So I had to go and tweak the inner workings of this 'Blogger' thing, change to 'new editor' from 'old editor'. I have wasted ENTIRELY too much time here today, I'll add the promised photos later.

Thrashed.

By life's curve balls.
Blogger isn't helping. I am proceeding as if the images will finally find the text.
Pictures include.... a picture of the wonderful and often photographed Fushimi Inari Shrine in Kyoto, an incredible sight and experience and reminder of all that has been lost in Japan.

Spring is starting here in central Massachusetts, each day the melting snow reveals more and it is not just mud, yesterdays traversing between the studio and house sparkled with dropped sequins, long covered in snow as 65 degrees comforted my body and soul.

Beadfest Wire is coming right up! I will be teaching several classes, the always fun 'Color & Patina on Metals with Metal Joining Techniques' with Anne Mitchell and two Foldforming classes, as well as a slide class in the new Fastfire Bronzeclay! Sign ups are strong but a few spaces remain. I would love to see you there. Pictures above represent the classes I will teach. You have choices~ earrings out of sterling, a copper brooch, a bronze clay slide as well as a fun time playing with vintage findings and color.

From Philadelphia I travel on to Washington D.C. to set up for The Smithsonian Craft Show, I am furiously adding to my body of work.

My wishes are for love to abound, the people of the earth to live in peace and for everyone, everywhere to foster and share a spirit of generosity in the face of the many challenges that confront us.

Next up, NORCAL and Santa Fe....

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So many factions of a life scream for attention, I try to choose wisely. Sometimes I just go with what is more fun, ahh, the choices we make.

I am gathering materials to take into Boston for a weekend workshop I am taking in making molds for casting. Included are natural forms, altered natural forms, some already made pieces and some fun shapes. We'll see where it leads.

Pictures included today are of the 3 classes that I am teaching in Santa Fe. Class signups are going well, there is still some space, though. I'd love to have you aboard. For those that have already signed up, Thank you....we are in for a fun time! I am really looking forward to this trip, for March 5th I will be in Oakland, CA at the NORCAL Bead Society Show, and then I'll make my way towards Santa Fe, stopping to visit my friends Susan and Richard in Sebastopol, CA.

I won't have a booth in Santa Fe, my teaching location will be in The Lodge. I will have supplies and a mini trunk show going on in my classroom, if you are in the area at lunchtime or before and after class, I'd love to see you!

It is snowing AGAIN this morning, a heavy, wet snow. I rest in the knowledge that as each day passes we are closer to the shift towards spring. What a welcome promise....

Loving.....

My time in the studio.
My family of friends.
The fact that I have been graced with the ability to turn thought into action.
Insights delivered deep in the night.

NOT loving:
Health challenges and recovery from damages to family and friends.
The all too fast passage of time.

All in all a 'hopeful halo' rests atop my head, letting me think, plan, dream.
I wish the same for you.

Feng Shui to Chickens.....

I was impressed with Michael's winding path to the chicken house. I am always impressed with eggs, chicken or otherwise. The Psankied eggs are from my 'wayback work'. They were made around 1976-77, probably.

Yesterday was the first hint of spring here, snow was melting for the first time in weeks, the trip from the house to the studio was joyous, didn't need to scurry, reveling in the warmth on my back.

My brain is in 'strain' mode as I think about the 'now', the near future and ahead of that. I know about the notion of 'one day at a time', it certainly has its place and is a great model for my thought process but in this business we need to consider 'far ahead' in order for things to run smoothly; ordering, organizing and trying on scenarios.

I leave tomorrow for a trip to Cape Cod to visit friends and 'train' my friend Susan in some projects where I need help and then I go onto The Bead House where I can see Jeff and Kim and share with the group a fun class in the new Fastfire Bronzeclay.

I love that feeling in the core, knowing that Spring will Spring...even if it retreated overnight. I loved yesterday's taste, now my hands are cold again.

Snow Day.....

There is at least a foot out there of new snow with lots more coming down and the beginning of a big wind, who knows where it will end up?

Lots has happened since I last updated my blog, the culmination of which was an exceptionally heartwarming 'Celebration of Life' honoring my dad last Sunday. This was uplifting and enlightening, offering closure for some, an opening for others. May we all touch as many lives as my dad did and in as positive a fashion. He had more lives than a cat, finally used them up. We will miss him.

After my decision to postpone my second hand surgery, an opportunity to go and exhibit at the Baltimore Bead Society's annual show came along and I accepted...so in this snowstorm I am regrouping, repacking and repurposing lots of inventory. Components, finished work and piles of bagged beads that I no longer have a use for are headed to the DC area tomorrow morning, weather permitting. Please come by and say hi, I look forward to seeing you.

Next up is my annual pilgrimmage to Tucson, I will be in the ballroom at the Whole Bead Show. I hear it is a lovely 70 degrees today. I look forward to the desert sounds, smells and people connecting from all over the world. In conclusion after all of these years, however, one must wash their hands frequently as I believe the infiltration of foreign germs passed along through money exposes us to 'bugs' we haven't yet developed immunities for. Every year people are 'struck down'.

After Tuscon there is an upcoming workshop in Bristol, RI. I'll be teaching a FastFire BronzeClay workshop, focusing on two sided slides, riveting and moldmaking as well as coloring metals, both what we will make in class and some new and vintage brass findings that I will be bringing along. The Bead House is where I will be. Go, have a look. This shop is delightful as are the owners, Kim and Jeff!

I guess my time is up for putsying around in my studio, it's time to 'get back out there' and see what you all are up to. This past month and a half has opened new doors, expanded ideas and got me into a moldmaking workshop...as a student, yes! This 'found time' has been excellent, I am renewed.

Just checking....

...to see if blogger can upload images...and post words at the same time.
It appears to be in synch today.

I send well wishes to you in hopes for a warm and fulfilling time to be experienced by all.

Another day before me with which to experiment, and savor the time spent in the studio.

So, what is up with blogger? It won't let me import pictures and won't let me post verbage with pictures? It has co-mingled my post from last week with this week. sheesh.

Suffice it to say that I tried, these 3 pictures are what have had me thoroughly enjoying myself, reveling in the contrast between matte black, and high chroma. The 'glowing lotus' will house my fathers 'ash capsules'. The candlesticks to light my way.

Life IS good.

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So I was grounded. My trip to Japan did not happen, tooth trouble kept me close to home. It is now a couple of weeks later, all is well in toothland (and otherwise).

I am reveling in new found time. I made a decision to postpone my thumb surgery after my acceptance into the Smithsonian Craft Show, which occurs in April, and would have left me only a month of production time had I gone through with plans. So, I am giddy with the options in front of me, time to explore, to work up so many new ideas. Basically I have been given two months, months that I had set aside to recover. My next 'gig' is Tucson, early February. Until then I am in the studio!

I have been feeling so connected to my world and grateful for the many wonderful people, places and things that are in it. Maybe that is a luxury that people that work in a deliberate way consider. Instead of my usual 'which fire do I stomp out first' response that I am usually caught up in, I can take some time to evaluate. Ahh, the gift of time, and the luxury of choice.

Pictures as promised, Amsterdam mostly, Rembrandt's home, watched a transaction go down in the Red Light district, chilly birds on bicycles, David Bowie in a gallery, boat photo taken in the sweetest thatched village in Sletten, Denmark. Such a wonderful trip, I am still savoring the experience.