the merge

I’ve just imported my Typepad blog. Turns out there’s now a couple of sort of duplicate posts. I may do some nuke-ing … maybe, maybe not. Still trying to decide where to go with blogs, but I’m not going to renew Typepad. Rather spend my money elsewhere.
I AM working on some new things, but want to wait before posting any images – something to the effect of taking the biscuits out of the oven before they’re done. Especially important, as I do believe I am on to something new and interesting!
Fingers crossed, positive thoughts ensue.
blessings,
kvk

happiness is . . .

… a new mug!  And it’s a beaut.  Big and beautiful and black and orange (actually kind of shino orange).

new mug

… add to that working on new things in new ways with beloved tools.

it's all new

… listening to Beth Orton while drinking from my new mug while working with my gorgeous new sparklies.

That’s what happiness is for sure.

blessings,

kvk

p.s.  the new mug came from the best little gallery we’ve seen since we’ve been back  – Miya in Weaverville.  A total breath of fresh air.  Excellent work, excellent displays, sweet little space.

sparklies and other treasures

A resounding success – that was my trip to the gem show.  Successful and interesting and kind of strange.  I came home with sizes and colors and shapes unlike anything I’ve ever bought.

the haul

My first and most expensive stop set the tone.  I was immediately drawn to teeny faceted gems – teeny being the operative word.  Those and then some wonderful trillian (sp?) shapes – think faceted pyramids – in several glorious stones … including PINK.  I am NOT a pink person.  One of my worst memories of pink was when my mother painted my bedroom in our new home pale pink with matching bedspread and curtains with little people doing the minuet – the true meaning of torture.  I was into Tarot cards and black light posters …  I digress.  But yesterday I bought pale pink tourmaline and pink amethyst – go figure.

I wondered up and down the isles and passed the endless booths of dreadful finished jewelry, cheesy imports and enormous gaudy baubles, there were tables and tables of really gorgeous gems and pearls, tribal and Asian wonders (wait till you see what Nina found at one of these booths!).  I think I spent money at maybe five vendors – everything I bought was teeny, very much not my normal M.O.  The thing that tied it all together was my biggest splurge of the day – six strands of very tiny drilled rough diamond beads in a delicious champagne color – they’re to the right of the peridot and another small splurge – a very small strand of a top drilled, sliced watermelon tourmaline.

sun dappled sparklies

My other favorites are the blue topaz trillians and then, I think this is right, paraiba topaz – a subtle light aqua.  Well, it’s hard to say which are my favorites – subtle silver topaz and smokey quartz, the yellows are equally yummy … yellow tourmaline, citrine, sapphires, lemon topaz.

sun dappled sparklies part two

I always seem to buy something I don’t really need, but can’t resist.  This time it was old brass jewelry stamps from somewhere in the middle east, maybe Afghanistan, who knows.  They’ll be great for PMC and have such wonderful patinas and are worn and heavy and, well they were just …  irresistible.

middle eastern jewelry stamps

All the way home I was designing jewelry in my head, all night and all this morning.  So I’m hurrying to post this so I can get to work!  It’s been such a long time since I was really inspired, I mean REALLY inspired.  I have absolutely no idea how all these treasures are going to show up in my work – no idea.  But isn’t that the true joy of creating?  Collecting bits and pieces and sketches and silks and bamboo thread and a new dark chocolate leather hide that I picked up at the native American craft supply store on the way home.  No idea, but what a wonderful process, a sensuous journey of the mind, the hand and the heart.

Oooohhh, this is going to be fun!

blessings,

kvk

anticipation

Tomorrow is the Franklin Gem & Lapidary Wholesalers show. I’ve been waiting for almost six years to go. There was nothing like it in PT or Seattle, so I’m about to bust. I’ve got my outfit picked out, a stack of cash, sort of a wishlist, a fresh supply of business cards and my Timbuk-2 bag ready to be weighed down with new treasures.
I’ll post pics of my haul … Yippee!!!!!
ttfn,
kvk