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I'm still here. Just... busy, with deadlines, with kids, with holiday weekends and the end of the school year. Several bears in the final stages for Boyds, and two on the docket for special collectors. Plus I'm thinking I might like to try painting at some point. Much to learn. Exciting times, though. I feel... renewed.
More later, when I can catch my breath.
In the whirlwind of kids and creative endeavors that is my life, I've managed four new art cards. These, for a teddy-bear themed swap at ATCards.com. Plus, I'm sending all three to fab bear artist Deborah Burnham, to whom they're LONG overdue in exchange for a gorgeous card she sent me.
Today I asked TT readers, "What do you collect?" and started this thread out with a photo of my own collections (other than pets, that is. <smile>) Here's a quickly thrown together collage of my favorite collectibles, birdhouses and bears.
What do YOU collect???
Post a comment and share!!
Below, a copy of something I posted at Teddy Talk this morning. If you're healthy and between the ages of 18 and 60, please give it a thought. You might save a life.
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Hi all.
Just thought I'd post a quick public service announcement about this month's Marrow Donor Drive, sponsored by the National Marrow Donor Program. Since it's "national," big-hearted international readers outside the US will have to sit this particular drive out. But... the Registry contains information about international opportunities for bone marrow donation, so if you're interested but live outside the US, please click these links to find out more about marrow donation in your country! --->
http://www.marrow.org/ABOUT/NMDP_Networ … dc_list.pl
http://www.marrow.org/ABOUT/Connecting_ … egistry.pl
If you're interested in registering as a donor of bone marrow (the liquid inside portion of your bones) or peripheral blood stem cells (PBSC), all you need to do is:
-- be over 18 and under 60
-- visit www.marrow.org/index.html
-- complete a brief medical history form to help the Registry determine your eligibility (certain conditions exclude certain people)
-- read about the marrow donor program and what your registration there means, and
-- request a tissue test kit.
The tissue test you'll do involves nothing more invasive than swabbing the inside of your cheek(s.) After the swab, you send your materials back to the donor registry. Your tissue type is then determined by their scientists, and your information stored in the marrow donor registry. If there's a match someday, you'll be contacted.
Usually there's a fee of $52 involved in tissue typing but for this month's drive, from May 7-21, it's free to register.
Here's a link to the Registry's FAQ page, for more info on the collection process itself (among other things) ---> http://www.marrow.org/DONOR/FAQs/Donor_ … .html#live
In case you're wondering, YES, I requested a tissue test kit for myself, just today!
This weekend, I:
More later, time for bed!
Boy, was I in for some unexpected, but entirely welcome, treats today . Lucky Shel!
Not only did I nab a huge bag of pretty ribbon and notions for under $25 from our local Hancock Fabrics (which is closing, and you can color me WAY SAD about that)...
... but also, while at Michael's grabbing some embroidery floss for my next project, I stumbled upon not one, not two, but three new Somerset magazines:
Reading these magazines is like falling into a chocolate covered, organiza ribbon tied, slice of fluffy, sky blue heaven. I actually BREATHE better when I lose myself in the art & beauty to be found in these volumes. That is, until I get a little tight chested, all jacked up on creative adrenaline as my mind races to plan, coordinate, and complete my next 328 projects -- simultaneously! -- all of which somehow spring fully formed from my head after being inspired by some "thing" I've seen on a Somerset page, and all of which I feel I have to start churning over RIGHT NOW! It's like excitement in a bottle, that Somerset stuff, packaged neatly and ready to take home, like a drive-thru order of curly fries. But in this case, it's not curly fries in cardboard at all, but rather vintage photos of wee, bob-coiffed damsels holding robin eggs, accented with butterfly wings and ephemera and applied German glass glitter, turned into articulated paper dolls with wire accents and antique jewelry findings, adhered to an alcohol-ink painted, decoupaged cone holder with a pipe cleaner handle, instead. If you've read Somerset publications at all, ever, you'll know EXACTLY what I mean by that.
ART DOLL QUARTERLY
It was an absolute gift to see Arley Berryhill's gorgeous Gypsy Mermaid in ADQ, printed in rich color at high resolution. I've only seen his work on the web before and as beautiful as it is in cyberspace, 72dpi just doesn't do it justice. Check out the mastery of this elaborately beaded, soft sculpture piece. It measures nearly two feet tall! For more photos of this ocean beauty, visit Arley's website, where he offers a step-by-step photojournal of his creative process with her.
Lisa Lichtenfels' amazing nylon soft sculptures are also featured in this issue, among other artists; the photos of her glorious, gallery-quality creations are nothing short of breathtaking. Lisa creates a wire skeleton around which she forms anatomically correct muscles and connective tissue. She then layers nylon stockings, securing them with invisible stitching, to create her figures' "skin." Here's a sample of her work for your enjoyment. Can you believe the sense of joy and movement she achieved in this piece? <Sigh> now.
SOMERSET STUDIO
Somerset Studio has a great editorial in their "Business of Art" area entitled Competition. The writer, Quinn McDonald, seems to share my own feelings on the subjects of both competition, and "passing the torch"/sharing. One standout quote:
In every field, the real goal of winning is not to stand alone in the spotlight, relieved at having triumphed over someone else. The real goal is to stand in a long chain of creative people, knowing that there is enough creativity to go around, that it won't run out before it gets to us, and that our handful needs to be shared with those behind us in line.
Quinn, whoever you are... Beautifully worded. For what it's worth, you have my heartfelt appreciation, for expressing that sentiment so poetically.
Also in the current SS, teddy bear artist Karen O'Brien of Quiet Companions, whose work and person I adore -- I met her in 2004 when I attended the Nevada City show as a visitor; she's gracious, lovely, and incredibly talented -- branches out into painting. Rock on, bear lady! Here's a photo of one of her bears (sorry, sold!), SMILES.
SOMERSET LIFE
Last, the premiere issue of the incredible Somerset LIFE has a terrific article on artist blogs... something we've been discussing frequently of late at Teddy Talk. I've added links to the three featured artists under "Life as Art." Their blogs showcase in gorgeous, crisply detailed fashion just how beautiful everyday life can be.
Even if you don't have the spare change to grab these photo rich, beautifully printed volumes and bring them home, do consider a visit to your local book seller for a browse. Grab yourself a mocha and have a sit once you arrive, with one or all of these beautiful magazines in hand. I promise, you won't be disappointed. Just... transported, to a beautiful, dreamy place.
