My Mexican Vacation

Hola and Feliz Navidad! We are back from sunny, beautiful Mexico. Our 5 days away was a welcome respite from the cold weather here in Kansas. We stayed in Playa del Carmen and just chilled. We went into town shopping a few times and my husband & son built a KU Jayhawk sand sculpture. 

A scene from downtown Playa del Carmen

The view from my beach lounger!

Cute new necklace



I made this sweet little pug dog necklace this week. It is in an art show that I am participating in and I am hoping it will find a new home! If not look for it on my Etsy site in December. I will be updating my shop really soon. I have been on creative hiatus for a little bit, but the creative bug has started biting me again for I think I will lock myself in my studio real soon to scratch that itch.

I'm so sad its over......

I recently finished the last novel in the Steig Larsson trilogy of "Girl" books. I am so sad that Lisbeth's story has come to an end. I must admit that I have really enjoyed the story of her character and all her adventures. Perhaps I envy her freedom and toughness and lack of dependency on anyone. I really wish that Mr. Larsson had lived longer and written at least 5 different stories. I think the story of her sister would have been next. Thank you Steig for the wonderful characters and compelling stories!

I'm looking forward to seeing the last Girl movie soon! Here is the trailer:

http://www.moviefone.com/movie/the-girl-who-kicked-the-hornets-nest/10017661/video/the-girl-who-kicked-the-hornets-nest/628264925001

Susan Szenes

I saw a mixed media piece by Susan Szenes on HGTV's Pure Design today. I really love her work! Check out her blog on my blog list.

I'm reliving last season's project runway:

Organization is a good thing!

I am organizing my new doo-dads that I picked up on my travels to Chicago & Minneapolis. I have a ton of bins in my studio and I am trying to categorize all of my littles that I use in my jewelry creations by subject matter. I actually enjoy this type of activity. I think that getting organized is the best way to kick start creativity. I found lots of ideas while sifting through the accumulations in my bins!

My newly customized Blythe doll is enjoying the beautiful fall weather!

Surprises Today!

Today as I was walking to my front door I noticed this reflection on the living room carpet. I collect heart stones and I saw this heart shape and just had to take a pic!

When I opened the front door I found a package from Carrie in Michigan. She has been customizing my Blythe doll. My doll had arrived back home! Here she is, her name is Olivia and she is way more glam than before! Thanks Carrie!

I am back from the Creative Connection Handmade Market. Minneapolis was great fun, a little wet and gloomy, but I was inside most of the time. I had a successful show, (thanks again to my friend Lynn for all her support and help!) and made a lot of new friends!

This is Sara Linter owner of Too Many Suitors graphic design and clothing company. She makes great screen printed t-shirts, scarves and felt ornaments. She was right next to us for 3 days and we got to chat alot! Check her out a http://www.toomanysuitors.com/!

This is Sarah Bober, who had a great display of Fine Silver and Resin jewelry. Sarah was right across the aisle from us and she was gracious enough to take us with her to Rainbow Chinese restaurant for amazing Sesame noodles! YUM! Thanks, Sarah! You can find her work at: http://www.sbdesign.etsy.com/

I really had fun meeting new friends and making connections with other artisans. I am ready for some time at home now! :)

What I've been working on.....

Just a few projects that I have been working on lately. I am gearing up to hit the road again this time to the Creative Connection in Minneapolis for their Handmade Market. I am hoping that the trip will be worthwhile! I think a Trader Joe's stop will be on the agenda. Maybe IKEA too!

I'm back from the CREATE RETREAT!

I am back from the CREATE RETREAT sponsored by Cloth Paper Scissors magazine in Chicago.I sold my jewelry at the Artist's Faire. My table is pictured above. My friend Lynn was a big help during the sale and everywhere else! We had a fun 4 day trip even though the traffic was unnerving! My trusty Garmin Nuvi and my navigator Lynn helped me navigate my way around town. I found tons of doo-dads to use in my art, so the trip was really rewarding. While at the retreat Lynn and I took a class taught by Bob Maloney. We both enjoyed the class and learned new techniques! Below are some pictures:

Recent Work

I'm getting ready to head to Chicago for the Create Retreat. Here are some of my recent works that might be making the trip!

Art Unleashed Donation

I finally finished my piece for donation to Art Unleashed. This event raises money for the Humane Society of KC. More info. is on the link under "buy my art". Its a really fun event. Well worth the ticket!

My mixed media assemblage shrine is a tribute to my love of Scotties! The shrine incorporates parts of a childs tea set and one of my soldered glass reliquary necklaces featuring a antique scottie dog. On the back is the quote "Toto, I don't think we are in Kansas anymore". Hanging from the bottom of the pendant is a tiny ruby slipper charm.

It's HOT!!!!

The water lilies in our pond really love the heat and humidity that we are experiencing. The many frogs that live in the pond love to float on top of the large green leaves. I am taking a break from jewelry making to go antiquing with my friend Glenda. I hope to find some new treasures for my creations. I will be adding more goodies to my Etsy shop soon!

My Etsy!

Well, I've taken the jump into Etsy at last! It took about an hour to get my site up and running. I only have one necklace listed but hopefully I will get more things listed soon. To visit my shop click on the link under the "Buy My Art" header!

Here are some pendant necklaces in the making. I have spent the last couple of days finalizing about 75 pendants getting them ready to solder. I think I will start soldering on Sunday. I have 4 upcoming shows now so I will need to amass a big inventory. In between working on jewelry I have been on a "Blythe Mission". I have decided to buy a Blythe doll to photograph for use in my jewelry. I like to use doll faces in my "Gear Girl" series. (See above) Owning and photographing a doll will help me get images for this series. Currently I hunt through doll magazines for images to cut & paste. SO I went on a Blythe quest. I had NO IDEA how hard these dolls are to find. The harder it became, the more determined I got. I really was afraid of the online auction dolls as most where from Hong Kong merchants who don't seem to speak English. My worry was that I would end up with a fake Blythe. So long story short, I found one at a Japanese Toy store in NYC. So I know have a Blythe! I must figure out her name and I want to get her customized! There is a whole new world out there of Blythe devotees. See my Blythe Blog List for more information!

I've Been Busy!

I have been holed up in my studio slaving away to make my Soldered Glass pendants for my upcoming art shows. I love the gathering and planning process more than the actual creation part. I really get so many ideas zipping around in my head while digging through my bins and drawers of stuff. I am excited to be participating in 2 major Art Retreat Shows. I love road trips and I will be road tripping to Chicago & Minneapolis soon! See the links under buy my art! 

A look at my studio chaos!!!

Quote of the Day

ART IS ANYTHING YOU CAN GET AWAY WITH!

I've got puppies on the brain!

What makes me smile!!!!

Fun with zentangles.....

New opportunities!

I am going to be selling my jewelry and shrines at the CREATE Retreat in Chicago in August. How exciting! Check out the link below for more information.
http://guest.cvent.com/EVENTS/Info/Summary.aspx?e=8df45474-292a-464b-9544-df5919cbc630

Spring Has Sprung!

After a LONG LONG miserable winter signs of spring are good to see.

A Haunting We Will Go Cloth Paper Scissors Challenge

This is my entry in the Cloth Paper Scissors A Haunting We Will Go Art Challenge. I hope it makes the cut and gets published!

American Visionary Museum Baltimore, MD

I had a great time visiting The American Visionary Museum in Baltimore, while attending the NAEA Convention!

Coco Before Chanel (a great movie!)