Barbara Lewis, featured artist

It was so good to have lunch today with a few online-turned-real-life friends.   Many of us have the occasional good fortune of meeting our blogging friends in person.   I tell you, though, that there are so many more of you that I hope to meet one day in real life.  Your messages of support and virtual hugs in regards to my last post have been such a comfort.   I appreciate all of you.

Now back to lunch – today I met Jeanette and Barbara and we enjoyed a Greek salad, hummus, and lots of beady talk.  My 19 month-old son was entertained by his pasta, crayons, yogurt covered raisins, and whatever I could dig out of my purse. 🙂  I think he’s getting used to seeing pieces of jewelry getting passed around and lots of ooohs and aaaahs ensuing.   This time we passed around something very special – the latest issue of Belle Armoire Jewelry.  Barbara has an article – “Wire and Fire”  – in this issue and yes, I had her autograph my copy!  I am so happy for my other jewelry artist friends who are also featured in this summer issue – Christine Damm (been waiting so long to see this feature – yipeee!), Diane Cook, Deryn Mentock, Maire Dodd (you did it!), and dear Riki Shumacher.  Wow, these ladies inspire me.

Something so wonderful happened as we were chatting and getting ready to part … the baby had been running around, entertaining himself and happy to be let free.  He ran after a lady who walked by, and she stopped to bring him back to me.  I looked at her and immediately thought, “I know this person!”.  It was my jewelry teacher from A.C. Moore…from my early days when I knew absolutely nothing about wire!  I ran in to Cynthia, the very person who taught me how to make wrapped loops and who I had not seen in years!  I shared a picture of that first wire wrapped bracelet not too long ago, in this post.    It’s really great how this great big world can seem like small place once in a while!

Cindy and Cynthia