Hello! I've been Captain Experimental this past couple of days, making doll head ornaments (inspired by Strange Dolls) and sculpted interiors for silver box pendants. The goal is to make one of a kind pieces for our biggest show, Bead and Button in Milwaukee. This year, we will have two tables! I need to get in gear and work faster! I'm also working on hollow glass beads filled with tiny relics and drawings on transparent paper, then capped with silver. This project has taken ages, collecting, drawing and sculpting all the pieces...almost done...so tempted to hoard...I will document them tomorrow. Greg bought this super cute knit bunny for me at Target, a reward for my patience (we are potty training Azalea and it is slow going-that child is the most stubborn creature to walk the earth; any tips would be greatly appreciated!).
The comments left on my 'idea post' are excellent! There is still time to add your thoughts on what you would like to see GGS produce, so don't be shy! I will name the winner (or winners, I'm exceedingly pleased with the input!) on Tuesday. We are going to Atlanta this weekend for a show by Bead Mercantile (http://www.beadmercantile.com/). I love Atlanta and hope to visit friends, the botanical gardens and that weird restaurant downtown that serves really good chili dogs (Varsity's?). Stop by and say hi if your in the neighborhood!

Hey there! It's been busy around here, spring cleaning and working on new projects. Thanks so much to everyone that left ideas on my last post, its very insightful! I will send out the prizes next week, so theres still time to enter an idea or confirm the goodness of someone elses.

I just picked up the new issue of selvedge magazine (an amazing fiber arts publication) and it got me all fired up to start sewing. Asheville has one of the best fabric stores in town, Wachters Silk on Charlotte street. I found the most gorgeous sueded silk in a lovely persimmon color, perfect for a top, or cut into a strip for a necklace. I wish I had my own personal seamstress that could translate my drawings into reality, doesn't everyone? Im off to work on my illo friday submission!

Hello folks! Just recovered from being sick all week, camped out on the couch watching the food network - I now have a serious craving for crab. Greg had a great time in Detroit doing the GLBG show and TJ had a fabulous time in Raleigh, NC showing GGS goods at the Bead Mercantile Show(a wonderful success, thanks to everybody who stopped by!).

So I was thinking, 'what do people wish we had that we don't?' I usually hear a lot of requests at the shows, but I don't do many shows anymore (that child cannot abide sitting still anywhere!). It occurred to me that most of my interaction is now through my laptop-which is kind of pitiful, because like most artists I need feedback and that is hard to come by as a stay at home mama. I would like to ask everyones two cents on what folks WANT (ideas on new products or projects you want directions for, etc.) and to make it worth your while........I have a bag of goodies (some new beads and a bezel with a handmade insert) I will send to the winner of a drawing from comments on this entry. So, leave a comment and you might WIN some cool stuff!

Hey there! We have been enjoying fine weather and excellent company. Andrew just went back to NY after a festive week of hiking and foraging for treasure in the amazing wilds of Asheville. We crafted like mad, working late into the night, formulating new ideas and making really good work. He finished the latest newsletter this morning , so check out the new project instructions (highly fun!). Greg left for the BABE show this evening and is probably still in the air, heading towards San Francisco. Its only a one day show, so catch it before it ends at 5! My folks pulled in early this morning, to have a short visit. We always have a great time running around town, cooking feasts and (not surprisingly) making stuff. I think I'd go crazy if I couldn't occupy these hands of mine- I always have a sketch book near, or half finished projects scattered around the house, waiting for completion. I could do without so much (tv, phone, stereo,laptop...) but take away my gear and your lookin' at one unhappy gal. Well, I got some drawing that needs done, take it easy!

The forest pic is shot off the Blur Ridge Parkway, the waterfall in Pisgah Forest about 40 miles from Asheville. The handsome cat sunning himself is Paddy, the big 30lb beast Andrew is holding is Frickademus, aka Frick (or as my mama says with her accent, 'Prick!').

Hi! This little nugget is made out of polymer with acrylic washes. The nest is needle felted wool. Its about an 1 1/4. Azalea loves to take the doll out and 'feed' it. We have been crafting all sorts of doo-dads since Andrew arrived. We had the best time foraging around a riverbed looking for interesting specimens to use in a resin project. The idea is reliquaries...little precious artifacts embedded in resin. The root babies for illo friday are destined to rest in a cozy droplet of resin. We might get frenchy and add pmc details for extra fantasticness. Its fun when Andrew visits-the energy is high, ideas flying fast and furious - basically, a good time.

This week's word for Illustration Friday is 'Hide'. I sculpted these mandrake babies from polymer and used twigs from their mother tree for hair. They are washed with acrylics. They are about an inch tall, nesting in my miniature succulent tree. Can you find them all?

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

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

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

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

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