Field Trip

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.

Wicked Winds

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

Moonlight Serenade

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.