PEACE out little FREEBIRD.....

BRAND SPANKIN' NEW!

Peace

Freebird

Dreamer

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!

 

posted by: sweetpeas at June 23, 2008 20:35 | link | comments (4) |
artsy fartsy, jewelry

studio.....

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!

• WHERE exactly do you create?
• WHAT would be your dream studio?
• ANY tips on storage?
• DO you use new "store bought" storage? OR do you use "found object" storage?
• Do you listen to music, watch TV or use nothing at all? If so...what?
• DO you have any fabulous shots of your studio to share? If so...give us the link!
• ANY little tid-bit that comes to mind, please share!

Just leave me a comment here in this post! AND THANKS!!!

xoxoxxo

posted by: sweetpeas at June 16, 2008 18:54 | link | comments (7) |
artsy fartsy, studio works, she dreams of art

The lure of SQUAM

Growing up in Maine and living in New Hampshire as a kid has for me been a life-long lesson in nature. We were lucky to have parents and grandparents who liked to camp, boat, garden, rent cottages on the ocean and lakes. As I've often written about here, nature is my muse. The water, the woods, wildlife & even my garden has been a constant source of inspiration for me.

I have the fondest memories of weekend treks spent under tall pine trees and floating over crystal clear lakes. To this day, I'll rake the pine needles from under my own trees and have an instant sense of nostalgia. All it takes is a wiff, and I am instantly brought back to hunting for pine cones and needles. I can head to the ocean, smell the salt air and I'll remember two little sunbathed girls collecting shells, toting barbies and art supplies in their little bags along the ocean's edge. It's almost like a 70's movie reel playing in my mind. That's the only way I can explain it.

So I want to tell you a little of what I know about SQUAM. For those of you that haven't heard of this down~to ~earth, back to nature art retreat, all I can ask is where have you been?

 

 I am ever-so dissapointed that I will not be able to attend this year! We are going to a wedding that just can't be missed. I do not plan on missing it next year as it looks like I might be teaching a workshop or two in 2009.  I do however want to hear EVERY little detail from those of you who will be able to make it this fall!

SQUAM starts Weds. Sept. 10th and goes until Sun. the 14th.

The Rockywold-Deephaven Camps are on Squam Lake, located in central New Hampshire, just south of the White Mountains.

If I was able to make it these are the classes I would attend:

PRINTMAKING WITHOUT A PRESS by Susan Schwake

EXPRESSIVE FACES IN MIXED MEDIA by Judy Wise

KEEPSAKE BOOK by Misty Mawn

I have my own personal reasons for being drawn to each of these classes. Years ago, Misty and I blogged back and forth, and though we have lost touch, I still try to view her art when I can. I've always felt her work was true to who she was, and well, she just seems so down to earth. Susan actually came up in converstaion when Leah, myself and Tammy got together last weekend. We all just LOVE her! I think she is someone to look up to in the art community, and she's got to be one of the nicest bloggers out there! There is something about Judy that makes me smile. I don't know her well, just her name and art, but again she feels very real to me. And knowledgable. I tend to seek out people who are grounded with their craft and that's what I love about SQUAM! Wait till you see the other teachers participating this year!

The opening ceremony promises to be a blast! To kick off the event, Gracey Bonney of design*sponge will be there. Then there will be live music with Jonatha Brooke around the campfire.

The long weekend just gets better from there.

I am just so jealous. I really, really want to go.

So if you are a reader of this blog, and do attend SQUAM .... please give me a shout and let me know how it went! I can try and live vicariously through your experience, at least for this year.

xoxoxo

posted by: sweetpeas at June 12, 2008 17:01 | link | comments (4) |

A Plum Daffy Adventure!

So I spent a very lovely day in Kennebunkport, Maine with dear friends Leah and Tammy yesterday. The day was filled with antiquing, shopping, art galleries, photography a fabulous dinner and CONSTANT art chatter. My idea of a perfect Saturday afternoon with art-felt friends!!

I missed you girls this morning while sipping my coffee and looking at my photos....

In the morning getting ready for the day

Inspired by this table of bottles, Leah has started a new collection!

we all have a bit of an addiction to old paper...

CUTIES!

pretty views

GORGEOUS mermaid sculpture at one of the art galleries

Leah and myself

My favorite of the girls. I was across the street on the other side of the bridge.

*tee~hee* "I'm just so inspired"

I don't need to go on and on about the day and how wonderful it all was. I think the proof is in the photos!

xoxoxox

posted by: sweetpeas at June 08, 2008 15:43 | link | comments (10) |

This past week I wrote my first "How To" article for Belle Amoire Jewelry. It was an eye opening experience for me, as I learned a few things, and discovered that I loved doing this. (well I always new I would!!) I'm all ready planning "how to" projects for the future......

Here is a sneak peak....

I believe this will be in the Autumn issue, I'll let you know for sure. If you love to create jewelry, this is the magazine for you! It is always so inspiring for me as a mixed-media jewelry artist.

Some of you might remember that I worked on two different book projects last year. The first was a book by Ruth Rae and Kelly Snelling called a "Charming Exchange". It's now up at Amazon for pre-order!

Then, the fabulus Susan Tuttle contacted me and asked me to send in a few jewelry pieces for her soon-to-be book that is also available for pre-order at Amazon! It's called "Exhibition 36: A Gallery of Mixed-Media Inspiration".

These are the type of things I had always aspired to do since childhood. When I get frustrated with my job (slinging beers three shifts a week), or other things that can stress me out, I just remember that I have to keep moving towards my goal. Sometimes the move feels like I am creeping along like a little snail, and other times I feel like I am racing to the finish line (ahem, don't really relish that feeling for some reason) .... but I know I do have to keep moving.

Do you feel that you are moving steadily towards your goals? What are your goals and what special steps are you taking to travel there?

I would love to hear from you! I am compiling a little research for a post I am writing for a friends new blog. Leave me a comment or send me an email!

xoxox

posted by: sweetpeas at June 01, 2008 23:20 | link | comments (10) |

nieces and nephews ....oh my!

I've been on vaca this week....have lots of stuff to post about, so I'll start with this little gang of ruffians! My Sis and her two kids came to Maine from Georgia, and we spent the day with the grandparents, my other sis Marissa and her little boy Gabe.

I like this photo of Emma

I'm off to a big estate sale this morning...so I've got to run!

posted by: sweetpeas at May 31, 2008 14:08 | link | comments (2) |

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 (8) |

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 (2) |

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