No-Freckle me

Being a Graphic Design teacher, I spend a lot of time teaching kids how to use the Adobe CS3 software. But it's been a while since I've invested time in my own creative pursuits. I have some products planned that need a model, so I was thinking about photographing one of my beautiful sisters to do the job. After all, I am dark, freckly, speckly. Sometimes I don't feel "pretty" enough to model my own creations. So here I am, de-freckled. I think I may invest in some makeup to do my photoshoots- the even skintone looks fantastic, and in this photo, taken simply with my iSight camera on my Mac, in the dark, no less! and poorly edited in about 5 mintues, actually looks pretty nice. Imagine what I could do if I actually invested myself! Since my new creations glow in the dark, the dark-gypsy look is going to do the trick.

Shiny white paper

Why is it, when faced with a clean, shiny, new open sketchbook, panic sets in? I love little notebooks. Currently my favorite are Moleskins in an unassuming khaki brown, and very small....little, with plain white pages. About the size of a small index card. I bought a pack of three. In one, I am writing down quotes I think I would like to use either on a pendant or an ATC. In another, I am drawing henna patterns- practicing my compositions. The third lies fallow.

I was at Borders today, and they are having their post-holiday sale. There were several really cute blank notebooks in the size I like, smallish, fits in my very small purse. Now, don't be fooled- I don't ever carry my purse unless I have a notebook with me. Otherwise, on a regular old day, I just carry my clutch- with is really just an extended wallet wristlet thingy. Everything I carry is designed to be small enough to fit inside this. I have never been fussy (or needed to be) about my looks, so I just carry a lipgloss, my phone- which is a very tiny flip phone (not much bigger than a lipstick) my debit card and a couple other cards. My keys are clipped to the handle of my wristlet with a carabiner.

Now- back to the notebooks. I just can't figure out what I would do with one. I mean, I love little journals and sketchbooks. So many of them have such wonderful covers, beautiful really. But when faced with shiny white paper....I get the most terrible fear. What if I waste it with meaningless doodles? What if I write the wrong thing? I threw out a bunch of journals from my youth because I was disgusted with myself upon reading them later. I would hate to have the same experience again with such beautiful books. This is my block- not lack of creativity, but lack of the willingness to allow myself to be "wrong" or "wasteful" with ink.

There are funny, strange things our mothers do to us- mine left me with a horrid, practical drive to never waste. That is most of the reason that my artwork tends to be on the tiny side. I battle this fear and loathing for wastefullness every time I sit down to make art. What if it doesn't sell? What if it's not perfect?

What blocks do you battle? Trust me- we all have them and it's a b$#@ getting rid of them. I may have to go back to Borders tomorrow for a sketch book.

Red-Winged Black Bird Wings

Last week, someone found my etsy shop and asked me to make special earrings for a friend. I LOVE CUSTOM ORDERS! It's so much better to make something someone wants, rather than just make things hoping someone finds what they like in my inventory. I think I enjoy the craftsmanship very much, as opposed to the artistic vision. I gravitate towards certain imagery, like the birds, wings, flowers and such...but love to make especially what my customers want. Here are the very special earrings...

Spent the weekend making birds and wings...

This weekend was lovely. I started by grading papers on Thanksgiving morning, went to a wonderful relaxing dinner at a friend's home (just 2 couples!!!) spent Friday and Saturday creating, frantically, jewelry due to the fact that I am the featured artist at a holiday party this coming weekend and I was greatly behind. Today I went for a walk on the beach and will soon be planning for my classes this week.

Here's a preview of some of the things I made this weekend. I will be listing them in my etsy shop, and attempting to sell them this weekend.

Birds- it's funny, but I don't relish the idea of birds as pets. But I love to watch them. Especially Ravens and other corvids, which are few and far between in South Florida. But I have seen a few. So a few years ago, I began to make bird beads. Actually, in 2001 I was creating bird ornaments for the Portland Saturday Market. The next incarnation was bird beads, then art necklaces. I tried stamping a bird, and the necklace sold quickly- but I wasn't satisfied. I am more a sculptor than a stamper. I need to have my fingerprints in my work. So here they are, the newest flock....

Pleasant Thanksgiving mornings...and new jewelry

We're staying put in Florida this holiday, and having dinner with another couple who decided to do the same this year. Last year I travelled up north at the last minute to visit my Uncle Mike, who sadly lost a battle with Pancreatic cancer this year. Last thanksgiving he had just been diagnosed, and we all know how quickly that disease can take a loved one away- so I didn't want to risk it. I'm glad I went, as that was the last time I saw him. So today I have some sobering thoughts. I thank God for Uncles and Grandfathers- they are two "classes" of men in young ladies lives who want nothing from you- not your success, not to be pleased by you- they only want what makes you happy. There isn't the same expectation as a father has for you- so I have been particularly devastated by the loss of two uncles to the same cancer, and my Papa 11 years ago now. I miss them all acutely, and I am thankful for the family and friends that are left.

My newest jewelry item- handmade wings joined by a "Halo" in the center, dripping with crystals and pearls, is dedicated to them.

I'm making my special cran-apple sauce to share, and a pitcher of Pusser's Painkillers. Google that- it's an awesome tropical rum drink, with nutmeg- that makes it nice on a day like today. Football and barbeque'd pork, here I come. (as you can see, here in FL we eat what we like on Thanksgiving!)

Yippi! I sold a bead.

Sometimes you have to celebrate the little things.

I just love it when one of my birdies flies home!

I went to Barnes & Noble today to gawk at Enchanted Adornments, Cynthia Thornton's new book. It's so pretty and has very nice ideas for mixed media jewelry. Plus, it's fully illustrated and includes a little short story. What a nice difference from traditional books- I mean, how many books include "basic" directions for polymer clay at this point? This one skips most of that and goes straight to the point- the fun things you can use different clays for, and how to mix it all up with gems, resins and such. I expect Ilysa and I will discuss this book soon on Polymer Clay Podcast.

As the Crow Flies...

I love that statement. It sounds so funny to me. And why a crow? Why not the pigeon or hawk? I mean, didn't they use pigeons for that, to fly directly to a spot? Anyway....

We live by the ocean, and the only way to get out of here is to get off of A1A and onto a local road. We have to cross the Intracoastal waterway, and go inland. Thankfully, there is a lot of shopping locally. Almost everything we "need" is within a little L shaped route. The furthest part of the route is the Mall. One evening while sitting on the balcony, I noticed that there is a building that looks quite close, with "look at me" lighting- it's lit up blue on the top with columns of white light on the front. That building is the nearest hospital. It looks so close, and as the crow flies, it is. But it takes quite a drive to get there! If only I could fly...

More about me...that wouldn't fit on my profile!

I am an animal lover, and surround myself with 3 furry friends in the shape of cats. I have also called myself friend to an Akita, beloved Kasha, who now waits at the Bridge.  


I share my life with my partner and husband of 12 years, who has joined me on my many moves and adventures.  


My landscape is painted pink and orange over blue ocean waters every morning...and purple and fuschia over intracoastal waters every evening. During the rainy season, there is a rainbow almost every night. I have many photos of these gifts and sometimes post them for everyone to see.  


I have the urge to create with my heart and hands, almost constantly. It's a gift and a curse. Combined with my Gemini spirit, I almost always have a new idea, and almost never have time (or tenacity) to complete all of them. I feel disturbed if I am just sitting still, like there are so many things to be done. Down time? What's that? So, I often exhaust myself. Or get down on myself for relaxing when I should be doing...feels too much like laziness. I'm trying everyday to find the balance.