Back in the Saddle

Sterling silver with a pottery cabochon and garnets

Finally I am back in the studio full time! I had my sketch book with me over the holidays and it seems that I want to stay on the botanical theme. I am also finding that I want to add lots of texture, and that is not new for me either. This piece is based on mums and is hammer textured and finished with a patina. So same theme, but totally new piece!

I am still working on shows for 2013, some applications are not yet available. First show will be at the end of March in Hickory: Catawba Valley Pottery Festival. I have slots open for home shows, so if you'd like to earn some jewelry credit, give me a call and let's plan a party.

I hope to be a better blogger and photographer this year. And to not find any more abandoned animals. On Dec 2 I found two abandoned pups not far from our home one night. They were about 13 weeks old. It took a little while, but we found a good home for one and decided to keep the other. I had totally forgotten what having a puppy is like, and this one doesn't seem to be grasping the concept of not peeing or pooping in the garage or house. She is adorable, Bacchus our dog seems to like her and she adores him and loves the cats too. Wes named her Gracie. All my pictures of her are on my phone. So picture to follow.

Happy New Year All!

Sunday in the Arboretum

Giving Thanks, Appreciation and Fall

I hope that everyone will spend time thinking about 9/11 and those that lost their lives. And how thankful we all are for what we have.

JLK Jewelry Fall Show Schedule I have several shows coming up, and hope you will stop by if you are in the neighborhood. You can still schedule a home party this year, check with me on dates! September 15, 2012 Charlotte, NC 8th Annual Potters Market Invitational, Mint Museum Randolph, Charlotte, NC 10am-4pm For one day only! Forty outstanding North Carolina potters will sell their sculptures and vessels under the tent on the grounds of Mint Museum Randolph. Collectors and non-collectors alike love this opportunity to purchase modern heirlooms from exceptional artists working in a variety of styles. Enjoy live music and pottery making demonstrations! Purchase lunch onsite from Delectables by Holly or bring a picnic basket and enjoy your own lunch on the lawn. Admission: $10 ($8 after 2 PM) Early Admission: Starts at 9:15 AM with a $100 Sponsorship information here September 27, 2012 Asheboro, NC Just Jewelry at Santosha Yoga Studio 130 S Church Street (next to the farmer's market), Asheboro, NC 6pm-9pm Spend a relaxed evening with us in our Loft studio and choose your own ornaments from a selection of Local Artists Hand-CraftedJewelry! Refreshments & Wine by Lumina make it a Girl’s Night Out! October 7, 2012 Greensboro, NC Art in the Arboretuem Greensboro, NC 12pm-5pm A juried art and fine craft exhibit and sale held in the outdoor gallery of the Greensboro Arboretum. Artists from throughout the region gather to exhibit their hand-crafted offerings along the garden's paved walkways. Activities, entertainment, food and more are also included to make this a wonderful afternoon outing. Admission is free. October 13, 2012 Waynesville, NC 29th Annual Church Street Arts & Craft Show, Waynesville, NC 10am - 5pm Main Street is transformed into an art & craft marketplace for this one-day event; widely known as one of the finest juried art shows in the region. Live mountain music & clogging, entertainment, food. November 16-18, 2012 Seagrove, NC Celebration of Seagrove Potters Historic Lucks Bean Cannery Seagrove, NC a gathering of remarkable clay artists united in showcasing the traditional and contemporary pottery of the historic Seagrove community. www.celebrationofseagrovepotters.com December 1, 2012 Seagrove NC Jugtown Pottery Holiday Kiln Opening 8:30am-5pm

The mismatched earrings pair! A variety of new styles are available this fall. Forged sterling silver necklace with a pottery cabochon.

Big and bold neckpiece. The trend for this fall. Whimsical Rooster Pins The Goddess, pin or pendant. Each one is a one of a kind piece.

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Big, Bold, Bright

 

The fall 2012 Jewelry Trends say that necklaces and bracelets will big and bold. This new piece follows that in every way. the bright blue pottery cabochons are mottled with color. The leaf is hand forged sterling silver and measures 3-1/4", and hard to see in my (unprofessionally done) photo, are two labradorite drops. This fits beautifully around your neck, is not too heavy and will make a bold statement.

This will be available for purchase starting at the Mint Museum's
Potter's Market Invitational on September 15, 2012.

They Can Kill You

this is what my husband said to me, as he was reading about Japanese Hornets, after discovering a nest of huge hornets a tree not far from the house. If they swarm and sting, well watch out. Holy crap. We've had them here before, one night last year when I was grilling and went out to flip the chicken, there they were all around the light. He handed me out a can of wasp spray and the next morning I counted 30 bodies. Luckily, they weren't aggessive, that night, but I backed off the deck to spray in fear of being attacked. But now hundreds going in and out of the tree.

The first mode of attack (by my husband) was to try wasp spray. He headed out in the evening, with me as back up (just in case they swarmed him, then I could spray them all, though I don't know which would be worse, wasp stings or being sprayed with a can of wasp spray.) It hit the edge, he yelled RUN, turned and we ran back to the house. Next morning, lots of activity.

My nephew and BIL brought over a zapper, which they had used to eradicate a big nest in the attic of their shop. It is working.

My home made trap (from an internet suggestion) has gotten two of them. It is apple cider vinegar (organic no less, sugar and soap).

  Travis did tell us that these are not Japanese hornets, but European hornets. I have just confirmed this on the NC Extension site. They are by the way, the only true hornet in the US. I also found some info that has us in conflict. "Their diet consists mainly of large insects such grasshoppers, flies, bees, and yellow jackets." They are good for the garden, bad for honey bees, and they are not aggressive. Though their workers are female (hundreds of them) and they will overwinter to start new hives. If stung it will be worse than a bee sting, and I do know someone that has a scar from a sting 3 years ago.

They are right across from our decks, one of which is where I grill, often after dark, in front of a French glass door, with a light on by the grill. They are attracted to a light. So here is the conflict. They are good for gardens and eradicating grasshoppers (which I do not like with a passion), and one site called them gentle giants. Sometimes too much information is not a good thing.

Cookin'!

One of my jobs every other morning or so is to make lunch for 5. My sister and I trade off on this chore, and we all eat lunch together. Three of us are gluten free and so I thought I might start doing some food posts. I love to cook (most of the time) and I am always altering or inventing my own recipes.

Today I made a Vegetarian (and could be Vegan without the HB eggs) Garbanzo Bean Salad.

I soaked chick peas over night and put them on to cook this morning, along with some eggs for extra protein.



We have a lot of peppers and cucumbers from the garden right now, so I chopped them up with some onion and spicy B&B pickles. I added some crushed roasted garlic (This is so easy to do, and saves a lot of $ over buying roasted garlic at one of the olive bars. I have been doing this out on the grill but you can do it in the oven....we love garlic in this house and I put handfuls of peeled garlic in an open foil tray with olive oil and roast it while I am cooking dinner on the grill. More on that later, probably cedar plank salmon, a favorite, but I digress).

 Mix together all the veggies, eggs and chick peas. Stir together a little olive oil (I used organic Tuscan Olive Oil), a fresh squeezed lemon and some mustard, sprinkle in cumin, salt and pepper and mix it all together. Taste and adjust seasonings.

I toasted some pine nuts to top it, and some dried craisins.

 

Mound it on some organic lettuce and serve. 

 

 In jewelry news........................I am now doing in Home Jewelry Parties. This is a great way to have a fun party, and earn credit towards jewelry!  Besides getting ready for a jewelry show, I am gearing up for Art in the Park in Blowing Rock on August 11 and the Potters Market Invitational at the Mint Museum in Charlotte on September 15. Stay tuned for new ideas and designs, as well as Jennie cooking!