Taking a Break

We're spending some time down at the coast...doing mostly nothing. This is where I am inspired the most by nature. Something is so calming and meditative about just sitting and watching the ocean roll in. I have found several interesting shells, rocks and wood that all give me ideas for some new pieces of jewelry.

Here's just a bit of my world this week.

I did bring along some of my jewelry tools and supplies. So I've been trying to work out a few designs. It goes slowly though as I wish I had brought this tool or that material. However, I did bring a sketchbook so my designs will have to live there until I return home. While I am away my assistant, Bailey, will take over my blog.

Studio Re-do

I thought at one time I wanted to be an interior designer. It's probably a good thing I didn't do that as I would still be stuck in my very first project moving the furniture around over and over not being able to make up my mind. Such was the case with redecorating this studio. Part of the challenge is that I share this space with my husband and all his computer equipment. So this may all look different in a few months. This all started with my purchase of a kiln for enameling. I needed somewhere to put it so we trekked three hours to Ikea to get the storage table that is in this photo. It's a great table and has an amazing amount of space,

however, I am going to have to put the kiln on something else while firing. I also got these really cute black lamps to go over my work area. They don't take up table space and are adjustable.

Get a good look at the top of my work table. It already does not look like this anymore.

Now that you have had the official tour I think I will go and

Thanks for stopping by.

A Walk and Yard Art

Since I have not been teaching school this summer I have tried to begin a habit of walking everyday. I could walk at the gym; and do if it's too hot or raining. However that is boring and I don't feel I'm getting anywhere. I am certainly not seeing my neighborhood up close and personal. Today I decided to do just that. I went armed with my camera with the plan being to take time to really look. Really see all the things I pass by each day. Before we go any further I have to confess. I have a thing for yard art. Not the ticky tacky plastic junk. I live in an older, more gentrified neighborhood but I learned today that many of my neighbors must have a sense of  whimsy.

 Isn't this just the cutest house? Not technically yard art, but if you look just above the porch there is a lizard.

I remember the rock group Iron Butterfly, but I don't think this one is singing "In a Gadda da Vida". Much more attractive anyway.

I love this little birdhouse with it's own flower pot of lantana.

And a porch hare

We don't often see many deer in these parts.

My favorite. Doesn't he look so noble, so protective?

Yes, I know, my furry friend is not really yard art....he just wanted his picture taken.

All this yard art is really about just being in the moment and being observant. I've walked by these things many times and have never seen them.  I think I'll take myself and my camera for a walk again this week. How do you keep yourself in the moment?

Jewelry Charm Swap

I have been trying to take time to reflect on all the things I am grateful for. So many....my husband, family, my job, my cat boys, even running water. Friends are up there on that list too.  A few years ago I was looking for something to get me out of the house and be creative. I found a jewelry fabrication class that I thought looked interesting taught by Erica Bailey. I never thought I would have loved it as much as I do. I also made some great friends in this class. We often socialize and have jewelry swaps. It is a great way to challenge ourselves and always interesting to see what each person creates given the same topic. We have had pin swaps, Christmas ornament swaps and recently had a charm swap. This is what I created to exchange.

There's a lot of excitement as each piece is displayed. Each person created twenty one charms and when we exchanged them we had a bracelet with a charm from everyone. 

Each pin, ornament and charm is a reminder of the people that have led me along this path I am on. I have always believed that people come and go in life for a reason. Our task is to be aware and learn from our relationships with those that cross our path. So I am grateful to  Kelly Rae and all my "Flying Lessons" friends. I believe I am becoming who I was meant to be.

Do Fortune Cookies Tell the Truth?

I am still cleaning, rearranging and taking apart my studio to make it more creatively friendly. This is what I found amongst much ephemera lurking in a drawer.

How cool is that? I think that when I first saved this it was in the spirit of hope. Now that I am keeping it; it  is now my talisman, my inspiration to succeed in becoming who I am meant to be.

My trip to find some suitable storage for my soon to be remodeled studio was successful. I'm excited to see the way it is coming together and to show it to you.

New Beginnings

Last week I finished an e-course taught by the lovely Kelly Rae Roberts. Everything I've been searching for about beginning a creative business and then some was there. What would YOU do if you knew you could not fail? Well, that really opens up some options doesn't it? So I have begun to recognize my fears and to take steps to go beyond them.

That first step has been to create a blog. So after a week of designing I think I have finally tweeked it to my satisfaction. Tomorrow is going to be the beginning of a studio overhaul. We are going here to get to get something to help with the redecorating. This is a photo of the studio as it is now.