The Yellow Spotted Wimple Head

Found on the Higher Island of the Bora Kowlandis. The Yellow Spotted Wimple Head is one of the more remarkable species of plant on the Higher Kowlandis. As seen here, it appears to have a symbiotic relationship with the Lesser Open Mouthed Gargle Spore, which you can see is attached to the Wimple Head’s stem […]

Merry Holidays!

And the Grinch, with his Grinch-feet ice cold in the snow, stood puzzling and puzzling, how could it be so? It came without ribbons. It came without tags. It came without packages, boxes or bags. And he puzzled and puzzled ’till his puzzler was sore. Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn’t before. What […]

The Purple Tentrilled Whooping Stalk

This particular variety of Tendrillus Boutonius is found on the rolling plains of  the Copstan Region of Middle Kowlandis, and, as unfortunately discovered by Audenberry’s field hand, Dudley Hargrove, is poisonous to the touch. Dudley, now fully recovered from his agonizing experience, has vowed to, ‘never be within three feet of this godawful specimen again.’ –

The Yellow Spotted Wimple Head

      Christmas has now taken over. I spent yesterday decorating the house and doing some shopping chores, all the while fighting not being able to get into the studio. I’ve finally come to the conclusion that it’s not worth the struggle.  It’s a bit like trying to read the newspaper when the kids […]

The Elephant Trunk Dimple Leaf.

So named because of its elephant trunk and dimple leaves is a rare beauty typically found at the foot of the volatile Banetonga volcanic range located on the middle island of The Knowlandis. As one textile artists observed when she first saw Trevor de Manous’ oil representation of Audenberry’s botanical sample, “The Elephant Trunk Dimple Leaf […]

Alarm 1 / Sleep 0.

I had such good intentions for today. I was going to pretend I was a grown up and take my jewelry seriously. (Again) I was going to quit painting and make beautiful cabochony necklaces and silvery bracelets instead. But then the power went out at 11 pm last night, which was great as it was so […]

Happening stuff

I’ve been adding new pieces of jewelry to my Tictail shop. I’m quite pleased with Tictail. It’s easy to use and I think it looks nice. So far not many sales so I guess I’d better get my act together and take my chicken boots off and start handing out business cards. I was going […]

I’ve been painting

Or rather, oil pastel-ing.       I think this is my favourite medium. The colours are so rich and meaty. I find it hard to get back into jewelry after an art show. It’s like I’m all jeweled out. I did fairly well at the festival. I made a thousand dollars, which, with what […]

Good Grief

Just when I thought I was safe. Just when I was going to buckle down and finish Hope’s quilt. I had to go and watch this. (here) Man! Well fortunately I’m just an evening quilter so once I get the back done and sandwiched I’ll be able to get back out to the jewelry studio. […]

Now …

The top is done eth … And I included her (secret) name. Because it’s always fun to find something hidden. Especially if you’re five years old 🙂 And so today. Make the back. Sandwich the batting. Find some thick orange thread. And quilt away. –

This is today.

I finished sewing the flowers on the quilt last week, but then I just had to have a jewelry moment. Also, a housecleaning moment! Who knew that would happen. Have to take advantage of that when I can. I changed my studio rooms around a couple of weeks ago, and am really enjoying not being so cramped. […]

The top is done eth …

Well it’s all in place except for one or two final touches which I will do later. Also it’s without its border, but, apart from that, the top is definitely, almost, just has to be sewn together, done eth. Be sure to shield your eyes. It’s blinding! So, with sunglasses on, I peeled all the […]

The line up – revealed.

But first. Today’s cup of tea. Well, one of them. I’m usually a four cup a day girl. So, Here are the five great, Hope’s Quilt, bonanza flowers that have made the final cut. Except maybe this green one. Which might need a little something more. See, compared to the others, it’s a little too […]

New chain.

1.5″ lengths of 18 gauge fine silver wire. Wrap around a mandrel as below. Join together Ball up the ends with your torch. Fuzzy photographs. Sorry. Give it a friend. Repeat Repeat again. Until desired length. As this is fine silver the ends ball up perfectly, but the links are very soft. So, tumble to […]

Everything going at once.

New quilt design for Hope. My 5 year old niece.   It’s getting there. – Paintings. Could they be more different from each other? – Jewelry. Charms. All of which created in a complete mess. But I fixed it. Now it’s boring. Fortunately it won’t take me a nano second to get it back to […]

Time for a new link.

I’ve been off my groove, but now i’m back with a new silver link. So, if you’re in the mood for fiddly, have a go at this. Just remember my disclaimer as I’m not available to tend to any injuries incurred … First up, and this is very important, put your i pod down the inside of […]

I’ve been away.

And it’s been great. Refreshed, revamped, and re everything else that I can’t think of right now. O.K. perhaps not exactly revamped, but I’m working on it. I’ve been thinking of going caveman again, except this time with a tiny amendment. Only a tiny one though. Otherwise everything goes to pot and I’m not a […]

Well done.

Andy Murray! 77 years since we’ve had a British winner. I played for the school once or twice, but I don’t think I was as good as he is. Almost, but not quite. I did have Fred Perry‘s old carpet though if that means anything. First married, no money, renovating the house, no phone, no […]

Someone please tell me.

How this can possibly be $4,200? (Pete’s Pots – any ideas?) It’s beautiful, and I was very attracted to it, and I thought to myself – Myself, this would be a great addition to your pottery collection don’t you think? But Myself wasn’t sure. So we looked at the price. Good grief, heavens to betsy, […]

I’ve been.

Revamping my shops. Sounds impressive to have shops. I almost feel grown up. – Shop 1 – Shop 2 – I spent a lot of time yesterday trying to set up a website, other than Etsy, or Tictail, from which I could sell my jewelry. I already have my own domain website, which I’ve created […]

By Jove.

I think I’ve got it! Well almost. Thanks to Bob. Who knows just the thing to give my photo’s a little more oomph. I think Bob is my new best friend. Until I find another one. You can try him out for yourself – HERE. But you can’t have him. He’s mine. Get your own best […]

Getting a bit ticked off.

I had P buy me a EZcube for christmas a couple of years ago, but because photographing my work annoys the #@^**! out of me and leaves me feeling frustrated, stupid and wanting to pull my hair out, I haven’t used it until today. Because he’s P he also bought me a new flash, a […]

I had a bit of trouble.

Hate it when the drilled hole in the top of a bead fractures. It makes the bead practically useless, and these chrysoprase beads just happen to be my favourite! So what’s a girl to do? Pretty much this is the best of a bad job. I just couldn’t do a thing with it except try […]

Sick and Sorrowful.

This is what happens when you’re sick. But, because you still want to play you gouge yourself with one of these. Things then go from bad to worse until you give it up and go lay down on the sofa to feel super sorry for yourself yet thankful you haven’t cut your fingers off completely. […]

From here to there.

This is how one of my paintings was shaping up, pre Spain. And, this is how it is now, post Spain. Mmmm. But now I’m sick and the painting will have to wait. But that’s O.K. because I’ve had another sign. I know I said I didn’t believe in signs, and I don’t, but look. […]

Just so’s you know …

I survived landing in the fifth most dangerous airport in the world. (I know you were worried). This is where we went.   La Almoraima, Spain. For this. My new sister in law and my old brother in law. The weather was gorgeous, the location beautiful, and landing in Gibraltar was no big deal after […]

This time.

I sent my jewelry earnings to – Care. Just thought you’d like to know. – So, moovin’ on, before it all gets a little overwhelming in the, what the hell’s happening to the world, department, here are a few things I’ve been doodling. I call this my, What in god’s name are you aiming for […]

A good day at the art fair.

The weather couldn’t have been better. Usually I have to change clothes three times (I kid you not), because it’s so hot and humid that I wither away into a pile of wet sludge, which, let me tell you, is not good for business. Actually, in all the years I’ve lived here in Houston, I […]

To oblivion and beyond.

As Buzz would say. O.K. so he wouldn’t, but he could have, and with a little make up he def could look the spitting image of Tom. No? O.K. maybe a lot of make up, but they have the same eyebrows. Bottom line, it was better than Olympus has Fallen, but we left with more […]

More tea Vicar?

So I woke up this morning thinking that I’d got it all wrong and the art festival was today after all. Well, I’d be a bit late that’s for sure. It all started because, for a month now, I kept telling myself, and everyone else, that the show was going to be on the 27th, […]

I’ve made

A banner. And it’s really big and in your face and a bit scary. 4′ x 2.5′ scary to be exact. – It’s for my booth at the art festival. It going to scream, lookee, here I am, and then I’m going to have to talk to people and try to sell my jewelry to […]

And this

Is why I don’t’ like PMC (precious metal clay). Oh yes, it all sounds good. You can do stuff with it never attempted before, or so the rumours will have you believe, but, look at it. There must be a thousand billion dollars of the stuff on my fingers right here. And all the things […]

Life as I know it.

Last night Robert Downey Jr. looked away from me with abject disdain because I failed my history exam. He was my professor, I was at university, and, for the second year in five, I had flunked my exams because I hadn’t been to class, read the books, written the essays, etc. etc. etc. Same old, […]

Yep.

The oil pastels came out. I knew they would. AND My stickers came. Don’t ask me what I’m going to do with them. If you need some stickers, (I know you know you do) run now to Moo, or forever hold your peace. –

Not quite.

Well, it’s not coming along too badly. We’ve definitely got some Pepto Bismol stuff going on, and it’s pretty boring on the whole, but I haven’t quite given up yet, although I’m sorely tempted to set the oil pastels on it, which is a sure-fire way for it to end up in the trash. Here’s […]

Inspired

To paint. It doesn’t take much for me to want to have a go at everything. Give me a day at an art festival and I come home elated, and depressed at the same time. No time to do it alllll. Now I have to paint, make a mosaic – but first fire up some […]

Just so you know.

The other day, when I decided to throw caution to the wind and paint again, this happened – but, you’ll be relieved to know that I put a stop to it as soon as I could. First it became even more hideous – in a mocking sort of way, but I had the last laugh […]

I want to –

Paint soooo much, but I just canny do it capt’n. It’s my most worrying thing to do. Sometimes I ignore it and just don’t look over at that whole other side of the studio, you know, the one with all the exciting colours patiently waiting to play. But, I know it’s there, because it’s niggling […]

Exciting times in the studio.

There’s been a massive clean up. Something apparently took over my body yesterday and lo! Can you say-what happened! Everything is in its place. Which is kind of frightening. In a creepy sort of way. But, I’m liking it. From this angle it doesn’t look like I’ve done a thing. But, it’s my little piece […]

“He smiled understandingly –

-much more than understandingly. It was one of those rare smiles with a quality of eternal reassurance in it, that you may come across four or five times in life. It faced-or seemed to face-the whole external world for an instant, and then concentrated on you with an irresistible prejudice in your favor. It understood you just […]

I’m reading …

Because I have to. The first sentence that made me feel as though perhaps this wasn’t going to be as tedious a task as when I first attempted to read it, waaaay back in school, was: “If personality is an unbroken series of successful gestures, then there was something gorgeous about him …” Really that’s […]

I’ve found a new love.

Gerard Collas. And I love him this much No No Wait THIS much And now I need to throw everything else out and make some sculptures. – Don’t you think we should all travel around on this? Just trotting along, out in the open, with the breeze in your hair and fresh air on your face and […]

Some new work and a plan.

These are some things I’ve been working on. I’m interested in developing my silver skills and making more of my doodles. I like these earrings and think I’ll experiment more with them today. Don’t ask about the dots. For some reason this pendant reminds me of the circus. Not sure about this necklace. I like […]

Done!

This morning I made my $10,000 goal. Thank you to everyone that bought jewelry from Cold Feet Studio. I really appreciate it. 🙂 “We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.” Winston Churchill. –

Lookee here.

At this new lovely. No you can’t have it because it’s mine. It’s a pie flue and it’s now going to be part of my collection. Of course, it’s never going to see the inside of a pie, for that I have my super everyday pie flue, one that I’ve had for years and years. […]

What’s a girl to do?

I’ve been trying a new background for taking my jewelry photographs. But I’m just not sure.  I usually use this darker background, but was beginning to wonder if it wasn’t a little too dark. I have a light box that I got for Christmas before last, but I haven’t quite got the hang of it […]

Tell me.

Why no one told me about Philip Jackson? Where has he been my whole life? I am seriously ashamed of myself for having not heard of him. Look at that foot. . Those hands The movement. So delicate. And striking. Those fingers! I want to stand and look at her all day. And sit next […]

That boy did a fine job …

The Union Jack pattern has arrived! I haven’t forgotten about the quilt I was working on before Christmas – or the five hundred and sixty three others that are waiting patiently for me to finish. If you remember, this is where I left it. On the floor, alone, wondering when I would return … if […]

Now, where were we?

Back to jewelry. I’ve been making a few things. Click on photos to see examples of stones used. I decided to go a bit bohemian with the last one, but I’m not sure I like it. I’ve not been in the studio today as I’ve been out and about this morning and decided that I just have to […]

‘Ello, ‘ello.

We’ve had visitors. There are four of them, but these two like to torment Wally. It’s a wonder he can see them through the dirty windows. (Guess what I’ll be doing today). Pickles can’t help but get involved, especially when there might be trouble. But that cat has Pickles’ number. “Wotch you lookin’ at boiii?” […]

Hold that short news.

I haven’t abandoned this blog to the Reluctant Caveman. I’m just having trouble juggling the two of them. Once my 30 days are up, (yes, I’m in prison. All tea privileges are taken away) I will be back in force. With new lovelies. Such as this. And, this. And I will have glorious tales of […]

Sigh.

I’ve been missing in action from the studio scene as I’ve just had to sit down and wallow for a few days. I felt too deprived to get up and move around too much as it might have made me feel better and I wasn’t finished feeling sorry for myself yet. You can find out […]

Mission possible?

I have moved my tales of woe and torture regarding my The Whole 30 experience over to its own, brand new, tales of woe and torture blog. The Reluctant Caveman Come and visit me from time to time, just to make sure I’m still alive and haven’t wasted away. – I’m not moving from here, […]

Now, where were we?

Oh yes, Things to think about on Saturdays. But first, I’d like to tell you that my knees ache. Thought I’d better get that out of the way. On Saturdays you wake up tired because the night before two men knocked on the door and, very pushily, got you to buy three books for the […]

It’s all about me.

FREEDOM!!!! Yesterday was my first day back in the studio. MIL flew back to England on Friday and so it was all systems go on Saturday. Well, that’s a small fib really as I didn’t get out of bed until 11, then we sat around watching West Ham take a thrashing from Sunderland until P […]

While I’ve been sick.

I found my old boring wedding album and thought I might jazz it up a bit. I’ve never liked it. It started when B was looking at it and cropped two of the photo’s together and changed them to black and white. Then I played with it in Pixlr. Man look how young we were. […]

And then there were four.

We have a new cat. Sophie. She’s the same brand as Pickles. Only Pickles is (fat). We try not to say that out loud as Pickles is very sensitive about her weight. Sophie is Pickles mini me and she belongs to N, the middle child, who has always wanted a small black thing of her […]

I found another

Art work that grabs my attention. It’s the colour that gets me first. That blue is spectacular. And then I found another. Well two anothers. That foot! I think it’s almost time for me to get my finger out and try to do some serious work. Look at this stuff. It’s not wrong of me […]

Well gosh.

Now I think I need one. – In other news … The quilt is back on. The corners are all but done. I decided to add a little red to the prongy bits, and the background is complete. Still not sure if the whole thing is drab, and, have to admit I felt a little […]

No really, it’s good. Trust me.

I’m kind of getting my food cravings in a twist. I’m not really sure if they’re actual cravings or just romanticized rememberings. Here’s my latest. The famous, Melton Mowbray Pork Pie. (I wanted a bigger picture, but perhaps that will just make my craving worse.) You’ve got to taste this to know how good it […]

Well, it was a nice day for it.

According to this site we are now in overtime. Just over 9 hours (and counting) since the end of the world – in Sydney, Australia. All that worry … for what? I tried asking Siri why the world didn’t end today, but she didn’t understand me. I asked my question slowly, I asked with careful enunciation, I […]

Well, tomorrow’s the big day.

Spencer doesn’t seem that bothered. He’s decided to relax into the trauma of the world ending. I doubt he’ll even bother to get out of bed. I don’t think Scientific America seems that bothered either. They’ll probably get up though. – What does Siri think. Me: Do you think the world will end tomorrow? Siri: […]