VivaLaPepa – Victoria           Panda(emonium) – Judy

Both Sides of the Fence

VivaLaPepa-

What can I really say about us? Judy is far more eloquent when writing than I am. So pardon the brevity in which I write.

In the few years we’ve known each other we’ve become this quasi-artistic duo. We are the Keepers of the Gate.

Passed through several times a day, by ourselves and our dogs alike. My Jack Russell Terrier, Beauregard, and Cairn Terrier, Allegra, and Judy’s daughter’s Schnauzer, Micky traipse back and forth like it’s an open border, coming and going at their canine whim… Yes they steal and share each other’s toys; never mind chasing the odd brace of duck that land in our respective pools, but that is another blog. For now I’ll leave it to Judy to tell you the story of our meeting.

Panda-

I was introduced to Wired Up Beads via a long list of coincidences.

Victoria and I met in late 2005 after we became next-door neighbors. After Hurricane Katrina visited my home in New Orleans, my husband and I were forced to move and my life changed permanently.

We moved to Colleyville to be near our oldest daughter and our first grandchild.  Little did I know that where we were moving to was right next door to the neighborhood whims—“cough” genius. Our next-door neighbor played several practical jokes on us; of course we learned to love his sense of humor, in time.

Then!

We met his flamboyant, Argentine wife. Her hair was the color of… No. Her hair reminded me of… No! Her hair can only be described as “RED!” (Said loudly)

We knew almost instantly that she was an artist.  She spoke… oddly, the Kings English. She had traveled the world much as we had and had strong opinions that she loved to discuss over dinner and a glass of Malbec.

We learned that she had a “studio” in her backyard, which created the idea that she was the female Michelangelo of Colleyville and we were truly impressed!

Then… Victoria tried to encourage me to take up any number of artistic hobbies but I strongly insisted that I had no creative talent. It took time but she finally began planning a found objects project that involved a duck and a tennis racquet. Well, needless to say I was intrigued. One day I’ll tell you where that particular project went!

We discovered that Victoria and I had a great deal in common.  You see our husbands were airline pilots, retired military officers, and loved golf! Big Surprise on that last one…  Victoria and I both worked at Travis Air Force Base in California. Victoria was a flight attendant and accompanied soldiers to and from Vietnam in the early 1970’s.  I was working for Pacific Telephone greeting the soldiers as they arrived home, during the same time.  I believe that we were often both in the large terminal but we were too interested in the handsome heroes surrounding us, then with meeting other young women. I wonder if we actually saw each other and never noticed…

Anyway, that was the beginning of our friendship.  Did I mention the beautiful gate between our two yards? (My husband thought it was the worst idea ever, but years later and we’re all still great friends. That showed him!) It opened our lives to each other and it has changed my life. Now I can’t help but join Victoria on her artistic escapades!

She taught me layered paper art, metalworking and the art of beading (Did I admit that? No; no… Victoria do NOT read this! Oh boy, I’ll never hear the end of it…) and sent me on the trip of a lifetime.  She has become my muse.  Together we registered for classes at University of North Texas and enrolled in the Studio Arts Program with a concentration in Metalsmithing.

It was Victoria that introduced me to Wired Up Beads. One stroll into the shop and that was that, I was hooked. We made friends with Wubbers and their creator, Patti, and all who work for her.  We are thrilled to be considered a part of their team and to be constantly learning new and fantastic art forms.