Artful Adventures

Treasures!

 

This past week, the mail was good to me, but so were my friends:)  For Christmas, a friend of mine, Tammy Vitale, got the equipment needed to make her own beads.  In just over 2 months look what she's making already-a goddess bead!!!  She was generous enough to send it here to live with my growing collection of special little things, all things that were gifts to me that one of these days will be turned into a necklace of my own.  Thanks Tammy, she went to a good home!  And while we're talking about Tammy, be sure to click here to read an interview that Tammy did as a guest artist for the MMCA Marketplace blog.  It's a great interview, you'll enjoy it!   

An old friend of mine was cleaning out her closets and decided to get rid of broken and/or jewelry that she wasn't going to wear anymore, so she boxed it all up & sent it my way.  It's funny how a pile of someone else's cast offs can look & feel like such a treasure, but it really is a treasure to me.  Something I can rummage around in, and pull a piece from here & one from there, and put something together that's wearable-now that's fun!  It's funny though, I don't think I've ever owned that much jewelry in my life, let alone have that much laying around to get rid of.  As good of friends as we've been for well over 30 years, she was always a girly girl with tgeh perfect clothes, make up, jewelry and wore about a size zero.  Then there was me, just about the complete opposite, but we did have fun!  In the box with the jewelry, she also sent along an old photo album with every page filled with her family pictures of her ancestors.  That's here for a visit, long enough for me to photocopy or scan the pictures and then it's out of here!  A generous act on her part to trust me with this, but it makes me nervous to be responsible for someone else's treasure, and it really is a treasure.  Another project for me to get done relatively soon and then send it back to it's home.  Even though I have a ton of old pictures, having some "new" ones to play with is always a treat, isn't it? 

Welcoming in 2009

 

How's that for a view out of a window:)  It's been a tad bit chilly here to say the least, but the frost that formed on the window was so beautiful, the kind of beauty that only nature can create.  Although I'm not so sure it's good to have frost on the inside!  So here we are, January of 2009, a time to reflect on the past year and plan for this year.  A long time ago I stopped making resolutions, they're the kiss of death for me-never ever work.  But a concept for the year, or a plan, or maybe even a word to live by-now that I can handle.  Tammy had posted about a word for the year, an idea that came from Christine Kane's blog, and then a couple of days later in another post she said "I wish to only do new things and/or to repeat only things which are bringing positive energy into my life."  Within this post, she included a link to a blog that I hadn't been to before, and boy have I been missing out!  It's Ancient Artist:Developing an art career after 50 and in this post the author, Sue Favinger Smith said, "We have a choice.  Live on Purpose."   Are you still with me, there's a point to all this which I"m getting to in my normal round about way.  Then last night as I was trying to get caught up reading emails, I read a post from Leah's Creative Every Day blog, where she included a link to a blog that has a list of questions, that if answered could potentially help each of us guide ourselves through 2009, once again living with a purpose.  I'll be putting those questions and my answers to them in my journal now, and again next December, so that I'll be sure not to forget to reflect, see how I did, and begin planning for the following year.  But now I'm jumping the gun a bit, so have to back up.  First I had chosen 2 words for myself for the year (even though it was advised to choose only one-never been very good at following directions) and those words were "awareness" and "choice" which I then put into a phrase for myself for the year, "know that I have choices and to be aware of them".  Kind of sounds a little like Sue Smith's "We have a choice.  Live on Purpose." quote, doesn't it?  I'm a firm believer in the fact that these kinds of things happen for a reason, so I'm sticking to my phrase that I chose, and I'm also going to LIVE ON PURPOSE.  Life can be way too short and I've had my fair share of close calls, and life is what you make of it.  Yes, things happen, I'm well aware of that, but I'm the one that's responsible for the choices that I make and I need to be aware of everything around me, aware and in awe of all that surrounds me, especially the little things that we tend to overlook, like that frost on the window.   

I've started journaling again (should have some photos tomorrow) and plan on keeping at it all year.  I've said that every year for a long time but it always felt like I was taking time to do play and not do other stuff.  So this year I'm working on it at times when I wouldn't be in the studio anyway, as I prefer to work only in natural light.  And I'm already seeing the benefits of it, a chance to try out new colors, practice techniques, both old & new, and finally a good place for me to sketch.  It's undecided at this point if it'll end up being mostly a visual journal or a written one, probably a combination of both.  And to help jumpstart this and to be accountable for it, I've joined in on Misty's group of January Art Journalers-come join in!  And another place to be is Leah's Creative Everyday blog, a no pressure place that just makes you be and think creatively every day, as intended.  Which remindws me, I need to get the new badge for this year in the sidebar.  Once again, I'm entering the year with good intentions and perhaps lofty goals, but if I just stick to my basic phrase, I'll be ok.  Not much new to report on the medical front, except last week the doc told me I had to give myself 10 more of those damn belly shots, hopefully that will be it.  At my last blood draw, my numbers were right on the money and if they're still there on Wednesday when I go for more bloodwork, I should be heading in the right direction, whew.  Now I just have to quit worrying about it and get on with life, but I have to admit that everytime I feel something in that leg, I have to wonder if that blood clot is moving around!  Once again, I talked too much, big surprise:)  So I'll leave you with a picture of the beach in Algoma.  You've seen plenty of them in the summer, but this winter view is enough to send chills down your spine just looking at it:)  It's cool though, no pun intended, to see how that landscape changes so drastically.  So tell me-what's new with all of you?  Were the holidays good for you?  I really want to know!

Thank You!

 

Now that Gary's a few weeks post op, has a new slime green cast that he can put a little weight on while still walking with crutches, things are slowly starting to get back to normal here.  Maybe not normal, but at least more manageable.  Enough that I can start trying to play catch up a bit, kind of like a puppy chasing it's tail:)  We're calling Monday morning to have the hospital bed taken out of the living room, now that he can manage steps-carefully.  Life will slowly return to normal, it will.  But he did want to make sure that a huge THANK YOU was said for all of you that sent him cards & well wishes, we both appreciated it more than you can know.  I owe so many people for all the help we've had, generous friends that gave up their time to help us out, so much that another post soon will be devoted to just that.  See, another "catch up", not necessarily in the order of events, but it'll get done-one day at a time.   

Jeremy's home for the week end, perfect timing as a quarter of beef we ordered was ready to be picked up today, so his help in hauling it down to the freezer in the basement was more than welcomed.  We got the meat from a couple that we met at the Flying Pig, actually it seems like everytime we'd go there, Lynn would walk in right after us, something we've joked around about with him & his wife quite often.  This was the first time we'd been to their farm, named Guardians of the Field Farm, an absolutely perfect name for a beautiful place.  They have a huge old farmhouse painted yellow, with the widest wrap around porch that I've ever seen, all of the outbuildings painted barn red, and all of this on the end of a dead end road.  It's a beautiful, peaceful place, perfect!  And so fitting for their personalities, as Jeremy commented when we left that Lynn was such a gentle soul, and he's so right.  The whole family seems to have that trait and are in perfect harmony with all that surrounds them.   

Now I'm backtracking a little, the first stop for today was at Kele Alpaca where I dropped off some collages for their annual Holiday sale coming up next week end.  We had a chance to peek a little at some of the handcrafted art that was already there, but by next week end it'll be packed to the rafters with everything from paintings, jewelry, purses (I always get a purse there!), yarns & fibers, clothing, and everything in between in the old restored log building where the sale is held.  It was nice to have a few minutes to visit with LeAnna & Amanda for a bit and then we were on our way.  Our last stop was at the Flying Pig for a cup of coffee and to have a few laughs with 2 sisters ( they could put on their own sister act!) Pat & Marcy in the picture above, who are holding down the fort while Susan & Robyn are on vacation, due back in a day or so I think.  Can't wait to hear about their adventures finding new artists, visiting art galleries & checking out the surroundings.  Tomorrow Jessie & Michelle are coming out, so we'll all be together, eating chili that we made tonight and watching the Packer/Bear game-it should be fun!  I'll leave yuo now with this saying that's painted on a wall by the coffee bar at The Flying Pig, I love it! 

CD Debut Party-for Harps!

Last night, we attended a CD debut party/concert at The Flying Pig for Watercolor Harps, Tammy Naze & Cheryl Murphy, accompanied by a cello player (I'm so sorry-can't remember the name!) who played an earthy sounding cello that was made in 1914! 

They've just released 2 CD's, one based on the color green and the other based on the color blue.  It's an intriquing concept, at least it was for me.  When I think of any given color, I think of emotion, a visual of a colored object, possibly a memory, a piece of art that I've made, but have never thought of color in terms of sound.  But that's exactly what they've done!  If you click on this link and scroll down a bit, they give a much better explanation of the process than I can. 

The CDs were made with the intention of being played so when you listen to them, you relax and are transported to the sounds of spring, the inspiration for the About Green cd, and the sounds of Lake Michigan inspired the cd About Blue, both of which are for sale at The Flying Pig. 

Notice the peaceful, serene looks on both Cheryl's and Tammy's faces while they worked their magic, running their fingers over the strings of the harps?  It was a unique experience to have seen & heard in person, I'm so glad that we went.  We bought one of the cd's already, and the 2nd one will probably be gotten real soon.  It might be just the kind of music I need in the studio!.  They' have more cd'd in the works, as they work their way through the color palette-can't wait to hear more colors!

When they asked for a volunteer from the audience to come up and try a harp, Pat was more than willing!  Her smile says it all, playing the harp is cool, and we were warned, addicting, as well!

No concert here would be complete without hearing the bullfrogs singing from the pond that's adjacent to the stage.  For those who have performed in the past and have never heard a bullfrog before, their reaction is hilarious!  But then I think it's hilarious that there are people who have never heard a bullfrog:)  Tammy was waiting for them to accompany them last night though, and for once they didn';t cooperate-go figure!

And to make the day even better at The Flying Pig, yesterday morning the Press Gazette not only published an article on them, but had the headline, big as life, right on the front page-cool!  You can read it here, and I hope you do read it.  As often as I speak of this place, the article manages to capture it very well.  If you're still with me, stay tuned for another post, maybe today yet, for news of a new award-I'm excited!

2 days in a row, do you believe it?

As most of you know, every month
Michelle Ward has a crusade, with last month being Crusade #18-carving stamps.  Something I've never tried before & need to work on, my attempt was pretty dismal.  But Gary decided to try it & promptly sat down and carved 3 stamps, he did the one inked in green, the red one, and a key which is on the backside of one of them.  Mine is there, too-the blah looking one-lol!  If I can't get the hang of it, maybe I can just get him to do it for me!

With the camera being "down" I didn't get it posted in time, but we're getting a jump start on the next challenge for April so shouldn't have that problem again.                                                                                       

Crusade #19 for April is to cut your own stencils, and MIchelle has a really great tutorial posted on it.  As luck would have it, we stopped at Michael's the other night and they had spray paint on sale for $1.99/can!  Perfect time to stock up & get ready for spray painting season (it's getting there!) and use the new stencils we'll make.                            

As mentioned yesterday, getting back into the studio was a priority.  As always, to accomplish anything, it always seems like there's prep work to do.  If I put it off, nothing gets made-does an excuse come any more lame than that one?  So, besides making art I drilled pearls, and can now proudly say that I can use any color or kind of pearl now that I own:)  It was one of those things that felt good to get done, busywork, keeping my hands busy & my wheels turning, good stuff can come from that:)  

It's that time of year-things are growing in WI!  It's like they know their time is limited and can't get out of the ground quick enough.  Seems early for some of the little guys that are appearing, but I quess it really isn't.  Brace yourselves, as anything pops up in the yard, it'll be popping up on here, too:)  Oh, I almost forgot to tell you--- Jeanette Janson is having a moving sale over at her Etsy Shop , with 25% off everything she has listed.  Now's your chance if you've been drooling over anything in her shop! 

Ok, it's been too long again!

Is that cool or what, the way the camera caught the water falling over the edge?  It's just a little place near here, called Wequiock Falls, small but always awesome looking.  And why did we get such a good picture?  New camera!  Our old faithful is sick, poor thing, so we bought a new one (same as the old one, just the newer version) and will send the old one in for repair.  Since Gary's so good at snapping those pictures, he needed a better camera anyway, and he really needs a hobby:)

It's been a busy couple of weeks here, seems like we're either running around for something, and if not, I've actually been in the studio.  My copy of this book arrived last week, written by Alyson Stanfield.  There's something magical about it, seems to work by osmosis!  Seriously, just having it in the house, makes me feel accountable for some strange reason.  I won't lie & tell you that I've read it all the way through, because I haven't.  But what I have done, is to keep it handy, pick it up a dozen times a day, page through, read a little here & there, and trot (ok, hobble) back into the studio.  But----I'm being productive, I'm enjoying what I'm doing, I feel like there's a purpose and a need to do what I do.  Some new habits are being established, like making sure that I'm showered & dressed & ready to rock 'n roll by a certain time each morning, making sure that I'm doing something everyday, no matter how small.  The book is about marketing, but in my case I had to get into the studio first to be able to market, and I'm doing it!  So click on over & order this book-you won't regret it!           

I've been all over the place with my art lately, jewelry, painting, collage, bookmaking, and I've got the messes all over the house to prove it:)  When I do this, it seems like nothing gets done because so much is "in progress", and them all of a sudden there's a bunch done, love it when that happens!  The labradorite necklace was my first commissioned piece of jewelry, after all my fretting & worrying about it, she loved it-whew.  Photos are just never the same as seeing the real thing, so until someone actually has the art in their hands, I hold my breath a little.  There was no need to worry (see, there's that why waste a worry thing again!) so I just have to learn to trust in myself. 

And here's another one with stick pearls, citrine,  ivory coin pearls and some white pearls-another one possibly for the gallery.  Tomorrow I start making resin filled bezels and see if any of them will work with a new bunch of necklaces I'm starting-another mess, I'm running out of horizontal surfaces!

This may not look very imressive, but that little white ridge you see in the background, is the ice breaking up on the bay and starting to pile up on itself.  When that happens it can make these huge piles of ice that can come ashore, they're really much larger than you'd think.   The good thing is, it's a sure sign of spring!  Last week end, we hit over 50 degrees, according to the news, it was the first 50 degree day since sometime in November, 130 some days ago, which came out to something like 39% of the year.  Those are some facts I could have lived without ever knowing, talk about a long winter! 

Still love those sunsets!  This was taken across the road from our house, watching the sun set over the bay, it's always so beautiful to watch, something I never get tired of seeing.  Before I go, I have to share this photo of more socks:)  Just happened that Robyn & Susan and I were together at the same time, all wearing mismatched socks, and all with different pairs on.  So here ya' go-more socks!  

I'm a girly girl!!!

Now is this not the coolest thing you've ever seen?  When a box arrived in my mailbox this past week and I ripped it open to find this, I was grinning from ear to ear!  First of all, it was so artfully packaged that I hated to open it, but it didn't take me long to come to my senses:)  It's a cuff, made by the talented

Annie

, who made my day with this, I actually feel like a girly girl when I wear it, and that's not easy!  I wore it out to an

ArtBeet meeting on Monday night to show it off. 

Susan took one look at it, asked if I had ever met Annie in person, because the cuff was so "me", an absolute perfect choice for me.  Yes, Annie & I did meet once, at

Valley Ridge Art Studio where we both attended a class taught by

Nina.  Seriously, magical things can happen at Valley Ridge, and especially when you throw Nina in the mix!  Turns out that Annie & I share a birthday, as well as many of the traits of the Scorpio that we are.  We hit it off like 2 little peas in a pod, she pulled a prctical joke on me (watch your back, I still didn't get even!), and the rest is history.  During that class in particular, 4 of us met for the first time, and the 4 of us have been friends ever since.  Like I said, magic can happen if you let it!   It's actually been a productive week for me, I have 1 necklace completed and 3 more in the works-all close to being done.  So I have wore to twist & liver of sulphur to play in, then I can post what I made later on today, hopefully.  Enjoy the day, my friends!!!!   

New Jewels

Just in case you all thought I gave up posting art as a resolution for 2008, I didn't:)  I was determined to make a necklace to wear to Gary's retirement party, ended up making 2 of them and then couldn't decide which one to wear.  So I put them both on together, and they fit together perfectly-now had I tried doing that intentionally, it never would've worked out.  Still have some issues photographing this stuff, time to find a tutorial and work on it.  Anyhow, the longer necklace started out as a "lets try out a bunch of techniques and see what happens" necklace.  Most of these techniques came from Sharilyn Miller's book (a must own, in my opinion) Bead On A Wire, as well as her Tribal Treasure's DVD.  Both the book & dvd are a most wonderful source of information, and invaluable if you have a memory like mine that keeps thinking, "now how did that go again"?   Someone  had given me the advice to try everything out in copper first, which turned out to be great advice, and I have a pile of twisted copper to prove it!  Also incorporated into this necklace are techniques learned from the oh so lovely and patient Nina, if it hadn't been for her, I seriously never would have been able to do any of this.  The necklace on the inside was more my comfort level, even though I do hate wiring flat objects, such as the buttons.  Love the way flat objects look in a necklace, it's just not my favorite thing to do!  Yesterday we went up to Sturgeon Bay to The Artists Guild, a wonderful art supply store that has just about everything.  When we walked in, the gal working there commented right away on the necklaces (yep, wore them both again) asking who made them.  It was a wonderful compliment when she asked if & where I was selling them, a validation of sorts that she felt they were worthy of being sold as soon as she saw them, and better yet that she felt that having my work for sale at The Flying Pig was a good move, like I said, it was a wonderful compliment.   

While driving over the bridge and past the shipyard in Sturgeon Bay, I spotted this boat with "Susan L" written on the bow & along the top of the boat, Since Lee is my middle name, we had to get a picture of it!  Yes, I know, I'm easily amused:)  And the big news of the day is that I finally got a stencil burner thingy (technical terms-lol) and some blank stencil sheets.  Something that I've been wanting to do for a long time is to incorporate either some of my own drawings or some photographs into my work, and figured making a stencil out of these would not only be great fun, but would "make it my own", a phrase that keeps ringing in my head that was said by Michelle Ward.  As artists, it's tough to not be influenced by other's work or the abundance of eye candy that we can see on a constant basis, but I do believe that we need to make a conscious effort to develop our own style, put a new spin a technique, whatever it takes so that ultimately when someone sees our work, they know that it belongs to you, not someone you admire or whose work you lust after, but little 'ol YOU!  I quess that'll be my first goal for 2008-to make that happen on a consistent basis, trust myself enough to let it happen, and work hard enough to make it happen.   

   

A Christmas Story of my own

This year, I participated in a Secret Santa swap amongst members of MMCA.  My secret santa was the oh so talented, Caren from New Zealand, and these are the packages that I ripped (seriously, I literally tore right into it!) from the envelope that arrived here on Christmas Eve. 

Inside one of the packages was this wonderful tote that she made for me.  By now we all know I have a "thing" for handmade purses, so when not in use, it'll go up on my purse wall to admire.  As if that weren't enough, she also made a smaller, like a little larger than a coin purse size, piece to match that had a darling piece of artwork inside of it, a bunch of wonderful papers, everything from handmade to vintage text all wrapped up in ribbons & lace.  Also a handcarved wooden letter opener and a very cool silver pendant with a tiger eye stone in the center were included-she spoiled me rotten!

As it turned out, I had Caren's name for me to play Secret Santa to her:)  I was thrilled, we've been online friends for years, so I was looking forward to doing this.  Then-------I freaked!  All of a sudden it hit me, with all of the fabulous art that Caren creates, what on earth could I possibly make for her??  The old inner critic jumped on this opportunity, kicked my muse to the curb, and took up residence once again.  After starting & not liking, more projects than I care to admit, it dawned on me that I was missing the whole point of the exchange.  It was about giving, not a contest, not about stressing out, and certainly not about opening the door & inviting in that inner critic.  Once I worked through this and got a bit of confidence back, I easily put together a package for her, including this necklace that I made just for her.

I've learned a good lesson from this.  Always feeling presumptious about sending my art to other artists, feeling like mine is no better than theirs so why bother.  I'm finally understanding that it's all about sharing of ourselves and our own unique talents.  It's like what we put ourselves through every year with Christmas shopping for anyone, stressing over getting the "perfect" whatever, rather than just enjoying the holiday and giving of ourselves, but most importantly to give ourselves a little break and trust our instincts.  2008 will be different for me now, there will be more chillin' out, less worrying, and a lot more stress free art to be made and sent out into the world.   

Gifts and green and sales-oh my!

The other day I got an oh so sweet package from my friend, Tracie.  I've heard it said that presentation is everything, and Tracie is one of the best at it!  The little book of her poetry and art, arrived all wrapped up in my favorite slime green (and yes, I said "slime" not lime) tissue paper, adorned with silk flowers, ribbon, tulle, and a little metal tag that reads "for Sue".  And I even managed to slide the book out, without disturbing the packaging:)  Tracie is so talented, as a teacher, an artist, and a poet-amazing!  She's got a party going on right now to celebrate her Etsy Grand Holiday Open House  , so click on over & see what goodies she has, and maybe you'll win something!  Thanks again, Tracie, for thinking of me! 

A week ago today was Thanksgiving, when we woke up to a dusting snow, and the weird sight of this last rose, stubbornly hanging on, despite a little coating of the white stuff.  We had the traditional turkey and all the fixings, and were joined by Jessie & Michelle, and our old friends Cindy & Alice.  It was perfect, friends, family, lots of good food & conversation, and topped off with the Packers winning the early game.

The next day kicked off the annual Holiday Sale at Kele Alpacas .  It all happens in an old restored log building, decorated and filled to the rafters with the offerings of many local artists, complete with coffee or hot cider and some treats to munch on while browsing, and the barn & fields full of alpacas roaming around. 

  It's always a warm and welcoming place to be, hosted by Amanda & Leanna.  Besides having an artists reception before it started, this year there was a time set aside for the participating artists to come together & barter their wares with each other, and this Sunday there will a celebration to honor the 10th anniversary of this sale.  It's going to be fun!

Bear, one of Leanna's dogs, is the official greeter at the sale.  Must have been hard work for him that week end, he made himself a little bed in the middle of everything, taking a break for a quick snooze:) 

No way could I pass up this purse at the sale- it's slime green!  It's gorgeous, reversible, made out of raw silk, and will be a new addition on the wall of purses in my studio.  It started out as sort of a joke to hang all hand made purses on a wall, but I have to tell you, it's pretty cool, and makes everyone who sees it smile, that's worth it, right there!

Mother Bead is a shop in Green Bay, that's having a sale right now, 40% off most of their gemstones & all of their pearls.  I've already been there twice and now have to stay out of there for awhile, even though the prices with this sale are just too good to ignore!  But I told myself that I have to get this jewelry stuff organized, before I bring anything else into this house, starting with reaming out all the pearls that are already here (from another sale) so that I even know what I have, what I need, and to be able to just sit down and make something.  Yeah, I know, I'm dreaming:)  It took a couple of days, but things are getting in order, pearls are almost all reamed, so now I can sit down & make something.  I have a plan (there's always a plan with the best of intentions, isn't there?) that I can work on collages in the studio, and while paint & glue are drying, move on into the kitchen & work on jewelry.  I'll let you know how this works out:)