articulations

The Ghosts of Nightfall...

2010-10-15T08:13:21-05:00

I can't tell you how many times I have heard weird noises outside at night around here. Cat fights, birds, and who knows what else? But I've also seen enough nature shows in my lifetime to realize a lot of these spooky noises are probably coming from owls.

This old barn on our property is the perfect hiding spot for these night ghosts. It's falling apart, too dangerous for us to even go into, but the open sides and plethora of pigeons makes for great hunting grounds for the owls in our area. Inspired by the old weathered wood of the barn, and a few unexplained noises, I put together this piece....

Ghosts of Nightfall

Have a great Friday-

light and love

amanda

We all have our Stories to Tell...

2010-10-14T16:01:45-05:00

The Story Teller's Bracelet

Last night while sitting with my (now teen-age ) daughter, she asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up...Wow, I hadn't thought about that in a while...I knew I wanted to leave the small town life behind, be a rebel, and say no if the answer was yes. Somewhere in there I wanted to be a veterinarian, a writer or a teacher. Well I found out early on that I didn't have the stomach to be a veterinarian, but I still help animals. And the writer part? I guess I'm doing that right now through my blog. I'm not a very good teacher, but I try to guide my daughter in this life of hers.

She confided in me, she wants to be a writer too. Her plan is to go to college, graduate, and then put an ad in the paper that says "writer for rent."

I wonder what stories she will have to tell when she is my age? Will she become a writer for rent? Only time will tell.

As I sit here and marvel at the first 13 years of her life, I can only imagine what great things she will accomplish in the next 13.

ps...I never left that small town life. I just exchanged one small town, for an even smaller one...and I wouldn't have it any other way.

light and love

amanda

Doctor Who?

2010-10-13T18:25:38-05:00

Happy Birthday to my One and Only...

my daughter turned 13 today; her Golden Birthday.

Doctor Who? yes she even got her coveted Doctor shirt, and a trip to the real Doctor on this special day.

Flag Football Injury...a Birthday to Remember

It's a good thing we are going to have a bit more of a celebration at the week-end. I'm not sure this is how I envisioned celebrating her big day. She doesn't even want dinner, her finger is bothering her so much. Maybe just a little ice cream. Hope your day was special too...(well not special like going to the Dr)....but special in a good way.
light and love-amanda

Just a few new things...

2010-10-12T16:34:34-05:00

October Skies Totem Necklace

Yes, my ugliness is over, and I'm back in the studio...

It's been a busy few days. Wednesday is my daughter's 13th Birthday, so there has been a bit of prepping and shopping for the big day. It's hard to do much celebrating mid-week, so she will be having a few friends over at the week-end. Pizza and late nights I'm sure. I love to cook and bake when I have the time...but I will admit I hate "decorating" my baked goods-Birthday Cake included...one year I tried to make a witch cake for her and it ended up looking like the Incredible Hulk...I called my parents in near panic and had them pick up a cake at the store on their way over to the house...Wish me luck on this one...

Upcycled Book Journal

I've listed a small handful of things on Etsy this afternoon. I've spent far too much time on the computer in the last week or so, but I'd like to play around with my blog's design. I still like the soft color palette, but I'm also ready to change it up a bit. We'll see what I can find, or if I can figure out how to do it at all...:)

Hope Vessle Necklace

That's about it for this afternoon. I've been peeling pounds and pounds of apples. My parents gifted me with some wonderful apples and pears from their friend's trees. I make juice nearly every morning with them, but I need to use them up a bit more quickly. I canned some apple sauce yesterday, and a bit more this morning at 5:00am...yes 5:00am (thank you dogs for waking me up at 4:00am) maybe I'll have to do some apple pie filling? I made some wonderful scones this morning with them, threw in a handful of dried berries...mmm..but that recipe only used 4 apples. Maybe an apple birthday cake? Maybe not...have a great afternoon-

light and love-amanda

Wallets Made from Neckties ....Rant to Follow...

2010-10-10T17:09:10-05:00

Pierre
UpCycled Wallets made from Neckties

I have a few rules I like to follow on my blog...some of them include not discussing politics, religion, or copyright...it always seems to insight ugliness, and the worst in people, but frankly, today I must break this rule.

I have always shied away from posting a blurb here about copyright protection...not even in my sidebars. I don't have anything here about trademarks, or how my words and pictures and ideas are protected. See I don't think that I have invented everything, own everything, or have the only original ideas. Part of art, design, or any creative path involves inspiration from a variety of sources. To claim I own the rights to any of this...seems a bit weird to me. Yes I get really angry when I find out people have copied my idea, a design, or stolen my photos. It's a "sin" the number of people who have taken some of my ideas and called them their own. I'm sure they will be booked teaching a class at the next big mixed-media or jewelry convention. But I also believe that once something is put out into the universe, it really isn't yours anymore. So as mad as I may get at the possibility of someone profiting from one of my ideas, I also realize it is no longer mine in the first place. We are a culture of ownership, whether it's a set of skills, an idea, or actual "stuff". Everyone wants to claim ownership to something.

Protect Your Specs

Upcycled Necktie Eyeglass Case

Yesterday I was told that I couldn't use the words "Necktie Wallet" to describe something I made, because that particular set of words in that sequence were owned and protected under a registered trademark. When I first read the short note sent to me via an Etsy Convo, I thought maybe it was a joke. Seriously? Someone trademarked that? Someone felt the need to own a set of words commonly used in the English language? Is it possible? ...and yes indeed it is. Besides blowing my top, and being dumbfounded at how in the world I was supposed to describe a wallet- like item that was indeed made from neckties, I got pretty mad. I do believe in copyright protection and trademarks...but this dispute was about the arrangement of words...not the product. The trademark holder didn't invent things made of recycled neckties, nor wallets, nor the words used to describe them. I didn't copy anyone's pattern, steal an idea, or even claim it was mine. I merely used two words as part of my description for a product I created with my own two hands. As a matter of fact, when I did a search on three popular search engines of those two words, I came up with 211,000 references on one search engine, 805,000 on another, and 782,000 on the last one I checked. So why is this person picking on me? I don't know...needless to say I complied and changed my verb-age on my etsy listings to UpCycled Wallets made from Neckties, or named them, or changed the listing in some other way....Do I think this is fair? NO, but what else do I do? So to keep my anger and attitude in check I've decided to donate a portion of each sale of these wallets or eyeglass cases, to a non-profit organization that is near to my heart. Better to turn this into something positive than, well- dwell on the ridiculous.

Very Vintage Upcycled Wallet

Etsy Special...

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. I am sure that nearly all of you know someone who has been touched by domestic violence. I will be donating 50% of each sale of my Upcycled Wallets or Eyeglass Cases to our local Violence Intervention Project. This is a group of dedicated staff and volunteers in my community that provides services and resources to those in need. Please help me make a contribution this month to honor those who have been affected by violence. As a thank you, I will also send a small surprise with your purchase. Just hop over to my etsy shop to help out.

At the end of the month I'll let everyone know how much we raised!

As always,I'd love to hear your comments on this post...this is such a "hot" topic among creatives....I'd love to hear your experiences or thoughts...

light and love-amanda

The Laura UpCycled Wallet

Necktie + Wallet = Trademark Infringement...

2010-10-10T07:43:55-05:00

Stay Tuned...

rants on copyright, trademarks, and free speech.

And a special in my Etsy Shop this afternoon on my Upcycled Wallets-made from Men's NeckTies...

-peace-

Gobs of New Stuff...

2010-10-06T15:39:22-05:00

And yes, I know I haven't been back with my tutorial...it's on my mind. Soon I promise....

I've listed over 40 items in the last 24 hours on Etsy. Sale items from last season, new elements, bracelets, for a limited time some DIY Resin Bezel pendants, new Wood Type Words and journals... I've been debating on opening a 2nd store on Etsy...one that could contain my "other" stuff, but have opted to keep the one store for now and see how it goes. This year it seems I took a break from most of my "other" stuff, but I am missing the craftiness. I think the cooler weather has made me feel a bit nesty...I've been making homemade soup every week, making more journals, and sewing some small projects. Look for new and interesting finds in my Etsy shop, especially as it gets closer to the Holidays. I know our family is on a tight budget, so I'm hoping to have my shop full of great handmade gift ideas for those of you who might be fiscally stretched too.

Hope your fall has started off beautifully.

light and love-amanda

The Hiatus is Over...

2010-09-24T13:57:39-05:00

To Keep

Between school starting, outside demands, life, colds, and animals, I haven't been around here lately. Rest assured, I've still been busy in the studio...and plan on having a "regular" non whiney post this week-end! For now, I thought I'd give you a peek at a few pieces I've been working on. I've got a ton of new work to post on Etsy, and will slowly be putting up a few pieces every day. I've been trying to concentrate on price-points of $50.00 or less, and have a few "series" pieces to list as well. Hope your September has been going well. The leaves here are starting to show their lovely fall colors, and it's inspiring my color palettes for several pieces.

light and love-amanda

"Trust"

New simple designs, with handmade charms...

Enameled copper,handmade copper heart pendant, resin papers

One more peek....lots and lots of bezels...

ok, not that many....but I'm not a machine either...xo

Really...I'm coming back.

2010-09-08T16:39:54-05:00

Shine
Yes...that thing called life...just keeps getting in the way. I had a small celebration last week, as my daughter headed back to school...then felt a bit defeated this week when she woke up with a heck of a cold. She's been home getting her chicken soup, and not spreading her germs, but I'm not getting a whole lot done. Lots of errands this week, but just wanted to pop in and let you know I just listed 4 new pieces on Etsy...Hope to get a tutorial up soon. Hope you had a great holiday as we bid farewell to summer....hello fall...so glad you are nearly here.

Magic and Dreams

light and love

amanda

See Light Earrings

She Awoke

ps...see that little journal behind this piece? It's another new project...Upcycled Journals....I've been on a recycling/upcycling/cleaning binge lately. I've got a whole suitcase full of fun journals...I'll get a picture up soon. xo

A Little Light ...

2010-08-31T16:54:09-05:00

A Little Light

Tomorrow is the first day of school for my tween. She will be in the 7th grade this year, and judging from orientation, she is in for quite a year...I'm tempted to go on a rant here, but I will restrain myself, and just hope and pray she can navigate Jr. High with a little more finesse than I did...

I brought a few more things up to the Flying Pig last week-and I'm slowly plugging away at more work. It's too hot to fire up the kiln, but it looks like we might get a break from the heat and humidity in time for the week-end, so I'm hoping to get some things fired then. I'm looking forward to the routine of school and cooler fall temperatures. My garden looks abandoned, and it needs attention in the worst way. I've been a hermit most of the summer, and now It's really starting to bug me. I'm ready to weed-whack the entire thing, just so it looks better. I've got lots of perennials to dig up and divide, and even more weeds to dig up...but not just yet...Cooler temperatures will be here soon enough!

Light and Love

amanda