Top O' The Mornin' To Ye

Happy Saint Paddy's Day to one and all. It's a beautiful, bright day by the beach and I'm reminded of the last lines of a particularly lovely Irish blessing.

May green be the grass you walk on,

May blue be the skies above you,

May pure be the joys that surround you,

May true be the hearts that love you.

My joys increased exponentially yesterday. Not only did I totally clean up (straighten up - we won't use the white glove test) my taa, but I got the most wonderful e-mail from Mr. Tim McCreight inviting me to be one of the four jurors for this year's PMC Guild Annual! I'm just much too excited. And honored to be in the company of Barbara Becker Simon, Lisa Cain and Bruce Baker! And it will be the fourth volume to include my work too! In celebration of this stunning news, I'm having a little giveaway. I'm inviting anyone who doesn't already own the first volume of the Annual (can you believe those prices!) to tell me in ten lines or less how metal clay has impacted your life. I'll ask a disinterested party (one of my friends) to choose the best mini essay. Don't worry, you won't be graded. ;D

I'm certainly hoping that some (many) of you are going to submit luscious photos for me to try and choose from! Names of artists aren't attached (I think), so no playing favorites. And that's as it should be isn't it? The book comes out in August - so we'll have a long time to wait unfortunately. But anticipation makes the heart grow fonder. ;D

(That's a porcelain doll leg on the left)

Oh, and to really put the cherry on this confection of a day, my first tutorial as one of Tonya Davidson's Master Muse's is up! I really love how it turned out.

It's About Time, It's About Space...

(Does anyone within sight of this blog remember that series? I've been singing the first two lines of the theme song for years.)

We're all ready for it, the media is hyping it, blogs are pushing it. But Mother Nature is oversleeping. And who can blame her with all this dreary weather? Wait - it's all her fault that spring hasn't sprung yet!

"Growth" by Gillian Smith

Maybe it's time to give her a little nudge. Apartment Therapy is starting it's annual Spring Cure today and I think I'm gonna try to play along. I have a laundry list of chores that need to be tackled in my Tiny Ass Apartment. I've been a real potato for much too long. Do you think if I embarrass myself by listing the tasks that need to be accomplished that I'll actually take care of them? Let's see. Wanna place bets? Here we go:

1. Do laundry in a timely manner. Two loads tonight and the rest tomorrow or Wednesday. √

2. Clean the kitchen in a timely manner (I live alone). Wash all dishes and dump trash tonight. √

3. Tidy bedroom each day. Start tomorrow morning. (I'm writing this Monday night) √

Okay, those are all things that will definitely help me get started. I know that they're all chores that should be done every single day. Millions of people do it. I just can't seem to get the hang of keeping things looking good.

4. Donate, gift or otherwise dispose of my Mother's clothes. She passed in 1978 and of course I saved some of my favorite outfits and accessories as mementos. But they've been bagged or boxed up for so many years - I'm afraid to try and figure out just *how* many.

5. Paint said TAA (tiny ass apartment). I've lived here for over 20 years and have never painted. But I've re arranged furniture and paintings many, many times. You can imagine what the walls must look like.

6. Sell, gift or donate my Mother's Winfield set of beige and green Bamboo china - re-read explanation #4. Any takers? I'll probably try to sell it first. Maybe.

7. Go through other mementos that are boxed and stored. I've done this many times in the past and have really pared down. I might actually be down to the last bits and baubles that I really do want to hang on to. But there's no harm in looking again.

"This Light" by Gillian Smith

8. Frame art. I traded with a Flickr friend for two lovely original drawings a year ago. They're still in the wrapping they came in and put away to make sure I don't wreck them with my slovenliness. That was a smart thing to do. : )

9. Slip cover the couch cushion. I have a sheet wrapped around it now. It's white and I eat on the couch. 'Nuff said.

10. Get window screens fixed. Kittens! Get my drift?

I think that's enough, don't you? Enough for my home life that is. My work life? Don't make me contemplate that! I think I'll save it for another day. Oh, goody! Something to look forward to Scarlett. >: \

Weekend Eye Candy - Lady Orlando Edition

Doppelgänger, 2. FreddyBaby, 3. El Suspiro, 4. Alex, 5. face, 6. Baba Yaga, 7. Hmmm..., 8. Cuando lleguemos, 9. el charro negro, 10. girl with shawl, 11. Ophelia, 12. loup, loup, 13. mamacito, 14. Confession, 15. Andy Dandy, 16. . Created with fd's Flickr Toys

I'm in love with this artist! I've never "met" her, not in cyber space and certainly not in real life. I just stalk her gorgeous work on Flickr. Allow me to introduce you to The Lady Orlando.

"I'm not an artist, a painter, a singer, a photographer, a poet, a human, a child, a man, a woman, a cat, animal, mineral, vegetal, a ghost or a dream.

I'm not nothing of this and I am all."

She's from Mexico and has the most interesting visions I've seen in a long time. Her illustrations are dreams, fantasies, worlds waiting to be discovered. Earths inhabited by a stunningly beautiful population. Their cheeks intrigue me so. There are always the cheeks. Pink, red, white, black, outlined... the unifying theme in her illustrations. Are they blushing? Flushed with exertion? Glowing with contentment?

Most of the drawings on Flickr are taken from the pages of her piles of journals. I long to hang something of hers in my little studiolo, but alas - she does not sell online (that I know of).

How aMUSEing

Have you all been checking out Tonya Davidson's blog? For the past few weeks, every Wednesday has been dedicated to some fabulous tutorials by her fabulous Master Muse's (of which I am one).

Today's is by Kelly Russell. A fabulous steam punk, layered, slip printed, cog encrusted stilt bead! Soon my hopefully just as fabulous steamy sampler will be up! I'm so excited. I really like it. (word of the day = fabulous evidently) Hardly want to send it away to get photographed. But I will. grumble, grumble Here's a teaser of my project! ;D

Countdown...

The last of the Rings For Haiti are up for auction now on Ebay.

Over 50 jewelry makers contributed some stunning rings and are happily donating every single penny to the Global Giving Relief Fund for Haiti Earthquake.

To date we've raised over $1600.00!

This is my donation. I'm thrilled that it has garnered 5 bids. Thanks so much to the generous benefactors.

It's not too late for you to get in on the beauty and do a good deed.

There's one that I'm hoping you don't bid on, but if I lose out at least it will be for a good reason.

Weekend Eye Candy - Dauvit Alexander Edition

(Don't Worry) If There's A Hell Below... (WIP) 5, 2. I Put A Spell On You 19, 3. Stigworks 142, Alice Watch 37, 4. Hot/Cold Cufflinks, 3, 5. Robert And Gidona's Bowl 1, 6. Zur Hirschspurillenbildung Zeit 12, 7. Stigworks 81, A Trio Of Cufflinks 5, 8. Stigworks 102, Kinetic U Bangle 10, 9. Spiked! 2, 10. The Four Cocktail Rings Of The Apocalypse 40, 11. Portable Shrine To St Hubertus 80, 12. Silver Bird Skull Brooch 7, 13. Citrine, CZ and Enamel Top 2, 14. La Fleur du Mal 19, 15. Mourning Becomes Electra 7, 16. Fence-spike pendant 3
Created with fd's Flickr Toys

Dauvit Alexander aka The Justified Sinner aka Beardie Bloke was one of my very first Flickr "friends". I admit to having had quite a crush on him for a while. His work never ceases to astound me. He's what I consider the consummate goldsmith. Not that he works with gold very often.

His chosen materials are most often found around his home town of Glasgow, Scotland. Ancient sewing machine needles; bits of broken steel, bits, washers and the like from a local dump site; anything rusty and corroded that shows the wear and tear of use will be co opted for use in his designs.

He can carve waxes, engrave, wield a jewelers saw like nobody's business, set any stone shape in any number of styles (just look at those diamonds pave set into the sides of a twist drill/auger in the first picture). Dauvit uses cad cam technology and microscopes to achieve the look he's after. And I bet he could repair any of the queens jewels in the traditional way, if he had a mind to. Although I'm sure he doesn't.

I'm so honored to have a ring and a pendant that he created. I consider his style to be the very best of steampunk design. The Haute Couture version. I'm very concerned about offending him with that label - found object work like this really defies categorization. But whatever he or you choose(s) to call it, just call it magnificent!

Support!

I think you all know that I'm taking part in a Flickr challenge to make a Ring A Day. Although I've been very absent for the last two weeks. It's hard to live one's life and be creative *every single day*! Not really - I guess I've just been distracted.

But now is a great time to jump back in with both feet! 50 jewelry makers have joined in with Thomasin Durgin to donate a ring for Haiti! The auctions are being listed here and my ring goes on the block starting today! Please take a moment to peruse the offerings and see if there's anything listed that tickles your fancy. And check back - there are still more waiting to be listed.

My two day ring class went really well. We learned how to make a wrap ring, a traditional band, a riveted Roman ring and on the second day I shared my technique for making hollow rings. This is the one I made as my sample. Yet to be fired. Looks a bit like lips or a mustache doesn't it? Happy accident.