Happy Independence Day!

by Sherri Stokey

Happy (almost) Independence Day!!  I love this time of year!  I don't just make jewelry, either - I love to put my creative energies to work in the kitchen.  What's more fun than themed (red, white & blue) food?

It's even better if I get helpers!

After everyone leaves, I like to spend a little time unwinding, and to me that means making macrame.  A little patriotic jewelry, anyone?

Not everyone enjoys the 4th quite as much as I do, though.  My poor baby doesn't like fireworks (or thunder, or rain, or wind or snow...) 

How about you?  Are you celebrating this weekend?

The Art of Healing

by Staci Louise Smith

It has been a sad couple weeks for us in the Smith home.  On the 5th we had to put down our furry companion of 15 years....our black lab Jake.

It was time, his body was failing him, yet it was still the hardest decision I have had to make.

We miss him terribly.  I had two weeks of just terrible sadness.  Weeping at the drop of a hat.  

Jake was my first baby, with my oldest son coming about a year later.  They grew up together, and he too, took this very hard.

So we had him cremated, and decided to make an oak box together for his ashes.  My husband made the box, and the kids helped to sand and stain it. 

It is so healing to do work with your hands.  Whether it is art, or cooking to serve another person, or digging in the soil to plant your own food, its just good for the soul.

Making this box, allowed us to cry and smile at the same time.  It allowed us to do one last thing for Jake as a family.

I finally got around to my part, which was to make the name plate for the box.

I used my jewelry skills and sawed out a heart and a lab silhouette. 

Stamping in a straight line is not really my thing, but I did my best.  

 It is getting backed in felt to soften it up, and will get tack nailed to the box.  

Art therapy really does help.  

Have you ever turned to creating to help you through a tough emotional time?  Share in the comments.....we'd love to hear your story.

"Tis the Season

Ever since I was a kid, I have looked forward to making handmade ornaments each Christmas. It's something I didn't outgrow, nor do I think I ever will.  I wish I had pictures of all the ornaments I've made in the past, but alas, they are in a bin somewhere, pre-digital world.

 

I think my first ornaments were those salt dough ones.  The next year my mom let us paint ceramic ornaments, some of which I still have!  We made God's Eyes out of Popsicle sticks and yarn, and glitter pine cone ornaments galore! 

 

As I got older, I painted, glued, and beaded ornaments.  I think they got better (I hope).  This year I inherited a large box of stick pins, sequins and Styrofoam balls from my grandmother.  I have lots of beads and bought some ribbon......and we were off on an new ornament adventure.  My friend and her son came over, and we all hit the kitchen table with Christmas Music on, and made very sparkly, bright, crazy balls!

The kids each made like 5- but my friend and I only made one each- that's mine above, you can see why it took me all night!  It's a bit tacky, but it sure is festive!!!!

 

These are really simple to make.  Take a Styrofoam ball, make a ribbon loop and stick pin it to the ball, and then pin on ribbon, and beads and sequins to your hearts content!!!  I layered the pin, bead, sequin and sometimes another layer of bead sequin.  Easy and fun.  The youngest in our group were a couple 6 year olds, and they did good with the pins (and close adult supervision).  So it was nice everyone could handle it independently.

What I really wanted to say today, is that handmade touches people....and creating with those you love, well, there is just nothing more special.  My kids light up when I say craft time!  They live for it.  It's a way to express themselves, to make things they want, or want to give.......they love to see what others make, and share ideas, and help each other.  Handmade rocks, and I love sharing that experience with my kids. 

 

What kind of handmade ornaments were your favorite growing up or that you now make with your kids???

Happy Thanksgiving

I wish you all a day filled with things to be thankful for.  I wish you warm food, smiles and laughter.  I wish you health and happiness.  I wish you a Thanksgiving that will leave you feeling full and satisfied.  May you all be blessed.

 

I just thought I'd take a minute to tell you about some things I am very thankful for.

 

I am thankful for my Mom.

She has always been there for me.  From rocking me when I was tired or scared as a child, to listening to my teen age heart breaks, to being there for me every step of the way as a mother myself.  She is the best mother and Gram anyone could ask for.  I could not do what I do without her.  If she is not helping with the kids, she is helping me at my shows.  So thankful for her.

 

I am thankful for my dad.

He is the best Pop any kids could ask for.  He is always finding fun and new activities to do with them.  He listens to them, gives them advice, and just loves them so much it radiates.  That makes me the luckiest daughter around!  Not to mention, he helps me out anytime I need it and listens anytime I need to talk.  (and I am not the only one blessed by his helpfulness- he is there for anyone who may need it)

 

 

I am thankful for in-laws that I love.  They are amazing, and have always been wonderful to me. I felt like family from day one.

 

 

I am thankful for my brother, sister in laws and my kids cousins!  Family family family- all of them.  Love them all, couldn't imagine being surrounded by better people (and thankful that most of us live pretty close to each other).

 

 

Thankful for my husband - who works so hard for our family.  He is the most dedicated, hard working, handsome guy I know. 

Photo by Chris Hill

My kids.  My little blessings.  I worry for them, teach them, and love them with all that I am.  they keep me laughing, and I am so proud of who they are as little humans.

 

I am thankful for health, as I pray friends who can no longer take that for granted each day.

 

I am thankful for a home that's warm, and in a good neighborhood, and has beautiful wildlife all around it.

 

I am thankful for art.  For the beauty that is inside people, and how it comes out in so many forms.  I am thankful that I get to work and play in the arts, and call it a job.  I love it. 

 

I am thankful for all of you.  The lovely people I have met online, whom I share so much in common with.

 

How did I get so blessed? 

 

Today let's be thankful, and thoughtful, of those who are not as blessed as us.  Let's say prayers, and lend a hand.  Let our thankfulness spill over.

 

Happy Thanksgiving!

a mother, a daughter and clay

mary jane dodd

lee wolfe - the raven and the halloween moon

the mother

marci g - dipping bowl set

the daughter

i am in love with their work... and own some as well -

lee

marci g

lee

miss m

learn more about lee here

here and here

and did someone mention owls?!

soap dish by the mama