Etsy Friends

Etsy is more than just a place to sell my artwork, it started out that way but I soon discovered the forums. The forums are the social backbone of Etsy. Think of it as the neighborhood hangout or town center where all the Etsians meet. I hooked up with a group of fellow mosaic artists and soon started chatting on a daily basis. Virtual friendships developed as we all began to share not only tips and pictures of our artwork, but the daily going-ons of our personal lives. It's really strange when you get to know someone only by typing on a keyboard, yet I really felt like I got to know my virtual friends.
When Jennifer aka Cowgirl Jen of RockcandyMosaics mentioned that she was planning at trip to California (she lives in St. Louis) I thought it would be fun to meet her face to face. So I soon crashed her romantic anniversary vacation with her husband and planned to meet her. As I drove down to Carlsbad to our designated spot, the windmill next to the 5 fwy, I have to admit I was a wee bit nervous.

As soon I saw her it all melted away and I felt like I'd known her for years!

Of course I had to bring Iris...I almost think Jennifer was more excited to meet her! For the next hour or so we talked and talked and talked about sooooo many things...and to think I was worried that I wouldn't know what to say!
Jennifer was my anonymous prankster who had sent me the 129 eyeballs a few months back, so it was only fitting that she should receive my very first eyeball mosaic...Ivan.

I have to give thanks to her husband, Chuck for making this happen, and as promised next time he'll get a surf lesson from my husband!
Ivan is now in St. Louis and enjoying life on Jennifer's windowsill!