Hands at Rest - caution - non work zone

My hands are sore. They ache. They cry out for soothing balms and lotions, maybe a little light touch here and there. They have been busy hands, working long hours for the upcoming Tucson show. Making jewelry, assembling clasps, pricing charms, sorting, stringing, stamping and and trying to live a normal life. They serve me well and today they are taking a holiday, a little rest. They are forbidden to make jewelry or knit or polish or open a can or anything that does not involve rest. The arthritis is screaming for my attention and the best way to ignore its surly demands is to rest my hands. So that is what I am doing, quieting their dance of motion and activity.  If my lap top weren't such a sweetie for its easy typing keys, you would not be reading this either.

The hands that do so much.

The finger that hurts so badly.

On the other hand, no pun intended ( well, maybe a little pun ) I can not believe that the aches in this one little joint in particular could drive me to want to remove this fingertip! I am a middle aged, grown, smart woman who rationally thinks, " if I just cut off this fingertip, the pain will leave me ". Who thinks of losing a finger  this way besides zombies? Maybe even zombies want their fingers on their hands but this sensible, artist, jeweler, mom, business woman thinks of removing hers! What a nut! I had better say goodnight.....

Busy Woman

These are a few new designs debuting at the Tucson Whole Bead Show in February. I looked for inspiration in the things around me and came up with vintage hardware and local tourist venues.

New pieces made from antique hardware. In BRITANNIUM.

These are pieces that I found in brass at an antique store in Port Gamble. The lock was an actual working piece that we filled with resin before casting. I think they will make excellent additions to the old new look ofsteampunk style jewelry as well as assemblages created with found objects.

The Seattle Monorail!

The Space Needle! 

 I am trying to do some charms that are more " real " than my usual imagery. I picked the Space Needle and the monorail because I stumbled upon an old charm bracelet that was a memento from the 1962 World's Fair held in Seattle. What says Pacific Northwest more than the Space Needle and Seattle/

It may be hard to see here but this is a new metal finish for me on the
Britannium pieces, a nice soft satin finish.

These were an experiment in finishes. Brushed and soft looking, they are a satin finish that looks almost like ancient metals from an archeological dig. I particularly like the angel wing. It looks delicate, worn, handled by wishes and dreams.

Russian Amulets

Several years ago I found these pieces in silver, of Russian religious medals. I loved the detail on their surfaces and the different stories they told. I moulded them and recast them in sterling and will have them in Tucson this year.
You almost need to see them in person to appreciate the beauty of the markings on each piece. The largest cross is so expertly etched with a lace like texture that it appears as filmy as curtains at a window. The crucifix is heavily done in great detail, a striking image of the body of Christ all rib bones and pain. I can see this being worn by a man today or a priest in days past. The rectangular piece is the most primitive in design, looking like its drawing was done by unskilled hands in the tradition of folk art. I think it is Joseph.
I am very pleased with how these turned out and know that they will find an appreciative audience in Tucson in just a few short weeks.

On another note, my heart and soul pour out prayers for the victims and families of the shooting rampage in Tucson today. I am crying for America, too. May the hatred stop. Just stop.

Russian Christmas

Today is Russian Christmas celebrated on January 7th to coincide with the Julian calendar and this is Grandfather Frost or a Russian version of Santa, a combination of a pagan figure, western Santa Claus and created when the communists prohibited the celebration of religion.

In my family, we always had a second celebration of Christmas, this evening being one of a special dinner ( sauerkraut soup, anyone? ) and family togetherness. We actually ate Subway sandwiches and worked late at the shop. I still feel a special connection tonight to my family, to my times growing up to the passing of another holiday. A bit of sadness at the passing of what was. A sweet tinge of longing...

There is a hint of cold in the air, a chance for snow and I am settling into the studio for a long run of work for Tucson and beyond. I am looking forward to the dessert and all it's early spring glory. I intend to do some serious sketching down there and some relaxing knitting but for this moment I will say Merry Christmas and goodnight.

Epiphany

Today is the 13th day of Christmas or the Epiphany. Tomorrow will be what we called " Russian Christmas " when I was growing up. We will have a special little dinner and perhaps exchange one final gift and then officially label the holiday as over. I am always sorry to see Christmas go. We are the last house in our neighborhood with bright holiday lights up outside. I love them! They bring such light and sparkle to dark, cold wintry evenings and make me feel greeted when I come home from the shop. I might have to leave them up just a bit longer, making me feel as if I am extending the warmth and happiness of the holidays. 

These are hearts that can be worn as pendants and also
have bars so that they can be used as toggles. Bronze metals.

New crosses cast in white and yellow bronzes.

Happy Epiphany!

These are a few of my celtic reproduction pieces cast in white
and yellow bronzes.

With a glimpse at the pictures above you can tell what I have 

been up to the last month or so. I am making new pieces for the

upcoming Tucson shows. The show is the first thing on

my mind in the morning and the last thing at night as I close my eyes

for dreamlands. A few more weeks and I will have to call everything done!

The show starts on February 2nd, will I be ready? Oh lord, 

I certainly hope so! 

New Year, New Things, A New Way

This is what greeted us at 2:20 in the am at the shop the last day of 2010. I don't mind saying goodbye to

the year that was! Vandalism in the form of a drunk forcing a chair through my shop window and causing much damage, made me sad, resigned and sleepless.

The chair that was pushed through my window.

The sad trail of broken glass.

Where the window used to be over my cash wrap.

Normally the whole window thing would upset me greatly, but after losing all three front display windows this summer due to wear and tear and age; I could handle this. We all worked from 2:20 until 5:30 in the morning to clean up the broken glass and then dashed home for a couple hours of sleep before returning to the shop for the rest of New Year's Eve day. Even Jacob was roused from deep sleep to help. 

It could have been worse but thankfully, the building's angels and resident ghosts watched over us. No one gained entry, wood was found to plug the hole ( plus scraps of carpet ) and life moved on. 

Sweet wonderful life! No matter what it throws at you, ( a chair through a window? )  it is just that - sweet and wonderful! Happy Newest of Years!

HaPpY NeW YeAr - 2011 whoop whoop

"Be always at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors, and let each new year find you a better man." Benjamin Franklin


I can always count on Benjamin Franklin to provide me with sane and rational quotes with respect to life. What a practical man even if the word man should really read as " person ". The new year rapidly approaches and although I have not made any resolutions and certainly can not remember any from last year, I sit here and think that the past year has been a good one. I have laughed and loved and lived and created. I have immensely enjoyed all my days - even the challenging ones. I remain grateful that I have a life and blessed to be doing what I love and calling it work. 


For the world, I am wishing for peace, medicine for the sick, food for the hungry, care for the neglected, love for all of us. I am wishing that we all treat each other with kindness and respect, keeping our good humor intact. 

For my family and co workers, I want a year of health, prosperity and joy. I can ask for nothing else, but can be grateful for all. Happy New Year!! With love, Lois