New cover for the book! I like this a lot! The first cover IW used for promotion is on the fan page. This seems brighter, like the watercolor pages used for backgrounds.

This is the quick sketch for the piece 'Time and Memory' a necklace for a selkie named Tuala.

The finished version of 'Time and Memory'. Andrew took this shot and I think it looks really good. He's a very good photo stylist.

I was really surprised to see the book on Amazon! Its kind of surreal... I knew that it would be sold in bookstores, but its strange to see my name as an author. It made my heart skip a little, in a good way. Now I'm nervous! I hope it lives up to the anticipation! So many have contributed to this project and believe in it so much and for once, I'm in agreement. I never worked so hard on anything as I did on this book and that includes birthing my baby and my senior thesis show. I might even say it was more work than landscaping with my dad in the heat of Florida summers! The book is 164 pages with 20 projects and a basics sections, but the real work was making the hundreds of pieces, experimenting with interesting combinations and then choosing what goes in.
That was also the most fun. The least fun was writing directions. Now I'm at a different stage- promotion. I am very glad Andrew is good at this, otherwise it would be me standing awkwardly at a show, hiding behind the books! I'm more of behind the scenes kind a gal. When I used to do gallery shows, I'd pretend I wasn't the artist and watch how everyone reacted to the work. I know, cowardly, but what can you do? I just like to make stuff.

Baby girl posing in front of a koi pond in downtown Black Mountain.

Sketch made with new pearlecent watercolors and they were only eight dollars! I love a good deal.

Azalea drew this picture of me (as a bear) with a baby in my belly. I love it. How do you like her hair? I cut it that morning, because it was getting in her eyes and she hates combing it. So, if your about to ask why I don't let her grow it out into long princess locks, I cordially invite you to chase her around with a brush! That'll cure that talk.

The last few days have been spent between knee knockin' nauseau and bursts of work. This will be the first time I'm not going crazy before Bead and Button. I'm too tired to agonize and start impossible projects that won't make it, like fully illustrating a new catalog or trying to produce a line of miniature dolls, with wing flap action. Not this time. I am approaching this like a Zen master, make some new beads and clasps, make sample jewelry, pack and go. No fiddling with mannequins in the shape of mermaids for display. I know it sounds wrong for me not to be pulling all nighters and guzzling coffee to stay awake, but I'm taking it easy this time and being practical. So far, I have a two peas in the pod pendant on my workbench, a heart link and a new small clasp for pewter. I'm also making new bezels with sculptures inside, for my one of a kind area. So, I think there's time for all that's on the list!

Here's my girl, looking thoughtful with her lovely Mimzy doll (made by her Aunt Jenny, by the way).

This super cute velour caterpiller baby and felt leaf pouch were made by Zuzu's Petals, on etsy. Azalea loves its tininess and sweet face.

Today, we went to Jungle Jim's in Fairfield, Oh. It is the most amazing and gigantic foodie store on the planet. I love it completely. There are areas devoted to most countries, an extensive selection of produce, meats and seafood and also fun animatronics that play Elvis songs. What's not to love? We found fingerling potatoes and cooked them in butter and rosemary. We also picked up aged steaks, about three inches thick and served them with caramelized onions and sautead wild mushrooms and a side of brocolli. Yes, we could barely move from our food coma, but were recovered enough for brownies and ice cream a few hours later.

It is so much fun coming back to Ohio! We met up with friends from college and had a great time talking about what we've been up to and future plans. It was nice to catch up. I hadn't realized how how much I'd missed them! My friend Jessica came up to Cincinnatti today to join in with the festivities and it felt like old times, crackin' jokes and telling stories. This weekend was exactly what I needed to alleviate the endless pressure of wrapping up the last tidbits of my book. Like most artists, I have bouts of hating everything I do and want to quit, leaving the work to better artists. Its a frustrating phase to go through and often difficult to express, without sounding like you're fishing for compliments. I'm my own worst critic, constantly scrutinizing my work, often only seeing my mistakes. So it was nice to be in the company of other artists, talking about processes and the importance of never giving up. I'm glad its almost over! Now I can start busting out new work for the big Bead and Button Show! I have a month to make new pieces, so I better get busy!

miami

Hello! We are in Miami right now, on the last day of the Best Bead Show. Azalea and I have been camped out in the hotel room, working on the last illustrations for my book. They are lookin' good! I'm using a mix of gemstone watercolors and gouche, for an ethereal quality.
Today, we are going to work at the show behind the booth, while Andrew tends the customers. This should be interesting. I have a few more days to finish, so I'm painting every chance I get! Then I will be done, so I can relax and think about what I 'm craving. Lately, the cravings are flan, sweet tea and madeliene cookies. I eat healthy so its ok to indulge! Names I like today are: Max, Jackson and maybe Forest and for girls Viola, Tiger Lily and Rose.

good news

Ok, I've been agonizing over what picture to use with this post, but didn't have any clear ones. So, here's my good news...I'm knocked up! Yay! We were going to wait till after my book was finished, but Greg got word from our best friends that THEY were pregnant, so he insisted. I know, goofy, but that's us. Azalea is, of course, beside herself with happiness. She did ask me, with big, sad eyes, if I could make her a brother or sister so she'd never have to be alone and I said yes. So here's the pertinent info: I'm now at ten weeks and a few days, due early November (that's right, a Scorpio baby) and have nauseau and heartburn.

I haven't decided on any names, but am sure it will be something interesting and powerful, like Valentine or Orlando. I know some folks prefer very traditional, soft sounding names that don't stand out, but they can have their own babies or pets or what have you. Anyway, this whole pregnancy business is very tiring and makes me puke, so you can imagine how hard working on anything is! Greg has been very helpful by juicing all kinds of interesting concoctions and making all the odd things I request. Which is cake and lots of it! I suppose this was why I had such a big baby before, but that's ok. I like a nice fat baby anyway.

atlanta

New buttons, charm and bead from Anne Choi's delightful new line.


Tiny shells, irridescent wing pearls, roman glass and the smallest turquoise, coral and pearl beads I've ever seen. Found at the American Gem Expo.


Persimmons, cacao pod chips and a long 'tango' pear found at the Buford Hwy. Farmers Market in Atlanta.

We got home last night from our long weekend trip to Atlanta, disappointed to return to such cold and snow after enjoying such beautiful weather. It was a nice little trip, Greg worked the show while Azalea and I ran around town with our good friend Anne Choi . I have to say, I am jealous of all the good food to be found in her neck of the woods! She took us to the asian farmers market and I gawked at all the goodness and weirdness that we discovered. How I would love to have a grocery store that stocked guavas, persimmons, strange pears and everything asian food you can think of...it was hard to leave. We ate Indian food for lunch and sushi for dinner, and loads of sweet tea between. We really enjoyed spending time with locals Deb and Lynn as well, it was a lot of fun riding around, looking at everything. It made me miss living in a big city, everything so accessible, with so many choices. I guess its good we travel a lot! Greg will definitely be on the road the next few months! Almost a show every weekend! He has another agenda while in those cities...to find Trader Joe's and keep me stocked in my favorite food that I can't get here! I can't help it if I'm obsessed with food! Lucky me, I think Greg is making a buttermilk pie tonight!

Check out this custom bangle from Delias Thompson on etsy! Its hammered silver with one of my favorite quotes from William Blake:
"To see a world in a grain of sand and a heaven in a wildflower, hold infinity in the palm of your hand and eternity in an hour". Its really shiny and beautiful and I love seeing the quote throughout the day, reminding me to relax.

I've had a strange week, totally opposite from the previous months of non stop work. For some reason, I couldn't make myself even step into my studio. I shifted focus, tending to the house, Azalea and myself, taking time to draw and read. I've allowed myself to drift a little, to enjoy being with my family. The big agenda yesterday consisted of a coloring book and crayons (because my girl loves to color), with a little cleaning for arriving houseguests. It was nice to visit with friends, run around town and share big plans. I'll have to get back to work now, as my break is over and I'm excited at all the new projects awaiting me. I think I might even turn early tonight!

This shot of me sculpting was taken when I just started work on my book. I feel so different from the person in the picture, like a shift happened somewhere, that changed me.

But some things never change, like my love for beautiful things. I bought this last week at a shop near Waimea Falls, thinking how good it would look on my already cluttered desk. I'm sitting at an empty desk now, at the Interweave apartment, in Colorado, thinking how much has changed in a few short months. Certainly not my obsessive collecting, but something I can't quite describe. I've been wondering at this niggling feeling all day, what about me is different? Its many things, I suppose. Its sadness that the project is coming to an end, its joy, too, for the same reason. I think there is a part of me that can no longer ignore my dreams, that they can no longer be put off, till there is more time. I've long wanted to write and illustrate childrens books and working on this project has brought that to the surface.

I suppose I'm at a crossroads. I love and hate the feeling. I am deeply uncomfortable with change, but I also embrace the idea, even though its frightening. I'm not saying I'm going to abandon Green Girl Studios (that would be like removing an eye!) but I feel like sharing the stories I've been carrying around for so long. Is this silly? Does anyone else feel pulled toward daydreams? I've always followed my intuition, trusting the universe to guide me. So, I'm going to do it. I'm going to write my stories, draw and paint the illustrtions and pray when I send them out into the world, they are worthy of printing.

Aloha!

Here's my girl, lookin' windswept and mermaidy at Diamond Head Park. She begged for her hair to be dyed blue and the stylist asked if streaks were ok and being a push over, I said yes. Look at her face. I'm in trouble.

Almost at the top! The trail is steep, winding, with lots of loose gravel and the views are breathtaking. I learned that I am not keen on heights after slogging up a narrow staircase of a hundred steps and looking back. I froze in horror at what I'd just climbed. I stumbled through the cave to the top and realized I didn't give a fig if I saw the view or not, or that I just hiked an hour to get their. I was fixating on getting down that awful staircase, which I did, one agonizing step after the other, gripping the rusty handrail with both hands. I could feel myself falling, which is sort of sickening. I never imagined myself as having phobias, but I guess I can add dangerous heights to my list. The annoying thing is no one else seemed to think it was scary. Azalea made it all the way to the top and got a certificate to prove she climbed Diamond Head.

The koi pond at Dole Plantation, a touristy spot to get fresh pineapple sorbet or to get lost in the enormous maze on the property.

One of the things I love about Hawaii is all the beautiful vegetation. I looked up and saw this intricate lacework of leaves. This pattern will certainly show up in future work!

Greg and Azalea resting on the bridge with Waimea Falls in the background.

We stumbled on this beach in Haleiwa, on the North Shore, to find sea turtles resting! Talk about serendipity! We just wanted to watch the sunset and maybe a little beachcombing before heading back. It was perfectly magical.

Before we spotted these, we saw some in the water and hoped they would come closer. We found five along that beach.

The crew posing at The Royal Birthing Stones, a ruins where ancient royalty came to have babies. Folks still leave offerings of plumeria and seed leis out of reverence.

We spent a lot of time at the beach, looking for lost treasure, sea glass and shells. It was a hard trip back, three planes and a two hour car ride home, but it was worth it. It felt good to be in my own house, but I long for the warmth and the sea. We were gone for about nine days, which went by fast. I felt a little disconnected, not doing my routine of checking email, cleaning house, working on my book or making new pieces. It was nice, but I missed going through the everyday rhythms that make up my life. I suppose I'm most comfortable in my own surroundings, doing familiar activities. I was back at it, the moment we walked in the door!

day off

Look what I painted, wooden kokeshi dolls and a cigar box.

They're painted with acrylics and sealed with matte medium.

The WoodLand doll came today! I ordered her when my gran passed, to cheer me up. She would've liked this doll, as she made a few for us.

Now this is strange. I was petting Paloma (a wild mourning dove we rescued) and she was fluffing up and puffing out her cheeks, acting weird, then I came back and there was an egg in her cage! She laid another one about an hour ago. I've had pet birds for about ten years and none of them laid eggs. I'm not sure how I feel about this. Amazed, but also weirded out. I'll have to think on this.

Well, I took a day off yesterday. I haven't done such a thing in months. Seems like everyday I've worked on my book in some way or another. I turned in the manuscript and jewelry last week, which is a huge relief. Now all that's left are the illustrations and step out photos and some editing. I'll feel all free and easy, relaxed and happy. Then I can slack really hard and paint and sew all day long! I can't wait.

Ok, now I have to pack my traveling studio (which I enjoy doing for some reason) for our show in Hawaii. I love that place. But, I'll have to draw like 'I'm mad at it' as my dad would say to get us to do something with lots of verve. I can't complain about that, making journal pages in paradise! If you're in the area and would like to see all this secret stuff I'm not allowed to show, stop by our booth! Just kidding, its only slightly secret.