local love: the wild hare beadery *

Yesterday I picked up some of my wares (pics above) from a little sale that I participated in over at one of my favorite shops this past weekend. I know, I know- It would have been better to tell you about it before it was over, but regardless, I can't resist the opportunity to share with you the awesomeness that is the Wild Hare Beadery.

If you live in the area then you've probably been to, seen, or are already in love with this little shop on Campus Corner. It's kind of a fantasy land for people who love all things tiny and shiny. Reese and Margaret, artist/designer/proprietor extraordinaires, keep the place stocked and ever-changing with beautiful beads, charming bric-a-brac, and curiosities of all kinds. Plus, they make and sell fabulous one-of-a-kind pieces like the ones pictured above (my favorite being the slightly frightening poison vile/uranium glass number on the right). Stop by for cool stuff and nice people. If you're not local, don't fret, you can find the Wild Hare on Etsy.

out with the old, in with the new *

There's something so funny about dragging stuff out into your yard, marking it with arbitrary prices and sitting around while strangers come pick through it. Don't get me wrong, I've been known to peruse a garage sale or two or two hundered, but when it's your stuff sprawled out on tables it feels a bit odd. I found myself discovering new love for long forgotten objects whenever some other junk junky showed the slightest interest. Then there was that moment when a gal stopped by at the end of the day to put things from my garage sale into her mouth and I initiated a spur of the moment "everything that you put in your mouth is free" sale.

Over all (minus the knick knack licker) I had a happy and productive weekend. I can see the floor of my garage and walk into my walk in closet. Best thing about the garage sale is that with the dispersion of my unwanted crap went my guilt for having so much unwanted crap. Now I'm free to shamelessly scavenge other people's garage sales (see pics).

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.

working girl *

Today at work, someone introduced me to a group of people as an "office lady," and I'm pretty sure I heard a little part of my soul shrivel up and die. I do work in an office and I even like it (most days), but I guess ever since I started the whole 8 to 5 deal I've considered myself an artist with a day job. I wish I had more time and energy for art and craft- to be honest I can't seem to finish anything lately. As my friend Kate so adequately put it, "This whole making money thing is cramping my style."

I know there are a lot of people out there who are right there with me- so what do you do to stay productive and motivated?

where the wind comes sweeping down the plains *

Like most locals we spent yesterday evening standing out on our front porch when we should have been taking cover. The prospect of entering out 6 ft. square waterlogged storm shelter with D, our two dogs, friend Mike, his dog, neighbor, and- you guessed it, her dog, was possibly more terrifying that braving a twister in a mobile home.

my o miami *

I currently find myself in the torturous purgatory that is post vacation Monday, and I could really go for a Mojito right now. Last week, D and I traveled to Miami to attend his sister's college graduation and to celebrate my birthday. I loved the beautiful beaches, great food, art deco architecture, fun shopping, the MAM, fabulous public sculpture, and the beautiful UM campus. I did not love shining as a beacon of paleness in a sea of excessive orange.

Miami is really a place of extremes; high prices, fast cars, loud music, and extremely little clothing. I found it to be really exciting, and had a great time, but I just could never imagine myself living there. The truth is, I'm not very good at balancing on heels and I don't tan- just burn.

top: Miami photoS by me & D

bottom: pictures from the MAM

within reach *

I once heard an artist say that her best inspiration came from within 50 ft of her house. I must admit- I sometimes find myself dreaming of a romantic country side or charming city scape, and neglect to remember all the little details that make my locale so delightful.

Yesterday, I decided to do a little creative exercise and captured some images from within 50 ft. of my door. I got a couple of new ideas for print patterns (which I will share soon), and enjoyed getting reacquainted with my little landscape. I'm thinking about expanding the project into a full-on neighborhood index, with sample collection, mapping, illustration, and perhaps some ethnography. The urban pioneer?

You might want to embark on an intimate expedition of your environment. After all, you never know what you might find in your own literal or metaphorical backyard.