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. ;)

New items

I have unfortunately not been keeping up with my blog. I miss posting on it and will try over the next few weeks to do better. I have used my blog in the past to feature some very talented artists and poets as well as to display my own work. I have filled these pages with my thoughts on life, however random they may be, and my feelings at the time...sometimes happy and other times sad...as well as issues we all face whether environmental, social or cultural.

Today I bring to you my newest creations that were donated to the preschool I work at for the art shows silent auction. It's a wonderful place and I can honestly say I love going to work everyday. This past Sunday we had our annual art show and silent auction to raise money for the school and scholarship $ for families in need. It was a huge success and a GREAT turnout! Here is the website for those that want to take a peek at my fantastic job or if you are interested in finding a preschool that nurtures children through art as well as developing creative, critical thinkers. http://creativelearningcenteronline.com/default.aspx

SUN~ Mixed Media: paint, wood, wire

Painted with red, orange and yellow acrylic paint, I then placed a sealant on it and placed a copper wire sun on top.

Inspired out of my love for nature and respect for the sun. The sun breathes life into our trees, flowers, grass and ME! It warms my heart and puts a song in the bird's heart.

HURRICANE EARRINGS ~ Wire and black glass bead

Wire shaped and formed into a spiral representing a hurricane funnel with a black, faceted glass bead floating inside.
Again, inspired out of my love for nature as well as my deep respect for the power of wind.

STAINED GLASS WINDOW FLOWER ~ Light Blue and Orange Glass gems and solder
Inspired by spring and all the flowers starting to BLOOM!

Featuring Shirley MacNulty!!!

Shirley MacNulty.......

Shirley and her husband divide their time between Wilmington and Sugar Mountain, NC.
Below she tells us a little about her self and her various handcrafted talents~

My main crafts are Knitting, Preserved Flowers and Sewing

- I design knitwear for South West Trading Company http://www.soysilk.com/ and One Planet Yarn and Fiber and have designed for Coats and Clark, Blue Sky Alpacas and Alchemy Yarns of Transformation.
- Technical Edit knitting patterns for One Planet Yarn and Fiber and also individual knitwear designers
- Designed a petit point needlepoint ornament for the Blue Room of the White House in 1997
- Chosen as the representative from Maryland to work the Maryland square in a piece for the United Way and Hallmark in the mid 1980's
- Author of Knitting for Fun and Profit, knitting book published by Prima Publishing
- Articles in Threads, Cast On and INKnitters Magazines
- Knitting Designs published in Cast On and INKnitters magazines and pending in Knit 'N Style and Creative Knitting

Affiliations
- Charter Member of the Association of Knitwear Designers (certified as a Designer, Author, Tech Editor, Gallery Designer, Teacher, Publisher and Retailer)
- Designer Member and also a Retail Member of the National Needle arts Association
- Member of The Knitting Guild Association where I helped write and served as first Chairman of the Master Knitting Committee for 4 years
- Member of the Blue Ridge Fiber Guild

Personal - married for 50 years to Bradford S. MacNulty - 2 adult sons, 2 adult grandsons, 4 adult step grandchildren and 4 step great-grandchildren
BS Nursing form Columbia University
Owner Bay Country Boutique, small retail needlework and gift shop since 1982 (now sell through the Great Train Robbery Emporium in Banner Elk and at CJ's Boutique in Clemmons, NC and The Prissy Hen (antique shop) in Cameron, NC (opening April 1,2008)

What are the web addresses people can find you at?
e-mail only - baycountry@bellsouth.net and baycountry@skybest.com
Shirley has a blog address but doesn't use it very much.....
http://www.baycountry.blogspot.com/

What is your favorite color combination?
No special favorites - do not like orange

What is the first thing you can remember making by hand? How and why did you make it?
I did a lot of knitting as a small child. I also did sewing and embroidery. The thing I remember most, and it was written up in an on-line newsletter in 2006, I knitted my father a pair of argyle socks for Christmas when I was in 7th grade and this was in 1946

What inspires you?
My inspiration comes from nature and also from reading magazines and catalogues.

Where do your ideas come from?
My ideas come from nature, magazines, knit designs come from reading fashion magazines and following fashion trends. I normally try to stay with more classic designs that will last a lifetime, not as much by the way out trends.

Does the atmosphere affect your creativity?
I would say I work better on cooler days, not on the hot 100% humidity days

Where do you create, in a workroom/ studio or in a park?
All over. My knitting is portable - and I do the pressed flower designs on the dining room table usually. I do nto have a separate studio - my things are spread out all over the house and under the beds and in closets, even in extra bathtubs.

What are your favorite materials?
Natural yarns - soy, bamboo, corn, wool, alpaca for knitting and flowers from my garden for my Preserved Floral Designs

Any tips of wisdom on selling handmade stuff?
I have been doing this for years. When I was younger I used to do a lot of shows, back before the days of having individual tents for the purpose. We really had to fight the elements. For multiple day shows, the worst part was having to dismantle everything and pack up each night and often have to walk a distance to the car. I have not done any shows for the past two years - the last one was so bad as had to shut down one whole afternoon due to severe thunderstorm watch.
As for advice, check out the show before doing it. Some may sound great, but turn out to be duds. I have done shows and sold nothing, other times have had great shows. The best shows I did were in the 1980's in Southern Maryland where we used to live. Nothing has been as good since we moved to North Carolina in 1990.
I also find that there is great discrepancy in the cost of shows - from free to several hundred dollars, even for outside space.

Apart from creating things, what do you do?
Cooking, gardening, socializing, work on the Computer

What have been the most valuable lessons learned from other artists?
Everything that you think will sell doesn't, but be patient.


Do you have any current projects that you want to describe, techniques to share, give picture of?
I am always working on new knitting designs for yarn companies - I have more ideas for garments and household items that I have time to knit. I also love to garden.

In ten years I'd like to be...
I hope I will still be alive and still creating

Support handcrafted items

Tomorrow is the GRAND OPENING of CJ's Boutique in Clemmons, NC

Wired Art from Whimsical Jewels copyright 2008

Top : Peace, Love & Harmony wired word art with red & black acrylic paint

Middle: Frame with wire wrapped glass

Bottom: Wired Sun with blend of red and yellow acrylic paint

Grand Opening is Friday 2/1 and Saturday 2/2 from 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Location: Meadowbrook Mall, Suite 7A next to Curves in the mall and across from The Village Inn & Conference Center

Why am I writing about this?

1) Because my wire work is at the boutique

AND

2) it's a boutique for ONLY Handcrafted items!!!

Here is some of my wire work items currently at the boutique along with items above:

Copyright 2008: Whimsical Jewels

Me & a cup of joe wired card

The Song of my heart wired card

Midnight Star wired card

Flower wired card

We are all connected wired card

Java? wired card

Please keep checking back for updates regarding the boutique. I hope to feature some of the boutique's handcrafters on my blog over the next few weeks with pictures of their items and a little bit about them.

The boutique has:

Jewelry, wire working, candles, fused glass pendants, americana, baby accessories, recycled knitwear, custom embroidery, wine charms, oil paintings, basketry, woodworking, fiber art, silk screen tees, pyrography, painted gourds, handbags, custom pillows, glass painting, pressed flower art, greek design, vintage children's wear, personalized painted children's items, pottery, soy candles, silk painting, primitives, florals, ceramic tile art, crib sets, phone charms, stained glass, framed prints

AND

Ladies designer consignment clothing

Phone to boutique: 336-766-9355

Java and Jewelry

Come to Sin Coffee Bar for a great cup of coffee and some jewelry!!!!

{Java card copyright: Whimsical Jewels 2007}

I am excited to announce that I currently have items for sale at Sin Coffee Bar located on 4th street in Winston-Salem. It's a great place to meet friends, have quiet time alone or get some work done.

The coffee bar serves a variety of drinks other than coffee....GREAT fruit smoothies (my kids love them), tea, juice, bagels and pastries...

Enjoy a great cup of coffee while getting some wearable goodies to take home.

Autumn Necklace: copyright Whimsical Jewels 2007

Flower Bracelet: Copyright Whimsical Jewels 2007

Rust & Tan Hemp Key Chain: copyright Whimsical Jewels 2007

The Atomic Burst Set: copyright Whimsical Jewels 2007

Seasons of Change

I have included this beautiful tree as a reminder of the "Seasons of Change". I took this picture on one of my hardest days and with a heavy heart and spirit I captured the beauty of nature that I was longing to feel within myself. As I stood gazing at its beauty I was reminded that the way I was feeling would pass and my spirit would again be light. It's such a wonderful feeling to hear nature speak.

The last few weeks have been extremely hard for me and as I sit here and recap the situations in my mind, the feelings I have encountered and internalized I am reminded again that every aspect of our lives has an area that is a little grey. I am reminded that in order for growth to occur and to gain inner strength sometimes we must walk down a road that is bleak but there is a ray of sunshine to be seen even if we have to strain to see it. Nature's healing power is a wonderful source of strength, inspiration and relaxation for me and the day I stood gazing at the tree I said a prayer of thanks for giving me a tree of beauty to look at and remind me that life is good.

The rose....reminded me of summer's end. It was still beautiful even though it was starting to wither. The cycle of change. Seasons of change. What more can be said?

Nature spoke again to me towards the end of the week with this beautiful flower.

Seasons of change. Death and rebirth. Sometimes the road is hard to travel on but in the end I am thankful for the lessons I learn even if they are painful at the time.