Up to my aching elbows in lucite beads!

Once again I have been dying vinatge lucite for the Tucson show. This time I did the flowers and other shapes. I have managed to make the kitchen a mess and given the stove top a case of purple mottled metal. Or at least I THOUGHT that part of the stove was metal! It's actually plastic and now the purple mottled color is permanent. Jacob is in love with the big pinkest of pink flowers. He marveled at how I was able to acheive such an awesome color. He is one of my biggest fans and really likes seeing my end results. I think this does the dying duty for awhile. Now comes the stringing. I think all of this will make a beautiful stash of beads to sell at Tucson!

As I was waiting for Andrea to pick me up to begin our luncheon day together; I ran around and took a bunch pf photos around the house. This one painting, long since sold, of my very festive crow made it into a poster for a solo gallery exhibit I was doing.

The second painting titled, " when the yellow brick road leads to a house with no doors " is one that Phil bought from another gallery show I did. He said it was the first original artwork he ever purchased and I secretly think he bought it to impress me. I usually do not hang my own artwork in the house. If I look at it too much, I never feel it is done and I always want to tweak it!

These are on a funny angle because I could not face them straight on in my hallway and I was just too lazy to move them into a more open area.

By the way, our day was great fun and we had a wonderful lunch, delicious ice cream and it was so good being with Andrea and Christine again! I would love to have a sister relationship like theirs! Maybe the next lifetime! xo, Lois

Ahhh...the weather!

How can I describe it? As much as I love the snow, or at least the little girl inside me loves the snow; I am welcoming back the rain, rain, fog, mist and tempertures in the upper 40's! Yippeee - I am leaving town today with out fear of snow and ice! I am going to pick up a friend at the Bainbridge ferry terminal and have lunch. A girl's day to just fool around! Yes! I NEEDS IT!

New CAMERA!

These are the first two pictures taken with my new camera that I received for my birthday. They were taken from the porch as the sun rose on a snowy morning. So early that I , the camera owner, was still sound asleep! Jacob got up early and said the sunrise was so beautiful he took the pictures and then woke me up to tell me that a. the sunrise was pretty and b. he used my new camera without asking and c. I needed to look at the sunrise myself in person, out of bed, through the living room and onto the porch. Well, I am very glad that he is so appreciative of sunrises! I hope he will always be that way.

It is snowing yet again tonight but we still had a wondeful dinner at my friend, Honey's home.

This is part of what I accomplished today; dying all the vintage leaves for the Tucson show. I mixed colors using all sorts of dyes from yarn coloring to fabric dye. I was aiming for a spring to fall color pallette. I also managed to semi trash the kitchen but then I made a most excellent beef noodle soup from scratch for dinner. I think I redeemed myself and the kitchen. I also did three ( count 'em, 3! ) solid hours of paperwork! Way to go, Lois! Tomorrow we dye flowers! Good night for now, Lois

New Year - New Book - THE GREAT BOOK of JEWELS

This is the last image in the book and features the Crown of saint Wenceslas, which became the piece for the national coronation of the kings of Bohemia. It was most likely inspired by french crowns but is a fine example of medieval metal and stone work. Look at the gems; rubies, emeralds, sapphires and pearls. A total of 91 gems in a fleur de lis pattern. Incredibly fine! Sometimes the old is just the inspiration we need for the new!
This is a rosary from the 15th century that features opening agate beads with tiny enameled images inside that show in relief, the life of Christ. I am enchanted with this piece and struck by the quality of the workmanship from such a long, long time ago. Amazing what could be done with such primitive tools,too.
This is an image from the book and you can see how well done the color plates are. Much detail has been captured in the photos.
This is a book that Kathy gave me today from her family. It was written in 1974 by Ernst and Jean Heiniger and is a treasure trove of historical and contemporary ( to 1974 ) jewlery pictures. It even has pieces designed by Picasso, Calder and Dali. I think I will find it inspirational for a very long time and I need to say Thanks! and I love this book!Inside the cover is a book plate placed by Marchine Dexter, the book's original owner, that says, " Nurture the tree of knowledge to regain the Kingdom. " I like this thought.

HAPPYH NEW YEAR!!!
May this year bring us all peace, love, prosperity and a better understanding of each other and compassion towards all our fellow women and men.

I am looking forward to the chnage in our leadership and viewing all of this change with optimisim and hope. Being alive and a citizen of this soon to be great country again is wonderful! We have a chance for actual leadership! I am praying for guidance for this country and its' politicians that we do not again get bogged down in politics as usual!

As for me, I ask for health and the opportunity to remain creative in all my endeavors, prosperity so that I may stay in business making and selling " stuff " and so that I can keep my wonderful staff employed and patience so that I do not get bogged down in the day to day litlle things that can make life irritate. I love my life!

On a happy note, at five o'clock lasr night at the fountain here in PT; I attended a friend's wedding - very impromptu - they are a long time couple. It was just 8 of us including the judge. A cold, clear night saying their vows in front of our community Christmas tree! Very special and romantic. Congratulations Marie and Mark!!!!

Again, Happy New Year! xo, Lois