Not in front of . . .

. . . but behind, very behind.

I've had a really hard time keeping up these past few weeks,

so today,  I am surrendering to it.

"The key is not to prioritize what's on the schedule, 

but to schedule your priorities."  - Stephen Covey

SO, instead of the intended post of part 2 in my monarch series, (which will resume next week),

I have a whole lotta random to share.

1. I'm so very sad that Nancy over at A Rural Journal has decided that she has come to the end of the blogging road. I so understand and admire the difficult decision, but she will be missed.

2. I finished my last bible study class yesterday...best bible study EVER, Beth Moore, Living Beyond Yourself: Exploring the Fruit of the Spirit. Her bible studies are very powerful and this was NO exception. We conclude each study day with a video from Beth and let's just say this last one brought us to our knees, literally to our knees - it was a sight, and overwhelming heart experience.

3. I have just four more classes left to finish this piece I've been working on . . . there has been a lot of sawing going on. All of the small flowers are actually charms and just being used to help design here. The hardest part of finishing this piece will be choosing and coordinating colors for all the flowers. I see a gardener's color wheel in my future. The flowers will be cold connected with bolts to a back plate, which they are temporarily on now, and the back plate will have an aged patina of some kind. I think I would really like to etch some words into the back as well and I still need to decide what design I'm going to pierce out of the back plate as well. . . . and then there is the decision of what kind of chain to use. If I can't find one that feels right, I may have to make my own. 

4. As I'm sitting here typing I have my black swallowtail chrysalis sitting next to me, I can't decide if it's going to emerge today or tomorrow? So I'm ready just in case!! ;)

5. And speaking of caterpillars . . . .I have very sad news. The almost 100 monarch eggs I started with had equated to just 14 that made it to a chrysalis. I kept checking on them right after they hatched and was finding day and two day old cats dead, hanging by just a thread from the leaves. As days went by, I was seeing less and less cats, but no clue why. When they are small they can play hide and seek like no ones business, so I didn't panic . . . until last week when I came home to a caterpillar apocalypse. Big, beautiful, chunky caterpillars days away from pupating found hanging limp, some from a thread and some inverted in a "v" shape and most dripping green liquid like they were melting. It. Was. Horrible!! There were many tears shed at my house last week. Upon hours of research I think I know why they died. There are so many diseases that these cats can get...but there is a very deadly virus called NPV that can wipe out the entire lot of them on the plants. When one gets it (and it's something found naturally in the wild) it can contaminate the leaves with it's frass (poo) or any of the green liquid that leaves crystals behind. Another caterpillar walks though it or eats a crystal containing the virus and it just keeps on going like the energizer bunny. So not only did I lose most all of those caterpillars, but I also had to throw away all contaminated plants - $100 worth! I also made the very tough decision, although I have drug my feet, to euthanize all remaining chrysalis to be on the safe side. My heart is broken . . . 

6. Our church does a Good Friday experience where they invite artists to submit work with a small blurb about what inspired the piece. This year I did a series from seed to butterfly in photos (8 in all) and all framed together in one frame. But this year of all years they gave us a 120 word maximum, rofl! Can you imagine me, trying to reduce what I wrote (before I realized) down to 120 words. Last night was the artist's reception before they open it to the church members and public on Friday and as I had second guessed myself on what I shared and wrote, I was very pleased that it was well received. Since I have never entered a juried competition before, this might have given me a little confidence to try. 

7. Oh, and one more . . . it's pretty safe to say that I take more photographs than I could probably share here if I posted everyday. The hubby and I went to the beach a few weeks back, after we ate in Galveston, for a sunset walk. Just as it was getting too dark to see anything on the beach, we got in the car to leave. The sky was just starting to turn these beautiful colors, but it wasn't until we got past the houses that I saw this. It was one of those, "honey I have to find a spot to to photograph this." So racing against the clock of time we found this perfect spot to pull over so that I could get out. But word of advice, remember to put your camera back to auto focus after taking (purposeful) blurry shots because even though you keep snapping and they look good on the back of your screen, you will be very disappointed when a bunch of them just weren't in sharp focus.

Well, if I haven't already lost you with the length of this post, I wish you and your family and very blessed Easter. Our girl is coming home today and I can't believe in a matter of weeks we will be going to get her and all her things to bring her back for the summer. Where has this school year gone?

Love, Kim

sharing with Little Things Thursday, Thursday Favorite Things, Friday Finds 

Quotography - Hobbies . . . art

Today's theme . . . hobbies.

I have many hobbies, gardening, photography, jewelry . . .

So I went with something that includes them all.

A piece of jewelry, with flowers, that was photographed

I attend a metals class twice a week at a community college just for fun.

There are credited students and those just like me, the 29 and counting somethings

that go for enrichment and to spice up life a bit with a saw and a torch! ; )

I cut out each heart from copper with a jewelers saw and sanded them smooth.

In order to manipulate the metal, or bend it, I had to (anneal) or heat it with a torch.

Once I achieved that I cleaned the metal in a pickle solution and then using powdered glass (enamels)

I applied it to the metal with a screening tool and fired it with a torch to melt the glass onto the metal.

It took multiple firings until I reached the design I was happy with.

Since taking these photos I've added some seed pearl dangles on the chain and made

an enameled heart clasp with a key dangle off the back.

Nature holds the key to my he[Art]. . .

Every Spring we have a student art show, with food, where the jewelry, sculpture

and art classes showcase their work. It's always so much fun to see what others are

creating. There is so much talent out there....so much creativity.

I thought I would share a little of what caught my eye at the show:

Incredible pieces from fellow jewelry students...

And oh my this piece. . . do you see the bird, the feathers made from polymer clay!

She hinged it on the left, it's a neck piece and formed from copper and

silver plated. It is simply incredible!!

The piece next to mine is also an enameled piece and gorgeous, but it was hard to get closeups with the glare.

Ceramic sculptures, some that just blew me away . . .

"A man practices the art of adventure when he breaks the chain of routine

and renews his life through reading, new books, traveling to new places,

making new friends, taking up new hobbies and adopting new viewpoints."

-Wilfred Peterson

Some were whimsical, and some made you think - art interpreted from life.

"Today is life - the only life you are sure of. Make the most of today.

Get interested in something. Shake yourself awake.

Develop a hobby. Let the wilds of enthusiasm sweep through you.

Live today with gusto."

- Dale Carnegie

You don't have to be an artist to make art. But, when you create something

from your experiences in life, it becomes art and you are therefore, I believe, an artist.

There is an artist in all of us, waiting to get out. Will you help it escape?

Have an art[full] Monday!

Love, Kim

XO



  

Wordless Wednesday . . .

Hi ho, hi ho, it's off to class I go . . . 

to play with fire and glass,

to finish a piece for the student art show.

Happy Wednesday everyone!

Kim, XO

 

Bead Soup and the Reveal . . .

 All of our ingredients have been simmering on low and it's time 

to serve up what we've been cookin'.

This is my first time participating in the Bead Soup Blog Hop Party

and if you're not sure what this is go here to get the scoop.

Tiffany Long is my bead soup partner and you can find her here.

 "Sakura"

This is the first piece that I made and the size of the focal was a challenge for me. 

It's about 5-6 inches wide and I wanted to make sure that the focal wasn't overshadowed.

I'm a firm believer that sometimes less is more (unless more is just better)! ha

The first thing I did was research the Japanese Cherry Blossom and what I found

was that in the Japanese culture the Cherry Blossom

represents the cycle of life and death and how our lives

blossom and fall.

That they are richly symbolic because of their extreme beauty and quick death.

So I immediately knew what I wanted to do  . . .

I wanted to somehow have blossoms that seemed to be falling off

symbolizing the transient nature of life,

and lucky for me there were two perfect places to attach a jump ring with fine chain.

I used brass chain with a vintage finish and  

I searched through my stash and found the right color orange seed beads

to use with the few Cherry Blossoms that would fall from the chain.

Some more of the soup I received . . .

I then decided to make a bracelet with some of the remaining soup. I used a variety of metals

in this bracelet that would be all about dangles. From the soup I used a few light green pearls as well as the

pretty pink ones, and the very lightweight silver looking ones all topped off with bead caps

I had in my stash. Even though none of the beads had any heavy weight to them, the chains seemed to want

to get tangled easily so I used a jump ring in a couple of places to keep them neat and tidy but

stay in keeping with that loose feeling. 

But it still need that one last thing - pink sari silk ribbon topped it off!

And one last creation using the clasp that she sent me. Silver just didn't seem to go with

the first one and I could have used it in the bracelet, but I think it's just right in this one.

In this one I used this cluster of leaves she sent with crystals that were already put together.

Check out the great little rhinestone headpins!!

And there were 3 pink pearls left. I added some more chain from my stash just like

I incorporated into the bracelet with a vintaj pendant and bird charm - simplicity!

And then after I was finished with both this necklace and the bracelet I had an 'aha'

moment! What if . . .  when I wasn't wearing the bracelet I could attach it to the necklace.

Now, I just need to figure out the best way to do that.

A tremendous thank you to Lori Anderson, Artist and founder of Bead Soup Blog Hop

at Pretty Things.

There are over 300 participants in this blog hop and you can find

the entire list here.

Happy hopping, see ya there!

Metals class . . . it starts without me!

The fall semester of my metals class is starting back up again today, but sadly I won't be joining them.  I have another commitment that I need to see through, but will join back up again with the spring semester. I have been very fortunate to learn under an incredible artist and instructor, Diane Falkenhagen. You absolutely must check out her work here. The piece "After Canova's Paolina" that appears on the home page of her website is carved from corian and is one that we got to see in the different stages of its completion. Her work is stunning!!

I remember when I first started this class several semesters ago, it was my very first experience with a jewelers saw, and after first starting with metal clay that you can roll, stamp and sculpt with your hands, it felt quite odd and very frustrating to be tediously sawing out of sheet metal. I thought for sure I would not be returning for another semester. But, hesitantly I did.

It was this next project where I finally started becoming one with the saw, we were at last beginning to become friends. The assignment was to make a layered narrative piece with various metals or materials and it had to include rivets. I chose this design, which is one that I originally meant as a project for metal clay but instead broke it down into 3 layers.

Nature has been an integral part of my soul ever since I can remember, and as a very young girl my favorite quote was, "There is always music amongst the trees in the garden, but our hearts must be very quiet to hear it," by Minnie Aumonier. This quote begged to be included in this piece . . .

• Top layer is copper in a rich dark brown patina and in the shape of a birdhouse
• Second layer, a tree, is brass and represents where the birds are making music
• The third layer is an eggshell finish on copper with blue resin on the front and the above saying etched on the back -it's representative of a birds egg.

The entire piece is then riveted together with sterling silver wire and has a textured brass bail 

that allows for movement.

Last spring I tried enameling for the first time. Can you say LOVE! I drew my flower shapes and cut them out of paper to use as a template to saw them out. Our class is very limited with the enameling colors we have so this project has been put on the back burner until I can purchase some enameling supplies for home . . . soon, I hope very soon! (honey, if you're reading this - hint, hint)

One of my class buddies doing some filing of her project.

And my very best class buddy working on a ring.

 

More class students working . . .

 

At the solder station . . .

This is a picture of silver that has reached its melting temperature and is being used in a process called lost wax casting. 

Well, since I can't be at my metals class today I think I'll just go to the beach!!

Have a great day!

Love, Kim

XO

7000 Bracelets of Hope

Hope,

the feeling that what you want can be had,

that something you look forward to with great desire.

You place trust in it,

and it is connected to faith and love.

And when hope does spring eternal

it brings with it the anticipation of new beginnings.

7000 diseases are classified as rare, affecting 250 million people, most of which are children. So one community of millions was started in hope there would be more value in one large group. In January 2010 they started a grass roots organization called The Global Genes Project to unify, support, and build awareness.

So The Global Genes Project volunteer team is collecting bracelets with a denim/blue jean theme for their campaign, "7000 Bracelets of hope." These bracelets will be collected and distributed as a show of support to families with children of rare disease or disorder.

I chose to do this project for many reasons, but mostly because I too am a face of a rare disorder. Earlier this year I was diagnosed with a localized scleroderma and have also battled with Restless Legs Syndrome for years. RLS is a sleep disorder and at times extremely difficult to live with. I am very fortunate to have it mostly under control right now, except for the occasional flare-ups.

I knew I wanted to put just a touch of color in my bracelet, but stay very much in keeping with the blue jean theme. So just on Wednesday of this week at my metals class, I made a torch-enameled flower that I sawed out of 20 Ga copper sheet. I chose a flower shape because flowers remind me of Spring and Spring brings with it the hope of renewal.

I also wanted to do something asymmetrical as there are always two sides of disease.

The ebb and flow.

I had just the right length of viking knit that was left from another project - bonus!

And added some flower dangles and blue daggers as leaves.

If you look closely on the left, after the blue daggers you'll see three floating silver twisted rings.

They represent Hope, Love, and Faith,

and the Holy Trinity.

This is also a blog hop and there are many other artists/jewelry designers and crafters participating.

You can go here to see what everyone else has made - see ya there!

I wish you a weekend of hope fulfilled!

Love, Kim

XO

Class begins again

It's back to my metals class for the spring semester. I'm working on a couple of small projects while I work out the ideas for a bigger more complex one. One that will involve the torch, which I am not fond of!  But I imagine I will be less fearful of it by the time I'm finished with it.

These are pieces I cut out with my jewelers saw using sheet copper after I drew my design. In order to dap the pieces or dome them and shape them I first annealed the metal with the torch to make the metal softer and more pliable.



The heat from the torch makes the metal turn colors.



This will be the orientation of the pieces when it's finished.

Today will be my first attempt at enameling. For those of you who don't know what enameling is - it is a technique done by fusing powdered glass to a substrate by firing or in this case using a torch. The powder melts, flows, and then hardens to a smooth, durable vitreous coating on, in this case, metal.

Now to decide what colors . . . . hmmm?