite the mix.

Then the light bulb went on ... Jim used to love to play the mandolin.  When I first met him he serenaded me with Quicksilver Messenger Service's "Who Do You Love?"  I was impressed!

His mandolin was so tired looking and had a crack.  It was barely holding it together. David, our musician son, picked out a beautiful mandolin for his father.  Without any thought, Jim placed the mandolin here ...   Could it be a more perfect setting?  

Laura and Matt, our daughter and son-in-law, Mr. and Mrs. Green Thumb, brought plants.  Here's the little vignette they created on the porch.  This is only a sample of what they've done in the yard since Father's Day! I feel as though they're landscaping the yard a little bit at a time! 

It was the perfect day.  I'm now babysitting the plants so they won't die in his brief absence. I'm really not a good babysitter! 

I'd love to hear about special moments you share with  your family.   

See you soon!  Hugs, Barbara

When "DIY" can hurt your business

This thoughtful post is from my daughter, Laura Lewis Albright, Manager of Painting with Fire Studio

First I would like to say that I absolutely love do-it-yourself projects. From making my own garlic olive oil to dying lace curtains (to replace the ones that my dog destroyed during her puppy chewing phase!) But when does "do-it-yourself" become do-it-inferior?  Maybe a better question is, "When a company or individual gives you an idea or teaches you how to 'do-it-yourself,' how do you show your support of that small company or individual?" 

I will admit that there are times when I've picked up Elmer's glue from the grocery store to make my own "Modge Podge" instead of going to my local art supply store. But you know what? Most of those times I couldn't get the right consistency and I didn't feel good about not supporting a small business, like the Art Supply Store across the street from our studio. 

I know the purpose of do-it-yourself is to be more cost-effective and experience self-gratification for a job well done.  However, when does that come at the cost of quality?  For example, in our small city of Saint Petersburg, we have a specialty olive oil shop. My husband and I love to garden and are growing garlic. So, of course, we want to try making our own garlic olive oil :-)

It would be very easy for us to go out to our local super center or grocery store and buy an inexpensive brand, but we like to support the business that gave us the idea!  To show our support of Kalamazoo Olive Company, this is what we do. We buy one of their simple olive oils that has no zest or extra pizzazz.  We can take James' great olive oil and spice it up ourselves, while saving a few dollars and supporting a small business. Voila!  I feel good about supporting the individual or small business that was generous with their knowledge and ideas while still being able to do it myself.  

For our family, we see teaching and, hopefully, the inspiring of others to "D-I-Y" as our calling in life. We truly admire and appreciate our customers, friends and those who inspire us! We appreciate their support so that we can continue to do what we love to do which is to ... you got it ... teach and inspire others.  Through their support, they give us a reason for our calling.

Sometimes it may require a little extra effort, but it can be so worth it for all! 

Please share if you love do-it-yourself projects and have a calling or desire to support creative individuals and small businesses. 

What seemingly impossible task will you tackle in 2014?

Do you sometimes look at others and think, "I could never do that."  I know I did.  It's sad that so many of us believe this.

Is it time for a little pep talk?  No one will hear you … go for it!  What if I made some time for myself today?  What if I put myself first?  What if I started the day with creative work rather than paperwork? What if … what if … what if …

What if I bring that big sofa through the window instead of through the front door?

Remember to practice possibility thinking!  You know, we're all not brain surgeons and yet we manage to do many things well!  Hugs, Barbara

 

My first workshop!

Things are moving fast here, but sometimes not fast enough because here's what my living room looks like now and this is really only about 1/3 of what we're moving!

We will christen the teaching area at the new home of Painting with Fire Studio on Saturday, May 19!  We'll be enameling lots of beads, pendants and charms while we use the immersion process of torch-fired enamel! I look forward to this workshop being the beginning of many new learning experiences at our new place!  To register online, click here!

Painting with Fire Studio, 2428 Central Avenue, St. Petersburg, FL 33712
(new awning and sign to be installed in two days!)

Progress on Painting with Fire Studio

Gosh, it's feels like it's been an eternity since I've visited with you guys.  I'm feeling somewhat mentally deranged; happy, but stressed out as hell!  Three weeks ago, we got the plans approved for improvements to our commercial building in St. Petersburg.  2428 Central Avenue will be a retail space, my studio, and a workshop spot.  The colors for the building all started with this new logo.

You might have noticed that we've changed our name in the logo from Painting with Fire "Artwear" to Painting with Fire "Studio."  We felt it would more aptly described what we're up to these days.  We'll be able to teach in the new space.  Thank God!  I'm not as young as I used to be (Surprise!!!) and being a migrant workshop instructor is incredibly fun ... but incredibly hard physically and mentally.  As you may know, I'm not the most organized person and the mental calisthenics I go through to make sure I haven't forgotten something is ... well ... let's put it this way, if I did that many physical calisthenics I'd be a size 8!

  

You won't be surprised to learn that I'm influenced by Thompson Enamel colors. I simply like Bitter and Flame Orange!  That's what you see in the logo.  I thought the charcoal gray was a softer touch than black.  I barely know the Adobe Illustrator program but somehow managed to get these transparent circles on top of the lettering.  I thought, "Wow! I like it!"  I think it gives the letters a little distressed look. The graphic designer and I were trying to get a logo that would be suitable for the sign for the building, a business card, and any other printed material.  

The graphics you enjoy on the internet when your computer is 10" in front of you, don't always translate well to building signs, which is unfortunate because Lori Plyler designed a beautiful image and I was disappointed not to be able to use it. 

Benjamin Moore has their own name for citrus green and it's called "Wasabi."  Good thing I like this color, because I chose it for a lot of the building.

The entire building will be painted Wasabi with the lighter coral surrounding the windows and door, and the deeper coral color for the shutters and window sills of the upstairs apartments.

Colors of Painting with Fire Studio, St. Petersburg, FL 

The walls in the retail space are accented with deep aqua bas relief molding. Of course, a lot of the wall color in the rooms will be covered with hanging displays and shelves. 

Alicia inspecting the paint job

Yesterday I ran myself ragged picking up paint ... twice! ... going to Lowe's for track lighting ... meeting the sign guy ... and going to Sam's Club to look at shelving units!  But believe me, I'm really just grateful that work has begun.   

In the middle of all this, my daughter, Laura, called to say that she ran out of gas on the Frankland Bridge (the float in her gas tank is not working).  She was among parade floats traveling from Tampa to St. Pete for the Grand Prix this weekend.  She said not a single person drove by, waved, and shouted, "Have a wonderful day!"   At the same time David, my son, was calling to say he locked himself out of his apartment ... plus the hair dresser was running 45 minutes late. 

 

Do you want to know how crazy I am?  I'm even excited over the security lights and the exit signs! 

These are the air conditioners that will help to keep the workshop space comfortable with 11 torches going at the same time!   


And here's one of the images from my book.  I can't help but smile at the colors that find their way into my work ... and now in the building.  Praise God for his many blessings ... 

Thanks for visiting me today.  I'll have more tomorrow when I can get a shot of what Cat Kerr gave me at last weekend's workshop!  You won't want to miss that!  :-) Barbara

A new friend, Carrie Boucher!

I have a new friend ... and a very talented one at that!  It's funny how the internet leads you to people.  You fall down the rabbit hole and where you end up is anyone's guess.  I started my morning by indulging myself in a visit to Pinterest.  I'm merrily going about my business and come across this!

My heart skipped a beat ... you mean a "person" made this!  I followed the link to this etsy site and noticed that Carrie spent at least part of her time in Tampa Bay!  

Her etsy site mentioned her blog, which was my next stop.

I loved Carrie's writing, which gave a good sense of who she is and what she was experiencing ... just the kind of person you'd love to meet and would feel comfortable around.  I emailed Carrie and told her I had read her blog and was setting up a studio in St. Pete.  When she wrote back, I was thrilled.  We made plans to meet.  She came to the studio/shop a couple of days ago wearing that gorgeous piece that led me to her in the first place ... and her zebra ballet slippers!  

She explained a little bit about the piece.  In my husband's hands he started playing pachinko with the three little stars that move.  The piece is made of 6 sheets of sterling silver, a stock certificate, and cast resin. I felt somewhat embarrassed to introduce her to torch firing, but she loved it!  I know in her hands she'll make something truly marvelous.

We had a wonderful morning of gab and a great lunch of Thai food at the Queen and I, just a few doors down from the shop.  I've noticed a pattern with the Queen and I ... by about 11 a.m. the whole area is permeated with the smell of garlic!  It's wonderful!

We're going to have another play date with Carrie, her mother, and her sisters before she leaves for Peru on March 22 for 6 weeks. She'll be spending the time at an artists' retreat.  

Please visit Carrie's etsy shop and her blog.  It's quite a treat. :-)  Barbara

Back in Florida!

What could possibly be so interesting to these grown men?  I mean, they are staring intently at the asphalt!  Why, they're deciding on the exact spot for the new gas hook up to the building which will fuel the on-demand hot water unit. 

Fred Dion, general contractor (in white), Jim Lewis, hubby (in red) and Teco Gas employee (in green)

It's funny, these units are wildly popular in Florida and in Europe, but not in Maryland.  You do away with the big hot water heater so that this little hot water gadget that is about the size of a large cereal box will supply the hot water. 

We arrived on Sunday evening at about 7:30 p.m.  So far we've ...
:: celebrated Laura's joy over getting engaged!  Matt and Laura were giggling like school kids!
:: met with the general contractor about a dozen times
:: met with the metal roofing guy for an estimate on ribbed metal roofing for the awning
:: went to the retail fixtures place and got a steal on glass shelving units for the enamels
:: made several trips with the car to pick up shelving
:: ordered plastic jars so David can start weighing and labeling enamels to build up inventory in Florida
:: met with the owner of the Foodies store to purchase his reception desk/check out area
:: took several walks in our special areas of St. Pete ... the weather is gorgeous!

It's hard to show you anything substantial about the shop/studio yet, but here's a photo of the bathroom!

Here's the trim on the walls for the retail space. 

Here are doors that I've carried hither and yon and will be used in the space.  Who knows how ... but I'll figure out a way!  My family secretly wishes I'd "lose" those doors!

 A great shabby chic display case for jewelry.  Love this!  

A great folk art kinda thing for beads.  Since it's a stepped cabinet, when you pull out each drawer, it doesn't cover up the contents of the beads in the drawer below.  Notice the classy water bottle in the background ... gotta stay hydrated!

That's all folks!  Talk to you later. 

Cabin Fever Clay Fest in Laurel, Maryland

What you'll make in a Painting with Fire Workshop!

Hi folks,  It's still bright and sunny out, although cold.  I don't care as much about the cold as I do about the lack of sunshine so I'm enjoying this beautiful day.  I wanted to mention that there's still room in my February 17 full-day workshop at Cabin Fever Clay Fest, Laurel Maryland.   


Although it's not part of the workshop, I'll be doing a demonstration of applying and firing ceramic decals to enamel.  You can find out more about the workshop and how to register here.   


There's also room for two in my February 5, St. Petersburg Workshop.  I know it's Super Bowl Sunday, but the workshop will be over in plenty of time for your football viewing pleasure!  You can register for the workshop here. I'll look forward to meeting you there!  

The Bead Pulling Station Gets a Facelift!

Gosh, I can't believe it's been this long since I've been with you here.  I've been busy, as I'm sure you have been.  The holidays are wonderful, especially when they're over!  I know, I know ... I shouldn't have said that, but I feel that way sometimes.  Here's what I've been up to.  I look forward to having time to check in on you guys! 


:: Beads, Baubles and Jewels
:: Webinar
:: Get together with Jim's side of the family for pizza
:: Pick up daughter and boyfriend from the airport
:: Take daughter and boyfriend downtown
:: Meet friends for lunch
:: Shop
:: Cook Christmas Dinner for my side of the family
:: Drive 13.5 hours to St. Pete, correction - add one hour for traffic
:: Meet with general contractor
:: Pick up son, David, and Chris Connolly and Toni Maddox the PWF Team at airport
:: Show them their new apartments and PWF home
:: Celebrate New Year's Eve
:: Meet gutter guy
:: Meet decking guy for rooftop deck
:: Meet ventilation guy
:: Buy stackable washer and dryer for shop
:: Spend several hours with designer
:: Spend more time with designer
:: Meet with Deputy Director of Building Permits for St. Pete
:: Meet with ventilation guy
:: Meet with Diamond Tech regarding torches
:: Pick up newly-designed bead pulling stations!!! No clamps required! Pretty snazzy! 

A Home for Painting with Fire Studio!

We went to settlement yesterday on a teaching and retail space for Painting with Fire! Here's a photo of how it looks today! 

The address is 2428 Central Avenue, which lies within the boundaries of Historic Kenwood and is two blocks from my house!  Central Avenue is the main drag from downtown St. Pete to the Gulf beaches.  The studio is in the Grand Central District, which is an artsy area full of personality.  The neighborhood is great about supporting local businesses and I can't wait to meet more of my neighbors.  Businesses on my block include those for stained glass and graphics, art supplies, cupcakes, a half a dozen restaurants, cigars, antiques, real estate ... and now torch-fired enamel! 

I'm really looking forward to this space being a place where torch-fired enamel artists can gather.  I'll have open torch times where you'll be able to try different enamels before buying them.  You can come in with questions.  It's going to be great. 


Getting back to the building ... the space on the far left will be the teaching part ... the torches will be lined up on the left wall and we're meeting with the ventilation guy tomorrow.  Behind that is storage room and office space.  The area behind the colorful balls will be the retail space.  We'll sell everything we currently do online, but will also have a greater selection of other beads and beading accessories. A very lovely bridal salon occupies one of our spots. 


There are two one-bedroom apartments upstairs, one for my son, David, and the other for Chris and Toni, all who are studio artists at PWF. Both David and Chris are talented teachers and Toni is a fine artist.   I love her eye for design and I look forward to getting into mischief with her.  Chris, Toni and David, all 25 year-olds, will infuse Painting with Fire with energy ... in more ways than one! 


I've had this urge to offer Winter Retreats in St. Petersburg.  Who wouldn't want to go on a learning vacation in January, February or March?  This space also will provide lots of opportunities for things like this. 


It will take us several months before we're down here full time.  My target date is May 1, but we'll be hosting lots of workshops and other events from now until then.  I hope you'll follow along as we make changes to the space to get ready for opening.  It should be fun! 

New York Magazine Loves St. Pete!

By now most of you know that I live in St. Pete about 20 weeks a year.  It is a crazy schedule of two week trips throughout the year ... although we're shooting for more three week trips. We're just not in a position to move there permanently ... yet!  To say that I love St. Pete is an understatement ... and apparently someone at New York Magazine feels the same way.

On page 5 you'll find a reference to my neighborhood, Kenwood.  Because so many artists reside in the neighborhood, Kenwood Board Members and residents are working with the city toward establising a special residential status called an "Artist Enclave".  This would allow artists some limited commercial use of their property for teaching, etc.  Signage also would be permitted.  What page 5 of New York Magazine doesn't mention is that even though the homes tend to be small ... Kenwood has the largest concentration of bungalows in the state of Florida and a good many of them are charming.

Peg's Cantina in neighboring Gulfport

In 2005, Cottage Living magazine named Kenwood one of the five best cottage communities in the country. But it wasn't always like that.  In 1990, a run-down Kenwood began to turn the corner when a group of hard core restorers ... and partiers ... brought the community back to life through hard work and porch parties ... a tradition that continues today.

New Salvador Dali Museum, opened 1/11/11

If any of this appeals to you and you want to live in a warm climate, 12 minutes from some of the most beautiful beaches in the world and a mile from some great cultural sites and restaurants, get in touch with me ... I know a dynamite real estate agent who will hook you up!

Setting the Record Straight

Work by Dale Chihuly, glass artist

A few days ago I took you on a walking tour of beautiful downtown St. Petersburg.  Some of my information about the Chihuly Collection was incorrect.  The truth of the matter is that the Morean Arts Center will present The Chihuly Collection at the Morean's new 10,000 square foot space at 400 Beach Drive.  How great is that?!!!  As other art centers are struggling, the Morean is expanding ... I mean really expanding!

The new Glass Studio & Hot Shop, approximately 4000 sq. ft at the main location on Central Avenue at 7th,  will house furnaces, kilns, studio and retail space. There will also be an area that can seat 60 people where glass artists can be observed creating their artworks. I was able to watch Venetian glass artists at work in Murano and the making of their vessels seemed a form of Performance Art.  The Glass Studio and Hot Shop is scheduled to open in early June.

In addition, the Morean has moved its clay studios from the main location on Central Avenue to the Historic Train Station at 420 22nd Street, which is two blocks from the location of my new studio (details will be forthcoming).  I've been in their clay studios, which is bright with light streaming through arched windows.  Constantly changing exhibits, curated by Valerie Scott Knaust, greet you at their entrance and give glimpses into the workings of the clay studios.

And, finally, the Bank of America Children's Learning Center, a 1500 sq. ft. space at the main location, will provide hands-on learning that is in keeping with Dale Chihuly's interest in youth art programs.

So, there you have it ... better than even I imagined ....

Art in the Park in Historic Kenwood

My Craft Booth at Art in the Park, Kenwood, St. Pete

Did this Motley Crew scare away customers, do you think?

Yesterday was a beautiful sunny day, but very blustery.  Our booth underwent changes all afternoon to the point that the mirror (right hand corner on the table) was laying down to prevent 7 years of bad luck!  Fortunately, everything was staked down well, but I still couldn't help myself from jumping up to hold down the tent when a big gust came.

It was our annual Art in the Park in Kenwood, our neighborhood in St. Pete.  Kenwood is a very neat area, I've written about it here before, so if I'm boring you, I apologize.  It's 2 miles from dead center  downtown St. Pete and 12 minutes from some of the most beautiful beaches in Florida.  Our house is 2 blocks off of Central Avenue, which is the main drag that goes from downtown St. Pete to the beaches.  

In Maryland we leave in a rural area.  It is very beautiful, on the water, with an "unofficial" bird sanctuary on the opposite shore that provides tons of entertainment.  But it is friggin' far from every convenience in the world.  It takes me 30 minutes to go to any department store, by that I mean a Target or Walmart, which really aren't department stores!

After our trips to Europe in 2005 and 2007 I told Jim that I really wanted to have a more urban setting for our next home.  I wanted to walk to places.  Here I walk to my hair salon, walk to the art supply store, to the Goodyear Plant where they have neat rubber things for jewelry, to some wonderful restaurants, to Haslems (the oldest book seller in the U.S.).  We're 2 miles from Bay Walk, which has a Muvico with stadium seating and an IMAX theatre where I hope to see Alice in Wonderland this trip.

Kenwood also has the largest concentration of Bungalows in the state.  When downtown St. Pete was being developed in the 1930's, the City moved the Bungalows to our neighborhood.  It is very quaint, but still in a state of renovation.  Howeve, Cottage Living voted Kenwood one of the best cottage communities in the country in 2005.  It has a great sense of community because when Kenwood started it's redevelopment in the early 1990's, it was spurred on by a series of "porch parties," a tradition that still exists.  

Kenwood has been voted many times as a community having the greatest sense of "community" in St. Petersburg and with the most active citizens association.  I can't wait until we're permanent residents.   As you can tell, I love it here!  

If you're looking for a home (secondary or primary) in a warmer contact, get in touch with me ... I know a great real estate agent!  Actually, I sound like I should work for the Chamber of Commerce or something!

Enjoy your Sunday ... it's sunny outside!