Wednesday, January 28, 2009

New Bisque Baby and Birds...and more!

I finished a new Bisque Baby. This one , like the one in my Giveaway, is a buggy baby. hmmmm....I may need to give it some antennae....


The wings are copper, hammer textured, and engraved with a torch heat patina. The copper turned red and black in a way cool pattern....then I drilled holes around the wings and laced them with a waxed sinew. The neck chain is made of vintage rosary chain, black coconut rondelles, garnets, poppy jasper, and lots of my Tuscan birds! The little bisque baby has a copper heart on her chest.
I have already started a third bisque baby. This one will be a goth baby - he will have red and black goth full angel wings and will be painted with glass enamels for his tattoos and make up...
...and this is what I did with the rest of my birds. I made a very long single necklace strung with lots of birds, natural undyed coral, garnets, onyx and turquoise. It is long enough that if you don't want to wear it as a single strand, you could double it around your neck! The birds go in opposite directions so when you wear the necklace they all face in the right direction.





...and look what my DH found under the hood of my car...

...a rats nest! no babies, but the silly thing had chewed through on some of the wires and put a hole in the windshield wipe fuel tube! Poor DH had to spend a bit of time fixing it! For a long time we kept the engine covered with a tarp, but since we hadn't had any rodent activity in so long we stopped doing it - it's such a pain to remember to remove it before you start the car. My DH taped a note to the steering wheel to remind me. So sweet....i need stuff like that.....
...and here's a really great giveaway...Scrappindipity is sponsoring it! http://auslorri.blogspot.com/2009/01/giveaway-suprise-prize-over-100-au.html

Thursday, January 22, 2009

BEACH Journey....

I went to my regular beach the other day and decided to take a walk on a new path they have put in that goes around the mountain and to a formerly very secluded beach. It was a glorious day with deep cobalt waves and a luscious trade wind.


...and so i set off on my journey -notebook, water and collection bag in hand!
There was so much new to see and explore....

The wonderful thing about Kauai is that the beaches not only have good sand, but the surrounding areas are also gorgeous. Everywhere is like being in a park...almost no houses are visible!

Below is a little rivlet going to the ocean.....



blue blue skies....

an even bluer ocean

rocky shores

...back on the path (only for people and bicycles)

About a third of the way there was a metal fence that had been put up that said "Road closed" and "Beware! Falling Rocks". But I'd seen other people skirt around the fence, so i did too!


It was a long hike, and eventually I came to another fence, that said the same thing, but in the opposite direction.

...the path continued, winding around the hills.

...an old and crumbled pier, with a lookout point. I stopped here for a while and saw a family of whales playing out in the distance. I took picture of them, but they didn't turn out very clear.
.
The sign says that this is a "Shearwater" (that's a bird) releasing site....

Another lovely rivlet...

At last I came to the beach....but I had to climb down a small cliff to get to it.
There weren't too many people there (which is normal, our beaches are almost always empty!)

So peaceful.

this fenced area was right behind the tree and is as high as the sand went from the ocean. the sign says that the area is a sacred burial place, and warns you to leave it alone. beyond this are more meadows and hills, and a walking path that eventually leads to the highway.....

I was picking up shells to use as bezels and I stumbled upon this shell....

It's a cowry shell. I've only ever found the little ones...and the bottom half is usually missing. I use them for bezels....but these shells were whole (but empty) and huge!
The surf was pretty rough but I could see more of the shells being tossed on the shore and then swept back out to sea as tide took them away. All kinds - purple ones, speckled ones, striped ones. I think they look a bit like eggs - sea eggs. I'm going to remove the other side of the shell and use them for mini altars. maybe.
So, I ended up spending a lot of time trying to "catch" the shells. I kind of had to watch the water as it went out (it's pretty clear) and see where the shells where, and then wait for the tide to rush in, and then start trying to grab them before they get lost in the waves again. Mostly i brought up handfuls of sand. I just couldn't be quick enough and still keep my balance. Several hours passed....how time flies! I would have stayed longer, cuz I could see more in the water, but the waves were getting really violent and high. After I fell on my butt several times, got knocked down by the surf, and had the coral and rocks cut up my legs, I decided it was time to head back....but look at my haul!

I put my hand in the picture so you could see how big some of them were. There were also large pieces of sea glass and other types of shells. The little black and white one in the middle on the bottom, is a cone shell. Very pretty -but Cone snails are very dangerous - some just sting like a bee, but others have toxins that can kill you.....i didn't realize that you should never pick them up unless you absolutely know they are empty, because they have a long stinger that they can inject you with. It can even penetrate leather gloves and wet suits.
who knew? (..my DH knew.)

aren't they cool?

yep.....more stuff to store....sigh......

and so I started the long hike back .

more beautiful vistas.......
and other pretty things along the way...

It was getting cloudy and the sky was looking angry.
...but it only rained for a few minutes

and then cleared up!

Time to head home...
.
...I am so blessed.

Monday, January 19, 2009

ONE WORLD, ONE HEART 2009

Photo
Woohoo - the day has come! One World, One Heart is a yearly Blog Giveaway with HUNDREDS of artists participating! ...and you don't have to give something away to play! The purpose is to check out blogsites you've never seen, meet new friends and say hello to those you already know. It is als o a great way to see new ideas and be inspired and awed by what is happening in the art world.
All that is usually requested is that you leave a comment on the specified post.
So there you have it! Click on the "One World, One Heart" Earth above and you will instantly be sent to a list of all the other participating artists. You can enter as many Blog Give-Aways as you like! Our host, Lisa, has a numbered list so you can keep track of who you have already visited.
O.K. For my BLOG GIVEAWAY I will be using the random number generator to pick one winner for...
......a vintage german bisque doll necklace. ...and she's finished - SEE BELOW!


yep. there she is! I have reassembled a full body. This necklace isn't finished yet - but she will have wings and lots of surprises - so check back tomorrow if you want to to see the finished necklace. The doll is 2 to 3 inches tall.......i may or may nor dress her, I definitely want to make some Goth babies, but maybe I'll keep her pretty plain for the Give Away??!
Just leave a comment below to enter my give away. BE SURE to leave a way for me to reach you if you win. DO NOT enter anonymously, unless you also leave your name and an email address in your comment. YOU DO NOT need a blog to enter my contest.

UPDATE!I decided to keep her normal and simple....which was way hard! I really wanted to do my usual weird thin.....but here is the finished necklace.....

Brass frame wings with vintage lace and tiny beading all around, hanging from a necklace of brass, foiled glass hearts and real vintage pearls.

Her arms and legs still move!

Good Luck!

Sunday, January 18, 2009

16 x MOM ! WOW! ...BOOK REVIEW!

A Mastery of Motherhood
My Mother 16 x MOM
Barbara Olivo Cagle

16X MOM is a wonderful book that was written by a high school classmate of mine, Bobbie (Barbara) Olivo Cagle. What a fun read! On the surface the book is about Bobbie's amazing mother Rose who had 16 children....Rose's childhood and her raising of her enormous family. But the book really is so much more than that! The book is chockful of Rose's family history as well as documented California history and has hundreds of pictures and anecdotes interspersed with the the triumphs and tragedies of family life. The descriptions are rich and detailed and the book is an inspiration and a joy.! The reader becomes involved in the real life characters and at the same time you are swept into life in California from the turn of the 19th century until the present.
Rose Olivo is still alive and well, by the way. She will turn 91 in March and is still spritely and full of as many insightful witticisms as ever.
More information on the making of the book, reviews and news articles can be found at: www.barbaracagle.com
The price is $29.99 and can be purchased through PayPal on her Website: www.barbaracagle.com









Friday, January 16, 2009

Do you know the Symptoms of a Stroke? I didn't. Please pass it on......

Michele Munzone of my Artdollz group sent me an email with information on how to identify if someone is having/has had a stroke. It is very simple to remember, and reading this could save someone's life!

Blood Clots/Stroke - They Now Have a Fourth Indicator, the Tongue

This is very important, you could save a life. PLEASE READ


INFORMATION EVERYONE SHOULD KNOW........................
Blood Clots/Stroke - They Now Have a Fourth Indicator, the Tongue

I will continue to forward this every time it comes around!

STROKE: Remember the 1st Three Letters....S.T.R.

My nurse friend sent this and encouraged me to post it and spread the word.
I agree.

If everyone can remember something this simple, we could save some folks.
Seriously


Please read:

STROKE IDENTIFICATION:

During a BBQ, a friend stumbled and took a little fall - she assured everyone that she was fine (they offered to call paramedics
); she said she had just tripped over a brick because of her new shoes.

They got her cleaned up and got her a new plate of food. While she appeared a bit shaken up, Ingrid went about enjoying herself the rest of the evening

Ingrid 's husband called later telling everyone that his wife had been taken to the hospital - (at 6:00pm Ingrid passed away.) She had suffered a stroke at the BBQ. Had they known how to identify the signs of a stroke, perhaps Ingrid would be with us today. Some don't die
; they end up in a helpless, hopeless condition instead.

It only takes a minute to read this...

A neurologist says that if he can get to a stroke victim within 3 hours he can totally reverse the effects of a stroke...totally. He said the trick was getting a stroke recognized, diagnosed, and then getting the patient medically cared for within 3 hours, which is tough.

RECOGNIZING A STROKE

Thank God for the sense to remember the '3' steps, STR. Read and Learn!

Sometimes symptoms of a stroke are difficult to identify. Unfortunately, the lack of awareness spells disaster. The stroke victim may suffer severe brain damagewhen people nearby fail to recognize the symptoms of a stroke.

Now doctors say a bystander can recognize a stroke by asking three simple questions:


S *Ask the individual to SMILE.
T *Ask the person to TALK and SPEAK A SIMPLE SENTENCE (Coherently)
(i.e. It is sunny out today)
R *Ask him or her to RAISE BOTH ARMS.


If he or she has trouble with ANY ONE of these tasks, call emergency numberimmediately and describe the symptoms to the dispatcher.

New Sign of a Stroke -------- Stick out Your Tongue

NOTE: Another 'sign' of a stroke is this: Ask the person to 'stick' out his tongue... If the tongue is 'crooked', if it goes to one side or the other, that is also an indication of a stroke.

A cardiologist says if everyone who gets this e-mail sends it to 10 people; you can bet that at least one life will be saved.

I have done my part. Have you?


Wednesday, January 14, 2009

What I've been up to....

I have been busy - ok.... obsessed - making bird beads. I made 96 little beads and am going to make them into one necklace......i am teaming them up with some natural undyed red coral branches, sterling silver and copper! I call them "tuscan birds". This project has inspired me to make a bird "rosary", with owls for the "our fathers", a winged eagle for the center piece, and a dove for the cross! I LOVE to make rosaries.......

Here they are closer... They are polymer clay (cernit) and have been hand sculpted and pearll-exed. Most have micro bead eyeballs, with a clear sealer over them. The wings were added after the first bake. Acrylic paints were applied after this and then they were rebaked to set the paint. Then I engraved them a bit and then gave them 2 coats of "future", rebaked them. Finally, a coat of rennaissance wax and a polishing with a muslin dremel buff to bring up a satin shine.

Below are some shark vertebrae i bought on etsy.I got two strings of them, each 26 inches long!
Lord knows what I will do with them, but at least they don't have sharp edges like the snake spine I got...

And Now, the best for last. LOOK WHAT I JUST GOT!

It is a large box from Germany!

Here am opening it............

Here's how everything came packed....Now look what was inside!

antique german doll parts! The order was to have 100 doll bodies with heads ( many are only 1 - 2 inches) , 300 right arms, 300 left arms, 300 right legs and 300 left legs. He said it was enough to make 100 dolls with arms and legs. Those bags in the bag all contain 320 arms or legs each! What the seller sent me, from Germany (he dug them up himself) was not only my original order, but also 90 extra arms and legs, 40 extra doll bodies, 40 heads, 12 headless painted clothed bodies, 1 tiny charlotte, 1 full still strung tiny doll, and a bunch of partial torsos with or without heads. It was so exciting to open! It was HUGE! .....and the doll bodies, arms and legs ARE NOT BROKEN!, dirty, maybe a chip here and there, but in great condition!

These heads and the torsos below were all freebies.

...and so were these!

I may just have to make a centipede doll!