Winter Enchantment

The good folks at Artbeads.com suggested that I make a piece that represents what I find beautiful or inspirational about the winter season.  I thought of this quote imediately:

“Winter is an etching, spring a watercolor, summer an oil painting and autumn a mosaic of them all.”

-Stanley Horowitz 

 Doesn't this leaf look like an etching?

Then I ordered a few things from Artbeads.com.  I was really taken with products with the "gunmetal" finish, they are really a beautiful addition to more traditional finishes.  I also fell in love with the feather charm and snowflake charms, and there are so many charms to choose from!
 I made the earrings first, they were so fun to make and I'll be wearing these every day for a month at least!

I love the "fancy link" in this gunmetal finish!

Then I started in on the necklace, beginning with the small bird's nest in the center 

and working out with stylized tree branches.

The strong solid links and cables on the right side are balanced by the more delicate work on the other side.  The crystals add lots of sparkle and the dangles provide lots of movement.

Plus, it will be REALLY FUN to wear!
Necklace: $149, Earrings: $49

Happy Creating,

-Carmen Rose

FTC disclaimer: I received some of the products shown in this blog from Artbeads.com free of charge, I have not been paid for my endorsement of these products and I am reviewing the products honestly.

Changing Seasons (And a Sneak Peak)

Wow, I have really gotten behind on blogging.  The goal is one a day, but the reality lately...  Oh well, it IS my blog, it's an opportunity for self expression, not an obligation!  So... how about another sneak peak from "The Art of a Woman" series.  This is Laura, "She is... a unique as a snowflake")  And there are lots of tiny little airbrushed snowflakes on her shoulders, arms and neck!  Branches from my dogwood in her hair and a lovely vintage necklace that someone gave me along the line somewhere.  The wrap is a luxurious bamboo fleece fabric that is just too soft for words!

And... if you put the lovely Laura together with:

 

Lindsey, Diana and Jill...

One gets the feel of changing seasons.

The Art of a Woman

She is... changing with the seasons.

One more coming soon.  The show is Friday, if you are in the area please do come on out and see the models in the display window at Oasis Gallery.  Oh what fun we will have!!

Happy Creating,

Carmen Rose

Winter In Ruins

I planted this little bitty garden last summer and put it on my deck railing.  I made a little rock path and added a little ceramic  house I had gotten a few years back.  I managed to give it a drink now and then.

And it began to grow.  And each time I found a golf ball, I'd find a little spot to add it to the garden.

The collection is growing and so are the plants.

Lush and blooming, and I quickly lost count of how many golf balls were in there.  I had no idea these plants bloomed, that was a delightful surprise!  And then fall...

And then winter.  I looked at it the other day and took this photograph.  It looks like it's a ruin... a little house reclaimed by the earth and gravity.  It's been a tough winter, this is perfectly fitting.

I could pick up the pieces, clean it out and start over in the Spring... but I like it this way.  It's very beautiful in it's own ruined and broken way, like an old Scottish castle ruin.  Plus... it is authentic.  

Spring is coming, it won't be long now... until then the garden is exactly as it should be.  And even if I can't put the pieces back together, it is ok, it was only a house.  

Ice

Oh No! The deck is weeping!

We had a little ice storm, thankfully the roads didn't really seem to get bad but there was a coating of ice on everything else. It didn't last long.

And tomorrow - rain.
And I wish it was snow because snow is just SO beautiful! But winter isn't over yet, maybe we'll get some snow yet.

Happy Creating!
-Carmen Rose

Blue Winter Wonder

 Winter came down to our home one night
Quietly pirouetting in on silvery-toed slippers of snow,
And we, we were children once again.
 

~Bill Morgan, Jr.