The other morning, after waking up from having a nightmare inside of a nightmare, I realized a something. I have been spending too much time pushing in the wrong directions. Some of it is business related, some of it is personal, but what it comes down to is the need to pull back. The internet is a strange

...they add up. The to-do lists, the obligations, the chores--they can quickly overwhelm you, if you let them. Sometimes, you just have to step back, and take a moment. Take time to breathe. Most things can wait. Take time for friends--whether in a phone call, a text, a short visit, or one that lasts all day. Many of

This is happening. The Halite is here. The new pink notebooks are on their way. There will be trips to equestrian stores for salt licks this week (and somewhere to pick up carving tools). And copious amounts of salt will be purchased. Possibly a trip to the coast for saltwater. This is happening. When Sonya passed away, I

Next week, I will be participating in OCAC's Annual Holiday Sale!! All proceeds go towards student scholarships. Come on out, get your shopping done, and support our students! I was one of those scholarship students, and I can attest that I would not have finished my degree if not for the assistance I was given. There's always amazing

Artists are notoriously attached to their work. I think it is really only with practice that we learn to detach. I realized the other day, as I was finishing up some orders from my clearance sale, that I had finally reached a place of truly saying goodbye to old designs. In the past, I've always wanted to leave

.....to get gorgeous goodies and gifts for 50% OFF! Head on over to my Etsy Shop to see what's on sale through Friday!

 Seed Pod Earrings You may have noticed a few new things happening lately. New shapes. New inspirations. New goals. Over the past three years, my little Etsy Shop has puttered along, kind of in stasis. Now that I have graduated, I find that the more time I spend with old work, the more I realize I have changed.

This week, I embark on a new journey. Rather, a new leaf in a continued journey--because what else is life? My work schedule as Studio Manager at OCAC has changed, which now allows me a lot more time to work in my own studio! This means new beginnings in a whole host of ways--new routine, new studio, new

A month ago today, my dear friend Sonya Scott unexpectedly took leave of this world. She had only been in my life for a handful of years, but she had an enormous impact. Not only that, but she was one of the only women I have met who I have instantly connected with and felt immediately close to.

Here she is--a space of my own. The studio is almost all completely set up, and it has felt so good to sit in there, doing inane things like filing and sanding. As always, even on the worst of days, my studio can calm all of my fears and hurts, taking me into a completely different state of

Perhaps it is the changing seasons, but maybe it is something more. I can feel things changing within me. I haven't been journaling, although I know I should. Time has been a precious thing around these parts lately. Summer has wrapped up nicely. School has started again (not for me--yay!!) and it's been fun seeing all the new

Summer is winding down here, and with those changes also come new beginnings. Specifically, a new studio for me! We are lucky enough to live in a 4-plex that has studios in the converted garages--one of which I have taken over and am in the process of painting. Admittedly, it's been a long process trying to fit painting

If you know me well, you know that I am a Jill of All Trades. Metalsmith, woodworker, nanny, house-sitter, pet-sitter, studio manager. It all started when I returned to the U.S. from Australia and came back to school. I started nannying, thinking it would be a temporary gig (9 years later....), and slowly families started asking me to

Amy Tavern | We Walk on the Same Ground | Image by Hank Drew Inspiration comes to me from many corners of my life. I was recently tagged in a 'blog tour' by Amy Tavern, a friend and fellow metalsmith. I have admired Amy's work for many years--not only the end products themselves, but the process that she

Real life has been filled with many things... Friends, who have barbecues, house warming parties, and surprise me multiple times for my birthday. Gardening, where I find myself in constant battle with rose bushes, and hoping that my baby veggies will grow big and strong. Adventures with my hubby where we play with horses or climb up hills

 Not Up For Discussion plaster, joint compound, paint 11" x 12 1/2" x 10"  You Might Not Hear Me sterling silver, magnets 13" x 10" x 9"  Unsent Letters No. 2 wool, cotton, nickel silver, sterling silver dimensions variable  Unsent Letters No. 2 wool, cotton, nickel silver, sterling silver dimensions variable Catch & Release: A Memento fine silver,

A couple of weeks ago, the Thesis class from OCAC met up at the site for our off-site exhibition to pick out our spaces for the show. Very exciting stuff--I'm looking forward to showing in this space and being surrounded by fantastic artists! JUNCTURE opens May 16 at NW 10th & NW Hoyt in Portland, OR. The opening

Wednesday, April 30, 2014 Orals Thesis Exhibition Hoffman Gallery Oregon College of Art and Craft 4-6 pm Hope to see you there!!

I've had two wonderful photo shoots with my dear husband the past couple of days, and had to laugh at this photo because my pupils are two different sizes! Guess that's what happens with different lights and flashes. Luckily, David Woody is a whiz with post-production work and I know my photos will turn out fabulously. These were

It's all wrapping up, winding down. Not quite the end, but the end to a lot of things. The pieces have been made, the paper is written. There are no more meetings. Experimentations are done. There is a sense of both relief and disbelieving panic at the same time. On Monday, I start installing my work in the