the dark side

I just learned about liver of sulfur and how it can darken silver. It's quite a bit of work to darken and then brush the pieces so they aren't completely dark but I love the look!

golden child

I'm not one for gold jewelry, personally. Silver has always suited me best and is the color that seems to catch my eye the most. I like gold on other people and usually end up making pieces in gold for my mom (hi mom!). I decided to try some earrings and have to admit that after all these years not liking gold, I LOVE these little earrings!

Ode: Teesha Moore

I don't even know where to start about Teesha - she is sheer inspiration! I started following her art through her art zines "Play" and "Art & Life". I was hooked at the very first page - her use of color, words and faces was different than really anything I had seen before. As I read more and more issues and started looking into her other art work, I was even more inspired. Here was someone who by all appearances was truly living the creative life. I love what she has to say about her own work:

"To me, making art is play. I don't worry what others will think of it. I do it and if others like it, great. If they don't, I know they will move onto the next artist who inspires them. I create from my gut. I let whatever is inside of me come out, so I step aside as much as possible so that can happen. I am always happy to share any idea or technique I know with anyone who wants to listen because it is all about creativity and if something I say can get someone to shoot off down a path of their own creative path, there is no greater joy for me. "

This sentiment is so clear in her work. It speaks from her soul yet is so finished & well designed. I am just blown away by all the things she does.... her zines, her blog, her stamps & her great fabric arts. And although her art gives me just the push I need sometimes, her life inspires me just as much. Here is a mother of two and a wife of 25 + years.........just a beautiful woman who inspires me in more ways than I ever thought possible. Here are some of my favorite pieces:

I hope that you take a peek at her amazing work:

www.teeshamoore.com
www.teeshascircus.blogspot.com

And here is the piece I made inspired by Teesha. I have to admit, as I made this piece, I just let it flow. I didn't worry about how this piece would fit or how that little piece would look. I created, as she says, from the gut. It captures for me the inspiration she gives me to create with reckless abandon and to live a creative life.

recycled chic

I just came into a huge collection of post industrial recycled leather - each piece is hand painted these beautiful colors. I'm not sure what all I will create with it....so many possibilities. For right now, I've started to make cuff bracelets with fine silver accents. Who knew being nice to the environment could look so cute!