little helper jar shelf *

Here are a couple of pictures of my latest project. I made this shelf with antique cast iron mounts and some old mason jars. I think it's pretty and definitely versatile. I can envision all kinds of uses beyond the two pictured. This little helper will be part of a collection that I've been working on for a fabulous local shop. I'll tell you more soon!

light it up *

This weekend I finished up another lamp. It's been a while since I've done any block printing, but I really like how it turned out. I forgot how much I enjoyed relief printing, and it's defiantly the easiest printing process to conquer at home. I think you'll probably see some more here in the near future. However, for the next couple of weeks I'm resolved to spend some time cleaning out and getting ready for my garage sale, *gulp*. Lately I'm really feeling the need to simplify- maybe I have spring fever, or maybe I've just seen one too many episodes of Hoarders.

be there *

Dustbowl Arts Market tomorow, Sunday 11:00 am- 5:00 pm. Come see me!

handmade housewares*

My husband has been lathing away, making these beautiful wine stoppers for those of us who might have a little trouble stopping wine from being poured (you know who you are).

I've been working on these bright little bedside companions. The shade on the left is made from printed Washi paper, and the shade on the right is a vintage topographical map. Last but not least, these printed tea towels and napkins are perfect for cleaning you up right.

As you can probably guess, these housewares will be available for purchase at the Dustbowl Arts Market on April 25 (that's this Sunday, people), and... soon, on my long time coming etsy page!

a spring in my step *

Spring always makes me feel like some weird hybrid of Carrie Bradshaw and Laura Ingalls Wilder. I get the urge to romp around in a sunny field and live off the land, but I want to be wearing a new outfit while I'm doing it.

Sadly, I've been wasting most of this gorgeous weather held up at work, or when I'm at home, held up in my studio. Don't worry though, I've been getting some occasional sun exposure, eating lots of ice cream, and doing lots of sneezing - in an attempt to get into the spring spirit.

There is one outdoor activity that I'm particularly resolved to take part in, and that is the up-keep of our small veggie garden. D is definitely the plant man of the house, and I'm ashamed to say that my assistance with our past gardening endeavors has been limited to picking and eating. This year I've decided to get my hands dirty, and I'm determined to do more good than harm. This may, however, prove to be a lofty goal for a cactus killer like me.

I've been making these springy tees, and accessories to sell at the Dustbowl. So, if you need a little spruce-up in your wintery wardrobe, you know where to find me on April 25.

What projects are you undertaking this spring?

count me collected *

Hey Oklahomans! Many of you are probably already familiar with a charming little shop called Collected Thread and it's equally delightful owner Lindsay Zudrow. If not, you must make a point to visit next time you're in OKC. You'd better come prepared (with your wallet that is), this place is seriously irresistible. You can find a great collection of mostly local, thoroughly lovable handmade goods- you might even see a little something made by you know who.

*pics via Collected Thread

a dusty road ahead *

As of this weekend, I'm officially accepted into the Dustbowl Arts Market, which takes place on April 25 during Norman Music Festival. I'm really looking forward to it, but with this being my first attempt at an arts market, I'm pretty nervous too. Last night I grouped all my completed pieces together on a table, but the effect was a little less dramatic than I'd hoped. *gulp* I'm slowly building a decent sized inventory, (the two images above feature a few of my latest additions) but I guess now is the time to kick it into high gear.

If anyone out there is an old pro at the whole arts market scene, or even if you're not, I'd love some advise. I'm hoping to learn a lot from this experience, get my name out and about, and maybe even make a little coin :) Hope to see or meet you on April 25... wish me luck!

route du sel *

pretty please *

Here you see a couple of lovely ladies posing with few accessories I've made recently. Good models don't you think?- and only a minimal amount of coercion involved! I had great weekend with these two; pizza, wine, waffles, an art show, hand-made doggie bandannas (thanks Whit!)...good times. Anyway, all the items you see above and others you've seen on this blog will soon be for sale on Etsy and hopefully at the Dustbowl Arts Market on April 25. I'll keep you updated.

in retrospect *

Today, I installed my new piece, "Facet Fasten" at Momentum (an annual juried exhibition for Oklahoma artists under 30) (pic). I couldn't, however, help thinking back on an old piece-"Need Think. Make." My friend Margaret and I worked tirelessly on this installation for probably six months and it received the curator's choice award at last year's show. Making that piece was such a great experience and something I'm pretty proud of. (you can see more pics by Sarah Warmker here)

I am so looking forward to this weekend. Momentum openings are such a blast, and I'll have the pleasure of being visited by two of my favorite gal pals. Can't wait to see you guys!

is it spring yet? *

Today was such a beautiful sunny Saturday, but if there's one thing I know about this time of year in Oklahoma, it's that we'll be wearing shorts one day and pulling out our wool coats the next. This afternoon D worked on getting our garden ready to plant, and found a little bunch of surprise carrots, hooray! I worked on finishing up this necklace with one of the mussel shell pendents I made a couple of weeks ago.

tiny town terrarium

When I was a kid, I was really into making tiny towns and houses. Some examples of my childhood mini mania would include; an elaborate abode for a Quazimodo figurine, a petite Pueblo Indian village, and in second grade, I built an efficiency apartment for a troll pencil topper in my flip top school desk. I could go on, but I'll spare you. Maybe I'm regressing, but I prefer to think of this recent project as a revisiting of a former love.

There's something so romantic about a little house or village in the middle of nowhere. Look at this house all alone on a rock in the sea. Found on A Cup of Jo.

new work *

If you've been following me, then chances are you've caught a glimpse of these embroidered panels here and there. These pics represent some semblance of their final form, but I'm not sure I'm quite there yet. I really crave that "done" moment, but somehow it always seems to elude me. You know, when you stand back, look at your piece, cock your head, raise your arms dramatically and declare "FIN!" OK maybe people don't really do that, but you know what I mean.

mussel bound *

Today, my helpful and industrious friend Grant lent me a hand in making these neat mussel shell pendents (thanks Grant!). A couple of years ago, while D was assisting a PhD student with a thesis project on Oklahoma river mussels, he collected dozens of shells for me to use in a project that never came to fruition. I'm excited about their new prospects!

factory girl *

It seems as though my weekend plans might be foiled by some impending wintery mix. I'm in the middle of a project that requires me to make dozens more of these, so it might not be so bad to be snowed in. The work is a bit tedious, but I can't really say I'm working in sweat shop conditions. Mostly I'm sitting on a couch, wrapped in a blanket, eating cookies.

If my fingers do tire, I'll garner inspiration from Anna Von Mertens. I was lucky enough to meet this talented lady a couple of years ago and fell in love with her hand died, hand stitched quilts- gorgeous and obsessively meticulous.

boys don't make passes at girls who collect glasses

Well I guess one boy does, but I hooked him long before this recent obsession really took shape. I'm from a family of four eyes, my collection contains 14 pairs: 3 from my younger days and 11 from different family members. A couple of precious pairs are over a century old.

A few weeks ago, my adorable but occasionally terrible terrier, Maybee, used my specs as a chew toy. The whole experience of getting new ones got me thinking. Not only do glasses literally shape your visual reality, they make a big statement about the kind of person you are, and when lenses and frames combine, your pair becomes as unique to you as a finger print. I've been playing around with these images and have plans for this collection, well.. plans to make plans anyway.

a sick day well spent *

Nothing makes you feel more gentile than sitting propped up in bed doing embroidery and nothing makes you feel less so than using toilet paper as Kleenex. Maybe it's the fact that I spent most of my sick day finishing up these ^, writing letters and listening to an audio book of "Pride and Prejudice" but I can't for the life of me stop thinking in a victorian accent.

almost christmas *

working on some hand-made Christmas gifts, more to come...

cheap thrills *

I've been experiencing a lot of jewelry lust and envy lately (that's two deadly sins you know). Instead of squandering my very limited coin, I've been gathering up things I already have around the house and working on these little pretties. The middle one is my favorite. It's made from washers sewn onto grosgrain ribbon with embroidery thread- so easy to make. I like it as a short or long necklace, a belt, or even as a headband. The key was a little gift from my friends Reese and Margaret. Most of the beads are from Reese's great shop, The Wild Hare Beadery.

falling for fall *

Well, I'm about to hit the road and get my busy weekend under way, I'll be visiting family and attending Kelly's wedding. Before I do, I wanted to share a few fall pics with you.

The top left picture is a centerpiece I made I made for Kelly's Christmas wedding shower in early November. I made the wreath last fall but didn't manage to take it down all year. The picture in the lower right is of my house and one of my favorite new traditions, an early Thanksgiving celebration with friends. The other two pics are from a lovely camping trip to Tyler State Park.

Bye for now, have a safe and happy Thanksgiving!