Design By Raven Muse

Through her eyes....a past I never knew

2011-01-17T11:12:00.000-08:00

I would like to start this post out with a most beautiful photo of a young lady on railroad tracks located in Jewel Mountain, Tennessee sometime in the late 1930's perhaps? This was a poor coal mining town and this photo was taken before she married. Vibrant, strong, beautiful.

This woman turns out to be my maternal grandmother. I never met her because she passed away at age 40, when my mother was only 19 years old. I think she is absolutely stunning.

Several months back I was digging through my paternal grandmother's hope chest and found an envelope that had a pair of glasses in them. I knew my grandmother never had such glasses, as she was a simple, minimalist dresser. Clean lines, simple styles that were classic. That was the grandmother I grew up with, not one to wear such fancy frames on a daily basis.

I, however, like a bit of fancy and retro, so we made a great team!

I remembered these glasses as my mother showed them to me years ago when I was still living at home. They belonged to my maternal grandmother. The mystery was....how did I end up with these frames? I do not recall my mother giving them to me. I did know my Pop Pop (she married him twice.) He was a rogue, a coal miner, moonshine runner and general hell raiser from Tennessee. Which made him utterly adorable and the man could do no wrong through my eyes. But what was life like through my maternal grandmother's eyes? Would I have called her Mee Maw, or Mom Mom...from the south I doubt "Grandmother" would not suffice. What was life like for her, what was she like, and how did she see things?

How can you not wonder about a grandmother you never met, and are now wearing her glasses and looking through at the world as she did?

I do know she had a hard life, often a single parent raising my mother. She was also sick all of the time. Something that worries me a bit, but we have better technology and medicine these days.

Well I can tell you she didn't see very well with the script that was in there. I could not even look out of them they were so strong! However, I fell in love with the glasses and didn't know what to do with them. So I just packed them away with other little treasures I have. One day I started to see so many folk selling vintage frames such as these so you can get your own script put in.

Isn't the detail on these 50 year old frames just amazing?
And they do look like brand new. Cost me only $40 to get my script and installed in these.

Peek-a-boo! Here they are on me with new lenses. They are just to beautiful to not use.

Below is the house my mother and grandmother lived in during the 1940's in Tennessee. As you can see they lived quite posh. NOT. It is amazing the structure still stands and little about it has changed.

Here is my grandmother - her name is Hattie - wearing the actual glasses I had refitted. And I still cannot help but wonder how life was through her eyes.
I feel very fortunate to find the frames and even more fortunate to ability to wear them. I love them dearly and cannot help but to think I would have loved her so much more.

Thank you Nana....

Please ad me...and introducing Mt. Doom

2011-01-14T16:36:00.000-08:00

Hi there, it's me again...

I got to go to the top of Mt. Ruapehu also known as Mt. Doom from the Lord of the Rings trilogy. It really did not look like you were on planet earth while up there. Needless to say it was nothing less than awe inspiring and my mouth was once again hanging open in a very unlady like fashion. We started to just tape it shut or use rope to keep it closed. Rather unsightly it was.

Meet Mt. Ruapehu aka Mt. Doom

One day I just got the bug to finger paint. I was looking over the "Mt. Doom" photos and looked at the pile of tubes of paints I had. I had a blank canvas too. I didn't want to take this to seriously and just started to splatter color on the canvas in my lap while at my desk here. My fingers just raced across it with little to no worry about the outcome. I think this was just a "stress release" exercise and I needed something more "hands on" to keep me busy. This was the finished product. No brushes, no rinsing off colors, I just went for it. After it was done, I thought it actually looked pretty good or at the very least, interesting. Now I am not saying it looks that good, but for having 10 minutes of fun with finger painting, I was satisfied with the end results.

Of course having the privilege of standing on top of said mountain at sunset, I caught some killer photos of the sun going down behind some incredible clouds. Middle earth, I finally made there!

Nothing can prepare you for such a stunning ending to an even more incredible day in New Zealand.

Thank You Luna....and a Happy Solstice

2010-12-21T02:43:00.000-08:00

Happy Lunar Eclipse Solstice 2010!
My Solstice fire, 5:00 a.m.

The shortest and darkest day of the year, it only gets brighter from here!

Dodged a Bullet

2010-11-18T04:12:00.001-08:00

I have been really grumpy lately. Not myself. Crying nearly every day...don't even let me get into how I got when I would look at my kids.

Why?

Because I had all of these doctors giving nothing but bad signals, signs, news or what have you that I was looking down the barrel of a 12 gauge breast cancer shot gun and I was not (as if you ever are) ready for that.

No fair! I just returned from New Zealand! I was feeling fantastic! I was getting ready to pull a Madonna and reinvent myself (again.) Us Moms - especially those of us who have been single ones in the past before know what I mean - have had to do that on more than one occasion. So I had been living curled up in a ball just waiting and waiting and waiting for some bloody news to finally come my way and let me know what the next year of my life was going to be like. It wasn't like I didn't have enough to tend with as it was. Cancer? Sure, why not...toss it onto the pile of shit! I'm a good sport and all...but this was pushing even what I was willing to endure all at one time.

Fortunately my appointment was yesterday morning early, so I didn't have to wait long, but wow that was a shocking wake up call. "Oh man, I have to go now...I know I want this over, but I also don't want to go!" As of last week, surgery was a given, no matter what the biopsy results were going to be. Did I mention it was raining and dreary and cold out on the way? This cannot be a good sign.

I get in there and am quickly called back. Palms sweaty, lump in my throat, keeping my shades on to hide tears, as they ask me to wear "The robe please." OMG OMG OMG, if it's negative, why do I have to get undressed, again? So I sit for a few seconds and a chirpy doctor Michelle comes to the door. She sits, she asks one or two questions, sees the pain on my face and says "It's benign."

Excuse me? Did she say benign? That means no cancer right? None? Nada? Zilch? And then after last week them telling me no matter what the results I would need surgery she then says... "And you don't need surgery." OK, now I know they are punking me. They put me through three weeks of hell for NOTHING? A small mini-stroke...I know I had several brain cells just pop, I felt them, they are GONE. And I am pretty sure a nervous break down.

GET ME THE HELL OUT OF HERE!

So off to breakfast and I at the first real meal I had in weeks. Since eating was off the menu for some time and I think what was causing me to have flu like symptoms for over the past week, fever and all. I ate like I had never had meal in my life! Anyway, I started to feel better really fast.

The next day I got up and decided I had energy. I call my friend Matt and what do two super-stars such as ourselves do when I need to go celebrate? Find a park to play in, buy some sweets & pop at a bakery and take our cameras out. Why? Why not? I have to grow old, but I don't have to grow up.

The moral of the story is? Um....er....doctors like to scare the crap out of you for fun. Well, maybe that is not exactly true. But that is what it feels like. They kinda give the worst case scenario and hope for the best. But damn, there has be a more balanced way of going about this.

The most important thing and the bottom line is:

This cat landed on all fours and dodged another bullet. Whew!

But ladies....do get your yearly mammograms, do your monthly exams and do follow-up for your physicals every year, especially after 40. This shit ain't funny! And the people that love you need you to. Thankfully I do keep up on this stuff and listen to things, especially myself, since I am the only one I talk to most of the time. (Did I just say that out loud?) Oops.
Thanks everyone for all your love!

Namaste...

And I looked at the screen in disbelief

2010-10-31T18:13:00.000-07:00

Because it couldn't happen to me? Hasn't enough happened to me? I just came back from New Zealand feeling the best I have in years but facing a very difficult decision of having to put my 17 year old severely disabled son with MR and autism into full time residential living because it was becoming unmanageable at home. I mean we have been living with pad locks on our doors for years now and my almost 13 year old son had no social life and he deserved some time. My 17 year old is mentally 2 at best and it was eating me alive. In the way that only a mother could understand. His entire life, every day I made every single decision of his day. What he would wear and dress him, what he would eat, where he would go, all of his educational decisions...the works. Now suddenly I was faced with someone(s) else doing that and my home falling silent from his various sound affects. He cannot talk, but he is far from quiet.

So I go away, clear my head and come home to take on this huge challenge before me.

Then something else happened. Something I didn't see coming, nor did I expect. I don't smoke, drink, do drugs and I have no family history. My history thus far included giving a tiny bit of help that I could to this powerhouse of woman named Joan, whom at 70 was now a two time breast cancer survivor. I think we laughed more than we did anything else, but isn't laughter the best medicine? This was early in October and I had no idea what was going on with my body. Joan was taking on a whole town and organizing a Pink Walk. I was in awe of her. Having been an event coordinator myself, I was so impressed and I think I was looking at myself 30 or so years down the road. I adored her, she was just so much fun to be around.

This past Monday night I went out with a friend and met up with an Angel Psychic. I had some questions lined up, but before we could get started, she said "We need to talk about your health, specifically your breast health." I kinda looked at her baffled but listened as I have learned to listen to those who are speaking to her, my angels. I have a lot, I need a lot! She gave me info specifically about my left breast and suggested I get a mammogram, soon and we went on to other topics. I had no idea how soon that would be.

The very next day I was surfing the web, and on our local on line paper there was this nifty little thing you could sign up to remind you to do your monthly exams (which I already did, but brush ups never hurt) , get your yearly mammograms and check ups, had some tips, recipes and it included three main symptoms of breast cancer. One was drainage from the nipple. I said "Huh, I use to get that for some time after breast feeding, wonder if it still does that?" So while doing my self exam I tried to extract (you breast feeding moms know what I mean there.) Nothing on the right, went to the left and dammit, blood came out. I froze. I literally froze.

OMG, I have never had anything like that come out of my breast before! Dammit, my doctors are closed! I got in when my doctor returned to the office on Thursday as I was having no of this business with a fill in after 16 years of us tactling everything from autism and abusive husbands, and had him give me the full work up on an exam and showed him the bleeding. He didn't like it and thought he felt something on the underside of that breast. I said "What? I cannot feel a thing." Fact of the matter is that often women don't feel anything early on, which is why after 40-41 you start going every year for a mammogram. Ironically I was scheduled to go next one month, since I pushed it back by two months for my trip. Which really is not a big deal since my base line was normal five years ago and I am in a low risk category.

My doctor asked me if I could get a mammogram and an ultra sound that day (this is Thursday now) I said HELL YES! And off to the nearest imaging center we went with an opening.
I was told on the spot there was a nodule, it was not a cyst and they didn't like it because of the bleeding. Strike 2 on the bleeding thing. I call my family doctor back now hysterical in the parking lot and he tells me he is going to call me later that night with a name.

By 8:30 p.m. he calls, but I am pretty out of it from crying most of the day. I am just in shock. He said he will be calling me in the morning with her name and number and I am to call to make an appointment. Next morning I get a call instead, they made the appointment for me, and I am to be there by 1:30 p.m. I am now going to the Helen H. Graham Cancer Center and I am scared to death. But I have angels among me who are pushing and making sure I am getting where I need to go and as quickly as possible.

I go and meet up with the breast surgeons assistant and she says "I'll be honest, I don't like the bleeding either, but most nodules we fine are benign." Strike 3 on that bleeding thing...I am now beyond terrified. I look at the screen in disbelief for the first time and I didn't like it. There it wsa, this dark black circular THING. It was an unwelcome and unwanted invader in my body and I wanted it out and fast. They were hoping this coming Monday that I would get my biopsy, but I have to wait till the 9th and I get all the results in on the 16th. Apparently business is good at the cancer center. So I must wait till the 16th to know what my future holds. I know it holds at least a surgery to take that sucker out no matter what it's attitude may be...I did not invite it and it is leaving. My attitude is piss poor as far as it is concerned.

So here it is Halloween, and the last day of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. I cannot express enough to everyone out there to get your mammograms and do your monthly exams. Also check in with your doctor about anything strange looking about your breasts or change in them. Don't be embarrassed. Because I gotta tell ya, I would have stripped for anyone and everyone without hesitation if they were going to help me. All I could think about were my kids. No question is a stupid question, not asking is stupid. And don't think you are safe if you have no family history and live a low risk lifestyle. It can happen anytime to anyone. One in 8 women they say. Not great odds. I really didn't see this coming and I always have kept up on my girly health maintenance. I wasn't there, and then it was.

I am just hoping and praying that this sucker is benign and they will take it out and I will be on my merry way. Will I feel like I worried over nothing if it is? NO. I have a family I am responsible for and it's my job to worry and make sure I am OK. If it's not benign? Well, we will worry about that part after we get past this first part.

So, that is why I stopped with the pleasant blogs on New Zealand and I have lots more to tell, but I have had this bit of a hiccup in the road and need to deal with it. Which I am, full steam ahead. So Think Pink....it will save your life.

And the winner is....

2010-10-25T19:27:00.000-07:00

Last week I announced my dear friend Dancing Mooney was having a sale and a giveaway. I just wanted to do a quick follow up and let you know who the fabulous winner was since this is an Estian that I never met before.

She is The Charm Lady and her shop looks rather interesting. Anyone who knows me knows I love my charms and pendants. It's my big weakness...next to Have It Sweet's Fleur de Sel Caramels. (Another day...but oh my!)

Dancing Mooney writes: " TheCharmLady is our lucky lady today, who's won her choice of

Sugar Body Polish and matching Soap from my shop. She is an Etsy artist that makes really cool jewelry, and is an amazing photographer as well, along with being a fantastic mom

{I can only tell by her blog!} and so much more!"

I found several pendants I liked right away, it was hard not to find something I liked. It was a fun shop to visit and I never would have known about it if it was not for Dancing Mooney's contest!

Anyway be sure to visit Dancing Mooney. You can read up on her shop and her wonderful soapy goodies. She also has jewelry and collages too! You can find the post here. I am quite sincere when I say I have been using her products since she has been making them and I truly love them. I am also always so excited when she comes up with a new scent or product, she works so hard to get it just right. I have very sensitive skin and her soaps always work for me so well.

Kona Bar by Dancing Mooney (Coffee, Cocoa, Coconut....Oh Yummy!)

I have two other soapy ladies I use for different reasons and I will reintroduce them soon.

Why so soap crazy you ask?
Well, it is something we all need and use.
It is consumable and does not go to waste or to your waist.
It can and is an art form for many which makes it a LOT of fun.
It makes a great luxury gift and it will not be left laying around collecting dust.
It is something someone will use and get a great deal of pleasure out of. So you can always go back and refill that item for the next holiday or birthday or what have you.
Many of the soap makers on Etsy use only the best ingredients and not all of that nasty stuff that is in the soaps you buy in the stores. Once you start to use hand made artisan soaps, you find your skin no longer gets itchy and looks and feels better.

Coconut Bar by Dancing Mooney

So, that is why I am a bit nutty in the soap department and support my equally nutty soapy friends who show no end to their creativity. I just love it. It's good clean fun!

Before Ohakune there was Omaru Falls for my Birthday

2010-10-24T12:38:00.000-07:00

Sometimes words just do not do justice for some of the things you get the privilege to witness. I had a very special birthday.

Omaru Falls - New Zealand

It was a bit of a hike through some bush, flooded fields and a swollen river over this rope bridge. Fun stuff!

The look on my face when I first saw the falls

I know, I am a complete sap....

I didn't have much to say while I was there. I was in awe and just sat there taking it all in and taking a lot of photos, in between wiping away my so called water proof mascara!

A very very special birthday that I will never forget!

Dancing Mooney is having a sale and a giveaway!

2010-10-22T16:41:00.000-07:00

I have a few Etsy vendors whom I am very loyal to, and they earned that loyalty through great customer service, great product and just being great individuals. I have many of them listed on my links sections down below there on the right. Not everyone there is an Etsian, but they are all great folks.

No messed with, no fragrance, real honey, oatmeal goats milk soap.
This girl's best friend facial bar.

Dancing Mooney is special because I made my very first Etsy purchase from her and well, we have been an "item" ever since. I am totally hooked on her soaps. I have three lovely soapy ladies. I know that seems a bit ambitious, but I have them all three for very different reasons and they all three make very different products. I like to think of Dancing Mooney as my "lady soap." Very elegant, soft, pretty and oh so good on my skin!

Sweet Pumpkin Spice Goats Milk Soap
Imagine pumpkin pie with whipped cream...a Thanksgiving Day must have!

To celebrate her 2,000th sale she decided to have a 20 percent sale in her shop and even better a give away on one of her new and fabulous products.....her sugar body polish.
Who doesn' t want to smell edible and have glowing kissable skin at the same time?

I'm game!

She was kind enough to send me a sample while in the final stages of development on this new product. I got to try the ginger/peach. As a friend of mine would say "Oh my Lara!" It smells of fresh peaches and the ginger only enhances the fragrance.

The consistency was perfect and after a week of using it at the bathroom sink my cuticles were is salon perfect condition.

I gave her a 10/10 for the new line. Then I start to ask what flavors she was going to start making!

So here is her ad for her sale and contest to receive a free bottle of her sugar body polish. Good luck and happy shopping!

P.S. I highly recommend the Kona Bar....it is out of this world!

______________________________

And now a word from Dancing Mooney....

Hey Everyone!

This week I reached the 2000 sales milestone in my shop, and I couldn't have done it without the support of all of you!

Thank you all so much for encouraging me, inspiring me, and giving me the strength to keep moving forward. ♥

This weekend I am holding a Give-Away on my Blog, to say thanks to all my loyal readers and followers.

And, I'm having a 20% off SALE in my shop this weekend as well, which includes everything in the store! Soaps, Jewelry and More!!

Have a wonderful weekend, and thanks so much again for all of your continued support!

Look forward to hearing from you!

Janell

DancingMooney.etsy.com

Stay tuned more adventures in and from New Zealand to come!

Off and running in Auckland, Traveling Pendant and Rugby

2010-10-18T13:47:00.000-07:00

As you see I am home from New Zealand and WOW what an adventure! I had the privilege to travel alone, no husband, no kids....just me.

I arrived at the Auckland airport. I am exhausted, jet lagged, on the tail end of a bloody vertigo trip, in a strange country, get off the plane, through customs, exchanged my money and out the door to the nearest Goodwill to find some second hand clothes as I was traveling with a single 15 pound bag. Yes ladies, I traveled around the planet with a single 15 pound bag that included my lap top and boots. I only needed a few extra tops and the second hand shops came in handy. I HATE checking in bags and carrying around extra crap I don't need. Some folks thought I was restricting myself by packing this way. I found it rather liberating to have the "less is more" mentality. The less I had to keep track of the better. I loved it.

Off I go to what will be "home" for the next few weeks. On the way there I recall my mouth hanging wide open as we travel about the country side to get home and I just cannot believe what I am seeing. Green, everywhere...so much green. Mountains, hills, beautiful skies. I think I am going to like it here.

I was set up in a very nice and comfortable room that even has a kitchen with the works. So long as I have tea and a dry bed I am good. I wake up later with my computer set up and an offer to eat....Rugby in Hamilton the next morning for two days...I have not a clue about Rugby.

Again I find myself gawking at the landscape and this becomes the norm for me while I am there. Interruptions in conversations of me saying Omg, look at that" were eventually expected and ignored as time went on.

It is slightly wet and cold. Alright I was freezing my ass off, but this seems to be rather tepid weather to the locals who are walking around in shorts or even no shoes while I am dressed up and looking something like Chubacka.

Me the Eskimo, and yer typical Kiwi.

I have heard of rugby, know of rugby, know its something like American foot ball crossed with soccer, but from there, I have no idea how the game is played. I am lost. Not only am I lost....I am still walking around jet lagged and remnants of a vertigo attack I started to get before I left home were still with me, albeit letting go. This was still making me very tired and disoriented no matter how hard I was fighting it. At some point you have to stop fighting it and just give in. I found myself waking up in the van with no idea of the time and almost forgetting where I was. I am grateful to have been left in the care of some lovely folks such as Aroha (which means Love) whom was as lovely as her name indicated and kept me out of trouble. Like wandering into the middle of a field while the boys played. She also introduced me to chocolate covered pineapple toffee of sorts. I love her.

Mmmmm Chocolate covered pineapple toffee....Aroha yer killing me! lol!

"Hey, let's take a shot for the traveling pendant!". I grab my hat (Thank you Julie!) and I grab the pendant (Thank you Kelly!). This is real life and undoctored so here it is. Just as it was, the traveling pendant in Hamilton, New Zealand at the finals, Rugby Tournament, last of the season. It is spring and I am still amazed I am there despite all the discomforts I know I am going to pull through and be fine, I just need a bit of time. I had no doubts whatsoever!

I am sure my state of being was more amusing to everyone else watching the "silly American girl" than it was to me trying to figure out the game. Oh well, just so someone got something out of it, even at my expense. Amusement is amusement.

By day two of the event I was kinda getting the swing of what was going on, although I was still finding myself falling asleep. The cold wet weather was not helping me snap out of the funk I was in. I did manage to get some photos.

This was my favorite shot I captured. I am not sure what this move is but it happens fast and is pretty amazing to watch as they throw their team mates up into the air to block the ball or catch it. This happens in just seconds. Still not sure what is going on there. Either way it was fun to watch.

A few of a team who won their game, not the championship, but did a fine job winning what they had in front of them and ending off a good season. They were all fired up.

I was even asked at the end of the day to take the team group shot, which I must say after wrangling up the cheeky teens I managed to get several shots. My favorite was the one where I got them all to give me a bit of a battle cry and give them permission to get wild. It truly is my favorite of the whole batch. I had tight quarters I was shooting...cars to the left, cows to the right...everyone has these problems with group shots. Right? I was honored that they asked me to take the shots. Truly. I was the out of town gal and they handed me the camera. That was a lot to be trusted with.

Finally back home, a warm shower, into my really warm cozy bed and I pass out till the next day and the next set of adventures. Ah skype I can call home and see my son's face. How wonderful. I tell him of my adventures and show him pictures from the day off. Sip my mint tea and then drift off to sleep. What a better way to end the day.

Now off to the next set of adventures...

I'm Back & Lean Dog is looking good!

2010-10-16T09:18:00.001-07:00

I'm back from a long hiatus in New Zealand and I am feeling good! Nothing will put you back in the game better than clean air, water, gorgeous green hills, mountains, toss in a few dead volcanoes and caves with active sink holes, blue waters and island hoping, breath taking beaches with sand that glittered in the sun, rugby tournaments with cheeky teens and waterfalls....lots and lots of water falls. Did I mention I was on top of Mount Doom from Lord of the Rings? You could not look left or right without getting b*tch slapped with beautiful. It was impossible.

I was also fortunate enough to meet some really incredible folks. From Joan, a two time cancer survivor who was taking on a breast cancer walk on her own in her town. To a couple (Pat and Diana) who ran charters on their boat out of Auckland. So many lovely folks and so little time!
I am almost feeling homesick now.

If you want to catch up on my NZ adventures or just my daily shenanigans, check me out on facebook.

So back home and back to business! Right out of the gate is Lean Dog who wanted a new look for her shop. I love working with Lean Dog because she has so many vibrant colors to work with. And of course I want to use ALL of them. :) Fortunately she gave me a palette she wanted and I went sniffing through her shop for stuff to sample from. Oh the drudgery of having to look through so many pretty things.

She wanted something seasonal, so I came up with this and it was a home run for her on the first hit.

Just click above to get whisked away to her
fabulous funky friendly shop!

Her cute little matching avatar.

She is having a huge sale with 15% off of everything in her store. So do check her out!

I will try to do some catching up with my posts in the days to come. I just had to spend some time over the past several days catching up on sleep and trying to reset my schedule! Jet lag was an understatement!

P.S. Yes! The Traveling Pendant went with me on my adventures and there will be stories to come!

Welcome, Welcome!

2010-08-14T02:25:00.000-07:00

Welcome Terry of Delaware Myofascial Release! Terry is a new customer of ours who was seeking out a new logo and ended up with that, a brochure, blog and looking like a new website coming down the road. Terry has been a blast to work with, a lot of fun and we look forward to working with her in the future. You can find her brand new sparkling blog at
http://www.delmyofascial.blogspot.com/

Her website will be back up and running soon too with a total revamp taking place. So please take a moment to visit Terry, say Hi, welcome her to the internet community.

Thanks Terry....we appreciate having you on board! Have a great weekend!

Namaste....

Beautiful Warning

2010-08-06T04:34:00.000-07:00

A friend passed this on to me and asked to keep passing it on and I was certainly not going to shelf this one, to important. Please do the same.

Always wear your seat belt, please! This was so beautifully done. You have to watch it.
Makes you stop and think. Two seconds of effort will save your life.

Namaste...

Opps, did I miss something?

2010-08-01T17:57:00.000-07:00

Terribly sorry for the absence here. Life has been rather like being Alice in Wonderland, sans the Wonder part. I try to look at things that give me inspiration when times are rough and so I turn to my art. I thought I would give a peak at some of the things that would be coming down the path soon. I have been also working on my own inventory for my own shop. I have also asked for another wonderful Etsian that I do admire so to come here and tell us a bit about herself and her craft. So do stay tuned.

Namaste...

Taking a Break...

2010-07-03T17:56:00.000-07:00

Sliced Brie Cheese with Slivered Almonds Drizzled with Honey.

There were no survivors. Vessel Courtesy of One Clay Bead.

I am not sure what the point is here...I was just hungry and it looked good.
I was also lazy today. I am thinking I may be lazy tomorrow.

Thank you for stopping bye. Please enjoy some sweet tea and cookies before leaving.

Happy 4th of July to those of us in the States and Woo-Hoo! to the rest watching the World Cup Series...May your team play well!

Please Minnie, don't stop Moaning...The Mad Hatter!

2010-06-24T15:14:00.000-07:00

It is clear that I love style, but I also buy style that has form and function. You won't see me sporting a diamond tennis bracelet or pricey sunglasses with a small dog as an accessory or to use as a doll to dress like me. (I find that cruel!)

(The Lady in Red - Left)

I kinda had this health issue where my long locks of thick Irish hair was failing out...at a rapid rate. I later found out what the medical issue was and have since been working on remedying it. Nothing was hiding the thin spots so I thought a hat might work. One night while cruising the Etsy pages I came across Moaning Minnie and her lovely hats. I instantly fell in love with her black Kashmir cap with buckle. So I ordered it.

My my my....it was so soft, comfortable and became a staple of my wardrobe. Most pictures you see of me I am wearing my favorite black cap.

(Black cap like mine but in linen instead of Kashmir for the warmer months of the year.)

After a while I decided I needed a few more hats. The quality was undeniable and I was constantly getting compliments. I grabbed a few sale hats and later a brown cap and blue/brown cap. I love them! I feel rather naked without a hat on now.

So I had a few questions for her and she was kind enough to reply. So here you go, The Fabulous and talented
Moaning Minnie....

Why Moaning Minnie as a name?

This came naturally to me. My mum has always called me Moaning Minnie, apparently I moaned a lot as a child! She taught me everything I know including my sewing and pattern making skills. When she was the age I am now my Mum was a Bag Designer and pattern maker for a major retailer so had great skills to pass on.

Why hats?

I have a large head and mainstream hats are always made to one size and always too small for me. I love hats and this inspired me to make my own and the business side of me realized I'd found a niche in the market. A win win situation, I run a business selling a product I love to make with a passion.

What are your favorite materials?

First and foremost,fabric. High quality natural fabrics. I especially love wool tweeds. Secondly, vintage buckles. A weird obsession but I do genuinely love buckles!

What can we look forward to seeing in the near future?

MM is just a baby at one year old so the future is exciting. In the short term you will see new products including arm warmers and a new design of hat. In the autumn you will be seeing a fab new range of bags, all in wool tweeds and some leather. In the longer term you will see a new shop selling home wares.

Needless to say, to not have a Moaning Minnie upon my crown would be like a day with no sunshine. They have become a trademark of mine. I recently saw similar hats being sold in the mall. Blah! Flimsy, no lining, horrible material and the craftsmanship... well let's just say they are meant to be "disposable." I'll have my Moaning Minnie hats and head bands for years to come.

So keep up the Moaning, Minnie...we like it when you do so!

This Raven gives Minnie 5 out of 5 feathers for quality, creativity, friendly service and for just being and out and out great gal. Only on Etsy can you shop in England, Prague, Germany and Seattle all in one day. Who needs a mall??

The Blues and the Browns

2010-06-20T04:32:00.000-07:00

Update! My first treasury made FP on Etsy! I completely missed it, but others saw it and here is the link: The Blues and the Browns

Thank you to everyone for providing such beautiful items to share!!!
-Cher (The Raven)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

My first treasury! That is way to fun, addictive even. I have to watch myself there. Anyway, many of you will most likely recognize yourselves on there and I think it all look FAB! Click on image for full treasury and thanks!

Let them eat cake!

2010-06-16T13:11:00.000-07:00

Heaven.

Or so I said, which was quickly followed by laughing, snickering and someone handing me a mixer.

Really.

Dumb.

So much for being the QUEEN, I was now the baker. When I said for dinner "Let them eat cake." I was thinking more along the lines of a frozen pizza...instead I was now making pound cake. Not just any pound cake, but my sour cream pound cake AND I was baking it in my grandmother's tube pan. Anytime I use any of her bakery items I just feel good all over.

My grandmother was an incredible cook, and (Damnit! I am trying to post this blog and my business partner who lives in New Zealand is at some conference and is taking photos of New Zealand made sweaters of New Zealand spun wool. This is soooo not fair!)

Ahem...where was I? Oh yes....my grandmother was an incredible cook and always liked to eat her dessert before her dinner. When asked why she would say "It's my favorite part of the meal." Hey, who am I to argue with such wisdom!

The thing I miss so much was not the complexity of her deserts....oh she could sling them out when necessary...but my favorites where her simple deserts. Even a bowl of sliced up strawberries with fresh milk and a sprinkling of sugar was such a treat!

These days I grab my grandmothers tube pan and make up a traditional pound cake that would make her proud. I love pound cake because of its simplicity, but also because of it's diversity. You can mix up the flavorings for vanilla, almond, lemon, lime, orange or whatever your heart desires. Extracts are nice to have. But if I am going to go with lemon, the juice of one and the zest of two lemons works wonders.

This recipe also allows you to drop in an unlimited list of dry goodies to customize your cake anyway you like;
Chocolate chips
Nuts
Dried Cherries
Coconut
Dates
Blueberry's (Blueberry and lemon would be great!)
Swirl in some preserves such as strawberry, raspberry...whatever tickles your fancy.
Icing or glaze can also be used.

This is a heavy solid cake, so it can take a bit of punishment with add- ins.

So here is the basic recipe:

Preheat oven to 350 degree F. Spray bundt or tube pan with cooking spray like Pam.

1/2 pound of salted butter at room temperature
3 cups of sugar

Cream butter in mixer and add one cup of sugar at a time till fluffy.

1/4 tsp salt
3 eggs

(They do not call this pound cake for nothing!)

Add salt and continue to beat on medium adding in one egg at a time.

2 tsp of almond extract, or vanilla, or both, or none or add juice of one lemon and zest of two lemons. This is when you get to be creative with flavors.

Beat until mixture is creamy and almost fluffy.

Put 3 cups of flour into a bowl and mix in 1/4 tsp of baking soda. Set aside.
Measure out one cup of sour cream.

Pour one cup of flour into egg/butter mixture and beat on medium low. Add in half the sour cream, blend, add second cup of flour, then second half of sour cream and then final cup of flour. Mix until all flour is absorbed and there are no lumps. This is also when you can mix in your add-ins such as dried fruits, nuts, etc.

Going into the oven...

Pour batter in to greased tube or bundt pan and even mixture out. Bake at 350 f for one hour to one and a half hours (depends on your pan, your oven, you altitude.) Start to check it at the one hour mark. Mine works best at 1 hour and 10 minutes.

Perfect!

After knife comes out of cake clean, set out to cool for about 25 min. Take knife and clean sides of cake from sides of pan and don't forget the middle too!

Flip cake out onto plate, then flip it again in hands and turn it so the baked side is up. Wa-la! A wonderful pound cake. Sounds simple eh? Well it is... and just how I like it. My preference is either almond or lemon. No icing, no other fillings....just plain Jane pound cake.

I would honestly share with all of you, but...this cake is lucky to last a single night in my house.

So speaking of experimenting with flavors and having fun cooking up something new and exciting out of something so simple and easy.

Allison over at Epically Epic Soaps has this deal where you can custom make your own lotion, soap or roll on fragrance from a huge list of oils she has available. The super fun part is that there is no limit on what you can mix together. Talk about fun! And there are no dirty dishes left over after you get done experimenting.

Well I had been experimenting with Epics lotions and a few of the roll on's for months. It was a lot of fun. I liked everything I had her mix together for me, some more than others, but never a mission fail. She has admitted to having just as much fun in the process. For only $6.50 a tin of lotion it was certainly worth the gamble.

Then one day I noticed she had added violet to the list. I am not a huge floral person, but I do love violet. And I was reminded of those violet candies you can get in France.
I was also a big fan of her vanilla bean soap. I also saw blueberry on the list and somehow I came up with a mix of vanilla, violet and blueberry. A friend of mine speaks French so we came up with a name of bleuets a la vanille violette. Well as accurate as that name is which just means blueberry vanilla violets, NOT the easiest for customers. Apparently Allison took a liking to it as well and decided to rename it to Blue Bell Knoll (much easier to pronounce and remember) and add it to her regular line of goodies. I was so HONORED, THRILLED and EXCITED. I could just point folks to the scent we created and tell them to go for it. This is very new and recent news, so if you have not visited Epically Epic Soaps in a while, you must! And if you want it in a custom soap, I do believe you can order 3 bars for $12.00. I have had it in the soap, and trust me....they are wonderful!

I also have the roll on fragrance and it too is just wonderful. Perfect to stick in your purse. I love it! You smell good enough to nibble on with this one. It is soft, a bit sweet with a lovely light fragrance of violets. This one is a smooth ride...just lovely. It will be a signature scent for me as long as Allison is willing to produce it.

Have I also mentioned that Allison is an artist as well. She took a break from the art world to try a new art...and I must say that whatever Allison sets her mind on doing, she does it very well.

Seriously hankering for some blueberry pie now.

Dancing Mooney - My first date with Etsy!

2010-06-04T14:30:00.000-07:00

My VERY first Etsy Artisan I ever purchased from is Dancing Mooney. I still have the little hand painted card with a butterfly in purples and blues with a brass button on it that says "Believe."
I bet she didn't know that!

I have watched Dancing Mooney evolve over time and I have to say she is one hard working and even more so, hard thinking gal. She is constantly trying to create balance in her shop, cater to her customers and come out with very reasonably priced high quality products that just make you FEEL GOOD.

We have never personally met but have become good friends and talk to each other about ideas and likes an so forth. What do you get with Dancing Mooney? You get one of the sweetest and classiest ladies running an on-line gift shop there is, who will go out of her way to make sure YOU are happy. This shows in the pride she has in her work. And it is always quality over quantity. No mass production of anything here. I have a bit of everything from her...soaps, to salts.. earrings and necklaces and even her art which she often does in collages. We are kindred spirits who love butterflies. :) I had to splash as many photos as I could on here today, as it is a bit dreary here and she always has so much beautiful color in her store. I hope you enjoy her as much as I have and still do and don't be afraid to ask her about what is coming up next, she is always cooking up new ideas and that is where you get them from....your customers. So here is here interview....

Why do you do what you do?
It's always been my dream to have a gift shop, and when I found Etsy I was hooked. It's been a process trying to decide where I want to put the focus on my shop because I love creating so many things, but what it really boils down to, is that I love creating items that make women feel beautiful, both inside and out. Be it a new piece of jewelry that makes you feel pretty, a fresh bar of soap that cleanses the body and refreshes the mind, or a piece of art that inspires your creative soul. My simple slogan has always been {Mind . Body . Soul} and I think that pretty much sums up how I feel about my work. I hope that women feel pampered when they get their packages in the mail, because doing a little something for yourself now and then is a treat, and I think we all deserve it.

What inspires you?
Gosh, I am inspired by so many things... Music, nature, color, food, fashion, gardening, girlfriends, you name it... inspiration is everywhere. Sometimes I am in the mood to make something poppy and bright, while other days I may keep it more earthy and neutral, but my ideas are really all over the place. It's hard to contain them sometimes, and it's been fun watching the true persona of DancingMooney evolve over the years.

What is your favorite thing to make?
I go back and forth. Well, I go round and round, how's that? Primarily I make soap and jewelry as often as I can, but sometimes I feel the need to get out my paints and get my hands dirty, and that's when making new collages comes to play. I don't know why I can't just focus on one thing, I drive my self crazy about it... but in the long run, I've narrowed it down, and I've spent a great deal of time trying to create balance in my shop.

What are your future wishes for your shop?
I feel like I am just now getting to the point that DancingMooney is finding her true self, and it's a constant work in progress. My goal for this year is to really spend some time developing my jewelry line and creating a more cohesive boutique feel in my shop. My intention was never to be a bath and body shop or a jewelry store... my goal has always been to be more of a gift shop, or a boutique. It's been hard trying to decide which way to go next, but I feel like I'm really starting to find balance within my variety and even though we are just now approaching spring, I am already thinking about fall and getting ready for the holidays. It's amazing as a small business owner how much forward thinking you have to do, and it's a skill I've had to learn, but my goals for this year are really just to keep moving forward, and see what happens next...

Just a few more pictures before I have to go. Coming up is Moaning Minnie and my Golf/Nascar/Autism showdown. (I did finally get some good photos with Moaning Minnie's hats....and now I realized I have a lot of cropping, editing etc to do. lol!)

Celebrating Diversity - Art by Raven Muse.

2010-06-01T14:57:00.000-07:00

I wanted to do my post on Moaning Minnie tonight, but I needed some photos and the lighting conditions are not up to snub for what I need to do. Plus my 12 year-old son ran away screaming at the thought of modeling them for me. Wuss.

So I thought I would share some of my digital art. What most of you don't know is that I could paint, and sculpt and draw....I mean really draw...sketch my heart away. I never left my home without a sketch pad or my little old mint tin filled with charcoal and a bag with various pencils and erasers. I LOVED to draw. One day it became painfully apparent I could no longer do it. One reason was I was so frustrated at the quality of my work and the other reason was the pain I was starting to experience. I have found out over the years I have this annoying bit of nerve damage from some spinal issues that causes pain and tremor in my hands. At this point I can barely sign my own name any two times and they do not look a bit alike. I like to say I have regal looking doctor hand writing!

Alas! All is not lost as I discovered graphic arts on a computer. Ahhh the wonders of the edit/undo button when I am having an especially "shake it up baby!" kind of day. This opened up all kinds of doors for me, and prevented he waste of lots of supplies.

So I am just going to line up a row of some work done over the past few years for you to peak. And hopefully I will get some decent light for better photos of my hats from Moaning Minnie. I'll get her story up next. Meanwhile you can visit her here. She is quite lovely, and so are her hats, bags, and other goodies you will find. All made in the highest of quality in an eclectic mix of styles where vintage is made contemporary. A very English collection!

On to my art. I do a lot of work designing logos for businesses as well as a lot of autism awareness graphics that you most likely have seen on the internet and never knew where they came from. I have donated autism graphics to the general public for over 10 years. My gift with no strings attached to the autism community. I did this because back in 1995 when the internet was first really up and running there was NO good if any nice autism graphics to create any autism awareness. You can find those graphics on my business site here. A few of the facts about autism need to be updated, but time has not permitted. Hopefully this summer I will have done that as well as creating some new goodies to hand out.

In the mean time if you wish to grab some cool deacals I have designed, you can visit ArtzCars where they produce my puzzle wing butterfly in a removable vinyl decal in any size you wish. It is a fabulous product that I keep using for many of our events.

Why a butterfly instead of a ribbon? I created a butterfly rather than a ribbon beacause I needed a change. I chose a butterfly because they are symbolic of growth and development, something our kids with autism and autism spectrum disorders struggle with day to day. So it just made sense to me.

So here goes....some of my art.

This is me....kinda what is in my head. Scary place. Writing on my head says "Harm None."

Pretty self explanatory. :)

I enjoy doing abstract work a great deal, it is relaxing to me. There are no rules, there is no wrong way to do it. It is just whatever flows from your head to your hand.

Some friends of mine, their two beautiful daughters.

This group participated in one of my fundraisers and had no logo, so I created one on the fly for them for the event. They kept it!

My youngest a few years ago sleeping on the couch.

A flower.

I don't know where I was here, my version of space maybe?

Again, my dreamy version of space or another dimension.

I went through this butterfly stage for a bit.

My universe melting (I have such technical names for things.) I don't like to give my abstract work names, because I don't want to suggest to the viewer what I think. I want them to see what they see.

I did call this one my "Ah Hah!" moment.

Logo I did for another autism group out west.

One of my butterflies, I have them in several colors and can produce any color combo. Please note the butterflies are copyrighted and you need my permission to use. Hate to be that way, but you know how it is these days. Please visit ArtzCars, more coming soon.

A word I live by. Believe in God, Believe in Bhudda, Believe in your toaster. Believe in something. It will help you get through a lot.

One of my first billboards, I was so excited!

A program cover for an auction fundrasier of ours from a few years back.

May need to click on this one, I call it fire and ice. I rarely have names for my collages...but this one just stuck. So be it!

A recent customer looking for a new logo/look.

I maintain menus and ocassional promotional materials for my friends at Prince on Delaware

Here is a sample of a coupon I
did for Prince on Delaware

A wonderfully free spirited silver smithCheck her out today!

Me poking fun at myself.

Logo design for 30th anniversary of my eldest son's school

Often my photos are what inspire me. Frequently I see things others don't.

I hope this gave you a glimpse into my art and the diversity of the work I do for myself, to non-profits and small businesses. My art has even appeared on the hood of a NASCAR Cup Series car and all over other NASCARS on bumpers so they would appear on camera.
You can see more work on my main site at http://www.designbyravenmuse.com/

Namaste,
Raven Muse

Traveling Pendant Score Card

2010-05-31T16:47:00.000-07:00

Well I won't tell you where I am standing here, but if you look carefully, the traveling pendant is with me. This story coming up soon...in between some other artisans. I am a writing fool these days!

I thought I would do a quick score card of where this baby has been.

It was born on a sunny morning in California by a pack of Lean Dogs. It then was adopted by myself and suddenly Lean Dogs was taunting folks to show off where they are wearing their jewelry out on the town.

Ahem. I don't go out on the town. When I go out (when they allow me) it usually is more of adventure. Honestly, never been arrested!

So from California, to Delaware.
Then it went to my girl friends house where we sipped on tea and played with a Highlander Kurgan Sword. Big pendant requires a big sword.

Then we went mad as a hatter to a 4 star restaurant owned by some friends (hats included) to have dinner there with pendant. That might be the closest to me going out on the town. Sneaking into the kitchen to pick on the chef however, I don't think is on most folks agenda while going out.

Then a Moroccan restaurant with my son to watch belly dancers and eat with our hands all night. This is not McDonalds folks.

Well this was all and good, but I needed a bit more spice in my traveling pendant adventures. So I figured taking the traveling pendant up 3500 in a C-130 might be cool, and it was!

My bravest adventure yet was my trip to Washington DC with 3 or 4 buses (who's counting, it was a mob!) of 6th graders to the Holocaust Museum.

And now here I am and I still have a few more stories to put up to get caught up, just with the pendant.

So I say to the other Lean Dog fans out there....BRING IT ON!

I know you are out there....come out, come out...wherever you are!

Follow me on Twitter

2010-05-31T03:36:00.000-07:00

I try to post my updates there.
http://twitter.com/RavenMuseDesign

6th graders, a bus, Washington DC and 5 hours in a museum and one traveling pendant

2010-05-30T19:06:00.000-07:00

What is more disturbing than the Holocaust Museum? I'll tell you what is more disturbing. Taking 4 bus loads of 6th graders with you to Washington DC to see it, and it is your first time as a chaperon. Now I know you are all saying "Wow, 6th grade and she is just taking on this passage of life?" Well, no...OK yes. But I am innocent! My oldest son who is 16 has severe autism...I never really got into it that much here as this is my play land and artsy fartsy place. But he is mentally about three, cannot speak, has few if any social skills and I love him to death. BUT this leaves going out on field trips to a bare minimum at best.

So when I had the opportunity to go with my 6th grader who is 12 going on 32, I made sure I went. Museums equal art, right? Ahem....not in this case.

So the trip is to DC (Look for the traveling pendant, yes it made it to the capital!) and I have to say I was terrified.

Proof of pendant at the museum.

ACK! NORMAL People! (if there is such a thing) parents and kids....I am use to being in the disability world. This is a strange place for me. Needless to say I moved onward with my three assigned boys, one including my son. I had good kids, really great, no issues at all. Except for the one that kept vanishing and I was responsible for. He tended to follow his nose and not us.

Can someone please tell me where the Holocaust Museum is, I seem to be lost.

My Posse

Our buses park across the street from the Holocaust Museum which is right next to the Smithsonian. Ohhhhhhh Smithsonian. We were told at first that once we were done looking through the Holocaust Museum we were free to visit other museums on the block. Once we got there, we were told that we had to spend all 5 HOURS in the museum of death. Joy. After looking at remnants of peoples snuffed out lives, the Smithsonian would have lightened things up a tad.

All we have to do is go down to the corner, cross the street and go back down and enter the museum which is now disturbingly like getting into Fort Knox since that poor poor man who was a security guard there was shot and killed about a year ago. Airport security should take notes not only on the screening job they do, but with the speed and efficiency. With all my jewelry I was frisked down with the buzzzy thing for medals every time. I had this little gig going after the first few times. A really bad robot dance of sorts. Fortunately the security there are a great gang and had a good sense of humor but still did their job.Our fifth time through security and metal detectors. I make those suckers go off like Christmas trees and hold the line up for 20 minutes. Embarrassing.

We walked through the very crowded and hot museum looking at the most horrific of things and twice we went to the cafe to take a break. Emotionally, it was a bit much and we all just craved to hit the Smithsonian or even the National Monument which was right around the corner. We walked the whole museum and GAH....2.5 hours left!

No cameras were allowed in the museum and really, there is nothing I wanted a photo of. The pile of real shoes, worn by real prisoners who went to their deaths was almost more than I could bare. Mens, womens, childrens even infants shoes. I saw many people weeping at different places in the museum. How could they? How could we let them? How can people say it never happened with so MUCH documented film, photos, physical evidence and survivors with their stories.
Jarod and I outside taking a "mental break" from the museum. And what were we staring at over the wall just feet away...
The Smithsonian. THE SMITHSONIAN! And we get to get take pictures of it from the outside. That's it. Nada...ziltch...ain't happening. Sigh.

Yes, the traveling pendant went, but it was not to the most wonderful of places. That said, if you get a chance to visit DC, you must go...even if just out of respect for those lost and those who had great and unimaginable loses. So most of of our photos are outside.

Now, take 2 dozen 6th graders, 2 hour ride in each direction and what to do you get?

Sometimes, words cannot express the moment....

This is why I am a 100% committed advocate to xanax in the water supply. Hey, I survived and all the kids in my charge came back in once piece....I think.

Found it, tried it, loved it!

2010-05-30T09:24:00.000-07:00

I have three VERY classy soap ladies that I purchase from and have been very loyal to them for all of my soapy needs. I use their soaps from everything to just washing hands, dishes, my hair (yup you heard it, my hair), gifts and even washing my stockings and delicates by hand.

The reason I have three suppliers I use is because of their unique style and utmost high quality. That and I don't break out from their carefully crafted soaps.

I have blogged about one and two others will be coming down the road. One I am holding off on till she reveals some new soaps and updates her supplies.

Ok...tried these soaps and I consider them BIG winners. Some others are winners, but will be featured later in their respective posts.

My first summer favorite comes from one of the first Etsy Artisans that I ever purchased from and I have watched her shop grow and just become more fabulous than ever! I went off the track on my usual purchases from her and tried her summer sage soap. Here is her description.

Description
{summer sage} . olive oil soap

Made with gentle cleansing olive oil and my own special blend of sage, lemongrass, and sweet orange essential oils... This soap is bursting with citrus and a hint of earthy sage, along with pretty calendula petals that keep you dreaming of summer all year long.

This soap is stimulating, invigorating, clarifying and refreshing. ♥

I have to say she is spot on. I have found his soap to be an essential in the kitchen. When you are cooking with strong odors such as seafood, onions and such, this is the bar to reach for. I love it, give it a try, I don't think you will be disappointed.

I have featured Epically Epic Soaps on here before, you can find it here. But I have fallen in love with one of her simple and yet mos elegant soaps. If you like Bryers Vanilla Ice Cream, you are in for a treat. Here is her description:

Description
This quietly beautiful soap has become a customer favorite!

Vanilla Bean ~ A goat's milk soap scented with only 100% natural ground vanilla bean. This isn't one of those too-sweet synthetic vanilla fragrances -- just real vanilla fresh from the pod! Words can't describe the exquisitely warm fragrance of real vanilla bean, the fruit of the vanilla orchid.

You can actually see all of the vanilla beans in this soap. Simple and wonderful. I use this one to wash my hair and my face. It has really helped both both a lot. It lathers up beautifully. You almost want to eat it....but don't! I say if you don't try this one, you are missing out!

Finally a new one that just popped up as SunBasilGardens has been on a bit of a vacation while moving. You know those silly rubber bracelets of every shape you can think of that the kids are wearing? Well leave it to SunBasilGardens to snag that idea up in a hurry.

Here is her description:

Description
SILLY RUBBER BAND SURPRISE SOAP - NEW!

Scent: Green Apple Lollipop
Handcrafted glycerin soap. 4 oz size. Vegan.
Listing is for 1 soap. Always more in stock.

- If you have kids, then you have heard all about Silly Rubber Bands. It's a daily topic of conversation at our house. This brand new soap is for both Mom and the kiddies. Embedded on top is one silly band, and deep inside the soap hides another. Always made with gentle, all natural glycerin soap. As they use this soap up- inside waits 2 silly band bracelets to wear. In a lollipop scent they will love!

- Type in BOY or GIRL in comments field and I will send an appropriate shape. I have themes: CAR/BAND/FARM/ZOO. Otherwise, I will just surprise you!

The Enigmatic Labyrinth

2010-05-29T15:56:00.000-07:00

I have a dear friend who worked very hard with me on my golf outing fundraiser. He has some challenges in life, but really is an absolute JOY and PLEASURE to work with and can get the job done.

So he needs a header for a blog and I designed him said header below.

If you want to learn why he is an Enigma you will have to visit his blog and read his stories. It will be interesting keeping up with his daily notes and adventures. I have worked with him long enough to know that there is always something to talk about, and as he said..."You cannot make this shit up." So please give him a visit at www.theenigmaticlabyrinth.blogspot.com.

And yes a sense of humor he has.

Contemplative yet slightly evil, but in a good way.

Are we hams....yes we are hams and we shall have some green eggs with ham!

We love our work!

I'm back, and the traveling pendant has been busy!

2010-05-17T14:21:00.000-07:00

I'm back! Whew...what a month!! I am not entirely sure if I am capable of making a whole lot of sense "yet", but I am going to back up to April 18 and share a small adventure I had with a friend of mine thanks to some other friends.

A few years ago I invited the national guard to work at one of my fundraising events and ever since we have really become buddies. They are top notch, first class all the way and I am proud to call all of them my friends.

Over time I have also had the honor and privilege to tour our base and take a ride in a black hawk helicopter. Not only was it fun, but I learned a whole lot about the guard, their role and a lot of what they do, or at least what our base does. Pretty amazing stuff and I was rather humbled by my experience. I could not believe that I lived next door to this base my entire life and had NO clue what went on there. I would see the planes fly over or parked on the base... never knowing what their role was or the people who took care of them.

This past April I was given the chance to have another experience with them on what is called a BossLift on a C-130. But it was more than just taking a ride. I got to learn about how they work with local employers and guardsmen on trying to get them jobs, keep their jobs and help employers understand their roles/jobs in the guard better. The more I learn the more respect and admiration I have for these fine men and women in uniform.

My ride this past April. Not to shabby.

Sooooooo, we showed up at the air base on 18th and had an introduction with a major general and some other nifty folks and were taken on a tour of the base. We got to have lunch in the chow hall with the other military persons working that day and we were then taken to a hanger where we were processed and prepared for our flight. It took me about an hour to go through the metal detector with all of my bracelets and jewelry and I left my earrings in the x-ray machine, BUT we managed to get me ready and safely on board!

All aboard!

We got in and it is basically a cargo plane with very sparse accommodations for passengers, but all of the essentials. The seats are the best, and after taking off...they really came in handy. You take off in a c-130 like a rocket...not like in a commercial airline where it is nice a slow and smooth. Oh no...these boys mean business and getting off the ground in a hurry is a must. I called the seats the "oh shit handles" because as you take off you end up saying "OH SHIT" while holding on. Pardon the colorful use of metaphors....but I am writing it like it was. It was pretty exciting!!!

This kind of seating is critical on a c-130 flight!

About mid-way through the flight I was invited up into the cockpit to visit the pilots and take a peek out the window. My friend Immanuel, who came along with me for the day, and I went up together for a visit and it was incredible! The view was just astounding and breathtaking! The pilots were very gracious and at only 3500 feet you are able to make out most land marks and I knew exactly were I was. Right over my in-laws! Hehehe.

Me peeking out the window in the cockpit at 3500 feet. The pilots were so super cool!

My view from the cockpit. Hi Mom! Hi Dad!

I stuck my hand through a net and into a small window and got this picture of the planes propellers. No, they didn't break-up...every picture I tried to get came out like this. Isn't that wicked cool looking?

Apparently a flash in dark quarters does not work very well on me if I want to keep features on my face! However, look at that pendant...you wish you had a pendant that magnificent!

As you can see I was on happy girl while taking a casual flight with some of my friends. You can also see that the traveling pendant had a good day too! To learn more about the traveling pendant you can go here, or here.

This was a big move for me as I had not been on a plane since I was stuck in Florida 1500 miles away from home on 9/11. I was to fly home that day...needless to say I had to find a new way home and was separated from my very young boys for an additional 5 days. So thank you to my buddies at the National Guard for giving me the safest flight in my life and helping me get over a huge anxiety of mine!

For an article in my local paper on the actual flight I took, click here.

Coming up...
Etsy Artians Dancing Mooney, Moaning Minnie, and stories from my fundraiser and a weekend at the races!

I'm here...sorta

2010-05-08T03:25:00.000-07:00

I know, I know! I have not been around or posting like a good girl. And I do have lots of great stuff to put up and share with everyone.

I am in the midst of my fundraising season and I only have 5 days left. Then I will be gone taking a full weekend in at the ******** ******.
(I cannot disclose that information at this time, top secret yanno.)

Will be attempting to walk the ******* ************ ******* Walk on Saturday, May 15. My feet are NOT going to be happy with me. I think hobbling is a better term to use, I won't be walking very well by then.

Awe well, you gotta do what you gotta do. Pain is inevitable, Misery is Optional.

The traveling pendant has a few stories and a few more coming up. Plus I have a few really wonderful artisans I plan on featuring. My life is just 200% consumed with my fundraiser and until that and ****** weekend have passed, I am afraid my ability to write much of anything more cohesive than what you would read in a bowl of alphabet soup is nada.

But really, I am ok....I even went on a **** **** with a 6th grade class to ************ **. See, I am perfectly fine after 2 hours on a bus with them. I look like this all the time.

Anyhoodles, I am leaving a few clues or visual aids on some of the upcoming stories I will be posting after I get through surviving this next week. I have the following week off (Hooray!) So I will be able to catch up with my traveling pendant stories, my feature artisans and hopefully any art work I need to do. Whew!

Lean Dog Traveling Pendant Journeys...
I will have about FOUR!

I had the opportunity to take a friend of mine on a special journey on the 18th of April. It was an honor, as it has been in the past to be company with these folks and this is all I am giving you.

Like the hat? So did I...Ouch you are too late, it is mine! Moaning Minnie from Etsy will be featured soon. I am a huge fan of her hats. I just cannot lower myself to buy one at the mall now. I have learned though, if you like it, grab it. You may never see another one like it again. A lot of OOAK going on in her shop.

Mmmmmm, Kona bar. You wanna eat it, but you are really better off bathing with it. Dancing Mooney is also coming up. She makes some fantastic soaps, jewelry and....

Did I mention I like butterflies?

Kinda reminds of my life some days....but here is another clue for the traveling pendant series...

and yes, one more.

That's a wrap folks! Thank you for patience and I look forward to bringing to you more great artisans and stories. I am also interested in anyone else who would like to share their story.

Namaste and Happy Mother's Day to everyone out there who is or has a mother.

Stay tuned...new posts coming soon!

2010-04-15T16:24:00.000-07:00

Coming soon....
Dancing Mooney; Soaps...Bath Salts...Jewelry....Collages and more!

The traveling pendant goes on a secret military operation this Sunday. Special report coming soon!

Stay tuned!!!!

Traveling Pendant Morrocan Style

2010-04-04T09:22:00.000-07:00

It is time for a short but sweet installment of the traveling pendant. For those who are new here and not aware of what the traveling pendant is, I direct you here.

Last month my youngest turned 12 and I couldn't be any prouder of him. When you have another child with severe developmental delays and MR due to autism such as my oldest, you take nothing for granted.

I thought it would be fun to take my youngest for his birthday to a local Moroccan restaurant called Casablanca's for dinner. They have both male and female belly dancers, you get to eat everything with your fingers, there is lots of loud music, couches and pillows instead of tables and chairs, incredible food; what's not to like? The only camera on me is my blackberry (a.k.a. the crackberry and yeah, I get it now!) I manage to get a decent photo of my baby with a lovely belly dancer. Took him a bit of time to warm up to the idea of the place...she didn't hurt any.

I know, he is totally adorable.

Right, so it is his turn to try and capture a picture of Mom with pendant for purposes of this blog. After several attempts this was the best I got. Now for starters, I don't drink alcohol. I have not for about seven years for health reasons...and no, not because of having a drinking problem health reason unless you want to count the fact that I often miss my mouth entirely. So I am not drunk, I am not diabetic, so no sugar high or low there that I am aware of. No recreation drugs, as if anyone can afford them anyway. So, I guess I just look this goofy and disheveled naturally and I am just going to roll with it.
Unfortunately the best shot I got showed my tattoo more than my pendant, but you take what you can get some days. I think he was rather distracted and I cannot say I blame him...there was a lot going on. I have cleverly pointed out the pendant for you. OK, it is not that clever....but I tried. It is Easter Sunday and I am doing double duty in the kitchen.

It has been a relatively pleasant weekend and I also was proud as punch to see him at the local skate park trying out some new stuff and meeting and making some new friends.

I have also discovered this week while taking him shopping that skinny jeans are the in thing, baggy are out. Heavy metal vintage t-shirts are the rage (Since when is Metallica vintage??? They are still touring! Oh hell, am I that old???) And that I am way behind the "cool" scene and need to catch up post-haste!

Happy Spring everyone....unless yer down under, Happy Fall!

Greatness on an Especially Epic Level

2010-03-27T15:07:00.001-07:00

There are some things I just must have in life, one of them is lip balm. I am a lip balm nut job. Cannot help it...I get dry lips. Must be all the kissing I do. Hmmmmmm....Ya. Anyway while in search of the "perfect" lip balm I came across Especially Epic Soap Co. and saw she had lip balms. Eh, I'll stop by and take a look, the soaps are funky and fun to look at anyway.

To my surprise her main ingredient in her lip balm was pistachio butter, which I had never tried. So I ordered a few. Wow, what a huge difference. Unlike so many of the other ones I have tried these do NOT get waxy at all, always creamy and smooth and she has gone totally lip balm nutty like me! I think I saw 21 offerings last count. This new berry one has a tint of color in it and I LOVE IT. You know, for when ya want a little color, but not a lot...it's perfect. And who can turn down marshmallow flavored lip balm? I didn't. So I have tubes all over the house.

Click on any image in this post to visit Especially Epic Soap Co.

Our Miss Epic is an artist from Chicago but needed a new medium to play with and found the fountain of soap. I mean look at these suckers. I cannot even imagine the labor involved in putting all those layers together, much less the patience to do it.

She will also try to get you drunk while bathing with such delights as this Sangria Cocktail, Pina Colada, Mimosa Champagne, I mean you should get carded before bathing! It is obvious this artist takes her craft seriously and you will enjoy her hard work and efforts.
Oh, but we are not done there, something else I love to have in my life is "CUSTOM ORDER." Especially Epic for ME. Yes, it is all about me from here on out. She makes these lovely lotions in a tin that serve many many purposes including as a solid perfume. Then I stumbled on the "customize your lotion." I contacted her and asked "How many fragrances from your list can we mix, is there a limit?" "No limit." Muah Hah Hah Hah....sorry...mad scientist in me pops out from time to time.....time for medication...one sec....
So for $6 bucks how can I go wrong experimenting with her rather extensive list of fragrances. It is like a Chicago deep dish pizza with an endless list of toppings. How do you pick??? Oh hell, throw it all on! Let's cook! The more I did the better I got, and we both had fun.

They were all good, but I have my favorites. But the classics are Blue Basmati, Merlot Smoothie, LavenLime & Honey Cakes.
Sooooo much fun and sooooo good!

Then she has the nerve...the the audacity to do this...
Roll on fragrances, alcohol free and yup, a custom order option......Oh...ohhh....no she did not!
Yes....yesss.....I ordered one already! And it's wonderful and I want more. You can see my will power is overwhelming.
Anyway, I have gabbed on enough about this wonderful creator, so it is time to put her bit about herself on here. She has done a lot of research and cares about what goes into the environment and our skin...I give you Allison....

I'm Allison, the creator and CEO (lol) of Epically Epic Soap. I work from my home in Chicago, Illinois. I am also a painter and for the last 10 years I was the director of Havana Gallery, where I got to travel to Cuba every year to visit artists’ studio and bring their work to the States for exhibition.

I started Epically Epic Soap in the summer of 2008. I was a little burned out with the art world then and decided to try soap making. It started as a fun, low pressure creative outlet, and quickly became my favorite thing in the world to do. I love it! The great thing about soap making is that it's an art form for three senses -- sight, smell and touch. And I love that my creations are ephemeral -- you use them, enjoy them, and they're gone. (I think I have stuff-o-phobia...)

Over the past year-and-a-half my obsession with soap making has only gotten stronger. I have branched out into lotions, lip balms, perfumes, and body scrubs. Who knows what will come next?

Along the way I have done a lot of research on soap and other bath and body products. I discovered why my skin always used to feel dry by the end of the day: because many of the ingredients in store-bought soaps and lotions, such as mineral oil, alcohol, preservatives, and sodium lauryl sulfate, can be drying to the skin and even toxic to the environment.

And, many drugstore soaps (like Dove, etc.) contain tallow, sodium tallowate, and stearic acid. These ingredients are made from processed animal fat. Before I found this out and warned them, many of my friends who are vegan or vegetarian didn’t know that they were showering with a bar of animal fat everyday!

To learn more about the harmful preservatives, mineral oil, and animal-based ingredients in the soaps and lotions you find at the drugstore, please visit my blog and read these posts:

http://epicsoap.blogspot.com/2009/09/im-up-on-soapbox-about-lotion.html

http://epicsoap.blogspot.com/2009/06/i-was-shocked-when-i-saw-this-analysis.html

Other links:
Epically Epic Soap on Etsy: www.epicallyepicsoap.etsy.com
Allison's paintings: www.allisonhill.womanmade.net
Havana Gallery: www.havanagallery.com

A quickie but a solid gold find

2010-03-27T07:31:00.001-07:00

I won't even give away any of the goodies, you have to go there yourself. But this comes from an artist I highly respect and have the esteemed honor and pleasure of owning several incredible pottery pieces from. Impeccable taste, grace, a eye for beauty and the knowledge for quality and craftsmanship. One Clay Bead put this group together and the offerings of artisans is astounding! Do visit and try not to drool and let your mouth hang open to long...it's embarrassing.

Simply click on the logo above to be amazed.
You can visit One Clay Bead's shop here.
And of course the blog. You have to have a blog!

Ok...as I said...just a to good not to pass on that came across my desk this morning. It was not on the radar...but I just had to do it. Enjoy! I know I did!!!

GimmeeNicole - Alice Tea Time Couture

2010-03-13T18:53:00.000-08:00

Recently this past week I finally got to go see the new Alice in Wonderland movie (I am currently packing my bags to move) and and I got to see it in 3D. I can honestly say...don't bother to go see it unless you can see it in 3D...it is just so awesome! Fun, Fun, Fun! I then had my husband take me out to dinner to a local pizza place (which is by no means your typical pizza joint) called Pizza by Elizabeth. No doubt, she and Alice are related. Below is a photo of the entrance of Pizza by Elizabeth and in warmer weather you can eat out in that area. Inside there is a baby grand piano with a nice gentleman playing away, statutes of Betty Boop and crystal lamps with brightly colored walls and beautifully gold gilded framed mirrors.
If Alice was to have pizza and or tea here in my home state, this would be the place. Of course if you plan on attending such an establishment you can go in jeans or you can find the proper vintage fantasy attire to attend by shopping with Nicole and let her help you find some wonderful garments from the 30's to the 90's as she is very dreamy, just like Alice...

And now a word or two or three or who is counting anyway from NICOLE...

Hallo! My name is NICOLE and I have a shoppe on etsy that highlights my supreme penchant for finding vintage clothing that is either horribly kitsch or else very verrrry pretty- HOW fun, right? I agree, but it has taken me a little while to come around.

Here is Nicole in Pure Alice, all ready for a tea or pizza party!

A slinnnnnnky red number is a must have in any respectable Alice wardrobe. The Queen of Hearts only wishes she could look this hot in vintage.

And of course no couture wardrobe is complete without the iconic little black dress. I think the Mad Hatter would go beyond mad working out Alice in this number. Meow! Where does that cat keep coming from???

Nicole is a firm believer and has converted me with a few stunning pieces I have acquired myself through here philosophy that inner wear should be used as outer wear! How mad of a hatter can you be? Apparently pretty mad, which is good, I think. It is fun, daring and loads of fun to play with. And, why not? She always has a great selection and an even better price!
Did I mention GORGEOUS?

More from NICOLE....

I have a pretty good background in teaching and in social work- last year I taught in Japan, Mexico, and Korea (weoo!), and before that I was a peace corps volunteer in Gambia, focusing mostly on small business development- but also on education, health, solar energy, and farming. and reading. and trying not to freak out from the heat and lack of junk food.

I always try to volunteer wherever I am- old folks homes, health care centers, animal shelters, homeless shelters, judging beauty pageants (oh yes, you read that right), and more recently, an animal rescue center in the amazon, and a wolf center in California... so doing something purely superficial- buying lots and lots of vintage wear, and then reselling it on etsy- was kind of eating at my soul.
Also eating at my soul was the fact that I was really enjoying the whole process. I've been running a one woman show and I LIKE it. (We do too!)

I spend hours and hours mending, taking photos, drawing up mini stories, talking with customers, riding to the post office, and the biggest deal of all- buying. I have recently found out that I am a SHOPPER. I never knew I had this quality, Cher, never. I have officially out-shopped everyone I know at this point and now search out vintage finds alone. it's like survival of the fittest when I step into a boutique. depending on how long the dress rack extends, how many other broads are there, and how far away from a meal I am, I quite literally elbow my way through like my life sort of depends on it.
okay, you can choose not to include that last part and I won't mind ONE BIT. I sound like such a shopping jerk. I am pretty nice, I promise.
...

Back to my justification. (Like you need justification to this number above....yosser!)
I've attributed a large part of feeling good to being able to express myself accurately, and no matter how superficial you are about to think this is, what you wear every day really is important. It can completely change how you feel about yourself, and that's that.

Art is extremely important, and I love people who really go out on a limb with what they put on their bodies and how they choose to show a part of their personality to strangers. I feel like a pretty proud mother when someone buys something so very kitsch that I wonder how they're going to get away with it...
There are a lot of pretty things in my shop, because I simply can't resist a beautiful well made piece of history, but I also sell quite a lot of train wreck things...both are the type of clothing I want to see more of out there.
I don't like to own a whole lot of things, so what I do own I really cherish, and that's something I would like to see a lot more of too. if you could only own five pieces-total-in your wardrobe, would each of them be incredible?

And recycling! QUITE POSSIBLY THE MOST IMPORTANT OF ALL. hello, I almost forgot it. besides being constructed ethically and soundly and looking AMAZING, vintage clothing is excellent for the environment, and how can I not feel good about that?

So as important as it is to work with wee ones and animals and the English hungry and people who have been born in a part of the world with little to no resources, here's to hoping that my current project, while categorically shallow, provides some kind of social and environmental impacts and makes its way toward being kind of important too.

Thank you very much for reading, and happy searching!
Love,
NICOLE
www.gimmeNICOLE.etsy.com

This is not your every day gal in a slip with a gorilla head...this girl has style, grace and had done some traveling around the world and seen some interesting variations on a theme. Alice after all is based on diversity and doing things differently than everyone else with exciting and pleasant surprises. So dig in and have fun! Clothing should be fun....no boring. Nicole can help you out and the more I watch her the better she gets!

We love you too Nicole!!!

Lean Dog Traveling Pendant Goes Mad as a Hatter

2010-02-27T18:43:00.001-08:00

Time for an update on the Lean Dog Traveling Pendant. It's that time of year: Mardi Gras, St. Patricks Day, the opening of the new Alice movie is just days away and most important my son's 12th birthday is coming up soon too!

While most do not consider traveling to the mall as much of an adventure as going bull riding or skydiving, I consider it more perilous than falling the proverbial rabbit hole I live in. I know this to be true since I worked at the mall for 15 years back in the 80's and early 90's.

But this half Alice/half Mad Hatter was summoned to the mall by the great Rev. Blackthorn to hold court at the store known as LUSH for free goodies of things that smell good. And smell good they did!
Trust me when I tell you, the men folk around here need all the help they can get smelling....better??? Taking me and my youngest offspring's life into my own hands we go to the land of MALL and find the store called LUSH. But I feel as if I am not properly dressed. I am missing something.

Proper attire was required and the first thing I could think of was of course my hot pink converse sneakers. I then grabbed my jeans, a black cashmere sweater and a lovely vintage chocolate velvet blazer. Then of course, the traveling pendant. You wish you could rock it together like that!

But what did I need.....
What any little mad hatter must have....a new hat! Off to the land of Hot Topics and sweaty teenagers. This truly was a mission requiring a great deal of courage. My son was thrilled with his new Linkin Park hat and I found myself a nice little steam punk mad hatter hat with corset front. Blaze!

We decide after Rev. Blackthorn's run at the store known as LUSH that we are all very hungry, but all of the nearby restaurants by Land of MALL are heaving over with people (ew.) So we make a run for the river and the historic district and to one of my favorite restaurants, Prince on Delaware.

My son is turning 12, we are in a 5 star restaurant, what do you think I am going to do? Wear the hat through dinner, of course. With pendant. He begged...but that made it all the sweeter.
He had been a bit of a cuss lately, so this was revenge time! The hat is flat black, the flash for some reason just made it look gray or silver. Also accounts for my lack of facial features. So our own little tea party we had...

I usually run down into the kitchen after dinner to give Prince a hug and kiss. I get all giddy when men cook for me. Especially men who have cooked for the likes of the great late Luciano Pavarotti and Cheryl Crow. Now I get to design his campaign ads and menus and gobble down his goodies. He is also family in the fact that he too has a son with autism and hosts our monthly parent autism coffee hour. Now that does not make him my favorite chef for that reason....we use to have it elsewhere. But the man just understands how to engineer a crab cake! And in our state, if you cannot make a good crab cake, you might as well not even bother opening up a restaurant.

Here I am with Prince down in his kitchen. I have no idea what that look is on my face. Trying to talk while getting my photo taking I suspect? Burping? He is grabbing my buns? (Nah, he would never do that! He has a most lovely wife and good friend of mine also named Marsha who keeps his butt in gear!) We decided to go the appetizer route so Rev. Blackthorn could try out all the goods in the house of Prince. So we had scallops, shrimp, chicken, ribs, and at my request a crab cake was brought up for us to split up too. Bless him. He does not understand the word "appetizer" very well. The three of us could not move after our dinner and Rev. Blackthorn now understands the significance of the word "Prince" when mentioned in Delaware. :) www.princeondelaware.com

I also have a proper hat to go watch Alice in next week! Cheers!

My Little Eye - This Chic Rocks!

2010-02-21T17:48:00.000-08:00

Yes she does...this chic rocks!! She has rocks too...lots of them!
The kind you want to wear. Or at least I do...daily....except when I sleep. I will poke my eye out. Perhaps that is where her name came from? I am purely speculating here.
I asked for her photo to possibly toy with...as I like to do. Her comment was "Do what you will of it - I think I would look especially fetching as a fat old bald man."

(???)

Well that is a tall order, but told her I would see what I could do once I got her photo. Obviously, this woman has children and a sense of humor. And she no longer has any mirrors. Most likely, if it is anything like my house...the children have broken her mirrors and she uses her web cam to apply makeup. Which distorts your face in amazing ways. Like fun house mirrors do.

I tried, I couldn't do it. She is just to gorgeous to turn into an old fat bald man. I couldn't even make her into and old fat bald woman. It really was traumatizing, I had to stop. So, wa la....Pure and Simple...like Ivory Soap...

Lovely Laura

I know, she is frigg'n beautiful...you feel my pain now don't ya?

So, I am a crystal kinda gal. I have been collecting them for some time. Usually for my shelf or around the neck. But, Oh...look at this...crytals for your finger? Crystal specimens for your finger?? Oh...she is so my best friend now! Soooooo...had to have this baby below. I had to use one of her photos...because basically I am not so good at taking a photo of my own hands which shake. Not good...not good at all. You can see why I say, wearing this to bed may be like wearing cowboy boots in the shower. Just sounds good in theory, but in reality not a great idea.
So your theory may be a bit different than mine...we all have our own "theories."

Here is one where she combined several different specimens of crystals. Yummy!

She started sporting some gorgeous fossils too!

Check out this amethyst cluster! So lusting after this one!

So I dare not get accused of being a stage hog, I asked her to write me up a little bio about her and her art. I have to say her product is GREAT, service SPOT ON and communication is well....here ya go...

I got started in jewelry making when my principal (I am a high school art teacher) asked me to teach a jewelry class about five years ago. I had absolutely no experience in the medium, but my background was in Sculpture. So, I felt up to the challenge, which involved me keeping one step ahead of the students, with a pile of metal smithing manuals at hand.

After I finished teaching the class, I gave birth to my second child. And then, to my third... and before I knew it, four years had passed and I had done nothing in the way of jewelry design.

I took a beginner's silver smithing class last summer, because I was sure that I really had no idea of what I was doing (being 'self taught', and poorly at that). For my first project, I wanted to set vintage round bakelite buttons into rings. From there, I became sort of obsessed with minerals specimens and crystal formations, and have been working with them ever since.

And, here I am today. I have set up a studio in my house, where I complete all my work- from milling the metal, to fabricating the pieces, to setting the specimens. My three little guys sometimes hang out with me there while I'm working. Although, this can get a bit chaotic when they decide to have a massive brawl while I am soldering.

It's challenging to balance a full-time job, three small children, and a part-time home business. However, most days, I think I am holding it together okay. Other days can be sort of overwhelming. However, I have found that now I have found a medium I enjoy working in so much, I just can't quit it.

Thank you Laura!

I LOVE Silver! I LOVE my CUSTOMERS TOO!

2010-02-08T18:13:00.000-08:00

And I love Silver Smith's even more! Especially ones whom adorn my neck with such great goodies as Jackie Schmitt does! Before my name dedication, before I became Rev. Raven Muse....there was just Cher. I had started to do business with Jackie and purchased one of her ripped tags with my families astrological symbols on them, then one for my husband. During conversations with her I told her of my soon to be dedicated name of Raven Muse Wind Song and suddenly this baby appeared. I was stunned, shocked, delighted...darn right giddy! I wear this puppy just about every day and it was part of my name dedication ceremony. What an honor and thrill it was to have such a wonderful artist create such a beautiful silver piece for me! How can you not love someone that thoughtful!!!

After my name settled in and I began to build my site and get my business up and running, or should I say organized in a more professional manor, Jackie wanted me to design her graphics for her Etsy shop. I could not have been more thrilled that she asked! I get to (hopefully) repay her by doing her justice in the graphics department as she has done for me in the silver department.

So her shopping list included:

An Etsy Avatar

An Etsy Shop Banner

An appreciation picture

And a business card.

Jackie is incredible to work with, be it she is your customer or you are hers...either way it is a pure delight! You must must must check out what she does with silver and stone. It is nothing short of amazing. Raw and intricate, refined and ripped...you just have to check it out. Every piece is OOAK. Just click on the sampler below to be swept off to her shop!

Thank you Jackie...for everything!

Her Grace and Face of an Altered State

2010-02-07T11:40:00.000-08:00

* I forgot to do something VERY important....like kudos to a few of my favs....
Hat by Moaning Minnie. I wear that thing just about every day. Ring (that Kashmir is in kinda hiding, but you can see the crystal) by My Little Eye. Check these ladies out. I have a neck full of other goodies, but hard to see them.

I have this thing about taking photos and having a bit of fun with them. I see faces and I sometimes see other places or moods. (click to enlarge) I enjoy "tinkering" with them a great deal just as a hobby. I have one of my son on the homepage of my site. He was sleeping, it was to good not to go for. But this one I did a few years ago...it just reminds me how fast he is growing up.

Not every photo I see inspires me, but sometimes I run across one here and there. Sometimes I have an idea and I'll create a prefabricated Kodak moment like I did below here of myself. Where I come up with this stuff....no idea. It just pops up in my head. A pretty scary place...a bone yard of bits and pieces of ideas and visions....no sugar plum fairies dancing in this head.

Of course when you got a gal who likes to play with snakes as down time, what do you expect? In case you have not met him yet...this is Kashmir...my now 5 foot long corn snake. He is very sweet and gentle and more fun to play with than a slinky. He is a bit camera shy and was being very difficult for my son to take a photo of....but we finally got at least his head. The other 4 feet of him is in my sleeve. It's OK....he is 100% a gentleman. Me however...um no.

I have this little challenge going on right now with photos. To see what we can do with a simple cell phone camera. I have other cameras....but what damage can I do with a cell phone? The two photos above (the altered one and non-altered one) are both cell phone shots.

Here is another unaltered shot of my youngest with a cell phone. We thought we would go outside and have a bit of fun with the two feet of blessed snow we had dumped on us this weekend. He was having a hard time with all of the glare, so I just instructed him to close his eyes and relax...it's a keeper for me! He takes instruction well....very graceful...his mother....

Not so much.

Yup, leave it to me to fall flat on my ass in the snow and him catching me at the exact moment I do so. Yes, call me Grace. I can assure you the snow is cold, and it felt like sitting on nails. Regardless it was funny as hell and I had a good laugh over it all. I have a rule in life. "If you cannot laugh at yourself, you have no business laughing at anyone else." I hear a hot jacuzzi bath calling my name....

Back to SERIOUS business as a friend of mine, Chris, allowed me to basically trash him. He sent me a photo of him covered in dust from a saw mill. Perfect! So he got a bit sprouty (I just made that word up) and a bit stoned too. :) I also scratched him up here and there. (Sorry Chris!!! Hope that didn't hurt too much!) Was like stressing a piece of wood to make it look old....er...not to say you are old ...um...ya. I am going to stop there. Doesn't he look great?!?!

Finally, I was just sitting next to my son on the couch the other night when I just had an idea. I grabbed my phone...gave him a few instructions and wa-la. Did very little to this photo...it didn't need much. I am happy with how it turned out. I am even more happy at how willing he is to be creative and dare to do what other kids may not even consider. I am really proud of him for this. Being comfortable in your own skin is really important. Not caring what others think is even more important.

I have another series with a girlfriend of mine I am working on, and I need permission from a friend on a minor. So I will post more in the future as I finish my "tinkering." Some folks do crossword puzzles to relax...I like to toy with photos.

300 x's 2 equal Lean Dog Going Out to Dinner

2010-01-23T12:16:00.000-08:00

I was nosing around today...ya...I'm nosy... and found this on twitter:

LeanDogClayArt it would be fantastic if I'd reach 600 sales by the end of the wknd. it would give us an excuse to go out to dinner and celebrate!

Well I think every girl should have a chance to go out. 600! That is like the movie 300 with all of those really HOT, SEXY, SWEATY, GORGEOUS, TOTALLY RIPPED GLADIATORS THAT ARE COMPLETELY UNATTAINABLE and only half the number;

Ahem...sorry...distracted..

but you can actually get Lean Dogs Hot goods, and delivered to your door! (if I have not purchased it already.)

And you should go visit her, right away. If she does not get to go out to dinner...bad things could happen.

I don't care, he is still hot.

For the record, she is also having a sale and a give away at her blog which you can find HERE.

You know you are dying to see what can possibly be as raw and beautiful as these gladiators....well go check it out...move along now....

Hail and Welcome!

2010-01-17T19:28:00.000-08:00

Yup, its me.....
I am a 40 year old mother of two. A 16 year-old with severe autism and an 11-year old little genius. How I got two boys so far apart on the spectrum of life is beyond me...but it is what it is and it does provide a great deal of inspiration for me.

Welcome to the Design by Raven Muse.
I am Raven Muse...or commonly known in the real world as just plain old Cher. I answer to many things; Raven, Cher, Mom, Hey You!

I thought it would be nice to have a blog attached to my site so that I could communicate to my clients, friends and those whom I admire. Also to let you know of the goofiness that I am taking part in. Life is way to short to not have a bit of fun. Since I live rather far away from Disney World and I am not a real big Mickey Mouse fan....I find it necessary to create my own world of madness. Particularly a world of the Mad Hatter. And by the way, I am in the market for a really nice Mad Hatter type hat at a reasonable price, so if anyone knows of one...please pass that information on to me. I will even barter. I have had this special relationship with Alice of the years...I keep falling down the rabbit hole and damn if I have found the bottom yet. So I just keep enjoying the ride and finding the most incredible things, people and places on the way.

You will find on the right side of this blog folks I have either worked for, purchased from, befriended or all of the above because they are just incredible for what they do, produce or for whom they are. All great and wonderful things. I highly recommend all of them and doubt you will be disappointed. All have something special to share, show or sell. I never go to a mall anymore, there is no need.

I love to promote those who are kind enough to cross paths with me and provide me with good service and good product and even better become a client of mine. I love to brag! I love to show of pictures and promote...so bring it on!

From my other blog, and I just finished redecorating Lean Dogs Blog:

Right now I am in the midst of a traveling pendant campaign with one of my favorite artists, Lean Dog Pottery.

A girl has got to keep herself entertained somehow these days. TV has never been my big love...especially now
that David Tennant has been removed as MY Dr. Let's not revisit, I am still traumatized.
...Back to my point...
It is no big secret that I am a huge fan of Etsian Lean Dog Pottery and her insane jewelry. I have a rather extensive collection of her funk-tabulous treasures and wear it all the time. I am not a cookie cutter kind of gal, and thank the Gods, neither is she.
So she writes on her shop:
** Hey! Got any photos of you wearin' cool Lean Dog Jewelry or sipping out of that Lean Dog mug? However you can, show off that Lean Dog! Send me photos and I'll publish them on my Facebook and Blog! Send me a link to your shop or blog and I'll even link your photo to it! Thanks happy customers! :) *
Cool. I got my favorite and largest Lean Dog pendant in mind...and better yet...I am going to make it my traveling pendant. Because I plan on making some rounds....rounds about where I am not sure yet...but this pendant will go with me wherever I round about at. So I send her this head shot with pendant so she can tell the
story.

Cool. I got my favorite and largest Lean Dog pendant in mind...and better yet...I am going to make it my traveling pendant. Because I plan on making some rounds....rounds about where I am not sure yet...but this pendant will go with me wherever I round about at. So I send her this head shot with pendant so she can tell the story.

So I head over to my girlfriend's house last night to just hang out and goof off. Goofing off at her house usually involves tea, making incense, lighting shit on fire, more tea, playing with swords.
....
....
....
Yeah, playing with swords. More like posing with for photos with swords. So, while I didn't travel far...I think I got the idea of sporting her jewelry down by spades. Large pendant needed an equally large, heavy and SHARP Highlander Kurgan sword.

So keep an eye out for the traveling pendant. I'll have the logo on the side here and will bring it up whenever it pops up. :)

Oh, did I mention I am also I Reverend? Now don't think I am going to go getting Mary Poppins on you. This is just part of my mission as a parent mentor for the hundreds of families that I mentor who have children with autism like mine that I have helped both locally, nationally and internationally over the last 12 years. It it just another step in my constantly changing and evolving life that is to further help and care for my fellow man/womankind.

That is all for now. Hopefully we can all have some fun here and I do hope to have fun with you to! Looking forward to doing business with you and or your friends as I enjoy working and creating with people very much.

Namaste,
The Raven