New and sold!

Got these two finished yesterday and stuck them in my bag wrapped in a very elegant piece of tissue paper.

Carried them around and sold the green pair today, what fun.

I like this green but I don't love it, it's not a color I can wear.  However, this reminds me that just because I can't wear it doesn't mean that someone else can't either, soooooo, they now belong to my good friend and they are fabulous on her.

I think I'll make a couple more...

Peace

Nerdy fun

Oh my, this website building is so much fun!

I dreaded wading into this do-it-myself world, thinking all the while that I'd get frustrated and ultimately give up. I admit that I had to push myself quite a bit, figuring out how to link domains and credit card companies wasn't that easy but evidently not that hard either because I did it.

But now I realize that's what I did with my last site, I gave up and avoided it as much as possible. It was lovely but sometimes you don't know what you want, so how can you ask for it?  My method of learning and creating is to take things one step at a time, fix this, tweak that, maybe go back and re-do something.  This is guaranteed to make other people crazy so it really is best that I do it myself.

Evolve, that's a good word.  I've used it before but I like what it represents and it syncs nicely with my word for the year, Sfidare, challenge and therefore evolve, it's good.

And now I'm spending happy hours trying new things and finding new ways to do things I've done for years and I'm so damned happy doing it.

I'm also grateful to all the fine minds who have created this platform that can evolve so beautifully.

My current and forever challenge is to photograph my jewelry. That too is evolving little by little, as I find ways to capture the luminescence of enamel on fine silver.

Sfidare

Success!

My site is back up again!

Still got some work to do but I'm loving the new site and how well it works.

Lots of new things going on here lately.

The website is rebuilt, reconnected and is up and functional.

I got the part time job I've been looking for.  I could say it's a real job and most of my artist friends would give me that look.  You know the look, the roll the eyes, how can you be so clueless look, aren't we doing a real job?

Well, yeah, sort of, we work longer hours for less money than most people and we're doing something we're passionate about.  I don't choose to make things.  I'm compelled to make things.

I think of what I do as helping me, keeping me sane, allowing me to express myself in wonderful ways.  And I'm really thrilled when someone loves my jewelry enough to buy it, to adorn their body with something I've created.  It's an incredible feeling to know my passion is appreciated.

But...I like to help people too and beyond teaching I don't always get enough of that.  My full time job is for me, my part time job is for other people and the bonus is I get paid to do it and it reminds me how hard other people work too and that they may not make things but they have a great desire to make their business better in any way they can.

I love that.  I love the striving for excellence and the simple act of helping people.

My little far away family is doing well, though I've not even been away from them for three weeks and already I'm missing them like crazy.

Oh well, can't have everything all at once, can I?

Peace

Construction Zone

Yes, my website is partially down.  I'm working on a new one and will have it connected soon.

Right now you can connect to it via www.riverwomandesigns.com  Just add the s.

Or you can contact me and I'll help you out.

This is quite an interesting process.  I'm actually reading tutorials, who da thunk it?

Peace

Fresh...

....scrubbed and shiny, the year lies before me, beckoning.

Of course I had to go and look up lays or lies and guess what?  I still don't get it, so fuck it.  My road lies before me, yours can do anything it wants, really.  Maybe yours dances before you and blows spit bubbles, maybe you are stretched out on your road waiting for an 18 wheeler, or not.

Why do I yank my own chain so hard?  Why do I allow semantics and grammar to step in the way of my creative self?  Why do I allow anything to step in the way of my creative, happy, healthy, joyful, silly self?

Because it's interesting, because I'm equally right and left brained, because lining everything up in neat rows is as much fun as losing myself in colors and tastes and smells and touch, that rich sensuality that inhabits my soul.  Creating order strikes something inside me.  It sets the flame alight to fire up the yearning to create that simmers always just below my surface.

And so, in these 10 days since I returned to my haven, I've scrubbed and ordered, tossed, moved things to new places, filled up empty receptacles and freshly inhabited my space.  I make it mine again. Like a pianist flexing her fingers I've spent some time making easy things, moving slowly into my studio, opened drawers, fondled pliers, put things away, breathed the scents of metal with my fingers, lamented over peeling calluses, rejoiced in this space.

Covers up some lonely though, the frenetic starts to slow down as the acute missing ache eases.  I can't even think about rubbing my face on her hair without crying.  She listens to my speaker phone conversations and kisses the phone.  My heart breaks, over and over, missing that baby.

Which makes me lose any creative momentum, must be time for lunch.  Need a grilled cheese sandwich, comfort food at its best.

Peace

Feeling Good and Blowing Kisses

Sometimes you don't need words...

Peace

Sfidare

Last year I noticed that some of my artist friends chose a word for the New Year.   A word that would exemplify their feelings or goals for that Year.

What would my word be and how the hell would I ever choose one little word to encompass all the hopes and dreams of a new year?  As David Lindley sings in his classic song, "Ain't no way, baby." 

Then my sleek row boat arrived and suddenly there it was, challenge, and because Italian is such a beautiful language the translation was the perfect word.   It also means to dare, defy and to be brave.  These are all things I want more of in my life.

I felt like it was time to challenge myself in some small way.   And yes, the boat is a major challenge for me but it thrills me at the same time.

I can think of a lot of other things I want to do, but right now I've only got the energy to get myself home.

How sweet that will be.

This trip ends with so many positive things.   GBella is happy and smiling, walking a few steps and getting stronger every day.  She's completely different than she was just a week ago, it's amazing.

Both of my kids are moving this week so I've been packing my daughter's house and helped my son move one afternoon too.

I'm so tired.

On Friday morning I'll be looking out at the forest from my kitchen sink, tired but happy down to my toes knowing I did everything I could and it helped.

I need to hammer some metal and head to the Range and shoot holes in things and I need to see my funny friends and laugh out loud while drinking a really good beer.

And I need a hug or three and the smell of mountain air and a few kisses from my furry boys.

Smiles

Smiles

The sweet little family, smiling on Christmas Day in the hospital.

Things are looking up.

Peace

And a Happy New Year...

This Christmas we spent walking the halls of an Austin Children's hospital when our darling girl was diagnosed with a bone infection.

Luckily we had lots of family support and took shifts staying with her so she was never alone. 

The good news is she's improving rapidly with drug therapy, which she will continue to get for many weeks.
We've still got a bit of a long haul but the outlook is good.

We distilled all the holiday hoopla down to the bare minimum and still it was a heart felt time, opening some presents in a family lounge, laughing at her delight in new toys.

I got everything I could hope for, baby smiles and hugs, knowing she's on the mend and seeing those around her grow in strength and love.

If life teaches me nothing else it's to cherish every minute with those I love.

Peace

Christmas in Austin

Hopping aboard a big shiny Southwest Air jet this week for a fast trip to Austin.  This will be my first Christmas with my babies in four years.  We also have a first birthday to celebrate, little G will love all the commotion.  I think I'll just buy her a lot of boxes to play with, the all time favorite baby toys.

The boys will be guarding the house and their beloved house sitter.

Is it right to want to be there but not want to go?  I think a good bit of my reluctance is the general exhaustion I'm still battling from this killer cold.  And airports, ugh, and hoping I don't get a coughing jag on the airplane.  I bought lots of cough drops.

However, nothing can keep me from this cutie patootie...

And the rest of my darlings.

For all my friends and family I'm sending you wishes for good health, hugs in abundance, buckets of smiles to give and to receive, smooth sailing through the storm and true knowledge of what's really important.

Peace

Sick, who's sick?

Me.

Jeez.

But, I find sitting in front of the nice warm kiln comforting so at least a few things are getting done.

I want to have some new things for the Open House at ASIF this weekend.

Blue Bell and Red Raspberry to be layered with the bronze pieces.

Peace

Stunning Little Drummer Boy

Gotta see these people.

Peace

Cuddled up

In my home, in my bed with it's fluffy comforter, in my new robe, coffee and oatmeal, watching the rain drip off the deck overhead and the trees.  It's misty out there, the forest is obscured out into the distance.

It feels green and good.

Where is that baby?

Peace

A glass of wine and thou...

Sheer bliss, wine, the boys sacked out on the couch looking blissful themselves, vegetables roasting in the oven, Patty Griffin singing Heavenly Day, ah.

These dogs are amazing traveling companions.  Of course, they know when we stop they get to read and leave a ton of peemail and then it's FRISBEE time, the perfect activity to tire them out for the next leg of our journey.

I headed out from Austin on Saturday morning, stopped for the night in Las Cruces and planned another night in Ehrenberg AZ but changed my mind and decided to push through as far as I could get.  Holy cow, that was close to a bad decision, as thousands of Californians headed home from Phoenix.  The mad traffic started there and continued all the way to Banning, the last 30 miles stop and go.

Jeez...really?  I've been driving long distances for years and my Dad taught me to watch the trucks and do what they do, make it easy on yourself.  Watching all those idjits race up to fill in a space almost made it easy for me to shoot myself.  Or, as we were driving on the Sonny Bono Memorial Highway, splat ourselves up against the nearest light pole.

I made it though, pulling in to my driveway about 8 am this morning, 24 hours after I left Las Cruces.  I hit the wall twice and slept a couple of hours in a rest stop.  I can't believe how many people actually pull in to rest stops to sleep at night, it's kind of cool.  Of course, my two most excellent companions made me comfortable zonking out, knowing they would raise the alarm if anyone came close.

So the day has been filled with bustle, interspersed with short power naps.  Unpacking, cleaning up, sorting mail, a trip to the gallery, then the market for some veges, call friends, text friends, email friends, let my family know I'm home.

The biggest change is my housemate has moved out, which leaves the house feeling a little empty.  It also gets my planning brain moving along, deciding what will go where and the best way to make the upstairs a serene retreat for guests.

I'm sure you know by now that organizing makes me happy.  Hell, I just realized my 2013 photo folder is about done and thought about how fun it will be to create the 2014 folder and fill it with photographs anew.

Tomorrow I'll be in the studio, my space at the gallery is looking bare and this weekend I'll be participating in the ASIF jewelers trunk show and sale.

I'm tired but the mountain air has cleared up some of my cold symptoms, dry is good for me, except for my hands.

But I had this revelation today, partly because I'm missing my girls but it's a change in general for me.  I'm lonesome.  I'm tired of being alone all the time.  I want someone who gives a shit that I'm home and maybe even comes with a hug and a kiss.  It's time.

Hear that universe?

Peaceful dreams.

Biscuits and Groovy

The three of us hanging out at one of our favorite places, big old biscuits, cream gravy with sausage and eggs, yum.

Then things got silly.

My kids crack me up.

Peace

Austin Daze

It's a weird blend of family fun, wishing I was home, not wanting to ever go home, sleepless nights and peaceful days.

I talked to other Grandmothers who experience the same thing with far away family, which helps keep me from feeling guilty for wanting to be home.  I love the space I've crafted in Grass Valley, it nurtures my soul in so many ways, peaceful, beautiful, serene, right smack in the middle of hiking trails and my funky little town, my gallery and the trees, the sturdy pine, the oaks and maples and liquid ambers.  My dogwoods will be done with their fall show by the time I get home in December, but then I've got snow to look forward to and I'll have to run out and shake the limbs so they don't break.

This month is two years since I bought my house.  Now that the deck is built and the yard is shaped up a some there are very few things to do.  A few old windows to replace and down the road a hot tub in the backyard.  I want to sit there in the dark, watching the moon flirt between the trees and hoping to hear the coyotes sing in the distance.

I've reached my nutso point not working.  Today I'll drag out some metal and see if I can do something with it.  Missing my studio with my bench the most, the ease of reaching for something and knowing it's right there in it's place makes it difficult here.  Oh well, quit being a whiner, that's not what this trip is really about.

In three weeks I'll be home.  There will be a major reorganization because my young housemate will be moving out.  I'll miss her but having a really nice guest room is the positive aspect.  The negative will be finding house sitters while I'm away because I never leave the house empty, in cold country it's too easy to have a heating failure and come back to a burst pipes disaster.  I like spending time here so I've got to make it work.  I'm so lucky to be able to craft this lifestyle, it satisfies my wandering nature.

Last night my son Grant came over and charmed the little lady.  He was thrilled.  She grabbed his shirt and would not let go.  We know she's missing her Daddy a lot but he'll be home soon.

Have you ever heard of private dinner clubs?  We have one in Nevada City called Polly's Paladar.  They put on amazing feasts once a month.  The next one is called The Perfumed Garden.  I'll be there.

And the annual Small Works exhibit at Artists Studios in the Foothills is going on right now.  Don't miss this if you can get there, it's fabulous!

And, I've shamelessly lifted this photo of Eddie the Elf's house which is located in Nevada City, CA.  Here's his facebook page Eddie the Elf.

Eddie has been charming children and adults for 28 years now but this is his last year.  Evidently he's been promoted at the North Pole.  If you want a magical visit this is your last chance, be prepared to wait.

Peace

Rock Star in Training

Right now Raffi is her main man but she also gets her groove on from Bob Marley.

GBella!

Peace

Travelin'

Again.

The boys and I headed to Austin for a long while this time.  I'll be working on enameling and playing with my family.

It was strange to leave this.

And three days later see this.

But we did see some interesting things along the way.

The boys enjoyed visiting rest stops in four states, checking interstate pee mail is their job.

And, my treat was to see Little Radar open for Surfer Blood in the outdoor stage at Red 7.

Peace

Falling into winter...

slowly, slowly, drifting down like the leaves.

If I could freeze the calendar, stuck in mid October, warm days walking in the sun, cool nights under soft cotton blankets, leaves swirling down off the trees, crunching under my feet.

But no, the trees will soon be bare and yet it does seem like it's possible to capture those colors, at least in my jewelry.

These are going to Art Works Gallery.

More will be coming soon, but from Texas as I'm heading out there for a bit to work and hang out with my family.

There will be new adventures ahead, no doubt.

Peace

First weekend

The first weekend is done.  This is the first time I've participated on the tour as an individual.  I was pretty nervous, not sure what to expect.  My Sister came to help, having her laughing self around made all the difference.  We had a good time and in between groups of people we sat on the front porch, rocked and talked about all the things sisters talk about.

I got a lot of nice comments not only on my jewelry and my interesting studio processes but on my cute little house and my collection of artwork.  One lady wanted to know if the art was for sale, I said, "Nope, sorry".

The arts community in this area is really strong and we like to do trades, so we end up owning pieces that we could never afford, it's wonderful.

One more weekend to go, which I'm now looking forward to, because most of the work is done.  I ripped through my inventory and pulled out large handfuls of good quality jewelry that I either don't make anymore or that I've had too long.  It all went on the "island of misfit jewelry" table, "Make me an offer.", which ended up being sort of fun.  I heard a lot of bargains were available from many artists on the tour.

Peace