A young artist named Sam Fatzinger came to the Open House today (Sunday) and sat on a chair near the pasture, sketching quietly. I asked him if I could see it, and he said “sure.” The 2016 Open House for October ended today, it was a warm, meaningful, connecting weekend and Maria and I were overwhelmed by the affection and good wishes of people, who are good, given the chance. I loved Sam’s sketch of our hay feeder and shrubs.
It is, in many ways, one of the focal points of the farm.
Emma sent me this photo of my granddaughter Robin yesterday, Robin is smiling more and more these days, and her smile is powerful for me, she reminds me that life is good, despite it’s inevitable challenges. She reminds me to appreciate the color and light and beauty and love in life and to avoid the harbingers of doom and worry who infect our consciousness.
She also inspires me to plan a trip to New York City this week to say hello, and smile back. Maybe there is something to this grandfather stuff.
We are fascinated and happy with our You Tube Sales Experiment, last week Maria sold more than $1,200 worth of art online, even before the Open House started. Sales have been very strong. The experiment brought many people to the art online, and some to the Open House in person. Our videos have drawn thousands of views, an exciting new opportunity for us.
In addition, sales on the scene were also very strong.
But sales are like chess, they are unpredictable and surprising. Usually, Maria’s yarn sells out within minutes, this year, she has some left for the first time. Otherwise, the art is flying out of here.
We have no idea why, but the challenge is always fun, and we are having a good time with this, as is perhaps obvious.
So Maria is offering a sale on the yarn – we know she will sell it all eventually – partly as a bonus to people who can’t get here in person, in part just to move it along, she needs the space. So for a few days, the skeins will be $20 apiece plus shipping, reduced $5 from their usual price of $25.
We suspect some people may be waiting for the Romney wool, but that won’t be available to sell for a few months, at the earliest. Maria describes the wool in the video, it is soft and beautiful, some of it from Deb, who died a few months ago.
So welcome to our first You Tube sale, if you are interested in purchasing this wool, e-mail Maria at [email protected]. We are grateful for your interest and support, Maria sold a great deal of her wonderful art yesterday, she has gotten very good at this.
And thanks for the donations for her India trip, they are also appreciated.
I am enjoying our plotting together, and am having fun putting my producer hat on for a bit.
Many of you asked to see a video of the sheep, including the Gang Of Four, who were shorn at the Bedlam Farm Open House yesterday. Here it is. They are getting re-acquainted with one another, the Romneys look especially at ease. This is a twice-a-year ritual Maria and I love, and we are dazzled by the beauty of the wool that came from Izzy, Griselle, Biddy and Rosemary, as well as the sheep we already head. Come and see.
It is true that shorn sheep do not recognize one another after the shearing, they have to re-organize, do a lot of sniffing and re-acquaint themselves with one another. The imperious Romneys, the Gang of Four, looked a bit humbled and abashed. They also seemed much more comfortable.
We were surprised to find a tight collar on Griselle, it was invisible underneath the thick wool, they were moving about more easily and seemed to be much more comfortable.
Today, the second day of the Open House, cloudy skies, cooler temperatures, no rain in the forecast. A quieter day, I think. Lots of people are nervous about the debate tonight I see, on both sides. We will try to present an alternative reality to that.
Today, Ken Norman comes to trim the equine hooves at noon, the public will get to see that. There will be more spinning, more talks, more herding demos. Mary Kellogg is returning to read some of her poetry after the trimming. Ed Gulley’s wonderful folk art is spread all over the lawn.
And lots of good art still to sell in the Schoolhouse Studio. Maria and I are exhausted, but content. The Open Houses feel very good, an important tradition for us, and apparently, for others.
