Things that make you go "Eh?"

There are some things that I do that just make no sense at all.
(To me or anyone else for that matter!)

There are things that happen to all of us that make us wonder just what is going on.

Things that Surprise us...Good
and some not so...

When I began this adventure in Silver my instructor asked us all to draw our projects...this worked well for about the first 3 classes!

Then my imagination began to stream and my iprovisational side over-rode the patient, planning me.

That is sort of what happened to this lucious piece of Orange Agate.

The stone has so many swirls of color, I could not focus on a design so I just did what it told me to do.

This for me was a GOOD surprise

Wonderment!

In the Silver Lining shop tomorrow!

NUTS!...

...and other stuff!

Center of my World

The Great Wave

Balancing Act

NUTS!

All headed to Silver Lining tomorrow.

From the ashes...

Today was a struggle.
From the trials of life comes new hope and another day.
Upon tomorrows sunrise (yes the sun will rise tomorrow) I will view the world with different eyes.
They will be clouded from the past but they will clear in time.
Hours will become days, days will become weeks and so on.

All we can hope is for is love and trust...that is where my heart is now.

What the heck???

It's Sunday and for those of you that follow along here that means the day was spent at the Clermont Farmers Market.

Now if you saw last Sunday's post you will agree Something Strange IS IN DEED going on here. Take a look at some images from today's market:

Jane being...Jane!

Cheryl and Joan trying to figure out why Bradley is wearing shorts!

Tiffany hoping all her shrimp sells so she can finally stop putting her hands in ice all afternoon!

Do you notice anything out of sorts with this collection of photos?

Last Sunday it was 96 degrees.

Today when we got to the market at 7:30am it was 54 degrees!

Now I realize for all of you folks up north 54 would be downright balmy but for us...it was really cold.

(Considering the wind was about 15 mph right along with it.) EVERYONE was cold, even Jeff was wearing 3 layers! It seems we have gone right from the main heat of summer to...okay I won't say it, it would just sound utterly ridiculous to the rest of you.

I'll just move on...

I promised I would finally post the new kite necklace once I finished it, I'm much happier with it now:

"Fly Away" will be posted on the Silver Lining site this evening.

I've got to go unpack my sweaters now and put away my shorts...have a great week!

That feeling of eye's on you...

We have all felt it.
The strange feeling that someone is watching you. What is that feeling called...

...other than creepy?

A few weeks ago I was in the studio working, it was a beautiful day. The type of day that beckons me to leave and go jump in the pool but I won't cause I'm getting so much done I can't seem to tear myself away. I get in a groove; listening to The Splendid Table or Pandora for hours on end and draining my acetylene tank at alarming rates.

At one point I felt eyes on me which is super creepy cause the boys were both outside asleep and Jeff was at work. I glanced around to the door, the window...and saw nothing..."maybe I'm inhaling too much gas." About 3 minutes later...there it was again. This time I thought I heard the slightest tapping on the window...

His name is Larry and let me tell you he does not like it one bit when my back is to him, which is when I am soldering mind you. I've got some video of him doing the head bop thing and tapping on the window...unfortunately it is sideways and I can't figure out how to turn it around. (If anyone can help I will get it posted cause it's great!)

This is not the end of this story 'cause yesterday Larry sent his buddy Rex over, there was that feeling all over again!

Where Larry is the shy and flirtatious type, tapping every time I turned my back on him, Rex is the hang out at the bar using pick up lines type. When I walked over and slightly tapped on the window he would raise his front...what do you call those things...paw (?) and try to tap back! He is much bigger than Larry with that comb thing going on from the crown of his head to almost the middle of his back. He's gotta be 10" long with all of his tail...until he gets inside the cats domain of the screen enclosure. The watch out Rex...you're a snack for Houdini.

What was going on in the studio was the usual fair, sort of. I've finally gotten up enough nerve to try cutting a kite shaped stone since the success of my "Windy" pendant and I am very proud to say It came out much better than I could have hoped!

I'm not crazy about the chain and the stones that I have incorporated in to it so I'm not considering it done but as soon as it is you'll see it here, promise!

So now you know how I spend my afternoons "alone", so to speak.

Apparently there are a lot of eye's around!

Something strange is going on here!

Can someone PLEASE explain to me why it was 96 degrees here today?

It was unbelievable! Now really I'm not one to complain about being warm,

( "Better 93 than 39" I always say!) but come-on, it's almost Halloween for goodness sakes!)

Today was the Clermont Art Festival and Farmers Market we were all hoping for a bit of holiday shopping to be done but I can tell you with 96 degree weather

no-one was in the holiday spirit!

I on the other hand am in high gear getting ready for the temperatures to drop (just a bit now, let's not get too crazy!) and folks to begin thinking about holiday's!

Here is just a sample of some of the new beauties just waiting to do some traveling!

Painted PonyMagic Mushroom

Penny Lane

Dollar for your Thoughts
All available in the Silver Lining Shop for your shopping convenience!

Have a great week!

Back in the Saddle

So to speak...

I'm beginning this week with all intentions to make some sort of a change.

I've taken a good amount of photos of pieces that I have made in the past weeks

and already have my Tuesday night project in my head.

I think the thing I have discovered is I try to do everything in too short a period and then get disappointed when I don't get anywhere.

So...

My new goals are simple...just get some done.

Ladies and Gentleman,

(who are still out there and have not given up on me...)

here are SOME...

No Escape

Spiral Bound

My Onyx

African Princess

Most of the items I have posted in the past two days will be available in my Silver Lining Shop this evening then we're off to new stuff!

It's all in the timing...

At the risk of alienating any more friends, family and followers I would like to give you all a sneek peek at some items finally making it into the shop tomorrow evening, after the market.

Passion

Twilight

Her Prize

Changes

I promise I have been working both at home and at the FTG. The upcoming holidays have put a spring in my step, for they are not too far away!

For Every Step Forward...

The whole idea of taking the summer off from festivals and the Sunday Market was to get "caught up" on my inventory...that has only worked some-what for me. Jeff and I did have 1.5 fabulous vacations but when it comes to building inventory...oh well.

I went to the Market this past Sunday and was extremely low on inventory but for quite an extraordinary reason...you see the Maitland Art Center opened up an entire showcase in their Museum Store for me! Much to my surprise I was told the store was looking for students to submit work for the stores inventory. (When Jeff and I joined the Center the store would not except student OR teachers work but it seems that there was a change of heart and Dierdre has been getting the word out.)

I submitted some of my pieces then sat back and waited, low and behold Dierdre sent me an e-mail asking me to stop by with some items for the store! (YEE HA! I must say I am so excited to have this opportunity!)

Dierdre!

Once I got to the store I had a chance to catch up a bit and look at all the other work that was there, when I turned around Dierdre had emptied the entire front showcase for me!

I mixed my pieces in with some beautiful boxes created by another local artist, Kaye Hanna, they are just spectacular!

If you live locally I strongly suggest you stop by the Maitland Art Center...not because they are carrying my work but because places like the MAC don't usually survive times like this. They are little fortress' of hope for communities of people who work to share their love and their vision with anyone who will take the time to look.

Finally...Thank you to the all the Members and Board of the MAC for believing in their students!

Working Hard...

...or Hardly working?

Since our return from vacation I've been thinking about how little time we have to do the things we would like to or even enjoy the time we do have. We have a very nice backyard and pool but never really seem to spend any leisure time there. I've been on a quest to remedy that...I've been on the hunt for two VERY COMFY chairs. Low and behold I found them at Patios to Go right here in Minneola! So first thing this morning Jeff and I sat outside enjoying our coffee on our new corner of the patio! Thanks Teresa and Darren! (Roger and Houdini both love the otto-man!)

Jeff has worked about 14 hours a day on Friday and Saturday so that left me alone in the studio all day yesterday... I have finally made some progress!

My favorite piece from this weekend end is one I am calling Noonday Sun. I cut this piece of Gold Stone while I was at William Holland, I love how easy it was to work with and the shine is spectacular!

It is paired with a Mushroom Cloud Agate from Oregon...who names this stuff?

A beautiful Turquoise ring will find it's way to Der Shop today along with my ever-popular
Puddles earrings.

Enjoy your Sunday!

Time Off

Update...a new leaf?

Maybe this was some sort of a sign; on my way to my Silver class the Art Center called to say Jim was not feeling well and we would not have class tonight, ummmm, what does this mean? (Other than the obvious...Jim's not feeling well tonight?) Well this gives me a good opportunity to get home, update my blog, get two necklaces posted on ETSY and possibly finish one!

Away we go................

Token...on ETSY now.

Reinventing the Wheel, posted on Silver Lining now!

Bumps in the Road...not yet completed!

Original Post...........................

I'm not too sure what is going on with me, I seem to be "off". Whatever it is has taken hold since our return from vacation.

I got back from William Holland all charged up, ready to take on some new challenges when it comes to texture and form. I created 3 new "Dimensional" pieces using copper (I don't mind experimenting with copper, I do mind with silver...$.) that I will have completed by the end of class on Wednesday as well as one custom piece.

But that's IT!

That's all I have to show for almost 14 days of being home!

(I have just applied to 3 fall festivals...I better get my act together!)

The hotel is getting closer to opening and soon I won't be "allowed out to play" due to work levels...and I know this! The ESTY shop has come to a complete halt due to my lack of attention, and the Market has just been too hot for folks to come out...so it's not just me?

I get home at night, cook dinner for the hubby and I (when I'm not going to class) avoid my Studio...what the heck?

This is question for anyone that can offer up any insight. I have never come to a lull like this before.

Since our vacation was compressed, for a myriad of reasons, Jeff has planned a 4 day weekend in St. Augustine for us...just what I was hoping for, really. Although I realize this is another weekend of not getting anything accomplished, in the jewelry sense, I think getting my groove back might be dependant on this trip. This just might do it!

Fingers crossed please!

Back to NoRMal...almost!

We had a great time on our vacation (Jeff's been calling it "Summer Camp") but we were glad to come home, for a number of reasons.
The MAIN reasons:

While we were gone Jeff received a letter from "Homeland Security" announcing his date for swearing in ceremony and that day was today! Since my folks were in town watching the Grandcats while we were gone they stayed to share in this special day. After 7 years of being "in process" this part has gone really quickly and EVERYONE Jeff has come in contact with has been helpful and friendly. So after only three hours of sleep we all piled in the JTD and headed out for his big event. The building was full of smiling people and the ceremony itself was quite nice.

Here my friends is our new American Citizen!

Although my folks were here for a little over 2 weeks and I'm sure they wanted to get home, they asked to stay for this special day. Not only was this a great idea but fitting, see my parents are both German born and also Naturalized Citizens, it was a great opportunity for them to re-experience this and share the time with us!

Thanks Mom & Dad for all your help and support!

On the creative home-front the week has not gone by without at least one thing being completed...a special order for Maryann:

Back to the 'ol grind, but not without a weekend first...

... thank goodness!

Where was I?

Please forgive me, I'm playing catch-up, big time! This was one of the last photo's I took in Young Harris before Jeff and I headed out to Savannah...where we have been since yesterday. I promised to post some photos of "Show & Tell" from Friday, so here are some of the final pieces from Week 11 at William Holland School of Lapidary Arts.

Stone Carving

Fused Glass

Sliver 2 / Forming, (my next class) don't be confused because of the size of the pieces the process is taught in copper. Students can work in their own silver if they wish.

Karens Collection of Cabichons (Final tally, 59!)

Jeff's collection of Fine Silver from Casting Class

These photos were taken just before lunch on Friday, we had about 3 additional hours before the big cleanup so I got 4 more stones completed before the end of the week. I am very satisfied with my work!

I asked Jeff to take some photos of his class, the casting process is very interesting;

Jeff's preformed wax pieces

Melting the silver and getting ready to pour.

Finishing on the polishing wheel.

Broom Casting
(If you look at Jeff's collection of finished pieces, the broom casting creations are the one's all the way on the right in the top row. This is a process is a fun process of gathering broom straw (soaking it in water) then melting the silver and pouring it in the wet straw. the final result is very organic and can be made into some really cool designs.)

Friday evening another local Art School, John C. Campbell Folk School had a Blue Grass Festival. We loaded up the JTD with fellow students and headed out. During the concert I had a chance to walk around their facility, it is beautiful...

Woodworking Mill

Jewelry / Metalwork Studio

Pottery Kiln Shed

Friday came and went much too soon for all of us. We said our good bye's and headed out to Savannah just in time for July 4th fireworks!