It's Good to be Back

Well, I definitely checked out of blogland for a while as I got ready for last weekend's street fair at our local coffee house.  The weather cooperated quite nicely and it was a lot of fun to be out and about with neighbors and friends.  I am so happy to live in a community that has so much creative energy flowing through it!

Building up my inventory for the event helped me get focused and prepared for the holiday season.  I have a lot of Taproot crosses in stock right now and will be listing these on etsy for the first time in the next few days!  Here's a small sampling of what I'll be listing:

With each necklace that includes a cross pendant, I like to include this message about the process of creating a Taproot cross:

Taproot crosses bear on their surface a patchwork pattern, symbolizing unity within the diversity of the Christian church. This pattern employs the process of caning, based on an Italian glass working technique called "millefiori" (meaning "a thousand flowers").  Polymer clay caning produces cylinders or logs of clay with designs running through the middle of each “cane”. Although the effect can often appear to be painted, each color in the design is actually a separate color of clay.

For the creation of Taproot crosses, several flower canes are combined to form what I call a “mega-cane”. As this mega-cane is stretched and reduced in diameter, the flower forms bend and change slightly to accommodate each other. This creates a dynamic and cohesive pattern to be applied to the surface of each individually formed cross.

Here are a few of the canes I am currently working with:

and some earrings made from individual canes:

Well, there's lots to do in the studio today, so I'd better get back to it.  I am glad to be back to my blogging and will share more soon.  Thanks for stopping by!

Oh, So Yummy

I walked into my friend's coffee house this morning and my jaw dropped.

    

Is this not the most scrumptious apron you've ever seen?   And just look what she has stashed away in her studio:

Vintage linens, adorned with embroidery and crochet lend their unique personalities to each apron.  Isn't this little ring pocket wonderful?

These beauties will soon be available at the Mt Sylvan Coffee House and Mercantile, just in time for the holidays.  You may even supply your own linens to be incorporated in a custom design.  What a lovely way to preserve and enjoy precious family heirlooms.

The Quality of the Day

To affect the quality of the day, that is the highest of arts.

Henry David Thoreau

I've been working on my self-talk lately, finding that a simple word or phrase can turn my thoughts in a good direction and improve my day immensely.  A few months ago I began altering old keys with visual reminders of things that make me stronger and happier.  I guess you could say they are "keys" to a joyful life! 

I just put the finishing touches on these last night and plan to string them on antique brass ball chains.  I've not actually seen antique brass ball chains for sale lately, but I'm keeping hope alive that they do exist.  (any suggestions of where to find them?)

I've been adding little one or two word encouragements to my gift bags, too.

How amazing it is to think that such a small detail...just a word or a phrase or some little visual...can change someone's outlook.  There is such power in what and how we choose to communicate.  It is a total blessing to know that these little keys and tags might just put hope in someone's heart or a smile on someone's face. 
I hope you are encouraged today, my friend, and that you will find a way to encourage someone close to you.  A few simple words truly can affect the quality of this day :)

Nesting

My son brought this butterfly to me yesterday.  It's wings were a little tattered and it moved very little as he held it on his hand.  I'm sure we were witnessing this marvelous creature's last few moments of existence.  What a privilege.

A little later he brought this flower to me...It was the last spider lily left blooming.  I'm glad he brought it in.  A big rainstorm moved through last night and this exquisite bloom would have been pummeled.

I sense a theme emerging.  The fading butterfly...The last lily...The world around me is in transition.  Fall is settling in and nature is preparing for winter.  I notice my own thoughts are turning toward my nest, wanting to create a warm and inviting environment where my family will take refuge from the chill of winter.  Time to pull out some soft blankets and make soup!

What do you like to do when the weather turns cool?

Inspiration in Paint Water

This will be a quick post...I've been spending mucho hours in the studio lately.  When I'm not there, I'm playing catch-up with the rest of my life.  I'm afraid the housework is coming out on the short end of that deal.

Anyway, I was just about to wash out this paint jar and noticed how beautiful it is.  (I think I've posted at least one picture of paint jars before...I guess I have a thing for them.)  I took a picture for my own inspiration and thought I'd share...

Love, love, love that mustard color with the teal.  And how about that splash of red at the top of the jar?  Oooh. 

I hope your eyes are wide open to the beautiful colors around you today.  Happy Saturday!