Here are some words that I published for the ISGB postcard project.  Wanted to put them here so I remember how last year felt.

This last year has been a year or amazing challenges and surprising victories. As President of the ISGB, I along with the ISGB board, had to make hard decisions about planned events and activities. We made decisions with the best interest of the organization and our membership and I believe we stayed true to that direction.

 With disruption often comes good change and the last year has caused the ISGB to take different directions in order to reach our members where they are, home. We have adopted a greater online presence and created online events quickly. It has been a crazy time, but we have gained much!

 In my personal life, I have worked from home for this year and feel closer to my family and more grounded in my home. I live now needing less and treasure my friends and family above anything. My 60th birthday was quieter then hoped but more fulfilling then I ever dreamed.

 Creatively I have taken many online classes from talented artists and have learned much. I have tried new things and learned to work with the freedom of letting things go that I don’t enjoy. 

 When my grandchildren ask me about this year I will tell them it was a year of tragic sadness and loss, great love, and learning to grow where you’re planted. Literally. - Susan

 Back from Italy Happy and Satiated!

It was a fabulous couple of weeks in Murano, Venice, and Florence.

My adventure was organized by Sara Legrand. I have been to Italy with her before and especially during these times on earth I knew she would provide us with a safe exciting adventure.

Italy was everything the US is not.  Safe and aware of the pandemic.  Covid vaccine is required to get on a train, a boat, or in a restaurant.  Everyone wears masks indoors.  I felt safe there.  Returning home was a shock at the number of people who are disregarding even the simplest of protections such as mask wearing.

We saw many fabulous glass people on our adventure and had great times with friends old and new.

I saw Florence for the first time and fell in love with that city as well.  Venice was nicely undercrowded and Murano was a quiet end to each day. Gelato was a treat each day around 5 and our dinners kept the conversation and spritzs rolling.

The apartment at Ca' Mazzega was a lovely home away from home and I would happily stay there again.

All and all it was the adventure of my life so far.  Not sure I will be back for glass but I will lovingly show these places to my family in the future.

Thank you Italy and Sara for an amazing 17 days.

Susan

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 Fall is in the air in Michigan and I am a tad shocked by its arrival.  This summer seems to have come and gone quickly and many things are left undone.

My thought about this is that disruption in my life tends to send me down different paths then planned.  

Some home remodeling has left me feeling disorganized and not able to progress in all the areas I needed to.

Finishing the Presidency for the ISGB is also a big change.  I am so grateful for the opportunity and encouraged by the direction that the ISGB is going.  

For the first time in many years I am not in a leadership position in a glass organization!  I think this is a good thing for my art and I am hoping to spend more time at the torch.  I have many ideas that I need to bring to fruition and I am looking forward to it.

Leaving for Italy in a few days to spend time with creatives and to enjoy some time away from the US.  Everyone I'm traveling with is vaccinated and the EU is strict about  requiring vaccinated only at restaurants and venues.  Masks required indoors for all.  I look forward to the sanity of science based decisions being implemented in more places but for now I will relish my time in Murano, Venice, and Florence.

So that's it for this chapter of Susan and her blog.

To anyone who reads this I hope you are happy and well and pursuing creative activities.

Susan

 Time Moves on

Well I certainly didn't expect that I wouldn't be back here for almost 2 years!  Time does move on in expected and unexpected ways.

I am a grandmother now with the birth of my grandson Cameron in July 2019 and this is a huge blessing in my life. 

2020 brought all the challenges that a global pandemic brings with travel cancelled and outings postponed.

 In some ways the disruption has had positive changes in how I take classes for my glass art.  I have taken many online classes and have found them to be a great way to learn new skills and connect with other artists. The ISGB held its annual conference at the last minute online and it was a great way to bring us together.  

Although I look forward to getting to see my friends in person again I think this break from normal life has caused me to appreciate things more.  I hope the lesson stays and I realize that life can be full without the things that I have always done or had.  

I hope we all emerge from this with new hope and new perspectives.

Until then Be well, stay safe, wear a mask, make art!

Susan