HellO! Big surprise for us! Sheila ambushed us in NY, we weren't expecting to see her till next week. She loves doing that. We've been away since saturday, driving to cincinatti to hang out with Gregs family. We always have such a good time running around town, shopping at Jungle Jims and finding some obscure food to try out. The best find ever was an enormous durian fruit (the king of thai fruits) a strange spiky pod filled with dough like goo, said to taste like butterscotch - I for one don't know how they got that impression, it seemed more like rotten beef.
It took every ounce of will to fake a delighted expression to get anyone else to try it, but the reactions were totally worth it. This time I found a curry flavored chocolate bar - far less exciting. I actually decided not to torture my in laws and made normal food instead. They are going through some major illnesses and need lots of good energy sent there way.
From cin. I went to spend a day with my good friend Jessica Wiesel. We were up to
our regular hyjinks of all around trouble making, trying to sculpt new beads while tasting fancy saki's. I want to say we were productive...in a nothing to show for it kind of way. I returned to cin. and continued a lovely visit, shopping and socializing.
We left cin. on tuesday and journeyed to NY, eager to enjoy all the fun. We have walked miles, picnicing in the gardens of central park, perusing galleries, stopping at every other bakery and checking out bookstores. Im wiped out! Azalea loves playing with all the kids, we found a great playground in union square teeming with toddlers. The reason we went to NY was Andrews graduation from the School of Visual Arts, we are so proud of him! Its been non stop running around since we got here, Azalea loves it, shes the first one ready, stating she wan
ts to walk! I found the best restaurant - Max Brenners. Its chocolate heaven, I walked in and imediately felt warm and happy, liquid chocolate pumps through clear pumps, fountains of bliss. I had the tutti fruitti waffle combo, served with liquid chocolate in a little flask. So good. The best italian hot chocolate , almost better than actual italian (being served in italy makes most foods better). It was like all my birthdays came at once. So we have been having a great time, NY is full of inspiration and will make designing a breeze.
are enjoying her new sand/water box on the porch). This weather is perfect for working on my sculptures outside, under an umbrella, listening to the birds (I adore birds! There is no finer music!).Our house is surrounded by old oaks, tulip trees and dogwoods, it feels like being in a treehouse sometimes. 
disc pendants and a new version of his cicada, maybe he will let us photograph them. Its been really amazing working alongside such a talented artist, we have learned so much! I enjoy this energy, this focus. Everyone is working hard and putting aside distractions, its cool to see how much gets done by evening.
This is a wax original ready to be cast, her body length could fit in a nickle. She can be worn revealing her fairy nature or as a mere moon moth. I love her and cannot wait to see how she comes out!
This delightful little bean is very small, easily the size of a nickle. I thought this shape would look nice on a single strand, between large simple cut stones, or part of an eclectic dangley neclace. The bezel could fit a dime in the center. The type nearly drove me batty. This piece will look so good in pewter! Its designed for resin to encase small ephemera or pictures (or if your silly, like me, you'll want to carve scenes in polymer and then encase!). I hope everything comes out in the molds. Most of the time, everything looks good, but occasionally a piece warps and gets ruined. Hours of work lost. Hopefully, all goes well!
Hello! Here are my newest pieces, finished this past week, with a penny to show scale. The bird baby fits within the diameter of a penny (super small!). This lot will be new for the Bead and Button Show in Milwaukee. Its a whirlwind of casting and carving around here. Our good friend Bob Burkett flew in from San Francisco last night to cast with us and prepare for the show (he will be showing his work at our table). Tomorrow we will get the burners out to carve new waxes (the batch above was carved out of polymer clay). The weeks preceding a show are always so intense, I stay up really late (sometimes till dawn) working on masters and sample jewelry. The house is so quiet, no phones or disturbances - my ideal conditions. My sister Sheila is here and helps with Azalea and household duties so its been a breeze to finish 5 masters in a week. Well, its back to work for me!
Hi there! Still in NY, here is the cloud castle bead finished, I think it looks good, hopefully it will cast nicely. I have a bird head and hand bead on the (makeshift)work table, Im silly to think I can complete them in one day.
adventures, then who knows what?
HellO! Big surprise for us! Sheila ambushed us in NY, we weren't expecting to see her till next week. She loves doing that. We've been away since saturday, driving to cincinatti to hang out with Gregs family. We always have such a good time running around town, shopping at Jungle Jims and finding some obscure food to try out. The best find ever was an enormous durian fruit (the king of thai fruits) a strange spiky pod filled with dough like goo, said to taste like butterscotch - I for one don't know how they got that impression, it seemed more like rotten beef. 
It took every ounce of will to fake a delighted expression to get anyone else to try it, but the reactions were totally worth it. This time I found a curry flavored chocolate bar - far less exciting. I actually decided not to torture my in laws and made normal food instead. They are going through some major illnesses and need lots of good energy sent there way.
our regular hyjinks of all around trouble making, trying to sculpt new beads while tasting fancy saki's. I want to say we were productive...in a nothing to show for it kind of way. I returned to cin. and continued a lovely visit, shopping and socializing.
ts to walk! I found the best restaurant - Max Brenners. Its chocolate heaven, I walked in and imediately felt warm and happy, liquid chocolate pumps through clear pumps, fountains of bliss. I had the tutti fruitti waffle combo, served with liquid chocolate in a little flask. So good. The best italian hot chocolate , almost better than actual italian (being served in italy makes most foods better). It was like all my birthdays came at once. So we have been having a great time, NY is full of inspiration and will make designing a breeze.