2-10-15

...well, the hill is quiet today.... and it's been good.

I've had some news these past few days that I wanted to share with you all.
First, remember me mentioning that I had entered a contest and submitted a logo design?
Well, I've been notified that I am in the "finals" for it... and should hear shortly.
The design is for the Route6 Artisan Trails, and the design I submitted features one of my daughter's abstract paintings along with some text and such that I configured. The winner receives a yearly subscription.

Secondly, I had submitted a few weeks ago to ECCOTA,
ECCOTA is the Elk County Council on the Arts, and they feature Pennsylvania handcrafts and artisan works in a gallery space located in Ridgeway, PA.
"The Council’s goal is to enhance the lives of county residents and the various local arts by offering experiences in the arts, providing educational opportunity and advice, and by supporting performers, musicians, artists, artisans and writers."
I am happy to announce that I have received my acceptance letter ... now I just need to figure out what I am submitting... >>wink<<

And I am plugging along.
I've been trying to get some new things made for the Etsy shop;
and have started a Facebook page for  my artisan business; MoonGipsies.
And I've been donating some things.
This week I am working on a "give-away" art challenge thing where you send something to 5 different people.
Sort of a pay-it forward. So I am gathering 5 little "art packages" of sorts.
And I also have been finding homes for some of the art I've collected over the years; including some paintings by an artist I knew in New Mexico. The paintings will be part of an auction to benefit a local lady going through cancer treatments.

---and now I'm off to work on some jewelry... see you all tomorrow!

2-9-14

There is this stunning tree just outside of town.
It reminds me of the ponderous pine in New Mexico (because of the reddish bark) ... but it is probably a Red pine... which is fairly common here in PA. What makes the tree so striking; at least to me... is the twists and turns in the branches.
It's like the tree grew up in a wind tunnel, with it's branches constantly swirling about.

Life can be like that too.
You have these times when you seem to "catch wind" from all sorts of directions.
Turning you here... pulling you there. Which way do you go?
How do you stay safe and grounded?
How do you stand tall in the face of adversity?

Each of us has our own answer to that.
...the sources we look to for guidance and strength.

Today's post is a simple one.
Stand tall.
Stay grounded.
Know you are strong and can weather any storm.
Keep growing in the direction of your calling... no matter what the world flings in your way,
and keep your eyes toward the sun.

for the weekend

I was talking with a friend yesterday; and we were talking about how elastic time is...

How it can seem like FOREVER since, say, an event...

and yet... at the same time; feel like time is standing still. 

We were talking about specific things... and he mentioned how much I've actually accomplished since moving here. Which to me... seems so very long ago... and feels to me; like I haven't gotten much done. But in reality; we moved back just 15 months ago ... and I've gotten a tremendous amount done.

It's hard for me to be patient. I work hard, and want to see results quicker than they sometimes show up... and I think that is true for most of us. 

Too often-times; I think we get so focused on where we want to end up... 

that we forget to enjoy the journey.

So... here's to slowing down.

Here's to enjoying the trip.

Here's to laughter and love... good friends... good food... great art... and the passage of time.

And because it's the weekend, here are some links to look at:

*a new book by Laura Ingalls Wilder

*some awesome colorized versions of old photos

*a simple, yummy bread recipe

*libraries from around the world

*a cool play list of Norah Jones music

*artistic renderings of some famous paintings; in paint swatches

*photographer Barbara Yoshida

*makers and shakers in Handmade Business!

*History! George W. Sears ... who lived in the nearby town of Wellsboro and was an outdoor writer and pioneer. 

...And my friend, who was making a version of Mr. Sear's heritage axe last week.

*Jeff Bridges (the dude) and his meditation tapes

* and a few blogs on my reading list:

  Why not Coline?

  Brooke Way

  Alice in Paris

2-6-15

These past few days I've been helping a friend do some organizing and packing...
and because she is a "morning person"... I've had to be one too.
For those of you who know me; you know that I am definitely NOT a morning person.
Even as a child; I had to be dragged from my bed ... and did best on my homework, late at night (and usually last-minute).
As an adult; I worked night-shift for the better part of 17yrs or so... and still prefer to get up at the "crack of noon" ... if given a choice.
But not this week.

It's really hard to step out of your comfort zone.
Sometimes, excruciatingly so.
But it is these "stepping out" points that can bring the best results, stretch you the most... and provide the most inspiration.

So for today... I am encouraging you to step out of your comfort zone a bit.
Make something different! Try a new technique... or use a different material.
Or even... apply to that magazine you've always wanted to be in... or submit something in a contest.
You just never know.

2-5-15

One of the projects I've been playing with this year; is combining quotes I like with photos I've taken.
The 3 photos above, are some examples.

I'm not sure what I will do with these...
perhaps note cards? calendars? ... time will tell.
I think what's important though... is to keep plugging away... keep working... keep the ideas flowing.

What's inspiring you today?

2-4-15

It's overcast... and some would say, dreary.
But there is beauty in these days.... if you look.

I was reminded these past few days... that life is like that as well.
Hard times..... they hit us all... and while it's easy to wallow in misery...
these are sometimes the very moments that define us.
That shake us.
That make us.

And so I was perusing around the internet; and made a list; of sorts...
of things to try to remember when times are tough:

*pain is part of life. Some would say, without pain... you can't truly feel joy.
I am reminded of the one scene in the movie Constantine where the (former) archangel is punched straight in the jaw;
and Constantine says... "that's called pain.... get used to it."

*attitude is everything. Having a positive attitude can get you through most anything. Don't delude yourself, but don't feel defeated before you actually are. Don't get in the trap of feeling like everything is hopeless... because it becomes a form of self-fulfilling prophecy.

*you can turn it around. Too many people get caught up in the trap of blaming everyone else for whatever situation they are in.
Own it. Own your part in it. Then change it.
No one else is going to "fix" it for you... there are no fairy godmothers to come and blink it better...
at least, not that I know of... But you can.

*you are not alone. Look around! There are so many going through struggles, so many of a like-mind as you.... so many looking for a word of encouragement. Be that for someone else, and they will be there for you too. Find your peeps. Surround yourself with people who encourage you, not tear you down.

*things take time. We live in a time where we all want instant-gratification.
I blame it on Polaroid. We took a generation that had to wait 3 weeks to get film back in the mail.....
and gave it to them in under a minute.
>>kidding aside<< We see every single day people "succeeding" and it is always touted as an "overnight" sensation....
when in reality... it was probably years in the making.


--- and I will close with the one "big" truth I keep having to relearn... and that is; that others cannot validate you.
Don't hinge your happiness, your sense of self-worth, your value... on the opinions of others.
They are not in your shoes.
They do not live in your head and your heart.
I know it's hard, and I keep falling into this trap, myself. So I'm telling you...
~make your own rules. Define your own sense of self worth.
Know what success means to you... and stick with that.
And remember... if you don't like it.... change it.

2-3-15

It's hard to measure progress; and it's so very subjective.
What may be success and moving forward to some... is certainly not to others.
So how do you know when you are on the right track?

Lots of trainers/coaches/motivators... and such will tell you that the only way to stay on task
*for anything really* ...is to track your progress and make/set goals... and then review when you make them.

I am really bad at setting goals.
Not the BIG goal of course, but all the "little" goals that lead up to that BIG goal that you are striving for.
It's easy to get discouraged.
To see only the "failures".... to lose sight of what you really want to accomplish.
I know.
I think as artists, we all do the "self talk" that is, shall we say; less than complimentary.
You think you'll never get there.
You think you're just "spinning your wheels"...
You doubt your "worthiness" to even deserve to get there.

And so for today, I am trying to think.
Think about where it is I want go... what it is I want to accomplish...
and some smaller steps on the path to getting there.

Keep focused, my friends.
And I'll see you all tomorrow.

2-2-15

so... there's an extra foot or so of snow out there this am... and it's gorgeous.
I've also been fighting the urge to stay under the covers all day today...
so it was with some reluctance that the daughter and I went out to take a couple photos;
hence the lateness of my post for today.
But it was pretty.

I will say though, that this photo was obtained only by trudging up above my knees in drifts of snow...
and it was... to say the least; cold.

But now I am home, hot tea in hand... puppy at my feet.... fire in the fireplace.
And all is well with the world.

See you all tomorrow.

for the weekend

It's a sunny day here on the hill.... and it's hard to believe that it's the last few days of January already.
The paper whites and the hyacinth bulbs I planted in pots indoors; have bloomed and shared their beauty...
and it's almost time to let them rest.
And in spite of getting sick this week... I have rested as well....
and it's been good.

As per my usual weekend post; I've gathered some links to share with you all:

*people who have mastered the art of snow
*artist Henry Darger ... and thoughts on outsider art and mental illness
*artist Spencer Byles
*some cool cleaning/organizing hacks
*some amazing cuteness
*fabric collage artist Maartje Jaquet... and a bit more
*JellyFish!
*artist Ja Soon Kim
*a couple fellow artisans from the PA Wilds: Lynn Kibbe and Ellen Paquette
*a couple blogs I read: Clear North.... and Wink
.... and the songs of the pileated woodpecker. He visited me this week.

I hope you all have a great weekend... and I'll see you all back here on Monday.

1-30-15

And it's still snowing; albeit just a few light flurries here and there today.

One of the good things about running your own business... is that you can set your own hours and no one is going to holler at you. 'Course, the bad part is.... if things don't get done; it's no one's fault but your own.
Yesterday, I was so focused on finishing up the inventory; that I stayed on task until it was done... which was about 9:30pm....
which is when I had my dinner.
But, it's done.
All 265 items! ... and they are organized; and all the records match (from the physical inventory, to the stuff in the Etsy shop,
 to my big ledger book))... and it is good.

The nice part is; along the way I discovered a stash of inventory that I had made... and just never listed.
So... this coming week; I will be photographing and listing these "new" items.

The other thing I hope to concentrate on this year; is reselling.
I have a large amount of supplies to list (paper, ephemera, beads, findings),
vintage items (like books, linens, collectibles)
... and tons of contemporary jewelry pieces (Avon, Sara Conventry, Whiting Davis) to sell.

Time to get things moving along!
Wanna tag along?

1-29-15

Well, the snow is really coming down... at least, here on the hill.... it is ' a snowin' and a blowin'...
Right now, it's hovering around 18 degrees... but I fully expect it to drop.
But... inside, it's warm and we've coffee on ... and this is playing.... so all is good.

In years past; I've always done my "inventory" days in mid March.
It just always worked out better to do it then... but this year... (and now that I have an awesome new Moleskine ledger book)
... I've decided to tackle it early.

It's a funny thing in a way; you never know how much stuff you have.... 'til you start tallying it all up.
(who'd have thought that I had 52 scarves in my inventory?!)
And.... like this week.... I've discovered items that I had finished; but never listed.
So it's been fun.
I've gone through all the scarves, all the guitar picks, the upcycled ties and cufflinks...
and today... I am going through my inventory of envelopes, cards, and sets.
There is a lot more to do... but I am getting there.

I've also started a new section in my Etsy shop; called.... CREATE.
All the titles of my sections are verbs... which I feel is important as it implies an action... moving on... moving forward ...
which just feels right. The "create" section...  will showcase supplies, materials, bits and bobs for you to make your own cool items...
so stay tuned!

1-28-15

I was thinking the other day about the movie, "In the Realms of the Unreal"...
which talks about the life of artist/janitor Henry Darger. (It is fabulous movie by the way).
In the same light; I was thinking about another of my favorite artists, Vivian Maier
(and the subsequent movie about her life; "Finding Vivian Maier").
And I've come to a sort of conclusion... that you just have to find what you are truly passionate about... and stick with it.
Or as a friend of mine puts it "keep showing up."

Day in, Day out.
Every day.
Work on it.
Keep at it.
Don't be swayed.

(or as in the James Taylor song, "... never give up, never die young..."

1-27-15

As you all probably know... the northeast has been hit with a massive snowstorm....

and news all around has been really bad for some areas.

What it means for me, here ... is different though.

When I was born; I was a preemie... and along with that; came some problems...

one of which is a half formed set of frontal sinuses.

So... when there are storms like this... it can be really ugly for me; and it is.

Pressure goes in... and essentially, has no place to go.. and just builds and builds...

which means, severe headaches, eye problems, allergy type symptoms like sneezing and phlegm

 and bloodshot eyes, styes, and really bad facial swelling.

Point is.... I've been pretty much "out of commission" for the past couple days...

and I expect... a couple more before all is said and done.

Unfortunately, it also means (because my vision is really messed up)...

I can't do as much as I want.... nor as well as I would like.

But it sure is pretty out there.

The photo above; shows some of a massive collection of vintage jewelry that I have collected over the years. Some of it I've never even looked at; as I bought "lots" of things.. and it ended up being boxed up for the past year or so. I hope to get it all out... clean it all up... fix what is needed to be fixed... and start listing pieces of it for sale. Of course, broken bits will be great fodder for new pieces
 >>wink<<<

See you all tomorrow!

1-25-15

and so it is Monday... and we've the whole week ahead of us...

How do you cultivate creativity?
I know many artists/artisans... and it seems that as unique as all of us are; so too... are the ways in which we get inspired. Whether it be the movies.... reading.... gazing out the windows... walking along the city streets... or taking a ride in the country... there are so many ways in which to get that spark... that deep inspiration that moves us all.

This week... I'm encouraging you to find things that inspire you...
And to share with you what I've been making these past few days...
gemstone charms (and even a PA pine cone)...
and a twisted blue glass charm holder/ pendant that is just waiting for a chain.

for the weekend

The photo for today's post, is one I took a couple days ago when we took a road-trip out of town.
One of the roads we took went through a particularly gorgeous area of forest land; and we came across this beautiful waterfall.
~~whoa.

And... it's the weekend!
Which means, lots of links to share with you...

*world beard and mustache championships 2014
*7 types of broke
*printable pantry labels (organization!)
*the art of Sarolta Ban
*NASA - wow.
*Life advice from Werner Herzog
*beautiful bookshops
*the Rescued Film Project... and some fabulous film found in Antartica
*this looks yummy --- and it came from this blog
*the best OSCAR dresses since 1929
*how to tell a raven from a crow
*the art of trades
*Thailand's White Temple
*poet Mary Carolyn Davies .... and THIS

which brings me to a couple blog sites I want to share with you...
*A Year of Being Here
*Katie Daisy
*Joanna Concejo
*Alexandra Gjurasic
*Anahata Katkin

I hope you have a great weekend... and I'll see you all back here on Monday.

1-23-15

winter's lace

frosting on the pines

in the shadows where brief flashes of sunlight

dare not tread

where the birds chirp from the rooftops

critters nestle under branches

and my soul takes it's rest from this weary world

~~~

happy Friday to you all!

Stay warm, and I'll see you all tomorrow for the weekend post.

1-22-15

Life has many twists and turns... forks in the road.... bridges to cross.
I was reminded of this the other day.
We had taken a day-trip; and had ventured part of the drive on a notable road called Wykoff Run.
It's twisty, it's curvy... it's not often "maintained"... but it is also a great scenic road through some really gorgeous forest land.

Funny how that is.
What can be; on one hand... "harrowing"... can also be exceedingly beautiful and worthwhile.
And so it is with life.
Sometimes the "worst of times"... can actually be "the best of times"... in the whole scheme of things.

Just some thoughts to ponder on this Thursday morning... as the snow is gently falling.

~~~~~

we are here

to laugh

at the odds

and live our lives

so well that

death

will tremble

to take us

---by Charles Bukowski, in an interview with Life Magazine, December 1988.

1-21-15

under my skin

icy tentacles reaching upward

wrapping around my heart

pulses racing

heart pounding

blood coursing

throat clenching

eyes burning from tears not yet shed

too soon

memories fading

fog lifting

legs stretching

eyelids raising

waking

1-20-15

This whole past few days have been a blur.
I am tired.
Really tired.

Today, weather permitting... we are taking a small road-trip.
It's essential... and we haven't done it in far too long.
I am in desperate need of a book shop... and about 4hours to browse and read.

So for today, I am showing you some snapshots of some gorgeous paperwhite narcissus bulbs I was gifted ...
that I planted and are now in full bloom. They are simply stunning.
And the scent is intoxicating.

And what's going on in the studio?
Well, it's cold down there... but I still have managed to go forth and make a few pairs of earrings... like this one:

Fossilized sea coral in autumnal tones... with some freshwater pearls and gold plated findings.
Soon to be in my Etsy shop.

1-19-15

"Only in the darkness, can you see the stars..." Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr

Sometimes, it's those darkest of times... when you can see the most clearly.

The worst of times, when you truly know who your friends are.

The saddest times.... when you are offered the most hope.

(artwork by my daughter, Kristin)