My son...

Yesterday I picked out one picture for each year of his life.  I'll just post a few.  I almost wrote sun instead of son, which is so appropriate as he's been a warm ray of light ever since he was born.

I was so afraid when I brought him home.  I hardly wanted to touch him because I thought I would do something wrong.  Then I looked at him and realized that he was mine and I was his, that neither of us really knew they rules so we'd just make them up as we went along.  And a little voice way down inside said, "You are all he's got, you are good enough and smart enough, figure it out."

I think we did ok.

Minneapolis

West Coast

Wisconsin

Catalina

Niagara Falls

Texas Ikea trying out a new bed.

Texas - Little Radar

There is sort of a water theme here, which besides being on stage, is where he's happiest.  He found a fabulous girl who loves water and music too.

Happy Day!

Thankful

Sometimes the sadness in the world becomes almost overwhelming.  I feel too much the grief, fear and tears that others are experiencing.  I begin to falter in my course, wanting to curl up in my bed and sleep until the sadness goes away.

But I know it won't.  I have to try to avoid the daily news, the killing, the hurting, the pain, the stupidity and cruelty of some people and of nature's mighty disregard for the little lives in the path of hurricanes and floods and earthquakes.

The best way I know to shake the bad stuff is to remember to be grateful for the good stuff.

A dearly beloved black and white Corgi has died alone and scared far from home.  I grieve with his family and give my boys an extra hug.  They crawl up on the couch into my lap when they know I'm distressed.

I'm so thankful for my life, for those friends who've touched my heart and shared laughter and smiles as well as tears and sorrow.

I'm so thankful for my family, that I've gotten to watch my children grow and hope that they find as much satisfaction and joy watching their little ones grow.

I'm thankful for the shelter I have.  That I was able to find a house that nurtures my soul as well as my body.  And that I've been able to fill it with happiness, beauty and love.

I'm thankful for my skillful hands and eyes that really see, that I'm able to create beautiful things that make other people smile.

I'm thankful for red dirt, good music, men with beards, hands that cherish, arms that open wide in greeting, hearts that spill with love.

I'm thankful for so many things and know that the Great One has blessed me repeatedly and continues to do so.  I know that her love is never ending and that the more we send out the more she pours into us.

I send great heaps of love and laughter to you all.

Wanderings...

It's great to have out of town guests because then I remember how interesting things are right in my own back yard.

We wandered around the Empire Mine grounds.  The gardens are in full flower, butterfly bushes taller than me bursting with gorgeous colors of pinks and purples, huge marguerite daisies, old roses of every shape and color, campion rose (lychnis), and many others.

It's strange and sort of disturbing to think of the lovely gracious life the mine owners lived while right below their feet men and mules toiled in the dark for bright gold.

Here I am sitting on a man skip, thinking how it would be to actually be going down into the shaft.  Evidently they've built a side tunnel from the main shaft, which may eventually be open for tours.

I don't know, it's not Knott's Berry Farm or Disneyland.  Even a few feet down into the shaft it gets cooler and more humid, hard to breathe, it's scary.

We spent a bit of time talking to the Blacksmith's apprentices and coveting the beautiful old anvils.  They were saying that when the mine closed down in the 50's it was just abandoned and not a state owned park until 1975.  During that time it was vandalized and looted for treasures but once the state took over people began to bring things back knowing they would be taken care of, love it!  Some of those same kids are now lovingly taking care of the mine and it's fascinating history.

This is my backyard.

Peace

Cinderella?

It's a beautiful day
A day for love
They meet
They talk
They dance
She leaves
Sigh...
She wonders
He sends good-byes
The message is passed along
She makes contact
He replies
They talk
They make plans

It's a beautiful day!

Maybe magic does exist.

Peace

Bugs and Critters

What a wonderful world I get to live in.  This elegant flying bug was hanging out in front of the gallery last week.

I'm not sure what it is, it could fly and there were a couple of them.

And today we went on a nice long hike on Champion Road in Nevada City.  The NID ditch is wonderful for the boys to cool off in.  Today I saw a couple of fish and this great big crawdad.

It was the prettiest color, browns with some bluish green.  I tried to talk the boys into jumping in to catch him but they said no.

I attended a wedding this weekend.  I can't even remember the last wedding I went to, it's been a long time.  This one was probably one of the best ever, sweet and romantic, outside on a perfect day, filled with music and fine people and such an incredible sense of love.  Afterwards there was dancing in a big old hall with wooden floors and it was glorious!  I met a man and developed an instant crush, his face I could look at every day for a long time.  Of course, I probably won't ever see him again, but it was so much fun to talk and laugh and dance and be for an evening.

And now life goes on, all the usual things, made a little brighter by that glimpse of what could be and can be and should be.  It helps me be content with the richness of my life, knowing that it's worth waiting for something really great to come along and to be patient and know way deep down that I will find it.

Peace.

Drudgery and Delight

Almost the middle of June, isn't it?

Where does it go?

It goes into each new day, filling the hummingbird feeder, cleaning and filling the fountain, raking the leftover leaves and pine needles, keeping the baby pool filled with water, emptying trash, clean the pollen off the floors and tables, laundry and buying groceries, studio time and gallery time and a million endless details of life.

The seeming drudgery brings delight.

The hummingbirds flitting to the feeder and then joining the finches and robins and grosbeaks splashing in the fountain are a delight.

The yard which invites you to sit at the table, put your feet up and have a cup of coffee while the dogs play in the baby pool is a delight.

The gleaming wood floors that feel so cool on my feet in the early morning, sun streaming through the kitchen windows and a cup of strong espresso delight me.

Planning new things in my studio or selling that perfect piece of art in the gallery remind me daily how lucky I am do be able to do what I do.

Clean white sheets and flannel blankets for the cool mountain nights cradle my dreams of tomorrow.

Fine friends that are finding their way to a peaceful happy life, leaving sadness and betrayal behind.

Dogs laughing up at me, charging the birds and lusting after squirrels who perch high on a pine limb, taunting.

And loving my family and friends, feeling the rightness of what I do and who I am, which is the ultimate delight.

I'm planning more trips to Texas, for family and silly experiences, though not much is sillier than the Wiener Dog Races.

I love this pic of my daughter and me, taken with an old camera with even older film.  A modern picture with the feel of the 60's.

Peace to you.

Blue Nile

This is new on my website.

The longest hammered spear in the front is 3 inches.  You can wear it longer or up closer to your neck.  It's a luscious piece and has earrings to match.  I love these earrings and will probably be doing more to be sold separately, these two pieces go together.

So if you have a Queen's attitude, these are the pieces for you.

Smiles

More trail fun

This was last week, the end of the four mile loop at the Independence Trail.

We skittered down the first part down to Jones Bar, soaked in the water there.  Next we trudged up Jones Bar Road and then cut back up to the main trail.  Finally we spent a long time playing in the water in Rush Creek with a bunch of really cute Cub Scouts and then headed back.

I can't decide which of their profile shots are better.  Is this my good side?  Wait, try this.

Today I've got another big batch of pesto to make, some strawberries and apricots to freeze and four pounds (ok, less because they are yummy) of cherries ready to try some brandied cherries.  The industrious ant hard at work.

AND, we had rain last night, with thunder, it was glorious!  Today it's clean and fresh and sunny, perfect weather.

Peace to you and yours from me and mine.

Dogs, water, mud, oh my!

I call this reconstituting a Corgi.

Dip...

Shake...

Ahhhh, ready to roll in the mud...

And because this is Bode he will be rolling in the dirt in no time.

Peace

Lion Food

Hopefully not, but this new sign makes me extra alert.

And since this area is my backyard (really) I will pay attention to the dogs barking a little more.

I would dearly love to see a mountain lion but not up close or as it's carrying off one of my boys for a small snack.

Peace

More fun in Texas

Sorry, I'm catching up on things I missed...

So, looking for fun and funny things to do we saw that the Buda County Fair was going on and they had WIENER DOG RACES!  I had to see those so we headed a bit south of Austin.  We ate fair food, giant pickles and corn dogs and had sweet tea served by lovely ladies.  I don't eat most meat but corns dogs are not to be missed, yum!

It's really hard to see the little devils but they are in a big boxed starting gate while the handlers call and whistle and wave toys at them from behind the line at the end of the field.  Then up goes the starting gate and they scramble like crazy to get to their peeps.  It was hysterical.  The crowd was huge and many of them had brought their own wiener dogs to cheer on their little friends.  I've never seen such a hoard of Dachshunds, all sizes, all colors, some with long fur, some short.

And, while my plan to eat tacos at every meal was foiled I did manage a couple of days worth, breakfast tacos are the best.

Peace

Back with pics

Whew, that was a long 15 days without my laptop.  I was able to limp along with my Droid but still couldn't upload and tweak pics to any great degree.

But I've bought a few more days with my old laptop and will probably buy a new one soon depending on how irritated I get with this old one's sticky keys and general lack of speed.  I want it right NOW dammit, not in 30 seconds, ha!

The weather is glorious if a bit dry, my life is pretty freaking fine too.  I'm feeling sassy and ready for some summer fun.  My road trip is put on hold for now but there are satisfying travel plans in the future.

Here are a some pics of the newest earrings out of my studio using some of the huge batch of bronze pieces  made in my last bronze clay frenzy.

These are bronze and copper.

 Bronze and carnelian.

Bronze and turquoise.

Bronze and turquoise.

Most of the turquoise I use is from a Kingman mine in Arizona.  This is stabilized turquoise, as is about 97 percent of turquoise available today.  The process drives resin into the stone at high pressure and does make the color richer but no color is actually added.  A truly natural gem quality piece of turquoise will cost several hundred dollars.

Peace

Happy Birthday Baby!

My darling baby girl is 24 today. 
I remember almost melting during the unusually hot and humid May and longing for her to be born.
Watching this child grow up has been one of the greatest things in my life.  She's filled my days with smiles and my heart with joy.  She's helped me prove that you can overcome a painful past and move on to a rich and loving future.  I've been privileged to watch her use her tenacity to succeed in many things.
I wanted to post a few baby pics but I'm limping along without my laptop so that will have to wait.
A joyful and loving life to you, my daughter.

House Firsts - Mothers Day

My first bouquet from my own garden.
The day itself was busy and I was fiercely missing my two babies.
Oh well, maybe next year. I can't be in Texas every week.
Peace

House Firsts - May

First time I trimmed the Boxwood hedges.
Peace

First place

My Masters level team placed first in the winter hand gun league!
It's a lot of fun to see us improve individually and as a team.  For the first time I'm enjoying a competitive atmosphere, fostered by good natured and humorous people.
It's definitely a group of people you'd want on your side as they not only shoot straight but excell in their daily lives as dentists, painters, carpenters, nurses and real estate agents to name just a few.
Well, time to get going.  It's sunny and the boys are waiting.
Peace

Magical cottage

I cannot believe how beautiful it is in my front yard.
Azaleas, rhododendrons and the flowering dogwoods are bursting.  I sit in my front porch rocker and enjoy the view and the birds singing and the cool mountain air.
But now I'm off to the Range for practice and then to the studio to work.
Life is good.

New Jewelry

I love these new mixed media earrings, mostly sterling silver and hand formed bronze.  A couple have the new ear wires I'm developing, they are larger and set off the earring a bit more.

These are from my personal collection, the little pine cone medallions are sweet.

These are sterling that has been flame darkened, along with unpolished bronze.

Bright sterling and bronze.

Again, bright sterling and bronze, can you tell I used an "o" stamp to texture the silver?

Sterling and bronze.

These are the biggest, very striking earrings of sterling and bright bronze.  I think they are almost three inches long.

Enjoy, lots more coming soon.

Peace

Sweet Home California

Left Austin at 7:00 am yesterday and landed in Phoenix at 7:30 am after a two hour flight.  Flying can be so surreal, it just doesn't seem real to jump time zones like that.

But I'm home and loving every minute of it.  We're in the middle of the glorious sunny and 70's which makes my heart sing along with the birdies.  The flowering dogwoods, rhododendrons and azaleas are in full bloom, my front yard is a paradise.

Just doing the usual home things.

I managed to lose most of the pics I took, gone in the phone ether, but found this image of the Owl building in downtown Austin.  The legend is that this bank building was designed by a Rice University alum (their mascot is the owl) which now looks grandly over the U of T Longhorns.  I don't know if it's true but the building is spectacular.

Being with my family in Texas was heavenly, watching each of them grow up in their own particular way is so much fun.  There is nothing better than long armed hugs from my tall handsome son and having my daughter lay her head on my shoulder.

Life is good, ever changing, frequently challenging, but good nonetheless.

Austin Dining

After a busy day running around in the Texas heat we escaped to The County Line for some pretty good BBQ.  While we waited for a table we sat outside by the river and watched little kids feed the turtles and dance to the live music.

Peace

Jet plane...

Only a few more days until I leave for Austin.  Little Radar is having a CD release party this next weekend which means I get to see my boy play live, woot!  And his darling GF will be playing that night too, with her band, The Couch.  And I get to see my daughter, what a great weekend all around.

There are so many beautiful things popping up in my yard, it's like a big treasure hunt.  A whole row of peonies are popping, with grape hyacinths and pink dutchmen's breeches tucked in here and there.  The flowering dogwoods are starting to open up and this amazing plant, which I think is a Rhododendron.

It's really exciting to experience unfamiliar flowers and plants.  Plants were quite limited in the extreme Midwest temps, this is more tropical and very fun.

The birds are bathing in my fountain, plans for the backyard renovation are underway, lots of beautiful jewelry is coming out of my shop and warm hugs keep me smiling.

Life is good.

North Star Growers Market

Last weekend we had snow, this weekend it's 80 degrees and rising.

I loaded up with flowers, artisan bread, sugar peas and kale, free range eggs and dried fruit from the valley fruit growers.

The North Star house is a beautiful place.

Tonight the fountain is burbling away in my back yard.  I've had the doors and windows open almost all day and "oh my gosh" a bug or two has gotten in, oh well.  A couple of nights ago I heard a coyote pack singing way out in the mine property.  This is the best season, ripe with promises of hot days, cool nights, plenty of water to play in, baskets full of fresh produce to eat and preserve, garden projects, decks to build, plants to plant and lots of fun to experience.

Life is good.

Pretty

I met a really interesting man who teaches blacksmithing.  He's also been doing some experimentation with foldforming metal.  He gave me a pretty copper piece and I turned it into a piece of jewelry for his wife.  It's got a bit of the sacred feminine influence which some may appreciate and some may not.  I framed his copper piece in fine silver with bronze rivets and then added the cultured freshwater pearls.  I love the luminous quality the fine silver exhibits which is matched by the pearls.

Now you can find me in my studio happily banging away on various pieces of copper, foldforming is really fun. Except now I want a bigger anvil and some bigger hammers, of course.  I'll never have enough tools.

So we've talked about some collaborative learning which I find completely fabulous.  I might also have a place to set up my serious torch and be able to use that safely.

I've been working on a very simple technique to make some leaf earrings and there are a few pendants in process on my bench.  The copper picks up some beautiful patina under flame.

This passion keeps me going through some very wet weather as well as the SAD light I keep in my studio.  I'm also sustained and kept laughing by a very sweet man.

Peaceful dreams to you.

Big Dog, Small Car

 He was waiting patiently for Thai food leftovers.

Peace

Bronze

Bronzclay is fun, messy, sometimes aggravating and delightful all at the same time.  I set up my kiln in the kitchen and have run at least four batches of bronze pieces in the last week or so.  Now I have piles of beautiful bronze pieces ready to make mixed media earrings.

These pieces were sintered in a coal based charcoal which yields some really varied and interesting patina on the bronze.  They will get a little brass brushing to bring out the shine.

Bronzclay is one of the many precious metal clay products on the jewelry market.  It's made up of microscopic metal particles mixed with an organic binder and water.  You can shape, mold and texture the clay, then dry it, refine it and cook it in a kiln at 1550 degrees for almost nine hours.  In the end (usually) you end up with some really nice bronze, copper or silver pieces (depending on the clay you use) that are uniquely yours.

It can be tricky, sometimes the clay doesn't sinter well and the metal pieces are brittle and useless.  When it works the pieces are fabulous.  

I'm very happy with these.  The little hearts are my favorite.

Peace

Studio Work - Jumprings

Making jump rings is like housekeeping, not the most fun but totally necessary.

My bench ready.

Coils of sterling already wound and ready to cut.

The coil goes into the  holder and  coated with a lubricant to prolong the blade's life.  The top with the cutting slot is screwed over the coil.

This is the housing that fits over the cutting blade.

The blade is drawn down the cutting slot.

Here the coils are cut and have been joined with wire to keep them all together in the tumbling/polishing process.

All polished and ready to make something beautiful.

Starting to put together a Byzantine chain.

A good days work.

Peace