Ahhh, the sight of vibrant flame colored poppies and sunshine stained mustard abounds throughout the Central Coast. Spring has definitely sprung! Here are a few hand painted odes to spring of my own!
Spring awakenings
Green Green Green!
It is a verdant and lush paradise throughout the Central Coast of California! Thought I’d share a few photos taken by my lovely husband, Steve:
I am a Reader
Books are a lifeline, a journey through our imagination to other places, times and adventures, so it’s shocking and sad when you realize how many people can’t afford to buy them. Jenny Lawson, The Bloggess, has created a Booksgiving where people can post if they need a book and others can give. It’s awesome! Go and read some of the wonderful things people have written and the generous people who have freely given in response to those in need. In addition, there are so many other ways to give and I wanted to include two of my favorites: First Book, that helps distribute books to children in need and The Harry Potter Alliance and their Accio Books campaign to donate books to help build libraries. I really just wanted to pay it forward by sharing a way for folks to participate in the joy of reading!
Winter Scenes
Yes, California is getting rain, lovely rain! The hills are a verdant green, the skies change daily from a vibrant blue to cozy up clouds and rain falling in crazy chaotic drops, with gusts of wind to liven things up. I thought I’d post a few pieces of hand painted jewelry with miniature winter scenes. Enjoy!
Holiday Show!
Yep, the holiday season is approaching fast and getting ready for it takes advanced preparation. So to help everyone out I’d thought give y’all a sneak peak at the Handcrafted for the Holiday Show coming up at Studios on the Park in Paso Robles. It runs November 27, 2015 – December 27, 2015 and will showcase a myriad of exceptional and truly fine crafts. An easy way to find those many gifts needed all in one place! Check it out at Handcrafted for the Holidays November 27, 2015 – December 27, 2015

Setting up for Handcrafted for the Holidays Show at Studios on the Park
Sparkle for the holidays!
It’s November and the holiday madness begins! Enjoy it with the brilliance of a multitude of sparkling gemstones, resplendent geodes, and intricate chainmaille. Time to shimmer and gleam with tourmaline, amethysts, moonstones, chrysoprase, morganite, ametrine, labradorite and many more gems and agates of all hues! Shiny!*
*Shiny Firefly reference people, yes? Really, one of the best scifi TV shows ever, cancelled by those-who-shall-not-be-named 😦
-I am a leaf on the wind, watch how I soar
-You can’t take the sky from me
…anyone?…..
All right, more jewels instead (still shiny! 😉 )
PS All of this and more will be in Studios on the Park in Gallery 9 beginning next week. Come to Paso Robles and see all of the wonderful artists and activities going on in the gallery!
Maxfield Parrish Days
Here are some hand painted and embossed necklaces to echo the continuing magnificent days and nights we have had! (let’s not talk about the insane drought we’ve been having…)
Beauty in the Romance
For some reason, the brilliant summer sunlight, the vibrant hummingbirds in the yard, and the intensely blue skies with sunsets that defy the imagination all remind me strongly of Maxfield Parrish’s romantic and dazzling artwork (click on the links to see his bio and work). I have always loved his figures who are evocative of romance and play. It has driven me to find a little of that feeling in my jewelry. So here goes!
- Emerald Lady Necklace
- Adorned by Garland Necklace
And here is my favorite Maxfield Parrish- breathtaking isn’t it!
Faces
I really love exploring new ways to be creative and am completely enamored of these lovely faces! Of course my workroom now resembles World War III -utter chaos due to the growing amount of new tools, jewelry parts, and oh so many many ways to color and paint!

Searching Woman Bracelet An art deco inspired woman softly shines through an opalescent swirl of lilac, pearl and midnight blue.
“Why do we never get an answer when we’re knocking at the door?…”
Yes, that was tease for you Moody Blues fans! So please enter new doorways with a few answers 😉
- Firefly in at Sunrise Necklace This golden firefly is winging his way among crimson and gold hand tinted, embossed flowers. Alcohol ink and acrylic paints are used to color the rich doors.
- “In all things of nature there is something of the marvelous” Aristotle
- Door to New Roads Necklace Moonlite skies guide our swallow through the trees. Hand embossed, painted and delicately tinted doors, with a riveted moon at the top reveals what is within!
- “Still round the corner there may wait a New Road or a Secret Gate.” -JRR Tolkien
And since I am obviously a devoted Moody Blues fan, I thought I’d give y’all a Moodies break with “Question” :
“Why do we never get an answer
When we’re knocking at the door
With a thousand million questions
About hate and death and war?”
Oh heck, here’s the whole thing, enjoy!
- Doorway to Tomorrow Necklace Shades of saffron, emerald, verdigris, and lapis blue beckon to you to open the riveted handles and peek inside.
- Doorway to Tomorrow Necklace Ah, what lies within?
- “Light tomorrow with today.” -E B Browning