Studio Girasole

Obviously I am not on VOX much... but I'm just wondering... is anybody else??  (You know who I mean!)  ha ha ha

Have you ever tracked down any of your old high school friends and fellow students? 
Submitted by campsite2007.  

I am always on a continuous journey to reconnect with cherished friends and romances from the past.  It was difficult at first because not all relationships ended on a happy note, or I felt that I had reasons to contact them to apologize for my actions in the past.  Though I was nervous about how they would react to me contacting them, so far it has been a good experience.  I have mended some fences or I have at least been able to communicate much-needed thoughts to some very special people.  There are still some of those people out there that I really want to talk to, but their whereabouts elude me for now.  I know that when the time is right, we will meet again and get to catch up on old times.  That would be nice. 

This is for Satrina for prodding me, and for Sillyduckie for sending it to begin with.  I know I got this message back in February, but I don't get on here much.  Sorry!

Here are five facts about me...

1.   I am a survivor of domestic violence.  When I was in my early teens, my mother got into a bad relationship.  Things started out okay in the beginning, but I think due to some suspected drug abuse and possibly a bipolar disorder on this man's part, regular arguments started escalating into physical abuse against my mom, and eventually against me.  My last two years in high school were extremely horrific, and I don't think many of my friends knew just how bad it was.  The love of my grandparents though was what carried me through the darkness, and I honestly believe that if I had not had them at the time, I would not be here today.  I think it's true... what doesn't kill you will make you stronger.

2.    I cry every Sunday when I wave goodbye to my children and watch my in-laws' car drive off with them.  Even though I welcome the time alone to get some work done, I always wonder if that will be the last time I see them again.  It just proves to me again and again how much I miss them when they are gone.

3.    When I see pigeons, I want to just stick out a foot and kick one.  No, I would never do it, but I just wonder what it would be like.

4.    I believe in past lives and old souls.  I believe that in a past life I was either a Dutch artist who lived in Italy and drowned, or I was an Italian glass artist who lived in Holland and was electrocuted or drowned somehow.  I think my friend Jennifer was my younger brother or sister or possibly I was her mother, and I think my ex-husband was once a sibling or possibly a child of mine.  I have just concluded these thoughts based on a substantial number of life patterns and connections that just couldn't be mere coincidences.  I think my grandpa is inside my son.  He is just exactly like that crazy little old man in every way.

5.   I hesitate to do these surveys about myself because there is way too much of me that I keep hidden from those that know me... not because I'm scared for them to know more...but just that I don't feel like bothering anyone with it. ha ha ha

This Saturday was fun at the quarterly Society of Glass Bead Makers - Mid Atlantic chapter meeting.  We were treated to a great wire wrapping demonstration by one of our talented members.

Here is what I created with one of my most recent beads and some silver wire.  It's not quite finished though.  I think this pendant needs some sort of crystal dangles or tassle... it's a work in progress, but opened my mind up to workig more with silver wire.

Sgbmawireproject1

Sgbmawireproject2

A glass bead design that I enjoy making, but haven't in a long time, was lovingly called a "Gem Heart".  The sparkling effect is created with the use of Sterling Silver Foil beneath carefully placed transparent colored glass.

Here is one I especially enjoyed...

Hi again! Haven't blogged much lately here on VOX.  I think I got mad the last time I tried to upload a picture and it wouldn't let me.

I just wanted to share a couple pictures of these fun critters I found on Etsy from the artists of Social Studies Design.

The first one, Comb-Over, is so adorable!  She's got this pluck of hair and a funny expression.  My son was under the weather, and this character really cheered him up with it's surprised, one-toothed mouth.

The Yellow guy with my daughter is quite a friendly one!  He reminds me of a Goldfish cracker, or something else nostalgic from another decade.  I couldn't put my finger on it, but something about his funky shape and cute smile won over my heart. 

The two new friends were accompanied by a little Pentapus friend, which my kids keep calling "Ghosty".  The designs just really appeal to both children and adults with a sense of humor.  Even though I originally just wanted to put them up for display somewhere, my kids have been enjoying them so much that I decided they couldn't just stay here untouched.

One thing I like about the designs of Social Studies is how they are recycling the fabrics of existing garments, taking a shirt that may no longer be desirable to the consumer and making it into some fabulous.  Their style just makes me smile, and it has caused me to consider what I could create with items around my house that seemed to have lost their usefulness.  It inspires me reincarnate some things I otherwise would have discarded or given away.

A friend of mine generously gave me a scarf this Christmas created by Social Studies.  It's crafted from two recycled T-shirts in mauve and purple, hand knit by Sean with lots of care.  In one of the knit loops is the Petco dog and cat logo.  It's just a little flash of red and blue in a sea of purple that gives me a smile when I see it.

Here's a link to their Etsy shop again.  You might discover something that makes you smile too!  Social Studies Design on Etsy

Socialstudiesbag

I found an adorable tote bag on Etsy designed by Social Studies.  What I Iike about their designs most is the casual feeling with just a certain little touch of fresh flair.  They can take a fun and easygoing drawing and place it in just the right spot on crisp fabric. 

When the mail arrived today, it was exciting to pull out a neatly wrapped creation.  The fabric is soft, yet has a tailored feel to it.  Attention to detail was given with every stitch, every turn, and even down to the inside pocket.  I can't wait to stash some knitting inside to take along with me on the road, or use it to carry my sketchbook or journal with me on a trip to the park with the kids.

You can explore the other treasures that Social Studies has to offer by clcking here for their Etsy Shop.  My transaction was very smooth, and the communication was fast and helpful.  They have a unique collection of items to appeal to both men and women.   

You've been through the desert on a horse with no name.  Except your horse does have a name.  What is it? 
Submitted by edubya.vox.com.

Oh, I just HAD to answer this one!!!  (For reasons I cannot disclose)  But really....it was just too ironic!

I believe that horse's name was Illusion.

The chorus of that song is:

"I've been through the desert on a horse with no name

It felt good to be out of the rain.

In the desert you can remember your name

cause there aint no one for to give you no pain"

To me Illusion was a horse that led me to believe I had pain to run away from...led me to believe that the life I was living was lacking my ability to be my own true self.  After a while on the journey I got off the horse and realized that Illusion could fool me no more.  I already had what I needed...but just needed to see that for myself.

Sometimes Illusion tries to beckon me onto its back again...and it's hard to resist at times, but I remain here and happy in the reality I am creating for myself.

These are some of my favorite creations...

First are three fun little frogs.  I enjoy doing sculptural beads.  You can't see it, but they actually have holes than run vertically through their bodies.  Another type of sculptural bead I enjoy making are fish.  The one shown here is Sophie, and I was quite fond of her, especially of the marble effect I got with her lips.  That was the result of blending and pulling my own custom stringer.  The other beads I make most often are single focal abstract beads that are large enough to use as pendants.

Thanks for taking a look!  I hope to share more beads of mine with you another time!

Let's make a list.  What are 20 things in your life that you're grateful for? 
Inspired by wyndslash.vox.com.

This is hard because I am grateful for so much...but I'll try. :)

1. I'm grateful that my mother survived her brain aneurism when she was 20 so that I could be born when she was 25 and experience the wonderful love of my family!  Her strength and determination to fight the coma she was in...that is one heck of an inspiration!

2. I'm grateful that my family taught me how to love.  My ability to love has brought me a family of my own, many wonderful friends that I like to keep close to my heart, and passion for the activities I engage in.

3. I'm grateful for Spongebob Squarepants.  I can't explain that one...but I just know that I'm am happy he was created. 

4. I'm grateful for Dr. Myers at Hershey Medical Center for giving my little David's heart a chance to be strong.

5. I'm grateful for the handful of friends I have that accept me for who I am and can be honest with me in every moment we share together.  (Thanks Yoko, Rich, Tracey, Cyd, Maryanne, Jen, Wendy, Ann, Faith, Shawn, Sarah, Deirdre, Kelly, Rick, Cheryl, and Teena!)

6. I'm grateful that I didn't try to plan David or Samantha...they were wonderful surprises, and I wouldn't have changed a thing about when they decided to be born!

7. I'm grateful that I took a risk.

8. I'm grateful that I recently faced my fear of doctors and am getting help with a troubling sleep disorder.  I'm starting to feel like I'm living again.

9. I'm grateful that Keith's family encouraged him to buy his grandmother's house when she passed away.

10. I'm grateful that I grew up in Southern California.

11. I'm grateful for the color blue.

12. I'm grateful for stenography and the lawyers who believe in my skills.

13. I'm grateful for crayons and little boys who like to use them.

14. I'm grateful for Dora the Explorer...my kids are learning more Spanish than I was interested in learning when I was a kid...even though I'm Mexican!

15. I'm grateful for tortillas.

16. I'm grateful for watercolors and pencils and photography.

17. I'm grateful for glass and how fun it can be to melt it.

18. I'm grateful for Laura Pausini sharing her voice with the world.

19. I'm grateful for Carlos Mencia telling it like it is.

20. I'm grateful for my husband wanting to learn how to fix and build things his whole life rather than how to tie himself to a desk.