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

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!

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!!!!

MIND PAINTING

Years ago I used to paint, as in oil painting, very abstract, one day i'll see if I can post that. I painted with palette knives, rarely used a brush, and I reeeeealy enjoyed the physical part of it, scraping, dabbing, pushing, sometimes in a frenzy, brutally, like it was a release! I guess that sounds kind of frightening, but it was a rush, and in working with metal, I feel the same way. I can gouge, mar, scratch, heat and manipulate it into something that's truly mine, it's the physical part of it that is different from beading. I've been working on projects from Mary Hettmansperger's book "Wrap, Stitch, Fold and Rivet". I love doing it, and it's a nice contrast to beading, which can sometimes be repetitive to me. Deryn Mentock has a challenge on her blog to participate in the projects in this book. It's very worthwhile, even if metal is not totally your thing, because it improves your skill level and I think it improves your mindset! Just a different way of looking at things. I can already see projects that I will do in the future that will incorporate both beading and metal. Deryn's blog is one of the most informative, thoughtful and inspirational that I have seen. The word beautiful somehow doesn't do her work justice, it's beyond that, and you can feel her sincerity and commitment in each piece she creates. I will also say she is one of the kindest people out there. Even if her style is not yours, by visiting her blog you can surely take something with you when you leave that will enrich your life. I like to think we are all trying to enrich each other in our own little way!

WATER LILIES

In my attempt to try to work through some of my color issues, I created this for the ABS challenge. I know, I know...it looks to me a lot like a Lorelei design! But hey, who can help it, she's super sweet, super influential, and a super great designer!! Well, I still don't know if I like it all that much, I really have a hard time working with vibrant colors, it's out of my comfort zone! So this was also my own personal challenge. I fell in love with these vintage glass beads when I found them at a flea market, and pictures cannot do the focal lampwork pendant justice, the colors inside are incredible!! It's a handblown piece by Tari Zarka of PA. I hand forged the clasp myself, gotta get that wire in there, that made me feel a little better! If any of you can share an opinion or suggestion, I'd really appreciate it.

ORCHID

This, is the inspiration for

This

I bought this orchid a year and a half ago at a produce market near Philadelphia for $8.00. From the time I bought it , it was blooming and it continued to constanly produce a flower for one year before it finally didn't have any. Then it took a rest for about 3 months, and now it's back! It loves me I think and I love it! Sometimes good things happen. That's my story today!!

FREEFALL

If you have ever worked with one of Lynn Davis's creations, than you know that it is not work at all, but pure delight to finish a story that Lynn started! Her pieces are exceptional, incredibly detailed. You can feel the intensity that went into to creating the piece, and your job of making the jewelry to enhance it just flows, at least it does for me. I fell in love with these fabulous wings, and this is what they said!! I think Lynn is a fabulous storyteller, on her blog and through her creations. I can look at a number of her pieces and see my stories already, just waiting to come out. I feel enhanced by her creativity! I have also found out that when I start these projects, I usually land up telling "MY" same story, just in a differnet format everytime, but the message is usually the same. I think it's obvious, but do you see something I don't?