Our Farmhouse Nest

 

nest (nst)

n.

1.

a. A container or shelter made by a bird out of twigs, grass, or other material to hold its eggs and young.

b. A place in which young are reared; a lair.

2.

A place affording snug refuge or lodging; a home.

 

This nest wasdangling from wild grape vines hanging from my giant red oak tree at the farm.  Having a weakness for birds and nests, I gently clipped the vines and nest from the tree and gathered them together with a bit of jute twine and it now hangs from a white cast iron bird hook in my dining room.

I have abandoned bird's nests scattered throughout the farmhouse sometimes nestled into a ironstone bowl, under a glass dome or in a vintage jar.  They are in every room of the house with the exception of the kitchen.

I think the nest and grapevines look great hanging from the bird hook against the white door.  The grapevine has dried blue grapes in clusters on the vines.

 

Ah yes, Life Is Beautiful, don't you think?  A new bracelet in French fresh from my studio that sums up those little nests...

 

Blessings My Friends,

 

Julie

Smitten With Vintage Silver Spoons

Silver Spoon Cuff Bracelet - Buy Here



I had so much fun at the UNPlaza Art Fair last weekend, it was glorious Fall weather - the kind that makes you look up and give thanks for such a blessing to enjoy.  Thank you all for stopping by to see me at the show - loved.loved.loved seeing you.

One reoccurring discussion at the show was the deep love we ladies have for two things....vintage shell buttons and silver spoons.  Once being referred to as waumpom  No one really knew why they were drawn to them - it's one of those indescribeable things we ladies have in common - young and old.

This is my latest leather cuff featuring - yup, a vintage silver spoon.  The leather is soft, wide and black.  I love it so much that I will be adding more of them in different versions to my etsy shop soon.  If I can keep them in stock, I will have them at my next show which is coming up soon.

The Shawnee Indian Mission Fall Festival in Fairway, Kansas on October 8th & 9th.  I will be sharing a booth with the lovely ladies of the Kansas City Fiber Guild - how fabulous is that???  It's that time of year to get your "fiber" on and these ladies know how to create extraordinary wearable art pieces that are a must see and add to your Fall wardrobe.  Hope to see you there.

Blessings to You - Julie

Prairie Fire Gemstone Earrings

For me Fall weather just gets me excited...I am already thinking about cozy sweaters, crisp Fall mornings, beautiful Maple trees in flaming red hues, hot chocolate at Football games and pear & cranberry crumbles with vanilla ice cream.  Our temperatures dropped to a very pleasant 70's range which was so nice after the 100+ degree temperatures we have been experiencing over the past month. 

I believe that all of the Earth's creatures were delighted with the cooler temperatures and the rain.  Even the trees seemed happier.  Were the birds singing more than usual or did I just imagine it in my happiness?

Thinking of the upcoming Fall colors inspired new gemstone earrings loaded with garnets, cherry quartz, carnelian, smoky topaz, citrine and lemon jade.

They are large earrings that dangle three inches but are so lightweight and comfortable to wear.  I like to wear them with a crisp white blouse and my favorite pair of jeans.

I have been wire wrapping gemstones in various color palettes of blue, green, brown, and golden yellows... I have added a few pairs to my etsy shop if you would like to pop over for a peek.  I have been busy.busy.busy and shipping my jewelry all over the world.  It's so rewarding.  Whenever I create a piece of jewelry I never know where it will travel and I love that.  It's a pleasure to send my creations off to Norway, Sweden, Japan, Australia, United Kingdom, France, Italy, Czechoslavakia, New Zealand, Taiwan, Spain, Canada, Finland, and Singapore.  Thank you all for your kindness and support.

We lost our favorite Uncle a couple of weeks ago and we are still reeling from it.  He was such a wonderful man that was so kind, generous and a fellow artist.  He was a wood and stone sculptor who created lovely hand carved angels and sculpted animals in stone.  I'll post a blog about him and some of his work later...when I can bear it.  It's just to soon.  I know you understand.  I miss him so much.  We all do.

So, I have been doing things that Dale would have enjoyed.  Spending time outside enjoying nature and spending time in the studio creating.  I have been experimenting with steel wire creating organic formed neck pieces with stitched sheer fabric and thread.  It seems he is with me wherever I go and I can remember his laughter... which always makes me smile.

I hope you are all well and enjoying your family and friends.

Blessings my Friends - Julie

Melon and Cucumber with Pepper and Lime Recipe

Photo by Julie Pishny



My kitchen garden is filled with delicious cucumbers this year and I have been searching for fresh delicious recipes to use them for my table.  I found this recipe recently while browsing one of my favorite award winning cook books by Deborah Madison entitled, Vegetarian Cooking for Everyone.  Please don't be put off by the title of the book as I assure you that all of the recipes contained within are worthy of your non vegetarian table.

Melon and Cucumber with Pepper and Lime

1/2 honeydew melon, chilled
3 cucumbers
2 cups watercress or arugula leaves (optional)
Lime and Fresh Mint Vinaigrette
Salt and Freshly Milled Pepper

Scoup out the seeds, then slice the melon, remove the skin and cube.  Scrub cucumbers, peel and cube.  Spoon the dressing over the top and season with salt and pepper.

Lime and Fresh Mint Vinaigrette

1 teaspoon grated lime zest
2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
Salt
5 to 6 tablespoons sunflower seed or light olive oil
2 scallions, including one inch of the greens, thinly sliced into rounds
2 tablespoons choped mint or 2 teaspoons dried, crumbled

Cucumbers and melons are closely related not only botanically but also in texture and sometimes flavor, depending on the variety.

Prairie Chain Long Handknit Scarf by Julie Pishny

Prairie Chain Hand Knit Scarf - Buy Here

Prairie Chain Scarf for the fashionable Fall wardrobe available in six different color variations.  The scarf is super long at six feet in length allowing for lots of different looks.  Wear it long as shown above or wear it wrapped around your neck in coils as shown below.

Each scarf is handknit in imported fibers from Italy made of  53% wool and 47% acrylic so it is easy care machine washable in cold water.

These scarves will soon be available for sale in my etsy shop and on my website JuliePishny.com.  They will be available in limited quantities so leave a comment if you are interested in one of your own.

The weather remains hot and dry....watering the gardens has become a daily event.  All eyes are turned up toward the heavens looking for any sign of a chance of rain.  The weather seems to be a part of every conversation...we long for rain.

A new banner has been added  for my blog featuring new jewelry designs that make my heart sing...

Blessings to you my friends,

Julie

French Expression of Love Steampunk Coin Necklace

"L'amor che move il sole e l'altre stelle."

A love that moves the sun and the stars...

Our earthly dream of finding our split apart soul mate and once united together we would possess a love that could move the sun and the stars...oh, it's so deliciously romantic, don't you think?

A watch part was used to create a bezel for the beautiful coin (I brought home from Europe) with a cute little gear symbolizing the mechanics needed by fair maiden to find her one true love.

The blue carved gem symbolizes devotion, the red garnet drop symbolizes passion and the golden chain reflects the sweet bondage of union.

The watch part was riveted in place and I hand stamped a signature on the back.  In hindsight a year would have been a nice addition.

Summer is On here.  It's blazing hot at 102 degrees with a nice breeze and the humidity is relatively low today so it reminds me a bit of Arizona in the Summer.  Which is practically in the desert, so it's hot.  I have been busy in the studio this morning and this afternoon errands have kept me out and about in the heat.  Everyone seems to be moving a bit slow today.

We have a big weekend planned for the celebration of the Fourth of July which will include a huge family dinner and grilling for 15 campers that will set up tents in the West pasture.  We will watch fireworks on the fourth and cheer and applaud loudly for our favorites as they explode in the sky.  It's so much fun, you can hear the sound of car horns tooting away for those that are watching from the air conditioned comfort of their cars.  It's one of our favorite holidays.

We'll all say, "Happy Birthday, Grandma" as we remember my grandmother saying that it was so nice of everyone to celebrate her birthday with her by having a fireworks show in honor of her birthday every year.

I hope you have something wonderful planned for the weekend whether you are in America or elsewhere and may you find a

the love that moves the sun and the stars...

Blessings my Friends - Julie

Belle Armoire Jewelry Feature

I know like me,  you religiously go to your local Barnes and Noble Bookseller to pick up the latest issue of  Belle Armoire Jewelry Magazine before they are soldout.  I adore this magazine and have every issue printed over the past few years.  It continues to be a source of inspiration and it connects me although it be vicariously to other jewelry artists.

The most amazing thing happened to me a sweet.sweet.sweet and very talented jewelry artist on the West Coast by the name of Riki Schumacher connected me to Diane Cook another sweet.sweet.sweet and talented artist.  You must visit thir blogs and view their lovely jewelry creations. 

This connection lead, Diane to invite me to be a part of a collaboration with the theme of using the same focal point called Marianne which is available from Brass Bouquet along with hundreds of other great elements.  Well, I was just beyond pleased, excited, honored, and ectastically happy.happy.happy to be asked let me tell you.

Seven very talented artists agreed to participate and Diane wrote a brilliant article and six months later here we are in print in our favorite jewelry magazine. 

I drove to two Barnes and Noble locations before I found any available copies.  Just as I was putting my hands on the magazine on the shelf my phone rang and it was my best girl, Stacey.  I told her she would never believe what I was doing.  I was actually at Barnes and Noble picking up a magazine that had a piece of my jewelry inside...eeeeek....it's just too much!

That's my creation above featuring found objects:  mother of pearl buttons, a mother of pearl "Mother" broach, a crystal oval and lots of vintage chain.  Pearls and Turquoise one of my favorite combinations and a resin hand that I created from a vintage hand pin using a mold, crystals and metal tidbits.

My Mom had been in the hospital and she was in my thoughts as we almost lost her.  As I worked in my studio she became the inspiration for the necklace.  I filled this necklace with things that remind me of her.  She once gave me a huge jar of buttons that her Aunt had given her as a child to play with when she spent time at her house.  One of my Mom's favorite rings was from a family vacation to Wyoming - a huge turquoise creation.  My Mom also has the most beautiful hands...I remember looking at her hands as a little girl thinking how lovely her nails always looked.  I thought my Mom was elegant, beautiful and I was always so proud that she was my Mom.

What a great opportunity to be a part of this collaboration...It was a wonderful experience and I think that every single necklace is spectacular.  But, why wouldn't they be, these are some of the most talented gals in the business.

What a lovely Summer necklace, don't you think by the uber talented Molly Alexander?

Love the colors Molly selected for her necklace.

Diana Frey style is always romantically fabulous - her trademark.  I think Fabulous must be her middle name!

This necklace is by Marie Dodd even though it says Riki's name in print.  Marie has a steampunk vibe that I just love in her work.

Diane and Rikki's necklaces are so fitting to be side by side as they are dear friends and gal pals.  Both of these ladies create romantic found object creations that are unique one of a kind creations - truly wearable art pieces.  Love them both (& the necklaces too!).

The last necklace is by Cindy Wimmer and is a Victorian dream...beautiful blue heaven...with amazing roses and lovely fibers...beautiful work Cindy.

Thank you, Diane for including me in this collaboration...it has been my dream come true.

Now go out and visit these talented ladies blogs!

Diane Cook - Rosa & Josies Blog
Diana Frey - Diana Frey Blog
Riki Schumacher - Riki Jewelry Blog
Cindy Wimmer - Sweet Bead Studio Blog
Marie Dodd - Maire Dodd Blog
Molly Alexander - Beautifully Broken Me Blog
and Brass Bouquet

Blessings my Friends - Julie

Steampunk Frozen Charlotte Doll Leather Purse

Once I had this vintage leather pouch in my hands with the awesome hardware and aged brown leather with great  texture I knew it would be a great foundation for something extraordinary.  I have had the pouch for several years in a wooden Black Walnut box that my Dad made for me...waiting to be repurposed into art.

This frozen Charlotte doll with one of her tiny hands missing was very interesting to me and I knew she would be an interesting element so she was added to the leather pouch as a focal point.  As an expression of the feminine and as a way to counter balance the leather and metal of the piece.

I added the vintage text...1801 to satisfy my fascination with vintage paper and numbers.  I then added a tiny rhinestone button as a bracelet for her wrist.  Charlotte was then given wings to fly.  Her wings were riveted in place on the leather pouch.  A heavy brass chain was also added to the pouch so I could carry it as a purse.  It's the perfect size for keys, credit cards and lip gloss.

This is my favorite Catholic charm from Italy of the Holy Mother and Child that I added to the heavy chain along with the Saint Patrick charm my dear gal pal, Marcy carried home to me from a trip to Ireland.

Two vegetable gardens and a flower garden expansion have been so much fun to plant over the past few weeks.  I just found passion flower seeds that I brought home from Italy that I have to plant tomorrow...yippee.

I hope you are enjoying the growing season.

Blessings - Julie

Listen To The Whispers of Your Heart Treasury on Etsy

'Listen to the Whispers of your Heart' by blitz68

Thank you Gardenlogykc for the title :)

Silver Flower and Freshwater... StudioSeventyF... $33.00	Estate Style Earrings. Storm dreamyvintage $18.00	Visible Connective - Heart t... meltemsem $45.00
Poetry in Grey bayanhippo $44.00	When Wishes Shine A Signed... gildinglilies $20.00	Crochet Gray Pom Pom Scarf V... zuzusworld $17.00
Vintage Woven Metal Basket luckylittledot $34.00	Ivory Mohair Rectangular Sha... Starpompon $80.00	Bride to Be Paper Drink Stra... GoAgainstTheGr... $16.00
White Iron Stone Pudding Bas... keeky27 $20.00	Listen to the Whispers of Yo... gardenologykc $38.00	Vintage LoganDeluxe 8mm Stee... inmyigloo $18.00
SPECIAL OFFER spring blossom... isheshop $15.95	Ready to ship..Tote Bag with... bayousalvage $75.00	Flock Flying ducks ceramic w... PrinceDesignUK $69.00
Mr and Mrs vintage silverpla... Vivianstreasur... $15.75

Treasury tool by Red Row Studio.

Another treasury on Etsy featuring the most wonderfully soft, shabby inspired treasures.  I swear, I want everything featured.  It is always such an honor to be included in a treasury that features one of your creations.  This time is was my Listen To the Whispers of Your Heart silver spoon bracelet.  It has been one of my best sellers and one of my favorite pieces to create.

It's a cold Spring day here, and another frost is in the forecast for tonight.  I am ready for warmer days.  I have an entire flat of beautiful white zinnias with the sweetest blush of pink in their centers ready to be planted in my flower garden.  I am so excited about getting them tucked into their new beds.

Stay warm my friends...I am off to explore all of these etsy artists shops.

Prairie Thistle at the Bottom's Up Antique Market

A quick share of my booth this month at the Bottom's Up Antique Market that opens tomorrow.  I have filled my space with loads of wonderful things for garden, home and body.

There are so many things I love in this space like the Breakfast at Tiffanys style dress and hat on the mannequin, the black walnut cross on top of the cabinet on the left, and the hanging lamp made from a vintage galvanized metal funnel.

I designed this French inspired shelf that I so admire in Jeanne de Arc Living Magazine with loads of hooks and cubbies to display your favorite collections.  My talented husband, Dan made these beauties for me.  I can't wait to hang mine at the farm!  For my out of town friends, let me know if you are interested and I can check on shipping options.

One of the favorite things I made for the show is this "Sisters" piece that is a printed dictionary page soldered between two panes of glass with vintage brass corners - they are gorgeous.

A painting that I did of the shadow of an angel above vintage sheet music bits with deep blue space below.  I added "The Angels Sing" in french below.  I painted the angel and the letters in a silver metallic paint that appears and disappears depending on the angle. 

 The Queen of Sheba mixed media shadow box in a vintage sucrets tin.

A vintage Little Red Riding Hood doll and book.

A barnwood cross  that features "With the Help of God " written in French is one of my favorites.

Two large vintage blue fruit jars made into sweet lamps.

Just a glimpse into my booth...hope you enjoyed it.

Blessings my friends - Julie