Wednesday, June 23, 2010

Summer Diversions

Paris Flea Market Pendant

It's time for this month's Gallery Friday at Artisans in Downtown Columbia, Tennessee. This month we will have several new artisans.

The festivities are Friday, June 25, from 5:00 until 9:00.
3 Metal Swirls
Copper and Brass Dangles



My mind has been mostly on food and gardening. I've been getting inspiration from one of my favorite raw food websites, RawLife.com. Check it out.Align Center
Cucumbers, Tomatoes, Avocado, Sweet Peppers, and Kelp Powder
Totally Raw Chocolate Tarts for Father's Day
Totally Raw California Rolls
Prickly Soyu Cucumbers
Uncle David's Dessert Squash
Milo Smelling the Herbs

Wednesday, June 09, 2010

Round Robin Reveal

At long last, it is time to unveil the results of our round robin which began in February of this year. Four artists have participated in this adventure. The beginning artist has finally received her necklace, so now we can all post them. The artists are Steph in Belgium, Lucie in Paris, Lindsay in Chicago, and little ole me, here in Tennessee.

We each chose a theme for our necklace, and mine was Vincent Van Gogh. I created the focal pendant, with the paintbrush and a couple of dangles, and the basic chain. Then I sent it to Lindsay, who added her contribution to the necklace, and then sent it to Lucie, and then on to Steph. We each added something of our own interpretation of the theme. Along with my necklace, I sent each participant a CD of Don McLean's song Vincent.
Another part of the challenge was to create a bag which went along with our theme for the necklace to travel in.
Please check out the other artists' sites to see their final creations. If they don't have them up yet, they should soon, so check back again. I forgot to take a photo of the beginning of mine, so maybe one of the other artists can fill in that blank for me.
I also want to remind everybody that it's time for Studio Thursday tomorrow at Silo Studio in Spring Hill. When I went to set up my jewelry today, the whole place was decked out with lots of colorful, new creations. The proceeds from her sales go to a worthy cause. To quote from her site: "But, bear in mind...when you make a purchase at Silo Studios, you aren't just getting an amazing custom piece, and you're not just saving one more bit of "trash" from finding it's way into a landfill. . .you are actually saving the life of a dog as well. Over 80% of Silo Studios profits go towards the rescue of homeless animals. Snootygiggles Dog Rescue is a small group (consisting of Shawn and "a few good friends") that takes in one dog at a time. The dogs chosen for rescue are truly the bottom of the barrel. . .the sick and the elderly that just need someone to give them a chance or even just the love to comfort them through the inevitable. It is why we do what we do." Drop in and check it out! You'll be glad you did.

Tuesday, June 01, 2010

Cherry Red

I was driving to the store, when I spied a local orchard's sign advertising ripe cherries. I could not resist! Now...hmmm...what to do with 5 pounds of cherries? My favorite way is just fresh. For anyone in the Maury/Marshall county area, check out Forgie's Fruit Farm. The cherries are ripe now, and in July they will have the best peaches you have ever had. Also, just down the road from Forgie's is Bee Sweet Berry Farm. They will have raspberries for the next couple of weeks and blueberries beginning soon.
Here is a cameo necklace that I made from a cameo that I got at the flea market in Nashville last month. It seems to be a bakelite type material and I was told that it came from Hong Kong in the 1940's. It has a very nice vintage feel to it. I have one more waiting to be used in another creation.

Studio Friday was a success despite a monsoon that showed up about 30 minutes after we started. It cleared out after about an hour and people ventured out again. We enjoyed hosting the Central High Advanced Placement artists. I was very impressed with some of the work. The next show is planned for the last Friday in June.