The Dark Is Rising...

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.

Art Bead Scene: The Mermaid's Grotto 9...

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!

I wanted to accentuate some of the rusty browns that naturally occur in kyanite. I love blue and brown combinations.

The fine pewter mermaid ring and the "hugging" mermaid bead are from my family at Green Girl Studios. All of the stones are from Talisman Associates Inc., seedbeads from Jane's Fibers and Beads, Swarovski crystals from Fusion Beads, heavy silver chain from Jess Imports, finer silver chain from Saki Silver, and brass hook from Vintaj. Oh, and the pressed Czech glass bead is from Raven's Journey.

A Surprise...

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!

Flood...

I awoke to the sound of thunder.

Early this morning, sheets of rain fell heavily from the sky. It was pitch-black outside, except for the periodic flashes of lightning. Water gushed forcefully from the gutter-pipes and washed down the streets in small rivers. Strong winds whipped around, making signs and trees sway.

I futilely rolled my pant-legs up, put on my sandals and got my umbrella (putting my socks and work shoes in my bag) and proceeded to make my way to open the store. I ran, splashing as I went with each foot-fall, to the subway station. The umbrella did little to prevent the rain from drenching me completely. During my rush to the station, I slipped several times, only just catching my precarious balance each time. At one point as I was crossing one of the streets, one of my sandals washed off my foot and was part way down the street with the quick current of the new street-river. I dashed after it on one foot, fearful of stepping on a used hypodermic needle in the gutter.

When I finally got on the train, I was dripping wet. The quick run through the rain made my chest heave up and down. My underwear was completely (and uncomfortably) soaked through. I had to fish out my cell phone from my pant pocket to make sure that it wouldn't get wet and water-damaged. The cold air of the train made me shiver.

This is how I started my day.

One would think that the day would be miserable, but it was actually quite fun. And after a quick squeezing of my under-garments and drying off with the paper towels in the bathroom at work, the day went by quickly and on a very humorous note. When asked how I was doing, I would solemnly say with an awkward twist of my mouth, "My underwear's still wet." Which always seemed to provoke a riot of thunderous laughter.

Things Are Good...

As I walked home from the train today, I saw the most beautiful formation of birds. Normally they spiral about and seemingly swim upon the wind. Which is beautiful to see as well. But, today, it was the way that they all flew in a straight line that struck me.

It seemed to be a direct message: Keep doing what you're doing. Go forward.

I felt all filled up. I have a wonderful family who is constantly inspiring me and challenging me creatively. Our connection runs deep. We are bound with more than just blood, but a sense of communal memory. That alone would be enough, but still yet I am even more lucky. I have friends whom I deeply cherish. Some that I have known for years, others who are still new to my heart. Some of them are close and others are far flung, but regardless... our times together glow fondly in my mind. This too is would be reason enough to feel complete, yet I have even more reason to feel very auspicious. I am doing what I want. It isn't always easy, but I am living my life and doing what I need to do. Each day I wake up with SO many possibilities.

Someone told me earlier today that I had, "such an interesting life." But I wouldn't say that my life is exceptionally unordinary. I just live my life and tell my story as it unfolds. Perhaps one would say that it is my voice and how I tell that story that makes things special.

So... right now... I feel flush with positive energy. I know it's sappy and sentimental to say as such, but it's true. Within me there is a quiet voice that says, "Things are good." I have learnt the important lesson of listening to the voices that matter... and right now... this is the one that matters. And it is right... things ARE good.

Restless...

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.

Busy Bee...

Now that I'm feeling better, I'm starting to pile my plate even higher! Is it possible?

I was accepted to the next round of the NYC Teaching Fellows, so I'm going to have to prepare for the next interview. If I get the position, it's going to completely change everything! I'm a little nervous, but excited about all the possibilities. I really want to make a difference and give young adults the tools they need to get ahead in life.

I'm finishing up my collection of poems. I'm going to take a week or two off from it to gain some perspective before I go back into revisions. All the poems are loosely based on a ficticious woman dealing with the death of her lover. I know, it's not the most up-lifting theme, but once the idea popped into my head... it wouldn't leave. I've started a stack of watercolors that go along with the poems. I might self-publish everything so that I have complete control over the project. I will post more information as it comes.

My studio is shaping up slowly. I'm getting my beading table all organized and set up for success! I went to the Container Store and bought all manners of boxes and storage units to fill up with my beads. Perhaps I bought too many boxes, or maybe I just need more beads... (at least that's what I tell myself.)

Still looking for the right roommate. It's a trying process, but I think things are getting better. I'm meeting with a really great girl tomorrow for tea to see if we click.

Craft night is starting up soon! I'm really looking forward to it. I have a sense that it'll be a good time. My buddies and I sipping on fancy cocktails while making fun artsy projects and catching up! Good times, indeed.

The book proposals are going slower than ever. On my days off this week, I'm going to try and go out and capture some inspiration. I think I might go for a long walk and bring my camera.

I've started the research for my new paintings. I imagine that's why I've been thinking about myths more than usual nowadays. Many of them will draw heavy reference from them. I'll post some pictures as I complete the new work.

Speaking of new work, I've got to start getting my portfolio materials ready for my grad school applications. If the NYC Teaching Fellows doesn't work out, I want to be prepared to apply for graduate school.

The Saul Bell Design Competition deadline is coming up soon and I want to finish a piece or two for it! It've got some really great ideas for it. I just wish that I had more time to complete some of the projects that I have in mind that will take lots of time.

Oh, and I have to finish up writing some articles.

And I can't forget that some of my friends are in town and that I absolutely MUST hang out with them before they leave!

So much is going on that perhaps I'm forgetting some things. Like the fact that I've decided to shape my side-burns like the way they have in all those Jane Austen movies. I'll post pictures as soon as they are all grown in and not sparse looking.

A Myth...

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.

Art Bead Scene: The Mermaid's Grotto 8...

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 used pieces of beach glass that my sister, Sheila hand-drilled. The tumbled serpentine and pearls came from Talisman Associates Inc., the fine pewter mermaid pendant came from my family (Green Girl Studios), and the Swarovski crystals came from Fusion Beads. I got the chain from a store in Raleigh, NC called Ornamentea.

Movies to See...

Every once in a while, I come out with a list of movies that I'd like to see that have either just come out or will soon hit theaters. Here's my current list:

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.

Bright and Beautiful...

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.

When I had originally selected the crystals, the color on my monitor must have been off, because I had thought that the pale (almost green-ish) color of jonquil was much darker and more of canary tone. However, in the long run, I quite like the color palette and pleased that the "honey piece" isn't over-the-top in its color symbolism.


Left: I normally don't model the jewelry I make on myself, however, I wanted to see how it looked worn without a mirror. None of my good friends were around... so I had to put it on myself. I quite like the piece. It was inspired by dripping honey.

Right: Here is one of the more elaborate and fancy techniques in photographing the piece. It was taken on a mirror to give it that nice sense of floating. It also makes it look like there was more beadwork done with the mirror-image.

Harry Potter Break...

Above: Still image taken from the new Warner Brother film adaption of J.K. Rowling's, "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix."

So, after a few days of frantic work, I decided to take a little break. It was absolutely beautiful outside today! After work, I went up to Bryant Park for some ice cream and then went bead shopping for some new designs for some up-coming competitions. Okay, so the bead shopping was more work oriented, but it was still fun. I then headed back down to Union Square, where I had a quick doze in the shade of the trees. It was so relaxing. I then browsed around Barnes and Noble before meeting up with Jenny to see the new Harry Potter movie.

Out of all the books, I think it was perhaps my least favorite of them, but the movie was all right. I liked it more than the last movie, which happened to be my favorite of the books. Some of the scenes in the latest movie were really amazing. I especially like the opening scenes, just before the Dementors show up. I guess the problem I have with these movies is that so much of the content has to be cut out for the sake of being timely, yet certain elements... unimportant things... are enhanced. That and sometimes solid acting is replaced by CGI effect distractions. But, all in all, I liked it. I am definitely looking forward to reading the next installment due out next week!

Working...

This is just a quick little note. I'm so tired. I've been working my fingers to the bone trying to finish up some last minute projects before the deadlines all come. A nice (much-needed) rain came through and cooled things down. I thought it made it perfect for me to show the apartment in, but alas... only a handful of people braved the weather. I will have to host another Open House for the room in my apartment.

In other news, I made it to the next rounds of interviews for the NYC Teaching Fellows. Wish me luck.

Anyway, I've got to jet now. Lots of work to do still yet.

Art Bead Scene: The Mermaid's Grotto 7...

Here is another submission for this month's Art Bead Scene Challenge, The Mermaid's Grotto.

I've always had a soft-spot for Classical literature. One of my favorite authors of the ancient world is Homer. He uses a phrase to describe the ocean that I just love. He describes it as, "the wine-dark sea." Doesn't that just conjure up so many images? This piece is an ode to that phrase used throughout his works. The rich reds and burgundies go well with the subtle shades of pink and copper found in the shibuichi pendant that my family (Green Girl Studios) makes. I matched the shibuichi mermaid pendant with an African Dowry ring from Chevron Trading Post in Asheville, NC, Swarovski crystals from Fusion Beads, stones and pearls from Talisman Associates Inc., copper chain from Ornamentea in Raleigh, NC, and borosilicate rondells by Shannon Hill.

From the Islands of Hawii...

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?

Art Bead Scene: The Mermaid's Grotto 6...

I've made yet another submission for this month's Art Bead Scene Challenge, The Mermaid's Grotto.

I was doing a lot of thinking about the sea at different times of day and how depending on weather conditions and where the sun is in the sky, it appears to be different colors. So, I'm breaking a little bit away from the blues and greens that I was working with recently. This one utilizes more purples, grays, and more subtle shades of green. The pewter mermaid doughnut is by my family at Green Girl Studios, the shell beads are from Lillypilly Designs, the "faux-boro" rondells are from Val at Gray Parrot Glass Studio, the stones and pearl are from Talisman Associates Inc., the heavy silver chain is from Jess Imports, and the gold cornerless cubes are from Saki Silver.

Stuck On You...

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.

Art Bead Scene: Mermaid's Grotto 5...

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.

Even though I'm sick, I'm having a lot of fun putting necklaces together for this month's theme. I've held on to this Heather Wynn focal bead for a while now, but really wanted to do something special. I think I have. Heather calls these types of beads, "Tucson" beads. But for me, I think of each of these polymer mokume beads as a little planet, churning with oceans and seas yet to be explored or charted. I used the Heather Wynn bead with various stones and pearls from Talisman Associates Inc., gold cornerless cubes from Saki Silver, Swarovski Crystals from Fusion Beads, and vintage lucite from Pudgy Beads.

Art Bead Scene: Mermaid's Grotto 4...

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 waiting (actually for a few years now) to use this lampwork "Haiku" bead by Lisa Kan. I wanted to find the perfect way to showcase this little work of art that reminds me so much of the sea. In creating this piece, I also wanted to play around with different textures. For instance, the smooth matte finish of the natural agate towards the top, to the chunky and crisp faceted "green moonstone" near the bottom right. Both juxtaposed with the lustrous pearls and gilt wire-wrapping. All of the stones and pearls I used came from Talisman Associates Inc. The gold-plated Thai silver square bead with the wave motif came from Singaraja Imports. The gold cornerless cubes came from Saki Silver.

Twenty Love Poems and A Song of Despair...

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.

So That You Will Hear Me
by Pablo Neruda

So that you will hear me
my words
sometimes grow thin
as the tracks of the gulls on the beaches.

Necklace, drunken bell
for your hands smooth as grapes.

And I watch my words from a long way off.
They are more yours than mine.
They climb on my old suffering like ivy.

It climbs the same way on damp walls.
You are to blame for this cruel sport.
They are fleeing from my dark lair.
You fill everything, you fill everything.

Before you they peopled the solitude that you occupy,
and they are more used to my sadness than you are.

Now I want them to say what I want to say to you
to make you hear as I want you to hear me.
The wind of anguish still hauls on them as usual.
Sometimes hurricanes of dreams still knock them over.
You listen to other voices in my painful voice.

Lament of old mouths, blood of old supplications.
Love me, companion. Don't forsake me. Follow me.
Follow me, companion, on this wave of anguish.

But my words become stained with your love.
You occupy everything, you occupy everything.

I am making them into an endless necklace
for your white hands, smooth as grapes.

Art Bead Scene: Mermaid's Grotto 3...

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.

I used borosilicate rondells by Bobby Rhodes of Family Glass, pearls from Talisman Associates Inc., a lampwork focal by Maria of Lost Marbles Lampwork, Swarovski Crystals from Fusion Beads, silver chain from Ornamentea in Raleigh, NC, and a silver clasp by Saki Silver.

Overall, I like the design. However, I think I might go back in and tighten the pearl strands around the wire-wrapped one. I also think that I'm going to change how I connected the pearl strands with loops. At first I really liked the loops, now I think they are a bit bulky for this piece. I'm not sure. I'll sit on it for a bit.

Hidden Discovery...

I was trying to do a little cleaning in between resting, when I found the suitcase that I took to the Bead & Button show in Milwaukee a few weeks ago. It felt strangely heavy. I felt around the inside of suitcase and found the following goodies stowed away in one of the side pockets. I had completely forgotten that they were there!


Anne Mitchell, who makes amazing chain maille pieces, shares the history of the medium, basic techniques and various patterns in Chain Making Techniques. It's a comprehensive guide to making all sorts of chain projects, from the introductory 4 in 1 Vertebrae to the advanced Mermaid's Mesh. Also keep an eye out for her other book, The Low-Tech Bench.


The talented former editor of Stringing Magazine and author of Stringing Style, Jamie Hogsett, gave me a copy of her latest collaboration with Marlene Blessing, Create Jewelry: Pearls. This book is great! The jewelry is beautiful and the layout is impeccable. My copy is inscribed with a message, "Andrew, you're my most favorite little trouble-maker!!!" I don't know what she means.

Art Bead Scene: Mermaid's Grotto 2...

This is another quick one for July's Art Bead Scene Challenge. I don't know if you can submit more than one entry officially, but I was really inspired by this month's theme, The Mermaid's Grotto. Since I've been sick, I haven't left the house much and couldn't help but make another really fast piece.

Those who are familiar with my design work know that I love chain! I especially love the chaotic beauty of haphazardly twisted chain. I love the flowing quality it has.

I'm constantly inspired by my family and what we make. I've used two Green Girl Studios pieces in this design. One is the Tiny Mermaid Dangle and the other is the Large Mermaid Button. Both are in fine pewter. I've also used a Lillypilly Designs shell, a piece of Czech glass from Raven's Journey, pearls from Talisman Associates Inc., kyanite points from Cherry Tree Beads, and silver chain from Ornamentea in Raleigh, NC.

French Onion Soup...

I thought that I was feeling a little bit better and tried to go into work today. But it was just not happening. Luckily everyone is on vacation and it was fairly slow. I met the new girl, who apparently is my neighbor. She's really nice and I think one of the regulars has a crush on her.

Gisselle is back from the Dominican Republic. She brought me a bottle of rum! It looks good. Though it'll be another two weeks before I can drink anything again. This will slow down my bottle-cap collecting.

I got home and tried to rest, but I hate just being idle. So after unsuccessfully trying to rest, I finally took pictures of my other ABS submission and started to make French Onion Soup from scratch. A few hours later, the soup was ready. It's delicious.

Right now I'm trying to think of ideas for the New Green Girl Studios Inspiration Book. It's a guide on things that the Green Girl family does to stay creative and inspired. I wonder what people have questions about? Cynthia and I have been tossing ideas back and forth for some time now. I guess it's always interesting to hear feedback on what people would like to know, as opposed to what we think people would like to know. For instance, if it were up to me, I would probably have a recipe for one of our favorite dishes on every page. But then again, I love food.

In fact, I'm going to go warm the rest of the soup up.

Sleeping to Fireworks...

Most of the day was spent sleeping in bed. I'm still really sick and need to rest. I wish that there were more interesting things to update on. But things have pretty low-key since I haven't been able to be out and about.

I have been having several more fever dreams. One of them was of my friend Josh and I in a glass elevator. We had a box of kittens (three little black and white ones) and I was explaining to him the bead show circuit and how to set up a table and so forth and so on. Then we got out on the show floor and I introduced him to Jane from Jane's Fibers and Beads and we set up the table. Perhaps I'm going to the Louisville show this year.

I had another dream about one of my managers, Jenny, and how it was the end of the world. Things kept exploding and buildings kept getting sucked up in the air. Perhaps it's because there were fireworks going off earlier while I was sleeping.

When I lay down with a fever, it usually is broken up by me serving people. That probably doesn't make any sense. But I guess I have very intense realistic dreams of me making coffee beverages and taking orders. It almost feels as though I'm actually working. Which is a pain because instead of waking up feeling all refreshed, I just feel like I worked an eight hour shift. This sometimes happens when I work the long bead shows, that are more than two days.

Hopefully next year I'll be better and that I'll be able to enjoy the fireworks properly. I love fireworks... though just not when I'm sleeping.

Unfortunate...

It's unfortunate that I'm not feeling well and that the weather is so nice. I had to leave work early today because at certain points my voice would just stop or I'd go into a coughing fit. That and I don't think I could have yelled later in the day, as my day-job requires me to do. Everyone is getting sick at work. I blame one of my managers. He's the Typhoid Mary. Oh well. Here's to a quick recovery (for everyone)!

Somehow I got suckered into working an extra day this week. I don't know if I like this. But I imagine it'll be good since I had to take part of today off. It'll give me a chance to paint a big red "X" on the door like they used to do in the plague times.

In the meantime, my Fourth of July will be spent trying to get better for work the next day. So, no rooftop barbecues sipping Coronas and watching fireworks this year. If I'm conscious, maybe I'll make some more jewelry or continue my work on my ultra-secret project.

Art Bead Scene: Mermaid's Grotto...

This is my submission for July's Art Bead Scene competition. The theme for this month is The Mermaid's Grotto. Since I've been under the weather, I haven't been going out and about too much and worked on this instead. (I haven't really been able to rest and I can't abide just sitting idle.)

It's a quick design that utilizes shimmering silver, glittering Swarovski crystals, aquatic borosilicate, delicate shell, lustrous pearls, and luminous Czech glass. The inspiration for this piece was a Shibuichi mermaid that my family made at Green Girl Studios. You can see the original wax that Cynthia carved by CLICKING HERE and scrolling down to the specific entry in the archives of her blog. Green Girl Studios also made the sterling silver clasp. The floral print shell pendant is from Lillypilly Designs and the Czech glass is from Raven's Journey. I got all of my silver chain and silver beads from Saki Silver. The pearls all came from Talisman Associates Inc. The sterling silver bead-holder is from the very talented Candice Wakumoto. All of the Swarovski crystals were purchased from Fusion Beads and the seed-beads are from Jane's Fibers & Beads.

Above Right: Photo is a close-up detail of the shibuichi seahorse-mermaid piece. The image doesn't really do the shibuichi or shell justice as both have variegations of blue and green that simply aren't being captured by the camera.

New Print by Jane Wynn...

So, after I picked up my Balanced print by Jane Wynn at the Renegade Craft Fair in Brooklyn, I swung by her Etsy store and got another one titled, Pygopagus. It seems as though my collection of bunny-related prints has grown ever since the Bunny Boy by Jen Tong.

I'm loving my new Jane Wynn print!

Amy's Quiz...

Amy Wilson posted a quiz that she has developed that borders on conceptual performance art. CLICK HERE to go to the exact posting on her blog. Here are my responses:

What is your first memory of swimming?
I actually can't swim. My first memory of being in a swimming pool was at Aloma Park. I dived in and almost drowned. I don’t think I tried to learn after that.

What is your first memory of being lost?
I remember being lost early on, but the clearest memory of being lost that I can summon up is at Wal-mart. I couldn’t find my mom or the car.


What is your first memory of being in a forest?
I don’t know if this counts, but one of my earliest memories is running through the tangerine groves next to our house in Florida. The next time I actually remember being in an actual forest is when we went on a field trip to do the Mud Walk.

Do fish have feelings?
I suppose so.

Do plants have feelings?
I’m not 100% convinced on that they do. But I could be wrong.

Do bugs have feelings?
The animated cartoons tell me that they do.

What was the last lie you told?
“I’m really happy for you.”

Are there lies you believe in even though you know they’re lies?
Yes, but I’m not going to say what they are.

Were you lied to as a child?
Yes. We lived in a house of lies and secrets.

If yes, do you forgive the person who lied to you?
I suppose I’ve forgiven the people that told me lies. Some of them still burn in my memory though. I doubt that they will ever truly go away.

Have you ever punched someone?
Yes.

Have you ever wanted to be punched?
Yes.

Do you have an imaginary friend?
I’ve had imaginary friends in the past. Though it has been a while since we’ve communicated. To this day I don’t think they were imaginary, so much as just disembodied.

Have you ever felt that there is an exact replica of you, somewhere on earth?
Yes. I’ve been told countless times that people have met me before.

Do you still play “pretend”?
Of course. I think the job of an artist and a writer is to play pretend. I also spend time with a small child, not yet three.


Have you ever had a profound spiritual experience?
Yes.

Have you ever experienced incredible, transcendent beauty?
Yes.

Have you ever had either experience as a result of viewing a work of art?
Yes.

How do you feel when you stand in front of a famous painting?
It depends on the painting.

How do you feel when you stand in front of a work of art that you love?
My heart breaks a little bit.

Which is more beautiful – the most beautiful painting in the world or the most beautiful garden in the world?
Both. No one thing is more beautiful than the other. They are beautiful in different ways.

Do you have a deep, spiritual connection to very specific works of art?
I do. There are some pieces that I feel my soul is connected to in the act of looking, seeing, and experiencing.

Is there an object in your home you believe is endowed with special powers?
Yes.

Do you know that this isn’t true and yet you believe it anyway?
Some of the items don’t have special powers, yet I have faith in the fact that they should or might or could or could have had at one time... but there are some that still have powers and the knowledge of their power cannot be denied.

Do you believe there are ideas that are worth physically fighting for to protect?
Yes.

Do you think you will ever be called upon to fight for your beliefs?
Perhaps.

Have you ever stood up for someone or something because you felt utterly compelled to?
More often than I would like. I cannot stand it when someone is getting picked on. Especially when there are no grounds for it. I don't necessarily like conflict, however, I'm certainly not afraid of it.

Have you ever made sacrifices because it was the morally right thing to do?
Yes.

Do you believe in the existence of any moral absolutes?
I don’t necessarily believe in absolutes. It’s not always as simple as black and white.

Have you ever wanted to take on the suffering of another person to spare them the pain?
Everyday.

What was the last news story to deeply affect you?
A child being abducted, molested, and murdered. The child was the same age as Baby One.

How did you react?
I puked.

When you hear about the war in Iraq, how do you feel?
I have a mixture of feelings. Most of them are tinged with deep sadness.

Have you ever turned away from news coverage of a story you found too unpleasant to deal with?
Yes. I don’t read or watch the news on a regular or even semi-regular basis anymore. Having worked in the journalism field, I know first hand how stories are often times manipulated to get a certain point across. That alone is a reason why not to become involved with it. That and it is excessively negative.

Do you trust the American political system?
No, but you’re not supposed to. Too much trust or blind faith leads to bad judgments.

Have you ever wanted to travel to a war-torn country?
Yes. At times I think that I want to join some humanitarian aid organization and go around the world helping those who need help. Eventually I’ll do this.

Do you know anyone who has ever fought in a war?
Yes. Several family members and friends of the family.

Have you ever seen extreme poverty?
Yes and I didn’t like it.

Have you ever seen someone gravely ill?
Yes and I didn’t like that either.

Do you know someone who is sick now, but can’t afford treatment?
Yes, and it breaks my heart. It is STUPID that people who need help can’t always get help.

Have you ever been on welfare, food stamps or lived in public housing?
Nope.

If abortion becomes illegal, what will you do?
It doesn’t really effect me directly, seeing as how I have nothing to abort. But, if it did become illegal, I imagine that I would stand up for the rights of those who’s rights were taken away. “I may not agree with what you have to say, but I will fight to the death your right to say it.”

Do you ever wonder what’s going on in Afghanistan? Or New Orleans?
I do. Sometimes I imagine going to these places and seeing for myself. Sometimes I don’t believe anything really happened at all. It is so easy to distance yourself from these things.

Sick Days...

I have been trying to resist it, but I've been sick the past couple of days. Which has basically meant that my days off were pretty much days spent tossing and turning, sweating, and coughing. Yuck! I blame one of my managers for getting me sick.

These past few days were pretty lovely from what I hear... significantly more cool than the preceeding couple of days. Oh well, perhaps the cold-front will settle on New York for a while and I'll be able to go to the beach or sit in the park on one of my other days off.