so much good stuff

Here's something different. Last week my youngest boy and I took a cigar box guitar workshop being offered by my work (The Crossing Arts Alliance)

Neither of us play the guitar, but we couldn't pass up the opportunity to learn the art of low-brow luthiership from maker and talented tattoo artist Tony Powers and co-teacher Brent Shepard.

These two have made CBG's from everything from cigar boxes to oars and cookie tins. In the hands of Tony and Brent these things sound great.

We were given the basic pieces of the guitar to assemble, decorate, and string.

My boy with his new geetar.

Everyone added their own flavor to their instruments.

Mary from LPTV was there to film and you can see the clip here

You're surprised to see mushrooms on mine, right?

This class was so much fun. The teachers made it very accessible and were able to handle any missteps we students made, and it was so cool to have one of them playing throughout the class, giving us hope that we might make something that sounded half as good. And, it's always fun to learn something new, right?

On Saturday I spent the day at a TEDx talk and have come away feeling really inspired and uplifted. I was also introduced to the music of Corey Medina, who moved from New Mexico to Minnesota (on purpose), and I am utterly entranced.

So much good stuff.

What's been inspiring you lately?

my bowls for Empty Bowls

Our second annual Empty Bowls fundraiser is coming up this Saturday, and I'm so proud to be a part of this event. Last year we raised $5000 for the local soup kitchen and we hope to raise more this year.

I am donating a couple of bowls this year, including this little mushroom-inspired one, which by the way, has sparked inspiration for me in a big way (more to come, hopefully).

If you are not familiar, Empty Bowls is a nationwide grass roots effort to raise awareness of, and combat, food insecurity in our communities. Next Saturday, Oct. 24th from 11am to 2pm, The Crossing Arts Alliance in Brainerd will be hosting the event at the Franklin Arts Center. For a $20 donation, guests are invited to a simple and delicious meal of soup and bread, and are invited to choose a handmade bowl to keep as a reminder of all the empty bowls in the world.

If you are local, I'd love to see you. I'll be running around but will be adequately name-tagged so please stop me and say hi if you make it out.

I've had a big week and there are other things I'm excited to share with you.

'Til then.

Sunday

A day spent picking rocks, time with a good friend, a smooth-as-glass Lake Superior, and a soft sunset over the lake. Just what I needed.

autumn love

Oh how I love autumn.

Just overnight the leaves got their cue to turn and my woods are a subtle wash of golds, rusty oranges, and mossy greens. In a few days they'll brighten and then they'll fade again, leaving the brown oaks with their lichen-encrusted trunks to be the focus.

I love the golden light, the smell, the crinkly leaves, the jeans with flannels, all of it. I don't even mind that fall is the precursor to winter, which seems to be the longest season of all here in Minnesota. Hey, winter is alright, it just overstays its welcome, that's all.

The next few weeks are going to be busy at work with fundraisers, kids events, and upcoming shows, but I aim to make time to do some stitching, do some baking, and get out in the rustling leaves.

In the meantime, I've made the last of this season's acorns, just two sets. They're in the shop today.

Have a glorious day, all.