The Language of the Birds. Acrylic on board. 7"x8"

Hi! Azalea and I enjoyed a quiet weekend just the two of us (Greg's in Minnesota facing snow waist deep to do a show). We cleaned the house and watched movies on saturday (sci-fi channel and cartoons) taking breaks to go outside and play with this amazing bubble stuff Greg won at a party. Its some glue-like substance you add to the end of a straw and blow out, forming bubbles that you can hold. We had lots of fun being experimental with that. Later that evening we went to Brian and Jen's house for dinner and craft night. We had an awesome feast that the guys (Brian and T.J.) made- portobella burgers with caramelized onions and roasted peppers, sweet potatoe fries, quinoa with kale and sweet potato puree. Then I showed them how to felt with needles and wool roving. We made beads and I started a small bird for Azalea to pin on her shoulder. My girl had a good time stringing wooden beads and helping me pick colors for felting, she tried wet felting and made a nice bead.
Today was kind of wet, but we took a drive on the parkway and went to the new Earthfare, which is really nice. We have been painting and coloring all day, me working on my illo friday submission, and Azalea making pics of daddy with her rainbow pencil. We had Lady in the Water playing while we worked, I love that movie more each time I see it (or listen, I should say) it is so beautiful. I have Love Actually on now, and I have to say it is one of my all time favorites, even if it is a sappy romatic comedy. Its right up there with Sense and Sensibility (I love Alan Rickman)anyway,I could go on and on, so have a good night.Check out these amazing paper flowers, so inspiring! http://lyndiedourthe.monsite.wanadoo.fr/page4.html

Hello, out there! It's quiet here,in the wee hours of the night. My favorite time to work - I can hear myself think, I can also hear myself sketch, the pen scratches the paper in the most satisfying way. I've had a pleasant day, went to Salsa's for lunch, then went to see Pan's Labrynth by myself. I loved and hated it at the same time. I hate watching war movies- I absolutely detest the concept of war, I also hate when people explain the necessity of it to me,I always think there has to be a better way, a more civilized, less barbaric way to sort things out. But then I suppose that is too simple. So, I loved the parts in the movie that dealt with fantasy, felt sick during the violent spots. I am such a wimp. Anyway, it was good despite my desire to have a fairy in every shot.

Speaking of fairies, I think I will make some dolls tommorow, out of pipe cleaners and fake flowers. I should work on something useful, but lately I have no desire to do anything of the sort. Besides, Azalea would enjoy making little baby fairies, she's crafty too. I found a website that is loads of fun to shop, www.designspotter.com (I would put the link, but some reason it isn't working). I found lots of interesting hip pouches (very useful at shows) and some cool jewelry. Also, I've been enjoying some very fine chocolates from the good people at the Xocolate Bar- I love the cardamon truffles and the lavender infused marshmallows. I know I talk a lot about chocolate, but I only have like two a day. Although the marshmallows are pretty dang tasty! Look at their site www.thexocolatebar.com its yummy too. Anyway, chocolate is good for you.

Flight.
Acrylic on canvas with mica flakes and lots of matte medium.

Hi! We enjoyed a laid-back weekend, running around our charming downtown and having breakfast at the Early Girl Cafe. I had black-eyed peacakes and they were exceptionally tastey. We spent the rest of the weekend drawing and painting, just being crafty! Greg made me a beautiful wooden book for a secret project, I love it so much! It feels magical! The stones under the mica are lapis,ruby,labradorite and something pink I can't think the name of. Saturday night we went back downtown to attend a birthday party for Jen Shermer, and had a really great time. I made a painting for her (which works for illo friday, I think)and was pleased to see how much she liked it. Azalea has really enjoyed her new playhouse from Target, she makes everyone look at it.

Greg and Azalea, happy to be home.

My new friend Mike Roman, the fabulous best friend of the stunning Jolene Starr.

Sea salt caramels, a wasabi and a chili truffle from Chocolate Fetish,one of the best things about Asheville.

The group shot is of Lisa Blackwell, Jessica Wiesel and Bob Burkett.

Tony Blackwell from Zoa Art at the Whole Bead Show.

Hello everybody! Finally back from the worlds longest ride! Tucson was amazing this year! We had so much fun at the shows and shopping! We got home saturday night and I can tell you i have never been happier to be on own turf! Shows can be so exhausting, getting up really early everyday, standing continuously and rushing to write up orders. We are so grateful to have such patient customers (thank you, thank you!) otherwise, it would've been a mad house! Of course, when we saw how many messages awaited us, we realized the mad house had yet to begin.

February in Tucson is such an inspiring time for artists, because so many artists attend the shows. We had a blast visiting with the fine folks from Zoa Art, Tony and Lisa Blackwell, the marvellous Bob Burkett, the festive Paula Best just to name a few. That is the best part of the shows, really, is seeing old friends and making new ones. I always love seeing our customers who make it all worthwhile.

Speaking of old/new friends, we sought out the elusive LeeAnne Hartman in Gallup, NM on the way home and had an inspiring visit. She is so kind and ridiculously talented, I can't wait to add her work to our offerings! She will be producing pieces for us soon, so check our new stuff pages to see for yourself.

Since I got home I've been really sick, weak and tired, which is a bummer since I'm so jacked up and ready to make art. I think I'm well now, so back to work! I don't have the energy I used to, which makes it hard for me to fun, crafty projects when I know I have designing to do. Oh well, maybe I should just do what I feel like doing and see what happens. Anyway, here are some pics from our trip.

We are really hustling to make as much stuff as physically possible for Tucson. It's fun, we have three of our friends helping us to cast, grind, organize and polish the goods. Tim, from Fire Glass, Steve Gornic hailing from Tridelphia and Thomas (T.J) have all been a blessing, staying up all hours to help. We are so lucky to have art school alumni as buddies!
I've enjoyed making elaborate salads for dinner every night (pear, spinach,mixed greens, bacon, dried cranberries, blueberries,almonds,pistachios,croutons and loads of blue cheese dressing) we've been trying to 'eat healthy'. I guess Pasta Carbonara doesn't qualify (bacon,eggs and parmesan)! I made a traditional filipino dish for dinner called Chicken Adobo, a savory garlic and soy sauce concoction my mama used to make (which is the BEST way to prepare chicken,hands down!). Pretty much 30 minute meals since we began busting it for the big shows. I can't wait to relax!
Andrew and I have been planning a relaxing after-show party in Tucson, luckily Andrew is a genius and everything is coming together. I just have to make invites and plan a menu, no sweat! So, this year we've started the earliest and have the most help - and I am still freaking out, which is what I do every year. I'm freakin' out right now, worried about my pmc amulets (I love them-pmc caps on crystal clear hollow beads filled with treasures and a tiny drawing) I should have some finished versions tommorow.
Here are a couple pics of Azalea, one in her new hilltribe dress, shipped to her
from Thailand - a gift from Sheila. She is still in Burma, heading to India with a side trip to Japan. I'm going to ask her to get me gold bangles in India. The other is her playing with her windmill doll house and the doll I made for her, named Kiki - after the girl in the movie 'Kiki's Delivery Service' - a fav of my baby girl. I love the name Kiki, I told Greg we should name our second baby Kiki ( also because I love the wonderful artist Kiki Smith) or Gabriel (for my grandfather, who was a medicine man). But, I have to get knocked up before I start naming nuts, as the saying goes. Maybe next year. Or the year after that. Well, I'm off to change a diaper.

Hi!
Working like crazy, preppin' for Tucson. I can't wait, and I dread going. I've never been away from Azalea for more than a few days. I hope I don't crack. That girl is my shooting star!

I've had a couple requests to see pics of my dolls, so here are a couple. They are made from paper clay, polymer, wire, acrylic paint, and natural fibers.

A customer sent a pic of Steven Tyler wearing one of our beads (hot lips) in his hair! Greg has the pic on his blog www.gregogden.blogspot.com Another celebrity sighting! If you spot one of our beads on a star let us know or take picture (I'm sure they would love that, it instills a feeling of being important) and we will send you free beads! I must admit I like seeing our stuff all over the place, it makes all the slaving feel less like slaving and more like working really hard.

Jeremiah (long time buddy and fabulous artist)has a new blog, and it is loads of fun http://smallandround.vox.com/ check it out and see what you think.

I'm on the look out for a good blood orange marmalade recipe. I had one from Martha but I can't find it and its not on her site. If you have one and wish to bring a little happiness to my life, let me know. Speaking blood, i found a flower I love, love, love! A blood lily! Or Scadoxus Multiflorus, to be accurate. See them on this site www.easytogrowbulbs.com and love them too.

Working non-stop for the ginormous Tucson Show. If you've never been, it's flippin' amazing! Overwhelming is an understatement. I've gone every year for ten years and I have never seen all of the shows going on. The entire town is taken over by gem and mineral (and bead!) dealers from around the world, lasting nearly a month. We will be at The Best Bead Show (www.crystalmyths.com) and also at The Manning House Mansion or The To Bead True Blue Show (www.tobeadtrueblue.com) The dates are between jan. 31 -feb.4 (check websites for details).

I'm tired, my hands ache and my eyes burn - and I still have hours of work to do! Yikes! Waxes are a pain in the ass to clean up for casting. We use dark red jewelers wax to make our shibuichi pieces- I will show a pic of how many I just finished, I was like a little machine! All worth it though. I love going out west, meeting my buddies and shopping for sparklies!

I have to get back to repairing waxes. These better cast right or I will yell till I pop!
This is a pic of our newest pieces, soon to be available! Frick, the amazing 30 lb. big-boned beast of a cat, and his nemesis, Azalea Belle in b+w.