Where's Jansjems? Spring Recap

I was reminded today, when I sent someone over to this blog, that I haven't posted in MONTHS.  Shame on me.  I've been busy with a number of things that have made it difficult to sit down at the computer for any length of time.  So I'm going to cheat and recap the last couple of months in one blog post.

As Events Coordinator of the Artisans of WMASS I was busy in April getting ready for our big Artisan Demonstration Day at the Yankee Candle Healthworks Bldg.  April was devoted to advertising and promoting our big day.  The event took place on May 3rd and we were blown away by the positive reactions of the people who came to visit us.  We had 33 artisans all demonstrating their craft with 9 of them hosting make and take stations.

  People really loved the ability to create their own little work of art.  Unlike most of the other craft events I participate in, here customers were anxious to talk to artists and ask them questions.  And artisans love to talk about their work.  So it was perfect.  And I have to give some credit to Yankee Candle whose staff were a great help with set up and break down and even delivered our lunches.

So... we're planning a traditional craft show at the same location for October 5.  This is still a secret as no one outside AWM knows yet.  So you heard it here first.

In May my friend Linda and I jetted off to Tennessee to visit Memphis and Nashville.  Linda is a big country fan and has dreamed her whole life of visiting Elvis Presley's home in Memphis.

She was truly in her glory and smiled the whole time we were there.  Elvis' mansion was quite nice and not the gaudily decorated place I expected.  It's really a nice home that's decorated in the 50s style. And I learned a great deal about the history of soul, blues and rockabilly at the Rock and Soul Museum and at Sun Studios.

I really like Nashville a lot. Beautiful, clean city. We went down to Honky Tonk Row 3 times while we were there and listened to a big variety of country styles.  A few young musicians still finding their voice and a couple of incredible bands that have been playing together for years.

We saw Carrie Underwood at the Grand Ole Opry.

 And I also had a reunion with a friend from college whom I haven't seen in years.

So now it's June and I'm getting ready for my first real craft show.  I'll be in Connecticut on June 7 & 8 for Celebrate West Hartford.  It's a large show with lots of food and activities for the family as well as over 100 artisans.

Check out my website for a list of all the places you'll be able to find Jansjems.