Peace in the year ahead

I have been away from the world of blogging for a bit. I've changed the name of my blog and am going to be sharing some new things. Not sure if I'll keep up and post daily but I am hoping to share some of my new addictions (aka sweet tooth) to several art mediums new to me and my experience in the later part of 2009. I am still keeping my hands a bit muddy with clay projects but now I find myself washing paint brushes and picking up bits of fabric and thread off the floor. I've discovered that painting can be fun, messy, frustrating, challenging and quite satisfying. I've been messing about with painting on fabric and adding other mixed media. I have found mixed media collage to be fascinating and beautiful. I've been collecting a increasingly growing stack of books on this medium. See my Shelfari selections for some of the most recent books I've been reading and loving.
The two little pieces I've pictured here are my experiments with mixed media. They measure only 2 X 2 1/2" (not including the hangers). I began with a scrap of canvas and after some paint, magazine ephemera, rusty wire and beads . . . here's what I ended up with. Some tiny peace canvases.
I hope all of you can find time to satisfy your artistic sweet tooth. I am so fortunate to have a supportive partner who encourages me to have a go at whatever might artistic eye candy I might be drooling over. I hope this New Year brings peace and great art experiences and experimentation into your life.
Namaste.

peace and unique found treasures

I am the finder of lost pennies, rusty bottle caps, unique sticks, rocks and other assorted treasures.  As a child I was always looking down at the ground to find these cast off treasures.  My mom said that someday I'd run into a pole . . . I did once on a family vacation!  

I am enjoying the process of using these fun, funky things in my art, along with my ever growing fabric collection!  However, that is another story and another blog post.

Above is a little piece I created out of a twig that I found on a hike in the Sangre de Christo mountains a few miles from our home here in Santa Fe.  It is a glorious peace-filled place that we love to frequent as often as we can.

The beads are salvaged from another piece of art that met its demise due to our strong spring winds and the peace sign was handcrafted by myself from terra cotta clay.

This work is for sale in my ETSY shop!

Namaste.

Finding Peace

I have an affinity for images of the Buddha.  I find them enchanting . . . calming . . . serene . . . and beautiful.  I have found that surrounding yourself with beautiful things that inspire you and help you relax is important.  Trust me . . . if you came to my home, you'd see I have a lot of wonderful inspiration all around me.  

I have created several tiles with Buddha images on them.  Some are my own creation and some are photographs.  These three tiles are a few of many images that I particularly love.  Each with their own uniqueness and beauty.  The tiles are handmade by myself.  The images are done with a phototransfer process that I am starting to explore.  All three tiles are for sale (of course) in my ETSY shop.

What inspires you??

Namaste.

New Project - whatchamacallit!

Happy July!

I've been working on using materials I have around my house to create art. I'm so tempted to buy new things to work on but realize I need to repurpose things I already have.  I like how this piece turned out and want to list it in my ETSY shop.  I'm not sure what to call it!

It is made from three terra cotta clay peace signs that I designed and made.  The rest are some glass and ceramic beads, wire and a twig.  I'm thinking it would look great on your front door, gate or even hanging in a tree.  You could also use this indoors.

Let me know what you think!

Enjoy the day!

Namaste.

Denim Peace Pillow

Lately I've been trying to use up a bunch of material that I have squandered away in a closet. This pillow is a result of that attempt.  It didn't even make a dent in the fabric that I have in boxes . . . . in fact, I bought more this weekend!!  I just love fun, unique colorful fabric!!  

You can find this peace pillow in my ETSY shop . . .  more to come!

Namaste.

Peace, Grow, Be the Change

I can't believe it has been almost a month since I've been here writing!!  I have been busy tho! I have always had an affinity for prayer flags with quotes, symbols, inspirational words and such on them.  I have lots of them on my home and garden.  I thought I'd try my hand at creating some of my own.  Let me know what you think!!  Of course . . . . . they are for sale in my ETSY shop!! PEACE, GROW & BE THE CHANGE!!

Namaste.

Peace to Mom!

Happy Mother's Day!!  I hope all of you moms and moms-t0-be are having a wonderful day filled with hugs, pampering, relaxation and peace.

The photo above is something new I am working on . . . in my attempts to de-clutter my home . . . I am now using up pieces of fabric from my many years of making costumes for plays, puppets, pillows and a myriad of other projects.  This one is made of a great yellow fabric and another wild and crazy piece of fabric.  I added a twig from that I found on a hike along with my favorite craft staple . . . rusty wire!!

You can find this piece in my ETSY shop!!

Paz.

Rustic Peace

I have needed to clean up my workspace (the kitchen table) for a while now.  Some spring cleaning perhaps?  After going through my odd and ends I liked the way these two pieces worked together their contrast.  So I set off to make them work together.  By adding some rustic, rusty wire, a twig and some glass beads . . . something definitely unique for your home!!

It's FOR SALE in my ETSY shop!! 

Peace Under Glass

I've been gone a while. Still thinking about, spreading and teaching peace. Just on a hiatus from blogging. However, it has been great to hear from my blog friends in the meantime!! I have started to experiment with some new things. Here are some examples. Hope you like them. Yes, they are available in my ETSY shop. Namaste.

Mug Shot

Got coffee? Need an oversized mug for your morning java?? This handbuilt terra cotta mug has an imprint of my own design. I rather like it and like the rustic effect of the different colors of glaze and how they react with the design. You can find this rustic mug in my ETSY shop. :)

Coffee . . . life's blood . . . nectar of the Gods!!  Or a least what gets me through my morning! 

I hope your morning is beautiful, peace-filled and that your coffee is brewing!

Namaste.

The gift of friendship

As you know from following this blog, I am a potter of sorts. Shortly after joining a team of potters on ETSY, I met Teri. We share a similar style of hand building our pieces and a love of texture and color! We've become great friends exchanging tips, suggestions, life stories and most recently we exchanged our work!!  She sent me an email wanting me to create four custom tiles to hang in her studio. I was thrilled to do so. In exchange she made me two fabulous tea bowls which I adore and a wonderful coaster with the word "peace" stamped into it. I am overjoyed and absolutely in love with these pieces of art.  (See the pic above)

I have been most fortunate to have met Teri through ETSY and the ETSY Mud Team. She is a gem and a kindred spirit. I hope one day we actually will get to meet face to face. Watch out!! :)

It is always such a gift to exchange things with loved ones. Exchanging gifts, cards, hugs, peace, and in this case . . . my addiction . . . . POTTERY!!

Check out Teri's ESTY shop called Terraworks . . . you'll love her heart-felt work as much as I do!!

Namaste.

Two Bear Tumblers

Something new from my latest kiln load. (Psst . . . now available in my ETSY shop).  I carved the bear stamp and pressed it into the wet clay. I'm liking the results and might make more things with this image. I love the Native American symbols. The bear stands for courage, strength, protection and life. 

Namaste.

Buddha Peace Tile

I made this tile about a year ago. I had photographed it for my pottery notebook of work I've made and then stuck the tile a drawer. A music teacher friend of mine found it posted in my Flickr photos and asked if it was available. I had completely forgot about it. Now that I look at it I like it but am going to make a few changes. 

It is made of terra cotta clay and hand carved. I have been experimenting with old rusty wire that we found on our property and glass bead. I love mixed media art!

Hope your weekend has been relaxing & peaceful . . . . 

Namaste.

Peace Baby

Hi everyone!

As you know I am a pottery addict . . . a verified junkie. I have collected pottery for years and years and during the past few years I have began to take pottery classes at Santa Fe Clay. It has fueled my passion even more. This past year I became a seller on ETSY which is a wonderful place to purchase beautifully handcrafted arts and crafts from all over the world. There are thousands of gifted artists and crafters there.  I joined a team of potters from around the world. We talk daily in a forum exchanging stories, tips and humor (a lot of humor). Several times a year we have challenges and this is truly when we see the true talent of each member. This challenge is called the Sweetheart Vase Challenge. Each vase is to have a Valentines Day theme. I hope you will take a moment and vote for your favorite!!  Please click on the ETSY Mud Team Shop and click on the one you like best. You will be rewarded with a 25% off coupon for wares in our Mud Team shop.  VOTE HERE!

Have fun and enjoy looking at the entries!!

Namaste.

I've been BLOGGED!

A fellow potter and friend from Bend, Oregon blogged about her excitement surrounding the inauguration of Barack Obama.  It was great to read her enthusiastic words and also see my Peace Tile in her blog!! How fun!!

I also was quite excited and emotional about todays celebration. What a wonderful day!  My students were quite interested and energetic about the day also. We were fortunate to have a wonderful parent who set up two big screen televisions and a sound system in our cafeteria for everyone to get a great view and to hear the wonderful music. Very inspiring. :)

You can check out Ceci's blog by clicking on her name!  Be sure to check out her ETSY site too!! 

Thanks for the mention and for your energy, Ceci!!

Peace, hope and promise to everyone.

Namaste.

One Million Peace Signs

Have you ever seen a million of anything? Maybe perhaps grains of sand or sugar granules. Pretty amazing concept to comprehend. Sure would like to see that number in my bank account! Would it bring me peace? It would be nice to see what it is like tho!! A group of fellow peace followers have started a One Million Peace Signs campaign.  Check out their website and/or their blog. I am lucky enough to be signed up to blog for them from time to time. 

Namaste.

Take the Vow

I have been a huge fan of Deepak Chopra for years. After hearing finding out about his appearance on a celebrity talk show, I checked it out. He spoke of taking a vow of non-violence in thoughts, speech and actions. So I went to his website to do so. 

Take the vow today!!

The above pic is of our most recent snowfall here in Santa Fe and was taken by my partner. There is nothing quite like waking up to a fresh blanket of snow. The world is silent and peaceful. I hope you have found some time for peace this weekend and throughout the coming week.

Namaste.  

Peace-filled Forest

You know that saying . . . . "you can't see the forest for the trees?" I don't think whoever coined that phrase was in this particular forest. When I came upon this picture, it made me long for a hike in our beautiful national forest here in Santa Fe. It is so quiet and peaceful up there.  It might be time to dust off my snowshoes!!

During this week if you are feeling lost in the forest of life. Stop. Imagine some place that brings peace and joy to you.  I like to think of being at home and watching birds out my windows with a nice cup of hot coffee. We have a large variety of birds that come to feed in our courtyard. Which reminds me . . . . I need more bird seed!

Have a peace-filled and joyous week!

Namaste.

P.S. I got this picture from a friend . . . sure wish I knew where it taken and who took it!