I’m Back Again

I’ve been gone for a while from this space. Instagram is so much more fluid and less cumbersome. The ability to reach people all over the world is phenomenal! That being said…when I came back to visit my little blog, it had basically disappeared due to some malware. I am starting over with a new format and thankfully my old posts reappeared. It is so interesting to see where I’ve been and see where I am now.

I will try to be more engaged in this space as I reacquaint myself with how WordPress works. Blessings to you all wherever you are! See you soon!

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Teach A Man To Fish

Many men go fishing all of their lives without knowing that it is not fish they are after.   Henry David Thoreau

Original Digital Collage using my photos from the island of Vieques in Puerto Rico and a vintage photo from my personal collection. The image was created using the Procreate App on my Ipad with added filters from my Distressed FX App.

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I’m Back!

IMG_0103Well…I could blame it on a lot of things…technical issues, family obligations, laziness. It could be a combination of all of those things, but I am going to make a more valiant effort to post regularly. I have however, been making lots of art. I am inspired every day by all different kinds of ideas and media. I’ve been painting more intuitively and trying to let images just flow out of my mind and brush.

This is a 4’x6′ acrylic painting that I did on wood panel. This is an image of it that I altered a little bit by adding a filter. I just LOVE color and texture! Painting this way is so freeing and fun that I think everyone should try it. You may not come up with anything that you would want to share with your friends, but it is so therapeutic and enriching to your technique that you won’t even care.

Get a canvas and some paints, put on some inspiring music and jump into the experience. I think you will be hooked!

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Bohemian Copper and Bead Bracelet Class

Come and join us as we create a bracelet that is sure to draw comments. You can humbly blush and confess that you made it yourself. No prior experience necessary. All tools and materials provided, however if you have some special beads of your own that you would like to include, please feel free to bring them.bracelet1

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The workshop includes all tools and materials, snacks and beverages, and a light healthy lunch.

Date: Thursday, May 5th

Time: 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

Price: $65

Class size limited to 6 due to personalized instruction.

Deadline to sign up is May 3rd. If you sign up before April 28th you will receive a $5 discount.  If there are more than 6 who are interested, I will schedule an additional class at a later date.

Go to Friends In The Making for the sign up form and more info.

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First Successful Class of the Spring

I had such an amazing time teaching my first class of the year! Three wonderful ladies, (alas, the fourth couldn’t come because of illness) put in some determination and elbow grease to create some beautiful necklaces.  We shared food, a little wine, and stories of life and encouragement as we worked together. As I envisioned for my classes…new friendships, as well as art were forged.

IMG_5027Yummy food!

 

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One student commented as she posted a picture of her creation on Facebook:

 “The end results of a wonderful CLASS at Local Maury County artist, Sherry Scheitel’s studio! I love it and may sleep in it! If you ever get the chance to attend one of her classes I strongly suggest that you do Thanks to Sherry for a wonderful and relaxing day!”

They all asked, “When is the next class!?” And one suggested that we should get together every month with a class.

Your wish is my command.:-) Next class coming soon…

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Digital Playground

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I have so much fun playing with digital collage! It is like a virtual playground where I can create what I imagine. When I see other artist’s digital collages, sometimes I am inspired to try to create something in the same style just so that I can learn new techniques and push myself. It also helps me to use those new skills to then develop work in my own voice…whatever that winds up being.

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Recently I have been very inspired by the work of Maggie Taylor. I have been listening to interviews and watching as she shows Photoshop explanations of how she creates her work. I can use Photoshop, but lately I have been hooked on using my Procreate App on my iPad to create layers and other apps to add texture. I can achieve a similar look…though not as detailed as hers. She uses over 200 layers sometimes. Whew! I don’t think I have that much patience!

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The evenings seem to be the time when I am inspired to work on these compositions while I “watch” TV. It’s SO much more fun to work on art that to be entertained!

 

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Published in Belle Armoire Jewelry Magazine…Again!!!

IMG_4796 I am tickled and blessed to announce that I have been published in Belle Armoire Jewelry Magazine for the second time! My article is entitled “Bohemian Dreaming” on page 56 of the March 2016 issue.

IMG_4797Many thanks to Natalie Way, the editor of Belle Armoire at Stampington for the wonderful opportunities that she has given me and for the beautiful publication in which I have had the honor of being included.

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Upcoming Classes- Friends In The Making

 

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Coming up next month I will be teaching a jewelry making class along with my talented friends Jim Poag MFA and Michelle Moraczewski AIA who will be teaching watercolors in a day long workshop. Come and try your hand at new skills or add to your knowledge and enjoy the experience.

Go to my teaching website: Friends In The Making for all of the details in sign-up info.

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An Opportunity Seized

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You may recall the post that I did last year with this beautiful old house that is a couple of miles from where I live. For almost 30 years I have driven past it and wanted to go in and see what it was like inside, but I didn’t want to trespass and I wasn’t sure what kind of critters may have taken up residence. Last weekend as I was driving past and noticed that there where three vehicles there so I quickly swerved to the side of the road and took the opportunity to check it out.

IMG_4535It turns out that it was the owner and a contractor discussing the possibility of restoring the house. There has been so much vandalism and weather damage that it will be a huge undertaking.

IMG_4547People have kicked in many of the doors and stolen mantles from the fireplaces. Such a shame. It is easy still to see the former charm of the house.

IMG_4548The woman was telling the story of how her aunt and uncle had lived there and her fond memories of the place.

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IMG_4550_2A flood from the creek across the road had buckled some of the floors into waves.

IMG_4552The fireplace in the kitchen was huge! She carefully climbed a couple of steps of the rotting back stairway and said that her uncle had had a workshop up there until he moved it to a shed in the back.

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IMG_4554The layers of old linoleum and wallpaper showed the changing styles of its history.

IMG_4555The back porch reminded her of when the chickens would try to roost on the rafters and her aunt would shoo them down with a broom and take them to the chicken house.

IMG_4556I will be anxiously watching to see if she decides that it is worth saving. For now I will save what is left with my photos.

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Embracing Winter

Looking back at my last two posts, I was struck by the contrast…the dreamy tropical seascapes vs. the home reality of winter. I have never cared too much for winter. I spent much of my time bundled up and avoiding it. Now that I’m older and my internal thermostat has risen a few degrees, the chilly weather is not so intolerable. Photography has also changed my perspective on the scenery. Bare branches against a winter sky are a much more interesting subject than a sea of green.

A recent snow storm gave opportunity for some inspiring scenes. With a few tweaks of digital alchemy, I’m enjoying the results of a drive through the countryside.

IMG_4279It is the life of the crystal, the architect of the flake, the fire of the frost, the soul of the sunbeam. This crisp winter air is full of it. ~John Burroughs

IMG_4281What a severe yet master artist old Winter is…. No longer the canvas and the pigments, but the marble and the chisel. ~John Burroughs

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IMG_2511Nature has many scenes to exhibit, and constantly draws a curtain over this part or that. She is constantly repainting the landscape and all surfaces, dressing up some scene for our entertainment. Lately we had a leafy wilderness; now bare twigs begin to prevail, and soon she will surprise us with a mantle of snow. Some green she thinks so good for our eyes that, like blue, she never banishes it entirely from our eyes, but has created evergreens. ~Henry David Thoreau, Nov. 8, 1858

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IMG_4308I prefer winter and Fall, when you feel the bone structure of the landscape — the loneliness of it, the dead feeling of winter. Something waits beneath it, the whole story doesn’t show. ~Andrew Wyeth

IMG_4311Every mile is two in winter.

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An Island In Time – Part 2

12313726_10207314188360440_5906753780045563905_nAmidst all of the beach exploring and snorkeling, I did find a little time to make some art while my grandbabies were napping. I brought a small moleskine and a few stamps and an inexpensive, small watercolor set. Also a small lump of plasticine clay to press into textured shells to make stamps out of.

IMG_3797It’s interesting what the beautiful sunshine and tropical colors and textures will bring out in your art. It made the colors flow. In a span of a couple of hours I completed 4 backgrounds and one finished page.

IMG_3882Some of the beaches were full of treasures to collect and also some to just collect their image and leave them behind for someone else to enjoy. I was tickled to find that broken pieces of coral become beautiful little hearts after they tumble around in the sea. A metaphor for our own lives when we let the tough times and stress shape us into something beautiful as well.

12375032_10207403920803695_2935795131906648535_oOne beach was a treasure trove of sea glass because it was near a pier and businesses and I imagine lots of careless parties on the shore. I ordered some diamond coated drill bits when I got home and transformed them into necklaces with pearls and leather.

10010773_10207379585595330_8869804387006555509_oIt took a bit of fiddling to figure out how to attach the coral hearts without drilling them, but I figured it out. These are combined with trade beads, frosted recycled glass beads, wooden and bone ones and leather at the back. Three of them have already been claimed. Maybe I will make one to keep for myself. You know what they say about the shoemaker’s kids…that kind of applies to jewelry artists too. Sometimes though, I do get attached to one that I can’t part with.

IMG_3715 I couldn’t resist leaving some cairns and rock structures to entertain future visitors to those beaches. Like leaving a little part of me behind. I know a part of my heart is left behind in this beautiful place also. Maybe someday I will have an art retreat there. You never know. 🙂IMG_3756

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An Island In Time – Part 1

IMG_3580I think I awoke at about 3:30 a.m. It’s a little fuzzy now. This trip began and ended in the dark hours of the morning. My entire immediate family converged on a tiny island called Vieques, Puerto Rico. My children and grandchildren were already there waiting for my husband and I. Leaving somewhat chilly December weather in Tennessee and traveling to the tropics, we traveled with anticipation and wonder that so much distance could be covered in one day.

The most exciting part was that we would get to spend a week in paradise with the people that we love the most. Our own little island in time.

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After leaving the mainland of Florida, the views were awe inspiring. I think that these are the Florida Keys, but it may have been a part of Cuba. We drove an hour to get to the airport, flew to Orlando, boarded another plane to San Juan, got a van ride for an hour and a half to a town called Fajardo and barely made it there in time to take the hour and a half ferry ride over to Vieques. When we got there we had another 20 minute cab ride to our destination. Whew!

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The ferry ride began in the light of afternoon, but as we traveled, the sun set over the main island. I couldn’t resist taking shot after shot as the sky grew more colorful. Riding on the very top of the ferry, we could enjoy the wind in our hair and the rocking of the boat as our eyes drank in the view. I had a very nice conversation with a woman and her husband who had just moved to the island six months ago. They had lots of good tips.

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There are SO many beaches to choose from on this island! My sons were determined that we would find the best of them. We drove through some very washed out roads with potholes that looked like small ponds, but did not get stuck or stranded once.  We were rewarded with almost deserted, amazing beaches with not a building in sight. IMG_3637

The beaches all had a different flavor. Some had sand as fine as powder. Some had course sand with lots of treasures to find. IMG_3638

Some were covered with seaweed and some were pristine.IMG_3640

Some had great snorkeling and some did not. IMG_2283

Coconuts grew everywhere!IMG_3737

The town of Isabel II had its own charm. You could tell that once it had been quite a prosperous city, but when the Navy vacated the island several years ago, the economy was greatly affected. IMG_3739

There were some very charming houses that had obviously been abandoned for years.IMG_3740

I really loved this rocky beach! There were lots of coral hearts and interesting bits to find.IMG_3754

The rain moved in quickly and we had to skedaddle. I would have loved to stay longer here. So many beaches…so little time on this trip. IMG_3758

The drama of the stormy sky was very inspiring. The islanders were very thankful for the rain since they just made it through an extremely dry summer.

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The bay near our house was always most photogenic in the evenings at sunset. We always walked there for dinner at one of the restaurants on the Malecon (boardwalk) across the street. They were all open air with a view of the bay.IMG_2310

There were several sailboats anchored there in the bay that one of my sons was paying very close attention to. He is longing for the day when he can buy one of his own.

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The end of the trip began in the dark as well. I think we did pretty well in getting 7 people including two babies to the ferry on time. As we cruised away on the ferry, the morning star was visible as color returned to the sky over the island of Vieques.IMG_2351

More to come…

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Published Again!

IMG_3532I am excited and blessed to announce that one of my necklaces has been included in the December issue of Belle Armoire Jewelry. It is in the Boutique section on page 114 with the instructions on page 123.

IMG_3561I am humbled and honored to be on the pages of a magazine that I have admired and loved since it first came out. Many thanks to Stampington and to Natalie Way, the managing editor for her help in making this possible.

I’ll let you in on a little news too…I have a piece that will be in the March issue also. Stay tuned for updates and check out your newsstand at the beginning of December or go to their website for your very own issue full of yummy creations from many other artists.

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Toddler Lessons For The Imagination

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My blog may have been a bit silent for a few weeks. We have had a temporary situation of having our daughter-in-love and grandson staying with us so that we can look after them while she is dealing with the first trimester of pregnancy and major nausea. Dealing with that and taking care of an energetic two year old was a bit too much for her so they are staying with Dodi and Pa while dad works. Needless to say, our life looks a little different with them here.

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Even though at first I was a bit stressed because my studio time was cut to almost non-existence, I’ve been embracing the wonder of seeing the world through his eyes. What an imagination he has! What curiosity!

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His sharp eyes see every little detail that I may have missed as I briskly walk through my day with my mind on everything that I need to do. Tiny mushrooms become mouse umbrellas and acorn caps and a leaf set the table for a chipmunk’s breakfast.

IMG_2154Hopefully I am teaching him as much about wonder and creativity as he is teaching me. I hope he always sees me as the fun one who is willing to join in and experience his world. How blessed I am to have him and our granddaughter and a new little one on the way. My cup runneth over. 🙂

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Off Of Cloud Nine And Back To Work

After floating around in the clouds for a while after I received my copy of Artful Blogging, I figured it was time to get back to work, so I decided to take a little trip to the Nashville Flea Market for some inspiration and supplies.

IMG_3297Well…it was kind of a work/play day.

IMG_3303These cool bars made out of vintage truck grills were created by the guys at Rusty Rats Antiques & Vintage in East Nashville where you can find some of my jewelry creations made from vintage hardware and other up-cycled finds. IMG_3304

IMG_3295You name it, you can find it there!

IMG_3305I scored big on some beads! Mostly, I was interested in finding the vintage, pressed glass African trade beads and also some earthy stone beads that you can’t find locally. There is a bead supplier from Alabama that I always find a lot of interesting treasures in their booth. I had to search to find a few vendors with the more interesting trade beads though.

IMG_3302Then back in my studio, I started experimenting with some new methods of sand casting. I brought home some beautiful, white sand from our recent trip to the Gulf coast. Mixing it with a couple of other ingredients provided a pretty good medium to cast in. I tried some of my own designs and also cast some seashells I had collected from previous trips.

IMG_3289Combined with the trade beads and other wooden and glass beads, I was aiming for an earthy, Bohemian look for the completed pieces.

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IMG_3277       I’m very pleased with the way they turned out and excited to find new ways to cast focal pieces that are one of a kind.

IMG_3291These pieces will be available locally, but if you are interested, please leave a comment and I can create a custom Etsy listing for you in my shop.

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Autumn Glimpses

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The garden gave up a few morsels before frost. It’s sad to think it is done, but nice to have a break from figuring out what to do with never ending squash. I found the mushrooms growing by a straw bale. I didn’t know what they were so I got out my trusty mushroom field guide and tried to find them. Making a spore print is a crucial part of the identification. They had white spores, but I couldn’t figure out what they were, so I threw them out. They were very photogenic though. 🙂

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The sunrise is an never ending source of inspiration to me. Now that the sun is coming up later, I get to experience it more.

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They early morning mists draped all of the spider webs with strings of pearls. It seemed as if every tree and blade of grass was decorated. It’s kind of scary though to think of how many spiders there are out there making all of those webs.

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I couldn’t resist a little photo manipulation with the webs and some tree photos superimposed on each other. It reminds me of strings of party lights on an autumn evening.

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My early morning walk turned into a collecting stroll. There is always something to pick up and admire if you only have eyes to see.

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Tassels, Tassels Everywhere

IMG_1973I don’t know about you, but I always loved the fringy leather jackets of the 60’s and 70’s, so in honor of fall and the Bohemian spirit within me, I have been creating a series of tassel necklaces.

IMG_2868The case of the fringes are brass bullet shell cases. Don’t ask me the caliber. I don’t know about all of that stuff. My son does a lot of target practicing and I round up all of the brass that he doesn’t want and make things out of it.

IMG_1977I’ve also been making lots of crochet necklace/wrap bracelets with beads and pearls to layer with them.

IMG_2912These are available locally, but if you don’t live nearby, I can create a custom Etsy listing for you. If these happen to be sold, I can make more and even customize them with your own personal color scheme.

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Published In Artful Blogging!

IMG_3271It’s finally here! I’ve known it was coming for several months, but until it was in my hands it was hard to imagine. Yours truly has a 3-page spread in Artful Blogging Magazine! They sent me a pre-newstand copy. The magazine will be available in major bookstores in November.

IMG_3267Many thanks to Stampington & Company, Somerset Studio and especially Danielle Mohler, the Managing Editor of Artful Blogging for this wonderful opportunity! I am so honored to be included with the beautiful, inspiring blogs that are featured.

IMG_3272It is so cool to see my photos of our humble country roads and barns and my other digital collages included in a magazine that I’ve drooled over for so many years.

IMG_3268If you want to venture out and pick up a copy at a bookstore like Barnes & Noble or order one or subscribe on their website, I promise you won’t be disappointed. The photos are all delicious and inspiration flows from the pages.

IMG_3269If you are someone who has your own blog, I encourage you to submit it to Artful Blogging or submit artwork to any of Stampington’s other beautiful magazines. You may get a surprise email telling you that you also be included. You never know….

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The Mom Journal-Places To Go and Things To Do

 IMG_1957Someone is bored…as anyone would be in the situation. We had to plan an outing. With the help of our county transportation service, I was able to arrange a small trip to the local mall where we shopped and ate lunch at the Chinese restaurant. I think it was a great success, as you can see from the smile on her face. She pronounced it a good outing. I hope to do more of these as she is still able to enjoy them.

We had a small peek outside of the enchanted forest.

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Music Grows Here

 

FullSizeRender(2) Living in close proximity to Nashville has its benefits, like having musicians everywhere you turn. So many people move here from all parts of the world to try to make it big in Nashville. The local people also are steeped in musical heritage from the day they are born.

Our little town seems to have become a magnet to musicians and producers who want to be near the action in Nashville, but live in a beautiful, peaceful town. Many musical venues are starting to pop up all over and opportunities for hearing great talents without having to drive to to the big city are abundant.

The most logical next step is to have our own music festival. Announcing the Muletown Music Fest! October 2 & 3 in beautiful, downtown Columbia, TN. Click on the link for all of the details. There are free venues all over downtown as well as 3 ticketed venues. There will be a variety of musical styles to choose from as well as activities for the kids, making this a great family event.

I will have some new additions to my offerings at Wall Candy Custom Framing & Gallery to celebrate the event. There are new mixed-media paintings and jewelry with a musical theme.

Wall Candy will be having its own musical talent there on Saturday. From 12:00-3:00 we will have the lovely and talented Callie Hopper and at 4:00 we will have Sarina Joi-Crowe, a top 12 contestant from American Idol at 4! And guess what? It’s free!

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IMG_2009Come and hang out with us and enjoy this event that we hope becomes a yearly tradition!

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Morning Walk Inspiration

IMG_1987For the past week or so we have had gorgeous weather here in Middle Tennessee. Low humidity and cooler temps have made it feel like fall. I decided to take a little walk down our road instead of my usual workout routine in the house. My fast walk soon turned into stopping and gathering the interesting little presents that the nature around me had left in my path.

IMG_1990Poke berries are such a beautiful shade of dark purple, contrasted against the bright magenta stems and green leaves. The immature berries are a cool chartreuse. IMG_1991When crushed, the berries yield the most deep, magenta pigment. I couldn’t resist mashing them and adding a few drops of water to extend it to make some paint.IMG_1993I had a jar full of black walnut hulls that I had been soaking since last fall in my pantry so I combined the two to make this pattern in my journal. It will become the background for some future creation, either collage or a photo background.

IMG_1989If you are feeling uninspired, just find a nice park or country road, or even your own backyard and see what treasures you can find to spark that flow of ideas. See where it takes you!

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Message In A Bottle

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I saw a cool video in which a guy used Photoshop to put a scene inside of a bottle that was floating in water. I know how to use Photoshop, though not as skillfully as that guy. I decided that I would try it with my Ipad apps.

I searched for an appropriate photo of a bottle in water. Here is one that I found in a random search.

IMG_1824Then I searched for a scene that would go inside. I thought a lighthouse would be apropos. Sorry, I don’t remember the site where I found it. Then I merged the two using my Procreate app, layering one on top of the other, erasing the parts I didn’t want, and painting in details. Not quite as slick as his, but I thought it turned out pretty well.

IMG_1826No picture of mine escapes having filters and textures added. I tried several iterations using my DistressedFX app. These are a couple of the 10 or so that I saved.

IMG_1829This kind of reminds me of a storybook illustration. Hmmm…if I fancied myself a writer I might try to come up with a story. A tiny world captured in a bottle…

 

 

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More Of The Mom Journal-The Enchanted Forest

IMG_1781My Mom is progressing further into Alzheimer’s disease. I have another post on the digital collages that I am creating to document and emotionally process this journey.

She had to move a couple of months ago to a nursing home from the assisted living where she was. She was just not strong enough to help people get her up and down and they were not equipped to handle her without the possibility of someone getting hurt…especially her. We have some very caring sitters who stay with her in the daytime. They are amazing people who treat my Mom as if she were their own family.

She seems very happy where she is. One day my sister and I mentioned nursing home and Mom asked, “Is that what they call this place?” Then she said, “I guess I’ll just sit here and eat my blueberries.” She is very happy if you bring her some fresh fruit or some other treat and loves to see pictures of her great grandbabies. She has developed friendships with several of the patients there and especially her roommate, whom she has known for years, who is going to turn 100 years old this fall. This lady is still pretty sharp and is always doing word puzzles when I see her in the room.

There are still a few small battles to fight to make sure that the staff is attentive and prompt to take care of her needs, but they are apologetic and seem to try their best to accommodate our requests. Having a sitter there to advocate for her makes a difference. I don’t know what people do who don’t have family or friends checking on them when they are in a facility like that or a hospital.

A couple of times she has asked me if I have children or who I am married to, or where I live. Other times she remembers. She will call me at random times and say, “Your number just popped into my head.” Even if it is at 5:30 in the morning, I am thankful that she still remembers who I am and where to find me.

Here is a video of the digital collage process.

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Van Gogh Would Be Envious

IMG_1716Driving down our road is beautiful any time of the year. It is a source of many photos and much inspiration. This spring my husband and I were driving by our neighbor’s property and noticed that they had planted a whole field of something. Hmmmm….is it soybeans…what is it. After the plants got about a foot tall, we realized that they were sunflowers. A whole five acres or so of sunflowers! Anticipation of their blooming grew each time we drove by. Finally the day arrived! It was disappointing to find that they all had their pretty heads facing away from the road. In order to see them from the front, you have to get out of your car and walk into the field. Which is exactly what I did.

IMG_1784This is going to be a wildlife feast when they all ripen!

IMG_1785Such a beautiful sight! I’m almost afraid to share it with the world. We wouldn’t want a traffic jam on our little road. 🙂

IMG_1786Okay…I’ll share it with you special people.

IMG_1798Just in case you don’t live nearby. Here is a little view of my world.

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Art Journaling On The Move

My cousin messaged me the other day and said that she was going to visit her sister and they wanted to do some art journaling together. She wanted a list of materials that she should bring to work with. I was making a mental list and then I decided that this would make a great blog post…especially since it is summer and vacation season.

She will be traveling by car, rather than flying so the possibilities are greater for carrying a variety of materials. You can make it as simple or elaborate as you want. The materials can be inexpensive or you can spring for the fancy, latest, trendy art supplies. Here is a list of some of the basics:

Art journal supplies

  • A journal with pages thick enough to handle water media. It can be large or small.
  • A set of watercolors-they are easy to pack and much simpler than lots of bottles of acrylic paints.
  • Optional-a tube or bottle of white acrylic paint to add highlighted areas or cover mistakes.
  • Colored pencils-I like watercolor pencils because they can do double duty.
  • Pencil sharpener
  • Optional-oil pastels
  • Graphite pencil
  • Colorful markers and gel pens
  • A sharpie
  • Calligraphy pen
  • Black Bic pen-they are great for writing over different media without getting clogged
  • Fine point white paint pen
  • Adhesives-glue sticks are non-messy or you can water down white glue to glue larger pieces. Make sure it is dry before closing the journal so your pages don’t stick together.
  • Letter stamps and favorite image stamps
  • Stencils and a cosmetic sponge to apply paint sparingly over the stencil
  • Things to make textures like bubble wrap.
  • Magazines with colorful images like faces and patterns to cut up and collage. If I am away from home, sometimes I like to gather materials locally like the brochures for local attractions, ticket stubs, tags, newspaper clippings.
  • Some of your own photos that you would like to include.

IMG_2469All of this should fit nicely into a medium sized bag so it will be super portable.

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Now if you are really limited on space you can make a miniature kit to travel with. This is great for when you are flying. When I am traveling out of the country, this is actually what I take.

  • A small moleskine journal
  • A tiny watercolor set
  • A film canister for water
  • A small mechanical pencil-extra leads inside
  • A glue stick
  • Folding scissors
  • A Bic pen or other fine point black pen

IMG_2471This fits easily in a carry on bag or in a purse. (Even my tiny purse.) This one is good to carry with you anywhere just in case you are stuck waiting somewhere or if inspiration strikes you to record a memorable experience.

I hope this helps! Leave me a comment and tell me what your favorite travel art journaling supplies are.

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Playing With My Food

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My garden has not only been a source of sustenance lately, but also a source of inspiration. An abundance of squash and cucumbers and turnips has had me thinking of ways to capture the harvest in more ways than just canning, pickling, and freezing. The patty pan squash have provided a lot of entertainment. They hide under the leaves and become gargantuan. Too big to eat, I have had to find other uses.

IMG_1690They have become movie stars.

Click on this little link below for dancing squash.

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Bohemian models.

IMG_1634Patriotic Patty Pans

IMG_2148Serving dishes.

IMG_1704And lots of fun to share with my friends.

“He who shares the joy in what he’s grown spreads joy abroad and doubles his own“.

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Combining Media Digitally

IMG_1136Someone asked me a couple of days ago where I get my ideas. I said that sometimes they just happen organically. I don’t always set out with a concrete idea of what I want a piece to look like. I just start with some elements and play around with them and at some point, after a few happy accidents, I decide that I like the way it looks.

IMG_1370I was playing around with dyeing some fabric and paper with natural dyes like beet juice and wine. It looked….okay. I wasn’t thrilled. I decided to stamp some shapes on it with my handmade stamps and ink. I’m liking it a little better. I photographed it and then started playing with it digitally in some Ipad apps like DistressedFX.

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I liked this look! Then I used a photo of a tree and it’s reflectinon as a custom texture on top of the fabric and paper. I’m liking it even better. I saved it and reopened it and added birds. Kind of dreamy.

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I had this vintage photo that I got from my family photos. I don’t know who this couple is, but they look so sweet together. I opened it in DistressedFX also and added a texture and then again and added the tree and birds.

Then I layered it on top of the fabric/paper photo in my Procreate App, that allows me to open a layer over a background and control the opacity and hue and size.

 

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It feels done! I saved it as it is and then I decided to try another photo on the top of it next. I love the result of the next one, but I like the one with the people better. It feels like it has a story. Maybe someday I will find out who they are.

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Stormy Weather 

Sometimes in Middle Tennessee we have bands of severe thunderstorms that travel through with high winds and hail. We have had the milder edge of the storms this evening, but the more severe weather seems to be north of us where our kids live. I try not to fret. 

 The weather has knocked out our TV signal but the internet still works. Woohoo! I occupy my self by editing and altering the photos I took earlier of the stormy skies. 

When I was a kid, my grandmother was deathly afraid of storms and if we were staying at her house during one, she would put quilts over the windows and make us stay in the front company bedroom under the covers. One time I remember all of us having to go into the root cellar to wait out an especially bad storm. I can still recall the earthy smell…like potatoes. 

For some reason, that fear didn’t rub off on me. I prefer to stand out on my deck and watch the lightening  and take pictures.  
   
  

 

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True Story

Living in the south is interesting.


I was shopping in Aldi one day with my cart filled full of mostly veggies and this tall and somewhat round guy in overalls stopped me and said, “Well honey you ain’t no bigger than a minute! That ain’t gonna fatten you up. How ’bout you and me take this here watermelon outside and break it open on a rock and eat the middle out!”

I guess that was his creative pick up line. I just laughed and politely declined.

I wonder if anyone has ever taken him up on that invitation.

Feels like summer is a bit early today. The high is about 95 degrees. I’m thankful for air conditioning and ice cold watermelon.

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Ahhhhhhh…Studio Time

I love it when I get some uninterrupted time in my studio! So…today, after I made breakfast, picked the garden, mowed the yard and ate lunch, I got to escape to my creative space and get to work.

I had an order for 5 pairs of earrings of different colors so that was first on the list. They are all torch fired enamel in various shapes and colors and textures.

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Then I popped outside to water my flowers on the patio which were looking a little wilted, and then got back to work. My dress form mannequin had been needing a makeover for a long time and I had an idea for it when I was driving down the road yesterday. I took off the old fabric cover and covered it with vintage dress pattern tissue.

While waiting for her to dry, I was sorting through some of the polymer clay beads that I made recently, I noticed a good combination with a ceramic clay pendant that I had made a while back using one of my hand carved stamps. A good starting point for a new necklace.
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IMG_1621.JPGHere is my newly refreshed mannequin enjoying the flowers on the patio while modeling my newest creation.

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Light Buggies

A couple of weeks ago we celebrated my grandson’s second birthday. He got to stay up way past his bedtime which is usually just before dark. It was the first time that he had seen fireflies! He would squeal and run all around the yard and yell, “Light buggie!” I ran around with him and tried to catch them with no success. It was so fun to experience that with him. I created this digital collage to record that event.


I was sitting on my patio doing some watercolors and decided to do a stylized version of our trees around the house. When I was doing the background, I decided to make it a night sky and add fireflies. That sparked the idea to add him with his net. I searched my photos and found one with a pose that would work. I layered it using my Procreate app on my iPad and drew a net in his hand. 


I’m going to print one for his room and maybe a journal page for him. I’m not really into the scrapbooking thing, but the idea of making a sort of art journal for my grandchildren is appealing. I am collecting things but haven’t really combined them yet. It will happen. 🙂

I’ve got to record this amazing journey!

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New Art Journaling Class

1I’ve scheduled a new Art Journaling class for Monday, June 22 from 1:00-5:00 p.m. at Wall Candy Custom Framing and Gallery in Columbia, TN. All materials will be included in the price except the journal. Bring your own, or purchase one from me for $5 extra. The price will be $25 per person. ($5 discount for extra family members) Please RSVP to me or to Wall Candy within 4 days of the class so I know how many supplies to bring. You may pay the day of the class or prepay using Paypal. Email me and I will send you the Paypal info.
For teenagers and adults.
Please share the link if you know people who might be interested. Class size is limited to 8 but I will make another class if there is enough interest.
Great for homeschoolers to encourage creative writing skills. Even if you are not interested in journaling, the techniques will be of anyone who is interested in mixed media collage.

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Polymer Play

I have long been frustrated with the bead selection locally. It is hard to find the kind of earthy looking beads that I like anywhere within an hours drive. For inspiration, I looked to the clay beads of my friend Vladthebat and the work of an artist known as Raggedrobyn whose work I have admired for some time. They make very organic creations with earthen clay.  Even though I have the kiln and clay, lacking the patience for that process today, I turned to polymer clay to try to capture that feeling. Here are the pieces I came up with.

 I textured the sides of the beads by rolling them over some rubber stamps that I had carved. Then I painted them with acrylics and added guilder’s wax for some sheen.

I strung them on black waxed linen cords and added a ceramic button that I made a while back for the closure. I discovered that my macrame needs a little work. 🙂 It does give it a more rustic look though. Also, there is the texture of my fingerprints. I was once in a Yahoo charm exchange group and the leader of the group would have a hissy fit (southern term for getting really irate) and reject charms if they were polymer clay and you could see fingerprints on them. I have always loved to see fingerprints because it is a part of the artist. Kind of like a signature.

    27″ long   All elements handmade by little old me.

 

 

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A Little Helper

Lately I have been experimenting more in digital collage. I recently was inspired by the work of Sloan Bibb, who is a mixed media collage artist who lives about an hour from me. He constructs huge works that include vintage photos, rusty metal bits, and all kinds of random objects. He mixes humor and the unexpected into his art. I thought I might try some of the same ideas in my digital art.

This is the first of the bunch. I’m calling it “A Little Helper.”

Each element is a separate photo which I have applied filters and effects to. The background is a shot that I took while driving to visit my kids near where they live. I opened it in the DistressedFX app and added textures and effects.

Next, I had found this cute little girl in a 1961 Life Magazine. I just love her little white gloves! I mounted her to a piece of mat board and cut her out carefully. Then I painted an egg for her to hold. Looking for a backdrop to photograph her on, I found this old cigar box lid. After photographing her, I added the effects.

Then I took one of my nests that I saved last spring and placed it on top of a vintage white glove and put them on top of a rusted old oil heater. Effects where applied to those too.

Then I combined them in the Procreate App on my Ipad and erased any parts I didn’t want to show up. I found a vintage illustration of a bird and layered it on top and erased the background. In Procreate, you can adjust the color balance so I tried to make the tone of each element coherent. I also opened it in an app called ScratchCam and added an effect to the whole composition to unify it. I may add some text to the mix when I figure out what I want it to say. The fun thing is that I can save the original and experiment with the copies to my heart’s desire.

  
More to come…

 

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Enchanted Forest

For several years now, my Mom has been progressing through the stages of Alzheimers. Lately she has gotten more confused and has had to be moved from an assisted living facility to a nursing home. She has extra sitters throughout the day, but for about a week we were dealing with red tape so she was by herself for a while. We visited frequently and she seemed happy there, but there was much confusion about where she was. We would answer the same questions over and over again. “Where am I now?”

I was thinking about how frustrating it would be to know and then forget the same simple fact of where you are over and over again. It reminded me of wandering in a forest and realizing that you are totally lost. You may find the path, but loose it again.

I process things through my art and so I began making some mixed media digital collages using some of my nature photos, painted backgrounds, and pictures of Mom when she was young. I am trying to tell the story of a young girl lost in an enchanted forest. She finds places to rest and friends to help her along the way.  The journey is just beginning and time will tell where it leads.  

The beginning of the journey.

  A place to rest.

  A friend to help along the way. 

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From The Kitchen

 Nothing is safe from my camera these days.

 These pears are in front of a painting that I did for my art class when I was 17.

  The catch of the day.

 My tasty pineapple before I cut it up.

 

 The sun shining in on my hubby’s breakfast fruit.

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Country Roads

 As I drive down the road from my house…

  I start to see the old familiar sights…

  With new eyes. 

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Dreaming Of The Sea

I managed to sneak in a few hours at my workbench today. I had already painted these handmade clay elements, which inspired me to go with an ocean theme today. There is a starfish and a print of a piece of coral for texture. I had some yummy trade beads and turquoise and iridescent stone beads which blended nicely and gave that earthy feeling that I love.  

 

I had mister crab lying around for a while, so I decided to go with the same color scheme and feeling .   He is hollow and soldered onto a copper base, so he is much lighter than he looks. All of these creations are one of a kind.

 

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Going Photo App Crazy!

I’ve loved taking IPhoto’s for a long time, but recently I found an app that I adore! The DistressedFX app for IPhone is so fun! I am addicted. When I drive to town or walk around my house or yard I am constantly looking for interesting shots that will work well on the app. I can almost envision what they will look like.

Here are some of the shots I have been taking lately.
 

      

For more photos, follow me on Instagram at @stillwatersstudio.

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Art Journal Workshop

 

Please join us as we construct art journals from “scratch”…as we say in the south. We will be assembling and binding journals out of watercolor paper. We will then paint the pages and explore different techniques for adding embellishments, found objects, and memorabilia. We will learn to add decorative lettering by hand and with stamps and by collage. When you leave the class, you will have a journal at least one completed page and with many of the pages with the base design ready to add your own unique thoughts and images, depending on how quickly you work.

Provided materials will include:

  • Watercolor paper
  • Paints
  • Markers
  • Stamps
  • Brushes
  • Scissors
  • Glue
  • Decorative papers
  • Binding twine and needles

Students should bring:

  • Black fine point pen (permanent)
  • Magazines with colorful patterns and images and faces
  • Favorite quotes, scriptures, or poems
  • An inexpensive watercolor set such as Prang or Crayola. (these have good pigments)
  • Any stamps, paint pens, decorative papers or memorabilia or ephemera that you may have that you might like to incorporate into your journal.

The cost for the class is $45 payable on the day of the class. Please email me at: stillwatersart@gmail.com and let me know by March 20th if you would like to participate. Class size limit is 8. If there is more interest, I will schedule another class at a later date.

The location is Wall Candy Custom Framing and Gallery in Columbia, TN.  Click the link for address details.

I’m looking forward to seeing you all there!

 

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Clay, Wire, and Beads

I finally got around to firing a whole batch of clay pendants and beads. Figuring out how to fire that kiln was a dilemma that had me puzzled for a long time. On my first attempt, I shot the breaker and shut down all of the plugs in my studio. It didn’t make it through an entire cycle so the pieces were too brittle. Then I moved it to the garage where there is sturdier wiring and SUCCESS! Phew!

Here are some of the necklaces that I have made with them. There are a few more already at Wall Candy Gallery in Columbia.

Also I made some tiny dangles to use for earrings.

I love the grungy look of the trade beads! Here are also some bracelets that I made using the trade beads that kind of match the necklaces and earrings. I can make these in many different color combinations if you are interested. Just send me a message. 🙂

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Orphaned Earring Finds New Home

 

 

A friend of mine gave me this cool, dangly earring. I just had to find a use for it. I embedded it into molten pewter along with a piece of hammered brass wire. Then I stamped a design into the pewter and combined it with some funky wooden beads and a chain made of hand hammered metal links with brass beads. Neutral colors will allow this necklace to go with any outfit.

Then I got hammer happy on my anvil and made a bevy of bangles with all sorts of fun beads. You could wear them alone or combine them with other bracelets for that gypsy look. The old hippie in me likes that idea. 🙂

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Courage

Well, this necklace is a little bold, but sometimes you just have to make a statement. A piece of re-purposed tin with an image of a cowboy and the Alamo are the central elements. It is cold connected with brass rivets to a piece of hand cut and hammered copper with the word “courage” stamped onto brass and riveted on top. The dangles are made of 22 cal. bullet shells. The back of the necklace is leather for a comfortable fit on your neck and it is long enough to slip over your head without a clasp. It also includes stone, wooden, and glass beads.

Yeee haaaa!

Don’t you need this for your rodeo attire?

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Yummy Beady Colorful Fun

I don’t know what it is about these beads…they are sooo yummy I could eat them. I am enamored by powder glass beads. I recently found a vendor at the Nashville Flea Market who had a large stash of them. He was showing me the little mold that they make them in and the tools used to take them out. Fascinating! Here is a Wikipedia link about the types and processes involved in making them. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Powder_glass_beads

The colors inspired me to make some torch fired enamel dangles for this necklace to match the red. Also included are some glass, stone, and ornate copper beads.

Then I got on an earring kick. More torch fired enamel, 22 cal. shells, turquoise, trade beads, funky colored faceted crystals, copper beads, some kind of iridescent drusy round stone beads…all kinds of tasty treats to go around.

 

Each one is a little bit different. Why blend in with the crowd? Wear a piece of art!

 

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Earthy

It’s the time of year to start to dream about digging in the earth and planting seeds. A couple of days ago, we were in the mid 30’s and alternating between a blizzard and sunshine. In about three days, the prognosticators are saying that it will be 75 degrees. While I still have some time when it is not quite gardening weather, it is the perfect time to spend in my studio.

The necklace above features a hand cut and hammered central piece with a deer antler toggle. The beads are vintage trade beads, semi-precious stones, metal, and clay beads that I picked up at the Nashville Flea Market last week.

The central stone in this necklace is a large jasper “button” that I picked up in Taos a few years ago and a yummy fibers store. I kept trying it out in different applications and never was satisfied with it until now. It is combined with a hand hammered copper spiral and a wooden element, which was given to me by my friend Steph.

The clay pendant in the necklace below was also given to me by Steph. Check out her blog Vladthebatsattic. I combined it with some river driftwood, trade beads, wooden beads, macrame’ and a vintage celluloid button closure.

 

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Delicious Patina

This patina on brass inspired me to use some of my favorite colors combined to make this necklace. There are yummy trade beads, and torch fired enamel dangles, with a chain of glass beads and a vintage button and loop closure.

I also finally got around to making some earrings. These are the melded metal and the stamping that I learned in the Richard Salley workshop.

The ones below would be a perfect match with the necklace above…if you are into matching. 🙂

 

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A Circle With A Hole

Circle inspirations, joined hand in hand…a lovely aqua ceramic disc from Vladthebatsattic, a beach stone from the Florida coast, a cast pewter element, a lampworked bead, and a coin carry the theme.

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Having Some Fun Now

I had a bright and yummy surprise on a gray, wintry day. Goodies from Steph in Belgium! Merci beaucoup my friend! There are some goodies headed your way too!

I’ve really been having a lot of fun in the studio with my metal melding! It’s good to have the inspiration and the time to spend in the studio coincide. A couple of these have already sold, but the rest will be either at Wall Candy Gallery in Columbia, or Cliques Hair Salon. Our First Thursday Artisans Party is coming up next week!

I keep test driving the one above. I’m going to have a hard time parting with this one. I don’t keep many for myself, but I do have my favorites. Each one is unique and I rarely repeat one exactly.

I hope you can all come out and join the fun next Thursday at Wall Candy!

 

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Handwriting On The Wall

Dog Daisy Chains

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Two Feathers

 

I am excited to tell you about a new shop where my jewelry can be found. Two young friends of mine have created a beautiful little shop called Two Feathers in The Shoppes On Fatherland, a new shopping village in East Nashville. It is full of a plethora of vintage and new treasures. The scene is constantly changing and drawing you to look closer.

If you haven’t been to East Nashville in a while you are in for a treat! There are some really cool shops and restaurants.

The entrance.

There was still a little bit of the snow from the night before, hiding in the shaded areas.

The sidewalk leads to a cozy row of shops.

 

They say that everything in the store is for sale…you just may have to fight them for it. 🙂

We had a late lunch at a restaurant called The Pharmacy. The falafel burger is fantastic…especially with the sweet potato fries on the side!

Headed home into the sunset, with the bat tower in the background, I felt as if I had been on a mini vacation to a sweet little shopping destination.

 

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Jingle Jangle Dangles

This is jewelry with motion and sound…just a little gentle tinkling as you move. More metal melding is combined with forged wire and elements fused into the pewter. The dangles are torch fired enamel.

A Brazilian Real

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From The Workbench

I have a wonderful client who has been having me rescue some of her old jewelry and also to take some beads and other elements and combine them into something wearable. She found these beautiful African trade beads and chunks of turquoise and asked me to make them into a necklace. Here is the result, photographed on a photo that she did of a sunrise.

Then, my very creative friend Steph sent me a package of goodies. I took a picture of the things that she sent, but for some reason I can’t find it. I can show you what I did with some of the clay beads that she sent. The aqua colored donut shaped focals and the clay button clasp on the necklace above were from her and also the similar one on the necklace below.

The necklace below is some more of my metal melding. I found some orphan earrings in some old jewelry of my mom’s and the little starburst in the center is one of them. The dangles are torch fired enamel on copper.

Currently you can find my jewelry at Wall Candy Custom Framing and Gallery and Cliques Hair Salon in Columbia, TN. Also, if you are not local, just send me an email or a comment and I would be happy to conduct a transaction by mail.

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More Metal Melding (I love alliteration)

Sooo….I have these random bits and pieces around my studio that have been taking up space and have not had a permanent home…until now. A random link from an old bracelet, an earring element given to me by a friend, stashes of foreign coins from places that I have been and have not been. Now that I’ve discovered that I can meld and marry them with pewter, they have a place to live.

Once again taking something that may look new and shiny and combining it with other elements, aging them with fire and stamping and sanding…giving them a new identity…like a witness protection program…or something like that. Nothing too fidgety or perfect. Texture, color, personality.  Forgive my rambling. 🙂

Thanks to Brittney for the color suggestions on the bottom necklace. It turned out nice.

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More Patina

I’m still finding uses for my random relics that I bought from the interesting fellow who metal detects. Two birds on a fountain, riveted to a piece of copper with a green patina. The stones are malachite and carnelian and the brown beads are some of my crusty lampworked creations.

I handmade some of these clay beads and combined them with a large amazonite focal pendant and wood and bone beads. The clasp is a fired clay button that I made also. I’m thinking that these have a fall-ish feel to them and would lend a touch of nature to someone’s attire.

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Fragments and Relics

I’m always drawn to old relics. When I was a kid, I always said I wanted to be an archaeologist or an artist. Now that I’m grown up, I’ve realized that I can be both if I want to. The dig that I participated in two years ago in Israel just whetted my appetite for ancient things. Living in the south, eastern U.S. there are small opportunities for finding ancient fragments, but I’ve been trying to create some of my own to mimic that look in my jewelry. Using some of my metal techniques that I learned in the Richard Salley workshop and a few things that I’ve been trying on my own, these are the pieces that I have come up with.

Pewter, copper, African trading beads, glass, wood, and stone were used in these newest creations. Not for everyone perhaps, but I’m sure there is someone out there who is as hooked on old things as I am.

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Metal Melding

 

I’ve been experimenting with some new techniques of melding different types of metal together so that they are visually separate, but joined as if one piece. I’ve combined copper, brass, pewter, African trading beads, stone and glass beads, and wood to make these ethnic style necklaces. Once again…no bling for me.

 

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Chalkboard Style

I’ve been loving the old school chalkboard lettering that I’ve been seeing all around lately. Then I just happened upon this great tutorial on how to fake the look with Photoshop. Here is Foolish Fire’s tut.

Check out my results!

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A Thought For The Fourth

14 If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land. 2 Chronicles 7:14

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It’s About Color and Texture and Fun

 

 

I have a serious color and texture addiction. Hi…My name is Sherry and I’m a colorholic/textureholic. I had a delicious time in the studio combining materials and techniques to come up with some new creations.

I pulled out my torch and glass rods and lampworked some head pins to use for the stamens in the flowers. I torch fired some enamel flowers and rectangles, adding some glass frit for extra texture. I added some patina to some 22 cal. shells and combined them with some beads and wire for the finished product.

Each pair of earrings has many steps to achieve the final product.

These will be available at Wall Candy Custom Framing and Gallery and Cliques Hair Salon in Columbia, or email me if you are interested.

 

 

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Creative Sparks

 

My recent class combined with my flea market finds have inspired some new pieces. The yellow turquoise set in a copper bezel is combined with some colorful beads for a summery look.

Stamps from my Richard Salley class have become earrings and also bracelets which are made with leather from a vintage satchel and vintage buckles. You can find these at Wall Candy Custom Framing and Gallery or Cliques Hair Salon in Columbia, TN or contact me directly.

 

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Mrs. Hilsendegen

We pick up our story from the previous post by introducing you to Mrs. Nora Hilsendegen, wife of Deputy Roy Hilsendegen, patiently waiting and praying for her brave husband. Neighbors come running with the news that Roy has been shot in a gun battle. Her heart sinks, but she has faith. She lifts the hem of her skirt and runs to the doctor’s house and to her husband’s side. It is only a shoulder wound, the bullet exited through the back. He is a little weak from lost blood, but with a little cleaning and stitching he will be just fine. They are renewed in their resolve to cherish every moment together.

Ahhh…yes…it’s a sappy story. I never said I was a writer. I just make things. 🙂

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Wearing History

On one of my treasure hunting forays, I stopped at a shop that had attracted my attention for a couple of years, but I was always in such a hurry when I passed it. This day, I had time to spare so I gave into my curiosity and pulled in. At first, I perused the whole shop and didn’t really find anything promising. Then the owner asked me what I was looking for. I replied that I wanted small, rusty, aged things that most people would overlook. He showed me a tray of objects and said that he had found them over the years while he was metal detecting. Bingo! I dug through the objects for about half an hour and randomly asked him about the more interesting finds. One of them was this curious piece of metal with a name and a date. He said that he had found it in a creek next to a cave where a gun battle had taken place between some criminals who were hiding out in the cave and the sheriff and his deputies. He assumed that this had belonged to one of them.

I had kept this piece in my studio for about a year, wondering what to do with it. A couple of weeks ago I had bought a couple of very vintage jewel tintypes. One was a woman (you will see her in the next post) and one was a man. I was pondering how to use the man’s image. While lying in bed a couple of nights ago, it came to me! He was the deputy who lost his badge in the gun battle. The story was completing itself. Add a couple of bullets, a key for handcuffs, and a tiny gun and the story comes together.

So…meet Deputy Hilsendegen, wounded in the line of duty, but not mortally. The criminals were brought to justice and he was taken home, (after being patched up by the town doctor) to his loving wife…hmmm…the other photo in the next post.

To be continued…

 

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Creativity Infusion

 

Ahhh….so much fun crammed into one day! What can I say…the Art-is-You conference was a blast! I took a jewelry class with Richard Salley called Alchemy and Elements. He made everything SO easy and clear. I came away with several pieces in various stages of completion and a renewed excitement and an anticipation of many creative hours in my studio.

Let us pause for a kitty interruption. As I was taking these photos Tilly wanted to get into the act. She kept rubbing on my camera and making it difficult to get a good shot. After giving into her attention craving, I got back to business.

If you ever get a chance to take a class from Richard (assisted by his talented wife Jane, an artist in her own right) you will be glad that you did. The people that you meet in these classes are instant friends with kindred spirits and your creativity will be filled to the brim.

More to come about the conference in future posts.

 

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Twice The Fun

Come on out to Wall Candy and join the fun!

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Art-Is-You

Guess where I get to go this week! I’m so excited!

Art-Is-You!

 

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Flea Market Finds

I made a LONG overdue trip to the flea market in Nashville yesterday. I found lots of cool things that I was looking for at my favorite bead supplier and a cute little frozen Charlotte, but the best thing I found was a new friend! While looking at the Charlottes, I got into a discussion about drilling into china with a lady on the other side of the table. We immediately connected and chatted our way through the different booths.

Check out her very cool Etsy shop:  Plate Ovations

She does amazing things with china! We also discovered that we are attending the same art conference with the same teacher, however not on the same day.

A fun art event has finally come to Nashville  Art is …You

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Close Up

Leafscape 16″x 20″ acrylic on canvas

River Stones  16″ x 20″ acrylic on canvas

Available at Wall Candy Custom Framing and Gallery in Columbia, TN.

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Goodies In My Mailbox

Merci Boucoup to my friend Steph for the goodies that she sent to me. There is always something in her gifts to inspire me to run to the studio, and something yummy to satisfy my Belgian chocolate craving.

 

This yummy elephant focal is one of her creations. I was inspired by her jewelry to create something with it in a tribal style. This will be at Wall Candy at this month’s First Thursday Artisans Party. Hope to see you there!

 

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Wall Candy

Wall Candy

Hey everybody! Check out the new video about Wall Candy Custom Framing and Gallery.

This is one of the places that I sell my work in Columbia, Tennessee. Click on the link above.

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Eau De Love

I remember playing with the cosmetics that my mom and aunts had tucked away in drawers or displayed on their dressers. The tiny perfume sample bottles always intrigued me. They were much more fun than the paper, rub-on samples or generic vials of perfume that you get today. Here is another of the small ones that I picked up at the antique store last week.

 

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Salvaged Vintage

 

I spent one sunny afternoon walking around downtown Columbia, TN and checking out some new and old shops. First I went to Collectors Alley which is a store for antiques and collectables. I found several goodies there and then I went to Accent and Antiques on the square. Also I browsed around the Old Curiosity Book Store and enjoyed their selection of books and free coffee. Our little town which seemed to be drying up, is coming back alive!

Some of my little treasures made it into some new creations in my studio. I love to turn cast off bits and pieces into something unique.

 

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All Who Wander Are Not Lost

 

For all of the Lord of the Rings fans out there, or just those of you who have a case of wanderlust…I just finished the new necklace made of hand stamped and cut copper, leaves made of wire, maps, and resin, and beads. One of a kind…so far.

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Warm And Fuzzy Feeling

 

When chilly weather comes around, I loose my desire to work with cold, hard metal and stones. Instead a want to cozy up in a nice comfy chair and stitch on something warm and fuzzy. Continuing with the leaf theme, I have turned out several felt brooches made from upcycled, felted sweaters, salvaged zippers, needle felting, embroidery, and buttons.

These will be available at Wall Candy Custom Framing and Gallery in Columbia, Tennessee and hopefully soon at my other retail locations.

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A New Leaf

Felt, copper, canvas painted with oil paints, thread, glass beads, leather.

 

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Guard My Words

Set watch O LORD (YHVH)

before my mouth;

keep the door of my lips.

Incline not my heart

to any evil thing.

Psalm 141:3

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A Blaze Of Fall Colors

My newest torch fired enamel pieces, in shades of red, yellow, violet, and copper are available at Wall Candy Custom Framing and Gallery in downtown Columbia, Tennessee. Hand cut, pierced, hammered, and enameled elements, accented by colorful lampworked beads.

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Faithful, Noble, Woman

     An excellent wife who can find?
She is far more precious than jewels.
The heart of her husband trusts in her,
and he will have no lack of gain.
She does him good, and not harm,
all the days of her life.
She seeks wool and flax,
and works with willing hands.
She is like the ships of the merchant;
she brings her food from afar.
She rises while it is yet night
and provides food for her household
and portions for her maidens.
She considers a field and buys it;
with the fruit of her hands she plants a vineyard.
She dresses herself with strength
and makes her arms strong.
She perceives that her merchandise is profitable.
Her lamp does not go out at night.
She puts her hands to the distaff,
and her hands hold the spindle.
She opens her hand to the poor
and reaches out her hands to the needy.
She is not afraid of snow for her household,
for all her household are clothed in scarlet.
She makes bed coverings for herself;
her clothing is fine linen and purple.
Her husband is known in the gates
when he sits among the elders of the land.
She makes linen garments and sells them;
she delivers sashes to the merchant.
Strength and dignity are her clothing,
and she laughs at the time to come.
She opens her mouth with wisdom,
and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.
She looks well to the ways of her household
and does not eat the bread of idleness.
Her children rise up and call her blessed;
her husband also, and he praises her:
“Many women have done excellently,
but you surpass them all.”
Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain,
but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.
Give her of the fruit of her hands,
and let her works praise her in the gates.
(Proverbs 31:10-31 ESV)

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Salt and Light

 

After having lunch with a friend in downtown Columbia, we were looking for something else fun to do. We decided to look around in the antique store on the square for a while. I looked carefully through the whole store and hadn’t found anything that caught my eye and was about to leave, when I spotted a wonderful cache of tiny antique and vintage salt shakers. The glass ones have sterling lids. The wheels started turning in my mind and I snatched them up and brought them home to my studio.

These would make a wonderful place to store a small memento such as a lock of baby hair or to put tiny inspirational messages in. I’m sure your imagination could come up with something interesting.

Several of these are available at Wall Candy and Cliques Hair Salon in Columbia, as well as Heart and Hands on Main St. in Franklin Tennessee. You could also send me a comment or email and I can make one with your color scheme in mind.

 

 

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Rolling On The River

 

My family and I just got back from our yearly kayaking trip to the Hiwassee River in East Tennessee. With just enough rapids to make it a little dangerous and adventurous, and just enough calm parts that you can sit back and enjoy the scenery, this is one of my favorite rivers. There is one particular spot that we stop to rest and I always take the opportunity to gather a few stones to make some mementos of our trip.

I love these stones because they are easy to drill and carve. These will be available at Wall Candy Custom Framing and Gallery in Columbia, Tennessee. We will be having our September First Thursday Artisans Party on September 6th. Come on out and join us for the fun!

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Goodies In The Mail

 

 

I just got a fun package of goodies in the mail from my friend Steph (aka Vladthebat) in Belgium. It’s always so interesting to figure out what needs to become of my little treasures. I’ve incorporated a few of them in some pieces already. Here are some of them.

 

 

Merci Beaucoup my friend!

 

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Smörgåsbord

Smörgåsbord

 

That is the word that came to mind when I posted this necklace with an assortment of random, mixed charms. Mose of them are created by me, but a couple of them are not. It is currently available at Cliques Hair Salon in Columbia, Tennessee.

The bracelet is a pottery shard that has been framed by copper foil and soldered and combined with a mix of colorful beads. It is on a stretchy band so it is easy to wear. It is also available at Cliques.

 

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Probiotic

I think that I have been a bit obsessed with probiotics lately. They are so crucial to health and life in our bodies. Once the good bacteria are destroyed by antibiotics, chlorine, and antibacterial everything, our health will suffer if we don’t replace it with good bacteria in the form of yogurt, kefir, kombucha, supplements and cultured vegetables. They will fight the bad bacteria, create nutrients, and generally add life to our whole system. We were created to need them.

The same concept applies to the world. There are so many choices in the world that are anti-life. We have only to turn to our Father’s written word to learn the ways that He created to bless us and give us life. When we walk out those ways, we bring life and light to the world and blessings will automatically follow. Choose life! Be a probiotic!

This poster was inspired by a teaching that I heard from my friend Jeff Gilbert. It is mixed media acrylic and ink with an ink outline Photoshop filter applied.

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Pieces From the Past

What is it about rust and patina that fascinates me? I was passing by a “junk” shop that I had passed many times and for once, I wasn’t in a big hurry, so I stopped in. After I had toured the premises and had not seen anything of particular interest, I started a conversation with the proprietor and asked him if he had any old rusty bits, like keys, watches, and broken jewelry. Being an avid metal detector, he pointed in the direction of a small glass case, covered by so many random ordinary things that it had gone unnoticed. I uncovered it and carefully went through its contents piece by piece. I ended up with a handful of treasures and went to the register and asked, “How much for all of this?” He replied that I held in my hand the results of approximately 1200 hours of metal detecting and after a bit of haggling, we settled on a price.

Some of the pieces will require a bit of studying and puzzling to find out what they need to turn into. This is what became of two of the lovely bits of treasure. What is the secret of the keyhole? Did it belong to a chest full of love letters, a door to a room, a simple box for mundane things? The story is yours to imagine.

 

 

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A Little Bookish

Copper, 1948 newspaper, stamped leather

For the bibliophile in you.

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Time Flies

Do you have any old, broken, forgotten pieces of jewelry or time pieces lying around that have too much sentimental value to throw away? I made this necklace for someone out of pocket watches that belonged to her family members and a charm pin that had heads monogrammed with the names of her sisters.  I love the challenge of combining random items with character and history to make something that is a reminder of the past and of beloved family members and is wearable for today. Contact me if you are interested.

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Polymer Play

Feeling in need of some cheery, summery colors, I pulled out my polymer clay once again to create these new beads. Even though they are chunky and large, they are not too heavy because of the lightness of the clay.  Some of them will be at Wall Candy Custom Framing and Gallery and others will be at Cliques Hair Salon in Columbia, TN.

 

 

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Twigs and Leaves

 

 

It was a back to nature day for me in the studio today. I had some leaves that I had made from ceramic clay using the leaves from my lamb’s ear plant to make an impression in the clay. A piece of driftwood from the Tennessee River served as the twig from which the leaves could dangle.

These leaves were impressions of my apple mint, strung with wooden and glass beads with a vintage button for a closure.

These can be found at our First Thursday Artisans Party tomorrow night (June 7) from 5:30-8:30 p.m. at Wall Candy Custom Framing and Gallery in beautiful downtown Columbia, Tennessee. Come enjoy the food, wine, live music, and local art. Help us to revive downtown Columbia with the arts!

 

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Frida

This is for all of you Frida Kahlo lovers out there. This necklace is composed of a resin filled metal heart with a photo of the lovely artist, turquoise, coral, Mexican coins, cute little pewter birds, and a wonderful clay bead given to me by my friend Steph. (a.k.a. Vladthebat)

This is currently available at Wall Candy Custom Framing and Gallery in Columbia, TN. Come join us for our monthly First Thursday Artisans Party.

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Stained Glass Garden

Stained glass is another one of my varied interests. This is a piece that I created on a double-paned window in the style of a mosaic in which the glass is glued to the backing with clear adhesive and then it is grouted like you would a tile or stone mosaic. It is approx. 2 feet square. I can get you the exact measurements if needed. This piece is available at Wall Candy Custom Framing and Gallery in Columbia, Tennessee.

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Taos Vistas

After a recent trip to Taos, New Mexico, I was inspired to paint some of the spectacular scenery. The sunsets there are amazing and I love to paint clouds so this is what I came up with.

Both of these are available at:

Wall Candy Custom Framing and Gallery in Columbia, TN.

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Something Fishy

Turquoise, puka shells, glass beads, brass charms and chain.

Thinking of summer. 🙂

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Fibers Old and New

This is an assortment of bangles that I made using wire and silk sari fabric and beads. The other ones are leather and waxed linen and some old, weathered ball chain.

 

I unearthed an old quilt that was made by one of my relatives. Being of an unknown vintage and in tatters, I wasn’t sad to cut it into small pieces to use in some necklaces. The original fabrics for the construction were flour sacks. It is embellished with an appliqued heart and a hand stamped piece of copper and then I hammered a rectangle of copper to enclose it. Each one is strung with glass and wooden beads to complement the fabrics.

 

These will be for sale at the upcoming First Thursday Artisans Party at Wall Candy in Columbia, Tennessee on May 3 from 5:30 until 8:30 p.m.

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Family Mementos

This is a necklace that I made for a friend of mine with a photo of her mother when she was a young woman. The coins were from a bracelet that her father had made for her mother and the gemstones were from a pair of her earrings. If any of you would like a custom piece of jewelry made from photos of loved ones, please contact me and we can design it around whatever theme you would like. I can scan any photos, so no originals would be lost or damaged.

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Back By Popular Demand

Well…back by popular demand and just in time for Mother’s Day, I am offering a jewelry class at The Royal Brush in Columbia Tennessee. Campbell Plaza, Suite 7E, phone: 931-223-5351. We will be learning to use pottery clay to create pendants and other jewelry elements, using stamps and molds. These elements will be fired by The Royal Brush and then we will return and use them to create our own unique adornments. The two days of the class will be Monday, April 23 and Monday, April 30 from 10:00 in the morning until 12:00 noon. The class may take a around two hours for each session, but if you like to take your time, we will take as long as we need. We will create at least two completed pieces, such as a necklace or a bracelet. You will also have several pendants or elements to take home with you and create your own jewelry at home.The price will be $35 and everything will be provided, but if you happen to have your own jewelry pliers, it would be good to bring them. Please either call The Royal Brush, or contact me at 931-987-9374. I would like to have at least 3 students to make the class and will take up to 6 people.

Here is some of the work of the students in my last class, some completed pieces and some waiting to be finished.

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On Solid Ground

This is a painting by my talented friend Damien Boggs, entitled On Solid Ground. He surprised me with this at our show on Thursday evening. Damien has been a great addition to our Artisans at Wall Candy group. He is a super talented musician and songwriter and also helps us to locate other musicians to play at our shows that we have on every first Thursday of the month. Check out his music at his website. You can also find his music on Itunes.

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In Living Color

I was in the mood to mix it up a bit today as far as color was concerned, mixing my favorites with some contrasting colors and warm wood tones. These will be available at next week’s First Thursday Artisans’ Party at Wall Candy in Columbia, Tennessee.

The party is on April 5th from 5:30 -8:30 P.M. with live music by Cody “Cash” Huber, plenty of tasty food, wine and YOU!


 



 



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My Favorite Colors


 

I don’t know what it is about turquoise and chartreuse. I keep gravitating toward these colors. They remind me so much of being at the ocean and of spring and summer, my favorite place and times of year. I’m picturing these on tan skin in the warm sunshine. They are made from my ceramic elements that I stamped with my hand carved stamps.

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Nature Walkabout

The artist is the confidant of nature, flowers carry on dialogues with him through the graceful bending of their stems and the harmoniously tinted nuances of their blossoms.  Every flower has a cordial word which nature directs towards him.  ~Auguste Rodin

This is a video that I took while I was on my walk. I tried to edit out the sideways part in the beginning, but it didn’t work. It’s my first time to try to add a video in my wordpress blog. I need a bit more practice on that. flowing springs

 


 

 




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She Walks In Beauty


 

I have this book of Lord Byron’s work that is over 100 years old. It must have been well loved by someone, because the torn cover was hand stitched back together. I was flipping through it to find something appropriate to be a background for a photo of this necklace. Under the heading, Hebrew Melodies, I found this poem. The first line of it was oh so familiar, but the rest I had not heard. It seemed appropriate for this necklace that I just completed with a bride in mind. The focal is a vintage rhinestone brooch and the necklace is Czech crystals and antiqued brass beads.

She walks in beauty, like the night
Of cloudless climes and starry skies;
And all that’s best of dark and bright
Meet in her aspect and her eyes;
Thus mellowed to that tender light
Which heaven to gaudy day denies.
One shade the more, one ray the less,
Had half impaired the nameless grace
Which waves in every raven tress,
Or softly lightens o’er her face;
Where thoughts serenely sweet express,
How pure, how dear their dwelling-place.
And on that cheek, and o’er that brow,
So soft, so calm, yet eloquent,
The smiles that win, the tints that glow,
But tell of days in goodness spent,
A mind at peace with all below,
A heart whose love is innocent!

Along with the crazy storms that have been passing through Middle Tennessee, there have been the most beautiful skies and amazing light shows. I managed to catch the last bit of light hitting the hillside across the road. There was a rainbow too, but it blurred in the dim light. All is calm now…day is done.

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Shalom

Shalom is a Hebrew word meaning peace, Nothing missing, Nothing broken, wellbeing, and complete, and used to mean hello, and goodbye.

Stamped porcelain clay with glass, turquoise, and porcelain beads.

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