Fiery Heart, Agile Mind, Nimble Fingers

Frustrated Creativity

2009-05-28T21:14:00.004-05:00

After getting my creative energies going I have had almost three weeks with no opportunity to create. I made two trips to my parents for doctor visits with another scheduled later in June. I don't seem to sleep while there so I returned with the need to catch up on rest and get over a minor bug. I did work out a couple of designs in all the driving.We have been waiting almost three weeks for

Back in the Swing

2009-05-11T19:15:00.003-05:00

I guess I am back in the swing of things. I was both creative and organized this weekend. I purchased some new organizers and spent hours on Saturday and Sunday sorting and putting everything into the new containers. I also got plenty of creative time. I worked on the concept for a piece that will be using a new product that I will write about later. Saturday I spent the morning making two

The Story of My Bracelets

2009-05-06T19:39:00.006-05:00

My staple always-sell pieces are bracelets using memory wire, a stiff wire that retains its circular shape,and beads. For some reason women really love them and are willing to pay $35 to $50 for one. They are comfortable and easy to wear. The technique for making the bracelets is very easy and usually takes about two hours. Simply cut the wire, make a loop with pliers at one end, slide the

Working With Silver Clay - Part II

2009-04-25T11:19:00.000-05:00

I continued to explore working with precious metal clay (PMC). totally untutored relying on reading and trying, my preferred learning method. There are plenty of detailed instructions both online and in magazines and books. I got some good results with this piece which included setting a cubic zirconia in the silver leaf. Zirconia works beautifully in metal clay. I misjudged the size of the

Working With Silver Clay

2009-04-19T18:02:00.000-05:00

In the previous post I mentioned metal clay as one of the jewelry media that I like working with. One comment asked about it. This post chronicles my first attempts with precious metal clay (PMC). Metal clay seems to be a mistake when one first hears of it. Briefly, it is actual powdered metals, most often silver because of the cost but also gold and most recently bronze, mixed with clay and

Design Work

2009-04-14T11:10:00.002-05:00

I am experiencing some difficulty in regaining a bit of focus regarding jewelry designs. I have not done anything unique for months. I have been thinking about previous designs, scanning my supply sources, and surveying all the lovely stones I have in my trove.I want my designs to be unique, touchable, beautiful to see and comfortable to wear. I want designs that endure the current fashion

Someone Asked, "Do I Like Being A Woman?"

2009-04-11T12:09:00.000-05:00

Women can do and be anything. We can be soft and tough, beautiful and strong. We can be mothers and leaders.We can wear red silk and high heels or camouflage and boots. We can compose music, bake cakes, build bridges, command ships, and go into space. We can be doctors or nurses, privates or generals. We can design clothes or design buildings, drive car pools or drive race cars. What's not

The Jewelry Studio is Calling

2009-04-07T13:03:00.009-05:00

With the exception of a couple of repairs and one of my bread and butter bracelets I have done nothing for months. However, since I pushed back from attempting to be a contributing member of this community I now have more time and the creative energy is beckoning me. I am helping a friend set up some blogs to compliment her website for her small resort, Stonelomi and Grace Notes (my designs)

Ice and Life

2009-03-14T16:21:00.043-05:00

Considering the amount of ice during the two-day storm I think the creatures showed some real ingenuity and good spirit.This neighborhood cat is incredibly patient and will wait for long periods hoping to capture a prize.Even though I battle them I admire the tenacity of the squirrels.

Inspiration From Down East

2009-03-14T11:46:00.000-05:00

I have been finding blogs written by people in Maine and have found a fountain of inspiration for returning to more artistic endeavors. This morning I was treated to another lovely pastel by the Emma at Dogs, Chickens and Me. I like her work and I may even pick up my pastels again. Another turn is that with the assist of some new software I have begun designing blog themes of my own. So far

Redirecting My Fiery Heart and Nimble Fingers

2009-03-13T09:40:00.000-05:00

I have been away from artistic endeavors except for writing for some time. I have projects that I have been ignoring. Lately, while searching for blogs from Maine, I discovered thriving artists' communities there from the cities to downeast towns at the edge of the country, Lubec and Eastport. In these towns there are writers, potters, weavers, painters, photographers, luthiers and many more.

Hiatus

2008-10-03T14:47:00.001-05:00

I have been enduring considerable angst because I am not working on jewelry designs or other artistic projects. Instead I think about writing and I write and I take my camera everywhere with me. Two weeks ago I was feeling inspired because Julia, owner of White Mist of Cotter where my jewelry and other items are sold, told me about two people who had bought some of my jewelry last summer. They

Sweet Nectar

2008-09-14T09:51:00.000-05:00

Butterflies

2008-09-12T13:58:00.000-05:00

Playing with Light

2008-09-06T11:39:00.001-05:00

I am learning to use my new camera, a Canon EOS XSI digital SLR, thank you Matthew, I shot some practice photos this morning of a a fountain that includes LED lights and has some of my favorite stones, some polished and cut, on the leaves of the fountain. I was trying different settings to see the results (learn by doing) and I liked some of the unfocused enough to enhance them with software.

Thank You Eve's Lungs

2008-09-06T10:00:00.000-05:00

My good friend at Eve's Lungs gave this Brilliant Weblog award to me for which I am most grateful although with my paltry number of posts this summer, perhaps it is undeserved. It was passed along to sites and blogs that she considers smart and brilliant both in their content and their design. Sue, you are too generous. The purpose of the prize is to promote as many blogs as possible in the

Red

2008-08-19T09:43:00.000-05:00

I captured this lone crimson leaf on the lawn the other day. A precursor for things to come but so lovely alone on the grass.

A Day in the Hill Country of Texas

2008-08-17T16:49:00.000-05:00

Thanksgiving 1999 we went for a hike in the hill country of Texas near Austin. I found this reflection of the trees and sky and captured it. It looks like some wonderful impressionist painting.

Not Publishing Here for a While

2008-06-22T18:38:00.001-05:00

I will not be posting on this site for a few weeks so that I can get the news magazine going. Please read my other blogs until then.

Primrose

2008-06-13T13:48:00.003-05:00

Caught these primrose just after a rain.

New Commission

2008-06-04T10:38:00.002-05:00

I just received a commission for a piece along the lines of this one which is sculpted from sterling silver clay and hung from a chain embellished with multicolored silk ribbon. The new one will be inspired by this but different of course and made just for the person who will wear it.

Northern Lights

2008-05-30T17:30:00.005-05:00

I just delivered another bracelet called Northern Lights. It is sodalite with silver foil glass beads, silver, and other gemstone and glass beads. It has a sterling silver Thai Hill Tribe charm.

Frost

2008-05-27T13:01:00.004-05:00

On March 9 I posted about beginning a pastel painting using the photo below as a reference.I posted an intermediate on my progress.Well, I have decided it is finished.FROST

Tag for Book Lovers

2008-05-25T11:13:00.002-05:00

I was tagged by La delirante for the following:1. Pick up the nearest book.2. Open to page 1233. Find the fifth sentence.4. Post the next three sentences.5. Tag five people, and acknowledge who tagged you. The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield List Price: $15.00 Pages: 432