Thursday, November 12, 2009

Last weekend I picked up a copy of 1000 Ideas for Creative Reuse by Garth Johnson.

I was super excited to see that both, my spoon mirror and my marble 8 ball were included.

It was really cool to see the projects from lots of other Portlanders, and especially fellow Trillium Artisans.

Speaking of Trillium Artisans....this Saturday from 11:00am - 4:00pm is the annual holiday sale at the store (9119 SE Foster) as well as Trillium's 10th anniversary. If you are in Portland check it out for some great holiday deals, 20% off everything in the store.

Wednesday, November 4, 2009

Our house has been taken down with the flu, and recovery has been slow. Not the best timing, but gladly we are all on the mend.
These pictures are of a few mirrors I made for the upcoming holiday shows using Italian smalti glass. I bought the glass at SCRAP a couple years ago, and put it away. I was a bit intimidated by it, but now am hooked. I love it, and love these mirrors. My favorite one sold before I got a good picture.

The holiday show season officially starts for me this weekend. If you are in Portland and looking to start your holiday shopping, be sure to check these out.

Now through Dec 23rd "Little Treasures" at the Sidestreet Gallery.

Saturday,
and lastly in Olympia, Friday the grand opening of Matter.
Have a lovely weekend everyone, I am off to think healthy thoughts.

Tuesday, October 27, 2009

I had the chance to take the boys on an last minute trip to Washington DC last week, and I jumped at it. We had a great time, and had our fill of museums. The weather was perfect for sight seeing, and walking everywhere.
It was great to get away, but now I am in serious catch up mode. As soon as I tackle the laundary and finish unpacking, I'll be back with some actual craftiness to share.

Saturday, October 17, 2009

Classes

I took an encaustic painting class this week. For fun, and it was, lots. I also taught my last mosaic class at the DIY lounge. I'm sad to see the classes end, but looking forward to seeing the new direction Jen takes it. I've been working on an email list for future classes. I'm debating on trying to teach them at my home studio, which is pretty small, or looking to find a new space. If you are someone who has emailed me before about classes and never got a chance to take one, or are just interested in mosaic classes, send me another email, and I'll add you to my mailing list.

Friday, October 9, 2009

What I did on my summer vacation


I didn't intend to be gone from this space for so long, but with so much constantly going on around here, something had to give. I guess the blog it was....

Anyway, since my last post so much has gone on that I didn't have the time to write about. Today I am posting the abbreviated version, and planning to be back here more regularly.


+Cracked pots was great. A lot busier than I expected....looking forward to doing that again next summer.
+Took two trips to the midwest without kids. One for fun. One for a funeral, sad, but really good to see family that I haven't seen in so long.
+Successfully grew a garden. Froze a bunch, and tried pickling for the first time.
+Said goodbye to our sweet springer spaniel Porter.
+Hung out at the pool a lot.
+Went on the best family vacation. Camping, canoeing, hiking, swimming, hot springs, staying in an old rustic cabin for a few days and playing more yatzee and uno than ever I thought
possible.
+Taught a bunch of mosaic classes.
+Our volvo "died" on a mountain, without cell service, not fun.
+Spent the better part of a week test driving minivans. Bought one. Love it.
+Had lots of out of town visitors.
+Spent a few days at the beach.
+Attended a couple art shows as a shopper.
+Got two boys ready for school. That's right 2!!
+Brought my work to a new store in Olympia, which is off to a great start.
+Finished 3 quilts and a couple custom orders.
+Planned another school art sale. So much work, and it's not over yet.

I'm sure there is more I could write about, but don't want to bore you anymore with all the details. I have lots to tell in the crafting department, but will have to be back for that...

Friday, July 10, 2009

It seems like all I ever talk about on this blog are the things I have to get done. I have been able to finish a few things recently, but actually finding the time to document them here has been a challenge. Cracked Pots is in 10 days. I feel unprepared, but I'm trying not to stress about it. The kids are home full time, and Matt has been traveling a ton. It seems like he is gone more than he is home. We knew this summer was going to be busy for him, so I decided not to do a lot of shows. It was definitely the right choice.
I wanted to show a couple of things that I actually have been able to finish.....
A new garden ball made from a big bag of beach glass that I scored at a garage sale.
Another new ball, this one made from a huge piece of textured mirror that I got from that same garage sale. It is really cool, but so textured on the back side, that it's not the easiest to work with.Here is my to be grouted pile. That green and blue one is made from the glass in my previous post.
Last, because there is always one, a work in progress. A baby quilt ordered by a friend. I signed both the boys up for camps next week, hoping to use the time to catch up and get ready. Wish me luck.....

Tuesday, July 7, 2009

This weekend we had our annual block party. I absolutely love my neighbors, and feel so lucky to live on this block.
I don't measure the success of a party by how many water balloons are thrown, but some members of my household do.
They thought it was "better than Christmas".
We had lots of hanging out with friends, and neighbors, and local entertainment too!
As if that wasn't enough to make a great day, my friend showed up with these sheets of glass. On her bike!
I haven't cut into these yet, but have been really busy making lots. I'll be back tomorrow, after I have enough sun to take a few pictures.

Friday, July 3, 2009

Happy 4th of July

Lots of kid time and not much work happening around here. Enjoy the long weekend!!

Wednesday, June 24, 2009

Finished!

Finally!! I am pretty happy with how it turned out, and even more happy to have the space cleared off of my table.

So, now on to the next project.... the picture below is the official "before" picture. I'm hoping this one won't take nearly as long as the birdbath did. I found a few boxes of beautiful seconds tiles that I am planning to break up and use on this space. I don't have a lot of experience with tile, but figure that it can't look worse than it does now. I'll post the progress pics as soon as I have any.
Until then, I am so excited about this weekend. I am going to see this, and this, and hope to stop in at the Recycled arts fest in Vancouver too. I can't wait!

Friday, June 19, 2009

the workbench

Lately I've been getting a lot of emails asking how I make my garden balls. I always tell people that I never just make one from start to finish, and I always have a bunch of projects started on my work bench at once.
These are a few that I have going on right now. You can see that I use a lot of different items to keep the balls balanced for a flat top work surface.
I'm always trying to find tricks to keep the glass from sliding off the sides of the balls,
or in this case, the birdbath. Having a small flat work surface makes it easier for me to add a few pieces here and there. Since I almost always have at least one helper working with me on my workbench, being able to work for short periods of time is key for me.

Wednesday, June 17, 2009

The wedding was beautiful. It was fun and simple. The marble balls made the perfect centerpieces for the garden setting, and the marble magnet wedding favors were a hit.
I'm so glad I got to be a part of it. Thanks for a fun evening Ben and Erin. Congratulations to you both!!

Thursday, June 11, 2009

I keep thinking things are going to slow down around here, but it seems like busy is our pace for now. The last day of school is tomorrow, and a lot of activities are ending this week too. Some time should be freeing up, but another kind of busy starts with having the kids home full time. Last week my small marble balls were a Portland Pick, which was flattering and totally unexpected, and sent me scrambling to make more marble balls. All for good reasons. Some friends of ours are getting married this weekend. The wedding is in a garden, and instead of flowers on the tables, marble balls will be the centerpieces. This is a picture of the marble magnets and their cute packaging for wedding favors. I can't wait to see it all come together.
If a wedding, a birthday party, 2 soccer games, and a pre-school graduation aren't enough to keep us busy this weekend, we'll be stopping in here

to check out all the great new garden art. On another note, if you were one of the people interested in the mosaic house numbers class, it is running on Sunday and there is room for more. You can click that link to sign up. Have a great weekend everyone!




Thursday, June 4, 2009

Love Art!

GRAND OPENING

Friday, June 5th

6pm – 8pm

Come share the JOY with Portland’s finest artists now showing in Sellwood’s new delightful gallery!

8036 SE 13th Ave.

Corner of 13th and Spokane

Music, Treats, Sparkly Beverages

Wednesday, June 3, 2009

Still Here

The computer is back in one piece. Now I'm playing catch up. More tomorrow....

Friday, May 15, 2009

A few things

Here is what my computer currently looks like. I love it, but hate being so dependent on it. I am told it is not as bad as it looks and should have it back soon. I borrowed one so that I could post a few things. I'll make it quick.

This is the only picture I took at last weekend's sale. Time got away from me and I didn't get a chance to take more. It was a great success. Lots of work, but we raised a lot of money for the school.

Tomorrow I will be spending the day with Amanda from Bread and Badger on 28th and Alberta.
If you are in the area, come say "hi".
I'm hoping to be back online next week, but in the meantime wanted to link to another show that I am happily a part of this month. I have a few marble balls and mosaics in the Sustainable Art Exhibit at the Onda Gallery in Lake Oswego. When I have more time online, I'll post a few pics. Until then have a great weekend!

Thursday, May 7, 2009

Trillium in Bloom



Friday May 8th

4:00-7:00 pm
Trillium Community Showcase - all ages
presentations, performances and food by
the Kids for Kenya, Why Not, Food and Garden, and Japanese Programs
Art Sale - of works by community members and students

7:00-9:00pm
Trillium Music Program Concert
student and alum performances
$5 at the door for ages 13 and over
under 13: free; must be accompanied by adults
Art Sale - of works by community members and students


Saturday May 9th

11:00am-3:00pm
Live Lightly - Trillium Sustainability Workshops
lighten your environmental impact/save $/have fun
workshops, presentations and more
Wind Turbines, Food Preservation, Composting, Bike Repair, World Water, Book Swap, etc.
geared toward older students and adults
food for sale
Art Sale - of works by community members and students

7:00-10:00pm
Trillium Gala-21 and over
$10 at the door
lots of great live music by Trillium parents and friends:
Diego Murphy & Ginkgo; River City Pipe Band;
Lord Master; Bad Assets
appetizers (by Papa G's Vegan Organic Deli), cash bar
Art Sale - of works by community members and students

Monday, May 4, 2009

Progress

Many months ago I posted this broken birdbath determined to finish it quickly, and post pics along the way. Time got away from me, and it has obviously not been the quick project I originally planned.
After my studio/room switch around, this project moved way up on the priority list. In the basement I had lots of workspace, and having a huge concrete birdbath sitting on a table was not such a big deal. My new room is a different story. I love the space, but it is lacking in flat work surfaces. I still have a ways to go, but since I've been spending nearly every waking moment getting ready for the art sale at the boy's school this weekend, it has been nice to be able to add a few pieces at a time. I have a new found respect for anyone who organizes art/craft shows on a regular basis. It is a lot of work! Thankfully this time next week I should have lots of time to finally check this off my list. I'll be back here soon with details about this weekend's sale for any Portlanders. Have a great Monday everyone!