SNEAK PEEK

Hi all...click HERE for a sneak peek of my newest jewelry designs (using the ancient roman glass I acquired at the Tucson Gem Show this year). It's kept me busy the last few weeks...my studio has been a flurry of files and wire wrapping tools....

xoxo, amy

JOURNAL WORKSHOP

In a few weeks I'll be traveling to Tucson to teach a lead a workshop for Torrey and my new Tucson friends... I'm posting these photos (of the journals I'm currently working on) so you'll have an idea of what we'll be working on. You don't NEED to bring anything (but yourself of course). However, bring B & W/COLOR COPIES (from Kinkos, etc...not prints from your printer) of a few favorite photos if you can as you'll be able to use them in some of the techniques we'll be experimenting with. I'll bring extra copies, etc...but it's often more rewarding to use images that mean something to you. We'll bind the journal from scratch and explore various background and transfer techniques. See you all soon!

xoxo, amy

WHAT THE HECK HAVE I BEEN DOING?

So I'm back from Connecticut and FINALLY taking a few minutes to update my blog...

I had a fab-U-lous visit and had the chance to see so many family and friends. A big hug, kiss, and heartfelt thanks goes out to my sister Heather and her family for letting us crash at their house for so long. We celebrated my Grandma Nancy's 80th birthday while we were there. I saw family I haven't seen in 20 years or more...it was just fab-U-lous.

I snapped this super adorable photo of my niece Amber...as she waited patiently for Heather and I to finish painting the meditation room... What a cu-tie.

We took tons of photos as we had four generations present. This photo is of myself (duh), my Grandma Nancy, Mom, and Heather (with her super sexy pink hair).

Then, in March, George and I ventured to Strawberry, Arizona for a hike to Fossil Creek. I'd tried this hike with my Mom and Wayne about 10 years back...it's not what you'd call a 'beginner' trail...and we're pretty much 'beginners'. Things went better this time around...but it still kicked our butts (for being non-hikers).

Sweet little Goge...on one of our many 'rests'....

Some beautiful Manzanita...in bloom...

And...finally...after 2 hours of downhill hiking...a 1200' drop in elevation...and knowing that you need to hike back UP when it's all over...we reached the creek at the bottom. The water was pretty low and we'd heard that part of it had been dammed up...but it was still beautiful to hear the rushing water and walk along the trail.

And then LAST weekend, we decided to do some work around the yard. Made a cute little container garden (inspired by the AMAZING MS. MEYERS)...

...and FINALLY put in our back yard lighting and some plants between the Queen palms... the lights are gorgeous...raw copper (so they'll patina with age). George picked out a few choice boulders at the rock yard and we were good to go. Moving all the GRAVEL wasn't fun...but it was good to be out in the fresh air and we'll be able to enjoy it every time we're in the back yard now...

Well, that's all for now. Thanks for stopping in...

xoxo, amy

OFF TO THE FROZEN TUNDRA

I leave tomorrow for the frozen tundra of the GREAT NORTHEAST...for a long overdue visit with family and friends.. Mom, Aunt Carol, and I are flying back east to celebrate my Grandma Nancy's 80th birthday. I'm excited to be spending a week with my dear sister Heather...but SO very sad to be leaving my precious little Goge behind. Fortunately, Twitch is ecstatic at the thought of having him all to herself...so I'm sure she'll keep him company.

xoxo, amy

FOR AMBER

I'm posting this little video clip for my niece Amber...because I think she's one of few who will truly appreciate it. UNFORTUNATELY, I had my camera turned sideways (so you'll have to tilt your head at a 90 degree angle to watch it...(sorry).

xoxo, amy

AQUA VIGNETTES

vi-gnette (vin-yet)

-noun

any small, pleasing picture or view

some aqua vignettes scattered throughout my studio for inspiration...

xoxo, amy

DYeING FOR MORE TAGS

Just a couple quick pics of what I worked on LAST weekend... I hand-dyed another big batch of tags... It was a lovely temporary addition to our poor, bald, fig tree in the back yard. Now they're tucked safely in my studio...just waitng to be made into special little cards for special friends...

xoxo, amy

A DELICIOUS FIND

Joanie, Janet, Torrey, and I spent the day in Tucson yesterday...seeking treasure at the Tucson Gem Show. My most treasured 'find' was ancient Roman Glass...photos below. We spent over an hour at this one tiny booth...digging through trays and bins of these 'jewels'... I bought way more than I NEEDED...but not nearly as much as I WANTED... Each piece was such a treasure in itself...can't wait to incorporate some into finished pieces.

This glass was produced in the Roman Empire over 2000 years ago (dating to approximately 300 B.C.). A primitive 'free-blowing' technique was used to make beautiful bottles which were then used for wines, oils, perfumes, and medicines. Among other things, the materials used to form the glass included sand, metals (for coloration), and seaweed. The iridescence you see today is the result of chemical decomposition...from extended exposure to acid in the soil.

The large green piece you see in the two photos above is the top of a bottle and about as big around as a quarter. In one of the pictures you can see that part of the cork is still intact...unbelievable. This very special piece is bound for Connecticut...a special present for my little sister Heather...
Each piece looked delicious enough to eat...like some kind of magical rock candy.
xoxo, amy

FINDING AQUA IN PECULIAR PLACES

DINO SIGHTING...

This post is for my darling niece Amber...to show her that dinosaurs really DO exist and that they're freakin' huge! See you soon!

xoxo, amy

AQUA en AVALON...

I see AQUA...everywhere...

xoxo, amy

THE ARTISTs OF THE ISLAND

During our recent visit to the City of Avalon (on Catalina Island), we were lucky enough to discover 'the Artists of the Island'. ..Will Richards and his wife Cindy.

We were zipping around town on our rented golf cart and, by chance, turned off on a little side street to check out what used to be 'Bird Park'. As we exited the cart, we heard music coming from the hill immediately behind us and looked up to discover WILL RICHARDS' STUDIO... What a fantastic treat.

Will graciously invited us in for a tour...and it was like nothing we'd ever seen... A hillside mansion constructed of recycled materials, sea glass, bones, shells...you name it. It was dreamlike...walking from room to room...peeking into each and every tiny space to reveal the treasures they contained. The most fab-U-lous windchimes made from driftwood, abalone, and old chandelier crystals.

Tilework, assemblage, mosaics, mobiles, paintings, soapstone carvings, and more... Truly a sight to behold...and such an inspiration to create.

My favorite room, by far, was the open air bathroom with seashell encrusted counters and a fully functioning 'conch shell faucet'...

xoxo, amy