For where your treasure is, there shall your heart be also. ~ Matthew 6:21

Saturday, December 5, 2015

PRT ~ Charmed I'm Sure Blog Hop


New 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

Friday, October 23, 2015

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."

The whole movie revolves around the flying house and Carl’s attachment to it. Description from pickchur.com. I searched for this on bing.com/images:
 
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!!!

Saturday, July 18, 2015

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
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



Saturday, May 16, 2015

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

Pretty Things

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)
CandidaCastleberrywww.spunsugarbeadworks.blogspot.com
mischelleandradehttps://micheladasmusings.blogspot.com
PaigeMaximhttp://delightfullittlegems.blogspot.com/
Laurie Vyselaar www.lefthandjewelry.wordpress.com
MarybethRichhttp://forestofjewels.blogspot.com/
AlicePetersonwww.alice-dreaming.blogspot.com
KimDworakhttp://www.cianciblue.blogspot.com/
AudreyBĂ©langerhttp://esperianterra.blogspot.ca/
Karenmitchellwww.overthemoon-design.com
JoanWilliamswww.lilrubyjewelry.com
JeanWellsjeanawells.blogspot.com
AnnSchroederwww.beadlove.wordpress.com
GailAccinellifacebook.com/oregonmadejewelry
TaniaSpiveywww.moobiegracedesigns.blogspot.com
Mallory Hoffmanhttp://rosebud101-fortheloveofbeads.blogspot.com/
Mary KMcGrawmkaymac.blogspot.com
ShaiWilliamswww.shaihasramblings.com/
BethEmerystoriesbyindigoheart.blogspot.com
CatieDomanhttp://drcatie.blogspot.com
LoreleiEurtoHttp://lorelei1141.blogspot.com
LeeKoopmanwww.stregajewellry.wordpress.com
TammyAdamswww.paisleylizard.com/blog/
KatieNelsonhttps://www.facebook.com/katiebead
PattyMillerhttp://pattymillerbeads.blogspot.com
ChrisEisenbergwww.wanderware.blogspot.com
CassiPaslickhttp://badatbeingmom.blogspot.com/
CharleeGriffithhttps://www.facebook.com/charlee.griffith
KelliNelsonwww.afamilyaffarekelli.blogspot.com
CatherineKinghttp://catherines-musings.blogspot.com
MelissaTrudingerbeadrecipes.wordpress.com
susanBowiehttps://susanbowie.wordpress.com
JenniferJustmanwww.soulsfiredesigns.blogspot.com/
CassiPaslickhttp://badatbeingmom.blogspot.com/
KHutchinsonhttp://jumbledhutch.wordpress.com
VeralynneMalonewww.veradesigns.blogspot.com
Evie and BethMcCordhttp://ebbeadandmetalworks.blogspot.com/
MihaelaGeorgescuhttp://michellemaya2005.wordpress.com
RebeccaAnderso Www.songbeads.blogspot.com
Charlene jackawww.clay-space.com
KimStevenswww.pickingpoppies.blogspot.com
SusanMcClellandMistheword12.wordpress.com
SallyRussickwww.sallyrussick.blogspot.com
GinaHockettwww.freestyleelements.blogspot.com
MonaArnottbijouxgemsjoy.blogspot.ca
SandiVolpewww.sandivolpe.com
AndreaGlickhttp://zenithjade.blogspot.com/
JanineLucashttp://www.esfera.me/travel/blog/travel-stories
LoriBowring Michaudwww.artfullyornamental.blogspot.com
ChristieMurrowWww.charisdesignsjewelry.blogspot.com
B.R.Kuhlmanwww.mixedmayhemstudios.com
LupeMeterwww.gesmpccorner.blogspot.com
LucyBejaranowww.lucybejaranojewelry.blogspot.com/
StephaniePerrywww.mustardbeadbystephanieperry.blogspot.com
ElisabethAuldwww.beadsforbusygals.com
CarolynLawsonwww.carolynscreationswa.blogspot.com
HeatherPowerswww.humblebeads.blogspot.com
KatieHackerwww.katiehacker.blogspot.com
KepiRasmussenwww.kepirasmussen.blogspot.ca 
Gail Vanderster-Zwangwww.angelmoose.blogspot.com
ElizabethHodgeshttp://thewhisperingseas.blogspot.com/