leaving the nest
mary jane dodd
this is not about kids getting older and leaving home...
this is about you - and the wonderful nest of your work area...
we make incredible connections online with people and groups, don't we? and i am not asking you to leave them behind -
but do you get out to meet people in your area with similar interests?
i have started doing just that - i am a member of the nj metal arts guild and through them i have been afforded all kinds of opportunities... our guild happens to have free workshops - good ones... they hold shows, support each other...
then there are more local groups... for example, we have an arts council in belmar (a nearby beach town)... today was the intake for a show called 'wearable, usable, functional'... so jewelry is in it... and it happens to not be juried...
i strongly encourage you to see what is available in your area... you can take classes or teach classes... put yourself out there... make some friends... i know what a hermit i can be - working at my bench comes second only to being with the kids... but i won't lie and tell you that some days, if they are off at a friend's house, i am not ecstatic...
i started teaching classes at a nice bead shop about 30 min from my home... and have met some really nice people...
here is a list of some guilds... but i encourage you to look and see what else you can come up with...
think of what you have to gain!
Category Article art, art councils, education, guilds, support
