Something Sublime

New Year's Visions

I've made a discovery about myself this year, something that Wife Whisperer says he's known for 25 years...I'm addicted to Christmas.  The decorations, the lights, the tree...the baking and shopping and wrapping...the snow (nonexistent down here in Houston!)...the whole kit 'n kaboodle.  Most of all, I love the bright and shining star of the birth of Jesus Christ, presiding over the whole season.

I love it all and I don't want it to end.  I dread the day when I must drag out my many boxes and begin putting my beloved ornaments away.  This year, some of my family was able to be with us...for the first time in a very long time.  Having them here reminds me a little of the film "Christmas Vacation" but, without the chaos and without the bad stuff.  I love having them here; love being surrounded by my three men (the young ones can now no longer can be called mini men, they're grown up), my parents and brother.  We're crammed into this house but have had such fun eating, laughing and playing games around the kitchen table.  This is what makes the holidays.

It's been such a blessing.  And now, the new year approaches!  This, of course, has caused me to ponder my intentions, dreams and visions for the future.  Don't we do this to ourselves every year?  Set those new year's resolutions, only to break them in a week?!  I've come to realize that, for me, it's best not to declare a resolution.  If I don't have a resolution, I don't have an opportunity for failure!  But, this year a vision was presented to me (thanks Dave!) that's exactly what I need.

Picture this:  a life of security and the pursuit of happiness...isn't that what we all crave?  Security, success, travel, fun, career, homes, cars, health, retirement, advancement, wealth, pleasure, popularity and happiness.  It's so appealing! 

But, here's the real vision:  a life in pursuit of something higher.  Spiritual maturity, service, sacrifice, loving God, loving our neighbors, a good name, a godly reputation, submission, holiness, faith, hope and joy...all these things our ours for the taking, and so much more fulfilling than what the world tells us to reach for.  This is my vision for the new year...coram deo:  before the face of God;  to live in the presence of God and honor Him.  I'm so grateful to you, my readers, for coming back, for your comments and support.  Thank you, thank you...here's wishing you a blessed, creative and joyful new year!

Joyous Christmas

"For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord." Luke 2:11

Wishing you joyous times with friends and family, cozy nights by the fire and many happy blessings!

Season Of Sparkle

"Let Them Eat Cake"

Tis the season!  I'm guest blogger over at the Objects and Elements blog.  I'd love you to take a look!

 

"Victoriana"

And, speaking of sparkle...some of my family are here for the holidays (yay!) and my mom wore this the other day.  It was really beautiful and glimmery.  I had worn it for a holiday party but, when I saw it on someone else, it made all the difference! 

It's a truly unique piece of jewelry and the faceted green amethyst and garnets, along with the handcast pewter elements and vintage rhinestone (mellow glow, there) make it especially lovely.  It's for sale here, if you like.

The tree and lights are twinkling beautifully and I'm making it my mission in the next few days to get some photos of my Christmas decorations.  I love this time of year and tend to go overboard...multiple festooned trees, ribbons and sequins, vintage ornaments, shiny tinsel tree...what a way to go!

Secrets Of A Secret Santa

This year, I was invited by the very sweet Molly Alexander to participate in her Christmas secret Santa swap.  Molly's idea was for the participants to swap jewelry pieces so, how could I say no?  Here's her list of secret Santas:

• Beth Bricker – http://vintagesweets.typepad.com/

• Diane Cook – http://rosa-josies.blogspot.com/

• Carolyn Mallin - http://fancifulexpressions.blogspot.com/

• Deryn Mentock - http://somethingsublime.typepad.com/

• Crystal Neubauer - http://otherpeoplesflowers.blogspot.com/

• Tami Roth - http://cattalesetc.blogspot.com/

• Jeanette Blix Ryan – http://www.jeanetteblix.com/

• Riki Schumacher – http://rikijewelry.blogspot.com/

• Jan Thomason - http://polkadotbarn.blogspot.com/

• Sally Turlington - http://sallyt.typepad.com/

• Cindy Wimmer - http://www.sweetbeadstudio.com/

Molly Alexander – http://www.beautifullybrokenme.blogspot.com/

The other day, I received a mysterious box in the mail and, when I opened it, I knew it had to be from my secret Santa.

There are several gals on the list that I don't know...my SS being one of them. 

Jeanette enclosed the sweetest card, explaining the meaning of her gift and that her style is probably different that what I usually wear.  But, Jeanette has never seen my jewelry armoire!  There's room for all races, creeds, colors...and styles, in there!  The criteria for entering is not necessarily style but two other factors that attract me:  uniqueness and quality construction.  Jeanette has no trouble, at all, meeting these requirements!

This is the lovely  piece that Jeanette made, just for me.  Shiny...jingly...choker length...what's not to love?  It's perfect for me!

It's really spectacular and I know the amount of time and work that went into this beautiful piece.  Jeanette's necklace (now mine!) is meticulously crafted and extremely well designed.

It's so very comfortable to wear and makes the most wonderful tinkling sounds when you move.  Jeanette's note told me that the Chinese symbols stamped into the charms mean love, friendship, good fortune and peace.  Jeanette also kindly included a cross that I'm certain was thoughtfully put there especially with me in mind.  Thank you, Santa...I mean, Jeanette.  I adore it!

"The Monkey's Paw"

And now, my Santa secret revealed...  This is what I'm giving...ho, ho, ho!  I happen to know that the person I'm paired with, Sally, has been drooling over this piece for quite some time.

 
In fact, I'm really quite fond of it myself.  I was going to list in for sale in my Etsy shop but never quite got around to it and really never wanted to.  Yep...I was greedily going to keep it for myself.

But, every time Sally saw it, that special gleam came into her eye and I knew it was really meant for her.  So, when I happened to get her name for this swap, I had to give it up!  Wear it in good health, Sal!  Click here for the original story by W.W. Jacobs, and my inspiration behind this necklace.

Thank you, Molly, for a wonderful swap!

Season Of Giving

It's what Christmas is all about...gifts and celebration.  The gifts of time and talent are a sweet thing to give...or receive.  I got this precious package in the mail from my friend, Lynn...what a delight!

Lynn has very unselfishly shared herself with me this season in the form of her beautiful handcast pewter elements.  This metal Charlotte has got to be one of my favorites...soon to be used in a piece of jewelry.  Check her etsy shop for more.

Inside Lynn's package were these lovely resin drops which I promptly made into earrings.  I'm crazy about these earrings...they're the perfect weight, color and mixture of elegance and grunge.

Another amazing blessing of time and talent has come from my friend, Deb Trotter.  Do you know her work?  Icon does.  They've created a gorgeous line of shoes and bags featuring Deb's artwork.  Deb lives in a place I dream about...Cody, Wyoming.  So, I live vicariously through her!

When I was there, this summer, Deb showed me some amazing necklaces she'd picked up in a local shop.  Amazing because...they look very heavy and substantial but, in reality, they're very lightweight.  We couldn't figure out what kind of metal they were made of but I drooled over them, quite a bit.  Imagine my surprise when this one showed up, along with one of Deb's bags from her Icon line!  I love that Deb isn't afraid to give a jewelry maker jewelry.

 

Speaking of gifts...in case you're still looking for Christmas gifts, for someone else, or for yourself, I've listed some of my most favorite sparkly things in my Etsy shop.  Of the earrings, these are my very favorites.  I've always been a sucker for sparkles!

These garnet and vintage French medal earrings run a close second, though.

I just love the shape of the medals...they're very tiny and sweet...beautiful with the garnet drops.

Photos just don't do these baroque pearls justice.  I have a very few of them and have been hoarding them to pair with special findings like these vintage French rhinestones and vintage rhinestone headpins...so pretty.

If green is your color of the Season, these Miraculous Mary medals will speak to you.  The vintage rhinestone connectors are the most amazing shade and go perfectly with the pearls and copper.

Of course, we're celebrating the most treasured gift of all.  In amongst the shopping and cooking...the presents, wrapping and cards...the traffic and hurry...are you ready?  What I mean is...is your heart ready?  Have you given the gifts of your time and treasures to honor Him and those around you?  Are you ready to take a quiet moment and seize the meaning...feel the joy?  I can feel it...I hope you can too!

"If you give, you will receive.  Your gift will return to you in full measure, pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, and running over.  Whatever measure you use in giving, large or small, it will be used to measure what is given back to you."  Luke 6:38

These Are A Few Of My Favorite Things...

"Fine Christmas"

Remember these little bottle snowguys?  Believe it or not, I still have this one left...and he's adorable! 

I decided to go ahead and let him find a new home so he's listed in my Etsy shop, for now. 

He looks so nice with his vintage teal and silver mercury ball beads.  I love these things...the teal was a rare find.

He's the perfect Christmas companion!

Now, a little more about this piece...

"Wing and a Prayer"

Available on Etsy

You know from my previous post that the fabulous focal is a hand cast pewter piece from my friend, Lynn Davis and that we did a collaborative project featured in the winter issue of Belle Armoire Jewelry.  This piece wasn't published in the article but I thought I'd show you some photos of it as it's a favorite design of mine.

Lynn's pewter pieces are so much fun to work with!  For this focal, I also used a carved cross buri seed, a faceted agate with crystal roundels, and a handmade copper milagro from Mexico.

These special milagros are made in the old style of milagro making.  Each has a lovely patina.

For the rest of the piece, I went a little crazy using lots of my favorite vintage things like this length of old, black glass rosary, complete with it's lovely connector.  The faceted gold beads are vintage Czech and really gorgeous.

I had only a few of these antique, black and gold glass buttons  and used one for the clasp.  It connects to a length of black silk and ribbon.

On the other end of the silk is a textured brass ring from France.

More of my favorite things...these faceted agate beads paired with crystal roundels...beautiful.  I added a small French brass connector and one of my sterling wrapped silk links.

  "Wing and a Prayer" was created as a sister necklace to the one featured in the article.  That necklace was one that I ended up keeping for myself...

"Heart to Soul"

...sometimes that happens!

 
 

Online Class With DJ Pettitt-Memories and Manipulations

Wouldn't you like to create digital art like this? 

My dear friend, DJ Pettitt, has a huge talent for photography...

...and for altering that photography, digitally, to create amazing works of art.

All of the photos and works of art you see here were created by DJ.

Lucky for us, she's offering to teach anyone who wants to learn...in the form of an online class called Memories and Manipulations.

Knowing DJ as I do, I have no doubt that this class is going to be spectacular.  She puts her whole heart and soul into what she does and this will be no different.

Aren't these samples tantalizing??  I just finished with Susan Tuttle's Visual Poetry class (I think she'll be offering a second one, soon) and I can hardly wait to take DJ's class, as well!

Registration has already begun for DJ's class...click here. 

Come with me...it's going to be a wonderful adventure!

Belle Armoire Jewelry Winter Issue...With Friends

Have you seen the newest issue of Stampington's Belle Armoire Jewelry?  This issue has to be one of my favorites so far.  It's jam packed with beautiful jewelry like my friend Crystal Neubauer's unique encaustic pieces.  I'm the lucky owner of one of these gorgeous pieces...you can see them here.

I was so pleased to see the work of many of my talented friends in this issue:  Kecia Deveney, Jana Ewy, Jessica Moreau-Berry, Diane Cook and Cece Grimes.  My Objects and Elements design team sisters, Kristen Robinson and Barbe Saint John,  have wonderful pieces published here.  Best of all, my uber talented friend, Richard Salley, is featured as the "Designer Collection" artist...a well deserved honor!  His interview is fascinating along with some of his favorite pieces of jewelry.

Watch Case Locket With Wooden Nickel 

I did this watch case piece in one of Richard's classes, years ago.  He's been a huge influence on me as an artist and as a friend.

"Wing and a Prayer"

 Another friend who's more recently influenced some of my designs is Lynn Davis.  She and I collaborated on an article featured in this issue of BAJ.
 

"Victoriana"

I've been working with some of her incredible, hand cast pewter elements.  They're so intriguing and a great match for my style.

"Biker Chic Protection" (sold)

 

I've been wanting to feature Lynn's amazing pewter elements on my blog for a while.  I fell in love with them and still have quite a few pieces to work with so look to see more in the future.

"Elegance Negligee Pendant"

I don't have all these pieces back from the publisher yet but I'll be posting them to my Etsy shop when I get them.  Email me if you see something here that you like and I'll hold it for you  Oh, make sure you check out Lynn's Etsy for her gorgeous elements.

On The Thirteenth Day Of Christmas...A Baker's Dozen

Ok...so there really is no thirteenth day of Christmas but, this year in our ornament swap, we have thirteen participants so it will be a baker's dozen for us!  My good friend, Lorraine George, has day thirteen.  I always look forward to seeing what Lorraine has come up with because her work is so meticulous and gorgeous.  This year I was surprised because Lorraine didn't use metal in her ornament but the surprise was so very pleasant...

Lorraine's piece this year is all soft, icy colors and layered stitching.  You can't really see it in the photos but, Lorraine's ornament has layers and layers of papers, fabric, vinyl and I don't know what all!   Of course, it's perfectly and beautifully done. 

Lorraine's attention to detail is extraordinary and I know she spent hours creating these beauties.  What a great way to wrap up our exchange!

Matthias

The name Matthias is derived from a Hebrew name meaning "gift of Yahweh."  Matthias was the twelfth apostle and was the man chosen to replace Judas, the one who betrayed Jesus.  Matthias was one of Jesus' disciples that had been with Him since the time of John's baptism.  The book of Acts relates the story of how Matthias was chosen by casting lots.  It was Peter who suggested the need to fill Judas the traitor's spot according to Old Testament prophecy.  Two men, Joseph (called Barsabas) and Matthias, were chosen and lots were cast, falling to Matthias.  Casting lots, using rocks or sticks, was a common way to discern God's will in a matter.  In this way, Matthias became one of the twelve.  No more is said directly about him in the Bible but we know that he went out to spread the gospel with the other apostles.  It is believed he died a martyr, like ten of the other apostles, but the method is not known for sure.  Different sources have him crucified or stoned then beheaded.

 

One of the most amazing things about the twelve apostles, is that, in the face of threats, pressure and persecution...even torture...they never recanted their testimony concerning Jesus.  (Click here for an interesting writing on this.)  Each one of them was called upon to pay the ultimate price for their belief in Christ.  John was the only one to die peacefully but this after persecution and banishment to the island of Patmos for hard labor.  Their faith and belief in this man, Jesus, whom they knew personally and loved, was proved out in their lives, their witness and their deaths.

On The Twelfth Day Of Christmas...

On the twelfth day of Christmas ornaments, I opened this beautiful, hand decorated box from gifted artist, Lou.  Lou has a special talent for assemblage and giving all her creations a wonderful vintage look.

For this year's ornament, Lou used a small (vintage?) baking tin and attached a sweet, tiny image.  I can't quite decide if this is a tintype or a paper image covered with mica...Lou has cleverly disguised it if it isn't a tintype!  In either case, it's precious and will be a great addition to my Christmas art tree.

Judas Iscariot

Judas Iscariot, the one who betrayed Jesus is our disciple for day twelve.  Judas was one of the original twelve disciples, called by Jesus but not one of the twelve apostles who were sent out after Jesus' death.  (Since I have thirteen days of ornament swapping this year, I'm including Judas in my study and will post about the last apostle tomorrow.)  Judas was the only one, in the group twelve, from Judea, the rest being from Galilee.  He is always listed last in Bible lists.  Judas is never mentioned in the Bible without his betrayal of Jesus being noted.  Jesus, of course, knew that Judas carried His betrayal in his heart.  He knew Judas' character, even better than Judas himself did.  Judas was in charge of the money for the twelve disciples and, it is noted in the Bible that he was a thief who had no love of the poor. 

The chief priests of the time, came to despise Jesus because of His large following and influence on the people.  Not only were the priests jealous of his fame and the attention he garnered, they were also concerned that Jesus would stir up trouble for them with the Roman authorities.  They were looking for their chance to dispose of Jesus and it came about in the form of Judas.  In both the Matthew account and the Mark account, Judas is the one who approached the high priests and offered to hand Jesus over to them.  The Luke and John accounts say that Satan entered into Judas before the betrayal.  The night of the last supper, Passover, was the opportunity Judas had waited for and the priests were delighted to pay him thirty pieces of silver for his disloyal deed.  It was after this, while Jesus was praying in the garden of Gethsemane, that Judas came, with the soldiers, and identified Jesus to them by kissing him.  Jesus was arrested and later crucified. 

 
According to Matthew, after Jesus' arrest, Judas was filled with remorse and tried to return the money.  The priests, of course, would have nothing to do with it and Judas ran away and hanged himself.  The other account of Judas suicide is in the book of Acts during a speech by Peter.  Peter tells us that Judas hanged himself, the body broke loose and the bowels gushed out.  That place became known as the Field of Blood. 

There has been much speculation about Judas and how he could be a close follower and friend of Jesus but betray him.  Many believe he was evil and irredeemable.  The thing that gives me hope about Judas, and for all of us, is the passage in Matthew that says he was repentant.  As I wrote before, Jesus knew Judas' heart...all along, even to the end.  None of us can say whether or not Judas was truly repentant and reconciled to his Lord.  The one thing I know for sure, the thing that is abundantly clear in the Bible, is that God offers us (and offered Judas, as well) chance, after chance, after chance for forgiveness and redemption...to come close to Him...even to the end.