Winter Treats

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

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.

Two Shows

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.

Colorful Clay Fun

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!

Studio Thursday

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.

A Peek Into My World

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.

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.

Land and Sea

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.

Aaaaaa....Spring!

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

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

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.

Time for Studio Thursday

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.

Home Again

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.

A Little Whimsy

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...