Art and Ramblings

New Website!

2011-04-27T12:58:00.002-04:00

I and pleased to announce that my blog will be moving to my beautiful new website:
Stillwatersart.net.
Click the link to continue to my new blog and on the homepage, click on the top left photo for the most recent post.
The web design is by my son's company Scheitel Design.
Check it out!

New Additions

2011-04-12T11:36:00.004-04:00

There are seven new additions to our menagerie, 5 Americauna and 2 Barred Rock chicks. I have been wanting some new chicks for a while. Many years ago, when my children were young, we had 29 chickens. That was a bit too many. My DH got burnt out on eggs for a while. He will just now eat them again.

I took them out for a little sunshine and put them in the outdoor run of their future home. Maggie was fascinated with them...unfortunately. She found a small hole in the chicken wire and made it bigger and almost got to them. Thankfully, I found it in time and rounded them up and took them back inside. At least I found the weakness in the wire and know how to make it secure now.

See the mischief in her eyes?

There is a bit more to do to prepare their home, but they still have a week or so to grow, so I will not be rushed.

I'm so excited that it is spring! All I want to do is be outside and garden and enjoy the GREEN!
Flowers are blooming, bees are buzzing! My creativity this time of year is directed out of the studio and outside. What a blessing to experience spring in Tennessee!

Love Is In The Air

2011-03-18T12:01:00.004-04:00

What a beautiful day! I went for an afternoon walk around the pond with my sweetheart and had to take a few photos to share. The air resonates with the love songs of hundreds of frogs and toads. They got a little shy when I went around to photograph them, but I managed to find one who wanted to pose.
They have decorated the edges of the pond with thousands of eggs. The beautiful strings are like necklaces adorning the grass and weeds in the water.
If all of these manage to make it to adulthood, we will have a plague of Biblical proportions. Fortunately, (or unfortunately if you are a tadpole) not all of them will make it, but some years we have hundreds of tiny toads migrating from the pond to the forest.
I had to stop and feed the neighbor's horses some apples that I had saved for them. They seemed to appreciate the attention.

These are little Ipod holders made from recycled, felted wool sweaters and transferred photos and vintage buttons. They will be at this month's Silo Studio Sale.

Blooming

2011-03-16T11:24:00.001-04:00

Crocheted yarn flower necklace.

More polymer clay moths.

Spring Forward

2011-03-14T16:10:00.004-04:00

Yaaaawwwwnnn! Don't you just love time changes? It will take a little getting used to, but I really love having daylight later in the evening. It makes it easier to work in natural light rather than artificial.

I found these little paper mache houses and got inspired. They have lights inside so that the windows and doors glow when they are lit. Flowers and colorful moths and butterflies cover the sides.

They will show up at Silo Studio on March 31 at our sale there.

Flutter By Butterfly

2011-03-03T14:25:00.008-05:00

Misty sunrise.

Polymer clay with laser print transfers and glass beads.

Studio Time and Nature Walk

2011-02-24T17:32:00.004-05:00

After two long afternoons in the studio, I finally finished this Sedona scene that I had been working on at the request of someone special. (If you can guess, shhhh! I don't want them to see it yet.)

It's been a very rainy day, but the clouds parted for a few minutes and the balmy temperatures drew me out for a walk with the dogs. There are a few tiny signs that spring is on its way.
It's a little scary to see buds and blooms this early after the devastating late freeze that we had a couple of years ago when the leaves were already on the trees. There was no fruit at all locally and it took a long time for the leaves to return. It was a sad spring followed by a tough drought. I hope that we ease gently into spring without too much cold. It's a little to optimistic to think that we won't have a bit more though.

The dogs enjoyed the excuse to explore. Maggie was in constant motion so my first attempts at a picture of her were just a blur. She finally paused for a drink and a dip in the pond.

Milo found a tiny pond of water captured in a root and refreshed himself.

If we had no winter, the spring would not be so pleasant; if we did not sometimes taste of adversity, prosperity would not be so welcome. ~Anne Bradstreet

Frida

2011-02-18T09:46:00.003-05:00

Frida Kahlo

Laser print transfer on polymer clay, mint tin, glass beads, vintage button, pins.

Face To Face

2011-02-02T19:21:00.003-05:00

Shifting gears again. Polymer clay has once more grabbed my attention. These "lockets" are made on mint tins with laser print transfers of Renaissance portraits.

This pendant is just the clay, without a tin. The dangles are carnelian and glass beads.

Winter Treats

2011-01-28T10:38:00.006-05:00

Winter has definitely found us in here Tennessee. I think that it has snowed every week this year. We are not accustomed to quite so much white stuff here. It has been beautiful though. These are views from my front yard. Maggie is enjoying a romp through the snow. She loves rolling in it.

I just had to show off the beautiful goodies that my friend Steph in Belgium sent to me recently. There is a necklace similar to the butterfly bracelet that she gave me in her Etsy shop if anyone is interested. The beaded necklace is made from the beads that she sent me in the last package of treats. The delicious chocolate did not make it into the photos, alas. It was speedily consumed. :-)

This cowboy necklace is made from a vintage tin. It will be available at the next Studio Thursday at Silo Studio in Thompson Station, Tennessee, which is coming up on February 10th from 9:00 am until 2:00 pm. Come and help support Snooty Giggles Dog Rescue. Their new website is designed by my son Zach. The background artwork is by Shawn, but the layout and functions are by Zach. If you know of anyone who needs a website done, send them to Scheitel Design and make Mom happy.

Soft, Cozy, Warm, and Inspirational

2011-01-04T13:13:00.005-05:00

What is it about winter that makes me want to play with soft wool and yarns in bright colors and neglect the cold, hard, metal and beads for a while? My hands have been busy while I sit and watch a movie, or travel in the car, or listen to podcasts. I've been knitting some fun, colorful hats. See my beautiful DIL modeling one. (The photo modification was done by my 12 year old niece as well) :-)
I've also been recycling wool sweaters and making small purses and necklaces and cuffs. I was inspired by Keri Smith's Living Our Loud- Activities To Fuel A Creative Life and I made some small, inspirational cards to go in and on the purses and cuffs.
Some of the purses are small enough just to be a necklace and to put some small tokens in. Others are large enough for a phone or Ipod.
These cuffs are made from recycled, embroidered sweaters with vintage buttons sewn on, along with the quotes printed on fabric.
I'm getting ready for January's sale at Silo Studio coming up on January 21st. I'll keep you posted.

A Little Mixed Media

2010-12-08T11:33:00.002-05:00

Just having a little fun!

Etsy Shop Additions

2010-11-28T17:18:00.005-05:00

I just got through adding several new things to my Etsy Shop. Just in time for CyberMonday

Two Shows

2010-11-12T11:56:00.004-05:00

Busy, busy! I have two shows happening next week! The first is at Silo Studio in
Thompsons Station, Tennessee, and this one is a three day show. It begins on Thursday, Nov. 18th at 9:00 a.m. til 2:00 p.m., then Friday, Nov. 19th from 5:30-8:00 p.m., then Saturday, Nov. 20th from 10:00 a.m. until noon for a clearance sale.

The next show is at the Artisans Gallery on the square in downtown Columbia, Tennessee on Saturday, Nov. 20th from 5:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. and also on Sunday, Nov. 21st from 1:00 until 4:00 p.m.
I've still been busy with the polymer clay beads. I love playing with the colors and combining them with other beads.

Morning Inspirations

2010-11-03T11:02:00.002-04:00

I just want to eat these colors! So I ate them with my eyes and my camera and they became beads.

Colorful Clay Fun

2010-10-12T19:46:00.002-04:00

I was in the mood for something a little different. A while back I purchased a pasta machine for using with polymer clay and just hadn't gotten around to using it yet. It was time for a little experimenting. I was inspired by the beautiful beads that my friend Steph had sent me a while back. This is what I have come up with in the past couple of weeks. I'm having a blast!

Speaking of having a blast...this Thursday is Sudio Thursday again at Silo Studios in Thompson Station. Come out and join the fun!

Big and Bold

2010-09-15T12:14:00.002-04:00

I had a few requests at the last couple of shows for some bigger necklaces. I tend to like them short, but apparently the style is trending toward larger necklaces. So....I perused the bead selection in my studio and had a fun time using up all of the larger beads in my collection. The colors are in the turquoise and fall color theme. Hope you like them.

Studio Thursday

2010-09-08T11:08:00.003-04:00

It's time again for Studio Thursday at Silo Studio. The festivities begin at 9:00 a.m. and end at 2:00 p.m. Last month, there was an amazing rush of people at the beginning and choice items cleared out fast, so if you want to find the best selection, you may want to get there early.

In Living Color

2010-09-03T18:52:00.002-04:00

Up at sunrise.

Lunch matches my skirt.

Wild and tame flowers.

Pink

2010-08-15T18:09:00.001-04:00

Just in a pink mood.

A Peek Into My World

2010-08-06T18:03:00.002-04:00

Here is a little glimpse into my studio. This is the only sane corner. The rest is packed with stuff. On New Years Day I decided to paint the walls, so I had to take everything out of the shelves to do it. I ran out of steam after a wall and a half. Someday it will be done. By that time I will probably be ready for a new color.
This is a painting of the path to the beach from our spring vacation to Puerto Rico. The colors in the photo didn't quite turn out true to the painting, but I can look at it and picture myself walking down that path to paradise.

Next week it will be time for Studio Thursday again at Silo Studio. After taking the month of July off, this should be a good show. As usual, your purchases help Shawn to rescue more precious dogs.

Creative Life

2010-08-01T21:27:00.008-04:00

I love to try to apply creativity to all areas of my life. Sometimes we just go through the everyday routine of our lives and don't think about beauty. Every moment of our lives can be made more beautiful if we give it a bit of thought. It is fun to treat my husband and family and friends to a little bit of something special whenever I can. Even if I am preparing a meal just for myself, I like to make it pretty. Art isn't just for "artists." Everyone can use the talents given to them to make the world just a little bit better. In a world full of stress and mass produced monotony, put your unique fingerprint on something that you do.

Hay baling Time

Distant Shower

Pottery shards given to me by a friend. Take trash and make treasures.

Sky and Sea

2010-07-23T10:56:00.004-04:00

I seem to be drifting back into painting. This is a view of Shacks Beach in Isabella, Puerto Rico. The photo that I did the painting from was taken as our family took a walk after dinner one evening. It brings back happy, peaceful memories.

A little bit of jewelry was done as well. This is a soft, fabric necklace of Vincent with vintage fabrics and buttons.

Camp Stillwaters

2010-07-19T11:30:00.010-04:00

Well...it's not really camp, but kind of like it. Each summer break I get some of my nieces for a few days and do crafts with them. I had one niece last month for a couple of days and we concentrated on sewing. I had a niece and a great niece last week and our main project was painting chairs. Someone had abandoned some chairs on a lot where my son and his wife are building a house and I snatched them up and brought them home because I knew they would make a great project. I think they turned out pretty cute.
We also tie-dyed T shirts and made collages. They spent a lot of time catching tiny, baby toads that are hopping all around our house and we took several rides around the farm on our Rhino. We also took a field trip to a museum nearby and one of them went to the peach orchard with me.

Now it is back to semi-normal at our house...whatever that may be and I have been in a painting mood. Here is one that I finished yesterday.

I also found time to make a bit of jewelry too. The copper and silver toned necklace and bracelet
were inspired by a pair of earrings that I got from my friend and fellow jeweler, Sylvia McAlister.

It's Not Summer Without...

2010-07-11T13:35:00.007-04:00

All of us probably have certain things that you can only do in summer that make the season come alive for us. My husband would probably say that first grilled burger of the season with big slices of homegrown tomato and Vidalia onion. I personally would skip the burger unless it was veggie. Some of the things that I look forward to every year are local experiences. In the town that is nearest to us there still exists a drive-in theater. We went there last night and joined the old fashioned fun. It is still a bargain in these days of expensive tickets and concessions. They always have a double feature, but this time of year, the movies doesn't start until after 8:30 so staying awake for both features is not something that I can handle. Where else though, can you see two current movies for $6 a person?

Just up the road from us a few miles are a lovely peach orchard and berry farm. I made a trip there on Tuesday and came home with such bounty that I felt truly blessed. The peaches will be coming in until the end of July. I'm not sure about the length of time for the berries, but if you are traveling a bit to get there, I would call for availability on both of them.

Can you believe the size of these blackberries?!!!

I did manage to find my studio one day this week and made this purse necklace. The vintage change purse was given to me by Shawn and I ordered the antique tintype from Australia from my friend Julie. I will tuck some interesting things inside once I decide what needs to be included. The words on the bottom of the purse are "seek the ancient paths" which is a quote from Jeremiah 6:16:
¹⁶ This is what the LORD says:
"Stand at the crossroads and look;
ask for the ancient paths,
ask where the good way is, and walk in it,
and you will find rest for your souls.

We all need rest for out souls in these hectic, troubling times.

Savoring Summer

2010-07-01T17:10:00.006-04:00

"Earth's crammed with heaven, And every common bush afire with God; But only he who sees, takes off his shoes - The rest sit round it and pluck blackberries.”
Elizabeth Barrett Browning

There are certain things that take me back to my childhood. One of those is sitting outside breaking homegrown green beans. My grandmothers and aunts would sit outside on the porch where it was cool and break beans while we children would swing in the porch swing or stand around begging them to take us down to the creek to wade. Doing the work outside just makes a mundane task into something special. Dinner tonight is mostly from the garden. Even my husband, the carnivore, doesn't complain about a vegetarian meal when the garden is coming in.

A little something colorful in honor of summer...polymer clay with a mosaic of lampworked glass, turquoise, millefiore, and dichroic glass in a copper bezel sent to me by Steph.

Summer Diversions

2010-06-23T12:05:00.011-04:00

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.

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

Round Robin Reveal

2010-06-09T22:12:00.003-04:00

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.

Cherry Red

2010-06-01T19:47:00.007-04:00

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.

Gallery Friday Coming Up

2010-05-24T12:17:00.008-04:00

"The world is so full of a number of things, I'm sure we should all be as happy as kings."
Robert Louis Stevenson

Spring is so full of wonderful things that draw my attention away from the studio. The gardens call to me each day to see what new surprise is waiting for me and what weeds need to be pulled before they take over. I have managed to get in a bit of studio time. This Friday is the Artisans' Gallery Friday in downtown Columbia, Tennessee, so there's no time to waste.
Stop by if you are in the area and enjoy some wine, music and great art. This month we are also hosting the Advanced Placement Art Class from Columbia Central High School. There are some very talented students participating. Please help to spread the word.

See you there!

Land and Sea

2010-05-11T11:32:00.008-04:00

I just finished refurbishing my herb beds and yesterday, while I was in Columbia I found the perfect ornament. I usually don't buy on impulse, but these handmade clay mushrooms were tooooo cute. I got them at Loblolly Interiors Market Antiques. It is a gorgeous store with beautiful paintings, fun accessories, and antiques. If you are in Columbia, you should stop by.
Coming up this Thursday is Silo Studio's Studio Thursday sale. This show has a beach theme, so I created some beach themed jewelry and will have it there along with my other new jewelry. The show is from 9:00 until 2:00 so don't miss it.

Nashville Tennessee Flood 2010

2010-05-06T11:12:00.005-04:00

In case any of you weren't aware, Nashville and Middle Tennessee are going through one of the worst disasters in our history. I was away in Florida during the flood, and had no TV where I was and very little internet access. My husband was telling me about what was going on, but it wasn't until Monday when I returned, that I understood the extent of the damage. When I saw the news footage of Nashville I was moved to tears. From what I understand, it got very little national coverage. Please watch the video and you will be amazed at the amount of water that inundated our state. My younger son is a fireman in Smyrna and was on duty all weekend as they helped evacuate people. Our home was unscathed, but I know several people who lost much in the flood.
I have posted some items in my Etsy shop for all proceeds to go to help the flood victims. Please remember the flood victims in your prayers and I'm sure any help would be appreciated. If you don't see anything in my shop that is to your liking, just type in "Nashville" in the search box and you will find others who are also posting flood relief items. Thanks!

Flea Market Day

2010-04-28T10:27:00.010-04:00

Last Friday was the start of flea market weekend at the Nashville Fairgrounds. I love to have a free afternoon to wander and peruse the wares.

This mirror was very intriguing for a self portrait shot.

Of course you can always find cowboy boots in Nashville.

I love the big letters.

This vendor had spelled out various words all over the pavement.

And this is the treasure that I went to find...loads of new beads and cabochons to make some new creations. To top off all of that inspiration, my new issue of Jewelry Artist magazine was in the mailbox when I got home. Woooooohoooooo....studio, here I come!

Copper Creations

2010-04-22T11:24:00.006-04:00

I've been thinking about new textures and shapes lately to try to break outside of the familiar. First I trace around the stone on my sketchbook and experiment with different shapes for the backing. I am pleased with how these two new pieces came out. The unique chain in the top one was given to me by Steph.
These should be on display next week at our Gallery Friday Event in downtown Columbia, Tennessee. Here is our new sign that I just completed for the gallery. Things are coming together for another great event.

Aaaaaa....Spring!

2010-04-14T10:44:00.004-04:00

My favorite time of year is here! The green is so wonderfully bright that it keeps stealing my attention from other less interesting things. Lunch on the deck is an event to look forward to, even if my cat does want to share it with me. The studio is calling though, and I do manage to put in some time there. Opening the windows and letting in the fresh air helps to bring a little of the season into my workplace.

Time Flies, Be Happy

Dyed Jasper and Copper

Also...Silo Studio's Studio Thursday is back for an encore this month since so many people were on spring break. Shawn and I are restocking so there will also be some new stuff, just in case you didn't get enough of it last week.

Productive Day

2010-04-06T20:52:00.010-04:00

I love having a whole day at home to create. Of course there is always housework to be done too, but in between 6 loads of laundry and cleaning the kitchen and bathrooms, I managed to get a bit of creating done too. Studio Thursday is coming up this week at Silo Studio so it's crunch time. The theme this month is gardens so Shawn asked me to make some things with the outdoors in mind. There are birdbaths/feeders made from old silverplated and brass serving pieces.

Mini terrariums with handmade polymer clay mushrooms.

Herb markers made from old silverplated flatware.

I also made some cowgirl necklaces with little pony charms for the Columbia crowd. Mule Day is coming up this weekend so get ready to party.

Amazing Evening

2010-04-05T20:44:00.003-04:00

The first Gallery Friday at Where's the Art was a huge success! I estimate that around 300 people showed up for our opening night. Thanks to everyone who made it possible. See our website for more information on the artisans and the event.

It's been a busy week with the gallery opening and Passover week so I'm hoping to get to work tomorrow because Studio Thursday at Silo Studio is coming up this week and also I'm working on a necklace Round Robin with Steph, Lucie, and Lindsay. That's got to stay under wraps until the unveiling when we are finished. Lots to do and not enough hours in the day.

Where's The Art?

2010-03-24T11:15:00.005-04:00

Newly painted spaces are awaiting the installation of paintings, jewelry, furniture, and pottery. This place will be transformed by Friday evening to the newest art gallery in town. A group of friends have joined together to try to awaken a dying downtown area and have a fun place to showcase our art.
Hours of sweat equity have gone into redeeming a worn and tired space and making it art worthy. This Friday, from 5:00-9:00 p.m. we will have our opening show. The location is downtown Columbia, Tennessee on the public square, in the old Helms Jewelry building. Come and enjoy the art, food, wine, and music.
Check out our group's blogs for more details on the artists and the vision.
Where's the Art Columbia
Gordon's Gallery

Back from Paradise

2010-03-16T14:27:00.006-04:00

The only art that I have made this past week is photos. I just got back from a few glorious days in Puerto Rico. A small reprieve from this brutal winter we have had. It was so hard to leave.

Pathway to Paradise

Oh give me a home, where the iguanas roam, and the skies are not cloudy all day.

Jobos Beach

My son's surfboard in the stairwell.Graffiti at Jobos

Time for Studio Thursday

2010-03-08T10:26:00.005-05:00

Time for Studio Thursday this week at Silo Studio.
Polymer clay "stone" by Steph, combined with one of my old paintbrushes
and some beads and copper.

French charm bracelet.

Back To Copper

2010-03-02T16:17:00.006-05:00

When Steph came to visit, she brought me these green beads. The larger one had split in half to make two perfect cabochons. They kept calling to me from my bead tray to frame them with copper. My DH says they look like beetles. It also bothers him that I made the bottom piece asymmetrical. He likes symmetry. I tend to go for something different whenever possible.
This dragonfly was an attempt at etching. The veins on the wings faintly show. I need to tinker with my acid recipe a little to get a sharper image. The stones are carnelian.

This is a random assortment of stones, bone beads, and copper charms and spirals.

All of these will be at Studio Thursday next week at Silo Studio in Spring Hill.

Living Water מים חיים

2010-03-01T10:40:00.005-05:00

24"x30"

As much as I love making jewelry, one of my other passions is mosaics. The stones and glass have been calling to me lately, so I shifted gears a bit and spent a couple of glorious afternoons making this piece. The title is מים חיים (mayim chaim) which means living water. The inspiration for this mosaic is Psalm 1:1-4 .
¹How blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked,
Nor stand in the path of sinners,
Nor sit in the seat of scoffers!
²But his delight is in the law of the LORD,
And in His law he meditates day and night.
³He will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water,
Which yields its fruit in its season
And its leaf does not wither;
And in whatever he does, he prospers.

The challenge was to represent a concept without words. It is a small version of a bigger one that I did several years ago. This one may eventually have a home in a church that was designed by my friend Michelle. The church has been trying to get its financing together to build the new sanctuary, but haven't quite reached their goal.

4'x4'

In the mean time, it sits in my basement in an area where I frequently pray and it always brings to mind were my focus should ultimately be.

Frankenstein Necklace

2010-02-23T14:45:00.005-05:00

A couple of months ago my sister-in-law gave me a box of costume jewelry that she had picked up at an estate sale. I've taken apart everything that is made of beads to reuse in other projects. Some of the other elements take a bit longer for me to decide how to use them. This necklace is a combination of a gold colored chainmaille, a very large earring, some hammered and pierced galvanized sheet metal, and three quartz crystals. The result was kind of a funky, glitzy/industrial look. I had fun with the challenge of recycling the random bits and pieces to make something different from the original style. Welcome to my laboratory....Bwhaaaaa haaaaa haaaa!

Learn Something New

2010-02-22T11:05:00.004-05:00

One of my New Year's resolutions is to learn something new as often as possible. I had always been intrigued by Viking Knit, but it looked just too complicated to learn on my own without an instructor. "Viking knitting” is not actually knitting in the way you might think (i.e. with two needles), but is actually a type of weaving. Chains are made from long pieces of wire that are worked by hand into interconnecting loops. Examples of these chains have been found at various archeological sites in Scandinavia dating back to the 8th century A.D (the Viking era). Similar chains have been found in other areas of the world, so the technique may not have been unique to the Vikings. (Quote from Janra Jewelry)With one of my "geeky side" interests being archeology, that makes this technique even more appealing. I decided to do a search on YouTube to see if I could find any instruction that would make this seem less daunting. This is one of the videos that I found that made it seem fairly simple.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wfsyTn9XCsE

I first started with some plastic coated 20 gauge wire which worked really well because it is less prone to tangle. When you are working with 10 feet of wire, that is a big consideration. After success with that, I tried 20 gauge copper wire which was a little trickier, but not too difficult.
Above are my first two attempts. Each chain took around 3 hours to complete, but most of that can be done while watching a movie or riding in the car. It is a very portable project.

It just amazes me, the wealth of information that is on YouTube. I plan to post other newly learned skills in the future. I challenge all of you to see what you can learn too.

Winter's Beauty and Two Artsy Ladies

2010-02-17T14:21:00.010-05:00

Winter is not my favorite time of year. All of the other seasons are more to my taste. Winter, however, does have its moments. The sunrises and sunsets rival any other season. The colors are so much more vibrant, and the silhouette of the bare trees makes a beautiful contrast.
And then of course, there is the beautiful starkness of the snow. We have gotten to enjoy that view this winter way more than any year that I can recall. We may usually see one snowfall if we are lucky, but this year we have had at least three separate occasions of measurable snow. The schools have used up all of their snow days legitimately. That is a rarity here.

This has given me a good excuse to stay cozy in the house and stitch away at my little projects. I have created a couple of cuffs and necklaces to honor two famous artsy ladies. The first one needs no introduction.

The second set is in honor of Frida Kahlo which inspired the bright colors. All of these are made from vintage and recycled fabrics and buttons.

On The Softer Side

2010-02-12T10:40:00.005-05:00

I was recently inspired by the creations of Les Bijoux Dodette and decided that I would try my had at making appliqued and embellished fabric jewelry. Winter just seems like a time when it is comforting to sit in the evenings and stitch on something. I have really enjoyed working in this medium and have several more pieces that I haven't gotten to photograph yet.
They are all sewn on a base of recycled sweater felt, with strips of fabric from vintage flour sacks, other vintage clothing, and old jewelry that I've taken apart and re purposed. It's fun to take a handful of bits and pieces and turn them into something interesting. They are kind of primitive and the stitching is uneven, but I kind of like it that way. I like art that shows the hand of the maker.

More to come.

Stone Faced

2010-02-07T14:27:00.006-05:00

I have this love affair with rocks. I have as long as I can remember. My mother was always frustrated I'm sure by my pockets being full of them. Now I know what to do with them.

The top bracelet is a variety of stones in bezels, with a sampler of textured copper links.
The necklace below is made from a carved stone face that Steph gave me that came from Mexico. It has a bit of Mexican opal showing on the forehead. The chin was very thin and delicate, so I had to stop the bezel at his cheeks. The beads are bone, carnelian, glass, and some handmade clay ones that Steph also gave me. I think he needs a name.

Winter Wonderland

2010-01-31T11:08:00.005-05:00

We are iced in at Stillwaters. It took my dh 2 1/2 hours to get home from work on Friday on a trip that should have taken a half hour. It's kind of nice and cozy being stuck here. The main roads are clear, but they never clear ours. We will venture out tomorrow with four wheel drive.
Here are a couple of the things I've been working on. Above is a necklace mad from a piece of petrified wood that Steph gave me with a photo of one of our trees below it in a bezel with resin.
To go along with the tree theme, I made some hammered copper leaves with the tree photo too.

My son and daughter-in-law just got here and said that the drive was perilous. We will sled for a while and enjoy the sunshine and company.
Stay warm and enjoy the day everyone!

Merci Beaucoup!

2010-01-28T10:41:00.005-05:00

Thanks so much to Steph for the birthday goodies. I love the colorful bracelet and the chocolate is already gone, of course. She also sent a CD of wonderful jazz that will make great creative inspiration in my studio.

Speaking of inspiration...here is a bracelet that I completed yesterday...something a little different inspired by a photo in Art Jewelry Magazine.

Copper, brass, blue and yellow turquoise

You Find What You Are Looking For

2010-01-26T19:55:00.002-05:00

Last week, my sister and I were walking on the beach in Florida, picking up shells and things. The beach that we were on is known for its fossilized shark's teeth. My sister has a finely tuned eye for finding them...I don't. I was finding pretty shells and I remarked that you could either focus on one or the other. If you are looking for shells, you don't find too many shark's teeth and if you are looking for shark's teeth you don't find many shells. I was telling her how some of the blogs that I follow are written by people who like to collect heart shaped rocks and that I've never found one. She said that maybe it was like the people who can find four leaf clovers all day long and others can't.

The next day I decided that I would look for heart shaped rocks on the beach. Within a period of about 30 minutes, I found over 15 heart shaped rocks. It seemed that almost every rock I looked at was heart shaped.

I started thinking that the same concept may apply to life. What you look for is what you find.

“As a man thinketh in his heart, so is he.”
Proverbs 23:7

...just thinking.

Remember Haiti

2010-01-22T16:11:00.003-05:00

I have just listed this necklace in my Etsy Shop. All proceeds will go to Doctors Without Borders for Haitian Relief. It is made from re-purposed parts from some vintage jewelry that I had on hand and a very tiny scallop shell that I picked up at the beach in Florida last Friday.
It sounds as if there is a great outpouring of help to Haiti if they could just get the planes in with the supplies. I pray that the help goes where it is needed most.

Home Again

2010-01-20T12:40:00.010-05:00

Sunshine Skyway - Tampa, Florida

I just returned from a week in sunny Florida on some family business. The warm sun and ocean were very much the prescription for recovery from the brutal cold that we have had in Tennessee. It froze in Florida too, but warmed up just before I arrived. I had a whole week without creating anything. That was very strange for me. To go even a day without creating is unusual, so I am ready to get to work with renewed energy.

Hand felted wool bangles

I will be delivering new jewelry to Silo Studio today just in time for Studio Thursday tomorrow. Since there will not be a show in February, the theme is Valentine's day, so I made a few things with a love theme in mind.

Soldered charms

Repurposed wool felt cuffs

Tin and resin charms from vintage valentines and anatomical hearts.

I hope that everyone can make it to the show. Shawn always has something out of the ordinary for every customer...even the four footed ones.

Creating Amidst Chaos

2010-01-08T11:30:00.006-05:00

Tigers eye, porcelain beads and focal, copper

Well...a bit of productivity has come forth despite the disorder in my studio. I have been moving out all of my storage and painting the walls behind it. This involves taking everything off of the shelves and sorting through the overwhelming amount of STUFF that I have accumulated. I have been wanting to reorganize for a while, so the start of a new year seemed like a good time to do it.Jasper, turquoise, carnelian, copper

The task is far from complete, but I managed to clear a spot on my work table to make some jewelry. Studio Thursday is less than two weeks away so I must get to work.
Here are two of my latest pieces.

Winter Morning at Stillwaters

2009-12-18T11:43:00.005-05:00

I wish that my photography skills could capture this sunrise. I tried to alter it to show the colors, but did not succeed in duplicating it. These cold winter days make for great studio time. The outside warm sunshine is not beckoning me to play.
These are a couple of things that I have finished lately. The heart brooch above is copper and brass stitched together with copper wire. It is at Heart and Hands in Franklin.

This is a necklace that I made from one of the polymer clay pendants that Steph gave me. I think it looks like stone.

This colorful bracelet can be found at Cliques in Columbia.

Downtown Artisans

2009-12-10T14:41:00.010-05:00

In these weak economic times, there have sadly been a lot of empty storefronts in our town. Recently, a friend of mine called with an interesting proposition. He found someone who would rent to us just the windows of an empty store for a very reasonable price and he thought that it would be a great idea for several of us local artists could display our work there. It would not be a shop that was open to the public, but a sort of museum or gallery under glass for all to see as they passed by. We are including our contact information so that hopefully a bit of business will come our way.The ringleader of this gathering of artists is Mark Dillon. Mark makes beautiful, handmade wood furniture. Some of his work is historic reproductions and some is of his own design. Mark teaches carpentry and woodworking at our local high school. He has also included projects made by his students and hopes to encourage more young people to learn the craft through apprenticeship.
There is also Michelle Moraczewski who is the principle architect of MPA Studio, an architectural firm. She is also a wonderful artist who does landscapes, architectural renderings, and portraits in pastels and oils. You can see some of her work on the back wall.

Joining us also is Rick Pipkin, aka Ripkin, who does dog portraits with lots of personality, and also other subjects as well. You can see his painting of a person standing on the back left side of the photo above, and also a work in progress on an easel. Last Saturday, he was actually painting live in the window.
Blown up photos of my jewelry are hanging from tree branches like a mobile in both windows, with pieces of jewelry lying on some of Mark's benches.

The unifying theme of the windows is the process of creating art. We have all included displays with some of the tools of our trade scattered about the window.

Here are some of mine, with photos from my studio and the materials that I use to create.
Our goal is to constantly have this display evolve and create interest. Through all of this we hope to increase an awareness of the arts, and especially of local artisans. Our downtown area is so beautiful and quaint that it has been the location of at least two movies, (Daltry Calhoun and the most recent Hannah Montana movie.) It is sad to see it so empty. Who knows...maybe arts can revive our beautiful town.

Watch This

2009-12-04T11:21:00.005-05:00

I picked up several vintage watch cases when I went to the flea market last month. This is what they became. The one with the face is encased in UTEE and the Eiffel Tower one is just open beneath the glass with tiny pearls rolling around inside. These will be for sale at Cliques.

Faces

2009-11-29T11:39:00.007-05:00

I was recently inspired by an article in Belle Armoire Jewelry magazine to create this little house necklace. I chose a Paper Whimsy face to look back out at the world from inside the little house and the word "secret" from an old child's reader.

After finishing that, I spied this little spoon on my work table and having the faces close at hand, was inspired to make this pendant. It would also be possible for me to do custom pieces for people with their ancestors or children and make them look vintage as these photos do.
The necklace above was the first thing that Steph gave to me as we waited for her luggage at the baggage claim at the Nashville airport. It is a cowgirl in resin with ribbons and lace. It always is a conversation starter when I wear it.When we got home, she opened her box of goodies that she brought and out came this gorgeous necklace that I had seen on her blog, but had no idea that it was intended for me. I love the colors and that I can wear it with just about anything.

She and I are planning a necklace round robin for the new year with a couple of other artists. I can't wait to see the results!

Go Green

2009-11-23T11:21:00.005-05:00

These are my newest creations. The green I am referring to is not only the color, but the fact that other than the stones, this jewelry was made from recycled materials. The copper sheet is leftover roofing copper given to me by a friend who does construction and the wire is stripped electrical wire leftover from wiring a house that we built. Take the basic raw materials and transform them. I love to make a sketch and watch that concept become reality.

A Little Whimsy

2009-11-19T19:29:00.010-05:00

I had a blast making these necklaces for Studio Thursday this month. The crowd there is mostly animal lovers so I chose these collages that I made for a swap a couple of years ago to use for the pendants. The sale was a great success! I feel blessed to get to sell my jewelry despite the slow economy. Thanks always to Shawn for including me in her fun and unique sale. The next Studio Thursday will be in February.

The next necklace is made from beads that Steph showed me how to make when she was visiting. They are polymer clay faux turquoise and cane beads. It looks like chunky, substantial stone beads, but it is very light and comfortable.All of my spare time lately is spent in the studio creating new work to take to Cliques and Heart and Hands. More to come...

Debut

2009-11-12T18:11:00.006-05:00

Photo Credit: Frederick Breedon/Getty Images

Tuesday I had an interesting phone call. I person named Joey wanted a copper and turquoise bracelet to wear to an awards ceremony. I was surprised to learn that it was Joey Feek, the female half of Joey and Rory. Needless to say, I set aside my house cleaning and went straight to my studio. I had a delicious piece of turquoise that needed just the right person to wear it. I made this bracelet and earrings specifically with her in mind.

I met her and Rory yesterday and they are very friendly, down to earth people. She seemed to be delighted with her piece. It was just the dramatic accent that she was looking for to go with her buckskin dress that she was wearing to the CMA Award Ceremony. The top picture was snagged from the CMT.com website. If you zoom in, you can kind of see the bracelet.

Check out their songs on their website. I know a couple of new songs that will be going on my Ipod now. Living near Nashville is always interesting. You never know who you will meet.

Finally Face to Face

2009-11-09T22:31:00.011-05:00

After two years of corresponding by email and trading jewelry by mail, I finally got to meet my friend Steph (aka Vladthebat) face to face. On the Thursday before last I picked her up in Nashville at the airport and with sadness dropped her off this past Friday morning. We spent a week of creating in the studio and exploring Middle Tennessee. The weather was on its best behavior, as we had a whole week of sunshine and warm temperatures.
She brought goodies along with her... a wealth of interesting raw materials for creating, two really cool necklaces (I'll post the necklace pictures next time), and enough Belgian chocolate that should have last me for months. The supply of chocolate is now dwindled to a handful of pieces. I shared a little, but it should be declared a controlled substance. I can't stop eating it. One morning she even made Belgian waffles for us.
In the studio, it was so interesting to see someone take the same materials that I have been looking at for months and take them in a totally different direction. I had a bowl of flat stones that I picked up while kayaking and and she picked one up and immediately started carving a design in it. So then we both started carving stones. That night I got the idea that we should etch some of the copper to match the stones so the next day we spent several hours experimenting with etching. Here is a bracelet in which I combined Steph's stone and my copper etching.
And another piece where I stamped a face and etched it. I have to experiment more with my etching solution recipe to keep from getting it too strong.
Throughout the week my creativity got a much needed boost that hopefully will last a while. I needed it to get ready for Studio Thursday coming up this week. It will actually be 3 days this month for the holiday sale. Check it out at Silo Studio's website.

Our lives are so much richer now that we have a new friend and I am planning a visit to Belgium in the not too distant future.

Supply Run

2009-10-25T21:37:00.011-04:00

On Friday I spent a very enjoyable afternoon at the Nashville flea market finding some new inspiration for my jewelry.

My favorite bead supplier was a great source for natural stone beads and turquoise cabochons,

At other vendors I found some interesting silver plated spoons and watch cases.

Now it is time to put my nose to the grindstone. The Silo Studios Studio Thursday is just a week and a half away and a new place has started carrying my jewelry. Heart and Hands is a shop in Franklin, Tennessee that carries only Tennessee made crafts. I just sent a load of jewelry there and now it's time to make more for next week's show.
Here is a little sample of what I sent to Franklin.

Also, I entered my eyeball bezel necklace (in the last post) in a contest on the Objects and Elements website. The winner gets a package of goodies from their store. The voting starts on Monday is you would like to help me out with a vote.
Thanks to all!

What Else Can I Put In A Bezel?

2009-10-12T12:42:00.009-04:00

I was looking around my stash of random junk in my studio and wondering what else would fit in a bezel. I had a jar of sand worn seashell pieces that I picked up several years ago in St. Augustine, Florida that were waiting for their home in a piece of jewelry. They were an easy fit, along with a quote by my friend Shawn. "She dreamed of warm winds and salty skin." It seemed like a perfect match.
What other unusual object could I find.....hmmmmmmm....what about that glass taxidermy deer eyeball that had been staring at me for a couple of years? Let's see if that would work. With a little bit of grinding on the back, I managed to get it to fit into a bezel too. A little creepy...I know.

Next, something less creepy...some little brass birds on copper with lapis lazuli and brass beads.

Now, it's off to my studio for more fun! I love my job!

More Bezels

2009-09-18T12:02:00.005-04:00

I'm still having fun with the bezels. Now I just have to be on the lookout for some more cool stones.
These two necklaces are available at this time at Cliques Salon in Columbia. When they're gone...they're gone. I maybe be able to make something similar, but most of my pieces are
one of a kind. Paint jasper and yellow jade

Tiger eye, porcelain, shell, and glass

Kritters: Current and Ancient

2009-09-15T11:44:00.008-04:00

Animals never cease to amaze me. It is good that I live out in the country, because they are all around me...my own and the wild variety. The picture above is wild turkeys and Canada geese sharing a meal together beside our house.
This little guy has made my hanging planter a home and captures insects from his perch. He looks like a little metal sculpture that has developed a beautiful patina.Even the dogs like to join in on the chores. Every time I start the mower, Milo comes running. He thinks that it is his job to keep me company while I mow. Maggie thinks that it is her job to get in the way and chase grasshoppers.
This is Bella's favorite sleeping position. I don't know how many photos I have of her in this position. I can't resist snapping a picture.
I've always loved fossils ever since I was a small child. The playground of our elementary school was full of fossils and I'm sure I worried my mother by coming home with pockets full of them. I've had a pair of these ammonite fossils for a few months and had experimented with various ways to showcase them and I finally settled on a bezel setting. I will sell one and keep one for myself.

The starfish on this necklace is a pewter button from a dress that I bought at the thrift shop and threw away the dress and kept the buttons. A reminder of my favorite place...the beach.

Rediscovering Bezels

2009-09-07T10:31:00.004-04:00

I recently was inspired by a post by Julie (IsThereAShadow Aug. 9 post) to attempt to do some bezels again. I learned to do bezels when I was in college many moons ago, and for some reason I thought that because I didn't have a fully outfitted shop like we had at college, that it would be too difficult to do with my limited tools. I also had never tried them in copper, only in silver. I'm glad I tried it again because I have really enjoyed the process. I love the way the copper is so malleable and forms itself around the stone when I gently hammer it. Here are my first two attempts. More will come.

Feeling Like Autumn

2009-08-23T13:47:00.006-04:00

I am enjoying a few nice cool days in the middle of August. I guess that the cool weather is influencing my jewelry with an autumn flavor. Here are a few new pieces that I have completely lately.

Interesting Faces

2009-07-28T11:03:00.005-04:00

I've been doing a little drawing practice. Several years ago, I found an interesting way to help people who are not comfortable drawing faces. I've used this in my classes when I teach children and they sometimes amaze themselves, even if they thought they couldn't do it. Take a photo an cut it in half. Glue it to your paper and draw a mirror image of the other half of the face. I loved the expression on this woman's face. She was so fun to draw. Why don't you try it and post your results and let us see?
Here also is a necklace that I just finished that kind of goes along with the African looking theme. It is copper, jade, and recycled magazine page beads.

Field Trip

2009-07-14T18:37:00.006-04:00

Last week I finally got to go somewhere that I've been curious about for years. My niece, who is visiting here from Paris, asked if I wanted to go to The Farm. It is one of the original hippie communes. The founding members left San Francisco over 30 years ago to build a utopia in rural Tennessee. The commune concept didn't work out, but the land is held in trust by the community of like minded individuals. They promote peace, vegetarianism, sustainable building and power, have a soy dairy, have their own school, publishing company and many other interesting endeavors.
I remember seeing the long caravan of brightly painted school buses pass by our house on their way to Summertown in 1970 or '71. It was definitely the talk of the county. They have contributed a great deal to our area since they've been here.
We went to the Farm Store which sells a good selection of health foods and books and toured the museum. We had a long chat with one of the original residents. She was a fountain of information about their history.
One of the coolest things that we saw is called the Wholeo which is next to the school. Completed in 1974, Wholeo Dome is a 14-foot-in-diameter, 7-foot-tall geodesic dome covered with curved, stained glass panels. A couple of the panels were away being repaired because last year someone vandalized it. :-( We could not go inside of it, but it was inspiring to look at none the less.
Last week's Studio Thursday was a great success. Now I have to get to work to get ready for next month's sale. When I dropped my jewelry off for the sale, Shawn had a picture of a necklace that she wanted me to make for her. This page came from the Belle Armoire Jewelry magazine. I'm not sure who the artist was. I took a photo of my piece on top of the page. On the left hand side is my interpretation of the design. It was fun combining the stained glass with the vintage spoon and by coincidence, I had an earring almost identical to the one in the picture to use as a frame for the face. Next time I will try something a little more original, but using the same concept.

Time

2009-07-07T21:03:00.005-04:00

Dost thou love life? Then do not squander time, for that is the stuff life is made of.

Benjamin Franklin

Antique bobbin, thimble, and vintage buttons.
sold

Savor Time
Antique sterling silver salt shaker and freshwater pearls.
sold
It's time for Studio Thursday again.

It's Officially Summer

2009-06-28T10:35:00.009-04:00

Okay...I know it's been summer for more than a week, but one thing that really makes it feel like summer to me is a trip to the drive-in theater. My hubby and I had a date last night and went to the local drive-in to see the new Transformers II movie. We like to go at least a couple of times each summer to this rare piece of Americana. The movie was fair, but the ambiance was priceless. I always forget to bring my camera, so this photo was taken with my cell phone.

I'm starting to get a few veggies from my garden. Here is today's harvest, along with Mr. Squashman. I couldn't resist playing with my food.

Hollyhocks and gladiolas in front of my chickenless chicken house.

I finished a few pairs of earrings. The top two were recycled from steel cans, cut and hammered. The bottom left ones are made of hammered, light gauge brass, and the copper woven ones were inspired by a project from this month's Jewelry Artist Magazine. These will be for sale at this month's Studio Thursday at Silo Studio .

Busy Summer

2009-06-26T19:25:00.010-04:00

I don't know why I always think every year that summer will be less busy than the rest of the year. I've been so busy that the time is flying too fast. My favorite time of year is going by in the blink of an eye. There's never a dull moment though.

After getting back from our trip, I painted a mural at church for the children's classroom area. There is a stage with windows where there will be puppets that is supposed to look like a ticket window for a subway or train and a guy just hanging out by the phone booth reading a newspaper.

Gardening takes up a bit of the time too. We have tomatoes, squashes, cucumbers, chard, corn, okra, beans, peppers, and lettuce. Also, we have some fruit. Our blackberries are ready to get ripe and one of our paw paw trees is loaded with fruit. So you've never seen a paw paw before? Here they are. They taste a bit like banana pudding when they are ripe. The trees were a gift from my very generous sister. :-)

I've been making jewelry when I get a chance. A bit here, and a bit there, mostly commissions for local people. Here are a few pieces that I made for a friend who brought me some pearls and leather to make into necklaces and earrings for her.

I've been entertaining nieces also for the last two weeks. Last week, we picked up one of our nieces who was homesick at camp and brought her home with us for 3 days until my mom could come and get her and take her to her parents. This week I had a niece and a great niece for three days also. It was like Camp Stillwaters for all of those days. We did art, played pool, and fished and swam. It was great to get to spend some time with them.

I was surprised when I went to the mailbox one day to find a package from Steph in Belgium with this beautiful necklace and other goodies. She always sends such wonderful surprises. Please check out her blog and Etsy shop to see more beautiful jewelry.

Well... now for a relaxing weekend...I hope.

New Territory

2009-05-29T11:38:00.008-04:00

Sorry for the long blog absence, but I was away for a few days. My husband and I and our younger son and his wife went on a trip to South Carolina to visit my older son and his wife. They have only lived there a little over a month and so this is the first time we've been to that area. The first day, we went to Hunting Island which is a nature preserve. I understand the several movies with jungle scenes have been filmed there. It was wonderfully lush and green and the closest thing to a jungle that I've ever been in. We walked through sprinkling rain to a beautiful lighthouse that was completed in the 1880's.

One day we sent the guys off to fish and the girls and I went to Hilton Head to an art show. There were lots of very talented exhibitors and I met a mosaic artist whose work I have admired for years. Steve Terlizzese calls himself the Mosaic Guy and lives in Chattanooga, Tennessee. It's strange that I had to go to South Carolina to meet an artist from my home state.
On the long ride home, I played in my sketchbook. This is a mixed media collage using some of the materials that I picked up along the way.

I have managed to make a little jewelry since I've been home, but I keep wanting to do something a little different. I think I will start on a painting for my hubby since his birthday is next week.

Something Different

2009-05-08T13:06:00.006-04:00

This is a waterfall coming out of our hillside. We don't always have a waterfall, but when you get over 6 inches of rain in 3 days this is what happens. Wouldn't it be cool to have a waterfall like that year round? Even though we didn't see the sun for almost 6 days, I am thankful that now we won't have to be so careful with our well water this year. We have had so much drought that many people locally had their wells go dry.

Rainy days make good creative days.

Sometimes I want to branch out and do something a little different. I had bought these shadow box frames a couple of years ago and hadn't really come up with a use for them until now. I was inspired by the shadow box creations of Stephanie Rubiano on her site: So I Gathere d. The first one is my mom when she was little. I am not implying that she was a "smarty pants" but it just seemed to go with the school theme.

The next one is some long forgotten ancestor whose photo I found in my aunts photo collection. I have no idea who she was, but I hope that her expression was only temporary and not how she looked all of the time.

Thank You Cloth Paper Scissors and Thank You Dad!

2009-05-01T18:54:00.005-04:00

Well....I didn't want to say anything prematurely, but...I got something published! A couple of months ago, Cloth Paper Scissors magazine sent out an email call for works that were Mother's Day or Father's day related. I had this altered tie that I did as a tribute to my dad and so I emailed them the picture. They emailed back and asked me to mail them the original and...the rest is history. I just got my issue today in the mail and I was so excited to see that I got an entire page! I thought I would be just included in a group on a page.

This was the first time that I ever submitted something and was not very confident that they would be interested. That just goes to show you... you never know. Give it a try! Take a step of faith. It could be you next time.

So...run, don't walk to your nearest bookstore and get the May/June issue of Cloth Paper Scissors Magazine.

Lemon Lime Turquiose and Copper Necklace

2009-04-29T11:50:00.004-04:00

This is a necklace that I made a while back and thought that I had posted a picture of, but after looking at my earlier posts, I discovered that I hadn't. The focal point is a cabochon of yellow turquoise that I bought at the Nashville flea market a couple of months ago. I just added it to my Etsy shop.

I went back to the flea market last Friday and loaded up on gemstone beads but now that I have them at home, I'm at a loss for what to do with them. Did you ever go grocery shopping and come home and fill your pantry and refrigerator and then not know what to make for dinner? That's how I feel.
I'm hoping that it will all come together at some point. I'll find just the perfect piece to spark a connection with the other materials that I have on hand and tada! it will just about make itself. Sometimes I think that I don't really create the art, but the materials tell me what they want to become. Not literally, but it kind of works that way. If I try to force it, I usually don't like the outcome. Maybe it's just a Spirit thing.

Spring Growth

2009-04-26T21:40:00.010-04:00

After the drought of 2007, I don't think I'll ever complain about rain. This has been a rainy spring and I love it! Our pond is full and everything is getting green.

Small harvests feed the soul.
Unexpected things sprout from gardens and flower pots.Despite the beautiful warm weather luring me outside, I have managed to do some creating. I wanted to do something other than jewelry. I had some scans of collages that I have done, that I printed onto iron-on paper and transferred onto muslin. Then I sewed them onto some canvas along with some paint and trim and made purses.

Stop Worrying and Start Living

Time Flies Be Happy

No Pouting

Button, Button

2009-04-20T11:57:00.003-04:00

Little rings made from vintage buttons.

Wicked Winds

2009-04-14T21:28:00.010-04:00

If you've been watching the news at all, you may have heard that we have had some tornadoes here in Tennessee. The worst ones hit about an hour away from my house and the most damage was in my sister-in-law's neighborhood. They were not at home when it hit, but her mother-in-law was at the house and found shelter in a bathroom. Windows were blown out and the inside of the house is plastered with glass, dirt, and grass. The roof was raised and the house shifted on its foundation. Their neighbors weren't so lucky. Here are pictures of the houses surrounding them, or what's left of them. Amazingly, in the whole area, only two people were killed.

This house next to them was moved 15 feet back off of its foundation.

The one behind them lost its upper story and the one beside that was totally destroyed.

We went to help them move out to a temporary home. The response of the community was heartwarming. Several times during the day, groups of people would come by and offer us food and drinks. It is great to see how people come together during a crisis.

Amidst all of the excitement, I have managed to get some work done.

Recycled Spoon Bowls

Be Thou My Vision

I've Looked at Clouds From Both Sides Now

2009-03-30T11:02:00.008-04:00

Hands reaching out

A snow covered mountain

What a gorgeous day! Saturday was a lazy, restful day and the clouds were amazing. I had to do a little day dreaming, watching them drift by. What do these remind you of? Remember lying on your back in the grass and watching the clouds as a child. The grass was a little damp, so I laid on the bench on the patio and took this video.

Clouds are one of my favorite subjects to paint. Here is a cloud picture that I painted several years ago of just before sunrise in front of our house.

Also, here is the most recent painting that I did for my DH's office.

Last weekend, when the family was here, my DIL took pictures around the farm. This picture of Maggie kissing Bella (or was she tasting her?) was so precious I had to post it. To see more of her beautiful photography check out Zebrainfusion.

Copper and Turquoise

2009-03-25T20:34:00.003-04:00

I have managed to get a little work done amidst all of the disruptions of the past couple of weeks. Here is a new necklace that I made using one of the turquoise cabochons that I bought at the flea market.

Farewell to Wil

2009-03-18T18:41:00.005-04:00

My father-in-law passed away Sunday evening after a long battle with cancer. All 10 of his children were there with him on the day that he died, though not all at the moment that he died, an amazing accomplishment.

Here is the obituary as it is posted on the funeral home website:
Dr. "Wil" Wilbur H. Scheitel, 78, well-known chiropractor, died Sunday, March 15, 2009 at Alive Hospice of Nashville after a long bout with cancer.

The family will visit with friends Saturday beginning at 12:00 p.m. at Oakes & Nichols concluding with a memorial service at 2:00 p.m. with Rev. Robert Lewis officiating. Members of Columbia Masonic Lodge #31 will conduct Masonic Rites following the memorial service.

Memorials may be made to Alive Hospice of Nashville, 1718 Patterson Street, Nashville 37203. Notes of sympathy may be sent to www.oakesandnichols.com.

Born in Falls City, Nebraska, he was the son of the late Elmer Scheitel and Amelia Zimmerman Scheitel. He was a graduate of Falls City High School, Peru State Teachers’ College and Palmer Chiropractic College in Davenport, Iowa. For several years, he taught high school in Norton, Kansas and coached football and basketball.

Dr. Scheitel came to Columbia and owned and operated Columbia Chiropractic Clinic for over 20 years. He also was former owner of Hillwood Chiropractic Center and founded and retired from Family Industrial Health Center.

Active in civic and community affairs, he was a member of the Rotary Club with 25 years of perfect attendance, was honored as a Paul Harris Fellow, Columbia Masonic Lodge #31, Order of the Eastern Star, and the United Methodist Church.

Dr. Scheitel was a member of the Tennessee Chiropractic Association, served as President, and in 2006 was honored as “Chiropractor of the Year” for over 50 years of practice and contributions to the field of chiropractic.

He will be greatly missed by all.

Moonlight Serenade

2009-03-10T21:30:00.011-04:00

After a snowy weekend last week, we had a mild weekend this past week and today I was wearing shorts and flip flops. It was delicious. Tonight the moon is full and the frogs and toads are performing a symphony in our front yard. Click on the video to hear the chorus. That will change tomorrow. Back to cold weather and rain. :-( The frogs will go back to sleep for a while.

I have managed to make a few new pieces from the items that I bought at the flea market. Here are some of the creations.

This necklace includes a jewel tintype from the 1800's

Inside the purse are little pieces of history.

This necklace is color enhanced turquoise and coral with polymer clay beads.

This is flattened spoons.

My jewelry will be at Silo Studio this Thursday for the monthly Studio Thursday show. If you are local and have the time, check it out. Shawn has been her usual creative self and there will be lots of her fun furniture and accessories for sale also.

Refueling Days

2009-03-02T10:57:00.006-05:00

This has not been a very productive few days, but every once in a while one needs to refuel. That's what I've been doing and hopefully it will pay off with more productivity in the week to come.

Friday was the beginning of the refueling as I went to the flea market in Nashville with Shawn from Silo Studios. She is a flea market pro, while I am just a novice. I hadn't been in years, but I'm hooked and plan to go back often. I found a vendor with a wonderful selection of beads and stones and bought several and also a vintage leather change purse and some rusty old keys that will become a new necklace.
Saturday was a rest day and a visit to our son and daughter-in-law's house. By the time we left their house, it was starting to rain and snow. By late evening the snow was coming down fast. We woke the next morning to at least 8" of snow! That is very rare here to have that much snow.

Before lunch we got a call from my sister-in-law that they were bringing their kids to sled at our house.

They live an hour away and had only had a sprinkling of snow so they headed to where there was plenty. We had a great afternoon with the kids, sleds, dogs, and ATV.
It was fun to play for a day and to have children around again. They bring life to where ever they go.

After I finish this post, I'm going to get to work....I promise.....really...

Play Time

2009-02-18T11:53:00.005-05:00

I just bought the book "Living Out Loud, ActivitiesTo Fuel A Creative Life" by Keri Smith. You can check out her blog at Wish Jar. The first activity listed is:
1. Doodle wildly (try new colors or techniques)
so I grabbed a new sketchbook to start my journey and doodled.
I used oil pastels, watercolors, and sharpie marker and then I scanned it and opened it in Photoshop and altered it four ways and pasted them together. Here is the result. The one in the upper right corner is the original.
As I was doodling, I listened to an interview with Jafabrit on Dirty Footprints Studio Talk. I like to keep both sides of my brain busy.

Red Sky At Morning

2009-02-11T20:38:00.006-05:00

What a beautiful sky I awoke to the day before yesterday. The old sailors saying, "Red sky at morning, sailors take warning" couldn't have applied to the rest of that day. It was a calm day, but yesterday, on the other hand was wildly windy. I could hear trees cracking and falling in our forest and trees were down on our road. Thankfully, they were not blocking the road.

"FAITH is the SUBSTANCE of things UNSEEN"

I got a little work done before I had to go to town. One piece is a copper necklace that I have had the components of for several months, but just didn't take the time to assemble it until today. I've been having a little trouble getting inspired lately, and I thought if I finished those little unfinished projects lying around that it would free my mind to create.

The other is another of my fused glass pendants made into a beaded necklace.

Also, last night I watched "Craft In America" a three part series made for PBS about the artists, origins, and techniques of American crafts. It was a beautifully filmed, inspiring documentary. I think that watching this will kick start my creativity and make me more focused on craftsmanship. It is available through Netflix.

Eclectic Mix

2009-02-06T12:07:00.009-05:00

Floral Dance

I just added some new pieces to my Etsy shop. They are kind of all over the place when it comes to style and materials. I just do what strikes my fancy at the moment.

Flying Dog

Linked Hearts
(Made from recycled electrical wire)

Vision (commission for Karen)

I also just discovered that Cynthia Korzekwa mentioned and linked to my Medals for Everyday People on her Art For Housewives blog. It is in her January 31 post. I think that she lives in Italy. Her site always has the most interesting plethora of links to art using recycled materials. I have been following her blog for several years. Thanks Cynthia!

An Artful Evening

2009-02-03T18:04:00.011-05:00

Last evening, I had the pleasure of attending a gallery show entitled, Revisited: an exhibition of works by retired Middle Tennessee State University art faculty. One of the artists is my uncle David LeDoux, and two of the others were instructors of mine while I was going to school there. Here are a few of David's paintings. Please excuse the glare from the lights. My pictures don't do justice to the vibrant colors. For contact information you may go to his Thistle Hill website.
Another of the artists is Klaus Kallenberger, who was my metals instructor for silversmithing and enameling. He had a few pieces of his silver jewelry and some small intricate sculptures on display, but says that he no longer does much metal work because it is so hard on one's hands. He now focuses on quilting. Here are two of his beautifully complex quilts. His quilts have been displayed at the Nashville International Airport and other galleries.

Ollie Fancher was one of the other artists and he was my graphic design teacher. He wasn't at the reception, but there were two of his mixed media drawings on display. Unfortunately, they were under glass and I couldn't get a good photo because of the glare.

I also had the pleasure of renewing an acquaintance with Elder Jones who does wonderful concrete sculptures. I had met him at a craft fair at Centennial Park in Nashville several years ago and I found out last night that he is a neighbor of my aunt and uncle. Small world. I learned about his work before I met him, in the book Creating With Concrete by Sherrie Warner Hunter, who is also a Tennessee artist. Check out his website Sand Pudding to see his work. I am hoping to be able to take one of his workshops this summer. I think that would be a blast!

Gifts and Play Days

2009-01-30T19:59:00.006-05:00

Some days I love my mailbox...the days when it is not all bills and junk mail. I love it when I pull surprise packages out with beautiful necklaces like the one that Steph (vladthebat) sent to me. She makes such wonderfully smooth and colorful polymer clay beads. Check out her blog. There is always something interesting.

Another thing that is exciting to me is to get to spend the day creating with another artist. On Wednesday, I went to Silo Studio to hang out with my friend Shawn and let our imaginations have a play day. We had no agenda other than to have fun and create. The weather threatened to cancel our plans, but I was determined to go. What's a little sleet and snow, when there is creating to be done.
It took a little while to figure out what we wanted to do, but we ended up with two projects each that took shape by the end of the afternoon. Here are photos of mine:

This is a very large belt buckle. I will have to find a belt to go with it.

This is an art doll made of a vintage metal jello mold, wooden spindles, old license plate number, wooden doll coat hanger, paint brush, beads, and a dog head picture. The dog head was inspired by the fact that we were surrounded by dogs in the studio. Two were so small, you could hold them in your two hands, and one was gigantic. Shawn has three of her own dogs and is a dog foster parent, so there are usually extras there. There are always plenty of wagging tails around.
Here are Shawn's pictures that she just emailed to me:

The buckles are made with metal buckle blanks, paper, beads, a vintage earring, and resin.

Fresh Work

2009-01-22T13:50:00.008-05:00

Here is some of my new work that is for sale along with many more today at Silo Studio's monthly Studio Thursday.

Melted Mondrian

Surrounding copper on this piece was gift from Steph (aka vladthebat)

More fused glass.

The leftovers will be posted on my Etsy

Celebrate!

2009-01-18T17:58:00.002-05:00

I just completed my 51st trip around the sun. Woooohoooo!

Buried Dolls and Bottle Caps

2009-01-15T10:34:00.006-05:00

I finally got to work with a couple of new things that I've been wanting to get my hands on. The first thing is a bisque doll body that was unearthed in Germany after being buried for almost a hundred years on the grounds of a doll factory. I bought the doll from my friend Julie (isthereashadow) in Australia and had first seen the dolls in the work of Nina Bagley. The history of the dolls intriqued me and I wanted to have one of my own to experiment with. I kept it around for about a month before I decided what to do with it. I had a vintage broach that reminded me of a wing, but I only had one, so as I pondered, the phrase, "a wing and a prayer" came to me. I stamped a silver rectangle with the word "prayer" and then I remembered a vintage silver plated cross that Steph (vladthebat) from Belgium had sent me, and so the piece started to come together. The parts came from all around the world and ended up in Tennesse to become this necklace.

The next new thing is that my hubby got me a doming block (did I spell that right? dome-ing) I had been wanting one for quite a while. I had seen jewelry made from domed bottle caps. I love using found objects for my art and I have a large collection of bottle caps. People save them for me and also I get many from a local country store that has a bottle opener on the door to the store with a container to catch the caps. They must think it is strange when I come in and ask to empty their caps. One day I'll have to show them what I make with them. The bracelets and necklace that inspired me were made by Ron Pascho and are seen in the Lark book: Fabulous Jewelry from Found Objects.
The book has inspired many of my pieces. I highly recommend it for technical, as well as creative inspiration. Here is my bottle cap necklace. The bottle cap pairs are tube riveted together.

Cool New Tool

2009-01-01T11:11:00.006-05:00

I hope that everyone is having a wonderful start to the New Year. My hubby and I got to spend the evening with one of our sons and his wife, and some other family and friends. We decided to leave before midnight because it was over and hour drive and made it home by 12:05, so we had to stop on the road and kiss and say Happy New Year. Thankfully, it was a deserted country road. The dog woke me up at 8:30 this morning wanting out, so I thought I'd take advantage of the quiet time and type this post.

I have been a very bad girl for the last few weeks when it comes to keeping my blog updated. Over the holidays, we had company for about 2 weeks straight...not the same ones the whole time. First visitors were some friends of ours that do music missions at different places around the world. Their home bases are in Wales and Israel. They kept us entertained and uplifted with beautiful music while they were here. Their website is Mishkanim and you can listen to some of their music there. This video is Howie playing his bouzouki (I'm not sure if I spelled that correctly.) He would get up every morning and sit down and start playing music. The video was taken with my digital camera and not a video camera, so the sound quality leaves a lot to be desired.

The rest of the guests were our kids coming and going throughout the holiday.

I did manage to get a little artwork done. My first inspiration was a new toy/tool that I discovered. It is a small kiln that you can use to fuse glass in your microwave. Can you imagine that! I just had to buy it. It takes just two to three minutes to melt the glass. After that, the most difficult part is having the patience to wait 30 minutes to open the lid. You have to let it cool gradually with the kiln closed. The kit came with everything I needed to make jewelry right when I got it home. It is called Fuseworks. This link is for the manufacturer that sells them only wholesale, but I bought mine at Hobby Lobby. Here is a necklace that I completed using a pendant that I made.Have a happy, healthy, prosperous, peaceful, and creative New Year.

Snow at Stillwaters

2008-12-13T11:27:00.005-05:00

We got an unexpected surprise on Thursday evening. The weatherman said flurries with no accumulation but this is what happened.
Yes, I know it's snowing sideways. I'm just tickled because I finally got a video to upload. My digital camera takes short videos and I forgot that if I turn the camera sideways, I can't just flip the picture upright in Photoshop.

This is the scene that we woke up to on Friday morning. I'm posting this on Saturday and some of it is still here however the temperature is going to be near 60 degrees tomorrow. So fickle is the weather in Tennessee.

I'm enjoying sitting in my warm basement by the woodstove with my laptop, looking out at what's left of the snow, having a conversation with you.
Here are some very non-wintery earrings that I've just recently posted in my Etsy shop.

Surprises In The Mail

2008-12-06T13:33:00.007-05:00

Don't you just love to get surprises? I've gotten two lately. The first one was from Steph (aka Vladthebt) There was a lovely decorated box in my mailbox and I knew just who it was from when I saw it. The box was chock full of treasures large and small. There was a cool bracelet and lots of beads and a bag full of different kinds of crosses.I just noticed that the bracelet isn't in this picture because I immediately put it on my wrist. I had such fun looking at the present and planning what I would make with the items.This necklace was made using some of the beads that Steph sent in a previous gift, plus some of my own.The second surprise was from my cousin Sally. She called and said that she was mailing me a box of wool. She has two sheep, Moses and Pharaoh, so this wool was from them with some other types of wool mixed together. The colors are going to be fun to work with and there is some white for me to dye myself.
What a fun jump start that was to my creativity.

Candy and Sushi

2008-11-24T14:19:00.006-05:00

My mind has apparently been on felt and food lately.
Here are a couple of my calorie free creations.

I got the idea from Felt Magazine.

New Stuff

2008-11-17T10:04:00.006-05:00

Well the title isn't very inspired, but it pretty much says it all. Here are some of the new things that I made for the sale at Silo Studios.
The photo above is a button maille bracelet that I got the idea for from a jewelry magazine that I flipped through at the craft store. I've always wanted to try chain maille but the directions seemed confusing. This looked simple enough, and it was fun.

A variety of earrings.

This is Prince Albert, made from a tobacco tin, a tin can lid, some resistors for his medals, and a vintage rhinestone button.

Tag... I'm it!

2008-11-09T21:39:00.002-05:00

Oh my! I've been tagged by Steph (Check out her blog, Vladthebatsattic). Now I have to think of 7 things about myself that someone else would find remotely interesting. I feel like such an ordinary person, that might take some stretching of my brain. Got to kick the left side into gear and give it a go.

1. I guess the one thing that I put the most energy into in my life is that I homeschooled my two sons all the way from kindergarten to graduation. That means that I taught all of those grades...twice. That seems like a lot to me, but I have one friend who has 11 children and plans to teach all of them the whole way, so I guess it's not such a huge thing. I learned more by teaching them than I ever learned in my whole education up to that point.

2. My husband says that I'm the geek of the family. He means it as a compliment. He doesn't do the computer at all and doesn't own a cell phone. I have to run the DVD player and any other electronic device in the house. He could do it if he wanted to, but just doesn't want to. I insisted that he learn how to use my cell phone. I made his website for his business, and I run the computer at church to put the words to the songs up on the screen. I love computers!

3. I've always wanted to be an artist. The only other thing I considered is archeology. I'd still like to do that. Maybe I could combine the two.

4. I've completed one half of a century and am almost a year into the second half century.

5. I can recite all of the presidents of the United States in 30 seconds.

6. I must have a twin or several twins because at least once a month some stranger says to me, "Do I know you?" or "I know someone who looks just like you." It's not just locally, it happens when I'm traveling too. I'm going to have to start asking them what my twin's name is so I'll know if it is the same person all the time.

7. I'm mostly vegetarian. Occasionally I do eat fish, but I don't eat land animals. Is there a different term for that? I do it for health reasons, not because I'm opposed to people eating meat. I just think it's better for you. My dad died of cancer and several of my aunts have had cancer so I'm just trying to improve my chances. I feel better too.
Well...that's a little bit of me. I'd pass this tag along but everyone I can think of has already been tagged.

Fall Colors

2008-11-08T13:26:00.009-05:00

There is a nip in the air and the smell of fallen leaves.

With technicolor skies and hills, fall has come to Stillwaters.

Frisky puppies play in the red leaves.

I finally made time to post some new jewelry. These are my fall leaves necklaces. They are made of crocheted yarn with felt and copper leaves. The closures are handmade polymer clay buttons.

These two pieces are made of aluminum wire. I got the idea for using aluminum at a craft show when I was in Florida a couple of weeks ago. It is light weight and doesn't tarnish, also it is easy on the hands when working with it.

Costumed Kin

2008-11-01T11:12:00.005-04:00

I don't do Halloween, but I can appreciate a hilarious costume. This is my next to newest nephew as Elvis. That is really his hair. He almost needed a haircut when he was born.

Another thing that is hard for me to pass up...the opportunity to paint on someone's face. For family and friends, guess the identity of the evil clown.