Through The Keyhole

Ethiag and Laini (a great story)

I've been cruising blogs this morning, visiting some I'd not been to in months and months. I was getting caught up on Laini Taylor's blog, grow wings where I found this story about Ethiag a creepy ghost girl. Enter a fantastic world in one short click. It's a fabulous read. I wish it were an entire book.

Snow is forcast for the next few days here in Seattle. I'd love a few snowy days. We stocked up on soup making supplies last night and this afternoon I'll take Tanner to get videos. Last night after a yummy brazilian dinner D and I spent a fabulous couple of hours at University Bookstore. There were tables and tables of books on sale and I loaded up with this, and this and this. Cozy days snuggled in doors with warm drinks, soft blankets, comfort food, a good movie, magical books, and nothing to worry about. Bliss, pure unadulterated bliss!

Enjoy your weekend.

Where do you find inspiration?

I've been considering where I draw my inspiration from recently.  Wondering if I have a style and if I do why.  A few days ago, a friend described my style as organic, helping me to see what was right in front of me.  Isn't that the way, sometimes you can't see the answer staring you in the face because you're just too close to it.  Or it's so obvious.  We all draw inspiration from what's around us but our personal internal filters really influences what and how we see.  You and I look at the same thing and I see a texture and you see a color and she sees a shape.  It fascinates me. 

So that brings me back to where do I find inspiration. (click on photos to enlarge) 

I look down.

I look up.

I look closer.

I look beside me and try to see the world as he does.  With wonder and as though it was all new.

Where do you find your inspiration?

A Beginning

I'm finally taking the time to start this blog.  I've been waiting for a clear idea of what I wanted to do with it but fear and intimidation has blocked inspiration so I'm just jumping in.  I chose the name months and months ago then discovered another blog with something very similar in the subtitle.  Ah well, so much for originality.

Here's some jewelry I've been working on recently.  I made this lapis ring in a jewelry/metalsmithing class I took at Pratt here in Seattle.  It was my first time to use a torch, make a bezel, and forge metal.  Here's another view.

 

Next I started a pair of earrings using foldforming. 

I'm not quite certain how I'll finish these yet.  Either solder a jump ring to the top or drill a hole and add a jump ring.

Finally, a necklace I started in Nina Bagely's Sticks and Stones class at Art and Soul 2006.  Can it really have been over a year?  I got discouraged because the copper wire I was using to make links wasn't acquiring a patina like the original wire I'd used.  I think it must have a protective coating on it that must be removed.  I'll likely cut the links off and begin again.

   

With that, I'm signing off.  I'll see you here again soon.