Charming Pendant

Charms and icons are markers of meaning--an ancient form of personal embellishment. Wear on a chain around the neck as a token of memory or aspiration. This blue bear reminds me of the wildness of the Rocky Mountains and the blue bear sculpture that stands two stories tall in downdown Denver.

Costume jewelry is not precious--simply fun.

New silver-plated pendants on 18-inch chain...

lamb
blue medicine buddha
good luck horseshoe
handshake
lucky cats
smiling buddha
prayer flag
globe
pinecone
blue bear

go to......SHOP HERE (top right of page)
click on...The Silver Crayon link

Canvas Shoes

Consider blue brocade KEDS...

Wearing Keds sneakers is the essence of summer for me. When Zazzle began offering these comfortable slip-ons as a print-on-demand item, I quickly created a few designs using vintage fabric patterns found in my scarf and fabric collection.

This asian satiny brocade is regal enough for a queen and instantly casual printed on this canvas slip-on.

I have worn the Leopard Shoe since last summer. The slip-on style has a lot of give in the toe area so I find them way more comfortable than ballet flat styles and they remain in good shape after numerous washings.

Black Scratch Tote

I have been carrying around the Black Scratch Tote for about six months. The design is a scanned piece of vintage rayon fabric from a shirtdress I bought at a shop in Denver about fifteen years ago. The buttons were diamond-like sculpted clear acrylic.

The sturdy tote has traveled with me this summer along to Manhattan on Amtrak and even further on United Airlines for on a fun-filled journey to Telluride Film Festival, Denver and Boulder. This is the perfect carry-on bag to stow under the seat. Mine was full of netbook, water bottle, journal, hardcover book, three magazines and medium-sized handbag.

Signs of Spring

I received my KEDS Leopard Slippers yesterday. I love them already. They feel great and the design transferred beautifully.

Who knew back in 1979 that the cool 1950s leopard print scarf that I found in my grandmother's drawer would later become repurposed onto classic sneakers using 21st century technology?

Amazing and incredible!

Pin-Back Badge

The pin-back button has actually been around since the days of George Washington, but the first photo image on a button was Abraham Lincoln in 1860.

During the 1950s it was I Like Ike. In the 1960s we saw JFK For President. I Love The Beatles began turning up, along with the wave of anti-war slogans...

Make Love Not War

Don't Trust Anyone Over Thirty

Flower Power

I have a few vintage smile buttons from the 1970s, an Andy Warhol Velvet Underground Bananna, a 1980s Keith Haring Atomic Baby. I still have a few DEPART IRAQ NOW buttons from a couple years ago. Most recently, I purchased a reproduction of the original 1969 Woodstock guitar neck with white dove at the Woodstock Museum in Bethel, New York (a fun place to visit).

I've gone button crazy creating these silly circles of poetry...Do you ever just WONDER?

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Breathe

We would die if we did not do it...we breathe all day long. Still, each week the yoga instructor reminds the class...

Breath is the bridge between body and mind.

It's good to notice. On these cold days, we stop to drink hot beverages. Lately, I have been enjoying Gen Mai Cha, green tea and roasted rice from Japan.

Breathe and Sip.

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Sit Stay Heal

This command is not just for dogs. We might consider how to heal rather than heel.

I just read Taking The Leap, by Pema Chodron. She mentions a silver necklace a friend had engraved with the words "Sit Stay Heal," a very brief summary of the meditation process.

This pinback badge offers similar encouragement on the path, especially during this busy time of year. Remember to slow down and sit, stay, heal.

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Recipe Binder

I was inspired to create this recipe binder in hopes of winning an upcoming contest sponsored by Avery Products. First prize is $2000. I pulled out all my domestic imagery to put together this collage in the spirit of the 1950s home.

The black and white snapshot on the front happens to be me, but it could be any little girl in the mid-1950s on Christmas morning exploring the gifts designed to train her in the arts of domestic life....miniature stove and dollhouse. I enjoyed playing with both toys and cultivated an early attraction to domestic life that evolved into a desire to make other kinds of things beside dinner. At the heart of domesticity is our human tendency to create...arranging, decorating, sewing, re-purposing, dressing. We are not talking about the cleaning, organizing, picking-up and other endless repetitive tasks of daily living.

Preparing our daily food has always been a part of survival. Like my mother, I clip and save all kinds of recipes, though I rarely use them. Instead of stashing them in a box...why not organize them in an orderly three-ring binder??

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Campfire Mug

I was once a Camp Fire Girl. Our uniform was a navy blue skirt and white blouse with red a triangular scarf featuring an embroidered campfire tied at the neck.

That very campfire is renewed on the face of this mug...along with a quote by the Persian poet RUMI. He wrote Set your life on fire--seek those who fan your flames. I try to follow that wisdom.

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