6-27-17


The past couple of days, I finished up a couple upcycle projects for sale. 
I love these old chairs, and of course, I love plants... so the combination is pretty cool.
They look great at an entrance....  or on the porch. 

Projects like these are fun, and hopefully folks enjoy them.
(you can click on the photos below to enlarge them)

More coming! See you all tomorrow.




6-26-17


Happy Monday! ... I hope you all had a great weekend.

Some times life is like walking near a spider web (no... not like Gwen Stefani's song... although it is cool). You skirt the edges so as not to fall into the abyss. You get tangled up in endless "strings"... attachments that may or may not work for you... oh... and you can get eaten.

It's been a rough road since moving back to PA. We are glad we did it, for many reasons... not the least of which is being able to help take care of my mom. But ... the job market is precarious to say the least. We have survived on my income (just what I make selling art and such)... and we've cashed in everything we could as far as savings, insurance and investments. My hubby has worked a couple different jobs... both temporary... and continues to look. But in the meantime he is working hard on creating a dream... that of writing works of fiction. He has completed 2 short stories, and is working on a novel. Of course, that doesn't pay anything... at least not until (hopefully) he is published. So. We are as frugal as we can be with what we have... and are trying to unload as much of the things we don't need as possible until something more stable comes along.


It is not easy "living the dream..." as someone put it. 
But ... in the whole scheme of things... we couldn't be happier. We have a garden, which we love. We have a nice house in a very quiet neighborhood. I have a great pup... and even on days when I am sick... things are ok. Yes, things could be better, but they could most assuredly also be worse. No, we don't (and haven't) tapped into any government assistance type stuff. Why? For us, it just doesn't seem right. Be that right or wrong, it is what it is... and I certainly don't begrudge those who do. You have to do what sits comfortably in your soul. I did go to the local food bank a couple of times last fall... but after getting sick on the food twice, I figured that was a "sign" that I wasn't supposed to go there anymore. And so we buy meat in bigger quantities, and when on sale... so as to make it stretch farther. We cut our own hair most of the time. We don't buy much of anything brand new (except socks and underwear.... because... ew). We make as much as we can from stuff we already have. We consolidate trips so we don't use the car/ gas as much. We have an "Amish Style" lawnmower (ie: hand propelled push type with blades... no fuel required). We even don't buy things like toothpaste.. instead we use baking soda... which also doubles as a household cleaner, clothes stain cleaner, and baking ingredient). In fact, we don't buy cleaning products in general, and use vinegar and lemon juice and such instead. We recycle everything we can, burn the trash that is acceptable to burn, and have a healthy compost pile... which saves on garbage pick-up costs. We are (and have the past couple years) cutting firewood for this winter, to use in our fireplace to save a bit on heating. We are frequent flyers at our library, where we can get great books, magazines and movies on loan. We don't have TV, instead we rent movies from Netflix. We have a phone, but it's a dollar store type phone where you pay as you use.. and it has no "extras" to leech our time and money. At one time, I was on 13 medications for my lupus and such. I weaned myself off most of them, and now only use my inhalers for my COPD/Asthma, and I take a medication for chronic pain/ arthritis. We try to eat as healthy as possible, as a sort of "preventative medicine." Little things like this, often add up. Yes, we still eat out on occasion. Yes, we still spend on "luxury" items like wine, good bread, and such. 

In short, yes we live more simply... frugally... and perhaps in a "backwards" type of way than what
 some would think would be ideal... but so far, it is working for us. 
It probably wouldn't work for everyone.... and that is ok.
There are lots more things we could do... and perhaps that will happen in the future.. who knows.
Carry on... see you all tomorrow.

_________

The photos for today's post is of a "Funnel Web" spider web (and the spider).
We often have several of these in the yard, and I think they are pretty cool. 

for the weekend


in these trying times
cultivate some compassion
for your fellow man

more grows in gardens
than that which is rooted, safe
deep in the warm grounds

6-23-17


Well, last night was a night of no sleep... which means I lost the majority of today as well.
It is what it is. ... and I am trying to work around it as I am able.

It's been hot... and the studio is a wonderful refuge of cool air and creativity. 
I have so many ideas swirling in my head of projects I want to do... commissions that need to get done... 
fantastic things to try and play with... I just need to get up the energy.
But for today.... I am trying to catch up on some work, and I am having my mom up for dinner
 and helping her get ready for a short trip she is going on this weekend to visit family. 

Because I am excited though... 
I will share some sneak peeks of things I intend to be working with as I get better.
See you all tomorrow.


6-22-17


It is early, and I haven't had much sleep. But in general, this week has been a bit better. I find that I am able to work for short periods, with frequent stops to rest or nap. It's slow going, but it's on the upswing. 

I am so grateful for the studio space. There have been times when I had work spaces in the home, and times when I had them other places... and for me... it works out so much better to have them in the house where I can stop in for a moment or two to work on something. It is not a perfect space, and there are many things I would like to do to make it more comfortable and functional... but it is just wonderful to have it. 
Last night I had a spurt of energy, and made up a few gemstone charms for the Etsy shop. I love making these... and it makes me happy that I can provide awesome stone bead charms to folks who would not have use for a whole strand.

And of course, I am extremely grateful for ZeeZe. He has been my constant buddy since arriving here on April 28th. He naps when I nap... he eats when I eat. He follows me to the studio and reminds me when I need to take a break. He is just the sweetest. .. and I adore him. 

See you all tomorrow. 


((chrysoprace coin bead, Chinese writing stone, orange banded agate, howlite and hematite stack, riverstone stack, black moonstone, silver leaf agate stack, Angelite oval, Chiastolite, orange sponge coral stack, red dagger branch coral, golden coral stack, and golden rutilated quartz))


6-21-17


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).

~~~

Lucia and Linea did everything together.
They dressed alike, they wore their hair the same way...
they even laughed at the same jokes in the same quirky, gafaw... kind of howl.

So it was no wonder that they decided to pursue similar dreams... that of synchronized swimming.
Soon enough, they were off to Canada where the new sport of "Rhythmic Swimming" was being touted as the newest rage in sports and swimming clubs. Excelling (as always), they were chosen in 1933 to be part of the "Kay Curtis Modern Mermaids" for the world exhibit in Chicago. They were famous!
But then the war came... and thoughts turned to more somber things.
By the end of the war, their swimming days were mostly over. However, they became well known and sought after consults
 for many of the popular "Esther Williams" movies in Hollywood.
Moving in together in North Hollywood, they hosted wonderful parties... elaborate affairs that often made the celebrity rags.

In their "golden years" they settled in South Beach, Florida... and continued teaching the art of swim choreography. They became known as the Gay Mermaids! often sponsoring Queer and LGTB productions with stunning costumes and fantastical feats in water tanks.
It was a glorious life... and they did it swimmingly...

6-20-17



So... today I am getting a very late start on my usual tasks... as I had my mom up most all the afternoon and early evening. It's all good. Time is what it is... and heaven knows things change in the blink of an eye and who knows where we'll all be or what we'll be doing. 

Yesterday I showed you several pair of earrings I had made with VINTAJ brand charms and aged brass wire and findings... and gemstones, of course. Today I have 3 more pair to show you. These also consist of aged brass wire and findings, and gemstones... but the charms are artisan made SPECIALTY pieces. These are hand cast bronze pieces made from the lost wax cast method. The initial molds are made from antique French rosary pieces that haven't been in production for decades. 
Because these are so wonderful, I have teamed them with more expensive gemstones.
This first set, with the Sacred heart cross pieces, features stunning aqua blue Amazonite.
The second set with the Mary with Flowers medals, feature Raw Pink Tourmaline chunks with champagne toned Swarovski crystals. 
And the 3rd set with the tiny Miraculous Medals feature antique chains and gorgeous gem quality faceted Amethyst briolettes.

I am really happy to be able to work a bit again, and hope my stamina continues to improve so that I can work on more. 
See you all tomorrow...




6-19-17


Today I felt considerably better... even though I only got 3hrs of sleep last night (and a short nap this afternoon). I also had the pleasure of having a friend visit my studio space, and allow me to work on a couple necklaces for her. It's exciting to be able to work a bit again, even if it's only in hour-long bits.

Over the course of the weekend, I was able to make some earrings... and I love how they turned out. 
For these, I used VINTAJ brand elements (the leaves and fern charms), and combined them with gemstones and wire wrapping with aged brass metal wire. I hope to get them listed in the Etsy shop in the next few days.


  Green Kyanite, Swarovski crystal rondelle spacers, green Swarovski bicones and aged brass findings. 
These measure approx 2 1/2 inches in length from the top of the ear wire.


Gorgeous Pietersite gemstone rounds, combined with aged brass textural beads and black Swarovski bicones. 
These measure just over 2 1/2 inches in length from the top of the ear wire.


Stunning Moss Agate beads and textural aged brass bicones. 
These measure approx 3 1/4 inches in length from the top of the ear wire.

See you all tomorrow.

6-16-17


No real words today... I am exhausted beyond thoughts.
However, I did get a photograph the other night of one of the Luna Moths that came to visit... 
that I am really happy with.

See you all tomorrow.

6-15-17


Yesterday, I awoke with a migraine... and lost the majority of the daytime.
Waking from a nap in the afternoon, I went to the studio to discover some nasty "creepy crawlies" about.... so I ended up getting a bit OCD about cleaning. I got 1/2 of the basement fairly well swept and wiped down... including the rafters of the ceiling and such. Needless to say, I was exhausted but feeling a bit better about the whole thing late last night.

Around midnight, I was talking with the daughter when I noticed some fluttering at the window, and went outside to investigate. We had 2 gorgeous Luna Moths! I have never seen them around the house here before, so that was pretty amazing. Even ZeeZe was impressed.


I guess I was pretty restless, because I only got a couple hours of sleep... but awoke this am to some gorgeous skies...
and the sounds of the Fisher Cat in the distance. Pretty fantastic! ... oh, and today is the hubby's birthday...
See you all tomorrow.


6-14-17


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).

~~~

Claudia is at the beach... Jersey to be exact.
The past 2 weeks have been a blur of bingo, cigarettes and Cold Pepsi with lime...
sand on wood floors, driftwood fires... Bloody Marys.
Her ex-husband Walter would not have approved. But then, that was long before he ran off with Conchita the gardener's wife. 
Before she discovered how much he had been spending, racking up credit card bills... traveling to Vegas with 20-something waitresses... 
selling off some of the jewelry that her mother had left to her that he kept in the safe in his den.
He had also cashed in all their retirement... so when he left suddenly, she had no qualms
 about selling his Blue Thunderbird, his extensive rare art and coin collections. 
In fact, some might say she "went a bit bazoo"... selling off most everything they owned, save a few clothes and mementos. 
She moved into a fixed income apartment for the elderly, and spent her summers at the beach. In the fall and winter months, she cooked for the disabled and sold AVON. She would be fine. She was (in fact) papering her bathroom in her apartment with postcards from all the places she'd been to since Walter left. 
And frankly, it was mahvelous.....

6-13-17


Yesterday, was a great day! 
I had some much needed sleep... I actually had some energy... and I was able to get some things done.

I did laundry, swept, checked my emails, listed in my Etsy shop, took some photos of things to sell, made 7 simple (yet cool) necklaces with lampwork glass pieces, watered plants, did a load of laundry, cooked food ahead of time for ZeeZee, slow roasted some pork in the crock pot, took some FUN! photos... and probably more that I can't think of.
Last night, however, I only slept a couple hours... so I have the feeling today will involve a long nap.
Sometimes, this is just how it goes.

In other "news", I made several new mandalas from my original photographs these past few days. I am loving how they turned out.
It's always a calming and relaxing thing for me to do. (You can click on these photos to enlarge them).





This week, I've been working on some necklaces that feature lampwork glass pieces I've picked up over the years. 
They are simple, fun... SUMMER! inspired pieces that I hope folks will like.

6-12-17


One thing I will say about being in a Lupus Flare... it's very unpredictable.
One day, you may get 2hrs of restful sleep... another, maybe 6hrs. Some days... there will be none... just fitful tries of restless tossing and turning. Deep sleep is often elusive... hence, why you are tired all the time. And sometimes, I have very bizarre dreams.

The latest one, involved me being in a somewhat Hogwarts-like school for gifted teens. Once a year, a student who shows the most promise is allowed to choose one of her fellow classmates or faculty & staff to be released from any bonds they may have. (some folks are apparently there as part of terms of some sort of punishment... learning better ways to control their gifts, or serving some sort of "community service."). At any rate, for some unknown reason, I was chosen, and I had 24hrs to decide on who would be released. I suffered a sudden deluge of "instant best friends" and folks willing to provide favors for said release. I was overwhelmed. I was distraught. I felt the burden of a very important decision upon me.
Ultimately, I decided to release the one person with who I felt had been truly kind to me for no reason over the course of my time at the school. This person had shared his love of music, life, poetry, and the importance of being compassionate soul to me. He also happened to be a very gruff, soft spoken, southern black man with a penchant for blues- guitar music.
Time for the "great release" ceremony arrived. I announced my choice to the dismay of hundreds... perhaps thousands... as their cries echoed off the hallowed walls. Suddenly, my friend somehow morphed into the likeness of Alan Rickman (apparently his true self)... oh... and he happened to be a vampire.

There is more to the dream... but I will save you the details.
I don't know why I have such vivid dreams... but there you go.
And how was your day??? LOL.

See you all tomorrow.

for the weekend


five shots fired
who are you to break the silence of the night with your wrath
and who am I to take offense
as the deer run
as the dogs bark
as my mother tosses in her sleep
wishing she were already gone and with my father
passed from this world
probably fishing with Johnny Cash
hoping and wishing for a better outcome for us all
as I lay in my bed
pining for better days
knowing they may not come
holding tight to my dog
realizing I am loved
and that it is ok

and it will be ok

6-9-17


Quote for the day:"Try not to become a man of success.
Rather become a man of value."-- Albert Einstein

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

Today was not a good day.
Mom was quite confused, hadn't eaten well, had a headache... and was miserable.
I had just finished her laundry, and had cleaned out her garage a bit.
But, I had too much work on my plate, and not enough time/ patience/ energy.... ugh.
Sometimes we break.

So.. I brought her up for dinner. Then we ran errands together in the car.
Then we drove around town and saw the construction... and visited with a person she knew.
Came home, and my pup had made a puddle in the house (am sure he just knew I was having a rough day). 

I am not a person of success.
But... I am a person of value. 
I try really hard every.single.day to do the "right thing"...

Some days are harder than others.

6-8-17


What a gorgeous day outside. It is another fogy morning... cool and overcast kind of day.
Everything outside seems to be loving the weather today... especially the azalea bush that was 
recently transplanted into our back yard. Most of the blooms are off it now, but the branches and leaves look good.
Currents are growing on the current bush that we just planted last fall.
And we have chives and onions sprouting up in the garden beds.

Oh... and I made a new mandala from the photo above.
See you all tomorrow.


6-7-17


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).

~~~

This is a difficult photo to make out, because it's high contrast... but it sure is cute.
I imagine these three at a Kentucky horse race... having spent the morning primping and drinking beer is gingerly sips because of the heat... and the neighbors. Driving in Johnny's flatbed Ford to check out the races. Then maybe a steak dinner and dancing.
They were an odd trio. .. an unlikely coming together of souls.
They had met their senior year of college... the quirky leads in the campus production of The Pirates of Penzance.  The three had formed a strong bond then... always the life of the party... the first to "double-dare" on any bet... the ones everyone wanted to be, or be with.
The photo is hazy... and difficult to see what is really going on... and perhaps that is typical of them as well. What was their relationship? Friends? Lovers? all? And who was with who? It was nobody's business really, and yet, they all wondered. Perhaps that was part of the appeal of them... the wondering. The thinking about what made them drawn to each other... what bewitched them to stay.... and bedazzled them into staying? Perhaps Leeza's writings hinted at more. Perhaps Sonya's fashions inspired folks to be their best... to show their true selves? Perhaps Johnny's independent spirit and steadfastness in the sport of bronco riding long after he should have retired caused speculation.
And what of it.
Let them talk.

6-6-17


It's been a busy day... and I am looking forward to settling in with some hot tea and a book.

Today ZeeZe had to go to the Veterinarian's for his check-up. He also got a shot, got flea and tick medicine, 
and was checked for Lyme disease ( he does NOT have it --YAY!).
We then went to a local shop to get plants for my mom ... and ice cream for us as a reward. 
ZeeZe loves peanut butter ice cream... for the record.
We bought my mom 4 gorgeous hanging Lobelia plants (photo above)... and plants for the flower boxes on her front porch. 
For those, we got some hanging bright green potato vines, and luscious pink geraniums. 
She also has a stunning tomato plant for her back patio... so she can have the occasional fresh tomato this summer.
Yes, we are late to the whole flower planting game... but the weather has been odd this year, and I haven't felt up to doing much of anything. 
As of right now though... they look wonderful.

Afterwards, we had mom up for a simple dinner of beef tips and scalloped potatoes, mixed veggies and tea. 
It was a nice way to end a busy afternoon. 
See you all tomorrow.

6-5-17


My daughter is amazing, and yesterday decided to fix up the garden area a bit.
On the one side of our house, there was a shale stone walkway that had become horribly overgrown with grass. Having a flash of inspiration, she decided to dig up those stones, and fill in some of the spaces between the raised beds. Our garden beds are at the bottom of a sloping hill, and so it is most always rather wet from run-off from the hill. This is great for the plants, but soppy to walk through.
The stones make the perfect path. She filled in some of the open areas with wood sorrel, creeping charlie plants, and creeping phlox.... all little plants we had in other areas of the yard.
Time spent: one afternoon
Money spent: nothing. All materials we already had.
Effect: priceless

See you all tomorrow.