Winter Wonderland

Though this area doesn't usually get snow, we weren't the exception to last weekend's storm system:

Having recently lived in the US Tundra (cleveland), I was well prepared with this awesome snowsuit:

I was also well prepared to pelt my husband with my awesome bucket of war balls:

Then we used the bottle caps from our beers for eyes when making this guy here:

but now its melting away and temps will be in the 60s this weekend.  There's much to be done- preparing the shops for 2011, getting a good system going, and all the usual resolutions.

Watching episodes of hoarders has got me wanting to do a big clean of the condo- new year, new organization!

Here I am wearing my wonderful, recycled, Yoga Shrug from Rockstar Rehab.  After a 9 hr drive, K.t. and I went to Faith's studio where, amongst an army of industrial sewing machines and a work table that makes you insanely jealous yet wet at the same time, we participated in an evening of candlelit yoga.  It was so relaxing and I think I might adopt the practice.  Though I'd have to start eating less at night or waking up earlier to do it.  

We then took a lovely drive to the local mart for wine which paired well with all the amazing food she had prepared!  After detecting a hint of garlic in the kitchen we were presented with a Vegan Feast.  Hummus, pita, couscous, vegan burgers,  luscious sweet snap peas....

She then gifted me the shrug that I had been using during our practice:

Kt is also wearing an angora recycled sweater neck warmer I made.

A great time was had by all at the Red Giant show.  Cleveland was covered in snow yet the entire front row was made up of our closest friends.  They played songs from the new album, Dysfunctional Majesty.

 Then there were lots of people dressed as Santas so I took a pic with a couple of them:

Hello, strangers, I'm Drunk!

Fun Fun Times.  And now I have a lot of stuff to clean up after our weekend adventure as well as last minute Christmas gifts yet to be made!

Recycled Sweater

I have a really nice, chunky, wool sweater that's a darker beige than this shawl shown:

and it's so big it makes me look about 6 sizes larger though the sleeves are 7 inches too short.  It has lovely vintage wooden buttons that I will save for something.  I was trying to imagine what I would turn it into and in the past used felted wool sweaters for purses, scarves, arm/leg warmers and neck warmers. But i never used a large bulk of the sweater and with such a nice pattern I want to use as much of it as possible on the one piece.  After searching for maybe hours on etsy and ebay looking for the perfect shaw one night, I realized I could have spent that time MAKING one.  I really like this one knitted by reunasilmukka.  

I can't believe I have not come across a tutorial to turn a sweater into a shawl yet!  i figure cut up the sides, cut open the arms, sew each arm edge to a bodice edge and maybe leave an opening for arms.  I ll keep looking but may just use the bottom half to make the above.

I'll take my time before making that first cut though.  In the mean time I'll straighten up the studio; it literally looks like an episode of hoarders in here.

The darkness of the morning

A cloud made its way in today.  Maybe through the cracks around the door that let in a bit of light and cold air; it condensed on its way through then expanded back to its dark form.  Slowly meandering down the hall and through the kitchen I was completely unaware of its presence as I lay in bed cuddling a kitty and wondering how to do my hair today.  Yet by the time I lifted my head off the pillow it had made its way to me and I instantly entered the fog of despair.  Lightning bolts of doubt and worthlessness shocked me to the core and I was electrocuted into a paralytic state.  Many things will come and go into our lives but our sense of worth and purpose is like the air to our soul.  For an hour or more I was suffocating on this putrid air that was filling my lungs.  Every negative comment I've ever gotten immediately took attendance in my mind as the lyric "Dear God, I hate myself" cycled through my mind.  Alone, one can easily become lost and fighting our way out of this phenomenon becomes tedious and confusing.  While we're down, an army of negativity takes advantage by sending in line after line of dark soldiers.

What rescued me?   As my mind went to places it rarely dwells, I knew I needed to turn around and run though left with little strength I simply reached out my hand...  to someone on the other side of the spiritual quick sand that was rapidly engulfing me.  With loving and encouraging words they guided me through and as heavy as this blackness sat on my heart, I almost immediately felt my soul freed.

I believe in yin for yang, angels for demons and that though we were made in a holy image with great talents and gifts to fulfill our purpose and serve those around us- there are forces in the universe  that would act in contradiction to this.  I believe some people have dark souls but that many of our enemies are unseen.

I made a ton of last minute Christmas cards- all out of recycled materials but cannot find the plug for the battery recharger since my batteries (and backup batteries) are dead.  Sometimes it feels like something is hiding things from me- some otherworldly game of hide and seek using the things I would very much like to use.  I also can't find any hole punchers though I own three and one is the giant three-hole kind.

Since I can't add anything new, here's a pic of my husband.  At least I know I'll always have him as a fan!

Mojito the Drunken Whale

My brother's child's mother has been in labor all day as I have been laboring on this stuffed whale design.  I'm glad I did a small version before the large pillow I want to do because there are things I'd like to change as far as the shape.  He's super cute though and has a floppy tale.  Technically I could never sell this as a child's toy because of the button eyes and regulations require that all toys have a tag as to the contents.  That's why this is an adult toy or room decor.

Not such a great pic, but it's from my phone:

Vintage Button Eyes

Hello, December

All sold out of my lovely coffee sleeves.  I havent made any in a while and mine was accidentally tossed out but at least I had it for years before it suffered such a horrible fate.  I love this one pictured, because it's recycled denim and corduroy I got from a friend who passed away.

I think these sold so well because of my model's nipples.  Sex sells, baby.

Ooooh, and here's another fave!  I just found this fabric, too, after being separated from the bulk of my fabric collection

I'm also out of tea wallets but the to-do list is already so long.. .

Other than running out of stuff, the only other thing I have going on is chasing down a pack n run.  I had items on consignment at a local shop and, when driving by last week, the shop was completely gone!  I searched on the internet for a long time before finding a number that wasn't disconnected and that person claimed to have called me.  A couple weeks ago I got a call from a number I didn't recognize, but they hung up after a few rings, before I got to it and left no message- thought it was a wrong number.  I was told the owner gave them two days notice to pack up and vacate and was given his number but I've left two messages already.  I hope I get these items back they were really nice and a lot of it was sterling silver.  Plus, I could be selling them since my inventory is so low.

Hopefully he calls me soon and hasnt thrown my items away.  Who's the patron saint of artists?

Cross stitch Peacock

I havent cross stitched in maybe 15 years but suddenly got a hankering for it after finding my embroidery thread from middle school yesterday.  After searching through so many "grandma- themed" patterns, I settled on this awesome peacock pattern from 1742.  I love that someone hundreds of years ago was working on the same image and with the colors I have, it should turn out awesome.

I couldnt find a quilting hoop though so my hand started cramping from holding the fabric taut for even just half an hour.  I'm using a square of wool as opposed to cross stitch fabric so i dont get to see where the corners of the squares should be, but estimation works just fine.  I see this one as a practice run anyway to get my groove back:

workin up a mess

Mess Mess Mess

I pulled out all the christmas decor before cleaning up around here and before even starting on setting up the three trees, im really tempted to make some more stuff out of the coffee bean bags i have.   ugh.  every few weeks i transition from jewelry making to sewing then back and this usually creates even more chaos than usual.  plus im trying to get my studio completely organized.  oh well.  here are some photos from a couple days ago.

today im gonna work on the trees and making a masculine bag for my husband to put his guitar cords, extra pedals and other such music macabre in.   right after i tidy up the brows.

from the studio- they live in this little drawer and occasionally i open it up to say hello to the little family.  i have more members but theyre somewhere in the closet.

i recently rescued a lot of art and can't wait to put it up on the walls

9mm Luger and carved wooden skul

Leather Bracelets

I went into my studio to make rings out of old leather scraps when I made these bracelets instead:

This key one is unisex and I had my husband try it on.  Although he said it would be bad for guitar playing, he did like it.  I used leather and a key I found.

Here are the three I ended up making:

I love bracelets with "tails"; danglies make things much more awesome

Yoga and Ulcerative Colitis

"Yoga is one of the effective forms of treatment for ankylosing spondylitis"


Good to know.   I woke up this morning hardly able to move without horrible sharp pain in my very lower back.  Not a surprise since I was up so many times through the night and suffered yesterday as well.  Unable to switch into any position to relieve pain and being practically immobilized anyway- I lay awake, occasionally writhing from a sharp, shooting pain until I passed out again.   Sleeping next to someone is its own special torture.  I lay his hand on my back for the warmth which even if not soothing, was comforting but every time he moved it made me move with the slightest twist or turn causing much discomfort.  And also, I wanted to switch sides of the bed to avoid being moved as much when he got up to pee (he's usually against the wall) but this backfired!!  A couple times he came back to bed and almost lay right down on top of me forgetting we had rotated!  


When I first started having arthritis it was so baffling as I thought it was just my muscles.  Isn't laying down and relaxing supposed to help?  Fetal position, flat on my back, rolled into a ball and sleeping on my shins and forehead- NOTHING felt good and it all caused so much pain.  At the time I was an advil fiend (walmart brand anyway, cheapo) yet this did nothing.  As I've come to learn, it's usually worse in the morning and can ease up through out the day and with movement.  Knowing this I did do some yoga yesterday however they were modified movements at time and some stretches I right out skipped being extra sensitive of any signs my body gave me.   


I also suffer from arthritis in other joints (another kind of arthritis all together) and occasionally have problems with my knees, elbows, wrists, fingers, hips, and shoulders.  The worst is when I think that maybe my crafty lifestyle causes the pain in the wrists and fingers but I do try and do stretches that combat carpal tunnel and knowing everything else I do about my body I doubt the pain is from my artsy endeavors.


The internet is so great for research but I do extensive reading because there are varying theories and sometimes conflicting information.  I take it all in, contemplate, and take from it when I can.  I also read a lot of books about herbs, Ayurveda, nutrition, etc.  Not one person can be right, I know this.  But I can find what's right For Me.  The more I search, the more I find.  When you know what's going on, there's an essence of comfort.  


In addition to arthritis, I find I will sometimes develop inflammation of the iris of my eye, experience extreme fatigue, form super painful canker sores, and can succumb to malnutrition.  The difference between regular canker sores and mine is that instead of going away in a week, they have lasted over a month and instead of one, I sometimes get patches of many.  It gets extremely painful to eat, sleep, talk, smile, drink, and just EXIST!


It's nice to know that there's an answer for these things I've experienced and focuses my determination to find relief.   Through yoga, meditation, stress relief, awareness, and diet I find I "get sick" less frequently- though in the midst of a "flare up" I have to catch myself when I start getting scared and upset.    


I've had more, longer periods of remission since making a determined effort to get a handle on my health and disease and that to me is progress.


As far as drugs are concerned, I don't take my NSAIDs and doctors think I should be on steroids.   A lot of health practitioners would maybe say I'm wrong and hurting myself.   If I found a doctor that actually listened to me and heard my concerns I would consider what they said but so far I've had a lot of bad appointments and have left in tears feeling so alone and ignored.   


NSAIDs come in two categories- Selective and Non Selective.  One is more known for causing internal bleeding and that's what I got for the arthritis!  Why would I take a drug that makes the disease that causes the arthritis worse? Numbing the pain with these drugs would only surge the CAUSE of it!  How much sense does that make???  When I asked about a local support group or a way to find one I was told there were none- must ve been a lie to mask his ignorance.  


One form of solace on mornings like this is research.  Reading others' testimonials, checking up on new studies and possible causes- it pulls things into perspective and into something I can handle.  


All in all, everyone's got something.  There are tons worse diseases and situations than Ulcerative Colitis.


With the recent passing of a friend, the stress of traveling so much, and a couple weeks of sparse yoga- I'm sure I know the cause of this discomfort.   At least I have my beautiful, new, yoga mat to inspire me to get back into my routine!

Dia de los Muertos 2010, Dream Catcher

My camera mysteriously died and then came back to life again hours later so I didnt get too many pictures of the Cleveland celebration of Dia de los Muertos.  Also, I was busy leaving Stella's memorial, to pick up lobsters, to swing by the celebration, make a quick stop in Wall Eye Gallery, and then on to a friend's house.  This is indicative of a typical Cleveland weekend.  Always something to do and always (usually) crappy weather.

 I've always wanted to make a dream catcher and looked up some instructions online.  I made this one, but out of wire so you can tell it took me a while to get the twists right.  Oh well.  It hangs from leather and is accented with gemstones and glass beads.

Makin n Makin Some More

An herb bouquet since my flowers are dying.  Rosemary and African Blue Basil:

A display is never finalized.  Any time I've ever sold somewhere, I've had a totally different set up.  Here Im using a drill bit box to display lower priced earrings:

The weekend show went really well and was profitable.  Im glad Ive been making so much lately!

Another necklace I dont want to part with.  It reminds me of an Egyptian Princess.  Though who knows if they even had princesses.  I used recycled jewelry here and turquoise.  

And I finally made a tote bag out of one of the bean bags!  I got these from a local bean roaster and I've recycled one into a nice tote with an interior pocket and brass, magnetic snap closure.  Really perfect.  I know I have to many bags, but how can I not keep this one?!  

I  also made a couple yoga bags for my old and new mats.

I graduated from my mat I bought at Walmart some 5 years ago for a nice one from Gaiam.  I'd been looking for a couple of months and shopping around price wise.  I was familiar with the thicknesses, designs, and other features like being made free from toxic chemicals.  I went with a reversible 4mm (wanted 5 but compromised for the color) grape/mauve sticky mat.  I love it so far however its hard to put in the back because of its anti skid features!  I had to add a nice thick strip of vintage fabric to the purple corduroy just to wiggle it in.

Last of the fall flowers...

R.I.P. Stella Salamone

My heart has ached for the last few days upon hearing you were in the hospital.  I hope you felt the many prayers I sent your way.  I should have been there with you and tried to stay up all night but I passed out between 3 and 4 this morning and just woke to learn that you passed early this morning.

I pray your soul made it quickly to the other side and you will stop in to say hello.  Please send strength and angels to your husband who is horribly broken up.

I'm gonna miss you so terribly much!

The airwaves won't be the same without our Thrash Queen



I'll miss your always open door and the invitations to dinner or just to stop in for a beer to watch YouTube videos.  We always looked out for each other no matter what tragedy the day brought.  I miss cook outs with you.  I miss your unique style and your great art.  I miss your blunt honesty which made you such a true friend.  And I dearly miss your laugh.   How can anything be the same?

My only solace in this moment is that I will see you again and you are finally free from all that pain

Day of the Dead part I

In case anyone wondered what the Mother Mary Machine actually is-

A Marshall full stack with Our Lady of Guadalupe on the screen.  Here is an artist rendition:

This time of year always makes me reminisce about Dia de los Muertos and how much fun it was in Cleveland last year!  There was such a great community festival with a lot of artist involvement.

Here is the entrance to the graveyard where you could leave messages for the dead:

Many artists, myself included, had the honor of creating ofrendas or shrines within the church.  There was such a great variety of interpretation it turned out to be a very spiritual night.

Here is a couple from the parade that went down the street

This was a great, life size Mary

All of these were handmade!

This is part of the shrine that I made.  It was in honor of my grandmother, my cat Chango, and Our lady of Guadalupe.  We built the display and filled it with paintings, drawings, a quilt, and mementos.

The air was filled with incense and music

This was the main altar made by Dante Rodriguez in honor of his abuela.  I love the housecoats and they reminded me of my own grandmother!

Here is another close up of mine:

This is a view at night when the sun was down and all the candles in the room had a magnificent glow.

This is from another artist.  

What a great time!  A shame to be missing it this year, boo.