It was nice to end the show season of 2008 on a high note. We had a great time at Kristkindl Markt in Hermann. The weather held off and the show reported record attendance. The organizer is one of the nicest people we've ever met, the artists work together and care about each other, and sales were good for nearly everyone we spoke with. We also have a new wholesale account in Washington, MO. Ozarklake feeders are now at Ozark Pool and Spa there. Then we had some custom orders before Christmas and sold a few things from our Etsy store.
We'd like to get into some March shows that would help us travel to California to see my son and Terrie's mother. So far we're not having much luck. Arizona and California have hummingbirds year round, so we think we'd do pretty well. But we keep getting rejected by the juries for the shows we've applied to. It sure gets discouraging.
We've spent the past couple of weeks mostly goofing off. I've got to get serious about building up our inventory for the 2009 shows, but not just yet. Tonight we're going to see Jeff Dunham perform. He is absolutely one of my favorites. We had tickets to see him in Springfield last March but then I ended up needing surgery and we had to sell the tickets. Terrie found out he would be in St. Charles today and surprised me with tickets for my birthday. So finally we get to see him and all of his little buddies. Weather should be clear and the drive shouldn't be a problem. We plan to have a good time!
Hummingbird fact for today: Because there are no hummingbirds in Europe, the first explorers in the New World were awestruck with the beauty and diversity of the species and at first thought they were a cross between an insect and a bird.
Sunday, December 28, 2008
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
Winter Art Shows and Festivals in Missouri
The end of warm weather does not mean the end of art shows and festivals. After taking a hiatus last year while the historic building underwent renovation, the Beaux Arts Bizarre was again held at the Missouri Theatre Center for the Arts in Columbia, MO. A unique arts and crafts fair, the Beaux Arts Bizarre is a celebration of the diversity and creativity of more than 50 local and regional artists and crafters. The setting is beautiful and the art presented was diverse and fantastic.
The Fourteenth Annual WinterFest Visual and Performing Arts Festival will be December 5–7 at Juanita K. Hammons Hall, on the campus of Missouri State University in Springfield, MO. WinterFest combines the performing arts, central to the mission of the Hall, with the talents of the region’s best visual artists – in a three-day festival that provides a unique opportunity for all of the arts to “take center stage”. Artists are selected by jurors to participate in this top-quality show, held in the spectacular multi-level lobby of Hammons Hall. For more information, visit www.hammonshall.com/56859.htm.
Hermannhof Winery and the Hermann Arts Council sponsor the Dec. 13 and 14 Kristkindl Markt. Held at the historic Festhalle in Hermann, MO, the weekend features costumed artisans selling one-of-a-kind gifts, chestnuts roasting in the old stone fireplace, costumed storytellers, Grimm's Fairy Tales characters, and musical performances throughout the weekend. Kristkindl Market is a unique experience as all the artisans are in costume and the entire experience is like an old-fashioned German shopping experience. For more information, visit http://www.hermannfarm.org/attractions/events/.
Hummingbird fact for today: In the eastern US and in the area just west of the Mississippi River, the late season hummer is most likely not a Ruby-throated hummingbird but a wayward species which breeds in the West. The Rufous hummingbird which breeds in the far northwest and several varieties which normally occur in Mexico in winter have been seen in the US in fall and winter. Rufous hummingbirds seem to be able to adapt to cold as they can go into torpor and lower their body temperatures as much as 30 degrees.
The Fourteenth Annual WinterFest Visual and Performing Arts Festival will be December 5–7 at Juanita K. Hammons Hall, on the campus of Missouri State University in Springfield, MO. WinterFest combines the performing arts, central to the mission of the Hall, with the talents of the region’s best visual artists – in a three-day festival that provides a unique opportunity for all of the arts to “take center stage”. Artists are selected by jurors to participate in this top-quality show, held in the spectacular multi-level lobby of Hammons Hall. For more information, visit www.hammonshall.com/56859.htm.
Hermannhof Winery and the Hermann Arts Council sponsor the Dec. 13 and 14 Kristkindl Markt. Held at the historic Festhalle in Hermann, MO, the weekend features costumed artisans selling one-of-a-kind gifts, chestnuts roasting in the old stone fireplace, costumed storytellers, Grimm's Fairy Tales characters, and musical performances throughout the weekend. Kristkindl Market is a unique experience as all the artisans are in costume and the entire experience is like an old-fashioned German shopping experience. For more information, visit http://www.hermannfarm.org/attractions/events/.
Hummingbird fact for today: In the eastern US and in the area just west of the Mississippi River, the late season hummer is most likely not a Ruby-throated hummingbird but a wayward species which breeds in the West. The Rufous hummingbird which breeds in the far northwest and several varieties which normally occur in Mexico in winter have been seen in the US in fall and winter. Rufous hummingbirds seem to be able to adapt to cold as they can go into torpor and lower their body temperatures as much as 30 degrees.
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