Sunday, May 31, 2009

MADONNA




I created this necklace in my ongoing exploration and examination of my faith...something I have been working on for a long time and actually quite afraid to do. I know it sounds silly, but growing up catholic , attending catholic school, and being instructed by nuns....let's just say I carried a lot of guilt with me over the years. This is in one way an exercise to shed some of that guilt, and to be able to celebrate what I believe. I really feared using a religious picture, medal, icon, etc....would be somehow wrong, blasphemous, ignorant. I tried to rationalize in my head, but it took a long time to sink in, and I think it was only by doing it, did I actually feel good about it, and reaffirm my beliefs. I was proud to wear it the other day, and am starting to become so comfortable with it I don't want to let it go...that is until I make another!! I have had talks recently regarding faith with a few artists I admire and respect, and they have also helped me along this journey. For this piece, I tried a technique that Deryn Mentock had published in the March/April 2009 issue of Belle Armoire Jewelry magazine, applying image transfers to chandalier crystals. Deryn"s blog is Something Sublime, and she is a kind, lovely person, and so talented, and is always willing to share. So a new journey of faith begins here, one filled with anticipation and celebration.....and whatever your faith, I hope this post in some little way will help you with your journey also.

Friday, May 29, 2009

GROWING III



I think I'm just about twisted out, but couldn't resist making a pair of earrings, and really giving it my own twist!

Thursday, May 28, 2009

MORE FRIENDS AND MORE GIFTS



I recently did a charm exchange with the lovely Anne of Bulles Dorees blogspot from France! If you want a visually stimulating sight, visit her blog. This is what she sent me....just beautiful little charms in all different combinations, just lovely! She sent them in this little box done in mixed media which I just Looooove!! Anne also creates beautiful mixed digital collages, just incredible!! Thank you again Anne. I have a plan to make something outrageous incorporating all these charms!!
I also am participating in a "Create it Forward" exchange, and this gift of a mixed media painting was sent by the lovely talented Laura Pace!! It is so much fun, and unlike anything I have!! It also came with a delightful recipe, but I can't promise I'll be baking anytime soon Laura!! I like to take all these gifts and keep them around my work area so I am always reminded of all the kindness that surrounds my life. Thank you Laura and ladies!!

Wednesday, May 27, 2009

GROWING........PART II



In my continuing obsession with wire, and my longtime struggle to incorporate some fiber in my work, I created this. Not so super sure I liked it at first, but definitely liked a lot about it, so I reworked a few times till I was content. Then I had to leave it for a few days and come back and it is growing on me. I really liked LeAnn's button with it, I thought it helped fit the earthy character of the piece and to anchor the colors. In any event, I am not done twisted wire!

Tuesday, May 26, 2009

GROWING




Another project from Mary Hett's book, "Wrap, Stitch, Fold & Rivet". This type of wireworking can be very addicting, and I really like how the physical movement involved in the process leads you to where you can go, and it can change with every twist of the metal. I actually made a few more projects that I will post later in the week.

Monday, May 25, 2009

FLANDERS FIELD


I guess it's very fitting, that my long awaited poppy blooming has occurred this weekend, in remembrance of the people who have served us in times of war. The poppy holds a lot of symbolic meaning for Memorial Day. It represents the blood lost by soldiers on the battlefields.
In 1915 a woman by the name of Moina Michel sold poppies as a way to encourage recognition of Memorial Day. The poppy is a wildflower, and it's seeds do not produce growth until they are disturbed. It is thought that in times of war, the soldiers marching through the fields turned the earth with their boots and poppies bloomed abundantly in places of desolation.


Let us all say our own type of pray for those who have sacrificed their time, work, and lives for our freedom!

Sunday, May 24, 2009

USE THE MUSE II




Scarlet Lanson has launched her 2nd Use The Muse contest, and it looks very inviting to me. I missed the first one, so I'm anxious to jump in and give this one a try! She has teamed up with a few select sponsors for this , and they have put together a beautiful kit!! Scarlet's blog and website are a treasure to look at, and there is sooooo much information on it I suggest you visit it for yourself. An added bonus is that every week she is giving away a prize for spreading the news about her contest, and judging by the photo of this first week's prize, they are all going to be great as well!!! I just want to say thanks to Scarlet for all the hard work she must have to put into this, in order to share creativity with all of us. THANKS SCARLET! Here's a photo of this week's blogger rewards!!

SLOW SUNDAY





I finally have two days off in a row, since I usually work Saturdays, so my plan is to RELAX!
Sometimes I really have a problem doing that, but I'm sure going to try. More photos of my yard, which helps me to relax!

Hope everyone is enjoying their holiday!

Friday, May 22, 2009

FLAPPER




The Vincent Price movie really inspired me the other day , so I continue on with my vintage, retro motivation. That combined with some new and easy techniques from Mary Hett's book have given me a look I really like. I made my own headpins with silver and a torch for these and I really like the subtle patina, they way they look all aged , the balls sometimes dimpled and worn looking, in other words.... not so perfect. I really like when things are not perfect, maybe that reminds me of me.

The second pair of earrings I made the other day, and I just wanted to show you how my mood and feelings change from day to day, and what the end product is from that. That's the Gemini coming out.

I was equally happy with the two results.

Thursday, May 21, 2009

I FEEL PRETTY



Last night I combined Kristen's chabby chic lampwork beads and my own little funky feeling that's been going on with me these days....something like, french, vintage, rustic, pretty??? I don't know, like I've said before, I feel how to do it, I can't really say it all the time. This little pc makes me feel pretty good today about going to work until 8:00 tonight!

Wednesday, May 20, 2009

WITHIN REACH




Continuing on in Mary Hett's book, "Wrap, Stitch, Fold & Rivet", I am certainly discovering something about myself and my style, that I had not noticed before, but maybe never had the opportunity, or maybe it's just developing. A few times now a number of people have referred to my work as pretty, and rustic together. I have never thought as anything I did as being pretty, but I'm starting to embrace that terminology. I told Kristen of Waking Beauty Designs that I thought her work looked chabby chic, it has that airiness about it. I think my work looks heavier than that, but I don't exactly have a word or term to describe it. I would be interested to know if you do?! Please leave a comment if you care to share.

available on etsy
p.s. I will be in the fall issue of Stringing, and July, August, and September issues of Bead Trends

Tuesday, May 19, 2009

GHOST




Last night, my daughter and I watched an old episode of a Vincent Price movie, and I guess you can say I was inspired!! It was very entertaining!! I used to watch these as a kid and thought Vincent was pretty neat then, and actually think he' s pretty neat now! I love the black and white, the drama (no gore!!), the imagination, the music, what an atmosphere!! So here's to ghosts!!

chalcedony drops, vintage brass chain with glass bead, sterling silver

available on etsy



Monday, May 18, 2009

METAL LOVE




I had a wonderfully productive weekend and made a few things I'll post throughout the week, this being one of them. It's my version of the Wrapped Bead's Necklace in Mary Hett's book that I've been jumping around through and submitting some projects on Deryn Mentock's blog challenge. I have to say this was my favorite so far, but each time I complete one I say that to myself, so this has been a terrific way to practice and to learn some new techniques!!

Sunday, May 17, 2009

PRESENTS!!!





I received some wonderful gifts this weekend from my good friend Kristen of Waking Beauty Designs. We did a swap of earrings and some other goodies!! Kristen makes the most beautiful earrings, and they are all my favorites. I love her wrapped fiber technique and she has a wonderful eye for the most beautiful gemstones. And, she has been a terrific friend! And then, I received a package from one of the sweetest people I've met, Lilibulle, from France!! We met on the blog through Amber Dawn's International Charm Day, and we really connected.. Lilibulle makes the neatest little charms out of all sorts of different mediums,. and I am fascinated!
They make me smile, so colorful, vibrant and alive. She also made the card and the sweet bag, she's a real doll, and she makes me look at things in a new way! This again is the best part of this blog, to exchange ideas, inspiration, and culture!!! ( I really could use to learn and speak a few words in French though!)




Friday, May 15, 2009

MARIE




This is a new necklace as I work my way through some of the projects in Mary Hettsmansperger's book, Wrap, Stitch, Fold, and Rivet. I tried something new using a digital collage pic and sealing it with a medium that looks like a brushstroke, tried some rivets, and cutting a window in sheet metal. I really enjoyed it and think I may make some pins next, as I seem to instantly gain tremendous ideas from this book!



Thursday, May 14, 2009

MY PAST LIFE





A little while ago I made reference to my days of painting, so here are some, and a shot of a self portrait in charcoal. Keep in mind these are at least 26 years old. My perspective on them, I'm sure is quite closed at this point, and I have not been critiqued in as many years. One photo is a close-up to show you the layering and texture. My apologies for the bad photos. These were a series of women in landscapes. The first one is 9"x11", the second is 24"x24", the next is a close-up and the portrait is 16"x20".


Wednesday, May 13, 2009

COPYRIGHT

I read Lorelei's blog about copyrights and wanted to respond, and realized as my thoughts went racing it would take a long time, so I found this article that pretty much sums up my feelings. Granted it is a bit of reading , but really worth it I think. Originality, in art, including jewelry, is something to me that is practically extinct. There are arguments everywhere about this. A style becomes original and distinct, and I would never think that I conceived something in the art or jewelry world that was new, nor do I think anyone else has, just maybe a little different and personal. My thinking tends to be abstract I know, but this is my own personal feeling. If you have studied art and art history, you will know this to be true. Of course everyone will always have their own definition for original. If it comes down to questioning whether we should be using a certain type of bead because others use it, and claim they like using it, what does that mean? Where did you learn or acquire your artistic abilities? Think long and hard before you answer that. Were you at all influenced by someone, or something? If you can honestly say you were not, you are a true original.





What do you think of this article? Please share a comment!

MY PICASSO




Some older work I thought I'd share . Since I have been working in metal a lot and trying to incorporate that sometimes with beads, I look back at my older pieces sometimes for reference, and usually see something in there or a relationship of materials that I didn't see before. I think this is why I like so many different styles, I can always find a part of something I like and try to figure how I can combine that with other things I like for an eclectic mix!

Tuesday, May 12, 2009

THE HOUSE THAT SHE BUILT



A couple of weeks ago I ordered a piece from the extremely talented Lynn Davis, and this house came along with it. I couldn't wait to get the piece I ordered, but when I saw this in person, I was so attracted to it, and the necklace really came together quickly. It's funny, because when I was a little younger, I never wanted to be home, always wanted to go out and do something......run, run, run. Well now, I usually can't wait to get home from work and relax in my house, my chair, my yard, my work table, and my bed . I have a very small house(and I like it that way, less cleaning, less stuff!), and have gotten to the point of trying to keep around only things that are important to me. My house means a lot more to me than it did years ago. It's more about how it makes me feel in the house than what it looks like anymore. Being with my family happens in the house, I eat here most often, I rest here, I love here, and the plus is that it is also where I grew up, and where my grandparents lived, in the same house. It makes me feel good, fuzzy and warm. I hope this little piece of jewelry represents the same!

available on etsy later today





Monday, May 11, 2009

A DAY OF GIFTS


It was one of the best Mothers Days EVER!
A BEAUTIFUL orchid from my daughter!

A Beautiful bracelet from my dear friend Renate in an exchange we are doing called Create it forward, Get Excited! Renate did some lovely etching, stamping and wirework to create this, and I can't wait to where it to work tomorrow!
THANK YOU RENATE!!
(P.S. Yours is still in progress!)


And a phone call from my brother who is vacationing/studying in Tuscany, Italy for a month! That made me so very happy!

OH , and I saw a BLUEBIRD for the first time in my life! I was pretty excited, small pleasures I guess!
I also spent the day with my mother and the bluebird, my daughter and the orchid,and the bracelet, and my husband and the phone call and the dogs. I have learned that you usually get what you need, which just happened to be what I wanted!



Saturday, May 9, 2009

NEW BLUE


My latest entry for the May ABS Water Lilies challenge. I fell in love with these stones when I saw them! I really felt that was all I needed.
BTW, for MOTHER'S DAY
I'm having a BIG SALE in my shop!!! 25% OFF till the 17th!!
HAPPY DAY TO ALL!!
Thanks for your continued support!!
LOTS OF LOVE!!!!

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