12/12/12 Sale at The Market 2pm

New Jewelry Collection: What Remains

I am obsessed with adding more and more pieces to my new collection of jewelry, "What Remains." Inspiration keeps coming while I'm gathering the perfect bead, button, key or charm for a necklace or bracelet. This time last year, I was making "Tennis Bracelets for the New Millenium." These were wrap bracelets made by lashing old rhinestone chain and leather lacing together, evoking a sort of post-apocalyptic, Mad Max world. I've continued that theme with these designs. I imagine bright and shiny relics catching an observant eye, then rescued from obscurity by a careful collector. She preserves her finds on a chain; her own portable personal treasure trove - everything valuable kept with her, always. Their past monetary value is unknown -  money is meaningless in this new world anyway. She loves each object for itself; diamonds hanging happily beside an old brass key - precious because she found them.

Find the "What Remains" collection at The Market Eau Claire during the month of December!

The Market Eau Claire Open Every Saturday

Yes, we bring you good tidings of great joy which shall be for all seekers of the gorgeous, unique. locally made wonderfulness that is contained within the walls of The Market! Newly extended December hours include every Saturday until Christmas from 10am - 3pm. There are sure to be new items arriving weekly so swing by often. Also, Spoiler Alert!* Justine's planning a VERY SPECIAL SALE on 12/12/12. Link to The Market's Facebook page here

* The 12/12/12 sale is not really a spoiler, just wanted to add to the dramatic excitement of it all because seriously, Justine is making this Christmas so magical! If you haven't entered the whimsical world she has created at The Market this season, you are in for a treat. Come by to find your Christmas joy - and lots of presents to give or to keep!

One Good Deed

"One good deed is more worth than a thousand brilliant theories." So says one of my heroes, Charles Spurgeon in his Morning and Evening devotional for November 25th. That sentence resonates with me because I am, by nature, a dreamer. I dream big. In every realm of my thinking. I have big dreams for the world (peace in Israel and an end to terrorism through honest, respectful discourse) for my community (once people know about all the independent artists and businesses in Eau Claire, they will insist on an art farmers market and lives will be full of beauty and music and artists won't have to deliver pizzas) but mostly for my selfishy selfish self (it's time to reconfigure our floor plan and construct a studio/garage/greenhouse with wood floors to match our existing floors except then we'll have to refinish the existing so we may as well re-do the kitchen too and while this is being done, escape to our house on Sanibel that we will have to buy in order to protect ourselves from dust and paint fumes during construction but also to minister to my parents in Fort Myers which is our CHRISTIAN DUTY and also we could let missionaries stay there whenever they wanted). Hmmm...which dream has the most passion and detail?

Living a life that is ultimately successful in the grand scheme of things, means daily recognition of the tiny moments of opportunity that knock at our door disguised as interruptions. Some examples of those opportunities: seeing the caller I.D. but actually answering a phone call you know will take awhile, opening all the mail and being willing to read about what World Vision is doing, calling, writing, or texting some one who keeps coming to mind. Ignore a divine interruption and you'll cheat yourself, and some one else, of blessing and joy. 

This is not to say all interruptions are divine. Discerning the difference between a time sucking problem and a divine opportunity takes practice and plenty of mistakes. If you are some one who balks at the idea of a schedule anyway, distractions are around every corner and losing focus means a feeling of defeat (and shame - 'why do I just spin my wheels?') as the day slips away. I hate that.

The most helpful tip I have in this regard is that the divine interruptions almost always involve people. Coming alongside people in times of trouble or discouragement has never left me feeling depleted or cheated. It also hasn't gotten me closer to the big ideas - at least as far as I can see. But answering the call of insight, acting on the flash of inspiration that comes as God brings some one to mind, these are the things that make life rich. These are the moments, when added together, construct a life overflowing with meaning and blessedness. 

Oh, I see I just got a text from my daughter so I guess this post will be shorter than expected, dang it! Only kidding. Noticing a sadness to her message, a call to her might be the most important thing I do today. And it wasn't even on my schedule....xo Susan

You can have Charles Spurgeon's "Morning and Evening" devotional delivered daily free to your inbox through Bible Gateway. Here's the link. You won't be sorry!

Charles Haddon Spurgeon

Thank You, Veterans

In Flanders Fields
by John McCrae
In Flanders fields the poppies grow Between the crosses, row on row, That mark our place, and in the sky, The larks, still bravely singing, fly, Scarce heard amid the guns below. We are the dead; short days ago We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow, Loved and were loved, and now we lie In Flanders fields. Take up our quarrel with the foe! To you from failing hands we throw The torch; be yours to hold it high! If ye break faith with us who die We shall not sleep, though poppies grow In Flanders fields.

SJD New Jewelry at The Market

New LAARKS Music Video

I made Human Abstract cookies for premiere night - very fun!

Watch the video HERE. On Thursday, October 25, the music video premiere of "The Human Abstract" by LAARKS - film by Peter Eaton was held at Volume One's gorgeous, brand new The Local Store.  The Human Abstract, written by LAARKS front man Ian Jacoby, is based on a collection of poems by William Blake, 'Songs of Innocence and Experience.' Eaton collaborated with Jacoby writing the video's script. This work certainly may be enjoyed at face value for its exciting story and Spielberg-esque style. Digging deeper, however, one sees what Eaton and Jacoby are saying about the world's way of responding to the mystical experience, encounters with The Divine. The tendency in modern society is to scientifically analyze, deconstruct, quantify, and reduce any human experience into what is understandable and measurable. This process almost always minimizes or even dismisses the spiritual experience, leaving those with a belief in 'something more' seen as crazy, anti-intellectual or superstitious. The film also addresses the all too typical result of man's inability to explain the unexplainable: a feeling of being threatened, fear, desire to control, suppression, and ultimately, tyranny. This multi-layered film perfectly captures the beautiful complexities of the song.
 

DIY Personalized Platter: A Surprisingly Wonderful Revelation!

UPSHOT: Old Sharpie just as effective as oil based Sharpie for dishwasher safe designs on china!

PROJECT DETAILS: I love the idea of being able to commemorate an event, a person, a moment in time with a useful keepsake. As years go by, memories are fading a bit - even those I thought I'd recall forever like funny stuff my kids said when they were little, or nicknames my Grandma had for things. A personalized plate or platter is a great way to preserve these words and share them with the next generation.

I recently did an experiment involving Sharpie markers. My project? In a free-form artsy scrawl, capture all the funny things my kids have said over the years. I planned to write in a spiral pattern around an old white china platter from a thrift shop. I wanted to begin at the center so I could add sayings as the spiral widened. Checking online, my research indicated that most DIY bloggers recommend using the Sharpie oil based marker on clean china, then curing in a 350 degree oven in order to make the design permanent. I dutifully went to Michael's and found the new oil based Sharpies in a big gorgeous end cap display. From amongst the dizzingly large array of choices, I selected a fine line black and medium nib gold marker. They were expensive, yo. Like starting at $3.99 each, if memory serves. I use the wonderful regular old Sharpies (fine line) all the time, buying them by the dozen for about $8.50.

I decided to do a test on the back of a square china plate I got at Target for $3. Once I got the paint flowing to the tip (it was one of those 'press on the tip tons of times until you see ink' pens which bothers me because I think that process dulls the tip and I like a fine line) writing was effortless and fun. I found the paint a little prone to smearing - more than a regular Sharpie so I tried a few sentences with my regular old smear free Sharpie as well. After baking in a 350 degree oven for about 20 minutes, I turned off the oven, and let the dish cool before removing. Nothing smeared during hand washing. So far so good! Then into the dishwasher it went. And....ta-da! I was so delighted with the results, photos were quickly taken and 'show and tell' began to several disinterested parties residing at our address. Both Sharpie markers came out perfectly! So, here's the deal. If you want pens of varying colors and nib sizes, you'll find them in the Sharpie Oil Based Markers Fancy End Cap at Michael's. If you get more of a thrill using what you already have, go with good ole regular Sharpie!

Thoughts Delivered At WRAP Conference.

A little less than a week ago, I had the honor of leading two break out sessions for the Wisconsin Representatives of Activity Professionals at their state conference. In one of the sessions, "Finding the Instructions for Yourself," I read some thoughts I came up with in order to help the attenders gain insight into the special challenges that face rec therapists and activity directors. Several people asked for a copy so the thoughts follow below. I'm glad they were encouraging and hope they encourage others. xo Susan

You have one of the hardest jobs on earth. You belong to one of the few professions dedicated to working with those who have sustained significant losses. Every day, your clients are (for the most part) formerly completely able people who now have significant deficits and are in varying places on the "continuum of acceptance" of their utterly changed lives. This is a challenge. While there are definite guidelines, there is no formula that will work for every client. You're never quite sure where that balance is between encouragement and pushiness; between challenging and impossible. If only people came with instructions or signs that read, "Mary can't hear but is embarrassed so she pretends to be sleeping all the time" or "When Joe is feisty and says, 'Go to hell' it really means 'I feel alone and scared and I don't know HOW to be old so I'm keeping everyone away until I figure it out.'"

So how do you get through? You must do this job because of who you are. Your performance cannot depend on the worthiness or reactions of others. Day after day you try to respond to clients, family and staff with kindness, empathy,and never ending patience. Because the one thing we know,is that when people pass through our lives, we rarely remember the exact words that were exchanged or specifically how we spent our time together. We remember how we felt when we were with them. And for you, your hope is that your clients feel safe, accepted,and valuable.Your words, your actions, your demeanor, never perfect on any day, must be characterized, overall, with kindness, patience, and acceptance. And this, NOT because of the worthiness of the clients, their family, or staff. Anyone who has done this job for more than a day knows that if you're hoping for gratitude or for acknowledgement of your role in a client's life, you'll probably be waiting a long time. Even the ancillary disciplines, therapies or nursing, may not fully understand what you do. This lack of understanding frequently comes off as a lack of respect for your plans or time. You may feel trivialized or pushed aside for the least little bump in the road. How sad.

The truth is, day after day, you are required to form deep emotional bonds with clients that will either leave you or die. In order to do your job well, you must be invested in their lives, in their progress, in their success. As their minds and bodies fail them, you notice. You have to notice in order to adapt and come up with another plan. You spend time thinking about what is best for them, what would benefit them, what would elicit happy memories, remind them of life's goodness, bring them joy. You do it because this is your calling and you believe that these "extras" or "non-essentials" make up what we call "quality of life." The connections, the memories, the change of pace, the new sights and sounds, this is what makes the difference between "living" and "existing." God knows you don't need the hassle of maneuvering six wheelchairs around an apple orchard. You do it because life is for living and where there's life there's hope. And a good life is made up of moments; moments that take effort and planning, and never seem to go the way you expect. But these moments add up to what we call quality of life and that's what you do.You set up environments where these moments can happen.

What you do is hard. But at the same time, it's essential. In a world where clients are living a life they no longer recognize, your invitation to an activity or your words of concern fill needs for security and esteem. Your simple actions convey that they are noticed, wanted, and loved. Thank you.

LAARKS Concert Time Lapse "All of The Words"

 

Cool time lapse of the magical evening that was August 30 at Phoenix Park, Eau Claire. (LAARKS and The Heart Pills). LAARKS new CD will be coming out soon. You can buy their critically acclaimed first CD, "An Exaltation of LAARKS" on iTunes, Amazon or The Local Store! That's my son singing 'All of the Words'...I sure like him.

Martha Stewart's Paper Plate Baskets & Recipe (?)

Link to helpful video tutorial here at Sarah Hearts

Be sure to eat your candy corn - it's made with REAL HONEY!

Candy Corn Dessert, Snack, Road Trip Nibble, & Shameful Breakfast Recipe

You guys know the best combo ever is candy corn* and Planter's Dry Roasted Peanuts, right? If you like Pearson's Salted Nut Roll, you'll love this. My Dietary Inner Yes Man (he's the chubby one on my left shoulder in the devil suit) just pointed out that the ratio is 2:1 peanuts to candy corn** so you get some protein with the sugar. Unfortunately you won't be able to confirm this with him because he just left for the endocrinologist's office to get his insulin doses titrated. These visits happen at the beginning of every holiday when the seasonal candy changes at the grocery store. You know, like when Halloween Mello Cream Pumpkins gradually give way to chocolate covered cherries. It's just part of taking care of himself. And staying conscious, but he doesn't like to be reminded of that.

*Candy corn should be Brach's if for no other reason than its health benefits - it being made with real honey and all.

**According to individual tastes and driving conditions, your actual ratio may vary.

Cheap and Cheerful Sunburst Mirror et al

Amazing Faux Ironwork From Cardboard

 Can you believe how great this looks? Find the great tutorial HERE at Suzys Artsy Craftsy Sitcom. She includes some really beautiful patterns you may download.

A tiny ornament I made with a bath tissue roll after being inspired by Suzy's Sitcom.

Is Citrasolv the New Black?

Citrasolv's Captured Comments from the Orange Carpet Step and Repeat

 Ashley of  lilblueboo has one of the most engaging, inspiring blogs I've ever read. You'll find plenty of fresh, innovative ideas, beautiful photography, and content with depth and humanity. Her Citrasolv tutorials, hints and hijinks are gathered on her lilblueblog  HERE.

Below you can see I am wearing a tshirt on which I used the Citrasolv transfer technique a mere half hour before arriving at the park. Intent on radiating in my son Ian's glory (as his band LAARKS closed out Volume One's Sounds Like Summer Concert Series) I needed to identify myself as Ian's mom. Printing out "Ian's Mom Loves LAARKS" on the mirror image setting of my laser printer, I centered the copy on my tshirt, brushed the back of the paper with Citrasolv, burnished the image with the back of a spoon, et viola! A one-off tshirt personalized for the occasion.

Susan and  WPJ listening to LAARKS at Phoenix Park August 30, 2012 (PBR 12 pack near my right knee was NOT mine - I was watching it for the band - for reals)

DIY Scrapbook Paper

Being the drama mama that I am, I almost entitled this post, "WHAT THE SCRAPBOOK INDUSTRY DOESN'T WANT YOU TO KNOW!" but I'm pretty sure the Scrapbook Industry is sleeping just fine. Plus this idea is great and doesn't need the hype. The key to a cool custom look to your paper is knowing about the wonderful, generous sites that give free fonts in addition to selling the latest and greatest fonts on the market. Have fun. And Scrapbook Industry, I hope this doesn't come between us. xo Susan

FREE FONTS AT:
dafont.com

urbanfonts.com

fontspace.com

Pottery Barn Inspired Cardboard Trees

The EXCELLENT DETAILED TUTORIAL for these impressive trees was found at craftberrybush.com. The photos of my meager contribution are helpful in showing the result in a novice craft class setting. Many times I am asked to teach a class where the participants make a cool low cost art or craft project. Since one of my favorite groups is The Smart Women at Apple Pregnancy Care Center in my hometown, the pressure is on to come up with something more Urban Outfitters than dish towel angel, if you get my drift. I think these trees fit the bill. NOTE: THIS IS NOT A SLAM ON  DISH TOWEL ANGELS WHICH ARE CLEVER, USEFUL AND PRETTY ADORABLE. I tried these trees out with some complete beginners (which may or may not have been children depending on how strict you dear readers are about child labor laws) and was delighted at the results!I encourage you to give these a try. And then make a dish towel angel. For old time's sake. xo Susan

The Inspiration Trees

My tutorial with my opinion re: fan-folding which differs from Miss Craftberry's opinion.

TA-DA!

Wait a sec...are those pages in French? As WPJ would say, "Oh, so you fancy, huh?"

What Can You Do with a Jar?

A used Cd at the bottom of the jar looks quite a bit like sunlit water at the beach's edge

Election Reconciliation: Democrat Donkey & Republican Elephant Coexisting Happily!

Feather Angel Tutorial

You actually bend the wire so the angel/apparition may be hung in the location of your choice!

Cute CD Upcycle - Fish

Upcycle CDs Into Mosaics and More!

A Beautiful Thought About Fear

I had a kind, patient and challenging encouragement from God this morning:

 "Being afraid doesn't mean you're a coward. It means you're human with an opportunity to be brave."

At least I think that's what He said. It makes me want to be brave and keep on keeping on so it's probably Him. Praying we all do more than "hang in there" but soar above in His strength and Spirit. xoxo

New SJD at The Next Market THIS Thursday, Friday, Saturday!

It's the last Market before Easter! This must be true since I noticed that my candy consumption is skewing slightly more chocolaty than fruity this week: from chewy cherry hearts to crispy Fiesta malted milk eggs. Here's a reminder of our new hours for 2012:

March 8th Thursday 12 -6

March 9th Friday  12-6

March 19th Saturday 10-6 

Give your house or wardrobe a whiff of spring with something cheerful and new from The Market!

I've been growing grass in order to provide some real living green in as many places as possible. This is wheat and rye grass which is safe - even healthy- for kids and pets.

COLOR!

Recent jewelry designs embrace fashion's color blocking trend.* Blue beads accented by a vintage yellow rose pendant, or red and pink earrings bring whimsy and instant color therapy to any ensemble.
*Color blocking means blocks of solid colors worn together. It is a super hot trend for spring and summer.

Passion for Pearls and Patina

Other designs you'll see are part of a collection I'll be bringing to the Live Oak Arts Fest on March 31st in Ft Myers, Florida. Pearls (cultured, freshwater, or vintage glass pearls from Japan) are combined with old rosary chain, mother of pearl beads and sea glass to make layered necklaces and earrings that are my current magnificent obsession! Somehow, using the older chain and muted palette make this collection appropriate to wear now in northern climes. These pieces don't scream Little Mermaid or 'My mom went to Sanibel and all I got was this lousy shell necklace' like I was afeared they might. Nope, I'm wearing the necklaces layered one upon the other with a tshirt and cashmere cardi or to fill in the neckline of a button down shirt or dress. I think you'll like them.

 My partners, Justine and Lisa almost sold out during the art crawl so there will be plenty of fresh new furniture and home accessories to make you swoon. Honestly, their stuff is so great: chic pieces that add personality and character to a room while pulling their weight as seating, storage or work surface. As a rule, older furniture is better made and longer lasting than what is produced in foreign factories today. It just makes sense to get items that hold up to years of use while becoming more charming with each transformation.

Don't forget our new neighbors who will be open this weekend. The Better Life Cafe at the top of the stairs is cozy, intimate, friendly and fun. AND, their food and drink is fresh and delicious.
Sandy's Studio Sandy (of Sandy's Attic fame) has a wonderful studio in Suite #121 open on Fridays from 12 - 6. Expect to see fashion forward Spring apparel as well as art, gifts, and accessories.

There's something for everyone on Market days!

Well, Hi There!

Welcome to my new blog, "Artful Additions to Life." As I blogged for The Market (the monthly art market at Banbury Place in Eau Claire) I realized that much of what I wrote about had more to do with the creative life in general than specifically about "What's On At The Market." Hence, I will continue to blog about The Market HERE, but write about my business and the creative life HERE on this blog. I've imported most of the creativity/decor posts from The Market's blog so all that content is handy in one place. I hope this makes sense. As always, please email me or comment with your thoughts. I'd love to hear what's on your mind and perhaps what topics you'd like addressed.