IN THE GARDEN OF LIFE........

I know, I know, it's sounds really corny, BUT, you know me! It flashed in my head and it wasn't going to go away! Anyway, that's how I feel you know, that each one of us is a bloom to someone else....as corny as that may sound, it is beautiful, and positive, and that should be enough. I made this using scrap paper, woodless watercolor pencils, graphite pencil, rubber stamps, and vintage mother of pearl buttons. The girl image is from a rubber stamp collection by Catherine Moore, owner of Character Constructions. Every time I make a new piece, whether it be mixed media or jewelry....I think I have bloomed.

IT"S CONFIRMED

Yes, it's official! Another landing of the round robin at my little house!! Wooooeeee!! With each new arrival and addition, comes more beauty and spirit from each of my friends. The spiritual power may sound silly, but to me it is ohhh soo real, and I hope I can absorb enough to last a lifetime! Each beautiful artist has shared their soul with me, and I with them, and I don't think I could ask for more of anything. I have one more artist to arrive before I have seen the whole, but I know it will be perfection....in my eyes. It is so appropriate that the robin has landed at Thanksgiving in the spirit of the holiday now, and the one approaching........JOY!!

THANKS

The earrings above are quite simple I know, but again, earthy, organic, and right. Simple is good.
I'd like to give my simple thanks to all of you at this time, for your friendship, support, encouragement, and love. Some days you are all the strength that gets me through the day, and other days you get to share my joy. I have never met any of you, yet I feel I could not function fully without you. Well, I could, but I surely would not want to. Thank you for enriching my life, and my work. I wish for us all to remember to be thankful all the time, and our continued growth and frienship.
These earrings are going on etsy in a few minutes, where I am putting all my pieces on sale at 25% off for the holiday, to give thanks!
Hugs to everyone!!

FREE

I wish I could make a necklace like this every week, that is, one that sits so well with me, and how I feel, and just feels right. The inspiration for this came from an altered book I am working on with Lenna Andrews of CreativeLenna. She is an awesome mixed media artist, and is being ever so patient as I try to create this book of mine, with the theme, of what else, birds! Thus, the necklace came to be, from that thought of birds, and their travels over water, and land, their earthy colors., and their freedom, which I think about a lot. I can spend hours watching them, and always be fascinated.
Of all the jewelry that I make, this is me, this what I am, this is the essence of my soul, right here. This is the type of jewelry I always come back to, that always feel good. I like feeling good.

CHRISTMAS POSTCARDS

Some Christmas postcards I made for a swap, and maybe for some other special blog friends....hehe!! This is highly addicting therapy, making cards for people I care so much about. I get excited while I'm doing it, thinking it has to be just right for the receiver, as I imagine who that is. It makes me feel good to give , even if it is just a little piece of myself. The Christmas and Thanksgiving spirit is hitting me hard this year, and I do believe it has a great deal to do with all my blog friends, all of you reading, who have given me more joy this year than I have ever known or thought possible, as you share my endeavors and help me grow! I thank each and every one of you, and feel I could tell you that everyday and it still wouldn't be enough!

AND....

And the brain continues to say make earrings, and the hands are still agreeing to do so. My very treasured pink depression glass from my gram sports some classic black bling and rustic chic designs. Available in my etsy shop. I think my gram would have approved!

FOLLOW YOUR HEART

I think one of the reasons I like mixed media so much is that I can convey a message or thought without too much difficulty. I really enjoy trying to get stuff out of my head and releasing it somehow, in fact , I guess that is why we are all artists is because we feel the need to release what swirls in our brain! This card is for a swap with the theme of "Things with Wings".. The thing can be whatever you want, as long as it has wings. This was the first thing that came to my mind. I often wish my heart could just soar, with absolute freedom, and art is the only place I think that truly happens for me. Life stuff gets in the way a lot in the real world, responsibilities, commitments, guilt, to be specific. So when I pull out the papers and markers, and glue, I feel I can easily say what I want. I adore the quote on the card, but also find it very difficult to live by sometimes.......so I keep it stamped by my table to remind me often to keep at it. And with all my blog friends, it is easier to do.

NIGHT AND DAY

New earrings and more to come, if I can keep up with my brain. Available on etsy.

COFFEE INCHIES AND SANDA

coffee inchies for a swap

gifts from Sanda

click on the pictures to see the detail!

handmade cards by Sanda Reynolds

I'm back on the inchie kick this week, and the theme was coffee, one of my favorite things in the world! Been drinking it black since I was in high school, and I like a strong cup . I adooore expresso also, but don't make it as often, but I have been giving that some thought since I feel more tired it seems every day. Does anyone remember those college or 20 ish year old nights that never ended? Up all night without assistance, and ready to do it again in a heartbeat? Where is that?! haha
On another energizing subject though, Sanda Reynolds, of Sanda's Hobby Blog sent me some divine gifts !! I ordered two handmade Christmas cards from her that I thought were beautiful, and let me tell you, they are INCREDIBLY beautiful in person! The quality, craftsmanship, and beauty is amazing, and I highly recommend that you order some if your looking for a great card or product . She sent me lovely gifts as a thank you, which I will treasure! She sent her cards in plastic sleeves also for protection, another fantastic idea! These cards are exquisite, and now I'm not sure if I can part with them! Maybe I'll keep one! She sent me an incredible card as you see here, with a gorgeous Christmas tag, and a small frame of polymer clay with the word believe stamped in it and framing a vintage lady! Sanda....you know the way to my heart! Thank you so much for your kindness and for sharing your talent!

FAIRY LOVE

Here is my second entry for the Art Bead Scene's November challenge. When I went to the bead show last weekend, I fell in love with so many pieces that I thought could work, and landed up putting them all together for this. The long skinny very interesting stick was made by Anne Dilker of Moss Hollow Pottery. The lovely fairy face by Moggie Moyer of Bead my Love. I wrapped the face in the neatest copper filigree by Kabela Design, and that great little charm that I think MAKES the whole thing is what LeAnn Weih of Summers Studio calls a "doo dad!" Copper chain by Kabela, labrodorite, yellow chalcedony, lapiz, and wood.

Happiness!!

FINALLY CREATING

This is an inchie box and inchies I created for a swap. The first photo is a sample I made to make sure I liked the look . The finished product has to be shipped flat, and the the recipient can decorate with the inchies they receive, and also embellish it if they wish. This was a bit of a challenge for me, since I never was very good at 3-D in college. I was pretty happy with the way it turned out.
Life has really gotten in the way recently of my creativity, and I feel like I am overflowing with ideas and they have no where to go. I cannot even remember to write down everything I think of. Hopefully this week will be less chaotic. I am planning on making this an art/jewelry priority week......I hope I can pull it off!