​“We can complain because rose bushes have thorns, or rejoice because thorns have roses.” 
― Alphonse Karr, A Tour Round My Garden

Like a rose garden bursting with color in the warmth of a June morning, my heart is glowing with wonder and gratitude. Let me give you three reasons why:

1. Bricks and thorns hurt, but People are wonderful. 

After the theft of the van and it's contents, we were devastated. It was like life had thrown a huge brick at us. But, we didn't cower or run and hide, and we certainly didn't stop moving forward. With encouragement and support from friends, family, customers and colleagues - and even a few strangers - we were able to keep rolling through the first few weeks as we restocked and rebuilt. We borrowed painted scarves from one of our students to use as samples, as all of ours had been taken. We "made do" with a limited supply of paint which we had on hand at home; folks didn't complain when they had to share! One of our patrons made a generous pre-purchase of 20 scarves, just to help get that cash flow moving. With this outpouring of love, we just knew we couldn't let folks down! We were able to meet all of our obligations and didn't have to miss a single event!

2. Serendipity happens. So do superheros.

"In art we are once again able to do all the things we have forgotten; we are able to walk on water; we speak to the angels who call us; we move, unfettered, among the stars.

We write, we make music, we draw pictures, because we are listening for meaning, feeling for healing. And during the writing of the story or the painting or the composing or singing or playing, we are returned to that open creativity which was ours when we were children. We cannot be mature artists if we have lost the ability to believe which we had a children. An artist at work is in a condition of complete and total faith."
          - Madeleine L'Engle, Walking on Water

We are so grateful for the chance to share this amazing, magical life with you. 

-- Phil and Star