Just to Follow Up...

I just wanted to let you know that POOL announced the winner of their merchant contest today and sadly it was not me. Even though I didn't win I am so grateful to all of you for your votes, your support and well wishes. Thanks for being such great friends! The entire process was a great experience for me, I learned so much. At some point in the future I may want to pursue this idea again, but for now I will keep myself busy as a resident artist at Mesa Art Center teaching classes in metals and jewelry.

POOL

So, a couple of days ago I stumbled upon this amazing opportunity being offered to small business owners here in Mesa, AZ. I cannot even convey my level of excitement to you. I am so excited!!! The opportunity is with a new marketplace in downtown Mesa called POOL. POOL is having a contest for merchants, and the winner will get one year of free rent in the POOL Marketplace. The winner will also receive free business coaching and logo design. Wow. The applications are due June 15th and will be chosen by June 28th. The public can vote online for their favorite entries. I will be applying and will be asking for votes from all of you! I've been working on my application non-stop for the last two days and will let you all know when I have submitted it. I wish I had known about this sooner! How amazing would it be to win??? The idea that I am submitting is to have an Art Jewelry Gallery here featuring the work of both local and national metalsmiths. We don't have anything like that in the whole Phoenix area so I think it would be really great. Anyway, that is all for now, I just wanted to let you all know that I will be working very hard on this and will be counting on your support! Oh, and here is a little more information about POOL from their website.

"POOL is a brand new kind of retail environment tailored to the particular needs of a community. It is built from the ground up around the idea of creating engaging experiences that aren't being met by traditional retail projects. Centered on local retailers, restaurants, and grass-roots community groups, the social interaction is grown from the surrounding community.

Gathering spaces blend seamlessly with shops and restaurants, unique community spaces and entertainment venues to create an environment as unique as each community itself. A flexible framework of infrastructure and a canopy of support services provide a backdrop for small local merchants. A welcoming, comfortable atmosphere all come together to make POOL the heart of the city."

Contest Revealed

Last week I posted this photo as a contest and asked you to correctly identify the mysterious crustiness. Well, there were 14 guesses, and 6 right answers, but Megan was the first! It is nasty, crusty pickle build up. Liquid evaporates fast in Arizona! For those of you non-metalsmiths, pickle is an acidic solution that cleans metal after it has been soldered or heated. I think that was too easy, next time I will make sure to stump you! Megan, e-mail me your address and I will send you your prize! Wasn't that fun?!

Contest

So, here in this place we know as Blogland, there are often little contests on our favorite blogs that make us as readers jump in excitement, writhe in anticipation, and squeal with joy for the chance at winning one such contest. Well, I have always wanted to do one ...and I am feeling just spontaneous enough at this moment that I am going to do one! I have not done one thus far for a couple of reasons...mostly because I was afraid that I would do one, and no one would care. Ok people...don't let me fail here...I don't want to look like a fool! I think I may even be rambling out of nervousness...so here goes. If you can take a guess (and be right) about what this is a photograph of, you will get something extra special nice from me. Really, I promise!

And if you don't know what the photo is, make me feel better and just guess anyway!

(You people who share a studio with me, don't even think about guessing! Gosh...cheaters.)

Ok. Are you Ready? Set... Go!

Hint: It is something in my studio.

You have until Monday June 16th to get your best guesses in.

And here is another photo. Just in case the first one wasnt nasty enough for ya.