My CobwebPalace

Almost Three Months?!

2011-10-12T19:01:00.000-07:00

GOSH! Though it's been an extremely productive time, too long, too long!! First there were a couple of antique shows, then a trunk show, a huge craft faire, assisting my parents with a remodel and move...yada yada. SO! I'm back for now and wanted to share what I did with the last two weeks when I wasn't wearing my moving, painting and cleaning hats.

My dress design and construction hat!

We were invited recently, to attend a period event towards the end of this month. Used to be I could just pull out some ensemble from my antique clothing collection, but I've put on too much weight to fit into much of it. Yes, up and down with the pounds, so I started looking around my fabric stash to pull something together for moi! I have designed and sewn for years, used to have a full time costume rental business, but have never taken the time to make something for myself. Because time was a huge consideration, I didn't have the luxury of over-agonizing about it.

Here are a few pictures, if you're interested in doing something similar, I have explained it at the end of this post. I just finished a sassy little fascinator that didn't get photographed. Perhaps I will have an event picture or two to share on a later date....

Alll the fabrics are crispy silks, the red is a color change to a greenish gold. I used antique laces, trims and buttons.

I lost my desire to sew after costuming a play, when I had to construct ten WWI mens British military uniforms, and had about 2-3 weeks. I pulled several all nighters getting that done and the thought of olive drab still makes me queasy. I've done some accessory items and light boho reconstruct things, but this was the first fairly intense piece in quite some time. I wanted a basic 1880's silhouette, and I have a small bustle to wear under the skirt to lift the poufs just a bit. And a corset, bleh.

What I did, if you're interested...For the bodice I used McCalls 6097, but lost the ren style lower sleeve and added my own layers of fabrics and lace, and the ruffles around the neckline. I like the longer bodice style, it's really smooth and forgiving. I flat lined and didn't bone because of the corsetry.

For the skirt I used Simplicity 2851, attaching the apron to the skirt at the waistband.The bustle poufs and train are one piece, attaching at the back of the waist band. Both patterns are costume designs and I am never satisfied with the finish work per their instructions, electing to french seam, or bind my seams. As I was taught, your work should be just as beautiful on the inside as out, and I don't serge, ever. Fiddly-ass machines drive me nuts.

So there you have it, I am back to jewelry making as of tomorrow, having some earring requests to catch up on and will be taking my artfire studio off hiatus status as soon as I can get a few things listed.

Oh, I almost forgot to mention, my jewelry can be found locally at The Genoa Trading Company, and in Anchorage Alaska at the divine Ozarks Americana. I am so pleased and proud to be in both these lovely spots!

Thanks for stopping by...be back soon!

Lis~

In the Blink of an Eye

2011-07-26T05:27:00.000-07:00

July is essentially gone, another month...POOF! I've done two shows back to back weekends, and Ron just finished yet another. Sparing you the details, we have a very very busy house. Very. I don't have many pictures to share this time, but am wanting to tell you that I've consigned a significant quantity of inventory at The Genoa Trading Company! That arrangement is going swimmingly well. I try to make things, or progress toward that every day, it's what I do, and happily, a number of things have sold before even having the opportunity to photograph them.

My garden is a pathetic mess this year, but there aren't too many around here to be very envious of. The weather has been unstable and just plain stoopid. Oh! Something I learned this month. One space after a sentence..? Huh? I can't seem to break the habit of two and wonder when that happened anyway.

A few pics and at some point I will update the ArtFire Studio. Talking to amazing SIL recently and I told him that we were so very busy, and that I always seem to be that way, and at least I am never bored.

He said that he was never bored either, and thought that it might be fun.

I do apologize for the brevity, and will try to get back soon!

Studio Update

2011-06-24T21:45:00.000-07:00

Here we go, another month breezing by. I have piles of inventory and will be updating my ArtFire studio momentarily, but wanted to take just a moment and share pictures of a little of what I've been doing..Many of my pieces will be going to consignment, so if something catches your eye, contact me quick. I am really pleased to be working with Christine and will update with links and pics on my next post. Meanwhile, here we go!.

Edwardian enamel reconstructed earrings...

Edelweiss enamel flowers, little sterling bells...

Vintage jacks and antique glass beads.

Bracelets, bracelets, and more bracelets...

Nouveau brass heart, NOT a reproduction....and an amazing brass cross with a pocket knife. Ironic.

I don't often keep my own pieces, but this hand carved Victorian bone castle necklace is calling to me...and I've pondered it's construction for months...we'll see...

Love and blessings to anyone kind an patient enough to stop here....

Lis~

Palette Pondering and What Happened to May?

2011-06-01T18:01:00.000-07:00

I haven't been here in quite some time and it makes me a little twitchy! I like to blog, I like to read others...and I've missed this very much. So! Cowboy Poetry was a success for me, a very respectable quantity of my work went riding off into the sunset, I had a birthday back then and it was made so lovely and special by my best peeps, and then the rest of the month...well, I wouldn't go back there for all the coffee in Costa Rica. Major creepiness with a rental property (not ours, but in the family) but I think we're d.u.n. Pretty much. Being kept away from the studio makes it all the sweeter when I finally do get back, and I spent a couple of days catching up on some custom work. Today I just puttered and pondered and piled palettes. So this what I have to show you after my stress workout. Palettes...

Design work happens for me in different ways. Sometimes I sketch, sometimes I pile things up, but no matter, it's always an evolution process. These pictures are just beginnings.

Tourmalines, one of my all time favorites.

I found this old celluloid cat brooch and think the grossular garnet and smoky quartz might be the thing with the chalcedony...ponder ponder.

Carnelian, faceted citrines, antique carved bone and a yummy old reverse painted glass brooch....sigh. I've set a tintype into a cavity on the reverse of the focal.

I am thinking that the matching brooches will soon be earrings, and kyanite drops with antique mother of pearl just has to work in....

I'm pretty anxious to get to work on this one....the focal has an amazing story to tell.

These little "ponder piles"...well....some will be realized and some will have to wait for that perfect little bit that I must locate, or construct...the only thing I know for certain is that it feels really fine to sit here and be still......

I've missed you!

Cowboys Incoming

2011-04-29T19:56:00.000-07:00

Jeesh, I hesitate to use the words "Cowboy Poetry Festival" since Harry Reid shot his mouth off and was so roundly criticized for it. Taxpayers money supporting the Arts and all that.....and this event isn't even the HUGE festival they have in Elko every year....only the second annual for us, we loved the experience last year. May 4-8 and we have no expectations but some relative level of hope for a successful event. Nevada has been hit really hard in this economy. Foreclosures are still very common and everyone knows someone or several someones' who are out of work and/or have lost their homes amd more.

The music and poetry are just a bit of what happens, a small part of our culture here, and if you're local I highly encourage you to head on out. The weather is purported to be fabulous. I will be peddling my handmade wares, the antique store will be open, and so many interesting things are going on! Wonderful art, the Native Americans (Indians) will be in front of our antique store selling their legendary Indian Tacos and in the Mason's Hall next door they'll have Arts and Crafts demonstrations and goods for sale. Activities and events are spread all over town.

I've been diligently working on my inventory all winter and this will be my first opportunity to put some things out to the public that haven't been listed in my ArtFire studio. My focus has been on a more organic, simpler line of affordable adornment though I do liberally scatter rhinestones around out of habit and necessity. If you do come around, be sure to stop by and say Hey, Hiya, Howdy or something!

Always some element of sparkle, I'd have to hide my rhinestones from myself to work without them ever...

Happiest of Mother's Day,and my heartfelt prayers up for tornado victims.

Now....where did I put my boots?

Princess Sophie

2011-04-13T12:33:00.000-07:00

Sophalicious, Sophanocious, Snowfie....Personal property of my parentals, I call her a number of things but she is without a doubt, royalty. If she'd cooperate, I have the perfect little tiara that would look so fine on her funny little head...but even getting these pictures were a challenge. Getting up there in years, it's been a little rough for her of late. When she went to have her teeth cleaned recently, they removed three of them...then it was determined that her trachea is collapsing and the liver isn't working so well....so I am a little nervous when I dog-sit ...we're off this afternoon to see Dr. Bob again...She is funny, smart, particular, spoiled, well behaved, playful, enormously provenant, cute as a bugs ear and no bigger than a minute.

Pops and the Princess

My own dog (not pictured) is a geriatric patient so they rub along fairly well together...

till next time!

Tailspin

2011-04-11T17:55:00.000-07:00

This piece, which I had barely finished and photographed, flew out of here yesterday with my oldest daughter. I had named it Tailspin.

Ah well, a match made in heaven.....it suits her tremendously.

Tailspin.

I had just finished up a little pile of pounded and patinaed prototypes as well, she wanted one of the keytags, but I had designed those as a potential gift for a specific person. A relative who is indeed working on an epic moustache. What do you think? Will he like?

This one above is the sleepy eyed version.

This one is after caffein...

Playing with metal makes me really happy.

So that's about it for now. I have a little gathering of spring themed earrings to list tonight, reconstructed from old cufflinks, and some gemmylicious drops...but I won't be away for long. I need to tell you about the houseguest I have coming tomorrow....Princess Sophie....

til' next time!

Lis~

Sneak Peeks....

2011-03-28T19:57:00.000-07:00

I've been hard at it, and loving every minute. Here are a few pictures of what I've been up to...I should stop and list more regularly, but when the muse is on my back, it's stuck like a monkey and I can't shake it off. Not that I want to. When it fades, I simply clean up my messes and it comes screaming back....I've been all over the place working with relics, gemstones, vintage and antiques....so there is no theme here. Well, birds and flowers I suppose, always a draw for me. So, here are some pictures and then I am burning oil to get these things listed on ArtFire. The weather has turned fabulous and little green things are beckoning to me...

So there you are for now, anyway. I have a few more pairs of earrings I haven't photographed, and am anxious to get back to some bracelets I have on the board. Blessings to you, thanks for stopping by, until next time!

Lis~

Trinkety Treasures and Other Excavations

2011-03-22T22:58:00.000-07:00

Ooooh, a little gathering of schlockiness....it's been scrubbed and some won't make it to the archives, I wanted to get this quick post out to show you the glory and madness of digging in the dirt. Yes, all this stuff and more was archaeologically extracted via major digging supplemented by hamburgers and Budweiser, in various ghost towns of Nevada.

Check out that ugly little black animal in the lower right hand corner....

Solid copper and silver brooch, probably 30's...silly little thing, but it was fun bringing it around again. It had been in a fire. So had these...

I have several clock cases to work these things in to, but there is more where it came from, so at some point I can put some lots on ArtFire, in my vintage studio.

If you can be bothered to scroll back up to the first photo, several of these crusty burned up industrial looking things are apparent. I soaked them for a couple of days, then I torched them to burn off some more crust. Sanding blocks and steel wool, I love the pitting. They're copper plated brass beads, large and heavy. I think they will be wonderful with some chunky hammer faceted quartz crystals for a bracelet that will also double as a lethal weapon.

Until next time..

Lis~

A New Focus on Focals

2011-03-19T23:54:00.000-07:00

If you've been hanging around here for any length of time you know that the Man and I are junque collectors. He went on a dig this last week and brought home some trinkety wonderfulness I'll share after my department has processed them, The Scrubbing and Evaluation Division of the Archival Museum. I was design pondering focals this last week and started layering bits from scrounges of days gone by, and thought to share a little of this madness. I soldered some bits to excavated antique furniture hardware. The solder darkened the rhinestones on the right, but after I studied it awhile, I decided I really like the effect. I suppose I was lucky they didn't explode.

These are the beginnings of necklaces or bracelets, okay so now moving on to the other two focals I finished and actually listed.

SOLD!, Thank you so much!

I am getting really fast and efficient with the torches, but still seriously lucky I didn't damage the cameo. What on earth was I thinking?

An absolutely gorgeous pearl set into chased silver-I soldered it into the center of this antique brass filigree buckle. Not so lucky, I singed the side of the pearl. Not a huge deal particularly in this genre of jewelry, and the tiny little singe almost makes you wonder where the pearl has been...I really don't know what I was thinking.

Moving along now....a sweet friend sent me some bullet casings from her target practice, (Thank you Mary dear!!) and I was wanting to play with them a bit. Sawed off bullet casings filled with resin and I must have been feeling a little something when I chose the sentiment....what was I thinking???

The truth is, I was working on these when the disaster hit Japan, and was so very overwhelmed with grief and feelings of helplessness. I wished and prayed for it all to

And that's what I was thinking.

Until next time...

There is No Justice

2011-03-10T00:25:00.000-08:00

SOLD, Thank you!

for poor photographs. I lost my daylight and set up the little box...it's just not the same. I will post a few of the baubles and bits, trinkets and bling that I've been working on....and then a big do over on the morrow. I'm not being a tease...

Maybe I am getting too picky.

Nope.

I've been productive, so check back soon...I will get some good daylight and show you what I've been up to!

Blessings,

Lisa

Meet a few of my friends

2011-03-04T00:26:00.000-08:00

Visages of inspiration

Oh Baby, It's Cold Outside

2011-02-27T12:48:00.000-08:00

A big crockpot of Chicken Tortilla Soup bubbling away and the aroma wafting throughout the house is just the thing. I love this part of winter, and I'm not torn to be out in the yard coaxing my flowers along. Spring will be here soon enough. I wanted to show you the progress I've been making!

I wanted to share a good bead lead too....shows are few and far between here, and I rely on the web for new things. As an antique dealer, vintage beads aren't such a problem for me.

GiveMeMoreBeads.com

I wanted heishi and they have a decent selection for a great price. All of the strands I used on the necklaces were purchased via this site, it seems they even have regular sales every week. Two consecutive Thursdays now, I've spent a little pile. It's addictive. I don't want to buy half a dozen beads when I shop....give me the whole strand, and lots of them!

Tap...Tap Tap....Tap Tap Tap

2011-02-18T17:28:00.000-08:00

A long snowstorm has me happily housebound and working away...I'm catching up on the "Of Towers and Turrets" class I took in the fall and was unable to finish as I would have liked, as well as "The Build Zone". I've got the sort of projects everywhere that I adore, and it's all good!

The buttons for both of these wonderful places are in my right side bar if you are so inclined to visit. I think there is another Tower class getting ready to start if it hasn't already.

These are very cool wire wrapped links, using antique textiles. Part of my Build Zone Class, but Deryn sells this tutorial via her Etsy shop as well. The possibilities with these are endless. I've got palettes with old silk and depression glass beads lined up...

I put these earrings together with twisted wire rings I just learned how to make. The drops are vintage half drilled Czech glass and old filigree.

I took a few pictures of these pendants...this is pre eyelet stage...
The egg is just my first attempt at putting a bezel around a stone without blowing everything to bits. That's another story for a different day.

Eyelets and rivets....

I am really liking this cathedral window shape. I found some bits of very fancy bezel wire and set an antique faceted saphiret stone. Boy howdy, I wish I had more of those.

An experiment in layering metals. I love all these colors.

Theoretically, my resin will flow nicely beneath the old lamp brass filigree. I have plans for this one and am calling it "Widow's Walk".

So! I am off to plan my little reliquary vignettes, clean these pieces and start thinking about resin.

Until next time,

Blessings!

Button, Button, Who's Got the Button?

2011-02-08T13:03:00.000-08:00

Deryn's button, that is!

I've got it here (clickable button is on the right) and hope to win a little pile of goodness from Deryn, but taking this class will make me a winner anyway!

I took the Towers and Turrets online class this last fall from Deryn Mentock and Sharon Tomlinson. Though life got in the way and I wasn't able to participate as much as I would have liked, every minute I was able to be there was time smashingly well spent.

Deryn has been working on a new online class of her own, and since it's unlikely she'll be teaching in my neck of the woods any time soon, I think I am going to go for it. Dear man of mine asked what I wanted for Valentines Day, this is it, honey-pie. Many of the techniques she'll be covering are things I am already familiar with, but one of the biggest and most humbling lessons I learned from the previous class experience is this....

I am largely self-taught when it comes to jewelry construction, and watching Deryn's lessons has helped me with technique immensely, more often than not correcting things that I would over look, re-affirming my quest to create professional quality pieces in my own style with absolutely the best construction I am capable of mastering. Correcting self-taught bad habits has been worth every penny and minute of watching the dear lady in action. One example was the Ice Resin module. When I first learned about Ice Resin, I knew it would be a perfect enhancement and could think of many ways to incorporate it into my work, and so I read the instruction sheet and dove right in with perhaps too much enthusiasm. I had the stuff in my hair, overflowing, setting objects that looked dopey and dull...and am still chipping chunks of it off the workbench. Once I watched Deryn handling it, easy peasy. Jeesh! Creating bezels was another frustration, I had learned years ago and forgotten most all of it. One simple lesson and voila! Back in the saddle! Don't misunderstand, I have much to learn and recognize this with great humility and when disposable income is less disposable in these times, weighing the advantages is a necessary part of the spend equation. Besides being a modest investment in my craft, hanging out and making new cyber friends is beyond rewarding, it's simply something sublime.

There are many blocks she'll be teaching that I'm delightedly anticipating, and so I do hope to see some of you there. Please do stop by and take a look at the class, it's going to be amazing and I can hardly wait!

It's So Sweet to Be Needed...

2011-02-02T00:23:00.000-08:00

The day before I left for a long anticipated trip to Kauai, the kitchen sink started leaking. DH tko ultimately, but I had to stand there like a surgical nurse with tools and handling all the accumulated bottles of whatever..., and felt like a turd for leaving in such a crises. So I mopped up with the authority and dedication of a hazmat team after disposing of most of it. When I called home to say I arrived safely, I received the news that our internet was down. I tried to talk dh through resetting the modem, even gave him our isp info so he could handle it, but I think he preferred to just ignore the problem and eat hamburgers or buffets with his pals for a number of days. Me? I was eating fresh ahi, and making fresh salsa's with mangoes and papayas as often as I could and well, having the time of my life. And I stopped calling home. I bought ahi at the local markets and this picture was taken from the grounds of our condo ....

I have simple tastes, a simple camera, and get too involved in my experiences to be a reliable historian. I do think I could have fed this bird by hand if I had the appropriate morsel, the sparrows across the way were devouring a bit of hand made sugar cone with drips of mango gelato (pog) from my hand....

My alarm clock...

The cocka-doodlest rooster that you ever met..2am and he was ready to roar. I sent a small pile of fresh bean sprouts over the lanai thinking I was feeding my wild friends some healthy food. The birds wouldn't touch the sprouts much to my dismay and embarassment, but finally the sun faded them into nothing. The sprouts I mean. Chickens are wild and rampant all over the island. But not apparently too hungry. I saw a couple of chicks I would have loved to stash and take home with me at Spouting Horn though. No chance.

As am bonafide member of the Jaws generation, I've been duly afraid to bathe since the 70's or thereabouts. I got pretty wild on the beach though, or rather, the beach got wild with me. The surf knocked the tar out of me and then some. Sand enema.

Yes, there is a beached whale (meaning moi) somewhere in there with the boogie board. Shameful. I did see, the day before I left, a whale, a biological specimen, jump far into the air....at least 4 times in the same spot within the same hour. It was one of the highlights of my adventure.

If you look closely, you will find a pair of doves getting lovey-dovey....they both walked across my toes in their dance, another astonishing event for me. I was not in the wild country looking to meet up with boars or giant spiders though one hairy arachnid did manage to crawl sleepily out of my luggage when I was unpacking, how does that happen I ask you? I roll my clothes????!.... I did eat the best seared ahi taco with drippy wasabi something or other, and had several days of positive goodness, and lit my eyes on pure magnificence. Fabulous time, much to remember, even though I came back to piles of mail, a blown sewer pipe, freezing cold, a man and family/pets starved for affection...by golly....there's no place like home. Aloha...and

Mahalo!

Tube the Ditch

2011-01-12T20:59:00.000-08:00

Yes, that is what I intend to do, and very soon. After an antique show this weekend, I'm off to Kauai. I'll be vacating shops, internet, pets, kids, husband, and off with a girlfriend to relax. Lucky, lucky me. Almost Aloha time.....

Merry Christmas to All... and to All

2010-12-23T22:10:00.000-08:00

Peace, sanity, strength and the discipline to pray regularly. I haven't had that discipline,....and it was not by my faith that my mom survived an aneurysm, crainiotomy and all the brutality that comes along with such an event. She is a very young 70 and seems relatively unchanged in personality. What?? The stories I have heard about these things are beyond imagination. We've been so very blessed that it has brought me to my knees. To my knees.

My sister is 5 years clear now of a devastating breast cancer, and my husband has his vision despite detached retinas in both eyes. These are my Christmas gifts. My children are beyond well, my nephew is to become a father shortly.

This next year I will spend significant time on my knees.

I wish you all the very happiest and peaceful of holidays, and may the promise of the Christ Child keep you where you need to be.

~Lis

Bags, Bags and More Bags!

2010-12-06T12:00:00.000-08:00

I mentioned in my last post that I was constructing market bags to use as gifts for my peeps, and so I've made about 16 of these. I scanned some illustrations from an old La Fontaine book of fables, I purchased some images from graphics sellers, one of them was a rubber stamp I scanned and blew up. Using t-shirt transfer paper, and an assortment of fabrics from ye olde stash, it was not an expensive project. The transfer paper was the pricey element, but Michael's and JoAnne's coupons defrayed the cost considerably.

That interesting rubber stamp, I think it is from a Tim Holz collection.

This peach bag was the back and front of a linen blouse!

I used different scraps for linings, old pillow tickings, this one has a sweet 1930's textile.

I was pretty amazed with the detail that the transfer paper picked up.

I don't intend to make a career out of market bags, but it was a great way to use up some osnaburg and other cottons that I had piling up. The adhesive from the transfer paper made a darker area but because I used such detailed images, no way was I trimming all that excess off. I would like to try silk screening at some point and see if the same detail is possible. Once the fabric was cut and the transfer applied, I could sew one up in about 20 minutes, seriously.

Credit is due and most gratefully given to oldgreymare for her basic bag construction tutorial. I roughly duplicated her measurements and flew through these.

I intend to use them instead of gift wrap wherever possible. So there you go!

Just a Preview Now...

2010-11-28T00:46:00.000-08:00

I hope everyone had a fabulous holiday. I could live off what I ate for days and days..:( We went to the folks house at Cave Rock, Nevada....I got one barely focused picture flying down the road on the way. We've had days of snow since, but it is always lovely, no matter.

Yes I've been busy since, and here are some pics to give you just a little peek at what I am getting ready to list.

Yum? Just maybe? I am pretty pleased with this latest work. I've been really focused on design and feeling my form, no matter how random I wish to be, my style is historically inspired by Victorians, Edwardians, Georgians, Flappers and Fiends. Pirates, Poets, Prayer and the Past.........So there you are, I am off to list while it is quiet and peaceful. If you have a moment I'd love it if you stopped by my ArtFire studio, only because you can see the rest of the pictures and it saves me just a bit of time. I am still in the process of sewing vast numbers of market bags to use for Christmas gifts that I'll share with you next time. On with the Holidays!

~Lis

Checking in and Out

2010-11-20T08:29:00.000-08:00

One of the first pieces I sold on Etsy.....

I imagine everyone is sick to death of these sort of posts, I'd like to put them all to bed myself, but I just needed to get this out and be done with it. I have officially closed, not just deactivated but closed both Etsy shops. I don't want to belabor all the issues so please let it suffice to say that I am simply not pleased with the direction the site is taking. I don't want to ugly up my blog with all the issues. Anyone can be successful without Etsy and the associated headaches and heartaches....just watch.

I still have a buyer account and will continue at times to purchase from artisans that I adore, I am not about boycotting the little guy or punishing people who choose to stay. And don't misunderstand, it's been a very sad journey for me.

You can still find me easily on ArtFire and I'm in the process of opening two more studios there! One of the new ones in the works is for my husband, serious guy stuff for the Western Americana collector, and the last one, CobwebPalaceStudio, will be an extension of my original handmade studio. I've recently updated Bonjourmadame with a nice selection of vintage, and CobwebPalace with new old redux luxe.... There are other plans and projects in the works to talk about later.....

So there you go, you know where to find me, and I only want to conclude with the fact that I feel hugely relieved and can turn back now to what I do with focus and joy.

Blessings,
Lis~

Christmas Ideas....

2010-11-17T05:21:00.000-08:00

For ME! or you. Or anyone! I put together a collection on Artfire, something I have no experience with, and I thought it was fairly cool and loaded with practical gift ideas. I haven't received much response. Do check it out if you have a moment, please?

Practical Matters

Curated By: cobwebpalace

ArtFire.com

Indie Design

I've been building grocery totes with salvaged materials to use for Christmas wrap of late, and putting Victorian graphics on them, getting disgusted with the whole project. I much prefer the look of silk screening and though I've been using nice quality transfer paper, it's just not the same.

I've put a few pieces in my ArtFire vintage studio lately and am off to list a bit more, before battening down hatches for our first snow storm. Thanks for stopping by!
Lis~

New Old Things, Ready for Market!

2010-10-25T18:34:00.000-07:00

Here are some pictures of what I've been working on....as soon as I am finished with this post, I am off to put them up in my ArtFire Studio.

Thanks for stopping by!

New Neighbors for Cobweb Palace?

2010-10-21T22:05:00.000-07:00

And so it has been nearly a month since I was here. There have been some incredible shifts in altitude thus my nutshell description for that is all I can offer; Candy Dance Arts and Crafts festival as well as online sales have depleted my handmade inventory, we mourned the passing of my uncle, we got married, I hosted an intimate two day art workshop for two wonderful ladies, I will pause and take a breath here....

and so for the last few days I've been back to work in the studio, feeling very grounded, productive and pleased with my progress....next post for some of that....Needing a breath of fresh air, I looked outside my door to the east and noticed with much puzzlement, a lovely antique cast iron panel had been installed just this side of the curly willow tree. The ivy had caught and was beginning to twine around the base. I gasped, it's so incredibly lovely, the shapes and forms, the rich unfakeable patina, breathtaking and inspirational!

Then something caught my eye and seemed just a bit odd and so I looked further. No, I am imagining things, it's been a whirlwind here of late. *blinks hard several times*

Seriously, can you see it??? At the base of my curly willow tree? Just there through the iron fence panel?

HOMESTEADERS! I can't believe it! Turn your back for just a moment and see what happens?

Well, those old iron hinges are very lovely, and the door is framed by golden moss on one of my very favorite trees. It's a good, happy tree.

Gosh, I suppose I don't mind so much as long as they're behaved and don't make mischief in my studio.

I wonder who they are??

Yes, I think it will be nice having new neighbors, and I hope their house is as full of flowers as mine.

I will leave them some tomorrow....

The Cherry Tree

2010-09-26T00:41:00.000-07:00

The Cherry Tree fell, Lis...he said as he brought her coffee early in the morning....she rubbed her eyes and said no, can't be true George...but George (my dear Ron) was telling the truth....it had started about 4 am with some wind and noise, big nudge in the ribs...what was that??? Hmmmm???? Sounded like lots of metal banging? I dunno.....snore.....Later I arise and casually survey the sunrise and it's indeed blocked by a fallen tree, spanning my backyard and so, everything else aside, burying our beloved tree is now the order of the day. No pets, buildings or humans were harmed with the exception of our sore backs.... We rolled up our sleeves and it took the two of us with the help of a neighbors chipper, nearly three days to fix it all....

There was a huge branch that looked like it was meant for a swing, that kept the tree from crushing the back of the barn as it fell. You can't see it well at all in these pictures, but if it had not cushioned the fall, severe carnage imminent...we were so blessed...

My gentleman of perpetual pants falling down worked like a demon to repair the damage, and the darn rock wall kept crumbling, I had my own chainsaw for the project and felt like a warrior queen.

It's pretty much all better now, wood hauled, mulch spread, lawn recovering...yay!

Remember Me?

2010-09-22T09:32:00.000-07:00

My first online workshop, and it's been so incredibly amazing, thank goodness it goes until December because I've been interrupted. Of Towers and Turrets , please do check it out.....lots of wonderful ladies from all over the world, sharing the most incredible work as they/we learn from these fabulous instructors!!! I am hooked, Sharon and Deryn are an amazingly complimentary and effective team and I highly recommend this workshop. It's not too late to sign up either.....A series of very professionally executed and just plain fun videos guide you through everything from tools and sources, detailed instruction and review....forums filled with lovely, encouraging and highly inspired people bouncing information and encouragement all over, a veritable treasure trove, all of it. Our instructors seem to never be further than a whisper away when you have a question...I really wish I could spend more time hanging with this particular gang, I know I could make some new friends. My only regret is that the workshop will be closed at December's end, so much to absorb and to really appreciate what everyone is doing, well....that's my own fault and I knew I had conflict. I review the vids as I can, paint and plot and poker face me laughs out loud regularly at their banter, I jiggle around and hum to the funky music...I love how relaxing yet inspiring it all is. For many examples of the class work, and personal works of Sharon and Deryn, do click away. For a workshop that will potentially alter your perspective, teach and refine your skills, and add layers of soul to what you create, just do it. You won't regret a minute of it.

I've been occupied, truly overwhelmed with tasks and things which have required a great deal of time and energy. Consequently, much catching up to do. And so then life literally dropped a huge and antique cherry tree across our backyard this Sunday morning early, and I'll post on that at some point, when my back stops aching from the clean-up. Most fortunately, no people, pets or buildings were damaged. This weekend is also Candy Dance, the huge art and craft festival that's been happening since the 1970's, and the dinner dance which is celebrating it's 90th something anniversary.....but for now....I've done more work on my studio and it's a magical place. I can't wait to get back into it! I think I will just let my pictures speak for themselves a bit here.....This place has become very important, I love being here surrounded by pretty, interesting, inspiring things and all alone.....things are happening here.....

the little owl clock I told you about, Susan, in front of your fabulous bridal shadowbox....

Yes, things are happening here. I just listed this piece on ArtFire. Until next time, check in with me if you happen to come to Candy Dance....

Smooches,

moi

All things must pass...A Tutorial of Sorts

2010-08-24T01:38:00.000-07:00

Didn't George Harrison say that? He was right. They do, however I don't find myself thinking, "Hey Lis, all things must pass..." when I am tremendously happy...just when I need to get through something. Through it, gone, done, and now I am revelling in happiness. I pulled out some fun and silly work, just a little break....and it started with these. Pomegranates from a friends tree, some lemons and limes thrown in...buried in my studio for at least a year now, perhaps longer. Hmmm...All things must pass Lis, and apparently that includes my memory.

So thanks for being here, and if you're interested, I suspect this is my first attempt at a tutorial of sorts. Very informal. So where was I...oh! The poms are probably just a year old. The natural colors, even though they've long since dried out and hardened, are still lovely and rich, another year or so and they become really dull. I took my trusty drill and put holes in them and glued in some dowels, about 6 inch lengths or so, and left them to dry. When I sauntered back to them, I got out the Paperclay and some glue, and fashioned noses...and wandered off to do something else again. By now you're ready to bounce, but wait!

This is really fun and I'm just getting started. I love all these different shapes, they lend themselves so well to odd and simple little faces. When my 15 little noses were adequately adhered, I pulled out the Gesso and put two or three coats on...I don't know why, except sometimes the color from the fruit will bleed and I like playing with Gesso. Then I had to go find something else to do again, not a difficult task around here. When the gesso was dry, I started slathering on white acrylic paint. Not antique white, but frosty white.

Aren't these little faces shaping up? And notice my clever use of a brutal looking flower frog.

Hmmm, I don't think I took a picture of them after white base paint, but you get the idea. So then I went back and spent about 2 minutes painting freehand details on each one. Simple, primitive faces very loosely inspired by antique Queen Anne dolls.

Oh dear, I neglected to tell you that I put crackle glaze on them when the paint was dry, and then rubbed some watered down brown paint in to the surface crackles....This was all done gradually over the period of several days as you've no doubt gathered, and dressing their little selves will be done much the same way.

Ultimately, these ladies will get primitive pillow type bodies, clothing, and little accessories or something.....and hats, definitely hats. Well, maybe. I like the little "crowns" on some of them, but they do break off sometimes. Most likely I will use twigs from one of the apple trees for their limbs. Was that an accidental pun? I will post when I have a few dressed. It shouldn't take too terribly long.

Meet MammyCat. She came from last year's pomegranates. Well, I think it was last year...hmmm.

Mammy lives with me, but all the finished dolls above will eventually adopted out. Wouldn't they make great little handmade gifts?

I will put some out at our craft faire, at September's end, and maybe a couple on Artfire.

Thank you all for your lovely comments, and for stopping by periodically.

xoxo,

Moi

More Customer Love

2010-08-10T00:00:00.000-07:00

So this is what I've been doing while under some little bits of stress. I don't usually admit to stress in public ever, I hate the word, the condition and it's just not done in public, especially on the net where everything is a permanent record...and not in my family, my mother would gasp at these words. I surprised myself with what I've done recently and I hope it pleases you.

This ensemble was inspired by Sugapea, thank you dear girl! Edwardian brass and enamel pieces complemented by vintage brass and drop dead blood red czech glass beads, earrings too...

Long story on this set but these cameos are all so lovely and were worth saving, the necklace and earrings were reconstructed using some gorgeously patinaed clasps acquired from my friend Danette Darbonne, Proprietress of EmbellissezlaReine. I have had a wonderful time using rhinestone elements acquired from her shop, amazing collection she has, do visit her, and her designs are ultimate. The reverse of one of the earrings has resin and a tintype, a perfect and funky mismatch, but so sensible! I will elaborate more on these pieces in the listings on my sites.

Moved to create more pieces from Victorian mourning elements by a dear and wonderful lady who I shall simply refer to as SP, or sweetiepie? Those are the initials my stepfather uses for my mother...This focal is antique chalcedony and I managed to find matching beads from FoxyFindings, a near miracle imho, I had to look everywhere and judge color via a monitor...the tightly woven hair of the beloved is intact, but I had to remove shattered glass and replaced it with IceResin..I usually get it stuck in my hair and everywhere, this dome is unsinkable, Molly Brown, thank you very much and take a bow!

And last but not least, are earrings constructed from the most fabulous black tourmalines I've ever encountered. I will never be able to replace these, I've tried. 1920's czech rhinestone buttons....and believe it or not, but you should because I am telling you the truth, inspired by the Jetsons robot housemaid. Go figure. This is what I do, who I am and bless you for spending even a moment of your time here.

MUAH!

moi

Just a Quick Chat....

2010-08-05T22:55:00.000-07:00

I have to tell you ....I really love my customers, and gosh I learn so much from them. Recently I was a bit lazy when listing a piece and didn't post a picture of it on a mannequin or form, the alabaster bust photos are very pretty but not a substitute.....it was hot or whatever lame excuse, the mannequin was not readily available, lame, lame, lame-out....I just didn't do it. SO! A very interested lady very graciously emails and asks if I can snap a quick photo of it on a neck. Hmmmm, no cute teen girl children about, they're all in Florida, Ron's neck wouldn't do the piece justice, and my neck, well, I wanted to do that about as much as I wanted to use Ron's. A sale is a sale though, and so I told her that I would, but if she didn't want to purchase the necklace after she saw it on my wrinkly throat, I didn't blame her. Crossing my fingers.....I sent the gorgeous necklace on (my) wrinkly throat picture, she purchased the piece, came back a few days later and put another on hold. Wow. Just wow!

Why do you think they call it a mannequin??

I have another customer, a local lady who pops in periodically, purchases a treat for herself, something to gift someone else, offers her very intuitive opinions about what I have in the works, and off she goes..... There are a few of these ladies all over the world now, it gives me huge warm fuzzies. I feel good about the growth of my work, I feel great about my sales, it has taken a long time developing. It's a painful process to put yourself out there on the web, and I have deliberately kept my shops separate, vintage for sale is apart from my work. Watching those numbers creep up, oh so excruciatingly slowly! It's very personal when it's your work, and not a pair of 1950's earrings....Antique and vintage sales are important, yes, but I think you know what I mean.

A Cameo Appearance...

I've learned to test drive all my necklaces before offering them up for sale, it's very aggravating to have a piece that curls, crawls, flips or pulls....not good.

Yes, I have some truly wonderful customers, if any of you happen over here now, see me standing front and center applauding you? Thank and bless you for your encouragement, support and friendship!

While I was working on this piece, I was thinking about the number of cameo's I've purchased and been gifted over the years, and next time, hope to share some of them with you. Cameo's are such a classic, and I've been working with that theme much of late. When I get them all out in to one place, it really is quite a respectable collection. I like collections. The cameo below is really a nice one. The brooch could have been repaired, but what fun would that have been? Yes, a really nice piece.

These pieces are available on either Artfire or Etsy....and I love them both. I think the thing with confidence (mine) is that even though I know I am not the best at what I do, I still immensely enjoy doing it!

Till next time...

moi

Oh When the Saints....

2010-07-25T21:20:00.000-07:00

We had a glorious thunderstorm today, dark electric skies, the splitting sounds of lightning had poor Mac the dog cowering under my feet. I was elated by the colors of the storm, and led to compose these sets of earrings.

Someone who shall remain nameless commented on my work, and remarked on the "lack of color."

I see lots of color here, my eyes and mind and heart are filled with these colors. I wear these colors every day. I often think in these colors. I dream in these colors.

I was not offended in the least.

Available for purchase on the morrow at Artfire and Etsy.

It's Nice To Be Just a Little Bit Missed!

2010-07-23T12:26:00.000-07:00

I've been working on a project that has kept me long hours away from home. Not a fun project, so it seems even longer in reality, but I'm back now! Things bubbling on the stove, and in my brain too....

One of my pets is especially glad to have my company back. Guido enjoys lots of conversation...mostly his own.

When I have to work away for extended periods, I get grouchy, but then I slap myself. It's never for THAT long and by golly, absence makes the mind sharper and more anxious to get back to the business of creating. Or something like that.

I'll be back soon!

The Fickle Tweakaholic, that's Me!

2010-06-30T23:00:00.000-07:00

Firstly, I never intended anyone to think I was going away, by the title of my last post and will choose my words more carefully in the future.

Secondly, forget what I said in my last post altogether. I intend to list some of the pieces I had pictured, some I hadn't, throw some out the window, send some north to Alaska....and get those clock cases spiffy and put them on too, as I said I would. Most of our country is probably travelling for the holiday so it doesn't even matter, I am talking to walls, right? I shouldn't bother listing anything until next week anyway, but never mind. It's my job. I may be a fickle tweakaholic but I am not a fickle tweakaholic shirker. I am on the case now. I love these things and have enjoyed having/making them, but I want to see the top of my table again, someday. Ruminating on room, and the dizzying circles the vast amount of stuff has me running in. (what?)

I've had this gorgeous Czech dress clip for as long as I can remember which some days lately could be nanoseconds, getting listed pronto.

So are these large 1930's "Pools of Light" crystal beads. They've been center drilled so they're not quite as desirable as the ones not, but still lovely. When you hold them down over paper, and the images reflect backwards to you, they're the thing. I have a little stash of these from a necklace I didn't feel like fixing....they're outta here....

These are pretty fun, original half-penny coins from 1965, with chalcedony....I put these together today and am calling them "Old Money".....off they go.

This aquamarine and chippy Haskellish pearl necklace was the recipient of some fiddly tweaking today and it's finally ready to debut. After I photograph it yet again. The cameo is a wonderful Venetian scene and the aquamarines suit it quite nicely. Vamanos!

The wall charms are going back into the box for a total tweakover, another day. But this one, my favorite this moment....

is getting listed too...scrumptious verdigris, warm humming colors and the stones, glass and metal meld so well.....It's gotta go. (to a really great home I hope) SOLD!!! to a very good home....

If I hold to this plan of mine, I might see my table by 2015.

Oh! I want to wish whoever stumbles upon this diatribe, do have a wonderful, relaxing, fun filled and safe holiday.

Happy Birthday, America

Hello and Goodbye, a brief introduction

2010-06-28T20:52:00.000-07:00

Despite all the action around here, I've been chipping away at getting some things finished and rounded up to send north, to a boutique I consign with. I don't usually consign, I dislike it very much.... actually. But this is a very extraordinary and special set of circumstances. Wonderful boutique, great clientele, even greater staff, hard to get in to....they've treated me very well and I've been delighted. When I send merchandise, it's placed in gift packaging, and a handwritten story or a few sentences of inspiration accompany the necklaces. I put names or titles on everything, and an invoice too.....paperwork.

Every now and then I shuffle and re-shuffle inventory. I will pull some and send it up with new pieces, and you get the drift.....scramble things up, and keep making new stuff! It's time to clean up the bench again too. I do get really messy when I work. It's this strange and wonderful cycle that I keep repeating. When things start getting re-organized, new ideas emerge and manifest themselves by way of little piles everywhere.

These are "wall charms" that will probably stay here to be listed on ArtFire and Etsy. They're just reconstructed antique and vintage bits, buttons and pieces that didn't move me for personal jewelry, though they are easily adapted.... They look pretty sweet arranged together. The faces are rather special with hand detailing on a couple of them. The large piece is an Edwardian belt buckle with the original lithograph.

This one came very close to finding it's way into my jewelry box. I love these goofus glass brooches and the bird motif is so universal. I used a yummy collection of tourmalines and the whole thing has a soft, muted look that makes it perfect for every day wear ever. I've done a number of pieces with this type of brooch and now they're getting harder to find priced reasonably.

So, these are a few of the goodies leaving home soon, and I just wanted you to meet them briefly before they have to go. Thanks so much for stopping by!

Unforeseen Circumstances

2010-06-24T22:21:00.000-07:00

and out of our control....in my last post I included a picture of Ron, so happy and humming, I caught him with his eyes closed and it didn't matter, I loved the picture and included it. Little did I know that within the next few days he'd be faced with some very serious issues regarding his eyes. My long story is short and sweet. Suffice to say that one surgery has been accomplished and proving successful, the other scheduled soon and should be fine. I'll be back soon after a much needed break.
xoxo,
~Lis

Antique Clock Cases Incoming....

2010-06-14T13:38:00.000-07:00

and outgoing soon, I hope I pray I wish.....

Ron just brought these back fresh from an attic in Gold Country, California, the square ones are 1850's, rosewood veneer, various states of dirt, disrepair, coolness.....oh!....the possibilities! Curio cases, theatres, little places for birdnest or tiny teacup collections...I bet Madame Talbot could think of something to do with these. I've got to get them cleaned up and outta here....or they'll end up in my studio AND we all know there's no room, no room!

Speaking of no room, I snuck around the corner to snag a pic of the master antique scrounger/collector/packrat king extraordinaire, at work in his shop....

beyond the double doors encrusted with license plates and old porcelain signs....

Here lies the evil genius at work on ...um....something.

OMG, NO! It's another clock case! Or is it a lamp made from a corn grinder????no, no, noooooooOOOOO!!!!

Nothing like a really good batch of junk to get him humming.....

I'll be putting these cases on the vintage sites, but if you want to ask questions or feel a need to have one or all, pop me a note!

Just a Little Peek...

2010-06-12T16:16:00.000-07:00

I feel the need to show anyone who might be a bit interested, just a little peek inside my studio, just so you know I have indeed been hacking away at it. My 15 year old daughter Abby will soon be joining her father, my son and my oldest daughter in Charleston for an extended stay, so I've been spending all possible time with her. I miss my children beyond belief when they're gone...such is the pain of divorce and broken families, but I digress...

It's been quite a process, but then it only took me about 10 years to mess it up, the studio I mean....I've parted ways with years of vintage and antique velvet and silk fabric scraps, keeping only the very best....sent the lions share of my costume collection off to a friend/family member who has now been designated "the go-to girl" for such attire as needed by pirates, gypsies, ghouls, damsels, gangsters and soiled doves. Things are finding their way to organized places and vignettes are forming in my mind's eye...It will be a little while until I can indeed work here, but it's just a blink now.

This barrister case is far from organized, but my bound collection of antique ladies magazines now resides in one place, and where I can see them!

On the top of another barrister case rests a fabulous shadow box, or "Sorrow Box", made especially for moi by my dear, wise and wonderful friend Susan. She does amazing work and I feel so fortunate to be the owner of this fabulously inspiring piece. More importantly, I feel most significantly blessed to have such a warm and caring friend. I will share better pictures of the boxes she's done for me in another post.

I love the colors in this old glass window. It catches morning sun, beautiful! My birds nests have found a place to dwell...there is a hummingbird nest but I cropped this picture because of a stack of boxes yet to be dealt with. The faded old ostrich egg was given to me by Ron's brother, who died suddenly and unexpectedly awhile ago...so young (54) . I love antiques and nice "stuff", but my most precious things are my children's artwork, and pieces that have been made for me or given to me and come from the heart.

Well, there you go. It's all I want to show right now, but know that my table is centered in the room, walking space all around, it's coming together and will be quite a magical place. I've already had local inquiries regarding workshops here....Perhaps at some point. But for now, it's quietly, privately mine.

Bless you for caring enough to read all this!

Muah,

Lis~

Fly Away, Spinderella....and other happenings...

2010-06-07T18:03:00.000-07:00

My oldest child Olivia, aka "Fish" or "Spinderella", graduated from high school this weekend. She's been mature and independent for quite a while now, but I still cried through the whole thing. Off to college, omg where did the time go little girl?

It's nearly as bad for me as when I first took her to kindergarten, and she turned and looked at me and said, "It's okay Mom, you don't need to stay."

She graduated with honors, scholarships, and has plans to enter the medical field.

Okay, so that was good and happy and sad and I have enough to be weepy about without getting all sentimental here.

I broke a toe yesterday. Have you ever done that? I think this is my third toe in as many years. I don't have time for broken anything. Stumbled out of bed yesterday morning and made a beeline toward the aroma of freshly brewing coffee, BAM! Right into a chair. I was so mad at myself, I still am! I got the garden planted though, since our weather went from 50 degrees to about 90 degrees overnight....

I worked on my studio all last week and have made great strides, brilliant progress, but I am not ready to show you anything yet. There is still much work to be done, and I will be back at it later this week after I get a couple of other commitments wrapped. I sat down and made jewelry today, reworked some things....it always feels like I am "plugging back into the mother-ship" when I sit down and create. It had been too many days without and it felt SO GOOD! I am so loving this portable light box thing that Angie and Asa gave me for Christmas....I'll have to post about it another time, but this is what I got done today...

Now please understand that these were mostly rework, or I had the palette together.....no interruptions, plugged in and focused....I don't just crank stuff out, I AGONIZE over it....

So I am off to list these things and will be at it for awhile...oh! I nearly forgot to say that my paper Ladyes of the Cobwebpalace have been quietly selling, I am so pleased and surprised, it's such a frivolous thing to indulge in these difficult times.....but they are being adopted out and loved, I have a photo of one of them under glass from a customer I will share another day....and so.....waiting to be embellished soon.....

If you've read this far, you deserve especial thanks for perseverance. Bless you!

~Lis

A Little Studio Tour, and a Huge Confession

2010-05-28T16:19:00.000-07:00

Doesn't this picture look almost magazine perfect? Well, except for the old boots, don't I look just peachy in my parlor? My son-in-law Asa Gilmore took this photo for a bio I needed for a trunkshow.....Truth of it is I used to sit here with piles of boxes and bags of stuff and stitch away, when I was focused on primitives and pincushion dolls. In the front parlor for gosh sakes. Then I gradually moved some stuff and became very industrious.....

In Here......This is what we call the "Rock Room." I've been working in this part of the house for some time now, and it's great until we entertain a larger crowd, as in holidays or whenever said crowd presents themselves. No matter how much space I have, it always seems to disintegrate into about 10 square inches of horizontal surface anyway. This is a family dining room. When I need to sew, the machine plops onto the kitchen table. When I paint, it's outside or here in the rock room, jewelry happens here, papier mache...stained glass, this is where I've been. Okay, so this is where the huge confession of a natural packrat comes in to play. I do have another space. Half of an historic barn. The beginnings and endings of a lovely little and mostly restored bohemian apartment. Tiny kitchen, a bathroom, next to my vegetable garden. Vintage wallpaper....woodburner cookstove, nice old windows adorned with stained glass. I don't use it. Well, it's used for sure, but not to work. The reason I am sharing this with those of you sweet and patient enough to actually read this, is to irrevocably shame myself into doing something about it.

This is the glass on the upper portion of the door leading into my space. Are you prepared to see what lies within??

I won't force you to endure any more of these painful photo's which clearly exhibit firm proof of my illness. Acutely Disorganized Packratitis, and I'm not going to take medication for it either. Instead, I am getting up off my sciatic behind and doing something about it. Years and years of textiles, trinkets, things I just love and don't have room in the house for....inventory for my little shop on main street, and most probably inventory for my ArtFire vintage studio. Ceiling to floor of my needful things, and what I most want is undoubtedly on the bottom of the pile. I was supposed to be doing something about this as I write, but the entire building needs to be emptied outside and it won't stop raining or snowing or blowing. I expect it will take 3 or 4 days to do it all, and I will keep you posted....Until then.....

Yard Sale Treasure....

2010-05-22T16:29:00.000-07:00

It snowed last night and I thought, "Oh boy! Crummy weather so I'll sleep in and skip yardsaling!" Wrong. Ron made me feel guilty so I flounced my sorry self out of bed and we drove a couple of miles across the valley to a subdivision that was having a huge neighborhood sale. About 70 houses or so were involved but I didn't make it past the third house. In fact, I took Ron home, grabbed more money and went back. Please forgive me for gloating, and I do intend to share some of it.....

Rolls and rolls of French wired rayon ribbon, some of it vintage, some not, but it's all very nice quality.....handmade crocheted trim from Turkey, gorgeous bark cloth yardeage, I won't bore you with the rolls of rayon seam binding in various colors, or the box of vintage and antique linen fancy work. I guess I didn't get a good picture of the two books I purchased, one of them is a speller from 1808, and a little German songbook. The 1920's bead fringe was a very fun find, and the wool and silk handmade shawl from the 1920's in delicious ice cream colors.

I feel extremely fortunate to have added to my stash in one fell swoop, and needed some fresh new things for my reproduction hats, costuming and accessories. This was indeed a blessing and not a normal haul for a Saturday's work.

Thanks for stopping by, until next time!

Tale of a Lady Pirate, Anne Bonny

2010-05-11T21:14:00.000-07:00

The image above is in the public domain. A tinted and altered version has been copyrighted by someone, somewhere, but this one remains free......
Much of what is known about Anne Bonny is based on Captain Charles Johnson's "A General History of the Pyrates". Official records and contemporary letters dealing with her life are rare. It is widely accepted that she was born between 1697 and 1705 in Kinsale, Ireland; that she was a daughter of attorney William Cormac and his maidservant; William's wife was named Mary Brennan and her mother was named Peg; and that, when the affair became public, Cormac moved to Charles Town, South Carolina where he made a fortune and bought a large plantation. He also continued his legal career.

When Anne was 13, she supposedly stabbed a servant girl in the stomach with a table knife. She was a red-haired beauty and considered a "catch". She married a poor sailor and small-time pirate named James Bonny. According to legend, James Bonny hoped to win possession of his wife's family estate, but she was disowned by her father because of the marriage.

There is no evidence supporting the story that Anne Bonny started a fire on the plantation in retaliation, but it is known that sometime between 1714 and 1718 she and James Bonny moved to Nassau, on New Providence Island in the Bahamas, which was then a pirate hub and base for many pirate operations. It is also true that after the arrival of Governor Woodes Rogers in the summer of 1718, James Bonny became an informant for the governor.

While in the Bahamas, Anne Bonny began mingling with pirates at the local drinking establishments, and met the pirate John "Calico Jack" Rackham, with whom she had an affair. While Rackham and many other pirates were enjoying the King's pardon in the New Providence, James dragged Anne before Gov. Rogers to demand she be flogged for adultery and returned to him. There was even an offer for Rackham to buy her in a divorce-by-purchase, but Anne refused to be "bought and sold like cattle." She was sentenced to the flogging, but later Anne and Rackham escaped to live together as pirates.

Bonny did not disguise herself as a man in order to join Rackham's crew aboard the Revenge as is often claimed. In fact, she and Mary Read helped Rackham steal the sloop at anchor in Nassau harbour and set off to sea, putting together a crew and taking several prizes. She took part in combat alongside the men, and the accounts describing her exploits present her as competent, effective in combat, and someone who gained the respect of her fellow pirates. She and Mary Read's name and gender were, however, known to all from the start, including Gov. Rogers, who named them in a "pirates wanted" circular published in the continent's only newspaper, the Boston News-Letter.

Over the next several months, she and Rackham saw several successes as pirates, capturing many ships and bringing in an abundance of treasure.

In October 1720, Rackham and his crew were attacked by a sloop captained by Jonathan Barnet, who was working for the governor of Jamaica. Most of Rackham's pirates did not put up much resistance as many of them were too drunk to fight, other sources indicate it was at night and most of them were asleep. However, Read, Bonny, and an unknown man fought fiercely and managed to hold off Barnet's troops for a short time. After their capture, Rackham and his crew were sentenced by the Governor of Jamaica to be hanged. According to Johnson, Bonny's last words to the imprisoned Rackham were that she was "sorry to see him there, but if he had fought like a Man, he need not have been hang'd like a Dog."

After their arrest and trial, Read and Bonny both pleaded their bellies, announcing during the sentencing phase that they were both pregnant. In accordance with English common law, both women received a temporary stay of execution until they gave birth. Read died in prison, most likely from a fever, though it has been alleged that she died during childbirth.

There is no historical record of Bonny's release or of her execution. This has fed speculation that her father ransomed her; that she might have returned to her husband, or even that she resumed a life of piracy under a new identity. However, the Oxford Dictionary of National Biography states that "Evidence provided by the descendants of Anne Bonny suggests that her father managed to secure her release from jail and bring her back to Charles Town, South Carolina, where she gave birth to Rackham's second child. On December 21, 1721 she married a local man, Joseph Burleigh, and they had eight children. She died in South Carolina, a respectable woman, at the age of eighty and was buried on April 25, 1782.

Do you suppose she would have perhaps worn something like this? It is available for purchase here.

And that, my friends, is the story for today!

Cowboy Up!

2010-05-04T08:49:00.000-07:00

If you read my last post, I talked about the Genoa Cowboy and Music Festival briefly. It was three days of art, music, food, poetry, workshops and fabulous weather to crown the first annual event. Ron and I worked our respective shops for the duration of the weekend and weren't able to participate or view alot of the events, but there was a kickoff party held all over town so we got a good feel for what was happening then. We met scores of interesting and talented people, our shops were packed for the duration, I don't know if the town made any money but I would call the event a smashing success. No bar room fights, though the potential was certainly there with the influx of Cowboys, Indians, Bikers and whiskey. I shot some pics of some of the interesting faces about town when I could. This event kicked off Thursday afternoon, went through day and night of Friday and Saturday....ended with Cowboy Church (!) and a pancake breakfast at the Masonic Hall....My sorry little batch of pictures doesn't even begin to touch what was going on....re-enacted gunfights in the middle of town while volunteers zip around in golf carts. It was a very carnival like atmosphere, but truly different than the huge Arts and Crafts Fair we have every year.

Having a town full of interested, informed, zealous folk who love history, the old west, expressing themselves via their craft - be it sculpture, paint, textiles, jewelry, saving wild horses, leather tooling, re-enacting, music, poetry....was refreshing, invigorating, and sales weren't bad either!

Simple pleasures, having your own picture taken with an adorable pony. I wish I had gotten pictures of the blacksmith, the Indians weaving, beading and dancing, the wool spinners, there was so much going on and I had to miss much of it. Next year, I'll get someone else to mind the store.

Houston, We've Got a Problem

2010-04-26T18:48:00.000-07:00

We are trying to get ourselves ready for a big event in our little town this weekend, the Cowboy Festival, and so have been sweeping away the winter dust and ahem....cobwebs. I took a few pictures of the insides of our shops and realized that we are so far beyond having the ability to do anything about our "condition" I got a horrendous case of hysterical giggles. My little retail space is the icehouse on the left, the big store is under the green overhang, we're right smack-dab in the center of town.

Though the big antique store is pretty much open year round, I pack up most of my textile inventory for the winter, because the town just isn't busy, and bring it back out about now. A little of it is on ArtFire and Etsy. I've been putting out my reproduction period costuming and accessories, as well as some authentic pieces. Nevadan's take dressing up pretty seriously for these kinds of events, and when the town is about to be overrun by Lacy J. Dalton, The Comstock Cowboys, and a full brigade of Western History buffs, re-enactors, and generally enthused folk, we must be prepared. It's what we do, mostly. Ummm...well maybe not the prepared part.

I was a little dismayed when I realized that dear husband has been buying furniture all winter and piling it into

the center of my store.

Okay, so those are a few pics of my little bit of insanity...but it gets even better, or worse depending on your perspective.

My dismay, and painful giggling increased when I saw that it was because the aisles in his store were near impassable. I remember the Tiffany Grandfather clock coming in awhile back, but really, "Honey, there's medication for this." He said he's happy and doesn't need meds. I know that to be true, and I know that he's a seasoned and knowledgeable dealer, collector and historian...and he thinks dust is historical in it's own way....

A little more tweaking in my shop this week and we'll be as ready as possible.

But this is my real problem. Okay so you know that I got new boots, and you should also know that I saw them on Deryn Mentocks blog, she got them first and gets total credit for exquisite taste, but I HAD to have them and it took me a nanosecond to track them down, on sale, in my size. But I couldn't stop. The smell of the leather, delicious colors, styles and designs, it gets as bad as buying beads. And so there was a brown truck in this one horse town today...

Yes, I was sooo excited I put stargazer lilies in my boots. See how versatile they are? Imagine how black and white ones would look with red tulips in them?!

And now I am so confused Houston.....there's too much to think about, what's a girl to do?

There's probably medication for this, but I'm happy with everything pretty much the way it is today.

xoxo,

Lis~

A Spaghetti Western

2010-04-23T23:02:00.000-07:00

Spaghetti, because it's what I am eating as I write and tangled in nature. So where to begin, at the front of the noodle, or the back?..

I have had my boots for longer than I have had my children, and my oldest is graduating HS this year, and I wear them lots, the boots, of course. Do the math for me will you please? These are my beloved boots on their deathbed...and I still can't let go of them. They have walked and flown thousands and thousands of miles with me, they are umbilically tied, they bore children!

But a girl needs boots. Good, strong boots. Especially here. There's work to be done. Lots of work. I have herds to keep track of, livestock to care for,

and here is where I must digress for a moment. This segment should be titled "How To Keep Deer Out Of Your Yard" and so it is. If you look very carefully..you will see

a big red blob just to the left of the cherry tree stump. It's a big fat strawberry that I was lobbing over into the neighbor's yard that didn't quite make it. But that's how you keep the deer out of your place....feed them in your neighbors yard. That's alot of work you know, especially not getting caught, and I DID get caught this time. They're not nice people, (those neighbors) at any level, and one of them saw me lobbing something over the fence and came dieseling up in his huge stinky truck because I am sure he thought I was putting landmines or chemical warfare or something over there. This entire herd of deer was entranced with my old strawberries for a moment that will never be recaptured because of small men in deisel trucks. Oh well. Oh dear, and excuse me. I have work to do.

And I really don't mind the deer in my yard, it's not big enough to hold and see all of them like this. They come and go, and I plant enough roses for us all.

This is my laundry. It's separate from the house and there is lots of special care that needs to occur so pipes don't freeze and I do sometimes stumble over the snow in my old boots to do laundry. I fall on my ass on occasions, and no, I don't have pictures of that to share....

So I must herd all those deer around and keep them fed, do laundry, and take care of my bunnies, and grow the garden as well. And make spaghetti. Three times a day. So, when I caught a strange dog this morning, terrorizing my bunnies, chewing on and hurling itself at their condo's.......I was nonetheless very pissed. Enraged. I took off my boots and threw them at the evil "bunny would-be murderer-had-I not-woken-up-and-started-boot-hurling". I will dream about this tonight.

MY DOG, was apparently on a holiday which he shall be docked for, everyone works around here, thump, thump.....and he was sufficiently humble when he arrived belatedly interested and sniffing about....BUT then! A man in brown clothes in a big brown truck drove up and guess what he brought????

THE LONE STRANGER

Tall, laser cut with lizard skin behind her, perfectly seasoned...and totally in charge. Essence of leather, nerves of a porcupine. My kind of heroine.

The big bunny in charge of the garden blessed the newcomer....he was pleased in his Cadbury way. Very forgiving sort of fellow and truly appreciates art.

THE LOAFER below

is now back on guard and doing his best to keep trespassers at bay.

and me? as for me...

I will walk and work a million miles before these boots wear out, but just in case....there is another pair coming, different colors of course....ummmm.....and maybe another after that. and another yet....... and the old ones I should keep around specifically for flinging.

They just make sense in my spaghetti life.

Steel Wire and a Celebrity Crush

2010-04-20T19:31:00.000-07:00

Things have been humming around the Cobweb Palace, lots to share, but I want to tell you about this wire I have been playing with of late. In place of sterling. And with sterling....I won't use it all the time, and not for bracelets because it does have rust potential, but it is NICE, and really great to work with. My torch isn't hot enough to bead it, so I've just been wrapping, tapping, bending and pounding. Here are a couple of pieces that I've used it on.

It's darkened annealed steel, and you can learn more about it from Deryn Mentock's blog. She has a tutorial about it, and I ordered it from the link on her site. The earring fronts are antique ivory piano keys from a child's piece. The holes were from the tiniest little screws I've ever seen. I backed them with antique sheet music and dangled old, dark mother of pearl buttons. I will still always use sterling for ear wires, but listen up, this wire has potential, and it's CHEEP!

Ok so I have a crush on Deryn Mentock (her etsy shop)well, not in the Ellen kind of way, and not nearly as much as Johnny Depp, but she's my kinda gal. I love her blog, her style, her heart for teaching, and her talent. And the fact she's a Westerner. I'm glad she finally got some boots.

Check out the wire, it's a terrific alternative to sterling or fine silver, and for art projects requiring patina and strength, it's got it all.
ciao for now!
moi

Cobwebs and the Muse

2010-04-14T21:16:00.000-07:00

I've always admired those artful folk who are dedicated to one mystery and pursue it endlessly. Painters, writers, photographers, I know many people who stand firmly on one beam and don't waver. It seems so clean and organized, sensible and pure. Then I try to reflect upon how my life would be if I had only one artistic focus. I see an image of a balloon being squeezed in the middle and bulging out all over before it pops. I am "all over the place", but other than the inescapeably huge mess, I couldn't change it for anything.

I can't help it. It's only partially my fault anyway. I do believe there is this thing, essence, spirit, minor deity, muse...help me out here....and it blows in and out and around in a ticklish, tantalizing and frustrating way, sometimes it cannot be grasped, and others....I can almost hear it speaking. My parrot (Guido) spends a lot of time on my shoulders, sometimes nuzzling and lovey, but more often, physically re-shaping my earlobes. It's sort of like that. Happy, sweet and nice, surprising, annoying and excruciating. I would never intentionally inflict these states upon myself so therefore I believe it must come from without. Most especially that latter part of it all.

This has been churning around in my mind for weeks now, because you see...I have suffered a number of ummmm....projects with uncertain results. Failures. Wasted materials. Wasted time. Loss of money but much worse, self respect. For many years I have been creating and selling my work, and there have been bloopers along the way, but lately, the percentages would make a statistician gasp. BUT! I do know why now, and am embracing this with all my energy.

I have, ..ahem, stepped outside my box. Not too far, but I have, oh indeed I have. Yes. Go ahead and take a moment to chuckle here....I've spent the winter darks exploring new techniques, learning, trashing, learning, destroying, learning, growing. It can be very lonely. And so it's springtime now, and I will scatter these cobwebs to the winds, listen with a sage ear and open heart. Normally I feel huge pressure in the spring, to industrialize and make up for the winter months. Not now, not ever again. These long cold months have been some of the most rewarding (retrospectively) that I have ever lived. Onward, at the newly defined pace of my recently discovered partnership with whatever is on my shoulder at the moment...Guido and/or the whispering, nudging muse.

Thank you all for bearing with my ramblings, your love, support and such kind words. Till next time....

moi

When Life Gives You Pearls....

2010-04-11T01:07:00.000-07:00

Make theme jewelry. I've been on a bridal binge...I have a special custom bride theme shadow box collage coming soon and I can't wait to share it. That's what probably started this trend, thinking about it, gathering elements for it's construction, but then I have to work with what I find, and so voila!

The sky has been raining pearls. Goldtone metals and filigree, Miriam Haskell, Hattie Carnegie, a resurrection of those fine designers. I LOVE fluffy, foo-foo, la la, details, over the top femininity, romantic and sentimental anything, can you tell???

These pieces are hopefully going to find happy new homes soon, and I will simply focus my obsessive-compulsive creative bent on the next growing pile of what grabs me by the heart. I am quite happy with my affliction.

These pieces look great against black, too..............

Happy Easter or

2010-04-03T22:23:00.000-07:00

Happy whatever you celebrate....I snapped a few shots today when the ever elusive sun peeked for a moment and gave me enough hope that I won't die from lack of Vitamin D. I was in the kitchen preparing holiday offerings....sun! WOw! where's the camera? Got a few of my bunnies in there too. It deigned to snow upon us briefly after this moment....

I do wish all of you a peaceful, introspective time....and may you find all the eggs that you hide before they smell.

Musings on Muses, just briefly.

2010-04-01T01:09:00.000-07:00

Joyeous Easter and Happy Spring!!!

Quiet moments in some of my favorite places.

These pictures are muses....I like to explore obviously inhabited places....

till next time!

moi

A Hard Day's Night or....

2010-03-24T23:39:00.000-07:00

A Working Girls Secret....
I went shopping or "scrounging" today, and I normally don't hit antique stores with much success since I am an uber picky dealer with my own store....so I had to really work hard to find anything. I did end the day with swollen feet and some treasures!

The little boxed set of antique Colgate products is darling...the green talc can is only 2 inches tall, the graphics on the box are very sweet. I love the graphics on the dye package too....contents and instructions are all intact...apple blossom pink from the 20's!

I'm well pleased with the jewels too. I got some wonderful brass filigree and textured beads, a couple of interesting dress clips, a nice brass brooch from the 30's with a litho of "Marie" under glass, and some nice strands of rosary beads. I scored some interesting very vintage chain and a little pile of earrings, and a couple of victorian pins. Some of these things will be sacrificed to the gnarling hunger of re-creation, some of them I will list when the honeymoon is over.

One piece I found is the rhodium deco filigree lavaliere, with the pale blue faceted stones. It's really very pretty but needs tlc. The faux pearls are in such bad shape, I'm going too replace them with nice freshwater pearls. Once it's cleaned and has a real going-over, it will be truly breathtaking.

I don't think it shows well in the pictures but the "sleeper" find of the day was a strand of ugly, odd boho style beads of undetermined nature. My first glance blew them off thinking 70's Pier 1 junk. For some reason I kept going back...then I noticed they was strung on fine chain....flappers did that because of vigorous dancing. Gorgeous engraved brass barrel clasp, I have to study it more, but for $4.00? I've seen single beads sell for more than that! It has 3 very unusual hand hammered metal beads and hand carved bone bits.

So, though my feet are mad at me for wearing my western boots all day, my pocketbook is pleased and I'm feeling smug.

The crepe paper roses are a delicate little spray from the 30's. They just jumped into the bag at the last minute.

Till next time........

CenturyVintage....

2010-03-16T23:02:00.000-07:00

Another Etsy shop, CenturyVintage for vintage and antiques, destash and great stuff to inspire....just opening (as in today) and so come visit, check back...I love my banner...Alicia Pellon (artinsomnia) has done all of mine for Artfire and Etsy, she inspires me. Truly....sigh, she is wonderful....I highly recommend her.............

It's all still so new, the categories aren't built yet, really. And there are other projects on all the burners, but I wanted to check in....
okay so I have:
bonjourmadame.artfire.com
cobwebpalace.artfire.com
thecobwebpalace.etsy.com
centuryvintage.etsy.com

I will never get around to Facebook....Twitter....Plurk.....

I am really loving Creative Souls...

Till next time!
moi

Ladyes of The Cobweb Palace, Act II...

2010-03-08T21:49:00.000-08:00

Are you weary of the ladyes yet? I'm pleased with the outcome of this little group, but am ready to take a break from paper and trims for just a bit....the jewelry bench beckons to me, whispering, "I miss you...". They're all listed, between etsy and artfire, I could sink the Titanic with these dolls....I do have plans brewing for another grouping, but somewhat different. Photo layout and fonts are giving me grief this evening, so I do apologise for the choppy presentation. Until next time...!

Presenting The First Ladyes of Cobweb Palace....

2010-03-03T16:05:00.000-08:00

And they are indeed the first of a new area of expression for me. Paper dolls, puppets, free standing these are, but articulated characters are in the works as well.....Meet the ladyes, on their way to entertainments of an undoubtedly exciting nature. These five lovelies have just been introduced in my Etsy shop, and I have plans for many, many more characters of the CobwebPalace sort. I am using lots of wonderful antique and vintage embellishments, and will make no two alike. Some will go to Artfire, some to Etsy, some will stay with me to adorn my studio. Please check back with me periodically to meet the new personalities. Paper dolling fits right in with everything else I do, and helps use up my tiny snippets and scraps of antique bits.....Shhhhh! I can't say too much right now, but I do think you'll be delighted!

Easter Postcard Images to Play with...

2010-02-28T20:01:00.000-08:00

Yesterday I was perusing a very fun blog, AlteredArtifacts and noticed that the artisan gave away vintage postcard printable clipart, and I was touched by that. Particularly since images are her Etsy business.....she has a list of free tutorials on her blog that I am anxious to look at as well....I thought that was a wonderful idea, not that my images are worth using, the postcards I scanned seem a little faded now, but here they are, for you to take and use how you like, assuming I did everything right. I have hundreds of antique and vintage postcards and their original purpose was for sharing, so ... I hope you enjoy! ~Lis

New Treasures Just Off the Bench....

2010-02-21T01:16:00.000-08:00

I'm pleased to say that the necklace I donated to Haiti by Hand has been purchased and is now finding it's way to a new home. I think that Rebecca Sower's efforts will be ongoing and so I will come up with another piece sometime soon, but in this little meanwhile, I've just finished and listed these pieces. I am really pleased with all of them, but the Maltese Cross really sets my heart pattering. The combination of lapiz and aquamarines seems to really generate some interesting energy. Okay so I'm a little nuts but I kid you not, the piece really hums for me.

I found the hand carved bone piece recently and the brooch casing was somehow too huge for it, so I reworked it and will create a reliquary from the other part of the brooch....that's going to be fun!

I can't believe the color separation in the slag on this Nouveau Pendant. It almost looks like picture agate.

The filigree piece was a rework and I'm much happier with it now. I really like jewelry that moves.

These earrings were hard to capture, the pearls are a soft whisper of green, and the faceted teardrops are prasiolite green garnet. I'm still working on the design....I want the drops to be looser, almost seeming to spin under the rondelle, so they're not getting listed but going back to the bench.

Rebecca Sower and Haiti by Hand

2010-02-02T20:48:00.000-08:00

Haiti by Hand has been organized by Rebecca Sower , and if you are a craftista with a heart to donate, please consider doing so. But this is Rebecca's story and it's best you hear it from her.

This is one of the pieces I donated to the Etsy/HaitibyHand Shop , so if you can, please saunter on over there and look around, lots of lovelies and interesting things, and every dollar goes to the relief project in Despinos Haiti. There is a price range for every budget, but before you do, read Rebeccas blog...it's an intimate, focused and brilliant way to help women of Haiti.

Please, if nothing else, try to get the word out...

When I think about how much difference a small amount of money can make to these people, it really amazes me to think how we can deeply affect and even profoundly change lives with our art.

If I stopped to count all the ways I am blessed every day, I would simply run out of day. I take too much for granted and forget how fortunate I am.

Lis

Imperfect Inspiration

2010-01-14T18:47:00.000-08:00

I work with broken things, rusty things, old things, imperfect and fractured, such is my world. I draw inspiration from these bits, fragments of things I find. I am also inspired by my imperfect house, imperfect family and imperfect relationships.

I intend to stay busy this entire rest of my life focusing on the imperfections that inspire me to create.

My methods of organizing would not be considered perfect. Not even close.

I don't want these things locked up in boxes on shelves where I can't see them, so I do use alot of jars for my buttons, crystals and other important paraphernalia.

How things fall into piles and then

"become" something is a mystery.

How I always seem to know where the piles are, and what is in them eludes me as well.

Fabulous piles of wonderfully imperfect treasures. I can't live without them, and yet, they have no life without me! Well, so that's a bit arrogant of me, but they are MY piles.....lovingly drifting together in magical ways....I think they are capable of breeding, too.

This was the most beautifully broken Nouveau buckle, now married to the absolutely unfixable watch.

Scraps and snippets of old textiles and laces have become hobo-style shoulderbags. I have only a few left now and am designing some smaller ones that aren't quite so labor intensive.

Some silly and wonderful bits I sold through my supply studio, Bonjourmadame

Silly and wonderful bits are essential to my world.

Why is this perfectly dull space here?

I will be listing this piece shortly in my handmade studio on ArtFire...Did I mention that I will be opening on Etsy as well? It takes alot of focus and hard work to keep studios and the bm stocked. Focus...focus.....my mantra....

Where do all these white chunks of space come from? How perfectly annoying........

This imperfect blog is as good a place as any to record my affirmations. I have things to make and ship out and away and that's more important to me than the elusive world of html. These alien white spaces will have to remain until I can correct what it is that I have yet to learn.

So, what inspires you, and how do you stay focused?

Officer and Gentleman in Training

2009-12-12T22:30:00.000-08:00

Charley, the very best athlete, scholar, gentleman in training, kid who knows how to be a friend, geek, gamer, and son that I have.

I mentioned to a friend that my toothpaste seemed frozen and jokingly suggested that I microwave it, the storms and bitter cold here have been relentless, and hey, the toothpaste has been stiffer than well, it's been stiff. She said to make sure the cap was on really tight before microwaving...(great visual huh?).... This fun and silly exchange reminded me of a story I was told years ago by the original subject, and I think it's safe to tell now, I can't imagine otherwise.

In an officers club at an undisclosed airbase, I met a very nice gentleman who flew a specific type of aircraft for our government, which meant he was up there in the dark, for days. While on assignments he ate and drank by tubes of substances which much resemble tubes of toothpaste. One was to heat up these foods in the console of the aircraft, by putting the tube into a heater. Long missions, in the dark and flying solo. He slid a tube of something into the heater, and forgot about it, while going about his data recordation and silent etcetera. Of a sudden there was a huge explosion, and he was blinded-essentially the "Houston, we've got a problem...", scenario from hell. No lights, no instruments, no vision, and a bizarre hot odor. He thought he was a goner, up there where ejecting is not an option. Well, to end this tiny tale, the food heater had malfunctioned and his tube of butterscotch pudding exploded, covering the entire cockpit interior in a thick and gooey, dripping mass of hot pudding. Being a true soldier, he figured all this out in nanoseconds and recovered, but he never heard the end of it from the ground crew, or his commanding officers.

My son Charley may well consider the military as one option for the future and bless his young self, he's just nearly 14, I want him more than anything to be happy. I don't want to lose him in Afghanistan, or anywhere for that matter, and that's my selfish mom me talking, but this is my blog and I can do that. Cripes, he could get killed in school these days.

When Charley was about 6, he brought me a drawing of a device that would make buttered popcorn under water. That was the first of many interesting childhood inventions. It sounds dopey but his imagination is endless, considering the fact he never said a word until he was nearly 4, not bad for make-up. Charley's outstanding athletic ability is to be credited to his father, who has challenged him as a real father should, and many don't. Sure, he can be a soldier, an officer, fly planes, invent stuff, no problem, he could fight a war now if necessary. Thank God we don't send 14 year olds into combat like other countries. But he could also be ummmm....president! Isn't that just like a mom? Charley, you rock, and will excel at whatever you choose.

A Wee Explanation

2009-12-07T16:22:00.000-08:00

During this last year I was blessed much, one of these marvelous gifts was a new friend. Being a rather intense and serious type of person, I can honestly say that I've spent lots more time laughing because of this special friend, and it has changed me by definite degrees. Laughter is so good, and now I try to return that when I can.

So I made her an odd grouping of little gifts to send for Christmas, and when I was puttering and playing during construction, my husband said," That is the stupidest thing I ever saw....what is it?" I wasn't even sure then, but I knew my gift was going to need some significant help by way of explanation. So I composed the Spinderella story to tie the gift together. Most of it is just nonsense with tidbits and snippets of twisted half truths and a thread or two of shadowy reference to something we discussed or shared.

I love tiara's and wanted to build one for her, but it didn't gel and time didn't allow, so she will soon own a miniature crown, sceptre and magical refrigerator magnet, it was one of the most fun things I've ever done. I have a hope that we will be friends until we are both the proverbial "blue-hairs" and so someday a tiara will wing it's way to her house from mine.

I decided earlier this fall that I was going to rule Christmas this year, it was not going to dominate me. So far, I've been able to accomplish that, and have focused on handmade gifts, simplicity and am looking forward to this holiday. My family is all well and loving, we have peace in our house, no debt, and it's my intent to hold on to this. Bless you all, and especially you, Susan, laughter is big medicine.

Spinderella Reflections, Part Two and Conclusion

2009-12-07T14:21:00.000-08:00

Let's see now, we left our brave heroine with a winged roller skate stuck to her head, talking to the Fool, and stunned by the monumental list of tasks she was expected to complete, in order to purchase her everlasting freedom from the evil wicked bad dweeb.

"So how am I to accomplish all these tasks? I am just a prisoner of an evil wicked dweeb and though I can torch and dismantle buildings and carve tombstones in a New York minute, I don't know anything about white elephants." The fool gave her a sword and a cute silver Vespa. He reminded her that she now had fully functioning adrenals as well. So she (figuratively) girded her loins, hopped on the moped and putted off in search of the elements necessary to purchase her freedom. The skate floated along just slightly behind, zooming a little left, then right, determined to keep her company.

After long and arduous, adrenal soaked journeys, most of them death defying, she was able to complete all but the very last of the tasks. She always returned to the Fool with her trophy and amazing, glorious stories to tell. They were mesmerizing, captivating, beyond belief! Oohhh, but that last task, the most impossible thing to do of all-nothing, no one could capture the elusive and magical lemon-pepper fish of the Ohio River. Agony and pain, depression and futility! Woe and more woe....the thought of returning to bad dweeb had our heroine entertaining serious thoughts of falling on her sword. BUT! The Fool was so delighted with his treasures and her skills at storytelling, he had just an eensy bit of pity regarding the lemon-pepper fish mission. He gave her a magic wand that looked a little like a scepter and told her to go back to the river and wait.

That's all he'd say, and so that's what she did. Feeling like a pretty big fool herself with a googley doll magic wand twirling around in her hand....waiting for what!? She waited for days. Days turned into weeks, and she waited. Along came a nice looking, smart, athletic man munching a porkchop while jogging along the bank of the river. By golly, the strangest thing, for some inexplicable reason, the wand/scepter flew out of her hand and tangled itself at the ankles of the meat-jogger tripping him in the worst way. He went tumbling down the bank into the river, pork chop flying off into the brush and of course she panicked, thinking he might drown, or be swept away, or both!

By the time she got to the waters edge, the man was dragging , wet and muddy and generally very pissed off, out of the water, something rather huge in his jogging shorts was heaving to and fro. After her initial freak-out about the heaving shorts, and as whatever it was went slithering down his leg, she discovered it was a magical lemon-pepper fish! She was so happy she kissed the strange wet muddy man on his cute head and off she sent to bring the fool his fish. Fool was happy about the fish and privately regretful he hadn't put more on the list for this very enterprising girl.

The Fool told her he had some good news and some bad news, and being of a pragmatic nature, she asked for the bad news first. Fool told her that wicked dweeb had run off with Nancy Pelosi and the old tin house had been donated to the Democrats. The good news was that the man she tripped who captured the lemon-pepper fish in his jogging shorts wasn't gay. The fool presented her with a stupidly amazing crown which contained a compass that would help her find her way back to the meat-griller in jogging shorts. She did just that, and they lived happily ever after. Somewhere in Ohio.

The End

Intermezzo and Pretty Pictures

2009-12-07T00:27:00.000-08:00

Just a few pictures to ponder until the next installment of Spinderella....Can she complete these death defying missions with only her wits? What is her reward? Does she get eaten by a lunging zombie?

Spinderella Reflections

2009-12-06T23:16:00.000-08:00

....or, The Importance of Telling a Good Story...

Once upon a modern time there was a smart, lovely and somewhat normal girl who lived in the swamps of Indiana, kept an unfortunate prisoner of of the wicked man-dweeb she was forced to marry in order to escape her evil stepsister. The wicked man made her do all sorts of miserable and unthinkable tasks, she thought of nothing but escape from the evil dweeb, and so one hot day she was on the roof of a huge tin building, forced into dismantling it with an acetylene torch; she tripped over an abandoned skateboard and fell over the side, down, down, down....into a zombie hole where she hit her head on a huge pile of zombie-rabbit fecets and promptly passed out.

She woke up, noticed she had been drooling while unconscious and hastily wiped it away....OMG there was a zombie standing over her, clutching a scroll in his bloody and gnarled fingers, lunging and shaking it at her, poking it in a very threatening manner! In that moment, she realized she had adrenals. Jumping lightly to her feet, she clicked her heels three times and asked God to give her the grace to pass out again. God was not apparently interested n that particular prayer, so it didn't happen.

Zombies don't usually have alot to say, but this cocky bit of gruesomeness had ADD and NPD besides, he had just eaten Britney Spears, so she wasn't in immediate danger of being devoured. The zombie managed to somehow convey that she needed to go see the One Footed Fool to be assigned her mission, or she would spend the rest of her life in servitude to the wicked dweeb. She asked bravely, "SO, how do I find the One Footed Fool?" The zombie smiled a bloody, slobbery grin and gave her a winged roller skate, telling her it would lead the way. " How do I use only one skate, she asked?" The zombie replied, "Stooopid girl! You wear it on your head!" So she shoved the winged skate upside down on her head and away she went, tennis shoes dragging in the dirt as she was propelled by the flapping wings on the skate.

Sure enough, after many miles, she and the skate came upon a hut and inside was a sort of a thing with one foot, wearing a silver cone shaped hat, he beckoned her inside. "Sit by the fire and tell me a story", he said. She was okay to sit and rest, but she couldn't think of at thing to tell him, good bad or ugly. She had nothing interesting to relate to this wierd creature who she hoped would surely vanish in a moment. Besides, it was kind of creepy and spoke in a hissing voice like that miserable creature in The Hobbit......"Tsk, tsk, tsk.... "said the Fool, "Living with the wicked man has really voided your brain, so I am going to send you on several quests. If you complete them, I am going to reward you. You must complete the following list of tasks, and you must return to tell me the story after each accomplishment. This is your mission if you choose to accept it.

1. You must go to Africa and bring me a baby white elephant.

2. You shall go to Meersburg, slay the deadly dragon and bring me his green heart.

3. You will go to the moon and bring me the man who lives there.

4. Then I want one of those cable-cars from San Fransisco.

5. A deadly poison silver Geico Gecko, oh, I do have a longing for.

6. Eminems baseball cap is a must.

7. The blue cross of Jesus from St.Peters would look good over my door.

8. A live and magical lemon-pepper fish native only to the Ohio River.

It's time to pause tonight dear readers, but above is a snapshot of the fool for you to peruse until next the story can be continued....just a few hours perhaps...our heroine is so busy these days with new adventures...........

North to Alaska!

2009-07-23T15:33:00.000-07:00

We've had our tickets since January and are looking forward greatly to the trip. Two weeks in Anchorage and Ron's never been there! Our hostess, my dear friend Michele has a beautiful home and luxury accomodations for us. She's a fabulous cook as well. While we're there, I will be helping her with the celebration of life get-together for her husband, our very missed friend James W. Teegarden, who passed this last Thanksgiving. People are coming from all over the states for the event, he was an amazing man, wonderful husband and father and lived an incredible life. Michele's second house, in Nevada was being robbed at the very same time Jim was dying, a brutal rape of personal possessions, three generations of belongings, memories, collections. One of the crooks brought a pile of things to our antique store to sell not too long after the break-in. I immediately recognized things from her home, some of which I had either sold, gifted or made her, and called the police, after I had purchased the items from the meth-head.

About a week later, meth-head called to sell more items, and I knew I just couldn't keep buying back my friends things, so I arranged to meet him in the parking lot of a grocery store the next day. This was 3 days before Christmas. I called the police and told them what I was going to do, and at first they said that the detective assigned to the case didn't work on the weekends. I told them that since the crooks apparently did, and I really wanted the perps caught, they should consider a little overtime. The next day, I met with the detective for about 10 minutes and he told me what he wanted me to do, signals, etc, and off I went. My crook showed up on time with a truck full of my friends stolen belongings, I made the purchase, put on my sunglasses, and within seconds, he was surrounded. This is a very long and complicated story, so I am skipping over quite a bit, but just let me finish with the fact that three of the six that committed this crime are in prison now, the others on probation, over 2000 items were recovered, and my friend can finally begin to mourn the loss of her beloved husband. I am honored to have been of help, and would do it all again. And that's the end of the story for today.

Twilight Inspired Teens

2009-07-21T00:06:00.000-07:00

I am fascinated with the work that MyMagicMe.artfire.com does, and so I had her morph my daughter Abby (on the right) and her best friend Hanna. When I told the girls that was my intent, they imploded the bathroom with cosmetics and hair paraphenalia... I followed them around town about 300 pictures worth, and Jen used the very first one I took in our backyard. I can't begin to express how delighted I am with Jen's work, and how captivated with themselves the girls are.

Inside and About Town

2009-07-20T20:29:00.000-07:00

I took this of Angie and Asa, he's responsible for the other pics. He's an amazing photographer, cinematographer, a great future ahead. Angie is an interior designer and does absolutely fabulous work. They're getting married at the Opera House this September.

Backstage, it's one of two stacked stages (slightly slanted) in the US. I performed here years ago, it's a wonderful venue.

These blow my mind. Asa's pictures are better than any interior shots of the Opera House that I've seen anywhere.

Fun place huh? The town is very proud of the place, and rightly so.

Back to the house....I had this visual of the layout and progression of this blog, and it's nothing even close to what I wanted. Someday I will figure this out and re-do it the way it should be.

Ours is the first room we re-did. I will have to add a picture at some point of the ceiling. The original wallpaper is still up there. Not perfect anymore, but we love it. 14 foot ceilings throughout the house make that work a dizzying challenge. I used to cook sometimes on the little stove in the corner, mostly when we'd go out in the winter and the rest of the house was too cold to mess with. There's alot more to the room, but I didn't get as many pictures as I had hoped. We stayed pretty busy.

We worked alot on the kitchen this time, and the ceiling mouldings in the front parlor and dining room. Ron had Asa mucking something on the roof, Angie was carving some of the detail back into the ceiling repairs and peeling wallpaper, we all painted and I cooked. Fabulous afternoon thunderstorms almost every day. It was really nice to have Ang and Asa for company and helping us. We figure 2 more years of our part-time work spurts and then the interior will be pretty well done.

This Old House

2009-07-20T20:20:00.000-07:00

About 15 years ago, Ron bought this tumbledown Victorian house in Eureka, Nevada. I have been working on it with him for about the last 12 years. Until recently, the rest of the family didn't have much time to devote to the project which is good, because it's just starting to get to the point where someone could walk in and say, "This is restorable." It's also been a wonderful hideaway and retreat for us. We're busy folk. We tore out plumbing, repaired roofs, doors, windows, floors, and right now there are two beautifully redone bedrooms, and a very interesting little bathroom. Now we can sleep in nice clean beds and shower when we're working. And playing. The kitchen is getting closer to being a room, which is especially exciting for me, it's got a cold storage cave dug into the mountain, and a gorgeous rock wall behind the sink, and a darling little garden room attached. The house sits against the side of a hill above the center of town, behind the Eureka Opera House. The picture was taken by future son-in-law Asa Gilmore http://ruckusarts.com/, two years ago. He and Angie joined us for the July 4 shindig, and as apprentice desert rats, I think they are appreciative of the place, in fact they're going back to wed at the Opera House in September. We're all going back to work and play over the holiday, quite the caravan, Mac the Dog, LaBou the Parrot, Ron, moi, Angie and Asa, friends from Utah are driving in on motorcycles to camp....I intend to take lots of pictures this trip, I know you're dying to see the inside.....