August 3rd, 2009

Today is my  first day at the Golden Glow convention in Sacramento California. This is going to be  an amazing experience. The people I have met have been so welcoming and kind.

I talked to a really nice woman on the bus from the airport who had  brought with her a collection of WWII Christmas ornaments.  She introduced me to another friendly glow member, Roger, the owner of a store that specializes in traditional German merchandise, called The Christmas Haus.

After settling in my room, I made my way around the hotel and helped stuff convention packets for the arriving members.  I will always be remembered as the  “nut stuffer”( as my role was to place bags of peanuts in each packet). I then went back to my room and  set up for Room Hopping–not as kinky as it sounds, LOL.  It is a beloved tradition where people sell  out of their rooms.  Below are some photos of my room.

Afterword, I ventured down to register for the conference and stumbled on some rooms that were open for the pleasure to hop!  I  found a  lovely woman who is an expert in Dresden ornaments,  Betty Bell.  (Someone needs to do a book with her collection!) They are stunning. From The Glow website– “Dredens were only 2-3 inches in size and were gilded or silvered, although some were painted by artists. Dresdens were primarily made between 1880 and 1910. They were manufactured using cardboard, dampened to make it flexible. It was then pressed in a stamping die, with each piece having an equivalent depression on a counter die. One ornament was often made of several pieces which, when dry, were taken home by cottage workers and assembled.”  I did happen to find a pug- and for anyone who knows me- knows that I have an extensive pug collection. So guess what  is coming home with me… above is a photo of one of her trees. Until the next sketch!