Fall is Here!

My good friend Iva has been politely reminding me that I haven't made a new blog post in quite some time...and she's right of course! I have really been neglecting my poor blog, so I am finally here to post a small update before I head off on a plane to Portland today to attend the Art & Soul retreat. I was very busy in August and September preparing for the fabulous Tinsel & Treasures show, which was even better than last years show! Thanks to Iva and Colleen for going all out to make the artists feel welcomed and to put on such an amazing event. I didn't really take any pictures at the show, so please do stop by Iva's show blog to see examples of some amazing art from the show.

The pictures above are some of the new things I have been working on this year....fun Halloween paintings, and whimsical birds are available in my mixed media Etsy shop, and new jewelry designs are available in my other Etsy shop.

For those of you that will be in Portland this week, I look forward to seeing you and saying "hi" and meeting some of you for the very first time! I will try to be back soon with pictures from this fabulous art retreat. :)

Tinsel & Treasures Update!

Show of Friends
I can't wait for the Second Annual Tinsel and Treasures Show , Sept. 12, in our new location in Alamo, CA. I call many of these talented women friends and can't wait to meet the new faces who have been added this year! But the big news is that a new blog for the show was unveiled today!

TinselandTreasures.typepad.com features two of the show artists, Susan Bartolucci of Tinsel and Whimsy and Sally Case . You'll learn more about them and even find a few pictures of the talented craftsmanship that goes into their unique art. After you read a little about them, visit their blogs to see the latest news coming from their studios.

You'll also find the show line up on the new Tinsel and Treasures blog. And while you're there, don't forget to sign up for the blog e-newsletter in the left column. Every week until the show, two more artists will be featured, complete with photos and interesting tidbits. Plus, you may even get a sneak peek at some of the art that will be available for purchase that day. Plan to be there early too to get the best selection!

Look forward to seeing you Sept. 12, 9 am - 2 pm, at the Alamo Women's Club in Alamo, CA!

Dreaming....

Of a time when imagination sparks, and wings give you flight....to go on a journey to magical lands! Oh what fun we will have! This is a beeswax collage project that I have the pleasure of teaching to a small group this coming Saturday afternoon. I will share photo's of their finished collages so you can see the journey that their imaginations lead them on. Working with old papers, photo's and tidbit's is always so enjoyable for me, and as I work, I sit and wonder who might have held these old items, and I ponder about the lives those children might have led.

I have always loved the original H.G. Wells The Time Machine movie, and how I dreamed of being able to go back in time someday! Another of my favorites was Somewhere in Time, with Christopher Reeve...what an amazing love story. Mostly, I just thought it would be very cool to have my own personal time machine so that I could visit the past, and the future too. And the design they came up with for the original time machine pictured above is pretty neat!

Of course we can't forget about the magic of the Back to the Future movies...and that DeLorean is a really sweet ride too! The problem I think lies in the fact that both of these times machines had some mechanical failures and flaws, so maybe it's time for someone to invent the perfect time machine....one that is stylin' and works like clockwork, with no breakdowns or goof up's with the time travel part. I know that I'd buy one for sure! :)

A Friend's Fabulous Giveaway!

Hurry, and run over to my friend Johanna Parker's blog to enter her giveaway for this fabulous piece of Halloween folk art! What a generous gesture to host this giveaway, and I can tell you from personal experience that her creations are truly unique and amazing! The attention to detail, and her wonderful faces make each piece special, and a joy to own. :) Good luck to you!

Etsy Item of the Day!

I am proud to have one of my items selected as the "Etsy item of the day" on this fabulous website! They chose my tea spoon curio necklace "Nostalgie" available in my Etsy shop for purchase. This necklace features an antique tintype of a sweet girl mounted in an old spoon and I have added vintage watch parts to hang from the bottom. A very unique piece! Check out this wonderful site, as they feature something new each day!

It's Been a Busy Spring!

I realized today that it's been far too long since my last blog post...more than a month! Where does the time go? It seems that ever since I turned 40 this year, time is flying by faster than I would like. I have taken on the opinion that I am not going to let it bother me, but I have to admit, that some days it does, and I wish I could slow the world down and enjoy it a bit more. My spring has been filled with spending a lot of quality time with my family...birthday parties, outdoor activities, school functions, and sneaking in a bit of time to produce new jewelry designs...my newest creative interest! Scroll down for pictures. :)

A year has gone by since my grandpa Joe left this world for someplace better, and I know he is always smiling down at us...but I still miss him terribly, and wish he were here.Simon is almost finished with Kindergarten, and just turned 6 a few weeks ago! My little guy is getting to be almost as tall as me!I hope your Spring has been as lovely as mine and even though it's officially not Summer yet, it sure feels like it here in California where we've had 100 degree plus days for the last three days. Swimsuits and back yard BBQ's, here we come! :) Here are some new pieces that have been listed in my Etsy shop.

New Etsy Shop Open

I have decided it is time to separate my jewelry from my other artistic endeavors, so I have opened a new Etsy shop that will house my one of a kind paper mache items, vintage goodies, collage, mixed media, and anything else that I create! You can still find my jewelry creations in my original Etsy shop, and I will be adding more interesting items to my new Etsy shop later this week. Stop by and take a peek! :)

Hop into Spring Sale!

I am welcoming in the beginning of Spring by having a 20% off sale in my Etsy shop this Saturday and Sunday March 21st and 22nd. Plus, every purchase will get your name entered into a drawing for a surprise gift worth $15! The drawing will be held on Monday morning, and the gift will be shipped at no extra charge with the winner's purchase. Stop on by this weekend and Happy Spring to you! :)

Local Fundraising Auction

I am participating in a fundraiser for our local co-op preschool, and there are some great items being offered! Some of the items are local for those living in Sacramento, and others are goods that can be shipped to you. I have donated the necklace pictured above, as well as, a $25 gift certificate for my Etsy shop, or any special order item. Here is the link where you can see and bid on some great things, and help out the kids at a wonderful school! The auction runs through March 30th and they are accepting cash donations too. :) Thanks for looking!

Saturday Night Special Sale in my Etsy Shop Tonight!

Stop by my Etsy shop tonight from 5pm EST through tomorrow morning February 22 at 6am EST. Everything is on sale! :)

New Items On Etsy and Upcoming Class

I have added a few new items to my Etsy shop....a Magical Man in the Moon.....
Stormy Seas in Blue and Grey~ wire wrapped labradorite earrings....
And April showers bring May Flowers~ A sweet little field mouse under a pretty flower! In addition to these new items, I have been doing some "spring cleaning" in my shop, and marked down most of last years pieces to make way for new in 2009 items. I am working on several new designs, most of which will be in sterling silver....my new passion. I will still have sculpted pieces in paper mache and clay, as well as collage and mixed media works, but I have recently taken a silversmithing class, and am enjoying working with metal these days.

I am please to have been accepted to teach at the 2009 Art & Soul Retreat in Portland OR.! You can get all of the details on my class here. If you have never been to an A&S retreat you are missing out! This is an incredible experience for all who attend...bonding with fellow artists, laughing, learning, shopping, eating, and just an all around great time. I am happy to answer any questions about my Tea Spoon Curio Pendant class that you may have, and I encourage to check out the line up of all the amazing instructors that will be teaching at this event. I hope to see you there! :)

Coraline: First Look

I haven't seen this movie yet, but after watching these two behind the scene's making of Coraline, I sure want to!! Take a few minutes to watch these...they are so interesting, and the steps they go through are amazing!

Coraline First Look Part 1



Coraline First Look Part 2

Saturday Night Special Sale in my Etsy Shop Tonight!

Please stop by to save 20% off of any item in my Etsy shop today February 7th through tomorrow morning February 8th at 6am EST. Just enter SNS in the comments section when checking out, and I will send you an updated invoice with the correct total showing the 20% savings. I am doing some spring cleaning in my shop to make room for new items being added later this month. You can visit my Etsy shop here.

I have been absent from my blog for too long, spending time with family, and taking a much need break. :) I hope to be back into the swing of things now, and will be posting updates more regularly, including news of upcoming events, and previews of my new line of sterling silver jewelry designs. Thanks to the nagging of many friends, I decided to come out of hiding today, and wish you all a happy and prosperous 2009!