Everglades

"There are no other Everglades in the world. They are, they have always been, one of the unique regions of the earth, remote, never wholly known. Nothing anywhere else is like them…”

- Marjory Stoneman Douglas

When I saw this lampwork glass bead, I was reminded of a healthier time when I would hike through the Everglades. I loved the beauty of it, the peacefulness and sense of well being it gave me. The little creature on the bead looked like one of many I saw lounging on a fallen tree trunk. Such a small thing but so amazing in its natural surroundings.

I used white turquoise, chrysocolla, red jasper and freshwater pearls on this bracelet, along with a glass bead and glass spacers, and of course, the lampwork glass bead of the small creature. I also used Bali bead caps and spacers with a fancy leaf clasp.

The reason I refer to the little animal on the lampwork bead as "creature" is because I'm not too sure what it is: pointy face = lizzard, but, no tail = frog. It is definitely a reptile of some sort and I am totally sure of the inspiration it brought to me upon seeing it.

A Good Mistake

Turquoise Howlite Necklace
Originally uploaded by art4mysanity

Sometimes a mistake can end up being a good thing. The seed bead circles started out as connectors that ended up a bit too long for their intended purpose. I put them aside knowing that I could possibly come up with another use for them at some time. They are on a wire with eye loops at each end. I got these turquoise howlite beads and immediately thought of the connectors. I didn't want to use them in their straight form because the howlite beads were round and I wanted more roundness in the final creation. I wrapped the wires around a mandrel and voila!

Sometimes mistakes can lead to creative inspiration.

My Notes from the Universe

This mystical looking necklace was inspired by the wonderful messages I receive daily from the Universe. No, I haven't "lost it." The Universe I'm referring to is a great website that sends daily affirmations via e-mail that anyone can sign up for. I learned about it through Traci Bunker's (amazing artist) blog - check it out at http://www.tracibunkers.blogspot.com/.

For example, this is the message I received the other day:

One of the things I've learned from witnessing civilization after civilization after civilization, Mireya, is that one should never underestimate the profound resiliency of the human spirit, nor how swiftly things can change for the better - often overnight.
Swoosh - The Universe

Then, as a P.S.:

Actually, Mireya, I could have learned this just from watching you.

I just love reading my daily message from the Universe. They are so positive, uplifting and a lot of times, downright funny. Here's the link to that site: www.tut.com/nftu.htm

About the necklace, the briolet is some kind of blue jade type material (again the mystery gemstones - I'm going to have to ask the bead store lady what the heck it is next time I'm there.) I made a squiggly with wire off which I hung the pendant, some turquoise howlite beads and 4mm Swarovski crystals. More cystals and turquoise howlite beads are hung along the chain.

I can't wait to read what message the Universe has for me tomorrow.

"It Don't Come Easy"

Dali
Originally uploaded by art4mysanity

Well, I admired Laurie Mika's work incredibly before attempting a mosaic of my own, but after having done so, I have an even greater respect for her work. Unlike paper collages where you can always go over and add and remove elements to get the composition you like, mosaics take a lot of planning to get the right composition. I was happy with this one but let me tell you, it didn't come easily. Again, Laurie Mika rocks!

I was inspired by her wonderful book, Mixed Media Mosaics. It has fantastic exemplars of her work and it is jam packed with her awesome instructions and ideas. You have got to check out her book.

Mixed media mosaic tiles made from stamped and hand textured polymer clay and adorned with watch parts, beads, charms and colored using Perfect Pearls and acrylic metalic paints. The yellow tile in the right upper hand corner has a quote from Dali (though it did not show up so clearly on the photo) - it says, "The difference between me and a madman is that I'm not mad."

Funky and Weird

Funky Bracelet
Originally uploaded by art4mysanity

The bracelet is funky-eclectic while the blistered freshwater pearls (on the otherwise traditional necklace) are weird. The bracelet was made with leather cord using a knotting technique to keep the glass and agate beads in place. I used a funky black ring and clasp and included a piece of industrial looking chain. I really love the big yellow bead. It's yellow agate (no, I didn't dumpster dive for the bead store tags I'd thrown out -- which left me not knowing what material my natural stone beads were -- these beads are new and I've starting labelling their respective baggies before I cut the beads from the strands.) This is how I know that the big red bead is red fire agate. I love the crackled look of them both.
These freshwater pearls are so weird! I couldn't resist getting them - what the heck happened to them, I don't know. I used smaller burgundy freshwater pearls (of a more normal shaped variety) and Swarovski crystals on this one.

I'm going to be working on some more artsy pieces soon. I've been on a kick with jewelry lately but I am going to be doing some more painting, collaging and assemblages in the coming days. I'm really excited to try some mosaic work. I've got the materials lined up and I'm gearing towards that.

Of note: I was so ecstatic today - I am going to be able to go on my vacation after all! I'm going to Hampton, Virgina to attend Art & Soul! Because of work concerns, for a while it seemed that I would not be able to go (double drat as I'd have lost the money I'd already paid for the non-refundable airplane tickets, hotel and classes.) I'm getting really hyped up about Art & Soul - imagine taking classes with Michael DeMeng, Claudine Helmuth, Traci Bunkers and more! Whoohoo! (Can you tell I'm excited?)

Wire Works Bracelet

Wire Works Bracelet
Originally uploaded by art4mysanity

This bracelet was incredibly easy to make and took very little time to complete. It features many layers of different gauge wires in different colors wrapped over the natural and glass beads. The last layer of wire has several sizes and colors of Swarovski crystals which are woven throughout the bracelet. I finished it with a couple of Swarovski crystals at the ends. Just for fun, I coiled the copper wire before wrapping it. There is a little jump ring with more crystals at the end of the focal bead. This bracelet was my own interpretation of bracelets featured in an article in Belle Armoire Jewelry, Winter 2009.

Ode to Frida

Ode to Frida
Originally uploaded by art4mysanity

To say that she was morbid is probably an understatement. Skulls and skeletons were a predominating theme in her paintings. Yet I cannot escape the fascination with her art and her life. I think some women artists identify with her for her strong personality in a male dominated society. She would not be relegated to the shadow of her artist husband but rather she would make the world take note of her own worth as a remarkable artist. So, a small ode to Frida.

The necklace has three strands, one with jasper chips, another of chain links, and the longest made of carved bone and seed beads along with some kind of agate (I guess ? Those darned discarded strand labels!) The picture of Frida was "laminated" with mica, pierced carefully, and thereafter a 24 gauge (very thin) wire run through the small holes to create the loops at the top and the bottom. I put the finished Frida pendant on a heavier bale to add some susbtance. As if she needed any more.