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!)

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!

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".

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.

http://constable.net/currentart/essay6-5-1999.html.

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!

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!