autumn is for acorns

Because it wouldn't really be autumn around here if I didn't make a couple of acorns.

In my shop.

my 8x8 piece

We're having a fundraiser where I work in which almost 50 of our artists have created artwork on 8"x8" canvases that will be sold starting Sat. Oct. 10th. We were to make a piece that was representative of our "style" and this is what I came up with.

The first thing I did was to take the canvas off and use just the frame. I needled my scene and, in wanting to keep the 8"x8" size, "framed" my piece with leather belt pieces.

It looks at home on the forest floor but it's actually meant to hang on the wall.

Those ants found their way into my piece, I'm sure, because of this encounter.

For those of you that are local, please join us on Oct. 10th from 10-2 in the Crossing Arts Gift Shop in the Franklin Arts Center for this fun sale, mingling, and snacks. Each of the pieces will be available for sale for $50 or you can take your chances and place a bid at $25. If no one outbids you by the end of the month, the piece is yours. There are some beauties to be had, and it's for a great cause.

Happy Sunday, all.

rather, autumn

No dandelion seeds showed up in my stitching. Rather, autumn. I think I'm ready.

In my shop today.

seeing stitches

I saw a lone dandelion stalk illuminated in the rising sun this morning. By the time I grabbed my camera to capture it, the sun had moved past it. I captured it anyway, and instead of an illuminated orb I see stitches.

I think that means I need to stitch some stones.

Hope you all have a loverly Sunday.

it ain't pretty

There's been a secret I've kept from you all, one that gets carefully omitted from photos, and oft-discussed with my husband. A giant, unsightly beast, whose mere presence raises my blood pressure. An eyesore representative of just another project left uncompleted, hidden under tarps. Given to us as a gift, we (ahem, husband) imagined happy family adventures on the road but it's yet to be moved. I've threatened to call the scrap company to haul it away a dozen times only to be reminded that it has new tires, and it's one part away from running, and we've already started to gut the inside, and we have paint!

It was in a conversation this weekend that I began to see it differently; as an opportunity rather than an eyesore.

But oh holy buckets is it an eyesore.

We had started to gut it a few years ago and just look at this mess.

I do dig that plaid seat though.

So it seems I have myself a new project and maybe, just maybe, lil fish studios will be on the road someday soon.

Wish me luck! (and Lysol)

playing with fire

My weekend was just as wonderful as I had hoped it would be. I got to hang out with great friends, eat way too much pasta, laugh lots, and play with fire.

Lynn did an amazing job at teaching us the basics of torch-fired enamel. Even those that were timid at first were beating their chests with new-found confidence by the end of class. Everyone got plenty of practice first and then made their own choice of earrings or pendants. I made a couple of each.

My work is nowhere near as perfect as Lynn's but I love it anyway. What a fun experience.

What? You don't know Lynn? Stop by her blog or shop to have a look. Not only is she an enamel queen, but a skilled stone-cutter and metalsmith, and painter, to boot.

Have a great week, all!

impending shenanigans and satisfaction

I've been ears-deep in grant-writing the past several days.

My kids have started school and with that comes the wrangling of four little schedules, the monitoring of homework, the making of breakfasts, and the fun of shoving them on the bus at 6:45am.

Throw in some car trouble, for grins.

I've been so busy that I haven't done a bit of art-ing in more days than I'd like.

BUT.

Tomorrow a dear friend I've never met in person (the power of the internet connects us) is coming to see me, teach a class on torch-fired enamel and have a trunk show at my work. Another life-long friend is flying in the event and there shall be shenanigans. (oh yes there shall)

Shenanigans

and laughs

and torching things

and good meals

and friendship

and laughs.

Oh am I looking forward to the laughs!

(and the shenanigans and friendship)

I imagine that by the time Monday rolls around I'll be full and satisfied, like that little tree frog up there.