Featured In 
Jewelry Affaire Spring 2012
Somerset Studio May/June 2011 |
I may have mentioned that I am a Special Education teacher, a job that I find very rewarding and fulfilling. I work with a wide variety of kids and have found over the years that many have one thing in common -a lack of self confidence in their abilities. For whatever reasons, many of these students have developed an “I can’t possibly do that” attitude, especially when it comes to writing. My solution – encourage writing through the process of art! Perfect, right? There are some wonderful books out that support this approach, books that encourage kiddos to take a chance, make that first mark and see where it takes them (to paraphrase from one of the books!).
Through art, the kids I work with learn all about adding details that make things more interesting, and this of course transfers later into their writing. Any art activity becomes a means of self-expression, an opportunity to develop imagination and language. We talk and talk while we create, and experiment with all sorts of materials. We learn that things don’t have to be perfect, and that mistakes can turn into something magical! I can’t wait to share these books with my class in September and see how their art and then their writing blossoms.
 Summer has arrived. I’m done with teaching until fall, and the weeks are spread before me like an enticing banquet. What to do with all this free time? I have decided to tackle “The List”. You know – the List, that one you hold in the back of your mind, storing all those tasks and projects you hope to get to “someday”. I have bravely decided that someday is now and am jumping right in to that pesky, long list. So far I have fixed frames to hang some pictures (enlarged copies of some vintage post cards) in my guest bath, dug out curtain rods for the guest room and bath for hubby to finally hang (which he obligingly did, I might add), and painted my kitchen chairs. Those chairs have been a dark hunter green forever, left over from the color scheme of our old house (we moved 11 years ago, so this project has been on “The List” for a long, long time!), and I am pleased to report that they are now a cheerful ocean spray blue. For my first attempt at furniture painting, I think they came out alright and admit that they make me smile each time I walk into the kitchen. Why on earth did I wait so long to do this????
Next up will be window treatments for those curtain rods – I am thinking some of my old lace from my stash will do the trick. I also want to repaint the wicker chairs on my front porch, but that particular task will have to wait until the resident dove hatches her little babies. In the meantime I am planning to finally finish typing up the book my late father wrote about growing up during the depression. It’s funny and heartwarming, full of stories that he entertained us with when we were kids. It is a legacy that deserves to be shared with my siblings and cousins, so I need to get it done. There are many more items on my “List”, and I am looking forward to greeting each of them with a great big “howdy do”! I can’t wait to see what I have accomplished when I look back at the end of the summer.
 Sorry to have been MIA lately. Has it really been over a month since I posted?? Here’s a quick recap of what I’ve been up to over the last few weeks.
Published again!!! This time in Jewelry Affaire magazine. I was so thrilled when they chose this necklace for a full page feature in the spring issue, which hit the newsstands on April 1st. I have posted about this piece before – it honors my birth and adopted mothers.
My sweet daughter decided to join a group of friends and go to prom. Not a problem except that it was very much a last minute decision (we are talking 5 days before the event here) which left little time to put together a fabulous outfit. Using what we had on hand, we were able to transform my girl into a very classy and elegant diva – think 1940′s film star. Here’s what we came up with: Long black halter dress (mom’s), cute heels (daughter’s from thrift store), Jewelry (combo of daughter’s necklace, mom’s vintage rhinestone bracelet, and earrings daughter made from vintage rhinestone bits I had in my studio, vintage cut rayon velvet wrap (grandma’s) and finally a vintage clutch bag (mom’s again!). The look – priceless!!!
We also took some time to head up to the annual Pennsylvania Faerie Festival at Spoutwood Farm. Upon arrival, my daughter stated that “these are my people”, and I can’t say I disagree. I have to tell you that this particular festival is very family oriented and overflowing with positive energy. Attendees are obviously very comfortable with themselves. Wonderful music and inspiring crafts – plus mom and girl child time!
Last weekend I was at A Journey From Junk in Ellicott City, MD to help my friend Kelli with her trunk show. We put together necklaces on the spot for customers, using her incredible selection of chains and charms (new as well as vintage bits and bobs). The weather was lovely and we had a fabulous day making jewelry ( including some fun steam-punk bracelets!!).
I am counting down the days until my annual adventure at the Lucketts General Store Spring Faire – which is the this weekend!!!! I’ll be filling up my granny cart with all sorts of wonderful goodies. Hope to see you there!!
I may have mentioned that I hoard collect vintage textiles and fabrics. Laces, linens, bark cloths – I just adore it all.
 A view of the closet for my studio - just a "few" vintage textiles!!! My most recent passion is the fabric feed and flour sacks of the 1930′s and 40′s. Thrifty housewives of that era turned these pretties into aprons, dresses, quilts, dishtowels and more. You can still find the fabrics at antique shops and flea markets – their cheerful patterns and rainbow colors are a testament to the creativity and positive outlook of these wonderful women.
Right now I am working on some fabric cuff bracelets for my friend Kelli’s shop in Ellicott City Maryland – A Journey From Junk. I’ve decided to use the vintage feedsack fabrics as a base, and then am adding a stamped sentiment, lace, vintage buttons and perhaps a bit of bling….
 works in progress They are fun little projects to work on, and I can easily toss them in a back to sew a bit when ever I have a spare moment.
 Faithful #1 assistant standing by in case I need help photographing! Being busy with work and home responsibilities is no reason to not feed the creative soul, right?
 I admit it. I am in love – with aqua vintage Pyrex. It’s been coming for a while. I would see them at flea markets, antique malls and such and think “hmmmm – that is really my color”. But something always stopped me from taking the plunge. Well, I have to say that I am head over heals in love with these beauties now. I blame Pinterest – so many wonderful images of collections of Pyrex, and they all looked just amazing when grouped all together. 
Yesterday I went to a local auction - sadly a total bust, but then to console myself I popped over to one of my favorite antique malls and well, the rest is history. First one lovely aqua bowl, then a casserole, then some mixing bowls. This particular antique mall was just bursting its seams with vintage Pyrex. It was obviously meant to be for me to bring some lovelies home for my own, right?  Another collection started – and one I am sure I will enjoy using. What is the fun of having such fabulous treasures hiding away in a cabinet, when they could be making me smile each and every day!
While we still haven’t seen any real snow, it is bitter cold here in Maryland. Too cold for little old me to venture out into the garden, so I think I will pull out the newly arrived garden catalogs and start dreaming (er, I mean planning) for spring.
A couple of years ago, I was lucky enough to put in the bones for my dream garden, roughly based on a combination of the garden from the movie practical magic, and one featured in the book Down to Earth Gardener by Suzy Bales. It is surrounded by a picket fence and divided in half by a pergola. There are three entrances to the garden – one on the west side which currently features a vintage gate painted a wonderful shade of lavender, another on the south side that will hopefully sport a vintage gate this spring, and finally a utility entrance on the east side with a double picket gate, big enough to get my garden cart through. The northern half features a large circular bed divided into quarters plus beds surrounding the circle. There is an arbor on the east side of this garden, where I have placed a lovely white metal bench given to me as a birthday gift from my mom. It’s a lovely spot to sit and watch the sun set, surrounded by antique climbing roses in the spring followed by huge butterfly bushes behind it in the summer.  In this garden I grow perennials, many herbs, and a whole bunch of antique roses. The quarters of the circle bed are edged in lavender, providing an intoxicating aroma when in bloom. The north edge features several lilac bushes, which add to the heady scent in May.
The other half of the garden is considered to be the kitchen garden, and features 8 raised beds. Veggies are rotated through the beds each year, however I reserve one entire bed for peonies that I use for cutting and drying.  Another bed tries to contain my raspberry patch, which my family enjoys feasting on all summer long. I also have 2 more antique roses planted other raised beds – they provide a nice contrast to the veggies, and, basically just make me smile!
The entire garden is surrounded by a border, still waiting for proper planting. For right now, daisies, iris, rogue sunflowers from the bird feeder, ladies mantle and day lilies cheer the area up.
I am making a list of plants that need moving, plants that need replacing, plus a “wish list” of plants that simply must find a home in my garden. Topping the list are several more antique roses – I can’t seem to get enough of these beauties. Many only bloom once, unlike their modern cousins, however what they lack in length of bloom time is more than made up in gorgeous blowsy blooms and heavenly scent. I greet them as dear friends as they come into bloom, and am always eager to see who will be the first (yes, I know – I am referring to them as people – but some of these shrubs have been with me for 15 or more years – I brought many of them with me when I moved to this house!)
I long for a warm day (not unheard of in this part of the country), so that I can go out and play with my “girls”. Chat and check on how they are fairing, watch the birds at the feeders, and dream, dream, dream of the promise of spring.
 Bee Warm! It’s hard to believe that 2011 is officially old news – I guess it’s time to look back, take stock and reflect on the past year.
I started off the year with a commitment to become more healthy, and thanks to dear friend Robin R.who provided constant encouragement, and the support and enthusiasm of my family, I can proudly say that I am 20 lbs lighter than I was on 1/1/11. We replaced our old treadmill with a fancy new one in January – complete with IFIT Live, and yes, you really can walk down the streets of Paris or hike the National Parks. I LOVE this machine! I also started doing some strength training with weights, and was so excited to get the weight bench I asked for this Christmas. I still have quite a journey ahead, but I feel healthier, am eating healthier and plan on doing even better during 2012!
 photo courtesy of Graphics Fairy I know I don’t talk much about my “day” job (I’m a special education teacher). I continue to find that work very rewarding and really enjoy that part of my life right now. Recently I have been able to incorporate more art activities into my teaching, which make myself, my teaching assistant, and most of all my students – very happy indeed!
I had hoped to attend Silver Bella again this year – participating in that event has truly changed my life. Needless to say, I was SO disappointed when it was cancelled for this year (I have high hopes for next year, though, Teresa!) The friendships I have made through Silver Bella, the experiences, instructors and yes, even the glitter just can not be beat. Check out Jenny Doh’s new book, Creative Pilgrimage, to get a taste of what the Silver Bella experience is like. (and yes, my arm is in the photo with the circle of blingy bracelets on page 123. I’m the one with the aqua sweater with the ruffled cuff!)
 photo courtesy of Cheryl Stoneham Since Silver Bella was no longer an option, I decided to head out to California for a workshop with Amy Hanna, hostessed by the incredibly versatile Jenny Doh. In addition to the amazing class, I was able to fit in some beach time, and also hang out with one of my Silver Bella friends, Robin S. We hit the Urban Barn monthly street fair, and then had fun at several local thrift stores – there’s nothing like “thrifting” with buddies who understand!!
 Urban Barn Street Fair in August 2011 Last but not least – I had my first piece published in Somerset Studio!! An embellished bra inspired by one I made for Silver Bella (see how this event keeps cropping up?). The magazine not only published the piece, but did a 3 page article on it.
 photo curtesy of Somerset Studio Magazine I was overwhelmed and so humbled to be a part of the publication. Thanks so much to the magazine for choosing to include my work, and especially to Cynthia Levens for the lovely article!. To make things even better, another piece of mine was recently accepted for publication in Jewelry Affaire – it should be in the Spring Issue which comes out April 1st.
Looking back on the past year I realize that I have so much to be thankful for. I am blessed with a wonderful family, fabulous and creative friends, a job that I enjoy, and opportunities to learn and grow creatively. I realize that I am very lucky. I appreciate all that I have, and boy am I looking forward to whatever adventures come my way in 2012!
 Last year at Silver Bella I was lucky enough to take a class with the tremendously talented Sally Jean Alexander, where I learned the (very) basics of soldering to make jewelry. My sweet hubby gifted me with all sort of supplies, and so all I needed was some time (and courage!) to try some soldering on my own. Over Thanksgiving Break I gave myself a day just for that – better late than never, right? I decided to finish some pendants I had started a while back and also try an ornament/pendant with a winter theme. While not perfect – I have to say I am quite please with the results!
The long rectangular pendants feature vintage photos of girlfriends. Don’t you just love the wild floral outfits of the 40′s and the daring short(er) skirts and cloche hats of the 20′s?
The square pendants/ornaments feature one of my favorite vintage photos – a pinup kind of gal building a snowman. I added a faceted red glass bead to the bottom for a holiday feel.
Needless to say, I’ve been going through my collection of vintage photos – I’m totally hooked on making these beauties now!
 Creative inspiration abound this month on-line and I am taking advantage of it all! I’ve been perusing the holiday issue of Heather Bullard’s “Souvenir” – an online lifestyle gazette. Contributors for this issue include Pam Garrison, Hope Wallace and Amy Hanna featuring wonderful holiday decorative and gift ideas.
Next up – Amy Power’s Christmas 2011 Inspired Ideas – yep its the holiday issue! I have to give a shout out to my Silver Bella roomie, Pamela Keravuori, for her wonderful photography in this (and every other issue). So many special projects including contributions by Mary Engelbriet and Matthew Mead.
I can’t wait to get started! I’m so excited to have signed up for the latest online workshop – 12 Artsy Ornaments of Christmas – from the talented Christy Tomlinson. The sneak peak of the sparkly winterland cloche by none other than the queens of The Gilded Life- Shea Fragoso and Debbie Murry just leave me giddy.
And finally, it just wouldn’t be the holidays without holiday e-workshop, 12 Days of Comfort and Joy – 2011 edition, presented by the amazing Teresa McFayden. Her friendly teaching style and adorable holiday projects have been one of the highlights of the season for me for several years now, and I am really looking forward to this year’s offerings.
Let the creative rumpus begin!!
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email: mymotherspearls@gmail.com
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