Final Pics from Norwescon33 Trip

A few last pictures from the last day of the con. This is Gir from the comic Invader Zim - the costume was on sale and Gir was wandering around the con for a couple days.

One of the Drow (an elf character from Dungeons and Dragons) prowling the dealer's room

The other two caught up later & posed for this (unfortunately it's pretty blurry, sorry)

Snow capped mountains on the way home

Some of the snow in the pass in Oregon on the way home - I drove through some snow showers both coming up and heading home.

And once I got down from the mountains I saw this incredible rainbow. The picture doesn't do it justice, of course - it was amazingly complete and bright. You could see the full arch of it except for a bit at the top at times.

I'm still not unpacked nor recovered from the long drive - very glad to be home!

Day 3 at Norwescon - Busy!

I managed to get the attention of some of the passersby in their amazing costumes today!

And here are two of my customers in their purchases - the vintage lucite flower necklace and a jet lanyard:

Had a pretty good day today as far as sales were concerned. Tomorrow is the last day of the con and while I've had a great time, I'm looking forward to getting back home. I probably won't blog again for a few days - tomorrow is all about getting packed up and resting for as long as I can because Monday I have to drive the entire trip that I spent two days getting here earlier in the week in one day.

Brrr!! Day 2 at Norwescon

Really cold (at least for me) & very wet outside today. There were severe storm warnings and if the power went out we were told we'd have to "evacuate" the dealer's room. Fortunately it didn't happen.

Was either busy or distracted today and didn't take pictures - I wish I had at least gotten one of one of my customers - her outfit was fabulous. I made some new embellished retractable lanyards & she bought one which went really well.

My dear friends have made this con a near tie with LosCon for my best time ever behind the table. I say a near tie because spending four days with my Dad at LosCon last November was definitely at the top.

If I don't screw up and get my paperwork in on time, I'll be at Westercon/ConChord the 4th of July weekend in Pasadena, CA. I believe I turned in paperwork for LosCon 2010 at the end of last one's, so I hope I'm set. I think I'll email 'em just to be sure. If that's set, I'll have my 3 cons for the year.

I'm getting just a teensy worried about the trip home. If it snows in either of the two passes between here and home, I may be stuck in either Washington or Oregon until that clears. I have my work laptop and can check in with the office, so it's more of a inconvenience than anything, but I do hope I can get back on Monday, I miss my husband and kitties.

Well, need my sleep - will try to remember to take pictures tomorrow!

Norwescon Day 1

I got to the convention at 10:30 ish and worked on set up with my helpers 'til 4 when the doors opened. Sat at the table 'til 8, covered the stuff, had a lovely late dinner and then came back to my hotel room. Thank goodness my two dear friends are here to help. I got plenty of stretch and bathroom breaks. Their help in set up was invaluable. I'm fairly certain I wouldn't have figured out how to use the tiny space with out them.

Wireless wasn't very reliable today, so I didn't get a chance to post while at the convention. May not be able to tomorrow either, so if I do post tomorrow, it'll be in the evening again.

Good night from Seattle (and yes - it's raining).

Made it to SeaTac Today

The drive from Medford took 7 hours through some really lovely landscapes. There were quite a few places that looked like fun to visit, if I had time. The one place I passed that I was *very* sad about was Shipwreck Beads in Lacey, WA. I wish I'd had several hours to spare, but I wanted to be at the convention hotel by 4 so I could drop off all my stuff.

In my travel through Oregon I discovered that the 70 mph speed limit I'd gotten used to in California on I-5 drops to 60 or 65 through the entire state with several patches of 55mph. Goes back to 70 when you cross over into Washington. Also, there are no self-serve gas stations. At my first stop for gas a lively fellow told me all about it. At length. He's written to President Obama, suggesting that it should be a federal law. Probably would create several million jobs; can't say I think it's a terrible idea. The gas prices in Oregon, even with full service, are quite a bit lower than in California. No sales tax there either - I should have budgeted some time to shop.

One last note, if you ever need to stay in Medford, OR, I wouldn't recommend the Ramada. It's really run down and the room was bare bones - except for the refrigerator and microwave. No elevators, either. Had to carry my very heavy bags up a flight of stairs. I was inexpensive, at least.

The convention hotel here in SeaTac was fully booked before I heard that my application was approved, so I'm staying just across the street at the Days Inn. It's nicer than the Ramada, that's for sure and nearly as inexpensive. Unfortunately the room doesn't have a refrigerator and there aren't even little mini ones for rent. This matters to me because I drink copious amounts of Arizona Diet Green Tea and usually keep a gallon or two chilling in the fridge when I travel. I'm quite disappointed in that, but otherwise, it's a nice place. Plus, free wireless!

No pictures tonight - last night I pretty much did my post and fell asleep. I'll share convention pictures in the next post. Good Night!

TGIF! (Using Up the Stash #13)

Really glad to see the backside of this week. Not that I won't be working hard all weekend getting ready to exhibit at Norwescon next week (April 1 - 4, Doubletree Hotel, SeaTac, Washingon)

I did get a little jewelry work done. I made quick and easy earrings the last two days to go with other pieces I wore to work, and one pair to go with the electric purple vintage style necklace I shared on Monday - it's also quite a bit longer, been adding beads to it tonight.

Here are the earrings, made the ear wires myself, too:

This weekend and next week blogging may be a real challenge - I'll post when I can, and if possible live-blog and share pictures from Norwescon.