I spent the weekend creating these new pieces, along with a few others.  I am trying to increase production now that summer vacations are quickly approaching. 

I have my sights on a few out of town festivals this year and I usually spend the summer trying to increase my inventory. 

  If all goes well I will be traveling to Odessa, San Antonio, Fort Worth and Hollywood.  I've never sold in these festivals, but there is always a first time for everything.

Along with my pendants I am also beginning to make the beads for my necklaces.  The Madonna and Child piece has polymer clay beads that I created.  My goal is to have jewelry pieces that have more of my handmade components than not. 

I hope you are having a lovely week.

Bloom

Bloom where you are planted.  I created this piece while proctoring an ap exam (shhhhh, don't tell anyone).  I was paying attention, I promise.  I only had some sharpies to work with, but I do like the end results.  The only mistake I made was laying down some silver sharpie down, then trying to write.  The writing keeps fading away.  I will probably collage the words later.  Oh, I almost forgot to mention that I created three of the flowers by tracing a pair of scissors, can you see them?
Well, as for my sketchbook prompt, I have been trying to bloom where I am planted, but there are times when I want to pick up my roots and look for greener pastures.  For now though, I will continue to bloom and grow right where I am.

Happy Mommy's Day

I was up late last night finishing up some last minute orders for Mother's Day.  I took these pictures minutes before I climbed into bed.  I'm glad I did because my customer showed up bright and early for the pieces. 
It gives me great pleasure to know that something I created will be given as a gift on such a special day.  I hope the lucky moms that receive these gifts will like them.  Custom orders always make me so nervous.  The pressure to please and to do well is so high.  Well, all I could do now is hope they become treasured gifts.
Now I am sitting here in my kitchen, drinking a cup of coffee, while the rest of the family is slowly coming to life.  We will be heading off to visit my mom and enjoying the afternoon with my family.  We usually have a cookout or feast on some traditional Mexican food, but not this year.  My mom insisted on a turkey dinner.  That's right...turkey.  Anything to please my mom, and well, I do love turkey.
Happy Mommy's Day to all of the mothers in the world, to all women that want to be moms, but can't and to all the moms that have lost a child. 

quote

"We never know the worth of water till the well is dry"-T Fuller.  So true and of course this quote is a metaphore about life.    This challenge was inspired by nature (can you see my whales?) a quote and gesso.  I used all three, although not much gesso.  This piece is a collage and I painted only a little bit.  I enjoyed the process, but I was left wanting to add more of my own work.  I will make it a point to draw more on the next one.
Enjoy.