synopsis

I realized it has been more than three, four, five months,  since my last post.  It may not be an extended length of time depending on one's measure of it,  but long enough for me to feel like I've dropped off from this blogisphere forum.  The more time elapses, the more neglectful I feel, the more abandoned and harder it is to post again.  I feel overwhelmed catching up on this chasm in time, but feel inclined to create some chronological order. It has been packed with preparation, production, creating of stuff much to the neglect of everything else, exploring creative options, introspection... As to not disappoint the two people that actually read this, hopefully this condensed account satiates the curiosity to my ordinary life. 

July always seems like "working for the kids", nephew and nieces.  There are knitted toys and jewelry to be made for the birthdays.





Flapjack Frogs by Anna Hrachovec

enameled frog pendant

frogs for a "frog"



Bunny by Susan B. Anderson



the only mod is the crocheted tail





introduction to the new friend

inedible version of her favorite fruit

August now seems like a blur.  September was busy with creating jewelry, mostly for Beacon Open Studios.
The amazingly talented and accomplished Chris, graciously shared her space with me.  All of the beautiful paintings are hers.

one of my youngest fans



making a rare appearance with one of my youngest fans

 


the impressive "polar rug" in the making, just tape and her vision

Snapshots of the space.









glass leaves, and flowers, with enameled pieces



the glass "leaf" is lampwork, before my venture with enamel, which is nothing more than powdered glass







one of my favorite pieces from Jewelry 101, a dozen years ago,  that launched and influential of what i do today



another one of my favorite pieces, interchangeable "rattle"

 
 These are enameled panels that are wall plaques, a departure from my usual jewelry.





"hope is the thing with feathers- Emily Dickinson"
happily in a new home



wooden birdhouse, painted, with copper sheet and enameled feather

enameled frog mounted on wooden painted lily pad



 

"Where blossoms bloom, so does hope"- Lady Bird Johnson



this was the necklace in the group show at Hudson Beach Glass







The latter four silver pieces are now for sale at Riverwinds.

October was Rhinebeck Sheep and Wool, November was just life.... and this "stuff" for sale at The Coffee Shoppe

There is much personal and test knitting, but that deserves it's own post , and crafting of various sorts thrown in.   Still trying to work things through... In the meantime, this is the beautiful butterfly that I purchased from Chris.



Salamis temora



I don't know that my photo of it does the watercolor justice, but it has been finally framed.  I love all her bugs and botanicals, but I think this one "chose" me. 

If nothing ever changed, there'd be no butterflies.  ~Author Unknown

Butterflies undergo multiple stages to achieve complete metamorphosis.  My mission is to remain hopeful, "molt" as does the caterpillar, before emerging as the person I'm supposed to be.









amidst the interim

I will be the first to proclaim that I'm the least tech savvy person I know.  Whether it be to conveniently blame it on the absence of a computer due to viruses for some weeks (of which a friend was able to resolve in no time and I'm grateful for), or general laziness, lethargy due to hot weather...whatever the excuse, the writing hiatus is over, for now.  I only wish the same could transcend into "mental thoughts".  The only intermission from the daily trials was feeling like I had a "breakthrough moment".  It only but takes one trigger, one hesitation, one temptation, to negate progress.  I'm aware of my fragile resolve.

As for leisure time and general distractions, some enameling, some knitting , some jewelry making..
"Rainbow in Someone's Cloud- Maya Angelou" is a cloisonne enameling project started while taking classes at Liloveve.  I was able to finish firing at home with my recently acquired kiln.

one of final layers, drying on top of kiln before going in

piece through window, firing in kiln

fully fused and fired, cleaned, waiting to be set in a bezel and finished

Using the same enamel colors, this is a different version of the same idea.

set in silver bezel

back of the piece before it was set

Gifted pieces:

On the fiber side, Susan B. Anderson's Curly Snake was finished just in time for nephew's sixth birthday, my version is not curly.

snake in a knot

I also had the honor of test knitting Mao by Angela Tong.  A well written pattern for a super quick knit, don't be surprised if you end up with a litter of these.

my attempt to imitate her pictures

David Carradine said, "If you cannot be a poet, be the poem".  Quotes are my endorphins, they inspire, acknowledge, and assuage rough moments.  I had the idea to create Message Bubbles, some to wear, as an antidote when "sadness" creeps in.

stacked, may be worn as pendant

Akin my knitting, life is a WIP, all aspects, every moment...

new endeavors

No MLB, no PGA, no NBA, and what I'd grown fond of last year, no cycling for the upcoming Giro.  I never thought I would be saying this, but sometimes I miss that familiar "background noise" of sports on TV.

There is still anger and sadness, not easy to forget with physical reminders often.  I know my anger and negativity reduces my own character and it probably paints an ugly portrait of myself.  If this shortcoming can alleviate the repugnant feelings, this "ugly label"  would be something I can live with.  Unfortunately, it does nothing more than entrap me in a vicious cycle of self-loathing for "this" emotional anger to have the power to change the person I am.

Despite it all, I'm trudging along.  I'm proud to have finally finished a first sweater for myself, Metro by Connie Chinchio.  It fulfills my tall order of liking it and actually have worn in public!  It helps that I can't stop petting the cashmere.

It is finally getting too warm to wear now, but it will be in wardrobe rotation come Autumn/Winter.

My new endeavors include glass bead making workshop at Hudson Beach Glass.   Since I was only able to take the workshop for one day this time, my focus was to practice making blossoms.  The beads have yet to be applied in a practical way.

The conflict in schedule was due to my enamel classes at Liloeve.  I'm really loving this medium because of the potential and infinite possibilities.  These are just test samples and techniques explored in class.

The two crafts are related in that enameling is nothing more than fusing powdered glass to metal.  These endeavors not only help in my growth of new skills, but at the same time it is "healing".  The schedule and commitment keeps me busy, distracted, and something to focus on.  I'm looking forward to exploring the media on my own!