Look! It’s a Little Lotus Book! This is an example of one of the books we made in the Books and More workshop we did at the Studio on February 3rd. It was everyone’s favorite because it’s easy to make and very unusual because it opens like a lotus flower, sort of like unfolding one of those crazy maps. Anyone subscribed to my Shards blog by midnight tonight (how dramatic) will be in the drawing to win this book and the directions on how to make more. TGIF, fellow artisans!
When you have a couple of minutes, please watch this film trailer from Shine Global – I really want to see this documentary. I wasn’t aware of this organization until I read about it in Alyson B. Stanfield’s post – thanks, Alyson!
Shine Global’s Mission
Shine Global is dedicated to ending the abuse and exploitation of children worldwide through films that raise awareness, promote action and inspire change.
Shine Global is a 501(c)(3) non-profit film production company. All contributions to Shine are used to produce our films and are tax deductible. Net profits are returned to the children we document through local non-governmental agencies.
I’m doing a presentation to the Trinity University Women’s Club on Valentine’s Day about establishing places of creative belonging, and I came across this poem describing one woman’s feelings about her own special place. Read it if you like, then at the end I’ll tell you about the poet:
At Home in the Summer Mountains
I’ve come to the house of the Immortals:
In every corner, wildflowers bloom.
In the front garden, trees
Offer their branches for drying clothes;
Where I eat, a wine glass can float
In the springwater’s chill.
From the portico, a hidden path
Leads to the bamboo’s darkened groves.
Cool in a summer dress, I choose
From among heaped piles of books.
Reciting poems in the moonlight, riding a painted boat . ..
Every place the wind carries me is home.
This was written by Yu Xianji, a Chinese poet who lived in the 9th century during the Late Tang Dynasty.. It’s amazing how women have always expressed a need for a special – even sacred – place of belonging. To read more about Yu Xianji’s remarkable life, click here.
What a fun day at the Studio – it was a celebration of art and love and even spontaneous guitar music – here’s a little video. More to come, but special thank to Lesta, Jan, and Alison – and all the friends who came (and Mike for his amazing food!)
. . .at the work for the show tomorrow – shards everywhere!
I have been busy, busy getting ready for tomorrow’s Open Studio and Sale at the new Lyn Belisle Studio– it’s going to be fantastic. Alison stopped by yesterday and dropped off some of her beautiful jackets and scarves and fiberarts – and wait till you see her Feng Shui valentine-kits-to-go! She’s so funny and creative – I get first pick!
Speaking of Valentines, Friday’s freebie is a set of three vintage Valentine clip art pages to use however you want – wrap a little box, make a collage, print them on mauve or ivory paper – or just file them away until the must beckons. I found them online, public domain, so have fun. Here’s a sample, and you can get all three pages right here.
PS You know how to make a heart symbol when you type on a windows computer, right? Just make sure your Num Lock key is on, hold down the Alt Key and type the number 3? On a Mac, use the Character Palette. ♥♥♥
What a swanky event! This was a beautiful show – very elegant, very well-attended – many thanks to Janice Cooper and friends. I was proud to be included. You can tell in the pictures that I am beaming like a possum because people liked my paintings 🙂 Photos really don’t to justice to the wonderful work by my fellow painters and sculptors and fiber artists, but here are a few:
This is just another sample of some of the spirit doll photos that people send me when they use my shard faces for their work. I am overwhelmed with the creativity and soulfulness that these little soft sculptures possess. Thanks to the artisans who crafted them and sent me the pictures. Our Spirit Doll workshop on the 3rd of March is going to be exciting! It’s full, but I’m thinking of having another one in May.
1. Don’t forget to come to the Open Studio Follow Your Heart Sale at the new digs this Saturday, 11-5.
2. Check out this new idea – Candle Shards – collaged clay face and artisan paper wraps on those great wax-coated battery candles that can be set on timers. I’m keeping this one (it has a little “home” milagro tied into it), but will have half a dozen at least in various sizes on Saturday. If they sell well, I’ll make more. They are so pretty!
It’s always fun to have someone win the Friday Freebie when I don’t recognize the email address – but here is the winner:
smsickmann@sbcglobal.net
So congrats on claiming the little silver face pendant shard. Send me your contact information and I will get it to you ASAP! I posted a quote from the Dalai Lama on Facebook today that reminded me of my friends – you guys are the best – thanks for your tolerance and honestly and compassion.
“We need to encourage an understanding that inner peace comes from relying on human values like love, compassion, tolerance and honesty, and that peace in the world relies on individuals finding inner peace.”
OK, happy weekend, everyone!
