Lost and Found

The kids and I went geocaching today. It's been a long time since we had been and it felt good to get back out there. We went down to Narragansett and searched the shoreline for 3 caches and some beach treasures. I found some nice flat rocks and drift wood for my photos. We found someone's wallet while we were out. It felt like such a violation going through it but I needed to find some ID and a telephone number so I could let the man know. It was amazing how much I learned about the owner from the contents of his wallet. I learned his age, what he looked like, his kids names his marital status (divorced), his political party (republican), the fact he owns a gun, sees a therapist and is a painter. I also learned some really personal stuff like the fact that he still loves his ex-wife and that he cheated on her, he thinks he drinks too much and he wants to quit smoking. Isn't that amazing? I did find his number on a receipt for a new gun. (yikes) and I called him to let him know I could mail the wallet to him. He was really happy. I felt really weird not telling him I had learned those things from a few pieces of paper inside. He would probably feel more violated than if I charged thousands on his credit card. I told him not to worry that "good people" had found it and yet I felt so guilty for knowing things that maybe his mother and therapist didn't even know. It made me wonder what someone could learn about me from the contents of my purse. I think I'll clean it out tomorrow.

Arts In RI Mother's Day Contest

Just in time for Mother's Day Arts In Rhode Island is sponsoring a contest honoring mothers everywhere! Check out our blog for all the details. This month Tracy Prince of Stepping Stones and Seafinddesigns has donated a gorgeous Tres Hermanas necklace: Two gray toned speckled genuine Rhode Island beach stones, found by Tracy on Watch Hill! One flawless genuine sea foam sea glass. All together on a rigid silver plated choker. All can be removed and worn individually. Retail value 50 dollars.
This necklace would make a wonderful gift for Mom. Three sisters for one special Mama! All you need to do to enter is search for our Mother's Day Logo hidden in a featured item in ONE shop and convo me the item number and the name of the shop you found it in and I will enter you in a random drawing for the prize. You can find our shops by clicking on the links in the righthand column of our blog. The contest will run from May 1st through May 8th at midnight EST. The winner will be announced on Friday May 9th here on the blog.

Collaboration Challenge

Kristy Kempinger of Chickadeebeads and I have challenged our fellow EGA members to collaborate with one another to create a joint glass project. I have been using Kristy's gorgeous vessels in my skeleton key necklaces. It's hard to believe soft glass and borosilicate glass can look so great together! This is the second Titanic themed necklace I have created that encorporates her vessles and my keys. This one is just in time for Mother's Day. You can find it here

I'm Back

Well I'm back from Disney with a head full of ideas. A week off the torch and the total sensory overload that only four theme parks in 7 days can provide and you have one artistically refreshed beadmaker on your hands! I have 5 new frit blends coming out soon for my lampworker friends and lots of new jewelry ideas involving keys. OH and the electroforming kit I ordered before my vacation arrived while I was away so I need to have my friend KimV teach me how to use it. OMG so much to do and so little time. Meanwhile my house looks like a laundromat explosion and there is not one scrap of edible food in my pantry or fridge if we don't count the canned brussel sprouts I bought six months ago in a feverish attempt to find something green (other than peppermint gumdrops) that my 6 year old will eat. So I will try to keep you all up to date as these projects come rolling out over the next few months. Stay tuned and enjoy the rare family portrait... this one is in Epcot with Donald in Mexico (who by the way is a lefty...I knew I always liked Donald)

I Used to Be Cute...Before I was Dead

I have had a fascination with skulls for a long time. Even before they were trendy and "glam goth", I have enjoyed them. I like to search for skulls and Calaveras on Etsy to see the various artistic interpretations. Last night I ran across VanFleetStreetDesign and I knew I had to have this original ACEO . It's so colorful and fun, yet the figure looks so downcast. I love it. This inspires me to go make an Etsy treasury of all my skully findings.

Found Fabulous on Scoutiegirl

I was featured on Scoutiegirl today! Scoutiegirl is a blog featuring Indie artists written by Jan of Daisy Janie. Jan makes the most beautiful handbags. She uses custom designed fabrics to create rich looking bags that are minimal in the amount of hardware on them. I particularly like the Fancy Pants size in this Colorwash Spring fabric. SO PRETTY.

I'm No April Fool

ARTS IN RI is hosting an April contest! The contest will run from April 1st through April 8th. Fellow team member Lisa of Pinklemonadeboutique has generously donated a beautiful handmade bag called Sakura: Featuring imported Japanese cherry blossom fabric, trimmed in natural linen, and embellished with a detatchable handmade felt flower. It measures 11.5 x 9. Check out each of the Artsinri shops (you will find a link to each in the right hand column of our blog) and find our April Arts In RI logo hidden in a featured item in ONE of the shops. When you find the gray and purple logo convo me the item number and the name of the shop you found it in and you will be entered into a drawing for Sakura. You must have an etsy account, or sign up for one here (it’s easy and free) The hunt will end at midnight EST on April 8th. The Winner will be posted on our blog and be contacted via convo on April 9th. Good luck and happy hunting!!!!