My NEW Passion...

As I have mentioned in previous blog posts, my first loves are Sculpting and Painting.

While my officially undiagnosed artistic A.D.D. has allowed my attention to flutter from one medium to another, my yearning is to return to my original two.

Two years ago, I was introduced to Art Clay Silver.

Taking two classes, I loved the medium and made the 

fan pendant in my first class and the ring in the second class.

Even though I LOVED the medium, it is pricey to get into and getting proficient means

many hours and more $$$, so I shelved the dream and moved forward with the 

Mixed Media Jewelry I have been making from vintage components.

At the Pasadena Bead and Design Convention the other day, I took two classes from 

Pat Evans and Ann Rosier, both Senior Instructors.

I feel very at home with this medium and get to play with Fire too!!!

(Honestly, fire intimidates me...visions of burning flesh, scars...oh never mind. 

One most overcome ones fears, right?)

Selling off virtually every scrap of my stock of supplies that I am not going to use again.

Also taking certification classes the end of August to become 

more proficient in the medium and one day Teach it.

Be inspired every day to step outside of your comfort zone and learn something NEW!!!

P.E. Lockers

Remember P.E. Lockers?

I always though lockers were so cool, your own little place to store stuff.

While the kids today still have P.E. Lockers, the old days of Lockers to store

books in is gone.  Too much Vandalism.  My kids have these heavy backpacks they lug around all day.

You parents can empathize I am sure.

At any rate, while shopping at one of my favorite Antique stores,

Country Roads, http://whimzyswhimzies.blogspot.com/, a few months back I spied some cool old basket lockers.  When I finally got around to deciding I wanted them, the dealer had removed them from the store because they didn't sell.

Katie told me they had another set.  

She text messaged me pictures and I put them on layaway, 

sight unseen. Crazy.  

My Honey had to go and pick them up with a trailer as they were too large for his SUV.

Crusty, rusty and dirty...once they were scrubbed we moved them into my entry way.

They weigh a TON!

I lined the drawers with scrapbook paper...

As my main studio is my family room, in actuality my entire house is a working studio.

You know, we spread out art crap to every vertical surface when in the heat of creating...

voila...here they are. 

I have filled every drawer with supplies and decorated the top with my favorite items...

Future Bling Babies and friends!!!

Thank you Country Roads for having an amazing store full of amazing dealers and artists!!!

xo, 

Lisa

Feathered Friends

Friends are the best gifts!

This weekend yielded me some sweat, some laughs and some new treasures from some of my most treasured friends...my Feathered Friends

 The great baubles are from my friend Tricia http://vintagebliss.typepad.com/

She gave me a great deal on them and brought me a fabulous vintage doll she picked up for me in Arizona.  Doll is already earmarked for a Bling Baby and Sold!

The tiny Charlotte was a gift from Lori...http://twowildrosesantiques.blogspot.com/

Rita, I still have your spoon...Thank you for letting me use it and

for your hospitality!

My beautiful Friend Claire, brought my daughter Emily and I these wonderful soaps from her recent trip to Ireland...the soaps are from England and are so delightful in sight and scent.

Claire is an amazing photographer...

http://www.clairebrocatophotography.com/

At my last Chateau de Fleurs sale a woman was in my booth who loved my work and told me of her Mother in law passing and leaving behind loads of jewelry.

After the family went through it all and chose what they wanted, she GAVE the rest to me.

The family wanted it to go to someone they know would really use it.

Thank you Ellen!

It is already sorted!

Some is going on ebay in Lots & some will be kept for future projects.

Rita and I had a brilliant idea to start carrying our bagging supplies at shows in a cute suitcase and propping it on a luggage rack.  Bending over to dig for bags from a plastic storage box under the table was just not working for either of us anymore.

My friend Sara of http://sweetmagnoliasfarm.blogspot.com/

sold this little stand to me for her cost...Thank you sweet Sara!

The fabulous and YUMMY green luggage came from Jamie...

we bartered a bag of vintage slips for the luggage...GOOD trade!

The silver server Lori Gifted me...

Wonderful HOT weekend with the best of friends, 

which made the heat that much more tolerable!

Love you ladies and looking forward to out next adventure together!

xo,

Lisa

Butterflies

This is a fabulous quote...fun to daydream about.

“I dreamed I was a butterfly, flitting around in the sky; then I awoke. Now I wonder: Am I a man who dreamt of being a butterfly, or am I a butterfly dreaming that I am a man?”

 

- Chuan Tzu

389-286 BC

 

 

Beautiful Sentiments...

                To realize
                The value of a sister/brother
                Ask someone
                Who does not have one.

                To realize
                The value of ten years:
                Ask a newly
                Divorced couple.

                To realize
                The value of four years:
                Ask a graduate.

                To realize
                The value of one year:
                Ask a student who
                Has failed a final exam.

                To realize
                The value of nine months:
                Ask a mother who gave birth to a stillborn.

                To realize
                The value of one month:
                Ask a mother
                Who has given birth to
                A premature baby.

                To realize
                The value of one week:
             Ask an editor of a weekly newspaper.
                The value of one minute:
                Ask a person
                Who has missed a train, bus or plane.

                To realize
                The value of one-second:
                Ask a person
                Who has survived an accident.

                Time waits for no one.
                Treasure every moment you have.

                You will treasure it even more when
                You can share it with someone special.

                To realize the value of a friend or family member:  LOSE ONE.

                Remember.....
                Hold on tight to the ones you love!

My Aunt Nancy sent me this via email this morning.  

While I have received it before, it is just a poignant and should be revisited.

Enjoy...Happy Wednesday everyone!!!

 

Great Quote!

My Mom sent me this quote today.

Love it so much, thought I'd post it!!!

"Success is no accident.  It is hard work, perseverance, learning, studying, sacrifice and most of all, love of what you are doing or learning to do."   - Edison Arantes do Nascimento, nick named "Pele." Retired Brazilian futbol player.  The only player in the world to have three World Cup medals -      Don't be afraid to be who you are. It will shine through in all that you do!   XO, Lisa

Sneak Peaks

As I posted recently about my little figures recently re-discovered, 

which were sculpted years ago,

I have been playing with new concepts and ideas...

Always have loved the art of Kokeshi...

These are going to be refined and incoprorated somewhere into wearable art.

We all desire a beautiful, calorie free cupcake!!!

"Bling Cakes" will be coming to you at my next shows...

As always, have an Inspiring  day!!

Do something outside your box!!

XO,

Lisa