Do Your Best

For the last week, I have been working in my studio designing pieces for a trunk show next week.   As I took a break and picked up one of my favorite insightful books, I was reminded of what really is important when working on a project such as this.  

"There was a man who wanted to transcend his suffering so he went to a Buddhist temple to find a Master to help him.  He went to the Master and asked, "Master, if I meditate four hours a day, how long will it take me to transcend?"

The Master looked at him and said, "If you meditate four hours a day, perhaps you will transcend in ten years."

Thinking he could do  better the man then said, "Oh, Master, what if I meditated eight hours a day, how long will it take me to transcend?"

The Master looked at him and said, "If you meditate eight hours a day, perhaps you will transcend in twenty years."

"But why will it take me longer if I meditate more?" the man asked.

The Master replied, "You are not here to sacrifice your joy or your life.  You are here to live, to be happy, and to love.  If you can do your best in two hours of meditation, but you spend eight hours instead, you will only grow tired, miss the point, and you won't enjoy your life.  Do your best, and perhaps you will learn that no matter how long you meditate, you can live, love, and be happy."

The Four Agreements

by

Don Miguel Ruiz

So that being said, I'm off to have a massage!

Wishing you happiness today and always!

Diana

Inspirational Retreat

It is my pleasure to announce that my good friend Riki and I will again be team teaching a mixed media jewelry art class in 2010 called Friends of a Feather. How exciting to be teaching at a new venue in southern California in Old Agoura called Inspirational Retreat. Lisa LaRosa is welcoming people into her beautiful country home. This rustic retreat with its artisan charm and old world character makes it a perfect place for creativity to flow. Visit here to discover more about Old Agoura.

"Friends of a Feather" will be a 2-day, intensive precious metal clay and wiring workshop. On the first day, students will learn both basic and intermediate pmc techniques including sculpting, texturing, layering, working with silicon molds and then sanding, tumbling and working with patinas.

On the second day, you will take your wire wrapping skills to new heights as you learn wire-wrapped loops, a variety of clasps, orchid vine wraps, make a charming bird's nest and your own balled headpins with a butane torch.

For complete workshop details, visit the Inspirational Retreat site.

To celebrate their new retreat venue, Inspirational Retreat is offering a 10% discount to anyone who signs up for a 2010 class before the end of this year. Students signing up will also receive free lunch for both days as a holiday gift. This discount applies to all of the workshops currently scheduled.

Now's the time to give yourself an early Christmas gift or put it on your wish list. Riki and I would love to have you come and play with us May 1 & 2. I will be teaching another 2-day workshop August 7 & 8, 2010....details to follow.

Ta Ta
Diana

Birth

Birth: the beginning of existence; a beginning or origin.

I celebrated yet another birth day this last weekend and count my blessings to have made a trip around the sun once again. When my husband asked me how I wished to spend my day, all I could think about was to return to nature. We spent the afternoon at Montana de Oro a state park here on the central coast. Isn't it beautiful? We hiked to one of my favorite tiny coves, Carolina Cove, and there just spent time with eachother, enjoying the sounds of the waves, searching for tiny stones to incorporate into my jewelry, watching the sea life play and tuning in to nature's bounty. I felt grounded and at peace.

"The ocean brought me peace

the wind gave me energy

the sun warmed my spirit

the flowers showed me life

but you made me feel love."

-coral-

-my hubby-

A Birthday

My heart is like a singing bird

Whose nest is in a water'd shoot;

My heart is like an appletree

Whose boughs are bent with thick-set fruit;

My heart is like a rainbow shell

That paddles in a halcyon sea;

My heart is gladder than all these,

Because my love is come to me.

Raise me a dais of silk and down;

Hang it with fair and purple dyes;

Carve it in doves and pomegranates,

And peacocks with a hundred eyes;

Work it in gold and silver grapes,

In leaves and silver fleurs-de-lys;

Because the birthday of my life

Is come, my love is come to me"

~Christina Rossetti~

You and I

My hand is lonely for your clasping, dear;

My ear is tired waiting for your call.

I want your strength to help, your laugh to cheer;

Heart, soul and senses need you, one and all.

I droop without your full, frank sympathy;

We ought to be together -- you and I;

We want each other so, to comprehend

The dream, the hope, things planned, or seen, or wrought.

Companion, comforter and guide and friend,

As much as love asks love, does thought ask thought.

Life is so short, so fast the lone hours fly,

We ought to be together, you and I.

~Henry Alford~

It was a quiet day, a simple day, a very special day...to celebrate with my soulmate of nearly 30 years. I heard from loved ones and friends who called with well wishes. I thank you all for filling my birth day with love. ...life's truest gift!

Diana

Soldered Elements Take One

This time last weekend, these wonderful ladies came over to my studio to play. Don't they look like such a fun group? And "fun" they were. Each and every one of you who attended added so much to our 2-days together in my tiny studio. I didn't feel as though I was really teaching a class but having a group of friends over to just do art.

-Sheryl-

I know that so many of you were timid about coming to your very first mixed media jewelry art class. Some of you didn't know what you were doing there when you arrived on Saturday morning. However, as the hours pasted, you realized that you could give yourself permission to just come in play in a safe, and supportive environment. I was so very excited to see so many of you just dive right in and try working with torches, soldering irons, flex shafts, engraver and more. The pieces you created were amazing.

-Lesa-

And by the end of class on Sunday, you were still going strong, determined to master your new skills. It was such a pleasure to meet each and every one of you. I felt as though we all knew eachother before.

-Kelly-

This is sweet Kelly (mother of three small children) whose wonderfully supportive husband encouraged her to take a weekend for herself and pursue her art while he took care of all of the children. Hooray for supportive hubbies! Kelly presented me with a lovely bracelet and paper clay pendant she designed. Thank you so much, Kelly!!! Love the necklace!!

-Julie-

Love those glasses, Julie!! And look at my friend, Jody, below. I just love this photo of Jody...she is really getting into her work...surrounded by fall's gifts of scattered leaves.

-Jody-

Here are a few of the pieces Jody completed. You go girl!

I was so very touched by the thoughtfulness and giving spirits of these ladies. I was presented with a lovely card, Kelly's gift, Jody designed me a wonderful birthday crown, and someone left me the cutest tiny birdee on one of my shelves in the studio....no one has fessed up to that one yet.

From left to right: Kelly, Debbie, Mary, Lesa, myself, Sheryl, Jody and Julie.

Thank you for choosing to spend your weekend with me. I learned so much from you all (including pouring vinegar on a burn...this tip came in mighty handy when I decided to put my hand in a torch flame when helping a student....the vinegar really helped). I hope that each of you will continue to pursue your artistic passion.

"You use a glass mirror to see your face; you use works of art to see your soul"

~George Bernard Shaw~

Tootles

Diana

Remnants

Just sending along some "eye candy". I attended "Remnants of the Past" antique faire in Nipomo, Ca this last weekend. The vendor displays are always a treat for me and, of course, I love the shopping as well. I picked up a few goodies, ran into friends I hadn't seen in a long time and had the opportunity to spend part of my day in one of my favorite places. Enjoy!

This chair above and pillows below are designed with antique grain sacks from Europe. The workmanship in the weaving of over 100 years ago and the inks used are amazing. Each grain sack tells a story of the person it belonged to with their name and possibly crest on each bag.

Antique bottles from France...oh la la!!

Antique dresser from France...I absolutely LOVE this!

My friend, Stephanie Gorman.

Tootles

Diana

Name That "Little"

Thank you all for your input on name suggestions for my new Colleen Moody "Littles" as seen in my last post.  I have finally decided on their names.  The first Little (the pumpkin head with orange and cream dress) will be "Cosette" which is a name I have loved ever since seeing Les Miserables. That name just seemed to fit her sweet demeanor.

The little witch will be named "Mohana" as suggested by one of my readers which is a Hindi name meaning "bewitching".  .....so appropriate for this little witchy.

Tootles

Diana

My new "Littles"

I would like to introduce you to two little (between 6"-10" long) girlies who are keeping me company in my studio. I was finally able to purchase two of Colleen Moody's incredible artdolls. I fell in love with them as soon as I removed them from the shipping box. They are so, so sweet. If you are interested in Colleen's dolls, check out her blog for information on her next blog sale. Warning!!! Her dolls get snapped up within minutes of the sale's opening so be poised and ready at the very beginning of the sale.

But I can't decide on names for these little girlies. Can you help me and suggest names?? Won't you take a minute and give me some ideas?

Thank you

Diana