the cozy house

new treasures

2011-11-14T13:56:00.000-08:00

Two parcels from England have arrived these past days and they were full of beautiful art from Cathy Cullis. There is the "Pointy Hat Chap" and he is just so whimsical, he always puts a smile on your face. There is also some stitched work (embroidered) and this one has some vintage mother of pearl buttons and they always intrigue me. There is also some beautiful original art work. I love the bright shock of red in this one. I am always happy to be able to add some of Cathy's art to my collection, now to rearrange things to make a nice display! see her art on etsy........... http://www.etsy.com/shop/cathycullishttp://www.etsy.com/shop/cathycullis

Fall Clean-up.

2011-10-17T22:13:00.000-07:00

It is Fall clean up time around here and there can sometimes be treasures found curbside. Here is what I found today, a toy highchair. It needs a bit of paint, but that's it! It is in excellent condition. Jake was with me all day helping me run errands and you can see just the tip of his nose at the bottom of the one photo. He is always there to help!..................... now to decide how to paint this darling little chair!

Autumn Inspiration

2011-09-24T08:08:00.000-07:00

Autumn is here and the weather is cooler. Autumn is always a beautiful inspiration for me to start crafting again. This Summer was so brutal here, (100+ degrees for weeks on end!) and it really zapped me of all energy, especially the creative energy. I want to post my first Fall project. This was mailed overseas and the parcel finally reached it's destination, so I can post the pictures now. It was mailed to a lovely person, she loves nature, the forest, flowers, woodland animals and she creates beautiful jewelry inspired by it all. The forest inspired me to create this. It really was great fun and rewarding to finish it.

pretty sad!

2011-08-05T20:48:00.000-07:00

Well I have changed my comment settings so that I will approve all comments made before they are posted for all the world to see. I am sad that I have to do this, but I had some really disgusting comments on my last post by a stranger and I will not give then an audience. So I leave you tonight with a happy picture of my best friend Jake.

just a quick note

2011-07-28T20:27:00.000-07:00

Just a quick note to say that I am able to post comments again. I am so grateful because Blogger is my favorite place to be! (thank you Enchanted Blue Planet for helping me on that one!)

some favorite things

2011-07-04T07:48:00.000-07:00

I found that glass enclosed shadow box at a great bargain. I decided to put two of my Cathy Cullis pieces in it. Next to that is my newest piece from Julie Whitmore, an owl beaker that I just love drinking my chocolate strawberry tea from. That old crow is made from a recycled steel drum that I found at one of my favorite summer arts and crafts fairs in Washington. I remember trying to figure out how to get it home since we were on our motorcycle that day. :-)

aftermath

2011-06-04T20:40:00.000-07:00

We had terrible storms here. We were under a tornado warning and a flash flood warning. I had never seen rain like that before, it came down fast and hard and did not let up for the entire night. The wind was wicked! The floods started around 1:30 am and stopped around 6:00am. When I was able to return home in the morning, I saw this little nest sitting on the side of the road. Some poor bird worked so hard just to have it blown out of it's tree. I hope that all the birds that made this home were alright, or maybe they were finished with it for the season. I had to salvage this and I will keep it somewhere special. This is probably the most perfect and beautiful nest that I have ever found. (and I only pick up ones that are on the ground, I would never take one out of a tree)....... Happily my home was safe from the storm. It is sad that some homes in town were flooded and there was some damage. There was also some damage to crops and farms. No one was hurt and that is the most important.

Can't post Comments

2011-05-31T11:57:00.000-07:00

To all the lovely blogs that I follow............... For some reason after Blogger had that major down time, I can't post comments on about 75% of the blogs I follow. I am not sure why and can't figure out how to fix it either. So if I don't comment, it's not that I don't want to, I just can't!

Happy Birthday Jake

2011-04-27T16:48:00.000-07:00

My little sweetie turned 4 yesterday.......... Here he is in his birthday finest having his favorite treat!

Vintage Quilts and French Linen

2011-04-12T18:13:00.000-07:00

Here is a darling clutch that I found and purchased from Hens Teeth Art. This is all hand made of vintage french linen and 1930-40's american feedsack patchwork quilt. Viv has also done some hand embroidery and put some vintage french MOP buttons on it. For more beautiful vintage art, you can find Viv at her blog, and then from there you can visit her Etsy store. http://hensteethart.blogspot.com/ (make sure you click on the photos to enlarge so you can see all the details!)

My Space...........

2011-04-03T19:49:00.000-07:00

I found these cute rice paper lighted garlands in town and thought that they would look nice draped on my vintage medicine cabinet. This space has become home to some of my new treasures. The embroidered brooches and the artwork is done by Cathy Cullis, a mixed media artist and poet. You can find her at http://cathycullis.blogspot.com/ , from there you can find out about her projects and find her Etsy store. If you click on the first picture for more detail, you can see my beloved tree pendant and my new necklace called Sweet Mountain Tranquility, made by Kristi Marcille Smith, a wonderful silver artist. This necklace just reminded me of the wonderful times I had in the Olympic mountains with Greg. You can find Kristi at http://silversparrowdesigns.blogspot.com/ and again from there you can find her etsy store, and you can even listen to some great music while browsing her blog............. love my cozy house!

dolly

2011-02-18T12:08:00.000-08:00

I was inspired to post Dolly here after seeing an acquaintance post her Raggedy Ann doll on Flickr. I found Dolly in an antique shop when I was around 4 years old or so. My Mom and Dad always went antiquing on Saturdays and Sundays. I learned from an early age to love it. Well I remember picking her up and loving her and next thing I know Dad bought her for me and she came home. She was very vintage then and I am now 51. I wish that I knew her story, who made her and when, and especially what other little girl loved her. Well Dolly is still loved!

Staying in For the Next Few Days

2011-01-31T11:28:00.000-08:00

Jake has the right idea! Stay in bed and rest, that's what I will be doing, well maybe not spending the day in bed, but not leaving the house unless I have to. I had to leave this AM to get special cat food for Luigi, my Mom has him and he has digestive issues. (which is why I can't keep him with all of my other kitties) and to get prescriptions for Mom and Dad............ well of course it was icy and I fell, AGAIN. My second fall in a few weeks. I am really hurting, nothing broken or sprained, I'm just sore, feel like I've been beaten. So maybe I can do some crafts or rearrange some more. (small stuff only) This is the top of my bureau, I am trying to "lighten" things up. I love my old medicine cabinet.

woven glass jewels

2011-01-27T09:07:00.000-08:00

I wove a necklace of czech, vintage, and other various glass beads, as well as a few pearls. This is similar to one of the ones I made for the pay it forward. I just thought that I might like to have one!

Glassware

2011-01-26T07:20:00.000-08:00

I have been busy cleaning, rearranging, and purging! I dug out my depression glass and vintage glassware and decided to display it in my kitchen. The green depression glass is something that I have been collecting for ages, I decided that I might as well use it, such a pretty shade of green! The crystal clear saucers and ruby red cups were my Grandmother's, as well as the little blue dessert cups. My Dad told me that she would save her pennies and buy a new cup and saucer when she could. They were inexpensive pieces from some sort of a 5&10 store in Brooklyn, but they were poor in those days. So I know she treasured these, as she worked hard to get them, I remember them displayed in china cabinet when I was young. So here they are now in my kitchen, i love how the colors just brighten everything up!

Pay it Forward

2011-01-16T10:42:00.000-08:00

I am in all day, I decided that I need a day to myself. We are all cozy, Jake and the kitties sleeping the day away, and me with a good cup of tea, in my pj's, finishing up my Pay it Forward items. This is my last gift and I will pack it up and mail it. I am sorry that I didn't take photos of the other things that I made. This is a wand that I already made and I finished this mini rattle to go with it. I really love making the rattles, I love picking out colors and buttons and sewing them up!

Pay it Forward

2011-01-13T19:25:00.000-08:00

I am participating in a "pay it forward" and here is one thing that I have made and put together.

First snow of the season

2011-01-10T09:12:00.000-08:00

Jake loves the snow!

vintage bottle and beads

2010-12-21T16:04:00.000-08:00

I took out my beads today and decided to make something with this vintage bottle complete with aluminum cap. I love the iridescence that age has given this little bottle. I wove a necklace with czech beads, some pearls and other beads. Inside the bottle is some moss that I gathered in Oregon, it's such a pretty green color and it just has sentimental meanings for me.

winter options

2010-12-20T08:14:00.000-08:00

One thing that I love about winter is that I can wear cozy warm bulky sweaters. It's then that I can wear my barrettes on my sweaters as they fit through the weave. This is my favorite, a Northwest Coast style bear done by Shoshone Nation artist, Pam Close. Her detail is fabulous as she uses really small beads. This one has size 13, 11, and 15 Charlotte beads.

Kitchen

2010-12-19T18:36:00.000-08:00

I love this little wooden cabinet. This was obtained from Chapman Kansas about one week before the huge tornado hit that just about destroyed and devastated that entire town. I feel fortunate to have a bit of history from that town as so many lost their treasures there. My Dad made that pierced tin candle holder a few years back. It is made from an old olive oil can. My dad has Parkinson's disease and is now 81 and can't handle tools anymore, and even this one was done when his disease was at it's worst. So I treasure this also. It does look beautiful with a lit candle in it.

sweetie pie Jake

2010-12-17T13:05:00.000-08:00

Here is Jake with his Holiday antlers. I was so amazed because last year he jumped around and tried to get them off. This year, he sat so still and really listened to me. Maybe he is finally not being so stubborn, or maybe he was just really embarrassed and hoping to get this over with.

adding to my favorite room

2010-12-16T10:43:00.000-08:00

I have added a few more things to my office/craft room. This room seems to be my favorite room of the house and I do spend alot of my free time here. I have added a few things to my desk/work space......... one of my favorite things is my pumpkin oil painting done by a good friend. There's also a sugar skull in there for remembrance of Day of the Dead celebration and a Kachina and feather. It has so many subjects that I love, it was a wonderful wedding present, so happy that it has a new place here in my favorite room!

Christmas Tree

2010-12-06T08:59:00.000-08:00

I put up my mini Christmas tree yesterday...... I love all of my ornaments, as they all are gifts. There is my chocolate lab "jake" ornie, my good luck pickle, and fish........ and many more.

wand and mini rattle

2010-12-01T21:20:00.000-08:00

I made a co-ordinating meditation wand and mini rattle. Just finished the rattle tonight. I really enjoy beading, it is so relaxing and it centers me.

Luigi

2010-11-22T15:28:00.000-08:00

Luigi is the newest member in my cozy house. He was dumped off at my parents home, left out in the cold to fend for himself. Mom started to feed him and we all fell in love with him. He is the biggest mush ever! He went to the vet's today and was given a clean bill of health. He will be neutered weds.

The Rock

2010-11-08T07:29:00.000-08:00

I have had this rock just about my whole life. It has traveled with me to all of my homes. It IS my favorite rock. I remember finding it when I was about 4 or five years old on a walk with my Mom. She would always take me out and we would spend the day walking in the woods or fields around our home and I would always come home with handfuls of sticks, stones, acorns, feathers and other things. I haven't changed in 50 years!

Skeleton Key II

2010-11-04T07:52:00.000-07:00

Another skeleton key necklace, this one going out in the mail to a friend today! This one has besides the vintage key, a small turquoise goddess.

Skeleton Keys

2010-11-02T10:50:00.000-07:00

I have been collecting vintage skeleton keys lately. I have been fascinated with them since I was young. I actually remember the doors to our home locked with these. That was a long time ago! I've been making necklaces with these keys. This one has a little czech skull bead and a Green Girl Studios bezel that I have put some moss gathered from a forest in Oregon (my last vacation with Greg) and a pressed wildflower from Kansas and then filled it with resin................... also had to add a picture of Jake enjoying the Fall weather. (my little sweetie)

I feel like wearing RED today

2010-10-10T08:53:00.001-07:00

My Friend Maggie carved the designs in this shell she found on a beach in the Pacific Northwest. I put it on a necklace of antique red whitehearts that I have saved through out the years. Today I feel like wearing red!

Best Friends

2010-10-10T08:50:00.000-07:00

Yes, these two are best friends. They share a special bond.

Kachina

2010-09-09T07:26:00.000-07:00

I found this on Ebay. It is a Kachina made by my friend Maggie. It is her interpretation of a Kachina so it doesn't represent any traditional doll. I love it because it was made by her and I was able to add it to my collection.

Greg

2010-09-06T07:02:00.000-07:00

I just thought that today would be a good day to add a picture of my husband to my Cozy House. He passed away three years ago today from Primary Pulmonary Hypertension, aka Idiopathatic Pulmonary Hypertension. He was a wonderful man, supportive of me, supportive of my beading. He was a beader too! He was an artist, former law officer, man of medicine, and my husband and friend. He is also the reason that I have all my furry friends. He picked out Stinks from the pound, one day away from being euthanized because of overcrowding. He found monk, straving and almost dead, a tiny baby, and brought her home to stay. He let Squeekie in, in the middle of a tornado warning and she has been here since. He also picked out Jake for me, three months before he passed away. These were all the best gifts ever, as they are my family and have helped me over the tough times. We all miss you Greg.

totem birds

2010-08-29T07:39:00.000-07:00

I found these on Ebay. The seller said that these are vintage Northwest Coast Native American, hand carved bird totems.......... I know that they are mother of pearl, and they are NWC style. I'm not sure if these are really traditional or just "tourist trade" earrings. I love them just the same. I plan on taking the earring findings off and making my own style of earring from them. I love when I find interesting and unusual things on ebay.

Rebbekka

2010-08-05T20:14:00.000-07:00

Kumihimo cord and Dancing Trees talisman

Rebbekka's writings and art

some more Burnt Offerings

My Friend from Port Townsend WA, Rebbekka Riverstone recently passed away. I wanted to post some of my treasures that she has created, her art, her writings, her weavings........ She touched many lives including mine, she will be missed but always remembered, and with a smile. I love the symbolism in her Burnt Offerings. You can look at one for hours and keep seeing new things in it. I loved her trees and moon/stars and bees! We both have a Dancing Trees talisman, not too many of them were made. (Madelyn Pitts, artist) I love the cords that she would weave for these pendants, These cords are a real meditative process. I thought good thoughts today about the good times that we had. I know that Rebbekka would want us to celebrate her life...........

creating again

2010-07-25T11:05:00.000-07:00

I have been creating again. I am so excited to be doing a Fall Festival in town again this year. So here is one of my necklaces that I will have on my table. I just love these vintage chandelier drops that I found. This is my last one. I will be on the look out for vintage keys and small glass bottles and anything else that I find interesting. It feels good to have a focus.

Memorial for Fluff

2010-07-06T20:31:00.000-07:00

My friend Teri from Last Chants Studio sent me this today as a gift. It is a memorial for my Fluff. She makes custom pet memorials and can be found here on Etsy. http://www.etsy.com/shop/lastchantsstudio Thank you Teri, you understand and are a new wonderful friend. (although we truly connected years ago and just didn't know it)

more treasures

2010-07-05T21:54:00.001-07:00

These brooches are my latest treasures. They are created by textile artist Cathy Cullis. You can find her here on Blogger. From there you can find her stores on ETSY and Bigcartel. She is also a wonderful artist (water color, sketch, just to name a few other mediums) and poet.http://cathycullis.blogspot.com/

Last Chants Studio

2010-06-19T20:43:00.000-07:00

DiD you ever see something and not buy it and then have major regrets? Well I did. I went to a Ren Faire in Gig Harbor WA, probably 9 to 10 years ago and saw this amazing pottery. It was beautiful and spiritual. It just called to me.......... Well, I didn't have much money, my husband was back in school working on his second career in life, so I passed on this one piece. Well I always thought about it and hoped that I would run into the artist again one day. I didn't even know her name, but I could remember what she looked like. I thought about this piece for an entire year and made it back to the Ren Faire with money. Oh no, she wasn't there............ The next year, the same. I constantly thought about this piece. Well I am an ETSY addict and one day while doing a search for something, this piece of pottery popped up. I thought to myself, "wow, this looks just like the pieces from back in my WA. days." I purchased this piece and contacted the artist and yes, it was the same person. I couldn't believe that I finally found the piece that I NEVER forgot. Teri is "Last Chants Studio" and makes such beautiful and spiritual pieces. She is a wonderful person too, I am so glad that our paths have crossed again. http://www.etsy.com/shop/lastchantsstudio ***** The piece that I purchased through ETSY wasn't the exact same piece that I saw over 9 years ago, but it was Teri's work again, and I love all of her art. I was happy to get this piece and hope to purchase a few more.

favorite toys from way back when.............

2010-06-19T20:32:00.000-07:00

Here are two of my most favorite toys from when I was very young........... 1965-66............ They went every where with me, usually only one at a time. They are hand knitted and they wear handmade clothes. I got them on a family vacation in Weston VT. at the Country Store. (probably my favorite vacation destination as a child).......... I wouldn't mind visiting it today. :-)

ouch

2010-05-26T10:00:00.000-07:00

I think that my crafting will be on the back burner for a week or two....... I just about cut the tip of my left middle finger off with the electric hedge clippers. It is just very awkward at this point. Maybe I can use this time to re-organize things again!

Fluff

2010-05-17T15:40:00.000-07:00

A member of my cozy house passed away this morning. Fluff was my special lovey dovey kitty. She loved to sit on my lap and be petted. She will be missed.

birthdays and anniversaries

2010-05-10T17:11:00.001-07:00

Well in my cozy house we have had birthdays and anniversaries. March was the month that we brought Mr. Stinks home from the pound in 1998. He was an adult kitty so I'm not sure how old he is. (my tuxedo kitty) April 26th was Jake's 3rd birthday.(my chocolate lab) The month of May, three years ago, was when we rescued Squeeks in the middle of a terrible storm with straight line winds of 70 miles per hour. She has never wanted to go outdoors again. She has only left the house for vet appointments. She came to us an adult, complete with expecting a new litter of kittens. So I am not sure how old she is either. But Happy Birthday and Happy Anniversary to my babies.

Max Equations

2010-05-06T13:15:00.000-07:00

I still don't have my new memory card for my camera yet so I will use these photos from Max Equations............ I love linen and natural fiber clothing. I found this company and have ordered a few things. I absolutely love the clothing and love wearing it. I just ordered these two linen tops/tunics. The top one I ordered in lupine, a lovely blue and had them hand paint a design on the bottom. The second one I ordered in the rust color shown without the added painting. http://maxequations.com This is a husband and wife team and everything is done by hand, love it!

Finally back on line..........

2010-04-24T17:21:00.000-07:00

Yes, I finally have a new computer that works. The first new one crashed after 2 1/2 weeks. So here is the newest one, 2 days old. let's see how it goes. I also need to get a new card for my camera, as that doesn't work now........................ So when everything is all set up, I promise that I will post on a regular basis again. I actually did alot of crafting for the two months that I was with out my computer. It was really wonderful, lots of beads and lots of peyote stitching! Next post will have pictures! Promise!!!!!

TEA

2010-02-11T13:28:00.000-08:00

I am on such a tea kick lately. I am in love with tea! Here is my latest find, Cardamon Cinnamon by Republic of Tea....................... I am so low on beads, time to restock, but I managed to have enough to put these two Goddess bracelets together that will be mailed off to a friend. :-)

Snowy Day Beading

2010-02-04T17:36:00.000-08:00

I finished the wand on the very left today. I had some good smelling candles burning and sipped chai tea and Jake napped with his head on my lap, while beading. The cute thing about Jake, he was having all kinds of dreams today. He was very verbal and he was smacking his lips and eating something in his dreams today. He has been on a diet since Dec. 8th and I think he was dreaming about eating his beloved cheese! (sweet Jake)

More Freezing Rain and Snow

2010-02-04T11:38:00.001-08:00

Today is another cold day. It is rainy and snowy and just a cold mess. I guess that it is to start snowing hard later on and we will have another five inches of snow or so. So I have finished chores, housework, errands and I don't have work today, so I will now settle in for some beading. I have some nice chai tea brewing and today I will practice my "lightening" pattern with the peyote stitch. I haven't done it in years, but I'm sure I will pick it right up again. I've posted pictures of the wands I did last week, they are just in a different light. There is also the small abalone talisman that I just finished a few days ago. I keep making these things and accumulating them, but I have no idea what I will do with all of them!

Ice and Fog

2010-02-03T17:49:00.000-08:00

This photo is of my backyard a few weeks ago. It was so foggy and the fog seemed to form this light ice on the trees and branches. It just looked so pretty. This was one of my productive crafting days too. This kind of weather just calls to me!

Treasure

2010-01-31T09:29:00.001-08:00

Here is another treasure that I found on Etsy. This was made by the lovely Delila from http://www.etsy.com/shop/robinandthesage . She lives in Finland and gets her inspiration to create beautiful jewelry from nature. (walks in the woodlands and forests, mossy rocks, places that I long to be) This is one of her Acorn Gatherer necklaces. It does make me think of lovely walks in the woods.

New Treasures

2010-01-29T16:12:00.000-08:00

Here is a beautiful brooch that I have been enjoying, especially on my velvets. This is hand made lace from precious silver threads, complimented by fresh water pearls, vintage beads and a vintage rhinestone. This was made by the talented Ivy from Edera Jewelry. http://www.etsy.com/shop/ederajewelry I discovered her on Etsy. She also makes the most beautiful earrings, necklaces and bracelets.

Green tea with rose petals

2010-01-29T15:24:00.000-08:00

Toady was another one of those very cold and overcast days. A perfect day to do some beading and drink green tea with rose petals! Here are my completed projects............ 2 wands made from fallen oak branches and one mini-rattle.

Rainy and foggy day......... Good for crafting

2010-01-19T08:02:00.001-08:00

I have been busy cleaning, decorating and re-organizing. I am finished with my cabinet and have all of my treasures in it or on it! Now that I feel organized again, I am starting on my wands. I have so many beautiful twigs, sticks and driftwood to work with. Today is a perfect day to work inside. It is rainy and foggy and all I need is a good cup of tea and I am ready!

Vintage

2009-12-30T09:29:00.000-08:00

I have been collecting vintage chandelier glass/prisms and making necklaces. Here is one of them.

Snowy Days

2009-12-26T09:49:00.001-08:00

I have been snowed in since Christmas Day. I have taken advantage of this time to sort through beads and I made this necklace yesterday. I am enjoying this snowy time. I have my gingerbread scented candles burning, some wonderful tea brewing and I am surrounded by beads and furry family!

Ocean Goddess

2009-11-07T08:47:00.000-08:00

ocean washed stone from pacific shores area, woven into necklace.

cabinet

2009-11-06T09:29:00.001-08:00

My new cabinet filled with rocks and crystals and other treasures......... :)

Mini Rattle

2009-10-30T11:31:00.000-07:00

Mini Rattle made with antique mother of pearl button and 7 pieces of turquoise inside to make the rattle.

more boxes and treasures

2009-10-26T16:34:00.001-07:00

A few more of my boxes with treasures.......... this one will be used to also hold found feathers.

birds

2009-10-22T15:21:00.001-07:00

It's been raining here and I got out some of my new beads. I made the trade bead bracelet with a "bird skull" made from polymer clay and I made a feather bundle. hooray for rainy days!

antique bottle, trade beads and peyote stitch

2009-09-13T22:43:00.000-07:00

Here is an antique bottle, complete with air bubbles and iridescence from age, made into a necklace with trade beads and peyote stitching.

more wands

2009-09-09T10:07:00.000-07:00

I finished these two wands, the larger one took about 8 hours from start to finish. that one has a very pretty rutile quartz point. the rutile is a gorgeous golden. this one is my "harvest goddess" wand. i really am in the autumn mood, my colors are really reflecting it. there is the little goddess bead and then some leaves and flowers, in the dangles.

two more small wands

2009-09-06T07:09:00.000-07:00

Two more smaller wands, i need to bead the larger one next. I just can't decide on the colors.....

boxes

2009-09-01T09:08:00.000-07:00

I have always collected boxes. I love that they are capable of holding precious things. I made these ( just painted and decorated) to hold and carry my crafts to and from the Fall Festival. I am also in the process of putting together a special box, one that will hold sacred things ( at least sacred to me). Some of the contents will be gathered things and others will be things I have made. I am enjoying this project! (will post a pic when completed)

craft area

2009-08-31T08:20:00.000-07:00

Well I needed to reorganize my craft area. I found an old chicken nester and decided to use it as a shelving system and put some of my inspirations on it. So now I am surrounded by art made by friends, natures gifts and my beads and paints and other craft supplies. (even some books and really cool tarot cards)

meditation wand

2009-08-23T06:46:00.000-07:00

I wanted to post a picture of this wand that i finished last night. the colors remind me of the fall season. i also am very happy to have found a source for shed antlers.

M.M.ROE

2009-08-17T14:51:00.000-07:00

I had the pleasure and honor to have known Maggie Roe and to have called her my friend. Maggie passed away away a few years ago, but her memory and spirit live on in me everyday. I surround myself with her creations. I never pack her jewelry away, it is in view all the time when i am not wearing it. Lately i also find that it has brought me a great source of comfort. Maybe because it takes me back to a happy place in time, of being out in the beautiful and spiritual spaces of Washington. Or maybe it is because there is part of Maggie's spirit in every thing she made. Maggie's jewelry is made from fossilized walrus ivory, trade beads and various bits and pieces of nature's gifts that she would find during her hikes on the beaches of Wa. These pieces are either carved or scrimshawed (or sometimes both). I have also pictured some of her carved rocks and the eagle is carved from found beached whale bone. Maggie was also a wonderful artist and did paintings and drawings. I will feature her artwork in my next post. Maggie's art helps to make my home a cozy place to be...............................

meditation wand

2009-08-14T19:53:00.000-07:00

I just finished this one. it is abalone and quartz crystal with traditional peyote beading.

busy busy

2009-08-13T13:52:00.001-07:00

i have been busy crafting. it is something that brings me joy, i love playing with beads and crystals. i found some vintage keys and weaved a necklace around them, as well as a piece of russian jade. next i am working on some peyote beaded crystal wands.

getting ready for Fall Festival

2009-08-03T15:03:00.000-07:00

I am so excited because I am going to have a table at a fall festival in "The Vintage Gardens". I haven't sold my creations in ages. I mostly just give them away, so this will be interesting for me. I have been busy making my goddess and day of the dead stretch bracelets. Here, I have pictured my buddha necklace and one of my crystal fetishes that I just finished. I hope to get a variety of necklaces, bracelets, fetishes and wands to display. It's wonderful to feel creative again.

crystals and such

2009-07-12T20:28:00.000-07:00

I have been taking my crystals out and playing with them. These always bring me joy. This is just a minute sampling of some. My favorite is the one on the metal axis. This crystal spins around on it's little stand. It is also a perfect and very clear crystal. Greg got it for me in a quaint little gallery in Startup WA. My other favorite is the huge herkimer diamond sitting in the "tree mushroom" bowl. That was my first crystal ever and it was given to me by Bill. He was a Cherokee elder and he taught me how to do peyote beading, as well as lessons on crystals and much more. He was 90 years old when he taught me. At 90, he was still lead dancer at the pow wows,............... a great man.

Parrish Relics

2009-06-24T07:34:00.001-07:00

Here's some more art that I am surrounded by every day that helps to make my place my sanctuary. These are some beautiful necklaces by Parrish Relics. My favorites right now are the stained glass necklaces. These are all hand made and always bring a magical feeling when worn. http://parrishrelics.etsy.com/ and http://parrishrelics.com/

Merle

2009-06-23T06:23:00.000-07:00

I want to show some of the art i own that was created by Merle. She is so talented and her art just brings me happiness. I love being surrounded by it. I have shown some of her prints that are on blocks and ready to hang, there are several necklaces, (fairy dust vial, customized initial, and the gorgeous fairy necklace). Then there is the portrait that she painted of my four cats, i really love that one. you can find her at http://pascal4aqua.etsy.com/ and http://rowandevoe.blogspot.com/ as well ashttp://merleart.com.

my new necklace

2009-06-21T08:31:00.001-07:00

I love this new necklace that i finished last night. It is made with my favorite beads and color combinations, and made with two special beads from Green Girl Studios. I found out about them thanks to http://rowandevoe.blogspot.com. she made me a necklace with one of their fairy beads and it is gorgeous. i will post that picture later on along with more of her beautiful art. find these great beads at http://greengirlstudios.com........

beads

2009-06-21T07:39:00.001-07:00

Some of my new beads!..................... I sometimes hate to use them because they are so pretty and I hate to see the containers empty! Oh well, that only means I need to buy more, a never ending shopping event.

pottery rattle and glass bead necklace

2009-06-19T17:35:00.000-07:00

i made this necklace tonight with a hand made pottery rattle (yes, if you shake it, it rattles) rattle is made by bonnie from bonniebpottery.etsy.com .......... i just love her pottery! the sedum is from my friend bree.

sharing the arts and crafts that my friends create

2009-06-19T06:43:00.000-07:00

I thought that I would also like to share art that I own that my friends have made. I hold these things near and dear to my heart. The pottery dish and spiral "rattle" sphere are made by Bonnie. You can find her on ETSY at http://bonniebpottery.etsy.com. The tree pendant is my #one piece of jewelry, given to my by Greg and made by Madelyn Pitts from Quilcene WA. It's called "Dancing Trees".

five reasons that my house is cozy

2009-06-18T21:30:00.001-07:00

my dog and four cats, that's what makes my house cozy........

meditation wands

2009-06-18T13:10:00.000-07:00

These are some of the things I have been working on. I really love making meditation wands. They are made from various driftwood and twigs and crystals.
I call them meditation wands because the process of the peyote stitch beading is truly meditative. I also have very much enjoyed trading some of these with other artists for their art............

my firsy entry

2009-06-03T11:24:00.000-07:00

I wanted to have a blog space just for arts and crafts. Some of it will be my crafts and other posts will show my friend's creations or just things that I have found that I love, things that make my home a cozy home. I love being surrounded with hand made things. I love art and I love crafts. I love the energy that each artist puts in their pieces, I think that is what draws me to a piece to begin with. ( pictures are of my little craft room where it all starts!)