Eureka!

A while back, I had been thinking about adding some elements to my work, regarding the concept of time.  It happened to come to fruition just by accident. 

I was browsing at a treasure trove called "The Enchanted Frog," which is full of booths of antiques, oddities and collectibles.  While there I met a gentleman who had a booth, selling clocks and repair services.  From our conversation I learned that he wanted to sell about 10 pounds of brass gears, the "innards" of a number of clocks he had taken apart.  I was elated, and made an appointment to buy them at his home shop.  He threw in about 10 pretty "grandfather clock" chains, and I went home really happy.  Now I have my "time" elements and I need to spread them out and gaze at the bounty, in preparation for designing some dazzling something or other.  They can be used so many ways.  Jewelry, journaling accents, wind chime elements.  Now I just need some TIME!!!!!  Ha, ha, ha!

Following my "Compass Rose."

Following my Compass Rose idea, I have taken off on a tangent, and bridged into a new incarnation of my wind chimes.  After finding out that I was not exactly the sole owner of my silver teapot or any teapot idea, and being temporarily bummed out and stymied, I cast about for inspiration. 

Sitting in my studio amidst all the debris--I mean possibilities---I began working on some new jewelry ideas, and then it hit me---I am already using beading in my wind chimes---I can carry that further and bead on the surface of something in the chimes...add mirror rounds, decoupage messages onto some parts.  This combines my love of decorative motifs and my love of words, journaling, and hidden meaning.

I love anything that adds mystery, intrigue, and exotic elements to my work. 

Then I decided to add in some scrapbooking elements for a "message in a bottle" theme.  Glass bottles...glitter, pearls, a charm...coiled wire.  Now I am having fun again.  And once again, I feel in control of my direction.  That also means I need to stay open to hints, pushes and shoves from other inspirational sources.

Happy detours to you.--Miss Elainie

End-of-the Year Thoughts

It is cold, gray, and it is the 23rd of December.  Yes, I have my shopping done. Nothing's wrapped yet, and I have company staying here...my son, who is a Special Forces soldier, and his two boys.  Wonderful, funny, noisy, busy company.  Am I stressing out? 

Ummm.  No, I've decided to take a quiet break when I need one, and be very, very , very thankful that my soldier came home.  I'm so proud of him.  And so very aware of families that will, for one reason or another...be celebrating Christmas without their soldier. 

Today I was down in the basement studio, working on some artwork for a friend, and I happened across an old spiral-bound notebook from 2000, 2001 and 2002.  At that time I belonged to a small group of women who met once a week for potluck dinner and an hour of "inner self" work.  I flipped the notebook open, curious to see what my thoughts were amost 10 years ago, and came across this:

"The thing I can accept as a continuum: that I will continue to swim...sometimes dogpaddle, sometimes float peacefully, sometimes tread water, sometimes backstroke, etc.  And I am afraid of drowning.  I am not an expert swimmer.  I have either jumped into, or have been thrown into deep water...and then was rescued, coughing and sputtering, or have pulled myself to safety, my heart pounding...

...but to quit getting into the water is to miss the sensation of being weightless, and miss the feathery caresses of the water.  So I will continue to swim."

Thinking grateful thoughts,
Blessings,
Miss Elainie

Shocker Becomes Learning Experience!

While I was off work recovering from pneumonia, my friend Pat came over, bearing a recent issue (Nov. 2010) of Birds and Blooms magazine.  I happen to like that magazine, and we have a little recycle thing going, with newspapers from our house going her way, and magazines from her house visiting me.

Anyway, she told me I needed to look at page 58, and I did.  It was such a shock that it's a wonder I didn't have a relapse right then and there!  And not only was I shocked, I was mad and discouraged, too!

For there on the page was a beautiful wind chime, made of a silver teapot and silver spoons, and the hanging parts were beaded.  The same kind of thing I had been making, independently, all summer, for my fall shows.  I use lots of other items besides teapots and spoons, but still!  I had thought I was being so crafty and different!  (See photos at right)

Included in the article were detailed instructions on how to make your own version of the pictured chime, and also, there was a website:
http://tempestinateapot.net/.  A couple of weeks later, after I came out of my drama and subsequent slump, I decided to visit the website to see what else was being made by the artist, Elsa Mikus. 

Interesting!  Lovely!  In addition to seeing her other works, I got acquainted with the way her site is effectively set up to sell her artwork.  No longer feeling disgusted, turning my attitude around had made a useful learning experience.

So, you crafting and artist readers, I encourage you to get hold of the magazine, or visit the website.  And as usual, blessings to all--and to you,too, Elsa!

Miss Elainie

Time Flies

Today's subject involves not only my literal time, and how I spend it...but thoughts on how to incorporate the concept of time into my work.  Some visuals that intrigue me: compass roses, like the ones used on old maps, to show the directions, and clock faces.  Wait, there's more:  keys and spirals.  Direction, time, and place, and unlocking something.  Hmmm.

I have already decided that I need some junked clocks to take apart for their interesting gears, to use in a project about time... and the compass rose and the spiral both have to do with finding direction, the spiral being about growth and influence as you live...and the keys evoking the keeping safe or the freeing of something.  Thoughts to ponder.

Anyone who has been following my blog knows that I am off work, struggling to recover from pneumonia.  It has been a frightening and sobering experience to be this sick and have this much trouble getting well.  It certainly has made me do lots of thinking about life, the people I love, and the pursuit of a satisfying creative life.

Blessings---Miss Elainie

Back in the Saddle, and Not Going Anywhere!

This time, I'm blogging about being hospitalized with pneumonia, missing more work, and coming home to rest for a week.  Who knew that the noodle-y legs would lead to this?!

I'm home, with orders to sit. And rest.  And hydrate. It's given me ample time to think about my blessings: caring family and friends, and students and coworkers...a caring and loving husband, a peaceful and nature-abundant place to live. 

Today is my second day home from the hospital, and while I was gone, all the pretty golden leaves fell.  The flower garden west of the house is still in riotous array, colorful spires and blooms falling over each other in their last hurrah of the season.  Colder and perhaps freezing temperatures are forecasted, so I am paying attention to all the colorful displays while they are available.

I snipped three roses to bring into the entry hallway, arranged some other plants and flowers that came to me, and sat down with a steaming cup of Korean tea, called Ssangwha Cha.  It is a delicious, spicy, nutmeg-y tasting tea that comes in little packets that include chopped fruits and nuts (I think).  You can buy it at Korean grocery markets.

Later, I put on a long denim jacket with a hood and fun wooden-toggle closings, hooked up Jackson, and took him out for a doggy-potty-break.  Passing the mailbox, I snagged several envelopes addressed to me, two of them being large, manila-type envelopes.

I found a sunny, quiet spot on the red brick patio, settled into a green rocking-style patio chair, and shook out the contents of the envelopes.
Two were cards from loving friends, and the big envelopes were full of get well wishes from two of my classes.  I sat there in the sunshine, with the mild fall breeze ruffling my hair, and smiled over the love and hard work of my art students.  Hickory nuts were scattered over the table-top in front of me, as well as acorns and fallen leaves.  I reached over and lifted a resin bird statue to anchor the fluttering pages. 

I am thinking here of the teachers who took the time and effort to have their students do this kindness...about what that teaches children, to think of others, to reach out, to express empathy.

Of course, I came on inside and rested after the outing, and reflected some more about life and love and gratefulness.

I think I'll refill my teacup, snuggle with the dog, and begin using one of my new idea-journals to jot down some inspirational thoughts.

Blessings!--Miss Elainie



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