Prancing in Portland

I told you about my travels in San Francisco last week, so this week (risking the "let me show you my travel slides" task of your patience), I thought I might share about my trip to Portland, which was right on the SF trip's heels...

I headed straight from San Francisco to spend the week in one of my favorite new cities. I was booked to do a lecture and some classes for the Portland Bead Society, but had a few days in between to relax and regroup. The bonus was that I was lucky enough to have friends that toured me around. That's a rare combination when a teacher goes to a city--you usually just see the inside of a shop or hotel and are busily teaching all the while, but this time I had time, wheels, and friends.

I did a lot of walking around the city. Here I came upon a row of houses, embellished with tin and cans and pieces of decorative wood. As many of you know, I adore things like this.

On my walks I also came across this huge tree fort in someone's front yard. See? This is what I love about Portland: Got a dead tree? Don't cut it down...just trim it up and turn it into something functional.

A view of Mt. Hood from one of the bridges that crosses the river...

I got to visit the Oregon College of Art and Craft, which felt so homey and wonderful. Wanted to just sidle in and start learning/teaching/working/living there. If you visit Portland, I'd highly recommend a stop here that includes a lunch. I had a soup/salad combo served up by students that was not only delicious, but inexpensive.

Not far from OCAC is Washington Park, which was absolutely bursting with flowers...

The day I was there it was raining fruit tree blossoms.

Being landlocked in Minnesota makes me want to see the ocean any time I'm close by, so I got to go to the beach...

I'd never been to the beach in Oregon. It's different than the rest of the West Coast. Rockier, wilder.

Luckily it was a beautiful day (not common in those parts), so the vistas were extra beautiful.

Another fun thing I got to do was visit the Worldwide Headquarters of Bead Cats, Virginia Blakelock and Carol Perrenoud's wonderful business. Carol gave me a tour of the business...

and the farm that surrounds it.

It was an absolute joy to see Carol in her element! She is such a gem.

I was lucky to catch Carol and Virginia for dinner that night right before they headed to Australia. You know, I just love these ladies and I feel fortunate to have struck up such a nice friendship with them. Can't wait to see them again in Milwaukee in June...

I was grateful to have been able to do so much site-seeing, but I had to get down to work! First order of business was my Creating Your Own Beadwork Inspired by Art lecture at the Portland Bead Society's monthly meeting. Here's a shot of their show-and-tell, where a group was sharing their beaded bag challenge. This is one of the most active bead societies in the country, and if you live in the area I'd highly recommend you attend the meetings. What great energy!

I got to teach Peyote Buttons and Le Cirque to two groups of very talented students. Plus, the spot where the society holds classes is wonderful...HUGE windows with natural light pouring in. Luckily we had enough sun both days, so there was plenty of light.

Being with these women helped remind me, once again, how important it is that we do what we do. Not only the creating part, but being together...

 Sharing ideas and generating new ones...

Working hard, but finding time to laugh...

 And creating a true circle of creative consciousness that holds us together long after we leave the classroom.

It was a wonderful trip. Thanks for hosting me, Portland Bead Society! Just can't wait to get back to that part of the country.