Last weekend I decided to make a flute bag for my dear Native American flute. I picked up some scrap leather and sinew thread and set to work on my floor. Sewing the leather turned out to be a task as I had to pre-hammer all of the needle holes with a hammer and nail. Once finished I embellished the bag with a few turquoise beads and used a buffalo tooth to create the closure. I’m looking forward to many wooded walks with this bag on my back.

Drying out here on my shower curtain rod is one of my newest scarves getting ready for my store this autumn. This scarf, along with the others, is made using an open-weave style rayon with slightly fringy ends. This material is soft and has a textural appeal perfect for tromping through plies of leaves. The scarves will also come with a new technique called shibori (or my own version of it).

Thanks, Nancy, for asking how to do a head-wrap like the one seen this photo:

Out of curiosity I made the exciting discovery that I could screen print onto a blank CD. The cds I used have a perfect, slightly textured coating that allow for the ink to make a nice bond that will not scratch off, resulting in a very professional result that could have potentially boundless applications…

trying to resist the urge to cut off all my hair…this photo from a few years ago makes it awfully tempting.

I’m very selective about the apps I keep on my iPhone (I barely have two full screens filled in the 8 months I’ve had it). I like to only keep the essentials…actually, as I look at my phone now I can some dusty old apps that didn’t hold my attention for more than five minutes and need to go. However, I just found this new app that I’m quite enjoying and thought I’d share it with you. It’s called Hipstamatic. It is a camera app that takes nostalgic, dreamy style photos reminiscent of the Diana and Holga days. The app comes with three lens selections, three films, and some flashes. You can mix and match for different effects. There are also ad-ons available for additional lenses/films/flashes. All photos are saved to your photo library and you can change the settings to take higher quality prints (5″x5″@300dpi).

I am now settled into my new house and beginning to enjoy my new work space. The layout is such that the only area suitable for my table and supplies is the front room, where you first enter. No more being tucked away into a back room or dark basement. Instead, guests are immediately greeted by the energy of my creations and as I work I am ever connected to the activity in the adjoining rooms. Because of this it is important that my new space be as inviting as it is functional - a goal I try to meet with various forms of homey decor, comfy old chairs, and soft lights - with the surest sign of success in such a balancing act being found in the inspired minds of my guests.

This home is truly inspiring - not only because of the natural surroundings, but also and more so because of the connectedness that is shared between the artists who live and create together here.

I recently came across the Etsy video below about a group of boys living in Brooklyn with a dual passion for making music and soap and just had to try it.

golden glow water / reflection of morning sun / shine your rays under