It it really almost Christmas?

I have been a bit slow at preparing for Christmas this year.  Tonight I completed my first gift!!! I keep saying "it just snuck up on me"  but the truth is, I just have not been "into"it.  I dont know what to get any one.  No one really NEEDS anything.  I have been setting up an encaustic stuido for my oldest son...I think that good enought!  It looks lie the younger son will get cash..which is all he wants anyway.  Miss Olive..well I have a closet full of toys, books and puzzles to choose from.  I think I will get my husband a new welder he has had his eye on..but other than that, I have been lost.  Then I looked down at my wrist and was reminded of a long forgotten request from my mother in law.  She has commented over the years on my bracelet.  She has asked several times if I could make her one...but it is always followed by "but no hurry"  Unfourtnaly, if you say "no hurry" to me..I take it an run with it!  I am always so busy that if I dont have a deadline, it will never get done.  So I got to work and made her a copy of mine.

        I think she will like it.  I like this design.  Its a good alternative to a silver chain.

One down....20 to go.  WalGreens is open late on Christmas eve right?  Stool softener and candy bars for everyone....merry Christmas!

 

New Ice Resin Piece

I found several cool old dolls at a local antique store.

I wanted to use it in a piece, but could not make a decision on HOW to use it....so...ICE RESIN to the rescue.  I was able to make a mold of it and cast several of them.  This way I could use them in several different ways.  I tend to hoard precious items out of fear of using it the "wrong way"

It cast very clear...in fact too clear.  I aged it with stain and a bit of blue and green paint

I used SLK'S great "Birds Nest" wrap to hang it from.

I took some of the chain that came in my industrial Chic Booty.  (I was the recipient of a great box of goodies from a past drawing)  I got a great green/rust patina on the chain with Jax green and peroxide.  Its hard to see in this dim photo.  I have dreams of a new camera for Christmas.

I used an assortment of stashed gems, tea stained muslin, ribbon and leather to finish it off.  I like the outcome.  Im looking for other treasures to cast!!!

Ice Resin Blog

My post on the Ice resin blog was posted today.  I am going to do a drawing next Monday for a piece of Sweet Pea Jewelry.   All you have to do to enter is leave a comment on my post at the  Ice queen blog .  I will choose at random and announce the winner on This blog Monday 12-26-12.  Good Luck

ice Resin Blog

I am so very excited to announce that my post will be featured on Inspiration Monday on the Ice Queen Blog, on Monday 12-19-11.  I was given the task of choosing 4-5 pix of what inspires me to create.  I looked back at past posts from other artist.  I found they had beautiful posts on a vast assortment of items (all very inspiring)  I chose to go a different route.  Instead of choosing individual items that inspire me, of which there are many,  I went with inspiring women. I have always had an admiration for women with a voice.  

My family moved away from grandmothers and aunts at a young age.  I would dream of a holiday filled with women cooking and crafting to ready the home for the holidays.  I often watched my mother, alone, prepare for the Holiday season.  


 so Instead of choosing holiday themed items for the post (that would have been the logical thing to do!!) I chose to post about what makes ME think of the holidays.  I chose women who touched lives, changed the rules and made there own way. 

Feat of Clay Holiday show

Each year at Feat of Clay Gallery, we have a holiday show.  It is a chance for each member to showcase items that may not have been juried in. So this is our chance to do something a bit different.  I have been juried in for jewelry and recycled/mixed media.  I have an interest in fiber art (I have an interest in All art!!!) I just  ordered 20 pounds of wax to start experimenting with encaustic.  And I am hopeful that we can make a trip to Colorado to pick up a loom.  I know how to weave,but have not done it in years.

So back to fiber.  I made some recycled dolls for the recycled art show this year.They were so fun to make and I was left with a huge amount of old clothing and material.  So for this show, I decided to try my hand at making some scarves.  I thought they would make a good christmas gift.  So here are a few pix of my first scarf

 

HAG

We had our grand opening last night.  It was a great success ant the Art Walk was well attended.  The Gallery looks great.  We had to paint the ugly purple walls.  I will post more pix later o the fished gallery with customers!!!

 the store already had this great old case.

 Karen Elsburys paintings on the terrible purple wall

 our store front.  not bad for a pop up gallery

 Janet Burns beautiful encaustics.  Im buying the sweet blue/pink leaf

 liz stannards skateboarders

My jewelry it this very cool case

exciting news

I think I have mentioned that a small group of artist (and friends) will be opening a holiday art gallery.  We are setting up the gallery tomorrow.(if weather permits!!! its snowing pretty hard tonight)  We plan on opening to the public on Tuesday the 6th.  We received a lovely write up in the Farmington Daily times complete with some great pictures.  Im really excited about this.  We attempted this last year but we were not able to make it happen.  Grand Opening is Friday the 8th at 5pm.