Spring has sprung in my front yard. This is what i see outside my kitchen window. Daffodils, tulips, grape hyacinths, and our 2 miniature peach trees… 2 different kinds. We have a pretty comprehensive spring bulb garden. In 2 weeks it will look quite different out this window. I am also enjoying our metal sculptures that we get to enjoy year round. The bird baths are also going strong as we see the spring birds coming back, thirsty and needing to bathe!
I have started a chocolate website and blog so I have a special place to share my passion for artisan chocolate. However, my chocolates probably break a number of the rules that go with the “artisan chocolate” label. I suspect I will always want to carry the title of Amateur Chocolatier, so that I can keep the freedom to live & create outside of the boundary lines that go with being an official chocolatier.
The Website: amateurchocolatier.com
The Blog: http://amateurchocolatier.com/blog6/
I have been creating my own hand crafted chocolates for a few years now. I have recently purchased some new tools and supplies. I am having a lot of fun making some really delicious treats. Go visit my chocolate blog (listed in my blog pages until I buy a domain for it) to see some very fun recipes, tools, and techniques.
This plate is by one of my favorite potters. We buy a piece or two from many of the D.Lasser collections, and from many other craftsmen, too. We don’t have 2 alike of anything in our kitchen, including our flatware. So fun! Having problems deciding on your dinnerware? Ha! Get one of everything! You’ll never have to worry about having an incomplete set.And, the table is always so colorful and pretty. People who don’t live like this are delighted and amazed when they come to our house for dinner. Friends have spent a half hour picking out their fork, knife & spoon combination. Visit: D. Lasser Ceramics
To visit my fun chocolate blog click here: amateur chocolatier blog.
YES! Chocolate! That is all that has been on my mind for weeks. I have a passion for crazy chocolate recipes! I want to write a book on chocolate. I think maybe God will make a way for this to happen, so I am taking a LOT of notes and developing recipes. This weeks’ chocolate has poprocks, cayenne pepper and salt! I need to perfect my tempering technique. My chocolate didn’t have that SNAP. It needed more of the secret ingredients, too. I am so fired up about chocolate. Here is a source of inspiration of mine: Vosges Haut Chocolat! Very good stuff!
Meet Terry, on the right. She is the person on the Hayden Brook Team whom most of our shoppers never get to meet. She isn’t usually present at any but the Home Show. AHhhh Terry! She makes my life run smoothly. She has been with us for years. She knows all the lines, and makes some of everything that we do. Plus, we have our very own special language that only we can read and write! HBS code. She is the only one we can talk to about exciting new glass patterns and colors. She understands my excitement when we have ordered a new kind of glass, but have to wait 3 weeks for it to get here. GAH!
When Terry was considering sub-contracting with us, she made it clear that she would need the freedom to go on her annual missions trip to Haiti, which usually heads out in early March. We agreed without hesitation. Terry’s priorities become our priorities. We adore her!
Terry is getting ready to head back to Haiti this coming Saturday. This trip is more urgent than usual. The earthquake hit exactly where she stays. A lot has changed since last year. The missions team from our church, which always includes Terry, has always stayed with the other woman in this photo. She would make sure they would eat well and be kept safe while they would sleep each night, tucked in tight. This lovely saint is named Setata. She is now numbered among the saints who are permanently dwelling in Heaven. During the earthquake, Setata’s Safe House collapsed on her. She did not survive. Terry will be heading down to the same neighborhood as usual… but the church and many of the key leaders are no longer standing.
Bless you Terry! And… come home safe & well! We need you here at HBS!
I LOVE SOCKS ! FUN COLORFUL SOCKS! HURRAY FOR GOOD SOCKS!
HERE IS A LINK TO ONE OF MY FAVORITE SITES! ozonesocks.com
Time is flying! I mean really fast! We just spent a week set up in the Philadelphia Convention Center, meeting with shop owners who would like to buy our jewelry throughout the year. I love it there! We do so well in Phiily! Even in a blizzard we sold tons of jewelry. We still have a little bit of room in our schedule a few months from now. Overall, we were VERY pleased with the show. I love my job.
The calendar in the photo above is by a company named “Sticks”. One of these days I’d love to have one of these. But, we have so many painters in the family that there isn’t a lot of room left on the walls. We do still have a tiny bit of floor space though. We are looking at having them craft an ottoman, just for us… made to order. Sticks.com
Today is my first day back in the studio. The first day sorting out the new 2010 lines. It is going quite well. No snags yet! We have low stock on a few items. The good news is that I get to get back to fusing my glass tomorrow. Yep! I do love my job. 2010 is a very good year.
We headed down to Philadelphia a day early to beat the weather. We were able to set up the show during the storm on Wednesday. Then the fun part…. watching the snow come down, and taxis sliding around the corner in front of the Hard Rock Cafe, as the sun was setting. Our hotel has the most fabulous wrap around window in the Sole Food Restaurant. We sat with hor d’ouevres, meeting others who were trapped in Philly.
The first night of the show was slow. Not all of the vendors were set up. Many buyers have had trouble getting here. But now they are rolling in from all over the country. Funnily enough, the Canadians have had no problem getting here! Many people thought ahead, like us, and came early. Everyone has a story about how they have gotten here. It is a fun place to be. We’re having a great time… but then… we always do!
Let Friday begin! We are set up, and ready to make a living!
In addition to following us on our blogs, you can also keep track of Hayden Brook Studios on FaceBook and Twitter. Shorter entries, more often. The picture you see above is our profile image at this time. On Twitter, our user name is haydenbrook777. I should be moving into using these social media more in the upcoming months. Today my main focus is on beating the storm to the Philadelphia Buyers Market. It is all going smoothly. Hotel room? Check! Dog sitters? Yup, the best! Design lines complete? Check! All is well in LaurieLand!
Gearing up for 2010. I feel like this gypsy. I am exhausted… ready to go to sleep… anywhere will do as long as Aslan is looking over me.
It is a snowy Sunday, and for the moment I am pretty relaxed. But, this is not a time of year when I get to kick back. This is the week when we set up our work for the entire year. This coming week we will head to the Philadelphia Convention Center for the Rosen Show (AKA: Philadelphia Buyers Market). I love this show. Love it! We do very well there. Perfect synergy! But for now, I need a good night of sleep so I can wake up fresh tomorrow. This is a week of intricate details…. photos, price lists, design lines, badges, packing the booth, setting up the display, meeting with buyers, and calling many of the accounts we’ll need to see when we get to town. Love the Buyers Market! This week is going to be FANTASTIC! I can’t wait to see you in Philly! You better stop by booth #226 to see our new designs.
We have also updated our website to show our new design lines. Make sure you go poke around on the website: haydenbrook.com