Spring Fling

This weekend I am off to NYC for a little adventure. Dawn and I are heading to the Javits Center to help Hope from Paper Relics and Leslie from The Paper Princess set up their booths for the National Stationary Show! Not only am I excited to see some of my favorite gal pals, I am dizzy with anticipation at the thought of ogling all of the fabulous stationary!

Speaking of Dawn, I want to shout out a big fat CONGRATULATIONS to her! One of her redesigns was featured in Real Simple magazine!!!! There's another reason to give her some love, but I think you should head over to her blog to find out for yourselves!

I've got lots to do this week before I leave but I wanted to get my two newest pieces up on Etsy. I've been all about the spring season and I think it shows through in these two pieces.

FLY ON

FAIRY-LIKE SPELL

posted by: sweetpeas at May 12, 2008 22:42 | link | comments (1) |

The seasons.....

Everything has turned GREEN! I believe only folks who live through snow filled winters can relate to the pure joy of seeing green. Our fields are green, we have green buds on the trees and there are some splashes of yellow throughout as well. When I open my front door to a morning like this morning, I feel as though my senses may explode! Birds are singing, wildlife is all about, everything is dewy, and there is a lite mist lifting.

As an artsist, the changing of seasons has always been one of my motivators to produce art. Fall is my favorite energizer. It really is a pure energy boost for me. In the spring, I am extremely creative as well, but it seems to be a slower more thoughtful proccess. I could sit on my deck with a cup of coffee for an hour in the morning, thinking and pondering. I simply open the door to let the dogs out, and I catch myself gazing at my garden or across the street to another field. How long was I standing there for? (I'm sure my Lab could fill you in on that, as she's been patiently staring at me with that dirty old tennis ball in her mouth!)

This is the time of year that I will write down a lot of ideas in my journal but may not carry through with them until fall. Do you do this?

 

posted by: sweetpeas at May 06, 2008 13:38 | link | comments (1) |

workin'

It's been all about the studio lately kids!

I've only got a few minutes, but just wanted to show you the latest! You can find them at my new ETSY SHOP. *OOPS....I had to take them off Etsy, as these two pieces are off on a little adventure. They'll be back on sale another day.

Sorry for the promote and run...Hubby's home in about 10 minutes, and I really want to get out of this bathrobe that I've been slumming around in all day! (not lazy, it's just so COMFY to work in!)

posted by: sweetpeas at April 21, 2008 20:56 | link | comments (4) |

happy spring

Hey gang!

Happy Spring to you! Spring is a big deal here in Maine and you can't decide if you want to be happy, giddy and downright estatic, or just as annoyed as you've been all winter! I'm usually the giddy sort in spring. I've been outside everyday raking, and repiling the wood. Annoyance usually sets in because it is also "mud" season. I bought two new off white rugs at Pier One for this office. They are going to get rolled back up for the next couple of months. DOGS + MUD SEASON = DISASTER! YIKES!

I am definetly the type to spring clean. Right now I am cleaning out Junque Revival. To get me started, I opened a new Etsy shop! Now don't go getting your panties in a bunch.... Junque Revival is still my baby, and I'm keeping it! I thought Etsy would be a way to move some of the older pieces and give them a fresh audience. Besides, I'm addicted to shopping on etsy, so why not sell there too?? If you've been coveting anything at Junque Revival, you may want to visit my Etsy shop, as I've moved items over there and have LOWERED the prices!

I also seem to get those old creative juices flowing in the Spring. I've added these to the new etsy shop.....

JOY

JOY was created with Mother's Day in mind. I used copper wire, vintage amethyst, freshwater pearls, and as always, I made a mini collage from vintage images and ephemera.

PRECIOUS

You wont believe this, but as I was wiring up the freshwater pearls & black glass beads I was watching "Lord of the Rings"!!! SERIOUSLY!!

I just love this one! The wiring took me quite a while, as I used very fine guage sterling wire, and double wrapped each link for strength and durability. (besides...I love anything with a butterfly on it!!)

MOTHER'S GARDEN

This is one of those pieces that I just can't seem to get the photo right! It really is gorgeous on. Can you guess what the pendant was????

I hope you'll all swing by and take a gander!

As soon as I get Junque Revival cleaned out, and add some new items, I'll be sending out a newsletter. I'm thinking it's time for a contest....so sign up for the newsletter  over in the right hand column!!!!

I'd love to hear how spring inspires you! Leave me a comment and I'll come by your site to say hello!!

xoxoxoxox

posted by: sweetpeas at April 09, 2008 15:14 | link | comments (14) |

it lives........

After answering my fifth email just this morning alone, I decided that I best do a quick post! There are a lot of "are you alive?", "haven't heard from you in a a while" and "when will you be making new jewlery for the shop????" emails coming in.

Yes...I'm alive. Hubby and I have been really trying to step up to the plate and get some much needed chores and home renovations done before summer hits. Summer is so short here in Maine, and I truly want to enjoy it this year. We have been remodeling this office, so often times the computer has been unplugged and tucked away. Last weekend we spent two days putting together furniture that I have ordered from the internet. I type this post on a new white cottage style desk! I"ll post pics. of the redo when it's completely finished.

Just to show you that there is at least a little acticvity in the studio, I snapped this photo for you.

I promise that I'll be back in full swing soon!! I miss all of my bloggy friends and Junque Revival customers!!

I appreciate you all keeping tabs on me! I have been truly surprised that I am still receiving emails from folks who just discovered Junque Revival and Sweetpeas, seeing that I have not been very good at updating either since Christmas. You've lit a fire under my bum!

I'll try to "get on it" as we say here in Maine!

xoxoxox

posted by: sweetpeas at March 21, 2008 16:58 | link | comments (6) |
artsy fartsy

Just saying a quick hello!

We had to pack the computer away while the new ceiling was put up here in the office.

I've been working on some jewelry and even managed to sneak in this altered box for my friend Giao's birthday.

Be back soon!

xoxox

posted by: sweetpeas at February 20, 2008 16:38 | link | comments (1) |

So right after that last post (which seems eons ago!) I got to work. This office has been stripped bare except for the computer, and we are waiting for the ceiling to be finished so we can get painting. In the meantime we are sanding all of the trim and the floor.

On the health front, I have started a new vitamin program, walking and yoga. We've always eaten pretty healthy, so just a few tweaks to the menu and we're off! Big Daddy is getting into the spirit and walking with me. (we can be very dorky....high fivin' eachother after a walk is just one of the silly things we do) (WHATEVAH' at least we're doing it kids!) I am iron defficient, and am horrible about taking iron, but I've made a new commitment, and I'm sticking to it. Add some vitamin D and after a week, I allready feel more energetic!!

Though I have not been able to make pieces for submissions, I have been working on a few pieces to donate. Both are worthy causes and important to me, and MORE important than being in some magazine. My time will come. I will fill you all in on these causes soon, as things develop.

As far as the new blog, I've put it up with a name, but that's it! THANKYOU for all that have emailed me. I do not want to start this up until I know that I can absolutely fit it into my schedule, so who knows when that will be. (BUT PLEASE KEEP THOSE IDEAS COMING!) It's something that I can't be stressed about. Stress keeps me out of the studio for some reason, and that's the last thing I want.

SOOOOOO, there you have it!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I have some very overdue thanks to shout out. I recieved some lovely gifts at Christmas time from some even lovelier bloggy gal pals. I would love to take photos of the gifts, but most have been put away due to cleaning out this office.

My DEAR friend Hope sent me a box of "holiday cheer" filled with chocolate, candy and a collection of her Clip Art CD's. She's such a sweet darling!

As usual Kathleen spoiled me rotten. It started with the beautiful box, and got better from there. She gave me some of her newest designs now being sold through the PaPaYa label. I also have yet another one of her Par Avion pendants, and a gorgeous pair of earrings. THANKYOU babycakes! (you are missed over at the clubhouse! )

Maria (MOTHER TO BE!!!!!) totally surprised me with a package all the way from Sweden. Filled with sweet little goodies, tea and a fabulicious cookbook, "Swedish Cakes and Cookies". Maria...I think surprises are the best! THANKS GIRL!

Friend Mindy hosted a "recyled swap" for Christmas and Angela sent me a box filled with papers, epehemera and more. It was a delight to raffle through all of the paper! Thanks Angela! I had made my swapee a collaged box. The box was filled with chocolate that Mindy had given me when she came to visit last year. (perfect for recycling) I also made her a felt flower pin from recycled sweaters, and threw in a necklace for good measure. I'm sorry I didn't get any photos. It was about the only thing I had made from November till just about a week ago!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Well, that's all I've got for now. I'll fill you in on the office redo as it comes together. I will tell you that this room that we work out of was very old, dark and cluttered. And to you girls that I come by to visit....I'll be popping in soon. We've got the computer set up in a very awkward position, and it makes surfing not so much fun!!

xoxoxo

posted by: sweetpeas at February 06, 2008 14:42 | link | comments (4) |

thoughts on 2008

It's unusual for me to sit down and write a post without an actual thought on what to write about. My mind is a bit mumbly-jumbly at the moment. I find myself with goals and thoughts on how to start the New Year.

When I was younger, I did not care to make New Year "goals" and "resolutions". I just kind of went with the flow of things. Even though that thinking is still attractive to me, I realize the grownup in me needs to be a little more, shall we say "organized".

The holidays for us is extremely busy. I have not been in my studio since Thanksgiving. I seem to go on overdrive for the holidays, and find that it's hard for me to get creative. My studio is a complete mess, and I've got to get up there and do some serious cleaning before I can start again. I've found myself muttering and sighing for the past month, "after the holidays". Now it's here, and I'm not really sure where to start.

In the fall, I am electrified by creative thoughts and ideas. Luckily, I kept a journal on these and after the cleaning out proccess, I can open that journal and start to create again.

Though I love to make jewelry (and will continue to do so) I have many new projects I'd like to work on. The big question is how to find the time to accomplish what is most important to me. I've decided that Junque Revival does not need to be a money making machine. I have a part-time job that is sufficient. I've learned that I need to create what my mind is yearning to do. I need to follow my heart, instead of worrying if the shop has enough pieces for sale to keep it attractive and busy. If I can just let go, I think my art could take on a whole new level. I'm sure this is a proccess that many of you struggle with. I have built up such a great following over at Junque Revival, that I am afraid to let some of you down. Will you swing by the shop and see that there isn't much in the way of jewelry, get bored and stop coming? Do you come by strictly for the jewelry? Would you still find it a fun place to visit if I started to add different pieces of art? Like I said, I need to let go of these worries, and just "do".

So here is what I'm shooting for....

I'd like to get involved with submitting work to various publications.

I'd like to be involved in more swaps

I'd like to do something fun with Studio Works

I'd like to create some mixed media art that is not jewelry

I'd like to go to at least one art retreat and take classes from some of my favorite artists

I'd like to find the time to take care of myself with outdoor activity that I'd always loved (snowshoing, kayaking, gardening)

I'd like to work on some much needed restorations to this house

I'd like to spend more time with the nieces and nephews

I guess it doesn't seem so bad or daunting when it's written out like this. Just take it one day at a time, right?

I think one of the first places I'll start is to try and to commit to my dear friend Leah's Create Every Day 2008 project. I'm thinking this just might be the kick in the pants I need.

I am very interested in hearing your thoughts and ideas, as I know many of you struggle with the same issues. If we could just give eachother a little push, a bit of positive karma and maybe some advice, we might open new doors for others and learn something new that could be useful to us.

I have thought about starting a blog where we could share our experiences, our art and our ideas. I am just in the "thinking" stage of this, and again, would love to hear your thoughts. If you think you may be interested in becoming involved in something like this let me know. I'll see what you all have to say, and we'll take it from there. If we decide to go this route, I'll be looking for dedicated artists who would like to write posts on a permanent basis. Subject matter will vary on anything from successful Indie shops to instructional art projects, to studio spaces, swaps and projects. I am thinking it may be a good space for folks to mention various shows that are coming in their area.

OK...I have to laugh at myself!! I started this post not knowing where to start, and as usual, I can find the words to express what I'm thinking through writing. If we had been having this conversation face to face, you probably wouldn't have gotten a word in!

HAPPY 2008 friends! Here's to getting that ball rolling!

posted by: sweetpeas at January 02, 2008 17:56 | link | comments (11) |
inspiration for you, nothing much

Well here I am, early morning December 24th with the realization that other than a couple of loads of laundry, I have nothing to do.

Trust me, I could find plenty to do, but nothing is pressing. No appointments, no work, no more pressies to wrap. I feel like I'm free for the morning. I've got my cup of coffee, 3 animals laying at my feet and Big Daddy's still asleep.

Now this is the ultimate holiday cheer for me. It's the best present I could receive this bright sunny morning.

I'm hoping all of you find a few moments of peace and relaxation.....

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

xoxox

posted by: sweetpeas at December 24, 2007 13:58 | link | comments (8) |

DEAREST MUMZY

GET WELL SOON!

we love you.

xoxoxox

posted by: sweetpeas at December 18, 2007 13:24 | link | comments (6) |