Volcano Rising

I got a lovely letter from the Mount View Library/4th grade Spanish/English Dual Language Program at Mount View Library in Seattle, WA.

The library class has been studying picture book awards and decided to establish their own award. They created their own criteria, reviewed all the books that fit the category and finally voted Volcano Rising as the winner. They even made up a certificate. 

I am so honored to receive an award like this from the actual kids that read the books I illustrate.

Thanks Mount View Tigers!

bracelet commission

I was asked to make a bracelet similar to one I sold a while back and just heard back from my wonderful client:

'I received the bracelet and I absolutely LOVE it!! Oh my goodness, it is gorgeous!!! What a beautiful work of art in jewelry, you are so talented! I don't think I will ever take it off, well, maybe for the next one. Thank you so much, I am very pleased!'

She made me very happy!

I'd love to make something for you.

RocksandPaperSwans.etsy.com

chicken sketches and paper beads

I know I've mentioned before how much I love chickens - such a wonder of color and pattern; and I get to put a bunch, flock, many, many in the new book I'm working on. Joy!

Here are some sketches. 

 I'm making up new paper designs for these digital collages which will get printed out for a second life as paper bead jewelry! I've already got a batch of beads made up and will post a photo once they are sealed.

It's Spring in TX ...

and the wild flowers are everywhere!

This is a digital collage from a few years ago but I decided to show it anyway. 

The bluebonnets in TX are wonderful en masse but close-up Indian Paintbrush wins the prize for me; 

so much more beautiful! (imho :-))

new pretties in the shop

I've been slow photographing/listing new things because I'm recovering from surgery for a detached retina; not a fun experience but at last here are a few new things. I made a lot of paper beads during this winter's numbing cold and have plans for multi-strand necklaces. Meanwhile I've made some cute lightweight earrings with the beads.

I love this one

I'm so pleased with this new southwestern bracelet, the combinations of colors - red Czech beads, serpentine, jasper, bone and a tiny turquoise heishi just for extra pop. I found some of these beads on a recent trip to Ashville, NC and have been waiting for just the right project. The mix of antique silver, pewter and sterling looks great together; I made this pretty sterling clasp for it and found a lovely artisan sterling cross to dangle from the links that allow it to fit just about everyone. Hope it finds a good home.

RocksandPaperSwans.etsy.com

It's finally flower season!

in the shop at

RocksandPaperSwans.etsy.com

I made these from polymer clay that I textured and painted

and wrapped in antiqued copper wire (or filigree or silver or patina-ed copper caps); they are very lightweight!

 

more new...

lava, hand forged copper, Kazuri focal

and earrings to go with

more pretties from the shop

I particularly love this fun, fun tassel

lovely new things

at RocksandPaperSwans.etsy.com

new work

This is a new piece for Scholastic's StoryWorks magazine -for a poem by Joyce Sidman. Joyce and I did a book together many years ago (JUST US TWO), and it's always a pleasure to put illustrations to her lovely words. This one is called 'Invitation to Lost Things'. You'll have to get the magazine to read it.

I love getting big boxes

of my new books. CHEERS FOR A DOZEN EARS, A Summer Crop of Counting, by Felicia Sanzari Chernesky, and published by Albert Whitman & Company arrived just as I finished the next in the series, SUGAR WHITE SNOW & EVERGREENS.

 

I think I need a rest!

the wonderful Felicia Sanzari Chernesky

I recently finished illustrations for SUGAR WHITE SNOW & EVERGREENS, written by Felicia Sanzari Chernesky. A couple of days ago I was honored and thoroughly surprised to find a gift basket on my front porch from her in thanks for my work. It was an amazingly thoughtful thing to do. She is such a wonderful writer and I am so grateful that my editor at Albert Whitman, Wendy McClure, chose me to work with Felicia.
The book won't be out until next year so I probably shouldn't show anything yet, but here are a couple of images that ended up not being used:

I have the most wonderful customers!

I received the most wonderful email from a new customer for whom I made a bracelet and earrings. She said in part - 'and I am blown away by its beauty, seriously!! wow, It feels very special that it was hand made. I just love it, ... Also, .... the earrings, I love em!! Can't wait to wear them'. 

I love my customers!

I added a patina to the ornate tulip cone/bead and from it I strung strands of turquoise and a mix of Czech picasso travertine in rusty oranges and turquoise with copper beads and rings, and made a lot of pretty dangles (including my new polymer 'helping hand' charm). My swirly copper clasp hooks to a length of chain so that the size is adjustable.

Christmas gifts

I'm always nervous about making jewelry gifts for people, I mean, they have to be polite, right? And say they love it even if it's the wrong color or size or whatever.... Well, I think my sister-in-law really did like her gifts and I'm thrilled. She even allowed her photo be taken while wearing everything. That is the true test! These are the earrings. I forgot to photograph them before I mailed the package so they emailed this so I could remember what I did:

moonstones

pretty new bracelet has been listed in the shop.

It's not too late! Email a cheery gift certificate to a lucky person. I will also mail the card by USPS First Class mail. If you would like it enclosed in one of my burlap gift bags please see that listing (*below). No charge for mailing the card in the USA or Canada, for other countries actual postage rates will be charged. * If you would like a gift certificate for a different amount than what you see here, please email/convo me for a reserved listing. Minimum $25.

rocks and rhinestones

I've been playing with putting organic shapes/textures and faceted translucent glass and rhinestones together. These warm colors are especially nice against winter white or black.

bracelets

I love multi strand bracelets with dangly things but they have to be light weight to wear comfortably all day. The big lobster clasp is fun AND makes it easy to clasp.

Holiday shipping

You can still get gifts by the 25th! I'll automatically upgrade purchases over $75 to USPS Priority mail for delivery in 2-3 days. How about colorful earrings as stocking stuffers or hostess gifts, or a special necklace for your very deserving mom, daughter, friend? Or a bracelet for yourself just because you're swell?

 

http://www.rocksandpaperswans.etsy.com

wearable art

I listed lots of new things at rocksandpaperswans.etsy.com. I think this is my favorite:

There is a pendant of ancient Roman glass and a Mykonos Greek casting dove,
and turquoise heishi, clay, polymer clay, recycled glass, little casting spacers, glass and lots of 20-30 year old clam shell discs. And it's light weight.

Volcano Rising

After I finished illustrating VOLCANO RISING I decided to explore volcano rock in my jewelry; these beads have been waxed and are smooth to the touch and not any heavier (because of all the air bubbles) than other gemstones of equal size, the texture is a wonderful contrast to the shiny faceted glass used as spacers and these translucent amethyst nuggets look amazing at the center of this 19" long necklace - adjustable with chain and lobster clasp. 

more fun with paper

I don't usually make bracelets with paper beads but this one kind of demanded to be made. 

I added some 

Czech and Ethiopian glass, turquoise heishi, and a little copper leaf cap. 

I love the chunky look and cheery colors.

more paper beads

I love layers of these necklaces. Piles of them! The more the better!

from my stash of paper beads

 

I've been making beads from papers I hand painted and heavily textured (a fun experiment to see what effects I could get when the bead was rolled) and my old advertising promotions, the beads were coated with several layers of non-toxic polycrylic and strung with African clay, bone, howlite, and/or Czech glass. Love how they turned out! Light weight statement necklaces!