African Princesses to Goddesses of the Forest.

I have been working on a couple of Tree Goddesses the past few weeks that will be part of my display for the Ancaster Gem, Mineral, Bead and Jewellery Show this coming weekend (September 30, Oct 1 and 2011)  My local Homesense store had these two sculptures on clearance a while ago and I thought they would be perfect for this project.

A friend of my husband , with the right equipment, was kind enough to drill through the shoulders to allow me to insert a bundle of wires.

Next came a couple of layers of plaster cloth and paper clay

         

Then I coated them with a product called Powertex which made them really durable and I painted them to match our booth colours.  They have 10 fingers on each hand and I intend to hang pendants from their fingers with fishing line.  We have raised our table by 6″ and these Goddesses are close to 2′ tall so I think our pendants will be almost at eye level.  Heres hoping it encourages sales.

                

I “Heart” the Beach

                            

This is how I spent my summer vacation.  It took many wonderful hours walking the beach to find all these hearts and I enjoyed every one of them!!  All in all it was a very relaxing, peaceful week……358 days till next time

 

Southampton Classes

        

These are a couple of projects I will be teaching at the Southampton Art School.  The second piece is designed so that the bead can be taken out and replaced with a different stone for a completely different look.

 

My Happy Place

So I have finally finished with my new workroom and I thought I’d let you take a look around before I got it all messed up : )  Here goes.  First I organized all my beads into these neat little screw together containers.  I must have cleaned out 3 Dollarama stores! but they came in 3 different sizes and are perfect for the job (I think)  So now I can see all my beads.

Then came the trip to Ikea.  I bought 2 CD cases and 2 bookcases and, being Ikea, I was also able to get doors to fit on the bookcases to neaten things up a bit.  At the lumber yard I was able to get a shelf that fit the length of all 4 pieces and it will serve as a countertop.   It is a handy space to spread things out on.

      

My stones are organized into these tool cases that I have gotten over the years at the local Home Depot.  The little compartments are removeable and interchangeable.

   

The closet has been outfitted with shelves and houses the cases with the stones, a photography setup, the tumbler, more storage, etc.

There are two desks in the room, one on wheels that I can pull up to any chair.  There is a spot for my computer and I am saving for a new wiresless printer.  I installed a bulletin board and last but not least, hung my autographed picture of Pierce Brosnan : ) (A gift from my daughter).

    

  

So, no excuses now!! : )  There is a place for everything and everything is in its place.  Time to get to work.  I’ve got fall classes to organize!!  I doubt this room will ever be this neat again. LOL  Thanks for looking.

A Place to Create

Since my children have left home (long ago) and are not likely to be returning its time to turn one of the extra bedrooms into a workroom for myself. Don’t know what took me so long to get to it, but it sure will be good to have everything in one place for a change.  So closets have been emptied and painted, trips have been made to Ikea, the lumber yard, and Staples Business Depot and Costco.  Now I am in the middle of sorting things and putting everything in its place.  More pictures will follow. : ) as I get things organized.  I also found some great bead organizing containers at Dollarama.  I swear I cleaned out every Dollarama within 10 miles.

Tree Goddess Pendant Revised

I have been playing around with the Tree Goddess concept changing proportions and trying to add detail.  The reality is….they will all be different, with their own personalities and little quirks : ) but I think I finally am able to turn out a consistantly good looking one.  Thanks for looking….I hope you like her too.

The Dream

About a month ago my husband had a dream that he described in this way.  We were separated …. but not.  I had my own apartment, with 3 bedrooms, and he lived aparently somewhere else.

Well, last night, he arrived home from a sales meeting at which he broke his right ankle and injured his left knee…..so NO good legs : )  I set up a bed in our family room so that he will be able to stay on one level in our 5 level house.  As I climbed the stairs to go to sleep last night I thought…..There are 3 bedrooms on this level.  He can’t climb the stairs so , I pretty much have my own space on the top level….. we are separated….but not…..Hmmmmmmm

Even more curious….my right ankle ached all day Monday….the day he broke his.  I wonder if this is what happens when you have been married for 41 years???

Daytripper Ad

Cheryl, at Robert Hall Originals has done a wonderful job in putting together this ad for the local Daytripper.  If you look closely you can see my name in the black oval : ) and the featured necklace  is one of my beginner classes.

Learning to Work With Copper : )

Having worked only with Sterling wire I found copper to be a challenge to work with in the beginning.  Now that I have completed a few projects though, I find myself really enjoying it.  It is so much more freeing and relaxing, knowing that if my design does not work out, I will not be putting silver in the trash.  These are a couple of tree designs I have been working on lately.(One tree, One Goddess Tree)   Maybe once I am happy with the finished product I will re-do it in silver but I’m kinda liking the look of the antiqued copper.

Booth Setup

Just thought I would post a picture of our booth at the Ancaster Gem Show.  This was the first time that we set it up and I have to say …. I was quite pleased with the result.

Soul Gems at The Ancaster Gem Show.

Not only will I be teaching classes at the Ancaster Gem Show but will be a participant in the show.  The new venture I am involved with …Soul Gems….will have a spot as one of the vendors.  I am anxious to see how everything looks in our new display ….got the banner and business cards…..printed the stone story cards.  Everything is ready to go….just have to wait till Thursday.  If you are in the area come out , it promises to be a good show.

Upcoming Classes at the Ancaster Gem Show

I will be teaching 4 classes at the Ancaster Gem, Mineral, Bead and Jewellery show this coming weekend.  Check them out at http://www.ancastergemshow.com/classes.htm  This is only the second year for this show but if it is anything like last year it promises to be great.  There is a good variety of product so ….lots to see and do.  There are a lot of free seminars and demonstrations  offered also.  Come by and say Hi

Fall Classes Begin

Summer is over so…… time to get back to work.  Classes have begun at Robert Hall Originals on Saturdays and this Saturday, the 18th,  I will be teaching at the Canadian Bead Oasis Show.  I’m looking forward to seeing some repeat students and meeting some new ones.  Happy to be back !!!!!

New Project Launch…..Soulgems.ca

I’m pleased to announce the launch of a project that I have been working on since the beginning of the year.  It is the creation of a business and website in which I have partnered with 3 other talented artists.  Soulgems.ca has been my vision for a very long time and the partners I have chosen share this vision.  The mythology and properties of these wonderful gemstones has always been a source of fascination for us and designing  jewelry with that in mind has been such a creative venture!!  This has been a labour of love….I have learned so much! from setting up  the website to creating the jewelry which populates it.  So….if you have the time….wander on over and check it out at www.soulgems.ca

Weekend Workshop at the Southampton Art School

My 3 day workshop at the Southampton Art School was wonderful.  It was a very relaxed atmosphere and the students accomplished several projects.  This was the first time teaching there and I thoroughly enjoyed myself…great accommodation…..great class…..great town.