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.