Glass Charm Necklace

This is my most recent necklace. I think it is quite beautiful even thought it is hard to see clear on the photos. My main supplier of beads and charms come from Hobby Lobby or Michael's. The charm I was lucky enough to find on sale for about a dollar in clearance section of Hobby Lobby.

My next step was tying measuring and tying three strings to the end of a clasp. Laying taunt, the necklace is approximately 11 inches on each side of the charm. From there I beaded each string a different color, a royal blue, sea green and finally a gold. Before I tied the three strings to the other end of the clasp, I twisted the gold and blue string around the green.

My last step was attaching the charm to the necklace. I had to experiment, due to the fact I did not possess a large enough loop to fit through the whole of the charm. Therefore, I got wire, wrapped it the charm's hole and from there wrapped it around the loop. All in all, I believe it turned out quite nice!

Quick note: If anyone is considering getting jewelry pliers, I'd say great idea. I use mine extensively to wrap wire around shells and charms; and, it works wonders!

Rest In Peace Herb Conn

On February 1st, a legend passed away- famed climber, Herb Conn. However, it is not for his achievements which I am writing this. This dedication goes out for what Herb, and his wife, Jan, stand for, despite being temporarily separated in body.

I first met Jan Conn almost six years ago, playing with the French Creek Folk at the local senior center. I was just starting to play flute in band and was interested in taking private lessons. Impressed with Jan's spirit, my parents arranged for lessons. Immediately, Jan struck me as a free spirit and vibrate despite being in her 80s then. As the time came I grew to respect her will and the sense that her values were undeminished. She would do anything for a friend, loved her family dearly, supported creation and knew that materialistic objects were fleeting.

After I had had lessons with Jan for some time, she invited me for a lesson at her house. It was the neatest think I had seen in a long time. It was like stepping back into another world. They're house was small and surrounded by forest. On a small hill they had a craft like building. It was small, covered in maps and posters of the surrounding caves; books, carvings and music were scattered around. In making these connections, I also began to learn more of Herb.

In time, I was also attending Jan and Herb's presentations at Jewel Cave and places around the Black Hills. I had always known of Jan's wit but this was when I began to learn more of Herb's also. I don't even recall any specific conversation with him, but I do always remember him running the project or standing off to the side grinning to himself at some story Jan was relating or a song she was singing.

My most memorable experience of these performances was Jan singing a song about how, in a cave, the small man always prevails, and then in another verse (or song?) where Herb hands her a cup of water and she sings underwater!

Herb was always kind to me. When I would call their home and ask for Jan, it would sound as if he was smiling. He was quiet but when he talked, there was no doubt he had something worth saying.

I stopped taking lessons from Jan about a year ago, our paths were different and eventually out contact diminished to simply seeing each other around town. Her and Herb's lifestyle was so beautiful and they by the bare necessities but they lived for everything else. I envy how simply they could live and I hope that I find as much happiness in my life as they did. I do not know whether or not Herb believed in an afterlife, but I am convinced that he and Jan cannot be parted, even for a brief amount of time.

My condolences to Jan and more so, the pray that Herb passed in peace and is having fun exploring his new-found kingdom.

Check out these websites I have found, You'll be amazed:

http://southdakotamagazine.com/explorers-of-an-unseen-world

http://www.supertopo.com/climbers-forum/1740864/R-I-P-Herb-Conn-of-Needles-and-Jewel-Cave-fame

Pon and Zi Shirt

Back of shirt

Front of shirt

This is my latest shirt... PON AND ZI! The front of the shirt is a classic Pon and Zi design, while the back is something of my own along the main theme. This is my first shirt done with color acrylic paint rather than black and white or sharpies. Like the other shirts, I'll hand wash first in cold water, let sit, hand wash with warm water/soap. I have discovered that the washing machine doesn't like the acrylic paint. It works ok; however, the color does fade, so I stick to hand washing. For awesome official Pon and Zi check out their website: http://ponandzi.com :)

The Picture of Dorian Gray (1945)

Aren't these some simply intriguing quotes from the completely vile Lord Henry Wotton: 

"I choose my friends carefully. 

"I apologize for the intelligence of my remarks, Sir Thomas, I'd forgotten that you were a member of Parliament. 

"I like persons better than principles and persons with no principles better than anything at all. 

 "I suppose in a fortnight or so, we shall be told he's been seen in San Francisco. It's an odd thing, but everyone who disappears is said to be seen in San Francisco. It must be a delightful city and possess all the attractions of the next world

 "There's only one way to get rid of temptation, and that's to yield to it. 

 "If I could get back my youth, I'd do anything in the world except get up early, take exercise or be respectable.

"One of the great secrets of life. Most people die of a sort of creeping common sense and discover too late that the only things one never regrets are one's mistakes. 

"But adoring someone is certainly better than being adored. Being adored is a nuisance. You'll discover, Dorian, that women treat us just as humanity treats its gods. They worship us and keep bothering us to do something for them." 

" I'm analyzing women at present. The subject is less difficult than I was led to believe. Women represent the triumph of matter over mind, just as men represent the triumph of mind over morals. "

Sir Thomas:  You must admit that women give men the very gold of their lives. 

Lord Henry: But they invariably want it back in such small change. Women, as a witty Frenchman put it, inspire us with the desire to do masterpieces and always prevent us from carrying them out.

Art Within- 2

As promised, a few pages from the book I was making. When done, I tied all the pages together and burnt a CD to go along with it. I think I'll make more books of this kind for possible birthday gifts. Sappy yes.... but oh well.

Art Within-1

This is the cover of my latest project! When I get home I will be able to show everyone more of it, but for the moment, I'll settle by just giving a little bit of a low down on my "Art Within." This project was inspired by a friend of mine who was feeling a little down, and so I felt like making a "booklet" of drawings/photos which had to do with a song lyric which in turn expressed how that person made me feel or their good qualities. It was so much fun to do! I searched through my old photos to find memorable moment, even working to make my own photo mixes as you'll see. Afterwards, I made a mixed CD of the songs I incorporated into the art work, bound the pages I had made together and put them all into a vibrant red folder, which I labeled "Art Within." Lastly, I was mildly entertained by drawing... squiggles... on the front. 

In the mean time, I am looking forward to posting more photos and example when I get a chance. There's a Valentine's Day dance tonight which I have to help with... gotta run!  

By the Way: Yes this is the larger project which I made my "I Miss You" photo for!

Aspen Trees

 These are some photos I took of Aspen in the State Park. 

 It was a beautiful early fall day. 

 The leaves were just starting to change and the sun was bright.

 I want to keep these moments alive in my memory forever.

 Though times can be rough, I just need to remember the beauty.