Dare to Dream

The Power of Passion

2011-11-09T11:31:00.001-05:00

“Never underestimate the power of passion.” ~Eve Sawyer

My passion for work has been in overdrive lately. This means I'm whelmed with new designs creeping around my head, my body, my heart. It also means, I'm expanding on former ideas and work that is connected to those heady dreams I continue to harbor.

Yesterday, I began fleshing out a design I had to work out in my head first over a few weeks. Because that's how I roll.

My upcoming series now has it's title: "VENUS LOVE". Many of you are aware of my penchant for mythology, deities, goddesses, history, eras and those worlds of old fables, lore and legend.

I'm so very excited about it and I can't wait to show you the array of colorways I'm working on. Be assured, there are many hours in labor, love and passion in these pieces. It's very likely to be a limited production like most of my work. I hope you will be one who will "snap" one up, as my excitement and "whelm" of ideas consume me so, that I move on to new designs once the mood strikes me.

Also, I found some older drawings left over from my "ICONOLOGY" series. I'll be expanding on that series a bit as I had hoped earlier.

My "SERENDIPITY" mini handmade collage series jewelry has done so well this year that I have come down to just two (2) finished pieces, and (2) unfinished pieces. I started with a selection of approximately 50-60 pieces and they are GONE! Lucky girl I am to have friends who share my links and photos on Facebook; this has really grown my business this year. I am so grateful for them. I will be seriously considering continuing this series as I have so many GREAT vintage fabrics I still want to share with everyone. I just LOVE making those mini collages into unique pieces. It's both my loves in one: jewelry and mixed-media collage. It's always been so hard to make up my mind. *wink*

The "SORCERESS" ring series has been good to me and I'm actually quite sad that I'm nearly out of my pile of faceted natural rock crystals that helped make this series so great. I'm fervently looking to replenish those crystals; yet no luck all year.

The website remodels and business name change is coming along, more slowly than I'd hoped of course, but progress is being made. I won't mind at all once that part is out of my way and giving me more time to work on jewelry - my ultimate passion and choice for work!!!

That then brings me to my post! What is your joy in life today? What is your passion? Are you living one, or are you denying yourself? There are so many to pick from in this modern world. It doesn't have to be jewelry or art or craft... it could be rock climbing, fossil collecting, volunteering, marathon training, martial arts, dance classes, painting, gardening, carpentry, mechanics, traveling, building, inventing... there are just so many. Are you making excuses about why you are not making time for a passion or hobby in your life? If so, revisit that. Give yourself permission to enjoy something that you are passionate about.

Leave me a comment and let me know what you're passionate about, or what you are making an excuse not to be passionate about? I'd love to hear your story.

Have a wonderful, passionate and creative day!

Much Love,
Juanita

2011-10-27T23:48:00.000-04:00

"Dreams are renewable. No matter what our age or condition, there are still untapped possibilities within us and new beauty waiting to be born." ~Dale Turner

Wanting to express joy and excitement about all the upcoming new or improved projects and passions, I decided to put my thoughts into a blog post - because that is something I'm working on getting better at doing.

As many may know, over the summer I was in "Tonya Davidson's - Artful Success" program. I have made progress by leaps and bounds since then. You may not see all of those changes in tangible form yet, but they are on the way - because I have made them mentally.

Currently, I'm working on changing my "business" name from Lookie-Lookie -to- Juanita Burton Designs. This causes me to need necessary changes to all my social media sites, and websites and Etsy. I've been working very hard instituting all the changes, as well as working on custom orders.

It feels exhilirating though! With my background/education in Graphic Design, I thoroughly enjoy and get excited by design projects. I might sound silly, but I wish I had more time to just "play" with it. Hah! Here is a sneak peak at one of my new website design ideas:

In a couple weeks, I will be excited to share an article, and photos of a piece of my work, that will be published in Pasticcio Quartz. PQ is a gorgeous mixed-media publication/collaboration by Sarah Fishburn and Angela Cartwright. I have adored their work for many years, long before having an opportunity to be included in the next issue in November. Here is a sneak peak of an image in the article:

So many exciting things to do and be grateful for. I'm still working on my studio remodel and organization while working on jewelry -hjo that is taking longer than I expected. Anxiously waiting to receive my copy of Holly Gage's "The Art of Metal Clay" calendar. Also, getting Halloween costumes ready for an event this Saturday. Mailing surprise Halloween packages to my grandsons. Plenty of orders to keep me busy for a while... but most exciting is I have journaled tons of ideas for new work in my design journal ... and I can't wait to get started on it. I LOVE making women feel Romantic and Mysterious with specially made, handcrafted, one of a kind jewelry. I'm very passionate about it!

What are you feeling passionate about in your life right now?
Much Love. xoxo

Dream of Irnan the Irish Sorceress, in Icy Blue!

2011-09-30T22:17:00.000-04:00

It was really cool to read the newest Disney on Ice show is titled "Dare to Dream". Of course, that is a favorite title of mine as well. *wink* I have always had an affinity for and was drawn to fairy tales, fantasy and mythology. As a child, choosing library books about Cinderella, princes, princesses, Knights in Armor and Dragons were common.

This love of dreamy, fantasy things, is also what inspires my work; both in jewelry and art. This also inspires my titles of my work; for instance, the title of the ring in the above photo is "Irnan, the Irish Sorceress".

Here, the title lured me in and the "charming" story of a real-life fairy tale will always cause me to stop what I'm doing to read.

[Black and her husband, James, are in their sixth year of performing as Cinderella and her prince for Disney on Ice. Both say playing these iconic roles is a dream come true and that being married makes them more believable to the audience. It also means the pair don't have to speak and can read each other's body signals on the ice...
..."Dare to Dream" features not only Cinderella and Prince Charming, but also Rapunzel and Flynn from "Tangled" and Princess Tiana and Prince Naveen from "The Princess and the Frog."]

Read more: http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2011/09/30/2650629/married-and-gliding-on-a-dream.html#ixzz1ZUVuNHJz

Is there something in your life that makes you stop and Dream - or inspires your work, or your day, or your life? I sure hope so...

Please feel free to comment here if you are inclined to share with others.

My War on Negativity! The Power of Intention and Positive Thinking

2011-09-19T11:18:00.001-04:00

"If you think you can, you can; if you think you can't, you're right?" ~Mark Twain

Simply said...it saddens me. Negative thinking, whining and complaining seems to be the trend of the last decade. It's everywhere you go; in the grocery store, on the street, at your job, Facebook, Twitter, Myspace, neighbors, family, friends, parents, kids, spouses; you name it, you don't have to look far to hear it. Disagree? Just ask a question at any local market ... "Hi, how are you doing today?" It's a loaded question for sure.... it's nearly guaranteed you will hear stories of illness, death, financial woes, aches, pains, complaints of children, parents, in-laws, spouses, legal troubles, etc. I try to look for an opening in there somewhere as quickly as possible to change the direction, and ask excitedly, "So what have you done that's fun lately; any trips; any exciting news?" My hope of possibly changing their mindset, a kind of a nudge to think about... Something good must have been mixed in there somewhere, come on dig deep. That may come across crass or sarcastic, but it is altruistic...I care about your mindset.

Sure, many will say there are plenty of excuses; because of our economy; because they lost a job; they lost a loved one; they are sick; lost a home, a pet, a husband, wife, boyfriend, girlfriend, couldnt get credit for a new car, a Nintendo, a Gucci purse,...etc. I've had personal experience with, and conversations with, those who believe positive people are not living in reality, the "real" world. Even going so far as to say they are phony. Well I beg to differ! I happen to be one of those people; I'm positive, daily, and there is no phoniness about it.

For the life of me, I cannot see the purpose in dwelling on misery or negativity, whether self-inflicting or imposing it on others. How you live your life is a decision you make ... you have options, you have alternatives, you have choices. If you choose sad, miserable, whiny, complaining, and negative... then that is what you attract (see above quote). If you wake up each day and decide your life sucks, then your day is probably going to suck - because you believe it to be so.YOU have the power to change your thoughts, to make your day better... to make your day as awesome as it can be.

Test it out yourself! For 30 days, mark your calendar and wake up each day to remind yourself of all the things you have to be grateful for, that's a great place to start. Tell yourself you will do something nice for yourself each day - be kind to you. Make a point of doing one nice thing for someone else each day during the 30 days, but don't point it out or throw it in their face if they don't respond immediately. It could be as simple as, packing that person a lunch, or cooking dinner; finding a sick person and helping them with a small chore or reading them a chapter from a book. The power of our minds are very healing and forgiving. If you make up your mind to be more positive each day and work on that every day, you will be surprised at how easy it becomes to be more positive each and every day - as a LIFESTYLE.

I can testify to the power of positive thinking, how it can heal you and make your life RICH. Realizing that negativity and misery serves no purpose in your life will free you of those crippling feelings you build up and on. Break FREE from the worry habit that is perpetuated in our society; Protest It! Buy literature on "Positive Thinking", read articles on the subject, or find a group or program to join. It is also as simple as searching YouTube videos on "Positive Thinking". Those are FREE! Practice this daily. Stress and worry are so unhealthy for your mind and body. Stop the madness.

Life is for LIVING, be happy in your days on earth. Build good memories to talk about in your old age, not reliving memories of pain and anger.

Will you make time to invest in your own happiness? Will you make that worthwhile effort?

If you have 5 minutes to work toward your happiness: http://youtu.be/8qSTHPABoHc

If you have 10 minutes to work toward your happiness: http://youtu.be/pfWGoLj1JCM

Much Love,

Juanita

Glittery Sparkles Raining Down On Me

2011-09-09T22:31:00.000-04:00

"Just don't give up trying to do what you really want to do. Where there's love and inspiration, I don't think you can go wrong." ~Ella Fitzgerald

Once I wrote a blog post about growing wings. It was related to an Art Journal I was working on at the time. Now my wings are sprinkled with glitter too. "...I have been working on growing wings. I started growing them a few years back. I think they are growing quite nicely now, getting full and large with soft feathers on them. I am getting quite attached to my wings. ... finding just the right wings ... I love these wings. Heck, you can barely see the scars now. They feel like they've been there all along... click here for the post"

Many of you already know I have been in Tonya Davidson's "Artful Success" program. I attribute growth and a larger wing span since reaping the benefits of that program. This is a testimony, as well as personal reference, to the advancements I've made over the last couple of months; and I'm not done yet!

I have really been working on the "Artful Success" modules in Tonya's program. While I have been really busy, and have many projects on my plate since joining, I can feel them all coming together in a cohesive manner finally. Through the teaching in this program, things are starting to fill my life with many wonderful attractions through "mindful intention".

Exciting and fun news was recieved today when Barbe SaintJohn, an Ice Resin Design Team member, posted a link on my Facebook page showing pieces of my "Serendipity" jewelry (photo above) was featured on Susan Lenart Kazmer's Ice Resin Flickr Friday. Yayyy!

Some of you are following my studio remodel also. This has been much slower than I anticipated; however, I'm very excited about completing it and having a fresh new, larger studio since my move last year. The wall color I chose, Dusty Olive, turned out as lovely as I'd hoped. Can't wait to finish up and move my tools and benches in there and get to work on new pieces - a new series I'm working on.

I've had a terrific and fun summer that doesn't seem to be winding down quite yet and I am grateful for so so many people and events and abundance in my life. Due to these things and many other passions in my life, I do my best to pay it forward and also to inspire others to live an abundant, happy life. We deserve happiness, YOU deserve happiness, passion, love and inspiration in your life.

This is why I named my blog "Dare To Dream". We all benefit from Daring to Dream. What is your Dream; do you Dare to Dream it?

Much Love,
Juanita

So You Don't Claim EVERY Online Transaction? Well 2011 Just Changed That

2011-09-09T20:17:00.000-04:00

According to Ecommercebytes.com: Online Sellers' Payment Transactions will now be tracked by the IRS.
"Internet sellers who don't report their sales will no longer be under the radar. Starting next year, any bank or other payment settlement company that processes credit cards, debit cards, and electronic payments such as PayPal will have to issue information returns telling the IRS what merchants receive. The new returns are Form 1099-K, Merchant Card and Third-Party Payments." ...go here to read the complete article

More info here, please read on: ...starting with transactions in calendar year 2011...
"WASHINGTON — The Internal Revenue Service today issued proposed regulations under a new statute requiring that, starting with transactions in calendar year 2011, the gross amount of payment card and third-party network transactions be reported annually to participating merchants and the IRS. The provision was enacted as part of the Housing Assistance Tax Act of 2008 and is designed to improve voluntary tax compliance by business taxpayers and help the IRS determine whether their tax returns are correct and complete." ... go here to read this article on IRS.gov

Better to know now then next year, right?

Much Love!
Juanita

Lady in Waiting: Studio Renovation

2011-08-30T22:22:00.006-04:00

Phelps's Laws of Renovation: Any renovation project on an old house will cost twice as much and take three times as long as originally estimated.

Per my previous post I was so genuinely excited about, the project idea and preparation started out strong. The problems, however, are beginning to slowly chip away at what was assumed minor finishing steps to the studio remodel.

The initial prep work was done two days early last week: selecting and ordering carpet, selecting an affordable contractor for minor drywall repairs and wall/ceiling texture application, stripping borders, pulling nails, and clearing the room of items that collect in an unused/unfinished room. The contractor was supposed to arrive and work Wednesday and Thursday. On Tuesday evening, due to problems at their current assignment, my project was moved to Thursday and Friday. On Thursday afternoon, after not arriving that morning, I was informed my job would be moved to Tuesday. At that point, my project was now seven days behind schedule. In the mean time, all the items moved from the project room have been occupying the floor space in my current tiny studio; this is not good for productivity at all.

The contractors arrive today, a very nice family crew of three. Introductions are made, and instructions are gone over again. They methodically and systematically get to work. Toward the end of the work day, problems with the construction of the room begin to emerge. Drywall damage that was not noticed or foreseen show up due to the "wet" texture applied to the walls and ceiling. Poor workmanship of prior repairs and nicotine stains are now apparent. Now it's time to discuss newly required repairs to fix the unexpected damage. I am bummed out to say the least; however, that is only temporary. It is not my style to see the negative side of things. I can always find the bright side. I am very capable of seeing my vision come to fruition.

We now negotiate the resolution and the cost and time of the new issues. We consult our calendars and come up with a plan of action. I will not be beat down by a mere delay, nor the additional expense and time. I have decided my goals, and taking my action steps; something I've become very accustomed to doing in my Artful Success program now.

Although we have issues to resolve - more repairs to ceiling and walls, and cost and time of painting has now been added to the project - the carpet installation will go as scheduled this week. The contractors will be back on Monday to continue working.

While it's true I am behind my ideal schedule, I am still excited about my vision and my new studio space!

Have you had a home repair or remodeling setback disappoint you lately? Were you able to stay positive? I hope so.

Much Love.

Organization Motivation Inspiration

2011-08-23T23:18:00.011-04:00

I've been very busy the past few weeks with several things, including inspiration for a new project. Although school started last week, we were once again enjoying a fun weekend on the go; which including motorcycle riding, swimming, sunning and live music.

This week though, due to my work in the Artful Success program, I was very motivated and inspired to get to work on my newest project; upgrading my studio/office space. I'm now concentrating on completing a room remodel we started months ago. This will give me some elbow room to make very special work for very special people - doing what I love to do best!

Originally, it was to be a master bedroom; however, this program has caused me to think about some things. Last week I decided it will be completed sooner than planned and used as my studio/office until our larger garage-slash-workshop can be built. Since moving, I have been cramped into a small spare bedroom; I was used to a large studio space with plenty of storage. I really have been frustrated with it, and was avoiding the room altogether much of the time. This has affected my creative production. Also, I cannot stay organized because there is no storage. I have plastic tubs everywhere and dig through them to find things. That makes more chaos and mess to clean up, and it's just a vicious cycle. It feels very claustrophobic.

Therefore, I decided to temporarily claim the "master bedroom". I have now ordered the materials and hired a contractor to complete the job. I can move my workshop into that room, install storage units and get organized again. This will be a breath of fresh air; literally, because I'll have two large windows for cross-ventilation of fumes.

I'm also working on restructuring my business, changing the name, and revising all my websites over the next few months; that story to be continued. For now, I have much work to do preparing the new studio for business and creating new work. I'll post more pictures about the new studio as it progresses over the next month. I'm so excited about it all!

What new project have you been inspired to work on lately? I hope it brings you much enjoyment...

Much Love!

Travel Humor and Frog Appetizers

2011-08-17T00:02:00.005-04:00

"Your ability to go through life successfully will depend largely upon your traveling with courage and a good sense of humor, for both are conditions of survival." ~John R. Silber

This has always been one of my favorite quotes. I'm not sure if it is because I have "traveled" a lot on my journey of dreams or because I BELIEVE you should never leave home without your sense of humor. Plan to make it part of each and every day, like brushing your teeth or combing your hair.

I am very busy with my "Frog" Appetizers today. Tomorrow I will be eating a large Frog, whole. Lately, I have not liked Frogs so much - I've avoided them completely as a matter of fact. To help you decipher the strange code language you are probably now wondering about, I'm referring to my task of doing things (frogs) I do not wish to do, with the best of my resistance. Frogs are what we refer to in the Artful Success program as "the things we avoid and procrastinate, yet we know we need to just do them".

This summer, I had a long list of Frogs I needed to chow down on. I was traveling 3 out of the last 6 weeks and then fell ill for the last 7 days; however in the world was I going to chomp all those Frogs with that schedule? Well I finally told myself I was not allowed ANY excuses; valid or invalid. I woke up this morning full of energy and hopped right to eating those Frogs. My energy held out, even though I was so sick last week. I accomplished not only unpacking a number of boxes from my move; but also, cleaning, laundry and answering some email.

I'm on a roll now and ready to get right back to it tomorrow. This is a great feeling of accomplishment and I want to keep it going!!!

What large "Frog" do you need to eat? Just think about what a great feeling it would be to chomp them down, gobble them up. If you need a little help, you can find some over at Tonya Davidson's - Artful Success website. There are tons of tips and tricks and free videos over there. It's worth the travel!

Much Love!
xoxo

Friend or Faux... and have I mentioned Johnny Depp yet today?

2011-08-08T18:21:00.009-04:00

"Anybody can sympathise with the sufferings of a friend, but it requires a very fine nature to sympathise with a friend's success." ~Oscar Wilde

This is the perfect quote to segue into my thought for today! 'Supporting and giving positive encouragement to your friends or family in their personal business and/or struggles' ... a subject I'd been pondering lately in my work with the Artful Success program (because we are there supporting others), and then it came up again today. So I say it's close enough to three times that I want to express my thoughts on it.

So I ask you, do you support your friends and family's successes - in a manner that's clear and understood?

Do you do that; give encouragement and support or do you keep quiet, assume they "just know" you support their efforts, their endeavors? I mean, do you say it, do you discuss it with them, do you discuss it with others on occasion? Do you click "LIKE" on Facebook pages, posts, links? Share their websites & fan pages (referred to as "link love") the way you might share your favorite music video, news article or photos of dead celebrities? It's helpful and important you know. Do you Retweet their links on Twitter when you see them and say to yourself, "Hey, this would probably help them out a lot to spread their information out in the world, give them a little extra exposure in the sea of social and media overload"? ...Do you think like that? Do you do that? Do you realize it's helpful, it's desired, it's supportive?

I'm just saying... because they'll remember it, they'll appreciate it. They LOVE it! We LOVE it! I LOVE it! It isn't about validation; nope, not at all. They don't need it to feel accepted; they need it to feel "supported". It makes us feel big love, all warm and fuzzy - by those we admire and love back.

Now, don't get me wrong... I'm not saying it's a condition of love and friendship, because it isn't that way at all. I just began to wonder if it was common knowledge to those that don't rely or depend on social media and referrals for new and additional business connections. Personal referrals and testimonials are a business's life blood. Especially small businesses, the self-employed and artists - like me and so many other entrepreneurs.

So go on, show your favorite business people a little "Link Love" every now and then. They won't forget you. They won't forget you even if you don't share Link Love...

Just a little "public service announcement. Now back to your regularly scheduled station".

Much Love!
<3

Technology: Addiction or Necessity?

2011-08-01T22:51:00.006-04:00

Last week I left for my final "vacation" away from home for the summer. I was very excited to see my family, and have been having a wonderful visit.

Naively though, I assumed I would be able to spend time on the Internet, on my design journals, and on my "Artful Success" program to-do list. Little did I know, it would not be as easy as I thought. Not only was the Internet availability intermittent, at the speed of dial-up connection, but my cell service and phone Internet was not much better. Is it just me, or does that make you want to beat your head into the wall also?

This little jaunt away from technology made me realize just how much we depend on modern technology for so many things - every day! This caused a problem not only with keeping up with tasks and with downloading and reading my "Artful Success" weekly update information, but also keeping up with my intended goals for the week. Had I realized this might happen, I would have planned an alternate set of goals ... and brought a few books to read.

Just goes to show, when you are passionate about what you do, it ceases to feel like a job or a chore - and turns into another form of passion.

What job or task are you doing that you are passionate about? Does it feel like work, does it fill you up?

Much Love!
<3

Altered Outlook or Evolution? Welcome to the Jungle

2011-07-24T23:21:00.017-04:00

‎"The greatest discovery of my generation is that human beings can alter their lives by altering their attitudes of mind." ~William James

It's been a busy and exhilarating week for me; I've worked hard. Certainly, I can credit the progress to doing the work in my Artful Success program.

First, I was so excited to have my very FIRST sale in my LookieLookie Etsy shop. Only five days after opening shop, someone purchased a pair of my Vintage Turkish Silver and Glass Monkey earrings, shown here:

Then today, I was thrilled to receive notification that the pair of earrings shown below was included as part of "Welcome to the Jungle" Etsy Treasury. Ya know what I was thinking? "....this is really going to be a lot of fun!"

As I sit here planning my goals for the week and writing this blog post, I began to wonder.... have you had time to, or needed to, alter your attitude for anything this week? ...yes? ...no? ...welcome to the jungle.

Much Love!

Hammering Out Goals give shape to Dreams... and rids you of Monkeys

2011-07-17T17:37:00.018-04:00

"You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream.” ~ C.S. Lewis

Some of you are aware I'm a participant in the artist business program "Artful Success" by Tonya Davidson and LOVING it.

I'm working the program as much as possible and already attaining goals that long since should have been completed; goals I set for myself a year ago and did not follow through.

I just can't say enough good things about the program, and I'm only 10 days into the work. I feel revived, supported, focused and grateful.

Just last week, I finished a task that had become a monkey on my back over the last year. I let it get so far gone, I simply did not know where to begin. I resisted it like someone was trying to force me eat something I hated - like pigs feet or liver! Now... it's done, it's off my back and my monkey and I have come to an understanding. I allowed the monkey to have that long, expensive ride, slowing me down on my path, hurting my back. When I was finished with my task, my Monkey patted me on the back and said, "Job well done; let's Party... I'll hold your hair back!" I answered, "Yeah, whatever Monkey; you were a big pain in the arse."

This weekend, I started on the next short-term goal on my list; setting up my Lookie-Lookie ETSY shop. For 6 months, I told myself I'd set it up soon; in this case, soon was relative, right?

There is still much work to do, goals to attain and new goals to set. I wasn't being so Daring lately. However, after a year of of procrastinating, I'm ready to pick up my Dream where I left it hanging, put it on my back and carry through - after all, I ditched the Monkey in Nashville.

What Monkey is on your back? Maybe you just need support or encouragement to be rid of it.

Much Love!

xoxo

It's All Small Stuff... Except When It Ain't

2011-07-09T06:00:00.011-04:00

As one of my best friends in the universe likes to say, "it's all small stuff... except when it ain't"... and I have always agreed with her!

I've always felt strongly that mentors are important, even more so in an unconventional career, yet I did not have one myself. Last month, I took a big step and made an important decision in my life and in my career as an ARTIST; it was a "business" decision -- I became a member of Tonya Davidson's "Artful Success" program. In one week of working the program, I can already feel the difference, the fog is lifting. Eeeeeeeek! Excitement is back in the air and, if you like cliches... the wind is beneath my wings again.

I know my "Dream" was always there... now I have the "Dare to" back in it's place. My journey continues. My batteries are charged. My inner GPS is "recalculating". I'm back on course.

I ask you, have you done something to feed your DREAMS lately? I'd love to hear about it.

Inspired Remnants Curious Dreams

2011-04-30T21:21:00.005-04:00

Kerin Gale's "Inspired Remnants Curious Dreams" Online Tour and Blog Hop

Starts Sunday May 1 at Remnants Of Olde!

I'm sure you will want to join in the fun. I know I am!

Call me a Renaissance Soul, Renegade or Bandida - stop calling me Insubordinate!

2010-05-02T14:20:00.014-04:00

I haven’t posted to my blog in many months. I’ve been preoccupied with the deep-thinking that has to happen when going through a big life transition. I’m journeying again, yet I know I’m not alone. Many of us go through them and some more than once. I think this is my second – but who’s counting?

Early in my formative education I was labeled as insubordinate - because I was a bit of a rebel (surprise, surprise). During high school, I was told to decide what career I wanted to pursue. I said, “I want to be an Artist!” Was asked, “Well, what kind of artist do you want to be (insert counseler's frowns here)?” Truth is I wanted to experience many different kinds of art. I LOVED art, creating things, making things…. However, I’d been advised time and time again to focus on something, don’t be all over the place, don’t be a jack of all trades and master of none. I’d often ask, “Why do I have to pick one thing; says who?” BTW, Jack-of-all-Trades is not listed in the Occupational Outlook Handbook.

I was repeatedly encouraged to develop my great secretarial skills. I lost my confidence, my will to do as I wished - my dream of being an artist. The controllers won and like many I grew up with the mindset of being an employee – picking one career and sticking it out. Even if it did not fill me with joy or wonder or make me want to get out of bed in the morning.

When going through my first big life transition, I decided it was time for me to get back to art and I pursued it with more passion than ever; I was hungry and I couldn’t get enough. It took me many, many years to be able to refer to myself as an Artist. I always felt like I was having an identity crisis. When asked “What do you do for a living?” I would answer in a low shy voice, “I’m an executive secretary - and also an artist.” Now I blurt out, “I’m an Artist - oh, and I also have 25 years experience as a secretary.”

I’m working on creating a portfolio lifestyle as a living. Doing a range of arts and activities that I’m passionate about is extremely appealing to me. I will run my own business and take the opportunity to explore a range of talents that allow me the experience, joy and freedom to make my own way in the world. I can hear the eyebrows rising… Okay, so I’m a romantic and idealist; I know this about myself. While some would say this is a negative trait in the business world, I’ve accepted it as a positive in my life. It is part of who I am. It is part of my art, it shows up everywhere. My cup is always 80% full and often running over.

I just wish I could go back and make them white out she tends to be insubordinate in my records, and replace it with she tends to be a Renaissance Soul.

What kind of soul are you? When did you know what you wanted to be when you grow up?

Back from Bead and Button

2009-06-10T19:33:00.002-04:00

Recently returned from my first trek to the Bead and Button Show in Milwaukee, WI.

I felt like a kid in a candy store! There were so many goodies there to see. Along with the added excitment of catching up and hanging out with old friends and making new friends, I also had the opportunity to meet some online friends at this popular event for jewelry makers.

I was there helping out the very talented artist/teacher, Gail Crosman Moore, at her booth for a couple of days. At least I think I helped her. I did sell a lot of $5 eyeballs after all! That may sound a bit creepy but, glass eyeballs are very popular. I only wish I could've stayed longer...ya know, sold more eyeballs and all that. Gail is also a 2009 Saul Bell Design Award winner! She has a terrific website where she also sells her components and kits, and lists upcoming workshops and you can find a link to her blog here. The photo above shows a piece of jewelry I made with one of Gail's lampwork beads from the Tempest series; the metal work is mine.

I also spent time with another favorite artist/teacher/Saul Bell winner, Kate McKinnon. I mean...if you don't know who Kate McKinnon is, then you obviously aren't working with metal clay. Kate also does fantastic bead work, has several books out, she just released a new DVD, and has a new book coming out in the fall.

Oh so many beautiful and fun people...I had lunch with the beautiful and talented Tonya Davidson of Whole Lotta Whimsy, along with Sharon Dickerson and the multi-talented metalsmith & tool-maker Cindy Moore, the Cool Tool Chick, whom I just love! Cindy's strong southern accent just makes her feel like family. LOL.

I had a chance to chat a couple times with one of my favorite men, Robert Dancik, Thing-Maker Extraordinaire & inventor of Faux Bone. Robert has recently moved to England. So, if you get a chance to take one of his classes in the U.S. - I recommend you experience it.

Others work I know and admire, and finally met in person, included Tracy Stanley of Wired Arts, Michele Goldstein, Holly Gage and Dana Peters. Gail's booth was right next to Lisa and Tony Blackwell, of Zoa Art. They have fantastic work in metal. I'm sure they thought I was stalking them, I couldn't keep my eyes off their metal objects! ...oh, and their display was to die for. I hope they visit us at the Great Lakes Beadworkers Guild Bead Bonanza in October.

Those that I had hoped to bump into, but kept missing, included the sensationaly popular Susan Lenart Kasmer, Gordon Uyehara, Celie Fago and Jen Kahn. Turns out I also missed Thomas Mann. So many of my favorite metal artists gathered in one place.

Those are just a sprinkling of the talented, sensational, artistic people that can be found at the Bead and Button Show (and so, so, many other names that escape me right now). So you may want to start planning now, for 2010.

Next Stop: Metal Clay World Conference in Chicago, July 15-18th. Hope to see you there!

Birds and Graffiti - and they have something in common

2009-05-15T21:46:00.012-04:00

...at least in this post they do.

As I write this installment of the Altered Book round robin switcharinkydoodoo for the merry merry month of May I realized, "EeGads! I forgot to write a post for the April altered book switch". So I'll write about them both here just to catch up anyone out there who may be remotely interested in my altered book round robin project to begin with...as I'm laughing out loud in amusement just saying it. The original post about my book "Dancers" can be found here.

In April I returned Jane Meixner's book; her theme is Graffiti. While I'm aware some see Graffiti as an art form, only on rare occasion do I accept this as appropriate - since it is usually added to structures without permission of the owner; it is defacing property. In this instance, however, I have explicit permission of the owner to deface her property. Terrific! Now whatever shall I deface it with? This would require some thinking. This was different for me (not the thinking part), so I had to ponder it awhile. It went kind of like this, "Hmmm...IF I were going to place some graffiti on a building what would I want it to convey?" I think I would like it to be colorful and bright, I would add something pretty to the dull gray architecture you usually find where graffiti has been placed, to invoke a happy thought by the viewer. Here is my addition to Jane's Graffiti Book....Wall Flowers.

This brings me up to the May switcharinkydoodoo.... I'm not losing you yet I hope. LOL. In May I returned Ingrid Dijkers' book; her theme is Birds. This fit in perfectly with something I've been working on personally. I know, your thinking, "What you say? You are working on birds these days???" Well not exactly. But I have been working on growing wings. I started growing them a few years back. I think they are growing quite nicely now, getting full and large with soft feathers on them. I am getting quite attached to my wings. I've been considering "jumping off that bridge" for several years now, but I really needed these wings to grow a bit first to avoid a big....SPPLATT! ....so to get back to the book. For that reason, I LOVED working in this book. The colors, the journaling, finding just the right wings for my bird. I love these wings. Heck, you can barely see the scars now. They feel like they've been there all along.

How does that famous quote go, "Sometimes, if you aren't sure about something, you just have to jump off the bridge and grow your wings on the way down.”

Oh Waiter...I think I'll have the Fresh Eyes today!

2009-05-12T10:11:00.017-04:00

"The real voyage of discovery lies not in seeking new lands but in seeing with fresh eyes." ~ Marcel Proust

I’d like to start by saying I’m not an eloquent or sophisticated writer; I’m barely capable of transferring my thoughts into words. However, my feelings are strong about certain things; one is art, another is children. Through art I try to express what I’m unable to express with words. To summarize that, my love of art brought me a lot of joy and contentment as a child and I have always tried to spread that love of art around to the children I come in contact with in my life. See what I mean?

Now about those fresh eyes… a couple months back I was hired for a 10-yr-old’s birthday party. Great! I love children, I love making things; I love teaching children to make things. It’s perfect for me.

Pondering this while working on an art journal, I was thinking about how much fun I was having…and the “light bulb” clicked on in my head - this is what I should teach at the party! I mean, who doesn’t like to play with colorful, messy, interesting art supplies? Well all I can say is…. I DO, I DO!.

Now party day is here. Woo-Hoo! While donning smocks, I explained what an Art Journal is and familiarized the children with the materials they would be using. So they would not become overwhelmed with materials and the various stages, stations were set up at different tables. We began by gluing our pages. I demonstrated how to glue the journal pages to provide a sturdy substrate to accept the paint and embellishments. Then we cut images from magazines for collage. Next we painted the pages, followed by various embellishment of beads, feathers, stickers, text, numbers, ephemera or quotes in their journals. We decorated the covers and added ribbon for closures. Lastly, the pages were dried with a hair dryer.

Intervening as little as possible, I explained the stages and demonstrated materials and techniques as they progressed. Encouraging and respecting each child’s way of working or expressing their own design ideas. Unless I’m asked for assistance, I refrain from imposing my own ideas. It’s simply “staying out of the way” and allowing them the freedom to express visually! Most of the journals were completed or at a good stopping stage after the 2 hour time frame. An important component I wanted to create was a comfortable, confident and non-competitive environment. For this reason, I consciously chose not to bring examples of art journals that were made by adults, nor books about art journals made by adults. I wanted the children’s experience to be experimental, open and fun; not worrying nor thinking, “is this how it is supposed to look?”.
I also hoped to encourage new and future art journals. Throughout our time together, I reiterated they would be able to add to, or continue building upon, their journals later. I believe the children left the party with a feeling of competence, accomplishment and art-filled fun.

I have been told some of the children have already plunged right into making their “next” art journal….and that’s exactly what I wished for them.

Thank you to the Birthday Girl, Melanie Stewart, along with her guests Fin Seely, Keelin Greene, Lauren Ridley, Erica Maser, Zoe Jackson and Will Brighton for allowing me the use of your eyes on this day.

If you are in need of Fresh Eyes, do something with a child….and let them lead the way…it feels great!

How to Sharpen your Double-Edged Sword

2009-04-28T11:05:00.003-04:00

I was just thinking...we have all this wonderful technology that is supposed to enable us to keep up with everyone and everything; but, really, how are we supposed to be able to keep up with everyone and everything? I know I'm not doing such a great job at it.

I have Facebook, Myspace, LinkedIn, a blog, a website, Yelp, Twitter, Etsy, the various jewelry and art networks on Ning, two or three email accounts, and about 20 Yahoo groups that all want you to "show your work on your page to make it pretty"! These are just to name a few...that I have "gotten myself into". There is so many more and new ones starting up every day. It's a lot of work just to try to remember where you left off and what you forgot to load and remove and change out and ...well, frankly...I can't keep up!

One thing I can tell you, it keeps your computer/techno skills nicely warmed up...you have to learn new applications and ways to design layouts, uploading, downloading, photo editing, HTML, templates, widgets, the do's and don'ts of each network, yes, there's various social networking etiquette rules that are practiced on each playground!

...and what happens if we don't or can't keep up (or, the dreaded, even worse, you don't know or follow the rules)? Well, you will get your virtual wrist smacked, or are perceived as antiquated, computer illiterate, people who can't accept that "the cheese has been moved", and you've fallen "out of the loop"! It's quite a burden to keep up with modern technology these days.

We are a very fast-paced world now and so few are stopping to smell the roses; although I do know some who are...stopping and smelling. I'm now trying to balance my life and do both as well. It's all part of my Altered Outlook and I love it. I love all of it! LOL

What are your thoughts?

1st Annual Peep Show - Fri. April 17th!

2009-04-17T12:05:00.002-04:00

Just a little reminder about the 1st Annual Peeps Show Friday, April 17th.

My "Peep Show Limited" series will be offered for a very short time. I'll be there with rings, pendants, earrings and maybe a few bracelets - in honor of those cute little marshmallow Peeps Chicks and Bunnies, in varying colors of course.

Once the 1st Annual Peep Show at Biddle Gallery is over, these Peeps will be all gone...just the way I like my Peeps! YUMMY!Hope to see you there.

Artists Reception Friday April 17, 2009, 6:00-9:00PM. America' s favorite Easter marshmallow treat is the inspiration for this mixed media show featuring what else - Peeps!

Participating artists include John Benson, Rick McQuaid, Ryan Weiss, Andrea Irwin, Juanita Bitonti, Davin Brainard, Sarah Lapinski, Dan Stewart, Joey Merchant, Tim Porter, Carl Oxley III, Betzi Pipis, Sharlet DiGiorgio, Karl Laub, Carol Reid, Tina Doepker, Carl Kumulski, Martine MacDonald, Michele Kramp, and more.

Show runs through April 30th... or until theyare all gone!For more information check out http://tiny.cc/SRBfU

The Dilemna

2009-03-26T19:38:00.001-04:00

Time again for the Ann Arbor Art Fair submission deadline. I wasn't sure if I was going to participate. I only recently found out what the fair dates would be. In order to participate with the other juried-in artists in our guild, I would have to work a minimum of one full day booth duty.

I'm also attending the Metal Clay World Conference in Chicago this year and, turns out, the art fair schedule is the same as the conference. I registered for the conference last year, as I didn't want to miss out on the presentations.

The dilemna: I want to participate in the art fair (to make money)....and I want to go to the conference in Chicago. So after some thought, I've decided that instead of arriving early for the pre-conference festivities, I would work the first day of the art fair, drive all night to Chicago and arrive at the conference in time for the presentations - with possibly a few hours of sleep in there some where. Yes, I think I could do both!

This is IF I get juried in to participate again this year. The selections are being made this week and the acceptance letters will go out next week. If I don't make it in then, HEY, I guess there is no dilemna after all......

We are required to submit selections "representing" the work we would sell at the fair. I submitted a mix of Fine Silver and Sterling Silver work. Here are photos of the pieces I submitted:

I'll report back on my acceptance/rejection to the art fair this year.

Have a great day!

PS. I get a bit miffed that this program won't let me set pictures any other way besides stacked on top of each other. Such a space waster!!! Aghhh. I apologize for that.

"Dance" - Altered Book Round Robin

2009-03-20T07:59:00.001-04:00

My desire to learn more "modern" techniques while working again on my collage and mixed-media art (and learning about ATC's and Altered Art), prompted me to join yet another Yahoo group. I'm really just not in enough of them!

I couldn't believe it when I found a group that was local and they have meetings once a month. These ladies get together and participate in trades/swaps, demos and round robin projects. I had not yet been part of or experienced a "Round Robin".

In case you are unfamiliar, a round robin is where participants, a project and deadline are determined. Each participant starts their creative version of the project. Once a month they are exchanged with the next person on the list. This goes on until each person has participated in each artist's original once. At that point, you will receive your original book back with artwork from each participant.

I'm participating with (8) others in an Altered Book round robin. I designed my Intro and Contact page and my first spread to "set the theme" for my book. My theme is "Dance" - using women from the 1920-30's and/or Flappers. I created my design using fluid, metallic, and heavy body acrylic paints, photos, transparencies, collage techniques, matte medium (for glue), fancy art papers, oil sticks, alcohol inks, ephemera, ribbons and art stamps - below are photos of my starter pages. Once I receive this back, in December, I will add a niche in the back, more ephemera, finish any un-altered pages and design a book cover to complete the process. What do you think so far; sounds like fun, right?

The first exchange has now been made. The altered book I received has the theme "Graffiti". I can't wait to work on it. I will post photos once a month when I complete my contribution for each book received.

C ya later.

Felting: More about Gail Crosman Moore

2009-03-19T00:10:00.024-04:00

I told you I would be back to add to this post! Doggone photo software...

I recently experienced 4 interesting days of Wet-Felting, with Gail Crosman Moore, during the Great Lakes Beadworkers Guild Annual Bead Daze Workshops. The GLBG ABDW! (just kidding, couldn't resist).

Day 1: Felted Treasure Pouch, Day 2: Encrusted Brooch, Day 3&4: Floral Lariats.

Each day, we began by selecting sumptuous flavors of Dyed Wool Batting and a Color-Way Kit of embellishments, like shown in this photo:

After some history and education on Felting, Gail put us to work! ....carrying soapy water back and forth. Then cleaning it up. Day after day! Kneading the wool batting. Rolling it back and forth. Smoothing it. Massaging it. We became quite intimate with our felt. Then we were told, now POUND it on the table, pound it on the floor. (Kind of like a marriage, isn't it?) We were jumping up and down on towels with these beautifully-dyed, wt, deformed shapes getting smooshed inside. I believe it's the most fun I've had in a workshop yet!

While most doubted (or at least I did) that we could make our colored mass of wet-felt look anything close to the wonderfully sculpted pieces of art that Gail primped around before us,....like this
and this...

...Gail is a patient and encouraging instructor. I saw many wonderful pieces completed in this workshop and the individuality was shining. If you get the opportunity to take any workshops with Gail; I recommend you grab that opportunity.

Here are my (3) pieces in various stages of completion:

Gail is also an accomplished Lampwork Artist and Colored-Metal Artist. She sells lampwork beads, metal jewelry, and felting kits and supplies on her website, at workshops and bead shows. I am including a couple photos showcasing those talents as well:

And one last photo taken after (4) long, but fun-filled days. Tired Chickies we were....

I'll be seeing Gail again at the Bead and Button Show in Milwaukee in June. She will be teaching classes as well as exhibiting. I will be there too - working at her booth. Stop by and say HI!

1st Annual Peeps Show at Biddle Gallery

2009-03-18T19:36:00.006-04:00

Get your groove on at the 1st Annual Peeps Show - where the 'Made in the Mitten' Michigan artists hang out. Everyone's favorite Easter marshmallow treat is the inspiration behind this gallery event.

I will be one of the featured artists and will be showcasing my new Peeps Collection of chickie and bunny Peeps-inspired jewelry made of Fine Silver. Check back later, I'll post some Peep Show teasers as it gets closer.

Other artists include Rick McQuaid, John Benson, Betzi Pipis, Ryan Weiss, Joey Merchant, Tim Porter, Andrea Irwin, Davin Brainard, Sarah Lapinski, Dan Stewart, Carl Oxley III and more.

Peeps Show opening night: 3rd Friday, April 17th, runs thru April 30th or until the peeps are allllll gone...

Biddle Gallery in Wyandotte, Michigan....who's your peeps?!

Felting with Gail Crosman Moore; Wet, that Is....

2009-03-05T21:18:00.007-05:00

I know I'm behind on this commitment I have given myself; blogging!

But! I swear to All Holey Underwear that I will get a post on here very soon about the BEST workshop I have participated in lately...

...Felting classes with Gail Crosman Moore. Yes, you heard me, and 4 days of it.

Wet, not dry - wet soapy felting. Need I say more? No! well I will, in a couple of days.

Here is a link to Gail's site for now....and don't forget to check the link on AHU. Batman is cool!

The Prize is in The Process

2009-01-04T20:40:00.005-05:00

The prize is in the process. ~ Baron Baptiste

This was the perfect reading for me tonight; a quote used in Meditations from the Mat, one of the required textbooks from my Yoga Teacher Training Course.

Why was it perfect? Well, I've been off work for 6 days now. I have been recovering from the flu and sinus infection and my husband from pneumonia. Doesn't matter...I made a really long list of To-Dos on Tuesday anyhow - AS IF. Hmmm, what do you think I actually accomplished? Satya (Truthfulness) -not very much! LOL.

Then yesterday woke up with about 50% of my usual energy and decided I had to do "something" besides making a dent in the couch! I left the house at 7:30am to make an 8am Vinyasa class. Vinyasa lasts 1 1/2 hours. I made it through. I even managed a decent Crane pose at the end. On the drive home I realized - it sured whipped my butt. It wasn't long before I was denting that couch again. I just kept reminding myself I managed to get through the Process of being on the mat even though I didn't feel like it. So now I could rest again - I exercised and did something from my To-Do list - the Prize. Maybe I'm on a roll...

Today, I woke up even earlier. Good sign. After all, it's back to the grind tomorrow. You know, that day job that gets in the way of making things...like Art!!! Bummer. I'm starting to feel better JUST IN TIME to go back to work. Hoorrah. (Just kidding.) Better get all those neglected chores caught up now, like laundry & dishes. More Processes with Prizes - clean dishes, clean sink, clean clothes. Not a bad deal I guess. But wait, I'll do that....

...right after I check on some silver OM pieces I fired. Yippeee. Came out just how I wanted. Now to antique them and make them into JEWELRY!!! Yeahhhhh. I attached a photo to lookie-lookie. Fine Silver Om Disks, Rock Crystal, Steel, Hanndmade Sterling Earwires, and I added one of the special dragon clasps I bought in Arizona at the bead show. Can't wait to wear these! I better get to those chores I mentioned.

OR, maybe I should wear these now..... and go to the Yoga Studio open house today (hmmm?) I would meet some of my fellow classmates before our class this week PLUS take free classes while I'm there. So, that's what I did; 2 hours of free classes. Met some very nice people. My jewelry was noticed. Prize, Prize, Prizes!

Okay, I finally did those dishes and laundry. I even made dinner. So, don't go thinking I wasn't going to get my "processes" over with.

One last process, I have to get back to my required reading....which is where this all started.

Happy New Year !

Embracing the New

2008-12-28T21:25:00.010-05:00

As I might have mentioned, I'm embracing the new. Well, it isn't exactly new; re-newed would be a better description.

This post was supposed to be added a couple months ago after I attended a Collage Techniques workshop with Karen Izenberg at Hollander's in Ann Arbor, MI. Great workshop by the way. I hope to attend her advanced workshop in 2009.

I used to make collage work way, way, back in school. I once won a plaque for an entry in a poster contest for Michigan Career Week. I was in 7th grade and placed 3rd in our state. First and second place were won by two high-school students. Boy, was I geeked.

I've always enjoyed working with my hands, with art that is - not like scrubbing floors or anything. Not there's anything wrong with it, I do more than my share of floor washing and housework, but it just doesn't make my heart sing (more like scream that would be).

Earlier this year, I felt a very strong pull to get back to collage after becoming enamoured with other artists' work. To name a few...Angela Cartwright, Bernie Berlin, Traci Bautista, L.K. Ludwig, Ann Baldwin, Lesley Riley and Jane Hammond.

To get geared up for "what's new" in the collage world, I purchased a stack of new mixed media/collage books and DVDs by some of the above-mentioned artists. That was all it took to inspire me to work with collage/mixed media again. I started purchasing and pulling out my old art supply stock for everything I would need for my new adventure. What fun!

With all my other commitments, I still found time to start 5 collages. The photo on the left is unfinished as you can see; however, this was started with an "image transfer". The collage on the right is a "torn-paper" collage. Aside from matting and framing, it is the only one I've finished. I have also started a "venetian plaster", "cut-paper" and "3-D" collage. Other than cut-paper and torn-paper, the other 3 are all techniques new to my skill set and were covered at the Hollander's workshop.

I hope to get back to work on them real soon. I'll post photos once they are finished. It may be a few months to completion, as I'm starting an intensive Yoga Instructor Course next week. Did I mention I'm a perpetual student?

So much to do before I go skidding into that grave....LOL.

Namast'e

YELP!

2008-12-28T18:13:00.003-05:00

Just a lil' note to let you all know, I've joined YELP!

I would really love it if anyone that is familiar with my jewelry business, Lookie-Lookie!, would take a moment to leave a compliment, or even better, leave a review of my jewelry here!

You can also send a message there or we can be Yelp! friends. Here's a link to my profile.

A couple very hip Chickies turned me on to this website and I hope to become more familiar with it soon.

What is Yelp!? Yelp is the fun and easy way to find, review and talk about what's great ( or not so great) in your world. You can search and find reviews on restaurants, dentists, salons, or anything local in your city or others. Check it out for yourself.

Or add your business, like I did....

Merry Christmas!

2008-12-25T09:35:00.010-05:00

Alas, one down, more more to go. Christmas Eve is over; and be sure I am tired. We arrived home just before 1:00am last night. Christmas Eve dinner and gift opening are always at my Mom's home (for now at least). Dinner was great. The company is hilarious.

It's funny how when you get all your siblings together for an event at Mom's house, all of a sudden you all start to act like children again; the teasing, the picking, and most of all the sharing or sometimes the lack of sharing nicely. Sometimes, Mom has to step and say, "okay, do I have to separate you girls?" Only to find them squished into the same chair 5 minutes later and poking each other in those well-known tickle spots. And, yes, in case you are wondering - we are all adults with children, and now grandchildren of our own. All with no alcohol in the place. I like to say "we put the fun in dysfunction"! I wonder if they can hear us out in the street?

Well, the game of musical chairs starts pretty early after everyone starts arriving and the lack of adequate seating becomes evident. 'Is he going back for more food? If I move slowly, he won't notice I'm going to steal his seat the minute he heads for the kitchen.' Your eyes meet from across the room. From experience they know just what you're thinking....Quickly, he has to prioritize...more desert - or stand up for another half-hour before he can steal a seat from someone else....and this goes on until some of the family starts to head out to other destinations before the night ends.

This was my newest grandson's first Christmas. It is always so sweet to watch the new babies. How their eyes light up looking at the lights on the Christmas Tree. They want to touch the ornaments, they want to pull loose paper on the gifts, they want to taste everything they see you eat. Because it's Christmas, you allow them more sweets. Then you take pictures of them with those sweets smeared on their little faces. While they wonder why it is everyone is laughing at them.

The funniest part was, my husband picked up a handful of "whoopee cushions" at the dollar store and brought them to the kids. These kids had hundreds of dollars in toys opened up and all they did was play with those $1 whoopee cushions all night!!! Oh, the sound of whoopee cushions and laughing little boys all night. They had everyone giggling...

Lots of pictures to download to the computer now. Might as well wait until we finish up today. One more day of Christmas celebration. More dinners, more family, more children opening gifts, that means more pictures!

The hard part is... the melancholy feeling I get, just like this morning, of missing those that couldn't be with us. It is always most evident at family events. What a powerful feeling of emotion it is not to have some of your children, grandchildren, parents or siblings with you. I'm old enough now to understand, and fully appreciate, why my Mom would always start to cry on holidays from missing someone; due to death or other separations beyond our control - because now it is my turn to miss special people in my life. To those we miss, "We love you and thought about you and talked about you on this day".

Merry Christmas to All.

The Courage to Release the Familiar

2008-12-21T10:01:00.004-05:00

It takes a lot of courage to release the familiar and seemingly secure, to embrace the new. But there is no real security in what is no longer meaningful. There is more security in the adventurous and exciting, for in movement there is life, and in change there is power.

Alan Cohen

Today was a GOOD day!

2008-12-21T01:04:00.011-05:00

Well, we were snowed in here in the Detroit area yesterday, and my Trunk Show at Biddle Gallery was cancelled last night with the roads unfit to travel. Bummer.

However, today I made it over there with my latest collections "Everybody Wants to Get Stones", "Monkey Love" & "Not Your Grandma's Buttons"- and it turned out to be a good day! The sun was shining, the snow was melting and the shoppers were in the Christmas-shopping spirit.

I spent the day with my good friend, Karen Thomas, owner of Biddle Gallery in Wyandotte, MI. Karen has been representing my work for over a year now, and she is doing a great job - AND she's a blast to hang out with! Karen's gallery represents Michigan Artists. Her theme is, "Made in the Mitten" by Michigan Artists. I think it's great she puts so much importance into representing local artists in Michigan. She carries such a diverse selection of art, and price range to fit every budget.

At the beginning of the day, her husband Ross said, "If you sell something, I will feed you; otherwise, no dinner for you!" Just kidding. LOL! We were busy enough that Ross rustled up fried chicken and waffles with pure maple syrup as a mid-day snack and delivered it to us. How nice is that?!

Karen is always hosting some event or another which brings together her loyal customers, as well as new ones. Aside from the Holiday Trunk Shows, she most recently hosted her 4th Annual Monkey Day Event. Above are photos of just a few of the pieces I sold today.

Last part of my GOOD day....I was sending a couple book titles to an artist I attended a recent collage class with, Vicki Holdwick (http://vickiholdwick.blogspot.com/) and I stopped by her blog and found out that Angela Cartwright (who's work I love and own several books) is giving away the holiday edition of Pasticcio Quartz. You can find out about it here. Sure hope I could be lucky enough to win one of those terrific publications.

Happy Holidays!

What Tarot Card Are You?

2008-12-18T13:02:00.007-05:00

I really like this one. I answered the questions for this one while eating my chicken and rice soup for lunch. When all answered, I clicked to find out what Tarot Card I "am". Isn't that something, I found it actually returned what goes on in my head and in my heart - most days? Try it out for yourself ~

You are The Star

Hope, expectation, Bright promises.

The Star is one of the great cards of faith, dreams realised

The Star is a card that looks to the future. It does not predict any immediate or powerful change, but it does predict hope and healing. This card suggests clarity of vision, spiritual insight. And, most importantly, that unexpected help will be coming, with water to quench your thirst, with a guiding light to the future. They might say you're a dreamer, but you're not the only one.

What Tarot Card are You?
Take the Test to Find Out.

Like a Virgin...Blogged for the Very First Time~

2008-10-08T15:31:00.008-04:00

Yep, that's me! Blog Baby, Green Bloggist, the New Kid on the Blog...

I've spent a lot of time reading other blogs and being inspired by what I see and by what is written by other wonderful artists; however, I didn't plan to start blogging of my own.

I spent the morning working on the layout and settings, so I guess it's time...(oh dread, Pooh)! My palms are sweaty, my heart is pounding...I don't know what to do, what to type. No one told me this would cause anxiety. Eeeek! I only wanted to be like the modern crowd and everyone has one now, so I wanted one too!!!

Okay, 1-2-3 GO! ...I'll just blurt out something that feels appropriate for this moment. Then, when I have my thoughts (more) organized, I'll blog about something that speaks of my passion for making jewelry, okay? I get pretty excited talking about making jewelry. Those of you who know me, know how true that statement is. Just this for now though...

"Sometimes you just have to jump off that bridge and grow wings on the way!" (Yeyyyyy!)

Uhm, I don't know who wrote it and I'm not changing screens to look it up. I began using it for inspiration some time ago; it works for me. Trying something new here - without breaking any legs. Hah!

Soon I'll post on jewelry in process, techniques, where my jewelry will be next, where I'll be next (shhhh - it's not that exciting in my dungeon-workshop...really, but we can fake that part), future class postings, what has me all excited and talking about jewelry or my latest fascination and secret life with collage and mixed media art.

Have a GREAT Day! I think I'll be back....

Juanita

http://www.lookie-lookie.com/