I resent being targeted by fanatics for the failures of their governments who have stolen from and raped their own people for decades. I resent having to change my way of life, which we have worked so hard to achieve and so many have died protecting, because certain religious fanatics believes I must believe as they do. I resent the scattered few intellectuals who, in their twisted sophistic way (a logical sounding but essentially fallacious argument) say we have brought these events upon ourselves. I resent being forced to curtail my personal liberties to protect my fellow Americans, although I will gladly do so until this crisis is over. I resent feeling sad all over when I think of the kind souls who died on September 11th for the twisted, evil views of a few sicko's. I will never forget. And I will beat the crap out of any kid who, in the not too distant future says, September 11th???

Our phantom subscriber has not ordered any additional subscriptions since September 11th. It is reliably reported that she has, in fact, volunteered to go and fight in Afghanistan. She asked the army recruiter if she could continue to wear her orthopedic shoes in lieu of combat boots.

a small contribution

"With the tragedy that has befallen America, it has been difficult for any of us to stay focused. However, along with 24 (so far) other artists and manufacturers, we have found a way to participate in the healing. I hope that you will join us.

On October 28th eBay's - Auction for America will host a special site with all proceeds going directly to one or all of the four funds set up for the families of the victims and fireman's fund. This site will contain incredibly beautiful art, donated by famous artists in our industry, as well as baskets of beautiful stamps, books, and art materials donated by this nation's leading manufacturers.

Please watch for further updates and visit, bid often and high, and send all of your online friends to the site on the 28th.

Your participation in the Auction for America is appreciated. We know that the companies and artists who have been so bountiful with their donations will not soon forget your generosity."

the big show! again

249-004J

249-002K

road trips

Who knew it would come right after September 11th. Our airport had not yet reinstituted curb side check in. And me with an entire booth to ship. The Hun and I stood in line pushing three huge crates plus suitcases forward four inches at a time for two hours to check in. Then we arrived thirty minutes late in Denver to change planes, which only left us 20 minutes to run 41 gates.

Here I was clutching my heart and dripping sweat as I handed the gate agent my boarding pass. "Nice run for a mile up" she said (she left unsaid the part about an old bag and her hubby ‘cause The Hun was looking daggers at her). A mile up huh, I knew I wasn't that much out of shape.

249-005K

Ginny Carter keeps improving this already great show. Classes started on the Monday before the show and were virtually sold out. I taught a class on making a spiral pattern bracelet out of seed beads that went well. There were a few frustrated students who had not worked with seed beads previously, but everyone came through in the end.

A huge thank you to Cheryl Ross (my buddy and now an addicted beader as well as a polymer clay person) for sending along a bunch of spiral necklaces and bracelets to show the class what changing color and bead size can do. When I showed the samples at the beginning of the class they got a big yawn. By the end of the class everyone was reexamining them and taking notes.

The Friday night preview, limited to 400, was sold out within days of the first notification. We saw a long list in the show office of those who were looking to buy a preview ticket.

I don't know how she does it but the goodie pack and show passport topped last year's, which topped the year before... Simply outstanding. And the format was just right. Friday night and Saturday. Ginny moved the event to a new hotel in downtown Cleveland and the venue was much better and easier to get to. We were all concerned about attendance but it was just fine, very close to normal. At the end of the show The Hun said he was tired of being so nice to everyone.

In Daytona beach last May I sold out of all my little beaded amulet bags within an hour of the doors opening. So many were disappointed that I broke one of my rules and took some orders. Well I was working to complete them right up until the time we left for Cleveland so the cupboard was bare. Again massive disappointment but I stood my ground. I am working as fast as my little fingers will go. I did have a few spiral beaded bracelets I made as examples for my class. They were sucked up so fast one would think people walked around with vacuum cleaners.

My classes at Stamp It Rich for Linda Johnson, right here in Placerville were great. It is nice to travel only three miles to teach. And when my studio is finished...

Turns out I am in one of the largest gourd growing regions in the country. The local gourd club has over 400 members. I went to the fall gourd festival in Folsom just down the road from my studio and was very impressed with the quality of the art work. In my secret laboratory I am busily working on some new projects using, of all things, gourds! I came home of course with two yard and leaf bags full of moldy gourds which will require me to acquire many new tools and such.

Extra Large Haida Frog
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new images

Jumbo Dragonfly Fairy
250-004K

powder, powder everywhere but not a drop...

And Vickie (Wickie as The Hun calls her) has begun to automate her production. Before starting to mix her colors and fill jars she stares sullenly at an old circuit board for a few minutes.

new vulcanizers

how to put two kids thru collage for less than ten bucks

kerchunk! kerchunk! where for art thou!

What is Kerchunk, the young novice asks? Simply the greatest zine for on-line stampers. (As for the name, it is the sound the stamp makes when hitting the paper.) I keep mentioning it because there are so many new subscribers to the newsletter who may not be aware of its presence.

Kerchunk has the most comprehensive stamping links anywhere. You can also order your craft, and other, books there, through Amazon.com, and our Web Mistress Xina gets a tiny little commission which helps keep the zine going. You can find this great zine online at www.Kerchunk.com.

Jumbo 3rd Eye Sun
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bits and pieces

• from Patty Tamler in Tucson - "I read every word and even print it out to refer to."

• from Cindy Barth in New Zealand - "Loved your newsletter... saw it when visiting my sister in Minnesota."

• from Elsa Lockhart Murphy - "Not in my wildest dreams, never in the deepest desires of my heart did I ever think ERA was an angel company!!!! Oh, what joy and bliss stretch out before me!!"

• this one for The Hun from Linda Stanley - "Can I use rubber stamps as a cookie stamp? It seems that regular cookie stamps are getting harder to find."

• and lastly from Diane Russel Horn - "The Carol Duvall show led me to your web site which is like discovering the cure for the common cold!"

* Came across a really neat newsletter on calligraphy. For those of you into the lettering arts take a look at Cynthia Garinther's newsletter, Cynscribe at www.Cynscribe.com.

* Update on The Studio. Not the cool magazine by Teesha and Tracy Moore, but my little piece of heaven. The Hun and Zack, actually much more Zack than The Hun, are just about finished. A little paint, some shelves and finally some peace and quiet for me to create and do my business. But it will have been worth it. I'll post a few pics when we are all through.

Cosmic Joker
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bistro hun

We have a winner in the What is a Flummery? contest. Dawn Shute, who loyal followers of the puzzler will remember won once before. Dawn has been given a time out and will not be allowed to enter future contests for a period of two newsletters. Oh yeah, a flummery is a fruit desert made with a sponge cake layer.

What I will miss until next summer:

• tomatoes that do not taste like Styrofoam
• eating peaches where the juice runs down your chin
• deciding which of the seemingly endless variety of fruits and vegetables I will buy today
• evening meals that were one endless salad
• not having to make an excuse to eat ice cream

• roasts and stews coming out of the oven and perfuming the house with their special bouquet
• macaroni and cheese, pot pies and hot biscuits
• Thanksgiving turkey dinner, with four kinds of potatoes and six vegetables
• cinnamon ice cream and apple pie

Don't have a pot or a fridge big enough - I put it up in a heavy yard and leaf bag in the garage, which should be cold enough overnight to prevent food spoilage. Otherwise put the yard bag (with the turkey and brine inside) in a cooler or large tub and pack a few bags of ice around it.

On the big day, drain the bird (no need to rinse) dry it off and do the usual. There will be socks all over the dinning room floor.

Oh yes, also preheat the dressing you plan to stuff into the bird in the microwave or oven to about 110-120 degrees. This will ensure that it will be cooked to a safe temperature which is almost impossible if you stuff it into the bird cold.

That's all for now!
Roberta