Cyber Links

I grew up well before cable TV ,cell phones and cyber connections. I wonder at our new world of instant communications.
My children gave me my first internet lessons. As computers became more and more a part of my every day life, I wondered if in the future face to face meetings might become rarer and rarer. At some point would people just sit in front of a screen with very little real human contact ?
Technically that may be happening . I no longer drag my art to craft shows ,I sell on ETSY instead. I did not even venture into a mall during the holidays. I did all my shopping on line . I think I found better gifts ,better prices and no mall madness.
Since my oldest daughter and I have busy lives and far different schedules , we e-mail much more frequently than we are able to meet . I am only able to see my grandchildren several times yearly.However,I get frequent updates, complete with almost instant photos of every thing going on in their lives.
I can do research and learn about anything I please, right in my own living room !
I have discussions with people all over the world! I can share my interests with friends I will never actually meet in person . I often share the in and outs of daily life with these cyber friends .
Events from weather to war are all happening where I have a cyber friend or acquaintance.
I can relate World news to an artist ,beader or jewelry maker I "know".

Instead of the world becoming more impersonal ,it seems far smaller and well known to me .
Computer technology does cause me to spend time alone at the key board.
But, it somehow makes me feel more linked to humanity than ever before !
This holiday season ,I am grateful for all the wonderful people on the other side of my monitor.
Grateful for all the human links that bring so much to my life each day .
"God bless us, every one!"
Bead Happy ,
m.e. :)

Thinking outside the Season

Most people can sit back and savor the season they are in. But, jewelry designers need to think ahead . I enjoy making beads for designers ,so I have to stay one step ahead of them !
Others may be thinking of deep winter colors ,warm wool,icy snow etc.
But ,I've moved on to pastels and warm sunshine !

Lately I've been enjoying making some jewelry for myself using Art Bead Scenes monthly inspiration paintings. A nice way to relax and refresh my clay creativity!
I LOVE the colors in this months pick"untitled "by Krasnr
But, what should I make???

something graphic , primitive ...even some how Wintry you say?
Did you forget? My brain has fast forwarded to spring !

This the fall I planted some spring bulbs in rich reds and many shades of blue.
I've been gazing out my kitchen window looking at brown shades of my garden mulch .
I've been dreaming about how the garden will look when the my new flowers burst into bloom.
Last week we had a light snow and my brown garden was laced with white.

Of COURSE !!!
The picture is the perfect inspiration for a necklace design I'll call
"Think Spring"
No matter what season you're in ...ENJOY !
and
Bead Happy , m.e. :)

What Time is it ?

Counting down to 2010 !
I'm soooooooooooooo busy with holiday preparations !
I LOVE the holidays ! But, they can be exhausting.
This years biggest challenge is to keep our new kitten from redecorating our tree !!!

I'm doing ALL my shopping on line this year .Saves money ,time and my tired old feet!!!
I am able to find some really unique gifts! And the coffee is much cheaper at my house than at St*rbucks ..LOL!!!

If you are home getting ready for your holiday ...
take a moment to check out PCAGOE's monthly challenge .
The theme is "seasonal'' Some really great entries this month .
Vote for your favorite and you could win some special gifts
http://www.pcagoechallenge.blogspot.com/
and then go check out The PCAGOE AMAZING Stocking Giveaway
http://pcagoe.com/
shop for fabulous gifts AND be eligble to win one of those stockings ! WOW!!!!

better go get yourself another cup of coffee and start shopping !
Bead Happy , m.e. :)

Better Gifts ~ Less $$$ !!!

The wonder of the inter-net lets us avoid all the mall hub bub
And
purchase fabulous unique gifts !!!
ETSY is a wonderland of unique handmade items
I can find something perfect for everyone there !
I can shop from the comfort of my home ..in my sweats...drinking my coffee !
Does it get any better than that?
IT DOES !!! I'll be offering 20% everything in my shop !
(custom items not included)
so will many PCAGOE members ..so check out their $ales !
and there's more!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The PCAGOE BFCM sale overlaps our AMAZING STOCKING GIVE AWAY!!!!


just look at what you could win !!!!!!

First prize includes $75 gift certificate













Second prize includes $50 gift certificate
Third prize includes $25 gift certificate
go to http://pcagoe.com/ for more contest destails

YOU GOTTA LOVE THIS !
GREAT GIFTS !
AMAZING BARGAINS !
and
the more you buy , the more chances you have to win those stockings!
What are you waiting for ? start shopping !
and be sure to ...
Bead Happy , m.e. :)

Meditation Magic

the Holiday Hustle is here !!! Everyone seems to be busy ,busy, busy with preparations.
I took a moment of meditation to create my fairy necklace for the Art Bead Scene challenge.
http://artbeadscene.blogspot.com/
I am pleased with the result . A light airy
piece that makes me feel a sense of clam when I wear it .
A bit of Fairy magic to sustain me !
whewwwww ...I need that .

Don't misunderstand..I'm not a bah humbug person!
I do LOVE the holiday excitement !
I just need a breather now and then ..do you?

must get back to work now ..lots of beads and pendants waiting in my workshop!

I am getting ready for the big PCAGOE black Friday /cyber Monday sale
and the PCAGOE AMAZING Stocking prize contest !!!!!
http://pcagoe.com/
You will Not believe the prizes !!!
more about it later.............
for now
Bead Happy ,
m.e. :)

from Focal to Finish....

I think I am a bead maker not a jewelry designer . I do envision potential designs when I create my beads. But, I really enjoy seeing how someone else uses them .
Remember that childhood whisper game ? The first person whispers to the next and by the time the last person is whispered to, the phrase has changed entirely !
Clay is like that ...someone makes the clay ,the next person makes the beads etc. By the time someone is wearing the creation ,everything seems so different .

I am lucky that my beads get good homes. It's wonderful to see them in a such a variety of beautiful creations.
I wish I could see every bead in it's final setting!
I am grateful to all the talented jewerly makers who use my beads in their fabulous designs!

This week I am going to venture into some jewelry making of my own.
The Art bead scene blog has great monthly contests .
The inspiration is a new piece of art every month .This month the painting is "Fairy Feller's-Master Stroke" by Richard Dadd. http://artbeadscene.blogspot.com/

I LOVE fairies and I do want some new jewelry for the holidays.
So I decided to to see what I can come up with using the painting to jump start my muse !
I gathered some elements together.
But , for now my muse is still musing . ....
Bead Happy , m.e. :)

Could this be you?

MS. ROBOT


Do you ever get so caught up in the routine of life that you feel like a robot ?
We all need to find those things that bring us joy and keep us feeling alive .
For me it's my polymer clay. Creating with clay is almost a form of mediation for me.
It clears my mind of daily tasks,troubles and thoughts. In my clay world, I relax and revitalize in the world of my imagination . Taking time out just to play can be a good thing .
Playing with clay is good for me !

Most of my work goes into my ETSY shop .
Every once in awhile I make something just for me .
Below is my glow in the dark Ghost bangle bracelet .
Very easy to make and so much fun to wear !

Ms .Robot is over at my ETSY shop right now ! She's my entry for November's PCAGOE challenge ! The theme is "metallic showdown "
Check out the AWESOME entries !
Vote for your favorite and you'll be in the drawing for some wonderful prizes !
http://pcagoe.com/

Don't forget to take some time to play today....
Bead Happy ! :) m.e.

This is Unreal !

Once in awhile it's interesting to try a new tecnique .My daughter experimented with Raku in a pottery class . I just loved how it looked.It goes wonderfully with the copper and bronze that I'm seeing so much of . I decided to try to "raku "my clay !
I suppose I 'll have to call it a Faux finish . Although, I'm not enamored with the term......

Faux= fake: not genuine or real; being an imitation of the genuine article

I'm not really trying to imitate something. I'm just inspired by it !
My designs and my life find inspiration at every turn . I hope neither my work or my personality seem fake or not genuine . Real polymer clay creations ,real m.e. ! Inspired by life !!!

Some time ago there was on -line a discussion where metal artists criticized the polymer clay community's use of the term Mokume Gane .
I'm too busy having fun with clay too worry about where to draw the line between fact and faux.
How do you feel about it?
for now
Fantasy Flowers inspired by the ceramic tecnique Raku
seems like much too long a title ...
so it's Faux Raku from me this week !

Bead Happy, m.e :)

Does Size Matter ?

If you only check out the big things in life you miss a lot !
I think you SHOULD sweat the small stuff !!!
Take time to really appreciate nature's finite detail .
Don't just stop and smell the roses ...look closely !
Meditate on the minuscule.
It is " a small world after all "
A world of wonder that many pass by without taking the time to notice .

I love small !

Most of my designs are small ! I like tiny details. I love making small fairies, small figures,small flowers !
But... BIG is in! Big jewelry is in the fashion forecast !
I'm not much of a trend follower . I'm far from a fashionista !
But, I do love making flowers ... so I'm trying out a new design . BIG floral pendants !
of course......... I am adding small details !

Bead Happy ! :) m.e.

Pick a Favorite !!!

the PCAGOE October challenge theme is "favorite artist "
voting begins Oct 1 Check out the members great entries !!!
you could win prize just for voting !!!
http://pcagoe.com/

Picking an artist was all BIG challenge for me !
I have a favorite soft drink ,a favorite laundry detergent ...even a favorite brand of peanut butter .
But , a favorite artist ???
Some art makes me think ,some inspires me . Sometimes I wonder at the skill of the artist . Sometimes I wonder at the artist's vision . Art can elicit strong emotion . Art can even entertain. I believe valid art can be pretty for just for pretty's sake . Art can tell us about the world ,the artist, ourselves . All that is ... all that can be imagined .........

Should I pick a great master, a contemporary artist ....maybe a folk artist ?
A painter ,sculptor...maybe a jewelry designer ???

Impossible !!!! I could NOT pick a favorite artist !!!

In the end I decided to make a tiny ballerina pendant inspired by Degas
One of his sculptures stood in the entrance hall at the Baltimore Art museum when I was a child .
That little Ballerina pointed the way to my appreciation of Art .
My entry is tribute to her as well as her creator, Degas.

Who my favorite artist is seems to depend on time, place and my mood
At the present one of my very favorites is my 5 year old granddaughter,Caroline .
Her art brings me great joy !!! Below her portrait of me!
Bead Happy , m.e. :)

Water Therapy

I am busy ,busy ,busy with Holiday clay!!!!
I do find clay very relaxing. But, sometimes I even need a break from that !

For me Scuba diving is a way to restore myself. Submersing myself the ocean seems to clear my mind and bring me great peace. I only am able to dive a few time a year and the memories do sustain me. But, I have made a great discovery !!!
"Teens 4 Oceans " is a wonderful conservation group that has placed 2 live underwater cameras in the Florida Keys . I can sit in my living room and watch the fish !!!
check out
http://www.teens4oceans.org/webcam/ggrp/camer1.html
you may have to scroll down a bit to see the cameras. They are working on a better web site layout ...just take a minute to look around .
Depending on the time of day and how recently they have cleaned the camera lens you can see the real time world under the Bahia Honda bridge and the Dry Tortugas dock .
The only problem is, just when I decide to stop looking , something really cool swims by !
I have seen turtles on several occasions and once a shark!
Very exciting !!!!!
In fact ,maybe the site is not so much relaxing as mind clearing .
Give it a look, if you need a moment to refresh or perhaps some fishy inspiration!

Bead Happy , m.e. :)

* photo by Annie, taken on our dive at Looe Key in June

beyond color...

Recently I completed a piece that will appear in a clay calendar .
All the calendar photos will be in black and white.
I'm all about color ! I love it !
In fact one of the things I like best about polymer clay is that I can
mix my own shades . Then there are Skinner blends , Mokume gane ...
no end to the color !

However ,this project did make me step back and think
How dependent is a design on color ? Will a shape stand alone ?
Things just don't look the same in black and white .
Annie's photo of a local stream ,lets me concentrate on the shapes of nature rather than the shades.

Last week I thought about color combination's.
This week I'm contemplating black, white and the inevitable shades of gray......

Bead Happy !
:) m.e.

Color Combos!

Mother nature comes up with some amazing color combination's !
This month so did the members of PCAGOE !!!
We voted for 3 color choices .
Our September challenge was to make something using the top 3 colors
and 1 ... only ONE other !!!

The winning colors were Yellow -orange ,Blue- green and Blue -violet !
Yikes !!!

It took most of us some time to come up with ideas.
But ,the final results are awesome !
Come have a look !!!
Be sure to vote for your favorite starting September 1
http://pcagoe.com/

here's my entry ...a Fantasy Floral Pendant
Surprising how the color combo seemed to work after all !
Take a hint from mother nature
try some wild and wonderful colors combos this week !!!
Bead Happy ,
m.e :)

ps : finch photo taken by Annie at Key West butterfly conservancy

Summer showers bring....

Today we're having steamy August rain showers.
A gift from tropical storm Bill, I think .
In the midst of the oppressive heat and humidity I need to to dream up some Fall creations for my shop !
How can I think of crisp, cool Autumn days when I feel like I'm melting ?

I was worried my Muse might rather take a siesta than bring me inspiration today.
But,then she whispered in my ear ....
pstt....remember Summer showers ?
what ???
Muses can be a bit vague sometimes ... at least mine is!
then I DID remember !

My daughter took these photos during a rain shower in Key West this summer.
Simple flower petals on the car parked next to us.
(I told you she sees pictures everywhere!)
There they were !
Gorgeous Autumn Colors captured during a summer rain !!!

I hope they will bring you some inspiration too!
I'm off to have some fun with fall foliage !!!
till next week...
Bead Happy, m.e. :)

Testing the Water...

The good news is, I'm selling more than I ever imagined I would !
The bad news is ,I don't have enough time to do everything I want to do!!!!
I've had to stop and realize I just can not do it all!!!
I'm still afraid to quit the reliable income of my day job for the unreliable income of my clay sales. Creating with clay full time, is my dream . But, I can't do that yet !

This week I had to make some VERY hard decisions about which direction I wanted my clay to take me.

I been involved with dogs in one form or another for ....forever !!!
I've been an obedience trainer and a long time dog groomer .
I've owned a pet shop and worked for big boarding kennel .
Presently I am a veterinary receptionist.
I think I'm about 50% dog hair !!!


Creating my custom pet items has been rewarding on many levels.
However, it is very labor intensive !!!
There just aren't enough hours in the day to fill all my recent orders for wedding cake toppers!
No time left to just play around with clay and test new ideas .

Custom work brings a certain stress to the clay table,
deadlines and a need to create with someone's vision in mind
I NEED the income from my clay work !
But, I also think I need the relaxation and escape , creativity brings me.
After long anxious hours of deliberation I have decided to
stop taking on-line custom orders . I am going take time to consintrate on bringing my new ideas to life.

There are moments in life when change is necessary or at least wise .
Not all of us are comfortable just jumping into the water and hoping we float !
Perhaps we would be better off just doing a big old cannon ball into the pond !
But, I'm going to take change more slowly.
For today I've decided to stop pacing the cage and test new waters !
:) m.e.

PS: the photo is my daughters work . It just fit my mood !

Hot & Sunny today....

August is HOT and sunny in Maryland!
It's a time of great abundance
Silver Queen sweet corn, ripe home grown tomatoes, Eastern shore cantaloupes and Chesapeake Bay steamed crabs!!!
Time to drink cool drinks in the shade or head " down the ocean" for some boardwalk breezes !
It's hard not to slow down on these humid, hot days of summer .
This is a month we all should take it easy ,
sit on a porch ,rock, and sip iced tea.
We should find moments to relax and relish the abundance of summer.
Rest and revive ourselves.

But, Fall is just around the corner ...
time for back to school and holiday preparations !!!

As I enjoy the lazy days of summer part of me is thinking
what new inspirations will I find this Autumn?
;) m.e.
,

My Mixed Media Heart

My polymer clay group's monthly challenge theme for August was "mixed media".
My entry is a tribute to Frida Kahlo .
Her life and her art have greatly inspired me.
I guess you wouldn't expect that .
Frida doesn't bring to mind the fairies and roses I so often make !!!
Yet she is tucked into my heart along with many other artists,
friends, sights , sounds , even scents.
I have a "mixed media " collage of influence within me !
Do you?

PCAGOE members produced some amazing creations for this months challenge
If you can pick a favorite ...be sure to vote
You could win a prize just for voting !
:) m.e.
http://pcagoe.com/

morphing

pardon me for starting your day with a cliche....
but, my children are my best creations ever!
Watching my daughter grow into a talented photographer is a wonder to me !
She has such passion and dedication .
The Butterfly Conservancy in Key West was an amazing adventure .
Zillions of butterfly jewels from all over the world in a tropical garden setting !
She was in photographers paradise ! She'll twist into any uncomfortable position and hold still forever to get the shot she's after !
At one point a guide stopped her to say"you have broken more rules than any visitor we've ever had! But, you're so dedicated to getting your photos ...go ahead !!! "
She explained she was being careful not damage the foliage.
But, she really wanted a photo of the Blue Morpo Butterfly !
Hard to do because they have rather dull brown outer wing color and seem to always rest with their wings folded shut .
"yes " said the guide "everybody wants a picture of that one ...but it's almost impossible to get"
hummmmmm.... oh yeah !
we stayed an extra hour...but, she got the shot !

Following a dream, takes patience and persistence
One must be willing to grow , change,and sometimes take risks, to reach a goal .


wonderful to watch my little caterpillar morphing.......
:) m.e. (proud mom )

Expect the Unexpected

I expected to return from my vacation with design ideas from our scuba diving adventures
I did return with a years worth of under the sea inspiration.
However, I unexpectedly found even more to influence my work !
Who could resist the calm graceful beauty of these koi ?
The pond was at the Key West Butterfly Conservancy,
a place I hoped find inspiring butterfly patterns and colors .
I did have magical butterfly encounters (more about those next Friday)
However, I also brought home many ideas for new koi pendants.

When we seek inspiration
we receive it ...
just not always in the way we expected .....
:) m.e.

How I Sea Things

I'm still reliving my wonderful experiences from my Florida Keys vacation .
My daughter was so excited to have the opportunity to use our new underwater camera
She had decided to concentrate on "things that stay still" ,like corals ,until she honed her skills.
But ,this turtle had other ideas !
It swam by just luring us to follow .
We had over 20 minutes of awe inspiring time ,swimming along with this wonderful creature.

My daughter was thrilled with her many wonderful turtle photos!
We will always treasure this "once in a life time shot "and the memory of the special moment we shared.

The first creation directly inspired by my trip had to be a turtle .
Most of my work is part nature as it is ..part nature as I imagine it .
My pendant is a bit like the turtle I saw .But, I used a fanciful cane to add the magic the encounter held for me .

I think this is the gift art gives us .
Artists (I use the term loosely to describe myself) are able share the world as they experience it
When we share our creations we are sharing the moments of our lives.

PCAGOE challenge

Garden fairies come at dawn,
Bless the flowers then they're gone.
~Author Unknown

This months PCAGOE challenge was to make a "vessel"
Sometime I don't know where my ideas come from!!!
This little fairy's head is an empty vessel
It's just waiting to be filled with all sorts of wonderful flowers and foliage!

Maybe I'm my own inspiration...
my head is often empty ...
just waiting to be filled with fresh ideas !!!
:) m.e.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The Polymer Clay Artists Guild of Etsy (PCAGOE TEAM) invites all our friends and colleagues to participate in our monthly challenge contest by voting for your favorite entry at our team website at http://pcagoe.com/ between July 1 and midnight, EST of July 7, 2009. Winning entries will be announced on the website on July 8. Five lucky voters, chosen at random, will also receive beautiful polymer clay items handmade by our member artisans, which you may also view at the website. So come join in the fun. You could be a winner, too!

The Inspration Bubble

I'm on inspiration over load !!!
From one week of vacation I stored a year's worth of ideas!
All the floral and fauna of Florida keys are spinning in my mind.
The colors and textures above and below the ocean enchanted me!
My brain can't wait for my fingers to touch clay again!
I'm been looking through our photos trying to decide where to start.
This one made me stop and think...
I won't be making clay bubbles .
But , I am very inspired by this memory ,
not by the shapes or even the colors.
I'm affected by the moment itself.
A fleeting few seconds of magic,a mood.. a feeling....an atmosphere.
This inspiration may not affect the outside of my designs...
But, I think it will affect to soul of them.
:) m.e.

Business Trip....

I'm about to set off for another great day off scuba diving . Last night the sunset at Mallory Square was spectacular . My daughter is in photographer's heaven ! We can't take two steps without her stopping to take a picture! She has taken over 800 shots of floral ,fauna and fish!!!

I am storing away a years worth of wonderful inspiration .
I look forward to to translating my vacation memories into clay creations .
In fact.....
since I 'm using this trip as a source of design and color inspiration...
couldn't I somehow deduct the cost as a business express ? ? ?
off to dive ...see you next Friday
:D m.e.

Packing for Vacation

I'm soooooo excited !
I'm leaving for the Florida Keys tomorrow !
My vacation time is almost here ! !!
However, there is a stress factor involved .I have to get everything ready !I have to PACK !!!!
I'll admit, I find myself obsessing over what to take .
I have to be sure we have all our scuba gear , clean clothes,
camera ,suntan lotion,toothpaste ,deodorant, ...............
the list goes on and on .....
what if my glasses break ..better take spare pair !
what if I get a blister...throw in a few bandages !
we might get sunburned...pack the aloe gel !
what if I forget something I need!!!!!!!
wait............
what if I do ? ??
Dive shops rent gear
They DO have stores in the Keys !
and changes of clothes....
" no shoes , no shirt , no problem!"

I REALLY need a vacation..
I think I'll revise my list

Things to Bring on Vacation:

sense of humor
flexible schedule
imagination/inspiration
ability to compromise
relaxed attitude
open mind

I think that's better ...
did I forget any thing ???
:) m.e.

What bugs me...

I never seem to have enough time !!!
Good news is, I am very busy with orders for Custom Wedding Cake toppers !
Bad news is , I am sadly neglecting my blog :(

It really BUGS me when I find a great blog ..
return hoping to read more interesting "stuff "
only to find that the blog is rarely , if ever updated !!!

I promised myself when I started I would post daily...
well ....
maybe every other day...
how 'bout trying for 3 times a week...

alas I have become my own Blog Bugger !!!
I'm not finding the time post here !
Perhaps no one reads my blog anyway.
But, I have my personal goals to reach!

I here by swear, I WILL post something new here EVERY Friday !

I WILL achieved the goals I set for myself.
(even if it means lowering the bar )
if you're out there,
have a Wonderful Weekend
I 'll be back next Friday !
really ....
I will ........ :D m.e.

Details ,details.....

I'm trying to learn to take better photos for my ETSY store listings. I suppose the word "better " implies I am trying to improve photo quality. That might be a bit deceiving..in fact I'm trying to learn to take a picture that has a recognizable subject matter!
Fortunately my daughter 's hobby is macro photography . Unfortunately she does very little in door photography !My cyber friends have kindly offered some very helpful sugestions . There is also a surprising amount of help to be found all over the inter-net.
I 'm trying to find the proper balance between showing the product and making a pretty picture . It's tempting to get carried away with the artistic composition . That's the fun part for me! But too much "fun "in the photo and the product doesn't stand out . My photos ,like my life, have to maintain a practical side. But, not too practical !!! I need a bit of art and laughter in my pictures and in my life ! But, in all things ,we need both the serious and not so serious elements.

How do we find the proper proportions of ,
productive and playful ...serious and silly... facts and fantasy ?
In my quest for the right balance ....
for today ,
I 'm just going to concentrate on the details and hope the rest just happens on it's own !
:) m.e.

free with every purchase

Think about what medium an artists uses...what materials are included in a piece.
It's never just the clay,paint ,paper etc.... it is also a little bit of heart and soul .
A part of ourselves goes into each and every creation .Even our simplest design needs a bit of the artist in it . I don't think the best techniques and supplies can produce any real creation without a bit of the artist mixed in . Sometimes this makes us feel vulnerable to criticism . Hard not to take it personally when your efforts are misunderstood or not appreciated.
But, WONDERFUL when you can share your inspiration with others !
I feel so gratified when even my tiniest creation let's me share a feeling or a smile with someone .

Maybe buyers don't stop to think that a little of the artist is included free with each purchase .
I guess it's the secret ingredient you don't really notice, like that like pinch of salt in the stew.
You may not see the heart and soul my daughter put into the photo above...but, look more closely..... she's in there !
;) m.e.

No's to Nose

Most of my creations are made with color blends dreamed up for the design I happen to be working on. I really love the freedom of playing with colors that suit my mood . However, custom orders almost always call for specific colors . For exact matches, snippets of fabric, paper etc can be snail mailed to be used as a guide . But, there are times I must rely on my monitor.
Case in point ...can't send a dog nose through the mail ! The photos for this bride's nose made it look gray( top photo shows nose #1 )
In fact, bride is a "red nosed" pit .The customer requested I change the nose color if possible . Ahhhh, the wonder of polymer clay ! With the help of a surgical blade ,liquid clay and a little re-baking ..nose job complete ! Nose # 2 ( bottom photo ) is the now correct shade !
I have worked with dogs for many years and presently work as a veterinary receptionist .
I decided to match my "nose clay" to a dog at work, instead of going by the picture on my computer screen . The human bride was pleased with the result. Her wedding cake topper is on it's way to her right now . A happy outcome for customer and me !
but, it does make me think ...
in life
should we be influenced by what something seems to be ...or as we believe it to be ?
Is reality what is is or what we think it is?

who knows how a nose got me thinking about this........
:D m.e.