Above: A Singular Vision by Steven Ketchum.
My friend Karen Kraven is in from Canada! She's such an amazing and talented artist. I'm so blessed to have gotten to know her during the summer residency awhile ago. Luckily we got to hang out this trip. We got Indian food at Milon. It was good to open up to another artist and share my thoughts and insecurities about the art world. I've missed her! After Milon, we headed over to Veniero's for pastries.
Mark (Aurea's boyfriend) gave us all a copy of his new CD, Sometimes Everything. Just finished listening to it and think it's just great. His lyrics are sheer poetry; the vibe of this album is raw. There's a physicality to it. The songs seem to bleed and ache - they are that intense! So happy he shared this with us! CLICK HERE to get your own copy.
One of my closest friends from New York is leaving. Aurea and her boyfriend Mark and his daughter are moving out to L.A. I've known Aurea for years and years now and I will miss her so much. I think we've both finally reached a place in our lives where we know what we want and can appreciate what we have.
Earlier this evening, I stopped in the corner bodega to pick up a refreshment to go with my Chinese take-out. That's when I discovered that they carry St. Peter's English Ale! It's one of my favorite organic English Ales and it isn't that easy to find (especially not in my neighborhood). I love the green glass bottle it comes in. It's made in a castle, and gives me the feeling of drinking a potion from the sea.
The other great thing is that they have wonderfully designed bottle-caps, which will later be transformed into beads. The one on the left is actually made from a St. Peter's cap.
Above: My (slowly) growing Anne Choi bead collection. "Smell my owl!"
Above: The Hearing Forest and The Seeing Field by Hieronymus Bosch.
I'm about to call it an evening, but before I do, I wanted to share what I found. I was surfing around various blogs when I came upon Ullabenulla's (a really GREAT one!) and found this picture of the ever-fashionable and stunning Tilda Swinton wearing a knock-out coral necklace. My head hurts less when I look at pictures of Tilda. Is it obvious that I have a crush on her?
This is my first bracelet submission for Art Bead Scene's July challenge, The Mermaid's Grotto. I've got all sorts of goodies on this one. First and foremost, I have a fine pewter starfish clasp from my family at Green Girl Studios. It's really beautiful and is very reasonably priced. This is especially nice since the price of silver continues to escalate and becomes ever daunting. It was featured in Jamie Hogsett's new book published by Interweave Press called, Create Jewelry: Pearls. In this design, I also used wooden laser-cut beads from Lillypilly Designs, vintage Dutch trading glass from Chevron Trading Post, a lucite composite abalone shell from Pudgy Beads, stones (a snake-skin agate and kyanite) from Talisman Associates Inc., silver cornerless cubes and daisy spacers from Saki Silver, and a fine pewter swimming mermaid bead from my family at Green Girl Studios. 
This is another quick submission for the July Art Bead Scene challenge, The Mermaid's Grotto. This simple and elegant adjustable-length choker is FULL of movement, and I adore the way the light catches in the clear vintage Czech glass drops! They look just like drops of water. I was highly inspired by my family, Green Girl Studios' component pieces. One of my favorite ones to work with are the Mystic rings. You can use them like I have for adjustable pieces, or float stones in the middle, or use as links, or use them as the focal pendant (and those are just to name a few options)! I just love how versatile it is.
It was good to see Coney Island alive again. Though ever-present was the looming horizon. Old buildings that once stood tall, were reduced to empty lots. Boarded up windows of vacant buildings were painted and decorated to mask the reality that the end is near.
I walked along the beach for some time. It was good to be by the surf. I cannot really explain the connection I feel to sea. I feel it tugging me to it. Recharging me and filling me up with a mysterious energy. Perhaps it's from my mother's blood flowing through my veins?
The Siren Music Festival was going on. So many people were enjoying the music. Though instead of going to a concert, I felt more drawn to sitting out in the sun and reading, enjoying the ocean rather than throngs of people. I saw my stranger there, in the crowd. We locked eyes and were moving towards one another when the current of the crowd pulled us apart.
Against my better judgement, I braved a ridiculously long line to get a hot-dog from Nathan's. I was thinking about Jean Yates the entire time. I was inspired by her blog post about it. Though I paid the price with an upset stomach all the way home. But it was tasty and completed the trip to Coney Island.
Above: Proselytizing pamphlets that were handed out to unsuspecting Harry Potter fans waiting in line. (I wonder if they put the note about not littering, because they knew it would happen?)
Out of intuition, I went to Paula Cole's website. In previous years it was left dormant, a time-capsule of a once glimmering career. It has since been revived with her latest album, Courage. These deeply emotional melodies have become all the richer from her time off to raise a fragile child, pursue academia, and refocus on what is important to her. I feel as though I've grown along with her on her voyage and can relate to the disillusionment that can be found in the grind-shop that is careerism, and the personal joy and satisfaction in making art. I praise Paula Cole's courage and her long-awaited return.
Today has been a luxurious and opulent day. In my pajamas, I lounged about eating honeyed-cakes and crackers with Really Raw Honey (thanks Cynthia!). I enjoyed my snack while listening to new music and reading. I think I'm going to paint the floor a deep cinnabar color. Like in Pompeii. The light color that they are now, forces me to mop too much. For the walls, I think that I want to do an accent wall in a warm honey color. (Is that surprising? Ha!)
Almost finished re-reading The Dark Is Rising by Susan Cooper. I forgot just how much I enjoyed these books. It's been busy around here. Working hard on all my various projects. I'm making plans to go to the Siren Music Festival this weekend at Coney Island before it is no more and enjoy some beach time while it lasts. My prospective roommate flaked out, so it's back to trying to find a new one. The new potential roommates are promising.
This is another quick one for this month's Art Bead Scene challenge, The Mermaid's Grotto. It's a reprise of an earlier design that I did while in Tuscon, but updated and with more of the logistical kinks worked out. Originally there was a streamer of Swarovski crystals and a mermaid dangle that went through the mermaid coin. Unfortunately, movement and various size issues chipped the crystal and deemed it less successful. However, the new design allows for various length changes with the handy-dandy brass hook from Vintaj. Adjustable and versatile pieces are my FAVORITE!
One of my favorite regulars, Edna, brought me a pile of CDs today! What a wonderful surprise and lovely gift! I love music and she was so generous. I really appreciate it. She got me new music by Corinne Bailey Rae, Lily Allen, Interpol, Suzanne Vega, The Magic Numbers, A Fine Frenzy, Air, and KT Tunstall. Some of them are long-time favorites and others will be new discoveries. I cannot wait to listen to them all! I will have to do something especially nice to show my gratitude for such a delightful surprise! Thank you, Edna!
Is it bad that even though I should be sleeping, all I can think about is the new J.K. Rowling book, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows? I simply can't wait to read it. My mind is reeling with all the possibilities and how exactly I'm going to procure my copy. Do I wait in line or get it on-line? The disturbing thing is that I've never sat up in bed, thinking about the war in Iraqi like this. Or about equal rights or about earthquakes or even dying whales.
I love classical literature. One of my favorite myths can be found in Ovid's Metamorphoses. I have been thinking about this one a lot lately. It's the myth of the Cumaean Sibyl. She was one of the most powerful prophetesses of the time and lived in a cave with a hundred openings (which has actually been found). Apparently the Sibyl entered into an agreement with Apollo. She grasped a handful of sand and said that she wished to live a year for each grain of sand in her palm. He granted the wish. However, he did not bestow eternal youth as well. Eventually her body whithered away until she was nothing but her voice, and her voice alone. Some say that if you stand at one of the mouths of the Cumaean Caves, that a voice can be heard in the rushing winds and it is her voice.
I had to take a little break from making things for the Art Bead Scene challenge, The Mermaid's Grotto. I just had to deal with some other more pressing matters. However, here is a new one. It's a quickie, but I think a goodie.
I am a Neil Gaiman fan. Cynthia and I once thought that he was coming to Asheville for a reading at Malaprops. However, we didn't read the fine-print on the poster which indicated that it was only a book club meeting. Needless to say, we were disappointed. I am super excited about this fairy-tale adventure adapted into a movie. And who doesn't love Michelle Pfeiffer as a villain? CLICK HERE for the trailer.
Philip Pullman is another of my favorite fantasy authors. His Dark Materials Trilogy is truly amazing. When I read the books, I simply couldn't put them down. Touted as children's books, they deal with complex ideas about religion and philosophy. The first book, The Golden Compass has been adapted for the big screen and I'm really looking forward to it. CLICK HERE for the trailer.
It's starting to look like I only want to read books that have been made from young adult books, but this is another great series of books by Holly Black and Tony DiTerlizzi. They truly are wonderful and fantastical. And the movie has that kid from Finding Neverland. And who doesn't love Mary-Louise Parker? CLICK HERE for the trailer.
Another of my favorite authors, though of a different variety, is Jane Austen. When first read, I hadn't a clue what they were all about. But as I became wizened to the ways of social strata and dare-I-say-it, romance, they became intricate social satires that never tire. This movie looks to be interesting. I don't know exactly how factual it'll be, but regardless... I am bewitched, body and soul, by Jane's world. CLICK HERE for the trailer.
So, they skipped the first book in the Dark Is Rising Sequence by Susan Cooper, but we'll forgive them that. Yet another fantasy book turned movie, I am really looking forward to it, even if it does seem to have a bit of a cheesy MTV feel to it. CLICK HERE to watch the trailer.
Who doesn't love a good inspirational tear-jerker once in a while? I hadn't heard anything about this film until recently. And from the barely-there advertisements, it leaves much to the imagination. But it's about that kid from Finding Neverland looking for this parents using music to find them in the Big City. And who knew that Robin Williams looked so much like Bono from U2? CLICK HERE for the trailer.
I hate saying that I "love" Goya's work. It has a horror to it that rips at the very foundations of consciousness, and to sentimentalize something like that seems somehow wrong. I am moved by his work. I am fascinated by it. And seeing a film about his life and inner-demons and muses seems wonderfully interesting. CLICK HERE for the trailer.
Walking down the streets of New York City, I saw tons of posters for this movie. But was oblivious to it otherwise. Parker Posey is an iconic New Yorker and an amazing actress. And as much as I hate to say it, I'm hooked on phonics to movies about neurotic females in search of magic in their love-life. I like those and movies with good villains. And movies with magic. CLICK HERE for the trailer.
Today was the deadline for the Bright and Beautiful Design Contest 2007 America for Crystalized - Swarovski Elements. Above is my submission for this year's competition. I titled the piece, "Miel." It means, "honey." I got all my Crystalized - Swarovski Elements from Fusion Beads. The silver bee box clasp is from my family at Green Girl Studios.
Above: Still image taken from the new Warner Brother film adaption of J.K. Rowling's, "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix."
Here is another submission for this month's Art Bead Scene Challenge, The Mermaid's Grotto.
This isn't one of my necklaces, but actually a surprise belated graduation present from the very talented Candice Wakumoto. She's great! Truly one of my favorite people in the bead world. I love her work. She created the one-of-a-kind silver pendant using the cuttlefish casting technique. It is strung with "puka" shells, turquoise, chalcedony, horn, and sterling silver on leather chord. Isn't it great?
I've made yet another submission for this month's Art Bead Scene Challenge, The Mermaid's Grotto.
Since I haven't been to work in a while, things like my over-sized mail have piled-up there. One of the parcels contained a new print by Jamie Fales of Noosed Kitty called, "Stuck on You." I first met her at the Renegade Craft Fair in Brooklyn. It will be added to the growing collection of bunny prints launched by Jen Tong's Bunny Boy.
This is my fifth submission to Art Bead Scene's July Challenge, The Mermaid's Grotto. I've still got loads of ideas and acquatic beads left... so I doubt this will be the last. And to answer a question e-mailed to me: Yes, I've created all of these original pieces since the announcement of the challenge.
This is yet another submission for this month's Art Bead Scene Challenge. I'm on a roll here with the theme of The Mermaid's Grotto.
I've been spending part of my recovery time reading. I know that I should be resting, but there is only so much that I can sleep and I hate being idle. So, I've been sipping on mint tea and relaxing to poems by Pablo Neruda. Right now I'm reading, Twenty Love Poems and A Song of Despair. It's amazing. His poetry is sensual and melancholy all at once; vivid and poignant.
Here is yet another submission for this month's Art Bead Scene Challenge. I wanted to do something a little more modern and abstract for the theme Mermaid's Grotto.
