Color Block Friday 2007.08.03 - Who Likes Blue? Raise your hand...

In honor of the blue skies of Portland, OR where I live, I am showcasing blue this month - the month of my birth! Yes, I will officially be one year older, perhaps wiser, and always different. I know that most people like to celebrate the New Year with resolutions - but I reserve mine for my birthday. What do I want to do in my next year of live? What goals have I attained or do I want to make new ones? Definitely time for a list.

But, for now, I am going to celebrate BLUE. It's such a soothing color. We often associate blue with water and sky - but what of other associations?
What would we do if we didn't have that something blue for our wedding day? Or the wild forget-me-nots your kids like to pick and leave on your porch? And let's not forget some of our favorite gemstones: sapphires, turquoise, apetite, london blue topaz, and my favorite: the rare of rare indicolite or indigolith (pure blue tourmaline).

So, if you think of other blue things you want to share feel free. A favorite toy from childhood, or maybe you're painting a room in your house?

Here are the blues in my repertoire. There are so many, since it is one of my favorite colors (in fact I don't think I have a favorite color anymore - much too hard to choose). I currently have 12 shades: baby bird, sky, faded denim, jet stream, sleeping beauty, turquoise, ocean, little boy blue, peacock, tourmaline, indigo, and midnight - whew! ... and I'm always looking for more.

This is Not a Toy! Says Who?

Okay. We all have a favorite tool. But, what are the cautions associate with them. Share your favorite...I'm sure we'll all get a chuckle. Mine is definitely on my tumbler and my computer keyboard: "Use of a keyboard or mouse may be linked to serious injuries or disorders. Well... I think I'm way past the serious disorder warning...
I actually think I've hurt myself more with my hammer than anything else. Longfellow is my witness.

So, with my toy, I make dull metal objects shiny - for those of you with tumblers you'll understand that it is always a surprise, even though I know how it will look - it's still like opening a present. Anyway, I have been able to use my tumbler more with my new MetalWorks series (and because I just want to make shiny pieces instead of brushed. Fickle) - here's a sneak peek (and some parts for my bead line too...):

With all this new work going on I am managing to fit in some very Special Orders for customers.


It's always great to make something very specific for someone, but the thing I love so much about making jewelry is people wear it in their everyday life; it goes with them when decisions are made!


So in the end, I'm trying to keep my fingers clear of the wheel, hammer, pliers, but I can't stay away from the keyboard... lost cause.

- Pink

Weather Wednesday - August 1st

It's sunny today... working outside, tumbling. No, not me... jewelry parts. See what I made...

I've been crazy busy with special orders as well as orders for local stores that sell my work. My newest retailer is: PedX - Shoe Shangri- La in the Alberta Arts District. Check out their fantastic shoe inventory! The owner has a great selection of purses and wallets too - and of course, I think, the best time visit Alberta is Last Thursday. The August event should be fabulous - since the weather is so fine this time of year! My work should be in the store then too - and if you see it let me know what you think.

Anyway - since this is "Weather Wednesday", let's get at it - yes, it is another gorgeous day in the Pacific NW and I'm so happy to share it with you - wherever you may be. My favorite flowers are blooming (and the bees are loving it). The sky is blue above my huge Maple tree.

My cat is saying "Hi" (H.W. Longfellow - but I just call him Longfellow) and the sun is filtering into my garden, ...unfortunately my hostas are fading now.

Hope the weather is what you want, and at the end of August I'll be aching for RAIN!

Longfellow says "It's too hot! Can I come in and get a drink from the bathtub faucet?"

What's a girl to do....?

As some of you may understand - I make each and every beaded round, oval, saucer and square in my collection - as well as 95 % of the metal work - soooo that's alota hours. I work between 10-14 hours/day in my creative processes - how 'bout you?

So... it has been up a bit with my upcoming show: Rebel Rabbit Craft Fair: Get Your Craft On! Don't forget, if you are in the Portland, OR area on July 29th - it's at the hipbone studios on E. Burnside from 11am - 4pm. I'll be there with lots-o-new work! Including some items from my new Continuous and Metalworks line.

Also, if you have been following me and this small bit of drama you will notice an improvement since 2 weeks ago on the work bench. Let's face it - don't we all think more clearly with an organized surrounding?
How's your work space looking?

I would also like to take a moment and thank all my customers for such great sales, so far, this summer! To date this has been TQB's best year yet! Thank you all!... see still working (happily)!


Also, if you noticed the necklace I'm wearing - it is all part of a new line of jewelry: "Continuous". The design is created from one piece of wire. You will have noticed a few pieces of it already: My heart pendant and the "pin dot" earrings, if you've been shopping on my Etsy site.

I also want to announce, due to great demand on the part of my customers, that I will be coming out with a line of jewelry without my beaded rounds: Metalworks. It will consist solely of my metal work. I'm very excited about this and hope you visit my Etsy site around mid August to see the first pieces up. They will be clean, simple, modern - very much like the beaded round collection - but with a few surprises too...

Crap?!... NO, that's Craft

I Heart Rummage brings you yet another reason to make art:

Crap into Craft !! (BYOS) bring you own stuff

We know you have a crafty streak!

We know you come to the show and check out all the cool stuff and then go home and try to make it yourself!

We know because we've done it ourselves!

And we know that sometimes it can be a challenge to finish that project.

Maybe you are almost done but just can't figure out how to finish it off?

Maybe you got stuck in the middle but don't know how to get to the next part?

Or maybe you really tried to get it started but those first few tries just didn't cut it?

Well now's your chance to get it all worked out!

We provide the teacher and some basic supplies, you bring your unfinished project parts and your ideas. With the help of one of our crafting experts, you will finally get that project done! You'll have fun doing it and you'll be so proud of yourself!

Class schedule is as follows:

July 14th - Jewelry making with Anna Heinrichs of Anna Perrone Designs

July 21 - Needle felting with Laurie Sharp of Wool Pets

July 28 - Card making with Heidi Adams of Pushing the 'Lope

August 11 - Sewing with Sara Lanzilotta of Devout Dolls

August 18th & Sept.8 - Special 2 Part Class! Homebrewing 101 with Jim Lanning of Hopgod Brewery and Cascade Brewers Club - Day 1 - Learn the basics of brewing your own beer at home! Day 2 - Come back in 3 weeks to bottle and enjoy your creation! (Only 3 spaces available. Location: Bothell)

We are still working on the locations for the classes, but we are definitely taking your class reservations at this time. So email us at iheartrummage@hotmail.com to reserve your space in your favorite class! Once we have the locations confirmed, those on the reservation list will be notified. All classes will be in the Seattle area.

Focus on the Art & Craft

Do you ever take pictures of your work space.. yourself... or perhaps your journals, just for documentations sake? Yes, I have to admit, I am one of those people (and have been doing so ever since I bought my first bright yellow "diary" from the neighborhood grocery store at the age of 11 - you know the type with the tiny lock and the keys that you loose right away. Somehow I got it open...). Anyway, I love to document my life. I believe that everyone has a story to tell. I have learned so much from other people through verbal stories, music, books, art, film, letters and yes... blogs,blogs, blogs.

I love to focus on the positive (and we need more of this in the world, for sure), ... so if you have a positive story you'd like to share, either about how your art has influenced your outlook on life, or maybe you're an art lover and not so artsy-crafty... how has art influenced your life. What are your favorite stories, music, books, art, film, letters and blogs - I'd love to hear about it! I know that these are simple questions but, most of the time the simplest things have the most touching and complexed answers.


I like to tell a story through pictures...

and thanks E.M. You've really put purpose into what I make!

Rebel Rabbit Craft Fair - Portland, OR

Rebel Rabbit brings you "Get Your Craft On" at Hipbone Studios, Sunday, July 29th. Many of my customers wonder if I will attend a summer show this year - well... here is your opportunity to see me, and my work! I have several new designs and color combinations - so it will be worth the trip.

So, join the festivities to see Portland indie crafters for this summertime event. It should be fantastic - the list of vendors is on the Rebel Rabbit website, so check it out and do some pre-shopping.

Hope to see you there...
- Pink