Christine and I were at the Mologne House from 4pm to 8pm tonight and it was a very humbling and amazing experience. It was touching; I met some wonderful and beautiful people tonight that I don’t think I’ll ever forget.

I finished my last art show of the year last weekend; it’s been a great season but very exhausting. I’m currently gearing up my online shop for the holidays and have been posting many, many new pieces in the store. I still have to upload the mother of pearl and stainless steel ones, some new jewelry sets, some new bracelets, and a bunch of photographs.

I have some exciting news to share; I’ve been wanting to do something to give back to the military community, and I’ve been thinking of offering free family portraits for military families for the holidays, particularly the deployed. One day at work, I realized as I was working on a DoD website, that Plexus had many military connections, and maybe they could help (especially since they wanted to do more to give back to the community). At first, I pitched that we could offer free photographs in the building the company rents a floor in – they have lobbies and facilities downstairs. I mentioned this to the head of marketing and they were excited about this idea; at first it was the lobby. Then it was an armed forces center near by…now even better…

We’ll be at Walter Reed photographing soldiers and their families in one of the recovery wings!!! Apparently news of this started flying around the DoD/Army community and, bam, we got permission. In fact, they’re really excited about it. We’re going to be setting up in the restaurant so the soldiers and their families can come by during their dinner service to have their portraits done. And Plexus is going to be hosting the photographs on their server afterwards so the families can download them for free.

This is really exciting – I’ll be there photographing and so will Christine! Some of our coworkers are going to be there to help guide people through, etc. I’m just so happy this has turned into something so big and crazy – and it’s a great way to give back to these guys.

I just got an e-mail today – I’m a finalist in the Art Clay category!!! :)

This was for my piece, Immortality, a fine silver cherry blossom branch carving with jadeite. This is really exciting – I’m in the running now for the grand prize (a $1000 gift cert to Fire Mountain) and I have to send the piece in for judging and photography (they might be using it in future catalogs and in major industry catalogs and publications). They will be promoting my work on their website as a contest winning designer/artist!

• “Prettiest things I’ve seen in my walk, and I’ve walked the entire show.”
• “Your work is incredible – just amazing. You have a unique view of the world.” – he laughed when I told him it was because I was short and wanted to show everyone else what I was seeing!
• “Wow – I look forward to seeing you in the Smithsonian someday.”

I’m very excited and can’t wait to create more work!

Getting ready for 2 art shows – the first one is on April 28th at COFUMC (that I’m organizing) and the second one is in Arlington the next weekend (May 5th). The Vale show went well – I got a lot of good feedback about my jewelry :)

2nd Annual Community of Faith United Methodist Church Spring Arts and Crafts Show
@COFUMC, 13224 Franklin Farm Rd, Herndon, VA 20171
Saturday, April 28 – 10am to 3pm

This is a fair I’m organizing to raise money for various local missions. I’ll be showing jewelry, paintings, and photography at this show.

VA Craft-n-istas May Fair
@ Lyon Park Community Center, 414 Fillmore St, Arlington, VA
Saturday, May 5 – 10am to 5pm

Fair promoting craftswomen and their work in a bazaar style setting.

If you want to see some nifty artwork, please come visit me! :)

I’m excited – I got into the Spring Holiday Boutique show (it was a juried show!)!!!

Spring Holiday Boutique at the Vale School House
The Historic Vale School House, Corner of Fox Mill and Vale Rd (Oakton, Virginia)
Thursday, March 29th – 10am to 9pm
Friday, March 30th – 10am to 9pm
Saturday, March 31st – 10am to 6pm

I will only be there between 3pm and 6pm (then cleanup) on Saturday, March 31st, but my products will be on sale the entire 3 days. So I’m gearing up for the big show with a ton of new silver pieces, a bunch of miniature paintings in pendants, and releasing my cherry blossom pendants! Just in time for the National Cherry Blossom Festival (from March 31st to April 15th)! Hope to see you there :)

Lots of new recycled fine silver work, including Chinese jacket pendants and red flower pendants!  http://store.melissalew.com

Thanks for looking!

My online store will be down for a couple days – tomorrow for my last art show of the year, and to also put up new items!

So if you’re in the DC Metro area tomorrow…

Come visit my booth at the CPC Annual Craft Bazaar!

Saturday, November 4th, 2006 from 9am to 2pm
12410 Lee Jackson Memorial Highway – Fairfax, VA 22033-2861
SPONSORED BY CHRIST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

Thanks :) I hope to have the store back up (http://store.melissalew.com) by Sunday night.

My online store at http://store.melissalew.com will be down for a short period of time starting tonight at 10pm, and will be back sometime tomorrow night or Sunday afternoon.

Please come see me at the Arts and Crafts Show in Dupont Circle tomorrow at the Church of the Pilgrims:)! There will be many new items that are not currently available in my online store. I will be posting those after the show.

I just opened my online store:  http://store.melissalew.com

Comments greatly appreciated!