The Rainbow at the End of the Thing, and the Thing at the End of the Rainbow.

Another Artstuff business-year has ended and started again (happy new year, everyone!).  Surtex is over for another year, and what a great show it was!  The mood was upbeat and the booth was busy.  I had great meetings with some of my awesome licensing partners and met some interesting new folks who I hope to work with in the near future.
Ugh, my eyes are always puffy looking in my booth photos.   I suppose it's because I always think of taking them in the morning before the show gets busy ... according to my West Coast body, it's 5:30am in this shot (ew).

Anyhoo.

I had a blast putting together my booth displays, thoroughly enjoyed connecting with dear friends, had a great time at our Artist Breakfast and really enjoyed meeting and chatting with those of you who attended the seminar (thanks for coming!).

I am so grateful for the great friends I've made over the years at this show - and was lucky enough to get to have dinner with a few of them while in NY. 
Next to me is the Amazingly Talented Amber Alvarez, and on around the table: the Amazingly Talented Jill Seale, the Amazingly Talented Andrea Mistretta, the Amazingly Talented Sue Zipkin, the Amazingly Talented Chris Chun, the Amazingly Talented Linda Jacque, and the Amazingly Talented Jane Shasky.  Although we all know I'm often guilty of it, in this case I'm not exaggerating.  Every single one of them is - well, what I said, really, and if you don't already know this, follow their links and get blown away by beautiful art and unbelievable cleverness yourself.  You'll see.

Then, suddenly it was all over. 
We said goodbye to New York for another year. 
I blinked and there I was, already over the Rockies. 
I am the person-in-an-airplane equivalent to a Golden Retriever with its head out the car window, ears and tongue flapping in the breeze.  Seriously.  If someone were to photograph a plane from the side in which I was a passenger, in the long row of little windows you would see one little round pink face practically pasted to the glass, watching the world pass below.  Even when it's just clouds out there.  I soak in the textures of white as we pass over and through, the way those little ice crystals form on the window and change shape, eventually turning into plain old drops of water back at a lower altitude.  Of course I enjoy it more when I can see land below, the patchwork passing by ... the shapes and textures of farms, cities, forests, lakes and rivers, mountains ... it's all so beautiful from up there. 
Solid white was all I got to look at once we were over Washington state though ... but then (how cool is this?!) the moment we popped out under the clouds, I was looking right at my house. 
Can you see it?  It's right there!  It's my house!

And even better: the Welcome Home Rainbow waiting for us on the ground.  These were taken from a car traveling at freeway speed (don't worry, Husband Guy was driving while I held the camera!) but look, it went all the way around, and had a ghost rainbow around it.

 
Glad to be home again, really glad to be not preparing for Surtex any more, and really really really glad to have had an awesome show.  Here in my office, there's a ton of show follow-up to finish now, but outside: I won't even tell you about the weeds - oh my.  And if I don't get to that grass soon we may totally misplace Molly next time she heads out to the backyard for a pee. 

But for now, I need to stay in here and work on that thing at the end of the rainbow.  Who knows, maybe it is a pot of gold.  A girl can dream, right?

Comments

[Sue]

It is a pot of gold for sure! It is a sign from the universe that you are were you need to be. You look gorgeous in that picture! Your booth was top of the line show stopping stunning. This is because you are amazingly talented..yes AMAZINGLY! (like those friend of yours). Thanks for all your help and advice before the show....you rock!!

[meagan]

welcome home!!! You were missed...DARLING picture of you :). Glad surtex went well too.

[Diane Knott]

Yay, Beth!! I heard the show was great, saw pics of you on Sue's blog and can see what a wonderful time was had by all!

Me too on planes! I do not like to fly anymore because of all the hassles, missed connections, waiting on runways, etc., but looking out the window: sheer bliss and awe! My face would be right in the window next to yours!

Hope amazing things happen for you after the show!

Blessings,
Diane

[Joy Hall]

Thanks for sharing your lovely pictures of your Surtex trip. I'm so disappointed I didn't get to go this year. I would have LOVED that artist breakfast! Next year....

BTW: You look adorable in your photo!

[Sharyn Sowell]

You looked adorable for sure and your booth was amazing. I think you were smarter than smart for getting that wonderful crate to serve as a table. And I agree... we sure do hang with an amazingly gifted group of people.

[Barb Tourtillotte]

Such a CUTE pic of you, Beth. Love the dress! Can't wait to get back to my booth next year. Would love to get together with you here in WA state.

[kathy weller]

Beth, I'm so happy to have come across your blog. I will follow you now. I was walking the show, I may do Surtex next year. I stopped and told you how lovely your booth was. Your booth was in my top five for inspiring "experience" booths. Wonderful work!!

[Shelly Comiskey]

Beth, I love love love your picture! You always have the cutest Surtex outfits! I am so happy the show went well for you.. not doubt it wouldn't! I will catch up with you soon after your post-Surtex slows down!
:)

[amber]

GUSH GUSH GUSH GUSH GUSH GUSH (ditto to what they said) ;) I miiiiiiiiiiiiissssss you. Can't wait for more fun, hopefully soon. Also, how do you rock so hard?