Stroll Through Storyland

Little Lost Bear and his colorful dreams

2009-07-14T07:15:00.008-05:00

The Little Bear, lost

On the island, dreamed of close
Friends and family.

Little Bear's dreams are in vivid color! Luckily, he make friends with a sea turtle, and they're building a raft this minute!

This necklace and earrings set (which should stay together {:-D) combine Mother of Pearl heishe beads and lapis Zuni bear fetishes. The length of the necklace, 26½", is long enough to put over your head without opening and closing the barrel clasp. Matching French wire earrings are ½" long, with one bear each.

Etsybloggers Carnival - July 17, 2009

2009-07-13T07:18:00.002-05:00

I didn’t think I had anything to share for this carnival, but I was wrong. Here's what happened:

I started to look at my options:
1. Christmas in July-do you celebrate? Do anything in your shop?
I didn't even realize Christmas in July was happening until a few days ago, so this topic was dead in the water!
2. July is National Hot Dog month! write about anything related to hot dogs.
I'm not a hotdog person either. Don't have fond memories of a favorite hotdog stand or cooking hotdogs on the grill. But I do remember when I was young, being jealous of people stopping at the vendors in New York, grabbing a hotdog on the run. Always wanted to eat one of those...

So I decided to give you some NYC hotdog vendor photographs:

Not sure if this is a hotdog stand, but it was photographed by Otilius,
one of my favorite bloggers at New York Nitty-Gritty

Do you remember when hot dogs were called frankfurters.
Historic photography (1942) by Charles Cushman, seen on flickr page,
What Makes The Pie Shops Tick?

Shot with an Ultra Wide Angle lens.
Photograph by Kevin (ktnl)

Times Square. Forgot the stands were out day AND night.

Photograph by Erik van der Zwet Slotenmaker

Thanks, Cindy, for reminding me of the beauty of hotdogs!

Crouching Tiger - gemstone set

2009-07-12T08:21:00.012-05:00

Remember the tiger eye beads I bought (they are in a previous post, top right )... Now they're part of this new gemstone set called "Crouching Tiger":

Tiger crouched behind
As the dainty lady rinsed
Her toes in the stream.

I don’t know yet if this tiger is spying on our dainty lady or just relaxing in the shade. But the two near the water seemed right, considering how hot it is today.

The gemstone set is over at 1000Markets and Etsy, for description and more views!

Another photo tag

2009-07-11T20:08:00.000-05:00

I received a second tag from HotRocksGlassJewels for photo searching. I don't mind playing tag, if there's not a lot of running around involved.

Oh yes, explain: this photo search is for the 6th photo in your 6th file.

This time, it's not jewelry, but it will be! I recently went on a beaded shopping spree, and here are some of my purchases: two large picture jasper ovals, and a bunch of hearts. I had some jasper Zuni bear fetishes at home, so when I saw these, I pounced.

HotRocks is an EC dropper like myself, so I thought I'd choose another six droppers to tag (play along if you wish - otherwise, be as you were) :
1. Theresa's Treasures
2. Joyana Knitbblog
3. Unique Commodities
4. Nothinglikeit
5. Islandgirl's Insight
6. What I Made Today

Etsy Artisan Interview - Tilt Creations

2009-07-10T07:00:00.002-05:00

I first met Theresa (TiLT) last year when we both joined the etsybloggers team. She's become a close online friend, and I'm real excited to have this interview for you. And you're in luck - she's having a clearance sale over at her Etsy shop, right now! One thing in particular that interested me were her comments here on photography and online photo hosting. Maybe we can get her to write a tutorial about Photobucket (hint, hint {:-D) So leave a comment, and include a plea, if you're interested. Then hop on over to her shop and don't miss out on the sale!

What's the name of your Etsy shop?

Tilt Creations

What types of products do you sell?

Handmade handbags, purses, totes, clutches, messenger bags...

What is your favorite item in your shop today?

It's got to be one of my hand embroidered messenger bags...probably the Grr Argh

How did you find out about Etsy? Where you a buyer before a seller?

I found it while researching starting my own craft business. I read quite a few books on the subject, and at least 3 of them mentioned Etsy. I was a buyer for a month or so before I sold. Everything I read suggested trying venues from a buyers point of view before selling...just to make sure you are satisfied with the way the site will be for your customers.

Are you involved with any of the Etsy teams?

Yup - 5 of them:

EtsyBloggers
Carried Away Bags (CAB)
Michigan Indie Crafters of Etsy (MICE)

Big Damn Crafters (BDC)

EtsyMoms

Are there additional venues where you sell your work?

I sell over on ArtFire under the same name. I also have a second shop on Etsy, Tilt Too , where I sell mostly destash fabrics and patterns, but I do want to eventually add other crafts items I make. Plus I have started doing craft shows.Over the years, what materials and mediums have you worked with? What's your favorite?

Um, everything LOL! Painting (acrylics) was always my primary medium until kids. Then I picked up the sewing and fell in love. I have tried paper, jewelry, plushies, glass...and want to try whatever else I can. If you would have asked which mediums I was good at...the list would have been shorter :)

Everyone knows images are important when selling on the internet. What's your procedure for taking photos of your products? Do you have any tips on taking better photographs?

Well, like so many, I am still working on getting the pics the way I want. I am quite envious of the shops that are able to have each picture "be the same"...same background & poses. For now, I have a great Canon borrowed from my dad (who upgraded his camera a few years back), clamp lights, poster board & a few staple props to helps show size. I really want a lightbox, but many of my bags a too large for many boxes. And I use a pretty good editing program - GIMP2.

Tips? Just never give up. Make an editing program your friend. And learn how to use the white balance on your camera. And crop, crop crop. The image should fill the page.

Do you have an online photo storage site, where we can see more about you and your surroundings?

I have a flickr, which has more than just my bags...I think it's a nice way for people to get to know me a little better. I am slowly building up my Photobucket account too (because they allow links to shops and "buy now" buttons).

Are selling your products a full-time job, or do you have an additional occupation, outside the home?

I wish I sold enough for this to be considered my job...but I am just a stay at home mom now. I used to be an exercise physiologist though, worked cardiac rehab...quite a different direction :)

We are all looking for good marketing advice. What's the best tip or trick you can share with us?

I am still working on this too. But joining teams & social media sites (like plurk, facebook & twitter) & blogging are my main venues. I have also ran across some nice places to place ads - I ndie Biz Chicks , BHR , (Block Head Radio) and Project Wonderful ads on blogs.

Where can people find out more about you - do you have a blog, website, instant messaging account?

wow - ready for the list? LOL!...here goes:

Blogs:
Crafts, kids, home and life
Tilt's Creations
Tilt's Treasures

Chatty places:
Plurk
Twitter
Facebook (personal)
Facebook (Business Fan Page)

Craftster
IndiePublic

and if you are a reader, I have a Shelfari profile too.

Whew, she's one busy lady!

OK, my turn to pick a favorite! I thought this backpack was truly special! I hear fashion gurus say, "Once you're over 30, you're too old to be wearing a backpack to work." Well, this pack doesn't look like your ordinary vinyl camping gear. Its' got a great design and room to hold lots of goodies. I love it so much I decided to buy it! Eat your heart out! It's 12½" x 6" x 6" and made with lovely embroidered twill fabric! Woot!

almost wordless wednesday - Irish Sunset

2009-07-08T07:30:00.005-05:00

Sun setting over the Atlantic Ocean, on our way home after eating dinner at a local pub. Seafood chowder for me! Sunset in Ireland this time of year is at 10:15 PM.

Turquoise Joy

2009-07-07T07:10:00.001-05:00

She completed her
Journey, filled with joy at the
End of the long day.
- storybeader

I was talking about inspiration yesterday, and someone asked if I had any plans for the beads I just purchased. Why yes! This is what I was thinking about. That's me - filled with joy!

The longer strand is 21" long, with the clasp. The jewels weigh 4.3 oz. Feels lovely around the neck!

I've placed the necklace in my shops on Etsy and 1000Markets. Shopping on Etsy is good if you have a PayPal account. If you don't feel like opening one, 1000Markets uses Amazon - a great feature for US only buyers. E-mail me with any questions: storybeader@gmail.com

Inspiration strikes

2009-07-06T08:55:00.000-05:00

I was talking with someone online about what inspires us to create. After returning from The Spiral Beadery in Oklahoma City this past Friday, I can say what it is for me: going to a nice bead store. This is some of the beads I came home with:

Passport to Summer Challenge: Refurbished Antique Brass Necklace and Earrings

2009-07-05T07:01:00.003-05:00

Summer means to me families being together. I see and hear vacation talk everywhere I go, and amidst my internet pals. I just got back from a family vacation myself!

This pink and baby blue necklace is about families growing and time passing. I took an antique necklace, and used parts of it for the pendant and earrings of my new piece. Here's the haiku that goes with it:

Babies and baskets / Full of flowers, pink and blue, / Playing guessing games.

I'm thinking the original necklace had been a gift to an expectant mother, when the sex of newborns was not possibly known. Chipped amazonite stones and small oval glass beads make up the foundation.

It's on sale now, http://www.1000markets.com/products/70157

I realized a few weeks prior, I made a bracelet with the same amazonite chipped stones that would look stunning with this set. It's also for sale at 1000 markets, here.

You're it! A fun tag for a few...

2009-07-04T06:39:00.004-05:00

I just got tagged by Nancy over at Nfall2rt# Design Studio. This was actually three posts back, but I was poking around the other day and saw my name. OK, the tag is: to search in your photo files, and find & post the 10th photo in the first folder.

Well, my 10th photo was a shot of the earrings, that match a necklace I just made - you can see the set over at Etsy and 1000Markets (ok, a shameless plug!)

Now, who can I pass this off to? I've got some friends around here that won't get too mad at me. Anyways, it's fun, and not too much trouble:
1. TiLT Creations
2. MemoriesforLife
3. Stormy Designs
4. MagdaleneJewels
5. A Keeper's Jackpot

Etsy Artisan Interview - Star Mountain Dreams

2009-07-03T07:32:00.002-05:00

RJ is the owner of Star Mountain Dreams, a cute shop operated by a seventeen year old. When I clicked over there, I thought I was looking at desserts! They are SO sweet! She tells us she's just learning how to make soap. There were only three items in her shop when I published the interview (she sold the others...) and they’re adorable. Maybe we can persuade her to make more this summer, if she has time!

What's the name of your Etsy shop?

My Etsy shop is StarMountainDreams.

What types of products do you sell?

I sell a variety of handmade melt-and-pour soaps, most of them food-inspired.

What is your favorite item in your shop today?

Right now my favorite item in my shop is my cherry pie soap.

How did you find out about Etsy? Where you a buyer before a seller?

I found out about Etsy when my sister opened a shop.

Are there additional venues where you sell your work?

Right now, I only sell my handmade soap on Etsy and at a few local craft fairs.

Are you involved with any of the Etsy teams?

I am a member of one Etsy soap-making team, the SAFE team. SAFE stands for Soap Artisan Friends of Etsy.

Over the years, what materials and mediums have you worked with? What's your favorite?

I’ve done a lot of crafts of various sorts from painting ornaments, to crocheting, to making jewelry and soap. I spend most of my crafting time on my soap-making. I love making soap; there is so much variety possible from the scents and molds available. I especially love using silicone molds.

Everyone knows images are important when selling on the internet. What's your procedure for taking photos of your products? Do you have any tips on taking better photographs?

I don’t really have a set procedure. I make sure the window shades are open to let in light and I try different backgrounds and props until I find something that looks good with the soap. I almost always use the close-up mode and try different settings until I find something that works. My only tip is to try and use morning light for your pictures; it just seems to do better.

Do you have an online photo storage site, where we can see more about you and your surroundings?

I do have a Flicker account; it has pictures of my soaps on it.

Are selling your products a full-time job, or do you have an additional occupation, outside the home?

Currently, I am still a High School student, so I don’t have the time for a job. My soap making and schoolwork keep me pretty busy.

We are all looking for good marketing advice. What's the best tip or trick you can share with us?

My only advice is to post on the forums sometimes and talk to other Etsyians. Some of my customers are people I met on the forums.

Where can people find out more about you - do you have a blog, website, instant messaging account?

I don’t have any of those yet.

My turn. My favorite has to be her Chock Full of Oats. It would be so neat in a bathroom, in your home, don't you think? Make sure to tell your guests don't eat it!

Etsybloggers carnival - July 3, 2009

2009-07-02T12:00:00.000-05:00

Can you actually believe I have a recipe to share?
One of the few things I make from scratch... a fruit and yogurt shake!
OK, here goes:

orange juice to cover the blender blades
approx. 4-5 ice cubes
CRUSH (my blender has an ice crush setting, very handy!)

add:
one banana and any some berries - I usually have strawberries or blackberries in the house.
one small carton of yogurt - I like the fruity kind, but you can just choose your favorite.
optional: 1 tbsp. brewer's yeast for additional protein.
BLEND for about 30 seconds.

This is great for a quick lunch or a delicious snack at night!

almost wordless wednesday - Greater Blasket Island

2009-07-01T08:46:00.004-05:00

Greater Blasket Island, in Ireland, is the farthest west a person can reach in all of Europe. We took a short boat ride from "homebase," and went for a day hike around the entire island. Sheep and donkeys, a beach for swimming, and a nice picnic, to boot! Everyone had a great time!

My Ten Top EC Droppers in June

2009-06-30T21:05:00.002-05:00

June's Featured Etsyblogger - LazyTCrochet

2009-06-28T09:27:00.005-05:00

Congrats to Tricia, aka LazyTCrochet, for being our Featured Etsyblogger for the month of June.

Crochet Sweater Ladies XL Beautiful Blues

I thought I'd show off her Crocheted Sweaters - fell in love, the moment I saw them. Aren't they just gorgeous! I don't remember seeing them before, so I think they're new.

Soft Plum Textured Crochet Sweater Ladies Large

Love that color's name, plum.

And this is a perfect time to go by her shop and browse around. She's having a summer sale! Hope you find something, just for yourself!

Etsy Treasury: At the shore with Etsybloggers

2009-06-27T14:30:00.005-05:00

It's been a long time since I curated a treasury on Etsy. WooHoo! You can even see the alternates! Clickable till Tuesday, 6:30 am

Etsy Artisan Interview - Peacox Creations

2009-06-26T07:40:00.005-05:00

Patti, etsyblogger and owner of Peacox Creations, does more than make baskets with pine needles. But I think that's her true love... at least for now! When you visit her shop, you'll also find greeting cards, christening gowns, and a variety of crocheted items. Very diverse indeed! Hope you enjoy the interview; there's lots of links!

What's the name of your Etsy shop?

Peacox Creations

Are you involved with any of the Etsy teams?

Besides the Etsy bloggers team, I'm in the EAL (Etsy Artists Lounge), etsyFAST,
Etsy hookers team, teamWIST because I'm from Wisconsin, and the Design Style Guide.
You don't suppose I've over extended myself, do you? LOL

What types of products do you sell?

My shop is rather eclectic. I sell pine needle baskets, greeting cards, Christening
gowns and accessories, afghans...baby size and full size, and other fun knit and
crochet items.

How did you find out about Etsy? Where you a buyer before a seller?

I found out about etsy from some of my internet craft groups. I started buying and selling at the same time.

What is your favorite item in your shop today?

It's so hard to pick a fav, but I guess it would have to be the pine needle basket with the swirling hexagons center. [this just sold! - congrats. Patti!]

Here's another favorite of both of ours:
Round pine needle basket with stoneware
center

Are there additional venues where you sell your work?

Besides selling here on Etsy, I do a limited number of craft shows each year and
have regular customers in the area.

Over the years, what materials and mediums have you worked with? What's your favorite?

Over many years, I have worked with almost every medium imaginable! My fav is pine needle basketry because it is unusual and open to many creative possibilities.

Everyone knows images are important when selling on the internet. What's your procedure for taking photos of your products? Do you have any tips on taking better photographs?

I try to take as many photos as I can outside, but with iffy Wisconsin weather, that's not always possible. Indoor, I use a white backgound placed near a north window with the flash off. I still need work in this area, however!

Do you have an online photo storage site, where we can see more about you and your surroundings?

You can see more about my life and works on Flickr and Facebook.

Are selling your products a full-time job, or do you have an additional occupation, outside the home?

Crafting does take me quite a bit of time, but is really a hobby...I've been retired from teaching for 12 years!

We are all looking for good marketing advice. What's the best tip or trick you can share with us?

The only tip I would have is to keep exploring and creating new things.

Where can people find Peacox Creations?

Here is Patti's blog on blogspot, and her shop on etsy.

Storybeader's turn to pick a favorite!
I know, I know, I'm a pragmatist! But if I have to have things around me, I want them to look nice. This piece is so cute. It's a pine needle sewing basket! Reminds me of a chip and dip serving plate. And I know a lot of people who would just love this! It's adorable!

almost wordless wednesday - Bodhran Championships

2009-06-24T07:00:00.000-05:00

Our first Sunday in Ireland we went to the World Bodhran Championships in Milltown (County Kerry.) The bodhran is an Irish frame drum, with a goatskin head. The competition was running all weekend, so we got to hear the finalists. Congratulations, everyone, who won in their category! To learn more about the bodhran, look here.

New Firebird Necklace: onyx and Czech glass

2009-06-21T18:03:00.012-05:00

"Are you so bold to
Come before me, in all your
Glory?" asked the wolf.

- Deborah Baroff, storybeader

This weekend, I finally assembled all the pieces to my new creation: a double-strand necklace that highlights my prized black onyx pendant. Handpainted in Russia, a beautiful peacock lounges on a tree limb, with its tail feathers cascading down the 20x30mm onyx pendant. It's just beautiful! This is the first necklace I made through the Blogging for Beads program started by Artbeads.com. Check out this pendant and others here.

The haiku I wrote for this necklace just rolled off the tip of my mind, while I was laying out the beads. I've seen images from the fairy tale "Prince Ivan, the Firebird, and the Gray Wolf," and I thought of my peacock. The story is about a king who tells his sons, whoever brings him the Firebird that stealing his golden apples, will receive half his kingdom and be his heir.

This Firebird story appears as a thematic element in many Russian legends and fairy tales. Typically, the Firebird is involved in a difficult quest, and heroes are charmed by the wonder of its feathers. In the famous ballet by Stravinsky, Prince Ivan captures the Firebird. She agrees to assist Ivan in winning the princess, in exchange for her freedom.

The whole process of blogging about my creations have taken me down paths I would have never imagined a year ago. So thank you, Artbeads.com, for the wonderful opportunity in finding out about Russian art and a bit of my heritage. I encourage others who enjoy writing, to try a blog - who knows where it will lead!

For all you beaders: You can find great beading supplies at Artfire's website. And did you know that they have a Blog? Check it out!

Jefferson Davis and Walt Whitman on stage in Oklahoma

2009-06-20T23:10:00.005-05:00

The Chautauqua finished Saturday night with a performance by Doug Mishler as Jefferson Davis. That's Doug on the right, talking to the audience with Dr. Carrol Peterson, who portrayed Walt Whitman.

This is Doug's second year in Lawton; last year he gave us George Wallace. I see him as a contrarian, who likes to take unpopular characters in history, and show the audience what these men were thinking at the time. Davis, President of the Confederacy (if you didn't know) was vilified by the South after the Civil War. All he could think of was how the damn Yankees cheated the South, recanting on their Constitutional rights and taking their property (slaves). There were a few people who got upset with Davis, but that just proves what a convincing job Doug did! You can see another post about all five participants here.

Etsy Artisan Interview - vidrio

2009-06-19T07:18:00.001-05:00

Joseph Cuevas is hooked on glass. And his focus is creating objects for the home. After reading Joseph's artist statement, I feel I know him much better. I encourage others to visit his blog, and get acquainted with him too. But first, let me introduce you to the artist here:

What's the name of your Etsy shop?

The name of my shop is vidrio. The word vidrio means glass in Spanish, so it felt appropriate.

What types of products do you sell?

I sell handmade glass home decor and pendants. The home decor includes items like solid cast sculptures, fused plates, bowls, coasters and fused wall art.

What is your favorite item in your shop today?

Currently my favorite item is cast glass sculpture I listed recently. It's my favorite item right now because I love the casting process more than any other glass process. Up until recently there wasn't much cast glass on etsy. My hope is that more cast glass will be popping up around etsy soon. I know I plan to list more.

How did you find out about Etsy? Where you a buyer before a seller?

I found out about etsy in a myspace glass group. A lampworker had asked if anyone had heard about it and since I hadn't, I decided to check it out. It seemed like such a great place. I was hooked from that day. I think I opened my shop within a week of first finding etsy.

Are you involved with any of the Etsy teams?

I am a member of the design style guide team. I have tried other teams in the past but never really had much luck with them. This team seems like a great fit for me. The entire team is focused on home decor items, which is the route my shop will be taking soon. I plan on focusing more on home decor and less on pendants. There seem to be a lot of pendant sellers on etsy already so I'm hoping I can find my niche in home decor. One really great part of the team is they started their own selling venue at http://www.designstyleguide.net/ [they also have their own blog]

Are there additional venues where you sell your work?

As of right now, there are no other online venues I sell at. I do plan on listing on Artfire, 10,000 Markets and of course http://www.designstyleguide.net/

Over the years, what materials and mediums have you worked with? What's your favorite?

Other than glass I have worked in ceramics, metal, wood, fiber, paper and pretty much anything I can get my hands on. Glass is by far my favorite but I do enjoy some metal work. I like to experiment with as much as possible because with experimenting I get inspired for more glass pieces.

Everyone knows images are important when selling on the internet. What's your procedure for taking photos of your products? Do you have any tips on taking better photographs?

For me the hardest part is flat even lighting. Glass is so reflective that there were always hot spots in my earlier photos. I finally invested in a light box setup. Now I try to only use that. That and good digital camera that has a macro setting is key.

Do you have an online photo storage site, where we can see more about you and your surroundings?

I do not. I need to set up a flikr account but haven't done so yet.

We are all looking for good marketing advice. What's the best tip or trick you can share with us?

I think the best marketing tip I can give anyone is to be confident in your work. If you are confident, that will come across when you talk about your art. That confidence will inspire others to talk about your work. So that's it, be confident and talk to as many people as possible.

Are selling your products a full-time job, or do you have an additional occupation, outside the home?

Selling my work is my full time job. I decided to go back to school a couple of years ago so I can get my degree in glass. Eventually I plan to have my MFA in glass so I can officially say I am a Master of glass haha.

Where can people find out more about you - do you have a blog, website, instant messaging account?

People can find out more about me at the following places:
http://myspace.com/josephcuevas
http://josephcuevas.blogspot.com/
http://twitter.com/vidrioman
http://www.vidrioman.com

OK, the stoybeader's turn!

My favorite pieces in Joseph's Etsy shop are the glass striped plates. Even though I'm in love with blues, I really like his Yellow Stripes Plate

Etsybloggers Carnival - June 19, 2009

2009-06-18T06:38:00.001-05:00

Summer's just starting. And it's already Hot Hot Hot in southwest Oklahoma. Because of the climate, I have to start planning when I do things during the day. The only time I can water is either early morning or at dusk. Otherwise, the water hardly hits the ground before it evaporates! I hate the idea of using energy and turning on the air conditioner, but my DH doesn't agree. So I give in to comfort, and we set the thermostat to 73 starting June.

I never used to have hay fever - think I must have caught it from my DH. So that's one reason I enjoy the Summer - the pollen is pretty much gone, along with the headaches. Mosquitoes? They're still flying around now, but come July, I think they all die of heatstroke.

So, does it sound hot in my neighborhood yet? Yes, it is, but that's ok, it's nice to have seasonal changes.

Summer plans? Nothing much going on here. I just got back from my big vacation, so I‘ll be sticking close to home. My plan is to schedule my time a bit better - spend more time creating and less on the computer. OK, confession time: Do you limit your hours on the computer? If so, what's your number?

(some ducks visiting from the pond down the street)

almost wordless wednesday - Christ Church Cathedral

2009-06-17T07:20:00.002-05:00

There were many beautiful gifts given to this Cathedral in Dublin over the centuries, not to mention the exquisite stained glass windows. Here are a few pics I took of pictures hanging on the walls and a great piece of sculpture.

Oklahoma Chautauqua - "Legacy of Equality"

2009-06-16T07:46:00.016-05:00

The kick-off reception for the Oklahoma Chautauqua in Lawton was last night at the Polo Club on Fort Sill . I'm sorry I didn't make it to the reception, but there will be a whole week of workshops and performances to attend.

Haven't heard of a Chautauqua before? It's a series of living history performances and workshops presented each June, where various scholars take on the characters of famous individuals from the past. This year's Chatauqua is entitled Lincoln's Legacy of Equality: Voices on the Fringe. Characters portrayed in the evening performances include Jefferson Davis, Frederick Douglas, Harriet Tubman, Walt Whitman, and John Ross. The program is free to the public and is offered on the campus of OSU-Tulsa as well as in two additional Oklahoma communities. In Lawton, workshops will be at Cameron University at 10:00 AM, at the Museum of the Great Plains at 2:00 PM and the performances will be "under the tent" on the south side of the Public Library at 7:00.

Interested in living history and literature? You'll REALLY enjoy the Chatauqua. Come by if you're in Lawton, and be entertained!

Year of Wonders - book review

2009-06-15T06:09:00.000-05:00

Year of Wonders by Geraldine Brooks is based on a historic event: a plague that spreads in a small English village in 1666, and the decision of the townspeople to quarantine themselves from the rest of society. In the first place, historical fiction is a favorite of mine, and I have an affinity for novels placed in England. I haven't read much about the 17th century before, so this was a treat in that sense.

There were many layers to the story. The most striking thing I found was Brooks’ use of language. At first I thought it was just British phases that I wasn’t familiar with, but as the tale unfolds, Old English terms come into play. The verbiage gives authenticity to the story, told by Anna, a young housemaid, who works with the local minister and his wife, trying to nurse people through these difficult times.

The character development is superb. Most of the townspeople are miners and their families. Anna’s husband, Sam, dies in a mining accident before this story begins. She does tell us of a conversation she has with one of his friend, Jonas Howe, who is eager to teach her sons about the mining trade. "Though I thanked him for his promise, I was not sincere when I did so, for I firmly hoped not to see them in that rodent life, gnawing at rock, fearing flood and fire and crushing fall.” Anna becomes a midwife in the village, and befriends a family of “witches.” She grows both intellectually and spiritually, an inspiring outcome to all her suffering.

It is a fascinating story, with many surprises along the way. A word to the weary: if you have a weak stomach, Brooks’ descriptive writing may be too much to handle.