Hi! Lots of spring cleaning around here. Azalea and I had some unexpected company over the weekend, our friends Laura and her mom Naomi from D.C. (owners of Talisman beads) came for a visit and some furniture shopping. We cooked like crazy and I had fun playing food stylist, trying to make everything pretty, then taking pictures. The pic above is rice pudding with almonds and Vietnamese cinnamon (its flippin' amazing and sweet- order some from Penzey's). The weather has been beautiful (see the crocuses Andew planted!), luckily for us as I would have hated to take the puppy out in the cold. We were lucky to have Laura and Naomi over with all of their dog expertise, they showed us some helpful tips to train our little baby. It was nice to see them.

The show season has started, so Greg has been swamped with all the prep work and travel, then the show itself, not to mention all the orders. I've pretty much stepped away from all the business of GGS, I only do a few shows and design now. Which is like paradise. I love spending my time being a mama! It works out, Greg is good at business so I have more time to create new goods. So the book is on the front burner, I've been working on it every spare moment. I keep wondering if I should even mention it, shouldn't these things be secret? Well, I guess this book won't be a secret.

nice magazine

Look at this! There's an article about GGS in here! And one on the lovely Anne Choi, maker of my most favorite beads of all time history, I love them more than my apple dumpling of a cat Frick, so you know that's a lot! Here's the magazine link. Anyway, Jean Yates interviewed us and it was pleasant and not stressful, because she is just so darn likeable! The interview is very informative, lots of info on shibuichi and makes us sound fabulous. The magazine is strong on whole, some interesting projects to go with in depth interviews. What's not to love? Also, notice the little dragonfly dangle on the cover, yes,yes,yes, this is ours...I think Greg made that one. This one is totally worth buying, I bought like six of them! Can you tell I'm pleased?

so awesome....

I want this so bad. It's a hybrid, Volkswagen Westfalia Verdier Solar Powered Mobile http://www.verdier.ca/. I love the idea of being effecient and self suffecient while on the road, seeing the beauty of America. Or the beauty of Hawaii. Its so cute I may pass out right now. The price is steep, in the neighborhood of 65K but it so cute and you can drive it, it doesn't have to be pulled. It goes along so perfectly with my love of surf culture and beach living. Odd because I live in the mountains and can't swim. Well, I could park it on the beach and look at the water. Maybe they will be like dvd players and go down in price, then I could get one and just hang out in the driveway.

rainy day

Hello! Its been rainy, but not cold, so we went out adventuring. Our family tends to hibernate in the winter months. Its natural. Since it was warm, we ran around to the bookstore, so Azalea could play and I could check out the instructional art books. I know I have dozens, but I have to see whats new. I've been tossing around the idea of making my own art instruction book, to show some of the techniques we employ here at GGS. I'm not thinking casting, as there are lots of good books just on that, but more on design (comfortable and timeless), inspiration (to stay unique) , pmc, polymer,resin,mold-making and useful tips to make jewelry that's heirloom quality. That's the idea, anyway and I think there is room for it on the market.

The idea came about a few years ago when my brother Andrew said it would be neat to make a book that encompassed the techniques we've improved on. I think at the time we thought it would have everything from felting critters to sketchbook tips to recipes. The subject came up recently in Tucson when we were approached by the awesome folks at Interweave, asking us if publishing a book would be something we'd be interested in. Of course! Since then two other companies have emailed with the same query. We thought it was extremely flattering and I was embarrassed, yet pleased, because it meant they thought we had something useful to share. I'm curious if folks would buy it. What do you think?

Frick update: Big surprise, the big baby didn't really react, he just looked at Kitsune, gave a deep sigh of disappointment, then went back to eating. I was envisioning a huge fight with lots of hissing and pooping, but nothing of the sort happened. Paddy doesn't mind the new baby at all, watching her from his high perch, he's all love and affection. Frick avoids her, which is easy because he avoids everyone, spending his days in some hidden location, revealing himself only to go out or eat. So its pleasant here, the sweet trilling of LeeLu filling the house, combined with Mochi's charming burble - who needs music? Except, Jack Johnsons new album, which is lovely.

little family

Doesn't she look like a red panda?

Poor baby kissed so much!

Look at her big black eyes!

Greg looking handsome and charming at the freshly opened Green Sage Cafe located downtown Asheville. Its located where Beanstreets used to be, which I missed terribly, but I have to say this newly renovated organic/green business is really lovely. It doesn't have the eclectic bad art on the walls or mismatched furniture or dirty hippie vibe, so basically I'm pleased as punch. Not that there's anything wrong with dirty hippies. I do live in Asheville, the ultimate land of drum circles and dreadlocks. We had a pleasant day, starting with lunch with our fine friends Tony and Lisa Blackwell, then back home to smooch our puppy, then to our lovely downtown, visiting Malaprops bookstore, the Chocolate Fetish (of course) then to the new cafe.

At thebookstore, I picked up another art instruction book, this one on Felting. I love felting- now that its warm and I begin to put away my cold weather stuff, I can start planning for next winter. I'm excited, there are detailed instructions for making vests, which I'm convinced is one of the most useful pieces of clothes. I have one my sis gave me that I wear constantly(although its a quilted cotton knit), now I have the info to make loads in felt. Hopefully they are just as useful and not one of those things you can only wear to a Renaissance Fair.

Our family has grown! I know it sounds like we are too busy for younglings, but I'm a mama deep down! I like caring for my little family, its one of life's simple pleasures. I'm fortunate to love what I do, so making art isn't a burden and it hasn't lost any of the magic for me. I enjoy being surrounded by life, plants and animals and people. I think its one of the keys to happiness. I've lived alone, with no distractions from my work, no animals to take care of, complete freedom...and was bored. Or, like a rosebush without enough sun, I did not thrive. I got all weird and loopy. Fortunately, I quit my day job and made beads full time, then all manner of good things came my way. Okay, so maybe the key is to be happy with what you do everyday so don't get wacky and miserable. Anyway, I'm basking in the love of my babies, smiling like a fool, happy to be happy.

Hello! Here's a little sketch I made while thinking of Jane Austen. I'm obsessed with her lately, reading Sense and Sensibility and watching the BBC movies. I'm sure she would have thought this image completely improper. Oh well.

We went to Michael's today and picked up new pens from Martha's collection (made drawing with them). I love both Martha and Michael's and could spend hours there, but today I was tired so Greg took me home and took Azalea to the Fun Depot. I needed the quiet to work on a few projects, so it was really nice. I'm still sick which is supremely annoying and worst of all I can't smell anything. It also means I can't taste much. I had a caprese sandwich earlier and I couldv'e been eating lunchmeat for all I could tell. I may freak out if this continues tomorrow, I can't bear the thought of not tasting my dark chocolate covered macademia nuts.

It's weird around here, lately. We took Bob to the airport so he could get back to SanFran and check on his boat and Sheila's STILL in L.A. (she must have fallen in - something my grandma would say) so it feels sort of quiet. I like having company. It works out since I hate to leave the house. I only leave if its necessary, like for food or to a show. So how am I supposed to go the Phillipines? Well, I've been working up to the idea for along time, considering it carefully. Thinking of shots and what to take (this alone could take months, what bag? what shoes? can I bring food? books? art supplies?) nerve wracking, I know.

It's puppy time tomorrow! We pick her up at 4pm in Charlotte! Yay! We are so excited! Hopefully, Frick doesn't lose his mind and poop right on the spot. He is extremely sensitive, he doesn't like change, or anyone to leave or anyone to call him 'fat' - he's just big boned at 20lbs. I measured him from nose to base of tail 21in. tail length 13 in. see? Just a big boy who is spoiled and poops on my stuff when he doesn't get his way. We think that he will accept the puppy as its a girl dog and he usually hates boys. I will update the situation as it unfolds. Well, we are getting ready! Good night!

Baby Shiba Inu.

Baby Lineolated Parrakeet.

This is my girl constructing stories for me while I work. She has an extensive collection of playmobile (from pirates to fairies to Noahs Ark...) and comes up with the most entertaining stories. I should record her. Right now she's saving the penguins and rabbits from the wicked sasquatch (today he's bad). When I'm done with this were going to make some miniature food from polymer clay. I made a few things at 1/12 scale some months ago and they came out looking rather piddly and unconvincing. My sis brought some mini food at 1/6 scale and they are easier to see and play with. I think we will make some more cakes.

We are getting a puppy and a baby bird this weekend. I've been really nervous trying to get everything ready ( more for the puppy than the bird) so i've been extra weird. I've never had a dog before and am expecting chaos. I've watched all the reruns of the Dog Whisperer I could find and I think I understand dog logic. It put me in mind of wolves, all this business about pack leaders and who's top dog. That should be easy. I like being a leader, sometimes. I liked the idea of her watching out for Azalea. The dog we've chosen is called a Shiba Inu, a Japanese breed that looks like a fox. The bird is a Lineolated Parrakeet, known for being one of the friendliest birds. It will be nice to have this new energy in the house. Well we are ready to make little cupcakes and then back to puppy proofing!

sketches

Hello! Here are some new sketches from a freshly started sketchbook. They are practice pieces painted in gouche after techniques from Stephanie Pui Mun Law 's book called Dreamscapes. I'm an avid collector of art instructional books, they are taking over my house. I have loads on jewelry making and journaling and I find it utterly relaxing to do projects from them. This may seem like a frivolous waste of time (considering I already have a degree in art) and that the house needs cleaning, but I believe in the merit of trying new techniques. How can one sustain themselves as an artist without the occasional bout of trial and error? Granted the projects in Stephanie's book are close to my own (yet they are decidedly different - much more detailed and layered, way more complex) I love it and want to adopt more of this craziness into my own work. Which is only slightly counterproductive, the trend for over simplified sweet paintings is at an all time high and its nice to be different, even if it takes longer to make one painting (thus being counterproductive). Anyway, its fun to paint, or plan to paint as I do with these sketches. So, I've been sniffling and sketching, plotting away at new projects, wondering where the day goes.

It occured to me that I spend a good chunk of time picking up toys and putting them away. I looked around and realized just how many toys my girl has and how few she actually plays with and I felt sort of disgusted. I thought about the story my sister told me of our family in the Philipines, of the one toy shared by a half dozen kids- an old flip flop they threw in the air. I thought of my mom fondly remembering her toy, a small hammerhead shark bone. So, I packed up her mountain of toys and intend on giving them to our family. Now that sounds harsh, but the playmobile stays along with her favorites (which is still a lot! no joke people, she didn't even notice the stuff was gone), so its not like she'll have to toss a flip flop for fun. I'm weeding out things I've held onto, I'm a collector so I want to try and keep only my favorite things. I have to do this once and awhile, or I will turn into my folks.

We are tentatively planning to go to the Phillipines in June, with my mom and my sis. I'm optimistic, but it always seems like our travel plans get nixed at the last minute for business reasons. When you own your own business its hard to take time off, there never seems to be a good time. Well, this time I think I must insist. The island atmosphere would be a perfect place to finish my story and finally meet a family I've only heard stories of. That and I can bring some toys and books and clothes to all those kids. We can't wait to play with them.

more goods

Hi! We've been sick, so I haven't done anything useful in days. Pretty much sleeping and reading and playing with playmobile all day. Which is fine, because I am still wore out from all that driving and shopping in Tucson. Here are some more treasures: top three drilled and carved stones are from Pat Jordan and the polymer pendant with the quote is from the lovely Heather Wynn. The drawing is of Azalea in her new cowgirl boots found in Nashville. I also got boots, mine in gator hide, which I felt drawn to (I grew up in Florida, always keeping an eye out for gators along shorelines- its my payback for all the missing kitties). Speaking of Florida, Greg and Bob Burkett will be in Jacksonville this weekend for the Bead Mercantile show. I think I'm going to sit this one out, I'm too sick to go on another roadtrip, which is a bummer because I could use some sea air. So, I think I'll work on new pieces and drawings. Its time to start a new sketchbook, I'm on my last page. Its always exciting to open a new book, wondering what experiances and ideas will be documented with ink, graphite and watercolor.

New goods

Tide pool pendant made by Jeremy Sinkus.

Owl collection.

Spiny oyster shell.

Herkimer diamonds (large crystals), rough diamonds (pale gold strand) and sapphires.

Old owl carving.

Gorgeous glass bead by Yuka Kawakita.

Hello! Finally recovering from Tucson. It seemed like I'd never get home. It was a lot of fun seeing all of my friends and favorite customers (who've become friends!) and shopping. Here are some of the highlights from my shopping excursions. Its weird to be away for two weeks, I felt all out of whack without having my daily rituals to attend to. I really am a hermit. It was fun, but I was looking forward to not standing all day long. I'm glad to be home.