My husband and I went to visit his parents not too long ago.  While there we got to visit their local bonsai nursery, which is absolutely amazing! I’m now inspired to spend this summer creating a garden plan to implement this Spring in our backyard. It would me nice to have my own little Zen garden. Here’s a peek at some of the tranquil ideas I may try to recreate:

There is nothing better than a heartfelt gift during the holidays. If you want to find a gift made with heart and soul, once again the members of Cleveland Handmade are giving you the opportunity this year. In fact, they are giving you not one, but three different opportunities to find the perfect handmade gift for someone you care about.

Cleveland Handmade is presenting the Cleveland Handmade Market at the Valley Art Center on Sunday, November 22, another Cleveland Handmade Market at the Wooltex Gallery on Saturday December 5, and the Cleveland Handmade Last Minute Market on December 19th (also presented by the Screw Factory Artist and I Made It! Market) at the Lake Erie Building.

Visit http://www.clevelandhandmade.com for times and directions, as well as lists of all participating artists.

My apologies that life and the full-time job caught up with me for October. With our huge Halloween party, I spend so much time decorating, that it seems like I do little else. Now that November is here, perhaps things can get a little more back to normal. I’d like to present you with the Friday Freebie of this week—a chance to win a groovy pair of fingerless gloves from LazyTCrochet.

She’s one of my favorite crochet artists on etsy.

You can win these lovely beauties at clevelandhandmade.com:
[embed]http://www.clevelandhandmade.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/giveaway-lazyt.jpg[/embed]

There are a few simple steps to enter your name, and you can win these gloves free of charge. If you miss out this month, always check back for next months freebie as well!

The Cleveland Bridge Project turned out to be much more amazing then I could have ever imagined. When I heard underground bridge and tunnel tour, I expected some dark, damp places and lots of stone and concrete. I didn’t expect the incredible amount of artistic inspiration. The combination of architecture, worn construction, and penetrating natural elements awe breathtaking.

I will admit I am a bit crazy about Halloween. This year while other people watched fireworks on the fourth of July I was researching ideas for my haunted speakeasy theme. I think perhaps obsession with decorating for it partly may be because the first time I ever decorated for Halloween was right before my father passed away and one of the last “art” like things he got to see me do. It may also be because I can bring together any friends of any race, persuasion, religion and they can still take part in the festivities in some way. Whether it’s the day of the dead, all souls day, or just a random day of debauchery, no one has to be left out.
I got some work done early this year and even managed to be inspired enough to put some holiday items into my jewelry shop

So now I just anxiously wait for Marc’s to get their Halloween decor out, try to determine how soon it is to set things up, and ponder how I may set up early without the new kittens destroying it all.

It’s almost back to school time!  While that fact  may make some parents cheer, it may also cause some teachers to wonder how they will get all the necessary materials and supplies they need for their students in time.    More often than not, a lot teachers take from their already small salaries to purchase supplies for their classrooms as most district supply allowances only go so far.  In school districts that struggle economically, this is even more true.

You can help though.  Each and every pack of pencils or donated book can go a long way.  If you want to find out which needs are most pressing you can ask teachers you know or contact your local parent teacher organization (PTO) or contact the school directly. Adoptaclassroom.org is another way to donate directly to schools, teachers and students in need.

This past Spring I decided to go all out and throw my own personal home show and while I’m not the girliest of girls, I went all out and threw a garden-style brunch.

Of course I had to have door prizes.

Those who brought guests were thrilled with their free gifts.

Food of course was central to the theme, and I was quite proud of the tablescape I created.

Then again the entire purpose was for guest to get to try on,

model and purchase jewelry, which they had plenty of fun doing.

It’s no secret that I am a huge fan of functional art.  I love art that has a use, that has dimension, that belongs in a home.  While perusing Etsy I came across this divine waterlily tray by Blazer Studios.  The shape, structure and patina are absolutely lovely!

Waterlily Tray, $225 from Blazer Studios

Last weekend I had the pleasure of participating in the Beachcliff Art Walk. I wasn’t sure what to expect from the art walk, since this was the very first one, but all in all it turned out to be a lovely event.  The owners of Studio 22 arranged it, and managed to do an excellent job of running it.   We lucked out that the weather was GORGEOUS, they had an amazing lineup of talent, and a never-ending supply of water bottles.

I did manage to sneak away a couple times throughout the day, and thought I would share some photos of my fellow artists.  John Musarra of ARC-REN, Architectural Renderings

He had some wonderfully detailed work.  I was personally thrilled to see that he had one drawing of Mahall’sBowling Alley in Lakewood, which is such a classic place!

Fellow Cleveland Handmade member SusanK (on the left) along with the lovely designer of Silverbay Designs

Abby Wilson, with her Cement Gardens, which happened to look quite lovely in front of the  Pure Enchantment shop.

My latest jewelry display.

I’m not sure why my husband didn’t tell me to fix my hair before taking the picture!    I was so happy it wasn’t a windy day!

So last weekend, Jamie did his first Summer Residency visit at WRUW 91.1 for the Ravers Edge Show.  Of course we had to fly there right after the artwalk at Beachcliff (more on that in a later post)  Throughout the summer Adam (DJ AxelFiel)  is hosting four different DJs with four different styles, to give a sort of musical education.  Jamie of course, has been called on to represent good old techno music. He spent part of his time showing off tunes from the record label “get physical” and the rest doing as he said “whatever the h— I want”

Of course never content to just sit around and listen I bopped around the studio taking pictures of things.  (Jamie, as you can imagine was not happy with that) The result however is that you get to take a peek into the studio.

All of the sets this summer are being recorded so you can listen to them on podcast.  (Jamies was June 27, 2009) Just click on the “view playlists” link for the date you want at The Ravers Edge.

Jamie Tyler, Djing, Doesn’t he look happy to have me take his photo?

Discussing record selections

Just because, well, it WAS the Ravers Edge Show.

Adam, On Air

Left to Right:  Myself and Laura