time

When you come to the end of your rope, tie a knot and hang on.

Franklin D. Roosevelt

 Time has a way of passing by so fast, 

sometimes I have to look back to see where I've been.

I know because I have been there this year.  

Each month of 2010 seems to melt away faster than I imagined, 

yet slower than I want it to.

I (continue) to count the days, hoping with all hope, 

that I can indeed retire at the end of this year.

I have been at my full time job for 21+ years.  

Not a long time to some, but long to many.   

Just this last weekend I sent off five more class proposals, and do hope they are accepted, as the additional income will be so appreciated.  The fact that amazes me the most is that I BELIEVE I will finally have the opportunity to make art full time,

(teaching included)

which is really what I have wanted to do all my life.

Just this last weekend, I attended a class in Austin with the talented Stephanie Rubiano.  My friend, Agnes and I drove up on Saturday to take Steph's class,

which she will be teaching at 

Art and Soul Las Vegas and Art and Soul Hampton in 2011, 

called

"House of Cards".

It was one of the most fun classes I have taken.  

Partly because of just being in Stephanie's home (presence), 

where not only her art resides, but art of fellow artisans, 

in great abundance.  I respect her for that.

And, you have no idea what you just might see in 

Studio Rubiano!  Pure magic =)

It turned out to be a full day, 

in which I didn't completely finish my project (I was close), 

until Tuesday night.

I always tell myself to relax, have fun...visit more...take more pictures, 

but remember the time word?  

There it was again, 

staring at me with that beady "i"!  

I knew I wanted to finish (in class), because once home, I have jewelry to concentrate on....Marburger is on the horizon!

Oh well, it worked out in the end, and here it is, my

"House of Cards" 

called 

"Time".

The fun part of this little piece (extra trim from the roof) which I added, is that it actually had the word "time" one it, 

and I didn't look for it until I had already attached it!  

Oh, I love it when that happens!

I went into class that morning not really knowing what I wanted the theme of my piece to be.  But, once I started looking into my bag of goodies, I found some vintage watch faces and parts I had brought along, and then it just took off from there.

Each side has either a watch face, and/or clock hands.  

The words I used also have something to do with time, which btw, I took way too much time (in class) trying to find the words I wanted to use from an old book I had stuffed into my bag the night before.  

But, I have this thing about using original vintage text...there is nothing like it!

I had just gotten some beautiful, odd shaped mother of pearl oyster shell buttons from an Etsy dealer, MyraMelinda,  so I used them here, and then as a border trim here.

 

 And here.

See the aluminum initials?  
It is a D and a C which Stephanie gave me in class.
Letters that are actually used on telephone poles!
Perfect!
I signed my piece by the initials....
(don't forget to always leave your mark =)

 We, of course, had to make and add one of Stephanie's signature crowns somewhere!  

Mine landed atop this little girl's head, which I adorned with cute little star brads.

Did you see some of the other stars I used?  

You can find them on three of my pictures above.

(If you can find them, let me know *wink*)

Here is the finished piece.

(Click on pics to see the bigger picture =)

"Time"

 

~ Side One ~

~ Side Two ~

"Time"