The Lampshade Lady Blog

My Nantucket Workshop after Labor Day

I'm recently back from my 2 Lampshades in 2 Days Workshop on Nantucket. It was the perfect time of year to visit Nantucket. It was just starting to slow down after the chaos from summer tourism. A thumbs up from me. When you live in a tourist area it's hard to visit another tourist area...if you know what I mean.

My timing was just right except I had planned an over night at Brimfield for a day of shopping and then heading down to the ferry on The Cape. But Vermont flooding changed my plans. Shopping at the flea market was the last thing I wanted to do after the shock and exhaustion of Irene's flooding. Yes, my shop is okay, but no doubt a stressful week trying to get the muck out of my basement and heading up the silent auction fundraiser. At this point we are over 14,000. Keep em' coming; there is lots of need. Fortunately Cape Air flys right out of Rutland to Boston and Boston to Nantucket. Driving would have been very tricky so soon after the storm- most of the roads are passable now, but at that time it was an adventure to put it mildly!

love this. It was on the door stoop at the Historical Association's 99 Main. The teachers from the 1800 House Craft Classes are put up at this historic home on Upper Main St. A lovely residence that is just after The 3 Brick Houses.

99 Main St.

The 3 Brick Houses. 

My favorite were the cobblestones. Well, the homes are all so perfect and well, the cobblestones are every which way but perfect! But perfectly beautiful!!!!  I grew up near Portland Maine where there were still cobblestones in The Old Port Area until recently. My bedroom on Nantucket was on the road side of the house and they sure do make a racket when cars and trucks fly over them. I can only imagine the car repair shops must replace shocks quite often. No matter I think they are beautiful! Here's another:

I want one of these in my village! Our road in the village is so crummy maybe I could suggest it. I would slow down the speeders!

My hosts, Betsy and Mary. We had a ladies night out after my last night! A perfect warm night for a Friday night stroll. Betsy and Mary showed me all the spots I might have missed on my own. Thanks guys! I was lots of fun. And those Razor Clams were wicked good!

I stopped into The John Rugge Shop to say hi to Frank. John was an old friend that wintered in Glens Falls. Each spring he would visit my lampshade shop and pick out a few shades for his lamps. John is missed as are his stories. I think John's sign must be painted by Roy Egg, not positive, but looks like it might be. Sweet isn't it. Frank has done a nice job with the shop.

After my workshop ended Friday I headed down to catch a little view of the water. I grabbed a lobster roll at The Straight Wharf Fish Store. Gotta say, It was just okay... figured it would have been fresher... but still a nice lunch. I found a sunny spot to watch the tourists....

 
 Street view coming up from the dock. More cobblestones.

And which taxi did I take to airport!!! That was a no brainer! Judy's Taxi. The taxi driver was super nice and said he took many Judy's to the airport. I was happy to get back to Vermont; it was a good break from my routine. 

The workshop went well; it was my 2nd time down to the island to teach. It is super tricky to pack just the right materials and have everything arrive in time..... thanks to ups tracking... I think everyone was pleased with the skills they learned and the lampshades they created. We crammed lots into 2 sessions! Many of the students are super crafty and talented.  Kathy came all the way from Austin, Texas!  It seems like the women love to support the Craft Workshops and take a few sessions a summer. I would if I lived there! We started the workshop making a mid-size hex frame  & choosing the fabric of our choice. Day 2 some students made a Vintage Postcard Shade and some chose to make another fabric shade. 

******Fall foliage is just about to happen in Southern Vermont. The trees up in the hills are colorful. Today was almost 80! Special treat this time of year- tomorrow too. My fall workshops are gearing up in the shop. The 2 Day October Workshop is full. I have a couple of spots for the One Day Oct. 21 if you are interested. Give the shop a call or shoot an email. I have a few maybes so don't be disappointed as space is limited.

 

Flood Irene Came Roaring Through Pawlet Village and New Shop Kitty Molly Irene!

Molly Irene arrived 2 days before the deluge! She's starting to settle in at the shop, slowly as kitties do.

Sunday August 29^th started out a day of preparation for a hurricane and ended up as a flood in Pawlet Village and beyond.  I received a call early Thursday am from Patti Weisser of Flower Brook Acupuncture with needs for raising funds to help out our neighbors. We quickly brainstormed and rallied to have a silent auction in 48 hours at Pawlet’s Annual Art ON The Green. I posted to Facebook with a note looking for donations of art, craft or services for the silent auction and a note to pass the message on. Generosity came at its highest level as auction items flowed into my shop for  2 straight  days.

   Raw emotions and adrenaline rose as those with a shovel or a tractor arrived to help move the mud and trash; it was one of those amazing event that everyone just pitched and did what had to be done. I've never seen such a mess. Mud, Mud, smelly Mud!

A huge shout out goes to the Town  Road Crew and Fire Department crew that took charge; without their quick thinking our town would have been in much worse shape. Big thanks to Jim Sheldon’s 13 loads of slate swag saved our village buildings from heading directly into the Flower Brook, which includes my shop! Church volunteers arrived to help move mud and clean out basements, lots of food was donated food to feed the crew and others found out what material things were needed by the families. The beauty of living in a small community!

 I would like to acknowledge the businesses that generously donated to our silent auction: Pink Book Farm’s Hadley and Mike Stock, Carson Lake Reflexology, Flower Brook Acupuncture, Christine Glade Photography, Susan McClellan Transformational Coaching, Rich Marantz, Carlie Wolf Yoga, Dayna Kurtz Music, Beth Kashner Jewelry, Liz Moore, Brian Sweetland Painting, Becky Colon, Judy Coolidge’s Pawlet Goodie Bag, Dawn Pliner Hula Hoops, Elizabeth Torak Art, Pets Etc.’s , Robin Ryan Beautiful Book Basket, Lake’s Lampshades,  Chi Time, Pawlet Potter, Sheree Foster Hypnotherapy, Cathy Walker Astrology and Healing, Todd Walker Financial Services, George Bouret Photography, Ellen Russell Massage, Ellen Howard Textiles, Shirl Designs, Lali Cobb Sculpture, Luna Moth Designs, Katrina Farrell Textiles, Paul Brouchie Music, Flower Brook Pottery, Susan Sargent Design, Dona F. Friedman, Rug Crazy, M. Sullivan Gallery,  Becky Colon Art , The Barn Restaurant and Cosmo’s basket of computer gear. Many thanks to those that have already donated financially.

To date we have raised over $12,000. The Barn Restaurant raised over $1,300 which has been added to our fund. Thank you Mark and Margaret!

Due to the severity of damage to homes along the Flower Brook we are continuing to collect financial donations until 10/31/11.  Checks may be made out to The Pawlet Church and in the bottom memo line: The Flower Brook Flood Fund. Please mail checks to: Judy Lake, PO Box 295, Pawlet, VT 05761

thanks,

judy

Pawlet Art on The Green and Silent Auction for Flower Brook Flood: Sat. 3rd 10-4

ART on the Green is Tomorrow and it's a GO!

The word is out: it's the best place to find great art. Directly from the artist! 10am -4pm.

Roads are fine from Manchester out to Pawlet on RT 30. Our little town has been rocked by flooding, especially along the Flower Brook. We will also be having a Silent Auction on the porch at The Pawlet Town Hall during the art sale. The silent auction is to benefit those families in need along the Flower Brook. If you are interested in donating art or a service for tomorrow contact me at my shop. We are gathering lots of wonderful items for the auction. Come shop till you drop!

Amazing how a small town comes together in times it this. The motto is: if you don't do it, who will!!! You can see the photos of the storm on my prior post.

thanks,

judy