Farm Goings On and Such

My sweet boy Angus, photographed by my sweet friend, Stacey on a recent trip to the farm.  She just grabbed my camera and snapped a few quick shots and seemingly with no effort came up with this photo of my best boy - Angus.  He's getting older and I know that this will be one of my eternally favorite photos of Angus that I will always love.  As you know, Angus was a rescue puppy and I have had him with me for the past 10 years.  I've loved every minute of it.

Ha.  This one cracks me up.  Another Stacey shot of Molly checking out a blueberry.

My son Ryan, with "Meaty" as he calls Molly.  She is a chunk and we love her anyway.  Poor Molly is currently on a doggie diet of only dog food and veggies.  We also have to limit her to her daily rations as she is a grazer like her Mom and will munch all day long if allowed.

Occassionally, a lone rider will pass by the farm in this instance one of our Amish neighbors.  See the horse's ears standing straight up?  That's because Angus was sounding the alarm by barking way too loudly.  He just wouldn't stop until the horse and rider had passed the barn.  My neighbor seemed to find this very amusing as Angus is only about a foot tall including his really big ears.  What he lacks in size he more than compensates with his loud doggie voice.  Wow, is that dog loud.

Sweet Dan is putting on the last coat of pain in my future studio space at the farm today.  I am so excited about my future studio space.  I currently work in my finished basement in the city, so I am super excited about all of those windows and bright white walls.  The next step is installing the hardwood floors.

Lots and lots of windows.  I will be able to view my flower garden from these three windows while I work.  Bliss.

I purchased a chandelier for the studio today at one of my favorite antiquing venues.  I love.love.love it!

I cleaned all of the crystals today and Sweet Dan is going to hang for me tomorrow.

This is the light that I found for the space above my kitchen table.  It has the prettiest milky white glass.

Another vintage fixture for the guest bath ceiling.  It was originally a tarnished brass, but with a fresh coat of glossy white paint it becomes perfect.

Some of my other favorite finds for the farm...

Lovely vintage cannister set.

Tiny procelain espresso set from Czechoslavakia.

Vintage aprons hanging from a French Rooster hook on my pantry door.

Green bakelite dominoes in an ironstone bowl.

And one sweet little cast iron bull dog.

I never get tired of designing my perfect sanctuary in the country.  Isn't it fun finding something special to add to your home that just makes you happy whenever you look at them? 

It's sunset and once again the sky is ablaze in hues of vibrant pink that looks so beautiful floating above the blue tones of the snow on the ground...what can I say, I am a country girl through and through. and it's here that I feel most like me.

Blessings - Julie

Molly Buries Box Turtles

Most of you remember Molly, my sweet Jack Russell Terrier.  My sweet girl, Molly buries box turtles in my flower beds.  She picks them up and carries them to my flower bed where she digs a shallow hole, tucks the box turtle inside and then pushes the dirt around the turtle with her nose. 

I saw her do this the first time at the farm and thought it was a strange thing for her to do, but thought she did it on a whim.  When I saw her do it again this week in the city, I knew that was the true relationship she has with box turtles.  She buries them in my flower beds where she buries her most prized possessions like rawhide pieces, bones, and various toys.  She seems very pleased with herself when she is finished, bounding up the steps with her short little tail wiggling with glee.

A very large box turtle has made his way into our fenced yard to eat the peaches that have fallen from the tree in our garden.  He's rather large and barely fits in Mollys mouth.

Photo - Evan Shaw Blackerby

It's the game they play, Molly picks turtle up, carries him to the garden, buries him there then runs away.  The turtle climbs out of the shallow hole and goes about his day.  They have done this everyday this week.

I wonder if the turtle thinks, "Oh Great!  There's that nasty little dog that buries me everyday.  Can I make it to cover in time before she see's me?  One foot in front of the other, one foot in front of the other, one foot in front of the other....  Blast!  Tuck into shell quick...here we go again.  Rotten little dog."

It's been fun for Molly and me, and a nuisance I am sure to the turtle making his way back to the peach tree from the flower garden each morning.  Just another fun morning at my house...while I sip my coffee and watch the antics in the garden.

"You see Peter, there's this nasty little dog that picks me up in her jaws and carries me to the garden where she buries me under the cone flowers every morning!" exclaimed Turtle.  "Oh no, gasped Peter, how dreadful."

I have been organizing my studio space.  I have moved into a larger space and haven't had time to really organize until now with the Spring and early Summer shows which provided the perfect excuse to avoid rolling up my sleeves and getting organized once again.  It isn't one of my favorite things to do, but when things get out of control, you just have to take a pause and do a bit of housekeeping.  I still had bead stashes in plastic bags from the Gem Shows earlier this year.

I brought in three new shelving units, a new desk top made of vintage wicker that I love and a couple of vintage mannequins to model my jewelry as I work.

I am hoping to complete the space in time for a Fall Open Studio show but, I have a long way to go to bring it all together in time for a show this year in between custom orders and new jewelry for the Holiday season.

This is one of the things on my wish list for 2010...

Larger Studio Space - check

Hiking on the Konza Prairie - This Fall

Learning How to Make a Delicious Pie Crust -check

Mandolin Lessons - This Fall

Gardening and Planting Trees - check

Getting Physically Fit - in progress

Cleaning Up My Diet - check

Spending Time with my Parents - the very best of all - check

I highly recommend this excellent cookbook.

Over the weekend, I made my first great pie crust!  I was so excited, my crusts are usually doughy and tough.  But, I made an apricot galatte that was declicious with the apricots from our trees!  I couldn't wait until Winter.  One more thing off my list - check it off.

What was on your list this year?  It's not too late to make one filled with some of the things you have always wished you could do.  Work in a few of your dreams.

Blessings - Julie

Lily Pad Formed Copper Pendant

There are afternoons while working at my bench in the studio that I get distracted with a thought or an idea of something I want to create....usually I can resist temptation and continue working on jewelry that needs to be shipped or pieces for an upcoming show.  But, this week the urge was too strong to resist and this is the result...

A copper lily pad necklace that I cut from a sheet of copper and then hammered the metal into the shape of a lily pad on the anvil.  I admit that I have a thing for hammering metal.  I love adding ripples along the edges and creating the bowl indention.  There's something about hammering metal that speaks to me...it is one of my favorite things to do in the studio.

Once I achieved the desired shape it was time to play with patinas.  After experimenting with several different mixtures and combinations I chose the blue patina for the lily pad.  Once the patina was dried, I sanded and scored the copper to highlight the desired areas and then sealed the entire piece.

Holes were drilled for the cables to thread through and a large pearl was secured to the surface. 

I'd love to know what you think?  Is the pendant too large?  Should the cables be heavier?

I will be sharing the other pieces that I created with you in the upcoming week.  I have been having fun in the studio and have lots to share with you.

Here's what's blooming in the garden...

Lovely Clemantis

Wonderful Roses

Pale Pink Peonies

Oops, Angus is on the wrong side of the door again for the 20th time today....gotta dash!

Blessings and a Hug - Julie

White Bloomers Show - Gratitude

What an amazing couple of weeks spent in the shoppe surrounded by fabulous women who came to shop and offer me well wishes, smiles and hugs.  I have never felt so fortunate - and I am so grateful for the sisterhood of women.  Where would we be without the encouragement and support of our friends?

My sweet sister in law, Laurie and energetic Karen, who has more energy than the two of us together...made the show possible and I am so grateful to both of them.  I feel so blessed and just plain LUCKY.

So, the final word on the show is that it was a HUGE success and sales were good, too. 

Now, the shop space will be dismantled over the next few months...an end of an era for me.  It is a bittersweet process putting a dream to rest.  After the last customer left the shop and I turned out the lights, I  felt a huge lump in my throat as I closed the door.  It is time to move onto new endeavors.  No one said that it would be easy...

So, I am staking claim to the finished basement in my home here in the city - the whole thing.  I plan to create a magical studio space and welcome those same fabulous women into my studio hopefully in early Fall.  The idea of welcoming these lovely souls into my home, studio and gardens makes me happy and feels like the natural thing to do.  So, here I go....walking down a new path.

Today, I will deliver the jewelry that I have made over of the past week in preparation for the Friends of a Feather show.  Back to back shows....what was I thinking?  It's been a challenge, but I work best under pressure and I have created some pretty wonderful things to share...  I'll photograph today and share with you in the near future.  It will be a fun show and I am looking forward to it.

Friends of a Feather Show

After this weekend I will be heading back to the farm...to relax a bit.

I need to check on my trees that I planted a few weeks ago... twenty-one of them.  Now you know why my Dad brought his tract loader with the backhoe attachment over to help with the digging.  The guys were preparing a new home for a lovely Crabapple tree that will be just outside my studio windows on the front side of the house.  I can just hear the birds singing from it's branches as I hammer away in the studio...bliss.

Angus was bored by the whole thing...he dozed on the porch in spite of the backhoe making all kinds of racket just a few feet away...as the Crabapple went into the ground.

We planted Japanese Cedars which were my favorite, White Pines, a Pear Tree, White Lilac, a Weeping Cherry, Mugo Pines and my Crabapple Tree.  By the end of the day, we were covered with dirt, barely able to make it up the stairs for a shower, but we were really.really.really happy. 

On our next visit, I will finish planting my vegetable garden and seed my Zinnias and then go over to my Mom and Dad's house and plant a bed of Zinnias - Giant Red Zinnias for my Dad - they are his favorite.  My Dad will never accept any form of payment for helping us at the farm, so we take it out in trade - this time a planted bed of Zinnias.  He'll really enjoy them this Summer and the thought of that makes me smile.

Blessings and a Hug - Julie

God and Dog Video by WJ Francisco and Introducing Stacey Bruce Photography

My sweet friend, Stacey shared this video with me. As a fellow dog lover, she knows how much I love my puppies, Angus and Molly. This video touched my heart.

Much like Stacey's photography...



Visit Stacey's new blog, Stacey Bruce Photography and be prepared to have your breath taken away...her photography is touched by grace. Help me welcome her to the blogging world by leaving her a comment of encouragement...she's the sweetest gal and is an amazing artist and photograper. I just love her view of the world...

Now from one dog lover to another......ENJOY my friends.

The Five Precepts - New Year's Resolution

Okay, it's that time of year for reflection, and planning for the New Year.... The funny thing about planning is that - it hardly ever works out.... Like the classic...I'm going to loose ten pounds... I think I said that last year at this time and guess what? I am still carrying around the same ten pounds from last year and maybe a couple more.

Another favorite of mine is... I'm going to exercise more this Winter. Again, this is always challenging for me....I have discipline issues...Structure is always a challenge for me - I am so easily distracted by the kids, family, friends, my art, my couch, a good book - well you get the idea.

So, this year I will try to do something even more difficult...following the Five Precepts...

I vow to abstain from harming living beings.
I vow to abstain from taking what is not freely given.
I vow to abstain from sexual misconduct.
I vow to abstain from incorrect speech.
I vow to abstain from intoxicants that lead to heedlessness.

Does abstaining from harming living beings include bugs??? I need clarification here.... If so, I'll have a real challenge on my hands not to kill spiders, flies, and creepy crawlies. I'll work at this, but the flies are probably a lost cause, including all the creepy crawlies that I can't get outside without hurting myself in the process. This will ensure some excitement around my house with lots of squealing on my part as I run for the door while trying to keep an eye on the bug crawling around on the newspaper, so that it doesn't crawl up my arm or touch my hand. My panic often causes me to throw the newspaper on the floor and call for Sweet Molly to "get the buggy" which she does with a few quick clicks of her teeth....Good Girl Molly! Hopefully, there will be fewer of these hysterical moments in the coming year at the farm.

Abstaining from taking what is not freely given. Another tough one since it includes emotional support when I am feeling hurt, confused, angry, or sad - all those emotions attached to expectation that make me want to dump on anyone who will listen. I will try to become more comfortable in my discomfort which will be a challenge for me. Thank goodness for Angus, my rat terrier, he is especially good at listening to me complain and always does the right thing - like lick my hand or snuggle closer. Aren't pets the best?! He always gets a cookie out of it so it's a win-win for both of us.

I can abstain from sexual misconduct - no problem here...I'm just not that exciting in general. I think that is probably the case with most of us....I mean - really. We aren't nearly as exciting as we think we are when it comes down to the nitty- gritty. For those of you out there that are... you are as rare as a unicorn and forgive me for being sexist - usually of the male persuasion. I know, I said it...sorry guys. See the next precept below....apparently the next precept will be challenging for me as well...

Abstaining from incorrect speech, well this will be the most difficult for me - I'll shoot for an improvement in this area - a definite work in progress as I can't seem to keep my big bazoo closed as often as I would like...some people call it putting your foot in your mouth...hopefully there will be fewer instances where I feel like a total jerk later for saying something thoughtless...I really hate that when it happens and I can wallow in the resulting guilt for days.

Abstaining from intoxicants, I gave up alcohol this year in my resolve for a healthier me in 2010 - so I'm okay here.

Sigh. Maybe loosing ten pounds would be easier now that I think about it....but, it's a worthy endeavor as it will benefit those around me...one step closer to getting outside my own selfish desires...baby steps...tiny baby steps...even teeny tiny steps inch you closer to who you would like to be...

One of my favorite sayings that sums it up...

I am thankful that thus far today
I have not had any unkind thoughts
or said any harsh words or
done anything that I regret.

However, now I need to get out
of bed and so things may
become more difficult...

All Shall Be Well - Mixed Media Necklace

I was delighted when the feminine side of a creative duo that writes music and lyrics together... requested this necklace. She had purchased one of my necklaces and loved it so much that she wanted one for the male counterpart in this ying/yang friendship. I don't do alot of jewelry for the guys, so it was a welcome challenge. I love to problem solve, to find solutions....to create something that has special meaning for the person wearing it. A talisman of sorts.

It got me to thinking about the creative muses that come into our lives to be treasured, you know that special someone who gets your wheels turning, spinning, and humming with creativity. You learn more about yourself in the time spent with them than in the years before they came into your life cracking your world wide open. Your buddha buddy...

I once left my purse in a taxi in Las Vegas - not one of my favorite places to go - too busy, too hectic, too much. too much. too much... For a visual person, it is overwhelming. So while, trying to get out of the cab without getting hit by another cab at the airport I grabbed my bags and left my purse in the cab. The cab drove away, with my purse, my money, credit cards, and my identification... I was so disappointed in myself for doing such a foolish thing...by putting myself into that situation to begin with...why was I in Vegas??? I am a nature girl...I am completely at home in nature, not so much in the world of concrete and flashing neon.

So, once I returned home, as a visual reminder I didn't allow myself to carry a purse for an entire month. I have never lost my purse since...so I guess it did the trick. I was so surprised when I received my purse in the mail about 8 weeks later with everything still in it from the cab company. I was shocked, I was sure that my purse was gone forever. All Shall Be Well.

Here's a rough sketch that I did for her consideration. She loved the concept, so with a little more information, the necklace was begun.

This is part of the toggle closure attached to the soft suede leather laces.

This is the flip side of the necklace with the requested expression, a spiral symbolizing the continuity of life - all things change. Imagine your worst day and be assured that it will not remain constant - it's the beauty of change. Relish the good days and be comforted knowing that bad days will end. The gift of impermanence. All Shall Be Well.

I think the masculine side of this relationship "gets this" and his favorite expression...All Shall Be Well sums this up. I am grateful for this creative duo that passed through my life and gave me the gift of remembering that all things pass...in the circle of life. It made my Christmas holiday spent with my parent's so meaningful, I was really there enjoying every moment with them, knowing that all things pass and that this was a day to cherish. It made my holiday so special, the laughter of my little niece and nephew playing with their new toys, time spent talking with my Dad in front of a crackling fire in the fireplace, the look on my mother's face when she opened her gift from me - a special necklace in all her favorite colors... The hugs from every member of my family...we were together once again which only happens once or twice each year. An event that I usually miss, I get tangled up in the rush and bustle of Christmas... it can be overwhelming causing me to shut down, clinch my jaw and begin wishing it was all over. This year was different, I felt pure joy open my heart.

And...Here's my sweet Molly Girl snuggled up next to me as I share my life with you....what would I do without my sweet girl and you, my friends?

Dragonflies and Yellow Kittens - Two of my Favorite Things

When you arise in the morning
think of what a privilege it is to be alive;
to breathe, to think, to enjoy, to love.
- MARCUS AURELIUS

Yellow kittens with lovely golden eyes that gaze into mine for just a moment on a sunny afternoon in my garden. A gentle cool breeze ruffles his hair and mine as honeybees buzz among the few remaining blossoms left from warmer days. We have become good friends and enjoy the garden together. Such a sweet kitty.

Dragonfly Dichroic Glass Earrings - BUY HERE

Dichroic glass earrings in radiant blue like the sky above - a crisp clear blue. Just as quickly they appear clear with no color at all as they tilt in the light.

This little yellow cat is so sweet and endlessly friendly as he grabs my wrist as I scratch his creamy speckled stomach as he wriggles about in delight. Such a sweet kitty.


The earrings also flash a lovely peach, like the fur of the little yellow cat and then again fade to transparency and then flash brilliant blue once again as they move in the light.

Pink kitten noses that nuzzle your hand in friendship and affection. Such a sweet little kitty.

Silver dragonflies captured in flight on dichroic glass earrings seem to float above a pool of clear blue water.

Sweet little kitten with golden eyes. Such a sweet kitty.

Persimmon the Striped Kitten

Magical moments happen whenever I return to my roots and spend time at the farm deep in the rural areas of my childhood.  I always take my meditative walk along the rusty gravel roads that cut through the country side, enjoying the crunch of gravel beneath my shoes.  I can feel the bottom of my feet connecting to Mother Earth and I feel grounded and connected to the world around me more so than at any other time.  

There are hidden treasures underfoot that sum up the feelings deep inside my heart - simply love-  an overwhelming sense of joy and gratitude for this moment.  

This heart shaped stone jumped out at me underfoot....catching my eye just for a fleeting moment as I crunched along on my journey among the quiet pastures filled with birdsong. Wait. What was that?  I retraced my steps backward and there was a heart made of flint.  

These quiet country walks soften my heart that becomes hardened with busy, hectic, overwhelmed, and frantic life in the city.  I close off my feelings to protect myself from getting crushed by too much stimulation in the form of traffic noise, rushing traffic and busy schedules.  To create balance in your life becomes more and more challenging as children grow up, responsibilities magnify and there never seems to be enough time to finish what needs to be done.  Visits to the country are my escape and balance to my alternate "city life".

As Dan and I strolled along on an evening walk at sunset, this little persimmon striped kitten called out to us loudly from the tall grass growing along the road.  We stopped to listen in silence.  Was that a bird?  

Dan immediately knew it was a kitten and again we heard an even louder, MEOW.  

We began to encourage the kitten to show himself and out popped this little orange head from the tall grass.  After a little more encouragement there were front paws - back paws - and then a very long ringed tail.

This little kitten was hungry, wet from the earlier downpour, and very frightened to be all alone.  He called out to us, but kept his distance, not allowing us to touch him but gladly following us back to the house all the while loudly calling after us - MEOW -  "don't leave me"...

Lost in the middle of the country abandoned along a gravel road by someone who didn't want him any longer.  There are no houses within miles of our farm.  Little kittens don't stray far from their mothers.

What would have become of this beautiful little persimmon striped kitten if we hadn't been visiting the farm in the country on this day and decided to walk in the direction of his hiding place?

Luckily for this little guy and luckily for us we found each other... I believe that cats and dogs are put here with us to rescue us from our self preoccupation.  Only something warm, soft and engaging could draw our attention away from our daily cares and concerns.  Pets are the bridge to Mother Nature helping us to focus on the divine in nature and encourage us to develop a relationship with the world around us.

I don't know alot about kittens but this little guy is seems so loving, gentle and soft.  Are all kittens like this?  I didn't have a cat when I was growing so cats seem a little mysterious to me.   What do they prefer eat, how do they like to be stroked, what frightens them?

Luckily Dan grew up with cats as his Mother is the type of woman who lovingly feeds strays and tries to find homes for them.  He knows alot about their nature, likes, dislikes, etc.  His childhood pet was a yellow cat named Toby.

Just look at his long whiskers...  He has light creamy fur under his chin and lots of dark orange striping in his fur.  His head seems elegantly shaped which reminds me of the images of Egyptian cats that I have seen.

Kittens are such comedians, swatting at dried leaves, rolling around with paws in the air, giving you that come hither look inviting playtime - hard to ignore and impossible to resist.

A round kitten belly and once again this kitten seemed so happy to have been fed a leftover pork chop from the evening meal, played with dried leaves and twigs, and been lovingly stroked.  He began to gently clean his fur and purr loudly in contentment. 

Golden eyes that match his beautiful fur look toward the road where he was hidden in apprehension.  Don't worry little cat, you are safe once again. 
The meeting of two hearts - a connection so deep and primal - two wild hearts meet with the touch of finger to paw.  A magical gift from the farm deep on the prairie.

Hello, magical little persimmon striped kitty.  We will do our best to care for you until we find you a permanent home with someone who will welcome you into their lives and return your love.  I am sadly allergic to cats and will be unable to keep him with us although I long to do just that.  I ask myself what type of life would this kitten have as an outdoor cat in the middle of the city?  Not a very good one I'm afraid, especially when Winter sets in. 

He would be much happier, safer and content to live indoors with his family.    This kitten is loving and very friendly - definitely not a touch me not cat.  For the time being he is living in my downstairs living room where he is warm, dry and safe until I can find him a loving home.

Look at the orange spots on his belly and long hair covering his ears...