Wednesday, October 10, 2012

Wishcasting Wednesday: What do you wish to make room for?

Okay, Jamie and crew... you asked for it. What do I wish to make room for? This photo of my storage room may be self explanatory and I should just stop this post at the picture.  haha

Seriously, I am in the midst of a HUGE reorganization that marks the transition from my former career into the new phase of my artistic life.  Tons (well, tiny tons) of special occasion odds and ends have been donated or gifted to those who would better use it. Quilting fabric organized and is on its way to being used up. Setting up space for wire, beads, yarn, paper, bookboards, and the tools necessary for bookbinding and beadmaking. 

Am I tired? Yes. Excited? YES! Exhilarated? Absolutely YES!! Haven't felt like this in forever.  And it is awesome! I am starting to overcome the lethargy and defeat I've felt, but hidden, for many years. Little by little. Ridding myself of the 'afraids' and finally finding Diana.  I kinda like her. :)

So my wish for today is to continue to make room for happiness, confidence and joy, reclaiming a little swagger. It's been a long time.

You can Wishcast for your self on Wednesdays at Jamie Ridler Studios and read her terrific blog every other day of the week.  It will change your life. Honest.

Wednesday, September 19, 2012

Wishcasting Wednesday: What do you wish to do one day?

"Friends in Flight"
Diana Mains Welte 2012
I've been away from my computer for a while...working, working, working. Still finishing up the last of the sewing commissions on my worktable. I've missed Jamie Ridler's Wishcasting Wednesday very much.

My wish is very simply to be financially self-sufficient with the move into my art career. While my sewing business did very well, it burned me out. Also, I truly have waited a lifetime to be able to return to work with clay and paper that make up my beads, books and little pretties that give me creative joy. Just figuring out an online presence is a challenge but I am close to being Etsy-ble and blog ready.

With Joe in his 60's, he and I would have another steady income that covers the basic bills, should he want to eventually retire. Then I, being in my 50's, could take care of us.  It's getting there. Just a few wishes - and building blocks - more. :)

Wednesday, August 15, 2012

Wishcasting Wednesday: What do you wish to learn?


Today Jamie Ridler Studios Wishcasting Wednesday question asks "What do you wish to learn?", which brings up so many more questions for me than answers.  I have always loved learning everything so this one is particularly difficult for me to pare down to a manageable post. 

Safe Landing by Diana Mains Welte 2012
The first thing that comes to mind is that I want to learn how to better use my new kiln. And how to improve upon my skills to make my jewelry better. That is an ongoing process with any work so that is an obvious answer.

Secondly, I really want to learn that food is to live and not to live for food.  I am getting better at that.

I would like to learn how to turn off the talk in my head at night so I can better sleep.  It is mostly creative chatter, very little worry anymore, but insomnia has become an unwelcome habit. 

Lastly, I would like to learn how to make that last little jump to believing that I am worthy of receiving all the blessings I am being given.  I always say 'thank you' so it's getting easier. I am almost there... I can sense it.  Just being able to see it, imagine it, is enough for now, as that was impossible not too long ago.

An odd little collection of wishes today... but there it is. :)  Blesssings to you all for your unending empathy and strong shoulders to whine upon. Thank you, Jamie and all... your kindness and patience is always appreciated.  :)

Saturday, August 11, 2012

Bead Soup Blog Party 6 - The Second Reveal!!!

How Lori McDaniel Anderson does it, I will never know... but she must be magic!  With 400 participants and three different dates spaced just a few weeks apart, The Bead Soup Blog Party (in its sixth incarnation) has made its second reveal - of which I am a part. 

From my blog partner, Collette Collins of Firefly Myst Artisan Jewelry, I received two of Collette's beautiful hand-crafted focal beads, a twisted wire toggle clasp, four spacers and three strands of beautiful stones.  What to make... what to make?



I am working on my wirework skills and love the look and feel of rosary chain so I began with the turquoise beads and used some of the black ones too.  Combining this with the silver clasp, the flower focal and some Precosia Ornela beads of my own created a three wrap bracelet that can double as a necklace. 

With the second focal, I made a necklace using the turquoise beads - again making links but from copper wire this time - added leather that just matched the color on the beautiful star bead.  I added another wire-wrapped 'star', a bead 'comet', a few yellow Precosia Ornelas, and entitled this one 'Summer Sky'.   


I believe this will keep me thinking of summer nights long after winter has settled in.

Thank you, Collette, for your lovely creations and for such beautiful Bead Soup!  Now I am off to see what she created with my sendings. You can see all of the Bead Soup Blog Party 6 participants and their offerings to date at http://lorianderson-beadsoupblogparty.blogspot.com/2012/06/participants-of-6th-bead-soup-blog.html . 

Don't forget the third and last reveal on August 25! 



Hostess, Lori Anderson, Pretty Things
Adlinah Kamsir, Dream Struck Designs
Adrienn Lukacs, Raszputyin Designs
Agata Grygiel, Cytherea Bijoux
Alenka Obid, Pepita Handmade
Amy Dickerson, Damyjo Designs
Amy Schmidt, Amy's Treasure
Amy Severino, Amy Beads
Andrea Trank, Heaven Lane Creations
Anke Humpert, Anart Island Studios
Ann Rishell, My Critical Eye
April Grinaway, Brooklyn Bead Goddess
Ashley Bunting, Miss Ashely Kate
Astrid Boyce, Astrid Boyce Beads

B.R. Kuhlman, Mixed Mayhem Studios
Barbe Saint John, Saints and Sinners
Beata Benkone Meggyesi, Beahobbi
Bryna Lumb, Bryna's Bead Box

Carmen Lau, Little Maketto
Cate van Alphen, Fulgorine
Cathie Carroll, Cathie Carroll's Studio
Cathy Khoury, Touch Jewelry
Christina Stofmeel, Feng Beads
Courtney Breul, Beads by Breul
Crystal Thain, Here Bead Dragons
Cynthia Abner, Created Treasures

Deana Hager, Just Deez'Art & Life
Debbie Phenes, Deb Joy Sing
Dhea Powers, Java Bead
Diana Welte, Lilyweeds
Dita Basu, alankarshilpa
Dorota Zeranska, gdymamczas
Dot Lewallwn, Speedie Beadie

Elisabeth Auld, Beads For Busy Gals
Ema Kilroy, Ema K Designs
Emma Todd, A Polymer Penchant
Eva Sherman, Eva Sherman Designs
Evie and Beth McCord, EB Bead and Metal Works

Francy Inman, Francy's Studio

Ginger Bishop, lilmummy likes...
Giorgia Rossini, Jo in Wonderland

Ine Vande Cappelle, Jewels by Ine
Iveth Caruso, Creative Atelier

JJ Jacobs, Coming Abstractions
Jackie Ryan, Kydo Jewellery
Jeannie Dukic, Jeannie's Blog
Jelveh Jaferian, Jelveh Designs
Jenna Tomalka, Twin Birch Studio
Jenni Connolly, Jenni's Beads
Jennifer Van Horn, Jennifers Jewels and Junk
Jo-Ann Woolverton, It's a Beadiful Creation
Johanna Rhodes-Nash, Fire Phoenix Creations
Joyce Blair, Bent Wire West Coast
JuLee Wolfe, The Polymer Penguin

Karen Vincent, Swallow Tail Jewellery
Karin Slaton, Backstory Beads
Kayla Potega, The Eclectic Element
Kim Dworak, CianciBlue
Kris Lanae Binsfeld, Cherish Designs by Kris Lanae
Kristen Latimer, MJM Jewelry Designs
Kumi Fisher, Malie Kai Designs
Kym Hunter, Kym Hunter Designs

Lennis Carrier, Windbent
Leslie Wayment, AA Beads & More
Linda Murphy, Bonita Bead
Lisa Johnson, Whimsey Wonders
Lisa Sittniewski, Love, Yesterdays
Lois Moon, Que Onda, Q'Town?
Lola Surwillo, Bead Lola Bead
Lorelei Eurto, Lorelei's Blog
Lori Bowring Michaud, Artfully Ornamental
Lori Finney, Using My Beads

Margareta Saari, Mags-koruja
Maria Horvath, Horimarika Beads
Marian Hertzog, M's Place
Mary Ellen Parker, BeeTree by m.e.
Mary K McGraw, MK's Creative Musings
MaryLou Holvenstot, time2cre8
Martha Aleo, Ornamento
Maybeline Tay, The Jewelry Larder
Megan Collins, Churchy & Her Sailor
Melissa Meman, Art. Life. Love.
Melissa Mesara, One-Eared Pig Beads

Paige Maxim, Paige Maxim Designs
Pam Farren, re-maker
Pam Hurst, Pam Hurst Designs
Patricia Handschuh, The Color of Dreams
Patty Miller, CabariBeads
Penney Klapoth, Faerie Acres
Regina Santerre, Regina's Writings
Rhea Freitag, starrgazer creates
Rochelle Brisson, A Creative Chelle

Sabine Dittrich, PerlenDschungel
Sandra McGriff, Creative Chaos
Sandra Neights, Petalo Azul
Sandra Young, It's a Bead Life!
Sara Oehler, SoftFlex Girl
Saturday Sequins, Saturday Sequins
Shanti Johnson, Sunshine Bliss
Shari Replogle, Plays With Paper
Sonya Stille, Dreamin' of Beads
Stefanie Teufel, Stefanies Sammelsurium

Tammie Everly, TTE Designs
Tania Spivey, Moobie Grace Designs
Therese Frank, Therese's Treasures
Tina Holden, Polymer Clay Bytes!
Toltec Jewels, Jewel School Friends
Tracey Nanstad, A Beadiful Mess
Tracy Choy, BumbleBeads Designs

Valerie Norton, Hot Art


Wednesday, August 8, 2012

Wishcasting Wednesday: What do you wish to create?

Wishcasting this week is easy peasey... I wish to create things of beauty.

After following Jamie Ridler's Wishcasting Wednesdays, doing my Julie Cameron morning pages and a lot of very good business soul searching from Tory Johnson, I've realized that I was born with the motto 'I am here to make things beautiful'.

Somehow, through circumstances (and an upbringing that impressed duty, duty, duty), that little voice in my head began to tell me 'you're here to make everyone else happy'.  Lots of  'it's your fault' and 'if only you would' followed.  They picked up their friends 'everyone else is more important than you' and 'this isn't a real job' and moved right on in. 

Interesting how one listens to all the wrong things and but won't fight for a personal truth.
So... no elaboration today... I was born to make things beautiful.  Going forward my art, my smile and my life will create that beauty.  Yay!  (Thanks, Jamie!)

Wednesday, July 25, 2012

Wishcasting Wednesday: What do you wish to share?

As you can see from my storage room, I have a LOT that fits into Jamie Ridler's Wishcasting Wednesday question of the week: What do you have to share? 

Well, I'm sharing a lot... with the people of Goodwill.  :)  Good things, happy things... things. Things. THINGS.There are things that I don't need anymore, things out of style, things I didn't enjoy doing, things someone else will love. 

We haven't had a Goodwill store for very long.  Just a couple of years.  But I have done several cullings of my things... things that I have gradually released after our move eight years ago from our home of twenty-one years.  It was a traumatic move... one none of us wanted to make, but had to nonetheless.  A sad leaving for sad reasons.  But in the end, a freeing one, a better one that just took time and distance to see. 

Getting rid of all the THINGS was another story.  I held on to way too much and way too many things just to keep a connection no longer helpful.  Emotions that weren't healthy.  I wasn't a horder. Yes, I know that picture looks like I am, but moving from a 13 room house to a two bedroom apartment took some finesse, believe me.    

This is the last major sharing... well-timed with Jamie's question. The Goodwill trips are all about the odds and ends, the books and craft supplies someone else will love, clothes and the like. What am I sharing?  Supplies, fun, the joy that these items brought me when I got them, and love - of craft, of creating and of home.  :)

Wednesday, July 18, 2012

Wishcasting Wednesday: What do you wish to start?


According to my Wishcasting friend, Sunfire, Mercury is in retrograde (until August 7 btw) and I shouldn't be 'starting' anything.  :)   HOWEVER, I can RE-start things.  So for Jamie Ridler Studios Wishcasting Wednesday question this week, that is where I am concentrating my efforts.

Serendipitously, there has been a renewed interest in some beads I made a while ago and set aside.  They are fun and colorful and totally a joy to create; I will be making a lot more of those for my inventory.  I am also reviewing and beginning again on Halloween items about which I am VERY excited!!!  Dolls, artist books, ornaments, jewelry... all based on the "BOO".  :) 

Morning Pages, 'The Artist's Way' and two other Julie Cameron books (The Prosperous Heart and The Writing Diet) are being reintroduced into my daily routine.  (Thank you, Jamie, for the nudge!!)

Those are my RE-wishes for today... Thank you, Sunfire, for the perspective!  To those of you who read this post, may all of your re-wishes come true!  :)

Wednesday, July 4, 2012

Wishcasting Wednesday: Who Do You Wish to Become?

Taken on my maternal grandparents' farm on a sunny June day in 1957, I looked like a very happy camper. At two and a half, I loved everything about that place... riding the horses, being outdoors, and, most of all, how happy I was. One of those Pollyanna-like kids, I did everything with flair. My paternal grandmother Lucy once lovingly remarked about my happy attitude, " There's Diana... why walk when skipping will do?" (a phrase later applied to my daughter) :)
 

As I grew up, there were a lot of loss, adult responsibilities at too young an age, disappointments, poor choices... all overshadowing the promise I'd had. I set aside my drive and ambition. I was overwhelmed and my happiness became a mask.

T
hen I had children. Two unexpected, wonderful amazing people. Miracles, born after my surgery and treatment. One right on top of the other, less than two years apart. Since their arrival, they have been teaching me that you can be happy, you can dream, you can still be that person you always thought you would be, only better, wiser, more content. I encouraged them to do what they love. Now adults, they drag me right along behind them, throwing me toward MY dreams and preaching my words back to me... never quit; do what you love; it's your turn now Mom.
Their persistence combined with their success has pushed me through the stubbornness, residual pain, and, yes, the unrelenting anger I'd felt that I'd squandered any chance of finding that dream again, that my life took such a turn and I was not brave enough to do any more than hang on. Forgiving others is easy; forgiving oneself is sometimes nearly impossible. But I have. Finally, I can honestly say, I have. 

Jamie Ridler asks this week on Wishcasting Wednesday: Who do you wish to become? I wish for myself to become the wiser embodiment of that innocent me, who knew beyond doubt that anything was possible and that you were allowed... encouraged even... to skip on the way there.

These Wishcasting Wednesday exercises have become a life-changer for me. I take my wishes into the week with me and work on putting them into practice, making them habit. And I take the thoughts of those for whom I am also wishing because their wishes make give me fresh perspective, as well as gratitude for them being on this journey with me, and me with them.


Wednesday, June 27, 2012

Wishcasting Wednesday: What is your heart’s wish?


 Goodness, last week went fast!  It's Wishcast Wednesday again at Jamie Ridler Studios and today the lovely and talented Jamie is asking us "What is your heart's wish?"  

Just a simple little question but it's followed me around for hours... unanswered.  What IS my heart's wish?  Honestly, my true heart's wish is for my sister's son to be alive again.  Just 21, he passed 4 months ago in a car accident and we miss him terribly.  Since I am not able to perform Jesus' Lazarus miracle... I guess I have to rethink. 

After that, my Wiscast is what I've wanted for a long time: for Joe, me and babykitty to live in a wonderful big loft that also has a studio space where I can make my art and use my jewelry kiln and be a more successful selling artist.  Over a downtown storefront would be amazing, and in a city where I can sell my art.  Cincinnati, OH - to start - to be closer to our children and Charleston, SC, a city we love (they would visit).  Two diverse places, to be sure, but both where we all feel at home. 

Along with this home/career would be a granting of my children's Wishes so they can be happier.  They are happy now but if all parts of my wish came true, their true wishes would be fullfilled too.  Dream jobs, dream loves, dream homes/families. They are on their right paths now; I am just including their wishes into my Wednesday Wish to make dreams come true for my family.  As much as I can.  :)


Wednesday, June 20, 2012

Wishcast Wednesday: What do you wish for this summer?

Jamie at Jamie Ridler Studios asks an easy Wishcasting Wednesday question this week... What do I wish for this summer?

I am getting my wish... to move into a new art career full time.  Little by little, step by step... it's coming to be.  I have worked to change my outlook, rise above challenges, bloom where I was planted.  I've added meditation, vision boards and positive thinking to my daily routine... putting nothing out there that was negative.  It didn't take long before I could see changes. 

Sure there are people who think I'm a fruit loop; who think "nobody could be THAT happy".  But I am.  Content, driven, inspired, confident, brave, and, yes, THAT happy. 

So that is my wish this week... I wish to be a success at this new career path; it's rewarding and interesting and just plain fun!  It's do what you love and the rest will follow. 

Make your own wish and join me in the happy dance! 

Friday, June 15, 2012

BEAD SOUP TIME!

Hello Bead People!!
for the full rules and description of the Bead Soup Blog Party.



Wednesday, June 13, 2012

Wishcasting Wednesday: What belongings do you wish for?


I do have a list... I ALWAYS have a list.  But I don't always think I'm worthy of asking for things on my list.

But I have learned lately that being able to receive allows you to graciously help others... Thinking you can, or have to, do it by yourself just cuts off your tether to God. 

So in the spirit in which it's intended, here are my wishes today:

1. a reliable, safe and energy efficient car and the means to afford to keep it on the road.

2. a studio where I can use my kilns and torches and wirework tools.

3. my lower teeth repaired... my plate broke in two a month or so ago but due to my car issue (see above), I've yet to have them fixed.

4. new mattresses for my beds.

5. a new sofa that is as comfortable as the current one has been.

6. a white beadboard Original Workbox - google it... it will house my jewelry making supplies.

7. an iPad

8.  every color and type of miyuki bead on the planet

9. a good pair of walking shoes

10.  a home on the beach at Charleston, SC.

Raising this and the wishes of my friends up to the heavens.  :)  And as always, thank you Jamie Ridler for another great Wishcasting Wednesday!

Saturday, June 9, 2012

Cool Jewels on a Hot Summer Day!

So what do YOU do on a hot summer day?  Head to the pool, work in the garden, putter around your home?  Make new jewelry? Why not? 

With Lark Jewelry & Beading's recent release, Making Wire & Bead Jewelry,
all it takes is a short amount of time to get hooked on the totally COOL craft of wirework!   

Can it really be that simple to add those bright summery beads to lengths of wire to make amazing jewelry that compliments the tropical colors of that favorite sarong, rockin' summer outfit or, dare I say...bikini? Yes, it really is! 

The book features an amazing 500 how-to photos as well as informative sections on tools, wire and how to get the best results from each. Not just beautiful visually, this book is a reference book that you will return to again and again when you want to add something special to your original pieces. In addition to wire techniques, you're shown a multitude of ways to use special beads. My personal favorite is the Woven-Wire Bead Pod, a spectacular showcase for those tiny shells and bits of sea glass collected from memorable days at the beach. Get an urban feel with the same piece by building your pod around mixed-media bits found as you go about your busy day. 

Beach Pebble Bracelet, a project by Janice Berkebile in Making Wire & Bead Jewelry
As an added plus, Lark Crafts website invites you to return to an April visit with authors/jewelry designers Janice Berkebile and Tracy Stanley.  Brought to you by Ray Hemachandra, who leads the Lark Books Jewelry & Beading team, this interview with the two creative owners of Wired Arts gives you an insight into the process that you, too, can learn to make dazzling bead and wire wonderfuls that rival runway accessories. 

Wednesday, June 6, 2012

Wishcasting Wednesday: What do you wish to delight in?




This is a short and easy Wishcasting Wednesday for me.  I wish to delight in my artist book and its tutorial being published in the Interweave Press magazine 'PAGES 2012' and for continued success in my art work. 

Also I wish to delight in the continued discovery and implementation of the ideas that the Universe gives to me.  I'm working toward being skilled enough to interpret them all... well, at least a goodly amount.  :)

Thank you to Jamie Ridler at Jamie Ridler Studios. Wishcasting Wednesday is such an inspiration; I look forward to each week.

Tuesday, May 29, 2012

When You Give An Artist 30 Minutes...

...you get enough fantastic material for Martha Le Van's Lark Books series "30-Minute" Bracelets, Earrings, Necklaces and Rings!  Every book features a compilation of artists and the work is inspiring. The layout of these four books makes them very user friendly... the pictorial table of contents is brilliant... making for an easy return to your favorites.  With added lists for supply needs, the technique applied to each creation and exceptional pictures, each book makes you want to run to the work table to try your hand at making your own.


The cover of  '30-Minute Earrings' caught my eye immediately.  Featuring New Jersey-based artist, Liesl Carlson, the gentle bend of the silver petal encasing a plum pearl drop is elegance at its best.  Nancy Wickman's use of wire and simple copper washers is an excellent showcase of 'less is more' and how perfectly applied texture makes that simplicity a winner. The 'found art' of Bryan and Andrea Ring's clever license plate earrings and the mixed media of Heather Crossley's little boxes add a whimsical dimension.





'30-Minute Necklaces' varied use of materials makes for a joyful book.  In homage to my couture career, I would so wear Sarah Gazia's bobbin necklaces with bright rounds of polymer clay sitting in for thread and Sunyoung Cheong's imaginative incorporation of silver, pearls and tulle for a happy tutu necklace!  LOVE them.  Dilyana Evtimova uses square silver wire to take lowly illusion film to the ball (brilliant!), while John A. Sartin uses his metalwork talent to feature that perfect stone.





I fell in love with Rachel Sims' Copper and Silver Bar bracelet in '30-Minute Bracelets', really enjoying her use of a varied jump ring chain to set off her beautifully done metal bar.  Dangles of Brazilian natural 'beads from seeds' highlight a beautiful leather braid by Lia Paletta.  Carole Zakkour inspires you to take out your frustrations by hammering copper in her freeform wire bracelet.  And, Karen J. Lauseng, you made me laugh with your happy bracelet made from snaps - yes, sewing snaps - and silver jumprings.  What a great piece!





The last book in the series  - '30-Minute Rings' - is as stunning as the first.  What's not to like about happy little elastic bands?  Nicole Jacquard adds them to her hammered fine silver ring to bring spots of playful color.  Robert Dudenhoefer II finds his color in the art of enameling as he beautifully combines copper and silver with geometric enameled shapes.  Victoria Takahashi's ring evokes the riding stirrup in it's simplistic combination of copper rod and patinaed silver.  Lastly, who would ever dream that plumbing PVC pipe could EVER look like carved ivory?  Karen Rakoski does just that in her lovely leaf-design band.  Amazing, and oh so wearable!




There you have it... four fantastic books that compliment any artist's library.  Head to toe... well, fingers... but I bet many of those rings would look awesome on a sandaled foot!  Enjoy!!



Wednesday, May 16, 2012

Wishcasting Wednesday: How do you wish to grow?



Jamie's prompt today is "How Do You Wish To Grow?"  I've thought about that off and on all day.  My first sarcastic little comment was 'actually, I need to SHRINK' but after that moment passed, I thought 'actually I DO need to shrink'.  Shrink my doubts, shrink my fears, grow my confidence and grow as an artist.  If I fill my life with those positive paths, there will be no need for me to overfill myself with food and continue building that proverbial protective shell. 
I've done a lot of shrinking already... finishing up commitments I took on to procrastinate with my artistic work.  Self-made barriers set up so I wouldn't fail... or succeed... bc I'd so sidetracked I couldn't even begin. 
So my wish is to grow true to myself, following the happy thoughts that pop into my head saying 'wouldn't it be cool if you did this?'   Yeah, that's how I wish to grow.

Wednesday, May 2, 2012

Wednesday Words: Showcase 500 Rings: New Directions in Art Jewelry
 

Need Bling?  Serious Bling?  Original Bling?  Finger Bling?

In Showcase 500 Rings: New Directions in Art Jewelry,
Lark Books - doing what it does best - offers the debut title in their redesigned Lark's Showcase 500 Series for our consideration.
And what an offering it is!
From the midieval-inspired simplicity of Aliki Apoussidou's hot-forged Siegelring Rund to Kristin Deiner's aptly named Ring Form: Contraption (truly, a party on your hand),  juror Bruce Metcalf and editor Martha Le Van have selected an eye-catching collecton of jewelry from classic to quirky.

My personal favorites ran the gamut...
Would I wear Julie Lynn Romanenko's elegant diamond and 14-karat gold set Untitled? Absolutely! COULD I see myself wearing the polymerclay fantasy that is Jeffrey Lloyd Dever's Convergence?
The artful sprite in me is screaming "Sure, you can!"

I am longing to own every letter in Trudee Hill's imaginative Letters From Words: Alphabet Rings!
Think of the creative fun you could have wearing those! Ask me how I feel today?
And last, but far from the least, Stefanie Kölbel's Striped Rings spoke to the fiber artist in me with her exquisite translation of a traditional bobbin lace techinique.
 
 This book lives up to the Lark Books tradition.  It's a jewelry store between two covers.

Tuesday, April 10, 2012

Sewing "Little Doll" and Other Angel Projects


Today was spend sewing... sewing on white fabric... sewing lots of different white fabric.  A lovely lace covered wedding gown.  One of the last five I'd promised.  (Always keep my promises)  The second a tiny First Communion dress for a friend's daughter... the college trainer friend who picked my son up off the field several times when he was bloodied, broken or injured during his college baseball playing days. 

Lastly a tiny doll from old white linen and wool who will fly through the mail... hand-stitched from a simple pattern taught to me in childhood by the wonderful woman who cooked for my grandmother and one of her friends; a woman I so respected but who wasn't always respected by society or that era at large.  Miss Julia's ancestors were surely enslaved as she was born of Southerners, but the independent Miss Julia was beloved by all who knew her and her talents were a large part of my life.  I never learned to cook; she gave me a hard time about my lack of kitchen skills, but I still can hear her praise of my needlework skills.  I think of her often, miss her a lot and daily thank her spirit for being such a patient teacher for a bouncy little kid like me. 

(picture shown above - "Wanda's Wing" by Diana Welte - vintage quilt scrap, wire, foil, organdy ribbon - in private collection)

Wednesday, March 21, 2012

Wishcasting Wednesday: Renewal and Grace



When I was a little girl, I wished on stars all the time.  Lying in bed, looking out my window... sometimes lying in the grass outside on a summer night just as the stars were first blinking.  I wish I may, I wish I might...  It was fantastic and hopeful and sent me to sleep with a new excitement for the next day. 

As grown-up girl, I find I still wish on stars... but as an afterthought.  Isn't that sad?  I was such a happy kid.  In recent years, I have increasingly yearned to be that person again.  Knowing that my life was much easier when I was that little girl and wishing again for a way to get back to that place of more hopeful thought, a  Wishcasting Wednesday post from Jamie Ridler Studios caught my eye. 

So beginning this week, I am casting my wishes upon the waters.  They will come true... they always do...  I just have to make sure that I have the courage to wish them in the first place.

This week I am wishing for a renewal of spirit and a measure of grace.  That's a good start, don't you think? 

Saturday, March 3, 2012

Welcome To The Party!!! - The Postman Bracelet...



Through rain and hail and sleet and.... well, you know the rhyme. 
Although for me and mine, it's been Hell as well as hail and we've yet to see sleet and snow.
(Sssshh! Diana!)
I excitedly signed up for the 5th Bead Soup Blog Party because I wanted to challenge myself. 
Little did I know the challenges would be external
and have nothing in the world to do with my beading skills. 

As I'd made my sketches and had the components configured,
I received word just last Friday morning that my sweet, funny 21 yr old nephew
had been in a traffic accident on his way to work and didn't survive. 
Levi thought me being an artist was 'cool'. 
I had told him about what I was doing and he said, as he always did, "can't wait to see that!"

Well, baby boy, here it is. 
I am proud I got something done at all. 
More proud still that I got something finished that I will wear. 
I thought about wrapping the focal stone, but I like the weight of it
and the 'cool'ness as it lays on the top of my hand.

My bead partner, Ann Sherwood, chose beautiful stones and beads and a clasp that I absolutely love.
I used copper wire in 20 gauge, 24 gauge as well as copper and gunmetal finish jumprings.
The bracelet wraps twice with the focal bead and the clasp close so they lay together when worn.
I have plans to go back and add more of the tiny pearls to the links,
and make earrings from the leftover soup. 
This is a keeper.  Thanks, Ann! 

Also visit Ann's blog to see what she did with the lace agate focal bead
enclosed in Delicas that I sent her...
http://ann-sherwood.blogspot.com/
She and I seem so alike... right down to the wire girls... I like that about her. 
It means she runs at life headlong just like I do...
with an enthusiasm for filling, or over-filling, her life to the brim. 
Take on everything because you don't want to miss anything. 
I think if we sat down over a cup of something
- soup, I am sure, is too tame for the likes of us -
we would find a friendship.

Coming late to the party because of a nasty storm that flew through Kentucky last night,  
I am just happy to be online again and on my way to the blogs! 
You may notice little X's on some of the thumbnails in the LinkyTools below...
click there anyway...
not sure what I did, but there are awesome treasures hidden in the boxes! 
Join me, won't you?


 
Hostess, Lori Anderson

Special Book Sneak Peeks, Cindy Wimmer

1. Adlinah Kamsir (Kingdom of Bahrain) and Hajer Waheed (Singapore)

2. Adrienn Lukacs (Hungary) and Agata Grygiel (Poland)

3. Agi Kiss (Hungary) and Carolien Muller-Genger (the Netherlands)

4. Agnes Asztalos (Hungary) and B.R. Kuhlman



7. Alicia Marinache (Canada) and Dita Basu









15. Bonnie Coursolle (Canada) and Fay Wolfenden (Canada)

16. Carmel McGinley (Australia) and Tracy Stillman (Australia)






21. Cheryl Brown (Canada) and Diana Ptaszynski

22. Christina Stofmeel (the Netherlands) and Eva Kovacs (Hungary)


24. Cilla Watkins (Canada) and Elaine Robitaille (Canada)

25. Sabrina Straub (Switzerland) and Kathy Combs








32. Dee Elgie (UK) and Joanne Lockwood (UK)

33. Dian Hierschel (Germany) and Eniko Fabian (Austria)




37. Doris Stumpf (Germany) and Eszter Czibulyas (Hungary)





41. Erika Nooteboom (the Netherlands) and Giorgia Rossini (Italy)




45. Ginger Bishop (military, Okinawa) and Martina Nagele (Germany)



48. Helene Goldberg (Australia) and Karen Vincent







54. Joanna Matuszczyk (Poland) and Julianna Kis (Hungary)

55. Joanne Tinley (UK) and Michaela Pabeschitz (Austria)











65. Kristina Johansson (Sweden) and Penny Neville (Canada)

66. Krisztina Erlaki-Toth (Hungary) and Nicole Keller (Germany)











76. Lori Finney (Canada) and Marie-Noel Voyer-Cramp (Canada)


78. Marta Kaczerowska (Poland) and Milla Starchik (Canada)





83. Michelle Jensen (Canada) and Sandra Young (Canada)











93. Sabine Dittrich (Germany) and Sally Russick


95. Shanti Johnson and Tracy Mok (Canada)


97. Sonya Stille and Traci Zeller (Canada)

98. Stefanie Teufel (Germany) and Tania Hagen (New Zealand)