Self Portrait Friday

At this age in this fine summer of 2010 I can honestly say that I am becoming accustomed to my face. Somewhere there is a song composed with this phrase. Self portrait Fridays, when I remember them, have become an interesting exploration in how I look now. I no longer see the 18 year old me, although I feel that inside. I see me, as I am today. Not perfect, not done, but someone's wife, mother, grandmother, friend, employer, cousin, sister, neighbor. I am all these things to others and to me, I just am - accustomed to me.



Plums! We have the first ever tiny wine colored plums from our dwarf tree! I think the tree must have loved our wet spring and early summer. I did not plan on having any fruit again this year so the tree has pretty much become a feeding spot for hungry birds but .... we have plums!

What I Did Today

I finished the sample bracelet from these cool little felt bead kits we have in the shop. I love working with wool felts whether it be fabric or beads or some other component. The feel of it in my hands, knowing that it will not unravel and that it is wool, is all just amazing to me. I sew with it and embroider and now bead with it. How did it take me so long to discover this wonderful material?

Anyhow, this bracelet and other fabulous things including baking a pie ( ! ) from scratch ( double !! ) are what I did today!

Today's Studio Work

This is what I created today while working in the studio before the heat of the day got to me. I made earrings, bracelets and window ornaments for the shop. I had company though; three too hot black dogs all folded into various sleep patterns on the carpet. We are having summertime warm days here and although it is relatively cool compared to the rest of the country; it is hot for this area that sorely lacks air conditioning.

All of us had to take a " pool break " at about 4 just to wade, and in the case of the dogs, drink in the kiddie pool. The water was so warm, it reminded me of the water in the creeks I waded in during the summers growing up in Pennsylvania. Even the kitties sat in their little outdoor rec area to watch us.

I have two paintings going right now in the very beginning of themselves. I also have been drawing nightly and knitting. All of this is being done in a lazy summer way where all I really want to do is lay under a tree or be at the beach.

I also have lots of new copper pieces cut out and ready to either be made into charm masters or assembled, altered jewelry. Who knows where that will take me? Pictures will follow

Until then, Lois

New Moon Rising

Sometimes for brief moments in the close of a day, a hot summer's day, all seems beautiful and calm and hopefull. Good night my friends.....

Self Portrait Friday

It has finally happened in the summer of 2010; I have had to start wearing magnifying glasses when I close jumprings or work with the same color metal on metal. My friend Marlene, gave these to me and although I used them for display in the shop for a long time; and they look rather Harry Potter - ish, I love them! They are red and round and I smile every time I look at them and me in them!

So even though this was a non makeup, no washee the hair day in the studio - I still took a picture. Enjoy your creative journey today where ever it may take you!

New Drawing, New Sketchbook

Finally, the traffic circle construction is done on the highway into Port Townsend and it became easier, much easier to get to the art supply store. I bought a new sketchbook, a small 7 by 10 inch book to keep by my leather chair in the living room so that I could doodle, draw, dream and relax in the evenings. I sharpened all my pencils, pulled out the markers and began by just letting my mind wander and my drawing begin. This is what I ended up with. If only I were more interested in taking a better picture!

A Summer's Day

I tend to forget that this is the time of year when I just need to keep my head down and work, putting one foot in front of the other and getting through the summer in my shops. I love talking to customers, love what I do and still feel blessed to be able to make a living at what I love BUT it is summer and that brings special challenges. Challenges that include working long hours, having Jake home from school, passing Phil in the hallway and not having time to be together, taking turns working in the shop not to mention feeling like I can not get enough done. Not having enough time in the day to be everything to everyone and leaving me by the wayside. I am NOT complaining and I would not want to change a thing ( except for the economic downturn to end ) but I need a spa day, a pedicure; time to write in my journal, finish the painting on my easel and time to breathe.

I am a bit whiny tonight, perhaps a good night's sleep will cure me.



New beads for the shop in boro glass picked up from Robin at the Puget Sound Bead Festival in Tacoma last weekend.

Mark's Flowers

These are the flowers that my friend, Mark Cole grows outside his restaurant and nightclub in Port Townsend. I was surprised to see such a pretty collection of lustily blooming plants, flowers and grasses outside his place. It was not what I expected. He has a green thumb so somewhere in his days as he hurries from here to there, he stops and gives lovin' to his plants. People surprise me and of that, I am glad!

To Friends!

My friend Milinda has left and Lita has come to take her place in my home. The summer has been a whirlwind of activity with shows, friends visiting and of course, being in the shop. I remain being creative and making things for the shop but the exploration into silver and my painting and fiber work will need to wait until the beautiful days of fall. Jake will be in school, the demands of driving him here and there will be gone and my schedule will be more relaxed at the shop. I am planning on heading to Las Vegas for a week with girlfriends, seeing shows, concerts and laying by sunny pools. I think it may be a fabulous break from the routine and shhhh, might be the elusive vacation I have thought about for years!

My visit with Lita has been fun and we spent much of our time at the beach gathering rocks for her garden in eastern Washington ( I mean where else can you get the coolest rocks but North Beach in PT ? ) and laughing, working in the studio; me, making beach glass earrings and Lita playing with and compulsively sorting in all my buttons. I am once again feeling the blessings of abundance as I pull my circle of true friends closer and closer within my heart and life! xo, Lois

Milinda's Visit!

This is my wonderful friend Milinda now from Oklahoma. We have been friends for more than 30 years when we were both young military wives, having babies and being ombudsmen for the Navy. She calls me her hippie liberal friend and I call her my republican conservative friend. Still we are able to laugh and laugh as we tell stories, visit and make jewelry. We had a nice, relaxing visit. It is so amazing and such a blessing to me to have such long, loving friendships!

What Now?

I have been trying, really trying for about 30 minutes now to upload pictures to this blog but nothing is working! Argh!

in Tacoma

In Tacoma today it was hot. Very hot. Downright uncomfortable hot. We are all set up at the bead show and even Jake says the booth looks great. The show preview for class attendees was tonight for three hours and I sold out of all my new brittanium pieces! Yippee! It is so exciting and rewarding to have something new be received so well! I am feeling very encouraged and will continue to add to this line!

It has been fun to hang out with Jacob when he is not being a total teenager.He says some of the funniest things in total innocence.

I am very impressed with the collection of art and glass work this hotel displays everywhere as part of its' private collection. I plan on taking lots of pictures of it tomorrow in Tacoma. Watch for photos when I return.

Summer's Here - A Show is Calling

The merchandise has been sorted, the packing done and the van loaded. The show set up is tomorrow and we will be designing our booth spaces in our heads all the way there. Jacob is selling some of his own merchandise and is telling me he will shop at the show to add to his inventory. Industrious kid that one - sometimes. I hate the stress that comes with doing a show and the anxiety of choosing merchandise to sell. I will take some of my charms, resin frames and my new line of brittanium pieces. I am looking forward to seeing friends again and talking with customers. I so like " visiting " with people. It is endlessly fascinating to me. Stories to collect and remember, my great novel on the horizon.

NEW DRAWINGS ....

Sometimes when I draw I am looser with the image. I float an idea on paint marks and just randomly draw; my pen leading the way. It is almost meditative, reflections on my day. This has yellow, a beautiful clean, crisp yellow that serves as the surface for my drawing.





When I am on the road, whether it is closer to home or far away, I like to draw and paint in the hotel room late into the evening. It relaxes me and focuses me. Drawing and painting with a set of little watercolors reminds me that I am still the girl who dreamed of being an artist. I had no idea at the time what that meant but I knew that I had to live among the world of color and art. I think I am doing that.



Beautiful day here today. Warm, gentle breeze, not too hot, things blooming and growing, Daisy swimming in the doggy pool. I love the gloomy gray days and drizzly rain that we are famous for but the few not too hot glorious days of summer are worth waiting for.

Fireworks 1976 - Washington DC

In 1976 I was a young newly married woman living in the Washington DC area and attending college. I had the chance to see the fireworks celebrating our Bicentennial from the roof top of the Naval Regional Medical Dispensary across the street from the Lincoln Memorial in full view of the mall. I saw one of the first ever laser shows emanating from the top of the Washington Monument. A spectacular event that made the awestruck crowd fall silent for a few brief moments. The fireworks themselves were an endless array of light, flash, sparkle and color. You could not help feeling patriotic and proud of our country!

So happy 234th birthday Declaration of Independence! Long may we be the country of freedom, a beacon for the world!