Hold on all...pull up a comfy seat, get a drink and snuggle in cause it's gonna be a long update...I've been on the road, things have been brewing and things are happening...
First off, update your little black books once again...my email address has changed...
casey@caseyshepparddesigns.com
There are a lot of changes happening at Casey Sheppard Designs, you will see that...if you have any feed back (good or bad) let me know...
So what is the answer to last weeks riddle?? Let me get you caught up first....
In my last update I was bout to venture on a two week long road trip art show frenzy...I made stops along the way to Chicago, Pittsburgh, Boston, Syarcus, Madison, Decorah, Minneapolis/St.Paul then back home again...I drove over 3500 miles, met with amazing people and saw some really amazing places...
Chicago was just a quick pit stop for a quick bite at Procesco with my friend Mirvat then bed before hitting the road early in the am...
Pittsburgh...okay, when I pulled into this town/city I had a hard time keeping my eyes on the road...it is one of the most unique places I've ever seen...it's so hard to put into words...it's so beautiful...very steep hills, no more like drop offs miles deep with metal staircases wildly gridded and woven from apartments to overpasses...such a strength in this organic terrain...then to add, everyone there is super nice...very down to earth...
I had a great time hanging out with my friend Kevin who took me around to his favorite parks, one even had a great bike trail (was regretting that I didn't bring my bike til I saw how muddy the trails were...)
If you are ever in Pittsburgh you really need to check out the Society for Contemporary Craft...the SCC has changing exhibitions, a grand gift shop and artist studio spaces...it's truly a gem...
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| (The confessional which is now the bar...RAD) |
Another gem, Brigitte Martin ...she agreed to show we around the SCC and then took me out to lunch, we went to the Church Brew Works...a catholic church converted to a brew house/resturant...while indulging in my very first Pittsburgh Salad (yes, it's AWESome...french fries on top of a salad) Brigitte and I exchanged in mentor/mentoree conversations...I am thankful for our meeting, she has introduced me to a side of community in this industry that I have been longing for yet had not found...Thank you...while I left Brigitte to hit the road I was over come with a sense of purpose, drive and focus, it's a good thing I had a nine hour drive ahead to Boston and a voice recorder on my phone...as I sat in my car loading my GPS with directions to my next destination, I seriously considered blowing off my obligations to just take in more Pittsburgh, let's face it, I'd become smitten with this place...but at last my midwesterness kicked in and I was off to my next venture...
Brigitte's site Crafthaus
Boston....
As I spent the next 9 hours driving up to Boston, I came across some familiar signs, Poconos, Allentown, New York City, New Paulz...I tried to come up with a way to head into NYC for a night, just pop in, say hi to friends and leave...but no, onward to Boston...
Thursday AM, I set up at CraftBoston and meet my super fun neighbors...after having lunch on the pier and going for a small walk, I grabbed a coffee and got ready for the preview show...the night was fun filled, people taking great interest in all the creative works of art...after the show closed for the night, I headed back to the hotel for food and a good nights sleep...
As I awoke Friday, I learned that we were on lock down, you all know the turn of events, so I spend the day, watching some news, re introducing myself to the early 90's stair stepper and taking advantage of the time to write down all my thoughts, ideas and radness from my conversation with Brigitte...I spent the evening eating dinner at the bar, drinking some very delicious yet cheap wine and talking punk music with an english bloke (thank you btw, I enjoy talking music, especially punk rock)...was a good end to a very interesting day...
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| Beehive |
Saturday and Sunday were filled with having great conversations with new people, making new friends and making some sales...I really enjoying myself...thank you all who came out for such a great event and thank you CraftBoston for all the hard work....
I had dinner at a great restaurant called the Beehive with my friend and fellow exhibitor Kristin...great food, atmosphere and music...was great to see a bit of the local Boston...
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| Decorah Bike Trial |
Sunday I loaded up, got lost with my GPS AGAIN...but paid off this time cause I got to drive by Fenway Park...I ended up driving to Syracuse, NY...next stop was to Decorah, Iowa to hang out with my Dad and Step Mom for a few days...I drove to Madison, WI, stayed the night and arrived in Decorah on Tuesday...I spent the day relaxing and hanging with Dad...I'd spend the next few days like this, enjoying dads cooking, conversions with them both and some cat snuggle time (thanks Socks)....I did get a ride in with my friend Shockey...if you get a chance check out the Decorah trails, was such a blast...thank you Shockey for showing me around...and to Decorah Bike Shop, Travis the owner had heard that I ride a Karate Monkey (actually the same one as his but his is rigid 1 x 9) and let me ride his bike, so I road like the locals and can't wait to go back...thanks to all, love the bike community, coming together...
Decorah Bicycles
Friday AM, I hit the road for my next show in St. Paul...for the St. Paul Art Crawl...I headed over to Susan studio to set up and we had a great time showing our jewelry together...the show had a really good turn out and I had another great show...I also made a few more connections/friends in the industry...I can't wait for my next time hanging out with Susan and Betty...also go my Johnson family time and finally got to met River...thanks guys for letting me stay with you and to all who came to the Art Crawl and Susan for the radness....
Susan Elnora's Website
Betty Jager's Website
Sunday I packed up and headed home, was so nice to finally be back in my house with my dog and MY bed...
Thank you all who took me in, helped me along the road, fed me and hung out with me...you all keep me sane, mostly...
Other happenings...
A big thank you to Dundee Gallery for a great Annual Jewelry Trunk Show that was last weekend and for all who came out...
Other upcoming shows...
June 28-30th Des Moines Arts Festival
Des Moines Iowa
Booth #GN41
July 2nd Cherry Creek Arts Festival Opening Gala
click on below link for tickets
July 5-7th Cherry Creek Arts Festival
Denver CO
Booth #246
So the answer you all have been waiting for...
What do a Cobb Salad, Clint Eastwood, Archor Steam and Casey Sheppard have in common, besides being delicious???
CALIFORNIA
In late July India and I are selling all our furniture, packing up the studios and loading up the car cause we are moving to LA...the new impossible that I'm gonna try (do or do not, there is no try) to make possible is to get my jewelry into the music and film scene....expose some kickass PVC pipe jewelry to rock gods/goddess....Can you see it, Steven Tyler wearing a rad leather, PVC pipe cuff??!! Right Betty....
added bonuses, ride bikes without frost bite in the winter....indulge in some In and Out Burger...yummmmm....and hang with my bro...
Going away party
June 22nd
8pm Marz Bar Lincoln
Pee Wee's Big Adventure theme, with influence of Pee Wees Playhouse...
what will be the secret word???
(Keep an eye out for the facebook event it's coming soon)
Here are some photos from my Texas trip (which was a fantastic time) and a few other odd photos thrown in for good measure..thank you to Lis for being a great assistant, Bayou Arts Festival for a great event and to everyone that came out to show your support....thank you...
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| Ft. Hood Texas |
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| Bayou, Liz working it |
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| Checking out some local music by Halz and Oat |
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| Working on a hinge... |
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| Morel hunting |
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| Pittsburgh |
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| Rocky Hill Ranch Texas |
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| Tacos in Houston |
Next on my plate...I have a bike race at Platte Saturday, CycloFemme Omaha bike ride sunday for mothers day...https://www.facebook.com/events/178466258972116/
then I head to Arkansas Wednesday for Syllamo's Revenge...
Passing some great advice that a new friend passed to me..
"If your not living on the edge, you're taking up too much space'...so go do what you do....make rad art, have an adventure, read a good book, community protest, whatever it is enjoy...and keep rad....
