A Day at the Zoo

 

Hear me roar!  We were lucky to be viewing the lion and lioness for this wonderful display!  She had just jumped up onto the platform with him, they had circled, he smelling her, and she had plopped herself down.  This was him announcing his dominance to those of us outside the fence, and he did it several times!  Too cool!  

I hope you enjoy the rest of the photos!  Remember to click on them to see them individually.

From snow to palm trees....

With the doors flung open, sun shining, and flip-flops on, it doesn't seem as though just days ago I was in Casper!  Although the usual Casper sun did not shine, it was a magical visit in many ways.   I was moved by the support and love of old friends, my daughter's vocal performance and maturity, and gift of nature I was able to see.  Here are a few photos from my visit.

Merry Christmas to all!

Seasonal spirit

On  my right sidebar you see a link to Where Women Create.  Since the first of December their daily posts have been stories about artists by artists, references to their sites, and give-aways they generously offer.  All have been inspirational and a boost of seasonal love, but today's really struck me.  Treat yourself to a visit!  http://www.wherewomencreateblog.com/blog/2010/12/the-fourth-day-of-holiday-traditions-.html#tpe-action-posted-6a00d8341d829653ef0147e05ecd2a970b

Light the way....

I'd love to light the way with the gorgeous candlesticks being given away here http://janettemalloryinteriordesign.blogspot.com/2010/11/aidan-gray-holiday-giveaway.html#comments.  Just lovely!

"Falling in love with earth....

is one of life's great adventures" was a quote simply placed along the trail at the Six Mile Cypress Slough.  I'd been feeling the need to get back there.  Although not many creatures were stirring, not even many birds, the sunlight was casting beautiful beams through spider webs, onto fern fronds, and into my heart.  Enjoy.

Home at last....

ValieJo, who bought my large chandelier at the Mount Dora show, sent me pictures of it in her dining room.  It is quite exciting to see it in its new home!  I am grateful for her patronage and thrilled that she is happy with it!

The view from the top....

Mount Dora has come and gone, and I am better in many ways for having had the experience.  Three of us were assigned spaces just outside of the parameters of the main show area, which was a disadvantage.  The shuttle dropped off  up the hill a block so it would seem that traffic would go by us, but, unfortunately, many people walked down the sidewalk behind us. 
That being said, Saturday was frighteningly slow at the top of the hill.  Sunday brought more sales.  And on both days, people were complimentary and friendly.  I enjoyed myself immensely. 
The highlight of my Sunday was when my large chandelier found a home!  Its new owner has promised to send me a photo once she has it installed, so check back to see it!

Looking ahead......

Perhaps it's my love of vintage, perhaps it's missing my years in the west, or perhaps it's my connection to fabric, fiber, and friends, but I am looking forward to making enough money at the Mount Dora show to attend a class in Ocala given by the wonderful K.C. Willis, www.studioretreats.ning.com.  This link will take you to another class she is offering at her studio, and her delightful tease about the give-away she is offering!  For those of you who would love to attend here in Florida, see Laura Venosa DellaPorta's site, http://www.verbenanestedtreasures.blogspot.com/.  Maybe I can get doubly lucky!

Almost there!

Yesterday we did a mock set-up of the booth for the Mount Dora Arts and Crafts show to be held on October 23 and 24.  It is my first big show. 

This is the basic set-up with my banner.  I'm pleased with it.  I still need to add my mannequin and a dress form I hope to borrow from a friend, as well as a rug, but basically, it's set.  Tom did a lot of work to get the chandeliers hung, and we spent the entire day setting it up and tearing it down.  Since I am on the last scheduled set-up time Friday night, I sure hope we can do it in 3 or 4 hours. 
Here are more pictures....

Tie it up!

Cinch your waist with one of these funky, yet beautiful belts!  I'll be making a slew of these to take to Mount Dora!

I received notification of my spot - I'm right by City Hall on 5th Ave., at the edge of the show near the main stage and Sun Trust Bank.  Only one month to go!

Name found!

Thanks to Tara, with a little twist of my own, my chandelier has been named Facets of an Artful Life.  That pretty much sums up what I want it to say!

I'm getting excited for Mount Dora!

Help name my new chandelier!

Here it is - well, in part!  Although it is finished, I was not able to get a good photo of the entire fixture.  It is over 30" long and 10" wide, with 5 bulb sockets along the length in the center of the two curved rods.  All charms and forks are wired and beaded, and wire is wrapped around each rod. 

When I originally began this chandelier, my thought was that the title would somehow reflect the tie between art and life, the richness that art gives one's life.  But for some reason I just can't find the right combination of words.  Maybe you can help!  Just leave a comment here for me to ponder.

Thanks! 

Caviar and pearls

Caviar and pearls.....the good life.....easy street.....all of that implied in my first chandelier for the Mount Dora show.  I ordered a chandelier with much simpler crystals, then adorned the lampshade with vintage laces and pearls.  The large crystals above were picked up in Ohio at a flea market, and the silverplate was from a lovely garage sale.  From a pearl necklace which was woven into a thick strand, I unstrung and restrung the draped beads, and individually sewed each separate pearl at the bottom.    As I was working I realized it needed more pearls, and the wire-wrapping idea came to me as well as the spoon fulls.  And I believe that turned out to be my favorite part.  If it doesn't sell, I want it!

vintage trim jacket

I've been slowly working on trimming out an inexpensive jacket to model what can be done as a custom order.  Any type of jacket would work, but this one is neutral and would look super with anything!  Natalie's madras skirt and a blue t-shirt was adorable.
These photos may not be the best, and I see that I need to tack a few curvy places down, but here it is....

New design

Here are photos of a new top I created using a vintage lace curtain panel, doilies, and laces.   Don't  you love the way it flows?  In this photograph I have a brown cami under it, but I think it would look great with any cami, t, or turtleneck and jeans, leggings, or long skirt.  I'm working on one made of muslin just to see how it looks, too.

Across the pond....

Lovely morning!  Stephanie is on her way, and I just chatted with the lovely Bonzie Crotty in Ireland!  She is my inspiration, creating a fabulous line of truly edgy, designer clothing.  Check out her website - http://www.bonziedesigns.com/.

Getting Ready!

Today I photographed all 69 of my shirts for Mount Dora.    The first picture is a close-up of one of my favorites, made with my mother's bridal veil, French silk pleated trim, and hand crocheted circles.  The other two photos show two different styles I will sell.  Some of them have more elaborate detail on the back than on the front.  I fear that I need twice that many (if I'm lucky), considering the number of people who usually attend the fair.  However, I haven't worked on a lampshade since the beautiful blue accent one, so I have ordered chandeliers to alter!  This summer I picked up some silverplate, and plan to use that and crystals I found at a flea market to make two very unusual pieces....and I may add laces, tulle, and beading - maybe even some of my soldered charms!  Also, it would be fun to put together some "embellishments" that stand alone and can be pinned to coats, blazers, belts, and the like.  Too many ideas!

New art! Sherry's, Christy's, and mine!

Is it Christmas?  Oh, no, I just indulged myself....by obtaining new pieces of art created by my friends, Sherry Goodloe (http://www.gotart4u.blogspot.com/) and Christy Sobolewski (http://www.gulfsprite.com/)!    Someday I am going to set up a "gallery" area in my studio, but for now, here is my "mini gallery", with works from these two, myself, Shosh Jennings , and Dawn Gold! 
I also completed one of my favorite lampshades so far....it is called Romantic Blues.  I just got the antique laces, old pearls, and gorgeous appliques from Katy Raine's (http://www.bellallusions.com/mainmenu.html) mom in Ohio.  The appliques are to die for - all hand formed and stitched.  The dangly parts are a reconstructed broken necklace of mine.  :)  Don't you just love reusing things?

I love reading your comments here on my blog - please feel free to leave me a note!

Great friends in times of need....

Carrie modeled some of my camis & ts, and created a flyer for me that has all of these photos on it.   Isn't she a doll?  Now that I have been accepted into the Mount Dora craft fair, I'd better get to work making more! Thanks, Carrie!