A husband from heaven!

Not all husbands are made equal!

And I have to share how great mine is with you. This is WH (now referred to as wonderful husband), on his all fours the last few days putting new flooring in my workshop. We tore up carpeting, found cement. Then went to Home Depot to explore the possibilities that would be within the budget. Lo and behold, they have a new product out now, called Traffic Master Dimensions by Allure. This isn't an advertisement for it, but it is way cool. I picked out the pine, which is an aged, knotty pine look. I have to tell you, I LOVE it! And it is vinyl, so it will be durable, when I drop a hammer on it! No denting, no scratching.

So this is WH putting in the first few boards of it, or planks I guess you would say. It all sticks together, no nails, no screws. It's a floating floor, like the Pergo stuff, only vinyl.

And my friend Diana Frey came speeding to my urgent call the other morning, while I was on my way to the paint store, to help me pick out a color for the walls, other than white! I started with greens, then she quickly directed me to my favorite color, a blue. This soft, zen blue looks like my favorite gem...aquamarines! Since our house it at the ocean, it works so well. Thank you dear friend, you saved me! So I got to do the painting, took me about four hours.

See how those planks bend, then they just stick to each other. We were so amazed how easily this went in....well, I was! No actually, so was WH.

And, voila! He finished the last strips tonight. That is my closet, I took the doors off of, against the advice of WH. But he finally relented, and is going with the flow now! So, the furniture gets moved in as soon as the floor base boards to up. I hope to have it somewhat put back together by Monday or Tuesday. Then off to Ikea next weekend for some more storage. I have never had enough storage to put all this junk in, and doing more mixed media jewelry, oh my gosh, anyone else have a problem with storage in their workshops? I mean, all the fabrics, ribbons, papers, glues, resins, beads, beads, beads!! Oh well, maybe I'll take over another room soon?

OH NO!

Say, why don't you post pictures of your workshop for everyone to see. I would love to see anyone's workshop who reads this. Or, send me pics, and I'll post them for you. Wouldn't that be fun to see where we all create?

California here I come!

We arrived safely!

I'm happy to report that we made it to California safely, and it was mainly uneventful. What I'm really saying is....no break ins. Of course, I brought what little jewelry that was left over from the summer, in every evening. The thieves knew I was prepared this time!!

Sadly, all the beautiful photos I took to document our lovely trip have vanished off my camera. This has never happened! Has it happened to any of you? To my surprise, I'm ready to download them and...gone. There is simply nothing on my memory stick. How can this happen? Did the camera do it, or the disc just fail? Should I use the disc again, it is working fine now? How curious.

Well, I'll just describe! We stayed at a beautiful place on the Oregon coast, right on the water. The waves were so loud, we had to shut the windows tight. And the sea lions woke us up through out the night. Absoultely heaven. Then on to Mendocino, one of nature's best gifts. The cliffs are high above the black, rocky shore line. The waves come crashing in with their deep aquas and white whipped cream tops. Then the fog and mist started to appear about the time we had to leave, sneaking in silently.

Next stop was the Russian River in California's northern wine country. We drove through tons of giant Redwood groves, bending our necks back to attempt to see the tops. The deep forests were damp with recent rain, and the giants stand guard over seedlings. Having Chester the doggie, we need dog friendly places, so it was off to a tree house above the Russian River. It took some doing getting all the luggage up all the stairs, but once there, we settled in to seeing eye to eye with the tops of golden leafed trees. The wine tasting with our son, daughter in law and their six pals in a huge passenger van turned out to be a blast. We only got stuck in the mud once...but a quick call to AAA and voila, we were out in an hour. Oh, those boys and their automobiles in the mud. Way too much to tempt them.

Then on to Pismo beach. Our little house was waiting with open arms, along with a few neighbors that gave us some hugs and welcomed us back. It's nice to be home, but there were days on this five day journey, I would have loved to click my heels, and be home! Now the real work begins. I'm going to rework my studio space. Rip out carpet, paint, arrange for more storage! Any chance I can click my heels and have this be done?

mystery mushrooms

Does anyone know what kind of mushrooms these are?

I'm still loving the fall eye candy that is springing up on San Juan Island. These beautiful, delicate little bell mushrooms are pushing their way up all along our forest roads. It's as though they are sneaking out, then grow to tower over the weeds. I wonder if they are edible? If you know what these are, please tell me! And if they are edible.

Can't you just visualize little woodland creatures living in these, like fortresses? They look like they have little shingled roofs, and have been there for hundreds of years.

Workshop week

Beautiful week in the San Juan Islands, WA

My dear friend, Diana Frey, was up at the island for a week. We had too much fun! We made jewelry, ate, drank, laughed, and oh yes, went for long walks. Here are just a few of the many wonders, within walking distance from our cabin, that I got to show off to her.

The blackberries are bursting, waiting to be eaten by the many deer. I snatched a few today on my walk in our brilliant green surroundings.

There are fields of these things, I don't think are thistles. A friend called them something else, I don't remember, but they are amazing, standing so tall, guarding their little pond.

And you have to watch out for all the woodland creatures. They sneak up on you when you're not paying attention! Soooo dangerous! Ok, that's Chester, my four legged baby. Isn't it amazing how he poses. I just ask him to pose, and voila! What a good boy.

We even have furniture in our woods. I'd like to say we built this beautiful bench, but the folks who play frisbee golf built it. It is really comfortable, wouldn't think so.

And, oh yes, we taught a jewelry workshop, and had a ball. It was a small and productive class. That's Julie and Janet with me on top, and seated are Claudia and Diana. Barbara missed the group shot, she had to catch a ferry! They loved having a small class, and they made beautiful creations with their Feathered Friends inspired workshop!

So I'm getting ready to pack it up and head south to CA for the winter. It's getting pretty cold here, but I'll miss my beloved woods and the deep green forest. I have sunshine and coastlines to look forward to. Isn't life wonderful!

Timeless Creations

I was lucky enough to visit the B.C. Museum of Art in Victoria, Canada a month ago or so. What a spectacular museum it is. They had on display some ancient jewelry. I was so inspired by the gold, Roman pieces, they just talked to me. I stood in front of them and felt such a kindred spirit, almost as though I used to own one or two of them. That happens quite often when I view Roman jewelry. There was a piece that was on a hand woven chain, not unlike the Viking Knit we're all learning these days. The designer, thousands of years ago, used a simple medallion with two hooks, on a chain. This is my version of seeing that spectacular piece.

Who knows, maybe I was Roman royalty at one time? I'm sure my husband is sure of it! Seeing the beautiful craftsmanship is a reminder, we are all human, we make jewelry the same way, and we have similar passions, thousands of years later.

Dilemma!

HELP!

I have a dilemma. My daughter-in-laws "big one" is coming up, and I can't decide which style of necklace to make for her. She doesn't wear a lot of jewelry, but loves mine. Go figure. So I know she doesn't like a lot of bling, but a touch is kind of nice.

She used to be a tomboy and still is a jock.

Since it's a surprise, I can't tell her about it, and want to make something fun for the big birthday. Any advice you can give me, I would sure appreciate it. Guess since it's family, I can't make up my own mind!!

So what do you think? Necklace #1 style....

or necklace #2 style??? Ok, I'll tell you, it's her 4oth, but that's just between us!

Adorn Me! 2010

Adorn Me! 2010

There is a new national art jewelry retreat coming to Houston, Texas next year!!

It is called Adorn Me! Linda Young, of the successful retreats, ART Unraveled, has organized this new jewelry event, and chosen a huge array of jewelry/mixed-media artists. The dates will be March 2-7, 2010. I am thrilled to have been chosen to be one of the instructors at this exciting event, along with a huge line up of talented teachers.

The first project I teach will be on Saturday, March 6th, called

Hinged Cuff. Here is the class description. Check it out! You will have so much fun cutting this bracelet out from etched metal, then making the hinges yourself. These bracelets are interesting to assemble, to see all the pieces come together. You will feel a huge sense of accomplishment! And this hinged cuff is very comfortable to wear.

The next project I will teach is on Sunday, March 7th, is called Woven Silver Pendant. Just click the link for a class description. I am so excited to show you how to weave with sterling silver wire. The effect is so earthy, tactile and interesting. I love forming with this weaving process, and creating fabulous shapes. Then wire on a beautiful big pearl or stone, to add a finishing touch. You will leave the workshop enlightened about using the little torch, and wearing your fabulous, new necklace! And feel free to do whatever shape you like!

I plan to take as many classes as I can as well. There are so many talented instructors, it is hard to choose. Just to list a few are Diane Cook, Diana Frey, Deryn Mentock, Richard Salley, Jane Salley, Sherri Haab...the list goes on and on! WOW!

If you would like to follow the conversations about the retreat, join the Yahoo Group discussion. That way you won't miss a thing. Send in your class choices asap, since this is all done by mail. They will start opening requests on Oct. 1st, so don't delay. And please let me know if I can answer any questions.

I sure hope to see you at one of my fun classes!

Challenges and passion

It isn't often that I come home from just seeing a movie, and find such huge similarities, to many parts of my life in it. That is the case with this movie.

The movie was Julie and Julia. There are really so many similarities to what we are all experiencing at this time in our lives. Yes, this movie is about Julia Child's cooking, but mostly about her personal challenges, she set forth, to make her life more meaningful. She wasn't one to sit around darning socks, or wait on her husband hand and foot. She wasn't satisfied with joining women's card groups, or taking hat making classes. She hadn't found her passion...

until she found cooking!

Does this sound familiar fellow artisans?

Once she discovered her passion, she was on a mission. But the act of cooking, by itself, wasn't enough. She set goals for herself. One was to become published. Yet, she understood she couldn't do it alone. She needed the love and support of family and friends. Just like the star of the movie found out, played by Amy Adams. In the movie, Julie, her character, sets her own goal. She was driven to cook every recipe Julia published in her book, within one years time. She starts a blog, and wonders if anyone will ever read it, or be interested, or respond!

Sound familiar?

This post really isn't a review of the movie. I'm writing from the heart, about how moved I was to see someone like Julia Child struggle, to overcome her challenges she took on. The best things in life DON'T come easy! Her motivation wasn't just about money and success, although she hoped for a few bucks as a result of all her hard work at getting published. She wanted to feel like she brought a service, a joy, to women. All the while being able to fulfill her passion of cooking. It wasn't just cooking that gave her joy. She was willing to give so much of herself, so others could benefit. But she needed the help and support group of friends and family.

I feel such a kindred spirit with Julia. I think many of my friends will too. Making jewelry is a passion. I feel it is truly my life's work, since retiring from a job of many years. But, making jewelry is in itself is not the reward. If you can't see the joy it brings to people, why do it? So I started selling a few pieces. Then I saw that my jewelry pleased a few, so I started jurying in to art festivals. Every little baby step, allowed me to gain more confidence, and set bigger goals. Then I decided to teach a class. That was extremely rewarding. A little more confidence was built, so I set a goal to get published. That was a big one! Now that has become a reality. Recently, the opportunity arose to submit to a national jewelry retreat, as a teacher. So, what the heck, I held my nose and plunged. I was chosen to participate. But, these things happening are truly because of having, like Julia and Julie, the gentle nudging of friends and family.

I'm in my late fifties now, and just starting to understand a few things about life. I might be a late bloomer, okay, for sure I am. But I am really understanding some basic fundamentals about how to make your life more fulfilling.

Don't settle for less in life than will make you happy. I'm talking about goose bumps happy. I'm talking about jumping up and down happy. What ever that might be. Don't be afraid to try....anything! Because if you don't, how can you accomplish your goals? And set those goals! Big ones. Ones that make you nervous, make you shake, make your heart race. And a little bit of struggle to make them work out is worth it. If I can do it, anyone can.

Nothing can hurt you for trying.

And the most important lesson to attaining these goals for me, was to find a support group. One that shared my vision. If you don't have one, please find it. It can be girlfriends, boyfriends, family, anyone who encourages you to do what you want to do. My mother and father divorced at an early age. I was three. My mother died when I was eleven. The only support I had was my older sister, and she never stopped encouraging me. I never had a support "group". Now I have a wonderful husband, who never stops encouraging me. And I am lucky enough to have a fabulous circle of lady friends, who continue to encourage me to set new goals, and lend the support to see me through them. I have met some wonderful "jewelry" sisters in the last couple of years, fellow kindred spirits, looking for the same thing I am. This has been the most rewarding treasure, since picking up my first jewelry tool.

I wish each and everyone one of you, the warmth and support from friendships I feel in my life. It is such a rewarding thing.

And, if you haven't challenged yourself recently, do something about that, okay?

You have the power to accomplish whatever you want to, don't forget.

Plant one foot in front of the other. Take baby steps if you need to.

Set goals you've been putting off for whatever reasons.

And find friendships that share your vision.