Something Sublime

Rosarium

"Midnight Rosarium"

ro·sar·i·um [roh-zair-ee-uhm]  

–noun, plural -i·ums, -i·a

a rose garden.

[Origin: 1835–45; < L rosārium]

Main Entry:	rosarium1
Part of Speech:	n
Definition:	a rose garden
Etymology:	Latin
Usage:	pl rosariums, rosaria

Main Entry:	rosarium2
Part of Speech:	n
Definition:	a rosary
Etymology:	Latin
Usage:	pl rosariums, rosaria

For a long time now, I've been inspired to use vintage rosary parts in my jewelry pieces.  Some of the crosses, crucifixes and medals I've come across are worn smooth; the details rubbed away by the original owner's loving fingers.  Many a prayer has been said over some of these elements!

"Gifts from the Sea"

So, what's so inspiring about rosaries?  They contain one of my favorite symbols, the cross/crucifix and also, one of my favorite jewelry making materials, beads.  What a great combination!  But, it's not just the elements, it's the meaning and symbolism they carry.

   

Rosaries and prayer beads have long been used as method for counting prayers.  Rosaries, in particular, are used as a help in reciting verbal prayer and for meditation on the mysteries of Christ.  These mysteries are divided into the "joyful", "luminous", "sorrowful" and "glorious" mysteries and reflect various aspects of the life, death and resurrection of Christ.

"Rosary Drops"

What is more important, to me, about the rosary is the idea behind it: a daily discipline of prayer.  Not necessarily specific, repeated prayers but the intentional, daily devotion to prayer.  Prayer is our connection to God.  Without it, our spiritual lives suffer greatly.

   

Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonian 5:16-18

"Midnight Rosarium"

This is my latest work in a long string of rosary inspired pieces.  For the chain, I used gorgeous, fat, faceted onyx beads, and pyrite chunks , all rosary wrapped (of course!).

The word "rosary" originates from the Latin for "rose garden".  For the focal of this piece, I used a piece of antique, filigree brass with a flower design...a reference to the rose garden.  Sandwiched between this and two pieces of mica are pieces of pages from an antique, German Bible.

And, of course, the star of this show is an antique crucifix with a vintage holy medal, wrapped with more pyrite.  This is an especially lovely crucifix, don't you think?

More things are wrought by prayer than this world dreams of.  Alfred Lord Tennyson

Figments and the Faithful

I know I've said it before but, I must say it again...I really do appreciate those of you who take time out of your day to pop in and see what's happening here on my blog.  I know you're taking time and attention away from your desks, studios and loved ones just to check up on me and maybe even leave a comment.  I really am blessed with quite a few lovely, dedicated readers.  And, oh, so generous!  I received a wonderful surprise in the mail today.  Just look at this delightful, soldered flower pendant given to me by my faithful reader Cindy Dean.

Cindy's flowers are just adorable and such a clever design.  You can see more at her etsy shop.  I'm thrilled that she customized this one for me.  Not only did she use one of my favorite stones, kyanite, but she used one of my own cemetery photos for the flower's center.  Isn't that the coolest?!

The Passionate Blogger

"Crowned"

Melanie at Le Petit Cabinet De Curiosites has kindly tagged me to give my top tips for successful blogging.  I'm no professional blogger but, for my dozen or so readers (you know who you are!) I'll give it a shot:

1.  Love your blog.  You have to love blogging to have a successful blog!  If you'd rather clean the toilets than post, you probably don't have the blogging passion you need to keep readers coming back.  Michelle Ward

2.  Post often, post often, post often.  Readers like to come to your spot to see what's new.  The more often you post, the more frequently they'll visit.  Did I say...?  Post often!  Soul Humming

3.  Post lots of fabulous pictures and not so many words.  Visitors may find descriptions of your latest nature walk riveting but a picture's worth a thousand words!  Sandra Evertson

4.  Give your readers interesting and relevant information;  a tutorial, book review, contest, blog links, etc.  The Altered Page

5.  Make it easy and fun for your visitors with a well designed site.  Make sure your blog is easy to navigate and not too cluttered.  Tongue in Cheek

There you have it...my plan for the perfect blog.  I've tagged only five but there are tons of talented bloggers out there.  What are your best blogging tips?

Seeing Red

"Mine" (sold)

Between working on class samples and other projects, I got to play around with some of the new beads I picked up at the gem show.  When I ran these coral drops through my fingers, I knew what I was going to do with them.  I love their weight and smooth texture.  My vision for these was to incorporate them into a lariat style necklace ending in a "tassel".  The tassel includes a vintage Lourdes crucifix and a resin filled bezel.  Inside the bezel is an image of toes with the word "mine" layered over top.

I worked in freshwater pearls in a beautiful, glowing gold and some faceted smoky quartz.

I used a vintage game token for part of the clasp.  I love the color combination in this piece,  especially the red with Valentine's day coming up.

I did earrings to match which are available at my Etsy shop.

Do You?

...wear your heart on your sleeve?

...show kindness?...see others as they are?...see yourself as you are?

...carry a secret inside?

...live in a cage?

Agree with each other, love each other, be deep-spirited friends.  Don't push your way to the front; don't sweet-talk your way to the top.  Put yourself aside, and help others get ahead.  Don't be obsessed with getting your own advantage.  Forget yourselves long enough to lend a helping hand.

Forget yourself.  How many days do I forget to forget myself?  How many times a day do I forget to forget myself?!  "He cut me off in traffic!"  "She insulted me!"  "I should have been first in line!"

The other day, I infuriated a man who wanted me to yield so he could pull into traffic.  It was my right-of-way but, traffic was fairly heavy and I could have let him in...if I'd seen him.  I didn't see him until it was too late and then, what I saw was one mad fella.  Gesticulating, grimacing and mouthing something...I don't want to know what!  My immediate reaction was to be angry right back.  After all, what right does this guy have to cuss me out?  Maybe none.  But, on second thought, what harm was really done?  Does it help me, this man, society, the universe...for two to be angry now instead of one?  Hey, maybe this poor, upset man was having a hard day.  Maybe his coffee was cold.  Maybe his pick-up broke down and he had to drive that sad, little economy car instead.  Maybe his child was in trouble.  Or, maybe he got some really bad news that morning.    Who am I to put my emotions and reactions first anyway?  What??  You mean it's not all about me?  As teacher Beth Moore says "Am I speakin' to anybody out there?"

Faded

"Faded" photo by Deryn Mentock

The special occasion is past.  They're just as beautiful faded as fresh.  More beautiful, actually, with more character, more lovely, muted tones and more interesting shapes.  Does beauty have to be "fresh" to be beautiful?

Something to do with Beads

Something shiny that glows when the light hits it.  Something from the sea...something colored robin's egg blue.

Something made from ox bone...ancient bartering tools.

Something in the shape of a cross.

Something old and crackled...something rough and textured...something sublime.

I traipsed across town to the International Gem and Jewelry Show yesterday, braving the traffic, wind and low temperature (It only got up to 53 degrees here yesterday. Compared to a record high of 81 degrees in the year 2000...that's downright chilly!).  It was well worth the trip to come back with some unique treasure.  If anyone can tell me what the crackled beads pictured above are made of, I'd love to hear!  The bead dealer knew they came from Ethiopia but she couldn't tell me what they were made of.  Aren't they great?

Lovely Lady of the Woods-Class Sample

Isn't she beautiful?!  I've just finished the wirework on another sample for the collaborative workshop DJ Pettitt and I will teach this June at The Paper Studio in Tempe, Arizona.

This lady happens to be wearing a very fashionable and lovely crown...

...and of course she's collected a precious bird's nest in her travels (detachable to be worn as a necklace).

There's been a lot of interest in this workshop and registration hasn't begun yet but keep watching here, on the Paper Studio site or on DJ's blog for more info.  I promise, you'll be the first to know!

I'm Teaching Again!

The Paper Studio

Tempe, Arizona

June 21-22, 2008

Collaborative workshop taught by DJ Pettitt and Deryn Mentock

Oh!  Such exciting news!  I'll be teaching a 2 day workshop this June at The Paper Studio with my friend, DJ Pettitt.  It's been several years since I last taught so I'm thrilled to be teaching again and especially with DJ!  We have the most fabulous workshop to offer.  This is just the coolest project with tons of techniques! (Can you tell, I'm excited?)

The first day of the workshop, DJ will be teaching students her step-by-step techniques for painting a one-of-a-kind, beautiful ladies and backgrounds with interest and depth.  In case you're not familiar with DJ, she is an extremely talented artist and generous teacher.  Her original painting style and fresh ideas have kept her on the cutting edge of our mixed media/art world.  In person, DJ's paintings are absolutely stunning.  The colors are gorgeous, rich and deep.

The second day of the workshop, I'll be teaching wireworking techniques that will enable students to frame their paintings in a unique and artistic way.  These ladies are going to take a walk in the woods!  The techniques I'm teaching can also be used in jewelry making, book making, and many other mediums.

   

But, this isn't just a frame...no, no!  The adorable, whimsical, wire nest charm, with it's tiny leaves and tendrils, detaches from it's hook and can be worn as a necklace.

    All of our class info isn't up at the Paper Studio site yet but I'll be posting here as soon as I know more.  Also, I've set up a link in the right sidebar of this blog for my class news and it will be listed on my Artpub blog.  I'll also have some more sample photos soon...

New Year's Self

Jen Worden is posting weekly art challenges to her blog and, it looked like so much fun, I decided to take her up on  challenge #1.  Granted...I'm late but, it's all part of my new year's "plan".  This year I will dance to my own drummer...set my own pace...do my own thing.  Well, at least for this week's challenge!  So, here is my self-portrait/year-in-review/new year's resolution post card. 

Pasticcio Quartz

You may be asking yourself "what the heck is a quartz?!"  Since you're itching to know and since I have Angela and Sarah's beautiful, new quartz Pasticcio (issue 2) in hand, let's ponder the wonders of it together.

artwork by Sarah Fishburn and Angela Cartwright

First of all, Angela and Sarah have cleverly come up with their very own breed of zine which they call a "quartz" or...QUality ART Zine.  It's not enough for these two artists to pack their publication with outstanding artwork, book and movie reviews, and all kinds of interesting, artsy information but they just had to take it a step further and make it irresistibly pretty!  They just had to use, heavy, high quality paper for the pages...and use the most stylish design and layout...then, wrap it all up in gorgeous, glossy covers.  Who could resist?  Who would want to?

And besides all that, I'm delighted that Sarah and Angela chose to publish another piece of mine, "Structure of the Heart".  I'm especially happy they chose this one since, for reasons I won't bore you with here, it's a fave of mine.  One of the nifty things about Sarah and Angela is that they like to expose the public to the artwork of lesser known artists...like your's truly.  They have a knack for selecting unique artwork which makes each issue exciting and fresh.

So, that's the story on the new "quartz".  It's fun to spout off about things you like so, if you have either issue 1 or issue 2, I'd love to hear what you think!

Goo Goo Good

Hey, does anybody know who these guys are?  I couldn't name a Goo Goo Dolls song but, a customer commissioned this necklace for her friend who is a huge Goo Goo fan!  My mission was to incorporate two photographs, one of the Dolls (show here) and one of the Dolls with their adoring fan (opposite side).  I thought it would be a little tricky at first but I did two original collages and used them under glass as the focal.  Of course, I had to include a doll...

You've seen this little, silver dolly before.  Now you know where her permanent home is!

I'm happy to report that the owner of this piece is thrilled with her fan jewelry!

Defining 2008

"Hope"

Yesterday was the day my goals for 2008 were defined.  I rarely make new year's resolutions or too many goals for the upcoming year, preferring instead, to let the new year bring what it will.  But, yesterday, I was contacted by a blog reader and customer of mine...a woman I'd never met.  She took the time and trouble out of her day to call me and tell me that my work and blog have touched her.  Amidst a year of turmoil and death in her life, my words, images and artwork helped her in some way.  She struck me speechless in the first few moments of our conversation...I was close to tears!  After all, this means that my dreams for my work and this blog are actually being fulfilled.  This woman is a spark of light for me, an encouragement, and I'm very grateful to her for that!

"Our Lady of the Garden"

My friend, Lelainia Lloyd has forced me to define my goals for the upcoming year as well.  She's written a fabulous post on her Artpub blog called "Seasons of Light".  In it, she writes about "Luminaries"-people whose light and vision help to strengthen and improve the lives of those around them.  A worthy goal, certainly!  Lelainia  writes, "Sometimes the way to be the light is simply to reflect back to someone the good that is in them, until they can see if for themselves."  Although, she may not realize it, Lelania has been that light for me on more than one occasion.

"Light"

Make sure you read Lelainia's post in full, it's insightful and inspiring.  This is how she finishes...and it couldn't be said better:

"In this, the season of light, I challenge you to think about how you are in the world and to remember we are all fragile human beings, striving.  Let's look for more opportunities to celebrate, support and encourage one another and spread the light.  And may all the goodness you bring to the world come back to you tenfold."

And so, my direction for 2008 is defined...

Mixed Emulsions

I'm sure many of you have already seen this fabulous book but, I just received my copy in the mail over the holidays.  I've waited a long time for this!  If you haven't seen it yet, RUN to Amazon, or your nearest bookstore and get it!  It's my friend Angela Cartwright's terrific, new book on altering techniques for photographic imagery.  The awesome thing about Angela, and what I love about this book, is that she's not one to hold back what she knows.  She shares it all, willingly and generously!  In this book, she guides the reader through all kinds of techniques for altering photos and imagery, including coloring, texturing, collaging and everything in between.  It's packed with inspiration, instruction and gorgeous photos.  There's a beautiful artist's gallery as well, in which I am honored to be included:

"Skippers"

This is one of my favorite pieces as the image I used is one I took of my son's hand holding stones he'd been skipping on the river.  Even though this isn't a picture of the river or of my boy's face, every time I see it, I'm transported back to that day spent in the pleasant pastime of skipping stones.