Breathe!

Start your New Year on the page!

It isn't everyday that something this wonderful comes along. Before Christmas, I just completed an on line course from the wonderful Stephanie Lee. Turns out she is not only a talented artist, but fabulous journal writing coach. The course was about learning to journal, so I thought. I didn't know exactly what was involved, but thought I might learn how to make a pretty journal I see on so many mixed media artist sights right now. Since I had never written in a journal, not since 5th grade, I thought it might be inspirational, and I would learn some new techniques. Boy, did I learn some new stuff!

Stephanie didn't teach us how to make pretty pictures and write some lovely words around them. Turns out, that's not what the course was about! Of course you can do that if you want to. It was a soul searching class about getting inside your heart and head, working through all that "dark" stuff you might have repressed for so many years, and finding a way to release it...finding a way to express it on "the page", as Stephanie refers to journaling. She offers the most open, encouraging and safe forum for you, giving you a road map to tackle issues you never thought possible. She offers prompts to start your writing off, and amazing audio interviews with talented women, to allow the insight to continue. By clearing out the darkness, there is light. Yes, this is an endorsement! I would be happy to sing Stephanie's praises to anyone.

If you want to start the New Year off with an open, refreshing outlook on your challenges, creativity, relationships and peace of mind, take a look at this course. It's the best $50 I ever spent. Daily journaling has become a part of my life now, and I can't imagine not doing it. Give yourself a gift, and start taking those deep, fulfilling breaths you used to, I had forgotten what that was like! I put the link on here for you to read about, let me know what you think.

Happy New Year everyone!!

Merry Christmas to my blogging friends

Secret Santa gift

She received her gift!

My Secret Santa can now be revealed. The name given to me by Molly was Diane Cook. That was handy, since Diane is a fabulous friend! I had no idea what to make her. When she filled out her questionare and said she likes vintage rhinestones, crystals, and smiles, I remembered a picture I had of all three of us! We took a workshop together last April, so it was a recent photo of me, Diane and Diana Frey. I thought she might like a little frame to hold a fun picture. We are three dear art sisters, so it seemed appropriate to add "Sisters" to the photo. And I know sisters mean a lot to Diane, check out her blog.

This is the back of the frame. After I got it done, I decided it needed a little signature piece with a signed name plate.

So I added this little signature plate last.

I heard from Diane, she seems to like it a lot. What do you think? Have you ever made a frame, I sure hadn't. It was a lot of fun though. I used one sheet on the back, and an etched one on the front. Then I soldered the rhinestones to the front, and glued everything else on. The little stand construction for the leg was tricky, but seems to work.

I used mica to cover the picture, and screwed everything together.

Voila, a frame to last the years.

Contest winner

And the winner is.....

Esther from France!

The person who guessed what the pictures were of the Secret Santa gift exchange was Esther from France. Way to go Esther, how did you figure out it was a frame that I made for the exchange? Please check out Esther's beautiful blog. Her designs are just exquisitel, and very inventive using a combination of materials, as well as found objects and gems. I love each design she posts more than the last! She has a fabulous bracelet on there right now.

There were so many good guesses, you ladies really gave it some thought. I appreciate all your attempts, that was a blast!

Esther gets to choose from three pair of earrings. One pair is etched brass (I think I used French writing), one is beaded with chain and crystals, and the third is embossed brass.

Which ones will she choose? Which would you choose?

Don't forget, I'm going to have a drawing next month for my one year anniversary of my blog. I would love for you to enter and win! May each of you have a warm, wonderful and peaceful Christmas. We are all so blessed. Don't forget to give a donation to your local shelters this holiday season, they need us more than ever this year!!

Hugs and kisses to all.

My Secret Santa Gift

Oh, am I a lucky girl! Santa was VERY good to me this year. I received my Secret Santa Gift, from Molly Alexander. She organized the exchange, and 12 of us were in it. I've never done this before, so it was new to me. This was a lot of fun to anticipate getting a gift in the mail, from someone I don't know well yet.

I love my beautiful necklace Molly made me. She had everyone exchange some information about themselves before the exchange, our favorite colors, things we like, etc. Isn't that a good idea?

I mentioned my favorite color was blue, and I loved anything old, and I think I mentioned bees too! She couldn't have nailed it any better. I am so impressed with her craftsmanship and design. Way cool.

Isn't that little bee to die for? What a cutie! I know they symbolize nature, and renewal. What else do they represent? They go back to Roman days and I believe, even the Egyptians. Anyway, I love them.

So thank you again Molly, for setting up and organizing the exchange, and inviting me to be a part of it. I really love my necklace and will be proud to tell everyone my new friend Molly made it!

Please visit Molly's site to see what everyone else made. People are just receiving their gifts, so they might not all be posted yet.

Merry Christmas everyone! Ho, ho, ho!

Secret Santa

Secret Santa Exchange

I see many of you are, or were, involved with a charm, or jewelry exchange this season. They are so much fun. I was asked about a month ago to take part in one, and have since met some new blogging art buddies. I finished my piece, and had so much fun making it, I had to share some teasers with you. The lady receiving this doesn't know I have her name, that's the "secret" part of it. This gets shipped on Monday to my Secret new friend.

Can you tell what it is? If you think you have an idea, leave a comment. I am going to have my own little contest!!

I have a new pair of hand made earrings for the lucky winner. I'm not posting them, because I want to give the winner her choice from three pair. I'll pick different styles, she gets to pick the ones she wants.

So the first person that guesses what my little gift is to my secret receiver gets to pick one of my new little creations as a prize!! So spread the word! Let everyone know. I would LOVE for you to win!

There is no time limit, and if two people guess right, they both get a pair of earrings!!

How fun is that?

Merry Christmas everyone. May you find joy, peace and happiness this fine holiday season.

This month is my one year anniversary for my blog, I can't believe it. So, in honor of my surviving all of the challenges with that, and with your love and support, I am going to have a contest in January. Get ready, the gift will be a handmade necklace!!! I'm working on some designs currently. I want to get you all lathered up for something nice, something you would be proud to wear. Maybe even to one of my classes (hint, hint) that I am teaching in 2010!! Ha ha. I'm teaching at my first national retreat in Houston (isn't self promotion wonderful?). So for all of you who say California is too far away, there ya go! Please have a wonderful holiday.

Stay tuned for the winner of this little guessing contest!!

A Charming Romance

A Charming Romance

A weekend jewelry escape, the perfect gift for the holidays!

Ladies, I'm so excited to tell you about a new workshop my friend, Diana Frey, and I put together. This is the perfect gift to add to your Christmas wish list. The two day workshop is called A Charming Romance, because you will be making a charm bracelet packed with darling charms that you make during the workshop. We are offering it two different weekends. The first weekend will be February 6 & 7, 2010. The second weekend is April 10 & 11, 2010, both are full days on Saturday and Sunday. It will be held at my home in Pismo Beach, CA on the beautiful Central coast, how cool is that?

Diana is a very talented jewelry artist, nationally renowned I might add! So her skills, combined with mine, we can cover a lot of ground. We will help you design charms for your bracelet utilizing many mixed media techniques. These will include using PMC, etching, embossing and metal smithing on a small scale. Don't be shy if you're a beginner, this class is a beginner/intermediate level. Then when all the little darlings are made over the two days, you will assemble your beautiful bracelet with hand made charms, and romantic found objects that you'll bring. So, not only will you learn many new skills, you'll have a reminder of those techniques with lots of little romantic dangles. Of course, you can choose any theme you like, we just like this girlie approach, very glam! And of course we plan to pamper you with delicious food for lunch, and yummy snacks, both days.

Diana is handling the registration for this workshop, so please contact her to reserve your space. If you have any questions what so ever, please let me know. The class space is limited, so please sign up as soon as you can. Give this information to all the "W.H.'s" out there so he can buy you something you REALLY want for Christmas this year!

We hope you can join us for the fun.