thrift store find...

I'm on the lookout for anything with an interesting, deep pattern that I might use to make molds out of for polymer clay. My plan is to find some Sculpey Super Elasticlay Moldmaker and use it to make flexible molds. (For some reason, the two craft stores near me are both out of stock of it.)

So, yesterday I had a chance to stop at a local thrift store, after going to the dmv for my license photo (which was actually fun for a change), and I found this bread warmer for $1.



It's got a nice variety of images in it, and I just like it in any case, so we'll see if it works when I get the molding clay.





Meanwhile, I'm keeping my eyes open for patterns and designs. I think it's something I'll have to develop over time, finding where to look, and what types of patterns I'll want to use. Once I get the molding clay, I'll have a better idea of what works.

tomato soup and abs...

I'm so glad I got my Art Bead Scene entry in for January. Heather Powers was really sweet to make a collage of her favorites, and to include mine...it made my day, along with the kind comments that I received! And thank you, too, to Maire, for encouraging me and helping to keep me on track ;-).

Now, on a different theme, I had suddenly decided that I wanted to make some tomato soup. I found this video and thought I'd share, because even if you don't make the soup, it's fun to watch! (well, it is if you like to watch people cook ;-))

(I made a much lighter and quicker version of this without the crust, but I think the crust would be a great addition...I'm keeping this in mind for the future.)

This is Tomato Soup En Croute from Bistro Jeanty restaurant in Yountville, California...you can find the instructions on the sidebar (click 'more info') if you go directly to YouTube at this link.

january art bead scene challenge...

I am squeaking in just under the wire here...
the Art Bead Scene challenge for January ends at midnight tonight.
(You can see all the entries here.)

This month's challenge was based on the painting La Pie [The Magpie] by Claude Monet. I was very drawn to the soft colors of the snowy landscape, and wanted to create beads from polymer clay that would echo that. There's a bit more brown in these than I had envisioned at first, but I liked them anyway...and I think they coordinate nicely with the colors in the copper.

This bracelet slowly evolved over the course of the month. I wasn't sure if I wanted a copper focal piece or not, and by chance I created this one and I was happy with it.

Then the matter of putting it all together had to be decided. I had already put the polymer clay beads onto the leather cording, so all I needed to do from there was link it all together.
But it felt a bit unbalanced, so I came up with the spiral charm and linen yarn/seed bead combo.
All in all I'm happy with how it evolved. I don't think it's at all what I started out thinking it would be, so it's a happy surprise for me!

I don't always enter the challenges...I'm not good with deadlines and time constrictions...but lately I'm finding that the challenge itself becomes a journey for me. The process itself leads me to create something that I never knew that I could!

trees and wires...

We've had a strange start to the week this week. On Monday our power went out, came back on for about a half hour and then toggled on and off for a minute before going out completely.

Dead trees and electric wires don't mix very well.

This pup would probably tell you that...if she could...



and I know for sure these guys have a story to tell...



Maybe they're still in shock, or worried that the one tree still standing might be coming their way next...
It's holding up the moon for now...
but you can see below how the tree's mates have fallen...one to the left, the other on the ground to the right (maybe you can't see that one)...

They were all part of a tree with three trunks. There's an x on the trunk that's still standing...hopefully that means the tree is marked for removal soon, otherwise we'll be without power for a few days again when the next strong wind blows...



And this was only the beginning of the story. The tree that landed on the wires must have pulled on them enough that two telephone poles, further up the street, were brought down as well (I was told that one cracked in two). So we spent Monday waiting for the tree to be taken off of the wires, and then Tuesday waiting while PECO or Verizon (they both own the poles) set new poles into the ground and set the wires back up. All things considered, we didn't do too badly to be out of power for about 28 hours. And we're very fortunate to not be in the middle of that arctic blast of cold weather that we had recently.

It does kind of reset your priorities, though, when you can't just turn on the computer or even the lights (or the heat!). It's peaceful and brings you back to basics, which is actually nice to do. It was an odd feeling though, when my cell phone battery was ready to give up, and the home phone stopped working...one of those chargers for the car would have been nice to have at that point...
I felt pretty disoriented for a bit...everything that was part of my normal day had changed...so things tend to feel a bit weird. The funny thing is, that I enjoy not being dependent on so much technology...how did it all creep up on me so insidiously? Well, I hear the heat cycling on now, and that's definitely a blessing...but I do want to start limiting my computer time and finding more time out in nature and back to my own natural rhythms.

I'm still feeling disoriented...it could have something to do with the planetary transits this week, too.
As Robert Wilkinson says...
"We've now made it through the first opposition [The first opposition of Venus to Mars falls on January 26-27], with Sun opposition Mars still occurring between now and Friday's Full Moon. This is the eye of the storm, with heart strength and a greater sense of higher purpose the rewards for those who persevere."

Funny how the words just seem to fit the situation, not that planetary oppositions mean power outages...but that was just my experience with this one...and also it's all part of a larger movement of the planets, each step being part of a larger whole.
What I feel that I've gained from this one, seems to relate pretty well to Venus as the representer of all things artistic and beautiful, in relation to Mars, representing action, but in retrograde the action is curtailed, so there's a sense of taking time to 'stop and smell the roses' ;-). Always a good thing to do!

snow day #2...

So, I did get myself outside for just a bit. It's pretty cold out there! I guess I'm just not totally ready for this.

As Maire mentioned...it's not really winter yet, not officially anyway, not till tomorrow...
here's my evidence...


and the Christmas tree waiting on the covered porch...I bought it before the storm to keep it out of the snow...hmmm...


dried seed heads in the garden...


my arctic tundra shot...actually a close-up of the back driveway...



berries in the snow....
the earrings i made for myself from a set of berry beads by Mika Collins of Pinocean...
i love these beads!



and a late flock of geese...see, they didn't realize it was winter yet, either!

snow day...

late Saturday night...

The snow is still coming down. There's at least a foot of it on the ground right now. We spent a quiet day indoors. Nobody seemed to want to go out in it today. I did look pretty wet! I'm hoping to get out tomorrow and take some photos. I did step out onto the back porch, and was reminded of the sweet sense of silence and stillness that deep snow brings with it. I'll have to search out my boots and take some photos tomorrow. For now, here's a bit of what I can see through my front window...our icicle lights, with a bit of a natural icicle added in by the storm in the second photo...

self-appreciation...

Deep inside of us all, there is a place of peace and stillness that is pure and restorative to our psyches and souls.

How often are we pulled away from this? In fact, how much have we forgotten about it's existence in the first place?

I am reading the book The Vortex, by Esther and Jerry Hicks. I have read a few of their books, and have listened to cd's and seen them on dvd as well. The Vortex that they refer to is this place inside that is always there for us, always available, and yet we forget that it is there, forget how to get back to it...all to our detriment.

Today's society, at least in the U.S. where I live, generally sees this as new age fluff, not to be trusted or believed. I think it has a lot to do with what you call it and how you talk about it. I think everyone can relate to the idea of being able to feel peaceful inside at certain times, to feel uplifted by music, by beautiful photographs, whatever works for each individual...but I think we tend to believe that it is the object outside of ourselves that does this to us.

In actuality, it is something that is within each and every one of us, always there, always waiting for us to tap into it again in some way.

I started writing this because of the chapter at the end of the book about self-appreciation, and hence the title of this post, but in looking for a way to describe and demonstrate this, I ended up going in a slightly different, but related, direction.

I found this on YouTube...it's not really a video...just a still photo with the sound of Esther Hicks' voice speaking for Abraham...I think it's a helpful one to listen to...just remember that 'vortex' is that place inside where you feel your best...and it is from this place that all good things come to us in our lives...

***

getting started on etsy...

Sometimes you have everything that you need to get something started, but for one reason or another you just don't. It takes a little push from someone who's been where you're going to get over that last hump that keeps stopping you.

That's what's happened to me with my etsy store. It's been set up for months. I've been playing with all kinds of techniques and materials, but no one thing seemed to be the one to get started with. And then, there are all kinds of distractions...other things that need doing that have nothing to do with creating. How to find the opening that says, hey, it's time, this is where you start? Well, that opening for me came from a friend that I've met through blogging and email. Maire , who creates wonderful, innovative and soulful jewelry, gave me the push that I needed...list 5 things in your shop by Wednesday! The timing was right, I was ready for the challenge, and I also felt that it was now or never...so I went for it!



Some things were already made, some just needed finishing up, and I also wanted to make a pair of earrings that I had an idea for. By Tuesday night I had what I needed, but no photos yet.
It rained all through Tues night...but the next day was gorgeous, just right for taking photos. I'd say there was a lot of help going on in this venture!



And so, I've got my five creations in my shop...it feels good. Now I know what the process involves and how it looks to have the beginnings of an etsy store (one that actually has items in it for sale!). Next step, to keep creating, keep taking photos and keep listing items...I'm looking forward to it.

And I know who'll be reminding me if I don't!

Thanks, Maire!

library humor...

Oftentimes, when I put in a search term on my library's online catalog (which i love!) it responds with some really odd alternatives, just in case i didn't type in what i really wanted...


Searching for: Pir Vilayat Inayat Khan Did you mean pier Volta Uniat Khan?
Searching for: freeman zachary Did you mean freeman scary?
Searching for: Hazrat Inayat Khan Did you mean hazard Uniat Khan?


I don't quite understand the reasoning behind coding the program this way, but it is funny sometimes. And, if I click on the new spelling and link I get...

No titles found (0 hits) - Try these tips

...which is a bit of a letdown...why offer a new option if it's not viable? :-) but definitely adds a bit of humor to my day!

hawk visitor...

There and gone within about five minutes of my spotting him/her...

to be by your side

a bit of beautiful music and visuals from Nick Cave and the movie Winged Migration...
happy thanksgiving!...




Across the oceans Across the seas, Over forests of blackened trees.
Through valleys so still we dare not breathe, To be by your side.

Over the shifting desert plains, Across mountains all in flames.
Through howling winds and driving rains, To be by your side.

Every mile and every year for every one a little tear.
I cannot explain this, Dear, I will not even try.

Into the night as the stars collide,
Across the borders that divide forests of stone standing petrified,
To be by your side.

Every mile and every year, For every one a single tear.
I cannot explain this, Dear, I will not even try.

For I know one thing, Love comes on a wing.
For tonight I will be by your side. But tomorrow I will fly.

From the deepest ocean To the highest peak,
Through the frontiers of your sleep.
Into the valley where we dare not speak, To be by your side.

Across the endless wilderness where all the beasts bow down their heads.
Darling I will never rest till I am by your side.

Every mile and every year, Time and Distance disappear I cannot explain this.
Dear No, I will not even try.

For I know one thing, Love comes on a wing and tonight I will be by your side.
But tomorrow I will fly away, Love rises with the day and tonight I may be by your side.
But tomorrow I will fly, Tomorrow I will fly, Tomorrow I will fly.