Wednesday, January 06, 2010

Beside Myself

I had the most amazing experience yesterday...
totally twisted advanced copy 1
totally twisted advanced copy 2
totally twisted advanced copy 3
totally twisted advanced copy 4

IT IS HERE!! Well, not here here... it isn't ready to ship yet, but, my advanced copy of Totally Twisted: innovative wirework & art glass jewelry arrived yesterday!! One of my editors emailed me Monday afternoon letting me know that the advanced copies had arrived in the Colorado office and she would be overnighting me a copy. I so very anxiously awaited the FedEx fella and shortly after I posted my blog yesterday, I heard the knock on the door.

Rebecca at Interweave is such a wonderful woman. She packaged the book like a gift and what a special gift it was. When I ripped back the tab on the mailing envelope, I thought the book would fall into my hand but having the anticipation last just a little bit longer and holding a gift in my hand was absolutely perfect. I held that pink and brown package in a hug for a few minutes as tears welled in my eyes. I had to catch my breath before I could open it.

Once I opened it, truly, it was was like holding one of my kids for the first time. Seriously! There was instant joy and tears and love and relief and overwhelm and surprise and awe. Sounds a little nutty right? But really, I have just gone through a 16 month pregnancy and yesterday I got to hold my bundle of joy for the first time. LOL. I sat, unmoving despite a serious call to use the bathroom, and looked at every single page. I love the soft satin matte finish and feel of the cover... the smell of the press room and ink of the pages... the bold colors oozing out of it... just amazing. I am so proud, and not of myself, but of the book itself. Goodness, I can't wait for you too see this.

After my bonding time with my new baby, I started to make the calls to let everyone know my news. First to my hubby of course, then to a friend, and my Mom of course. She was the first to get to see it. As she has done with all my children, Mom instantly was trying to steal it away to her house. LOL. She is a very proud Momma too.

totally twisted advanced copy 6
totally twisted advanced copy 7
totally twisted advanced copy 8

My friend wouldn't let me spend the afternoon holed up in the house. Despite the 100 straight hours of snow that has been piling up here, she said some celebrating was in order and she treated me to lunch at Panera. Her necklace, sorry about the blur, is one of the first beads I ever made!! Such a great sentiment of how far I have come.

Later in the evening, I got to share the book with my Dad. He has been a pressman for 25 years and of course, looked at the book through a pressman's eye. He liked the work, but naturally, a little sad to see it was printed in China. He said they did a good job with the printing, commenting that it was offset printing on a sheet fed press, not on a web, with 4 color process not pms. He said that he loves all the color and had he been printing a job like this, he would have been very excited to go to work. Makes me wonder if the pressman in China grabbed a sample copy and took it home to show his family like my Dad does with many of the jobs he prints. While showing my Dad, Mom was again trying to find ways to steal the copy away to live with her.

Ron and the kids had their time to check it out too. I showed the kids the special dedication that is just for them. It reads "to jacob, andrew, and lauren... look kids, momma wrote a book". I had an interesting chat with Jacob. I said "see, your name is in print." And he said " 'Jacob' is in print in a lot of places." To which I said "yeah, but those are different 'Jacobs'... this one is you." I know the kids will appreciate it when they are older. I hope they will look back and see all the hard work I put into this and how I was still their Mom at the same time. My Dad has pointed out to me several times that 'someone' was left out of the dedication... where is the thanks to Ron, my hubby? Ah, I know, I may seem like a bad wife, but this one is just for the kids... the next one can be for him. ;)

Tonight... hubby is making hot fudge sundae cake to celebrate!!

26 comments:

Christine said...

Oh my gosh, Kerry! WHat an amazing experience for you! Tears welled up in MY eyes just reading this post!

I can't wait to get a copy of the book, and even though we have never met in real life, I just want you to know I am so proud of you! Great job!

Maybe we can meet for real when I come up to Rochester this year! :)

Kristen said...

Kerry, me too... tears...welling in the eyes! What an amazing day, and opportunity for you to enjoy the fruits of your labor. I'm sure the book is wonderful, and I can't wait to get my copy! You are truly an inspiration, you take the bull by the horns and I so admire you for that! I am proud of you, and proud to call you my friend! Thank you so much for sharing this experience with all of us! :)

Crymson Flower said...

Congrats! What an amazing accomplishment, it was a thrill to read about this process for you and and huge thrill to see it come to pass. Congrats! celebrate some more!

deehebard said...

Kerry...
I too am overwhelmed with joy for you. I can recall a conversation we had many moons ago about how you hoped your art would grow...but at the time you didn't know how. Well...I think you know the answer now! Most importantly, I believe this is just the beginning for you. Your talent amazes me and your ability to balance all that life has thrown at you is an inspiration to us all.
When I saw the picture on facebook, my face lit up just knowing the excitement and joy you must be feeling. We are all so lucky to be sharing your creative journey with you...

I can't wait to hear what is in store for you next...I will be anxiously waiting.

(now enough about you...WHERE IS MY COPY?)

Holly said...

Congrats Kerry! Awesome way to start off 2010, isn't it!

sandi m said...

Oh Kerry, a big hug and Congratulations!!!
Can't wait for its release to the world.
I can feel your heart pounding now when you walk into the first bookstore and see all YOUR copies on the shelf!
This certainly is a huge L.I.N.K. for you - can't wait to see what you add this year.
Cheers!
sandi

Gina Lee Kim said...

Huge congratulations to you Kerry! Interweave twitted about this exciting news :) What a great day to start 2010! All the best!

Michelle Mach said...

Woo-hoo! Congratulations! I can't wait to see the book!

Kerry said...

Thank you so much for all the love and support everyone!! I truly appreciate it!

Anonymous said...

Congratulations, Kerry! I can't wait to get my copy. I have a feeling this is only the first of more publications to come!

TesoriTrovati said...

Kerry, when I read this earlier this morning I was jumping up and down for you! I am so excited. Not only can I not wait to get my copy, but this just couldn't happen to a more deserving, more talented and more lovely person than you.

I connected with you when you mentioned that you dad inspected the bindings...my dad just retired from his position as VP of Sales for a publishing company that prints all sorts of materials. That is the first thing he would look at as well. I never thought about that. If I ever got a book deal, I am sure that I couldn't insist that it be printed in the US, but that would certainly give my dad heart palpitations! LOL! We have that in common too!
What a delicious treat to open and so lovingly wrapped and presented. It truly is a gift to be cherished.
Enjoy the day! (but I don't think I need to tell you that this is your "something good" today!)
xo
Erin

Kerry said...

Thanks Jeanette and Erin!

Erin - the high from receiving my book carried me through an otherwise horrendous day yesterday. Yes.. this was my "something good".

Jen Judd said...

Congratulations, Kerry!! I'm so thrilled for you! I already have my copy on order and can't wait for more inspiration throughout the coming year. Thanks for sharing!!! Jen

Jen said...

Fantastic Kerry and Congrats!
What a tease, can't wait for my ordered copy to arrive.
Well done,
Jen

Alice said...

Congratulations on your new 'bundle of joy'! What a great feeling it must be to hold your book, newly bound, and with the scent of fresh ink.

I can't wait until it arrives on the bookshelves. I've got a B&N gift card burning a hole in my purse!

Kristine said...

Congrats!! I'm so excitted for you and the addition to the family!
I can't wait to receive mine:)

rosebud101 said...

Congratulations, Kerry! That is so exciting!

Julie said...

CONGRATULATIONS Kerry! I'm so excited for you.

Dang, you made me cry, too. I love the way you write... the way you pulled us into the emotions of your amazing experience yesterday. So, not only are you an amazingly creative artist, but you're a great writer, too... your book must be fabulous. You put your heart & soul into it... no doubt it shows. Can't wait to get my copy.

I'm really proud of you.

Good job. :o)

Julie

Cindy said...

Kerry
As you know I am SOOOO excited for you!!! I am just so darn proud of you. It seems like ages ago when writing a book was just a dream...and you made it come true. I shared all of this with the boys this morning on the way to school...they are all very familiar with the process throught he months after hearing about it through me. Gabriel - all the way in the back of the van couldn't hear what I was saying, then he yells out "Are you talking about Kerry?" :-)
I enjoyed reading all you shared about your Dad and his perspective... he must be doubly proud (as your Mom is of course!). I'm so glad to see you're celebrating with some Hot Fudge Sundae Cake...I just knew it was in order! :-)
Can't wait for my signed copy too!

Gardanne said...

I can't wait to get this book Kerry I am going to pre order my copy today. So many of the jewelry books out there are just a lot of pretty pictures and and no real substance. I know you put a lot of time and attention into how to learn the techniques.

lisa at lo and behold said...

Yay, you! I was surprised to read in a recent post that you have only been lampworking for four years. . . .is that right? You have come a long way in a short time. I am inspired.

Enjoy this special time!

lisa

Kerry said...

Thanks... thanks... and more thanks everyone!!

Lisa, yes it is true! I have only been lampworking for about 4 1/2 years... making jewelry for 6. :)

mairedodd said...

congratulations kerry - so glad you had a rollercoaster high day! what a sense of accomplishment... and your kids will be touched (they probably are now, but don't know how to express it)... they see art every day with you... and probably art books... so it is kind of their norm... only you know the hard work it took and the hours lost in sleep... be proud!

Jo said...

I am so pleased for you Kerry! I had goose bumps when I saw the pictures!
Congratulations, and may this be the first of many!

Pretty Things said...

Congratulations!!!

Shay Stone said...

Big congratulations to you Kerry! What an amazing birth!