Cleaning House

Haven't done much art lately. I've been playing catch up on getting the house clean and organized. The garage workshop is almost done. I got the big table up from the basement this week and already I have stuff all over it. I still have to get the frig move over to the other side of the garage and the rest of the flat surfaces moved to where the frig now sits. The spiders are moving in so this is going to be slow and icky. I don't mind the spiders, I just don't want to get bit. I try to capture them and put them somewhere else so they will get those nasty flying bugs before they fly in the house. It rained today and I saw the most beautiful web full of rain drops in the tree out front.

Fall is here, Happy Equinox, but has been here all week. Last weekend it was in the 90's and this weekend, we didn't even get up to 60 degrees. A good weekend for organizing or art or all the other things I didn't do. I did go through some old Somerset Studios to find some ideas for up coming challenges. Got some great ones and will start on them this week.

Oh...cute story tonight...I went out in the garage to let the cat out and found a water dog (mud puppy) hauling tail across the floor. Got him captured and moved out to the tool shed. There is no water source close, so how do these guys get up here? And why? They must like me, this makes three in the past couple of years.

I wish everyone a Fabulous Fall Season and a plentiful Harvest, if you garden. This is my favorite time of the year!

Stones of the Earth

Here is a new necklace that I've been working on the past couple days. It is made with three unakite rectangles, three rhodonite donuts, square crystals and chain. You can't see the smaller two donuts here, they are on the back side close to the clasp. It sits nicely around the neck and drapes down to end in three crystal dangles.

This piece has been made for the upcoming theme show in Gresham, Earth, Wind, Fire & Water. I already have a Water necklace done. That one was from The Sea show earlier this year. Now I have to figure out how to bead Wind. That one is going to be a toughie. Fire is easy and fun to bead. I have all the necessary colors and don't have to buy any new beads. Oh boo hoo, no bead shopping.

Portland Art Collective

My art group is expanding our footprint and adding a blog. This will keep those who are interested in our show up to date on the artists and the work that we plan on selling. The show is scheduled for Friday and Saturday, December 5 and 6 at the Multnomah Art Center in Portland, Oregon.

More info will be forthcoming on the PAC blog in the near future. Stay tuned.

BJP September 08

So...with all the cancer coming into my life through family and friends, my bead journal page reflects how I'm feeling about the Big "C". The buttons represent the normal blood cells flowing in a "clean" stream down the arteries, veins and capillaries. The big C is the cancer cell that is messing everything up.

My journal pages will be beaded on recycled respirator filters. They have been washed and dried, at least twice, and I have 12 that are approximately all the same size. I hadn't planned on how I would display them until I finished this first one. I decided to add a beaded loop and hang them on a dowel. Each one will be signed and dated on the back. This is going to be an interesting way to keep a journal for a year. I'm glad I was able to sign up this year.

BJP Check out some of the other great beaded journal pages from the Bead Journal Project.

More Sad News

This month has been a hard one for me, mentally and emotionally. As mentioned previously, my friend Diane was diagnosed with pertioneal cancer. After a few more tests, trying to figure out the best doctor and hospital, she was finally sent to Oregon Health Sciences University (Pill Hill as we call it here in the Portland area.) Last Monday she went in for surgery. I was there with/for her all day. They opened her up and found the tumor was much bigger than expected. So they closed her up with plans to get her intensive chemo therapy to shrink the tumor. After it is shrunk to a size that is not jeopardizing her internal organs, they will open her up again and remove it with all her female parts, and probably the appendix.

This past week has been hard on all family and friends. I'm glad I'm up here. I can't be there every day, the gas is killing us this month, but I can call and see how things are going. They don't know when she is going to be coming home, some time this next week. She has already had one treatment and will be scheduling more in Eugene. She should know tomorrow when they will be releasing her.

Between Mom and Diane, I'm worn out. I have no real gumption, just want to sit and do a lot of nothing. Some beading, but that's about all.

Thoughts and prayers are welcome for Diane. Thank you.

Sad news

After I got my pieces to the fantasy show, I decided I needed to change things in my life a bit. We have this beautiful oak roll top desk that's been sitting in the corner of the living room for years. I wanted to move it across the room and make it my bead station. That way I can sit in the living room with my husband in the evenings and not feel like a out cast back in my studio. After three days of cleaning and moving furniture and moving it again, the living room is the way I want it of awhile. This happened the week of July 21st.

By Friday I was in a nursing home in Cottage Grove sitting by my mother's bedside. It had been a very quick downhill slide that none of us had expected. She had been diagnosed with a rare form of cancer at the beginning of the month. Treatments had been scheduled and she went to one. While trying to get dressed, she fell against the chest of drawers and broke five ribs. Already weak from radiation and chemo this incident didn't help her health. She was in the hospital on the weekend and from what I was told, she got a slight case of pneumonia on Tuesday. That was cleared up quickly, thankfully. My sister and aunt found a nice nursing home on Thursday and got her transferred over. The trip made her weaker. So I got the call to come quick. I did, even though I had to borrow my MIL's car. I left at 9 and got down there about noon. It's so much fun driving with only about 3 hours sleep.

I spelled my sister and stayed all night with her. I'm glad I was there. We got to talk and laugh and just be together. Most of the time she was drugged up pretty good, but she still was coherent for our time together. The weekend was spent with all the "kids" talking about what to do. She wanted to come home, but I knew she wouldn't. Sunday night, a little after midnight, she passed. Quietly and with no long, lingering illness.

Almost two weeks later, it's weird, I feel like she's still here. I'll be going down again to talk with the bank lady about the estate.

Today I also found out that one of my very best friends has been diagnosed with peritonitis carcinoma. We won't know about treatment until next week. I've known her for almost 40 years. Good thoughts and prayers would be much appreciated.

Dragon's Tooth Necklace

This piece has been in the back of my mind for almost a year. Because of this fantasy show I was able to finally get it done. I picked up the pendant at a bead show last year and some pearls to go with it. Even though this piece has pearls in it, they aren't the ones I bought. I like the way this necklace came out. I just hope someone likes it enough to buy it at the show. Only time will tell.

Draco Necklace Done

Finally! It's done and I'm not doing anymore to it now. Maybe after the show I'll add some fringe things around the snout and "ears". The dark picture is more color accurate than the light one. I photographed the finished necklace outside on an overcast day. Obviously it wasn't overcast enough. I like the little dragons in the necklace. I also bought some larger green dragon beads for this pieces, but they didn't work right. I'll have to make another necklace with them. Oh gee, playing with more beads. Life is rough. *wink, wink*

Debbie's Necklace

These pictures are of the commission I did for my friend and bead buddy, Debbie. She had the fabulous focal bead and asked me to do up a necklace, ala Sand into Pearls, (below) for her. I had a hard time with this particular bead because of the size and weight. I started and tore apart this necklace about three times before I finally finished it today. I hope she likes it. I'll be giving it to her on Thursday.

I was able to take this necklace to my Portland Art Collective Summer Picnic and show it off before giving it to Debbie. Everyone loved it and drooled over her bead.
I'm very pleased how well it was received and happy that Debbie liked it so much. This was a wonderful bead to work with and Debbie picked out the rest of the beads, crystals and pearls from the stock in her store (Bead Happy). It's too bad you can't see how beautifully it sparkles in the sunlight. This necklace turned out fantastically, if I say so myself! (wink, wink)

Draco - The Dragon Necklace

After realizing that it's been awhile since I posted anything, I wanted to show why I've been absent. This is my most recent necklace, still in process. I will be adding more beads around the outside before I cut it out and add the backing and necklace. The necklace will be black and gray or clear crystals. This necklace will be in the Mystical World of Fantasy show by the Gresham Art Advisory Committee in Gresham, Oregon. I will also have two more necklaces and five brooches in this show. Just have to finish them all by the 18th. No pressure.

My Fairy Name

Your fairy is called Pagan Goblinfilter

She is a bringer of riches and wealth.

She lives close to ancient monuments and stone circles.

She is only seen on midsummer's eve.

She wears raven-black feathers. She has gentle green wings like a butterfly.

Get your free fairy name here!

Draco

Been busy the last few weeks with working on the workshop and getting ready for the "Shows" season. Here is one of the necklaces I've started for a show in July. I'm really loving these eyes! I also have another necklace that I'm working on for the same show. As soon as I get that done I'll post pics. Now...enough of the computer today, off to the bead table.

Blue Water Necklace

I finally finished this necklace and am pleased with the way it came out. I had trouble getting the netting to work around the perimeter of the capiz shell like the "Sea Foam" necklace. I had to start over on this necklace three times before everything worked out right. If you look closely on the close up, you can see the web-like netting on the back through the capiz shell. It looks very cool when held up to the light.

This necklace is now on display, with the other sea themed necklaces, at the Wy'east Artisans Guild Annual Theme Show. The show was moved from the Sandy Public Library to its current location at the Mt. Hood Cultural Center and Museum at Government Camp on Mt. Hood, Oregon. The show will be at the Museum until July 12th. On that date, the Guild will hold it's reception for the show and take down will be right after. So, if you see something you like, come to the party and take home a piece of art that same day.

This necklace has netted seed beads "capturing" a capiz shell with numerous freshwater pearls and crystals in the "water" fringe. Larger blue and clear crystals make up the necklace, while a silver-toned starfish shimmers in the fringe.
This necklace is priced at $225.00.

The eyes have it

Yes, those are eyes peeking out at you on my work tray. (see below) I will be incorporating those into barrettes later in the year. It's so much fun to have an extra set of eyes in the back of your head. *evil chuckle*

A Year of Fishy Things?

I'm doing another beaded Capiz shell, as you can see it's blue. This piece is in progress right now. I've been slowly working on it as the weather changes from nice to wet and everything in between. I find it very hard to sit and bead when the weather finally gets nice around here. After the winter we've had, there are tons of branches to clean up and burn. Also, it's just nice to sit in the sun and listen to the birds and watch the squirrels.

My friend, Sherrie, and I went to the Ceramic Showcase at the Oregon Convention Center a week ago. There are six different guilds that show their wares at this very impressive show. Throughtout the booths and artists there seemed to be a theme this year, fish, horses and cats. Some very strange things and LOTS of beautiful things. http://www.ceramicshowcase.com You can see some of the fabulous ceramics from the Oregon Potters Association.

If I had more money than what I allowed myself, I would have brought home a pond full of fishy pottery, glass, metal, weavings, wood and beads. I wish I could afford to buy one item from each and every artist at this show. There is so much talent in one place this time of year. It's a great place for inspiration if your Muse is on vacation.

I guess it's a good thing that I'm on this fishy line of art this year. It feels right.

The Draining of Roslyn Lake

These are pictures of our local small lake, run by PGE (Portland General Electric), the utility company that owns the lake. After tearing down the 80 year old dam on the Sandy river, which fed this lake, last year. They are now decommmissioning the lake. They started draining it last Friday and hope to have it completed by the end of this week. It's a very shallow lake, 10' - 20' deep in places. There has been much speculation about how much lead is in the mud at the bottom. I remember bringing my son out to play in the water while his father tried his hand at catching the fish. The water playing was more rewarding than the empty creel.

There were a lot of memories made in this small recreational area. Many, many families will miss Roslyn Lake.

Felted Embellished Brooch

I took this class from Gail Crosman Moore (see links), a couple of weeks ago, at Bead Expo. She is a great teacher and fantastic artist. These little felted bits are very fun to make and embellish. Gail had quite a few of her felted pieces with her for Bead Expo and it was a pleasure to see them up close and personal. She will be coming back to Portland this fall for Art and Soul and teaching some very cool classes. I can't wait!

Life

Been away doing the things of life. Haven't worked on much art lately, except a Bouquet Swap for my PAC group. This is an example of the flowers for the swap. All made them out of recycled cans, copper sheet, beads and floral wire. This was a fun swap!

Sea Foam Necklace

These are pictures of my most recent necklace. I finished up this afternoon and took the pics between rain/snow showers. It came out exactly as I pictured it in my mind. Don't ya love it when that happens? I'm very pleased with this piece. It shimmers in the light and is quite captivating. I think I'll do a couple more of these kind of necklaces in different colorways. But...I have my commission to do first.

The center piece is a capiz shell, captured in netting stitch with clear seed and faceted beads. Nestled amid the fringes are freshwater pearls, crystals, opalized glass beads and two silver-toned starfish. The necklace is made of Druk beads and 8mm crystals. Price for this necklace is $225.00

Free Rice, Play a game and feed the hungry

I saw this link, to a very cool site, at Lisa Vollrath's newsletter today. www.lisavollrath.com You can increase your vocabulary and feed the hungry while playing a fun game.

www.freerice.com
FreeRice is a sister site of the world poverty site, www.poverty.com

FreeRice has two goals:

Provide English vocabulary to everyone for free.
Help end world hunger by providing rice to hungry people for free.

This is made possible by the sponsors who advertise on this site.

Whether you are CEO of a large corporation or a street child in a poor country, improving your vocabulary can improve your life. It is a great investment in yourself.

Perhaps even greater is the investment your donated rice makes in hungry human beings, enabling them to function and be productive. Somewhere in the world, a person is eating rice that you helped provide. Thank you.