Whitney J. Marsden

Media-Shmedia

2011-06-17T11:37:00.020-04:00

So, I ask myself: "what happened to this blog?" I think the answer is time... and facebook, mostly facebook. It's just easier, when things get busy, to write a quick line. But I assure you (are you out there?), I'm still here, sort of...

If you happen upon this little shot in the dark, meander on over to my other project, Heirloom, which is the professional counterpart to this personal blog. It's part shop, part design/copywriting/marketing services, all under one tidy "roof". And yes, Heirloom has its own facebook page, so be sure to "Like" it!

I've recently updated my shop with some original handmade jewelry designs that are fun and easy to wear, if I say so myself. Note: I haven't taken my simple studs off in some time. And check out these dangles! AND these bronze oval studs, which were recently featured in Etsy Finds: May's Hot Topics! Clearly, I've been having a lot of fun with my pseudo-cameo-doily-frame line! Finally, keep an eye out for some little creatures that will be making their way into the shop soon too.

I really enjoy talking in the first person(!), so this is not goodbye, but see you around here, there, and the web-o-sphere.

Happy Father's Day!

2010-06-20T11:48:00.008-04:00

Dad, Mom, Uncle Guy, Aunt Sandy
New Jersey, New York across the Hudson River
September 1976

To all the dad's out there, Happy Father's Day!

To my dad, thank you for all you've done and all you do.
Most of all, thank you for being uniquely you; the best dad a girl could ask for.

-Shnookums/Poopsie/Schnicklefritz

Meaning of Home

2010-03-22T12:06:00.032-04:00

My Aunt Alma passed away recently. It was a sad time for the family, but also a time for us to come together and celebrate the life of a loved relative. I have an amazing family. I think it's easy to take that sentiment for granted, but I truly do have an amazing family. Their kindness, passions, and love have helped to form who I am and who I strive to be.

Aunts, uncles, cousins, and children have taken time out of their busy lives the past several weeks to be present and walk down memory lane together. Following my aunt's passing, several of us spent time at her home, which also used to be the home of my grandparents.

After my grandparents passed away several years ago, the once busy home became a quiet place for my aunt while she ventured out to family functions. Not having visited for several years, it was interesting to see how while nothing had really changed, everything seemed so different and small. When I visited on the day of her funeral, I was overwhelmed with its familiar scent. However, the typical everyday objects--magazines, clothing, kitchen implements--lay static where my aunt had left them before leaving her home. The same apple shaped cookie jar sat in the dining room, only it was empty and covered in a thin layer of dust. It was time to ready the house for sale.

Their home was always full of images of local flora and fauna, my grandmother's organ songs, beds dressed in linens trimmed with fine crocheted lace and afghans made by my grandmother, early pastel portraits created by my dad and uncle, and the scents of my grandmother's meals permeating the rooms. These are the things exposed to me at an early age that would influence who I was to become.

I suppose it seems natural that when it was time to clear out the house, I first found myself in the linen closet pulling out stacks of sweet smelling sheets, pillow cases, and embroidered finery. A sewing kit brimming with vintage buttons, spools of thread, in-process mending projects, and a lifetime supply of needles would come home with me for reinvention. Finally, my grandmothers Blue Willow china will find new life nourishing our guests the way it did for my family.

My fondest memories of my aunt and grandparents are synonymous with time spent at their home. I remember sitting on the porch feeding peanuts to the squirrels (from my fingertips), laughing with my older cousins, eating ourselves silly on holidays, loosing myself in the endless garden, playing with countless small animals my aunt kept for the children she taught, walking down to the park and into town, revealing the scenes on the china beneath my Sunday dinners, and spending the night sleeping on the softest sheets you'd ever dream of.

Since I don't have the opportunity to relive these memories with my aunt and grandparents, I am so grateful to have been able to recapture some priceless moments through their home and with my family. Now a few sentimental objects will help to create new memories of love, laughter, and home cooked meals with those whom I share my home with, and an ever welcome reminder of where I come from.

Sweet Summer

2009-07-06T10:21:00.025-04:00

Summer is finally here in every way... outdoor parties with family and friends, blueberry picking, sunburns, trips to the beach, the fruits of garden labor, summer evenings, lightning bugs, mosquito bites, fresh foods, live outdoor music, and more. As always, there are many things to do as we work to improve our home and lives, but summertime fun is the sweet reward for completing big projects!

It seems every year around this time I rediscover fresh, local warm-weather produce and my love of cooking; this year is no different. I’ve recently been inspired to try some new recipes, such as a no-knead bread and homemade butter. They are shamefully easy and there's nothing like a simple, delicious, and flavorful meal that has been made completely from scratch with fresh ingredients. It's soul food without a doubt. Up next: experiment with sprouting and discover what this area has to offer in local grains. Perhaps a 30 day Eat Local Challenge is on the horizon.

It seems all of my senses have been awakened after a cold winter and soggy spring. In addition to the flavors of summer, I’ve been sinking my fingers into the rich soil; lavishing in the sounds of buzzing bees, bird songs, frog chips, and fox calls; watching all the trees, shrubs, and flowers take turns presenting their unique qualities; while the scents of evolving blooms waft through the warm air. Even dirty hands and feet, the periodic itchy reaction to foe insects and poisonous plants, skunk spray, and fresh manure find their welcome role during this time.

Since moving from Baltimore to rural Pennsylvania two years ago (and starting this blog), seasons tend to affect me much more. We are not nestled inside, isolated from the elements, staring through insulated panes of glass at the outside world of fluffy white layers of snow or steaming summertime pavement. Instead, we trek through snow and rain to retrieve firewood, our main source of heat, and are well on our way to relying on the garden to sustain our bodies.

This is a conscious decision we've made to live life not easier, but more simply, and to be more in tuned with ourselves and the world around us. It's not an easy lifestyle, but a labor of love, and we are continually presented with the rewards of our hard work. In addition to feeling good about our decisions, we've cut our annual reliance on heating oil down by more than half, are working to maximize the yield from our garden in order to spend less at the grocery store, while entertaining other ways of saving $$ and reducing our carbon footprint.

My creative juices are also grateful for this way of life and for the summertime season. The daily patterns, forms, textures, and colors I encounter dance through my head and beg to be reinterpreted on paper, fabric, and in metal. I hope to share some of these projects with you, as I have been producing on a limited basis. Nevertheless, as you can imagine, the squeaky wheel gets the grease during this season of fun, flux, and abundance!

I hope you are enjoying all there is to partake in this summer!

Happy Mother's Day

2009-05-10T00:00:00.003-04:00

Have a very Happy Mother's Day to all the hardworking, inspiring, loving mom's out there!

Although I don't get to spend today with you mom, I'm happy you have a nice sunny day to enjoy. I love you so much and look forward to seeing you soon! xoxo

April Showers... Brought What?!

2009-05-02T18:38:00.005-04:00

While I was occupied the last couple weeks (seriously, where did April go?), the yard and garden were busy doing what yards and gardens do. As usual, there are many garden projects in process such as planting, moving, and removal of all things large and small. It's easy to get overwhelmed when thinking about the limited seasonal windows. When I start to feel a little bogged down by all the projects, I find it recharges me to walk around and watch the progress of things, especially in the spring. Behold May flowers, "the march of the weeds," and some others that are moving along quite nicely... I hope you enjoy the photos as much as I did taking them. Have a great spring weekend!

The sunny side of the house: lilac, ostrich ferns, woodland strawberries, herbs, azalea

Strawberries and the soon to be cutting garden: sunflowers, cosmos, and sweet william

Lavender varieties

Seedlings...

Melon

Pumpkin and melon

Cucumber

Peppers

Trees and shrubs...

Dogwood

Apple

Pear

Blueberry

Azalea

Lilac

Other plants and flowers...

Ostrich Ferns

Concord Grapes

Phlox

Columbine

Bleeding Heart

Tulips

Wild violets

Thriving invasive's (at least they're pretty)...

Buttercup

Dandelion

Garlic growing along side many, many weeds

Weekend Treats Made Even Sweeter With Family & Friends

2009-04-06T10:59:00.015-04:00

This weekend was pure food for the soul. I wish I could describe so eloquently as some, but I will do my best to put these moments into words and images...

Jim Norton, White Pearl Bracelet, 2007, Enamel on copper, pearls, 4" x 4" x .5"

It all kicked off with Friday night's opening reception for Bend, Mold, Cut, Join: Small Works in Metal. Juried by Ellen Lupton, the exhibition features pioneering art jewelry, vessels, implements, and small-scale sculpture that combine traditional metalsmithing techniques with a vision representative of the field of contemporary metalsmithing by utilizing innovative materials, techniques, and concepts. On exhibition through May 31 at the Delaware Center for the Contemporary Arts (DCCA), Bend, Mold, Cut, Join: Small Works in Metal is held in the main atrium of the DCCA and Alternatives M useum Shop, an elegant retail showroom featuring an eclectic collection of handmade crafts by artisans from the region and beyond. A must see!

Gorgeous flowers from H.B., by our neighbors, Sweet Pea's of Jennersville

Before going any further, I will mention that this weekend was also my birthday. Last year represented a more significant landmark so I was happy to have a quiet one this year. After all, I've never been one for odd numbers, so I call this the third anniversary of my 28th. Next year however, will be something different all together! ;) Nevertheless, despite my blasé attitude, I was pleasantly surprised by so many wonderful treats and well wishes. To my friends and family, thank you.

Yummy gingerbread cookies by Elizabeth, Aidan, Frances, and Paul -- thank you!!

Saturday's treat came in the form some very sweet cards and emails, some delicious and very unexpected cookies (they taste even better than the look, if that's possible!), and one of my favorites, Ray LaMontagne, who we saw live at the Tower Theatre in Philadelphia. Having waited for this show for several years, I would like to report that the entire experience was everything I had hoped it would be, but things were unfortunately dampened (literally) by some very rude, yelling, beer-throwing patrons. LaMontagne, was however, as spectacular as expected.

The garden, an ongoing project, but making progress: Maria weighing down the rake while H.B. drives the tractor... faster! faster!

Sunday brought more good vibes in the form of some hard work in the garden with the assistance of our friends, Maria and Boris. I don't think I could put into words how much we appreciate the company and heart they bring to our little corner of PA. Maria, with your wisdom and spirit, Boris, with your humor and curiosity; your presence makes every task so enjoyable, thank you from the bottom of my heart.

A gift, lace made by Maria's grandmother

So many good memories, thank you all!

Anthropologie: everything they're cracked up to be

This City Girl's Country Garden

2009-03-24T17:40:00.012-04:00

Hi! This will hopefully be the first of many regular posts regarding this year's vegetable garden, which is already underway. Nevertheless, we all know how these things go, so I will reiterate, "hopefully." Now the challenge remains documenting my blood, sweat, and tears on this here blog.

Heirloom tomato sprouts

Just a little background: I am a city girl, turn rural since moving up from Maryland to Pennsylvania in 2007. Truth be told, the biggest transition when moving here -- after coming off of apartment living -- was learning to maintain an OLD farm house and property while also dealing with the COLD winters. With a lot of help from one great guy, I have learned the ropes. Being close to so many of the things I love, I've embraced the changes fairly well. There really isn't any other place I'd rather be and this new lifestyle has afforded so many new and exciting opportunities.

Strawberry plant, one of many

Made even easier living where we do, eating fresh with a conscious eye on the things I put in my body is very important to me (although, I'll be the first to admit, I'm not perfect). Since moving to PA I was finally able try my first CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) share last year with great success. I love everything CSA's stand for: supporting the community, local food minimizes carbon-footprint, trying new organic veggies not usually on the shopping list, and consuming in-season local produce is great for the body and immune system, just to name a few.

Cilantro ready for the herb garden

I also planted my first garden; a modest 4' x 12' elevated frame on the south side of our barn with all the basics including herbs and tomatoes. Combined with sprucing up the grape arbor, planting blueberry bushes, and pruning the apple and pear trees in our orchard, I've learned a lot and am taking the volumes of future experience in stride. Needless to say, we had more than enough fruit and veggies to go around last year. Considering the expense of an annual CSA share (although not unreasonable spread across a season) along with an interest in getting my hands dirty, I decided to forgo the membership and expand the garden in 2009.

The site of the new garden with fresh compost (and dreary weather)

The calendar now says it's spring, the frosts are fewer, and everything is starting to show signs of life again; waking up to the daily convention of birds, crocuses popping their purple heads up, and tree buds swelling are just a few of the rapid reminders of the impending warmth. Everything is coming out of hibernation, including me! I've planted some early seeds indoors and we've spent the weekends clearing, cutting, pruning, and burning. These are the first of many steps to create a garden (and then some) that supplements all of our produce for a good part of the year. It's not going to happen overnight, or this year, but the process is the adventure. I hope you enjoy this journey with me.

What I'm Watching

2009-03-16T23:27:00.009-04:00

I recently watched Rivers and Tides: Andy Goldsworthy working with time, a documentary about the landscape sculptor who installs works of stone, ice, wood, leaves, and other natural materials into the environment. While familiar with his transitory environmental installations, I had not been exposed to the man behind the work prior to watching this film. As an artist who is inspired by organic forms and who is also interested in enjoying and preserving the environment, Rivers and Tides was an interesting watch.

Although the film felt a little slow at first, the speed had the benefit of slowing me, the viewer, down. Besides the inevitable collapse of a number of works, there is no drama, climax, or plot to this film. Rather the quiet journey with Goldsworthy enables the viewer to place him or herself into his world to appreciate the many subtleties and thoughts he shares as he observes, studies, and reflects upon the evolution of his work.

I wasn't far into the film before I found myself thinking about how Goldsworthy's experiences, materials, and ethics were significant to my own work, which brought me to write a list,

Four (or more) things to learn from Andy Goldsworthy:

Work is temporary: minimal environmental mark, non-materialistic, isn’t intended to last
Innovative use of materials: connections, combinations (including with surrounding environment), materials and environment are clearer with use of simple design
Subtle: blends with surroundings, can exist without being discovered
Work ethic: must work for self identification, takes work "to the very edge of collapse," always learning, always making, always playing

These are all interesting things for me to think about, especially when considering jewelry and how it relates to the body. While I doubt I'll be making and selling any temporary jewelry, making work that has minimal environmental impact has more of an interest to me.

His earnest interest in learning about the materials also plays a large part in Goldsworthy's endeavors. An expectation of deterioration (especially when pushing organic materials as close to the edge as he does), facilitates his journey of creation, allowing him to make without needing to have a tangible and permanent object as a result. As an admittedly sentimental person, I find this concept particularly enchanting and liberating!

Goldsworthy is a delight in this film. Introspective, open, and playful, he is always learning and evolving. I recommend the film Rivers and Tides: Andy Goldsworthy working with time, to anyone who has an interest in contemporary art, design, and the environment.

Winter Warmth

2009-03-09T23:36:00.001-04:00

Here are some images from my chilly wintner wonderland. It wasn't until moving up to PA that I think I truly felt the effects winter. There's something about this drafty old farmhouse that makes me bundle up in a quilt and hunker down in front of the wood stove. My creative juices also seem to flow differently during this season of hybernation... a little more subtle and quiet, this is the time for reflection, making plans, and seeking inspiration... and there is so much inspiration out there.

For you, Annie!

2009-03-09T23:21:00.003-04:00

A little-big addition to Annie's collection of freakishly large flowers and vegetables, this ginormous yam was found at Iovine Brothers Produce located within Reading Terminal Market in Philadelphia recently. Perhaps not obvious from the pic, this yam was about the height of the average persons head. Yikes! Reading makes one of my all-time favorite markets, DC's Eastern Market, seem down-right minuscule... so I guess this post is about two big things. All righty then... ;)

Reading Terminal Market recommendations:

Flying Monkey Patisserie (lavender, espresso, pistachio -- best cupcakes ever!)
Tea Leaf
Kamal's Middle Eastern Specialties
Famous 4th Street Cookie Co.
Chocolate by Mueller (solid chocolate noses, ears, and lungs -- just in case)

I notice a sweet theme here.

What I'm Watching

2009-03-02T16:42:00.009-05:00

Image via www.helveticafilm.com

It seems out here on the blogosphere, there's a lot of "What I'm Reading" posts. While I love to read, there seems to be little time to devote to completing my books with any regularity (I have several started with no end in sight).

I was inspired by a recent NPR segment about the current state of television with the prevelance of online streaming via websites such as Hulu and the network websites. While I have little faith in television, I've had better luck finding quality movies. That, and I have more availability for a movie here and there (especially with the assistance of instant watch via Netflix) than I do for regular TV watching. Therefore, this is my "What I'm Watching" post. :) We'll see if I come accross more blog-worthy films...

I will start with the documentary Helvetica, a well researched and executed film that discusses the advent of the popular Swiss font and follows it through the backlash that followed including detailed design studies and some great interviews with the key players of the time. Regardless of your personal feelings about this staple typeface that permeates all facets of popular culture, those with an appreciation for typography, graphic design, or design in general, will appreciate the documentary, Helvetica. Highly recommended! Available via Netflix instant watch!

Note: I wanted to post this entry using Helvetica, but blogger doesn't provide it as an option. Bloggggger?!

6:45 a.m. in Pennsylvania

2008-11-04T09:05:00.006-05:00

The above was the scene this morning at the poll lines outside our township building (bottom: before polling began). I was so struck by the turnout I'm making this is is my obligatory election-related post. I hadn't intended to post anything, but I'm feeling especially eager to start moving forward with... the change we need. Regardless of views, the theme of the day seems to be hope as people eagerly stand in line for hours to cast their ballots. All there is to do now is wait. Nevertheless, I will be attached to some form of the news until the last vote is counted. Wow, what a truly remarkable day in history.

I've Been Schmapped!!

2008-10-10T21:56:00.006-04:00

Washington Park, Denver, CO

If you happen to find yourself browsing the Denver, CO section of Schmap!!, you may come across the above picture listed in Denver's Neighborhood Guide under Washington Park (picture #6). The good people at Schmap!! found the obscure photo taken in August 2007 on my flickr site. Thanks Schmap!! I'm honored to be invited to participate.

Back to basics... from the inside out

2008-10-05T19:51:00.005-04:00

One egg fried with fresh heirloom green and yellow tomato, fresh shelled baby limas, rolled oats with butter, salt, pepper, milk, and walnuts

Mostly antique cobalt bottles with morning glories

Getting chilly

Light casting through knots in the fake/temporary door, reflecting an upside-down image of outside. Cool!

I realized I haven't "made" lunch in a couple of weeks. When I'm so busy I have to rely on things that aren't going to reward me with the stamina I need to keep going or the peace and creativity that comes along with putting together even the simplest ingredients, I'm not taking care good of myself. Then I took a look at the house, my life, my relationships. True, things from this point forward are going to be filled with that "one more thing," forever and always, but I'd rather enjoy life than be forever playing catch up. It may be time to inventory what's going on and perhaps what needs to be put on hold. This weekend I worked on some house projects, cleaned and organized, listened to some good music, called and emailed some friends and family, and made lunch. I also took some extra moments to take in my surroundings. I feel much better.

So Long Summertime... Welcome Fall!

2008-10-05T18:27:00.010-04:00

So many things are going on around here. I'm currently walking the tight-rope of life... as so many of us are. What else is new? I had hoped to post so much more about the latest happenings, so perhaps I can attempt to sum it up in a couple of posts. Things around Red Barn Farm have been running their ever-inevitable course...

Apples are drop, drop, dropping and have started to release their sweet/sour aroma into the air. I revel in the sound of them hitting the ground and the scent really isn't bad; after all it's smorgasbord for the bugs.

Concord grapes are here and nearly gone. They are so sweet and yummy right now. The tomatoes and peppers are hanging on, as are the herbs, but the squash and zucchini have officially bit the dust!

We've thrown ourselves into the digital age! What they don't tell you is how complicated the antenna is... the best reception we've gotten with our digital converter box is with the indoor loop from an old black and white television hanging off the pyracantha bush outside the family room. Apparently it's a known problem that they don't work as well with roof antennas. Go figure. The outcome: FOX still has the best reception (I could do without), we gained a couple of networks and the weather channel, but lost PBS. Overall, a turn for the worse. Good thing there's no time for watching TV.

Post-worthy on its own, meet my new-sed Hoosier cabinet! I know, I know! Like I need another project. Well, this is from some wonderful friends/neighbors who decided they didn't have a use for it. It's got all the original details including the flour sifter, egg timer, and enamel counter top. The plan is to use it as an organizer for my art/craft supplies. There are so many great storage options for this guy! I can't wait to paint it!

Giant Puffballs!

2008-09-22T22:37:00.010-04:00

As a response to Annie of Imogene's post (her photo above) about this little known autumnal mystery giganto-fungus, I report that I have limited "field" experience due to our giant puffballs (Calvatia gigantea) meeting their untimely demise in a freak lawnmower accident. I did come across another few on a camping trip with a bunch of seventh graders last week, and thought they would play an ideal role in a s'mores related prank, but sadly, I wimped out. Nevertheless, I will be plucking the next giant puffball I see (that has not gone to spore yet) for some serious research... dinner! Whether this year or next, I will report my findings.

Annie, it looks like someone's been nibbling your puffball!

In Love

2008-09-14T23:00:00.010-04:00

So it seems I'm a cat person after all. I am completely and utterly in love with Master P., our cat. I know it's not exactly fun hearing about other people's pets (like watching someone else's family vacation slide show or hearing about someones dreams; more about the telling than the hearing), but humor me for one sec while I break some blogging "rules"...

Master P. (a story for another time) responds mostly to the name "Peezer". If you have not already had the pleasure of meeting this cat, you absolutely must! He's a cat for the people. Really more of a dog than a feline, this little guy is all about whatever is going on at any given moment and placing himself in the middle in order to get some rubs.

He lives outside most the time, except to sneak in to curl up on a bed or my lap. He comes galloping (the greatest run) when I call him, follows us around the yard, greets me when I come home (and sends me off in the morning), lets Toonces (our other cat) steel his treats without an extra flick of his tail, and introduces himself to everyone, including the chimney sweep.

I'd like to think that he's got a special place in his heart for me (because I most certainly do for him), but I think he simply has no prejudices. He's one cool cat. So much so that I endure the pain of his nails when he tucks his little nose under my arm and kneads himself to slumber.

Despite Me...

2008-08-23T17:16:00.007-04:00

The apples and pears in our orchard are thriving and I've discovered I've made no plans for them! We've got (I think): Golden Delicious (gone), Granny Smith (nearly gone), and Jonathan(?) apples, in addition to Bosc and Sickle pears in abundance. The Bosc pears are the best I've ever had and all are available to anyone willing to make the trip!

Also flourishing are the cherry hot peppers and various tomatoes in the garden: Brandywine Heirlooms, Orange Mr. Stripey Heirlooms, Yellow Cherries, and Pumpkin tomatoes. I haven't felt much like cooking them so I've been existing on a diet heavy in tomato sandwiches, tomato-cucumber salad, tomato-basil salad, sliced tomatoes with salt & pepper, and most importantly, tomatoes right off the vine and into my mouth! Oh yeah, and omelets with tomato, basil, and sheep Romano. Mmmm.

NEEDED: great tomato recipes! Anyone?

The Peacock Girl & All Her Plumage

2008-08-20T10:22:00.009-04:00

I know, the male peacock's are the pretty one's, but lets just pretend...

I recently worked on a necklace for a very kind, thoughtful, talented, beautiful girl named Maria. As seen in the preceding pictures, Maria is also a belly dancer. Her guy did a very sweet thing and commissioned a jeweler to create a necklace for her birthday. I was very proud to be the selected jeweler and took the challenge on of designing and fabricating a piece of jewelry that would be well suited for Maria. The requirements were that it be India inspired, formal for use with costumes, easy to wear while dancing, have movement, a bold centerpiece, and some color. The following was my interpretation...

I hope to get a better photo soon, perhaps even one with Maria. It's always fun making something for someone I know. The process of designing and fabricating with a specific person in mind is a delight.

Folk Fest Highlights

2008-08-18T10:50:00.011-04:00

This past weekend at the Philadelphia Folk Fest was amazing! For those of you who don't know or remember, I started my little side job as a camera operator last year, which has enabled me to dabble in TV production (note: lightly dabbling side job) when the opportunity has presented itself over the past year. This has consisted of college sports shows, corporate meetings, a commercial, a live parade, etc. It all may seem a little random as compared to my interest in jewelry and metalsmithing, but I've accepted that life is more fun with many balls up in the air (more about other balls later)! Truly though, this work is yet one more outlet to be creative and frankly, it's a bit of a rush! So back to the Folk Fest for 2008 we went to spend some time with an amazing crew surrounded by great music. Below are some of my highlights...

The TV truck in the backstage area with one of the big screens

View of the main stage from the truck at night

In the truck, my first go at being a Technical Director

In the truck, shading the cameras

Doing handheld camera on stage (I Heart Gene Shay!)

Arms getting all wiggly!

Some musical highlights (some new, some old) from Folk Fest 2008:

I could do a post on the music alone, but in lieu of not having more posting time, check out the links! These people are GRRR-ATE! I can't wait until 2009!

In Process

2008-08-12T07:52:00.008-04:00

I'm working on a really fun commission, but it's a secret so here are a couple of nondescript pics from the bench to confuse the recipient. What could the second one be??

Did you see the meteor shower early this morning? Very cool!

I'm off to the Philadelphia Folk Festival later this week for more fun and I can't wait! Have a great day!

Out of Necessity

2008-08-05T18:27:00.005-04:00

Where I find myself...
When I really need and want to be here...
And here...
Where did this summer go?!

Another Blogging Gem...

2008-07-28T13:47:00.008-04:00

For those of you who also get perturbed by the misuse of punctuation, especially quotes (and even worse, "air quotes," to which I have been ashamedly guilty of), here's a little gem for you... The "Blog" of "Unnecessary" Quotation Marks has been "misinterpreting bad punctuation since 2005." On a side note, it also seems I need to update my color scheme on this little ol' blog here. Anyhow, one good laugh after the last, I found it after linking from Juliet's "Cake Wrecks" post, which is yet one more tasty tidbit. One tip though, if you visit Cake Wrecks, overt your eyes at the foot cake post. Not good.

Editors Note: Although I get perturbed by bad punctuation, this doesn't mean I'm not "guilty" of it. :P

Anniversary Ring Commission

2008-07-09T22:41:00.010-04:00

I've been working on this little anniversary ring (size 5.5!) that was a joint design effort between a husband and myself; he provided the inspiration and I came up with this design. He wanted to combine his country of origin - Latvia - and hers - Greece - into a ring to be presented on their fifth anniversary. The husband wanted to include amber, a resource of Latvia and a blue stone to represent Greece's blue and white flag. I selected aquamarine to compliment the translucency of the amber and then decided smaller faceted stones would add some visual interest, but with similar settings so the design was cohesive. Several sketches were sent to the husband, most featuring a fluid wave shape inspired by Greece's most ample resource, the sea. I was delighted when he selected my favorite design! So off to the drawing board I went to create a rendering that would insure neither of us would be surprised with the end product. Finally, I was hard at work in the studio for the fun part, which presented no complications except for a couple slight adjustments due to the non-symmetrical nature of the ring. Overall, I think the inspiration and feel of the original design were achieved. I really enjoyed this project, especially being presented with a challenge that needed a solution that met certain criteria... like being back in school! The collaboration was great too. I love seeing the results of what comes from combining minds. I look forward to more projects like this.

The Broken Plate @ Crafty Bastard's in Silver Spring, MD this Saturday!

2008-06-26T19:46:00.008-04:00

Crafty Bastard's Arts & Crafts Fair is this Saturday and I'll be there standing in for the illustrious Juliet of The Broken Plate Company at Booth #47. Check it out:

Saturday, June 28 from 10am-5pm

Pyramid Atlantic Art Center

8230 Georgia Avenue in Silver Spring, MD

This weekend will be sure to please with many great crafters including some other notable Towson jewelry ladies: Imogene, Liz Mathews, and Beth Pohlman. Stop by, say hi, and cross your fingers for no rain!!

Red Barn Vineyard??

2008-06-22T22:24:00.007-04:00

Photos by Maria & Boris

As the seasons pass, I'm slowly discovering all the secrets Red Barn Farm, our home, has to reveal. Last year I was delighted to discover our grape arbor amidst a massive pile of weeds. I cleared everything out leaving the vines exposed where I had found them and was able to salvage a few bowls of concord grapes before the end of the season. Nevertheless, other projects prevailed and the weeds were back with vengeance this year. I readily accepted my denial of the mess due to more immediate chores until this weekend when we were very fortunate to have our friends Maria and Boris up to help tackle the task of properly setting up the grape arbor, sans weeds. Right now the vines are recovering from a major overhaul and look a little frumpy, but I know we'll see the improvement in grape yield for seasons to come. This land is truly ripe with inspiration.

We also discovered some wild blackberries and mulberries today. I'm very excited about the blackberries and couldn't resist staining my fingers and snacking on them right off the vine, but haven't the foggiest idea what to do with the mulberries... they taste like cotton balls!

Darn Good.

2008-06-17T18:18:00.011-04:00

Today was beautiful:

Just the right combination of sunny and breezy,
The first ripe blueberries straight off the bush are here (I'm working on turning into Violet Beauregarde),
Great music all day,
And I got paid to smell flowers... literally.

The smelling flowers thing isn't a regular gig and I got a little sneezy at points (and stung by two wasps!), but it was well worth it. To be honest, I've felt a little frustration over not being able to get everything done recently (or ever!), but a day like today makes all the difference. I'm a truly lucky girl; doing exactly what I want to be doing, surrounded by great people, living the life I want to live. Who could ask for anything more? Wait... I can!! I need my order to arrive from Albuquerque!!

Salad of the Week: Garlic Scapes with Apple, Artichoke, and Sheep Brebis

2008-06-16T14:16:00.012-04:00

Today's lunch turned into a blog-caliber treat. I started with garlic scapes, an ingredient whose name and appearance I felt was worth my bewilderment, but once I cooked up and tried these tasty tendrils, the rest came together...

Ingredients
Bed of red and green baby lettuce topped with:
Garlic scapes sauteed in extra virgin olive oil
Marinated and quartered artichoke hearts
Chopped Pink Lady apples
Chopped walnuts
Sheep brebis crumbles from Highland Farm
Julienned purple and yellow sage from the garden
A drizzle of sweet balsamic vinegar

This was my first time preparing and eating garlic scapes. I followed the recommended cooking method of sauteing in olive oil and checking for done-ness and found them to have a delicate garlic flavor that was very complimentary to the other ingredients. The texture was nice, not unlike thin asparagus spears, but I found the tips a bit tough so I will be cutting them off before cooking next time. Overall, this salad was wonderful and filling (Elaine Benes would be proud); a great success!

Happy Father's Day!

2008-06-15T13:53:00.014-04:00

To all the great dad's out there... especially mine!

Some of what I learned from my dad:

While a guest at someone's house, always offer to help in the kitchen
Never take life too seriously (regardless of age)
It's all about teamwork
How to draw
To lie is one of the worst things
How to plant flowers, scramble eggs, and swim
Straight men can decorate
Anything can be achieved with enough hard work
Family is #1
Don't forget to say, "I love you."

Thanks for everything Dad, I love you.

Still Here

2008-06-15T13:20:00.010-04:00

Rather than feeling guilty for not posting recently, I've decided to list five very good distractions that have kept me busily away:

Toiling away on new work for my future etsy shop and the On the Rise show in the Museum Shop at the DCCA. See the Press Release (and stop by if you're in the Wilmington area)
Working on a couple of exciting commissions. More information and pictures to follow, but I can't ruin the surprise.
New great job! Yay!
Yard work... better than it sounds, we've been putting in several great shrubs and trees, taking out a lot of weedy invasive messes, as well as working on my first garden.
Lots of cooking... we're two weeks into our 2008 summer CSA and those veggies don't prepare themselves! The benefits: endless, but beyond that... supporting the local economy, environment, and our personal health.

Well that's pretty much it. I'll try to check in a little more often with the progress of new work with photos. Thanks for stopping by... and have a great summer!

PRESS RELEASE: On the Rise

2008-05-30T21:28:00.011-04:00

On the Rise, Work From the Metalsmithing & Jewelry Program at Towson University

Curated by Jan Baum

Delaware Center for the Contemporary Arts

Wilmington, Delaware

June 5-July 31, 2008

Opening reception 5-8 p.m., Friday, June 6th, 2008

On the Rise represents the diverse cross section of current undergraduate and graduate work as well as recent alumni from both degree programs. Work comprising this exhibition stretches the traditions and boundaries of both the metalsmithing and art jewelry discipline. Age-old impulses of body adornment are reinterpreted individually and personally in 2008. The Metals & Jewelry discipline attracts artists drawn to the intimacy and site specific nature of the art jewelry object and objects historically associated with the Metals & Jewelry discipline. A number of works bridge multiple disciplines in conveying the artists’ conceptual ideas.

The intimate and site-specific format of the art jewelry object and objects historically associated with the Metals & Jewelry discipline attract artists by virtue of the ideas they are seeking to express. A number of the works here bridge multiple disciplines.

Many of the artists in the exhibition are exploring non-traditional materials in the expression of their individual artistic pursuits while others utilize prominent materials in new and individual ways. A handful of artists are engaged with new materials and new technologies while simultaneously pushing and exploring the boundaries of art jewelry object.

The work in On The Rise has been selected because of its forward thinking and level of investigation into diverse and rich frontiers, which are evolving the Metals & Jewelry field.

Jan Baum is Professor and Director of the Metalsmithing and Jewelry Program at Towson University. She holds an MFA from University of Massachusetts, Dartmouth and a BFA from Arcadia University.

Photo: Norway Maple, sterling silver and tourmaline, 2008, Whitney J. Marsden

Greetings from Red Barn Farm!

2008-04-16T20:24:00.004-04:00

Things are continuing to come to life up here on "the farm." Immediate duties like mulching, weeding, and clearing are keeping me from the studio... but plans abound! These beautiful photos were taken by Maria and Boris.

Spring Arivals!

2008-04-02T19:43:00.005-04:00

Daffodil

Star Magnolia

Forsythia

I couldn't resist some pictures from around the yard. Things are ever changing around here and the scents and colors are breathtaking. I've been out working hard appreciating the beauty and trying to stay ahead of the weeds. Next up: dogwoods, lilacs, and apple blossoms. I can't wait.

Discovering Auctions!

2008-03-29T17:19:00.007-04:00

I have a new past time... auctions! It must be the thrill of holding that little number up and battling it out (really, I'm a wimp) while racing the "clock" with the fast talker (do they go to auction school for that?!). Steve and I met up with his friend Ray on Saturday and hit three auctions before 2 p.m. Seriously, it hurt waking up that early! The first two auctions were take-it-or-leave-it in addition to cold and windy, but the third had some very unique things only found in that part of Pennsylvania on that particular day. It was great! We came away with some much needed (and wanted) items: a large Persian-style wool rug, an oak swivel office chair, an electric griddle (for PNP, a resist used for etching metal), and an old wood and cast iron sled... at $71 for everything, we made out! Of course I am currently thinking back longingly about a couple of things, but that's to be expected. Then there's the added bonus about auctions; you can buy whatever you want... so long as you're willing to pay for it! Three cheers for giving new life to old objects!

Update: Above you will see a picture of our new rug. I love it. The colors and design work well with our little farmhouse and we really needed something on the floor to separate the living room from the dining room. Nevertheless, as my mom says, "there's a price for getting things so cheap..." With rain comes humidity and thus new odors in our rug have surfaced. Despite doing EVERYTHING I can come up with, we have been confronted with (like a brick wall) the ever permeating smell of WET DOG! Tonight I'm taking the third pass with the steam cleaner! Help! Any suggestions?! Editors Advisory: although we don't have a dog, we think dogs are great, but YUCK!

Happy Spring!

2008-03-24T01:29:00.007-04:00

These are a couple of blown out Easter eggs I made this year for my mom (b&w) and Steve's mom (color). Thanks to Juliet of The Broken Plate for the tip, I've entered them into the Hatch 1st Annual Easter Egg Coloring Contest. Fun! I hope you had a nice weekend and are enjoying all the wonderful things coming to life outside. I know I am! Go now... VOTE!!

Salad of the Week: Lentils with Basil & Polenta

2008-03-16T16:07:00.009-04:00

So it's more of a side dish than a salad, but I figure the definition blurs when you put anything on a bed of greens! Either way, a test group and one daring boyfriend have confirmed that Lentils with Basil & Polenta is "really good!" Here goes this super fast and easy recipe...

Ingredients

2 teaspoons Extra Virgin Olive Oil, plus more to brush

1 package Trader Joe's Lentils (fresh and found in the produce department)

3/4 cup Grape Tomatoes, halved

1/4 cup thinly sliced fresh Basil leaves

1 roll ready-to-serve Polenta (any flavor except cilantro, in specialty or natural food grocery isle)

A couple handfuls fresh Baby Greens

Fresh cracked Pepper & Sea Salt to taste

Crumbled Feta Cheese

Polenta

Brush slices of polenta and saute or bake as directed on package. When complete, cut into cubes (round slices are also nice served around edge of platter). Set aside.

Lentils

In a large pan, drizzle 2 teaspoons olive oil. When warm, add entire package of lentils (separated) and grape tomatoes, salt, and pepper. Cook on medium-low until tomatoes start to soften. Remove from heat and gently mix in basil and polenta.

On a platter, spread a bed of fresh baby greens and top with lentils and polenta. Finish with crumbled feta and fresh basil, and garnish with a sprig of basil.

A fresh side dish great year round served hot or cold (and great with shrimp)!

body+soul's: Better Bling

2008-03-11T18:02:00.010-04:00

If you haven't already come across the recent article titled Better Bling in body+soul's March 2008 magazine, it's a brief, but to the point read worth taking a gander at. A guide to the eco-conscious consumer, Better Bling takes a reveling look beyond the veil to explain where precious metals, diamonds, and colored gems are sourced; how they are accessed and who is working to unearth them. Many in the jewelry industry are aware of the issues surrounding the materials we use, but often the consumer is left in the dark about the all-to-frequently horrific history of their jewelry. This article puts it all out there in not too vague terms and offers alternatives such as purchasing from eco-conscious jewelers who use metals and stones that are recycled and/or ethically sourced (!), recycling old jewelry, and buying estate jewelry. Most importantly, Better Bling encourages the consumer to request information about the source of the materials used in their jewelry stating that by demanding information, consumers can start a trend that initiates change. Links to industry resources as well a selection of eco-friendly jewelers are also provided. Go to the body+soul website to see a gallery of more eco-jewelry.

Oprah & All Her Cash

2008-02-18T11:24:00.010-05:00

I worked in the "studio" (a.k.a. the basement) this past weekend and it felt so good. After getting everything laid out just right; you know, so the left-handed things are on the left, the right-handed things are on the right, and then got everything labeled (sad, but true), I got to work on some jewelry. It's been a long time coming, but there were some very important things to focus on first. Now that I'm up and running I plan to get some experimental pieces done to see what direction I'm able to go in this new space... I've been playing around with some previous castings and hope to have some photos in the next few days. I say "hope" because this is not the full-time gig... not until Oprah comes across my flickr site (yeah, right!) and realizes she absolutely MUST have one of my pieces (or several!), which she wears everywhere, and then decides to order in bulk to give away to all her friends and her studio audience. One can dream, right?

Salad of the Week

2008-02-15T23:58:00.010-05:00

I recently started drizzling smoked sesame oil over cubed beets after trying and loving them at a party. Since then I've been adding them to everything, but am particularly intrigued with combining the beets with crumbled goat cheese and toasted almond slivers or pine nuts. I came up with the following salad for dinner last night and it's already a favorite...

Mixed baby greens or spring mix

Cubed baby beets drizzled with smoked sesame oil

Crumbled goat cheese or feta... yum!

Lightly toasted almond slivers or pine nuts until golden

Halved grape tomatoes

Halved and pitted kalamata olives

Freshly ground black pepper and sea salt to taste

I loved it dry with no dressing, lemon juice, or additional oil, but that may be good too. Enjoy!

Happy Valentine's Day!

2008-02-15T13:12:00.010-05:00

1.29.08 One-A-Day-Challenge by imogeneANDannie

I hope you all had a very nice Valentine's Day and were surrounded by the special people in your life. We had a family room "campout": take-out on the floor with a flashlight only policy in effect, followed by s'mores in the fireplace. We then got comfy in a small tent on the floor with tons of pillows and watched the movie "Frida" on DVD in celebration of the recent and upcoming Frida Kahlo related Delaware Art Museum and Philadelphia Museum of Art exhibitions. When the festivities were over, I got the best compliment ever: "there's no one I'd rather be stranded in the family room with!" It was so wonderful I just had to share. Now I'm longing for springtime to really get out there...

Check out imogeneANDannie's lovely heart with lady pendent above. This is one of several One A Day Challenge pieces Annie has been working so diligently on. Perhaps that is something I need to think about...

Conflicted. What is Enough?

2008-01-18T10:00:00.000-05:00

Reverence

Whitney J. Marsden

Copper, sterling silver, nickel, bumble bee

2005

So we all have a responsibility to do our part for the environment, right? That much we know, but how far do we go? Are you on top of the basics like recycling, being more energy efficient, or perhaps you have a fuel efficient car? Or do you go above and beyond with a more proactive approach? Perhaps you research sources of materials, buy from companies that have similar ideals, write your congresspeople about environmental issues, get involved in the community to have a greater impact, or perhaps you pass the message along by educating others. The question: "what is enough?" plagues me both as a citizen of the human race and as a craftsperson. It is now when I'm at the pinnacle of pursuing my goals that I find myself evaluating my methods.

As artists and designers, we never want to compromise our vision over something so like materials. The idea is to do it the way it is meant to be. However, as manufacturers, is it not our responsibility to always produce in an ethical manner? Materials, tools, and equipment used in creating our work are all involved in the end result of what we create. Regarding this, there are many questions that come up for me... Is it enough to dispose of jewelry making acids, chemicals, and gasses in an environmentally friendly manner or is the pure fact that I'm using them creating more unnecessary waste? Do we as jewelers have a responsibility to consider the sources and methods of acquiring our metals, stones, and other jewelry-making materials (a big one for me)? For that matter, is creating jewelry and other potentially disposable crafts wasteful? What is a realistic contribution to make amidst busy lives and other commitments? Should we strip our lives down to the barest necessities to make the lightest impact in order to get by? I don't think so. There has to be a compromise where creating good design in an ethical, environmentally aware manner contributes, rather than takes away (more about this another time). Then there's the endless amount of people out there who are not doing anything positive for the environment either for lack of education, resources, or caring... what is our responsibility in regards to them?

As a craftsperson, my personal aesthetic is affected by my background and upbringing, my personal interests and hobbies, and a subconscious absorption of the trends around me. My commitment to myself is to honor who I am as a artist and to not create things simply because...

I suppose depending on the person, to create can be very personal, it can be a means of communication, or a bit of both. If communication though, what importance is the message? I create because I love to, but I share it because I hope 1) it will make someone smile because they enjoy it, and 2) it will provoke thought about things in a simpler, more natural way, and perhaps connect people to nature, even just for a moment. I'm not so naive or arrogant to think that what I make will change a life or the world, but making is what I enjoy so I ought to be conscious of my message, whatever that may be. After all, if I'm going to say it, why not SAY IT?! Perhaps opening oneself up for criticism is too much. Perhaps.

Change is often difficult and dare I say inconvenient, especially after we've been doing things the same way for so long. I hope for radical change in the way we as a country handle these issues because I feel it's necessary right now, but to what extent am I willing to go, I'm not sure yet. At this point, what I do in my personal life and what I create as an artist is one in the same. Therefore my goal in all aspects of my life, is to be educated and not turn my head in light of "knowing better" for simplicity or ease. I know I'll make mistakes and I know I'll also need to make compromises, but I'm learning and I'm committed. I hope to find that middle ground between absolute sacrifice and living a productive, enjoyable life.

Please express your thoughts on what you think our responsibility is either as a comment here or an entry on your own blog. Thanks for reading my thoughts, I looking forward to reading what you have to say.

Good Gracious.

2008-01-10T20:18:00.000-05:00

Sorry for the music plug, but I just cannot help myself... Radiohead's Scotch Mist has been playing non-stop in the background for the past several days. If you haven't listened, it is ohh sooo gooood. Check it out on YouTube or get the album In Rainbow available now.

The Best Boyfriend Ever!

2008-01-10T17:36:00.000-05:00

So I have the sweetest, cutest, most talented boyfriend ever! For Christmas, I received these two gorgeous cutting boards made from maple and cherry. I love the shape and design and two of them, one scaled slightly smaller than the other? What a guy! Although he insists they are plenty hard, I think they're too nice to cut on. Hmm... Perhaps I'll keep using my old cutting board and designate these strictly cheese and cracker servers... rather than another board falling victim to my crazy-sharp knives. (note the vintage Sunkist juicer, a gift from my mom... thanks mom!)

Then the other night, he was experimenting in the barn and came in with this... a three-hundred year old clipboard! It was originally a wide oak plank left over from the barn floor. A few dozen passes through the planer really shows off not only the grain, but the rigidity of this old hard wood. Genius! What more can I say?

The First Step: Check!

2008-01-09T16:58:00.000-05:00

The beginning of the new year brought a tiring head cold and a week working long hours at the job-jobs. Although working was very worthwhile and I had a lot of fun, my mind kept drifting back to unpacking and setting up my brand new jewelers bench. Acquiring my new bench was a landmark that has one significant meaning: freedom. I'm actually not exaggerating here. In order to have good body mechanics, jewelers have to work at a certain height. As hard to accept as it may be, the big 3-0 will be hitting me soon enough and my back has a funny way of reminding me. This means no more leaning over my projects until I'm stiff or putting things off until I have a more comfortable place to work. A jewelers bench also has a tray to catch metal scraps and shavings, an expensive loss if disposed of or left to the mice, and some other features I can't wait to use; it's the small things really... I now have drawers! A Christmas present to myself, we picked up all 96 pounds in New Jersey on our last installment of the holiday travels, and I'm proud to announce, I'm all set up!

First on the agenda is to finish some gifts that needed tweaking after the holidays. Once those projects are complete, I can get back to some designs and castings from a while back that have been swimming around in my head for over a year now. My basic studio still needs a few small things (expensive equipment will come with sales and progress), but all in all, I'm ready to get started! Note: small victory parade marching in background.

A Fresh Start in 2008

2008-01-07T14:51:00.000-05:00

Happy New Year! I hope 2008 brings lots of new adventures and memories to you! This year begins my process of becoming a [part-time] professional jeweler/metalsmith/designer/artist. Excuse the long title, but I don't really identify with any one particular heading because although I work primarily in precious metals, I have a foundation in and continue to work in many different mediums. I suppose "craftsperson" is the most appropriate title, but not of the SpinArt and macaroni necklace variety! While starting this new chapter, I wish to continue creating as I have for many years, but with some major differences: a degree in my craft, honed skills, some tangible goals in sight, and an idea of what it is I want to communicate with my work. I hope to find an audience that is looking for what it is I create... a few people that feel a personal connection with my imagery, materials, and message. I hope to share some of the ups and downs of my experience on this little 'ol blog here. Both the artistic aspect as well as the business of being an artist... a documentation of my experience, if you will, with some added narrative from me. Thanks for checking in! I look forward to chatting with you in the new year...

Tis the Season

2007-12-30T20:33:00.000-05:00

In the spirit of the season, I was a busy bee working on all sorts of projects for some of the special people in my life. I wish I could have posted these sooner, but at least they were a surprise. Nevertheless, expect these to resurface in the not-too-distant future...

New note cards featuring glimpses of trees in their various stages: root, seed, bud, and bloom. All trees (native to the mid-Atlantic region) were lovingly selected for their captivating characteristics and illustrated in the botanical style by yours truly. These images are taken from lithographic prints produced earlier this year and printed in outstanding detail with crisp black ink on quality embossed ivory stock. Packaged in packs of four different trees with matching envelopes.

Heirloom Icicle and Snowflake Ornaments celebrate the natural wonders of the season in the best of spirit... All ornaments are handmade from recycled and welded coat hangers and vintage chandelier crystals. These very special ornaments represent the importance of minimizing our footprint on the environment by preserving our resources.

New also are my "Natural Fresheners" in Lovely Lavender and Citrus & Spice for those who like to spice it up... naturally! They contain all premium and natural ingredients in a 100% cotton pouch with velvet ribbon and a vintage button. Natural Fresheners smell great and are cute enough to place anywhere (even on a tree)!

PS - I love my new camera!

Christmas Tree, Oh Christmas Tree...

2007-12-23T11:10:00.000-05:00

Here's a little Christmas image to wish you a very happy holiday. A copper hydraulic die formed ornament given to my mom in 1998; my very first metalsmithing project ever. Here began my annual (mostly) tradition of making ornaments for the special people in my life, not to mention the advent of my desire to learn as much as I could about metal processes. We'll be driving up and down the east coast this week visiting family and spreading cheer (4 states in 4 days!). To you and yours, have a very merry Christmas and happy new year...

Antique Purse of the Week: Hey Sailor!

2007-12-22T15:24:00.000-05:00

Above: Small clutch with strap, opaque cream and red glass beads striped with translucent dark gray glass beads, silver cording along front flap, cream colored grograin fabric on sides and interior, snap closure. Country of manufacture: Germany.

This sassy little number reminiscent of the 1940's was made in Germany, a major contributor to the glass bead phenomena that continues to gain momentum today.** I can picture her perfectly; a young woman with bright red lipstick, a short stylish coif, and perhaps a sailor outfit complete with white collar would be proud to carry a bag like this for an evening of dancing out on the town.

** I have some great pre-WWII German glass beads discovered in a warehouse cache many years later that get auctioned off in small quantities a year at a time. The bright opaque colors and flower shapes make sweet little earrings, but more on that another time!

Ginger-Peanut Tuna Salad

2007-12-18T19:40:00.000-05:00

A fresh, flavorful meal great for any season and lover of the oh-so-wonderful and versatile ginger root!

One large can - chunk white tuna (or salmon) packed in water, drained
Small handful - roasted peanuts, shelled of course
Almost a tablespoon - fresh ginger root, finely grated
A couple of tablespoons - chopped spring onions
Splash (enough to hold mixture together) - Ginger Miso salad dressing, your favorite brand

Mix and serve over a bed of fresh baby spinach with grated carrots and mandarin oranges or clementines with rice cracker rounds on the side.

Serves: 2, Takes: minutes!

I wish I could take a picture, but we already know that story. Trust me, this is a great salad you're sure to love (unless you hate ginger, then you definitely don't want to try it).

Recipe obtained and modified by Monta & Don. Thanks and love you!

Baby It's Cold Outside

2007-12-13T19:15:00.000-05:00

So I commandeered Steve's camera for a few moments to capture the icy landscape this afternoon... but only before I enjoyed a nice warm cup of hot chocolate. I hope you're warm and cozy inside and enjoying the season tonight. I'll be getting back to my welded Heirloom Christmas Ornaments... expect images soon. Too bad they wont be in the shop this year, I suppose 2008 will bring the unleashing of some new designs. More soon...

I've Been Tagged!

2007-12-08T17:57:00.000-05:00

I've been a little absent as of late... no excuses, but my camera is presently out of comission and things have been very busy. Nevertheless, I've recently been tagged by the lovely Juliet of The Broken Plate and Liz of Liz Mathew's Jewelry Design. Overall, a great excuse to shake out this dusty blog! So without further delay, here are 5 random facts about me...

Fortunately, I've never broken a bone (not out of lack of opportunity) or had surgery. I've been a very lucky girl.

For the past six years, I've taught rock climbing in addition to other adventure activities that focus on confidence and team building in addition to Leave No Trace principles. It's been a wonderful experience that has truly enriched my life.

I hope to one day write and illustrate one or more children's books. I already have the characters and the theme, I'm just waiting for story to hit me... probably while I'm sleeping, showering, or driving (where all good ideas come from).

When I was little, I aspired to be a professional roller-skater... or a veterinarian... or a mermaid. What, no professional mermaids?! How cool would it have been to roller-skate through life? Not quite ideal for the studio!

Excess packaging drives me wild, I hate shopping bags (and usually bring my own), and I believe that we as consumers have a responsibility to stop buying things that will end up in landfills after a couple of seasons (i.e. holiday lawn decoration for example) in favor of making our own out of, say... found objects or recycled materials! Try DIY projects (great for the kiddos) and trade or gift with family and friends. Buy natural and biodegradable from renewable/sustainable resources and/or handmade to support small businesses, organizations that donate proceeds to charities, and the local economy. Or pass special holiday ornamentation down from generation to generation... the best ones usually are! After all, what holiday traditions are based in plastics anyway? BANG! CRASH! BUMP! Sorry, I think I just fell off my soapbox!

Wow, a lot of people I know have already been tagged. Lets see... I will tag: Rebecca, Beth, Maren, and Ellen!

The Rules:
1. Link to your tagger and post these rules on your blog.
2. Share 5 facts about yourself on your blog, some random, some weird.
3. Tag 5 people at the end of your post by leaving their names as well as links to their blogs.
4. Let them know they are tagged by leaving a comment on their blog.

Mud in Camera = Fewer Blog Posts

2007-12-08T17:02:00.000-05:00

I couldn't resist taking some great pictures of the kids while caving this past summer. They just had so much fun (and so did I). This proved to be a poor decision and an overall unfriendly locale for cameras! Duh. I hope to "acquire" new photographic equipment in the couple of weeks. Until then, please be patient with me while I settle for preexisting images and loaner cameras (thanks Steve)! Watch for: recent art and jewelry designs and more antique purses!

Holiday Heap THIS Saturday!

2007-11-28T14:20:00.000-05:00

The Charm City Craft Mafia's Holiday Heap craft show is this Saturday, December 1. Get your holiday shopping started early or late (depending!) at this juried alternative craft fair featuring some great Baltimore locals. Check out Beth Pohlman Jewelry, Imogene, Liz Matthews Jewelry, The Broken Plate, and the Towson Metals & Jewelry Club; all jewelry designers, friends, and prior classmates who create some really beautiful work! The show will be held in the gorgeous St. John’s Church, located at 2640 St. Paul St, Baltimore, MD 21218, from 10:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. For more information on Holiday Heap, other notable vendors featuring handmade crafts, and the CCCM, go here. Also, don't forget your canned goods to help support the Maryland Food Bank!

YouTube Baby!

2007-11-16T22:35:00.001-05:00

On a completely unrelated note, it seems I (or at least my calves) have inadvertently hit the big time! This past August, I volunteered at the Philadelphia Folk Festival and was fortunate enough to work alongside the video production crew, a bunch of very talented professionals who volunteer their time to put on one class act production. The result is high quality imagery for the festival big screens and distribution of DVD's to the performers. Setting up the equipment, opperating a camera for the first time, and watching it all go down inside the mobile TV truck was such a wonderful learning experience. Needless to say I had a blast.

My first camera experience was on Saturday afternoon filming the band Old Springs Pike, a unique and delightfully difficult to categorize folk/rock band based in NYC. As you will see from the clip above, which was filmed by yours truly and others, OSP is an incredibly energetic bunch that truly enjoy performing their music live. They helped make the festival experience, not to mention my time behind the camera a truly enjoyable one. If you look real close, my camera (as well as my legs from the knee down) can be seen stage-right. Later that evening I met Heather, the female singer extraordinaire and was so delighted with how sweet she was. Check out their website and myspace to hear more music! Thanks OSP!

With Rain Comes Autumn

2007-10-29T18:24:00.000-04:00

After some much needed rain, it's beginning to get quite chilly up here. In the past few days I've taken to wearing a winter jacket... indoors! We've been working hard to prepare the yard with planting, pruning, weeding, and getting our composter ready. Now it's time to winterize this old farmhouse so we can get moving with the fun projects... in warmth. In the meantime, I hope you enjoy some of the vibrant October colors and rich textures from the past few days.

Antique Purse of the Week: Silk Threads

2007-10-29T18:03:00.000-04:00

Fibers, especially the delicate one's such as silk, take the harshest beating over time. Above is a sweet little green silk purse with stitched floral pattern and covered dark green cording. Opening this bag reveals a white silk lining with matching envelope style coin purse tethered to the interior. A green knotted silk cord serves as the handle and an interior metal frame gives structure to the top of the bag. Unfortunately this antique purse is showing its years with its tattered fabric and missing closure, but one can easily imagine what it once looked like. Sadly, in this case, preservation cannot reverse the aging process.

Antique Purses of the Week: A Lovely Pair?

2007-10-22T11:56:00.000-04:00

Antique Purses: LEFT - Whiting and Davis, c. 1920's, brass mesh, strap, and frame with gem stone, RIGHT - unknown, brass mesh, strap, and frame

My first thought upon discovering these mesh wrist bags was that they make such a lovely pair. I knew exactly what to do with them as they are of the few that could withstand being hung on the wall, and what a compliment to each other they are! Both are small mesh purses worn on the wrist, they are topped with organic motifs on their decorative frames, have flat chain link straps with sliders, fine mesh bodies, and are finished with three ball weights each. It wasn't until opening them that I began to look at these bags in a different light... A lovely pair or a lovely knock-off? You decide!

Inscriptions: "Annette Brodic", "WHITING & DAVIS CO.", "SOLDERED MESH", "A", "1/21", "#4", "#5"

The bag on the left has several inscriptions on the interior of the frame, whereas the bag on the right has none. Regarding the left-hand bag, "Annette Brodic" was apparently the owner as her name is hand engraved by the clasp. Stamped by one hinge is the maker's name: "WHITING & DAVIS CO.", a popular purse manufacturer in the early 1900's, however because the name is stamped not engraved, it can be assumed that the bag was made in 1920 or later. Stamped by the other hinge is "SOLDERED MESH", which yes, ladies and gentleman, means that each link is soldered! Although there is one bit of information that will sooth your whirling minds; all of their mesh was made by machine after 1912.

There are also some other markings I have yet to determine: "1/21" is hand scribed by each of the hinges, which could be the production date. "#4" is hand scribed by one hinge and "#5" is by the other; this could possibly be the mesh size (ranged from #1 through #7), but that doesn't explain why there are two numbers. There is also a stamped "A", which is sideways and above the "WHITING & DAVIS CO." stamp. Could this be a way to decipher parts or a grading system? Perhaps you know?

Finally, notice the gem stone on the clasp of the bag on the left (Whiting & Davis was known for their use of genuine sapphires), the decorative designs on the strap sliders of the left-hand bag, the unsoldered coil and links on the right-hand bag (there are a few missing), and the difference in link sizes between the mesh on the two wrist bags. There are many details to compare and contrast, and frankly, I beginning to wonder what they carried in these things! Nevertheless, what I am certain of is these are two very special bags and if the one on the right is indeed a period "knockoff," than let copying be the highest form of 1920's flattery! I think I know just the wall to become home to these two bags.

The Most Charming City

2007-10-20T22:55:00.000-04:00

Yesterday I went to Baltimore for several very worthwhile ventures... I attended the Charm City Craft Mafia's first ever legal and tax workshop for crafter's! It was very informative. Thanks CCCM!! Then I picked up some much needed furniture for my studio space, which is coming together whether we are ready or not!

Finally, I met up with the lovely and talented Beth Pohlman to catch up and chat over a decadent dinner (despite the iced tea). I drooled over the above necklace throughout our meal; one of her newer creations. Beth really considers the wearer and the comfort of her jewelry on the body. Each piece is light, airy, and hangs so beautifully. You can check out Beth's blog and store for more gorgeous and very original jewelry designs. You are an inspiration!

Things growing on...

2007-10-20T09:08:00.000-04:00

There's been quite a bit of talk about things going on around here and no posts on any work or talk of creative projects as of late. Although all the talk of produce and trees is inspirational(!), I'm coming to terms with this much needed sabbatical to get unpacked, put things in order, and allow my creative side to hibernate so that I can come back refreshed. My brain is churning though; in a few weeks you can expect to see some holiday items for sale here. I'm really looking forward to talking more about this soon... Take good care.

Fall is here!

2007-10-18T14:20:00.000-04:00

Say so long to the big guy that produced this gorgeous leaf. A gigantic Norway Maple, he's been a fighter from the start. Norway's are a weed type of tree (invasive and terribly fast growing), so the cards have not been in its favor. Therefore, this maple's days are numbered, especially since we just put in the little beauty below (notice the dead branches in background).

After planting and watering our new Sugar Maple, Steve covered up the base with mulch, stood back proudly and said, "hey there young sprout, I hope you stick around for a while." I don't think he noticed his pun, but I thought it was a great thing to say. And you never know, if the whole college degree thing doesn't work out, I may have to tap this little one for some syrup!

Next for the ground are these blueberry bushes won at the silent auction! Aren't they beautiful?! There are three different varieties so they can cross pollinate: Blue Ray, Collins, and Patriot. Little white flowers in the spring, blueberries all summer long, colorful foliage in the fall, red branches in the winter, and they grow to six feet high; we're sure to enjoy these all year round for a long time. They're getting planted in the orchard right next to the apples, pears, and grapes. Mmm!

Community Supported Agriculture

2007-10-13T23:51:00.000-04:00

Yes!! We just got our 2008 share at a local CSA farm. I am so excited about all the yummy veggies, fruit, herbs, and flowers we'll pick up from June through October next year... hmm, reevaluating the garden now. Anyhow, if you're unfamiliar with Community Supported Agriculture (CSA's), they are farms that are split up into shares. Shareholders pay an annual membership due to participate in the overall bounties or potential losses of the annual crops; frequently enough for two adults and/or a small family. Meanwhile members invest in community based sustainable agriculture commonly grown in an ecologically responsible manner as well as benefiting from the health rewards of consuming fresh, local produce. Throughout the duration of the share, a member should expect to spend about the same amount, but frequently less than what they would pay at the grocery store for produce. Since the advent of Community Supported Agriculture in 1985, there are now approximately 1,200 CSA farms around the US. I had hoped to participate in one in Maryland, but could just never commit. Currently in Pennsylvania, I'm overwhelmed with all the numerous opportunities to make decisions that benefit the community, environment, and my health. Hooray for fresh arugula, salad greens, strawberries, broccoli, potatoes, and more! For more information on CSA's including finding a farm in your area, visit Local Harvest.

Antique Purse of the Week: Motifs in Sterling

2007-10-09T11:48:00.000-04:00

Above: Sterling silver frame and chain, crocheted body with silver toned beads and fringe. Inscription: A.C. Speiss

This little coin purse is only 5 1/2" from clasp to fringe and 2 1/4" wide. Ladies used to wear coin purses like these on their belts, however not all were so fancy. The black bag and shiny faceted beads nicely offset the scrolling sterling frame. I don't know who A.C. Speiss was, but I bet she was quite a lady.

Imagine My Delight!

2007-10-07T18:15:00.000-04:00

Due to crazy schedules, we missed our opportunity to grow a fruit, veggie, and herb garden this year. It would have been my first and I'm so excited for next year. No bother, in PA, the stuff just grows all over the place (despite my purple thumb)! This year's prevalent raspberries were amazing, eating sweet apples and pears right off the trees was such a treat, now concord grapes?! That's the right idea. Oh yeah, then we all took a bath. Up next: blueberry bushes (if I win them at the silent auction).

Can you hear the angels singing?

2007-10-07T13:51:00.000-04:00

This dapping block set will give volume to future jewelry designs and other projects. I can't wait to get my studio in order so I can break these babies in!

Antique Purse of the Week: Silver, Gold & Black

2007-10-05T13:28:00.000-04:00

Above: French, gold toned frame and chain, beaded body in gold, silver, and black colored glass.

Recently a very special family member gifted me an amazing antique purse collection. Needless to say I feel honored to have received this breathtaking collection. As a jeweler and a craftsperson, I really appreciate the attention to detail, the varied designs, and the care taken to create these intricate pieces. To think that someone once spent countless hours sewing, crocheting, beading, and assembling these tiny works of art is impressive to say the least. Women's finery has certainly changed quite a bit! Due to their age and materials, several of the handbags require some TLC, but are still very impressive despite their disrepair. I wish I had the occasion to take each one out for a spin, but many of them are so delicate and formal... not to mention too small to hold my wallet, cell phone, and keys! As I take the first steps toward researching their repair and preservation, I've decided to share my purses in a unique way... with this little 'ol blog! I hope you enjoy this special collection as I have in the weeks to come. Stay tuned also for compacts and other refinements.

The Broken Plate @ Crafty Bastards

2007-09-28T07:28:00.000-04:00

Greetings! The Crafty Bastards! Arts & Crafts Fair is this Sunday, September 30 from 10-5 p.m. in Adams Morgan. Please stop by Booth #7 where I will be sitting in for the lovely Juliet; new mom and owner of The Broken Plate Pendant Co. Other notable vendors include Annie of Imogene and Megan Auman (blatant Towson plug).

Home is where the heart is...

2007-09-26T21:24:00.001-04:00

With any luck, this will be the first of many posts featuring imagery and ideas I find inspirational as well as some shots from the studio and life. I look forward to this new phase and all the new and exciting creative projects to come as well as a new way of communicating and sharing with some amazing people out there. Stay tuned for some of the best (and possibly worst!) of what's to come. This photo of dogwood blossoms was taken last spring during sunset in rural Pennsylvania, my new home.