Altered Book Exchange

I wanted to share with you an Altered Book Exchange project I am involved with at the moment.
This is the first time I've done Altered Books with a group. It's super fun and exciting!

In our project my friend Jen Casados got a group of 10 folks together to do the exchange.
To begin you send out a list of all participants addresses. Everyone picks out their own book and then sends it to the person below them on the list.
Next you have a month to do whatever you want to your book before sending it to the person after your name on the list.

The only rule set was to alter at least 4 pages in the book.

I am showing you some of the altered pages in the second book I have received.

It's really exciting to see what other people think of to do in their alteration of the book.

And let's not forget- it's nice to get mail!!!
Especially fancy altered mail like this!

Jen got all kinds of people involved, artists and others and I think everyone's really going to town with it. We might have another group going soon.
I would recommend anyone starting an Altered Book Exchange! Get some creativity flowing and have some fun! Thanks to Jen for getting ours off and running!

Jazz, Rain and....

Am I really going to yoga class? Or am I content to stay home. Billie Holiday, some jewelry making? Sounds pretty good. Dang, it's only Tuesday, that's pretty early in the week to be skipping class.

So, as I contemplated what to blog about today, I wondered what have I been doing?

Lots of jewelry and work on the shop , lots of outside work, and???? Shouldn't there be an And, I mean the days sure are flying by like the hours are occupied! So, I went out in the rain and took some pretty pictures to show you a little something of what I've been up to.

I cleaned the upstairs screened-in porch (which we never use) and have set up a little painting area alfresco. I got the glass for my palette and everything, so I should be busting out some paints by the end of the week.

I tell you, I love this weather, but my chiles and tomatoes? Not so much. They're wondering why I planted them in the fall!!

Some new Jewels

Check out some new pieces!

Why yes, that is a sterling silver Pegasus!!


Ocean Jasper, ya'll!

Can you say Magikal Fairy Princess Crystal Necklace??

Check out these and more over at my Etsy shop!!

Artists have the Best Art

One fantastic thing about being an artsy fartsy sorta gal is TRADES! Most artists you know probably have the best collection of art, we can't buy it, but dang it we can trade! I just made an incredible trade with my fellow coop member Ellen J.D. Roberts.
Check it out:





Also, check out my end of the trade:

In these trying times we should always be on the lookout for barter opportunities. It's a win win!!

Yes We Can!

Paul Hawken's commencement speech:

"There is invisible writing on the back of the diploma you will receive, and
in case you didn't bring lemon juice to decode it, I can tell you what it
says: YOU ARE BRILLIANT, AND THE EARTH IS HIRING. The earth couldn't
afford to send any recruiters or limos to your school. It sent you rain,
sunsets, ripe cherries, night blooming jasmine, and that unbelievably cute
person you are dating. Take the hint. And here's the deal: Forget that this
task of planet-saving is not possible in the time required. Don't be put off
by people who know what is not possible. Do what needs to be done, and
check to see if it was impossible only after you are done."

Saturday June 6th is our annual group show opening in Jerome at the Cooperative Gallery.
Our theme this year is "Yes We Can".
It's so easy to get overwhelmed and negative these days, I enjoyed the opportunity to make a new piece ( a close up of my Rosie the Riveter is above) and also to be reminded that against all odds, we are capable. Perhaps we are expecting outcomes and privileges instead of counting our limbs and our blessings.
I loved the above excerpt of the commencement address! Appreciation is key ya'll!
If anyone is interested in attending the opening with me, let me know!

Portand, land of Beauty

Here are some pics of Portland as promised. We had such an awesome time and I only wish we could have stayed longer. The green growing things, not to mention the flowers really blew our little Arizonan minds...."so this is what water does?!"

We were blessed with perfect weather, amazing food and some of our favorite people in the world! Art you say? Museums? Oh yeah, if you go, remember all museums are closed on Mondays. Dangit.

Before I Forget...

Hello all! Wanted to do a post on some fellow Etsians and time just keeps ticking by!
The photo below is from HankieTankie, and is very similar to a piece I bought for myself in Portland at the Saturday Market. I thought what an Awesome Idea! I am a big sucker for vintage linens..but after a point you run out of surfaces- not anymore!
Now we can wear them!!!




Etsy has a shop local section and I ran across this awesome shop by Desert Soapstone, selling soap of course, but also this AMAZING gardenia patchouli solid scent. I'm not kidding when I say this could be the best smell ever. Kelli from Desert Soapstone and I met when she brought me all my goodies and we hit it off! We hope to be working on some networking and upcoming shows together. Check her out for wonderful products!




A while ago I was looking for instructions on printing on fabric and came across Jezze's awesome blog that I follow and her amazing etsy shops. I have yet to purchase anything but I love everything she makes! She is a busy lady. I won a drawing she was having for a cool embossed notebook which she sent me all the way from her home in South Africa! Probably about time I send her a little treat in the mail!!!!



This is just a taste of what is awaiting you on Etsy! Check it out!

I will be blogging soon on my amazing quick trip tp Portland.....stay tuned!