word's out -

well, the cat is officially out of the bag... 

and i couldn't be happier - 

all of the patina work i have been doing has been headed here - 

to the uber talented, very very lovely shannon levart - aka missficklemedia!

she is creating a community of makers - and i thank her so much for including me in it... 

this opportunity has forced me to stretch, to experiment and learn more about the patinas, to explore wire forms, and create my own etched images... to push myself to be better than i am - for who would want to have anything sub-par in such a meaningful, high quality venture?

thanks, shan, for being one of those lights at the end of the tunnel - 

tap, tap, tap

small brass leaf beginnings 2012

the universe caught me off guard this morning while i was sitting at my bench...

like many of you, i am used to the tap on the shoulder (or between the eyes if i am being revisited) that lets me know i have perhaps veered from the path or should be paying attention because something not so ideal is occurring and i need to wake up... 

small brass leaf beginnings 2012

but this time, as tears welled up from deep inside of me, i realized i was being asked to pay attention because i was perhaps on to something... that i was beginning to really do the things i hoped to do... 

i was asked to make these leaves for a project that will help to raise money to build a children's hospital in west virginia... my youngest child was born at 23 weeks prematurity (4months early) weighing just over a pound... there were many surgeries, three years with a trach and respiratory support at home and other challenges... for us, the children's hospital of philadelphia is a home away from home - still... and when i was asked to use the word 'hope' it took me back to those first years... chop's motto is 'hope lives here.'

using words in my work causes me to be very selective - there are many that have become trite...

 i hadn't used 'hope' in years... 

but this couldn't have been more perfect... 

a couple of weeks ago i was asked to make a number of my petals for use as pendants...

petals 2012

these are for women moving through a domestic violence program... 

two causes that couldn't be closer to my heart... 

not too long ago i was musing on how i could really just make petals & leaves all day... (each form has its own meaning for me... ) i work them in a neck & shoulder-achingly gentle way... the challenge of keeping the form soft and delicate with a hard material is one i love... 

and people seem to be connecting to them... 

a personal aesthetic has emerged that seeks out simplicity that is packed with substance... it is something i think about and strive for... 

(and this post is feeling long-winded)

it was just such a wonderful feeling - having a moment of mindfulness where i realized that some meaningful things are falling into place... 

and i am oh, so, grateful... 

connected through fiber (not the kind in my cereal)

'come out of the circle of time

and into the circle of love.'

-rumi

lately i have been feeling a need to integrate fibers and fabric in to my work... it just feels right... and i realized it creates a real connection to the past... no, i am not providing warmth for my family in clothing or blankets... but working with them makes me think of women who for centuries/millenia have been doing these things for their families and communities... from the ancient times in persia, china and egypt through today... and perhaps today, it is even appreciated more - precisely because of the mechanical alternatives that are available to hands... 
'timeless' was created with a marsha neal studio shard and lisa peters art button...there is also a wonderful polymer clay bead by genevieve at jibbyandjuna... 

'warm and fuzzy' use marsha neal studio shards as well... i love the contrast of the fibers with the ceramic... 

'if your knees aren't green by the end of the day,

you need to seriously re-examine your life.'

calvin (bill watterson)

'kickin' back' encourages you to relax, take in the colors and textures of the earth, water and sky... small copper bird charm is a reminder of why this necklace was created... 

'and forget not that the earth delights to feel your bare feet

and the winds long to play with your hair.'

- kahlil gibran 

'caught in the breeze' were created by etching copper and nickel sheet... then wirewrapping fibers and ribbon... 

'this very moment is a seed from which

the flowers of tomorrow's happiness grow.'

'margaret lindsey

'make your wish, plant the seed' created by etching copper sheet, wirewrapping faceted amethyst and tying on a bit of floss... amethyst is associated with quiet, calm & ultimately, peace... when one calms the mind, the door of opportunity opens wide... 

'all tangled up' is a well-mixed (thanks to robert frost for my most fav quote ever) design of enamel, glass, ceramic, pewter, crystal, turquoise, leather, metals and fibers... marsha neal studio, barbara lewis, linden avenue designs, zippy beads, green girl studios & purple pozies all represented here... 

the first 3 pieces are available in the my mom pattie shop ... 

as the holidays bear down - stay centered... i am feeling very 'off' due to the avalanche of materialism... it's been present since halloween, but when i get 50 mails for promos each time i sign on, it is just too much... stay connected to what is important to you... 

p.s. i am not a scrooge!