Voilets are Blue

Violets are blue? Are you sure ? This one looks more purple on my monitor !
Would you say its a shade of amethyst ... or lavender,lilac ,mulberry,periwinkle ,plum ?
Color blending is my favorite part of playing with clay . I never use a "recipe '' I just add a bit of this ..a bit of that til I get what I like or I get what I need.
Then comes the puzzle of putting the colors together . What matches....what contrasts ?
When is a match too boring and predictable ? When is a contrast too jarring and abrasive? Sometimes it's best if shades just slowly combine without any distinct line between them.
Other times the colors might stand side by side creating a nice balance and harmony.

The rhyme says violets are blue.But, it may not be that simple. We should stop and take a better look. We have so many choices.
What are the colors of life?
How can we best mix ,match and contrast them ?
:) m.e.

ps :the photo was taken by my daughter Annie...we are busy choosing some of her work for a new line of gift cards

WHAT did you say !!!

The internet has created a whole new interpretation of the rules of etiquette.
We are now able to easily communicate with people all over the world !
We have an amazing way to sell,trade ,share and develop friendships.
I can sell something to a lady in Paris, share clay designs with someone in Israel ,chat about craft techniques with someone in Australia...all while sitting at home in my PJ's drinking my first cup of morning coffee !

But ,there is one thing to keep in mind ...our cyber friends can't see our expressions ,read our body language or hear our tone of voice. What we think we are communicating, may be totally misinterpreted !
This photo is of my dog Willy and new kitten Poly .
It looks like Poly is frightened to death !
But ,in truth she was just yawning when the photo was snapped !

So my friends ,if I think I am writing some very funny stuff..and you think I'm being rude..
Please forgive me .
If I think I am writing something brilliant and you think I'm writing something stupid
well...................I still may believe it's brilliant ! LOL!

As you browse around your wonderful cyber world ... if someone upsets you ,
take moment to reflect before you respond .
You might be getting angry when you really should just be yawning !
:) m.e.

Take time to Remember

This is Memorial day weekend in the USA, a time to remember those who have died in military service.
The holiday weekend has become the traditional time to welcome Summer . I find it a fitting tribute for families to spend the weekend together ,celebrating a way of life others fought to preserve.
People will enjoy cookouts and picnics,swimming pools will open,children will begin a count down to the last day of school .
However ,in the midst of the merry making, I hope we will all take a moment to remember our fallen heroes .
******************************************************************

I'm spending part of my weekend finishing a custom wedding cake topper.
I'll post a photo next week .My daughter is on summer break from college .
My photo classes can begin!!! WOO HOO !!!

Happy weekend to my friends all over the world !
:) m.e.

One Thing leads to Another

Now that I started rethinking my "Tussie Mussie" brooch design ...I can't stop making them!!!
In somebody's world practice may make perfect...but,in my world practice makes new things to list in my on-line store! I have many, many new items just waiting for a photo shoot with my daughter !
For me the process of creating is partly about a planned concept ..partly just diving in and seeing what happens. Sometimes I think I want the clay to go one way ..but, it tells me it would rather go another.No,I don't hear voices in my head! I just start off thinking the clay should go a little like this ..and then realize it would look better a little like that ! These brooches really lend them selves to a "go with the flow" design process .Very relaxing to let go of control and let the medium be my guide.
Most days we have to swim ..some days we have to swim up stream...once in a while it's pleasant just to drift awhile...
:) m.e.

Chasing Rainbows

Happy Monday!
No, you're not bleary eyed from the weekend....this photo is really fuzzy!!!
Only a few more days until my daughter finishes her exams.Then she has graciously promised to give me photography lessons ! Thank goodness !!!

Friday's rainbow turned into a "tussie mussie" brooch.
This brooch holds enough water for a tiny bouquet . I "borrowed " the buttercups from my neighbors lawn!
When I first started using polymer clay, I was selling herbs at local farmers markets. I created these pins as a way for my customers to enjoy fragrant herbs wherever they went. That was long before I knew about skinner blends ,or any of the myriad of fancy and faux techniques I love to play with now.The rainbow inspired me to rethink my original design .Same concept ..tweaked and tinkered with !
Old ideas given new life ...new ideas being born ..ever dreaming of the next compelling project...
Art maybe like chasing rainbows
if we think too much about that pot of gold ..we risk overlooking the true wonder of the process
:) m.e

Capture a Rainbow

It's been raining far to long at my house.I'm longing for some sunshine . But ,I do like a rainy day now and then.I find them rather restful . I think the sound of rain falling is soothing . Gray sky's and dampness seem like an invitation to relax ...put chores on hold til the weather "clears up "
Can't weed the garden or work outside... can't really notice the dust build up inside... good excuse to play with clay all day! And best of all ,the magic of clay let my capture a rainbow !!! Now that I have hold of it ..what to make ??? What can one make out of pieces of rainbow ? I wonder what mother nature does with all of her used one's ? Maybe she makes butterflies.....

I'll be back Monday to post some sort of rainbow creation .
if anybody is out there reading this ...
Happy Weekend to you !
: ) m.e.

Indirect Inspiration

Not every source of inspiration is obvious.
Less than a hour ago I took this photo of geese grazing in the field right out my front door ! Today I will not make a clay goose.I will not make any items in green ,blue or tan shades. The art work I create today will not seem to be connected to watching these geese at all .
yet...
that moment spent connecting with nature has surely inspired me .
It has changed how I feel this moment .It will in some way influence everything I will be creating ...everything I think and do today .


before I become too serious...
let me add,... the experience has also inspired me
to have my daughter give me some intensive photography lessons this summer !!!
:) m.e.