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Blizzicane of 2010 - Ocean Grove, NJ

Well, I'd love to say that as a work-at-home artist, I am diligently working away on this Monday. But I would be fibbing. I am actually still in my pajamas... I mean, who is going to come to my door today? In fact... being the tiniest town within the Township of Neptune, Ocean Grove is always the last to have their streets plowed. And the likes of this snow is something else. Perhaps they'll get to us around Wednesday?

Here's a few highlights from the neighborhood. Although they are all taken from inside my house as I can only open the door this much right now...

This is our neighbor's house... what you see here is her front door and the clothes line! There is no working back door! Good thing she is visiting her son!

View from the front porch...

Duuuuude... where's my car?

Neighbor's house directly across the street. Check out the snowdrift on the right side of the house!

Good thing it's plastic "wicker" furniture...

Winds still whipping the snow around...

Various neighbors digging out. We're going to wait until the plows come through though.

   

If you're stuck in this... enjoy! If not... enjoy that too!

Seasons Greetings From The Seashore...

Happy Holidays everyone! I trust you are enjoying this festive season and all it has to offer? It can definitely become a very busy time of year... but it also helps remind us of the wonderful people we have in our lives... and how blessed we are for the things that we do have.

Hopefully you've been able to find the perfect little treasures for your favorite landlubbers...

Or maybe shopping has got you feeling a little crabby?

You may have gone a little overboard and purchased everything and the kitchen sink (okay, so it's the bathroom sink!)...

Perhaps your seasonal pursuits have been a bit more angelic...

It could be that you are visiting a special place this holiday...

But no matter where you are this glorious season... be sure and keep your arms wide open...

For those you hold most deer...

And remember... there's no place like home... for the holidays!

Hope you all have a very Merry Christmas! Enjoy!

I've Got Class!

I am very excited to announce that I will be teaching my first full day class at Art & Soul Retreat in Hampton, Virginia next April. I've been an attendee for years, and I have also taught the opening night class a few years in a row when I worked with Ranger Industries. And so now it's time for the student to become the teacher.

I'll be teaching a class called Do You Do Voodoo? where you'll make an extremely detailed and aged-looking Voodoo Doll Kit that looks like it was created decades ago and happily discovered in the back room of your favorite antique center! And you'll accomplish this using many items and craft products you already have at home!

The class is from 9:00-4:30 on Friday, April 29th. I will also be part of vendor night on Saturday, April 30th... so even if you don't take my class, stop by... say hi... and check out my mixed-media creations, dolls, jewelry and flea market finds. For more information, visit the Art & Soul website. Registration for the Virginia Retreat is now open.

Diving Right In...

So... I'm finally getting a chance to make stuff and I'm diving right into making jewelry. I'm kind of going back and forth between vintage repurposing, mixed media creations, and detailed beadwork.

I was totally inspired by some gorgeous mermaid pendants I had purchased a while back... and am enjoying outfitting them with the perfect colors and combinations of freshwater pearls, vintage beads and Vintaj natural brass findings, chain, charms and wire.

I fell in love with these chocolate brown freshwater pearls and they really worked perfectly with this sea-inspired piece. With a mix of faceted vintage beads that have a hint of metallic sheen, everything just kind of fell together...

The filigree bead caps really lend an edge of sophistication to any bead... even oddly shaped vintage glass notions or freshwater pearls...

And a sweet little hook and oversized jump ring make the perfect duo for a closure on this refined yet whimsical piece.

It's funny but, it took a little while for me to get back into a comfortable rhythm of jewelry making again. Kind of like riding a bike. You get back on and you're a little wobbly, but then you ride around the neighborhood a couple of times and you're like... "oh, yeah... I've got it now!"

This piece is available on my Etsy shop.