ALTERED

I made this altered envelope last month for a swap, so I thought I would share it with you. I have been working like a maniac getting ready for another jewelry presentation coming up, so I haven't been posting, or blogging as much as I would like. I see the end is in sight , so I will be back to normal soon. I miss not being here everyday...you are all my extended family, and are so important to me. Tomorrow...er, today, (it's now 1:56 a.m.), is my birthday, so I hope to celebrate next week sometime with a giveaway...to show my appreciation for all of your support! So check back in a few days!!

MEDIEVAL

At times along the way I have to touch base. Feel the metal, cut it, shape it, pound it , and make it mine.

ANOTHER FIRST

Yup, another first for me! This is an assemblage I made for the Moonlight Journey Art contest on the Creative Souls group. I first heard about this contest via my good friend and super talented artist Terri Khars, who is on the Moonlight Journey design team. They have some super fabulous collage sheets to work with. This project nagged at the back of my head all month, because I really didn't want to do another atc, or regular collage, I wanted to do something different. Today it finally came together. I saw some tumbled marble pieces in work ( I work in a large tile store) , and really loved the organic quality they have. I made an alterish type thing out of the collage sheet , cut out the arch, and cut out the woman, and added the butterfly wings.
I made another butterfly from the sheets and put that one to rest on the step, found a really neat pewter bee, and added some flowers. I used broken pieces of marble around the base to secure the arch, and added a blingy crystal drop to hang over her crown. This was a blast!
Let me just say that I NEVER ever would have thought a few months back that I would be doing assemblage! I never thought I would try anything other than jewelry! But I am so glad I continue to try new things. I want to mention that this idea of assemblage came from some great inspiration from Cat Kerr of " In the Light of the Moon". Her altered pieces and assemblages are really wonderful! Check her blog out if you haven't already! Also, check out Terri Khars blog for some super collage inspiration!! And as always, thank you to my very good friend Lenna, my mentor and wonderfully dear friend. She is always a source of inspiration and encouragement
Thanks for visiting everyone...and for your constant support!!

PERSIA

I am fascinated by the lotus flower, and I find myself time and again reinventing jewelry around my thoughts of them. This is how these were born. The subtle swirl in these handmade local artisan lampwork beads reminds me of water and the flower itself, cragly brown wood beads of roots and mud, white of pureness, and hill tribe stamen charms of reproduction and rebirth. The red lotus was introduced to Egypt from Persia.

Another glimpse into the workings of my mind.

YOU MUST

My sweet sweet wonderful friend Cindy of Sweet Bead Studio has teamed up with her good friend Jeanette Ryan and together they have created a venue that YOU MUST see! Clicke here, or on the badge to get the full scoop of ART BLISS, a unique and spectacular art retreat being offered on the east coast this fall. You'll be amazed at the intsructors and classes . But I am not going to give you all the details....you will have to go visit the site yourself!

A BIG congrat's to Cindy and Jeanette, and a culmination of a dream!

WHO

(click on the pic for a better look!)

Gale, of Paper Whimsy, is hosting a whimsical art challenge. The challenge is to create 3 atc's using Gale's wonderful whimsy kids from her incredible collage sheets, and also use paper whimsy backgrounds. Once you have done that, you then may be dubbed a WHO, whimsical of the highest order!

So here they are, in all there whimsical glory! I hope I am a WHO now!

Thanks for visiting everyone!

BLESSED AGAIN

Tarnished Peach

I have been blessed again to have a pair of my earrings featured in the June issue of Bead Trends! The folks there always do such a fabulous job with the photography. These pics here are mine, but check out the June issue if you can and you will also see a few other artists you are familiar with.

Thanks for looking and Happy Weekend all!