Autumn Inspirations

It's one of the many things I enjoy about being a designer; I respond to changes in weather, the sky, sunlight, plant life, textures and these experiences are reflected in my work.

My experience is much richer than four seasons. For me, the seasons change slowly. In increments.



Pattern, color, and memories they evoke as we make new ones.





I walk my kids to school most days. We often talk about our dreams on the way to school, and as I return home and to my studio, I enjoy the quiet, notice birds, trees, smells on the wind.




Color!




My gnome garden. I love humor and whimsy.




I hope my wearable art pieces inspire people to enjoy the seasons.



I enjoy the photography sessions and hope my photos are fun to look at, as well as helping the product sell.



I'm lucky to have a studio with lots of natural light, that overlooks the garden. I feel connected to the weather, changes in light, the clouds, blooming flowers, even as I rock out in my studio, creating things and sewing up a storm.




This makes me feel warm and cozy. I hope you do too. :-)




Almost all of my photo sessions are accompanied by curious cats.

Hand Jive

Welcome the latest in my hand series of charm beads: Live Long and Prosper. This is a Vulcan hand sign that we so often saw the solemn Spock make. It was said that Leonard Nimoy made up the sign, on set, just before that classic series to his homeland. Years later, he let fly that it was a Jewish blessing sign he had seen as a child. Shalom hand. I love that story.

Wear "Live long and prosper" charm bead. It's a little bit treky, a little bit kitch, a little bit of ancient Jewish blessing, and a lot a bit fun.



Peace. Peace, Man. Victory! Hi, I'm here and loving life.

It's the classic peace sign. Does it mean "peace" officially in ASL?

Peace out.

Hello! I'm so busy in the studio, and shipping out cute parcels for you all, that I haven't stopped in blogland to say hello.

The Winter Gift Faire was wonderful last weekend. We had a great time setting up, lots of visitors (and shoppers!!!), and the "guys" put on a big feast for the neighborhood after wards. We have been able to donate over $500 to our children's school in the process. Which reminds me, I have more sized wrist warmers, as above and better get some photos up on my etsy shop.

This weekend, I have a Meet Your Maker show at Fenario Gallery downtown (Willamette and 8th). Sunday 12-5pm. Come down and scoop up your wrist warmers gifts! They are selling fast.

I'm putting out a thank you to all my beloved Etsy shoppers right here and now! I'm making more One Bird Tree wrist warmers again today. Trying to get everyone's paws cozied before xmas. xoxoxo.


Mudslide Sydney and Long Legs MacCormack leafing around.

Since this photo was taken, Oregon has experienced a real cold snap. This will not sound like much to those in the Midwest, back East, and many parts of Europe...... BUT it hasn't gotten above freezing all week. It's the warmest part of the day today and only 30F.

Our three hens see me coming with the kettle each morning (after I make coffee of course!) and run straight to me. I pour hot water over their icy watering jug so they can get a drink. The girlz do ok in this weather, being the nice fat hens they are, but are rather disappointed the ground is frozen and no juicy worms and exciting bugs to be found.

Several days ago, the kids spotted a hummingbird visiting the feeder I had forgotten to take in. After it left, I raced outside and put enough fresh sugar water to fill up just the bottom. The feeder is beautiful handblown glass, and I wouldn't want to crack it. Now I'm sure that "hummer juice" has frozen over but the wee bird comes back several times a day to have a lick at it. It sits right down on the feeder and licks away. Must be getting something.

Are humming birds supposed to hang around Oregon in the winter? Is there something more I can do for it?


Check out the action shot I got of our kitty Scoopy. !!! He was jumping for the tall grass heads......

Meet Your Maker - THIS Friday

We are doing an indoor/outdoor show and will have over 30 vendors this time! I'll be right inside the door, next to my buddy Melissa from Things N Stuff. Come down and say hi to us.

Indie artist/designers and free wine! How great is that?

Meet Your Maker
Broadway Wine bar
200 W Broadway
Downtown Eugene
on the First Friday of each month (Artwalk time!!)

Meet Your Maker Indie Craft Show!

Here we are at the Meet Your Maker June show, at Midtown Wine bar. It's a GREAT venue and lots of fun. Nice to get out of the studio and sell in person, meet other artists/crafters, and visitors.

Franks and Beans, I was pleased to find out, makes a great living spinning, dying and selling her beautiful yarns. I drooled over them all evening!


You can just see my display in this photo. So lit from the back! I brought my coffee "stand", little bags, and teapot with flowers to go with my teakettle art bags.

One of the best things, was finding my "Hey Banana Breath" chosen to be the ad for the show in the Eugene Weekly. Nice! Thanks so much.

I need to make a nice, big vendor's sign for my table.


Ashly of Bullfight showing off her amazing undies made of recycled tshirts. Ok, I bought one of these undies...... and I'm going to need another. They are so comfortable! Look so cute, I could mow the lawn in them (well the backyard maybe), wear great under clothes, and stay up without squeezing! Love them! You must get some! And I'm certain you need a magnetic moustache for your fridge photos to go with.


My new Tea Kettle art bag. Can be used or displayed. It comes with real lavender sachet disguised as a tea bag, and bean bag weight to hold bag upright if the bag is meant for a shelf display. I have two, and one will go onto my etsy shop tomorrow.

Back side of bag. Backing fabric and inside made of vintage American cotton. Lavender sachet "tea bag" seen here.

xoxo

Mother's Day Gift Guide

Thanks to my buddy Mosey , in Belfast (that's Maine not Ireland, as I quickly learned), for telling me one of my cozies is in the Etsy Mother's Day Gift Guide! Nice. I took a screen shot (see earlier post of mine so you, too, can learn how to do this handy screen shot thing) to show ya. Bliss Monkey Studio pink and orange elephant love French Press Cozy, with matching coasters. All made out of recycled sweaters, felted thick. I love my French press, and esp love having my second cup kept warm by a decorative wool cozy.

I've been having fun playing with wool this spring. Recycling sweaters, and dying wool roving for needle felting. Most of my pins and animals have sold except for one owl, who still needs a home. And the new french press cozies are still available. I'm due to make some new animals, and I'll be sure to take some photos to show you how it's done. Needle felting is a fun process. Mosey makes gorgeous, folk birds and clutches, out of upcycled wool- check out her etsy shop.

Happy Holy Shamrock Day

This is my funny Irish self-portrait. I thrifted an assortment of these great old buttons, and even a matching mug with same image and words. I'm super happy about that because my last Irish Day Celebration mug was recently broken.

Bring on the Guinness..... no, wait, already did that YESTERDAY.

Happy Irish Day to all artists and crafts people!!!! Here's the traditional Irish blessing from me to you:

May the crafts rise up to meet you, and may your road be sewn with sequins and orderly stitches. May the sun shine in your studio windows (but not blindingly- what sort of blessing would THAT be??!) and your art supplies be plentiful. May you see the wisdom of your ways, and keep making art depicting it!! Shamrock-out.

Etsy Article!

The Register Guard of Eugene, Oregon ran this large and wonderful article about the Eugene Etsy Street Team. They featured a print artist, fiber/clothing artist, and beadworker. I was really thrilled with all the photos, length of story, and of course that it was all about etsy!!! Yey!