Mariposa Whispers

The Holiday Spectacular

2008-12-10T23:32:00.002-05:00

On Saturday, December 6, 2008 I took a road trip to The Holiday Inn in North Haven, CT. My goal, to CHECK OUT the HOLIDAY SPECTACULAR being hosted by Jillian Lyons and over 30 artists from the CT Etsy Team. I am so glad I went. As a fairly knew member of the CT Etsy Team as well as Etsy I have been feeling insecure about participating in any event like this show. Having gone to check it out brought me a sense of relieve as well as delight.

I finally met Jillian Lyons our Ct Etsy Team Leader. She was so warm and kind and gave me a wonderful welcome hug. Thank you Jillian for making me feel comfortable and extending your time to me. Everyone was so nice and welcoming. As I walked from table to table and introduced my self I was very pleased to have been greeted with smiles and individuals that took time to encourage me to participate and shared ideas and experiences. Thank you everyone!

My Workings!

2008-12-04T22:16:00.007-05:00

Seasons Greetings Everyone!

It has been a while since I have been able to talk with you but know that I have not stopped beading. I have had to take some time to handle some of the little curves that life tends to hit us with every once in a while. However, every night I work on my therapy...BEADING!

As you may have noted I have made and posted some Holiday themed earings and boxes on my shop. Additionally, I have some rings, necklaces, bracelets, for the
Holiday shoppers at Land of Local Treasures in Manfield Center. If you find yourself on the eastern end of Connecituct stop by Land of Local Treasures and check out all the treasure finds!

I feel very fortunate that some of my frequent buyer customers at work have also been ordering pieces for gift giving. This has been good as I am trying to put together the mula needed to go home (the Island) for the Holidays! As my parents age I find it more important than ever to spend as much time as I can with them, especially for the Holidays. They visit my son and I every summer and stay two to three months with us but they have a really hard time with the idea of traveling north in the winter! Can't say that I blame them, although I have to tell you I love New England and its beautiful nature art shows that come with the changes of the seasons. As I freeze in January and February I fortify my spirit with the reminder that if it was not for this cold I would not be able to enjoy the wonders of spring, warmth of summer or the colors of fall in New England.

I have been working on some dramatic pieces. This picture to your left is of the piece that I am working on right now. This beautiful hibiscus will be encased with black and silver beads with a dramatic frame of shinny bright red delica beads. I think it will be stunning. I like it and hope you do to. Please let me know what you think.

I will post a picture of the final product as soon as I am done.

Below you can take a look at a finish peace. Am not sure yet what I will call this piece but I will tell you that it is very close to my heart. I have spend a lot of time on it and have become very fond of it. I am not sure that I will be able to part with it. What do you think?

Holiday Spirit

2008-10-20T23:00:00.004-04:00

It was a cold weekend here and although I planned to spend most of it planting my bulbs and some perennials, I didn’t. I spent time with my teen while he made wonderful fires on our wood stove. It was a good time together. I posted some new jewelry and altered boxes on my shop You will find some children’s jewelry, Christmas themed jewelry and jewelry in the colors of fall. It was fun. Grab your Christmas shopping list and see how many gifts you might just be able to get from home.

I made it! :)

2008-10-12T12:48:00.003-04:00

It was so much fun! I truly enjoyed the Art and Craft show. SPECIAL SHOUT OUT>>>I want to thank my friend LaDaisy for all her wonderful support and help. I made it through my first fair and I most say I think I will do it again!. I was able to cover my expenses and still had some mula left so I think it was a success!

I enjoyed the sense of comradeship. I made new friends and rekindled with others. I shared my special Couscous recipe with more individuals than I thought I ever could. I mean, it felt like it kept growing enough to feed anyone that wanted some. I like that! I was not sure that people would fancy my curry, nuts and cranberries salad but they did. And the dark chocolate truffles…..what can I say!

The buyers came by and if they did not buy they had nice things to say about my work. That was very inspirational for me. The Altered Tin Boxes a success! If you made it by, thanks for supporting the event. It continues today, so stop by and visit with the Sunday venders!

See you at the Art & Craft Fair

2008-10-10T23:22:00.012-04:00

I have not found all the answers to my question on grace and simplicity, nevertheless, I am much more graceful than I was the last time you visited me. More importantly, I want to share with you the fact that I am participating for the first time in a Art and Craft Fair tomorrow, 10/11/08!!!.

I am a nervous wreck! I am scared and excited at the same time. I will be displaying for sale my boxes as well as my jewelry. I have been wanting to take this step for a long time. Several friends have suggested that I do this before but I have not had the nerve. A little insecure I guess. It is my hope to make some sales as well as to use this as an opportunity to get my work advertised. As a member of the CT Etsy Team ( all things hand made) I have the opportunity to participate in other similar events. I see this as my first "try out". Wish me luck! To all you Connecticut folk, stop by and visit me and other crafters at Land of Local Treasures on Rt. 195, Storrs, CT. The fair is from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM.

Does it come with maturity?

2008-10-10T22:56:00.003-04:00

Today, Thursday, October 9, 2008 my son checked the oil and radiator in my car! What’s so wonderful about this? Well, a teenager?! Since his pre-teen years I have been trying to get him to learn about car maintenance. At least the basics, you know, check for oil, anti-freeze, tire pressure etc. etc. He was not interested. But now that he has a driver’s license and a truck, now he is interested!! He checked his and then mine! Well, there is a big change coming on to my home and I am HAPPY!

My Shell!

2008-09-25T23:28:00.005-04:00

I have been home in bed for the last three days. I am fighting a sinuses infection that has leaked into my chest. Not nice!!

Anyhow, I do not get sick very often at all. But when I do, I know it is a sign…I need to stop. I get the neon lights, the subtle signs, that tell me am doing too much, slow down, smell the daisy’s etc. etc. But me, being true to all the complexities of who I am, I keep going; and then, BANG! Am down. STOPPED.

At times like this I contemplate my state of being. I try to sleep all the sleep I have missed and meditate. I get quite. I try to be alert. I wait for the message. There always is one.

The Author, Anne Lindbergh comes to mind. She and I have many things in common. In her book “Gift from the Sea” she speaks, I believe, not only of her experience, but also of mine. She speaks of a Hermit Crab that changes his shell before her eyes. Taken by the crabs neatness and simplicity of movements etc, she states, “My shell is not like this, I think. How untidy it has become! Blurred with moss, knobby with barnacles, its shape is hardly recognizable any more. Surely, it had a shape once. It has a shape still in my mind. What is the shape of my life?” I ponder, what is the shape of my life!

First, I most look at what comprises my life. First, my family, my home, my craft, and work. The subtle whispers of my cultural background, childhood experiences, oh, the way my mind just goes. I, like Lindergh, and many other women, want to be at peace with myself. “A singleness of eye, a purity of intention, a central core to my life that will enable me to carry out these obligations and activities as well as I can. I want, in fact to borrow from the language of the saints-to live in grace”. I want to live in such a state of grace that my inner harmony, my spiritual being, will shine out and I will walk in harmony.

But how can I do this. My life while simple is complicated. I know that like Lindbergh’s hermit crab; I too need to find a simple shell, one that I can carry around easily. I have tried to walk the road to a simple life many times. I have not arrived as yet. As a single mother, head of household, fulltime employee, community volunteer, PTA member, sister, daughter, friend and neighbor I have taken on responsibilities that are complex and not easily simplified. You know, my life involves taking care of the house, inside and out, preparing meals, shoping, paying the bills and trying to make ends meet, appointments, trips to the school to the doctor, counseling, basketball games, practice, cleaning, visit friends, call relatives, spend time with my son, give time to my family, my parents, God.

“This is not the life of simplicity but the life of multiplicity. It leads not to unification but to fragmentation. It does not bring grace; it destroys the soul. The problem is not merely one of Woman and Career, Woman and the home, woman and independence. It is more about how to remain whole in the midst of the distractions of life”, how can I remain balanced regardless of the forces that tend to pull on my center; how will I remain strong, no matter what shocks come in and try to crack by shell.

Stay tuned while I craft and contemplate on answers.

Altered State Of Mind!

2008-09-18T20:21:00.011-04:00

Saludos Fellow Bloggers!

I have been busy trying to clear my mind. No better medicine for me than to bead or craft. I want to share with you my latest "little project" Altering little tin can's!

I don't know why, but I just love little boxes of any kind. These boxes are coming from the recycling mind set. Take a little container, fill it, look at it, alter it! It sure is fun and the outcome I think is useful, pretty and unique.

My magic friend and I got together for a mental health day. We meditated on the boxes and "Pop" ideas started flowing. We got some music going and the next thing I know we were in a "altering groove". Boy we had fun, and we both felt so uplifted to!

I plan to fill some of them with chocolates, candies, goodies etc. and others empty for the owner to fill them with whatever delights them. I am going to offer to make special orders if requested so that they can be made with special themes in mind, like birthdays, anniversary, holidays etc. They can be keep sakes as well as favors etc.

These boxes will be coming to my shop at http://www.mariposawhispers.etsy.com/ in the coming weeks please stop by and check them out! Leave me a comment and let me know what you think. I am putting a few pictures her just to tickle your curiosity.

He Made It!

2008-09-15T23:44:00.002-04:00

9/10/08

Yep, my baby! Just 17 years ago he came into this world. It seems like only yesterday and yet today he got his drivers license. Can you imagine, my baby drives!!!

I am so proud of him. He is a good guy. He has always been serene, laid back, quiet, and happy. He is happy and fun to be with. My son has a big heart and cares for others like he should. He writes beautiful and inspirational poetry, loves to play basketball and ride......(drive around)

About two years ago he expressed an interest in learning to bead and has shown his creati style. He has a lot of potential; he just does not know it. He has made some wonderful jewelry and has sold some pieces

I am so very proud of him. So proud of him that I just had to take a moment to share with all of you this time and place that I find myself in. He is a good guy. Keep him in your best most positive thoughts.

Mariposa Whispers

Surprise!

2008-09-08T13:45:00.002-04:00

Now isn't she lovely......

Check this gift box out! A friend and I altered this tin. It is our first in a series that we are developing. These little tin boxes can be used to put your precious items, jewelry, chocolates, birthday gifts, Holiday treats you name it we got it!

Our series, soon to be featured at MariposaWhispers.etsy.com, will have round and square tin boxes decorated in different colors and themes. Just in time for Holiday Gifting! As a matter of fact, they can be used for party favors, (think of the wedding, Baptism, etc.). The top of each box has a clear view opening.

We are so excited about this project. Mira Que Linda!!!

Meet Freida

2008-09-05T21:56:00.002-04:00

Leo Buscaglia once said, "Love is always bestowed as a gift - freely, willingly and without expectation. We don't love to be loved; we love to love". Freida is testament to this level of love. My son and I adopted (rescued) Freida six years ago. At that time the vet felt that she probably was between six and seven years old. She was used by her previous owner for breeding purposes. When we walked into the office she ran towards us. I fell in love. She had (and as you can see continues to have) such pride, grace and loving eyes.

Freida is a Pit-Bull/Lab mix. She is the most loving, gentle, and loyal companion. She also has a colorful personality. My son and I are sure that she has dog parties when we are gone. She also likes to be in control, particularly in control of her ability to go in and out of the house. A Hudini! Freida can get out of any place. She gets out through the windows, climbs up and out of the kennel, opens the front door and now knows how to open the sliding door. She does not run away, nor leaves the yard, she just likes to be in charge of when she is in the house or outside. We often find her laying on the grass on the front lawn, or sitting under the basketball hoop, her favorite is sun tanning on the deck!

Freida is Mariposa Whispers biggest fan. Patiently laying by my side as I bring life into my beads. She listens to music with me and is the first to see my finished pieces. If you want to see some of my products check out my shop!

Hello Friends!!

2008-09-04T20:30:00.004-04:00

I'm finally HERE! I've been mulling over starting a blog for the longest time till finally I've done it. Not as difficult as I thought it would be, I'm really looking forward to sharing my art form and experiences with all of you. Thank you for being here.