tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-307016332024-03-13T21:07:52.575-05:00Cynthia Thornton of Green Girl StudiosUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger458125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30701633.post-640864113394733852017-10-05T18:01:00.001-05:002017-10-05T18:01:57.660-05:00Let's talk about Tucson <p style="margin: 0px; line-height: normal; font-family: Helvetica;">Over the past few months we've been trying to come up with a plan for Tucson, since the show we usually do abruptly moved to a casino fourteen miles out of town. To us, this seemed ludicrous. Not only is it far and out of the way, the folks wandering around a casino are likely to be uninterested in artisan beads. I mean, every casino I've ever been to contained folks whose focus was completely engaged in cards or slots. But that's only one thing. </p><p style="margin: 0px; line-height: normal; font-family: Helvetica;"><br></p><p style="margin: 0px; line-height: normal; font-family: Helvetica;">After years and years of doing Tucson, from when the Best Bead was at the La Quinta ( I was freshly out of college and completely overwhelmed) and at one point doing three different locations, we've noticed some changes. For one thing, why are the shows running to almost two weeks? Who has that kind of energy to stand all day and be pleasant and helpful and not eat, or get enough bathroom breaks? I noticed the shows start off strong, then attendance drops drastically, with just vendors milling about. Sure, you make a little money, but it's mostly folks coming back to pick stuff up. I think it loses momentum. For the last few years, I've been trying to come up with a solution. The first one of begging the promoter to have mercy and shorten it didn't work, ( maybe because the hotel had a deal with them, so it didn't matter a jot if it was ghost town or not - who knows? ). The second was to move shows. Unfortunately, the traffic at the smaller shows was dwindling, so that wasn't good. Then we thought about joining Gem Mall or one of the other big ones. This didn't seem like a good fit either, because those are still long and also expensive. </p><p style="margin: 0px; line-height: normal; font-family: Helvetica;"><br></p><p style="margin: 0px; line-height: normal; font-family: Helvetica;">Anyway, this subject was being discussed at length (again) at dinner with fellow vendors and Greg said to Ava 'Let's just forget those other shows and do our own. It can be whatever we want it to be! We could have demonstrations, good food and drinks, music, puppets! ( ok he didn't say puppets, but really we could if we wanted to!).' So, we decided then and there to just do it. Go all in. Right now we have a space and some vendors, but we need more. Maybe ideas on how we can bring that old excitement back? Remember when Tucson was so anticipated that folks were willing to sleep 6 in a room because the whole town was bursting with beaders and stone dealers? It used to be so fun, that I could hardly stand it. Somewhere along the way it got stretched out and lost the shine. I want to make it magical again. If you'd like to be a part of this, shoot me an email, or leave some suggestions for the perfect show.</p><p style="margin: 0px; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; font-family: Helvetica;"><br></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; font-family: Helvetica;"><br></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">http://wholebead.com/tuc18/</span></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30701633.post-19092551006684312292017-09-08T00:04:00.001-05:002017-09-08T00:04:32.070-05:00Make it Artsy! <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Some months back, I went to Ohio and shot a couple of segments of a Make it Artsy episode. In this one, I demonstrate how to make a jointed paper doll. The show </span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">airs on the </span><a href="http://www.makeitartsy.com/" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);" id="id_9a85_d94b_246e_775f">Make It Artsy website</a><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> </span><a href="x-apple-data-detectors://1" dir="ltr" x-apple-data-detectors="true" x-apple-data-detectors-type="calendar-event" x-apple-data-detectors-result="1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-decoration-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.258824);">starting at noon on Friday, September 8, 2017</a><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> and runs for 7 days.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><o:p style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><o:p style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><img id="id_7778_e437_d622_23db" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ZcSX9IjI_mc/WbIku2upp0I/AAAAAAAADRo/gAwFBjlgqJQAlDJ8Rj-FmW-Cx4yU1NH_wCHMYCw/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 353px; height: auto;"> <br></o:p></p><img id="id_21ff_533d_7f2e_beae" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-YXp0Bxon5Oc/WbIkvXAP4MI/AAAAAAAADRs/rmD8UBuiE8kcmcXzcx1t8bo0KH23-9LaQCHMYCw/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 353px; height: auto;"> <img id="id_f18f_327d_75f8_b625" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Y7KxSlerP3M/WbIkwOgX-JI/AAAAAAAADRw/qVsP3rOoBzAAkrQnG714PHf3mmLjCyCSgCHMYCw/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 353px; height: auto;"> Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30701633.post-56697079935803177562017-03-26T20:05:00.001-05:002017-03-26T20:05:15.712-05:00Difference Makes Us Contest <img id="id_4e_25d0_63c6_2461" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-nWtDEhqqgjQ/WNhlSpoLcWI/AAAAAAAADQQ/QWpNpLSNDNI/%25255BUNSET%25255D.png" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 353px; height: auto;"> Hey everyone! I'm sure if you follow us on social media you've heard about the contest we've entered through Etsy. It's a contest celebrating the things that make us different and the prize is 10k! We have been talking about it fairly nonstop, imagining the new equipment we could be outfitted with and how fast and easy it would make production. Anyway, if you'd like to help us win, vote for us! It would mean the world. Thanks so much. <a href="https://etsy.wishpond.com/small-business-contest/entries/149375490" id="id_1391_32df_f347_12a1">#differencemakesus</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30701633.post-60761972990807359812016-10-06T15:00:00.001-05:002016-10-06T15:00:42.942-05:00Dragon and Moth Fairy Paper Dolls<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE7uXp1UqkLoETEqwQ5sXK_IzBpWtXlVphnG_y-ie7y_sGRMOdYDzF_TjGWc-skEpW910cBSuWmT-iQ2t0F0EEJzsbTzj4i1eepRENCnBLm3fMKPKV3KwYi3UPCBYY_N8aQWnw/s640/blogger-image-1861282249.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE7uXp1UqkLoETEqwQ5sXK_IzBpWtXlVphnG_y-ie7y_sGRMOdYDzF_TjGWc-skEpW910cBSuWmT-iQ2t0F0EEJzsbTzj4i1eepRENCnBLm3fMKPKV3KwYi3UPCBYY_N8aQWnw/s640/blogger-image-1861282249.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Paper dolls are so fun to make! I made these a few months ago and finally put them in my etsy shop. Finding the perfect color for the dragon took ages, it was just so hard to decide! I made the drawing first, then made copies to color to see what looked best. The green seemed the most natural, but I'm considering making a rainbow version. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSQcP6JFXqjGsZBqeRoV_5KJwthH3r_PqpFfgQs4Us8sIIDGGJajk3sQRSIwezP71kvv9-t3i-lwbYpuZCq0EugoTJ_gJhTGgJL9a32GBE3wadpbwUyAbt9It4pXZGsSlu9dgy/s640/blogger-image-1632486198.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSQcP6JFXqjGsZBqeRoV_5KJwthH3r_PqpFfgQs4Us8sIIDGGJajk3sQRSIwezP71kvv9-t3i-lwbYpuZCq0EugoTJ_gJhTGgJL9a32GBE3wadpbwUyAbt9It4pXZGsSlu9dgy/s640/blogger-image-1632486198.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I used watercolor for the underpainting and used gouache for details. There's a bit of pan pastel for light touches of color.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">It's perfect for sheer veils to add depth or contrast. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGZCV1-AJtJU18rp2Fz_-qMIMvvwJRQ53cI-m1OxvwPEGxzaU9GzaJMgeYx6FqqnJut653hBBX3Lq5wIZ9ti2Lqd8aQEwZSQVjg441FiF06qClUPqHdfJdeN1QSqVMj3UJ03nZ/s640/blogger-image-1112514273.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGZCV1-AJtJU18rp2Fz_-qMIMvvwJRQ53cI-m1OxvwPEGxzaU9GzaJMgeYx6FqqnJut653hBBX3Lq5wIZ9ti2Lqd8aQEwZSQVjg441FiF06qClUPqHdfJdeN1QSqVMj3UJ03nZ/s640/blogger-image-1112514273.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Fairies are one of my favorite subjects for paper dolls; possibly because I was so fixated on them as a kid. I remember seeing an antique photo of girls watching fairies fly around them and using a magnifying glass to figure out if it was real. A big part of me didn't want to know if it was real, but my nature is a curious one.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHfZzYdfzGlNISK0a7kMvLM-DY_eEee6rzQA2maS5XyuK8zCaCTkqemmKRs1yLao7f71lRe3KrwRyi0pATlscIyHF2bF63OGW2k-ZC7UEi8Xs8P6IFKiKqeA5m6KagA2IEVEDD/s640/blogger-image-2086469094.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHfZzYdfzGlNISK0a7kMvLM-DY_eEee6rzQA2maS5XyuK8zCaCTkqemmKRs1yLao7f71lRe3KrwRyi0pATlscIyHF2bF63OGW2k-ZC7UEi8Xs8P6IFKiKqeA5m6KagA2IEVEDD/s640/blogger-image-2086469094.jpg"></a></div>It didn't really matter if it was real, I just loved the idea of magic. But then, who doesn't? I place these guys around my studio, so it looks like they just landed to make a delivery. </div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30701633.post-39128934740578539022016-09-28T00:03:00.001-05:002016-09-28T00:03:56.130-05:00Paper doll processI've always had a fascination with paper toys. As a kid, I made houses and characters out of scrap paper, magazines and shiny pieces of foil. I loved opening the flat box and watching a whole world tumble forth. It was like a fairy tale room that was bigger on the inside than it was on the outside. Anyway, I still make paper toys and it's still fun to create characters and watch them develop from a sketch, into a finished piece. <div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTzRDuNrMhOJlmCh9V4-sH6QPvQkHxFPKiOWg-isFBX-qyQmKY5NCL_I0EkXjLsVfjKvwDQafcohH1L0Xg8p0O00jzS5MiBrv5Weng2cdYbTx_SZ8-l8QT10jvHSW-FVJ47ana/s640/blogger-image-273369096.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTzRDuNrMhOJlmCh9V4-sH6QPvQkHxFPKiOWg-isFBX-qyQmKY5NCL_I0EkXjLsVfjKvwDQafcohH1L0Xg8p0O00jzS5MiBrv5Weng2cdYbTx_SZ8-l8QT10jvHSW-FVJ47ana/s640/blogger-image-273369096.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The smaller unicorn is the first draft from the sketch. I made the larger one after, making notes and more sketches to improve the form so it would look good in multiple poses.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3avWX2SH1MaZ5HzahOGuw6X3qYvvMQ_FzybrAjhYa-2Hryiesqky-x0BCqgZgTlHY6SsyAJg8FxKfWUWrKh69J-QUCSsJCNGdz5J_qTc5eqnAeOOO-2OSZZZgaH2EIoOxtSLB/s640/blogger-image-1078284634.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3avWX2SH1MaZ5HzahOGuw6X3qYvvMQ_FzybrAjhYa-2Hryiesqky-x0BCqgZgTlHY6SsyAJg8FxKfWUWrKh69J-QUCSsJCNGdz5J_qTc5eqnAeOOO-2OSZZZgaH2EIoOxtSLB/s640/blogger-image-1078284634.jpg"></a></div>Making this crow was surprisingly challenging. Drawing shapes that captured a crows striking form took several drafts. I had a tendency to draw a blackbird, with its lighter body and smaller beak. It's getting there, the body could stand to be a bit bigger and the wing tips longer.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbAT5wCyNmhhvloXkltqgLI1mhk7WqdvNjAVQbkaospDCf2egTR4mWh8KF9oj96tQ9JoWyRSMtEByKOSVgRUg9mDOHvmtgM_ewrG60o5S_uYm0S6G1-YAM5l-luzgsjOqg-IGz/s640/blogger-image--1383457362.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbAT5wCyNmhhvloXkltqgLI1mhk7WqdvNjAVQbkaospDCf2egTR4mWh8KF9oj96tQ9JoWyRSMtEByKOSVgRUg9mDOHvmtgM_ewrG60o5S_uYm0S6G1-YAM5l-luzgsjOqg-IGz/s640/blogger-image--1383457362.jpg"></a></div>I've had this guy on the drawing board for awhile. I've made a few variations, but I think this one is the strongest. I'm going to make the base of the tentacles wider and change some of the shapes, so that they can be in more varied poses. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The final steps include making a light pencil drawing, with all the pieces arranged so it's easy to see how they are supposed to go together and then painting the drawing with watercolor and gouache. My favorite part is cutting out the final and putting it all together. It's always a pleasure to compare the sketch with the finished piece. Now I'm off to paint!</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30701633.post-91405726245510821822016-07-10T20:44:00.001-05:002016-07-10T20:44:49.423-05:00Summertime 2016<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Hey everyone! Here are some pictures of what we've been getting into this summer. We went down to Orlando to visit family after Bead and Button and it definitely felt different. I was surprised by all the support of local businesses with signs up, of cars around town with stickers, all with mottos around themes of 'never stop dancing' and 'we are the pulse' and 'we are Orlando '. I admit I felt emotionally raw and sort of unable to look this business in the face, as it were. Part of me wishes this year would just go ahead and be over. The other part, that knows I can't be a hermit and stay in my studio and not communicate with the world, is trying to find the good. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">It's searching out the best seafood lunches near the beach, seeing how long I can stay in the ocean before Greg forces me back to the sand, it's finding the biggest, fattest blueberries. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I've made a lot of new work lately, but I'll save that for another day. This post is all about simple things.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">We did the Asheville farm tour this year and had so much fun visiting local farms and looking at all the animals. As you might guess, we were spoiled for choices. This is at Hickory Gap farm. I can't remember the other names.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihBZuRdkzpKhjR3lort_JDnx8-JOaVMDpkk_h8cbbA7o02vYug7dht1ZaOYQCSXbXIg1kF6EWfBuHf-OkPWmlWoo83qHDHK6GLtCzCmHevAJHfT-Qnve5UCzhF8I9QmSmBclLP/s640/blogger-image--187207238.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihBZuRdkzpKhjR3lort_JDnx8-JOaVMDpkk_h8cbbA7o02vYug7dht1ZaOYQCSXbXIg1kF6EWfBuHf-OkPWmlWoo83qHDHK6GLtCzCmHevAJHfT-Qnve5UCzhF8I9QmSmBclLP/s640/blogger-image--187207238.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The kids wanted to roll around with them. I said 'no'. For one, it's too hot, second, my mom would flip out. Plus, that's just weird, even for me. Also, I crocheted that sweet hat from raffia. It's a bit too floppy.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxtPDEbeErKoEhjGccLWNUQ9L0fP1Lzwq0g7y98MD90wnzbGXfw2HT9G0D8ySVO2uJEsDBiSjDbfxFWq5HdOnHCwjKhvDmzC3iygSgNnOak8tu8Y0zdnNQ3thwDMicRdBsQhmb/s640/blogger-image-1610800845.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxtPDEbeErKoEhjGccLWNUQ9L0fP1Lzwq0g7y98MD90wnzbGXfw2HT9G0D8ySVO2uJEsDBiSjDbfxFWq5HdOnHCwjKhvDmzC3iygSgNnOak8tu8Y0zdnNQ3thwDMicRdBsQhmb/s640/blogger-image-1610800845.jpg"></a></div>Sleepy piggy, I love you.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie-8TCnAqTNSO3PVExlztarnO-cUONz_y7vmsqIwVi9zqdX_KVTVeSWZ6ejV8zA6HE4-TvygbE-riVmxgVq9PuLEddm2AfoXjB8OtYfhmwHFmrEvGlMt_i0WPkDHkhNjfDeVoA/s640/blogger-image-1632650879.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie-8TCnAqTNSO3PVExlztarnO-cUONz_y7vmsqIwVi9zqdX_KVTVeSWZ6ejV8zA6HE4-TvygbE-riVmxgVq9PuLEddm2AfoXjB8OtYfhmwHFmrEvGlMt_i0WPkDHkhNjfDeVoA/s640/blogger-image-1632650879.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Selfie, with Greg looking on with a bucket of blueberries. Those berries made excellent muffins. Every time I see a picture of myself I think of my friend Claudine asking why I didn't put on some lipstick for that picture. It would add a bit of contrast. There's probably an app for that.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUzVsEau3VnWDgg6QpxOvnI2k65aSKzmQdx0ev31yQYQkJ2Ce-wPW0EOte-CJGNFnMdcljcaD9tq5AcUUUkylKasHYN-8AFV73CyLr_7obRxjk4hD30QTnYXu3W1plLshLoH2G/s640/blogger-image-1805905593.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUzVsEau3VnWDgg6QpxOvnI2k65aSKzmQdx0ev31yQYQkJ2Ce-wPW0EOte-CJGNFnMdcljcaD9tq5AcUUUkylKasHYN-8AFV73CyLr_7obRxjk4hD30QTnYXu3W1plLshLoH2G/s640/blogger-image-1805905593.jpg"></a></div>Guess what Max's favorite animal was? That's right, an alpaca. He couldn't stop petting them and they didn't mind one bit.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLAunOlY3HHL0w06FwR6rnxy2C6c9knKBQznIIVyL8FTum3PTCbturanXyR1_wrVt9f9ZKvsVVZAu6nA-lX8dZTDgy6hCQ6uLy-lHBikkhc5aFXwrJcbKbFImCB5NqmcWLLwus/s640/blogger-image-1114381560.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLAunOlY3HHL0w06FwR6rnxy2C6c9knKBQznIIVyL8FTum3PTCbturanXyR1_wrVt9f9ZKvsVVZAu6nA-lX8dZTDgy6hCQ6uLy-lHBikkhc5aFXwrJcbKbFImCB5NqmcWLLwus/s640/blogger-image-1114381560.jpg"></a></div>Look at that face! Growing up so fast.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYvzU4N0iCJe9G2c_yu6Sf86_ZUi0PVI_CnDF3cXoi7RmBlO0wEUFhKQnul5mVSmdfqzPXXeP3yQMPF5s8hXEAISAxZeBBfldQ4cLnTXSokEpowmAM9ikIngp6tRhJr0abGiRo/s640/blogger-image--959186818.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYvzU4N0iCJe9G2c_yu6Sf86_ZUi0PVI_CnDF3cXoi7RmBlO0wEUFhKQnul5mVSmdfqzPXXeP3yQMPF5s8hXEAISAxZeBBfldQ4cLnTXSokEpowmAM9ikIngp6tRhJr0abGiRo/s640/blogger-image--959186818.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Found really good fried seafood. Not as good as my moms, but what is?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfbKpS8Mbhb9nPwem-w5S9qXc6KBBmczHBxBR7keQoa85q_SMuY2NdNX279RjBDvo__0Cx2_wvhoadInFnTsf-yLjTipWCj_ku8mEieZJQR7yx7AJCnqA6c7F6xAfJAj8aA74M/s640/blogger-image-1724882540.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfbKpS8Mbhb9nPwem-w5S9qXc6KBBmczHBxBR7keQoa85q_SMuY2NdNX279RjBDvo__0Cx2_wvhoadInFnTsf-yLjTipWCj_ku8mEieZJQR7yx7AJCnqA6c7F6xAfJAj8aA74M/s640/blogger-image-1724882540.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Love the light here, how it was simultaneously bright and dark at the same time. A huge rain storm hit minutes after. I had fun having the kids guess what sounds they were hearing. Their faces when I told them that the deep chuffing sound was a gator! Don't worry, we were on a raised path, with steep walls that would be difficult for gators to climb up on. I was raised in areas like this, so I know what to look for, as far as local wildlife.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPQFfOygx5s_5zfM7sR4xZIZK55RY0IvjYlQBw2_llVTONQ2p4B7ynIbSGieGUHfOZvuiyEPtY4X2g7qLJ3_ETrYVoZ6ZHd9GJqRDNe7nsL_vmbAWYjpUrE-gUUuP8j1oHT5tH/s640/blogger-image-1791005022.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPQFfOygx5s_5zfM7sR4xZIZK55RY0IvjYlQBw2_llVTONQ2p4B7ynIbSGieGUHfOZvuiyEPtY4X2g7qLJ3_ETrYVoZ6ZHd9GJqRDNe7nsL_vmbAWYjpUrE-gUUuP8j1oHT5tH/s640/blogger-image-1791005022.jpg"></a></div>This is near the space station, where I spent many a field trip. It really is beautiful in the late afternoon. </div><br></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30701633.post-33802220419238960812016-06-02T17:34:00.001-05:002016-06-02T17:34:33.989-05:00New for Bead and Button 2016!<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifpxem2qqC1Rm4ePmpZloVaVJd2M85zwOP1OkIU6UoCJ9y3kGf6n5UDIaxZA2wnmrCNEEcS_nBUvcAmjOTYpWqw-LaBtX_qgr6_QH7GtLrWgDXMSKiYpXuYjm-3a4p37wvwZwG/s640/blogger-image-169415949.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifpxem2qqC1Rm4ePmpZloVaVJd2M85zwOP1OkIU6UoCJ9y3kGf6n5UDIaxZA2wnmrCNEEcS_nBUvcAmjOTYpWqw-LaBtX_qgr6_QH7GtLrWgDXMSKiYpXuYjm-3a4p37wvwZwG/s640/blogger-image-169415949.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF9M-r7FLSOPkEVd6juqLVpanRiaQG6FmZQpPvse-yLcfHWV70RbFO0KB_9u5WYWIfgrTx_UMlw5cIFRpPIYhyphenhyphen66AHQ1ccVGU2aVbPDtFp-lnkpsSjeFZQo-A84fbMwPNUPvj_/s640/blogger-image--995156684.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF9M-r7FLSOPkEVd6juqLVpanRiaQG6FmZQpPvse-yLcfHWV70RbFO0KB_9u5WYWIfgrTx_UMlw5cIFRpPIYhyphenhyphen66AHQ1ccVGU2aVbPDtFp-lnkpsSjeFZQo-A84fbMwPNUPvj_/s640/blogger-image--995156684.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD5HO9hO6Hx4Cq2numfC1Q0yI3Zohijj1HQ8yuHySTttv2SPVaRW2Heu712V5IcSBfLQaT4fS6urTmRwqZr8liQPZ38okzllgbiU99kMfic08lg-qSv2CLOD8JRpu2xFjzmtWy/s640/blogger-image--768578211.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD5HO9hO6Hx4Cq2numfC1Q0yI3Zohijj1HQ8yuHySTttv2SPVaRW2Heu712V5IcSBfLQaT4fS6urTmRwqZr8liQPZ38okzllgbiU99kMfic08lg-qSv2CLOD8JRpu2xFjzmtWy/s640/blogger-image--768578211.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT8XdDJkMKj4WL9mzDmjCXntcSvtCZLEQULYConk_qiKx5XWIaNdKkVh5Inu3YfGwifSA8W8UiZoUlcKFaWzPQnsOM-qY1Gt2hFQNXJ2BlkuffJHDqSpL09l9i_MmCxuV1r5DA/s640/blogger-image-187571038.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT8XdDJkMKj4WL9mzDmjCXntcSvtCZLEQULYConk_qiKx5XWIaNdKkVh5Inu3YfGwifSA8W8UiZoUlcKFaWzPQnsOM-qY1Gt2hFQNXJ2BlkuffJHDqSpL09l9i_MmCxuV1r5DA/s640/blogger-image-187571038.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Hi there! It has been pretty busy at Green Girl Studios! I've been carving mostly, with some excursions into painting, hiking and zoo visits. Above is a pic of Max, posing in an owl at Knoxville Zoo. </div><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD5HO9hO6Hx4Cq2numfC1Q0yI3Zohijj1HQ8yuHySTttv2SPVaRW2Heu712V5IcSBfLQaT4fS6urTmRwqZr8liQPZ38okzllgbiU99kMfic08lg-qSv2CLOD8JRpu2xFjzmtWy/s640/blogger-image--768578211.jpg"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Here's a shot of my new root baby on one of my paintings. She looks a little like coral, too. The painting is on a wood panel, with a limited palette of quinacridone crimson, Prussian blue and white. I think I'm almost finished with my limited palette stage. We shall see.</div><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF9M-r7FLSOPkEVd6juqLVpanRiaQG6FmZQpPvse-yLcfHWV70RbFO0KB_9u5WYWIfgrTx_UMlw5cIFRpPIYhyphenhyphen66AHQ1ccVGU2aVbPDtFp-lnkpsSjeFZQo-A84fbMwPNUPvj_/s640/blogger-image--995156684.jpg"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">This is Craggy Gardens, where that hiker got tied to a tree a couple weeks ago. We were there at the same time, oddly enough and didn't see a thing. I guess we were too focused on the landscape.</div><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifpxem2qqC1Rm4ePmpZloVaVJd2M85zwOP1OkIU6UoCJ9y3kGf6n5UDIaxZA2wnmrCNEEcS_nBUvcAmjOTYpWqw-LaBtX_qgr6_QH7GtLrWgDXMSKiYpXuYjm-3a4p37wvwZwG/s640/blogger-image-169415949.jpg"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Behold! Look at all that work! That's what I see, when I look at this. This has to be one of my favorite batches ever. You'll probably notice a few pieces from awhile back that never made it into production, like the hand and cuff, the tiny snake link and the mermaid in a jingle shell. The molds were damaged, so only a few were made, I I retooled the waxes and Greg molded them. I think they are better this time around. There's also a piece my sister Sheila made ( the rectangle flying heart pendant) almost a dozen years ago. It has a beautiful quote on the back 'there is only one happiness in life, to love and be loved.' - George Sands. I decided to carve 'the mind has a thousand eyes, the heart but one.' On the back of the eye in clouds pendant. I struggled with that one, since I had so many great options. I was tempted to put a piece of a Coldplay song on it 'look at the stars, look how they shine for you'. But I think I'll save that for later. My friends on fb had a ton of suggestions and it was fun seeing what the piece inspired. Anyway! I really like this batch of goodies and I'm pleased I have almost all the new pieces on the website.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">http://www.greengirlstudios.com/newest-pewter-designs/</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Of course, I'm saving a few to debut at the Bead and Button Show in Milwaukee. It begins June 9-12. </span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30701633.post-18779677719173563062015-11-10T13:03:00.001-05:002015-11-10T13:03:59.498-05:00Ceramics<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUzSuyoVUb6XGVgBYRz1rCYS5GVSgmT8yHLmkuT5hebsPCi4AUqrYoz6hRysuCL7L2XdKnXNaT8GRsKuGaIkCCqo8l9VpBX1n9uzGchad6aSr3yrUhCIEjp_12FrHycCfzl6jA/s640/blogger-image--2121701347.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUzSuyoVUb6XGVgBYRz1rCYS5GVSgmT8yHLmkuT5hebsPCi4AUqrYoz6hRysuCL7L2XdKnXNaT8GRsKuGaIkCCqo8l9VpBX1n9uzGchad6aSr3yrUhCIEjp_12FrHycCfzl6jA/s640/blogger-image--2121701347.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Hi there! Some of you have seen this pic on fb and have heard all about how much I love my ceramics class. Well, it's one of the best parts of my week! I get to zone out and let my hands tell me what to make. It's very meditative and a good way to stir up creativity in other aspects of ones work. Anyway, the picture above features hand built pieces that have been bisque fired, with various treatments of underglaze.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg94RTAvf1qf6TvjYNk5YbtVnZjc5MQTgnczITt-SIHZiBTr-M1qGMjRllpfffm050Ggj5xENs3_OVUqDZJwFDPQSeWHhNM62c7vm-1VauE4ixWtZ2ZR7wau4nHvpHtBf_hMZJL/s640/blogger-image--400601290.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg94RTAvf1qf6TvjYNk5YbtVnZjc5MQTgnczITt-SIHZiBTr-M1qGMjRllpfffm050Ggj5xENs3_OVUqDZJwFDPQSeWHhNM62c7vm-1VauE4ixWtZ2ZR7wau4nHvpHtBf_hMZJL/s640/blogger-image--400601290.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">This is how they came out of the kiln with clear glaze! So amazing. I learned a good deal about glaze thickness and how very thick glaze can lift the details from underglaze painting. I prefer the glaze much thinner, almost wiped off in some areas. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ3EuBFbds6cX_P08o3Xh-n_Q96bXNldYCPbXqSh3YQvMmDpjBNUB69tQKrpbldNJ5AGeRSTO8rpTxrMJF1xYYHr93kfx-mBiAUES_debFzlCG4FIBUAzRufTYbofo4zJzEmgS/s640/blogger-image-1259125061.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ3EuBFbds6cX_P08o3Xh-n_Q96bXNldYCPbXqSh3YQvMmDpjBNUB69tQKrpbldNJ5AGeRSTO8rpTxrMJF1xYYHr93kfx-mBiAUES_debFzlCG4FIBUAzRufTYbofo4zJzEmgS/s640/blogger-image-1259125061.jpg"></a></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The only thing I don't like is that my octopus bowl wasn't on the finished shelves. There was a kiln filled with glazed goods still firing when I looked, so I'm trying to stay optimistic. Unfortunately, I've had loads of pieces disappear from classes I've taken over the years. Hopefully this one is just hiding, because I'm going to be really disgusted if someone walked off with the piece I put the most work into!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXfyaW1XGFgWpmZXd6uZCxji6iUUI8wEV3T9LfKehPe2A558PPTugTNfMMVc-ttZGAjiVO0nbuGdZmm7EhPUl4yHfPLdfdK4r3N24kWgi-v3rvNvx0rS0dsEMYiejBuvDnngu8/s640/blogger-image--1440950455.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXfyaW1XGFgWpmZXd6uZCxji6iUUI8wEV3T9LfKehPe2A558PPTugTNfMMVc-ttZGAjiVO0nbuGdZmm7EhPUl4yHfPLdfdK4r3N24kWgi-v3rvNvx0rS0dsEMYiejBuvDnngu8/s640/blogger-image--1440950455.jpg"></a></div>The evening class at the college finished up last week, so I started going to the instructors studio for lessons. It's always fun going to another artists studio and seeing how they organize (or don't!) and the tools they use. The advantage to taking classes from a private studio is that the curriculum is looser, so if I wanted to just make small dishes and doll faces, that's fine. The pieces in the picture above are from the new class, with dark clay coated with underglaze and carved. Hopefully the white stays opaque! I probably should have used white slip, since it has more covering power. I'm excited to see how these turn out! </div><br></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30701633.post-48793462548947346942015-10-03T16:21:00.001-05:002015-10-03T16:21:51.175-05:00No fame for the wicked<div style="color: rgb(69, 69, 69); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 19px; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">After I heard about the latest mass shooting, I felt a stab of paranoia, anger and incredulity. Is any place safe? I wonder if other folks are training their kids to look for exit strategies, places to hide and how to tell if someone is carrying a gun?</div><div style="color: rgb(69, 69, 69); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 19px; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"> </div><div style="color: rgb(69, 69, 69); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 19px; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">I've read countless articles on various ideas to stop the violence, from getting rid of guns completely to more education, to help lines for troubled people. </div><div style="color: rgb(69, 69, 69); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 19px; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgb(69, 69, 69); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 19px; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">None of these really seem to get to the bottom of this particular problem right now. I can't see any way to completely get rid of guns, without starting a war in this country. Most of the people I know have access to guns, but none of them would ever go on a killing spree. </div><div style="color: rgb(69, 69, 69); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 19px; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgb(69, 69, 69); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 19px; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">In my mind, these troubled people want the same thing: to be heard, seen, talked about and contemplated. They want millions of people to know their name. </div><div style="color: rgb(69, 69, 69); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 19px; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgb(69, 69, 69); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 19px; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">What would happen if our society decided to erase these people from existence? All pictures of these shooters replaced with pictures of their victims, with stories of the people that lost their lives. What if their names weren't released? Would these young men go down in a blaze of glory if they knew that no one would know their name or face and that they would be buried in an unmarked grave?</div><div style="color: rgb(69, 69, 69); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 19px; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgb(69, 69, 69); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 19px; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">Something tells me they wouldn't, at least the ones wishing to be on the cover of Rolling Stone wouldn't. Changes need to take place in this country, real solutions to gun violence. Why not make owning guns like driving cars? You need a license and pass tests to be able to drive. Or make certain types of guns illegal. Something. Or I guess we can all start learning how to disarm a gunman and wear bulletproof gear. </div><div style="color: rgb(69, 69, 69); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 19px; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30701633.post-75975268689629161922015-10-01T13:59:00.001-05:002015-10-01T13:59:56.461-05:00crochet<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu_a_nj0SvuztxMbXJDNTx5F_rCmnzPea1DVuK5taWG4kKj5kHOmo5v9T8ezQuwTC5jFBNRK0da8gMINh7OvrQ33Jh1dayHy8FNK2gb8kyhOLHrRFbpZF_1IylxEp2P72MZpLz/s640/blogger-image-609085558.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu_a_nj0SvuztxMbXJDNTx5F_rCmnzPea1DVuK5taWG4kKj5kHOmo5v9T8ezQuwTC5jFBNRK0da8gMINh7OvrQ33Jh1dayHy8FNK2gb8kyhOLHrRFbpZF_1IylxEp2P72MZpLz/s640/blogger-image-609085558.jpg"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">A few weeks ago, I came down with a horrible cold and all I felt like doing was cocooning myself on the couch with some yarn, my hooks and Netflix. I'm pretty much a beginner, so I followed some easy patterns to get the movement and rhythm of stitching down. Azalea is modeling my first hat, above. I like that she had been wearing it everyday at school. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_R7lyu2cRdfQxlYOfj7uvnHlIVFPf1wIIYeICh7JIfabHQxsdBMlsM-0leQbNEsNbWn1QbDKIe_xDN6vaPlfZBFoFN_Uy6OHH_iMD0HhK0Z_wOv9H6xU5Q9GMNMS7MRpdlixh/s640/blogger-image--968183223.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_R7lyu2cRdfQxlYOfj7uvnHlIVFPf1wIIYeICh7JIfabHQxsdBMlsM-0leQbNEsNbWn1QbDKIe_xDN6vaPlfZBFoFN_Uy6OHH_iMD0HhK0Z_wOv9H6xU5Q9GMNMS7MRpdlixh/s640/blogger-image--968183223.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Here's another hat, but I modified the pattern to give it a mushroom shape. I think it looks better on me.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3QKZlX26ICgr9d9l25gCMNf-MquNSkKmYBP8KwjBHLTqPWimvQ0cq_66cVKLlR0jkehtMMHbmU1VdctCiMFP65vYFjPibAV9Scm-65vGcfhuUwxQSGVptCmEl0o8ib9naUKSV/s640/blogger-image-2040394231.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3QKZlX26ICgr9d9l25gCMNf-MquNSkKmYBP8KwjBHLTqPWimvQ0cq_66cVKLlR0jkehtMMHbmU1VdctCiMFP65vYFjPibAV9Scm-65vGcfhuUwxQSGVptCmEl0o8ib9naUKSV/s640/blogger-image-2040394231.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I used a really pretty yarn called Malabrigo for this hat. I also tried out a coral pattern called hyperbolic crochet for the flower. The bronze star button set in the middle is one I carved. The flower was a lot of fun and I could see how folks get addicted to making those big crocheted coral reef displays (seeing those really got me interested in the sculptural aspects of crochet).</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVwJF5JOe0ZcCm3aJijh6nX-H44RX25U8bj9HaRP6cEpOyxF6fLcbM6609ZyuihR_He-6pmXlpqDGFwwt9P5esgnMEzZA7E7WC3_W-HkGVRNeQaninIydHrdimzSbWhIRWL0Ky/s640/blogger-image--610493022.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVwJF5JOe0ZcCm3aJijh6nX-H44RX25U8bj9HaRP6cEpOyxF6fLcbM6609ZyuihR_He-6pmXlpqDGFwwt9P5esgnMEzZA7E7WC3_W-HkGVRNeQaninIydHrdimzSbWhIRWL0Ky/s640/blogger-image--610493022.jpg"></a></div>My latest project is this lace shawl made with Malabrigo yarn in alpaca and mohair. It's super soft and warm even though it's made of a really open star design. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">I'm finally getting over this never ending cold, but I feel a bit rueful about it. I was so enjoying sitting for hours with a project and not feeling even remotely guilty about it!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30701633.post-62111322651316286722015-10-01T13:39:00.001-05:002015-10-01T13:39:09.205-05:00End of summer<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvbcJwzoy6DOFnz7aDbjCdV22V9f-PRBiZLwkcf2vv-C55XrFC3i20Clw4yl1urkvoursu83wDIYFgDXnSY_-GOIKMzj7C7P6h01CwXLloPSYpTK2uth1ad10QHhfdBsYgJbFj/s640/blogger-image--1130711433.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvbcJwzoy6DOFnz7aDbjCdV22V9f-PRBiZLwkcf2vv-C55XrFC3i20Clw4yl1urkvoursu83wDIYFgDXnSY_-GOIKMzj7C7P6h01CwXLloPSYpTK2uth1ad10QHhfdBsYgJbFj/s640/blogger-image--1130711433.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOi2zh8VXqb_OIVvf4rb8Bd1BvYbc42Av3kmROL91rmZ8asNVWSy_eiFtzXHVgf47se4DWxTO5T1PhlDJvGUODy8Io08Wd1AXZchTPmYaMEM4739fV1DrTglWZGaBx2WvN_oon/s640/blogger-image-1894442712.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOi2zh8VXqb_OIVvf4rb8Bd1BvYbc42Av3kmROL91rmZ8asNVWSy_eiFtzXHVgf47se4DWxTO5T1PhlDJvGUODy8Io08Wd1AXZchTPmYaMEM4739fV1DrTglWZGaBx2WvN_oon/s640/blogger-image-1894442712.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQI0fLT3qv2th7Aj0KDPTTRzXzQglg439K5EtH9P_JXlVz9_qNEPcGyIsmzJ7P61WQl3YKh4IWaPZ1SQmmmokAerOZ17MvPCiudFbLZqZoIH8kD_f2QucxYdV5Ew0ImCXc0me5/s640/blogger-image--363139967.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQI0fLT3qv2th7Aj0KDPTTRzXzQglg439K5EtH9P_JXlVz9_qNEPcGyIsmzJ7P61WQl3YKh4IWaPZ1SQmmmokAerOZ17MvPCiudFbLZqZoIH8kD_f2QucxYdV5Ew0ImCXc0me5/s640/blogger-image--363139967.jpg"></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Summer is my favorite season. I love the dusky afternoon light that lasts for hours, the scent of tomatoe vines and Greg's fruity concoctions he makes in the evenings. I never want it to end, but the thing that softens the blow a bit, is that the fair comes to town. It's a chaotic event filled with the scent of cotton candy and sweet things frying, bright stuffed animals set against vivid tents and blinking lights. All this saturation overlaid by the sound of a calliope and screams and laughter. It's all very Something Wicked this way Comes. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">This year I found a beautiful marble made by a guy ( Curtis?) demonstrating glass animals. It seemed like the marble perfectly captured the feeling of too much cotton candy and funnel cake and lights whirling over striped tents. </div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30701633.post-88526154050391129722015-07-02T14:28:00.001-05:002015-07-02T14:28:37.331-05:00Seed beads<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg54dn287yaguM5uY2AtlAZ1KIhb3Q08v3kTnwpb9MBmapS1y87ZTOq7srosVSjuK7F1zffeXEMHHSfxMskCGyy41ClUnIpAwwMxRfi6D8BaSCyZz53n1b7WEpwqi_qV1kQIWuY/s640/blogger-image-386676097.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg54dn287yaguM5uY2AtlAZ1KIhb3Q08v3kTnwpb9MBmapS1y87ZTOq7srosVSjuK7F1zffeXEMHHSfxMskCGyy41ClUnIpAwwMxRfi6D8BaSCyZz53n1b7WEpwqi_qV1kQIWuY/s640/blogger-image-386676097.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I really like beads. I've tried out just about every kind of bead making: handmade glass, paper, fabric, clay, rose petals, resin, gemstone and of course metal. I also collect all kinds of beads, except one, seed beads. I mean, I have a bunch of them, but I only ever use them as accents or a few embroidered on fabric. I never got bit by that bug that you see other ladies dealing with at shows, eyes focused with laser intensity, carefully selecting piles of tubes of sparkly color, searching for that perfect shade. I love the colors, but the idea of putting hours into a project made from thread seemed strange. I had been given a beaded glass ornament early on and a thread had caught on a hook and made a terrible tangle, ruining the piece. I suppose that fragility had stuck in my mind, because I never so much as glanced at a seeded beaded anything. Then, a few months ago, my friend Emily Miller showed me a necklace she was working on made from nylon string and metal beads. I remarked how fragile it was and she told me I could try and break a piece of the thread. I couldn't, so was intrigued enough to try it. Now, I'm hooked. I've made loads of the crocheted stitched necklaces and have a few spools ready to go in my bag at all times. Of course, I had to try dyeing my own colors of thread! I really like that the thread is part of the design, rather than just the unseen base.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVjODQEfFlqZi6BEt_B0rmX3iz-aOFYFbgieE4MjE2BrH58FH4Dr_vrciLW_OPvoJetFKFT0EnUuLys1W-g3P1fd52iju45rZFxmT969l9b2Sprdm8O_-raQo9Do3go_n0heWm/s640/blogger-image-348209054.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVjODQEfFlqZi6BEt_B0rmX3iz-aOFYFbgieE4MjE2BrH58FH4Dr_vrciLW_OPvoJetFKFT0EnUuLys1W-g3P1fd52iju45rZFxmT969l9b2Sprdm8O_-raQo9Do3go_n0heWm/s640/blogger-image-348209054.jpg"></a></div>Emily showed me how to crochet a rope, but it was a little too intimidating a project for the moment. That is until a couple days ago, when I decided I wanted to try it. I fiddled with it for several hours, having zero luck. I looked at videos, but most of them just confused me. I stumbled on Beadaholiques video and then I got it. Now I need to find more antique seed beads in that greasy opaly color I like so much ( since those were dug out of heaping piles of beads at the African Village in Tucson)! I'm really enjoying using these beads and can't wait to start designing clasp and pendant components. After I search for more beads, since I clearly don't have enough.</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30701633.post-76685840173167993022015-07-01T12:46:00.001-05:002015-07-01T12:46:27.047-05:00New treasures<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ9gmtm2J5eTkvhqL8OetY4Or6-sEVdTQA-2TR716f3hyphenhyphenlABk08rUUxBXypFaZQXgX_YVvua-pNlO_s31B7AMNjwrGBD5rDFbZEhrfpaGwSxPfMbzi0yTaheXvhvj5pwNa3F0H/s640/blogger-image-106599011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ9gmtm2J5eTkvhqL8OetY4Or6-sEVdTQA-2TR716f3hyphenhyphenlABk08rUUxBXypFaZQXgX_YVvua-pNlO_s31B7AMNjwrGBD5rDFbZEhrfpaGwSxPfMbzi0yTaheXvhvj5pwNa3F0H/s640/blogger-image-106599011.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Every bead show I enjoy collecting a few more items to add to my mountainous horde of beady goodness. The Bead and Button Show is one of my favorites, as it gathers so many amazing artists and vendors in one spot. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Let's start with my most favorite, Anne Choi, (top left, 3 silver beads) an artist whose work I coveted since I first saw her large mandrake bead in Metal Smith magazine nearly 20 years ago. We met at a show in Atlanta ( in an unaircondioned horse barn) after I mailed her a request form cut from her catalog. I remember how hard I stared at that booklet, trying to decide which beads I should get. Both of us were surprised by the other ( she pictured me as a mature artist, not a half Asian gal that looked fourteen and I didn't expect her to be as tall and southern) anyway, we've been friends ever since. The beads I found at the show were some that I've wanted for awhile, but were always sold out: the cube with various weather conditions, the ouroboros cylinder and a tiny with an eye, heart and u carved into it. They will look delightful with the others. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Next, the little blue beaded bead is from Onye (https://www.etsy.com/shop/DesignsByOnye). The three glass beads that look like alien fruit are made by Karen Elmquist. The cool bumpy bangle made from glass is from Trinket Foundry. The neat stacked and carved wooden drop pendants are from Banyan Bay Studios. The cornflake pearls are from Ta Pearls. The stones (ametrine crystals, drilled scapiolite crystals and opal nuggets) are from various gem dealers. The glass discs, eye beads, dark dichroic and tooth bead are from the delightful Maureen Henriques. I'm not sure what I'll do with the tooth and eye pieces ( probably put them in a little apothecary jar) but the discs are for wire wrapping to copper hairpins. The lovely blue and gold polymer bead was made by Erin Prais-Hintz ( I think it would look great on a hairpin as well). The ancient Roman glass pendants are from The bead goes on ( I think!). The little ceramic houses, which I adore, are from an artist whose name completely escapes me. I just love my new beads! I'm hoping to have time to make some new jewels, but in the mean time, I'm going to leave them displayed on my gem table, so I can admire them all day.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30701633.post-38139730206261621402015-05-24T15:54:00.001-05:002015-05-24T15:54:44.013-05:00Tucson.....After my last post about not wanting to do Tucson next year, I received a bunch of messages about 'hanging in there, it's just the economy, it's the weather, etc.'. I realized that I may have given the impression that we tanked at the show and that was why we didn't want to do it.<div> <div>The reason we don't want to do the show is that it is too long. We made money the first four days, then it was dead, with only vendors walking around. Thankfully, we did really good those first few days, so technically the show wasn't bad. </div><div><br></div><div>But here's the problem for us, when one of us leaves, it's really hard to keep up with orders, since we have two kids and no family around to help. This year, we had a huge increase in orders, both of us itching to get to work, but neither Greg nor myself able to jump back in till I got home almost a week later - it was just really hard not to feel exasperated. </div></div><div><br></div><div>So, if you were concerned that Green Girl Studios was in a bad way, don't be, we are doing great. In fact, we are so busy, that I haven't had a lot of time to focus on the whimsical things that bring me such joy. Although, I did make a little string doll with the kids. His name is Trouble and he's a little mischief maker. I used cotton thread I dyed last summer and really nice wool felt. I'm longing to make an army of dolls.<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpMiuxzDI8m_N1I_OrgTEVMlx3q7n5SukYVZjNdsmlF3Q-QrDg1HljjcInu2DWx0yEDHqrAK6cuISHV6kb8vaIdbIfkjtsPCqrminAu1TXgL9rNkCUU74ANT2wskbFlFnUvozs/s640/blogger-image--183318497.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpMiuxzDI8m_N1I_OrgTEVMlx3q7n5SukYVZjNdsmlF3Q-QrDg1HljjcInu2DWx0yEDHqrAK6cuISHV6kb8vaIdbIfkjtsPCqrminAu1TXgL9rNkCUU74ANT2wskbFlFnUvozs/s640/blogger-image--183318497.jpg"></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Anyway, we will be going back to the To Bead True Blue Show. We are thinking about alternatives, like doing workshops, and having a small show of handpicked vendors. This has been a dream of ours for years, so hopefully by the time we get to Tucson this spring, we will have something special planned for 2017.</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30701633.post-61573558906258423372015-05-24T15:18:00.001-05:002015-05-24T15:18:52.081-05:00Coming together<div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Last week, my brother Andrew and his partner William came down from PA for a visit to Asheville! Yay! We always have so much fun. The kids couldn't wait for them to arrive, Max thought they'd love to play with his 'pet' caterpillars (he finds them and puts them in a big planter on the porch).</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJs3McOwppgs-3roA7MOi7TBD4wNXdqt5nBFrMDddeDwOVWPNzQkva2Hgg46N6roUDTW7SVU2bdr0NXGnZ8-kvkFVMJGfVQcBaWcsAWkh3JVq3GIFUhFcS89PnRnv6BLkSjdWR/s640/blogger-image-1485613074.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJs3McOwppgs-3roA7MOi7TBD4wNXdqt5nBFrMDddeDwOVWPNzQkva2Hgg46N6roUDTW7SVU2bdr0NXGnZ8-kvkFVMJGfVQcBaWcsAWkh3JVq3GIFUhFcS89PnRnv6BLkSjdWR/s640/blogger-image-1485613074.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">My boy is so sweet. I'm going to shirk my duties and cuddle him. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyo6_Qr86L1G7KK0vxcjFY2HwiSmWwpULCOHbHqLc0I_o40x3rauVe-s-mQ0608i36xVFA0ZdgZ3CcqQnwAP2BRoJEYfG1IIuyesnYICGajWDoHasJUrZWH74DpdHAHCP2Bome/s640/blogger-image-231031760.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyo6_Qr86L1G7KK0vxcjFY2HwiSmWwpULCOHbHqLc0I_o40x3rauVe-s-mQ0608i36xVFA0ZdgZ3CcqQnwAP2BRoJEYfG1IIuyesnYICGajWDoHasJUrZWH74DpdHAHCP2Bome/s640/blogger-image-231031760.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Here's Max attempting to pull up Andrew onto a rocky path at the botanical garden. We found some really beautifully shaped flowers for reference.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2Ggv1pvA0kJnUafEQBlMoBamzbkQyac3ZlmCNMuULfw564XLxI4rd8jUReUu0KBaXigIbiHsn7pGGad1aeJOh3fUW1K0XMsq4r9vNcG8gYipUpd7YnCHLzgjblEVVECz__ErB/s640/blogger-image--594236494.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2Ggv1pvA0kJnUafEQBlMoBamzbkQyac3ZlmCNMuULfw564XLxI4rd8jUReUu0KBaXigIbiHsn7pGGad1aeJOh3fUW1K0XMsq4r9vNcG8gYipUpd7YnCHLzgjblEVVECz__ErB/s640/blogger-image--594236494.jpg"></a></div>We found an amazing path up to a succession of waterfalls and had trying time wrangling the kids. They kept leaping and jumping in such a way that frayed my nerves. Like in this picture, the rocks are slick and that ruin looked like it was filled with creatures.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy6N746aCbS4S49wCOUA-2FzxyxqHETIUvgViuLMiqzSAoSBO59d80TcIhuHsba4TNBQhbhQxzf2zlTcn-XtstYvb4WN7Yo2tV9UlaR1gKY6YngNjnDolUr0R7ZAMb9nMlumh7/s640/blogger-image-1981633684.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy6N746aCbS4S49wCOUA-2FzxyxqHETIUvgViuLMiqzSAoSBO59d80TcIhuHsba4TNBQhbhQxzf2zlTcn-XtstYvb4WN7Yo2tV9UlaR1gKY6YngNjnDolUr0R7ZAMb9nMlumh7/s640/blogger-image-1981633684.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Someone made this installation of origami butterflies, so of course we had to have the kids pose. I made Andrew hold still.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCRUYB8oby5L8b_x67TY-Uyymf8nPiKZj8msWIC7ahuEdxsnUuzGWNPrzjoTA2BWIOgaFPbiA70tta5xPH7FqKoWcnNCSXBaNNwcyurMOdbbFhQOA3Pml-Uiwu87vw445dHzCh/s640/blogger-image-2108415805.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCRUYB8oby5L8b_x67TY-Uyymf8nPiKZj8msWIC7ahuEdxsnUuzGWNPrzjoTA2BWIOgaFPbiA70tta5xPH7FqKoWcnNCSXBaNNwcyurMOdbbFhQOA3Pml-Uiwu87vw445dHzCh/s640/blogger-image-2108415805.jpg"></a></div>I love how the picture came out!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieY5qMxe6nc2wPzZ72uo2bj59SYGeeCi7_k0L3Ra8SdIYhyphenhyphenpxfCvkWr2uRCAlEO5b6iUAKglyfpxzxxUHuO65w1-qNtniq9VgkYSz9U9SMTOO4AgZZO4D8VP1KOlQEgiGMap-b/s640/blogger-image-2115073061.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieY5qMxe6nc2wPzZ72uo2bj59SYGeeCi7_k0L3Ra8SdIYhyphenhyphenpxfCvkWr2uRCAlEO5b6iUAKglyfpxzxxUHuO65w1-qNtniq9VgkYSz9U9SMTOO4AgZZO4D8VP1KOlQEgiGMap-b/s640/blogger-image-2115073061.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">There were waterfalls all along the path and this one was near the end. It's hard to capture just how high this is! It might've been 50ft? I wasn't about to scramble to the top, I'm nowhere near as nimble as I once was! I couldn't bear the idea of bustin my hind end and carrying a doughnut cushion.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVw7DiOmhBbJJleksfMdq4-DBHjvuK2NZYrJXndjyfnNMvThZFsmh3WZ6d4xSLQo0WViQUJDgC0glxxwYezg2vvbp9JjrkYAB64BPC8FEb9YkwrOk4Jwpi3MIxvgqvehyphenhyphenWqe72/s640/blogger-image-416944653.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVw7DiOmhBbJJleksfMdq4-DBHjvuK2NZYrJXndjyfnNMvThZFsmh3WZ6d4xSLQo0WViQUJDgC0glxxwYezg2vvbp9JjrkYAB64BPC8FEb9YkwrOk4Jwpi3MIxvgqvehyphenhyphenWqe72/s640/blogger-image-416944653.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Don't the kids look super cute dressed up for the Fairy Festival? Max is wearing my painting cap. Yes, I have painting outfits, doesn't everyone?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div>We had such a great time, I kept annoying Andrew and William with pleas to live in Asheville, or at least pinky promise that we would all move to Hawaii to be together. We got a lot of work done, namely packing our classes for Bead and Button and making some really fun little collaboration paintings. Of course, we didn't touch all the things planned! It was only like 40 items or so.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><br></div><br></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30701633.post-55215015947551998052015-02-18T15:50:00.001-05:002015-02-18T21:15:25.036-05:00Thoughts on Tucson 2015<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg53NzhYA3TqZN2Y6AftqRKd8cjWaUILX-Y9Hvh-mYU2lwJOZmlut731yGSUtKhX9OSCLSaa4o5ZBk1SYK-nj4JcXES017ry_u2kVqnUbeLdqVasP3n7qG7zv-ZD-J1dcsHrqOs/s640/blogger-image--1820393169.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg53NzhYA3TqZN2Y6AftqRKd8cjWaUILX-Y9Hvh-mYU2lwJOZmlut731yGSUtKhX9OSCLSaa4o5ZBk1SYK-nj4JcXES017ry_u2kVqnUbeLdqVasP3n7qG7zv-ZD-J1dcsHrqOs/s640/blogger-image--1820393169.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Somewhere over NC in the early morning.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Hey everyone! I've been home for about five days now ( most of that time laid out with some virus that sapped my life force). I have a few thoughts I'd like to share. The first is that I've heard that it's sliding downhill and fast by more than a few vendors and I've heard a lot of the various ideas on why:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">1. It's too long. Many of the shows are 9-14 days long.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">2. People just aren't coming. Travel is too expensive.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">3. The stock market. The big buyers don't have that disposable income anymore.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">4. Too many shows, too many choices, the pie is being broken into too many pieces. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Ok, I don't know which is the most true answer, but it's definetly not what it used to be. In the best days, the shows were short and sweet, there were loads of parties (we used to throw them ourselves) and the shows were packed with people from all over the world. It was always a crazy time of year, one that everyone looked forward to, mainly because all the money that could be made, but also since it was like a worldwide bead buddy reunion. It was a point where FB friends would finally meet, where long time board friends could catch up and where you'd get a drink with those folks from Austria, because everyone went to Tucson in February. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">This year, it was quiet. It felt a bit worn at the edges, a little bedraggled. Of course, I might have just described myself by day three! This year, To Bead True Blue lasted nine days. I have no idea why, my guess is to sell hotel rooms, but anyway, by day five I was ready to leave and go shopping. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhObMAz2CKYTJkKQZt-7Y1Qo8L0dxZ5k3vnlDoWtTGwy9DWaQS2Bm_26IrNS6xuYhll_7mrLNTNiU1_NPxjjwwFYkGpCU7Sgv1tJCRA5Q0RZNoCv0Sw17EQf4I_3wQlQkOgtXN0/s640/blogger-image-1484474536.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhObMAz2CKYTJkKQZt-7Y1Qo8L0dxZ5k3vnlDoWtTGwy9DWaQS2Bm_26IrNS6xuYhll_7mrLNTNiU1_NPxjjwwFYkGpCU7Sgv1tJCRA5Q0RZNoCv0Sw17EQf4I_3wQlQkOgtXN0/s640/blogger-image-1484474536.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">These specimens are huge! That ammonite in the middle was bigger than a hubcap. I can't get enough of sparkly minerals. I remember one time when I was into carving rocks, I had Andrew help me haul rough stones and he brought a backpack and we stuffed it full to bursting, so he walked around like a hunchback. Man, I did get some super nice labradorite gems that time. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOzNitL8eG1nTTw5t7BLFU9B09xPKon7YI3Zg-yXfh6hW-F7D8qYnVHnUvrQ0gnlQdYNhCfjnUCo9DXtrFKlwYa_eb3Lm1iuCAqQCSQeTgwQIQfw5vXNzq7zSTxCiSaqY-WKmA/s640/blogger-image--1277624591.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOzNitL8eG1nTTw5t7BLFU9B09xPKon7YI3Zg-yXfh6hW-F7D8qYnVHnUvrQ0gnlQdYNhCfjnUCo9DXtrFKlwYa_eb3Lm1iuCAqQCSQeTgwQIQfw5vXNzq7zSTxCiSaqY-WKmA/s640/blogger-image--1277624591.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">A nice selfie of me and Diane. If I didn't have her with me, I'd have laid down and died. Math! Customers! At the same time! Ack! Ok, it isn't well known, or maybe it is, I'm not much of a 'customer service' person. It's not that I hate to sell, it's just that sometimes I'm not overly fearful of discussions at the table. Meaning I talk a lot and stand around looking at what folks bought in the other room, maybe start showing a new beading technique I discovered....and pretty soon it's a sewing circle behind the booth. It's fairly common for folks to have their 'piles' and eventually they get checked out. If I have Diane, I can talk all I want and she takes the money! It's brilliant. Let's just say when she left on day five, was a hard day for me. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSofV-VSajOb0skeOx32oDpUDBV1mQ9i7Fcsey1IVklVXI2sZ7RAOy0TG5QFspxTHYDbrshyo7j5mh17aTcQ4yu3hiSB6enNsEG-3FRdWNQlPFU16eHXr4f_LqZ-CRAcBCH2Bs/s640/blogger-image-879284458.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSofV-VSajOb0skeOx32oDpUDBV1mQ9i7Fcsey1IVklVXI2sZ7RAOy0TG5QFspxTHYDbrshyo7j5mh17aTcQ4yu3hiSB6enNsEG-3FRdWNQlPFU16eHXr4f_LqZ-CRAcBCH2Bs/s640/blogger-image-879284458.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">One of my hauls from African Villiage! Why yes, I am into antique seed beads, can you tell from this picture? Also not afraid of the hand woven indigo dyed shawls ( I have plans for those.....). </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVGQJHPZJDeMXFcBIDXrUlrrIN2nisH-M5smDZXCRVGvwWefY9Edgp44WEJyEDozMFGegH6iWp6HfXhDC_KJSLQyt_L8x-AM19kddJVCoRp0bCmqe2HZ4ywSmetdfvC4E9uSmN/s640/blogger-image-88945869.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVGQJHPZJDeMXFcBIDXrUlrrIN2nisH-M5smDZXCRVGvwWefY9Edgp44WEJyEDozMFGegH6iWp6HfXhDC_KJSLQyt_L8x-AM19kddJVCoRp0bCmqe2HZ4ywSmetdfvC4E9uSmN/s640/blogger-image-88945869.jpg"></a>To wrap this up, I won't be returning to The To Bead True Blue Show next year. It's too long. Nine days? Even six is stretching it. My tolerance is 4, maybe 5 days if I have buddies. We did ok, as far money, but that is a long time to stand around, me missing the kids, thinking about all my projects piling up. I would rather just go to shop, but that's for the future. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I love going to Tucson. I really do. But for us, a lot of the reason (aside from cash) for going is making connections, meeting our favorite customers, seeing old friends and of course, making new ones. I mean, if it were just about money, we'd make more by staying home, since then I couldn't go shopping! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Anyway, I'm dreaming of the way Tucson used to be.<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> I have an idea, but I think I'll wait a bit before sharing. </span></div></div><br></div><br></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30701633.post-41713674304329370852015-01-19T00:37:00.001-05:002015-01-19T00:37:55.726-05:00Root babies<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0FoDKMRiN1H_S8jYgSLeY4NUzGkrrf6CJm6Llfu-efxl1Wq0ynei2Y1cfVehlJGuC-wnb_f2m5lZSbuOAUdHpd9GvsEUaHDYq3mJyOIc78p-MoskyW93ToEB7fgC4VRPi6LTv/s640/blogger-image--1255577508.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0FoDKMRiN1H_S8jYgSLeY4NUzGkrrf6CJm6Llfu-efxl1Wq0ynei2Y1cfVehlJGuC-wnb_f2m5lZSbuOAUdHpd9GvsEUaHDYq3mJyOIc78p-MoskyW93ToEB7fgC4VRPi6LTv/s640/blogger-image--1255577508.jpg"></a></div>Small sculptures of root babies, the top one in resin, the bottom carved in clay and encased in clear resin ( with the help of my brother Andrew, who took the time to sand the heck out of it and wire wrap it).</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3xw9BUpydRLXhyGMMe8h41SBbFKk-RdkEYTv_9D03MoLyzxQCGqFRkL1_Djye7gOEjK3MuSRmVeSgKxUKm3qu6H8QCu-DsQD41y7MAocn2X4FYRyILB_B6exGagvrR7zCpmQa/s640/blogger-image--1418104318.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3xw9BUpydRLXhyGMMe8h41SBbFKk-RdkEYTv_9D03MoLyzxQCGqFRkL1_Djye7gOEjK3MuSRmVeSgKxUKm3qu6H8QCu-DsQD41y7MAocn2X4FYRyILB_B6exGagvrR7zCpmQa/s640/blogger-image--1418104318.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Ever since I was kid, I've had a fascination with roots and growing things. The tangled shapes of tree roots, sheltering pearlescent mushrooms and bright lichen can hold my attention longer than many things. It all started with my grandma, a sassy country woman with more energy than ten kids. One evening, while we were walking back from the lake, I spotted a tree with great big bulbous growth protruding from its side, as large as a watermelon. I asked my grandma what caused it and she took a moment, studying the shape, then said, 'Why that tree's gonna have babies! There are little babies in that bulge, waiting to pop out and find a nice place of its own, then grow into something purdy'. I believed her. I imagined what the babies would look like, probably like cute potatoes, all fat and sweet faced. Maybe pale green, with tiny leaf buds and smelling of earth and dew. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Decades later, I'm still facinated by that image. Now, I realize my grandma probably had no idea what made the huge bulge in the tree, but rather than give us a short answer, she told us a tale that had us speculating for years. Later, when I told my dad (a guy that frequently named trees by their Latin name) what was in tree knots, he just smiled and asked if learned that from grandma. I guess he heard that story too. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">It's interesting to me as an adult, what ideas have contributed to my visual vocabulary as an artist. There are things that I loved as a child, that I still love, but with more informed eyes, I suppose. It leads me to questions of what I'll be making in the next twenty years, of what stories my children will keep and what they'll discard. </div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30701633.post-10263263454699308842015-01-15T14:47:00.001-05:002015-01-15T14:47:19.150-05:00Tiny doll<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirJmP1QgzKg-1HmUPYqz6ZQo_fsUU5unWXFm71uTEdzXzOO-F3RAnRKSc664h4PXLIAKIYx1vfp3OcNCmg_3J3FnYhSbqtMoLGfSIaDM6pi-81PrOh_GwzOaam_GxD6aOpfyJA/s640/blogger-image--208896015.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirJmP1QgzKg-1HmUPYqz6ZQo_fsUU5unWXFm71uTEdzXzOO-F3RAnRKSc664h4PXLIAKIYx1vfp3OcNCmg_3J3FnYhSbqtMoLGfSIaDM6pi-81PrOh_GwzOaam_GxD6aOpfyJA/s640/blogger-image--208896015.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Hi! This little lovely has been in the works for months. She's 1/12 th scale, or dollhouse size cast in cold porcelain (resin infused with porcelain). I made a doll in wax a year ago and discovered that I couldn't mold it in the traditional way, since everything I tried to build the mold walls with reacted with the wax. So Greg cast the parts in bronze and I'm working out how to attach them. Anyway, after all that annoyance I decided to just do it over. It took a couple of weeks to sculpt all the pieces, then another month of dawdling over the molds, then a week of casting loads of parts. I haven't perfected the process, I still get lots of air bubbles. Now I have one doll! Yay! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUX3e0ZfUCsgUOyo-a3WNG4wV4Nn7BYBfIZfH6azMOzO8-4jkQESEiGCBrhWwLuYqrU_pUKuIu5fIEKWOkhkhE3GB6HKXeIHXjMrMocT8Sij97AgYe_a-bBhTBJcIklibYoGsn/s640/blogger-image-174455398.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUX3e0ZfUCsgUOyo-a3WNG4wV4Nn7BYBfIZfH6azMOzO8-4jkQESEiGCBrhWwLuYqrU_pUKuIu5fIEKWOkhkhE3GB6HKXeIHXjMrMocT8Sij97AgYe_a-bBhTBJcIklibYoGsn/s640/blogger-image-174455398.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">After stringing her, I found a few problems in the joints, so I'll have to repair them and remold. I'm going to make more heads and torsos so I can change them around and get a variety of figures. I really like sculpting the faces. This one looks like Kate Moss, to me. Or a Botticelli face. I was thinking of Waterhouse when I was making her wig and painting her face- she reminded me of that painting of Ophelia floating in the water, with all the flowers around her. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYKGwIXY4jzjbhZH6qop1W6Wd2IUnFL-wvZo3pU-78sXeiGQozx7S1-_XFqZXUIQqvtgBv2hKxDotHa8upQG2OzGv1wcGuJzM-PLLcyi8S3OIIUDwmSHr_akBbSvYFc77lzcYC/s640/blogger-image-2110292717.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYKGwIXY4jzjbhZH6qop1W6Wd2IUnFL-wvZo3pU-78sXeiGQozx7S1-_XFqZXUIQqvtgBv2hKxDotHa8upQG2OzGv1wcGuJzM-PLLcyi8S3OIIUDwmSHr_akBbSvYFc77lzcYC/s640/blogger-image-2110292717.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I am very happy with her and can't wait till after Tucson when I can work on her till perfection! It's going to be doll heaven when I get home. I'm already making lists of things I'm going to make and it's all going to be fun. Except cleaning my studio. That won't be fun at all. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6H4He9d9qv8aDISSsotceioUriEPQSD9i3zKmbLif8aZryiMJJ0YhT6rHC8nmd3ega-IF4n2xrs8j7cOxdFj5dsL-D6PfRbbizrR-OwDB_hQTWtyLErz6yPZRMjAgPbp9bw1P/s640/blogger-image--1611085693.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6H4He9d9qv8aDISSsotceioUriEPQSD9i3zKmbLif8aZryiMJJ0YhT6rHC8nmd3ega-IF4n2xrs8j7cOxdFj5dsL-D6PfRbbizrR-OwDB_hQTWtyLErz6yPZRMjAgPbp9bw1P/s640/blogger-image--1611085693.jpg"></a></div>Isn't she so cute? I love all the dolls in hand photos on Flickr! Now I can add mine! Or, rather Azalea's, since I gave this to her for Christmas. She was pleased. This doll is going into our dollhouse for magical creatures. I have to make a mermaid in a rolling tub next. </div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30701633.post-40798397629408607482015-01-14T18:28:00.001-05:002015-01-14T18:28:05.668-05:00Adventures in Wool<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpqYrZE3uGBsiu9BkAine7nvQHGi-99ldYqlkwiU4vnojSWjLIG7GVUUQypxkwkRhp1RF0nxU2Qe2IxNUb9xQXPFpWSiMLOpOPZXLpEcWGJtJ4f3yPWBbN8ZHd7PItZkXXiPi4/s640/blogger-image--691861840.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglfhnEa9K61KKrbA4YgN6CWP9Fxfs6ihFzCDXz5DtcdGve51HautXgH0FHwbsg0WQjwmY9T9ComgE-XaBusuCLd2YI1B8bTOREwnsklX7e5ANYdHLfI6_olVV4T0WDTPxOXK_T/s640/blogger-image--1536234551.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglfhnEa9K61KKrbA4YgN6CWP9Fxfs6ihFzCDXz5DtcdGve51HautXgH0FHwbsg0WQjwmY9T9ComgE-XaBusuCLd2YI1B8bTOREwnsklX7e5ANYdHLfI6_olVV4T0WDTPxOXK_T/s640/blogger-image--1536234551.jpg"></a></div>Hi! Guess what I've been up to? Preparing for Tucson? Yes, of course, but also a few side projects I've long had on the back burner. I'm what you'd call a 'craftaholic' and love nothing more than holing up in my studio, with several beverages, my crew of assistants (Max and Azalea) and a good chunk of time. I decided that I was going to do some felting while visiting my family in FL and brought all the wool I could stuff into a tote bag. The bright orange pearlscale goldfish (Popo) pictured above was made partially on the way down, with a foam mat on my lap and wool everywhere. I embroidered the details, but I think I'll pick out the eye stitches when my glass eyes arrive. My stitches need work.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVxCGHF2ZhpNVAT5x-M7yeaW1rEPVBPh3z32ZGe1d6gaX4sz5csViLFnu0eY-E6Kbtb7YRmhg_jjdTQn5oLMV-kkJfoLeBQ0Pm9hMpGf0pR1x7UJ2eaLv4wXu8EzCx5YTQ2bs1/s640/blogger-image--1114541761.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVxCGHF2ZhpNVAT5x-M7yeaW1rEPVBPh3z32ZGe1d6gaX4sz5csViLFnu0eY-E6Kbtb7YRmhg_jjdTQn5oLMV-kkJfoLeBQ0Pm9hMpGf0pR1x7UJ2eaLv4wXu8EzCx5YTQ2bs1/s640/blogger-image--1114541761.jpg"></a></div>This little hand puppet of a root baby was made by wet felting around a form cut from foam. The leaves were cut out from felt sheets and sewed down. The tiny lichens were embroidered with French knots. The eyes are brass studs.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpqYrZE3uGBsiu9BkAine7nvQHGi-99ldYqlkwiU4vnojSWjLIG7GVUUQypxkwkRhp1RF0nxU2Qe2IxNUb9xQXPFpWSiMLOpOPZXLpEcWGJtJ4f3yPWBbN8ZHd7PItZkXXiPi4/s640/blogger-image--691861840.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRT7dyKtjICrvYfKmichb4mDvuMZUc5L7e-zftwg7MD_A8VeM8Y1p_IAMPPHVlXnHdQoTr_u_YjQPM8Bj6ZUkxyBtbavJkV5t_KyHGbqeb0KEptc5pvLtLJDsV1IAIIFnjiwjI/s640/blogger-image--988820708.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRT7dyKtjICrvYfKmichb4mDvuMZUc5L7e-zftwg7MD_A8VeM8Y1p_IAMPPHVlXnHdQoTr_u_YjQPM8Bj6ZUkxyBtbavJkV5t_KyHGbqeb0KEptc5pvLtLJDsV1IAIIFnjiwjI/s640/blogger-image--988820708.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">This is another felt portrait of one of my favorite fish, Hiro, a Kirin Ranchu goldfish. He's finished, except for needing glass eyes. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRuI7QclTNu7BkfgRjmDFSnu5LIBDRR48s72FQYPxnlXvQTbVVLW5ysmFb-rSGhyPpca3EQyy9JK5BPifTb8iTgkzzG4jWVcWRO2bBBO2ADPUYHSn78WdtFnty553fc-A9IhBL/s640/blogger-image--1873626636.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRuI7QclTNu7BkfgRjmDFSnu5LIBDRR48s72FQYPxnlXvQTbVVLW5ysmFb-rSGhyPpca3EQyy9JK5BPifTb8iTgkzzG4jWVcWRO2bBBO2ADPUYHSn78WdtFnty553fc-A9IhBL/s640/blogger-image--1873626636.jpg"></a></div>I've been totally bewitched by all the fabric renditions of moths on Pinterest, so I thought I'd try my hand at making a pin version. Let me just say, embroidery skills are a must. Mine are not great, so I got pretty frustrated when my 'thread painting ' stitches looked bulgy and amateurish. Of course I picked those out, leaving the better ones. I just need to watch some videos on Craftsy and practice. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Practice - it's one of those words you hear a lot, but is it just me, or is it hard to find the time to actually do it? I get a weird sensation of guilt when I fiddle around with making things that aren't going to make money. I can barely justify practicing yoga, let alone crafts that are just enjoyable! I think it's the hardest part of being an artist/self employed- taking time for fun. I happen to really love what i do, so it's easy to work from the moment I rise to finally calling it a night (morning). Anyway, it felt really good to just create what I wanted for almost a week, without considering how much it would cost, or if someone would <span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">buy it. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30701633.post-91201061611099834022014-11-20T15:17:00.001-05:002014-11-20T15:17:50.933-05:00West coast<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHU9TI8tLu40CyjMGorFItT-mjzSGBC8Wr-ZR74cJIBTtxrx0L9lqCbnBfudXTKNqEsJCoB6HzvWjya1oiPcszUavOU5YmiMaX3no21cLQ97t7GVAwjWt4S3px-L0Vlf46U4oJ/s640/blogger-image-805885205.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHU9TI8tLu40CyjMGorFItT-mjzSGBC8Wr-ZR74cJIBTtxrx0L9lqCbnBfudXTKNqEsJCoB6HzvWjya1oiPcszUavOU5YmiMaX3no21cLQ97t7GVAwjWt4S3px-L0Vlf46U4oJ/s640/blogger-image-805885205.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Hey there! I just returned from a fantastic trip out west for a couple of shows. The first was Designer Con in Pasadena, a show focusing on artist prints, sculptural toys and apparel. It was a lot of fun to showcase our goods to a new crowd and meet loads of artists. The mermaids I carved and cast received a lot of attention, but it was my paper dolls that were a hit. I think I'll do it again, maybe. Doing shows is out of my comfort zone. After the show, Jess and I drove up the coast to meet some friends at The Sycamore Spa in San Luis Obispo to enjoy the hot springs. We got a room with a tub and pretty much stayed in the water the whole time. I think that water is magical, since I went in with a variety of aches and pains and came out feeling like a kid. I wish I had that water in house.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib8nD2eq37zRQXtQHOgZjJchJ0e9yYmwHZNXBOghfxwyRl8QK0EmMQM93xAgSuE_-QmxaIB4HC2BcLudjUYtxP1Wrsy-lWJerRLNDYBCOeJyw7st-YuBJWRJ-wG96KrFb9QI7Y/s640/blogger-image-1664223807.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib8nD2eq37zRQXtQHOgZjJchJ0e9yYmwHZNXBOghfxwyRl8QK0EmMQM93xAgSuE_-QmxaIB4HC2BcLudjUYtxP1Wrsy-lWJerRLNDYBCOeJyw7st-YuBJWRJ-wG96KrFb9QI7Y/s640/blogger-image-1664223807.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Whenever I'm in SF, Jess takes me all over the city to sample the local food. This is my favorite part. The food is so good, every time I think about it I have to take a moment to relish the memory. Anyway, here's a picture of some amazing doughnuts from Johnny's. They were so delicious, it was hard to stop at one. I mean two.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiful50zMY1zylaWNgTx_zC6clrFo1HKPVHtLu4THc2-qV2KhuiaWDWaKRufuuUPZDAcekCld6MZaaK2M3-9wrvrN6zEvzo8VhqnfBI09dV-zi3lGgpZeeEF3ANRgOpF2s4s4lB/s640/blogger-image--1719122004.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiful50zMY1zylaWNgTx_zC6clrFo1HKPVHtLu4THc2-qV2KhuiaWDWaKRufuuUPZDAcekCld6MZaaK2M3-9wrvrN6zEvzo8VhqnfBI09dV-zi3lGgpZeeEF3ANRgOpF2s4s4lB/s640/blogger-image--1719122004.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The Conservatory of Flowers was having an exhibit of aquascapes ( which were really hard to photograph!) but it was the collection of carnivorous plants that amazed me. Not only was the collection varied, but many were huge! I couldn't believe the size of some of those pods! The ones in the picture are easily bigger than my face, which impressed me because I couldn't grow them larger than a few inches. Anyway, it was marvelous. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTIGcQuPETN543hRnMWOR6MG_GldGT8kiciKgJyZS0ecE8k61NDLmdTCajNIrVwIf7IFPvFWGTgk0Ev6tDDAPYoll1hHVdoA0k2X6fHUiB_b_y_5R7J9pPey9RBAn_53xtkITM/s640/blogger-image-263533764.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTIGcQuPETN543hRnMWOR6MG_GldGT8kiciKgJyZS0ecE8k61NDLmdTCajNIrVwIf7IFPvFWGTgk0Ev6tDDAPYoll1hHVdoA0k2X6fHUiB_b_y_5R7J9pPey9RBAn_53xtkITM/s640/blogger-image-263533764.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Between jaunts around town, I worked on some projects for Jess's pop up store in the Mission that will be opening near the first of December and will stay open till the end of January. The store, Elton Jeremiah, will feature vintage finds, handcrafted jewelry and also hand painted vintage bags. They were so fun to paint, I've been looking around for a bag maker to make me some blanks.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU_bfltnjIHgPufDcUn0eNYZWom6D-KY0GHwUc9KbEWduKf8UpMCcOfFq6ziAQ5ayygHBuXJS7cWGA83o6f_Yw2i-EpK4nIxcnb1bxoqEpzmyRoxH5wcUPMQxVhNV783ZSgdrH/s640/blogger-image--1455879655.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU_bfltnjIHgPufDcUn0eNYZWom6D-KY0GHwUc9KbEWduKf8UpMCcOfFq6ziAQ5ayygHBuXJS7cWGA83o6f_Yw2i-EpK4nIxcnb1bxoqEpzmyRoxH5wcUPMQxVhNV783ZSgdrH/s640/blogger-image--1455879655.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I'll post more info on the opening as it gets closer. </div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30701633.post-7055996235753938642014-11-14T10:54:00.001-05:002014-11-14T10:54:27.414-05:00Good morning San Francisco.<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQz9xrCAwcFigseXH0O9xBMXg6qgLGTLOTto-9_taM92Et1aISA2-rS63ayZ9U6_7VpWfCVaf2jtkSZCbMSriU3jL0vF-sjDmd9XKveBXi-lrqLStpPPIuwyWi6FwKBqkDu6rm/s640/blogger-image--1177964430.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQz9xrCAwcFigseXH0O9xBMXg6qgLGTLOTto-9_taM92Et1aISA2-rS63ayZ9U6_7VpWfCVaf2jtkSZCbMSriU3jL0vF-sjDmd9XKveBXi-lrqLStpPPIuwyWi6FwKBqkDu6rm/s640/blogger-image--1177964430.jpg"></a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30701633.post-8655186649706622872014-09-12T17:38:00.001-05:002014-09-15T16:24:05.296-05:00Tiny dress<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiet2X_fq8TMlpQFxHNLUQqf2xpqKYo_k3Sbp7on3AXnopoWLJCMGCN8JwupBu_mU20ajnbqxyrJjtf0r-BAgKnkuJM5RRBfZWDEimXcgDuYf1MOEG6x_XQmJ5v4t7yscFp9xPg/s640/blogger-image-673492280.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiet2X_fq8TMlpQFxHNLUQqf2xpqKYo_k3Sbp7on3AXnopoWLJCMGCN8JwupBu_mU20ajnbqxyrJjtf0r-BAgKnkuJM5RRBfZWDEimXcgDuYf1MOEG6x_XQmJ5v4t7yscFp9xPg/s640/blogger-image-673492280.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Here's the dress I made from one of the patterns in Hankie Couture. I altered the bodice, so I could add beaded straps (which I will do when I have a spare moment). I didn't make the doll, but purchased her from an artist on ebay- neverland43. She reminds me of a borrower!</div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30701633.post-44122423869556068332014-09-12T17:27:00.001-05:002014-09-12T17:27:22.471-05:00Let's make some doll clothes!<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyMCiihBzRavqWzA7w1Vf4bX_KeM29tMU3AnceihE1usdg-y5cQIFWvwDSIDMudyzPWRIeAT1kNicyYJD2B4Dr7Qgsgjv7OgmcnhcLNmoQpFsKMxileN1agzLhqMfxb5aIazyj/s640/blogger-image-970265816.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyMCiihBzRavqWzA7w1Vf4bX_KeM29tMU3AnceihE1usdg-y5cQIFWvwDSIDMudyzPWRIeAT1kNicyYJD2B4Dr7Qgsgjv7OgmcnhcLNmoQpFsKMxileN1agzLhqMfxb5aIazyj/s640/blogger-image-970265816.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Hi! Today's craft obsession ( because I always have one!) is making doll clothes. Azalea and I love dolls and have, well, a mess of them, in a staggering array of sizes and brands. We're trying to curb the addiction, but only a little. Anyway, we added the new book Doll Couture by Marsha Greenberg to our craft book collection. Let's take a look.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN1ugjnbpyhF2b_mVuu61ZhWZAbrcEpcjQLkGL35kyTYEKsQDH3HoypXkaAY9LgkvmQUxI7cHbompOsD3EO0fpY0GlXYfD7000hS6fYMJTnjOr32On707yqppzAMrsdLZXNoZT/s640/blogger-image-133610843.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN1ugjnbpyhF2b_mVuu61ZhWZAbrcEpcjQLkGL35kyTYEKsQDH3HoypXkaAY9LgkvmQUxI7cHbompOsD3EO0fpY0GlXYfD7000hS6fYMJTnjOr32On707yqppzAMrsdLZXNoZT/s640/blogger-image-133610843.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The first thing I noticed about this book was the variety of outfits and the unique use of vintage handkerchiefs. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIbXyiYuJb3pi-7iGhYeKoVD0QL3JHsv14NvmmrA-uyr_P-kgWmtyTzWXDajNQlUnIildR_iAhUqPNQ5G7w6E2viphycMdSrEJJk2VgkplpGpwxsIPgGlsKLBgP1ja2aXHPtSp/s640/blogger-image--1202991701.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIbXyiYuJb3pi-7iGhYeKoVD0QL3JHsv14NvmmrA-uyr_P-kgWmtyTzWXDajNQlUnIildR_iAhUqPNQ5G7w6E2viphycMdSrEJJk2VgkplpGpwxsIPgGlsKLBgP1ja2aXHPtSp/s640/blogger-image--1202991701.jpg"></a></div>I like the use of doilies as well. Of course, if you don't have a stash of hankies, you could use quilting fabric. The dresses are built from simple shapes and adorned with trims and bias tape, ribbon flowers and tiny buttons.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHvLfDREpl8-KL35j2j8xrNH3ejPMKXxZp3fuLk9uvhyphenhyphenJJLQ_p8DeTuIzdAK2O6K6KGgjBtgFso9lI0J3XEM-aBvlnt-pk0Ax8uzCH7snYkOfRjMkX-tWraYKnUoN8Zzz_tm6m/s640/blogger-image--749437913.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHvLfDREpl8-KL35j2j8xrNH3ejPMKXxZp3fuLk9uvhyphenhyphenJJLQ_p8DeTuIzdAK2O6K6KGgjBtgFso9lI0J3XEM-aBvlnt-pk0Ax8uzCH7snYkOfRjMkX-tWraYKnUoN8Zzz_tm6m/s640/blogger-image--749437913.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I had the idea of altering the patterns to fit my ball jointed dolls, since the pattern shapes seem simple enough to just reduce. This book has a lot more patterns then the authors previous book, Hankie Couture. That one has a few base patterns, very simple to trace onto paper towels to get started. It's for Barbie sized dolls, but these are easy to alter to fit other dolls ( I made a variation to fit my dollhouse sized doll).</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9cheQ3RPwdSabFp_j8699tYUwJYWu_3WQepqmvBeD7Sbc_1maIA6WRu8aWvzYYnSNIYWrNVnq3Z2llkUG3DBRKqFsJcqxyMII_u7HbwiXYw-MR-hTmV2pF0G0Vjx-7AGzsFOn/s640/blogger-image--635581836.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9cheQ3RPwdSabFp_j8699tYUwJYWu_3WQepqmvBeD7Sbc_1maIA6WRu8aWvzYYnSNIYWrNVnq3Z2llkUG3DBRKqFsJcqxyMII_u7HbwiXYw-MR-hTmV2pF0G0Vjx-7AGzsFOn/s640/blogger-image--635581836.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">While both books utilize interesting fabrics and have some good tips for tiny sewing, Hankie Couture has much easier items to finish. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF9im0vsWySp5Z6aPDExKsUv4lEfgaClob2xQ2fESgoSwNYO6nS-wbtSscvqfRfKSgLSONppPHBrSktrPh7BlV3UijLDVg_zlX0tfCcoy15tw5UKwEbYu1LClGYxMD5OJee382/s640/blogger-image-1448447751.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF9im0vsWySp5Z6aPDExKsUv4lEfgaClob2xQ2fESgoSwNYO6nS-wbtSscvqfRfKSgLSONppPHBrSktrPh7BlV3UijLDVg_zlX0tfCcoy15tw5UKwEbYu1LClGYxMD5OJee382/s640/blogger-image-1448447751.jpg"></a></div>I was impressed with how many variations the author could get out of a couple of base patterns. Also, the finishing in both books is very nice, I love it when doll clothes are made beautifully. We enjoyed getting inspiration from both books and recommend them for an afternoon of sewing happiness. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Here's where to get a copy:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">http://www.runningpress.com/book/paperback/doll-couture/9780762453726</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30701633.post-40424668874239444022014-09-07T17:32:00.001-05:002014-09-07T17:32:40.807-05:00Small items<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVAKO9Q3MT36U58NP1pBJXikBC9n282n8mOf9pWZIkQrROCV7E5BKHsXCr2FAwSe6cU3iN99HkQjZyDug9prlAFdovbBYv0LAYm90sOJ7E4HccXpOqPw4LHFjCjZiimm5lwBma/s640/blogger-image--736993660.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVAKO9Q3MT36U58NP1pBJXikBC9n282n8mOf9pWZIkQrROCV7E5BKHsXCr2FAwSe6cU3iN99HkQjZyDug9prlAFdovbBYv0LAYm90sOJ7E4HccXpOqPw4LHFjCjZiimm5lwBma/s640/blogger-image--736993660.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Hi! Here's a little sculpture I made out of polymer clay, to be cast in resin. I think I'll try to get an ivory or porcelain looking resin, so it has an antique quality. I haven't decided if I should add more details to the head, like a crown or head dress. Anyway, it was fun to carve.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPMQNa1G0HIJZhshz_2vl8lLj1v21-vIWwEYlfYXmQ_RSza0dVZFZzF8-bbuUpKAGGH3gnn2HoEPBTWBp0TXzz4oPOLRuAeQQKaX7QVHZffHRdSiOH7mNQR0zKadQSmnitE4Zq/s640/blogger-image--1678555735.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPMQNa1G0HIJZhshz_2vl8lLj1v21-vIWwEYlfYXmQ_RSza0dVZFZzF8-bbuUpKAGGH3gnn2HoEPBTWBp0TXzz4oPOLRuAeQQKaX7QVHZffHRdSiOH7mNQR0zKadQSmnitE4Zq/s640/blogger-image--1678555735.jpg"></a></div>This cute little dragon-eyed goldfish will become a pin in resin, I think. Although greg thinks it would look better in pewter. I'm hoping to have a bunch of new, small items to sell at Designer Con, this November in Pasadena. I will be sharing a booth with Jeremiah Ketner and his lovely paintings. I can't wait to go! </div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30701633.post-4761816536026625262014-08-20T16:01:00.001-05:002014-08-20T16:01:55.416-05:00Bead Fest PA!<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUFeQtRX2-H__WkpynwhEyKBaanI-HF0MzWm2xnCJTe76i11iOcU4IlYX0dYOlO4UowtyONM7RroLYsZIej2Of2JXbmxBDgaN1Zg8Y1Qzl6rBl3_TwsCjmjQk6YtL-RT_zZRRB/s640/blogger-image-1976822847.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUFeQtRX2-H__WkpynwhEyKBaanI-HF0MzWm2xnCJTe76i11iOcU4IlYX0dYOlO4UowtyONM7RroLYsZIej2Of2JXbmxBDgaN1Zg8Y1Qzl6rBl3_TwsCjmjQk6YtL-RT_zZRRB/s640/blogger-image-1976822847.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf1VYjHmz4j7kuX5Gm-6mwKSO1KJfKbZWKJ-Vbk3c3LRVnYDDOXZntb_rFGpC8_-UqT-7cqp4xrGmx1xiqW0ZXx0KBdJxKJp9Lk95CrLiQmVZT_Ocan2GP0xTFHRrOE7sZCUZ-/s640/blogger-image-735390516.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf1VYjHmz4j7kuX5Gm-6mwKSO1KJfKbZWKJ-Vbk3c3LRVnYDDOXZntb_rFGpC8_-UqT-7cqp4xrGmx1xiqW0ZXx0KBdJxKJp9Lk95CrLiQmVZT_Ocan2GP0xTFHRrOE7sZCUZ-/s640/blogger-image-735390516.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Hey there! We have been working round the clock to make nice things for the upcoming Bead Fest! Here's the site: http://www.beadfest.com/philadelphia.aspx</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The coins are made from sterling and have a lovely rainbow finish, due to some hi jinks with liver of sulphur. This design is new and will debut at the show.</div><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUFeQtRX2-H__WkpynwhEyKBaanI-HF0MzWm2xnCJTe76i11iOcU4IlYX0dYOlO4UowtyONM7RroLYsZIej2Of2JXbmxBDgaN1Zg8Y1Qzl6rBl3_TwsCjmjQk6YtL-RT_zZRRB/s640/blogger-image-1976822847.jpg"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Another batch of crystals! I love how these look, like pieces from a movie, maybe Dark Crystal or Legend. Anyway, I'm staying up all night making more goodies for the show, so stop by early to see everything!</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0