Intentional Stones

Phony Phone

Dedicated to: the kind bus tour driver at the Kennedy Space Center, who (due to a likely occupational hazard) hates cell phones on his bus.

Things I have used my phone for this week:
Phone book
Bedtime story book
Cyber-school check-in device
Wifi router
Camp book
Level
Supplemental museum guide
Flash light
Computer for blogging
Music player
Radio
Shopping list
Note pad
Alarm clock
Score card
Weather person
Keeping up with friends
Business check in
Scrabble board (across continents)
Portable gaming platform
Packing list
Memo board
GPS
Problem solver
Cook book
And Phone

Thank you, Space Program (and others of course), or making all these things possible and in my very own pocket. All while I can hear the frogs singing.

-Simbelmynë

New Year 2011

Happy New Year!

My post is a little late.  Life has gotten in the way of blogging.

Too many pieces to make, too much fun and family.  I surely do not complain!

As you can still see, time management is a new years resolution I still haven't conquered.  I won't even make it.  That would be unrealistic.  I do resolve to take stock of the time I spend, giving a realistic time estimate is essential to taking commissions.  My current work is for friends and family members and they are extra special understanding as they share some of my holiday schedule.  Next year I will officially call the holidays "vacation" and not give myself any due dates during that 2 or 3 weeks.

Currently on my bench I have a ring, three necklaces of woven chain and wire work, and some interesting non-pierced earrings.  Look forward to posts about these.

This week I'm looking at the list of art fair opportunities I've collected and choosing some.  The summer is way up in the air!  Over Christmas I visited a heritage event down at the Waterfront shopping center on the river and I hope I'll hear more about future events in these old steel-industry buildings.  Pittsburgh will definitely see more of Intentional Stones at art events this year.  As for traveling to shows, I'm pretty sure I'll be at the Cheat Fest in West Virginia again.    I'm going to look for a show in New York and a couple further away in Pennsylvania in the Laurel Highlands.  (If you're local to either of these places, please recommend your favorite art event!)  I'd love to go out to Florida or someplace warm, but I'm sure school and work schedules will make that complicated. 

I also plan some stone hunting trips.  These are very much tentative still, the Southwest hosts a rich array of lapidary and jewelry events in the spring, so I'd better get my ducks in a row! 

I'm only taking one class this semester, Jewelry Making 2.  Yes, I  can learn from past mistakes!  I have goals to do more drawing, I feel like I owe it to myself and my instructor last semester.  I even promised one of the kids' friends lessons in drawing people.  Improving my art is extremely important. And I'm not managing props for any plays.  If my daughter decides to continue with dance, I'll help out where I'm available, but no all-semester commitments. 

I feel ready to run right now!

-Simbelmynë

 

Focus

Sunset in the Virgin Islands

Summer's over here.  I'll hold onto the moment in this picture whenever the craziness of every day tries to rule.

Flood of Sunlight

My dear friend Lisa, support and motivation behind the Three River's Pagan Library, long long ago, invited us out to her wedding in Johnstown, PA.

Not only were we overjoyed to hear that she'd found someone to share her life with, since she's moved to Philly, but we were happy to have a chance to catch up a little bit.  And maybe she'll move back to Pittsburgh!  *Hoping really hard!*

The wedding was held at the top of the Johnstown Incline, the steepest vehicular incline in this country.  A lovely reception room offered a beautiful view of the city as it is today.  

Of course, after the wedding had wound down a bit and the kids were done being civilized, we went out into the lovely late spring evening to get serious about having fun.

I really do think that's a groundhog bouncer.  I wonder if they even sell those outside of western PA.

 

I'd read the sign about the "vehicular incline" but it didn't really sink in what that meant until Adam pulled Wendy, the zombie car, onto the incline car.  Probably the best view she's had. 

We could have headed home, but I hadn't seen Johnstown yet and I insisted on seeing the flood museum and driving around the landmarks.

The museum was very interesting, but Book Preservation Woman (that's me) was most impressed at the beautifully displayed artifacts and books from the aftermath and relief efforts of the flood.  I couldn't help but compare to the efforts to restore New Orleans and Haiti.  I wonder if there is anybody who had the time to take careful morgue records, like these from Johnstown.  Clara Barton brought the full power of the young Red Cross to Johnstown to help the families broken and torn apart by this terrible disaster. 

The epicenter of the flood.

Of course, in the aftermath of the Great Flood of 1889, everyone was scrambling searching for who they could blame.  The flood was caused by the failure of a manmade dam, owned and maintained by an exclusive fishing and hunting club whose members were titans of industry in Pittsburgh and around the country. This building was the clubhouse.   But, the negligence that destroyed the dam's ability to hold back a torrential rainfall happened before they assumed ownership. Both the museum maintained by the Johnstown historical society and the National Historic Site have the history of the legal efforts to find out who was legally responsible for all the damage.  

The courts found that the Hunting and Fishing club were not responsible, and, to their credit, the members helped rebuild the city by restoring the industry and shoring up the economy.  But, I think there is still much debate on the issue of responsibility.

Now the lake above Johnstown is completely drained.  This spot on the narrow Little Conemaugh River was once at the bottom of Lake Conemaugh.  

On the way home, our own family debate about fault in this type of circumstance was interrupted by finding the wind turbine propellers.  Thank you everybody for your guesses last week!  I hope you're enjoying your summer vacation!

-Simbelmyne

I Guess...

Somerset Wind Farm (by Jeff Kubina)

And so did you.

These crazy things are the blades for the giant wind turbines you'll see at Somerset, off the PA turnpike.  The place clearly served as both a construction and a repair facility.  Some of the damaged blades were splintered to bits at the ends.  I wonder how that happened? 

They had 4 parking lots filled with these things and more in an auxiliary storage in another part of the industrial park.  I'd love to see the fleet of trucks it must take to get more than one turbine worth of blades to a new wind farm.

Three correct answers!  I'll e-mail you all with the particulars of your gift certificates (sorry for the delay, the costumery is eating my every spare minute)

Thank you for playing!

-Simbelmynë

Rivers and butterflies and fruit, oh my!

Pittsburgh's in a pretty special location, right on three rivers, near the Laurel Highlands, so I might be spoiled.

An hour's drive away, through some smaller towns I don't know well at all, we found a little bit of heaven this weekend.  We traveled to Perryopolis, on the Youghegheny river and visited Hazelbaker Canoes.  

Two familes, three canoes.  The guys had experience, one's a kayaker, he took three of the kids.  Adam, son of a boyscout leader, took two more, and the moms had a boat full of "our sanity," welcome company as neither of us had paddled a canoe on our own before.   We stopped about halfway through the run for lunch.  The guys tried kayak tricks on the extremely mild "rapids" portions of the river.  I think next time I'll bring a trashbag, because little bits of litter stand out a lot in such a beautiful place. 

Canoeing I didn't bring the camera.  I fear for it on the water, and all, but we had almost as much fun after we canoed!

Ill advised fun, but I was impressed with his skill.

My friend felt like a bride when the girls brought her flowers. 

On the way home, near Rostraver airport, between the tempting signs that said "pilots wanted, will train," was a great vegetable stand. I'm not sure what the watermelon said, but the kids were adamant that she be quite while I took the photo.

Thank you, West Virginia!

The Cheat Festival 

It's the first weekend of May every year and it's the perfect combination of enjoyment of the area through the Cheat River Race and kayaking all weekend long, a music stage with live bands all afternoon long, and the Art Market.  The festival raises money for the Friends of the Cheat, who work tirelessly to repair damage to the valley due to runoff from abandoned mines.

I took a pretty big step, submitting our work to the jury from the Preston County Arts Council.  I thought this would be a nice opportunity, and if we didn't make it in, my family could still enjoy the festival.  There would still be fun.  But Intentional Stones got in!    We were already very thankful.

With the help of my family setting up, the sales stall was beyond my expectations!  Everything came together beautifully.  My spot in the market could not have been better.  People could see me as they came in and I could see the stage for all the bands.  Especially important because there were people visiting me all day and evening. 

Meanwhile, the family had a great time enjoying wild, wet, adventurous fun.  Appreciating wildlife, climbing, playing down by the river, hiking, dancing and enjoying the beautiful day.   

Over the long day, they came back to bring me food from the great vendors and let me take breaks.  So, even though I missed Mina, who can't really pick up and travel for a random weekend, I had my team!

There were many talented artists- at the art market and playing on the stage.  My neighbors Cool Runnings- quilting and tie dye, and Smell like a Monkey?- sweet, whimsical soaps, among many others.  And the event organizers.  Everybody was very helpful and even loaned us power cords when ours wasn't long enough.  More experienced vendors definitely helped us stay prepared for the weather. 

With the crowds from all the different bands, I was busy at the art market all night. 

Nytesong and her awesome husband suggested taking part in the art market. They've run the downriver race for years. Our coming benefited both families, they were able to stay for the festival and the kids all had much more to do.

I have to say it was the best advice I've gotten all year. 

They get a huge thank you as well.  They've supported me a lot through the last few years.  Michelle's easy to make jewelry for, and her appreciation has been a big boost for me as an artist.  Rick's a small business owner and he's helped with getting us set up.  Our kids are dear friends, so they keep each other entertained, even when I have a million computer-related things to do. 

They're only two of the great friends I have who've been so supportive.  I love you all.

This festival was the most successful sales event we've attended, something we needed very much in the quest to be an art business.  We made good connections, I got a lot of wonderful and helpful feedback about our jewelry.    I couldn't be more grateful for this opportunity.  Thank you, West Virginia!

If you have a favorite festival or art event that you'd like us to try, please, mention it!

-Simbelmynë

Sometimes it's an offering

I lost my favorite piece. 

Fortunately, I wrote up and photographed how to make it as I was creating it, just because it was a good design and I wanted to make more.  I'm part way through making a second and I have another of the stone from my personal piece to remake it, better, stronger, and impossible to lose.

Even in a place like this.

Hiking up this beautiful, but gentle mountain provided a fun thrill for a weekend. Mt Kosciuszko is the highest mountain in Australia and the source of the Snowy River. It's got skiing, fun attractions for the kids, interesting environmental and geological features, and perfect accessibility. It's clear that it's popularity has inspired the park managers to work to keep it beautiful, and provide awesome hiking paths without damaging the fragile ecosystem. The paths are boardwalks spanning the long long way up the mountain, through marsh, over the river, and even over show that lasts all the way through the height of summer.  It's a showcase of the amazing things we found in Australia, friendliness with fun, well cared for and approachable wilderness, and near to our home there.

Walking back I looked everywhere to find the pendant.  As you can see, there was no hope. 

But thinking about it, the Andalusite cage wrap was part of me, my design and a stone that spoke directly to me.   Maybe, leaving it in Australia will mean I will be a little bit more welcome if I ever decide to come back.  Maybe I have become a little bit a part of Australia as it has become a part of me.

-Simbelmynë

Revisiting Politics

While the Parliament building in Canberra is one of my favorite memories, the kids had enough of it the second time around. So I made every attempt to keep them busy while my in-laws got the chance to see the fantastic architecture and art.

And then we headed to the other side of the lawn to the Old Parliament building.  I thought we'd only be making a quick round of the houses, and running back home.  But it turns out that an old, used building, where the kids can explore and touch everything is much, much more fun. 

And, it turns out, the adults liked to play too:

This is a plastic version of the original, made to match it's size and weight.

The mace is the symbol of the power of the Speaker of the House of Representatives.

Sometimes old school is the most fun.

How did we almost miss that?

We saw the parliament, we hiked, we enjoyed the museums of the capital.  But we never walked next door to the Botanical Gardens.

One thing I've found, living in wonderful places, Like Northern Virginia, one wrong turn away from the National Mall, is that living in places that are interesting desensitizes you to the high value of your surroundings.

One place to see the widest variety of gum trees.  Greenhouses full of flowers from all over the continent.  Artificial ran forest, walks through the canopy, and sunlight through the leaves.  And a perfect chance to share memories of the beauty of our opportunity to live abroad.

I've learned that sometimes the coolest things are right around the corner.

I'm deeply grateful for guests who make me want to show off the interesting things around my area.