STRENGTH

So I broke down , caved in and drug out the sewing machine, and succumbed to another addictive art form. AND LOVED IT! I didn't buy anything new either, except some good thread, which is way pricier than the last time I bought it years ago . This was made for a swap, a theme of trees and bookmarks, and I just dove right in. Didn't really know what I was doing, but it felt good not to have lines to go by, and intuition works wonders sometimes....errrr,..... most of the time, I think.
One of the reasons I really wanted to give this a try was because my dear friend Lenna Andrews is a fantastic fabric , mixed media artist. I am fortunate enough to have two of her incredible pieces, and she has profoundly influenced my art and life. She creates absolutely beautiful pieces, and thay make me feel beauty. I really can't explain the way they move me, but it is special. Please check out her blog where you will find all of her links to all of her incredible talents.
Hoping you have a very "STRONG" week, filled with beauty!

SHE IS....

It really has been one of the rougher weeks I've experienced in quite a while. Health and family issues have been getting in my creative way. This was just done quickly for a swap, a theme of butterflies, that was it. This literally flew out of my head, and then I recognized myself!

I have been working on jewelry also, but am not quite "there" yet. Many new ideas, I am hoping some of them work out! I am looking forward to the weekend, and possibly doing nothing! Happy weekend to all!

ANOTHER PAIR

Again with the earrings, I know, BUT, every day is a good earring day for me! I have to say that there is nothing quite like the pleasure I get out of working with metal. It is hard to desribe, but I think some of it comes from the physical process of working with it, pounding, and manipulating. There is something about it being raw, pure, unaltered, and I can alter it. I really enjoy making my own jump rings as I have here, I almost feel guilty when on occassion I don't. These are now listed in my etsy shop.....here.



Aaaaaand, a start of a new calender month. Thought I might lighten up from last month, but now that it is down on paper I'm not liking it too much. I never go for light, it is not comfortable with me. I will leave it for now, but I am thinking I will do something else to it as I go. I'm going to give myself some time though and see if I can leave it alone!

If your looking for my One World One Heart giveaway...it's right HERE. I would lovbe it if you would visit!

POLKA DOTS

These page was created for a swap, this is one page, front and back, and the theme was red and white polka dots. It was fun , but it was a challenge to work on an 8x10 format......lots of space to fill up! I finally had a Saturday off, and was able to work on so much jewelry and art, I am now going into a new week feeling happy, happy!! I'll share some new jewelry later in the week. I also finished my Jan calender page for Kate's challenge......

PHEW!! This is a real challenge to keep up...so far, so good. Thanks for stopping by and hoping everyone has a fantastic new week!

ONE WORLD ONE HEART

I have decided to participate in this big random act of kindness called ONE WORLD ONE HEART, created by Lisa Swifka of A Whimsical Bohemian. It is a beautiful event meant to bring bloggers together from all over the globe, for the sheer pleasure of kinship, communication, and sharing. A vehicle to get to know one another, and to make new friends. An opportunity to offer a gift of yourself for sharing. I like to think of it as a huge RAK, and I'm all about that! Click on the icon to visit Lisa and to learn more about the event. As my gift, I am giving away this pair of earrings I just made , little birds of a feather stamped on hand cut and forged sterling silver, hanging from jasper, labrodorite, and hill tribe beads, all on handforged earwires of sterling!
Just leave me a nice comment and you are entered to win. That's it! Send your friends over. I'd love to get to know you! The winner will be announced on February 15th.

KATHMANDU

A while ago I won this gorgeous pendant from Melissa at Chinook Jewelry. I went to town designing a necklace around it, it's flow, it's warmth, it's mystery. I submitted it to Bead Trends, and I am fortunate enough to have it featured in the February issue. I always have so many artists to thank for there wonderful creations that usually grace my jewelry. That beautiful lampwork bead is from Cindy Gimbrone also. It really has been a wonderful start to a wonderful New Year. I have to continue to dig through my stash and start using more of these goodies to bring even more flow of good fortune. I am fortunate enough to have these blog buddies in my life. I thank you all, you are all my good fortune!

available on etsy

A BEAUTIFUL GIVEAWAY

Isn't this heart just so sweet, and gorgeous! The very talented Sandy Michelle of Sandy's Creations is offering this up in a giveaway to celebrate her 300th post! I am fortunate enough to have a sweet little angel by Sandy, and she is just so creative with fabric and sewing, and mixed media also. Sandy says she was inspired by Ruth Rae's new book, Layered, Tattered, and Stitched. I think we have all seen Ruth's work in A Charming Exchange and so many other places. I have always been in awe of her, and everytime I see these sewn creations I have to keep fighting that urge to start buying fabric. I used to sew a lot years ago, and I have been fighting this, but after seeing Sandy's heart , that little voice is calling and I feel I am weakening and am on the verge of getting the sewing machine out again! Click on the heart picture to enter Sandy's giveaway, and to be inspired!