This past week I haven’t been feeling well – it’s nothing serious, just a cold or possibly the flu.  However, the stuffy-head symptoms (especially sinus migraines) can be tough to deal with.  Most of the time I’m a happy person, but every now and then, when my body isn’t acting normally, I fall into a bit of a slump.   Luckily for me, yesterday I received this unexpected package full of cheer from my friend Lisa.  These little goodies instantly perked me up! 

I met Lisa through blogland.   Her simple and elegant style caught my eye, and the way she so artfully executes the smallest of details is flawless.   Not only are these little packets gorgeous on their own, Lisa has filled each one with sweet smelling lavender.  Just one whiff of this calming fragrance and I feel better already.   Thanks to Lisa’s generous spirited offering, I’m off to a good start for the week.

4 Comments |

In the current issue and second volume (Winter 2010) of GreenCraft there are some really great ideas.  Towards the back of the magazine, there’s a super-creative project by Cynthia Shaffer that involves knitting mini-baskets using string from the inside of old baseballs (so cool!)  And within the article “Grocery Bags: Artfully Altered”, I share a heart-shaped project that’s just in time for Valentine’s Day.

Here’s a simplified and mini version (roughly 6″ across) that I made using a brown paper lunch bag.  I always have a stack of these inexpensive bags handy for all sorts of projects (and Brook’s school lunch!)  To add a personal touch, tuck a sweet note inside (don’t forget to leave one of the top heart curves open/unsewn.) 

11 Comments |

It’s likely that by now most of you are familiar with Rebecca Sower’s efforts towards helping those in need.  She is an amazing artist with a huge heart.  To raise funds Rebecca has set up an Etsy shop, Haiti By Hand.   In this shop there are many wonderful handcrafted items to choose from, and 100% of sales will go towards rebuilding efforts in Despinos, Haiti. 

I recently made this necklace with a pretty pouch.  Do you recognize the bracelet from my last post?  Both are currently available at Haiti By Hand - I hope that you’ll stop by there to browse. 

8 Comments |

This past weekend I felt an urge to get in a jolt of color so I stopped over at Five Crows.  This shop is chock full of handcrafted items from many local artists, myself included.  Bill and Brook came along with me, which made this outing even more fun. 

We started off the morning at Brook’s basketball game, after which we went for a hearty breakfast/lunch with my mother-in-law. Then we did one of Brook’s favorite activities (in the car, anyway – riding through the car wash) before heading to Five Crows to drop off some jewelry.  After this we ran over to another shop to pick up some felting needles, then to a bakery (cupcake for Brook and a decadent slice of mocha cake for Bill and me to share.)  We still had one more stop before going home –  Bill needed to get his H1N1 shot (better late than never.)  Brook and I hung out in the car together chatting while we waited for Bill. 

On busy weekend days like this we try to make the most of our time together even if it’s spent driving around doing errands.   During “car time” we have an opportunity to connect and to share whatever’s on our mind…so important don’t you think? 

Before the weekend I made this bracelet.  It’s not my usual thing to use bright colors but every now and then, this urge pops up , which is what led me to hop over to Five Crows in the first place.  I think that I’ve been needing a break from the dull, darkness of  winter and a shot of color could be the cure for now – something to hold me over until the vivid flowers and greenery return.   It’s funny how when I get too much of the “white” wet stuff outside, I begin to gravitate towards using more color in my projects.   I’m sure that come spring, I will long for my softer palette again. 

5 Comments |

You know how it is when you’re travelling…the eye captures every single detail that would normally be missed at home.  For instance, while aimlessly walking around Europe we kept coming across the number three.  Perhaps this is because I’m subconsciously always thinking about my family…our cozy little family of three.  Whether I’m looking forward, down or just around,  this number keeps popping into view.  Is this luck or habit?  Either way seeing this number makes me smile. 

I love these unexpected moments of happy.  And to keep the good thoughts going,  I often use “3″ in my projects.  

4 Comments |

Early last week before the Haiti earthquake devastation, I was sitting in my studio thinking about these words.  

These specific words circulated around my mind as I was preparing to make a batch of cheerful charms to contribute to my friend Cheryl’s volunteer program to help the women and children at a local safe home.   Cheryl was in the process of putting together a kit containing writing and art supplies for each of the thirty residents.  These gifts are meant to encourage the women in this home to find and express their voice through writing – a possible therapeutic exercise in the healing process.  As soon as Cheryl mentioned her plans for these little packages of hope, I felt compelled to contribute.  Several years ago I started wearing necklaces with positive words and found that doing this one small thing helped me to gain a more positive perspective.  Even though I know that my personal struggles might not be anywhere near what the women and children in this home have suffered through, I thought that it would be a good idea to share something that worked for me by making charms for these women.  The charms, along with Cheryl’s other donations, are being completed today at an event at Brook’s school in celebration of Martin Luther King, Jr.’s birthday.  The main focus of the event is on spreading the message of giving back.

While in the middle of making these charms, the shocking news of the earthquake in Haiti arrived… shaking me up…waking me up.  When something as horrible as this happens, what can anyone really do?  If we’re in a position to donate money, we can choose to help out this way.  But judging by what I’ve been hearing in the dollars department, the billions needed seem so out of reach.  This realization led me to feel helpless… powerless.  What can anyone do to help when there’s such an overwhelming need?   And physically going there to help out isn’t even an option (I’m not a trauma surgeon or a UN worker or…plus one could easily become part of the problem arriving without enough personal supplies like food, water, etc.)  The only option is to leave it to the organizations that have the know-how and resources, but these organizations need money…doesn’t it feel like it always comes down to money? 

After a couple of days wrestling with these questions and thoughts, it occurred to me that I could channel this frustration of not having billions of dollars to donate by trying to help out in other ways.  For instance, I could continue to send smaller amounts of money to Haiti, and at the same time,  I could focus more on directly contributing to causes closer to home.  There are plenty of organizations practically in my backyard that are currently in serious need of assistance.   I would like to believe that making an effort, any effort at all, could somehow make a difference in the end.  The trick is getting more people involved right?  Am I being naive or can we each make a difference a little bit at a time?

8 Comments |

In my studio I’ve posted a little reminder that encourages me to sit still…to embrace the quiet.

I spend countless hours on this chair creating this n’ that.  

While I’m sitting, I’ll often keep my hands busy making little objects. 

It seems that when my hands are busy, my mind becomes settled.  This stillness soothes the soul, bringing feelings of peace within.  This calmness is balanced with an energy that fills my entire being with soft, glowing light.  A light that keeps me warm during this frigid season.  A light that allows me to see clearly when the sun is sparse during the dark winter months. 

If you share my need to sit still and make things, especially things with bird images you can visit my website to get a glimpse of my sculpted clay bird necklaces.   The details for making this necklace are available in the current issue of Somerset Life.  In this article the clay material that I used is “Das”, not “Jas” as it reads in the article (sorry for the mix-up.)  Within this article you’ll also find the details on how to make a few more of my necklace projects.

10 Comments |

The holidays required more of my attention than expected which explains why I’m just now going through our photos from Europe.   While reviewing our photos I noticed a trend.  It looks like we covered most of the p’s in the food category. 

pizza

pasta  (oops blurry)

pastries (actually churros, but close enough)

And a panini almost everyday (I forgot to take photos, probably too busy eating.)  Anyway, I came home with a craving for more panini so I created my own version using a regular pot and pan.  All you do is place some ham, cheese, tomato and arugala between 2 slices of good artisan bread.  Then butter the pan (preheated), add the sandwich (set heat at low to medium), place a heavy pot on top of the sandwich and toast both sides until the center is warm and melted.  If the pot isn’t heavy enough, just place a regular tin can inside.  This pressed sandwich doesn’t sport the grill marks that a fancy panini machine would deliver, but it’s quick and easy and tastes just as good.   It just occurred to me that maybe my version is more like a cuban sandwich than a panini.  Oh well, it’s still yummy and I don’t need to bother buying another kitchen gadget to make it. 

(oops, blurry again)

7 Comments |

Today’s snowy weather has kept our family indoors.  This comes as a welcome change since we were in need of some down time together.  Besides watching multiple episodes of Iron Chef on television and adding the finishing touches to our gingerbread house (I like to save this activity for the New Year rather than squeezing it into the Christmas holiday), we took this opportunity to pack away our ornaments.

Here’s a look at our tree all loaded up with ornaments (oops, forgot to turn on the twinkling lights.)

Most of our ornaments are handmade, and I especially cherish the ones that we made using photos.  Since the photos themselves were the main focus, I intentionally kept the photo frames simple.  And in keeping with this authentic feel, I chose to capture unpolished, candid photos that cast a diy vibe. 

Bill and I with our first dog, Bosco from 14 years ago.

From our wedding day, 12 years ago.

Bill and Brook, 10 years ago.  Notice the prominent side burns – so 90’s!

Looking at these old photos stirred-up deep emotions, and I was flooded by feelings of immense gratitude for my loving husband and daughter.  Before meeting Bill and starting a family of our own, I didn’t have any real family to count on.  Growing up my family ties were weak, fragmented and unreliable.   Getting through this stage was tough, but I learned a very important lesson…always look on the bright side of life.   And trust me, there is ALWAYS a brighter side, another option – an optimistic way of perceiving any situation.   In line with the gift of optimism, I’ve gained an earnest appreciation for each and every blessing in my current life.   Blessings such as a loving family and friends, a comfortable home, time to pursue art – these things keep me grounded.  It turns out that looking back isn’t so bad after all, but I’m definitely more excited about looking ahead… moving forward. 

8 Comments |

As the beginning of 2010 gets closer, I find a need to surround myself with small reminders that will help make every day more special…more meaningful.  By cobbling together some scraps and found pieces, I created these mini tokens with positive messages.

The message that wraps around this spool reads “Beauty is all around us” – a reminder to appreciate all the wonderful things I come across.  To always see things with eyes wide open is an awareness I aspire to hold on to.

Remembering to “laugh often” is equally important to me.   Sometimes I tend to get too serious…too intense.  When this happens it feels fantastic to let loose and laugh, laugh, laugh.  Practically nothing beats good old-fashioned belly-aching laughter.   I can’t imagine what life would be like without this tension-breaking, people-bonding pleasure.

Happy 2010 -  hope it’s drenched with beauty and laughter.

9 Comments |