Each year the whirlwind known in my life as the Yarmouth Clam Festival comes and goes. Each year I cross my fingers that I will make it past the jury. Once I know I am in, I work like a maniac getting ready for the 3rd weekend in July (it's always the 3rd weekend in july--next year will be the 50th 3rd weekend in July). I always pray to mother nature for just the perfect blend of cloud cover, dry skies and temperature...she answered my prayers ten-fold this year, she must have felt terrible after last year. Then I wait. I wait for my amazing clients, who are more like friends now. Many of whom I have known for nine years and have only met through the festival. I hear and see pictures of weddings, children, grandchildren, reunions, loss, love and everything in-between. I love all of it. This year I received the most thoughtful and beautiful gift from one of my dearest...I cried. My name. A heart. A pearl. It is perfect.

Early Saturday morning before I was open to the public, I was setting up my jewelry while the tent sides were still hiding me from the world (or at least Main St. in Yarmouth). I heard her in the tent next to mine. A voice I only hear once a year. I knew exactly who it was. I poked my head out and saw her husband. We both had a laugh when I told him I knew who was out there without even seeing her...

This festival I said good-bye to a necklace that I wasn't even sure I was going to bring to the show. A favorite of mine (that's one of the perks). Something inside me said take it...so I did. It found a home. A home I could not have predicted, but it is exactly where it is supposed to be. I gave it a little kiss good-bye and dang, it looks gorgeous on her!

This is why I do what I do...thank you all for being the joy in my work! I am full of gratitude...actually...spilling over. xoxo