April notes.

Katherine Osgood workshop, image transfer  this month at Pullen , there are still spaces available.

Blue flower, surprise in pansy pot, very fragrant!
Enamel samples Ive been working on
Ran into this painting by friend Miriam Humphrey at Kinston art center
 Bob and Melissa's new puppy Hawk. They now have mother, daughter and son, border collies.
Where it all begins Silver!

Christmas cactus blooming up a storm
This really feels like cheating . Instant grass, hoping for it to blend in, have officially started spring gardening.
And finally this is an image of my family I plan on using in photo transfer to make a Locket for my 89 year old mother, I am the little one.

Latest jewelry workshops at Pullen, more to come.

Set up for salt water battery etching. Safe and effective.Tims Lazure Belt Buckle workshop
Belt buckle in progress by Erica Stankowitz Bailey
Belt buckle in progress by Allison Dahle
"Put a Notch in it "Belt buckle complete done in Tim Lazure Workshop
Sarah West working on enamel color samples  for Champleve class
Sample Pendant I made in  tin ring workshop
Sample from tin ring workshop
                     "Simply Perfect" tin and silver ring I made in Marlene Trues' Ring workshop.

spring all most, not yet

Cold again , planted some new hellevores
Mitsie, the essence of cat,

              a fun project for a friend I haven't seen in a while, but reconnected to on face book
A little Mitsie mayhem we must remember to keep bathroom door closed.
                                                 George getting ready for a June show.

productive weekend

Mitsie kept watch over the laundry
kept an eye on the dryer
Sophie enjoyed the cold tiles by the front door, now that's a pretty dog:)
Link a day for feb. hearts of course, right out of pickle

cleaned up
belt buckle back plate with garnets
front piece
14 rivets
Jennifers' size 6
and the sun came out today!

The English travellers visiting Raleigh at the Pit and Pullen,Exerpt from their post


Food is one of those areas where the differences between British and American culture feel genuinely super-sized.
First, it's difficult to find a good curry anywhere in this country. (With the notable exception of Boston).
Second - across the southern states in particular - "barbecue" means a whole lot more than your dad blackening Tesco burgers in the back garden.
In states like Tennessee, Kansas, South Carolina, Missouri, and today's destination - North Carolina - meat grilling is revered to near-fanatical levels. Each state claims to be the 'spiritual home' of barbecue and has its own (subtly different) meat preparation methods.
Tonight we're eating at one of the best barbecue restaurants in North Carolina - 'The Pit' in the state capital, Raleigh.
Beforehand, we spend the afternoon working up an appetite at the town's progressive Pullen Arts Centre.
Under the watchful guidance of assistant director Betty McKim, we spend a fantastic few hours getting our hands dirty in various pottery, jewellery making and metal working scenarios. For us, it's a great way of making unique gifts to take home (well, 'unique' is one word for the trumpet-shaped cereal bowl I make for my grandmother, anyway).

We woke up this morning in Toledo, Ohio, but had a criminally short time to spend in the Buckeye State: a genuine shame considering the amount it has to offer, not least the famous 'Three C's': Cleveland, Columbus and Cincinatti.

But weather and flight times combined to restrict us to 'just' a hearty breakfast at Toledo's lovely Glendale Garden Cafe.

Travelling from Ohio to North Carolina at this time of year is like travelling from January to April. There's no snow on the ground in Raleigh, and the sun is gentle and warming.

In other words - perfect barbecue conditions.
At The Pit, we're invited into the bustling kitchen to help 'pit master' John Odom barbecue a whole hog. The process is remarkably simple, but with even the most basic of (vinegar-based) seasoning, the meat tastes absolutely out of this world. Particularly when washed down with lashings of traditional sweet tea.

One of the most frequent questions we're asked as we travel around is: "where did you have the best food?" It's day 22 of 30 and without a shadow of a doubt, this is the best meal we've had in the United States.

The pork is so delicious that we all eat until we can barely move.

The 'spiritual home of barbecue' is a loaded, vastly controversial topic out here in the Deep South, and one we probably shouldn't wade into...
...but it is - clearly - North Carolina. By a prairie mile.

App Of The Day

As the team moves around the US at breakneck speed, they're relying on a number of mobile apps to keep them in control and on schedule. Each day, one of them will recommend an app that's proved particularly useful or interesting, for travellers to download themselves from itunes.
The App: GRILL-IT
Mark says: "While in the UK a BBQ often means charcoal flavoured sausage, in America there are several states that claim to hold the BBQ crown. With 'Grill-it', you get a wealth of regularly updated recipes, including plenty of vegetarian-friendly options. So you can plan your al fresco feast and your hungry guests will call on you again - rather than calling the fire brigade."
Create your own adventure in North Carolina:

Fluffy clouds, funny faces, frosy mornings..

Fallen Ginko leaf
Findings, links or components, my first month of" link a day" or in this case a month of links in progress.
Whenever I think of chains it reminds me that you are only as strong as your weakest link. The plan is to put all the 354 links into one chain or necklace.
 January ended with a Pat Flynn workshop at Pullen Art Center. Cradle hinge, hidden hinge, and box top hinge beautifully done by Pat Flynn,  His teaching method broke the steps for making the hinges down to a very basic and doable procedure. His signature steel and gold pieces are elegant and exquisitely done.
Finally getting back to work in studio, these group projects, "link a day" keep me on task, as well as take me somewhere I wouldn't otherwise go.
Ready to start new projects,  all loose ends tied up for now.

Slowly moving into 2013 "the new year"

Started out the new year pulling a muscle in my back so the new year began by sitting, resting and reading this book . I really enjoyed it. If you like hiking, or walking it is a great read. Ive been laying low, declared to get a little more organized in January, so far so good. A new animal addition to our household, "Mitzi Mango" she seems right at home and Sophie doesn't seem to be jealous or threatened at all.
I'll be playing a little catch up, as Ive decided to do" a link a day" to compile a necklace this year. Went out walking this morning and found this chain linkage, leaf and neon cutter. Motivated me to finally get started. All last years jewelry organized,  jewelry studio cleaned up and ready to go.
Sophie in her bandana resting. George spent the day updating my website, getting ready to apply for some new shows and opportunities.

It was a lovely Christmas afterall

 
So much to be thankful for. The holidays were filled with decorations and food, local craft shows and sales, lighted houses, sweet, cute children filled with innocence and Christmas excitement. Trees and wreathes, twinkly star tree toppers. Lunches with friends. Such a busy time, everybody doing their thing to get ready for Christmas. I was behind this year but finally pulled it all together. And now  time to reflect, renew and rejoice for all the good fortune passed my way. Think of a way to make next year better, to be a better person, show more kindness to others and push myself to live more fully, basically live in the now and go for the gusto.
I kept wondering when I would get in the holiday spirit, there was alot of tragedy and sorrow this season. Unthinkable sorrow and loss of young lives, making my problems and grief seem quite small. Knowing and doing can be somehow quite difficult.  So this Christmas week I will be  enjoying Christmas, happy for what I have and nourish the things that matter. 
 
Peace and Merry Christmas to all!

Shows are over, December is here.


Still working on a few more things, but definitely winding down.
 
Our sweet golden of 13 years is fighting a tumor in the spleen, not a good prognosis.
                               Wouldn't it be nice if those sad things would just float away.
So far no tree but nutcracker is out. I'm never really ready for Christmas, hopefully the spirit will find me this week.  Many thanks to all the folks that came out to the shows and have been so supportive of my jewelry, this season and over the years.

Better day today got alot done!

I'm always excited when I find a new thing on my computer, photo booth, comic book, 4 shots in a row. Set a bunch of stones today, totally crushed a mexican fire opal, good thing I had back up garnets. Tomorrow will be the last day of jewelry making, after that display, and details. Wednesday set up. Final stretch in sight. A year ago today me and pals were challenging ourselves to the Grand Canyon hike. That hike gave me alot of confidence to try things I might not otherwise try. As the year draws to a close I'm already trying to plan a goal/challenge for 2013.

Live Wire.

Pretty excited about show at Mahler Gallery. I plan on posting all pieces on my blog with the narrative. This is one of my favorites. Pink powder coated steel, sterling silver, white sapphire, copper and mokueme-gane.

I'm officially done with the work and preparation for this show. I'll be taking everything over on Tuesday. The opening is First Friday 6-9. Come if you can. Feels great to have completed this challenge:)

getting ready..

2 new earrings and a new pendant, getting ready for CDC & hopefully Boylan Art Walk. I so need to update website. My main focus has been getting ready for Narrative Brooch Show at the Mahler Gallery. Ill have work there for first friday in November.

Remembering Woodstock 1998-2012


Woodstock was a feisty little cat. She was really sick this morning, maybe a stroke? She had rallied after an episode of losing down to 4lbs. due to thyroid issues. 14 years is a long time. It was sad letting her go.  Animals become such a big part of your every day life. This is the third cat I've ever had.  We will all miss her. Sophie was curious about her behavior this morning as well. They have always been together. RIP "woodsie girl."