Gypsy Moon Art Studio

Give-away Winner!

2011-10-30T12:38:00.003-04:00

Thanks so much to everyone who entered my give-away.
I was overwhelmed with the participation!

The winner is: Ginger!

Please stay tuned to my Etsy shop as I will be listing new things very often!
You may even find the perfect gift for someone on your Holiday shopping list.

And ...
Happy Halloween!!!

Give-Away Time!

2011-10-24T08:47:00.004-04:00

I have been thinking about doing a give-away for ages now.
I even held a poll on my Facebook fan page.

I met a milestone on Etsy last week that I am very excited about...

I had my 400th sale!!

It's time to give my lovely friends some goodies!! ♥

I could not decide what to give away, so you are getting a goody bag of 3 of my creations!
Keep them for yourself, give them as holiday presents, it's up to you!

In the goody bag:
* A carnelian nugget necklace
that has been wrapped in copper wire and hangs from a copper chain.
* An adjustable copper ring with purple and hot pink beads wrapped into it.
* A copper spiral barrette or shawl pin.

Here's what you need to do:
* Become a follower of my blog.
*Visit my Etsy Shop, and tell me what your favorite piece is.

For extra entries:
* Add my Etsy shop to your favorites.
*Become a fan on Facebook.
* Leave a comment on my Facebook page telling me what your favorite item in my shop is.
*Tweet, blog, Facebook this give-away and post a link to it here.

Be sure to leave a separate comment for each step that you do!
The give-away ends Saturday, October 29 at midnight.
I will announce the winner on Sunday, October 30.

Good Luck!!

Family Time...

2011-08-30T07:58:00.005-04:00

As summer winds down and school nears, our family found time to have one more summer adventure together in Northern Michigan.
I am so in love with the state that we live in! I am lucky enough to have been raised here and I love the history and folklore that is Michigan's story.

Woodlands, lighthouses, canoeing adventures, fishing, beach-combing, and swimming...this made up our adventure this year. Oh! And wild blackberries right beside our campsite.

Wandering Thoughts of Summer...

2011-08-08T09:32:00.007-04:00

I have long been absent from blogland. It was not without want to be here. I have had so many things going on in my life... who doesn't these days? Summer is such a busy time of year!
I must admit that I really, really dislike summer.
I was made for cooler weather.

Autumn is sheer perfection, in my book, and I cannot wait for it to be here!

In the summer I come to a halt. It is far too hot and humid for me!
My garden suffers horribly because of my distaste for humidity.
Although I did manage to grow some beauties this year...

I wondered why my son always had a yellow nose until I saw him sniffing my lilies.

Aren't my Hollyhocks gorgeous?! They look like crepe paper flowers!

I found a collection of hands on one of my treasure hunts. This one is an antique mold from a rubber glove factory.
You can see here how well some of them fit into my show displays.
I think they look very gypsy-ish.

Riding life's roller coaster is amazing and exhausting, isn't it?
There are so many things that have happened lately that really make me appreciate my life and the wonderful people in it.
In the midst of all the government and economical hardships, I have come to realize that my job is to not only care for the people that I love, but to do it in the most self sufficient way that I can.
We need to get back to our roots.
We need to make things from scratch and get our hands dirty.
Bake our own bread and mend our clothes.

I have always been very frugal. It is almost a game with me to see how little I can spend on things. I have been putting that to good use lately.
I have lots of experiments going on around the house right now.
Making my own wine and building an outdoor adobe oven are on my to do list.
----------------------------------------------
I am in the midst of art show season. I have a small break until September and then I have 2 weekends in a row with shows.
I have revamped my booth a little this year and am happy with the results.

This was my great-grandmother's dress. It is amazing!
I have lots of new goodies in my shop.

Here are a few new goodies...

I have many new things to list and a whole heap of new ideas swimming around in my head.
I have big plans coming up and will be sure to check in more often.

See ya again real soon!!

The Butterfly Effect...

2011-04-13T10:34:00.003-04:00

Hello friends! I'm just stopping in quickly today to tell you about an amazing project that I have discovered this morning.

Trudi Sissons of Two Dresses Studio is collecting handmade butterflies for the Holocaust Museum in Houston Texas.
1,500,000 children perished during the Holocaust.
It is the intention of the museum to collect and exhibit 1,5000,000 handmade butterflies to remember those children.

Why butterflies??
The project is based on this poem by Auschwitz victim, Pavel Friedman...

Never Saw Another Butterfly
The last, the very last,

So richly, brightly, dazzlingly yellow
Perhaps if the sun’s tears would sing
against a white stone....

Such, such a yellow
Is carried lightly ’way up high.
It went away I’m sure
because it wished
to kiss the world good-bye.

For seven weeks I’ve lived in here
Penned up inside this ghetto.
But I have found what I love here.
The dandelions call to me
And the white chestnut branches in the court.

Only I never saw another butterfly.
That butterfly was the last one.
Butterflies don’t live in here, in the ghetto.

Written by Pavel Friedman, June 4, 1942

Born in Prague on Jan. 7, 1921.
Deported to the Terezin Concentration Camp on April 26, 1942.
Died in Aushchwitz on Sept. 29, 1944.
-----------------------------------------------------------

For more information on this project, visit Trudi's blog.

I am thinking this would be a lovely project for my Girl Scouts.

Hope you will join us!

The Greening and Cookie Madness..

2011-04-07T09:19:00.008-04:00

Hello there! I have been a busy girl lately. I have found my way out of the mile-high stacks of Girl Scout cookies that completely engulfed my house. My days have been filled with sorting, counting, and organizing!

I had a good helper, although she wasn't very good at counting- she really just wanted to have herself a cookie snack.

In the midst of the cookie madness, I have managed to squeak out a few new designs.
I love these new earring creations!

These green ones are my new favorite! They look so old and mysterious!

This beautiful matching necklace and earrings are created with vintage carved bone beads.
The necklace features an old locket.

These designs are now available in my shop.
More new designs are on their way soon!

------------------------------

Spring is very, VERY slowly headed my way.
Here in Michigan, it takes a little longer for Mother Earth to shake the Winter from her hair.
The cold sinks deeper into her bones and it is harder for her to stretch her limbs and awaken.
The wind is still bitter and the air still crisp,
but...
there are signs of green just beginning to show.

Tiny green sprouts are emerging from a blanket of last fall's brown leaves.

The greening has not yet made a huge impact on the landscape. This field remains unplowed, but in a few months it will be taller than myself with green cornstalks.

We have discovered a fox's den. Soon this will be hidden among the knee deep grasses, but we shall keep a watchful eye to see if any new pups appear.

Arriving home a few days ago, I was greeted with an extra sweet surprise. A package was waiting for me from my dear friend Julie of MermaidenCreations. She makes the most magical soldered jewelry featuring feathers, snakeskin, even Waterhouse paintings (not to mention her witch hats-yes, I will own one someday!)
Last summer I had found this beautiful yellow butterfly wing and mailed it to her for her secret stash.
(Doesn't everyone have a stash of wings, bones, and other treasured oddities?)
Well, she created a pendant from my butterfly wing and sent it to me!
Isn't she sweet?
It is like having my own little piece of Spring to wear and I simply adore it!

I promise not to stay away too long, and will post some pictures of my creations in the works very soon!

Awaiting Spring

2011-03-08T10:03:00.009-05:00

Well, the wheel of time is turning away. Turning the hours into days and the days into weeks. I started the year well enough, with new and creative ideas and projects brewing. But then a curious thing happened. I got caught up in meetings, household chores, deadlines to meet, and the general mundane tasks of a hectic life. And I have lost track of the time.

But, with the new season coming there is new hope! I shall slow down. I shall get more sleep and take better care of my body in order to be my best! I have big plans for the coming year, and aim to share those plans here with you.

As a much needed day out, my family and I went to our favorite museum- The Grand Rapids Public Museum. We are members here and go quite often. The Bodies exhibit was visiting and I planned to take pictures and share them with you. Alas, picture taking is not allowed in the exhibit, and so I have none to share . I will say that if you have the opportunity to visit the Bodies exhibit near you, you should go! It was truly amazing!

The Victorian Carousel is so beautiful and the kids love to ride it. I think my husband does too, he always insists on riding with my son.

They have a beautiful section that replicates the city streets in Victorian times. We could wander there all day. I love visiting all the little shops to see how different things were.

I love these boots! They also have a whole wall of interesting hats from around the world.

A huge whale skeleton hangs from the cieling. My husband and I were here late on evening for a laser light show in the planetarium and they had a wedding set up on this lower floor. It was so beautiful looking out on the river with lights twinkling everywhere. There is something almost comforting about being amongst all these old artifacts and pieces of history.

My favorite section is the natural history and taxidermy section. The kids love to look at all the animals and birds. My husband and I usually find a seat in this section and let the kids wander, it is so fun to see them excited about learning.

I have also started a Daisy Girl Scout Troop at my daughter's school. After asking at the Council about a troop for my daughter to join, they said they had nothing for her, unless I wanted to start a troop. My mom was my troop leader when I was a girl, and I figured it was my duty to pass that on. So I jumped in! We are having a great time!

I am looking very forward to spring arriving. I think that a bit of my frustation was cabin fever. I can't wait to dig in my garden and to smell and feel the dirt. I have big plans for my garden this year! I think I will mostly concentrate on greenery. Ferns, Ivies, trailing tendrils. I have a vision in my head of a cool, lush, green surrounding and I am prepared to work for it! We still have several inches of snow, but I can see the grass peeking out here and there. I do know one other creature who is looking forward to spring- my sweet girl, Jezebel. She is definitely a warm weather dog!

Stalkers and Valentines...

2011-01-19T21:25:00.011-05:00

I love Valentine's Day.

Perhaps it is because I am head-over-heels in love, or because I am a hopeless romantic. Perhaps it is because my birthday is near Valentine's Day and I know when I start seeing red and pink hearts in the stores that my birthday is near.
Whatever the reason, I love it.
I slip love notes in my husband's lunch box and bake cupcakes for my little ones. It is a wonderful excuse to splurge on candy and treats for my Valentines. And this year I have a few extra-secret surprises up my sleeve for them.

This year I have also created a few pieces of Valentine's Day inspired jewelry.
Hopelessly romantic with a little bit of my rustic edginess to them.

They echo the fact that my heart has been pierced by Cupid's arrow.

And I haven't forgotten that men need a Valentine treat to let them know that they are special, too. This stag antler pendant is perfectly romantic and masculine at the same time.

And I think purple has, unofficially, become a Valentine's Day color. This amethyst point necklace is perfect for a Valentine, or for a February birthday girl.

All of these jewelry creations are now available in my Etsy shop.

I am also very excited to be featured in a Solo Exhibit by Beatrice and Violet on Etsy Stalker this week! Violet has been so sweet in our communications and asked me the most interesting questions in my interview. I have been overwhelmed and delighted to the core to read all the kind words that others have written about my jewelry. It has been a wonderful experience.

You can read my interview and enter for a chance to win this moon pendant here.

I am working an a thousand projects at once (as usual), one of which is a horse stable for my daughter's birthday next week. And perhaps a painting or two! I'll be back very soon to share more of my creations with you.

Solstice Greetings (and a surprise!)...

2010-12-21T09:31:00.006-05:00

The Solstice day dawned gray and dreary here, bringing a promise of more snow. A blanket of frosty white covers my garden this time of year, which is stark in contrast to the lush green foliage of summer, but it is beautiful, none the less.

I think, living in Michigan, you must love winter to some degree. It is simply beautiful! I love getting cozy in the house and baking, and bundling up to play outside.

Now, after today, the days will begin to get longer again, and the sun will begin to return. But that doesn't mean the end of winter. Indeed, we are just getting into it!
The dregs of winter are still ahead.
Maybe I enjoy winter because I have a winter birthday. It reminds me of birthday parties that I had as a child that usually involved sledding, cocoa and cake.

One of the things that I love to do in winter is curl up with a blanket, a cup of coffee, and a good book. I have always loved to read, and I have always loved books. I have shelves filled with them, and boxes of them...in my closet, in the basement...I can't bear to get rid of them.

When I was in college, I got my first antique book. A copy of Sir Walter Scott's Ivanhoe copyright 1900. It was in the bottom of a box of sci/fi books that I bought at a flea market. I went back the next week and bought Shakespeare's Hamlet copyright 1896 with a beautiful green cover that was ornately decorated in gold. I returned again the following week, but the book seller had packed up and left.

I was hooked.

From then, I sought out antique books at flea markets, estate sales, anywhere and everywhere. I have grown to love the musty smell that accompanies old books, and the dingy, dark places that you can usually find them.

My family knows of my love for old books and I have recently been given some old schoolbooks and notebooks that belonged to my great-grandfather. They are simply amazing. I especially love the notebooks because they have great-grandpa's doodles in the margin, including "class of '01" (that's 1901!), and the name Meredith (who was NOT my great-grandma).

A few books do not have copyright dates, or publisher information and I have been trying to track down some information on them. While looking through one of these books, The Home Educator, I found a little surprise.

A beautiful old holiday postcard.
It is in near perfect condition with a sweet little scene of Kris Kringle using an old fashioned telephone. The postcard was postmarked December 22, 1909. It tucked it back inside, but am going to have to look into how to correctly preserve it.

Many of you have seen a few of my old books in my jewelry photos. I do not box them all up and hide them away. The ones that are in better shape are out on my shelves and I look through them often. I do have some that are beginning to show their age and loosing pages, those are off limits.
Last summer I had the chance to look through some amazing antique books that my dad has. They are Victorian era books that show the birth of the Michigan counties on the east side of the State. They are full of detailed maps of the townships and downtown areas, and have maps of individual families' land and farms. He recently asked me if I wanted them.

YES! I answered before he could even finish asking me.
I will hopefully be bringing them home with me (very carefully!) next time I visit my parents. You can be sure that I will be pouring over them and I will certainly be sure to share pictures here with you!

I wish you a very happy Holiday Season with your family.
Be safe, cozy, and healthy!

My Holiday Wish List...

2010-12-03T08:22:00.003-05:00

Dear Santa,

I have been a very good mama this year.

I have helped my kids with their homework, and always made sure their teeth were brushed and hair was combed.

I have hugged them everyday and told them how special they are.

I have tried to stay afloat in the sea of laundry.

And I only snuck into my kids' Halloween candy once or twice (ok, maybe 3 times).

I have been exercising regularly (well, I have been thinking about it).

So, anyway... I have my eye on a few things...

Top to bottom:

Night owl shirt by Circular Accessories
Moravian Star by LA Glass
Vintage Hair Pin by Pulp Miscellania
Pantaloons by Bayou Salvage
Felt Robin Hood Hat by Frixiegirl

I will be extra good next year, I promise!

I will be sure to leave a home brewed-beer out for you again this year, I know you get tired of cookies and milk.

The Holidays are Upon us...

2010-12-01T08:38:00.006-05:00

I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving. We spent it with my parents and had a perfectly lovely meal. Of course, we ate until we were stuffed and then ate some more.

Our home is infused with Holiday Spirit. I am very excited about the Holidays this year. Perhaps it is because my little ones are so excited, it is very contagious, you know. We have been decorating, baking, singing songs.
I am hosting my first Holiday dinner this year and am already thinking of my menu. Should we go with the traditional dinner? or should we do something interesting and start our own traditions?

Hmmm. Decisions, decisions.
Does your family have any dinner traditions for the Holidays?

I have also been creating some new pieces. Holiday Bling done Gypsy Moon style...

These are now available here in my Etsy shop. They would make great gifts, or would make a great gift to yourself. You have been good this year, haven't you?

I have many more new creations and will be adding new items to my shop daily.

We woke up to snow this morning. There was much jumping up and down and clapping from my two little ones. The first snow fall is always so beautiful. I love the snow, I just wish there was some magical way to keep it off the roads.

I will leave you with this magical clip from my FAVORITE Holiday movie, White Christmas.
What a wonderful era this was, ladies wore dresses and pearls everyday, and men wore suits everyday. Oh, to dance with Danny Kaye would be amazing...

Ancient Dreams...

2010-11-17T09:25:00.006-05:00

I have always had dreams of another existence.

Images flash when I close my eyes of bonfires with men bearing swords and furs sitting around, laughing in celebration. They are raising their mugs and slapping each other on the back, the sound of drums resonates throughout.

And in the Forest...
Running, climbing, living among the trees.
Gathering berries and lazing next to a stream.
It is beautiful.

These visions are a part of my inner self.
They are my sanctuary when I need a place to hide. I have so many dreams and visions like this, surely they must have been from a past life.

I have often suppressed these inspirations when creating my jewelry. Deciding instead to create what I thought others would want to see.
I have always been been a bit eccentric, never following the rules. So, why would my jewelry designs be any different?

Lately, I have been listening more to my heart. And I like it. And apparently, so do others.
My new designs have been very popular, for which I am extremely thankful. It is so inspiring to create something that is a part of your soul and have others fall in love with it.

It encourages me to create more of these wilderness inspired designs. I don't really have a good name for this style...Feral Fantasy? Wilderness Gypsy? Celtic Tribal?
Believe me, there are many more rolling around in this noggin' of mine.

Remembering...

2010-11-02T10:08:00.005-04:00

Halloween is past, and November comes with it's cold bite and frosty mornings. I have had to dig out knit hats and mittens for the kids to take to school. Can you believe it is November?
The holidays are right around the corner now, and the time seems to fly by faster each year.

Does time go by faster as we get older because we appreciate it more? Or do we appreciate time more because it goes by faster as we get older? Anyway, I wish it would slow down.
I wish I could freeze it right now, with my daughter reading beginner books
and her front teeth missing.
I wish I could freeze it right now with my son learning to write his name and him still wanting to hug me all the time.

I have been thinking about my grandpa alot lately. He passed away while I was on my honeymoon. He didn't get to come to my wedding because he was in the hospital. I hate that he never met my husband, and that my kids will never get to meet him.

He introduced me to Willie Nelson (the only country music that I will listen to) and I thought this song fitting for today.

I also am missing our sweet furry baby, Scotta. She was a 100# Boxer lapdog. She was so lovey and funny. It has been 5 years since she passed and my husband and I still laugh about things she used to do.

So today , on Dia de Los Muertos, I remember my loved ones who have gone
and I will hug my loved ones who are still with me,
and tell them that I love them.

Sacred Heart Cemetery

2010-10-13T09:52:00.006-04:00

I have been admiring this beautiful country cemetery since we moved into our house, and finally had the chance to walk through and photograph it.

Now that my youngest is in preschool for the first time, I am having fun with my new-found freedom (even if it is only 2 days a week). So after dropping the little ones off at school,
Mama took a field trip.

It was a beautiful, perfectly foggy morning. It made my visit to the cemetery so amazingly creepy and sent lovely shivers up my spine. With the leaves rustling and the laughter of workers from the nearby farm filtering through the trees, it truly felt eerie.
I glanced over my shoulder more than once.

This cross has been repaired more than once. The seeping glue looks just like blood oozing from the crack.

There is a corn field in the background of this photo with very thick fog rolling over it.

I love the stone fence that surrounds the cemetery, it has inspired me to build one in my garden.
So beautiful and peaceful...it was the perfect early morning visit.

Master of Macabre...

2010-10-07T17:11:00.004-04:00

Spirits of the Dead

by Edgar Allan Poe

Thy soul shall find itself alone

’Mid dark thoughts of the gray tombstone—

Not one, of all the crowd, to pry

Into thine hour of secrecy.

Be silent in that solitude,

Which is not loneliness—for then

The spirits of the dead who stood

In life before thee are again

In death around thee—and their will

Shall overshadow thee: be still.

The night, tho’ clear, shall frown—

And the stars shall look not down

From their high thrones in the heaven,

With light like Hope to mortals given—

But their red orbs, without beam,

To thy weariness shall seem

As a burning and a fever

Which would cling to thee for ever.

Now are thoughts thou shalt not banish,

Now are visions ne’er to vanish;

From thy spirit shall they pass

No more—like dew-drop from the grass.

The breeze—the breath of God—is still—

And the mist upon the hill,

Shadowy—shadowy—yet unbroken,

Is a symbol and a token—

How it hangs upon the trees,

A mystery of mysteries!
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

In remembrance of my favorite American poetic genius. On October 7, 1849, Edgar Allen Poe passed away in what was his biggest mystery of all.

May his tormented soul rest in peace.

Autumn is Calling Me...

2010-09-21T09:05:00.007-04:00

My favorite time of year is beginning to show it's face. The leaves are just beginning to turn, and the apples are heavy on the trees. What is it about autumn that I love so much? I have such a feeling of giddy nostalgia and there is a certain spookiness that hangs in the air as Halloween approaches. I could, quite happily, live in eternal autumn.

Here are a few of my latest creations that speak "fall" to me...

"Archimedes in Love"

"Woodland Copper Moon"

"The Poet"

"Feral Tendencies"

I will be selling my goodies at the Saline Oktoberfest Celebration this saturday September 25, from 10 am to 7 pm. If you are in the area, come by and say HI! After 7 pm, my husband and I will most likely be found in the Bier Garten slurping up spaetzle and German beer. :)

Catching Up...

2010-08-26T09:28:00.007-04:00

I am busy listing new items this week. There are many more to come!

----------------------------------------------------------------------------
This treble clef barrette is a custom order for a customer, however, it has inspired me to do some other treble clef pieces.

Great Lakes, Great Times...

2010-08-23T11:36:00.020-04:00

What a completely lovely trip my family had. We camped in Michigan's beautiful upper peninsula and explored many different places. It was a bit overwhelming for my 4 year old and he fell asleep in the most interesting places.

I have been visiting the U.P. since I was a child and am completely in love with it's woodland beauty, American Indian Legends, and it's haunting tales of icy shipwrecks. Did you know there have been roughly 5,000 shipwrecks in the Great Lakes?

Leaving was sad for all of us (I must admit I was a bit teary-eyed), but we are looking forward to exploring it together again...next time we will go even further north.

There are a lot of pictures here. I tried to narrow it down, but I just had to share the Michigan love with all of you.

The Mackinac Bridge is almost 5 miles long and connects the lower peninsula to the upper peninsula.

Old Mackinac lighthouse

Colonial Fort Michilimackinac first built in 1715 by the British was used as an outpost for fur trading and introducing the American Indians to Christianity.

Lower Tehquamenon Falls

Upper Tehquamenon Falls

Looking north on Lake Superior at Whitefish Point. There is a large freighter ship, and beyond that is Canada. Whitefish Point is known as the Graveyard of the Great Lakes. More shipwrecks have occurred in this one area than any other.

Sunrise on Lake Huron.

The Mackinac Bridge from the ferry to Mackinac Island.

The world famous Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island.

Arch Rock on Mackinac Island.
The legend that the Ojibwa Indians have passed down is that of a beautiful maiden named She-Who-Walks-Like-The-Mist. She met and fell in love with a Brave from a rival clan. Her father, who was the Chief, did not approve and forbid her to see her love again. He chained her to the top of the hill to prevent her from running away and she wept at the loss of her love. She cried so many tears that they washed away part of the hill and left this beautiful rock formation.

Time to Slow Down...

2010-08-08T16:40:00.010-04:00

My summer shows are over and it is time to slow down...a little. I have another show coming up in September, but for now it is time to enjoy being with my family. I really enjoy participating in art shows. Rising before the sun and hauling all of my gear two blocks to my assigned spot, there is nothing else like it. Ok, I am joking about that part, but I really do enjoy meeting fellow artists. And I love seeing the expressions when people see my eye rings or when they find a pair of my earrings that they love. It is a great boost of self confidence. I create jewelry that I love, it makes me very happy when someone else loves it, too.

If you saw me at a show and are looking for a specific jewelry piece, I am working on getting everything listed in my Etsy shop. If you don't see the piece you were looking for, you can contact me and I will list it online for you right away.

Early morning setup.

What a beautiful day for a show!

Over the winter I will be working on my display to have it ready for next spring and summer. I would like to drape some more fabrics around to give it more of a gypsy caravan feel. I got many compliments on my displays and the beaded curtains were a huge hit. In fact, many people asked me if they were for sale.

Thankfully, I have the best assistant ever! My husband was up at 4 am before each show, lugging heavy packages and bins around, and didn't stop until we were home at night, exhausted. He is also the best salesman, giving tips and information about my jewelry to customers. I really couldn't do it without him!

July Happenings...

2010-07-27T07:54:00.006-04:00

Well, I am beyond busy right now. I am getting ready for my two biggest art shows of the year, which I scheduled on back-to-back weekends...well it sounded like a good idea when I did it. I am a whirlwind of wire and stones right now.

I promised that I would post a link to my TV interview. I will not get into the fact that I have watched this 1,000 times and wish I could redo the whole thing (oh wait- I just did, didn't I?). I am extremely proud that I had this opportunity.

http://www.woodtv.com/dpp/eightwest/Gypsy_Moon_Art-

Alas...I do not claim to be tech savvy and could not, for the life of me, figure out how to embed this video!

I also wanted to share a few pictures from our beautiful Lake Michigan. We love to go there late in the day and watch the sunset.

I will be sure to post pictures of the happenings at my big art shows. If you are in Michigan come by and check them out!

Saugatuck Village Square Arts and Fine Crafts Show
July 31 from 10-5

Holland Art in the Park
August 7 from 9-5

EightWest

2010-07-18T20:31:00.006-04:00

I am so excited to have the opportunity to be included on eightWest, a local west Michigan television show that highlights local artists and businesses. Through the show, I am giving away this copper moon necklace.

I will post more information as I receive it, and also post a link to my interview.
The show will air Monday July 19th at 11 am on WOODtv 8 out of Grand Rapids.

Wish me luck!!

Soul Mates...

2010-07-15T08:55:00.008-04:00

"The luckiest people on Earth live two lives,
The second one begins the moment they fall in love."
~unknown quote
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I was a wild child, running free
Belonging nowhere.
Wandering everywhere.

He stopped me in my tracks
And took my hand.
I blindly went with him.

Our souls remembered each other.

Now, we two run together.
Both still wild.
Bound together by something
We do not wholly understand.

It is sacred to us.

Celebrating ten years of marriage to my best friend and soul mate.

Mina's Treasure

2010-07-14T08:13:00.003-04:00

"You are but mortal woman.
Time is now to be dreaded - since once he put that mark upon your throat."
~Bram Stoker's Dracula

And the Winner Is...

2010-07-08T10:23:00.009-04:00

Well, I finally persuaded the Mad Hatter to pull the winner's name from his magical, feathered hat (we all know that time does not work the same in Wonderland as it does in our mundane world and he couldn't understand why I was in such a rush). And the winner of my copper barrette is...

Jennifer MacNeill-Traylor

Congrats to you, Jennifer!!

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Here is a peek at some new items in my shop this week!

I love this new style of barrette and have many more to be listed soon! I got the inspiration for this style while watching The Lord of the Rings (again!).

Mad Tea Party- Full Moon Magic (and a give-away)

2010-06-24T22:27:00.023-04:00

There is something in the air...

While making my morning rounds in the garden,
I caught a glimpse of a something peeking through the flowers.

And then a small giggle...

I must be going mad I said aloud,

Not yet, dearie, but you are on your way!
I turned to see a spider scurry off. She called behind-
Full Moon Magic is in the air...

Of course! I should have expected this! I glanced up to the sky.

Don't bother looking up. The party is down here!
Mrs. Toad called as she left her house and scurried quickly under the Lemon Balm.
Now hurry on, don't be late!

Late? Party? I knelt down to inspect closer.

I parted the flowers to follow her.

Hey! Do you mind?!
A tiny voice shouted at me.

Oh! Who said that?! Certainly I must be mad now!

Well, you most definitely are nosy!
We are getting ready for the party, now please leave our room!
the ferns scolded. They pointed me in the direction of the party.

I apologized for barging in and went on my way.
I continued crawling through the flowers in search of Mrs. Toad.
Past the geraniums and foxgloves. Through the hollyhocks and daisies.

The garden did not end as I thought it should, but opened into a misty scene with a beautiful tree in the center.

Now I could hear giggling and voices near the tree, so I went closer, curiously.
At first I saw nothing, but then...

Oh good, you're here! Mrs. Toad's voice called to me.
Still, I saw nothing. I closed my eyes.
Certainly, I am dreaming!

You are not dreaming. Open your eyes now.
I opened my eyes onto the most amazing scene!

There was teacups full of rose petal tea, cupcakes sprinkled with little candies,
ribbons, sparkles, bouquets of flowers.
A very curious little group enjoyed the goodies while chatting and quibbling amongst themselves.

Well, I made the cupcakes, so naturally I should eat them all said the boy in a feathered cap.
Well, that is fine, but don't expect any of my cookies the girl argued back.

Why don't you share the treats? I chimed in.
They looked at me in wonder.

You know, I think she may be right! the boy said.
Well, it's worth a try. said the girl.

They continued munching treats and chatting.

The table was set with all sorts of delicious treats and beautiful trinkets and baubles.

I'm glad you found your way. Do sit down and join us.
Mrs. Toad said,
never mind them, they bicker and quibble. But they are quite entertaining, and besides,
the cakes are delicious!

I sat there with the odd party enjoying the treats and conversation
until the wee hours of the night.
At long last, I sleepily said my thank you's to the hosts.
I really didn't want to leave this magical little scene,
but knew I must.

Bye dearie, see you in the garden! Mrs. Toad waved.
I waved as I set off to find my way back through the flowers.

My path seemed to glow from the light of the full moon.
The giggling and clinking of tea cups faded into the distance behind me.

The next morning I awoke to find a beautiful trinket
on my bedside table...
a curvy, copper remnant of tea party magic.

A perfectly lovely little trinket to hold back unruly tresses, or to hold your shawl closed on chilly evenings in the garden.

I would love to pass this magic on to you...

drop me a note below and it may be yours!

Be sure to leave your email address so that I can contact you!

An Invitation...

2010-06-23T16:54:00.005-04:00

You are cordially invited...

to follow me down the rabbit hole.

There will be tea, cakes, treats, and treasures.

Perhaps even a surprise guest or two.

Join my friends and I at our Mad Tea Party this Saturday!

If you would like to participate, I'm sure there is still time!

We are busily baking, frosting, decorating and glittering!

With only a little sneaky taste here and there...

Hope to see you there!

Catching Up and Checking In

2010-06-12T08:12:00.012-04:00

I hope you all haven't forgotten about me. My adventures in blogland seem to get pushed to the back burner when my life gets hectic. We had Kindergarten graduation and now summer vacation is officially underway! I am now trying to find a new balance between my business and little ones who are home all day long needing attention. Sometimes I have to remind myself that the choice to work from home was made so that I can be here for my little ones. I am working on creative ways to get my work done and still supply them with wonderful memories of summer fun. We have been going outside in the morning and having fun, and then coming in for the heat of the day. They work on art projects or have some rest time while I get some jewelry projects done. I cannot tolerate the heat (I am like a flower, you know, and wilt when it gets too warm...) so this plan seems to work pretty well. I am getting ready for several large art shows this summer and am furiously trying to stock up on inventory.
Here are a few goodies that I have been working on~

This is a vintage assemblage locket that I just love. Inside I tucked photos of two of my great-uncles, both military men. One was missing-in-action in WWII and the other led a very interesting life as a Merchant Marine.

This belt buckle was created by my husband, Pudge. Wouldn't it make a great Father's Day present for some lucky dad?

Introducing my newest eye ring color! To be listed this weekend in my Etsy shop! I think this one is going to be popular!

As you can probably see, I have discovered Picnik for photo editing. Where have I been?? I could have used this ages ago. I think I am hooked. I love experimenting with it's different effects. I absolutely love the 60's effect!

I promise to do better with keeping in touch and will post pictures of some special order work soon (hint...think horses)!

Spring Beauties

2010-05-17T12:27:00.008-04:00

Why do I love it so much when my hands are dirty? Digging into the Earth is such a stress reliever for me. I have been very busy lately digging, pruning, and weeding. I have also been planting my vegetable garden, which has been expanded thanks to my husband's workout with the rototiller.

I love to make homemade salsa, and my family devours it. A few years ago I started planting a "salsa garden", full of everything I need to make my salsa~ tomatoes, several different varieties of peppers (including habaneros), cilantro, onions, and garlic. The only thing I need to buy for it is limes...Michigan's harsh climate does not support citrus trees.

This year I expanded my veggie garden to include beans, peas, spinich, lettuce, cucumbers, radishes, broccoli, swiss chard, and of course my lovely asparagus patch (my favorite). I do not have enough room to grow melons or corn, but we have the nicest farmer that sells his produce in our village square and we buy melons and corn from him.

I also have a nice herb garden with chives, mint, lemon balm, oregano, several different basils, several sages, and am hoping to expand that (maybe not this year) to include lavender and dill.

Having a garden is a work in progress and each year I find something that I want to change or add. My yard and gardens are like a huge art project for me. Our yard was pretty much void of any flowers when we moved in, save for some daffodils. I have planted over one hundred different varieties of flowers in our yard and have had so much fun making it beautiful. I have big plans for our yard in the future...now I just need to get my husband to weld some garden art and trellises.

Spellbound

2010-05-11T12:46:00.007-04:00

This is one of my new favorites (they change almost weekly). A custom order for a great customer and even better friend. I love it's silvery smokiness.

The chain is adjustable so that it can be worn long or short. The lovely lady who now wears this recieved it as a Mother's Day present, so I wanted to make sure it was extra special! It also has matching earrings...

I had so much fun with this piece! It has inspired me to work more often with the large baroque crystals.

~My First Blog Award!~

2010-05-04T22:37:00.006-04:00

I am excited and honored to be given a blog award by the very talented Cat from In The Light of the Moon. Cat creates amazing treasures with photos, paper, wax, and glitter.

Now, I am to choose three artists to pass this on to? How? I know of so many talented and inspiring artists, and yet I have to choose three. Well, here are the lucky recipients~

Oonagh from CeltoiCroi~ Her woodburning and mythology inspired sketches are simply beautiful!

Ruthie from 5 Precious Things~ Her gorgeous illustrations and photography is the stuff day dreams are made of.

Julie from Mermaiden Creations~ She creates a variety of amazing beauties including jewelry, treasure boxes, wrist cuffs, and her beautifully witchy hats.

Thank you so much for your continued support and comments. You all are so amazing!

XOXO~

Objet d'Art

2010-04-27T12:59:00.007-04:00

“I was a queen, and you took away my crown; a wife, and you killed my husband; a mother, and you deprived me of my children. My blood alone remains: take it, but do not make me suffer long.” ~Marie Antoinette

The short life of Marie Antoinette was most certainly wrought with sadness and tragedy. She reigned as Queen of France during the French Revolution and was beheaded at the age of 38. She was interested in science, nature, and history, and had a very strong personality.

Through all the death, accusations, and scandal that surrounded her, she continued to have an air of dignity. The stories of Marie's excesses are vastly overstated, in fact, in the midst of France's growing financial crisis, she and her husband attempted to make drastic reforms and changes to aid France's people.

This interesting creation features a lovely picture of Marie nestled in the body of a vintage women's watch. A lovely, antique, white washed key and a vintage silver heart hang below. The necklace features mother of pearl and beautiful brown pearls, all wrapped in a darkly oxidized sterling silver. And what piece honoring Marie would be complete without ribbons?

Exploration

2010-04-15T13:49:00.013-04:00

There is nothing comparable to being in the woods on a beautiful spring day in Michigan. I cannot even begin to describe the strength and energy I absorb while being surrounded by our Great Mother.

It is my sanity.

Nature

O Nature! I do not aspire
To be the highest in thy choir, -
To be a meteor in thy sky,
Or comet that may range on high;
Only a zephyr that may blow
Among the reeds by the river low;
Give me thy most privy place
Where to run my airy race.

In some withdrawn, unpublic mead
Let me sigh upon a reed,
Or in the woods, with leafy din,
Whisper the still evening in:
Some still work give me to do, -
Only - be it near to you!

For I'd rather be thy child
And pupil, in the forest wild,
Than be the king of men elsewhere,
And most sovereign slave of care;
To have one moment of thy dawn,
Than share the city's year forlorn.

Henry David Thoreau

I am lucky enough to be surrounded by woods like these in my beautiful state. I took this photos just the other day while out with my little ones exploring. Please feel free to click on the photo to see all the amazing details up close. We need to take care of this great planet of ours, I fear areas like this may not be around for our grandchildren.

Copper Pendants and Some Vintage Love...

2010-04-12T22:18:00.009-04:00

Things have been quite hectic for me lately. My daughter has been on spring break, I've been painting our porch (which has turned into a much larger project than originally anticipated...and is still not finished), and we spent a few days at my parents' house. There has not been much jewelry making going on this week.

This weekend we went to an absolutely HUGE rummage sale at an area high school. This was my 5th year in a row going to scour for bargains. I remember going with my mom when I was quite young. My husband is as much of a treasure hunter as I am, and we have so much fun picking through the goodies together. This year, we bought new directors chairs for my jewelry booth at local art shows. We also found some great wood plantation shutters that will be cut apart and made into barrette and brooch displays for my booth. I'm thinking that project may be a future "how-to" blog post.

Well, I did manage to whip off a few things this week...

This last one is a keeper. The vintage skeleton key says Germany along the bottom of it, so, being as I was born in Germany, I simply had to keep it. Not to mention that amazing shimmery crystal. The ring that they are suspended from is the result of an afternoon spent with my trusty torch. I also made a ring for my lovely friend Mermaiden and considered posting a picture of that as well, but thought leaving it a secret would be much better!

April Showers Bring FAE Flowers

2010-04-03T07:31:00.009-04:00

It is time, once again, for the Fantasy Artists of Etsy to show off their new exhibit! The theme this time around? "April Showers bring FAE Flowers". Be sure to visit the shops of these lovely artists to find some truly amazing, fantasy inspired creations. Here is just a small sample...

"Quite Contrary"

by Gypsy Moon Art Studio

Tirra Lirra Circlet Fairy Bride Crown
by Mermaiden Creations

The Gift of Evoline's Garden

by SplendidFish

Strawberry- Fairy Art Bookmark

by Aquariann

To see all of the great exhibit entries visit the FAEteam website. Happy Spring!!

Winner, Winner, Chicken Dinner!

2010-03-23T09:27:00.003-04:00

Ok, it is time to announce the winner of my necklace naming contest. And the winner is...drumroll please.....

Mermaiden Creations!!

The name ideas that you all provided were great! I loved reading them. There seemed to be a theme of moon, sun, blood. That is very understandable from the style of the necklace. But, the one entry that made me stop in my tracks and gasp was Mermaiden's. She said:

"Sorry, my friends, this piece is called 'Initiation'. Oh yes it is."

Oh yes it is, my dear mermaid friend. The shadow filled images that are invoked with that word are the perfect bit of mystery that I was looking for.

So, "Initiation" it is. Thanks to everyone who offered their suggestion. Oh, and I would like to extend a special prize to my fellow Fantasy Artist Team Member "K" from The Haunted Studio Under the Stairs. His name idea was "Heche en Mexico". For him I have a swift kick in the arse.

This Week in the Studio...and a Contest...

2010-03-21T23:57:00.010-04:00

What a busy week!! I am desperately trying to stock up for summer art shows in the midst of kids, teaching jewelry classes, and having a new roof put on our house. I am so excited about our beautiful old home getting a new roof! I shall post pictures as it moves along. Here is a sneak peak at some of the beauties that I will be listing in my Etsy shop this week.

"Quite Contrary" made almost entirely from vintage bits and baubles that I have found on my treasure hunts.

Copper and vintage blue pearl adjustable ring

Steampunk rings

Unnamed sterling silver and red crystal necklace~ what is your name idea?

**Edited 3-22-10**

I've decided to turn this into a small contest! Post your name ideas here for my sterling silver and red crystal necklace and if I pick your name, I'll send you a handmade adjustable copper ring with your choice of bead colors!

Luck O' The Irish

2010-03-17T07:34:00.003-04:00

May you always have
Walls for the winds,
A roof for the rain,
Tea beside the fire,
Laughter to cheer you,
Those you love near you,
And all your heart might desire.

~Irish Blessing

Here are a few of my favorite bits of Irish music. You cannot help but feel happy when you listen to these! One of my very favorite bands is The Pogues, and when they sing with the Dubliners- ooh! How can it get any better??

I am very proud of my Irish heritage, proud to be connected to this culture that is so strong and has persevered through so many hardships. Irish history is rich with stories and legends that I find SO amazing, I could sit for days on end devouring all of the wonderful tales and history.
So, today is the perfect day to hoist a Guinness high into the air and celebrate! Be thankful for what you have. Find the positive in a bad situation. Celebrate that bit of Irish warrior that is hidden deep in everyone, that part of you that gets you through any situation. Happy Paddy's Day!

I will leave you with quote from my Irish grandmother "If your going to kill each other, go outside. I don't want blood on the carpet!"

Sláinte!

Etsy's Front Page

2010-03-10T10:09:00.005-05:00

How exciting!! My second time on the front page and this time I was lucky enough to actually see it! I watched my Vintage Garden necklace jump up 1016 views and 76 hearts, and after almost an hour on the front page it sold. I actually have 2 other necklaces that are similar to this one in the works right now.

Boreas and the Snow Moon

2010-03-01T08:25:00.004-05:00

February's full moon appeared larger than life, twinkling in the crisp winter sky last night. This full moon is known as the snow moon because the heaviest amounts of snowfall occur in February. Because of this, hunting became extremely difficult for native tribes in the north and east, and some of these tribes referred to February's full moon as the Hunger moon, hinting at dark and miserable times.

In Greek mythology, BOREAS was the purple-winged god of the north wind, bringer of snow, one of the four directional Anemoi (wind-gods). He was also the god of winter, who swept down from the cold northern mountains of Thrake, chilling the air with his icy breath. Boreas is depicted as being very strong, with a violent temper to match. He was frequently shown as a winged old man with shaggy hair and beard wearing a billowing cloak.

This creation is my representation of Boreas. It is centered around a beautiful slice of druzy geode quartz that is a gorgeous silvery grey with tones of purple throughout. The crystals in the center sparkle like ice in the winter sun. The coiled wraps represent Boreas billowy cloak and taper off to end in windswept spirals. The bail is intricately woven and wraps down and around an irridescent bead to end in two spirals on the front.

This piece was created for the Fantasy Artists' monthly dare based on the full moons. Stay tuned for more on the FAEteam dare and some great pieces from other talented fantasy artists!

Studio Redo~

2010-02-23T12:09:00.008-05:00

Trying to be organized is quite a task. I was becoming over-run with bits of wire, beads, and other such goodies I collect. My magpie qualities were taking over and running me out of work space! Something needed to be done! Well, since giving the sparkly bits up was not an option (I could not find ONE thing that I could part with!), the only thing left to do was organize my work space. Being the tightwad that I am, it was necessary, and challenging, to see how little I could spend while gaining the space and organization that I needed.

Our house was built in 1902, and has the old fashioned setup of a parlour next to the living room. We put this room to good use- it is our computer room, the kids' toys and games are there, and my studio. I love it because I can be working on jewelry and Pudge can be on the computer right near me, and we can still talk. My work table is the remains of our old dining room table that we got for free when we first got married. We bought a new table a several years ago, and this one went into storage in the garage. Pudge has now cut it in half and readjusted the legs, it is now the perfect size for my little corner space. My chair is actually a captain's chair from a semi truck (no, it is not used, I got it new), which is more comfortable than a recliner. I love it! Ah, my new lamp. What can I say about this lamp? My inadequate picture taking abilities do not serve it well. It is a beauty. What began as some metal objects from the local second hand store and some old semi truck parts (can you guess Pudge's line of work yet?) have been transformed, by Pudge, into this beautiful piece of art that is at once both industrial and eccentric.

Who would have thought zip strips and discarded metal pieces could look so good! We had the pegboard in the garage (tightwad here...we don't throw much away!) after a nice coat of white paint and some new pegs, it looks great. I love having all of my tools hanging right in front of me, it is so much easier to be creative when you actually know where your tools are!

And, just in case you were wondering, we did NOT paint the room blue and yellow. It was like that when we bought the house, and we haven't done anything about it yet. What on Earth would posess someone to paint neon yellow over 108 year old oak trim?! It boggles my mind.

I collected the storage boxes and bulletin board over time, while shopping second hand stores and sales, of course. I love my new revamped work space. It is the perfect place to dream up and create new and interesting pieces. I am looking forward to some of my upcoming projects and shows and am glad I have a fresh new space to make it all happen!

Here There Be Dragons!

2010-02-10T08:43:00.012-05:00

People and cultures the world over, have tales and legends of powerful, beautiful, winged and fire-breathing creatures. Some live in the water, some in caves, some greedily hoard gems and treasure, and some fall in love with beautiful maidens. Dragons are known to love riddles and conundrums, and are often very highly intelligent, even to the point of being advisors and poets.

One of my favorite dragon stories is that of Jilocasin. He was a dragon who lived during the reign of Charlemagne, and was a very wise and old. Periodically, he liked to take human form and visit the King's court where he was a well-known and respected troubadour. One day while travelling through the forest (in human form), he heard a woman cry for help. Jilocasin changed back to dragon form and defended her against the bandits, then, seeing she was injured, he lifted her onto his back and flew her to his cave. Upon examining her wounds, he discovered a bundle tied close to her body, and inside the bundle was a newborn baby. She explained that she was a widow, fleeing to protect her baby boy from an unscruplous man who had stolen the title and wealth of her deceased husband. Jilocasin offered her protecion and shelter in his home, and the two fell in love. The lady was aware of Jilocasin's true identity, but it did not affect her love for him. They would visit far-off lands together, with her riding on his back as he flew, and they would sing the dragon's songs together. After three years, they were excitedly awaiting the birth of their son, but the lady died in childbirth. Jilocasin was overcome with grief. He raised the two boys without making any distinction between his adopted son and his own, and when they were grown he presented them at court to be armed knights. The two were known as the Knights of the Dragon, and were famous for their nobility and honor. At length, they avenged their mother's death by killing the villian who had stolen their inheritance.

http://www.aquariann.etsy.com/

http://www.deldreamart.etsy.com/

http://www.phenomegnome.etsy.com/

These are a few favorite dragons from some fellow members of the Fantasy Artists team (FAEteam). I got my first dragon statue for my 16th birthday when all my girlfriends were getting expensive jeans and stereos. Since then I have accumilated quite a collection (including one that my brother brought home from Japan for me), and I don't think that collection will ever be complete. There are few things that can stop me dead in my tracks and make my heart skip a beat...dragons do it everytime.

I will leave you with my favorite dragon quote :

"Do not meddle in the affairs of dragons, for you are crunchy and taste good with ketchup."

And The Winner Is...

2010-02-07T09:24:00.003-05:00

The winner of my copper earrings is... Aquariann!!

Thank you so much to everyone who participated! This was so much fun and so successful, that I have more give-aways planned soon!

A Week of Projects

2010-02-02T10:30:00.011-05:00

Well, my daughter's birthday has passed, and I have survived the princess birthday party without a drop of rum consumed. There was much giggling, screaming (while being chased by little brother~ "The Dread Pirate Rollins"), princessy sparkles, pink frosted cupcakes, and, of course, presents wrapped with big beautiful bows. It was a great day! The Princess loves her desk, and as promised, here are some pictures~

This is a close-up of the edge of the desk. I decided to keep it simple, and not go crazy painting all types of creatures. I had to do it all in one night, so simplicity was key.

Here is the Princess, complete with fairy wings and antennae, busy working at her new desk. Pudge had some clear plastic that we covered the top with to protect it and I'm glad we did! Within the first day it was covered with paint and glitter glue! She loves it!

Pudge also finished my jewelry tree! It turned out amazingly beautiful (as I knew it would!) I have decided to leave it the brushed silver instead of painting it, but I am going to put a clearcoat on it for protection. It looks beautiful adorning the top of my bookcase, and I think I may seek out a small raven to perch atop it's branches.

Here is a sneak peek at a few new things coming to my Etsy shop, as soon as I have time to list them! I am busy, busy right now...which is great!!!

"Nocturnal" earrings

"The Fairy's Garden" earrings

I am very much looking forward to my birthday this weekend! The kids will be at grandma and grandpa's house, and Pudge and I have a date at our local micro-brewery for jalepeno pretzels and stout beer. Don't forget to enter the earring give-away, which ends this saturday!

Birthday Earring Give-Away!!

2010-01-28T09:03:00.010-05:00

Six years ago, I got the best birthday present anyone could hope for. I got a sweet, chubby little bundle of joy. Ok, not so little...she was almost 10 lbs. She was so sweet and cuddly, and she was so chubby she almost couldn't open her eyes! I was told I would not be able to have children and I read and researched natural fertility treatments, and did everything I possible could to have this little girl. Being born just days before my birthday we have the same astrological sign...aquarius. If you know anything about aquarians, you know that they are both rebellious, creative, and must have the last word (read mouthy). Her and I butt heads alot! Whenever I am mad, or frustrated with her, I look at this picture and remember those first few days when we were deliriously giddy with new baby fever (those precious days before reality and exhaustion set in).

So, in honor of our birthdays, I am starting the 1st annual birthday give-away! It begins today on my daughter's birthday and will end on my birthday, February 6th. Up for grabs is a beautiful pair of copper earrings. They have pretty little denim colored blue glass flowers dangling from the bottom. The rosy copper is the result of an afternoon spent with my torch...molten copper turns rosy-red if plunged in water. They are slightly over 2.5 inches long.

To qualify for this give-away:

Please read all entry rules! If your blog is private, you must leave an email address for entry to count. Each entry must be left in a seperate comment to count.

♥ You must have an accessible blog, or leave an email address.

♥ You must become a follower of my blog.

♥ Visit my Etsy shop http://www.gypsymoonart.etsy.com/ Leave a comment here about your favorite item.

For extra entries (leave a seperate comment for each):

♥ (1 extra entry daily) Tweet this message: RT @GypsyMoonArt Enter to win earrings! Visit http://www.gypsymoonart.blogspot.com/

♥ (1 extra entry each) Mention this give-away (including the URL to this post) on Myspace, LiveJournal, or your blog. Make sure to leave the URL(s) to your post(s) in your comments!

♥ (1 extra entry) Follow me on Twitter @GypsyMoonArt

♥ (1 extra entry) ♥ my Etsy shop http://www.gypsymoonart.etsy.com/

New Facebook rules prohibit me from mentioning my fanpage in blog give-aways, however, if you want to become a fan, I won't object. :)

This give-away ends on my birthday, February 6th. The winner will be announced February 7th. Good Luck!!

Busy as a Bee...

2010-01-25T10:38:00.010-05:00

Well, the holidays have passed, but things haven't really slowed down for me. My daughter's birthday is in January and every year, immediately following the holidays, I begin birthday shopping and birthday party planning. This year she will be 6, and we are having a princess party with 8 little divas. We are busy making a paper mache pinata, and making decorations. My daughter wants a desk for her room. Being the tightwad that I am, I had an old desk in the basement from my great-grandpa's house. I began sanding and painting it white, and am going to hearken back to my muralist and faux finish painting days and paint a little scene on it for her. I think toadstools, fairies, and flowers are in order for a 6 year old princess. Her room is already full of my art with a castle, magic tree, dragon, and frog prince painted on her walls. I'll be sure to post pictures as I finish it.

My husband (he is known to most as Pudge) is working on a welding project for me (have I told you all how awesome he is?) He is making me a tree jewelry display for my art shows. It is nearly finished...we ran out of metal rod and had to get more. Here are some action shots of him creating my tree in his studio.

I can't wait until it is finished!! Oh, if he only knew all the projects I have in store for him! Hopefully I can talk him into making a garden arch for me.

Also this week, I have become a member of the Fantasy Artists of Etsy team- "FAEteam". I have been wanting to be included in this group for a while, and am so excited at this new opportunity! Everyone I have met so far has been so creative, inspiring and helpful! They have given me such a warm welcome and I am looking forward to working with this great group of artists.

I recieved a beautiful little package in the mail this week. It was from MiddleEarths shop on Etsy, we exchanged jewelry creations. She creates beautiful little bits that seem to be a piece of the Shire itself. I received in the exchange a mossy little beauty that looks as if it is covered with dew and fairy dust. So magical!! I sent her one of my blue eye rings. It was so fun to trade with a fellow artist! Here are a few pictures I snapped of her magical creation~

She such a friendly and creative person! You can find more of her creations in her Etsy shop: http://www.middleearths.etsy.com/

Stay tuned later this week- I have plans for a birthday earring give-away! I will also post pictures of my jewelry tree and my daughter's finished desk. The energy of the upcoming Imbolc holiday has a hold on me and I have 100 things going on at once! Now, let's see if I can get them all finished...

Homesick...

2010-01-12T16:24:00.006-05:00

This beautiful pendant is going to a Michigan girl who has left our beautiful state.

The Petoskey stone is Michigan's state stone. It is actually fossilized fragments of a coral reef from the Devonian period which occurred 350 million years ago! They can be found on the shores of Lake Michigan in northern Michigan.

The Dark Streets of London...

2010-01-09T10:47:00.015-05:00

Stories are the food that keep my imagination alive. I fully immerse myself in the story; the clothing, sounds, landscape, and the general feeling and mood of the story. The characters become real for me, and I find myself loving or despising them individually. So was the case when I recently saw the new Guy Ritchie movie Sherlock Holmes.

The movie was a great mix of adventure, mystery, and science, all topped off with gorgeous costumes and beautifully dark vignettes- with a pinch of Irish folk music by the Dubliners... it was near perfect. The gritty and ecclectic Sherlock was balanced nicely by the gentlemanly and tidy Dr. Watson. And there was Irene Adler, my newest heroine, and the only thief to ever escape Sherlock- she is beautiful, intelligent, and daring. There were tophats, bustles, pocket watches, secret societies, and dark laboratories filled with bubbling concoctions. The whole experience left me giddy with inspiration!

I have since been looking for ways to incorporate more dark victorian goodness in my jewelry, wardrobe, and home decor. I have quite a collection of vintage treasures, and am planning some new jewelry projects with them (stay tuned for more on this). My house is decorated in an eclectic assortment of various treasures, including antique books, lots of candles, medieval inspired art, and a few skeletons and ravens that are year-round guests. That's a good start...but needs improvement. My wardrobe is in desperate need of help. There is really no need for a work at home mom to include a bustle into her wardrobe. Can you imagine me in a bustle in the yogurt aisle at the grocery store?! I would likely find pictures of myself online with a black bar across my eyes. I do, however have my eye on a few goodies including this shirt from Clockwork Couture http://www.clockworkcouture.com/:

And I simply MUST have these delicious boots form the Pyramid Collection http://www.pyramidcollection.com/ :

Now, if I could only get my husband to talk with an English accent and wear a derby, that would be just dandy!

From Etsy's Front Page...

2009-12-27T22:10:00.008-05:00

So this weekend while I was enjoying myself with my family and not watching my shop, my copper spiral ring was on the front page of Etsy! I have been patiently waiting to be featured and when it finally happens I am not even around to see it! Hopefully it won't be the last time.

Yule Goodies~

2009-12-21T07:32:00.017-05:00

*Our resident snow fairy*

Well, I had the most wonderful weekend with my family. Part of what I love about this time of year is the nice times at home wrapping, baking, making cards, and playing in the snow. I am a homebody, I'll leave the busy traffic and last minute shopping madness to others. Obviously, the holidays have become much too commercial, and in my opinion there is nothing like a freshly baked plate of cookies, or a gift that is made from the heart. Our tree has become heavily laden with paper snowmen, and santas that my daughter, the budding artist, has cut out and decorated. Apparently every square inch of our tree wasn't covered, so she decided to fill it up. My husband was on wrapping duty this weekend and our tree now looks like it is being held up by presents.

I spent alot of my weekend in the kitchen. I made snickerdoodles, chocolate-pecan fudge, yummy homemade turtles, my famous salsa, and chicken spaghetti. I still have to bake some bread, make a pecan pie, and a potato recipe that I will take for our big holiday dinner later in the week. I thought I would share my turtle recipe with you all. They are SO simple and delicious! If you need a last minute treat to give away or take to a gathering, these are amazing and easy peasy.

TURTLES

*waffle pretzel

*Rolos (any carmel filled chocolates will work)

*halved pecans

Heat oven to 250º. Lay pretzels out on baking sheet and place one carmel/chocolate on top. Bake until the chocolate just starts to melt. This was about 3 minutes in my oven. If you let it go too long, the carmel spills out and won't set up. Remove from oven and immediately press a pecan half into the top. Let them cool and firm up.

These are so delicious, I had a hard time keeping my hands off of them! But then again, I have absolutely no will power when it comes to chocolate. I have given up trying to fit into that little dress this holiday and decided to enjoy myself! Curvy is in...at least that is what I am telling myself! I hope you and your family have a wonderful holiday!

All Eye Want for Christmas...

2009-12-14T19:16:00.009-05:00

I took a quick minute to take a photo of my lovely "star pupils" (did I really just write that?!) before they head out into the big wide world and their new owners. These were headed out, amongst other goodies, in today's order shipment.

I recieved an early Yule gift today from my husband (we are as bad as children and can NEVER wait to open gifts!) My wonderful man bought me a cd I have been wanting for ages...Teribus! If you are not familiar with this trio, I suggest you become so. (http://www.teribusmusic.com/) We first heard them at a renaissance festival years ago. Everywhere we went that day we could feel the rhythm of the huge drum resonating through our bones, it was awesome! Their name is Scottish...Teribus was the name of a legendary Scottish bagpiper who marched with the troops on the battlefield. His music would stir them into a frenzy and keep their spirits up. It is the perfect music to keep me going through all the craziness of the holiday season!

Home Again, Home Again Jiggety Jig

2009-12-08T12:11:00.015-05:00

Well, our successful roadtrip is behind us now, and all that remains are the hundreds of pictures that I took, and one huge mountain of laundry. Despite the fun and excitement of vacation, the mountain of laundry and the task of unpacking upon return are enough to turn me into a hermit. I stuffed myself with my inlaw's amazing homemade pecan pie, biscuits and gravy, and TWO Thanksgiving dinners...I won't even admit how much weight I gained in one week. My sales were a success while I was gone, and I returned to ship packages to Italy, Germany, and Greece, among other locations. This was quite exciting to me. I'm going global, baby!! And the winner of my give-away on Mrs. B's blog was announced...congrats to Hillary in Illinois.

I was suffering from withdrawl symptoms after not working with wire for a week. So as soon as I got home I ran to my studio and twirled around in circles. The whole thing was reminiscent of the scene on the mountain top in the Sound of Music, until I saw my kids eyeing me, mouths agape. I dove into a project (in between loads of vacation laundry) and created a few lovely goodies. I still have a few more, in various stages of completion, laying amongst the piles of clutter on my work table. But I am home now, so they must wait no more! It is good to be home!

Happy Thanksgiving

2009-11-20T20:39:00.007-05:00

OK, so it is a week away. But I must take my leave, lovely blog companions (a big hello and thanks to all my new followers!), for tonight, my husband and I will load our two sleeping children into our vehicle and venture on a cross country road trip to spend the holiday with family. My internet presence will be scarce for the next week as I stuff myself to the max with southern cuisine and turkey dinners...did I pack my elastic waist pants?

My Etsy shop will remain open, and I will be checking emails and convos, shipping will resume on Nov 30. I wish everyone a warm, happy, and safe holiday with your loved ones. May your days be filled with naps, lunch-time cocktails, and pecan pie.

On a parting note~ be sure to check out my Celtic Triskele pendant being given away by the lovely Mrs. B on her blog Confessions of a Pagan Soccer Mom.

The Hunt

2009-11-19T13:51:00.007-05:00

The noble stag was pausing now

Upon the mountain's southern brow,

Where broad extended, far beneath,

The varied realms of fair Menteith,

With anxious eye he wandered o'er,

Mountain and meadow, moss and moor,

And pondered refuge from his toil,

By far Lochard and Aberfoyle,

But nearer was the copsewood grey,

That waved and wept on Loch Achray,

And mingled with the pine-trees blue,

On the bold cliffs of Benvenue.

Fresh vigor with the hope returned,

With flying foot the heath he spurned,

Held westward with unwearied race,

And left behind the panting chase.

~The Hunt; an excerpt from the Lady of the Lake

~Sir Walter Scott

~artwork: The Monarch of the Glen

~Edwin Henry Landseer

Art in Fermented Form~ Stony Bar Scotch Ale

2009-11-18T08:23:00.012-05:00

Last year my brother gave my husband and I the best gift you could buy for micro brew beer lovers~ a membership in the beer of the month club. Once a month Mr. Postman leaves a neatly packed brown cardboard box on my doorstep. The scenario that unfolds upon discovery is akin to a small child on their birthday; there is much clapping and, yes, maybe a little jumping up and down. I carry the box into the house with my Happy Beerday chant...which I won't embarrass myself with here. There is much "oohing", and "aahing" as I unpack each bottle and read about it's contents. This usually follows up with a phone call or text to my husband telling him "Happy Beerday"! The ritual continues at dinner when we each choose a different beer from the new six pack and enjoy, sampling each other's selection.

The selection for this installment is Stony Bar Scotch Ale from the Lockdown Brewing Company. Now, the name of this brewing company is interesting because they are located in Folsom, California, home of the Folsom prison which was made famous by Johnny Cash and his song Folsom Prison Blues. This hefty dark brown brew is smooth and malty with a slight fruitiness to it. I could also taste hints of chocolate with a toasted, earthiness to it. It had a smooth drinkability and a nice little kick at 6.8% alcohol. One reason that I like this brew so much is that it is made with all natural ingredients and not the fillers, chemicals, and rice that are found is some beers. This is one brew that is definitely worth trying!

Special thanks to my little brother who has helped to make all my Beerday wishes come true!

Machismo...

2009-11-14T07:46:00.012-05:00

I have a spot in the men's gift showcase today!

Tipping My Hat...

2009-11-10T21:23:00.024-05:00

Being from a military family, I simply cannot let Veteran's Day pass by without discussing it. My family has many members who have served this country, including my father and my husband who were both in the Army, and my brother is an active duty Marine Corp officer. I was born on an Army base in Stuttgart, Germany where my father was stationed, and we moved quite a bit when I was very young until my father joined the civilian life once again. My dad is now the Head of Veteran Affairs in the county where he and mom live. He is very good at what he does, and he loves his job. My family is very patriotic and I was raised with a large sense of respect for members of the military.

Now, here is the conundrum. I don't believe in war. Well, I guess I have mixed feelings about the whole thing. Being a Medieval History major in college, I know alot about medieval warfare, and I love it. I love reading about ancient armies, and military strategies. I love reading about early cavalry and ancient weapons (my husband and I have actually discussed building a trebuchet, but that is a story for another time). I mean, what would the Legend of King Arthur be without a war with the Saxons? I realize that war and dispute has gone on as long as humans have been on this planet. It is part of our nature. This point is proven to me everyday as I watch my children fight over space and possessions.

So why do I have such a hard time with this subject when I know and understand it? Because it has hit home with me. It has affected my direct family. My grandfather and my uncle both fought in WWII. I have heard amazing and aweful stories about what they endured and know the effect the war had on them when they came home (my uncle came home with only one arm). More recently, my family has sent my little brother off to war. Twice he has gone to Iraq (or the "sandbox" as he calls it) to fly his huge helicopter in this seemingly neverending occupation we have gotten ourselves into. We don't always know exactly where he is, so everytime a helicopter crash is reported on the news we sit on the edge of our seats...waiting. My mom and I message back and forth "Have you heard from him?" It is a roller coaster ride of emotions when he is gone. He is most likely going to Afghanistan next spring.

So regardless of my feelings toward our government and the agendas and conspiracies that shape this nation's history, I highly respect the men and women who put their entire life on hold while they put themselves in harm's way, and their families who ride that roller coaster of emotion whenever they watch their son or daughter leave. It takes a special type of person to make the sacrifices that our military members make. My hat is off to you. Thank you for your service.

Pictured from top to bottom:

*My dad- David Welihan (Army)

*My husband- Jason "Pudge" Lovorn (Army)

*My brother- Jayson Welihan (Marines)

*My grandpa- William Welihan (Marines)

The Many Faces of Merlin

2009-11-08T20:17:00.016-05:00

Michael Byrne as Merlin in The Mists of Avalon

I have recently been inspired by several events (one of them being a blog post by Athena's Armoury) that have brought up one of my very favorite books, "The Mists of Avalon" by Marion Zimmer Bradley. If you have not read this book, I HIGHLY recommend it! I have been a collector of Arthurian items since I was a teenager. I have paintings, statues, shirts, jewelry boxes, and yes- books. I have read about 15 different versions of the Legend of King Arthur. Some of them I have loved, some of them I haven't.

But through all of my reading and exploring, the one character that I have always loved is Merlin. He and Morgaine le Faye are the two that I find myself dreaming about. In every version of the Legend Merlin is always a Druid. He is always wise. He is always surrounded by mystery. In "The Mists of Avalon", Merlin is not a man's name, but his title... The Merlin of Britain. He is the Druid High Priest. In other books I have read Merlin is his first name, or in Welsh "Myrddin". Sometimes he is portrayed as having mystical powers, sometimes he is portrayed as being misunderstood. One version of the Legend that I read had Merlin as an alchemist with knowledge of chemical compositions. In that story, he was experienced with the use of gun powder (among other things), and others believed he was a magical wizard because of this.

I love reading and learning new versions of my favorite story. My eyes glaze over and I stare dreamily at any art that I find on the subject. And always, at the center of the tale, is this amazingly mysterious and wise man they call Merlin.

"Merlin's Mistress" ring by Gypsy Moon Art Studio

Wordless Wednesday...The Eyes Have It.

2009-11-04T12:54:00.008-05:00

Of Art and Squirrels

2009-11-03T13:27:00.010-05:00

I love fall. I love the colors, the smell of burning leaves, I love Halloween, and I love the cooler weather. My collections of boots and hats emerge from my closet, with much excitement, for the next 7 months or so (usually until I begin to get strange looks for wearing boots in 70 degree weather, then sadly, I lovingly pack them away for the summer).

I find myself "nesting", like a squirrel, at this time of year. Most people do spring cleaning each year when the weather turns nice, I do a bit of that, too. But in the fall, I find myself doing a major overhaul of my family's belongings. Like a furry critter I declutter, clean, and organize- all in preperation of hibernating for the long winter ahead. Living in beautiful Michigan, our winters are hard. Really. We have had snow so deep, you can go sledding off of your roof, and that is just the lower peninsula. In the upper peninsula, they have doors on the second story of their homes, so they can get out in the winter. My point is- we spend alot of time indoors during long, cold, snowstormy days.

The same goes for my business, too. My website is getting a major makeover right now and my Etsy shop is getting a facelift. I am retaking photos that I am unhappy with, checking my links (and adding new ones), listing new items, and marketing. I am expanding my online presence and meeting some great new people! My studio has recently been reorganized and cleaned, as well. It is amazing what treasures you rediscover when you organize your bead and wire stash! Now is also the time to look ahead to next year's art shows and decide which ones to participate in (will it truly be worth the while to drive all the way to Chicago for a show?)

Don't get me wrong...I am the Queen of Procrastination. But during the fall my "organization instinct" overrides my deeply ingrained sense of dalliance. And I am thankful for this. Some of my favorite days are in the middle of winter, snowbound, with nothing more to do than be with my family and create jewelry.

Put a lid on it

2009-10-27T09:59:00.010-04:00

Ok, so I am obsessed with hats...and shoes...and handbags...

http://www.rapscallionrose.etsy.com/

http://www.mermaidencreations.etsy.com/

http://www.gypsyladyhats.etsy.com/

http://www.pixiebell.etsy.com/

Art in Fermented Form: 8 Ball Stout

2009-10-25T23:55:00.008-04:00

Brewing a delicious beer truly is an art. If done correctly the result is amazingly out of this world. This is the first installment of my weekly (fingers crossed) micro brewed beer reviews. I am, by no means, a professional. I have, however, been enjoying craft beers for over 15 years, and have spoiled my palette to the point that my taste buds cringe at the thought of drinking anything other than a brew crafted by a master (my husband says I am a "beer snob").

Up for review this week is 8 Ball Stout from Lost Coast Brewing Company in Eureka, California. A delicious dark brown oatmeal, malty beer with a very roasty smell. This stout was surprisingly light in body and much more carbonated than I expect a stout to be, and it had very little head. This beer really resembled more of a nut brown than a stout, in my opinion. That being said, it was a deliciously drinkable beer that I would definitely recommend! As a matter of fact, I believe I'll have another!

Balancing Act

2009-10-23T09:56:00.014-04:00

Family VS. Work

I was graced with having almost no will power when it comes to certain things. Chocolate, for instance, or good beer (especially a really hoppy one with a nice bitter kick to it). I also have a keen sense of procrastination. I am a master at putting things off until the last possible minute. The combination of these two traits can be lethal when running your own small business. Add into the mix two wild little ones who need my attention, and it is a wonder anything gets accomplished!

I have been forced to devise a way to keep myself on task. It has been a daunting task for me- I am not a Type A personality. I am the true definition of Aquarius...free thinking, rebellious, I do things my own way , always need to have the last word, never do things by the book.

I have started writing everything down. My wonderful husband bought me an organizer in which I keep track of all of my important dates and events. On this I keep track of my daughter's kindergarten events, classes that I teach, upcoming art shows and deadlines, etc. I usually carry this with me and it has come in very handy on several occasions. I also have a notebook that I leave on my jewelry work table. I use this to keep track of incoming orders, making sure to record the order date and date needed. I try to jot down one or two goals to finish that day. I also use this notebook to sketch any ideas, and write notes to myself. Each day I check my notebook to see what I need to work on first. I don't give myself a strict time schedule during the day that way I can do a jewelry project, then play with the munchkins for a while, then do another project. I can adjust my day and spend a little more time on one thing and a little less time on others. Since I run a busy household, I also keep track of things that need to be done around the house. I write down things that need to be done on a daily basis, such as appoinments. I also write down a few weekly projects. These I work on over the course of the week as I have time, like cleaning out a closet, or organizing my kids' winter clothes.

My system is not fool proof, by any means. But it works for me. Most of the time...unless I settle in with some chocolate and a good beer next to my husband. Then it will have to wait until tomorrow.

My inspiration

2009-10-14T08:53:00.002-04:00

When in Rome...

2009-10-13T21:36:00.000-04:00

It has become clear to me, in the midst of an internet world of artists selling their ware, that blogging is the thing to do. I have had a website for many years, but every time I want to post something new, I have to rearrange the whole thing. It does not allow me to have control while excercising my aristic freedom. So, the Gypsy Moon Art Studio blog is born.
I do not promise to post everyday, I do promise, however, to be creative, sarcastic (is there any other way to be?), and honest. Over the next few days I will be figuring this out, adding things, letting you know more about myself and my art.
This is just the beginning...