Eli Scarr filmed and edited this video.  He created it for consideration at the downtown Lexington Pavillion screening by the Lexington Film League on April 22, Earth Day.  Scarr has other community-themed videos on his youtube channel:  cineaste16.  His youtube video Clean Acres Farm was produced for Alltech's online film festival last year.

"To be rooted is perhaps the most important and least recognized need of the human soul."
-Simone Weil

 

May you give birth to an even truer version of yourself in the coming year.
"To claim your light is a revolutionary act."-Willow Arlenea and Jasmin Lee Cori

I was asked to create a custom piece featuring a sea turtle. I had to do a bit of research to do so and discovered some pretty fascinating aspects, especially the way they are shaped. The customer was correct in asserting that the pattern on the back echos a labyrinth. It was fun discovering how intricate I could get while still maintaining a clean, minimalist look.

POP-UP ART STORE

• Where: MS Rezny Gallery 903 Manchester St.
• When:   Thursday, December 15th from 4-6:30pm
• What:    There will be various artists showing and selling their work.  No admission and light refreshments will be served.  

JEWELRY AND JOURNALS CHRISTMAS SHOPPING EVENT

• Where:  The Tibbetts House 4009 Hillside Drive 40514
• When:   Wednesday, December 14th from 6-9pm       
•              Sunday, December 18th from 2-6p           
•  What:  AmandaMade and ReImagined by Luna present two shopping events for all your Christmas shopping needs!

AmandaMade jewelry offers a large variety of handmade jewelry including wire wrapped pendants, rings, bracelets, and necklace sets. Custom orders placed will be ready in time for Christmas.

Invite your friends :

 I've just made alot of new product available online.  Be sure to check it out.  Also, I am having an End of the Year SALE and have marked particular books down 20-35%.  The photos below are examples of new product now up for grabs in my online shop.  Happy Shopping!

 I am doing an online sale today only.  Since many of us will shopping online today anyway given that it's Cyber Monday, stop by my online shop for 25% off your purchases.  It will end at 10pm tonight.  Just put in the code CyberMondaySale2011 when you get ready to check out.

"The trees in the storm don't try to stand up straight and tall and erect. They allow themselves to bend and be blown with the wind. They understand the power of letting go. Those trees and branches that try too hard to stand up strong and straight are the ones that break. Learn the power of the trees. Let it flow. Let it go. That is the way you are going to make it through the storms."

-from The Legacy of Luna by Julia Butterfly Hill

I've had a gypsy line of journals for awhile now.  These gypsy journals come in various colors and patchwork layouts with fun stones and beads to accent them.  I've combined this idea with my hand-stitched words.   Here are some examples of the latest.  

Yes, that title was taken from a Lykke Li song. Speaking of dancing songs, check out Iron and Wine's Boy with a Coin if you haven't done so already.  So beautiful.  I spent this past weekend selling at a dance workshop.  The people that were there wore the most inspiring colors and flowy materials.  Since I knew this workshop was coming up, I created a couple new lines of journals geared towards dancers.  These dance journals are designed to inspire and encourage dancers.  You can use them for taking notes at class, for reflecting on what arises in you as you dance, or for prayers that you may find yourself dancing.  They are covered in fun colors and added embellishments, including braids and bells.  These are not yet available online, but please let me know if you are interested in one.

I did my first art show in Chicago this past weekend.  I now officially know that not only am I capable of doing it, but that I also enjoy being there.  Because it was a combined art and music festival, the show times were different from what I typically experience.  This one opened at noon and went until dusk.  It did give me a bit of time in the mornings to wander the streets and enjoy some of the city, particularly Sunday morning since I didn't have to worry about setting up.  While Sunday was a serious scorcher weather-wise, it was an overall good first show in the city. 

I travelled to the woods of Berea, KY this past weekend.  They were absolutely enchanting with tall trees surrounding the paths that were lined with incredible artists.  While it rained a bit on Friday (only a slight deterrence to serious art shoppers), we had sunny skies and intense heat the rest of the weekend.  The trees were great about providing shade here and there.  We all just sweated alot and enjoyed each other regardless.  It was fun to see familiar faces and meet new folks as well as get to know some other artists. 

The lovely people who organized the event had all the vendors out for some soupbeans, cornbread, and good ole music.  The musicians organized themselves and played fiercely while the rest of us embraced the down time and watched Josie do a bit of fire hula hoop dancing.  (For those of you who know me, you know this was a particular highlight).  Yes, I tried the hula hoop.  No, I did not try the fire. 

 I am most thankful for the interactions this past weekend.  It was fabulous being back in Berea for a bit.

People for Urban Progress (PUP) invited me to their studio to participate in July's First Friday.  It was a fabulous evening.  Thanks to all who came out! 

Perfect Traveling Companion.  Small, but thick with a nifty pen holder closure.  Ready to come along on all your summer adventures.

"Melissa Oesch of Re-Imagined was selling upcycled handmade journals, sketchbooks, and notebooks created from handmade paper and imaginative leather covers. I thought her use of old classic book covers that sandwiched blank paper—to write your own version of a classic—was a piece of creative genius. I picked up an old copy of “The Essentials of an Enduring Victory” and flipped through the blank pages, whiskers twitching with victorious possibilities. What a clever girl that Melissa was!"

Check out the full article about the Cherokee Art Fair at Toulouse LeTrek.

This past weekend was Cherokee Triangle Art Fair in Louisville, KY.   One of the many highlights were the variety of exclamations people would make as they walked into my booth.  One gal walzed right up to the booklet necklaces exclaiming "I require one of these!"  Another lady picked up a large leather journal as she said" Wow! This work is amazing."  It was a delight to hear all of the feedback.  This is definitely one of the perks of participating in a show.  Its also fun to watch folks pick everything up and truly experience all of the textures.

I set up on Friday and was immediately even more excited about the show once I saw where it was. Cherokee Triangle is a neighborhood with gorgeous homes and ancient trees.  I was completely enchanted.  The weekend was full of oh so many interesting, genuine folks of all ages.  We had sunshine all of Saturday, and did we ever need it.  With so much rain here as of late, everyone could not have been in a better mood-myself included. There was a storm late Saturday evening, and I arrived at a quite disheveled booth on Sunday morning.  Nothing will wake you up like some good old fashioned manual labor.  The top had come off of my canapy, and my tables and displays were overturned.  Lots of things were soaked.  Thankfully, I had put all of the books away the night before, and none of them got wet.  I called upon all things creative and got right to work putting my canopy back together and attempting some sort of display with what I could still use.  It all worked out, and although it was suppose to rain all of Sunday, it did not rain during the show.  As soon as I packed my car up and closed the door, the drops began to fall.  Its pretty amazing that the weather was so merciful.  I kept telling everyone that I felt like we were being given a present.  

Having never done a show in Louisville prior to this, I have to say that it did capture me.  I thoroughly enjoyed the people that came through.  The streets, trees, and many local restaurants were magical. Everything was conducive to a fantastic weekend.  Thanks to all to came out!

Just in time for spring, lots of new flower designs are bursting out of my studio! All around buds are opening up, and plants are growing once again. Here are some bold, funky flower journals to remind you of the transformation that is happening.

I'm pleased to announce that I am now a member of the Kentucky Guild of Artists and Craftsmen.  I'm excited for the new opportunities and contacts this will present.  Thanks to Gin Petty for her mentorship, tips, and amazing humor.