In My Studio: Wild Spirit Animal Pendants on Display

Oriel Pendants: Dragonfly Magic

A Successful Adventure...

Kentucky Girl Designs Booth Back Wall

Well, I've finished my street fairs for the summer, and the pressure of making pendants and product is temporarily over...at least until the November/December holiday shows! The San Anselmo Art and Wine Festival was all-in-all a successful experience for me from a sales and marketing experience. In general I think that street fairs are a mixed bag -- they are grueling on many levels especially the prep and set up and not a ton of sales in this economy. HOWEVER, they are really great for me to be in because they get me out into the public in front of people and they get out the word about Kentucky Girl Designs. I get good feedback all along the spectrum -- excited, awestruck, friendly, lukewarm, indifferent. I take it all with a grain of salt and enjoy the process. I can see how many people appreciate the creative spirit, and also how some wish they could be more creative for themselves. These are the people that I welcome into my altered book workshops because I know I can get them in touch with that side of themselves! I also like the idea of my jewelry being worn and treasured by the "perfect person".

San Anselmo Art and Wine Festival 2011  Street View

And as a footnote,many thanks to my sister Mary -- always supporting that creative side of me and being with me for the show set up, sales, and tear-down. Among a zillion attributes, my sister is a booth stylist and sales floor whizz and "just the bestest" sister I could ever have.

My Adorable Sister Dearest, Mary

And hugs and kisses to my husband Munro for getting up at 5:00AM, transporting goods, set up and tear down, following directions from his loving and pushy wife, and tolerating a chaotic home for the past two months. And more hugs and kisses to all of my peeps (you know who you are) who came by to say hi or make a purchase, or even just sent good wishes my way!

My Co-Heart and Chief Sponsor

Oriel Pendant Challenge -- Week 5: Snake Charmer

Snake Charmer Oriel Pendant and Matching Itsy Bitsy (front of both pendants)

This week's pendant is taken from a photo of a dance I performed a number of years ago. I played a snake in a Don't Quit Your Day Job Dancers performance about "fractured" fairy tales. Snake-y, beautiful music with Doree Clark choreography that utilized some of my belly dance training. And of course I crawled all over the stage. I made an Itsy Bitsy that could be worn with the Snake Charmer, using bits of the ribbons used on the front and back.

Snake Charmer Oriel Pendant and Matching Itsy Bitsy (backs of both pendants)

Studio Time Challenge -- Day 3

Studio Time Challenge -- Day 3 Stuff (altered book and oriels)

No way I could get into the studio yesterday -- except for 15 minutes to do my Daily Page. Too many meetings and errands. But I can do my pages anywhere -- lots of time I create them while sitting in front of the television catching up on shows. Day 3. Easier to get into the studio today and actually spent closer to three hours than two. Worked on a spread from an unfinished altered book I started a number of years ago. Title of the book I picked way back when -- A Round-Heeled Woman -- by Jane Juska. Non-fiction about the author's coming into her sexuality late in life after a divorce. Nicely written and much humor with a touch of chagrin. I felt this book was the perfect altered book for my giving voice to my own sexual awakening. Should I blush here? But baby mine started when I was born. So did yours! And every day is a sexual awakening -- and I'm not just talkin' about sex here if you know what I mean -- sex is the sum of the parts, the senses, the meat of life. I guess vitality, sensuality are better words. Anyway, enough said on this here subject! I also finished up another oriel called Snake Charmer, and an Itsy Bitsy to accompany it.

Oriel Pendant Challenge -- Week 3: Vamp Lifeblood

Vamp Lifeblood Oriel (Front)

I am resuming my (definitely) sporadic Weekly Oriel Pendant Challenge, but in truth I created more than 30 new pendants for my street faire last month (and will be posting some of them as the days go by) so this could actually be Week 33. But that would be cheating, wouldn't it?This pendant was inspired by this year's Don't Quit Your Day Job Dancers production, Vamp. The graphic image was taken off the net -- I couldn't find a credit, but if I run across it again I will give the artist his or her due for this strong, feminine image. (I suppose I picked her because she looks a bit like me in my vampire costume :).) She is backed with a black silk ribbon and a cool white embroidered ribbon (like her so so pale skin) embellished with a maroon ironwork scroll design. A blood red Swavorski crystal rhinestone dots the base of her neck -- like a drop of blood. She has the power to take, or to give, lifeblood. Swavorski crystal beads in jet and red hang from an appropriately Gothic pendant.

In My Travels: A Cat's Curiousity

Going back through my photos and saw this close up of Zeus inspecting my booth set up under our oak tree: Zeus the Magnificat eyeballing two of my oriels -- a French nude and Siddhartha. Note his smiley cat collar.

Oriel Pendant Challenge -- Week 3: Animal Power Oriel -- Bobcat

Animal Power Oriel: Bobcat

In the past few months a friend of mine, Nise Santiago, and I have collaborated in designing necklaces for my Animal Power Oriels. Nise creates magic with gemstones and silver, and is a wonderful teacher. We just recently went to a bead show, which opened my eyes to the completely primal and beautiful world of gemstones. I felt that Nise's necklace creations could complement my oriels, especially the Animal Power (or Totem) oriels that I wanted to start making. These collaborations would showcase specific wild animals and the power, beauty, and substance that these animals bring to this world. And -- if you wanted to go one step further -- in wearing these necklaces you would draw on those physical, emotional, or creative qualities that each animal symbolizes.

This first Animal Power Oriel collaboration features the Bobcat, a small wildcat not easily spotted, but very familiar to the Western Hemisphere. The Bobcat constantly observes his environment, but only rarely shows itself in public. In ten years of walking my local Deer Island I have only seen a Bobcat twice -- within the same month. It was only about 10 yards down the path in both instances. It looked at me boldly, then jumped off the trail into the bushes the one time, and the next sighting casually slinked around to the other side of a fallen tree and watched me carefully as I moved on past him! Knee high in height, with a coat beautifully marked, tufts of hair at its ear tips, almond-shaped and colored eyes -- this is no ordinary housecat -- the Bobcat radiates exotic, wild beauty! In my readings about Bobcat energy, the trait that speaks loudest to me is the ability to "see deeper" or to pick up on hidden things. "Trust in your senses. Even if there is no logical reason, trust in what your inner voice is saying." -- Lin Here are some other links to Bobcat totem information: Wildspeak, Animal Properties.

Animal Power Oriel: Bobcat

Necklace: agate, muti-faceted crystal quartz, silver beads and findings
Oriel: lead-free solder, (3-D) beveled glass, paper, hand-dyed ribbon, Swavorski crystal rhinestones and beads, dried flowers, silver beads

Street Fair Prep: Trial Booth Set Up

Trial Run Set Up

In my prep for my participation in the upcoming Caledonia Spring Street Faire in Sausalito, I decided to do a pre-booth set up to get a hold on what I still needed to do within my 2-week deadline. I asked my girlfriend Shara (queen of space design, decoration and tchotchke placement) to help me. Prior to our meeting I picked up my EZ-Tent from the local hardware store. Meeting back at the house we "easily" (with a few minor comedic errors) set up the tent under our old oak in the front yard and opened the tables. Next was bringing out "stuff" from my art studio: altered journals and books, oriel pendants, necklaces, ribbons, chains, assemblages, framed collages, more jewelry, notecards, vintage boxes and mannequins for display....Kentucky Girl Magical Stuff

It all fell together very easily, and within about 3 hours, had things arranged, categorized, and knew what holes needed to be filled and where. I also took photos to refer to when we set up Sunday morning (May 30th), everything will be grouped in boxes, and set up should go pretty quickly. Now back into my studio to make more oriels! To tell you the truth it felt good to see it all out there in the daylight.

Inspector Numero Uno (Angelina Beautyquina)

Inspector Number 2 (Zeus the Magnificat)

P.S. I should not fail to mention that Shara and I had two very important, nay essential, helpers that did their share of overseeing, inspecting, and channeling good vibes.

Oriel Pendant Challenge -- Week 2: Harem Wish

Harem Wish Oriel Pendant (Front)

This is a 3-D oriel that I just created. It still seems unfinished to me, but I'm posting it anyway. I'll let her sit around for a while, maybe even wear her and perhaps the inspiration will come. The front of this oriel features a beautiful harem girl. It was taken from an advertisement, probably from the 1920's. I like her open face and the colors of her garments. She is resting on the middle pane of glass. A fused ribbon and Swavorski crystal rhinestones ornament the bottom of the oriel. On the reverse is another harem dancer, this one is an Erte drawing, also from the 1920's or 1930's.

Harem Wish Oriel Pendant (Back)

Oriel Pendant Challenge -- Week 1: Deer Totem

OK. I am restarting my pendant challenge to create one new oriel design a week. I think I've started and stopped this twice. Maybe this time -- the third attempt will be the charm.

When I was living in Boston I would often drive out to one of the parks a few miles outside of the city. I would hike out into the woods and try to get a grasp on what direction I wanted to go with my life. One park in particular sticks out in my mind. I found a trail that led up to a crop of rocks surrounded by pines. There in the warm afternoon sun, I would sit down on the rocks and gaze out over the view of trees and hills. A feeling of calm and rightness would soon merge with my awareness. During these visits I would meditate and call on spirit guides to help me. The one that appeared most often in my musings was a female deer -- I called her Ramona.

There are many different interpretations of deer symbolism. Stephen Farmer's Power Animal Cards says that the deer totem represents the pathfinder, the instincts that we have and should trust to guide us through situations. In Medicine Cards, the deer totem represents gentleness of spirit, which heals all wounds. And then what also comes to my mind is the movie Powder. In it a hunter shoots a deer and then touches it as it lays there dying. He merges with the deer and feels its fear and pain as his own. In doing so his life is transformed and changes forever.This Animal Totem Ariel is 3-D and shows two deer standing side by side in front of a field of tall grass. The back is a hunter green ribbon with gold flourishes. I used beveled glass on the front. The dangle is a silver-toned East Indian charm with Swavorski crystal and green semi-precious stones hanging below. I have dangled from the necklace Swavorski crystal beads in Erinite green and Dorado copper-orange.

Featured Oriel Pendant: Sparkle A Plenty

Sparkle Diva Oriel Pendant

Sparkle Diva was one of the first oriel pendants I created in my GlamGirls series! We all secretly admire GlamGirls -- openly sexy, flirtatious, haughty, naughty, sassy, svelte....This line of oriel pendants celebrated the feminine, the movie star, the pin up girl, the seductress. You may not want to be her, but you may just want to try her on for a spell. It's like ordering a Pink Cosmos for the first time. You may not want to make them a habit -- but you love the way your pink lipstick sits on the edge of the glass!

One Year and Three Month Anniversary!

Flying High Tiny Dancer Oriel

Oh my -- the one year anniversary of this blog has come and gone without me mentioning it!!! How did that happen? Well, you know, they say time flies when you're havin' fun!

I began this blog on January 25, 2009, with a blog post entitled Freedom. My intention was to attempt to move steadily into my creativity and art making, and chronicle these endeavors in a blog.

I was drawn to the phenomenon of art blogging and wondered if I too could use this internet journaling as a way to explore and challenge my creativity and inner processes. For many, many years I had danced away from my creative talents. Creating collages and exploring myself in relation to them was something that I would do in spurts, with many dry years passing in between. It occurred to me that I could create artful goals and challenges for myself, announce them online, and then hold myself accountable online as well. Perhaps blogging would provide a vehicle that would stimulate and reinforce the creative habit. As a reality check, I also began my blog acknowledging the side of me that was a worrier with depression as a frequent friend, and all too willing to procrastinate and hide under the covers.

Many, many years ago I read a short story by Catherine Petroski, Beautiful My Mane in the Wind. I resonated deeply with the feeling of the young girl who would pretend she was a horse when things got tough. So it seemed appropriate that my blog's name should reflect that feeling. My Mane Blowing in the Wind represents the me that desires to move through life creatively, with freedom, and confidence -- like a horse running over the hills with its mane blowing in the wind -- or a girl on a motorcycle with her hair whipping behind her -- or a Hollywood starlet in a red MG with its top down. See you get the picture!

After a year and a bit of posting, I have to say that my blog has been exactly what I wanted it to be. I have set creative goals and met more of them than those I have not. I have met and made friends with some terrific people out in the blogging world. I am also not so worried anymore. I am enjoying the process, and I find that as I move on down the road, there is always another door to open, one more cup to drink from, another kite to fly. And most surprisingly -- there is growing sense of freedom -- my mane is blowing in the wind!

Oriel Pendant Challenge -- Week 2: Be Mindful

Be Mindful

"We are the same as plants, as trees, as other people, as the rain that falls. We consist of that which is around us, we are the same as everything." -- Buddha

I have had this image of the Buddha for quite awhile. I liked the unknown artist's interpretation, and the use of the blue lotus leaves beneath him. I made this at the request of my art teacher. Although this is a very simple oriel it packs a punch vibrationally -- just like the Buddha did, I imagine.

This pendant also serves as my submission for Day 6 of the 2010 Creative Every Day Challenge

Oriel Pendant Challenge -- Week 1: Flowers Perfumed Her Hair

"Feet, what do I need you for when I have wings to fly?" -- Frida Khalo

This new year I am restarting my personal Oriel Pendant Challenge to create one new pendant design a week. I may not achieve that, but that's what I'm going for! In this last week I finished one that features Frida Khalo. I used an image of her from one of her self-portraits, placing it on top of two ribbons fused together. I added tiny dried flowers to her hair, the kind that manicurists use to ornament fingernails. The back of the oriel shows the words "Perfumed with Flowers".



This pendant is also my submission for Day 4 of the 2010 Creative Every Day Challenge.

"Through her paintings, she breaks all the taboos of the woman's body and of female sexuality." -- Diego Rivera on Frida Kahlo

A Busy December for Kentucky Girl Oriels

This past Christmas season I had the pleasure of creating quite a few custom oriel pendants. I so enjoy making custom oriels for people. It is an opportunity to create a beautiful piece of jewelry that showcases something they love or treasure. People have told me that their pendants hang close to their heart and whenever they touch them the oriel reminds them of a specific love, feeling, or memory.

I will first scan the photos or take the jpegs and reduce them to an appropriate size, print them, and cut them out and place them on my work table. I often sit with the images for a while and let them "speak" to me. This is such an interesting process, often filled with playful humor. What bubbles up is often surprising -- colors, collage materials, background images, beads, crystals, charms, even words -- just seem to appear from out of my stash and fall together to form a collage that once completed, resonates not only with me, the artist, but with the person who is receiving the pendant.

People send me images of their animal companions, near or gone:

Flash

Butch

Angel

Milly

Sammy

Rudy

They'll send me photos of their loved ones:

Josh

Billy and Aubrey

...the memory of a special place they've visited:

Venice

Paris

...even favorite movie stars:
How lucky am I?

Custom Oriel: Harry and Scruff

This custom Earth Angels oriel is a Christmas present for a customer's best friend, featuring her friend's retired show horse, Harry, and her dog companion, Scruff. Once I decided on which photos to use, the oriel came together easily. The animals are just so happy with what they are doing and who they belong to, and they are just so darn personable that they needed very little ornamentation. I used beveled glass on both the front and the back of the oriel. Happiness is beauty and these two Earth Angels just shine with both!

Custom Oriel Earth Angels: Spencer and Monty, and Princess

Here are two more of my custom Earth Angel Oriels, which I love creating for people. The first necklace combined two animal companions of a friend, all three of which I love deeply. Spencer, a brave, strong Tabby, is shown on the front of the oriel with miniature dried yellow flowers over his head, almost like a halo. Why? Because in spite of Spencer's sometimes gruff behavior, he is a sweetheart of a kitten. Spencer tolerates me kissing him on the head as long as no one is looking.

On the reverse side is a picture of Monty -- who has departed this realm, although his energy is very much around. Monty was very jaguar-like, yet somehow, he also required a flower -- this one red to match his collar.

The second oriel I made as a birthday present for a friend. It shows her late, great, Abyssinian cat, Princess. And yes, she was a princess from the tip of her toes to the tip of her tail. And probably the most alert, present, and daintily affectionate cat I have ever known. I have shown her on a piece of vintage lace that I bought at a London flea market. I dangled beneath her Beth Hemmila's Flaming Heart Milagro Charm (visit her Hint Jewelry blog for more info on Beth's charms). The Flaming Heart milagro speaks to compassion for the human condition, and I always felt that Princess had great compassion for us silly human beings.

"Tiny Dancer" Oriel Pendants

Modern U

Dream Girl

Tango Dream

Ballet Green

Audrey Hep Jazz

I am excited to announce a new line of oriels -- Tiny Dancers -- that I have created exclusively for Stage Dor Dance Studio and Performance Space in Sausalito, CA. I have been dancing with the owner, Doree Clark, for over 20 years. Doree is an inspiring teacher who believes that anyone can dance if they have the desire to! And if you look at the people who come to her studios -- you realize that this is true -- they come from all walks of life, have different careers as well as unlikely ones, varying degrees of talent -- yet they all have the desire to move to music. It's a wonderful mix and many of us perform in front of the public several times a year with the Don't Quit Your Day Job Dancers under her direction.

Doree loves my jewelry, and asked me to create a line of oriels that features dancers from various dance disciplines. The dance styles featured (so far) cover: Lyrical Jazz, Ballroom, Tango, Cabaret, Broadway, Modern, Hip Hop, Belly Dance and more -- most of which are taught joyously at Stage Dor! If you are in the area, drop by and see my Tiny Dancer necklaces, try out a dance class, or come see our November show: Earth Girls Are Easy!

Custom Oriel: Golden Eagle Totem

Custom Golden Eagle Animal Totem (Front)

I am excited to announce that I will soon be launching a new series of oriels that features animals as shamanic totems. There is no doubt in my mind that animals reflect to us basic truths about our relationship to nature, our inner nature, and our hopes and dreams. Our cultural myths and symbolism through the centuries describe and support these associated traits and energies.

Along the same lines, I was asked to create a custom oriel pendant of an eagle for a friend's birthday. Thinking about this person, I felt that the golden eagle was a good choice: powerful, perceptive, clear of vision. The golden eagle has the ability to see things clearly and it soars joyfully and powerfully through the skies inspiring those around it. It also reflects the sun's light, giving it a magical appearance. Yes, that pretty much describes my friend Bonnie.

I found two powerful images of golden eagles and placed them each on golden embroidered brown ribbons. On one of the photos I added Swavorski crystal rhinestones as a "halo" for the profile photo. The dangle below consists of a silver bird charm, Swavorski crystal beads in complementary colors, and to top it off, a beautiful Hint charm, "Eagle Spirit". The artist Beth Himmila of says of her charm: "Wear an eagle’s feather to empower and support your vision for the future...(the) feathers of an eagle represent your soul’s light and shadow. As a messenger to the Great Spirit, eagle offers healing medicine from the Creator. Eagle gives you permission to love both darkness and light, opening a door to unconditional love and an opportunity to reclaim your personal power." I was happy with the result: a beautiful, powerful pendant for a beautiful, powerful woman.

Custom Golden Eagle Animal Totem (Back)