4-17-17


It's "Maker Monday!".... my weekly post where I feature something the daughter
 and/or I are working on.... and (hopefully) encourage the maker lifestyle.

This past week, I managed to place a couple orders for beads...
with the idea that I probably won't be ordering anything "new" again other than perhaps wire and solder and clay... for some time.
I also bought a replacement camera body for my camera that died back in early February.
I find that it is very hard for me to spend money.
Oh... it's not that I don't like too... and there are certainly lots of things out there I drool over...
it's just that the time and energy spent here in PA these past few years has really brought home the importance of
 "only getting what you really want and/ or really need."
It is not decision making based on hardship... although the money part is certainly a factor...
it's more the narrowing down and "fine-tuning" of my selected focus.
And that, is always a good thing.

That said... I cannot imagine me living without a camera to use, or beads in my stash of stuff.

This weekend, I found a  home for the last 5-6 large tubs of books I had to potentially sell on Ebay...
and today I hope to go through 2 big tubs of cactus wood scraps... picking out a few pieces that I want for crafts and for sentiment
... and the rest is going to a couple people I know who love making things.
What this means though.... in a practical sense...
is that I have gone through everything in the studio space, and in the household space...
and narrowed it down to the things we want... and the things we need.
We still have 20 or so projects to work on for our Upcycle Madness creations...
which I am sure we will work on more as the weather becomes nicer...
but the majority of the work is now done. Now, that does not mean that I won't (or shouldn't)
 go through stuff periodically if things are building up.. or if things are no longer important.
After all, that is a constant evolution.
But... it it now coming time to begin the serious work of crafting my life,
and making things I adore.
... what will I have to show you next week? hmmm....

4-14-17


... I am so tired.
So I am resting as much as I can.
... and trying to get a few things done when I am awake...
Fortunately, the local Volunteer Ambulance crew was cooking up some
 fantastic BBQ chicken, macaroni salad and beans... so supper is taken care of.
Gotta love small towns and their good food.

Stay safe everyone... It's a busy weekend out there.
See you all tomorrow.

4-13-17


This year, perhaps more than ever before... we have realized the importance of clearing out,
using things as much as you can (and in new ways)... and of salvaging and fixing things up.
To this end, I thought I would do a series of posts on clearing out and organizing, and living a simpler life.
I hope to do one once a week (Check out previous posts on Thursdays!)

---------------------------------------------------------

A lot of what is considered "clearing out" ... is actually narrowing down what is really important to you... and getting rid of the rest. Sometimes, you can pass it on to other family members, friends, or even sell stuff.
The "hard" part... is know what you love... knowing what you want to concentrate your free time working on...
and what you would rather not live without.

As artists, it is easy to see the potential in everything.... so it's hard to unload things
everything has brilliance and excitement!
But the reality is that there is only so much time, so much you have energy to work with...
and it really is in your best interests to narrow it down. Even though you are getting rid of things... you are gaining so much more.

To this end, this week I organized some of my beading and jewelry supplies.
These are earrings that I made that have recently sold, and another batch that is in the Etsy shop.
Plus!!! ... more to come.

I also finished a crocheted scarf (top photo)... which my mom quickly grabbed for herself.

See you all tomorrow.



4-12-17


Back in June 2016, I started a new "series" of posts... if you will... 
 And so on Wednesdays; I've been posting an old photograph to inspire your creativity.
Write a poem!   
 Plot out a short story.
 Have inspiration for a piece of art or composition.... let your artistic soul shine.
--and occasionally I write my own sordid story or poem. 
 (you can click on the photos in this post to make it larger to see).

~~~

Today I don't have a story so much as a recollection.
Actually... several.
After all, I think most of us remember when our parents would make us all get in our "Sunday Best"
... especially for Easter. For guys, this usually meant a new suit or tie.
For the girls... at least in my family... it was a dress and a hat.
I love hats, and somewhere along the way got out of the habit of wearing them.
I'm thinking it's time to change that.

I don't know anything about these girls, save for the fact that
I have several photos of them growing up through the years that were in an album
I purchased at an antique shop several years ago.
I know the youngest daughter in the front, must have just gotten glasses,
because they are missing in earlier photographs of her. I also know she had a pet pig that she bottle fed.
At any rate, none of the sisters look thrilled to be all dressed up.
Seems like they would rather be back on the farm...

4-11-17


Who knew I had all this leather?? all of it was gifted to me over the past couple years, so I am thrilled to be able to pass it on to someone else. A friend of mine does leather-work, and I think has some good pieces to play with in there. I did pull out a shoe-box's worth... future fodder for jewelry... so that is exciting as well. 



Things are winding down. I think all I have left to list (on Ebay) out of the studio is some random costume jewelry lots, and tons of books and magazines. It is good to be making headway. And very cool to be at a point where I can work on things I love. 
On an aside... I have been extraordinarily tired these past few weeks.... and have been sleeping (or trying to) more... which... I have to believe is helping on some level. Either way, it is what it is... and I find myself only productive for a few hours each day.

This coming weekend is going to be incredibly busy with Easter, functions to take my mom too...
an open house at my friend's shop in Germania (look HERE too), and a memorial get-together for a friend who passed away. 

Keep creating folks! 
See you all tomorrow.

4-10-17


It's "Maker Monday!".... my weekly post where I feature something the daughter
 and/or I are working on.... and (hopefully) encourage the maker lifestyle.

This week, I haven't had as much time in the studio... 
I am still in a flare of my lupus... and I find that I can only do things in brief snatches of time.
That said... it is perfect for making earrings.
They don't take horribly long to make, and the stones are so gorgeous
 that it cheers me just to see them and work with them.
About once a year, I place an order with a lady I know in Thailand who has the most stunning stones for earrings.  
These 3 pair are ones I finished this week, with stones from her.


Dendritic agates, luxuriously wire wrapped in sterling wire, and accented with some antique
 carved bone beads that I had from my grandmother's stash of beads.


Blue coral and orange coral! Set together in an intarsia pattern, and accented with some
 very blue Lapis Lazuli rounds. And of course, lots of sterling silver wire and my signature ball end ear wires.


I have never seen Lapis Lazuli this rich in color. 
You can even see pyrite/bronze flecks in it that are just amazing. 
I have accented them with more Lapis rounds and some Hematite beads.
I love making longer earrings... and these stones are just amazing.

Keep creating folks! 
See you all tomorrow.

for the weekend


fuzzy gods winging
stem to stem, fragrant blossoms
calling them to tea

~~~~

--> looking towards warmer weather with this photo I took last year of zinnias in bloom.
May you all have a peaceful weekend.
See you all back here on Monday.

4-7-17


This is a photo I took this past summer, and hadn't edited or posted... so I thought I would share it today. 
It's been snowing.... probably the last snow for this winter. 
It's just a dusting... but it's cold, and damp... and spring seems so far off today.

I was finally able to sleep today... unfortunately... I managed to sleep most all day
... so nothing of note got done. >>sigh<< Such is life sometimes.
On the plus side, we have another furry friend visiting with us this weekend... 
it's good to have a pup in the house. 
See you all tomorrow for my weekend post.

4-6-17


This year, perhaps more than ever before... we have realized the importance of clearing out,
using things as much as you can (and in new ways)... and of salvaging and fixing things up.
To this end, I thought I would do a series of posts on clearing out and organizing, and living a simpler life.
I hope to do one once a week (Check out previous posts on Thursdays!)

---------------------------------------------------------

I think I am (finally) at a point where I've gone through everything in the studio space.
Today I listed the last of the memorabilia I had ... which is good.
What's left (to unload) is a HUGE bunch of books that I intend to sell on Ebay.
These are books that I previously separated from all the boxes of books that we had...
because they had collectible or resell value.
The "bonus" of selling off the extra stuff you have, is that:
1. spare money
2. more room in your place
3. less stuff to worry about taking care of

And it's been raining off and on all day...
So I've warmed up some beef stew I had in the freezer for a day such as this.
Enjoy your evening... I'll see you all tomorrow.





4-5-17


Back in June 2016, I started a new "series" of posts... if you will... 
 And so on Wednesdays; I've been posting an old photograph to inspire your creativity.
Write a poem!   
 Plot out a short story.
 Have inspiration for a piece of art or composition.... let your artistic soul shine.
--and occasionally I write my own sordid story or poem. 
 (you can click on the photos in this post to make it larger to see).

~~~

"We are just sunshine, fading in the grass, " she said as she turned and walked towards the door.
He didn't know what to say. Since meeting Tillie last summer, Dave had known it wouldn't last.
He just didn't expect it to end like this.... with her... smiling and singing softly as she packed her suitcase. It was one of those worn, round cases that used to house a hairdryer. His mom had had one like it. But Tillie's was orange... like the happiness he felt every time he saw her. It had stickers on it, gathered from all the places she had been to.... The Grand Canyon, Hollywood...
even the Garden of the Gods sticker gave him a menacing look as she zipped it closed.
It was good. He knew she was meant for better things.
Warm beaches, fish tacos... the surf... and so she was heading out to Half Moon Bay in California.
Her grandmother lived there, writing bad dime novels and selling antiques.
And soon... Tillie would be there too. She wanted to open a little cafe with used books and imported tea.
He sighed. It was time. It was ok.
He would go back to work... and possibly settle down with the teacher at the Elementary school.
 It would be fine.... but it wouldn't be Tillie.
"Swim in the moonlight and think of me.... " he said.... but she was already gone.

4-4-17


dodging the raindrops
looking for signs of springtime
crows nesting in pines



Today it's been raining off an on... .but I went out to look at the green sprouting to life.
The rhubarb is coming up... as are the onions and garlic and leeks! that I planted near the creek.
And there is a huge pair of crows that are actively building a nest in one of the pine trees.
Life is good.

4-3-17


It's "Maker Monday!".... my weekly post where I feature something the daughter
 and/or I are working on.... and (hopefully) encourage the maker lifestyle.

I love working with beads. The colors... the textures... the shape and size... I love it all. I found these Mercury dimes online, and decided they would make a great pair of earrings. But what to put with them? The first photo for today's post shows some of the contenders...
Topaz, Faceted chalcedony, chrysocolla, emeralds (not great quality... but the color is rich), Malachite, Russian Amazonite, Turquoise, Unakite, Moss Quartz, Vesuvuanite...
      And the dish below shows what I picked... which was a gorgeous Blue Fluorite. Blue is the rarest of the Fluorite colors... and I think they are really pretty. But what to accent them with? I narrowed it down to Peacock Blue faceted Apatite, Hematite or Mystic Kyanite.  Because I wanted to bring out the subtle blue a bit better... I went with the Kyanite.


Ironically, the beads I chose (The Blue Fluorite and the Mystic Kyanite) both help you to cut through your fear...
and assist you in making good decisions.
 Ultimately... they are both thought to help with a positive self confidence and lessening of stress.


How cool is that?
See you all tomorrow....


3-31-17


I seem to be moving in slow motion this week.
I am sure it is the chilly, rainy weather we've been having... sprinkled with episodes of sleet and snow. 
But the sun has also been shining in rare moments.... and I need to concentrate on that.

Today I am doing laundry for my mom... and chores around my house a bit.
Nothing exciting... but it s this "busy work" that has me trudging along. And that is good... because my inclination is to crawl back into my bed. I have just been exhausted this week... and not with good reason in particular. Alas... some times it just is. 
And that is ok... it just means that when I do get to feeling a bit better... there are some exciting things to be working on.

Today I got a short note in the mail from a lady from Indonesia, that I've ordered beads from off and on for the past decade.
It read, "Dear Elaine, Many thanks for your order. I hope that these come full of good Bali energy and inspiration. 
Warm, best wishes from the Island of the Gods." 
And... so I would pass on to all of you readers... that may you also find the warmth today. 
Let it inspire you and keep you moving along.
See you all tomorrow.

3-30-17


This year, perhaps more than ever before... we have realized the importance of clearing out,
using things as much as you can (and in new ways)... and of salvaging and fixing things up.
To this end, I thought I would do a series of posts on clearing out and organizing, and living a simpler life.
I hope to do one once a week (Check out previous posts on Thursdays!)

---------------------------------------------------------

I've been working all day.... photographing and listing things to sell.
I would like to say this is the last of the memorabilia and odd stuff that I cam clearing
 out of the studio space, but of course, if I say that, I will surely find more.

The important part is... that I am clearing out.
And so it goes. If you are able to do a little bit at a time... your efforts will be rewarded.
Don't put it off until you can tackle an entire room... you'll never start.
After all, "Rome wasn't built in a day"...

See you all tomorrow.



(you can click on these 2 bottom photos if you want to see them bigger)

3-29-17


Back in June 2016, I started a new "series" of posts... if you will... 
 And so on Wednesdays; I've been posting an old photograph to inspire your creativity.
Write a poem!   
 Plot out a short story.
 Have inspiration for a piece of art or composition.... let your artistic soul shine.
--and occasionally I write my own sordid story or poem. 
 (you can click on the photos in this post to make it larger to see).

~~~

I don't really have a story for this one...
But I will tell you, this photograph is one of my favorites.

I bought this piece at an antique shop several years ago.
At first, I was really concerned that the older girl in the photo was the mother...
I know that lots of young girls married at very young ages during the Victorian years.
However, I choose to believe that these girls are actually sisters...
even though they really don't resemble each other much.

What is your take?
See you all tomorrow.

3-28-17



 I know I have posted photos of my christmas cactus before; but I can't get over how pretty she is....
even though she is blooming at a rather wonky time of year for this kind of plant.
alas....

Today I am putzing around the house and gathering bits and bobs for future jewelry making.
I have added a new section to my Etsy shop; entitled "Nemophilia"... which means, "lover of the woods." 
This section will feature jewelry with a flare for nature. So... fine pieces of jewelry with feathers, bones, pieces of wood, 
stones, bullet casings, fishing lures... anything that reminds me of walks in the woods here. 
I've made jewelry like this before; but it's time to bring the flavor of nature back.

See you all tomorrow.


3-27-17


some times.... you just have to go with the flow.
We are in the interesting position of trying to earn a living/ being self employed... while taking care of mom.... and while dealing with (my own) chronic illness...  and there are episodes where my time management skills  and my energy levels are a bit lacking. I apologize for missing the posts for Friday and the weekend. We did, however, have a great visit from one of our furry friends, who decided to spend the weekend with us. It was great to have a dog in the house again.

And here it is Monday.
I must say, having been off the computer for a couple days was really strange (and a bit overwhelming when I did log on this afternoon) ---it's funny how you get so used to doing things.
We did manage to watch several movies
-Season 1 of Peaky Blinders: really, really good
-Weekend: really bad. Turned it off after several minutes.
-Is the Man who is tall Happy?: a documentary/ animated interview with Naom Chomsky. Interesting, but a bit hard to follow because of the interviewer's accent.
-Wild: sort of an abrupt ending, but pretty good

Today would normally be a "Maker Monday" post... where I feature something the daughter or I are working on... and encourage the maker lifestyle. This weekend, I (finally) finished going through and sorting the last of the things in my studio space. I have tubs of things (mostly books) that I will be listing on Ebay, and some great things to incorporate into collage and jewelry making. It is very exciting.
I also received a couple orders of beads in the mail.... and am so excited to be working with these new shells, pearls and gemstones.
Top photo: Grey, white, peach Heishi shell beads, Campitos (mexico) Turquoise, Spiny Oyster shell beads and freshwater pearls.
Bottom photo: stunning faceted Pink Sapphire beads, and raw pink Tourmaline chunks.

I am however, quite exhausted. ... so I will leave you for today.
Stay positive... keep creating! ... and I will see you all tomorrow.



3-23-17



This year, perhaps more than ever before... we have realized the importance of clearing out,
using things as much as you can (and in new ways)... and of salvaging and fixing things up.
To this end, I thought I would do a series of posts on clearing out and organizing, and living a simpler life.
I hope to do one once a week (Check out previous posts on Thursdays!)

---------------------------------------------------------

When you have a specific "hoard" of things you need to organize, it can sometimes be overwhelming.
For me, truth be told, I got lucky.

I was able to get this incredible supplies cabinet for about half the original cost on a yard sale page when we lived in New Mexico. Cabinets and storage solutions like this go a long way in helping a person get organized with their stuff.

In addition to the large cabinet, I use several different "systems" of storage for my beading supplies.

1. I use simple plastic compartment boxes. Each kind of bead or finding has it's own little compartment, and I put labels both on the inside lid cover, and on the side facing a person when they are all stacked on a shelf. It makes for easier "hunting" when trying to find a particular stone or some such.

2. I also use plain black trays that I purchased from Rio Grande. I have 10 or so, and
each one of these trays holds all the items for a specific project ... or in the case of one tray...
a whole bunch of vintage beads and pairs of stones that will be made into earrings.
Want to work on a specific project? no problem... it's all in a single tray ready to be worked on.

3. I use jars. I love old jars, and so I've incorporated them into the studio.
Some store itty bitty seed beads, tumbled stones, bones, feathers, ...even lampwork glass beads
that I bought in bulk from an artisan that used to show at the Flea Market in Albuquerque.

So. Think about what you have to organize, and what containers you already have on hand that
 would work to store them in. Labels are your friend.
Don't have the right storage solutions? There are a billion of them out there.
You are sure to find one that is perfect for you things.

See you all tomorrow.