Jean and I are sitting on the patio as the sun goes down killing a bottle of Chardonnay and getting a bit of a buzz from it. A friend gave her a toke ( now legal in Colorado, and special home grown stuff) and she was on the phone with my son for instructions on how to smoke it. We are children of the '60s and never smoked weed LOL. Atfter church Sunday I was talking with a retired minister about our summer show schedule and how there is a big cash outlay before the shows ever occur, that is the business side of summer art shows in Colorado. Mind you, I take my wife to at least three Colorado resort areas and we either have a house or condo with pool or at least a hot tub. She was telling the the same retired minister that during the summer we live a life similar to "carnies" ( carnival people). And, I just won the button bracket for her. LOL. LOL.
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Rich, I'm often saying the same thing as soon as we get off our dirt road and are rolling down the blacktop. It's like a vacation away from the studio.
That bracelet is so beautiful, Richard. Thanks for your pledge -- and for this story. I know there is a lot of talk about the new economy in Colorado and seems it is only right that you should be taking part in it ;)
I think I'd like to be your roadie.
This past weekend I was at my college reunion and interestingly the President of the College's (St. Mary's, Notre Dame) husband is someone I knew from doing the art fairs (woodworker George Efta). I asked him how he liked his new life, as they travel 60-70 nights a year fundraising. I suggested to him it may be a little classier lifestyle and he replied, "perhaps, but nothing beats stretching out in your van for the long haul compared to those tight airplane seats." See, there are upsides and downsides to all lifestyles.
Connie, There was an article in Denver Post yesterday about all of the tax revenue pouring into the State's coffers from M. licensing and sales. On top of that, oil and gas production is still strong, but exploration has dropped off a bit. Home construction is slacking off too but there remains a lot of construction going on. A couple miles down the road, a private individual is building a very large multi-million $ indoor horse arena; all steel and they just started the roof. Yes, things are looking good in Colorado. There is another large horse complex 15 minutes away but I have had no time to take on more work which would be primarily from the English folks. I do like to do the fine work on English bridles.
Connie Mettler > Richard L. ShererJune 4, 2014 at 1:14pm
Sounds like you need to find an apprentice! What an opportunity.
Wait! Is this part of the "new" economy?
My college roommate lives in Houston and we had a great time sharing stories about the Houston economy, what happened at Bayou City, and that it is the fastest growing city in the country, houses hardly listed are soon sold and all the people moving there, new corporations coming. Michigan could use some of this Colorado and Texas activity.
I have two apprentices now and both are older guys. One is a highlhy skilled cabinet maker doing work on 19th century restoration houses in Denver. The other is a nurse, former Indian jewelry business in Four Corners area, ex-United pilot, and former goldsmith in Cherry Creek shop. Both are bright interesting guys to work with and the latter is my go-to-guy for silver work advice. My past 20-year supplier of silver ranger buckle sets has quit making them, so I have to start/resume making my own. At least I have all of the equipment here for hydraulic and two-piece die forming, just need to find the time to make new dies. I have some $600/oz. gold for a buckle set that has been sitting on the bench for over 5 years waiting to get built. The fun side will be doing more silver engraving and using up odds and ends of stones from other work.
I have heard that there is a lot of new work going on in "old depleted oil fields" in Texas with fracking technology.
Replies
Off to find shows in Colorado!
One, two
One, two, three, four
On the road again
Just can't wait to get on the road again
The life I love is making music with my friends
And I can't wait to get on the road again
Rich, I'm often saying the same thing as soon as we get off our dirt road and are rolling down the blacktop. It's like a vacation away from the studio.
We still have not become *full fledged* carnies... errr... show rodies... but you certainly add to the appeal! lol!
That bracelet is so beautiful, Richard. Thanks for your pledge -- and for this story. I know there is a lot of talk about the new economy in Colorado and seems it is only right that you should be taking part in it ;)
I think I'd like to be your roadie.
This past weekend I was at my college reunion and interestingly the President of the College's (St. Mary's, Notre Dame) husband is someone I knew from doing the art fairs (woodworker George Efta). I asked him how he liked his new life, as they travel 60-70 nights a year fundraising. I suggested to him it may be a little classier lifestyle and he replied, "perhaps, but nothing beats stretching out in your van for the long haul compared to those tight airplane seats." See, there are upsides and downsides to all lifestyles.
Connie, There was an article in Denver Post yesterday about all of the tax revenue pouring into the State's coffers from M. licensing and sales. On top of that, oil and gas production is still strong, but exploration has dropped off a bit. Home construction is slacking off too but there remains a lot of construction going on. A couple miles down the road, a private individual is building a very large multi-million $ indoor horse arena; all steel and they just started the roof. Yes, things are looking good in Colorado. There is another large horse complex 15 minutes away but I have had no time to take on more work which would be primarily from the English folks. I do like to do the fine work on English bridles.
Sounds like you need to find an apprentice! What an opportunity.
Wait! Is this part of the "new" economy?
My college roommate lives in Houston and we had a great time sharing stories about the Houston economy, what happened at Bayou City, and that it is the fastest growing city in the country, houses hardly listed are soon sold and all the people moving there, new corporations coming. Michigan could use some of this Colorado and Texas activity.
I have two apprentices now and both are older guys. One is a highlhy skilled cabinet maker doing work on 19th century restoration houses in Denver. The other is a nurse, former Indian jewelry business in Four Corners area, ex-United pilot, and former goldsmith in Cherry Creek shop. Both are bright interesting guys to work with and the latter is my go-to-guy for silver work advice. My past 20-year supplier of silver ranger buckle sets has quit making them, so I have to start/resume making my own. At least I have all of the equipment here for hydraulic and two-piece die forming, just need to find the time to make new dies. I have some $600/oz. gold for a buckle set that has been sitting on the bench for over 5 years waiting to get built. The fun side will be doing more silver engraving and using up odds and ends of stones from other work.
I have heard that there is a lot of new work going on in "old depleted oil fields" in Texas with fracking technology.
Hey Richard, that must have been some good weed. :)
No weed yet Robert, just good Chardonnay. I'm still hesitant to indulge. LOL.