Remembering

I have not forgotten.  It's still fresh.  Raw and REAL.  I have not forgotten what it felt like when I heard the words.  I have not forgotten what it felt like when I realized your life had stopped and mine would go on.  Without you.  I have not forgotten all the things that raced through my mind when I realized the news was real and I hadn't imagined it.  I have not forgotten the pain that I felt knowing that my life would be forever changed without you in it.

But I remember...

your smile

your laugh

your hugs

your adventure

your courage

your strength

your wisdom

your love

your beauty

your light

your music

your words

your kindness

your generosity

your friendship

your valor

your poetry

I may have been the elder but you were much wiser than I.  You were stronger than I, courageous and braver than I and the beauty of your soul made the sun look dull.  You saw things most people miss, you knew things others will never know and you lived your life in a way that puts most of us to shame.  You loved with all your might which takes remarkable courage.  I loved everything about you and still do.  So today I remember.  I remember your life.  I remember the impact you had on me and the impact you had on so many others.  I remember the love I had for you and still do.  I'm thankful that my life was blessed with you as my brother...  I will never forget.  I will remember you always....  with love and gratitude.  My life was forever changed by you.

Gavin (I LUV U), Savannah (her art on the right) and Me (on the left with birds made from Jon's writings/poetry and my writings to him)

For you, Jon...  I remember you always bro.  With love...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q09_o7KsBj4&feature=share&list=FLgBsqok73nhv5ngPcPOLNbg

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=990mPRb3T50&feature=share&list=FLgBsqok73nhv5ngPcPOLNbg

Sunday blessings...

On this fine Sunday morning I awoke to find many blessings.  Blessings sit in front of us each day and present themselves continually, but it's up to us to be awake and aware so that we see them.

My first blessing was this treasury, We March to Our Own Drums.
The curator, LornaJane from Obsidianrain on Etsy, featured my soldered pendant, March to your drum. I'm sure she didn't plan it, nor does she know me personally, but the entire treasury represents me in some way or another.  The colors represent my inner self, and some of the choices, are my favorite colors.  The pieces chosen celebrate my philosophies on life, my love, and respect for nature or my favorite things.  So besides being one of the featured shops in the treasury, I love that her choices represented who I am as a person.  A double blessing.



The second blessing was this treasury, also curated by Lornajane.  My dangling pink swirl earrings were featured in this lovely team treasury.



The last blessing, but certainly not the least was this treasury feature, by Bonnie Becker of Busybonniebee, on Etsy.  My sunflower girl soldered pendant was included.  I wanted to share why this treasury feature was so important to me and touched me so deeply.

First, the treasury was created featuring art that had the name BECKER in it, or items created by people who's last name is Becker.  I married into this incredible family and feel blessed that I have been able to share my life with such a wonderful man.  In August, my husband and I will celebrate 18 years together, 12 years married.  My husband, Shayne, was one of 2 guys my brother ever approved of.  He loved him so much, so I'm honored to share my life with a person that was adored by my brother.

On December 13, 2008 I lost my brother.  You can read about it here: http://whimsicaljewels.blogspot.com/2008/12/angels-called-home.html

On many different levels my life changed when I lost my brother.  Transformed.  I still don't understand it completely, but I know, that it's not for me to understand.  There was a reason, a purpose.  I know somewhere in this world he exists, his spirit still speaks with me and I'm grateful for the visits.

This treasury was one of those perfect moments in time, a visit that said hello.  I am a great believer in energy and connecting to it in this realm and beyond.  The sunflower girl soldered pendant was a perfect representation of me.  I am the sunflower girl.  Sunflowers are my favorite flower and I love their significance and their meaning.  I hope that in my life, I'm shining a light that yields blessings and more life.   Then at the very top of the treasury, the Volkswagen Beetle, painted by Richard Becker, is represented by my brother.     In one unique painting, my brother is represented on so many levels.  My family came to love Volkswagons through my father.  My brother especially loved the VW rabbit, so much that he had the VW rabbit emblem tattooed on his arm.  My brother's favorite color was green and he loved the history and culture of aboriginal people, so the aztec imagery seen in Richard's painting is perfect for this energy connection.



I'm filled with gratitude to be featured so many times in one day and hope you will take a look at all of the great shops that were featured in each of the treasuries.

If you are looking for the summer art camps I will be teaching this summer, here's the blog posting about it:  http://whimsicaljewels.blogspot.com/2012/05/i-am-pleased-to-offer-6-weeks-of-summer.html and here's the link on Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/events/406571149387736/

Many blessings to you!

Summer Art Camps

I am pleased to offer 6 weeks of summer art camps at Lewisville's a.l.o.e.  These camps will run weekly throughout the summer, and each week campers will explore art through a different theme. For example, during "For the Love of Nature," campers will incorporate nature into their art and find inspiration from their surroundings. Projects will include making a glass wind chime; a mosaic stepping stone; and paper ornaments and sculptures that incorporate seeds, leaves and plants the camps will collect themselves. Although I give the theme each week and ideas, it is my intention that each child create what they feel in their heart within a loving, open space that allows the child to flourish on their creative path.  Dates for each camp week and details about weekly projects are below.

The cost for the camp, which runs 9:00-1:00 Monday through Friday, is $100 per week. If you book a massage or nail service at a.l.o.e at the time of registration, you will receive a $10 discount. A sibling discount is also available: $100 a week for the first child, $90 a week for the second child. Please note that these discounts cannot be combined. Campers should bring their own lunches.

For more information or to register for the camp, call 964-0288 or email me at whimsicaljewels@rocketmail.com. You can also find information about the camps and the registration form at: Summer art camp Facebook events page.  If you register for two or more camps, you will be entered to win one of my fused glass pendants or a custom designed ring!

I hope to see you and your child at one or more of these fun, artistic summer camps!

COMPLETE CAMP DETAILS:
6/11-6/15
For the love of nature   (OFFERED TO 2 AGES GROUPS)
This camp features incorporating nature into the art and finding inspiration from our surroundings.

Older kids AGES 7 and up

1. Wind-Chime- Make a glass wind chime, celebrate the wind
2. Mosaic Garden Stepping Stones
3. Paper Ornaments incorporating seeds, leaves, grass found outside
4. Nature Sculpture using pebbles, feathers, flower pedals, leaves, shells, cones anything found outside

Younger kids  AGES 3-6
1. Tissue paper flowers with photo of the child inside and a paper mache vase
2. Painted Pot Using fingers to create lady bugs and butterflies
3. Butterfly, ladybug, or lizard paper mobile
4. Stained glass-using tissue paper

6/25-6/29
Loomed Ages 7 and up

This camp explores making your own loom from a shoe box and then weaving on it. We will also make straw loom and weave an item of your choice-belt, bracelet, etc.

1.Shoe Box Loom to create a woven fabric collage to hang in your home.
2.Straw loom to create something wearable

7/16-7/20
Collaged Ages 3-7

This camp features creating art using various forms of collage.

1. Paper person
2. Small nature sculpture
3. Small Trinket box with buttons, shells, beads, magazines, photos

7/9-7/13
For the Love of Nature   (OFFERED TO 2 AGES GROUPS)

This camp features incorporating nature into the art and finding inspiration from our surroundings.

OLDER KIDS (7 & up)
1. Wind-Chime- Make a glass wind chime, celebrate the wind
2. Mosaic Garden Stepping Stones
3. Paper Ornaments incorporating seeds, leaves, grass found outside
4. Nature Sculpture using pebbles, feathers, flower pedals, leaves, shells, cones anything found outside

YOUNGER KIDS age 3-6
1. Tissue paper flowers with photo of the child inside and a paper mache vase
2. Painted Pot Using fingers to create lady bugs and butterflies
3. Butterfly paper mobile
4. Stained glass-using tissue paper and colored cellophane

7/30-8/3
Everything Clay Offered to two age groups:Ages 3-6 AND Ages 7 and up 

This camp uses air-drying clay to make various projects. Both groups will make the same projects.

1.Clay decoration that child decides (ex. Sun, moon, tree, face)
2.Thumb Clay Pot to store small things- Paper clips, earrings, pencils etc.
3.Beads- Make your own colorful beads

8/6-8/10
Recycled and Upcycled Ages 7 and up. 
This camp features turning old, unused things into something new.

1.Paper Ornaments from old unused paper
2. Paper Mosaic using old magazines, recycled paper to make a wall hanging
3. Making a vase out of old glass bottles using recycled paper and tissue paper
4. Art from bottle caps
5. Colorful cap mobile 

REGISTRATION FORM:

March to your drum

My "March to your drum" pendant was featured in the lovely treasury below by one of my etsy team members, Tina Cauthorn.  As I was looking through the items I fell in love with several of the items.  The lilac photography reminded me of home in upstate NY and I was instantly taken there in my mind.  Lilacs remind me of my childhood and sitting under the lilac trees cherishing the sweet smell of these fragrant flowers.  Some of my fondest memories were of the lilac trees in my yard.

The featured seller for the spotlight is LeeAnn Cisneros.  I love several of her items!  Please look at her shop when you have a chance:  http://www.etsy.com/people/LeeAnnsHeavenScents

There are so many talented artists on etsy and I'm honored to be featured in a treasury with some of them.  To be quite honest there are many times that I am still surprised that people like my stuff.  I continue to create, marching to my drum, knowing that someone out there will identify with it and they will love it as much as me.  I'm grateful for the opportunity to create and to be "treasured".  I hope you know that you are treasured too.  Continue to march to your drum...

Whimsical, Funky Art

If you haven't heard about it you have been missing out on something great for several years now.  Twice a year there is a wonderful art show featuring whimsical, funky, and colorful art of all kinds by a fantastic group of women.  Whimsical Women was founded by two sisters, Luli and Linda, after the death of their mother.  These two extraordinary ladies threw themselves into their art and through their wonderful art they were empowered.  Through their empowerment they set out to empower other women and thus Whimsical Women was created.

Next Saturday, Whimsical Women will be in Chapel Hill, NC at The Village Green at Southern Village located on 400 Market Street from 10-3pm.  You will find an eclectic group of women selling their art of all kinds which will be funky and whimsical to say the least.  You will find fiber art, pottery, wire art, stained glass, jewelry, paintings, repurposed art, clothes, glass work, garden art and much more.

I hope to see you there.  To view some of the art I will be selling  visit:  http://www.etsy.com/shop/whimsicaljewels

I've been treasured...

Blue.  Circles.  Handmade.  Art.  It's a great feeling to be treasured.

My etsy team member, Tina Cauthorn, placed my blue window flower in this lovely treasury.  When you have a chance check out these amazing shops on Etsy.

Please be sure to stop in to her shop too.  She creates wonderful frames out of buttons along with other fabulous button creations.  Here's the link to her etsy shop:  http://www.etsy.com/shop/allbuttonedupbytina

Celebrating Spring

I love spring!  The items I chose for my treasury today are in celebration of spring and growth.  I love these items and these shops,  I hope you do too.  ♥ENJOY♥

Facebook fans are awesome...

My march to your drum soldered pendant was featured today in a treasury by one of my etsy team members.  There are many different art forms featured so please take a look when you get a moment.  Remember to click and comment it.  As always, THANKS for supporting handmade art.

Celebrating purple and green...

I am involved in a few teams on Etsy and I have found them to be quite wonderful.  I have met some really great people and found some awesome shops by being part of the teams on etsy.  I love that etsy is such a supportive community and that there is such a variety of art forms.

Today a member of one of my teams featured my "Mountains" necklace that has fluorite, aventurine and amethyst in it.  Please take a look at this lovely collection...

a little of everything or a.l.o.e.

Have you ever stepped into a store and felt like you were home?  It's a feeling I can't describe completely but I love when it happens.  It's comforting.  I want to sit down, have a cup of coffee and soak in my surroundings.  I have found a few places in the community that are like this and I really enjoy visiting and shopping there.  When I have the opportunity to sell my handmade goods at such a store it's even better.   It's better because I'm part of something I feel so wonderful about.  What's the store name you ask?  a.l.o.e.   It's a great little place located in the center of Lewisville, NC in a cozy house and it really does have a little bit of everything.

They support local art and have a beautiful blend of different artists selling their work in the store.  Their products grow weekly and are changed out regularly so it's always fresh.  They have jewelry, hand-blown glass, fused glass pendants, soldered pendants, paintings, wind chimes, glass/bead mobiles, stained glass, window art, knitted products, refurbished furniture, painted signs, baby items, gifts for teens, and much more.  Basically, you name it and they have it.

Besides local art and refurbished furniture they also offer spa services- manicures/pedicures and massages.  And if that's not what you are looking for they also have yoga, social gatherings, kids night out events, host birthday parties and they are planning to offer art camps this summer.

So if you need to get out of your house for a breath of fresh air and want to be around good people or products that will inspire you, a.l.o.e. is where you need to go.  I promise you won't be disappointed.

Here are a few of my items you can find at a.l.o.e:

(all of the handmade products pictured above are handmade by me and can be found at a.l.o.e in Lewisville, NC.  I have more products at a.l.o.e. than what I have included in this blog post.  Learn more about a.l.o.e at http://www.aloeoflewisville.com/http://www.aloeoflewisville.com or visit their Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/aloeoflewisville)

Looking for something fun to do this weekend?  Bring the family for some fun at the Lewisville Easter Festival and start your mother's day shopping early.  I am a vendor at this fabulous event and will have a variety of my handmade goodies for sale.  Stop by to see me...

Traveling in my mind...

I have always wanted to journey to far away places.  Places I dream about in my mind and with my mind's eye.  I hope one day I will see the places I dream about with my eyes but for now I live vicariously through my friends that do travel.

I luckily have a few friends that travel abroad to far away places as well as in our own lush country.  I feel blessed that they write about their travels and while reading, I feel like I am with them.

My friend, Pat Ryan, maintains a travel blog ( http://patryantravels.wordpress.com/ ) and this summer published two books about his journeys.  I wanted to share them because they are fun to read, affordable and maybe you are like me....

You want to travel, explore and experience another world but so far it hasn't been part of the universe's plan.  I know one day it will be.

You can purchase his books here:

http://www.lulu.com/spotlight/patryantravels

Personally, I like to hold the book, it completes the experience for me.  He does offer paperback or Ebook so everyone wins.

Your journey awaits...

Clutter free and feeling GOOD!

During and after festival season, I was left feeling a little overwhelmed and exacerbated by the season itself and my surroundings.  Holiday time was here and of course it was also festival season.  My creative space, where all the magic is supposed to happen, seemed to be the dump site for anything and everything.  In between shows I wasn't able to keep my space tidy and by the end it became a mess to say the least.  I couldn't even open the door!  I  couldn't create and my magic left me.

I don't know about you but I HATE clutter.  I have found that it not only causes distractions in my work space but it also causes my mind and spirit to be cluttered and then I feel defeated and drained.  Cumbersome is the word that comes to mind.  I certainly can't create in a cluttered environment.

I promised myself that I would start cleaning out my room and make it a workable space again once the holidays were over.  I have to admit that I felt overwhelmed just thinking about it and because of that it took longer than I would have liked or expected. The task took me over a month but I finally did it!!

BEFORE.....

         

standing in the doorway of my studio looking
at contents of my studio lining the hallway

standing in my kitchen looking at
the contents of my studio
lining the rest of the hallway
outside of my room

standing in the doorway looking
in my studio

                                                

another view of my CLUTTERED studio from the doorway

standing on the chair - a view of my "stuff" on the floor and surrounding work tables

AFTER...

After cleaning...  clutter free, clean work space
My bead table

Another work table in my studio
with my books, supplies and tools

Clutter free soldering work table

So, the next time you are feeling a little overwhelmed, take a look around you.  Is the space cluttered?  Is it filled with too many distractions or things?  I promise you that if you clean up and get rid of things you will feel MUCH BETTER!  I started on this tedious project shortly after the new year and I vowed on my birthday (2/21) that no matter what I would have it done by the end of the week.  I completed the task late Thursday evening, 2 days later.  I awoke on Friday the 24th with a smile on my face and the first thought in my mind was how nice and refreshing it was to have a clean studio.  Now it's time to make some magic.  Magic for you and magic for me.

Happy Birthday to ME!

(me making my birthday wish)

It was my birthday... 2 days ago. I had intended to to write on my birthday but the birthday festivities stole time. A robbery I didn't mind.

As I sat and pondered my birthday over a nice cup of coffee I couldn't help but smile. Thankfully, I'm not one of those people that dread their birthday or that another year has come and gone. In fact, I love celebrating my birthday. I love celebrating birthdays period. How could you not celebrate life?


I had decided over the weekend that I would make my birthday breakfast on Monday for myself and share it with my kids since they were home from school. I love french toast and fruit. So I headed out to the store and purchased all of the ingredients I would need. I prepared my favorites... french toast with specialty cinnamon bread topped with sweetened condensed milk, minute maid blueberry pomegranate juice, fresh fruit, and a cup of coffee. I was in heaven.

So, here it is my birthday (Tuesday the 21st) and I'm sitting at the table enjoying day 2 of my heavenly birthday breakfast. I made extra to be enjoyed on my actual birthday. Heaven two days in a row = pure joy. I'm looking out the window at the sunny skies and listening to the birds sing their morning song. I sit wondering what I'm going to do to celebrate myself. You know...something ONLY for me. My mind then wonders to Nina Simone. Why did I think of Nina Simone? She and I share the same birthday and in my opinion, she is one of the greatest singers of all time.

As I'm sitting thinking of her I am feeling a flood of emotion sweep over me. I am so happy to be alive and feel my life has been blessed a thousand times over. I decide to type in her name into the google search engine and I stumble on her website. I read a beautiful tribute her granddaughter has written about Nina and what she means to her. I feel so honored to be born on the same day as her. I start looking on you tube for various videos/songs that would not only celebrate her memory and birthday but would also celebrate me today as I celebrate my life. A song that would express my feelings for today. Freedom. Love. I needed a song that would express all of this. So as I listened to her music I danced. I smiled. I laughed. I celebrated. Then I chose my song...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vhQ6HTJCB44&context=C3b919feADOEgsToPDskJa3gqOnHWnIQE1hKXocDt4

Then a true wave comes over me. Tears streaming down my face... tears of joy, tears of love and most importantly tears of gratitude. Gratitude for a life that has been blessed beyond measure and gets sweeter as each day passes. Then it hits me. I need to draw. Draw something for just me. A birthday message that celebrates me and Nina. A drawing that would incorporate her beautiful words in the song above and how I feel about today. So I bring you my birthday illustration... celebrating us both.

(Birthday drawing: ink pen, water colors, birds drawn on card stock)

Peace and joy filled my soul as I sat drawing and painting with watercolors. Then it hit me. I need to do this more frequently. Draw, paint, art... just for me. Not worrying about whether it is going to sell or if someone else will like it. I realized how much pressure is behind each creation. I loved this birthday activity and the joy it brought to me was liberating.

So, happy birthday to me and if it's your birthday... Happy birthday to you. Take the time to celebrate yourself. Celebrate others around you. Lift your glass because you are alive and the love that is in this world is a gift and will always astound you.

Some of my greatest life blessings...

(my mom, me and my daughter)

To love and be loved

(Bouquet of Flowers fused glass pendant)

V-Day, Valentine's Day, Lover's day, The day of love....

I have heard all of these names before and countless others. Personally, I think we put too much energy and money into one day of love. Is this what we have resorted to, one day of selfless love and giving? What happened to showing love everyday? I know I may be taking it a little too far. But then again maybe I'm not.

(Rose wired button ring)

Yesterday as I sat making my husband and children a handmade card there was one main thought running through my mind... Do I show them enough how much I love them? What can I do to make each day better? What can I do that is greater than what I already do?

I know my children know they are loved. I also know that my husband and I both shower them with love and affection everyday. But I'm sure we can do more. We have daily signs of love. We sit down at the table for dinner as a family and discuss our day almost every night of the week. We don't leave the house without giving them a hug and a kiss and telling them how much we love them. On the way to school we go around the car and state what we are thankful for in each person. Most importantly, we teach them. We teach them the skills they need to be self-sufficient, better people and successful. We discipline them and correct them when they have made a mistake. We celebrate their successes and discuss how to correct a mistake when one is made. When I think about the love and lessons my parent's taught me, I'm filled with so much gratitude and love. They gave me the greatest gift by preparing me for the future and a living example on how to raise my children.

Now I move on to my husband. It seems in the hustle of life there are times when our spouse is the one who is forgotten. I think I do a fairly good job at showing Shayne how much he is loved but I can do better. Love began here and without it I wouldn't have my two beautiful children that I adore so much. So I realize that I need to do more to make him feel loved and adored. Because the truth is I do. I still light up when he walks in the room and inwardly smile that I am so blessed. 17 years later and I still feel like the 19 year old girl that fell so hard for a 18 year old boy. I am truly blessed.

So, I encourage you to show the people in your life that you care about them each and everyday not just on Valentine's day.

(the fused glass bouquet of flowers and rose ring pictured above are handmade by me and can be found at a.l.o.e in Lewisville, NC. http://www.aloeoflewisville.com/default.html or visit their Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/aloeoflewisville)

Show yourself some love too. ;)