Something Sublime

The Lizard Brain

Tonight, I've run across food for thought from the insightful Luann Udell.  I don't know Luann at all but I check in with her blog every once in awhile and she always has so much to offer by way of her many years of experience in the art world.  Today she's posted on something she calls "lizard brain.  Check it out here!

"Forgiven"

On another note...this is a piece I'm donating for an auction benefiting a terrific local agency called The Source For Women.  They do the community a great service counseling and caring for pregnant women and girls.  I'm keeping my fingers crossed that this necklace will bring in a good amount for them!

Rosary Drops

"Rosary Drops"  SOLD

I had a terrific, relaxing day creating jewelry in my studio, with pleasing results.  I love using vintage religious medals and crosses in my work and these medals are beautiful...both from Italy.  One is a red enamel with Jesus holding a flaming heart and the other is a Mary.  Both are just as lovely on the back as on the front! 

   

I'm totally smitten with the red chalcedony briolettes I got at the last bead show.  I only have about 10 of them left.  Yikes!

I finally worked out a great technique for making those pesky wire wraps for the ends of leather cording.  It's always a good day when you find a solution to a problem!

If you're interested in my other jewelry, please check Etsy.

Beads Like a River

"Rosary Drops" (sold)

I've been working like mad getting jewelry orders out before taking off for Seattle with my dear friend Sally.  We'll be taking a week-long workshop with the super talented and inspiring Susan Lenart Kazmer.  I've taken classes from Susan in the past but this will be much more intensive, fun and relaxing.  The weather in Seattle can be glorious and I can't wait to get out of this humidity!

"Dark Eye" sold

"Silvery Light" sold

I found these wonderful, blue-grey, biwa stick pearls and just love the long, swingy line they create for earrings.  The tiny medals are from a vintage rosary.

"Water in the Desert" (sold)

I'm hoping to photograph another tutorial when I get back, for inquiring minds, so keep visiting.  Also, I'll be posting about the Gorey DeTales exhibit in Phoenix.  It was really exciting to see the exhibit hanging.  And speaking of exciting...look what I got in Phoenix:

Don't they look like a river washing over a stone?

You know I can't resist a good bead store and my friend Ronnie was kind enough to enable my habit.  She made sure we made it to Beads Galore and patiently pretended to shop while I "ooh'ed" and "ahhh'ed" and "oh, my'ed" over every bead in the place.  Thanks for your support Ronnie!

Old Enough to Fly

"Old Enough to Fly"

(this piece is sold-please check etsy to see what's new)

I seem to be somewhat obsessed lately with the thought of my children leaving the nest.  They're still here for now but...soon...they'll be ready to fly.  Actually, they aren't children at all any more but mini-men.  I guess I won't miss the Kool Aid stains on the counter and the dirty socks forgotten in the far back of my car.  Maybe I can do without potato gun wars and bb's in the air conditioner.  But, what about this???

You don't want to know what's under here!

I cannot do without this.  Last night, late, as I stumbled into the dark kitchen, Number Two (no! that's not the order in which I love them-just the order in which they were born) looked me straight in the eye and threw this 50 lb phone book right at my feet.  At first, I was totally confused.  Was this another strange boy activity that I wouldn't be able to relate to?  But, as I looked at my second-born, mini-man, I realized what was going on.  He was saving me!  He knows I'm a complete arachnophobe and he didn't want to tell me what was under the book, let alone show me.  He wanted me to go about my business, oblivious of the threat...and the mess!  (And, they grow 'em big down here in Texas).  He may as well have thrown himself in front of a bus to save me.  My hero!  These are the kinds of antics that remind me just how much will be missing when my guys finally fly away.

"When the young became old enough to fly, the gravest philosopher would have laughed to watch their maneuvers.  Such chirping and twittering!  Such diving down from the nest, and flying up again!"  from Harper's Fourth Reader, 1863.

I created the focal piece of this necklace using text and images from my trusty 1863 version of Harper's Fourth Reader, layering the bits of pages between sheets of mica.  I hung this from a twig, wrapped with vintage bark cloth, wire and beads.  The strings and bits of fabric poking out remind me of nest featherings.  Below, are more of my fabric/bead sticks; again done with bark cloth and deep teal, faceted pearls.  A tiny bottle dangles from a twisted wire ring.  Inside the bottle are a few beads and twigs from a real cardinal's nest...sealed with a drop of beeswax.  The nest was empty and had been blown down by our recent stormy weather here.

The rest of the piece includes yummy, teal colored biwa pearls; more of the deep teal, faceted pearls; faceted aquamarine; vintage brass chain; and a vintage religious medal that features a scene of Jesus when he was a young man of about 12. 

I love this story of Jesus in the temple (Luke 2: 39-52).  He had been on a pilgrimage with his parents, family and a large group of people.  On the return trip home, it was discovered that Jesus had been missing...for three days!  His parents must have been frantic.  But, they found him in the temple, discussing spiritual matters with the temple teachers and leaders.  When mom and dad said "What were you thinking?  We were worried sick!", Jesus' calm response was "didn't you know I had to be about my Father's business?"

This particular medal spoke to me:  a boy, on the cusp of being a man...  Perfect for this piece!

A Few Things From Art Unraveled

copper and steel woven bracelet

I'm finally posting a few of the projects I did at Art Unraveled.  I have lots more to show but didn't quite finish everything I started so I'll post as I finish.

I took this woven bracelet class from my teacher and mentor Richard Salley.  I got some pretty good pictures of it but it's really striking in person.  Richard is a great teacher and has been one of my biggest inspirations.  Not only is his jewelry unique and inspiring but he's just a really kind and talented man.  I had an opportunity to get to know his delightful wife Jane who is also very talented and creates incredible jewelry of her own.  Here are two more views of the woven bracelet:

Don't you love the clasp?  I have another, wider bracelet that's a little more intricate which I started but haven't finished yet.  The idea was to create two bracelets: his and hers.  Mine will both be "hers" as Wife Whisperer will have nothing to do with jewelry (except one thin, gold band)!

I took a wonderful, Poloroid transfer class with super teacher, Terry Berg.  We had a great time in Terry's class with awesome results.  I think I'm hooked on Poloroid transfers!  I just have to dig out that Daylab Jr....

I love this old guy!  There are so many applications for a dog-on-a-chair...

This one, and the next, are from my own cemetery photos.

Stay tuned for more!

Picky, Picky, Picky

You Are 1: The Reformer

You're a responsible person - with a clear sense of right and wrong. High standards are important to you, and you do everything to meet them. You are your own worst critic, feeling ashamed if you're not perfect. You have uncompromising integrity, and people expect you to be fair. At Your Best: You are hopeful, honest, and inspiring. You bring out the best in humanity. At Your Worst: You are intolerant, judgmental, and picky. Your Fixation: Resentment Your Primary Fear: Being corrupt. Your Primary Desire: To be good. Other Number 1's: Al Gore, Martha Stewart, Gandhi, Celene Dion, and Spock from Star Trek.

What Number Are You?

I found a link to this interesting little self-analysis through my friend Sally Turlington and thought it would be fun to try.  It turned out to be amazingly accurate, at least for me!  The only things I take issue with are my fixation (it's really guilt) and my primary fear (we won't go into that!).  And....Al Gore???  Huh???

A Charming Exchange

Here it is!!  This is the cover of the new jewelry book by my friends Ruth Rae and Kelly Snelling.  I'm pleased and honored to say that some of my jewelry will be published in this gorgeous book.  Ruth and Kelly worked very hard on this and it will be one of those "must have" books...full of inspiration and how-to's.   Ruth created the beautiful bracelet on the cover with contributions (left to right) from myself, Catherine Witherell, Jess Berry, and Crystal Neubauer.  The book is all about creative collaboration through jewelry.  I think it's not due to be released until July of 2008 so we have a bit of a wait but, it will be worth it!  I'll be posting about it again once it's released.

Speaking of terrific publications...have you seen this one?  It's a brand new zine by my friends Sarah Fishburn and Angela Cartwright and it is beautiful.  It's full of big, glossy pages and stunning artwork.  I'm honored to have a collage published in Pasticcio.  You can get your own copy by clicking here.

moo card by Deb Trotter

Obviously, I'm back from Art Unraveled and it was a fun experience!  Lots of creating, lots of friends, lots of moo cards, and lots of jabbering until midnight!  My poor roomate Deb Trotter is probably glad to finally get some sleep!  But, it's great to be able to discuss, with another creative soul, issues that face us, as artists, and it was great rooming with her.  Her artwork, in person, is beautiful...the colors and textures are so much deeper and brighter than online.

My sweet friend Maija purchased my "A Joyous Life" necklace (see post below) and, I have to say, it looks really fabulous on her.  She's a delightful person and I was thrilled to get a chance to spend some time with her at AU.  Once I'm unpacked, I'll be posting more about my AU projects and other friends, new and old, I was lucky enough to see there.

Rockin' Girl Bloggers

Well, I'm leaving for Art Unraveled and wanted you to have something to ponder while I'm gone.

My friend Kelly Snelling selected me as a "Rockin' Girl Blogger"...isn't she sweet?  She and her blog absolutely rock!  So, I guess it's my turn to pick 5 bloggers that rock.  Like Kelly, I have some criteria for what constitues a rockin' blog.

For me, a really good blogger is someone who posts often...every few days or so.  Again, I agree with Kelly, I don't want to visit your spot and see your poor, exhausted post from three months ago! 

Also, I love to see lots of big (the eyesite aint what it used to be!), beautiful photos.  They don't have to be professional or anything but I'd rather see lots of good photos of your life, artwork, cooking or whatever other project you have going, than read a long, windy post about it!  Don't get me wrong, I like to hear about it too but I usually don't have time to read the longer posts.  If what you're writing is funny or interesting, all the better.

Interesting and useful information and links are a big plus with me.  If you can lead me to other terrific blogs or you have a good tutorial or resouce for me...great!

So, a few things I don't like to see when I go blog surfing:  videos (it messes with my B-Safe software); music that plays automatically; confusing, miscellaneous stuff in the sidebar.  I know... picky, picky but I'm smarmy that way (as Kelly would say!).

With so many wonderful blogs out there, it's hard to pick just five.  Some of them have already been named by others so I'll try not to pick them.  Also, in the interest of not offending any of my friends, I'll be choosing the blogs of folks I don't know quite as well (but would love to!).  Here goes:

Roben Marie Smith:  Terrific journal pages, artwork and photos.  Love Roben!

Patty VanDorin:  Again, terrific journal pages and other interesting pics from Patty's life.

Corey Amaro:  Corey just has to be on my list!  Gorgeous pics and insightful poetry and posts.  Right now, she's posted a pic of  what I call "boy droppings"...a pair of Converse shoes complete with dirty socks, etc. left behind for mom to pick up.  How can you not love it?

Bridgette Guerzon Mills:  Encaustic artwork and painting so gorgeous you'll drool.

Dispatch From LA:  Grungy, wild, awesome journal pages.  And, she's funny too!

 

So, I've just broken one of my own rules and created a long, and potentially boring, post but hopefully, I've given you a few good links to check out.  I'm always adjusting the links on my blog so I'll leave you with some I've recently added:  Jen Crossley, A Path No Wider Than A Pencil Stroke, Tricia Scott, Red Velvet, Polymer Clay Notes, Ornamental Things, Jenny Vorwaller, Judy Wise, Iza Malczyk, Lara Berch Tutorials, Leighanna Light, Lucullian Delights, Innside Innkeeping, Pionneer Woman Cooks, In Full Bloom,  Colorguru, cobaltika.  Oh, and this one:  Sucking Helium...you just have to check out the very special (??!!) necklace Jennifer has posted there.  Happy blog surfing!

A Joyous Life

"A Joyous Life (For Amusement Only)" - SOLD

I'm getting ready to fly away to Phoenix to attend classes at Art Unraveled and needed something special to take with me so I whipped this up.  You know, somehow my pieces, whether collage or jewelry, always seem to express the exact sentiment or theme on my mind at the time I create them, even though I'm not consiously thinking anything at all.  This piece is no different.  I truly do have a joyous life and some of the happenings in my life seem as if God has provided them for no other reason than my amusement.  Or maybe....for His amusement!

I'm mostly alone this week as my almost-grown boys have flown, all by themselves (for the first time) to visit their grandparents.  So, I have lots of time to get projects done...right?  Instead, I'm spending lots of time loafing off on the couch watching "Shark Week" (Number One's favorite) and "Seinfeld" (Number Two's favorite).  It's a strange feeling, after years of boy wrestling and hollering, for me to be in a quiet house wondering what the guys are up to.  You long for it for all those years then, when it comes, the quiet is almost unbearable.  God really does have an interesting sense of humor!

Aren't these pearls the perfect shade of robin's-egg blue?  I used an old token for part of the clasp for this piece and, it's hard to see but, it says "loaned for amusement only".  I also used some of the vintage bark cloth, my friend Tanya Peacock graciously sent me, to create the fabric wrapped links.  When I first started making these stix, about a year ago, I used beads wrapped with wire.  I was inspired to start using fabric, as well as beads, by my friend Ruth.  Over this last year, I've been involved in a collaborative jewelry project with Ruth and learned a lot from her about incorporating fabric into jewelry.   Her pieces are so textural and beautiful, it's a joy, and a learning experience, to see them and hold them in person.  Very inspiring!

So, when Wife Whisperer dropped the guys off at the airport, the plan was that they would check in with the sky cap and wait for WW to help them through security.  As WW was trying to park, he gets a phone call from Number Two informing him that they're through security and his help is really not needed.  "Go on to work, Dad!"  Amusing...all the time I spent wondering if they would be ok in the airport!

Advantages of being "teenager-less" for a week:  no cooking (unless I want to!); no picking up dirty, smelly socks; no fighting over the remote, no "why do I have to do it??!!".

Disadvantages of being "teenager-less" for a week:  quiet, quiet and more quiet.

Amusing that I'd choose the dirty socks and squabbling over the quiet!  I'm looking forward to a great time at Art Unraveled and then...a joyous reunion with my boys.