Even the Sparrow Knows

"Even the sparrow has found a home, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may have her young— a place near your altar, O LORD Almighty, my King and my God." Psalm 84:3

A fourth installation in my "Tree of Life" series, but the first one that I did not create the tree from rebar wire. To me, the tree of life is the cross, through the sacrifice Jesus made we can all have eternal life.

Just listed on Ebay, this assemblage is designed to be a blessing to your home, as it reminds you of the safety and peace to be had in living near to God.



I love the effect the image has on the wood. This block is an antique wood bearing I purchased on my weekend trip to the Covered Bridge Festival in Parke County, Indiana. I wish I would have thought to ask the vendor what type of machine it came from.



I've collaged antique text and an image of the sparrow making his nest on a door step inside this old watch crystal. The picture brings to mind the sparrow making his home near God's alter.



A vintage key hole surrounded by antique rusty wire to symbolize the nest, or the home.



A tiny little wheel, measuring a mere 3/4s of an inch in diameter symbolizes Gods presence everywhere, a nod towards the visions of the prophet Ezikiel.



This assemblage has been designed to be a symbol of peace in your home and has also just been listed on Ebay.

"Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid." John 14:27



The wood bird was salvaged from an antique wood cuckoo clock and has been collaged with text from an antique German Bible. The stand has been assembled from an antique spindle salvaged from an old spinning wheel and the base from an antique receipt holder.

Just Simply Charming? No, Just Simply Amazing!!

I recently had the good fortune of participating in a charm swap with 24 other artists. We each made 25 charms and sent them to the charm hostess, Ruth Rae , who then redistributed them to each participant. We could choose to have them assembled on a bracelet that Ruth hand made, or sent loose to be assembled however we wished.

Ruth was an amazing swap hostess and went over and beyond the call of duty. Not only did she do an outstanding job organizing the swap, but she created a blog just for the swap called "Just Simply Charming". The blog has instructions from each of the 25 artists with links to each of their web pages and blogs.

Even though I had seen pictures of most of the charms before I received my package in the mail, I wasn't prepared for just how amazing each tiny work of art was. Opening the exquisitly wrapped package from Ruth was like opening a long anticipated birthday present. Pulling each charm out one by one brought oohs and aahs aplenty!

Hands down this was the best swap I've ever participated in. Here is the final creation (Photos from the Simply Charming blog).

I'll say it again, Amazing!

Another Wearable Week

The days have slipped by and I didn't get my new items posted on Sunday as planned. This week I'm listing it all on Ebay, but don't forget to check out my Etsy shop for more art and plenty of supplies for your own masterpiece!

Each of these art assemblages are created in miniature from antique elements.

The foundation for the first one "Art Cubed" is an antique printers block. The block is cube shaped and allows 3 sides to be visible when worn and can be worn from either front or back side.



I really love the tiny assemblage look of this piece. It looks like it should be hung for gallery display but it is less then a 1" cube!



I've used half of the back of an antique printers block for "Beloved". I sawed the block in half and used the front in a larger assemblage I currently have on my work table.

Another antique tintype portrait, and I stole, er, salvaged the toggle end off a vintage watch fob and wired it on with rusty antique wire. A dangle from an antique rosary completes the piece.

I can't help thinking of the scripture "I am my beloved's and my beloved is mine" from Song of Solomon when I look at it.



This one, titled "Royal" was created from an antique key hole that I got in a private swap with the talented Cara of Joyful House Farms. She makes the best soaps and lotions!

Yet another antique tintype mini, and the piece is finished with a crown and a hand charm that my good friend Becky, of Bees In My Bonnet gave me. She sells these little goodies, along with her whimsical art, on both ebay and etsy. Be sure to check her out!

I designed this piece to remind the wearer of who they are:

"But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;" 1 Peter 2:9



And finally "My Heart Lead To You", a little wooden pencil lead case turned wearable art. It makes me think of school. Wouldn't it be a cute little teacher's gift?



Slide the cap up and tuck a note inside. I just love this, I wore it all day. The little wooden button is perfect as the clasp. Not too chunky on my neck at all.



Well I am leaving with my dear hubby for the weekend. My annual birthday trip to the Parke County Covered Bridge festival with my mom and step-dad.

Yup, Tuesday was my 41st birthday. The good news, every one of the kids thought I was only turning 40 this year. The bad news, nobody in my family seems to know how old I am! (or is that the good news??)

Wearable Art Week

I got inspired to create a few wearable pieces this week. This first piece is created from a 100+ year old leather disk salvaged from an old textile spindle and married to a brass tag with an antique etching and this unique brass and wood button.

I love the organic, earthy feel to the piece. It hints at a bit of your inner hippy but remains sophisticated enough to wear to the office or out on the town.

Just listed in my Etsy shop!



Next is this fun little assemblage necklace made from half an antique brass latch, an antique tintype photo, antique text, and little brass wings. The piece is titled "Free" and is a message of hope based on the scripture from Galatians 5:1 "It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery".

For the gambler, check it out on Ebay today!



And finally, a little necklace pendant created from an original antique brass laundry tag, a brass tube bead in the bali style, and a fire polished crystal. The beads swing freely and create a modern serenity to an ordinary "found" object.

Visit my Etsy shop, where you can purchase the necklace already complete for you, or buy a brass laundry tag from my supplies and create your own wearable art number!

As the year winds down

The last 3 months of the year are upon us, I should say the year is about to wind up, not wind down. October always seems to bring a flurry of activity as we prepare the house for winter and look forward to the holidays.

Included among that end of the year flurry of activities is the Ebay's artist choice awards. I was very blessed in 2005 to be nominated and win 3rd place in a couple of different categories. The honor is even more meaningful in that it is ebay artists choosing & honoring other artists.

The ACA committee began working behind the scenes in June to organize the event and brainstorm ways to bring even more attention to these awards and to the many highly talented ebay artists in general. I was honored to be asked to join that committee back in June and very enthusiastically dived in, but as my personal life began to be disrupted in July I found myself pulled away more and more and eventually decided it was best to let this responsibility go to someone better equipped to participate fully.

One of the tools being utilized this year to raise awareness about the event is the Artists Choice Awards blog. A series of interviews with 2005 winning artists will be posted along with news and information about the 2006 awards. In spite of my leaving the committee, I was surprised a few weeks back to be asked for an interview. I am posting a copy of it here but would strongly encourage you to visit the ACA blog frequently to read the interviews of other ebay artists and keep up to date on the events of this year's awards.