New Magazine

Look at this lovely surprise! Two of our beads are on the cover of Handcrafted! I was just browsing around Barnes and Noble and there it was. The charming necklace was made by one of our most favorite people, Heather Wynn. I think she has a couple of projects in the issue. I liked the different format, gearing towards crafty folks more than just stringing designs. Its a very useful magazine!

wedding festivities

We spent this past weekend enjoying a multitude of festivities celebrating our good friends Carter and Aveesh's wedding. The fun started with the women getting henna tattoos applied in ornate designs on our hands. My hand is freshly painted in the pic- the muddy paint dries and then lemon and sugar is dabbed over it to help the design emerge. The mud flakes off and leaves an orangey color that darkens into a nice brown.


It was nice to spend time with Aveesh's mom (seated in green) and his sister Amrita (standing in aqua) and learn about the interesting rituals and customs of India. It was also a pleasure to see all the gorgeous jewelry the ladies were sporting!


That evening we attended the rehearsal dinner held in a beautiful (and enormous!) house on a mountain top in Black Moutain. The drive up to the house was harrowing, with hairpin turns and steep drop offs, but the views were spectacular! My camera phone just couldn't capture the beauty- the only decent pic I could get was my girl in her party dress.


Carter looked radiant in her gown and jewels, surrounded by the mountains and lush green of Hidden River. Her henna hasn't fully darkened on her hands, so its hard to see.

The bride and groom, preparing to say their vows, along the river and under the trees. I loved that his shoes were red Cydwoqs!

Azalea loves weddings- she's constantly dreaming up ways for her dolls to tie the knot. We joke that she'll probably grow up to be a wedding planner! See how attentive she is?

Greg took this picture of us posing in the gardens, I wish he noticed that my feet are cut off! I have bronze colored ballet flats on, in case you were wondering.

The next day, Carter's family threw a barbeque party at the same location and we enjoyed a Southern feast. Azalea and Kira (my girls new favorite person) skipped stones and blew lots of bubbles. We had a great time with the Chumtong family (proprietors of Saki Silver), since they stayed with us during all the fun. We always enjoy having guests and showing folks our town! Now that the weekend is over, it feels like we did enough to fill a week! I spent the day cleaning and relaxing (mostly relaxing...) and driving around town looking for Azalea's birthday present (she turns 5 this friday!). Maybe I'll have time to paint her 10 piece nesting doll! It's been on my things to do list for ages, but its so much work, I've never gotten around to it. Well, I better get started!

surprise!

Isn't this funny? I made a little fairy house out of polymer clay for my girl to find. She really liked it, but wondered where the stove was. She definitely has an eye for detail. I wonder where she gets it.

Here's a close up of the little house. It's hollow inside, with several windows for the fey to get in and out easily. It could use furniture, but I'm sure it will be comfortable, with a few adjustments.

So, today was the dreaded first day. My girl was eager to go and made friends instantly, while I hovered around the door, watching to see if everything was ok. The kindly Ms. Rebecah was very comforting, realizing it was mama that needed help leaving. Fortunately, I had a lot to do, an appointment with my midwife and cleaning up for out of town guests. I made it through the day, constantly asking Greg what he thought she might be doing, looking at the clock and keeping busy. It was hard. She came home, all smiles and full of new info (she learned about how butterflies eat nectar - with a long tongue!) and was happy to see us. I have to admit, the time I had during the day was really helpful, I was surprised how much I got done!


One of the things we did was prepare produce from the farmers market for freezing. I love summer! I like freezing fruits and veggies to use during the winter, its like capturing the essence of the season. I was very happy with everything, the berries were super sweet and the heirloom tomatoes tasted flavorful and delicious...they will go well in a gazpacho with the peppers! Greg and I have been nesting pretty hard, he tiled the kitchen backsplash (see pic with produce) and we've been cooking all manner of delicacies, like german chocolate cake with a caramel coconut and pecan frosting. He's juicing watermelon and grapefruits right now, lucky me!

Look at this cute tiny monchichi doll! We picked it up somewhere in Williamsburg, an area of Brooklyn. I loved these dolls as a kid and was unsurprised that my girl found them irresistable as well. I forgot my camera card, so I couldn't take pics of our trip, but since I'm never without my sketchbook or index cards we drew. Azalea is into drawing herself as an owl and labeling each card with her name.

One of the things I longed to do while in the city was go to a perfumerie called I Hate Perfume. Apparently, the proprietor really dislikes commercial scents and wishes to replace those fragrances with his own unique smells. I picked out Sticky Toffee Pudding, which smells like creme brulee, very creamy and sweet. I love any fragrance reminicent of vanilla beans or cream. The tiny credit card size compact is from Sephora, a steal for 15 bucks with colors that are flattering. Its my favorite combo of small, clever design and useful. I'm imagining a watercolor set with little drawers of gouche or sparkly pigments.

On the way home from NY, we stopped at the Roadside of America miniature villiage in PA. The sign says 'see more than you expect!' and I was all skeptical and ready to disagree, but was pleasantly surprised by the huge room filled with amazing miniatures. Azalea loved operating the various trains, trolleys and little animals by pushing buttons around the display. It was well worth the stop, just to see all the little buildings lit up, with tiny scenes inside, surrounded by lovely gardens.

Since we've been home I've been in nesting mode, cooking, cleaning and organizing. We made a huge breakfast this morning, chocolate gravy and biscuits, eggs and sausages, washed down by freshly squeezed juice. We needed the fuel for school shopping and headed over to Target, one of my favorite stores. I love the owl printed backpack ( I think a Le Sportsac homage) and the silky owl pj's. The blue fabric with white dots is a charming little dress I can't wait to see my girl in. We found almost everything for her first days at school and I'm determined not to freak out. I've heard loads of parents rejoicing the beginning of school, but I find myself dreading it. I know the school is good, she got into Art Space, a school designed to teach academics using the arts. Hopefully, I won't just stare at the clock, waiting for school to get out!

red pandas

A small army of Azalea's holding red panda's, my girls new favorite animal. I made these little kokeshi dolls for Daddy, Andrew and Sheila (and one for Girl Wonder, of course) at her insistence that they needed a pocket Azalea with them at all times. I do indulge her.


And a pocket red panda to ride with her everywhere! It's made from polymer and painted with acrylics, just like the kokeshi dolls.


Here's a new piece, a small link (just over an inch long) with no back yet. It's nice and thin and has a feeling like a pebble or a coin. Now I just have to decide what to carve on the back!

I really like repainting dolls! This was a Fashion Royalty Kyori (she was sporting black lipstick and heavy duty eyeliner) so I took off the old paint and gave her a more natural look. Painting dolls is a very relaxing and meditative thing for me...its basically the most fun part of doll making! I love carving heads, but love painting them even more!

So, I've been indulging my frivolous side and making things for fun (with the exception of the owl piece, but it was fun too). I took the advice of a smart person that said I should just force myself to finish something and it worked! Once the ball got rolling, it was hard to stop. I have some jewelry projects that have sat on the back burner that need to be addressed and we shall see if my current wave of productivity holds out! I've been throwing around the idea of making mini books, with lots of illustrations, maybe a fantasy botanical or animal guide. I haven't figured out the details of production, but I'm enjoying coming up with possible stories. It feels pretty good to be working on projects that are just for me! I know this phase is temporary!

My girl feeding two of the thousands of parakeets at the Atlanta Zoo. She loved doing this.


Andrew and Azalea posing in a huge bronze nest in the bird aviary.


Posing next to mama and baby gorilla statue.


Mama and baby posing with a giant ice cream cone at a gelato cafe.
It seems like we just got home from Atlanta (even though its been three days) and I'm just now returning to my daily rhythm. I'm beginning to feel the weight of baby two...tired, listless, heavy and hard to motivate. This is inconvenient, as I know I have tons to do before I give birth, then nothing gets done because I'll be busy staring at my freshborns face! So, in my haste, I've strung everything out, doll making tools, felting, sculpting, painting and more, my desk piled high with projects I'm hoping to finish. Oddly, not a lot is done. I have lots of almost finished pieces....now I'm wondering what's the best way to tackle the stuff without going crazy. I'm a list maker, so I've surrounded my area and loaded my sketchbook with countless lists of things to do. I took today to play designer and sketched in my book, attempting to relax my brain and find focus. This usually works for me, if I feel burnt out or unmotivated, but it is harder since I'm physically wore out. Maybe there's a special food or tea that will give me a burst of speed (since caffeine is out!).

Here's proof of the massive size of Frickademus! Note that the brown tabby resting next to the big blonde is Paddy and he's 15 lbs. Frick has lost a few pounds since his diet (no longer 30lbs. closer to 28 ), but he's still a nice armload of fluffy and emotional cat! I love him.

Its been one of those weeks where you think you know what your doing, but turns out you don't. For example, attempting to self medicate my long-lasting and still not gone ear infection by researching the internet and then carrying out said research. Intially, I went to my doctor, got drops and drugs and they worked for a day, then back to half deaf and in pain. I don't suggest ear candling when you have an ear infection, it burns like hell fire; also not fun is hydrogen peroxide poured into your head. I basically made myself worse. A lot in life can be compared to these moments, at least in my life. I tend to force myself to heal, push myself or others until the goal is achieved. This mostly works, but sometimes, it makes matters worse. Now I'm really behind schedule and as a list-making, workaholic type, this makes me crazy. I'm prepping for the Atlanta show this weekend and working on some new pieces, I'm hoping to finish everything before we leave. I guess I'm what you'd call an optimist.

This is my repaint of a 16" Gene doll, original paint removed and acrylics applied to the surface. I thought it looked a little like the girl from Tristan and Isolde. I'm pretty happy with it.


Here's a bunch of masters in various stages of completion, executed in polymer clay. I work for dolls and shoes. Lately, I'm obsessed with obtaining a certain doll and scan ebay like its critical to my survival. Its easy to work and scan ebay with an ear infection, my hands and eyeballs are fine.
So, my ear infection FINALLY left today! Yay! I've been muffled to the point of deafness for over 13 days. I am super relieved. There's nothing like being hindered in some way to really appreciate good health. It makes all the little annoyances of the day seem like the slightest of trivialities, like taxes, or insurance. Everything sounds so crisp and loud and close. I love it. I've been blasting Michael Jackson and Pandora (on Coldplay) all day, its good times, even though only Azalea likes it with me. Birthday Boy Greggy is not down with the all the pop and suffered greatly today, but was nice enough to indulge me (for awhile). Anyway, I'm happy, my hearing is back, I had cake today and I'm getting new dolls for all my sculpting extraganza!

morning

Photo Azalea took of Baby Cat from Sylvanian Families (or called Calico Critters) good sense of design, wouldn't you agree?


Pear and dark chocolate flourless cake with vanilla ice cream from Corner Kitchen Cafe, my new favorite restaurant.
I am not an early riser, never have been. This morning, I was up with the sun and marveled, as I always do, at how beautiful and quiet and strange the light is. I've been ill with an ear infection and an assortment of other unpleasantries, but sitting at the kitchen table with my book spread out and strawberry vanilla tea in the pot, I feel pretty content. I'm looking forward to operating at full capacity. This strange cloud muffling my head feels like I'm underwater.

I think I'll have a new appreciation for music, songbirds and my girls sweet voice. Maybe even my husband's robot music. Every morning I try to think of all the good things in my life that make me happy and thankful for while I'm getting ready. Sometimes my list gets lost amid chores and worries, but not today, I have alot to be pleased about. I think I'll list some of today's items (of course some things are always on the list):
1. My family, particularly Azalea.
2. The freshborn baby in my tummy (names we like lately are: Marcellus, Maximus and Googler -Azalea thought Googler Ogden had a nice ring to it)
3. My book looks damn good (I love Pam, the designer).
4. A new episode of True Blood comes on Sunday.
5. Mine and Azalea's doll collection (recent acquisitions: Sylvanian Families Brown Bunny Set and Mama Mole and daughter)
6. The Corner Kitchen Cafe
7. Birds- I love them, pretty much my favorite animal, except for Frick the 30 lb. cat.
8. My job, or our company. Its pretty cool.
9. My studio, even though its a mess, its a space for my own particular use.
10. Cake, which everyone should be thankful for, particularly chocolate.
What makes you happy?

orlando

Here's a look at the beautiful shore on St. Pete Beach, near Tampa. We spent the day looking for mermaids and admiring Dali paintings at the museum. Azalea spotted what could've been a mermaid, or seal, but no dolphins. Maybe next time.

Here's my girl at Lake Jessup, searching for snails after our feast of gator tail, clams, scallops and corn fritters.

Greggy staying out of the sun and watching for gators.

That baby loves the beach so much! If she had her druthers, we'd never leave and leave right on the shore. We are still in Florida and having a good time. Its hot, but its easy to escape the heat, by hanging out in the a.c. or shopping. I've had difficulty working here, it looks inviting outdoors, but is so hot it makes me feel weak and woozy, so I end up napping. Its also hard to get internet, so I feel out of touch and sort of like I time travelled. I'm ready for mountain temperatures and the quiet of my studio! At night, the sound of frogs, toads, crickets and night birds are loud enough to drown out most other sounds. Its nice, but hard to get used to. At home, its low, bamboo wind chimes and the rustling of tree branches. Do I sound homesick? Maybe a little. Its fun to be with the whole gang, but I miss my routine and little everyday rituals that make up my days.

So, we have one more day at the Orlando show before heading home, so stop by and check out the new pieces (which can be seen at Andrew's blog).