Unusual Girl Studios

Before I even go into this- I hesitated sharing for a number of reasons, one being the three posts about vehicular whining- let me tell you that all in all my real Christmas with my family was a good one. Everything went well and anything that was awry I was able to sweep under the rug. Kind of. So we all have something in our family closet, right? Divorced parents remarried to bimbo's or bimbette's. The funny uncle. The Aunt who used to be an Uncle. Well, right now my sister thinks she's an Athiest who celebrates Pagan holidays but not regular ones. Fine and Dandy. I really don't care about your religion as long as you are not asking me to drink the purple kool-aid or chicken blood. And ever since we made that pact a few years ago where in I promised to never help her out/screw up her life again- my life has been easier. I needed her to watch the kids over Christmas break and asked her to come Wed and Thurs. She asked what the plans were for Christmas. I told her that

Christmas day is a very special day to exhibit my holly homemaker hostess skills. So I start the day with a very special routine. Chilled water is sooo refreshing. A little personal grooming goes a long way. Hubby understands how important this day is to a wife. Truly a culmination of all I could ever hope to be... So the outfit is especially important. Do I go all out? Or go for the casually elegant and oh so modern? These decisions can cause a lot of anxiety! Luckily, I have a coping mechanism... My guests will be very interesting and diverse. They are sure to enjoy the touch of Americana I included in the supper menu. I just know that the Mr. of the house will be so proud and fall in love with his wife all over again..... Unfortunately after such a strenuous day I am likely to develop a headache.... Only curable by a little alone time with that ever so fabulous- ME!!!! Ahhhhh.....I can see it now...

This was on my daughter's Christmas list to Santa. She wants a necklace that says 'Dogs' and a charm bracelet. Whatever your sweet little 71/2 heart desires. Its only money. How can I compare repairing a car to the dreams and wishes of a child who believes in Santa? This is a do-it-your-self-er I bought from Hobby Lobby. The bracelet comes strung with beads and jump rings. Then you add the charms from their vast selection and Viola~ you have a personalized gift that will probably be lost by the end of the school year...ahh the dreams and wishes of a 7 1/2 year old. Hey- here's a tid bit from the art world part of my life! I'm still waiting for a ballerina to arrive so I can finish the bird. So in the meantime, I have just started tinkering with the gown. I'm stuck on cloisonne` and capturing spaces with wire. This portion looks somewhat like a stained glass pattern to me. I dig it- How about you? And....what you do for one you do for the other....wh

I'm starting to think there really is "something up" in my world. But I'm busy. Its Christmas. These other worldly things will have wait- right? I spent 4 hours wrapping presents Sunday. Good day to do it as hubby fixed the car stuck in the driveway. Weirdly though, during his tests drives (the ones that got it stuck in the drive) an electrical problem occurred. My brake lights came on and stayed on meaning...you can't tell if the car is braking or not. Plus to make the lights go off one has to pull out the fuse with needle nose pliers. "#40" he told me. "Its number 40. You want me to circle it in the book?" "No" I replied, "I will never forget as the last thing I want to do is be in a parking lot somewhere asking strangers to jump my car." Really, silently I am thinking, I just about can't take any more indignity- so I will remember the number 40. How old am I? I thought all this unreliable car stuff was done with abou

Update- Ok, folks, I got out of playing car mechanic on Sunday, anyways. A bolt had come loose and was caught between some thing important and some other thingamajiggy. But this strange thing happened in the midst of all this- my tailights are stuck in the on position. That means no brake lights (Hey, mister in the big white truck, do you think there's a reason I turned on my hazards? Get off my ass!) So I did play mechanic for a minute as a friend told me that if I followed the break pedal up into the dash I might just find a switch....so I tried it and no switch but as I was laying on the floorboards of my car with my hand squeezed in a little hole I was reminded of a movie where there were tarantulas hiding everywhere and they would fall out on people's heads and bite them....

That's what those in the know say. I subscribe to a newsletter that keeps me abreast of these things. I look forward to getting it and then....never really understand what I am reading. Truly, astrology is a language all to itself. Apparently when Mercury is in retrograde our thought processes are compromised. Do not, and I have diligently tried to follow this- make any important decisions right now. Wait two weeks. But- does it mean something else for Scorpios? I'm just wondering because things...things have not been right this month! I just got my haircut yesterday. For the third time this month. Really- all I said was- "whatever you did last time, my hair was great, not one bad hair day so do that again" Apparently that is what you do not say to your hair stylist. When I came back a week later with a limp, dull and dragging hair style I said "this is what its doing for me- I've tried everything...help me..." She looked at it and said "why did I c

Thought I'd share a peek at my tree with you. I just finished grading 30 final projects so I don't have much going on in the art department. I do have a fabulous bird sculpture to show you. Fabulous because I had no idea that I could sculpt and animal. I've never tried! You may remember the bird from earlier posts. In its breast is a hollowed out spot for a ballerina that twirls around. Guess what? Broken music mechanism! Over wound like me. Try to find a music box mechanism when you need one. On line prices are daunting. Sure, retail stores have plenty of $10. jewelry boxes. You know what you get for ten dollars? Ballerinas with palsy. Yep, a lot of twitching and jerking for ten dollars. I have one on order from a jewelry store. I was a florist for seven years. Anyone who was ever a florist has had a turn or two at decorating trees. Traditional trees, contemporary trees, fishing trees, teddy bear trees, fruit and flower trees- you name it. But I have to

Fear not, Chinamommy, like I said, I have your gift. Actually, I bought this book awhile ago but just got around to scanning and uploading which takes for-ever...did I mention I live just outside one of the biggest cities in my state but I still have dial-up? ARRGH, doesn't begin to cover it. Back to the book- I have these fantastic pictures of daughter Brooke sleeping that are going to end up on canvas.... and that canvas will be gessoed...don't worry, I have a plan.... but....I have to get them to the firm that will make this happen in a format that they can work with and while I could just send them my jpeg I prefer to modify it first. I was playing around with a low level program on my computer and gave her this dramatic spotlight effect where in the center of the pic remained true and the outside edges blurred into darkness. Instant drama and I was hooked. But....what if the low level program I was using is not good enough and all my effort is wasted on a less than accepta

Now, repeat that to the tune of "Oh say can you see...." Yep, there are many things I will miss about my daughter being young. For days now she's been running around singing "Jose` can you sing?" Sometimes I wonder if she has an auditory disorder. Especially when she's looking for the 'amote retrol'. Anyhoo, that's all...just wanted to share before my mental disorder made me forget.....

Oh, I'm a sucker for a good book and office supplies- I love a good romp through Staples or Office Depot- but rather than tell you what color paper clips I just bought I'll give you the low down on this book that I think should be part of your library. Call it an 'office supply/business expense' whatever it takes to justify the purchase. I call it another late birthday present from me to me. I was drawn to this book because of its wide variety of topics. Right now anything that can help me get the cloisonne` or enameled look I want for my big little lady sculpture is a must have right now. Even if its just a particular color combination in an advertisement in a magazine- its mine. This book covers- resin, enameling, acrylic, polymer clay, and glass. This really cool pin is made from a piece of broken pottery. Two things come to mind. 1. I would have really liked to see the whole piece of pottery- I'm sure its also very cool. 2. What great detail work! So very small

Creative Carmelina, a blogger friend of mine, started something awhile back. She did this awesome self portrait that really spoke to me. We all want to define ourselves. But not in any permanent way that can't be changed. We all want the world to see us they way that we see ourselves. A self portrait can be a very hard project to even attempt. Blogging has a certain safety in that people can only see what you allow them to see. The picture we create with our words, the story we tell with our art, the glimpses we share with our photography. But a self portrait should be honest. Its not that it can't be pretty- but the truth of it, the heart of it should be un-adorned. The truth should shine forward, beautiful in itself. I used to believe a story about myself. I took parts of messages I heard from my Mother and believed them to be true. Now I realize that her truths don't have to be my truths. As a young adult I took in the messages from people around me and thought they must

Strange things happen to me. I'm not kidding. I'm the kinda person who in an effort to save a lost dog kidnaps some one's pet and then makes the owner feel bad for losing them. I've witnessed fish falling from the sky, no lie. My child has single-handedly caused the evacuation of a day care center. These are only the things I can remember right now. The following story is an example of the craziness that is my daily life. You have to get to the very end for the reward and trust me, its worth the wait. So, last Sunday night I thought I should get my exhausted butt to bed a little early to make up for several nights of no sleep and days filled with anxiety. (If anyone ever says to you- "Ya know, I think it would be fun to be an interior designer..." punch them for me, please.) So I finally made it in there about 11:00 and I was pretty proud of myself. That should have been the first indication something was going to go badly wrong. 'Round about 1:3

I tried. Really, that goofy grin. Couldn't just get myself to leave it alone. Perfectionist? Yeah, I know- perfectionism = limits. But....no rest until she was... just as beautiful as I thought she could be. Once again I turned to my friend- the embellishment queen- Kristi for help with tiny ballerina's tiara. Kristi works at Pages in Time, a scrap booking store, so she's got the 'in' on all things tiny. She's also on this wonderful journey of all things felted and I wish I could show you the fabulous scarf she just made out of a strange silk (nou nou???) that she then felted and embellished. Turned out to be very sophisticated and I covet it. I would send you to her blog for proof of how wonderful it is but she hasn't updated it since her trip to Ireland this summer. Maybe if I guilt her enough.... Any how, I used this really cool twisted wire I purchased from a florist supply store and glued on the world's smallest gems (thanks, Kristi, now get to that

Here's a quick peek at the ballerina that will fit in the bird. What species of bird is it? No clue. Pigeon? Nothing too exotic. Anyhow this little lady measures 3 1/2". Her head is approx 3/4". Wow, try putting a face on that! So she's not as pretty as I'd hoped but still has a certain 'old world quality'? I really like how this paper clay paints up and varnishes. I may use gloss on her. Her tutu is covered in glass glitter. As I intend to use frit on the body of the piece I wanted to use real glass glitter on her and will use some of those tiny, tiny glass marbles- somewhere- as well. I'm excited to get to working on the lady herself again but this sculpture is building itself in a certain order. Had to figure out what she was holding before I could do the hands. Had to figure out what the bird contained before I can finish it. Had to figure out a way to contain and protect the ballerina. Had to figure out the back ground for the ballerina...which le

This was from two Halloweens ago- but, I thought, worth reading again. One wonders, is the mean girl still lurking just outside the dressing room? The mean 20 year old at the dressing rooms told me there was no flash photography allowed. So I promised not to use my flash. She said "no pictures at all!" I said "Seriously?" You have go to be kidding!" Really, does she think I was going to run home and copy the super girl outfit on my sewing machine? Couldn't she tell by merely looking at me- that I am almost 40, that life has been very hard recently as I rush around trying to get two little girls off to different classrooms with different schedules and different events going on every freakin' day with different homework every freakin' night and that not only am I getting grey hairs and wrinkles but also still enjoying the fun of acne due to my raging hormones? And that the only thing on my ever rotating roster of things to do that has brought me any j

This is what big little lady will be holding. What is it? Why a bird of course! The bling? Well, had to do something with the back of the cavity! A ballerina stolen from (yes, Kayla might get it from me...) Brooke's jewelry box will circle around inside her new little world. She's attached to the music box which will be part of the bird. If all goes well a person should be able to turn the key and hear a pretty little song while the ballerina twirls a pretty little dance. Cool, right? Wish me luck. Oh, yeah- the bling- After shopping blissfully childless and alone at Michael's I purchased 56.00 worth of stuff . I was on a quest to provide a suitable back drop for the tiny dancer. I bought spray paint to re-silver mirrors- $12.00, and $17.00 worth of glass beads from Martha Stewart. Crushed glass in white, mauve and silver. Foil in case I changed my mind about the paint- $7.00 And then walking out the door I changed my mind on how I wanted to make all this happen. I decided

So I just picked up this little book in the Kendall Library. Wabi-Sabi for Artists, Designers, Poets and Philosophers. I was struck by the introduction and had to immediately share it with you. Wabi-sabi is a beauty of things imperfect, impermanent and incomplete. It is a beauty of things modest and humble. It is a beauty of things unconventional. So...on the quest of discovering my 'style' I continue to learn and define myself- loosely, that is, remember...I don't like rules. I understand the concept of rules- just no how they apply to me. I am imperfect, aesthetically and ethically. I am impermanent- I will not be here, in this state of being, forever. I am incomplete and happy about it. I enjoy the beauty of things that are what they are. A loaf of bread fresh out of the oven with that beautiful brown crust. A stack of lumber, precise and machined, yet organic of origin. Things unconventional? Hello? Are they watching me on a hidden camera? So, more about Wabi- S

First- I should have mentioned this at the beginning of the month but why be timely? Willowing and Friends is featuring artists from the group every month. I'm one of the first five to be featured. Am I just that good? At begging probably! Scroll down and to the side to see my badge and go visit them- they are right, they are a fun and friendly group! Two- washer= broken. Sounds like there might be a few pet shop pieces, some rocks and loose change wandering around in there. Hate, hate, loathe (which is worse than hate according to Webster's) laundromats. So thought I'd take a stab at washing clothes in my bathtub in my house with my own familiar dirt. Yep, betting that washers do a much better job than me or Brooke, who I tried to con into swishing the clothes around. Chinamommy made a correlation about me 'agitating' the clothes a bit better but I'm not sure I did it right. I made a few comments like "ya know, if you jeans were all your cracked

As promised- the paper clay recipe from the website passed along to me- http://ultimatepapermache.com/paper-mache-clay This was the most fun I've had at 'cooking' in awhile. My family thought I was insane! The first batch I did strictly by the recipe. If you can't read this - I don't know how to link to websites and all that fancy stuff- Chinamommy is supposed to come and help me with that and help me set up an Etsy store but she's as hard to pin down as a wisp of smoke- or maybe that's me and yes, I am the queen of the run on sentence- then go to the website which has tons of other great info. I thought it was a bit lumpy and I have a problem with thinking I know everything so I added a bit more of this and a bit more of that. This is usually where my cooking goes wrong. I wanted the paper fibers to be shorter or finer? I guess I was looking for it to be exactly like creative paper clay and it wasn't. So next I tried dissolving the toilet paper in a bi

After pouring over and bookmarking all the pages from those Art Nouveau books that appealed to me I made copies of all. Then I poured over the copies. I thought and I thought- how do I make this work for my current project? How do I create some sense of order? Do I make a pattern? I wanted her to have some mixed up melodious story woven in and out.....I wanted complex- like we women are- yet with some sense of a simple overall statement- "I'm just a girl" is what she seems to say to me over and over. So I cut up all the pieces that I thought incorporated my intentions and laid them out on my living room floor. I moved them around until a picture came to mind and then out came my sketch book. I soon realized that I would never be able to execute this complex pattern on my girls wavy gown. So I adapted. I intend to use wire to outline these shapes and fill in with 'frit' which I just learned about. Its crushed up glass. How cool is that? Texture and refle

Many times I have said I wish I had a "style" I don't know how to do that- have a signature 'style.' Am I contemporary? Maybe. But not stark contemporary or crazy contemporary- no I definetely have paremeters. Certainly I am not traditional- all the traditional people assure me of this and then politely ask me to move along. I might be alittle bit folksy which should really fight with the contemporary- oh hell, I like it all- but...what defines me and this elusive 'style' I covet? I like contemporary because it explores relationships of color and texture and shape. Beauty occurs in moments, I believe. Sunlight coming through the back of a leaf creating a color somewhere between pink and orange- a color I would have thought impossible to create and more impossible to define with a name. When the wind blows across the tall grass in the field behind my house I'm reminded that texture is three dimensional shapes fighting for space to exist within. I think