Texture

The SaTeam has decided to try some blog carnivals, where everyone blogs about the same topic. Gives people a chance to see how things affect one another and to links up blogs.

The topid this time is "how does texture affect your work?" I love texture! I think that's fairly evident in my spinner rings. It's rare I do a ring without texture!

My favorite texturing tools are Jim Moore's texture stamps, I have several but really and kicking myself for not getting a dozen or so. They really are my favorite tool in the studio right now.

This ring has two different texture stamps work onto the base, then hammered rings added. Layering textures add interest and fun to a piece. I don't think texture is something I will move away from any time soon!

Other SaTeam bloggers writing about texture in their work are

Danagonia

C My Designs

The FamiLee Jewels

Bead Sire

Nicole Hill

Better Days

Amethyst spinner ring! Better Days, size 9!

Sheep!

My morning walk/jog takes me through a local trail that sheep are often in the fields beside it. Today I ran into a whole herd of them on the trail!

I think they were feeling a bit pudgy so they decided to join me for my jog portion! They followed me all along the trail on the bluff, and through the trees. It did get a bit un nerving for a few moments when the whole herd belted up behind me and the lead sheep nibbled my shorts!

Bye guys! See you next time and remember cardio is an important part of any healthy lifestyle!

Warm Autumn

“A good friend is a connection to life, a tie to the past, a road to the future, the key to sanity in a totally insane world.” Lois Wyse

I was thinking over the weekend how much I like the new gallery, well it's not new but it's new to me. I like being a "part" of something. We are planning a couple fall events, a bring a friend night and a Christmas open house. It's nice to have someone to bounce ideas off, and someone to enjoy the fun with! The School House Gallery really seems to be the place for me, it's allowed me to create on a more efficient schedule. I've got more work done in the last couple weeks than I have in ages. In fact I'm out of silver!

In a insane world it really is nice to have good friends, I'm trying this week to implement a "spend less time on the internet" plan. I feel I waste too much time cruising around forums, and the drama on the forums tends to suck the energy out of me. SO my plan is to spend less time online, and the time I do spend online should be more efficient. I'd rather converse with good friends online than get caught up a drama.

Warm Autumn, I listed this ring in my etsy today. And as I wandered the garden a bit tonight it felt like autumn was on the way, maybe just a little bit. I noticed an abundance of crickets tonight, do they come out more in the fall? My sunflowers are heavily in bloom, how I managed to plant the shorts ones BEHIND the tall ones is beyond me? I have been cutting the shorter ones and bringing them inside so I can enjoy them, as I can't SEE them in the garden behind all those tall ones with the big, bright heads.

mmmm labradorite

I love this spinner! Labradorite and a heavy patina, it's really yummy! I've got a few more similar on the way!

Next!

“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.” Mark Twain

Ever sit back and say “gee I wish I did more of X”? Anything you want to do and haven’t, someplace you want to go but have yet to see?

For me its Alaska, that’s the next on my must see list. I’d actually be happy with any place with snow and northern lights.

I wistfully dream of a small remote cabin, snow to my knees, northern lights, good friends and maybe a nice dark beer!

Spinners Galore!

It's been HOT here so I'm making spinners galore! All in my etsy shop!

Chico

The Breath of Paradise is that which blows between the ears of a horse.

- Arabic Quotation

It's been a sad weekend for me. A friends horse passed on.

He was one of those horses you remember, for a lot of reasons.

I knew him in two lives. His first with a lovely young girl who's face lit up every time she saw him. I have fond memories of her giggling with him at horse shows, standing at the fence between classes chatting with her while he stood curious about everything and everyone. They were a pair that made you smile each and every time you saw them. His first owner passed away suddenly at a young age, Chico I think helped many people through the grief at her memorial service. Animals some how know when people are hurting and seem to be able to comfort, and Chico was good at that.

Chico then moved on to his second family. Another young girl, another special person who again I have such fond memories of. My first memories of her are on a sweet but sometimes challenging pony, and when she moved up from that pony to a horse Chico was the one.

I have the pleasure of living beside the community riding ring and often I'd get to see glimpses of Chico in his lessons. Sometimes being a challenge, but they always had a air of happiness about them. It was infectious, I cannot count the number of times I got to watch a min or two of them riding and smiled the connection they had was easy and heartwarming to see. Not often do I become attached to a horse that I don't own, I can think of two over the years and Chico was one of them.

So it was a sad day to hear he'd been diagnosed with an aggressive form of cancer. And an even sadder day when he declined and was laid to rest peacefully.

I always makes me feel a bit helpless, like I should be able to DO something, anything. But a wise friend told me softly one day when my own horses were ill "sometimes thing just are what they are, and it will all be ok, even if you can do nothing, one day it will all be ok, maybe not today or tomorrow but eventually you will be ok"

So as I sit today, feeling sad and a bit helpless. I send thoughts to Chico's family that I hope and pray that eventually you will be ok. He was very loved and will be missed.

New stuff happening

“The artist must be an egotist because, like the spider, he draws all his building material from his own breast. But just the same the artist alone among men knows what true humility means. His reach forever exceeds his grasp. He can never be satisfied with his work. He knows when he has done well, but he knows he has never attained his dream. He knows he never can.”Rheta Childe DorrI have new ideas in my head, and quite frankly it's giving me a headache!Tomorrow I venture into town *gasp* yes I have a strong dislike for town. The parking, crowds, noise (breaking out in a sweat already). BUt I want some new tools and am hoping I can find them at the local rock shop.I may reward my venture into stressful territory with a Starbucks, my one treat!

Mid way

The view from the mid way point on my morning walk. Which I did today and it really does make me feel better. I need to try and get out for a brisk walk the next time my day starts to go to crap.

I managed to jog a short portion of it today!

Thank you is it that hard?

Yesterday started a interesting spiral of feelings for me. When someone asks me for help or directions or colors or techniques, I usually reply promptly and give as much of the answers as I can. I feel that art and life is meant to be shared. It's not what you do it's what you leave behind, what you are remembered for when you are here no more.

Recently I've been asked from many people many different questions. Not one has said thank you, and a couple even felt the need to reprimand me for not giving them the answers they were looking for.

It makes me wonder why it is so hard for people to say a simple thank you? It makes me wonder if I say it as often as I should? And yes it makes me wonder what the hell makes people behave the way they do?

Normally I am a positive person but this has caught me in a bit of a spiral of negativity. I didn't even get my walk in today, which makes me sad as it probably would have helped. Maybe tomorrow? Someone needs to email me first thing with a message like "GET OFF your ass and go for a walk!"

Friday friday friday

In an effort to be healthier I went for a walk this morning. I am shooting for a brisk walk mon/wed/fri. There is a nice loop here down through Mitchels fields along the bluff by the water. And it's got a long gradual hill, which is a fitness bonus, I think?

I find it hard to get going in the mornings and I'm hoping this will kick start me. This morning it hit me at about 8:30 "GO FOR YOUR WALK" and I did! Good tunes on your ipod and a brisk morning walk, does it get better than that?

Cobblestone

“Mind is all that counts. You can be whatever you make up your mind to be.”

Robert J. Collier

Today was hot! By afternoon my energy was waning. I was determined to get a small attempt at the herb garden I am putting by the front of the studio started. I got a few of my potted herbs moved, most are staying in a pot sunk in the ground so they don't get too out of hand. I have dreams of wonderful scents wafting into the studio from the herb garden.

Cobblestone is a new copper capped and cored bead in my etsy.

School House Gallery

“The best way to pay for a lovely moment is to enjoy it.”

Richard David Bach

Today I'll be working at the School House Gallery from 11-5. I'm still looking for more display items to make my display a little more classy, unique and interesting. I spent monday looking but didn't really find anything that I liked. Maybe some glass blocks, or wooden nesting cubes?

It's very smoky and hazy here today, and quiet. Almost eerie, there have been a lot of fires on the mainland and some here on the Island, it's so dry and hot. We could really use some rain!

Candy Violet

Candy Violet, another set made with Double Helix Clio!!!

Smart White

I love the clean lines of this ring, nice and simple.

Today started out cloudy then that burned off and OH MY it's getting hot! My sunflowers are all coming out, I broke down and cut one for in the house I just love their happy faces!

School House Gallery

Today was move in day! I've moved into the School House Gallery! It's a local working gallery here in Metchosin, about a 5 min walk from my house!

Jennifer Zizman and Chiarina Loggia are the two artists currently in the gallery who invited me to join them. It's a wonderful room with great natural light and a airy feel to it. Their work is stunning! Until Sept we are open thursday - sunday from 11-5 there is usually at least one of us in there working.

I am going to use it as a space to work on finishing pieces. My main glass studio will remain where it is, it's too hard to move torches and kilns!

It's a very exciting new space for me, we are thinking of having some joint shows. Maybe some wine and cheese nights, lots of plans!