Very happy to be here!!!!!
I am busier than ever and looks like this year will be even busier. I just signed a contract to be in a craft gallery close to home that may give some extra exposure to my goods. Last year was good and I am just now catching up from the November/December rush. Once I am caught up I can start to make the back stock I haven't had for a long time. I now have a young fellow who comes in every day after school and Saturday mornings to clean the shop for me. One less chore I have to tend to which gives me a little more time to build.
I have a couple of ideas for my boards that I just might get the time to try now. There have been some other ideas running around my head that I plan to try but those will take some extra planning. Once I get the new designs started, I will offer photos here for your approval. I will also appreciate any suggestions that anyone might have.
On the bad side, my mother died on 12/23 and settling the small estate she left has proven to be more complicated than I expected. She did get a very good lawyer to handle her will and he has been terrific. She did leave some cash that my brother and I will split and I will turn a portion of that back into the shop with a couple of new tools and accessories. Once I get some time I will get a plaque placed in the shop in her honor seeing as how she is helping even though she isn't around.
Funny thing. As a tender lass of 19 in 1934, she took out a life insurance policy for $390, paying 25 cents a week until it was paid up in 1954. When I applied for the benefits, all AIG would pay was $390. I wonder what happened to 57 years of dividends and interest? BTW I have the original policy in the safety deposit box.
Anyway, I am really happy to see so many names I recognize here and hope that this forum will be a stellar success.
