gone fishin'

Well, not really. I don't fish. It's also really unlikely that I'll get anywhere near the river at the bottom of the Grand Canyon this trip. But all I'm saying is I'm gone... signing off for a few days and going to the Grand Canyon. No computer while I'm away, so I'll fill you in here next week after we come home. If you've never been to the Grand Canyon, here's a link to help you plan a trip. It's my favorite place in the whole big world.

Adios for now! I'll be back around the 20th.

Sunday evening

This is where we had dinner last night - at Karena's lovely new home... it's an Earthship! A what? Yes, an Earthship. I'm not showing you the house itself because these places are easy to see from the highway, and I don't want crazy whackos to know where she lives. But here's a link to the Earthship Biotecture website. I think it would be fabulous to live off the grid. We're looking at what we can do with solar power once we move to Oregon. The glitch for me is I need really reliable electricity to run my kiln. I know it can be done. I just need to find someone to tell me how. No hurries or worries. Meanwhile, it's so nice to go to another part of town, gaze off across the mesa, and feel like we're on a little vacation. Champagne always helps!

We're leaving on Wednesday for the Grand Canyon! I'm so excited I can hardly stand it! I'll have beads for sale on Tuesday, and as soon as we drop them in the mail on Wednesday morning, we're outta here for a week! Wee ha!

Twinkies to the world

Well don't we just think we're sooooo important here in the U.S. of A? I thought everyone knew about Twinkies. Just arrogantly presumed that all the world was chomping the nutrition-free delicacies... thank you Michelle From Across The Pond for asking what the heck is a Twinkie! I'm humbled, and moved to tell you all about them here...
Observe the Hostess Twinkie...

And a Brief History Of The Twinkie, excerpted from The History of Food, by Chef Stephen Holloway...
"1933 - Twinkies were introduced by The Continental Baking Company in Indianapolis, which also made "Wonder Bread" and had a snack line your probably familiar with called Hostess. One of their bakers named James A. Dewar got the idea for the "Twinkie" while he delivered one of their products, a cream filled strawberry shortcake. The machines to make these sat idle when the strawberry season was over so he came up with an idea to use them to make a snack cake filled with a banana filling, and only charge a nickel for a package of 2. It was good idea as money was tight for people during the great depression.
Dewar came up with this name when driving by a billboard that had an ad for shoes from the "Twinkle Toe Shoe Company". He shortened the name to ....Twinkies....

1940's
Just like the song went "Yes We Have No Banana's " popular during the WWII because bananas were rationed, Hostess had to come up with a different filling.
They switched to vanilla creme and it was popular so they never changed back.

1950
The Twinkie rose to popularity in the '50's in great part due to Hostess sponsoring the Howdy Doody show, featuring the twinkie.

During the 60's when there were huge fears of a nuclear attack, Many bomb shelters were built. Twinkees were one of the most popular items to have because it was said that they "stay fresh forever".

It has become an American Icon, even president Clinton put one in a time capsule.

They remain as Hostess best selling snack cake producing half a billion a year!"

Visit the Twinkie Web Site

There's a whole Twinkie Subculture here in the states... possibly beyond... I wouldn't really know, as I've eaten maybe three Twinkies in my entire life. But in my brief search this morning, I found Twinkie cookbooks, deep-fried Twinkies (ugh!), and this cool picture of Twinkies-To-The-Moon...


And I can't leave out my cousin Ivan's band the Subliminal Twinkeez, or "Sub Twinks". He's young. He's cute. He's talented. He's broke. Buy a CD!

So there you are. More than you ever wanted to know about Twinkies. Need more? A quick Google will turn up mountains of Twinkie Intelligence. And if you live in a Twinkie-deprived country, next time you buy beads from me, ask me to send you one! I can keep a box on hand here for years... they'll still be "fresh"!

something good

Saving the world is a popular pastime these days. Did you hear about Bono and friends doing twenty different covers for the special Vanity Fair issue on Africa? I guess I'll buy one... but not all twenty! Anyway, a lot of "regular people" come up with good ideas for helping others, and a couple of bead-related fundraisers have presented themselves to me, so I'm sharing them with you. I'm thinking you might enjoy these because there are prizes... and the prizes are beads!

Jennifer Dangerfield, over in the U.K., is doing a cool postcard project to raise money for ovarian cancer research. Basically, you send her postcards, she donates her own money for each one sent, and she displays all the beautiful cards on her blog. I sent six... couldn't stop picking them off the rack. I took myself out of the prize drawing because I don't need any more stuff right now... but there are some beautiful pieces of jewelry there... you might want to send her a card and have a chance at the loot! Here's one of my postcards...


Next up, Kirsten Slichter, a customer of mine from Pennsylvania, is working with her church to "adopt" a Karen refugee family from Thailand. These folks have "nothing" in a way that's hard for us to understand... truly nothing. Kirsten has made a gorgeous bracelet, and is offering it as the prize in this fundraiser. To purchase your chance to win, visit her website!


And last, just something cute that made me smile... and feel the need to embarrass my daughter just a little bit, in the name of entertainment. I knew she was somewhere in the house yesterday, but I couldn't find her. I looked everywhere, and it's a small house, so I was baffled... then I went in my room and found her napping with Lucy, in the dog bed. Kids can still warm your heart, even when they're all grown up...

...and the party never ends...

I know I loudly proclaimed that I was having NO PARTIES this summer... think I should loudly proclaim that I will NOT win the LOTTERY, and see if it works the same way...
Monday was Rae's birthday. Of course I took it upon myself to create an impromptu celebration. I think I'm learning how to have an un-planned party and actually enjoy it myself. Good thing to know! I worked all day, so didn't have time for a shower... just washed my face and kept going. We ordered chips, salsa, and guacamole from the Guadalajara Grill. They make the best in town, and cheap! Then we made quesadillas with grilled veggies, and ate them right from the stove. The Very Special Birthday Dessert was served outside by the fireplace. When was the last time you had a Twinkie??? We had ours with fresh strawberries, whipped cream, and champagne. I assure you, it was wonderful! Now can you see the grand earrings I made for Rae? They have turquoise, amethyst, and red CZ drops on hammered sterling silver. They're elegant and queenly in a southwest sort of way. Think I'll need some for myself!

Amanda dropped by for a little while. She will be our real estate goddess when it comes time to sell our house.



And a little catching up... Rick is building a sweet little guest casita out back. It's really more like a sleeping room. No bathroom. Like camping with a real bed and sturdy walls. Only family will use it, but it's already booked up for most holidays and things. He actually made the door. It's beautiful, and in his typical, adorable Virgo manner, it closes perfectly. Next is the little chandelier with crystal stars. We're almost ready for those first guests!

With all this going on, we have very little time for quiet contemplation... the goats are enjoying the labyrinth though!

the Accidental Party...

A while back, my friends Merry and Karena asked if we could have a small get-together at my house... just a few of the Girls, because Merry was going to be back in Taos for a few days and wanted to see everyone. So, OK. Sure, I said. But I have to work, so we'll do potluck and keep it simple. After that, it was completely out of my hands, and by the time Saturday night arrived, it had turned into a full-blown Birthday Party for all of us turning 50 this year. I didn't know any of the people who showed up at my door for the first hour, and was starting to feel a little bit like a caterer. But everyone was lovely, and soon my own friends started to arrive, Rick pulled some pizzas out of the wood-fired oven on the patio, and Karena got the blender going with mango margaritas. It didn't take long to get into a party mood!

People chatted on the patio, and we got out all our old records and dusted off the turntable. (Kids - ask your mom what records and turntables are... antiques from the 60's and 70's!) Everyone played DJ, and danced with shakers and tambourines in the living room. There was cake, of course, and the Beatles "Birthday".

And then came the gifts... Oh no! I hadn't even considered getting gifts for anyone! I was doing well to get a shower in before everyone arrived! And my own particular birthday is still over a month away, so I really felt disconnected from that part of the festivities. But there I was, with a lap full of pink and green tissue paper wrapped packages, all presented with love from my friends. It was touching and lovely, and everything I opened was thoughtful and wonderful. And then I got to the one that made me cry... a book called, "Fearless Women - midlife portraits", given to me by Karena.

I've been struggling with this whole turning 50 thing... not happy about it in any way. I wasn't sure why exactly, but now I know... as I was heading into my 40's, I knew what I wanted that decade to bring. For years I told myself that I would be "amazing" in my 40's. I planned to get things done and make myself heard in the world. I feel like I did more than I knew I could, and the last 10 years have been the best time of my life. But here I am, looking 50 square in the eye, and truthfully, I've been freaking out. When Karena presented me with that book, I realized that I didn't have a plan for the next years, and that I was feeling lost and scared. I didn't have a catchword, like "amazing", to escort me into a new decade. But now I do! My new focus for the next part of the adventure is FEARLESS. I might even tattoo it on my arm, in case I need a reminder now and then. The Fearless 50's... I can do a lot with that!

And so... an Accidental Party became a life changing event for me. And I think everyone else had a pretty good time too. I have quite a few photos, which are all here so my friends can see them without having to download a fat file from my website. The rest of you can skip them if you like. But then again... this life in Taos is pretty interesting to look in on...























That's all... Thanks everyone!

Friday night in Santa Fe

I'm kind of a hermit, preferring to stay home with Rick and the goats most evenings, because our little piece of the world here is usually all we need. But every so often something will come up to get me dressed, fluffed, painted, and out the door... like last night, when our friend Deborah Rael-Buckley had a wonderful reception at the Blue Rain Gallery in Santa Fe. I really do need to get out more. It's always like refueling to go into the big art world and mingle with intelligent strangers in beautiful clothes, surrounded by fabulous, expensive art. Art. The real stuff. It's what's for dinner...

Here I am with Deborah and one of her pieces. I love these. They have so many layers of meaning. I always ask her to tell me the stories because I don't want to miss anything. (Sadly, we sometimes have to settle for unflattering photos of ourselves...)


Jeanne and I have been email friends for a couple of years now. She lives in Santa Fe, but somehow we never met face to face until last night. Yet another reason to get my weary old self out and about more often... actual people!


This is Deborah's husband, Thomas, chatting with the Goddess Of Dry Wit, Anne Taintor, and her husband, Nathan.


Friends Amanda Lora and Rae Domenico joined us for dinner at India Palace. Always a treat to have these flavors we don't find in Taos, and are unlikely to journey to India for. Rae was telling us how the flatbread is traditionally cooked in a large, round, cauldron-shaped griddle, where they slap the soft dough onto the super hot sides of the thing, and it instantly crisps and bubbles. We asked if they had such a thing in the kitchen, and were invited back to see for ourselves. This is not a good picture, but if anyone knows what thing kitchen gadget is called, please tell me so I can find a better photo somewhere.


The kitchen crew looked a little surprised to see the four of us parading through to peek inside the oven, but soon agreed to pose for this picture. And as we headed out the door, one of them caught up to us and handed me the hot bread they'd just made, wrapped in foil, and smelling like a little bit of heaven. We had it for breakfast this morning. Mmmmmmm.... bread and jam and coffee. Life is good.

Troll Bracelet Beads...

Since I've started making the cool silver-lined beads that fit Troll Bracelets, a lot of people have asked me for details on what stuff to get and where to get it. I spent a lot of time looking around, and trying things that didn't work. There doesn't seem to be a lot of specific information out there... very frustrating. I eventually bought a bracelet from the Troll folks in Denmark, as well as one of their beads and another bead from the Pandora bracelet line. Now I think I have it figured out. And to save time in answering everyone individually, I'm here to tell you everything I found out. For specifics on actually making these beads, you'll have to go a-googling. I'm not enough of a silversmith to explain the details. The photo above shows a Troll bracelet with, from the left, a TrollBead, a Pandora bead, a silver bead, and one of MY beads.

So here's a list of What-to-get and Where-to-get-it...

TrollBeads is where I got my starter bracelet. I've read that Pandora beads will fit Troll bracelets, but not the other way around. I like the Troll bracelets better anyway. I ordered a 7.5 inch bracelet and made my own clasp. Theirs are really pretty though. Here's a bead/bracelet compatibility chart to help you out. Uniquely Charming - on ebay.

There are bunches of "authorized" Pandora stores, but here's a pretty good one that somewhere has a nice page to help you figure out what size bracelet to get.
Pandora-Beads.com.

I actually went to ebay to buy my Pandora bead to fit on my Troll bracelet. The seller is Pandoras Box Of Beads. I had a lovely shopping experience.

The mandrels and sterling silver tubing I use for my beads are 3/16 inch or 4.5mm. The tubing has an inside measurement of 3.75mm, and the walls of the tubing are 26 gauge. I get the tubing from Santa Fe Jeweler's Supply, and the mandrels are at all the big glass bead suppliers like Arrow Springs, Glasscraft, and Frantz.

I'm also told that Metalliferous in NY, NY is a good place to get silver tubing.

I use a bead press from Jim Moore Glass Tools to flare the tubing, forming it into rivets. You have to do the finish work by hand. I get my hammers and polishers at Rio Grande.

Any questions? You'll have to ask someone else, because this is all I know! Have fun with these, or buy them from me! And hey! If you have other helpful hints or sources for supplies, please leave a comment here, so we all know what to do! Thanks!

Mitzi's Painting

So last week at the Family Party, Mitzi hands me her new postcard and says, "Hey Cuz, think you can make a bead that looks something like this painting?" Hoo-boy! Not exactly a custom order, but a pretty tall order coming from my favorite artist/cousin. I'd just flat out say NO! to most people, but for some reason I decided to just sit with it and see what happened. Then yesterday, when the weather turned poopy and I gave up relaxing on the patio, I poured a glass of wine and headed for the studio. Magic happened! I got it right the very first try, and as I was finishing it up, a song came on the radio that said something like, "I want to make something beautiful for you..." - I though it sounded like Sinead O'Connor, but I can't find the song anywhere. Anyway, it was cool because Mitzi often says, "Make something beautiful every day." It all seemed to fit so nicely. Today I added a silver core and nice hammered end caps. It's beautiful. I might make more. This one is going to Mitzi so she can wear it to the big Art Show she's doing in Marin in a couple of weeks. I'm so proud of her... and of me, for stepping out of what I think I "do", and doing something that came out really beautiful. But if you're thinking of asking me to make something special for you, well, please don't... There aren't many people I'll do this for, unless of course you offer me a ridiculous amount of money. Hey, a girl's gotta make a living...

See the painting on Mitzi's website. It's called "Ribbons & Spirals".