Linear thoughts are overrated...

{excerpt from page 53}

The Highly Sensitive Person, Elaine N. Aron Ph. D.

Seemingly out of nowhere, yes? Darn the Universe is good! I read this while we were vacationing, (I am now back at home and quite refreshed.) and immediately felt a tinge-you know the one when you realize; hark, this is me. Yes, well that one.

I'm either all the way in, pining about my seeming lack of motivation and trying to jumpstart it with all matter of caffeine and brute force, or all the way out at sea drowning in brilliant-albeit overwhelmingly exhausting, creative ideas. Right now however, I'm in a good place and hoping I can ride this feeling out at a comfortable pace through the holiday hoopla and into an exciting, but tolerable new year. Which incidentally will begin sometime in February, likely on a Tuesday because the pressure of beginning at the beginning is far too great.

I hope you've all been doing, feeling and living well!

Peace, love and random banter

Before Santa arrives...

Original collage by Elena Mary-available on Etsy .

I need a reprieve, again. Somehow I'm not looking forward to Christmas this year. Frowns. Something is missing, so we're going up north sans outsiders and distractions, ringing phones and obligation to find it. Yes, we are headed north to do absolutely nothing but look at each other, talk to each other and reconnect. We're going on a love junket before Santa arrives.

Peace and love

'Tis the Season

For Swappin'

One of the many benefits of the blogging and arts communities is the prevalence of swapping. We love it, we live for it-and damn it, we're good at it! Above is the contents of my Brown Paper Package swap hosted by Max & Ellie.

I received the most insanely delicious VEGAN Sweet & Chewy Coconut Chex mix complete with the recipe! In addition, there were some beautifully hand-sugared pears and one of my favorite things in the whole world to adorn my favorite body part: (in case you didn't know) a handmade scarf! Woot!

Now, my turn...I'm working on my gifts now. We got to choose a winter holiday for the swap and I chose the oft-ignored New Year's. Wait'll you see what I'm shipping to Exeter!

Peace and happy swapping!

Downtown, Selling My He[art]

Pretty in Peace at Crafeteria 3, Phoenix Arizona

Urban Adornments' owner/artist, Gina Hullum

One of several super Indie bands who kept my mind off the bitter temperatures and on topics such as love, art, humanity, and the oft-inhumane and quite insane Sheriff Joe Arpaio.

The violin's playing like lo-o-o-ovely singing... A song from Glee Club, yes of course I was a member.

Wonderful patrons, like seriously... which is good, because I'm so not built for the craft show nightmare patrons I've read and heard about.

The terrible, horrible, very bad view of all that was fantastic in downtown Phoenix Friday night!

The Dish:
I did well!

The Very Best Part:

I met a sweet woman and her even sweeter little boy who recognized a pair of my earrings. He'd purchased them from Frances Vintage, with his own money, for his mom on her birthday. She mentioned that she loved them and had worn them to work just this week. We spoke about how well he-at such a young age, knew her taste and how they were happy to continue to support me. She took a card, we shook hands, and I felt all warm and fuzzy. It was indeed the very best part.

The Fabulous Future:

I received great feedback on my Moo cards, which feature my collage work. I'm thinking prints. Hmmm. And, speaking of prints, I'll be in print! Yup, me in the College Times along with pics of some of the editor's favorite Pretty in Peace pieces. Isn't that fabulous? I'm thinking it's pretty fabulous. Thank you, for all of your well wishes for health and success.

Peace and art

Crafeteria is here...

as is what appears to be some strange stomach virus-like thing. Cripes! Sighs, sips tea and clenches glutei. Which oddly enough rhymes with TMI.

At any rate, I'm no stranger to the Law of Sir Murphy...I should've known when my less than $10 display came out like this there'd be some turn of events!

Stubby beer bottle covered in leftover tulle from the gold themed X-mas bin and ribbon from a recent gift exchange. Glittery ball thingie NEW! Cost: $3.00. Twine bust also covered in same tulle and ribbon, bracelet pillow sewn by moi from corduroy and other cotton fabric scraps-Cost: FREE!

Last year's brass goblet and glass plate creations, polished and now seated atop the brass colored chargers from our dinner party 4 years ago. Cost: FREE! A runner made of more corduroy fabric scraps; I added the lace, a recycled embellishment from a recent purchase. Cost: FREE!

Last years's tablecloth, I removed the duct tape and put in an actual hem! Cost $3.00 for matching thread.

Now to do something with these jewelry making hands of mine, lest I scare the patrons! Wish me good health and luck for tomorrow!

If you are in the Phoenix area:

Crafeteria is at 10 W. Camelback Road, 6:00-10:00 PM

Peace and Indie love