The Androgyne

Australia is the first nation to issue a passport to a person with gender unspecified.  This rustic necklace celebrates the idea that one need not shoehorn oneself into strictly defined genders of male or female, but that we all fall somewhere on a continuum, just as temperatures range from cold to hot.  My idea here is that whoever you are, you are Hot! 

 A fine old porcelain hot water faucet handle, no telling how long hidden in the ground, emerges as an audacious pendant, with agate and moonstone inlay, hanging from a hand wrought steel chain, with rough nuggets of howlite to cushion the neck.  It’s quite hefty, and you could defend yourself with it if it came to that – but I am thinking the times are changing and we can all benefit by accepting each other, even when we don’t understand.  Open your hearts, my friends.  And three cheers for the Aussies!

The Visitation

Ya’ll coulda swore you left Aunt Hessie back at the old home place, up on the hill at Perpetual Rest, when the family moved west, but now here she is, putting off that soft old scent she wore, carrying her handbag and trailing tatters of lace.  She never left the county once in her whole life, but you might say now she’s a free spirit, and she knows where you live.

Scented Door Knob Doll, with old mother (or auntie?) of pearl buttons, tatters of lace, and a sweet old dried rosebud, stuffed with dried rose petals, Spanish moss, and my special blend, Northwest Gothic, composed of patchouli, balsam, cedar and lavender.  Left on your boudoir door, she’ll alert you with a soft clatter and wisp of fragrance when the door moves.

You’ll never be home alone again, BWA HA HA!!  Just listed at my Etsy shop.

Neo Victorian Allegorical Salvage Cuff

The story of Cupid (Eros) and Psyche has been adopted by Jungians for an allegory of the journey of a woman to individuation -- Venus was jealous of Psyche's pure beauty and imposed her will in the relations between Cupid, her son, and Psyche. To win permission from Venus, Cupid went on strike and refused to fire his golden arrows. After months of no one — man or animal — falling in love, marrying, or mating, the Earth starts to grow old, which causes concern to Venus, for nobody praises her for Cupid's actions. Finally, she agrees to listen to Cupid's demands, according him one thing to have his own way. Cupid desires Psyche. Venus, upset, agrees to his demands only if he begins work immediately. He accepts the offer and takes off, shooting his golden arrows as fast as he can, restoring everything to the way it should be. People again fall in love and marry, animals far and wide mate, and the Earth begins to look young once again. Here, in this reconstructed antique drawer pull, Cupid lies sleeping. When he awakes, that is, when love is in action, the Earth can become young again.   This piece is actually an antique drawer pull escutcheon that has been altered to hold the inlaid resin image of Cupid.

The Sailor Who Fell From Grace With the Sea

Named for the resin inlaid bezel focal piece that reminded me of  Yukio Mishima's novel, The Sailor Who Fell from Grace With the Sea, a story of a man with competing passions, a woman and the sea that he feels is his true and only home.

This neck piece is made completely of things found in the process of decay (or change, more accurately), and it is meant to continue changing.  Collaged to the surface of the old leather pouch is antique text, hand stitching, cotton tatters, recycled sari silk and fragrant beeswax.  It's definitely a statement piece, and not for the faint of heart.  Wear it to remind yourself of the sad outcome of warring passions or hang it on the wall. 

I'm in Print!

My fibula made it into Brenda Schweder's latest book from Lark Press, Steel Wire Jewelry -- that's my fibula in the lower right corner of page 23!  And it's also my photograph of the piece (not the same as the one to the left).  I couldn't be more pleased.  But even more pleasing is the whole book with many hints about working in my favorite medium, steel wire, and lots of examples of the work of other artists, as well.  Do yourself a favor and order a pre-release copy , since the book is already making waves.  It has been produced with the great graphic quality Lark is known for, and it is bound to be a mainstay in many artists' bookshelves.  Even luckier, I got to attend a workshop with Brenda at The Ranch in Snohomish, Washington, for 3 days of projects and advice from Brenda, who is an excellent teacher, and generous with sharing her expertise.  It's been an all-around fine experience for me, and I am looking forward to more work in steel.

May & The Vamp: BFF

They have bonded during the ordeal of their respective facial rejuvenation and makeover, when they met in the waiting room.  The Vamp swears that when the Sheik finds her tent, she will not forget her friend, but set aside some time for them to enjoy a hen party.  (The term may derive from the custom of henna parties, when Turkish women would celebrate weddings with a bride to be and paint their hands and feet with fine henna tattoos.)  Well, the Sheik hasn't yet appeared on The Vamp's horizon, and May has more of an interest in her own inner life, so at this point, the girls are not at much risk of forgetting their pledge of lasting friendship.  They are available as a set, on Etsy, so that their friendship need not be geographically restrained, with a twofer deal on shipping . . .  And may we all remember that a friend in hand is worth two Shieks in the, er, well, you get it.

Filling Marionette Lines -- Doll Facial Rejuvination Process

BEFORE

AFTER

She was getting rather tired waiting for Valentino, and the ennui was beginning to show.  Time for the facial rejuvenation.  Polyester fiber fill is hypoallergenic, and ecologically friendly since it's can be made of recycled plastic; you can see her languor is preserved, but she has lost the slumping cheeks, so perhaps her sheik will remember where her tent is.

Inspired by that old 20s tune (since I got a nice new Uke for Christmas, I am paying attention to such things), "Sheik of Araby," with apologies for ethnocentric misunderstanding those people of the Middle East must endure from us, please just consider it an artifact, just like Aunt Jemima pancakes, and such.  We really meant no harm (at least I think our folks didn't -- it was just sheer insensitivity, you know, unquestioned beliefs?), and we are paying a bit more attention these days, and, I hope, too, more respect, to the culture that brought us Rumi, Algebra, exquisite art, music, and great mysteries that seem to continue to perplex us.  Inshallah, we shall one day all be brothers and sisters, as we should.