SMALL BREAK

Tomorrow I am going to Philadelphia to visit my best friend for my birhtday. We will go BEAD SHOPPING....eat somewhere great I'm sure, and stay the night at her place and catch up on a lot of things...we only see each other about twice a year, she is a physician and usually very busy, but everyone is busy anymore. It's nice to get away for a while.....I usually come back with a better attitude and fresh outlook. I'll leave you with some of my garden photos and a recent order of sari silk that called out to me from Objects and Elements!

Have a great weekend!

I LIKE METAL A LOT

Can you tell!! I've just been obsessed again with metal, but on my worktable are some fragments of fabric and beads....so I see things taking a turn soon..... maybe.... if I let it happen!! I really want to start working some fiber and softness in again.... maybe not fiber.... not sure?!! What do you think? What are you attracted to when you look at my pieces? I'm interested in working in some mixed media, which is another excuse to buy more STUFF! I LOVE STUFF!! Then I'll need some more time to go with it!

CATHEDRALS AND CROSSES

Just thought I'd share my ongoing works ....a little metal...and a little faith!


available on etsy

FEELIN BLUE AND PURPLE!

I recently won a giveaway from Tammy and Rob and their blog Santos and Tesoros!! If you haven't checked them out yet, it will be the best thing you do for yourself by doing so. Tammy creates beautiful jewelry, really rich and saturated with color, and Rob does wood carvings, spanish colonial and latino influenced, religious inspired pieces of beauty. They are truly a remarkable team.
I won a bracelet and Tammy said she would do it up in my favorite color, and it is a knockout, as you can see! Then I was suprised to see she sent me another gorgeous bracelet in shades of purple, because she felt I had waited too long to recieve it! Way too generous, but sooooo apppreciated on this end Tammy! I can't say enough about these two, they are kind, generous, and extremely talented .....and I'm sooo glad they are sharing with us!!

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.

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!

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!!