Fall is swooping in on us Mainers! It's been a bit chilly, and I can feel that "settling" down feeling in my bones. Call me crazy, but I almost look forward to winter, as I have more time to visit with my bloggy and Flickr friends! I haven't had much time to check up on any of you, and I wonder what you are all up to! I hope you're doing well!!!!
Something new....
I have three pendants total that I have made with this vintage french text and here's the first finished necklace in this series.
FRENCH LESSON 1
I found a print of this painting, from 1878, by Alexis Petrovich, called "A Panoramic View of Moscow. It's a view from a hill of the city, bridges and stone architecture. In the center of the painting there were these mauve toned castles that seemed to sparkle and they captured my eye.
I handwired delicate freshwater pearls and peace jade with fine guaged copper wire for the chain. A second copper chain holds a vintage key.
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Our Etsy Maine Team has challenged eachother to create Fall inspired items. For some, Fall is a celebration of Haunts and Spirits.
I created the chain from sterling wire and vintage black glass beads.
I've loved all of the Fall inspired goodies the Maine Team has conjured up for this magical time of year! If you'd like to take a peek and check out some of the wares these talented Maine artists are creating, follow our Fall promotional thread and join in on the fun!
Still lots more to tell, but my belly is rumbling and it's time for din-din......
xoxoxo
Just wanted to let you know that you can find my first article on "Studio Spaces" here.
Hope you all had a wonderful long weekend! We went to camp with friends, and just enjoyed the moment. The mountains were actually quite warm, yet breezy. The deck was the constant hangout. I even brought jewelry and worked on the deck.
LOTS and lots of projects going on...I'll keep you posted as they come. Some of you I have not connected with in a long while. SO sorry, we have been our usual busy selves. Come October, we plan on settling down again.
We have been hauling and stacking wood in preperation for winter. We also purchased a new wood stove. A beautiful new Jotul! Yes... we bought the ivory color! We loved our old Jotul but it was too small. This burns longer and is slightly bigger, and I love the larger viewing window. Mainer's get excited by this kind of thing you know.
HAPPY FALL!
xoxox
I've been busy in the studio again! LOTS of rain here in the state of Maine lately. What's a girl to do but hole up in her studio and make pretty things!
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For all of you that may be looking for me in the Autumn issue of Belle Amoire Jewelry, I wont be in it this quarter. Both articles that I wrote will be in the winter issue instead! SUCH a long wait. 
~But they do say that patience is a virtue. Whoever said that doesn't know me very well now do they?
xoxox
Well, well, well! What a long couple of weeks it's been! My computer had been down and out for over a week, and when we finally got it up and running again. I had a lot of catching up to do. Matter of fact, I'm still catching up!
I am still having trouble doing things over on my side of the computer. It seems as though I have some default settings to mess around with, (which I am hopelessly CLUELESS!) I can't seem to post here on Sweetpeas, open my hotmail, get Flash Player to work, and comment in Blogger websites. I can do all of that here on my husband's side of the computer though. HUH? ANY IDEAS??????
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While I was "away", two super sweet bloggers passed on blogging awards to me! Ellen granted me with the Art Y Pico award. I just love Ellen's blog, it's chock full of artsyy goodness!
And this award from Fanciful Expressions, yet another artistic blog with lots of pretty jewelry to behold!
I am supposed to pay these forward, and I hope I will be forgiven if I don't play along just this once. I am in a mindless mess trying to get caught up here, and it's seriously cutting in on my studio time!! THANKS girls so much!! It's nice to make new friends!
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A Charming Exchange seems to be taking off and is the talk of the town! I didn't take photos of the book, but I see that lots of folks have! If you want to see some inside photos of the book visit these girls: Maija, Deryn, and Sally. The book is just loaded with fabulous jewelry and projects!
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BEFORE my computer decided to go to the dark side, I had done a little shopping from some of my Etsy Maine Team members. How Gorgeous is this little bud vase from Dirtgirlpottery. She also sells these bud vases in sets. The perfect gift for your favorite gardener!
And a little treat for my baby! Rudy just loves these "Sea Veg & Chamomile Buckwheat Dog Biscuits", by Barkwheats, handmade right here in Maine!
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I'm not sure if this the best way to end a post, but I know some of you who have visited here at The Plenty To Do Farm would like to know. It's sad news for Jon and I. We had to lay to rest our sweet Dakota a couple of weeks ago. She was old, had arthritis, and then caught lime disease, which no amount of meds. could save her. I spent about 10 days trying to get her to eat and to take her meds, but in the end, it just wouldn't take. We have come to terms with this, and we are ALLRIGHT!! She had a good life here, and was terribly spoiled. We got her the day we were married from my sister in Georgia. We had to put her to sleep on our nine year wedding anniversary. I tried to look at that day as a celebration of a dogs good life.
We called her our "Georgian Peach". I remember my sister calling me from Georgia, upset because her baby was allergic to Dakota. She was three at the time. (Dakota that is). It took me about 5 seconds to tell her since they were driving here to Maine for the wedding, why not bring Dakota to us. She gave us many happy memories and we will miss her always.
xoxoxox
I have just finished my second article for Wishstudio Blogzine called "Studio Spaces; part 1". It should be out in the next week or two, I'll fill you in when it is. The "part 1" came about due to the many responses I received. I can't bare to leave anyone out, so every once in a while I'll write another post about your fabulously artistic spaces! If you'd like to tell me about your studio space, please leave a comment here.
The next article I am compiling research for is called "The Confident Artist". I'd like to know a little about your confidence as an artist! Here are some questions to ponder, but as always, feel free to write what you want on this subject!
Please leave your comments here. If you would like to share a piece of work that you feel is a milestone piece for you, then please leave me a link to your photo.
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SPEAKING OF CONFIDENCE.........
Just a few years back I would have felt uncomfortable answering these questions to this interview from the Etsy Maine Team Blog. I always believed in the pieces that I created, but was not very good at selling myself to folks. I wanted other people to believe in my craft as much as I did! My Mom was always my "sales" person. Hope you enjoy this interview....and while you're at it, you may want to visit some of Maine's other talented artsists!
This is a totally off-the-cuff post, and not at all on my list.
BUT about 15 minutes ago I just opened my copy of "A Charming Exchange" by Ruth Rae and Kelly Snelling.
Yes I am in it, and yes that is exciting. BUT I am just filled with joy and happiness at the sheer beauty of this book as a whole. The writing is interesting, the "how-tos" are fun and easy to follow, the photography is gorgeous, the jewelry is ALL just stunning, and if I'm rambling, so sorry but I really can't help it!
Not only was this a fun and new experience, but being part of this project at the time for me was crucial. I was fairly new to jewelry design, and I thought Ruth was just so sweet to include me. She was encouraging and thoughtful, so I just kept trying my best, hoping it would be good enough. Well it just so happens that EVERY ONE of us that participated were good enough. Kelly and Ruth lovingly combined all of our charms to make these truly artistic pieces of jewelry. And there is so much more to the book then charms on a charm bracelets folks!
You'll be INSPIRED. trust me on this one.
Thank you Kelly and Ruth, you'll always be in my heart.
xoxoxox
Another fun Fourth of July vacation aboord the Aurora!
We started the vacation out in a wall of fog.
But thankfully that was just the first day, the rest of the week was lovely!
Jon and I brought our own little boat as the tender. That way we could go exploring and leave the big boat anchored.
We had yummy dinners and happy hour at night. Also gorgeous views, peace and quiet!
Every year, Jonesport holds their Lobster boat races. This year was exceptionally fun! I love the folks getting a racey-ride on the back of this boat!
These two boats put on quite a show.
What did you do for the fourth?
BRAND SPANKIN' NEW!
Tommorow night is my last night of slinging beers at our local pub for 11 days. Say it with me slowly now, "VACAAAAAAAAAAAATION".
We plan on dubbing around until the middle of the week, then we are off on our favorite journey wth Jon's Dad and his girlfriend Jen.
I am so ready for this!
Rainy today.....
view from the studio deck
But seriously I don't mind. It's been like this for two days, and it keeps me in the studio working away. I still have my door wide open and the music flowing.
In the summer my studio gets moved from the upstairs to the downstairs into the sunroom. I still work upstairs, but I do all of the messy stuff up there like cutting and drilling metal.
The sunroom is a bigger space with lots of windows, couches, the deck & some of my favorite collections. Even the washer and dryer, kitchen etc. is just a few steps away, so I feel like I accomplish more on the housework front.
The only problem I encountered last summer was storage. So Big Daddy brought this little bureau down from the spare bedroom. (ummm...I now have nothing to store my extra linens upstairs, but I'll get to that problem at some point!!) The thing about this sunroom, is that we actually use it all summer long for entertaining, sleep-overs, naps & our nightly dinner. So this bureau just made my world so easy! In minutes I can sweep my mess right into it!
I was having trouble making this little corner work as it was, so I'm happy with the result!
So this brings me to a topic I'd like to get your opinions on!
I am writing a monthly column for Mindy's new blog "Wishstudio Blogzine" called "She Dreams of Art". Myfirst column, "Artful Goals" is up now. The main objective of my column is to collect art, info, quotes and certain data on a particular subject. I mention a few of you bloggy gals, show off your art & promote your site!
My next column will be about our studio spaces. Here are some questions I have for you! Answer them all or just pick one or two!
Just leave me a comment here in this post! AND THANKS!!!
xoxoxxo
Name: Jessica Moreau~Berry
Mo'nonymous on oo~la~la......
Mo'nonymous on oo~la~la......
Mo'nonymous on oo~la~la......
Mo'nonymous on oo~la~la......
Mo'nonymous on oo~la~la......
Mo'nonymous on oo~la~la......
Mo'nonymous on Happy Fall
Mo'nonymous on oo~la~la......
Mo'nonymous on castles and haunting...
Mo'nonymous on Happy Fall
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