Happiness Is A New Set of Pliers

Yes, it's true, I get that excited over pliers. But I know you can relate...

I'm really jonesin' for a desert junk outing--driving out to my favorite junk piles in the desert to do my part in removing the trash other people think is okay to trash our desert with, grrrrrr. And yes, I realize the irony of the fact that I get excited to find these dump piles as a source of "new" materials. But for now, a trip to Lowe's to replace a couple of new pliers I need for my art is just as fun. I came home with NINE new Kobalt pliers that my mom bought for me...wow, what a treat!!

Now I can get to those mini-mandalas I'm working on. You can see one in progress next to the plier layout; the can lids will be other mini-mandalas :)

So there it is...my material muses. Junk and pliers. And beads. Ooh, and crystals of course. Wire. Insulators. The really cool metal shavings a dear friend shared with me. Rocks with holes, glass....ah my art space calls!!!

So, I would love to know what materials get YOU in your creative space?

Free Tibet

Made from a found (electrical?) panel door--bent and dented! Also, found washers, scrap wood piece, can lids, scrap wire, native Kumeyaay clay beads, turquoise-dyed stone beads, ceramic beads, images from a calendar and Dalai Lama photo image, acrylic.

~18"x 18 1/2"

Subject, I'm assuming it's self-explanatory :) Along with the message, this is a heartfelt gift made for my husband :)








Close up of woven image of "Maitreya" Buddha of Universal Love.







"His religion is kindness." Peace and compassion for Tibet :)

Creativity Everyday Challenge

I just joined Leah Kolidas' Creativity Everyday Challenge! Won't you join me? Express your creative self...in anyway you choose :) It's a fun, low pressure way to commit yourself to your creative process and have fun. January's theme is: BODY

Cheers!

Gazing Jar

Once completed, I found myself gazing into this jar, the flipped image reflected in the suspended glass ball draws me in. I thought it might make a great gazing/meditation jar for personal reflection or to just plain escape!

Legends abound about the mysterious powers of gazing balls for example, staring into a globe may create an experience of "oneness" with the universe. In addition to bringing about happiness, good luck, and prosperity, gazing globes were thought to ward off evil in many forms, from spirits and witches, to illness and misfortune. Perhaps these were symbolic in nature--if you find yourself staring into the globe, you can see anyone/anything coming, nothing can sneak up on you!




















Made with a thrift store jar, found glass ball, wire, glass beads, Sharpie embellishments.

Enlightened Spiders

Inspired by this great video clip of Lama Zopa Rinpoche liberating spiders.

























Made with discarded x-mas bulbs and scrap telephone wire. Spiders range from 2" - 3" body with 3" - 6" leg span.

Lama Zopa Rinpoche liberating spiders - http://shar.es/a9qVa

Dinosaur Garden of Dreams - Dia De Los Muertos

"Sleep well in the garden of your dreams..."

Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) is a two day Mexican holiday for participants to celebrate, honor and communicate with friends and family who have died. In most regions, November 1 is set aside for remembering infants and children, or angelitos (little angels). Those who have died as adults are honored November 2.

Day of the Dead 'figurines' and mini altars often represent the activities of loved one's when they were happiest while alive.

Made with a found drawer, can lids, clay, chandelier crystals, glass beads, sticks, scrap metal and wire, natural objects.

Whole piece: 13"x11"
(10" high with tallest crystal arm)See the whole piece here.



Dig this-->I'm honored to be found via Flickr by "ArtEvolved," and added by admin to their cool paleoart site. Be sure to check out this fun blog, and scroll it to see which image of mine they used (hint: it is NOT pictured here)!

Each Grain of Sand a Tiny Work of Art | Earth Science | DISCOVER Magazine

Amazing photographs. A beautiful example of the limitless inspiration to be found in nature :)

Each Grain of Sand a Tiny Work of Art | Earth Science | DISCOVER Magazine

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