Visiting the Shire of Tamarack

At the risk of hurting the feelings of any of my new friends from the Tamarack Renaissance Faire, I have selected just a few of the photos that my personal photographer and Paparazzo, Mr. Gary Hartley, took of me at Tamarack's Renaissance Faire today. (This guy just followed me everywhere, snapping photo after photo.)
Jeff's Bread was a knockout! I felt like I must me in a big-city, neighborhood ethnic market, like the Italian Market in Philadelphia. It was so cool. Sweeteez is another that I can't fail to mention. How can I ignore people who are not only the sweetest people you'll ever hope to meet, but who give samples of their fudge on a stick that includes my favorite combination of peanut butter and banana! For those of you who aren't sock monkeys, they have other flavors as well. Here I am with their West Virginia special - coal cookies. The photo of the day has to be of Dina Brown of Pottery by Nova. Her two partners, Nancy O'Farrell and Diana Pittis, may have been smart to stay shy of the camera for this one. I love the idea that they market themselves together like they do. Kudos to Dina for staying in character (and being a character) all day today! Move over Sally Sock Monkey! I adore this beautiful maiden sculpted by Karen Sparks. I am in love, my lady. Do you think a sock monkey can find happiness with a woman of wood?

The only part of the day that I didn't like was when Lady Truepenny (a.k.a. Thickpenny) put me in the stocks. That was no fun and I didn't even know why I was being punished!

Kelly Noll was delighted by the white rat of pirate Sly Fox. This was the first visit to the Faire for the Noll family.

Here is a whole new group of recruits for the Friends of Sock Monkeys. Students from the Academy at Mountain State University volunteered in the children's craft tent today. (From left to right: Clint, Todd, Abby, Sara, Andrea and Victor.)

Darlene, here is Lady Truepenny's dress. You asked to see how it looks.

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More later....

Artie

Sock Monkeys Play Faire

Fie! Pirate sock monkeys have besieged the Shire of Tamarack. The palace is crawling with the rascals. I have donned my flat cap and collar so that I may join with the Queen and Sir Francis Drake to defeat the invading pirate sock monkeys.

Come join in. Take the side of the queen or that of the pirate scourge. Whichever side you choose, remember - Play Faire!

Tamarack Renaissance Faire
Saturday, October 1 & Sunday, October 2
10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Tamarack, Beckley, WV
www.tamarackwv.com

Thy humble servant, Artie

Arts Business Institute (ABi)

This past Friday and Saturday Tamarack had the pleasure of welcoming the Ats Bsuiness Institute (ABi) to West Virginia for the second time. We had over 70 people who came to learn about the business of art. I learned tons of cool stuff and am feeling like a pretty smart sock monkey right now. Plus, I recruited four new members for the the Friends of Sock Monkeys club from the ABi staff and faculty. They are (from top to bottom) Marilyn Ulen, ABi, Executive Director, Alisha Vincent, Public Affairs Director for the Rosen Group, Bruce Baker, Middlebury Jewelry And Design in Vermont, and Judie Raiford, Raiford Gallery located outside Atlanta. As you can see, these are people who really kow how to appreciate a talented sock monkey like yours truly! I hope they come to see me again!

Artie Reflects on Life

Recent events in New Orleans and other areas devastated by Hurricane Katrina have forced me to pause and reflect on life. It can be hard to be convivial right now. Still, I am grateful for everything I have - my friends Guido, Polly, Sally Sock Monkey, WV Sock Monkey - even for Beth Bear. I am also blessed that I am surrounded by beauty, creativity and kindness every single day. My conclusion is that it is good to be a sock monkey in West Virginia.

Now it is time for me to return to my duties directing convivial sock monkey happenings at Tamarack.

Artie