Just Havin' Fun Doin' What I Do!

Domaci is housed in a beautiful old building that is being lovingly restored and updated!

Fortunate to call Helen a new friend!

Oh yeah, did I mention we did some great henna that weekend?

E. got some awesome bear claws on his back.  The dye came out pretty dark for being on his back! 
We had a lot of paste on there though.  It took quite some time to dry.

The Copleys

So pleased with how this collaboration turned out!!  :)

  How lucky am I to have so much fun while "working" !  Friday August 5th, through Sunday August 7th, I has the pleasure of working with Tim and Mary Pritchard at their gallery in Rogers City.  Yearly, the small town in northern Michigan comes together for their Nautical Festival.  It lasts almost a week with everthing from fireworks and a parade to the art fair and music tent, and much more!  For three days I did henna outside the gallery.  So many interesting people!  And what a great atmosphere.  C'mon, don't the smell of roasted almonds put a smile on your face?

  I started the day off by stopping at the new bakery in town.  Three Heart Bakery (http://www.threeheartbakery.com/ sits right on US 23 across from Hoeft State Park, in the old park store.  What a fantastic job they did restoring the inside and outside!  The romantic in me totally appreciates that they kept the integrity of the building.  The original knotty pine counter is a focal point as you walk in.  The homey smell of warm, fresh bread, draws you in, and the friendly people are what bring you back!

 I made my way into town and stopped in at the Painted Lady.  https://www.facebook.com/thepaintedladyrc?sk=wall&filter=2  The best coffee around!  I wish they had one down here!!  Makes Starbucks taste like cheap swill. 

 I'd then walk my coffee down to Domaci https://www.facebook.com/pages/Domaci-Art-Gallery/123975104306079 and set up shop for the day!  They have some amazing pieces in the gallery.  Many of the artists call Michigan their home.  I had the pleasure of meeting The Copleys. http://www.johnacopley.com/home.htm I love John's work, and he and his wife are just the nicest people!  Salt of the earth!  Can I say that?  Or does it sound too cheesy?  John drew out a cicada for me to henna on his wife's ankle.  (The most unusual request I've had!)  But apparently, a certain sub family of the bug hatches only once every seven years, which has happened to coincide with many of life's major events for her.  I was happy to do it, and pleased with the results!!

 Sunday I had my youngest son with me for the day.  The rest of the family had headed home.  He was such a help!  He did everything from entertaining Mary and Tim's little girl, to explaining the henna process to customers and delivering coffee carafe's to the Painted Lady!  It was nice just to have him with me.  We ended the day by going out to dinner with our gracious hosts.
  
We met artists, farmers, students and fishermen! ~Just to name a few.  Some were there for the weekend, some had been there for a lifetime. Every one with a story. I love to hear peoples stories. You miss out on so much when you don't take time to listen to people. One woman had spent every summer for the past 70 years at her family cottage on Lake Huron! (With a brief time out for the war!) Another friend shared her story of cancer, and inspired me.  I always have on the pink bracelet she gave me, and whenever I look down, I think of her, and my sister.  So much to learn from each other.  People ask me all the time if I like what I do, I love it!  Strangers, I would not have otherwise have been blessed to know.