PEACE out little FREEBIRD.....

BRAND SPANKIN' NEW!

Peace

Freebird

Dreamer

Tommorow night is my last night of slinging beers at our local pub for 11 days. Say it with me slowly now, "VACAAAAAAAAAAAATION".

We plan on dubbing around until the middle of the week, then we are off on our favorite journey wth Jon's Dad and his girlfriend Jen.

I am so ready for this!

 

posted by: sweetpeas at June 23, 2008 18:35 | link | comments (9) |
artsy fartsy, jewelry

studio.....

Rainy today.....

view from the studio deck

But seriously I don't mind. It's been like this for two days, and it keeps me in the studio working away. I still have my door wide open and the music flowing.

In the summer my studio gets moved from the upstairs to the downstairs into the sunroom. I still work upstairs, but I do all of the messy stuff up there like cutting and drilling metal.

The sunroom is a bigger space with lots of windows, couches, the deck & some of my favorite collections. Even the washer and dryer, kitchen etc. is just a few steps away, so I feel like I accomplish more on the housework front.

The only problem I encountered last summer was storage. So Big Daddy brought this little bureau down from the spare bedroom. (ummm...I now have nothing to store my extra linens upstairs, but I'll get to that problem at some point!!) The thing about this sunroom, is that we actually use it all summer long for entertaining, sleep-overs, naps & our nightly dinner. So this bureau just made my world so easy! In minutes I can sweep my mess right into it!

I was having trouble making this little corner work as it was, so I'm happy with the result!

So this brings me to a topic I'd like to get your opinions on!

I am writing a monthly column for Mindy's new blog "Wishstudio Blogzine" called "She Dreams of Art". Myfirst column, "Artful Goals" is up now. The main objective of my column is to collect art, info, quotes and certain data on a particular subject. I mention a few of you bloggy gals, show off your art & promote your site!

My next column will be about our studio spaces. Here are some questions I have for you! Answer them all or just pick one or two!

• WHERE exactly do you create?
• WHAT would be your dream studio?
• ANY tips on storage?
• DO you use new "store bought" storage? OR do you use "found object" storage?
• Do you listen to music, watch TV or use nothing at all? If so...what?
• DO you have any fabulous shots of your studio to share? If so...give us the link!
• ANY little tid-bit that comes to mind, please share!

Just leave me a comment here in this post! AND THANKS!!!

xoxoxxo

posted by: sweetpeas at June 16, 2008 16:54 | link | comments (7) |
artsy fartsy, studio works, she dreams of art

The lure of SQUAM

Growing up in Maine and living in New Hampshire as a kid has for me been a life-long lesson in nature. We were lucky to have parents and grandparents who liked to camp, boat, garden, rent cottages on the ocean and lakes. As I've often written about here, nature is my muse. The water, the woods, wildlife & even my garden has been a constant source of inspiration for me.

I have the fondest memories of weekend treks spent under tall pine trees and floating over crystal clear lakes. To this day, I'll rake the pine needles from under my own trees and have an instant sense of nostalgia. All it takes is a wiff, and I am instantly brought back to hunting for pine cones and needles. I can head to the ocean, smell the salt air and I'll remember two little sunbathed girls collecting shells, toting barbies and art supplies in their little bags along the ocean's edge. It's almost like a 70's movie reel playing in my mind. That's the only way I can explain it.

So I want to tell you a little of what I know about SQUAM. For those of you that haven't heard of this down~to ~earth, back to nature art retreat, all I can ask is where have you been?

 

 I am ever-so dissapointed that I will not be able to attend this year! We are going to a wedding that just can't be missed. I do not plan on missing it next year as it looks like I might be teaching a workshop or two in 2009.  I do however want to hear EVERY little detail from those of you who will be able to make it this fall!

SQUAM starts Weds. Sept. 10th and goes until Sun. the 14th.

The Rockywold-Deephaven Camps are on Squam Lake, located in central New Hampshire, just south of the White Mountains.

If I was able to make it these are the classes I would attend:

PRINTMAKING WITHOUT A PRESS by Susan Schwake

EXPRESSIVE FACES IN MIXED MEDIA by Judy Wise

KEEPSAKE BOOK by Misty Mawn

I have my own personal reasons for being drawn to each of these classes. Years ago, Misty and I blogged back and forth, and though we have lost touch, I still try to view her art when I can. I've always felt her work was true to who she was, and well, she just seems so down to earth. Susan actually came up in converstaion when Leah, myself and Tammy got together last weekend. We all just LOVE her! I think she is someone to look up to in the art community, and she's got to be one of the nicest bloggers out there! There is something about Judy that makes me smile. I don't know her well, just her name and art, but again she feels very real to me. And knowledgable. I tend to seek out people who are grounded with their craft and that's what I love about SQUAM! Wait till you see the other teachers participating this year!

The opening ceremony promises to be a blast! To kick off the event, Gracey Bonney of design*sponge will be there. Then there will be live music with Jonatha Brooke around the campfire.

The long weekend just gets better from there.

I am just so jealous. I really, really want to go.

So if you are a reader of this blog, and do attend SQUAM .... please give me a shout and let me know how it went! I can try and live vicariously through your experience, at least for this year.

xoxoxo

posted by: sweetpeas at June 12, 2008 15:01 | link | comments (4) |

A Plum Daffy Adventure!

So I spent a very lovely day in Kennebunkport, Maine with dear friends Leah and Tammy yesterday. The day was filled with antiquing, shopping, art galleries, photography a fabulous dinner and CONSTANT art chatter. My idea of a perfect Saturday afternoon with art-felt friends!!

I missed you girls this morning while sipping my coffee and looking at my photos....

In the morning getting ready for the day

Inspired by this table of bottles, Leah has started a new collection!

we all have a bit of an addiction to old paper...

CUTIES!

pretty views

GORGEOUS mermaid sculpture at one of the art galleries

Leah and myself

My favorite of the girls. I was across the street on the other side of the bridge.

*tee~hee* "I'm just so inspired"

I don't need to go on and on about the day and how wonderful it all was. I think the proof is in the photos!

xoxoxox

posted by: sweetpeas at June 08, 2008 13:43 | link | comments (10) |

This past week I wrote my first "How To" article for Belle Amoire Jewelry. It was an eye opening experience for me, as I learned a few things, and discovered that I loved doing this. (well I always new I would!!) I'm all ready planning "how to" projects for the future......

Here is a sneak peak....

I believe this will be in the Autumn issue, I'll let you know for sure. If you love to create jewelry, this is the magazine for you! It is always so inspiring for me as a mixed-media jewelry artist.

Some of you might remember that I worked on two different book projects last year. The first was a book by Ruth Rae and Kelly Snelling called a "Charming Exchange". It's now up at Amazon for pre-order!

Then, the fabulus Susan Tuttle contacted me and asked me to send in a few jewelry pieces for her soon-to-be book that is also available for pre-order at Amazon! It's called "Exhibition 36: A Gallery of Mixed-Media Inspiration".

These are the type of things I had always aspired to do since childhood. When I get frustrated with my job (slinging beers three shifts a week), or other things that can stress me out, I just remember that I have to keep moving towards my goal. Sometimes the move feels like I am creeping along like a little snail, and other times I feel like I am racing to the finish line (ahem, don't really relish that feeling for some reason) .... but I know I do have to keep moving.

Do you feel that you are moving steadily towards your goals? What are your goals and what special steps are you taking to travel there?

I would love to hear from you! I am compiling a little research for a post I am writing for a friends new blog. Leave me a comment or send me an email!

xoxox

posted by: sweetpeas at June 01, 2008 21:20 | link | comments (10) |