conversation hearts

It's no secret . . . I LOVE SWEETS! Seasonal candy is my nemesis for sure. Candy corn . . . candy canes . . . conversation hearts . . . jelly beans . . . . you can bet that I get my fill of these delicious treats during the holiday seasons. I can never seem to get enough done in my art studio (aka the dining room table) tho which also a sweet craving that I have . . . often. I created some unique, fun Christmas ornaments this year to send to friends and family. I also have been creating these conversation hearts for Valentine's Day. I love these little candies and have to read each one as I nibble on them. So I've enjoyed finding unusual words to put on these . . . more to come!

The process of PeAcE . . .

Wow. Has it been since last March since I last posted? Time certainly does pass quickly. I have been in the midst of a creative burst as I prepare for the RECYCLE SANTA FE art show in November. I am quite excited as I have been going to the event for the past four years and marvel at the creativity of those who share their artwork at the show. I am sharing a booth with my new found friend, Darlene. I will post some more about her soon. She makes the most unique jewelry that I'm sure you'll love!
I thought I'd share a little bit about the process I use in creating my "wall peaces" which have been really fun to make. I enjoy the thought of finding something that has been discarded or has been left over from another project and then keeping it for future creative projects. I have a very large collection . . . and it keeps growing! I started with some leftover muslin from a when I was making patterns for a costume. I've used this fabric for many many projects . . . I bought way too much!! It has proven to be a great base for my little "peaces." I also have an affinity for magazines . . . cooking, gardening, art, etc . . . you name it . . . I like to read it! Rather than toss them, I use many of them in my art. You'll soon find how I use them in my next post . . . hopefully not in six months!!
The process of creating these "wall peaces" is like finding peace in my life . . . takes a little bit of patience . . . experimentation . . . and listening to my instincts. Namaste.

calm in your heart

“peace: it does not mean to be in a place where there is no noise, trouble, or hard work. it means to be in the midst of those things and still be calm in your heart.” — unknown

It is my hope that you find inspiration and comfort from this beautiful quote as much as I have.
Namaste.

Public display of PeAcE

I have been wanting to approach the owners of Santa Fe Hemp about selling my art for a long while. We have been patrons of the store dozens of times over the years and I can never seem to leave without purchasing something for myself or as a gift. It is a truly unique little store with something for everyone. Recently I did email the owners and they agreed to sell my "Wall PeAcEs" in their shop! I am so excited and sincerely hope this will be a good venture for us!

"Power to the Peaceful" - Michael Franti

September 21st is International Day of Peace. What are you doing for yourself or for others? Create a "peace" of art? Talk to a co-worker who is difficult? Smile at a stranger? Pay for the coffee of the person behind you? I'd love to hear what you plan to do or spontaneously do in your home, workplace or your community. Remember . . . . peace begins with me.
I am making peace flags with a group of 3rd/4th graders to display in our school hallway as a reminder of Peace Day. We are also learning about using our school labyrinth and how it can make us feel more at peace with ourselves so we can tackle the tasks set before us. We've had one introductory lesson and boy did it work miracles. You could have heard a pin drop as we processed through the labyrinth with an intention set before us in our mind and in our heart. I am planning to use it a lot in the weeks to come. It was a great first experience!
I look forward to reading your comments and hearing how you marked Peace Day.
Peace out . . . and in.
Namaste.

More reuse of materials . . . MIXED MEDIA PeAcE aRt!

I am enjoying my summer vacation with abandon. Finding time during the busy school year is often challenging to create things that feed my artistic sweet tooth. Summer is a time for me to try some new things that have been occupying my thoughts or the scribbles I keep in a notebook that I carry with me. I find it hard to throw things out that I could potential use for my art or as storage for things. These PeAcE pieces are created with scraps of canvas, fabric, cut out letters from magazines, buttons from my junk drawer, leftover bits of paint and twigs that I pick up during our walks along Canyon Road and hikes in the mountains surrounding Santa Fe. I have a few more embellishments to do, photograph each one individually and then list them in my ETSY shop. I hope you are finding time this summer to feed your artistic sweet tooth.
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.

Take a hike

We live only minutes from a spectacular aspen forest. The leaves are beginning to turn in some areas. I imagine that the next couple of weekends will be breath-taking. We took a lovely hike today. So peaceful and energizing. I think I am ready to tackle my week. Hope you all are too!
Namaste.

Peace Man

I came across this pic a while back and it always brings a smile to my face. I have a printed copy in my classroom and my students love it also. Peace should make us smile. It should warm our heart and soothe our minds. I hope your week has been wonderful and hope that your find something to make you smile this weekend and warm your soul. I hope you find a moment to enjoy some peace.
Namaste.

Peace Is . . .

I've been teaching this little song and my students love the words. I had a parent stop by my classroom today to tell me that her daughter taught this little song to her Sunday school class. Here is an example of a young girl spreading peace to others. It was a proud moment for me. Here are the words:

Peace is the world smiling.
Peace is a gentle dove.
Peace is sharing.
Peace is caring.
Peace is filling the world with love.

Namaste.

Beads on One String

I hope you have all found some place to enjoy a moment of peace today. I have a passion for children's literature and music. When the two of them come together, it can be very powerful. Today I came across a wonderful song called "Beads on One String" by Dennis Warner. Not only is it a great song, it is a wonderfully illustrated book. My copy is on order and I am looking forward to using it very soon in my classroom!
Namaste.

Turtle Charm 4 Peace

Today we spent a glorious day driving the high road to Taos for the High Road Studio Tour. Not only was the scenery spectacular, so was the art!! I could have done serious damage to our bank account! I have had my eye on these cute little turtle charms from Turtle Rock Studios in Truchas, New Mexico for a long time. Today I purchased this little guy from ceramic artist Samantha Decker-Hoppen. Check out the link to the turtle charms and the other wonderful items that Samantha and her husband have in their studio.
I hope you all have a meaningful International Day of Peace.
Namaste.

Sunday is International Day of Peace

Just wanted to send a reminder that this Sunday, September 21 is International Day of Peace. I encourage each of you to take a moment to do something meaningful that speaks peace to you: light a candle; offer a prayer; unite in song; sit in sacred silence; call a new friend; forgive an old "enemy; forgive yourself....
Namaste.

A Mind of Peace

Here is a tile I made last winter. We have a beautiful Buddha statue in our hallway. I used the peaceful face of that statue as my inspiration. Today was a challenging day in the teaching world but I think I made a special connection with a young lady who is having difficulties fitting in. We talked about what inspires her and what she would like to do with her future. I got her to smile and open up a bit. We found out we have something in common! These moments are what makes the teaching profession so wonderful and rewarding. I hope you found something to inspire you today.
Namaste.

Marigold Peace Chains

These lovely strands of garland were made by some local artists who sell their lovely wares at the Santa Fe Farmer's Market. I always admire them when I pass by. If you look closely they have a handmade bead from Bolivia between each flower. I have thought about making these myself but I never seem to get to my marigold plants until the blooms are spent and gone to seed. The artists Bryan and Victoria Adams have wonderful rustic pieces that are handmade for your home and garden. It is so soothing to have beautiful things around you. I love natural rustic pieces and may have to purchase one of these Marigold Peace Chains sometime in the future.
Namaste.

Green Train

I really wanted to title this post Peace Train after that great Cat Stevens hit song. However it is more of a green train. Green in the sense that soon commuters and travelers between Santa Fe and Albuquerque will have a more green mode of transportation to take when traveling between cities called the Railrunner. It is exciting and a great feather in the cap of New Mexico. I am excited to take a ride someday and admire the sweeping views that I can't normally take in when driving myself.
Peaceful Sunday to you all.
Namaste.

Let there be Peace on Earth

Peace - English
Paz - Spanish
Shanti - Bengali
Paix - French
Erligsnek - Eskimo
Usalama - Swahili
Heiwa - Japanese
Frieden - German
Maluhia - Hawaiian
Shi-nu-mu - Hopi
Salaam - Arabic

Just a few ways to express the word, PEACE.
Let's hope our country's leaders and future leaders
can help move towards peace-filled times.
Namaste.

New Mexico Sunset Bowl

I made this bowl a while back (it's is listed in my ETSY store). I was inspired by the crystal clear blue skies here in New Mexico. I am constantly amazed by the gorgeous blue skies here. The sunsets here are spectacular. I make it a point to look out my window each night to see the colors of the sky at sun down. Take some time soon to enjoy the sunset. It's such a lovely time of day for reflection and finding your peace.
Namaste.

Peace Under Fire

Here are three of my pieces (two of them peaces!) waiting to go into the kiln for a bisque firing. I love the process that get to this point. The two peace signs are for sale in my ETSY store . . . . see the link to the left. The mug was made for someone special.
I hope you have had a peaceful Monday and are sharing it with your someone special.
Namaste.

Does this mug make my coffee look big?

How I love coffee . . . I have since I was young. It's the one real addiction I have (besides pottery) and it doesn't show any signs of stopping. I also love big coffee mugs. I've been trying my hand at making coffee mugs. But they are HUGE as you can see in the picture above!! Good size for me but perhaps not good for those trying to cut back on caffeine. There is nothing like heading down the stairs and smelling that fresh brew and the taste of that first sip of coffee in the morning. True peace . . . .
Namaste.