Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas to all! 

Buttons, buttons, I've got the buttons!

Vintage, and found buttons are great to use for jewelry.
With the help of epoxy clay, I fashioned a bracelet and a ring.

Daily Zen Doodle

When I received this book to review, it didn't look all that special, since I have doodled for awhile, however I changed my mind when I saw the detail inside.  The book offers a quote, and a start for a doodle for each day of the year.  Meera suggests that you settle down, breathe deep, relax, meditate on the quote, and then let your pen flow. There is no right way to doodle; just do do doodle it!
Daily Zen Doodle by Merra Lee Patel -- Ulysses Press

Creativity beyond!

Smither Park in Houston TX is so inspiring; creativity oozing out of the walls;  literally!
This is such a delightful place to meet with friends. If you want to watch the artists work, be sure to go on a Saturday.

Mandalas

I have always loved mandalas; drawing, and painting them. I even made one in my little garden with shells,  rocks, and anything that happens to be blooming.
It was with pleasure that I received this little book of Animal Mandalas by Wendy Piersall. I think the cover is beautiful, and I couldn't wait to color a few animals. I tried my Inktense watercolor pencils, but found them hard to use within the tiny areas. I had better luck with the Faber Castell Pitt pens. Perhaps the answer for my more" mature eyes", would be one of those visor magnifiers. The designs are very creative, and someone with younger eyes, and a sense of

 detail, would love this little book.

Beautiful!

Spent the day at the Buckstaff Bath House, in Hot Springs, Arkansas.
A wonderful experience! Nothing like a mineral water bath to refresh the soul.

Downton inspired bracelets

I have made a few more Downton inspired bracelets. Each is one of a kind.
I enjoy using the micro hardware required for these projects.
Using the jewelry saw has become quite easy, but soldering tries my patience!
I just keep trying; maybe someday it will just happen. I know the how, and the why, but something is going wrong. I feel like I have wasted a lot of solder, and a lot of butane, but it is all part of the challenge. Good things are worth working for.

Sea Glass

I recently had the opportunity to explore this little book. It is a quick read with beautiful pictures of the colorful sea glass which was found all over the world. The authors liken looking for sea glass as "beach archeology". Each piece of glass has it's own history; the colors tell a lot of the story.
Various methods for using sea glass in jewelry making are described, from using a drill, wire wrapping and even gluing, so it is a book for every creative soul who longs to take the lost and found, to make something beautiful.
Thank you to Ulysses Press for allowing me to review this book.

Have been keeping busy, staying cool, and creating, "One Of A Kind" jewelry.
These two pieces are simple, but beautiful, in my eyes. They can be purchased 
here. I prefer simply stated elegance, and I think these qualify. The aubergine
pendant has a 36 inch chain.

I am still working on the Downton bracelets, but have run into a few bumps along the way.

Wow! This was fun. Might look a bit heavy for summer, but will be gorgeous on a long sleeve sweater.
Putting the various beads together is great fun.  I need a magnifier for those tiny little screws! Stay tuned, more to come.

Fun at the lake

We had a special night while at the lake. You must wear a hat in order to get dinner.
It was such fun being with family. We all were good sports; of course we wanted to eat.
Celebrated sister-in-laws birthday. The Texas weather was sooo nice for our midwest guests.
We had rains and a pleasant breeze to keep us cool.

I'm ba-ack!

Got so frustrated with this blogger site that I just went away for awhile.
We will see what happens here.
I have been taking Riki's on-line class at Artful Gathering. We are 
making a Downton Heirloom bracelet. I am learning so many techniques;
it is wonderful. My first attempt is just for me with all its flaws. I love it!
Totally got me back into making jewelry; I have ideas running around in my head.

More wall to see

I'm amazed at the beautiful work done by the artists at Smither Park
Each panel is a work unto itself, and yet it all goes together!

Creating the wall

Here is another beautiful section of the memory wall at Smither Park in Houston.The hair on this "hare" appears  to be tines from many forks.The creativity is amazing, and so interesting to see.

Power of Love

I have been trying to paint a feeling, a desire, a dream of mine. I have a wonderful husband, a great loving family, a beautiful little home, with a porch swing, so when confronted with the question:
"What is your dream?", I had to say, I am very blessed, however, I would love to see world peace; that is my dream! I believe the only way we will have world peace, is with unconditional love for EVERYONE.  I ran across a quote by Jim Hendrix "When the Power of Love overcomes the Love of Power, we will have world peace."  That said it all for me.....trying to paint that message was a little harder to do. This is my attempt to show Love overcoming power. The "white love" is shining with interference gold. The "dark power" is a mix of Turquoise (Phthalo), Macaceous Iron Oxide, and a tiny bit of black. Every time I look at this painting, I am reminded to be a little kinder to everyone I meet. I will do my part, how about you?

WOYWW

What's on my desk this week? I have been painting "Love".
It is hard painting a feeling, but not impossible. My acrylics are covered up on the left side, while I think about it. I used Soft Gel Gloss to add some texture, along with some Micaceous Oxide for the "Power". I'm in love with Golden's Phthalo Turquois, so of course I used that also. Tomorrow I will show the completed painting along with the explanation.I am using a piece of glass for a palette. Be sure to check here  on Julie's blog to see what is going on elsewhere. There is always something  new and exciting.

A Little Light

This was a fun project. We needed a little more light at the dinner table.
The candle holders are made from "extras" that we had around; I love the way they turned out.
This is one way to use those heirlooms that are not

used for dining these days.

Happy Easter

I have been busy coloring Easter eggs.
I love Mandalas so much I just had to put the designs on the eggs.
These "eggs" are not the kind you eat; as a matter of fact, you can't even break them, because they are
rocks! The two smaller ones are egg shells that have been cleaned and filled with a special surprise, and then decoupaged with pretty napkins.
Not to forget the real reason for Easter; we are all blessed indeed. Happy Easter to all our friends and family.

Blogging again!!

Well, now that I can blog, I can show you what I have been up to;
I made 100 note cards, just because; once I get started, I can't seem to stop.
My printer wasn't happy, and of course I used a whole XL cartridge of colored ink,
but it doesn't take much to amuse me. Since it is Wed. I can share on Julie's blog.
be sure to check it out.

WOYWW

Well, here it is Wednesday already and I'm moving slowly.
My desk is the place for everything I'm THINKING about doing, and some things I am actually working on. It always seems like a jumble, but it makes perfect sense to me.
The poppy pendants are drying after I put pouring medium on them; not sure that is going to work; might dry cloudy.The right side of my desk holds some ideas for rings. Didn't have a lot of luck with that project. Finally, the Soul Collage book which I am reading, and anxious to get started making Soul Collage cards. I feel like I have to read the whole book first to get the concept. Please check here at Julie's blog, and see if everyone's desk is as messy as mine.

Post Card Swap

I joined in on a Post Card Swap here. I mailed out these three, and should get three in return.

 I had 2 to mail to England, so I put them in envelopes. I guess I didn't want to know what might happen on the way to England without an envelope. A fun challenge, and not too involved with a bunch of rules.
Louise Gale seems very laid back, and it is always a joy to read her blog. Take a look. Many times she will have a guest posting, usually about how the heart makes a difference.

Spring is here

The daffodils were blooming and the doves were cooing. I had never seen a dove house; it was huge and the doves were everywhere.
I love this fountain idea. A very large iron pot with the water spouting up through the middle.

WOYWW

These are a few of the abstract pieces I have been working on since last week. I poured acrylic, and it was quite a mess, but fun. Forgot to take pictures. I practiced on a piece of  card board covered with Gesso (the blue one), then went on to canvas. I may not be finished, and that is the fun of abstract. Stop by Julie's site and see what is going on today. It is show and tell time.

Swingin' !!!

Just another beautiful day in Georgetown, Texas!

The hammock was a Christmas present from  our son and daughter-in-law. You can see our bottle tree in the background, and the bird feeder. That large "shield" below the feeder is to keep the squirrels out of the food. It works most of the time; fun to watch the squirrels do the pole dance, trying to get up the pole. Usually it is so slickly they slide right back down. The weather has been gorgeous for about a week, but is not going to last.