PRT ~ Charmed I'm Sure Blog Hop

 song birds

Happy December to all my fellow artists!  It is such a delight, especially in the busy-ness of the holiday season, to take time to appreciate the beauty of artistic creation.  Many thanks and a toast to Lisa Lodge for inspiring us to find time to not only create but share and enjoy each other's work.

The motivation for my "charmed I'm sure" piece came from studying from the master instructors that taught at the Autumn Artist Retreat this past November . . . Sarah Thompson and Melissa Cable.  Both of these amazing artists opened my eyes and my heart to working with wire . . . a medium that is pretty foreign to a bead weaver!  Because of their inspiration, I have decided to really explore the possibilities of combining wire working with the bead work that I am already comfortable with throughout this coming year.  

The piece I created with the kit Lisa sent me is my first humble effort in this endeavor.  I first formed my base wire into a shape suggestive of a music lyre.  I then hand wrapped the frame and wired lines of pearls and crystals across it.  From the lyre I strung some of the charms that were included in the kit along with a variety of complimentary fittings I had in my stash. I worked everything in brass tones and blue beads in order for the silver charms to really stand out. Most of what I did felt difficult and awkward but I am proud that I persevered as I now have a actual starting point from which to grow during the year ahead. I am hopeful that by this time next year the growth is obvious and profound!!!

Thank you for visiting my blog for this hop.  Now go grab another cup of coffee and relax and enjoy the other awesome creations in this hop found at the sites below.

Your hostess:  Lisa Lodge, A Grateful Artist

Carolyn Lawson, Carolyn's Creations

Kari Asbury, Hippie Chick Design

Ann Schroeder, Bead Love

Kim Dworak, Cianci Blue

Karin Grosset Grange (France), Ginkgo et Coquelicot

Shaiha Williams, Shaiha’s Ramblings

Chris Eisenberg, Wanderware

Candida Elkins Castleberry, Spun Sugar Beadworks

Ceramic Bead Challenge ~ Go With The Flow

Late this summer I found myself in a creative funk, feeling uninspired and without direction.  So when Lisa posted registrations for this challenge I jumped at the opportunity remembering that each of the Pine Ridge Treasure events I had participated in had been very growth-full experiences.  When my challenge kit arrived, I was thrilled to find six discs in primary colors with a rather weathered finish . . . (of course I forgot to take a picture.)  They reminded me of a bouquet of balloons and I knew at once that I wanted to do the floating house from the movie "UP."

 

I searched for the perfect house bead to go with my ceramic beads but could not find what I was hoping for.  I decided to make one out of brass, etch it, layer it with details and stamp it with the words "home is where your heart is."  I laid awake nights happily designing this piece in my head until one day I realized I was OOT (out of time!)  It was so hard for me to let go of my "brilliant" idea and move back into reality . . . I was so stuck that I almost pulled out of the challenge!  I was desperately in need of an attitude adjustment . . . I needed to let go and just "go with the flow."  So I did and this is what happened ~

 

Go With The Flow

 

Using the ceramic beads as the focal point, I embroidered around them adding unplanned touches as I went.  I had no design, no vision . . . nothing but the beads themselves and the piece as it took shape to inspire my direction.  The seed beads literally flowed around the ceramic pieces, little dangles found their way onto the beads anchoring the discs, the bottom of the focal piece practically begged for fringe while the chain sprouted beaded beads that flow freely up and down its length.  The earrings just sort of appeared!  I kept creating until the piece told me it was done . . . and then, so was I.  This "letting go" style of creating was an epic and glorious, mountaintop moment for me and without a doubt one that will influence my artistic approach in the years to come.





And so, we have done it again, Lisa Lodge . . . the platform and the growing . . . and I am so grateful for the opportunity to be a part of your inspirational community.  Thank you and all the artists that participated in this challenge and to Grubbi Beads for the amazing materials we were so privileged to work with.  Until next time, just go with the flow!!!

Water's Edge ~ PRT Beach Blog Hop

 

 

For as long as I can remember I have wanted to live on the water's edge.  I spent much of my childhood swimming and surfing the ocean off Malibu beach and hours roaming the sands that edged those waters.  I spent a year at Pepperdine University overlooking Malibu where my studies were challenged by the constant call of the waves to me.  I overcame many odds to become one of the first female lifeguards on this same stretch of beach and spent a summer blissfully employed in paradise.  Many years later I fell in love with diving and followed the sandy beach out into a watery wonderland.  I have spent months teaching diving on a remote island off the coast of Honduras dreaming of one day settling on my very own sandy beach. 

 

My lifelong dream was realized this year when Paul and I bought a beautiful cottage on 2.5 acres of Hood Canal waterfront in Washington.  We christened our home "little blue" and delight in the forest path and stream that leads us down to our very own water's edge.  With the beautiful treasures Lisa included in my challenge kit, I created pieces that capture and celebrate the exquisite natural beauty of our piece of paradise.  I am blessed beyond words that my dream came true and am so happy to share Water's Edge with all of you. 

 



necklace

pendant

 

bracelet

 sunshine toggle clasp

earrings

Paul and I on our beach

 

 

sunset from little blue

 

Thank you Lisa for including me in this epic blog hop and for all the beautiful treasures you sent that allowed me to create these unique beach pieces.  Thanks to all who visited my site and I invite you to spend some time viewing the other beachy beauties that my fellow artists have created!  Visit their sites at the links below!

 

Your hostess:  Lisa Lodge, A Grateful Artist

Carolyn Lawson, Carolyn's Creations

Candida Elkins Castleberry, Spun Sugar Beadworks

Becky Pancake, Becky Pancake Bead Designs

Kari Asbury, Hippie Chick Design

Susan Anderson, La Main Tresor

Kim Dworak, Cianci Blue

Margaret Pelech, Margaret Pelech's Blog

Lisa Prewitt Knappenberger, LiRaysa Designs

Carol Briody, A Beads Life

Karin Grosset Grange, Ginkgo et Coquelicot

Shaiha Williams, Shaiha’s Ramblings

Gloria Allen, Gloria Allen Designs

Rosee Floss Hanemaayer, Silver Penny Artisans

Saundra Farren, Something by Saundra

Beti Horvath, Stringing Fool Jewelry

MaryAnne Kelly Hobbs-Fernie - TBD

Chris Eisenberg, Wanderware

Alicia Marinache, All the Pretty Things

Veralynne Malone, Designed by Vera

Kelly Fletcher – TBD

Linda Anderson, From the Bead Board

Diana Chavis - TBD



The Art of Awareness ~ agape

"I wondered if that was how forgiveness budded, 
not with the fanfare of epiphany, 
but with pain gathering its things, packing up, and 
slipping away unannounced in the middle of the night."
Khaled Hosseini, Kite Runner

Many thanks to Lori and Heather for coordinating this occasion that brings awareness, presence and understanding to many human conditions and life challenges.  Each artist was invited to select a meaningful word, representative color or a person to honor in an artistic creation while shedding light on some area of challenge or struggle. I personally have used this time of creation to feel more deeply the blessings of my life, many of which have been the result of times of struggle. I look forward to witnessing to the journeys and discoveries of the other artists who have poured their hearts and souls into their creations.  I invite you to join me by following the links at the end of this post.

I asked Heather to create a forest green bead with the word agape' on it.  Her work is so beautiful and inspired me tremendously in my artistic endeavor. 

I chose this word because of a recent struggle with cruelty and abandonment by the very people I should be able to trust.  I chose green because it is a color for those battling depression and also symbolizes peacefulness and renewal.  My road out of the darkness and despair from this traumatic time is teaching me so many things and helping me to identify areas in my life that I need to improve in . . . mostly the ability to forgive and to love more fully . . . unconditionally.  Through my work, I strive to become a stronger, wiser, more gentle person. 

AGAPE ~ unconditional love

My piece is based on a design by the amazing Susan Schwartzenberger and I feel that it represents the immense power that flows from those who love freely.  I choose muted rainbow colors that spoke to me of hope and possibility in my continued journey and the work I need to do.  The golden crystals remind me of God's presence in my life and the thankfulness I have for His guidance through the darkness.

We know that forgiveness is not optional--

we are to forgive as we have been forgiven.

But forgiveness is not natural.

It goes against everything that cries out for fairness.

The thing that we need to forgive often involves pain--

from the sting of an unkind word to the 

deep gash left by an abusive relationship.

We are often left holding the pain, 

knowing the one whom we must forgive

will likely not acknowledge nor ask for it.

While we cannot afford to dwell on pain for too long,

we cannot afford to ignore it either.

We live in a fallen world where everyone

has experienced the pain of wrong choices.

When the wrong involves a violation of trust, 

or results in a life altering consequence, 

it can become even harder to forgive.

Then Peter came to him and asked, 

“Lord, how often should I forgive someone who sins 

against me? Seven times?" "No, not seven times,"

Jesus replied, "but seventy times seven!"

Matthew 18:21-22

I have a responsibility to forgive . . . even if it is daily seventy times seven.  Only then will I truly understand and achieve agape . . . unconditional love.

Thank you for visiting my wanderware blog site.  Check out the Art of Awareness blog posts of these artists:

Lori Heather	Anderson Millican	www.PrettyThingsBlog.com (hostess) www.facebook.com/swoondimples (bead artist)
Candida	Castleberry	www.spunsugarbeadworks.blogspot.com
mischelle	andrade	https://micheladasmusings.blogspot.com
Paige	Maxim	http://delightfullittlegems.blogspot.com/
Laurie	Vyselaar	www.lefthandjewelry.wordpress.com
Marybeth	Rich	http://forestofjewels.blogspot.com/
Alice	Peterson	www.alice-dreaming.blogspot.com
Kim	Dworak	http://www.cianciblue.blogspot.com/
Audrey	Bélanger	http://esperianterra.blogspot.ca/
Karen	mitchell	www.overthemoon-design.com
Joan	Williams	www.lilrubyjewelry.com
Jean	Wells	jeanawells.blogspot.com
Ann	Schroeder	www.beadlove.wordpress.com
Gail	Accinelli	facebook.com/oregonmadejewelry
Tania	Spivey	www.moobiegracedesigns.blogspot.com
Mallory	Hoffman	http://rosebud101-fortheloveofbeads.blogspot.com/
Mary K	McGraw	mkaymac.blogspot.com
Shai	Williams	www.shaihasramblings.com/
Beth	Emery	storiesbyindigoheart.blogspot.com
Catie	Doman	http://drcatie.blogspot.com
Lorelei	Eurto	Http://lorelei1141.blogspot.com
Lee	Koopman	www.stregajewellry.wordpress.com
Tammy	Adams	www.paisleylizard.com/blog/
Katie	Nelson	https://www.facebook.com/katiebead
Patty	Miller	http://pattymillerbeads.blogspot.com
Chris	Eisenberg	www.wanderware.blogspot.com
Cassi	Paslick	http://badatbeingmom.blogspot.com/
Charlee	Griffith	https://www.facebook.com/charlee.griffith
Kelli	Nelson	www.afamilyaffarekelli.blogspot.com
Catherine	King	http://catherines-musings.blogspot.com
Melissa	Trudinger	beadrecipes.wordpress.com
susan	Bowie	https://susanbowie.wordpress.com
Jennifer	Justman	www.soulsfiredesigns.blogspot.com/
Cassi	Paslick	http://badatbeingmom.blogspot.com/
K	Hutchinson	http://jumbledhutch.wordpress.com
Veralynne	Malone	www.veradesigns.blogspot.com
Evie and Beth	McCord	http://ebbeadandmetalworks.blogspot.com/
Mihaela	Georgescu	http://michellemaya2005.wordpress.com
Rebecca	Anderso	Www.songbeads.blogspot.com
Charlene	jacka	www.clay-space.com
Kim	Stevens	www.pickingpoppies.blogspot.com
Susan	McClelland	Mistheword12.wordpress.com
Sally	Russick	www.sallyrussick.blogspot.com
Gina	Hockett	www.freestyleelements.blogspot.com
Mona	Arnott	bijouxgemsjoy.blogspot.ca
Sandi	Volpe	www.sandivolpe.com
Andrea	Glick	http://zenithjade.blogspot.com/
Janine	Lucas	http://www.esfera.me/travel/blog/travel-stories
Lori	Bowring Michaud	www.artfullyornamental.blogspot.com
Christie	Murrow	Www.charisdesignsjewelry.blogspot.com
B.R.	Kuhlman	www.mixedmayhemstudios.com
Lupe	Meter	www.gesmpccorner.blogspot.com
Lucy	Bejarano	www.lucybejaranojewelry.blogspot.com/
Stephanie	Perry	www.mustardbeadbystephanieperry.blogspot.com
Elisabeth	Auld	www.beadsforbusygals.com
Carolyn	Lawson	www.carolynscreationswa.blogspot.com
Heather	Powers	www.humblebeads.blogspot.com
Katie	Hacker	www.katiehacker.blogspot.com
Kepi	Rasmussen	www.kepirasmussen.blogspot.ca
Gail	Vanderster-Zwang	www.angelmoose.blogspot.com
Elizabeth	Hodges	http://thewhisperingseas.blogspot.com/