Polymer Clay...and more...

"May You Be Blessed Into Usefulness."

"May you be blessed into usefulness."  Dalai Lama

I am heading out tonight to my last show of the 2007 year.   This has been a year of self-healing.  A year of broken spirits because I knew I was loosing one of the people closest to my heart.  A year of learning compassion and love.  I try to be kinder and more patient to people who had previously irritated me.  It has been a year that my creativeness has slipped into a darker corner.  I have not let myself play, laugh or enjoy myself for so long.  I want out of this place.

I proclaim 2008 to be: 

• A year of mental and physical healing for myself and my family.  Especially for Rosey.
• A  year of healing and help for my son Eric.  And a GOOD JOB.
• A year where my creativeness is maxed!!
• A year where my creative visualization will finally come through.
• A year where my friends and I will embark on some creative paths together.
• A year where I can, and will, make a difference for other people by using my creativity.
• A year where I intend to live fully.
• A year where money is not a trauma to anyone in my family.
• A year of new attitudes and leaps of faith.
• A  year of sharing my life with my friends as much as I can, to help heal myself, and hopefully help them, too.
• A year to be grateful for each minute.  And letting go of the guilt of still being here, while my brother is not.  And at the same time, keeping his memory alive as much as I can.
• A year of love, faith, and hope.

BURRRRRR IT'S COLD OUT!!

POLYMER CLAY SNOWMEN!!!!

I have always loved Polymer Clay Snowmen.  I feel that the "master" of Polymer Clay Ornaments is Sharon Sahl of SOS Designs.  Sharon is formerly of Columbus, Ohio, so I am proud to consider her a friend and am fortunate enough to own several of her pieces.  Sharon's work is collected by folks throughout the country, who are now limited to shopping her web page at SOS Designs.  Be sure to take the time to check out the "About the Figures" link.  Sharon canes every wonderful clothing pattern, and this link will show her painstaking and time consuming process.  Are they worth it?  You bet cha!

This next cute guy is from "JOSHUA'S CLAY CREATIONS", and you can even find a tutorial on this guy at Joshua's Projects.  Lots of fun things on that page~

 

These adorable cuties (snowman and angel) are projects by Linda Peterson.  Instructions are available at the AMACO site at Snowman - Angel Project.  I think this snowguy is the cutest.  Love his cheerful expression and the wonderful colors. 

Lastly, these wonderful snow pendants by Heather Powers at Humble Beads.  Check Out all of Heather's Work at Humble Beads.

Too cold to go out and play?  Take some time to play inside!  Grab out that block of 'white' for the snowmen, and go to it!!  I hope these ideas will give you some inspiration....there's a lot more out there!  You'd be surprised what will come up when you goggle "Polymer Clay Snowman". 

barrettes for dogs??????

OK....short but sweet post today.  I know I've  been slacking, but wanted to post something!  I found this video on  youtube of barrettes made for Yorkies out of Polymer Clay!  Can anyone top that today?  Check it out at Nanjo Dogz - Barrettes for Small Dogs.  Cute idea!  I promise longer and more posts.  Need that new computer....

kind of busy for a few days......

Sorry, all.  May be short a post for a few days.  We've been busy trying to get some final things done before Thanksgiving so that Roseann, Ryan, Katee and Rosey will be set up in their new house.  I'll be sure to post on the KLEW class, and more as soon as possible.  Keep watching. 

I was excited to learn from Sue Kelsey that Clay Carnival is "sold out" with a HUGE waiting line for this year!!!  WOW!!! Those Kato girls got it going on. 

Lynda gave me some fun toys for the kids.....and they slept at the house last night, and hadn't gotten their toys there yet!  I went out to the car and grabbed a couple for the kids, and they had a riot with them.   Wooden toys.  (And who isn't afraid of the made in China stuff now?).  And the kids loved them.  Rosey is a hoot.   And Katee is just Katee.  Gotta love those girls. 

IMAGINE A WOMAN

Is anyone out there familiar with an creative self-help writer called SARK?  I am really taken with these playful, uplifting books.  I am now reading parts of  "TRANSFORMATION SOUP", and am sharing a page from this book.

• IMAGINE a woman who believes it is right and good she is a woman.  A woman who honors her experience and tells her stories.  Who refuses to carry the sins of others within her body and life.
• IMAGINE a woman who trusts and respects herself.  A woman who listens to her needs and desires.  Who meets them with tenderness and grace.
• IMAGINE a woman who has acknowledged the past's influence on the present.  A woman who has walked through her past.  Who has healed into the present.
• IMAGINE a woman who authors her own life.  A woman who exerts, initiates and moves on her own behalf.  Who refuses to surrender except to her truest self and wisest voice.
• IMAGINE a woman who names her own Gods.  A woman who believes her body is enough, just as it is.  Who celebrates her body's rhythms and cycles as an exquisite resource.
• IMAGINE a woman who honors the body of the goddess in her changing body.  A woman who celebrates the accumulation of her years and her wisdom.  Who refuses to use her precious life energy disguising the changes in her body and life.
• IMAGINE a woman who values the women in her life.  A woman who sits in circles of women.  Who is reminded of the truth about herself when she forgets.
• IMAGINE YOURSELF AS THIS WOMAN.

This poem is written by Patricia Lynn Reilly, from "Imagine a Woman in Love With Herself".

Something to think about.   

The Uniqueness of KLEW

The first time I set my eyes on one of Klew's "drum beads", I became a devotee to her work.  I remember buying the bead...on eBay or something, and then carrying it around looking at it.  It has been several years ago.  I've got to go find that bead so I can drool over it some more.  Yes, I have tried to imitate her work, but there is obviously only one Klew.  I find every bead that she makes intriguing, and could stare at it for hours.  SOO....as I am conditioning this pile of clay for the class this weekend, I am freaking out.   Five sheets of translucent....how can I possibly condition it without dog hair inclusions?  I know I can't!!  And as I am beginning to condition, I am making those 5" x 7" sheets...trying to get them fairly perfect and uniform in size.   I am still not finished conditioning, and let me tell you, the last sheets aren't quite that perfect 5" x 7" !!!!!  What am I expecting to get out of this class with this wonderful artist?  Oh, the hints, techniques, caning are going to be wonderful.  But I'd really like some of Klew's mojo to rub off on me.... You know, some of her creativeness.  And, I have never met her, but I feel this kind of spiritual feeling about her.  I guess that she is kind of a new age, spiritual person.   I am really looking forward to this weekend.  Seeing old friends after a long time.  And hopefully making some new friends, and getting me some of that 'mojo'. 

See more of Klew's work at The Spirited Bead and Klew's Gallery.

Fire Mountain Gems is now serving more of our needs....

Anyone look at the October - January Fire Mountain Catalog???  In between pages 110 and 111 is an ad for Bridgeview Vineyards in Cave Junction, Oregon.  I'm thinking that between the beads and the wine, it about covers it!!! 

Been slacking some on the blog as we're working towards getting our house in Castalia ready for my niece and her family.  When I've been getting home from working out there, I've been conditioning clay for the KLEW class this weekend.  I'm telling you it's a lot of clay to condition! 

It's rainy and gloomy out, but thinking ahead to KLEW, it will be a good week!! 

Rosey goes in for her fourth chemo session tomorrow.  That means three days in St. Vincent's hospital for them.  Rosey is a trouper.  And the quicker these get done, the better.  I think she has four more sessions to go after this.  Most of her chemos are three days. 

More later....happy week!

Bald Chicks Rock!!!!!

Rosey is living proof!!!!  Isn't she adorable!!  She wears the hats so well.  I love her so much.  She really does rock!!

Why not dance???

Back from Chicago!  What a great trip.  Hanging out with Emily and Wally and my sister...drinking a little vino, lots of retail therapy....what more could you ask for??

I am trying to get back into some half-way decent spirit.  I got an email today from my friend Anita Behnen, and the last line of the post was "LIFE MAY NOT BE THE PARTY WE HOPED FOR, BUT WHILE WE ARE HERE WE MIGHT AS WELL DANCE".  You know, I haven't let myself "dance" in ages...I know how good it is for the soul.  So I did some searching for some fun stuff, and hopefully everyone can will find this as amusing as I have.

This first youtube find is the greatest!!!! It's actually Pier Voulkos and her hubby Daniel Peters teaching a a Tango Class.....Pier and Daniel Teaching Tango.  Of course, I still wish Pier was claying, but she is following her heart and happier for it, I'm sure!

This one is too cool.  The Evolution of Dance  It kind of makes me want to get out those old records, ummmm 8 tracks, ummmmm cassettes, ummmm CDs and dance!!  I think I need some dance right now.....

OK.....what about dancing on treadmills?  Talking about getting it on!!!  Check this out and try it on for size..... YouTube - OK Go - Here It Goes Again

Last, how can we forget this one?  YouTube - Abba - Dancing Queen 

Wikipedia describes Dance (from French danser) generally refers to movement used as a form of expression, social interaction or presented in a spiritual or performance setting.

But you know....it all boils down to this..."Life may not be the party we hoped for, but while we are here, we might as well dance."

Heading to Chicago

My sister and I are 'getting away' for the weekend.  We need some relaxing, getting away from it all sister bonding time.  She is the best, and I know she is the one person who truly knows the pain I am going through right now.  We are going to stay with the 'newly weds' for the weekend.  Emily, my niece and her wonderful hubby Wally.  What are we going to do?  SHOP, find at least one bead store....., go to Half Priced Books.  Emily works at Half Priced Books, and I love the place anyway.  Look for a couple new fantasy books I've been wanting.  EAT good food.  I need a new purse.  Maybe retail therapy IS the answer.  OH, I am taking beads with me.  Beads and Clay have been therapy, too.  Hey, I bought two new beading magazines at lunch time and that made me feel good!   So....we're leaving tonight when we both get off work.   Heading for the big city.    So...bye until Monday....