I Am Thine

*Vintage sheet music I tucked and glued inside the top of my daughter's memory box*
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"Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind." - Theodor Seuss Geisel (Dr. Seuss)
Quote taken from a fellow artist, Nina's inspiring blog.
What a beautiful quote ~ really! What a "freeing" quote ~ really!
I have been living life. Busy with my jewelry. Busy with my full-time job in downtown Houston. Busy designing/re-working my studio/office.
(Thank you my dh for such a wonderful birthday present!)
I have a full life. It is a good life. And, for that, I am thankful.
This past Monday I began the online workshop, Visual Poetry, with the talented Susan Tuttle.
I have had Photoshop Elements 6 on our home computer for 2 years come Christmas. I knew it was time. Time to learn more, and from who else but Susan?
Each week we have 3 projects, and will so for 4 more weeks. I am basking in the possibilities of what will come of this. Jewelry pictures ~ yes. I have many. Life pictures ~ many more! Of course, I will be sharing. Your comments mean so much to me. More than you know.
So, if you are out there, lurking, not commenting OR commenting....well, here is your opportunity to let yourself be known (to me). I am having a small give-away. The gift will be a surprise. Yes, you won't find out what you win until you do......
(Drawing will be October 7th at 7 pm CST).
Note: I am on my way to Warrenton tomorrow. I have posted about it here many times. I will be there for 3 days~straight! And, with my dd.
Heaven for sure.
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More photos from the Visual Poetry group are here. I am thrilled to share!

And, oh yes, I have been designing some new pieces.
"Tulip Treasurers"
"Rhinestones & Crystals"

There's Always More

My plate was running over with excitement, as I prepared another class to add to the series I will be teaching at Round Top in the next four months. See the new icon just below the Feather Your Nest 101 class

I'll be teaching on October 24th?

"My Heart"
Resolutions of the Heart is another great class to learn basic wire wrapping, various wire connecting links, how to incorporate vintage rhinestone jewelry into your jewelry designs, how to patina and ETCHING! Yes, we will etch. So, I must say it now, if you have been itching to etch (LOL), this is your opportunity to try it under supervised conditions.

The pictures above were taken on Monday for the class flyer, but on Wednesday I received an envelope full of new Etsy finds. I decided to add the gorgeous little religious metals I bought from one of my favorite Etsy sellers, so now...........I think it is complete.

Adorn Me! 2010

It finally happened! An national art retreat in coming to Houston!

Adorn Me! 2010

Linda Young, of ART Unraveled, has put together an exciting jewelry event, with the most diverse group of jewelry/mixed-media artists.

When? March 2-7, 2010

I am so blessed to be one of the instructors, teaching two classes. My first class on Tuesday, March 2nd, is called Crystal Princess: Using Vintage Crystals in Your Jewelry Designs.

I have a huge stash of vintage crystals just waiting for both old and new jewelry friends to use....your choice!

Linda used one of my Princess pictures in the event banner! Sweeet!! Do you have any idea how much fun you can have designing this Princess? What a glorious mix of elements. Your imagination will soar with endless possibilities!

Or, how about this one? I have been wearing this Crystal Princess almost non-stop since I designed it for the class proposal. I just love the mix of vintage rhinestones with oxidized sterling silver and bronze wire. The vintage brass beads I found on Etsy are just beautiful, as they have the most luscious patina that only time can give them!
The second class, Rhinestone Dreams, will be on the last day, Sunday, March 7th! I love that I have all the days in between the two classes I teach. It gives me the opportunity to take a couple myself from one, two, or maybe three of the other 25 artists teaching at the retreat, such as Diana Frey, Riki Schumacher, Deryn Mentock, Ruth Rae, Richard Salley, Jane Salley, Amy Hanna, Thomas Mann, Sherri Haab, Stephanie Rubiano, and Keith Lo Beu...just to name a few.
Rhinestone Dreams will teach you how to incorporate a vintage rhinestone brooch, dress or shoe clip, into your next favorite piece of jewelry. But, you will learn much more than that....just look at the class description for all the details.
Don't forget to sign up for the artunraveled Yahoo Group so you can keep track of the latest news, information and ideas flowing to and from the teachers and fellow students.
Please contact me if you have any questions! Registration is now open, so don't delay.
I look forward to seeing you there!

Feather Your Nest 101

I have been asked to teach a class in Round Top, Texas!

I am excited, not only for the opportunity to beginning teaching; but for the setting in which the class will be held. Round Top is home to one of the country's largest Antique Festivals held twice a year. I have spoken about it more times than not, just how great this event really is, not only for die-hard antiquers, but for mixed media artists. If you are looking for it, it is there. If you can't find it in Round Top, just drive down the road a little until you come to Carmine, Warrenton, or Shelby, or maybe Fayetteville, Smithville, or La Bahia! This festival has spread to cover more miles than you can cover in a day, or quite possibly, a week.

"Feathered Nest"

Original design by Diane Cook

A mixed media piece of art jewelry you will enjoy wearing every day!

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Laura Sgovio, a talented jewelry designer herself, is the owner of SGOVIO, an inviting boutique, located on Bybee Square in downtown Round Top. Just this past Saturday, Laura had a Grand Opening inviting customers to enjoy her shop's expansion, which now includes women's apparel, accessories and luxurious skin care; not to mention jewelry designs from several Texas artists (including myself).

presents

a Jewelry Workshop

with Mixed Media Jewelry Artist

Diane Cook Taught in the historic Haw Creek Church

on Henkel Square in

Round Top, Texas.

Saturday, October 24, 2009

9:30 am - 5 pm

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"Feather Your Nest 101"

This will be the first in a series of classes I will be teaching, each one different and unique.

Please contact me as soon as possible if you are interested in attending, as this is a quaint venue, allowing a total of only 10 students. I will send you more details, which will include the cost of the class, class description, teacher and student's supply list, cancellation policy, area accommodations and directions to the event.

This part of Texas is absolutely beautiful. Coming here in the Fall is just a bonus!

Summer Colors

The latest reader's challenge given by Objects And Elements threw me into a tail spin. The theme: Show us your Summer Color. How do you incorporate turquoise, lime green, hot pink and luscious popsicle-cool color into your handmade jewelry pieces?

I knew I had to use some of the gorgeous recycled silk sari ribbon offered in their shop. It is quite alluring and easy to incorporate into my designs.

"Flying South"

.....was born out of an etched copper pendant I designed. I added dimension using one of my etched scissortails; along with Susan's long nuts & screws and copper tubing, which I oxidized.

Yes, scissortails. You may call yours a swallow. They are scissortails to me, as this bird was always present in my childhood. I remember them so vividly sitting on top of the high wires in the part of Texas I call home.

I used platinum with orient nugget freshwater pearls. Here you will see more O&E pieces. See the tiny nuts and screws below the pearls? These were generously included in the class supplies given to us by Susan in a class I took with her earlier this year in Santa Fe. But, if you visit her shop, you will find all kinds of objects and elements, just like these!
The bronze bezel was definitely a fun piece to use as my nest. I took more of the silk, winding it up and lovingly filled the bezel, just as a mother bird would do making her own nest.
How many times have you seen a bird's nest with fiber woven thru it? Mother birds are quite the engineers. They do as we do, use what they have and don't waste a single thread!
Do you remember the vintage mother of pearl buttons I found at Uncommon Objects? I used one here as the toggle for my silk loop. It matched perfectly with the pearls.
Now fly away and make your own summer color pieces....
.......before the end of summer catches you!

Aubergine

"Princess Emma"

I must admit, I had never heard of the regal hue, aubergine, until Stampington recently issued a call to artists to use this rich hue of purple in a mixed media or paper project for an upcoming issue of Somerset Studio. They asked artists to dig deep into their color palettes to use the color that has inspired royalty through the ages. We might call it eggplant, mulberry, plum, violet, or maybe grape. I call it gorgeous. They submit aubergine to be the queen of the color wheel. Maybe so, but you have to be a

princess before you become the Queen! I am a hard core Etsy buyer. It all began quite innocently. I do occasionally shop on eBay, but Etsy just has more of a draw to me. No bidding....just click and buy.

I began Emma by oxidizing a piece of vintage etched chain. I used 600 grit sandpaper to bring out the highlights in the etching.

I knew I wanted to use the brass pieces I had bought from several Etsy shops, beginning with a connector from Brass Bouquet, as the centerpiece of the necklace. This was also my inspiration for its name, as it was called the Emma filigree connector. Jill's 100% brass is all hand-finished AND made in the USA. This is a huge plus for me~being made in the USA! I decided to oxidize it just a tad more, again using my sandpaper to highlight the high points. I attached it to the top of the chain using two small oxidized jump rings, and just love how it rests there so easily.

Next, I simply began using all of my aubergine colored Swarovski crystals and Czech glass beads. The tulips are marbled glass amethyst beads bought from a new Etsy friend, Gypsy Spirit Studio.

I also added a sprinkle of amethyst nuggets bought from another Etsy favorite, UBB. Her fine gemstones are exquisite.

I did add a few vintage raw brass flower charms, which I also oxidized, from thatsmycharm. A couple of Vintaj natural brass findings bought at a bead shop in Kerrville, and a few Swarovski crystal rondells, which I oxidized.

But, lastly, I have to tell you, Emma truly began with the locket. My friend, Daryl, saw a previous post where I included a picture of the "princess" locket I had added to a necklace for a class proposal. She said she had many chains, and wanted a Princess locket. Yes, Daryl is a Princess!
This gorgeous Trinity Brass Company locket can be bought from Sharon at
Gypsy Spirit Studio. Doesn't it have the most beautiful aged patina? I did not even think about touching or altering it in any way. It is perfect just as is.

But, look inside. A little princess!

I actually had bought a large framed vintage photo of her with thoughts of using it in my class with Stephanie Rubiano. But, I just couldn't take the original frame apart, as it was well bound and I knew I could get a photo of her without dismantling the entire picture anyway....which I did.

I put her inside using The Ultimate Glue, and then gently covered her with a thin covering of mica.

I think I am in love with mica. And, oh yes....aubergine.
p.s. The vintage love letter used above, dated 1935, was purchased thru
Altered Paradise at Regina's Studio.

answer to a mother's prayer

Last February I began an artistic journey with a group of fellow artists, lead by the very talented Seth Apter, in what Seth calls

Disintegration Collaboration.

I jumped in around February 14th. The big reveal date was May 1st.

This project has been brewing in my mind since then, as we were to use element(s) from our

DisCo DisCovery bundle to design, or give new life, to a piece of art of our choosing.

The due date August 1st or thereabouts.

I began pondering the very words of Seth,

"As I thought about the process of disintegration, I saw it not as destruction. Or decay. Or death. But as renewal. Change. And life".

This brought me back to last April, when circumstances (like an artistic journey to California) took place. But more important than that, and I mean life changing important, was the water baptism of my daughter, Melanie.

I had no idea she'd decided to participate in her church's outdoors baptism, held in the cool waters of the Guadalupe River in Boerne, Texas.

It tore me apart to not attend, as it was just several weeks before that I had purchased my airline ticket and paid for my classes.

So with great joy, my dear husband stepped in to video the event. Some of her sweet friends took pictures. But, even more and without a blink, my daughter gave me her blessings to go to California.

So this is why I am mentioning Seth's words, about decay not being death, but rather a renewal or change of life; as it made me realize that is exactly what my daughter did that warm Spring day in April...down in the cool waters of the Guadalupe River. She became a new person. A living soul in the body of Christ.

So with all that said, I have finished my project,

Day at the Guadalupe.

It is one filled with love and adoration for my beautiful daughter. The one I love so very much!

Melanie C. Wait was baptized into Christ on 4/19/2009.

Therefore we have been buried with him by baptism into death, so that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life. Romans 6:4

Right There

Michelle Ward's Crusade No. 32 is right where I am today! I have wanted to post about her latest crusade (since the beginning of July); but a vacation trip, an anniversary, an ER visit, LASIK surgery, a beautiful 5 month old grandson, class proposals AND a full-time job, have put me just a tad behind.

But, here I am, past all of the above distractions, with not a care in the world! Really! Working on class proposals made me realize just how much my jewelry has changed in the last five years....two years....one year!

Techniques have been refined. Lessons have been learned.

I believe you know I have a deep affection for vintage jewelry. Especially, vintage rhinestone jewelry. And, more than that~vintage rhinestone brooches, shoe and dress clips. Just let me loose at an antique mall, store or festival, estate sale or Etsy and eBay! My husband says I am keeping the UPS driver from loosing his job. Yes, he is right....I am.

There is just a certain kind of magic about old rhinestone jewelry. I especially love when the rhinstones are grayed. Reminds me of tarnished silver I suppose, and you know how I feel about that! Without revealing too many details (*wink*), I have to share once again, one of my original rhinestone pieces. The one above (which is just another shot of the piece I used in my blog header), was designed in November 2008. However, my very first piece came around August, 2008.

This line I call "Rhinestone Dreams". Maybe because I dream of using vintage rhinestones (so much).

I had a great time working on the class proposals. Can't show you the pieces (just yet), but here's a small peak. I love this piece.

And, this one.....
Now, onto my next project!

Is it just ME?

Or does every little girl growing up want to be a princess? AND, even when she is ____+ years old, she still wants to be a princess! First, we want our daddies to treat us like one. Then, in elementary school we want boys to think we are one. (Don't laugh too hard). And, it continues on thru grade school, AND high school.

When we are finally grown and have gotten married, we still want to be THE princess! I don't believe we ever get over it! I know I didn't. Well, maybe in the fairy tale sense.

But, even if a broken rhinestone crown still gets me going........I bet it does you too!

Earlier this month I found out about a new event coming to Houston in March, 2010! Yes, Adorn Me! 2010, will be held at the Embassy Suites in West Houston. Linda Young, ART Unraveled, was in town making sure the new facilities would work for the jewelry only event! I cannot believe it will be in Texas, AND just a short drive up the freeway from Katy! A dream come true.

I have been feverishly working on class proposal(s), so keep me in your prayers.

Corrales, New Mexico

Welcome to another one of Seth Apter's brainstorms.

Here is what Seth posted on his blog, The Altered Page, today~

Welcome to Buried Treasure: an online, collaborative project that invites art bloggers to go into the depths of their blogs and dig for buried treasure. Each participant was asked to repost one (or more) or their favorite posts from their own blog. There are so many brilliant artists out there but so little time to explore all their work fully. This gives us all an opportunity to see highlights from posts we may have missed from over 80 artists!

This is my choice of buried treasure from my blog archives, dated March 25, 2009. It brought back some wonderful memories.

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I found I could say things with colors that I couldn't say in any other way -- things that I had no words for. ~Georgia O'Keeffe

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I do know I see way more beauty than I can explain in words. Beauty I feel deep in my heart and in my soul. I felt this way in New Mexico. Now I understand what Georgia O'Keeffe wrote about, as she lived out the later part of her life in Santa Fe. The Chocolate Turtle Bed & Breakfast

Color never became more vivid to me than in Coralles, New Mexico. This is where New Mexico began to come alive deep in my artistic soul.
We spent only one day in this quaint village, but I know it has left a lasting memory inside of me. It is nestled just outside of sprawling Albuquerque. Our time in this unique bed & breakfast, owned by Nancy and Dallas, proved to be an unexpected highlight of our trip.

After a little shopping and having dinner in town, we came back to the B&B. First, there was a (much needed) soft rain shower, and then a double rainbow. How could it have been better than this?

I will proclain the name of the Lord; how glorious is our God.
Deuteronomy 32:3

It was hard to leave. But I will be back. I just know it.

You can see more door shots each Thursday! Just go see David McMahon, who is a wonderful author & photographer, with quite a sense of humor, I might add.