I've survived demo day.

I kind of suffer from performance anxiety.  I know that when it comes down to it, I'm fine and can completely pull it out. 

Today was demo day at work.  More specifically, I agreed to do a leaded glass demo from 11 AM-5 PM.  I packed up my studio and hauled much of the room to work.  I started hauling things in and discovered the space that I was going to be demo-ing in was dismantled due to a change of show tomorrow. 

The Gallery Director had no idea and was sweating it out where I was going to go.  I ended up in the building that I generally work in.  I was tucked in the back and out of the main sales floor traffic-- good when dealing with glass, but bad to demo if people can't find you.   I suggested that they put signs up and that is exactly what they did.

The space I was in really was a very good fit.  I was able to box myself in.  I had a nice, big counter to put my grinder on.  There was a 4' table for me to use as a work surface.  I had my glass foiler on the end of the counter, which was great for customers to try out. 

It really seemed like the folks who came to watch enjoyed themselves.  They had a lot of good questions and hung out for a while.  I taught people how different tools are used.  I helped a husband talk his wife into purchasing a foiler.  I explained leaded glass basics to folks.  I had a woman drive from a half hour away to have me show her different tools that I have.  Her husband passed away 2 1/2 years ago and he had a fully functional stained glass studio in their basement.  She would like to get it back up and running.  I gave her a brief overview, but suggested a place for her to take classes.  She really seemed interested in pulling her husbands old tools out and getting them rolling once again.

I was paid to bring my studio to work, create work to eventually turn around to sell at work.  Such a fabulous deal!

Julia and I topped off our day by going to the local Russian festival.  I had a lovely meal.  We got to sit and talk about a bunch of stuff but NOT work.  (We were just there!)  We went to the dessert table.  The angels sang.  The glowing light shown bright.  It was like heaven dropped down right there.  We checked out the matroyska dolls.  We hung out in the outdoor tent and watched dancing. 

We had a great time!

Smiles in my day:
-  THE PERGO IS ALL DOWN!  (Yes, I know you want pictures!)  It's gorgeous!  Hubs has worked very hard to re-furb the existing woodwork.  Woodwork is so costly.  I'm glad that Hubs is willing to put the time into making it pretty.  Hubs has the saw horses up in the basement with our hall closet door as a surface (it's covered) so that we have space to paint.  This way, I have an area to paint the cabinet doors, drawers, table legs and chair backs/legs.  Soon enough, we'll be done.  Our goal is to have everything complete by Thanksgiving.  It's doable. 
-  When I arrived home, I checked in on K- to tell her goodnight.  She was tucked in and on her way to dreamland when I bent down to give her a kiss.  I heard, "Mommy, I have the most exciting news to tell you."  "What's that baby?"  "I'm on blue!"  More specifically, K- was moved up to the next reading level and that was the biggest deal to her.  It was a big deal to me.  According to 100 book challenge information that was sent home, she isn't expected to be at the blue level until March.  No wonder why she's so excited!  She knows that she has worked very hard!

Have a great day!