Raw Beauty

I am always blown away by the raw beauty of the State I live in.   Since I can remember water, snow, mountains where a place that brought joy to my soul.  I will jump in my car on a whim for a day's driving trip to see Alaska outside my window.   Either down Turnagain Arm to places south or up north to Talkeetna the jump off spot for mountain climbers that plan to scale Denali.

Winters are long. Summer are all too short.  The one constant of Alaska is its beauty is everlasting!

My phone or camera are never far from my hands to snap a picture of the variety of glorious things to photograph.

Flowers are always a favorite of mine:

Designing Women

As a person who dabbles in various crafts it is always a thrill to discover other like artists.

On Facebook many of my 'friends' are artists, milliners, fashion designers, and accessory designers, plus everyday folks who just like same things.  It is a fascinating world we can visit on the web now days.  They are inspiring to me to keep up and create!

One of the folks who posts messages and recommends different folks as friends, plus enjoys some of the same artist as myself; I recently discovered designs custom handbags.  Kiki lives in England and her  handbags are simply stunning! 

Alikibags

This little number is shown on Facebook...WOW it's a bag that I desire & know you will also!

Leopard Carry All Bag

Another dear friend who I've known for just about a year from a selling venue that we both were on:  Delight Worthyn

Millinery is Delights' passion and her creations are just lovely and full of fun! Plus she is 'green' A true artist who recycles, up-cycles and re-purposes to make her little beauties!   Now that is talent and I love Eco-friendly friends!

delightworthyn

Flower Pins by Delight

I can see these on some of the hats I design!  They would sure enhance a hat that I wear for sure!

Bead Trends

When a fellow artist is selected to have one of their items in a show or national magazine I truly feel it's time to celebrate!

A wonderful artist that I know who creates totally awesome silver and gold jewelry Chris Winn of Milford CT; owner of Gilded Owl Jewelry is in Bead Trends magazine this month.
  

Congratulations Chris your jewelry leads the pack in design, uniqueness, and quality!!!!

 

Chris's project in this issue called “Mossy Woodland Owl” which is a diverse combination of Precious Metal Clay (fine silver), sterling silver, copper, suede, leather and silk components.

 

Thinking of a special gift for someone in your life I highly recommend you check out any of Chris's shops that will delight that loved one in your life!

Stores:
http://www.artfire.com/users/GildedOwlJewelry
http://www.etsy.com/shop/chriswrinn
http://www.cargoh.com/store/gilded-owl-jewelry

Website
http://gildedowljewelry.com/

And you can also find Chris at:
http://www.facebook.com/GildedOwlJewelry
https://twitter.com/GOJewelry

Wednesday Count Down

Count down is 3 posts a week.  Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.  With a blog one must be loyal to posting.  Then one must find and develop a loyal group of folks who will follow your rantings.  

Yes there are days my nimble lips have much to say.  Then there are days when nothing comes to mind for writing about or for entertainment for viewers; which this is one of those days...mind is sorta blank.

In college - Many many moons ago - the assignments each week in a English Creative Writing course was: 

take 10 minutes each day and just write/type away.  Supposedly creativity will come.  I spent more time correcting spelling errors than writing the first several attempts at this 10 minute slice of brain farts. The assignments did become successful. Thus unlocking hidden talents.

Poetry and short stories are some of the talents that where enhanced.  Also learned that it is not so scary just to let the mind go free and enjoy.

But the most important thing I learned was Spelling Errors are minor imperfections in ones life skills.  

There is a reason our computers have SpellCheck...simply for folks whose spelling at times suck or have poor typing skills. Thus giving our readers words & understanding of what the heck we are typing.

fer migth bea boundyfil when one meats a lyon in a fild

fear might be bountiful when one meets a lion in a field

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month

                                                               'Believe in Yourself'

Domestic Violence.

  Happens way too often. 

                Not a pretty thought.

Violence of any type is unforgiving to me in this fishlife I live now.  My little fishlips are going to town on this subject – I have a bit of firsthand knowledge about DV.

Once long ago I lived with a man who had a short temper.  Verbal abuse was the mainstay, kicking or throwing objects came later, and a few times I got to experience the threat & action of bodily harm. 

His being an alcoholic and own abusive youth blurred what were healthy relationship boundaries.  

I got out after realizing my life was more important than anything he could offer in marriage.  I’ve been divorced for over 20 years and I don’t look back at all.  I made the decision that Domestic Violence or violence/abuse of any type was not going to be part of my life and would support anyone else looking to leave an abusive relationship.

I now live with a man who thinks the world of me in a healthy loving manner.  He is my biggest supporter of all that I do and encourages me daily!

Violence does not need to happen.  Folks can live without any type of violence or abuse in their life.

October is Domestic Violence Awareness month.

I have donated two of my photographs for a upcoming auction; plus one Mixed Media artwork for a public show speaking out against Domestic Violence.

A few sites that can help one learn and find help for Domestic Violence:

The Domestic Violence Awareness Project - http://dvam.vawnet.org/

National Coalition Against Domestic Violence - http://www.ncadv.org/