2-29-16


What a crazy weekend. I went to open a new Etsy shop to sell just supplies, and somehow it changed the name of my current and long-standing shop... >>>sigh<< So. Until this gets straightened out at Etsy... please disregard the shop name; it's still me.

Sometimes the computer is not my friend. I work really hard on things... and sometimes it backfires. Such is life, I suppose... but it is certainly frustrating. In this particular case, a glitch has happened, and I can't undo it. So I have to wait for someone else to fix it. There are days when life is definitely 2 steps forward, 3 steps back.

In other news.... I did make some things this weekend. I made 5 pair of gemstone and sterling silver earrings for the shop. I made a 6th pair that I am offering up for FREE. Simple sign in to Facebook, and go to my business Facebook page  -- like and share; and I will enter your name into a jar. The winning name will be pulled out TUESDAY. The earrings are a simple hoop design, made with sterling silver wire and rainbow Fluorite beads. Fluorite is such a pretty stone. The winning earrings look like this:


I also made this pair. Featuring some stunning Druzy Quartz, old stock yellow calcite in faceted nugget shaped beads, and some gorgeous Russian blue kyanite teardrops -- these are all wire wrapped in sterling silver. Raw, lux, and beautiful.


And I submitted an application to be a vendor at a fairly big show later on this year... so we'll see.
Keep creating folks! .... See you all tomorrow.

for the weekend


I was talking with a friend the other night about traveling... specifically, how beautiful different places are... how varied the people and the landscapes... and how one's mind opens up the more you experience. And it made me even more determined to get out and go a bit more this year; as we are able...
But hey... it's the weekend, and per my usual routine; I've gathered some links to share with you all:

*speaking of road trips
*about Jack Kerouac ... and more
*the full original album!!! Buckingham Nicks
*Bucks County photographer "new" photos (and here)
*Loving Vincent
*street art in Glasgow
*heirloom seed catalogs
*11 plants for wellness
*garden ideas (pinterest)
*traveling music

**and something just for fun.

I hope you all have a great weekend, and I will see you all back here on Monday for my "maker Monday" post.


2-26-16


Happy Friday everyone!
It's been a very strange week... and I for one, am grateful that the weekend is upon us.
One day it's warm... the next it is snowing... it has almost been mirroring my level of activity.
Sometimes I am crazy productive... and others... not so much. It's been a bit of a roller coaster.

So many folks I know are going through big changes right now. Good changes, not so good changes... lots of flux. And us too. I think (and good friends have reminded me lately) that sometimes you just have to let go. Do what you can... be the best you that you can be... and let the rest of it all go. Let it fall. Let it sprout and grow wings if it can... but if not... it's ok. The past can steal your present... and your future if you let it. Not everyone and everything in your life is meant to take root and stay. Happiness is often, not the absence of problems... but working around them. Working through them... rising above them.

See you all tomorrow...

2-24-16



so yes, I did get my work table cleared off last night... which was no small task.
It's amazing how things can (literally and figuratively) pile up.
So many things to do...

After the table was cleared, I decided to work on a somewhat simple task... making guitar picks for the Etsy shop. I have a supply of store gift cards, credit cards, etc that I use.... and so I set about cutting them up... trying to place the design at interesting spots on the card. Then... an hour or so was spent sanding and filing the edges so they are smoother. It's not difficult work...  but it can be tedious. ... which I why I usually do things like this in batches. Last night I made just over 100 guitar picks, and got them all sanded. This afternoon, I took a few photos, and got them listed in the Etsy shop. Since starting to make these (many) years ago... they have consistently been a popular item. And I really like that they are one of the ways I can recycle and re-purpose things so they don't end up in a landfill somewhere.

Keep creating! ... and I'll see you all tomorrow.


The photos for today's post were both made using new features on a program I have. The bottom one here is a zoom effect on the edges. 
The top photo shows a mirror effect... and reminds me of those ink blot art pieces we all did in elementary school. Fun :)

2-23-16


They say it always gets worse, before it gets better... but you've got to keep going.
There is some truth in that... at least with cleaning and organizing. For me at least, it always looks like a small tornado has hit; before things begin to get truly organized and back in place. Such is the case right now with the studio space.

I am sure most artists would agree... that their studio is always in flux. There is most always some level of deep and dark dysfunction...
My main thing is... I need at least one large CLEAN space to work on. Free of clutter.... free of stuff that doesn't belong there. And so... that is my goal for today. There are so many "hacks" and articles on how to organize your space... and basically, you just have to know what will work for you. Some things are pretty standard...

-have a place for reference materials (books, videos)
-have organized spaces for your tools
-have specific places to store your supplies (and keep them there .. ie: put them back when you're done)
-put all the supplies for specific projects together (and store together til you can do the project)
-make places for displaying finished works
-get rid of things you haven't used in years, are broken and need to fix (you probably won't get to it), multiples of the same supply, etc.

Here are 3 articles I found on the internet that may help:
*here and *here and **here

Have fun... and keep creating! See you all tomorrow...


2-22-16


Monday's can be difficult... sometimes bursting with the harsh reality of coming off a (hopefully) relaxing weekend. And there is always the beginning of the week rush of stuff to do... check the mail, do the computer stuff, wash dishes, do the vacuuming and dusting, sweeping of floors, stripping of the beds/ laundry, checking in with mom... or at least, for me... that is the routine. Today was no exception. This morning, I had a problem with anxiety (again) that was disrupting to my sleep... which is always frustrating, to say the least... and frankly, was throwing me off.
But alas...

Searching the news... I found that there was good news to be happy about... a beloved (for many folks) former resident coming home... spring in the air... blue skies above... So I opened all the doors and aired things out a bit, lit some incense and brewed some coffee.

But what to do for my "maker Monday" post...
I've been so wrapped up in the stress of job situations... family problems... cleaning out the studio... selling things we don't need... that I haven't been making the time to create things as much as I used too. In fact, it's been almost a full week since I even attempted to sit down and make something. Which is part of the problem. For me, at least, I find that if I go for more than a day or two without taking time to work on a project, make something, be creative... I get weird. I get cranky... I can't sleep well... my whole disposition can change.  Yes, I have been endlessly busy.... and yes, I have been productive in lots of things.... but honoring my creative muse hasn't been one of them.
Realizing this (and yes, feeling a little guilty about it all)... I went to the studio to sit for a bit. I promised I wouldn't leave until I had made something... and yes, I feel better for it.

Inspired by some "spring like" color combinations... I made a pair of earrings that feature brilliant Russian Chrome Diopside beads in a beautiful green; and accented them with some freshwater pearls. Reading more about Chrome Diopside, I discovered that (metaphysically) these stones are thought to help one heal the heart... to shed the tears you need to shed in order to heal. To allow oneself to love yourself, and to share that love with others around you. It is also thought to help boost creativity... and promote visualization and dreaming.
wow. How perfect is that?!

See you all tomorrow.


for the weekend


It's been a beautiful week with the snow.... and now blue skies. Winter has (finally) shown up... or at least, a little of it has. The photograph for today's post, is one I took a couple days ago... and I love how the colors blend and almost look like a very old painting. It was overcast, and wet... and the snow was weighing the branches down like a woman with too many groceries in hand.

These last few days of February I need to work harder. I need to work on cleaning out and selling more of the stuff in my studio space... and I need to work on new handcrafted items, because the art show season will be upon us before we realize it. And I need to make a "vision board"... hopes, dreams, needs... worries for family and friends... they all need to be on there. I am craving a bit of organization... and manifestation.

But for now, it is the weekend. The coffee is being made, a radio station must be chosen... and I've links to share with you all that I gathered this week:

*Did you know that Picasso did linocut prints?
*the church of bones
*Abi Wade (and listen to this one too)
*the snail with an armor of iron... and more here
*a video of the Longqi Vent Field, deep in the SW Indian Ocean
*Mystery of the Shell Grotto, and more on wiki
*did you know that John Denver, yes... the singer... was also a photographer? Look here.
*43 books you won't be able to stop talking about
*photographer Caryn Drexl
*some blog sites from my reading list


Ah but alas... more coffee needs to be made... and work to do.
See you all back here on Monday for my "maker monday" post...

2-19-16


...every now and then I decide to play around with multiple images I have taken.
Keep creating.

See you all tomorrow.

2-18-16


late last evening, we received some soul crushing news. 
and today; even though the sun is shining... 
even though the birds are singing,
even though the skies are blue and the air is crisp and clean,
I feel as though I am drowning.

See you all tomorrow.

~~~

((photo is of some "found" poetry of my daughter's ... with bits and snips of wording from old magazines))

2-17-16



Another day in the life...
As you know, I have been trying to go through a rather large stash of randomosity... bits and bobs I've collected over the years... from yard sales, garage sales, dumpster dives... things people have given, thrown out... discarded...
The past few days I have been looking up info on a few things to potentially sell.

Among those items, are a couple little frozen charlotte type dolls (text below is from Wiki).
"Frozen Charlotte is a name used to describe a specific form of China doll made from c. 1850 to c. 1920. The name comes from the American folk ballad “Fair Charlotte”, which tells of a young girl called Charlotte who refused to wrap up warmly to go on a sleigh ride because she did not want to cover up her pretty dress; and she froze to death during the journey. The Frozen Charlotte doll is made in the form of a standing, naked figure molded all in one piece. These dolls may also be seen described as pillar dolls, solid chinas or bathing babies. The dolls ranged in size from under an inch to 18 inches plus. The smallest dolls were sometimes used as charms in Christmas puddings. Smaller sizes were very popular for putting in doll houses. Occasionally versions are seen with a glazed china front and an unglazed stoneware back. This enabled the doll to float on its back when placed in a bath. Frozen Charlotte dolls were popular during the late 19th and early 20th centuries in the United States. Smaller versions of the dolls were also known as penny dolls, because they were often sold for a cent. Most were made in Germany. They are also made in bisque; and can come in white, pink-tinted, or, more rarely, painted black. Some rare examples have molded shirts. Male dolls (identified by their boyish hairstyles) are called Frozen Charlies."

 The red toned one in the 2nd photo is actually called "Charlie Redware," with redware referring to the flesh tone of the doll because they were made from a red clay. And the bottom photo is of the more typical style of frozen Charlotte dolls.

See you all tomorrow...

2-16-16


Well, I woke to an icy morning here on the hill... and it's quite beautiful.
In a twist of irony, the area schools were closed on Friday and yesterday because the schools had extra "snow days" to use; seeing as we have had such a snow-less winter. And of course, today... we got snow, slush and ice.  Mother Nature (I'm sure) is laughing somewhere.
Thankfully, I don't have anywhere I have to be today.

I've lots of things to potentially work on, some business stuff to take care of... things to do around the house.
... we'll see what happens. Right now, my pillow is calling me back...

See you all tomorrow.


2-15-16


It's "maker Monday"... here on the blog.
As you know, I've been working on clearing out extra stuff out of the house. It's a wonderful thing.. but it can also be quite difficult. As an artist, one of the "gifts" is that don't always look at things the way other people do. Take for instance, the ordinary (empty and clean) soup can. Some see trash, some see recycling, some see... gee, if I cut this out into shapes, and sand the bits.... I will have some pretty cool pieces for a mobile... or jewelry... or to embellish a journal... and the list goes on. It's not so simple now to simply discard things; even if they are going to the recycling bin.

One of the things I've done for several winters now; is to go through my yarn basket.
Over the course of the year, I will gather up bits of yarn from yard sales, or thrift shops... or as gifts from other people cleaning out their stash... and I will see what goes together... what I want to work with... and I will make some scarves or dishcloths or whatever, over the winter months. This year, winter really didn't come... so I got behind on this particular task. So this weekend... I went through all the yarn and made some groupings to sell, a few groupings to re-gift, a small bag of bits to use for packaging up things, and I set some aside in my yarn basket for future use. I even wound up a sizable ball of shorter bits to make a truly "remnant" type of scarf.

I also found that I had a couple very small remnants of cotton yarn... so I made some washcloths.
They are not awesome, and certainly not horribly noteworthy... but they do come in handy (see the photo below).
Plus... it's a great use for smaller bits.... so the "recycler" and the "artist" within... are quite content.

Keep creating folks! See you all tomorrow.


for the weekend


Happy weekend!
With Valentine's Day and President's Day... it's a busy weekend for lots of folks.
This weekend, I was asked to do some photos for a local restaurant, and it was loads of fun. Any opportunity to combine taking photographs, and sampling some awesome food... is always a good day's work in my book. I've included a couple shots that I took below...
But hey! It's the weekend... and per my usual routine; I have gathered some links to share with you all:

*learning and helping all at the same time
*I am enamored with this.... and here it is .... and more.
*aerial drone of New Mexico
*car lover? Check this out.

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



2-12-16



One of my favorite photos of our son.
Happy Birthday Michael ... may this year & every year be awesome.


---see you all tomorrow for my weekend post.

2-11-16


...yesterday, I somehow had a major head cold/ sinus issue/ allergy problem... not sure what it was...
And today, after taking a hefty dose of Nyquil and cups and cups of tea last evening... I am a quite a bit better.
It's a chilly morning... and we've gotten a dusting of snow... thank goodness we have coffee.

I think if I were to write a book about recent things or prose... I would have to name it "a winter without snow"... hmmmmmmmm. 
I may just have to consider that. So many ideas.
One thing about being an artist... you are never without cool ideas... it's just which ones to act on.
My mind is buzzing with interesting ideas... where will your ideas take you?

See you all tomorrow...

2-9-16


Another busy day today... this time with a meeting with the PA Wilds Artisan Trail. 
Exciting! stuff coming up in the future. 

And it's gotten me thinking about colors, designs... 
supplies I need to get, some things I need to order...  and new things to make...
Like these knitting markers I just mailed out today for a friend.

Keep creating folks!... and I'll see you all tomorrow.


2-8-16


 well... I am trying to get my groove back.

Other than being at the ocean, nothing quite makes me feel more like me... than when I am making things. I love working with all sorts of materials... and hope to do more as the weather and my health allows. Before you know it, spring will be here, and it will be much nicer working in the studio space. In the meantime, smaller, faster projects are on the table... and that is ok.
There are always lots of things to do.

So... for today's "Maker Monday" post; I thought I would share some photos of some earrings I made these past few days. The top photo shows some scrumptious Sodalite stone beads accented with impressive sterling silver Bali style beads.

The photo just below, shows from left to right: Rose Quartz faceted beads with solid sterling Hill Tribe beads (happy cloud pattern rondelles and pretty flower charms). Next are some handmade glass bumpy beads and tassels of silver chain. Last in that set, are some exquisite faceted aqua toned Chalcedony briolettes with rounds of Opal and faceted peacock blue Apatite stones.
The bottom photo shows: long dangles of crystals with intarsia beads (African Turquoise and Amazonite in a single cabochon). Then there are some simple little Rose Quartz dangles. Bottom left are lavender toned faceted Chalcedony briolettes with Hematite stars. And lastly, are some more long dangles. These showcase Hematite stone beads, brown lava beads, and some gorgeous pieces of Arborized Opal from Africa. All the findings are sterling silver or silver plate, and are handmade as well.

It's amazing how art can save us from the brink. Mentally, physically... and more.
Keep creating folks! ... and I will see you all tomorrow.


for the weekend


It's amazing how a sunny day can sometimes turn things around.
Nature, oftentimes... can be the best medicine.

This week, the daughter found some super cool links... and I thought I would share them with you:
*artist Aganetha Dyck
*artist Yeesookyung ... and more here
*artist Gregory Euclide ... and more here

and then I came across these:
*this sounds like a great working vacation
*here's a cool coloring book inspired by nature that you can download
*itching to travel? I know I am ...

Well, that's it for this post. Time to make some tea...
 --- see you all on Monday for my "Maker Monday" post.


2-5-16


And yesterday... I finally felt "up" to working in the studio. 
I feel on a certain level, that I lost all of January... stress is an ugly thing.... but it is what it is.
Life sometimes, can be really difficult... and... sometimes our worries and fears and take on a much bigger role than they should.
It's amazing really, when you think about it... and how to get out of it can be a colossal undertaking.

There are so many sites out there with bits of wisdom on how to de-stress, and I certainly don't know it all...
but there are some things that seem to be universally touted as ways to help:

Breathe deeply
Try to eat in a healthy manner
meditate
listen to music you love
watch something funny
take a walk/ exercise
snuggle your dog
incorporate plants into your living space
get some good sleep

--- I wish you all a very happy Friday... and I will see you all tomorrow for my weekend post.