The Smithsonian does rock! In So many ways.

After my over the top, forever memorable lifetime experience with RBG and the fabulous Craft2Wear show, I had a morning free before my flight home. I wandered down to Washington’s Mall and eventually into the Smithsonian’s Museum of Natural History.

Dinosaur bones, insects, ocean exhibits were enticing but it was in the Hall of Geology, Gems and Minerals that I landed.

Disclosure: Other than the most rudimentary level of understanding, I know nothing about geology.

But I do know what I like! And I most definitely liked this exhibit.

The most gorgeous, colorful, pretty, odd and strange formations that collectors and others have dug up from the earth.

Dug up! Found! These gorgeous things just there, slowly growing and forming.

Some looked like something an avant-garde radical artist might have created to express the conflicts of contemporary life.

Beautiful sculptural forms with wonky scientific names, “Elbaite, with hydroxylherderite.”

Perfect geometric forms growing out of a rock. How can that be???

Every kind of shape. From lumpy cauliflower like forms to a delicate dandelion just about to blow off its seeds.

Funny little fluffy growths on aqua colored crystals.

I could not stop taking pictures! So cool! Every superlative you can think of. That is this collection.

These are a teeny fraction of the pictures I took and they are a teeny fraction of the entire collection.

I am so pleased that 20% of the sales of my and all the artists at the Craft2Wear show went to the Smithsonian to benefit the 19 museums and the research, conservation and exhibits. Except for December 25th, the Smithsonian museums are free and open to the public every day of the year.

Thank you Smithsonian Women’s Committee! The funds you raised could not have gone to a better organization!

Every fall, the Smithsonian’s Women’s Committee puts on Craft2Wear, a fundraiser for the Smithsonian. It is held in the magnificent National Building Museum.

It’s a spectacular space, enormous columns in a four story tall atrium. The Women’s Committee knows how to put on a grand show.

All set up and ready for the evening Benefit and Preview party, my booth is in the lower right corner of this picture.

Thursday evening, the night of the party was so much fun! Lots of people came to support the Smithsonian, check out the clothing and jewelry of the some 70 artists and find treasures to bring home.

The next day, Friday, started as usual. Customers and friends stopped by.

But there was a buzz, Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg was going to come to the show.

The news that she had arrived spread fast. We were all hoping to catch a glimpse of her.

The Women’s Committee had thoughtfully provided a buffet and I was piling up a plate with sliced cheese and carrot pieces when I heard that she was close to my booth. I rushed back just in time.

She stopped to look and I showed her what I had in her size.

She quietly said, ‘OK, we’ll come back.’ And off she went with her security guards, the chairs of the Women’s committee and her assistants.

I thought, ‘Wow.’

I caught any breath. And did my best to remain standing.

People say they’ll be back all the time. Sometimes they really do return, but often something happens. They find another treasure, their phone rings and they have to leave, they tire and decide to go home.

I played the waiting game like a hopeful girl waiting for the phone to ring.

Wonders of wonders. After what seemed like an eternity, Justice Ginsburg and her entourage did return.

She tried on quite a few pieces. Me helping her.

Let me say that again: me helping Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, one of our nine supreme court justices, to try on the clothing I had designed and made.

I could feel her strength, hidden within her small frame, like a super hero. She’s sharp and chuckled at my little jokes but her focus was on which piece she liked best.

No wishy washy, maybe, maybe not, Justice Ginsburg was as decisive as you would expect. After trying on the various options, she chose this one.

What an experience! I felt higher than the moon. Such an honor.

We had one more day for the show. Although I was floating a few inches off the floor, I did manage to stay tethered to the earth enough so I could visit with and help all the wonderful people who came by that final day.

Thank you Women’s Committee for creating such a fabulous event!

Days before I pack my bags for the Craft2Wear show in Washington DC, I had organized a photo shoot with my long time photographer Dan Kvitka.

I rounded up a model, Catherine Dart, from Option Agency and an awesome stylist, Kirstie Wight. I set a date, finished the clothes and arrived at Dan’s studio ready to go.

I knew Dan was on the road to retiring, looking forward to spending more time traveling, relaxing and especially photographing birds. Although he’s planning on the occasional on site photo job, he was giving up his studio. What I didn’t realize was that my shoot would be the last in his space.

Although there was a tinge of bitter sweet, we mostly focused on the shoot. Lights flashing, music playing, makeup applied just so and Catherine looking gorgeous.

We worked through all the jackets, coats and skirts that I had brought. Even with all the clothes changes and the adjustments to hair and makeup, before our time was up and even better, before we were too tired to move, everything had been photographed.

I came home with some stunning pictures. As soon as they’re cleaned up and ready for viewing I’ll post them.

I’m sending Dan wishes for a fantastic retirement, full of joy and delight, exciting adventures and sleepy afternoons. And especially, to find the most perfect spots to see the most amazing birds. And with each click of the shutter getting that most extraordinary and perfect picture.

Below, Dan with his so very adorable dog, Manny.

This isn’t goodbye, we’ll hang out,

we’ll even maybe [fingers crossed] for old times sake, have another shoot.

Love you Dan.