Christ is Risen

Just wanted to wish all my family and Eastern Orthodox friends a happy Easter! Christ is Risen!

Frida Kahlo from the eyes of a Jewelry Artist, Physical Therapist and Rheumatoid

My thoughts after viewing the Frida Kahlo exhibit at the Philadelphia Art Museum today:

Although Frida bared all in her paintings, one is left with the feeling that she would only allow you to see those parts of her she wishes you to see. There are parts of her kept hidden. She will bare her breasts but never let you see the wasting of her right leg and foot. She allows you to see her innermost secrets, struggles in her relationships, and physical pain but still reserves the deepest part of her. Her sexuality is put on display because that is not what makes her vulnerable. She paints herself crying, unibrowed and mustachioed, but that is not what makes her vulnerable. What makes her most vulnerable is that which is beyond her control. Never once is a visual image of her legs revealed. Always directing attention upward, her hair ornately braided and coiffed. Ears and neck adorned in jewelry. Hands dressed in rings on every finger. Breasts bared, nipples erect but our Frida only rarely depicted from the waist down, shrouded in layers of skirts, pants or a shroud of white. A limp out of view from prying eyes.

My answer to why she painted herself with such a prominent unibrow and mustache in some paintings has nothing to do with wanting to appear masculine. It is the simplest of feminine afflictions. It has to do with what all women see in the mirror each day. Our flaws magnified when we are sad, have pain or just feel run down. On good days we are Goddesses, on bad days, merely mortal and sometimes both in the same moment. Perhaps this is the real story of Frida’s work. Her subconscious view of herself on the day she painted, ugly or beautiful and an acceptance of herself. How what she saw in the mirror revealed her mood and level of self confidence on that day, and that day only. In all of us it waxes and wanes day to day, hour to hour, minute to minute. And so, we find Frida. She is real and makes no apologies. Some days she overcomes the pain, some days she is "ugly" with it. Exaggerating her physical attributes as a barometer of her inner demons.

Frida in her paintings becomes every woman, not afraid to experiment, not afraid to reveal her feelings, not afraid to criticize, not afraid to try different things and new mediums. But she still keeps some things to herself.

More new jewelry and Class announcements

More new classes being offered through the Lancaster County Art Association for Summer!! Check them out at http://www.lcaaonline.org/. The new classes may not have been added yet, but they will be soon. Their webmaster, Ginny is really FAST! Well, besides the fact that I was the last teacher scheduled. Thank goodness I'd been thinking of this and planning for my next classes. I will be doing an extended workshop in the fall. I'm still mulling over ideas and getting my act together on that one.

Earrings Earrings Earrings Wednesday June 25 6-8 PM. Learn to make at least four different designs, learn crimping, working with silver and gold filled square wire, silver plated beading wire, and wire wrapped loops. All the techniques to make anything you want.

Pearl Bracelet with Vintage Button Closure Wednesday July 30 6-8 PM. Learn how to make a triple bracelet with a button closure. Learn crimping and stringing with beading wire. Simple design, elegant effect.

Two drop Peyote Cuff Saturday August 2 9-12. Learn the two drop peyote stitch and how to embellish after creating the cuff bracelet. Use a button or traditional clasp for the bracelet, your choice!!

New jewelry


I have just been in love with wire lately and was trying to design something inspired by the Frida Kahlo Exhibit in Philadelphia at the Art Museum that I will be attending this Friday. I am a big big big Frida groupie. Wierd, I know, check out her art though. It is so raw, so real, so inspiring in color and content for me. So, I needed new jewelry. Here are some earrings and a necklace I made. The earrings are so big that I really can't wear them with the necklace so I'm making new earrings that will be a little smaller so that I can wear them together.

My Babies

Okay, totally self indulgent here - I just wanted to share a couple of pictures of my new kitty Nyssa and my ferret Kyra. First Nyssa, she's a rescue from Castaway Critters, she couldn't have been more than 12 weeks when I got her, she was so tiny, but she's sure growing now. She's definitely a maine coon mix, more maine coon than mix I believe.

now, here's Kyra, our ferret who never stands still but managed to pose for me just this once. Thanks so much for indulging me.

More New Work

A fairly new collar to my collection that I have not yet posted. Bead embroidery on Lacy's stiff stuff,then backed on leather. Herringbone neck in varying bead sizes to give it that gentle curve, toggle beaded clasp.

Latest Work

Can't stop playing with wire lately. Learned Viking knit this weekend at Wire Fest in Phila. I'm addicted. NEED MORE WIRE!! Want MORE COLORS!! Should have stocked up at parawire. Will have to order off the internet now.