happy march 1st!

Fresh, tender asparagus - the perfect spring vegetable! Beautiful shades of green mixed with purples (or all purple, or all white), asparagus's visual appeal is as unique as its flavor.

One of my favorite ways to prepare asparagus is to simply sprinkle it with a bit of olive oil, a healthy squeeze of lemon juice, some salt and pepper, then wrap the whole thing in foil and cook to perfection for 10 or 15 minutes in a 350 degree oven. This technique also works with grilling.

I also love steamed, chilled asparagus with a great dipping sauce. My favorite is a take on the familiar Bearnaise sauce, but done as a rich but fresh-tasting mayonnaise. Sweet and mellow, tarragon is another one of my favorite flavors, and like dill, it seems to blend so well with all the lovely vegetables of spring, like asparagus, spinach and fresh peas.

Try this Bearnaise mayonnaise with chilled asparagus spears for your next spring fling:

• 1 minced shallot, or 2 teaspoons of minced mild onion
• 4 tablespoons white wine
• 2 tablespoons white wine vinegar (if you have tarragon vinegar, all the better!)
• 1 tablespoon dried tarragon
• 1 tablespoon dried dill

Heat together in a small saucepan until almost all of the liquid has evaporated. Keep an eye on it; once it begins to evaporate, it happens quickly. Also, you may want to turn on an exhaust fan or crack a window as the vinegar aroma does become a bit pungent.

Combine the reduced mixture with:

• 1 cup mayonnaise

Add salt and pepper to taste. Chill completely, and serve as a dip for fresh vegetables.

inspiration from ... quilts!

I truly love quilts and admire quilters and fabric artists. Would I like to be one? Sure. But, lacking even the most basic of skills, I limit my love of quilts to visiting quilt exhibits and shows, buying how-to books for quilts I'll never make, and even the occasional fabric purchase.

But this time, it was different. I recently purchased a copy of "The Mountain Artisans Quilting Book" by Alfred Allan Lewis, published in 1973. Pictured on the cover is the most wonderful art quilt, panel after panel of colorful whimsy and bright cheer. Fanciful mushrooms, rabbits, birds, flowers; a quizzical-looking snail and so much more. This "Rockefeller Quilt" became the basis of my newest collection of pendants (pictured above is one of them, "I Have A Bird In Spring) and has introduced me to new possibilities in designs, while retaining my own "signature" look.

If you are a quilter or other fabric artist, I recommend this book for ideas that are just as fresh today as it was in 1973. The story behind West Virginia's Mountain Artisans is enlightening as well, from their humble roots to their successes, even winning a Coty Award in the process of turning the world on to their craft.

Remember - inspiration can come from anywhere and you can apply nearly any concept to your own creative pursuits!

forever in my heart

Gearing up for a challenge is always fun, and the monthly team challenges of Team EFA Etsy for Animals is double fun. First the artist challenged either by concept or technique, then when the submissions are posted on the team blog it's inspiring to see what others have created as well.

Team EFA's February challenge was "Forever In My Heart - for the animals past, present and future that have left an imprint on our hearts." Although I have had many beloved cat friends, one stood out in particular. From the moment I saw Claude at the animal shelter, I knew we were going to be lifelong friends. And we were. Claude passed on in October of 2008; I don't know exactly how old he really was but the vet figured that he was probably at least 18.

Claude was possibly the sweetest cat ever, with the kindest expression and gentle ways. Looking back, he was also the most sickly of my original four cats and I always expected him to be the first to go, but he was the last. He and the others will always be forever in my heart, and as my submission to the team challenge, I created the "Meow-Shaped Heart" pendant with my own original art and soul.

If you're considering a new pet, please please please consider a shelter animal. All of my loving cats were/are either shelter cats or strays, and my Jane the Dog is a wonderful example of a precious furbaby adopted from a pet rescue group. Remember also that the month of February is Spay and Neuter month and the last Tuesday in February is the Humane Society's "Spay Day."

In addition, Team EFA Etsy for Animals is working with World Society for the Protection of Animals (WSPA) and their Haiti Disaster Relief Appeal for animal victims of the earthquake in Haiti. For more information or to donate, click here.

file THIS!

Like most business owners, I grudgingly gathered the info needed to file my state sales tax. After calculating, checking, re-checking, sorting sales into what was taxable or not, the dust cleared and a most interesting revelation appeared.

Nearly half of my 2009 sales came from selling in person at shows, fairs, markets, etc.

This was not something that I anticipated, and I never thought that I was "the type." I figured that I would quietly sit at the glow of the computer monitor for most of my selling experience, tweeting, friending, contacting, flickring, ninging and whatever else it took to eke out a few sales per month in a saturated category in the handmade movement.

Not only have I enjoyed my experiences selling in person, but in some ways it's easier than selling online. I didn't have to spend countless hours promoting or advertising the shows myself. And all the time spent packaging and shipping! At the same time, the show vendor is at the mercy of the entity running the show; fortunately my 2009 shows were primarily at a popular area farmers' market and an established show sponsored by the local art league.

The instant gratification of selling in-person is a wonderful thing also. Like anyone else, I love hearing compliments, I really dig being told by someone that they've never seen anything like my items, and I truly appreciate constructive comments and suggestions - they are windows into what people really want and I take their ideas under serious consideration when planning Lonesome Road Studio's new lines.

More shows in 2010 is not just any old New Year's resolution this time. It's a real plan of action and now is the time to implement it.