My January Journal Page

Feb16

I just finished my January journal page today. I filled in my “path” with mauve colored pearls, representing the “pearls of wisdom” I’ve learned along the way. The photo doesn’t show it very clearly but the path has led me to a cache of beautiful multi-colored jewels. This symbolizes the treasure that lies inside each one of us.

My idea for my February page is of 2 hearts side by side, nourishing each other with a silver river that flows in a circle from one heart to the other and back again. Time to get my fabric prepared!

Free Form Peyote Bracelet

Feb6

About 6 years ago, I started a free form peyote stitch amulet bag in luscious sea colors. Over the course of 4 years and a challenging time in my life, I worked on it on and off until it was finally finished. I loved the meditative feel of adding beads a little at a time and it mirrored for me the small positive steps I was taking in my life. Perhaps the healing memories of creating that amulet bag is one aspect of what drew me to the idea of the Beaded Journal Project years later. Recently, when I saw this bracelet created by Libby at Libzoid, it further awakened those memories. So, inspired by Libby’s creation and the sunrise colors in my December page, I created this free form bracelet. I call it “Awakenings”.

You Make My Day

Jan14

I was so surprised and “tickled pink” to see my blog mentioned in a recent post on one of my favorites blogs, Nicobella. Thanks to Acey for the mention and very kind words! Here are the rules for the “You Make My Day” award.

“Give the award to up to 10 people whose blogs bring you happiness and inspiration and make you feel so happy about blogland! Beware! You may get the award several times!”

There are so many wonderful and creative blogs that I enjoy reading on a regular basis. It’s so hard to choose only 10 but here goes.

First, I’d like to mention Acey and both of her blogs, Nicobella and Sparkling Lotus Land. Everyday, I look forward to reading her thoughts and wisdom about plants, gardens, embroidery, beading and many more wonderful and interesting things.

My friend Amy at Musings from the Moonroom has been an amazing inspiration to me with her spiritual creations and wise words. I have enjoyed being part of her journey and watching her blossom with the creation of her art dolls.

My fellow guild member and pal Judy doesn’t have a blog. Yet. I know it’s coming this year though. I can feel it, Judy. Meantime, you can visit her and her fabulous mixed media creations on her website, Judy Shea Art, and be as awed as I am.

The deeply poetic words and photography of Nina Bagley at Ornamental warm my heart and move my soul. Her jewelry and mixed media journals and art are a feast for the senses. For my birthday, I just treated myself to one of her pieces. It will be arriving anyday now. I’m like a kid waiting for Santa Claus.

The Beaded Journal Project was started by my beady hero, Robin Atkins. Her blog, Beadlust, is filled with her wonderful writing and inspiration. Being part of this year long project has changed my life in many positive uplifting ways. All of the members are so talented and sharing.

I have been especially inspired by one of our BJP members, Bobbi at Beading at the Beach. The name of her blog even inspires me! She creates polymer clay faces and uses them along with fantastic batiked fabric in her colorful and outstanding beadwork. She also creates beautiful beaded jewelry.

Libby at Libzoid is a very talented jewelry artist, creating her beautiful pieces in polymer clay and metal. Lately, she has been posting some gorgeous free form peyote beaded bracelets which are getting my creative juices flowing.

One day while I was browsing the internet, I came across Sue’s lovely work at Sacred Circle Mandalas. Not only does she share her amazing mandalas created with Photoshop, she offers tutorials in that program as well. She has inspired me to find out more about this unique artform and I was happy to receive a mandala book recently as a gift.

A dear friend of mine, Laura, is a fantasy artist, her paintings being inspired by many visits to Africa and her work with big cats. The painting on the homepage of her website was created in honor of her experience with a tiger by the name of Angell. Over the years of our friendship, her paintings have touched me very deeply.

Last and certainly not at all least is my new online tea friend, Steph at Steph’s Cup of Tea. I love to sit down with a steaming cuppa and read her thoughts about tea and tea parties and the tea world.

This was so hard to choose just 10 people when there are so many in the online community who inspire me everyday. My resolution word, Beauty, is guiding me to the beauty in all of you.

Creative Everyday 2008

Jan9

In 2007, I discovered how important it was to me to commit to a daily creative habit. Living my life in an artfully expressive way is as important to me as breathing. So, with this commitment in mind, I was excited to join Leah Pilken’s challenge to be Creative Everyday. This is a low stress challenge to incorporate creativity into your life on a daily basis. If you haven’t visited her blog, I encourage you to go check it out. A special thanks to Sue for sharing and pointing me in that direction.

When I woke up yesterday morning, I was completely wowed by the sunrise and moved to get creative with my camera. I love to be creative with my camera because it helps me focus (pun intended) on a unique and special moment that has moved me enough to capture it in a photograph. As I listed in a previous post, one of my goals for this year is to experiment with transfer methods so I may incorporate my photography into my artwork in some way, whether it be in my jewelry or in my mixed media work. In my sunrise photograph, I see a 4-color combination that I would love to incorporate into a piece of jewelry, too.

How are you creative everyday?

Goals for the New Year

Jan6

I have been reading many blog posts lately about goals for the New Year. So, inspired by my online friends, I have set forth a few goals for myself for 2008.

-take a painting class/workshop to bring painting back into my life

-create a visual journal by sketching more

-recreate my website

-nurture my writing, including writing poetry

-plant a garden at my new home

-open an Etsy account with updated photos of all of my jewelry

-learn transfer techniques so I may incorporate my photos into my art and my jewelry

-spend more time in nature

As I scan through my list, I see my resolution word, “Beauty”, already guiding me. In the last week, my meditations on my resolution word have led me from thinking about creating beautiful things to experiencing “beauty in the moment” and finally to finding the beauty in myself. As I approach my 50th birthday, I celebrate my blessings, my growth and, yes, my beauty.