Outback Wood Jasper

I think this is my new favorite stone. The matte finish gives these a rustic feel. Outback Wood Jasper is mined in Australia. As with all jasper - it brings joy to life! This stone is thought to help to create a positive attitude. It can help reduce the inclination to be arrogant, self-deprecating, greedy, self-destructive, victimized, impatient or stubborn. this centering and grounding stone brings calm & tranquility. It can also combat exhaustion. (Stone trivia is provided for curiosity only and is in no way meant to be medical advice.)

Each 30mm square stone pendant hangs from a double strand of glass seed  beads and is accented with copper or pewter. They each remind me of a mini-landscape.

 This one has a red creek jasper dangle. The pendant reminds me of a landscape in Wyoming.
Necklace and earrings have been SOLD.

In this one I see cliffs on each side with a frothy bay in between.
Necklace and earrings have been SOLD.

 This one looks like a winter landscape.
Necklace and earrings have been SOLD.

Introducing - Side Door Pottery

If you have attended my studio sales before then you have seen Linda's beautiful pottery. She descibes her work as whimsical, hand built, painted porcelain that is functional and sculptural.  I can attest to all that and more!

Plates, bowls, cups, serving pieces and pitchers. Tiles and sculptures. Bird houses and feeders, garden stakes and birdbaths. There is something for every taste.

You can view many more of Linda's creations on her Facebook page. You can also see her work at shops in Poulsbo as well as the Port Orchard Farmer's market and occasionally during the Silverdale Art Walk

Here are a few pictures of her work this spring.

 

 Pitcher set with chocolate sandy glaze.

  

 

Bowl, plate and saucer with emerald night glaze.

Cherries and berries

Blueberries

 

Pears

Recent Work - Flower Jade

Visitors to this weekend's sale at my studio will find these new designs using Flower Jade. Flower Jade is a type of Jadeite. The variety of Jade known as Jadeite comes in a variety of colors including red, orange, yellow, green, blue, lilac, pink, black, white, and brown. Historically, Jadeite has been treasured in China as the royal gemstone, Yu, for 5,000 years. Mined in Japan, Myanmar, Guatemala and USA.  

Flower jade is thought to enhance confidence and self-assuredness, helps one gain knowledge from dreams, and assists in getting in touch with one’s spiritual side. (Note this information is provided for curiosity only.) 

All of the pendants below are 25 x 30mm faceted hexagons. Additional stones are 6mm and 4mm round stones or small cubes. Accents are glass seed beads, copper or pewter.

Both have been SOLD.

 The one above is choker length.
Bracelet and earrings have been SOLD.

Bracelets and earrings on the left have been SOLD.

The necklace on the left has sold.

 Click on this one to enlarge it. The stone is beautiful! It reminds me of a beach scene.
Necklace and earrings have been SOLD.

Introducing - Paintings by Mary Lou

Artist Mary Lou McCambridge says "Painting is a passion! I love all things creative." Mary Lou will have paintings and art cards at Beadware's Spring Art Preview on April 11 and 12. Her recent work is
mixed media using rice paper, gold leaf and acrylic paints. Mary Lou has a long history in art, attending the Burnley School of Professional Arts (now known as the Art Institute of Seattle) and working professionally  as a graphic designer and illustrator. She has done everything from print and web logo design, to illustration, to fine art painting. her work is vibrant and full of life. Here are some examples:

mixed media

mixed media

Baby Firs - acrylic

Olympic Mountains - acrylic

digital paintings

Introducing - Picket Fence Designs

The next artist that will be at my studio sale April 11 and 12 is Meredith Arseneau with Picket Fence Designs. She handcrafts a variety of bags and totes from oil cloth and laminated cotton .

 

Even the insides are fun and functional! 

 

She carries many different sizes and is happy to make custom bags. The dog treat bags pictured below were specially designed for a dog trainer.

 

Bright and cheery sunflower large tote.

 

Check out her Facebook page for more photos of her lovely designs: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Picket-Fence-Designs/160736988216

Introducing - It's A Perfect Day

Only a week left until my spring studio show. April 11 and 12 in Southworth. Contact me for your personal invitation. It is time to meet the artists that will be there. First up is It's A Perfect Day casual clothing company. Every day is perfect for something. It's a perfect day to laugh, to dance, to play, to love! What's your perfect day?

The inspiration for Satya and Aimee Kommini's business came from a deep loss. They asked themselves how can we be happy despite the every day and unexpected circumstances that life brings? The answer was to do something they loved to do and to share that with others. Designing artwork for t-shirts was a natural fit. It was the way for them  to express their creativity and share it with the rest of the world. Their brand name fulfills the promise of finding happiness in every single day of life.

Free Spirit design - Free like a bird, free like a butterfly, free like the gentle breeze that blows and makes the trees dance. Free spirited you are like the way nature intended you to be. Express that inner free spirit with this beautiful shirt that is an embodiment of you.

Yin-Yang design - Yin-Yang, a philosophical concept of balance. A pair of opposites that complement each other and are in harmony. This beautiful tee has the words - peace, love, harmony, forgiveness and compassion emblazoned over a hand drawn Yin-Yang symbol.

Visit their website http://www.itsaperfectday.com/ to browse their selection of  men's, women's and kids shirts and sweatshirts; headwear, bags and accessories. You can also follow them on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/itsaperfectday

Remember, every day has something perfect to offer. It is up to us to find that and be grateful for whatever power that allows us to experience this wonderful world.

Sunday's Work

I was almost out of eyeglass leashes, and I was going to discontinue these. But, people keep asking for them! So I started restocking today. Browns, greens, purples. And a few multi-color. I have quite a few more color combos I want to do. The fun part is making the bead mixes. I was lucky to receive two large gifts of glass seed beads last year so I have so many colors to choose from!

Thursday's Work

The last three snakeskin jasper teardrops. I just love these stones! 

 A closeup. What a beauty! SOLD.

Snakeskin jasper, glass and copper.
Necklace and earrings have been SOLD.

Snakeskin jasper, glass and brass.
Necklace has been SOLD.

The colors on this one remind me of mint chip ice cream. 

Snakeskin jasper with glass and pewter.
Necklace has been SOLD.

Todays Work

I have just six snakeskin jasper teardrops left. It is sad when I use up the last of a favorite stone! I turned three into pendants today and have the last three laid out on my work table ready to create. Here is the result of todays' efforts.The pictures do not do these beautiful stones justice!

 Mixed with serpentine, soft green seed beads and pewter.
Necklace and earrings have been SOLD. 

 Mixed with smokey topaz crystals, soft green seed beads and gold plated brass. SOLD

A small turquoise stone on the dangle. Shades of teal seed beads and copper accents.
Necklace and earrings have been SOLD.

Photo Magic

Most of the shows I apply to require you to send some kind of description and photos of your work. For higher end shows your photos are viewed by a jury panel and the quality of your photos is critical. Each show has its own set of rules for the number, the size and the dimensions.

I use a light box (home made), special lights and a tripod when I take my photos. My current background choice is pale grey cloth. While fine for my online store and wholesale catalog, I need to step things up for juried show applications. To take my photos to the next level I have plans that include investing in a more professional light box and a gradient background. In the meantime, a friend helped me do some after the fact photo magic with photoshop. Here are the befores and afters.

Owyhee jasper before. 

After a gradient background was added.

Glass garden bracelet before.

After removal of the sand dollar underneath and addition of a gradient background. 

Snakeskin jasper before.

After some serious tweaking. 

Earrings before.

After addition of a gradient background. 

Seahawks, Seahawks, Seahawks

Anyone that knows me might think that a strange title for a blog entry from me. I am not a big sports fan. Although I did watch the super bowl this year. Today I was supposed to head over to Seattle for my annual overnight Flower and Garden Show outing. Well, those plans were way laid by the 700,000 Seahawks fans that descended on Seattle today for the big parade.

So I had an unexpected day in the studio. How did I spend it? By making things in Seahawk's colors of course! Bracelets and earrings. Supplies are limited so get them while they last!