Etsy Shop Update!

Tonight I updated my etsy shop with some of my new jewelry goodies! But hurry....there aren't many! I can also do custom orders for Mother's Day. Just send me an email.

Going to Emerald City

So here's what I've been thinking about..... The Wizard of Oz. Dorothy and her three new friends joyfully made their way to Emerald City in hopes of seeing the Great Wizard of Oz. Each thought they needed something they didn't have. A little courage, a little heart, a little brains, and a way back home to family. Only that darn Toto revealed from behind the velvet curtain that the Wizard was really no wizard at all. Just an ordinary man. And yet, this man revealed to the friends that what they were searching for rested within them already. Now, he did give them each a token to remember this....I think it was a diploma for Scarecrow, a badge of courage for lion and something hearty for Tin Man (I've watched that movie literally 40 times and can not remember what he gave Tin Man.) So this jewelry I've been making, it's a little like the Wizard has revealed himself to me from behind the velvet curtain. The words are gentle reminders for you to wear....you probably already know these things about yourself. But it's nice to see the words and be reminded.

I do hope you like what I've been creating here for you. It's my way of expressing my inner self. Because every time I pound out a word it just reaffirms for me what I already know is inside and gently reminds me that I can be more........

Not Another Nest....

So as I promised, I did make some jewelry that had nothing to do with nests. Although I do love to make the little woven nest! So these little babies are all about taking a journey. I found the truck charm at a local craft store. It was super cute, but super silvery. No worries, I have my new magic potion that can dirty up anything. Man I love that stuff!

Then the words came. I've 8 of these truckin' on charm necklaces. Some are headed to -Birmingham, others staying here at The Vintage-Flea. If you are interested though, please email me!!

Sometimes it's good to just "See for yourself." Don't you think? So don't be afraid, take the journey. Whether it's a physical one to another city or just trying something new. Put your fears aside, put your hand out the window, feel the breeze and GO!

My Car Does not Define Me?

So you've heard that before right? My ......does not define me? I've been telling myself this for several years now, "My car does not define me." You see, from the day I turned 16, until the day I turned 38, the car I drive unfortunately does say a lot about me. When I turned 16 my parents wrapped up the keys to the adorable creamy 320i BMW 2 door in the driveway. Yep. And that statement would be.....spoiled 16 year old. A year later, I fell in love with a Jeep CJ-7. And two years later, a Mercedes, year later a Jeep Wrangler, two years later a new Pathfinder. After marriage it was a sporty Saturn 2-door, white cabriolet convertible, teal Infinity J-30, gold Chevy Tracker and then.....the mini-van. The mini van. The red Dodge caravan mini van. That was generously given to us by my husband's parents when we were having the not so good financial days and really needed a family car. Since 2006 I've driven this van. And secretly I loved it. Shhhhh..... I started covering the boo-boos with fabulous sticker graffiti. My goal was to fill the back window. (There's also an O crap magnet back there. Get it? I am Republican, remember?)

So the hubcaps.....they sorta fly off when you run over things, did you know that? BTW, there's another one is missing too. hehehehe....

The peeling started a year ago.....now that's not my fault. The top of the van is completely peeled at this point. And there's a piece of black rubber loose on the roof rack that swings around in the wind and makes fabulous music as you drive down the road. And the wheels when you turn right sound like a heavy metal bass. It's great. Seriously. I just turn up the music and pray that the noises I am hearing are the beats to the music and NOT another financial scream.
And then it happened. I lost it with my van. The money pit. I added up all the bills from the year and lost it. It was time to give it up. Now, we've not had a car payment in years.
If you've ever read the book about the millionaire next door, you know that they do not own the sparkly new cars.....in fact those with sparkly new cars according to the author are probably in so much debt that they can't see straight. But my children and I were at risk in the red mini-van. So I bought myself a new one.......on Saturday. All by myself too. And I lovvvvvve it. See the paint job can actually reflect amazing landscapes:

And it's ORANGE!!!!! Seriously it is orange. ORANGE! Spicey yummy orange! My favorite color!!! It's of course used, I am responsible now with our money and know our financial limits (let me tell ya, some of those car people are so pushy they could care less about your budgets!). But it's fabulous. So I had to share it with you. Because I knew you'd be happy for me too. And look, it has hub caps. Wow. The little things that make a momma cry.

So here's the nitty....it's a Chrysler town and country. Why is it named that? Guess you can drive in the country or the city and still look fabulous? ha. And my favorite part (other than it makes no weirdo noises) ALL the seats fold into the floor and lay totally flat. So when I do art shows my stuff will fit! Whooooohoooo for the little things that make life easier for the artsy Mom! Anyhoo.....that was my weekend. Buying a new van. And loving it. Anyone up for a road trip now?

Branching Out

It seems lately that I am really "branching out" with my bird sculptures. The plaster bird heads, new bird inspired jewelry on the table, and these beautiful bird babies: I am always on the lookout for materials I can re purpose. Especially bird cages, birds, and nests. I found about 20 of these paper mache birds around Christmas at Resurrect in Opelika. They were nestled in a glass bowl all chalky black with wild wiry legs. I had no vision, but the price was right so I bought them all. And now that my vision has come full circle, I am wanting more! So here's what I had to do to get to the finished product:

Step 1: paint the birds with my favorite color palette. Colors too bright...hmmmm Step 2: Apply a dark wood stain. Better now. (Now before step 3 I attempted to make some cool bird cages from fabric and Paverpol for these to perch. They failed terribly. And I was ticked. My vision was at a deadend. And then....)Step 3: Head to Lowe's and buy dowels for perches. Step 4: cut dowels, glue into T shape and stain with wood stain. Step 5: head to Phillip's wood shop and cut bases from his amazing pile of bead board. Drill holes in bases for T perch. Step 6: Add dab of wood glue and insert T to hole in base. Step 7: Attach birds to T perch by wrapping their wiry long legs around and around. Step 8: Step back and say WELL DONE!

So I love them. I've done a lot of felted birds in and out of cages. But on perched little stands, and paper mache....this is something new. And I like new. Sometimes I find that getting out of the comfort zone and jumping into new materials is just what an artist needs to kindle the creative energy again. So I'm on a roll............and the jewelry is in the works now. Like I've said before I work on lots of projects at once. And this time, unlike the old me, I AM GOING TO FINISH it all. Yep. All. So I better go now. I'll give ya a hint though, not ALL my jewelry is about birds.....think about what else I love to paint. OK, I'll give you a hint. It starts with the letter "T". hehehe.....

These will be landing at The Vintage-Flea tomorrow if you are interested. There are 8 right now at $25 each.

On Being Inspired

"INSPIRED..........You open up all windows and you can see forever. The ideas float in and crowd out your worries, your details, and fill you up with words and colors and wings." from the book BE INSPI(RED)

I just love that definition of inspired. As an artist, sometimes my head gets so FULL of potential that honestly I get cranky about it. Seriously. During the surge before I start creating something new I get totally and utterly cranky. And then I create......and create....and explode with energy and complete joy. Especially when the inspiration turns into something so, well good.(everyone should pat themselves on the back every once in awhile. Don't you think?) So do you remember the foamy cupcakes above from a past blog entry? Now look at them: When I returned from Art and Soul, in my bag of creative tricks was fabulous new sculpture technique. (remember my plaster bird cage?) Now, I'll tell you right now this idea is not originally mine. Nope. Stephanie had these bird heads for sale in her vendor night booth and did a quick demo on them during my class, however we did not make them in our class. And they kept crowding my head when I got back. So I made them, my way. It was part of that crankiness....trying to figure out how to make something someone else does and making it my own. I love....love....love the texture. They totally remind me of my paintings!! In fact, I have a new idea crowding my head where I use plaster on the canvas board to acquire the same texture affects. Can't wait to try it!

So I literally have 2 dozen heads. All with different hats, charms and some just plain. They have the cutest personalities already. I may have to keep one, or two!

So this has been what I've been hiding away and creating. They were very time consuming. but well worth it now that they are completed!

Home Sweet Home

This weekend was such a great time for Mailey and the other 17 little girls on the camp out! We made lots of new friends..... Did a little hiking and canoeing.......

A little tye-dying (I was wearing a white hoodie and managed to NOT get any on that, but our hands will likely be stained for days!).......

A camp fire and mashmallow roasting both nights, with lots of fun camp songs.................

And of course a lot of time to just be KIDS! By the way, all my cooking went off without a hitch. I am however, beyond tired. In fact I think this is what one would call exhaustion. So this afternoon I took a very hot shower and plan to get into the studio tonight to do some mindless painting (base coating stuff). Deadlines are up on the horizon and I am thinking today is a great time to get started slowly