Painting Teensy ...and Tennsier

Penopoly Pens is at it again! As the LA Pen Show approaches, I am busily painting tiny again....on a cylindrical surface the size of a small cigar. My paint brushes are 10's and 20's over zero's and I am about to do some serious squirrel napping in hopes of "borrowing" a tail hair in which to sign my name on these tiny treasures.....So far we have an Indian Eagle Feather, a Rattlesnake, a Purple Tulip and The Raven.....and introducing; Sakura or Cherry Blossom.

Valentine! Oh Valentine!

Last month I was in Grass Valley and saw delicate wired jewelry work that intrigued, delighted and definitely caught my attention. the fragile little images stayed with me thru these past weeks, and I have learned that when that happens to me, I must get it out via create-problem-solve-create-tweak-create-eat chocolate....then create. Here is the first prototype using materials I had in my arsenal....you know, the "some day I'll use these cause they're pretty" stuff. Now I'm sure a trip to the craft store in the next few days will be in order, along with a consult with a FAB jewelry designer and friend. After that, I may have something to fall in love with creating. It's been a bit of a dry spell in three dimensional art for me as I have been painting tiny pens again, so this is a welcome gem! Not that painting isn't fulfilling....it's just different. With Valentines Day coming up around the corner, I hope you enjoy little copper and brass birdies bringing messages of love to wherever you may roam.

Rainbow Forest

Dreaming a colorful Christmas!

This year I finally got to bleach and dye my own bottle brush trees....I've been wanting to for years, but Christmas always seems to come and go so quickly, that I just never got around to it. "Next year" I would say. Next year comes and goes again!.Working today on adding a bit of sparkle, decorating the bases and adding a few things to them....stay tuned!

Batty....baby!!!!!

Years ago, when I was into bear making big time....I used to create Prims....muslin/cotton stuffed animals that were then painted with paint and embellished. I am bringing some of my creations back into circuit for a show coming up this September. I tend to have a love-hate relationship with my sewing machine. I love how fast I can create an inspiration, but also enjoy the therapy of hand sewing. Mini-bears are completely hand sewn, bigger bears and rabbits are machine sewn...but Prims are both....AND I get to break out the paints and brushes! This next show will feature bats for Halloween, rabbits, bears and birds for year round and Reindeer for the Christmas season. Creating my own patterns has been fun....a process that I really enjoy. It begins with an inspiration. For the bats, it came in the form of a field trip to Paxton Gate in San Francisco. Scott nearly bought me this adorable tiny fruit bat that was taxidermed (is that a word?).....the thought of the little guy haunted my imagination and images began to be with me all the time. The challenge was to get the image that was in my imagination., on paper, into a pattern and bring it to fruition....So,.here you have it:

 the Bat at Paxton Gate

My Bat, Esmerelda



Paper Roses

Hand made, watercolor painted coffee filter roses.......Oh my! I love making these. They are very time consuming but the end result is worth it, and by using coffee filters, no more torn crepe paper half way through your design work....very happy, happy.

Painted Tweeties

I recently hand painted thistles on 1 1/2"mother of pearl beads as pins for my bridesmaids, and a necklace for me for my wedding. When venturing into a new medium or project there is always problem solving involved. With this one it was what to coat the paint with so that it wouldn't bleed or bubble or run, or do anything but create a shiny perfect seal.....mission accomplished! Now that I have a few birdies painted, look for tigers and lemurs and other wildlife in the future. I have begun EENSY, TINY painting again on celluloid pens and boxes as well.....look for them soon. Designs for the animals will have minimal bling and have an earthy, more organic feel.....getting away from glitter this season (SHOCK>>>I know!!)....simplicity is where it's at in my heart right now.

The Marraige of a Pix and a Jeep

The 11 day forcast said rain. RAIN!!!! ARGH!!!! With no plan B installed for the big day, my beloved and I held hands, bowed our heads and prayed! April 21st arrived and the sun was shining!!! Record highs were recorded and well.....we may have overdone it a bit

 on the praying! It was HOT!

Our backyard was turned into the reception hall with white table cloths, music, dancing and of course...eating! Chef made us the yummiest dinner of Duck Confit, Roasted Porkloin, Potatoes Gratin and a bounty of delectable appetizers and such. My friend Dorothy Costanzo made the yummiest lemon cake on the planet! And I had worked for months on bouquets, favors, decorations, invitations.....a DIY wedding if ever there was one! We wouldn't have had it any other way. A friend at the wedding took me aside and said he was gonna sign me up for OAA....Over achievers annonymous..ha! With the blessings of family and friends, we teared up more than a few times at the overwhelming love and support they gave us.

The day was magic and love and fun, family, friends and wonderful, dream-like and thrilling!  I couldn't have been happier to be marrying the most

 amazing person I have ever met....Scott Kendig.

We honeymooned in Napa and hit the giants of the culinery world as well as some great wineries. More pictures to follow as our photographer delivers them.

New Creations and Back to First Loves

When I got into my own business years ago, it was as a bear maker....teddy bears that is. I fell in love with the old fashioned mohair bears at a show a friend took me to and I was hooked. I got away from it for a time due to carpal tunnel and hand surgeries.

Now, I'm back in business!!!

There is something really magical about birthing bears and hares. I never really know until I have the eyes, nose and ears placed if it will be a boy or girl. When it's little face is done, it speaks to me and I know. A friend gifted me with some amazing mohair and synthetic fabrics that I am so excited about!

Look to upcoming shows to see polar bears, hares and my newest felted birds.

The Engagement of a Pixie and a Jeepster

Saturday was traffic school. Complete with the boring teacher, Red Asphalt 3 and lame people who can't seem to fill out their name and address unless the teacher held their hand...and I'm sharing the road with these people? Why was I there? NOT GUILTY on charges of speeding on Carlton Ave....but I couldn't get out of it........so!....what started out as a bummer day turned into one of the best nights of my life. As you know, the divorce was finally final on Friday after the ex fought over trivial things for a whole year. Scott and I have been anxiously awaiting the end of my marriage for quite some time....months and months!

Dinner out was planned for our usual date night when Twizzlers are in Sac with their mama. Scott's friend Ricky D just opened Cypress in Walnut Creek. It's a wonderful restaurant with amazing cuisine. We arrived there and were seated at the high tops near the piano toward the lounge area, which was perfect due to the fact that Paul Roth was on the piano on this night and we had met before a few times...fab player, fab singer! The place was packed early and everyone was buzzing about doing their thing. Ricky, Demetri and a host of Scott's other acquaintances greeted us and chatted with us about the resto scene in the WC.....a typical night out.

We ordered salad and crab cakes for our apps and two glasses of champagne. We talked for a bit and decided on our entrees...... pan seared chicken with a mustard sauce and potatoes for me and rabbit over parpadelle pasta for the man. The rain was falling outside and Casablanca played on the screen in the lounge. Paul played "As Time Goes By". My Jeepster gazed into my eyes for a very long moment and I couldn't tell you exactly why then, only that he and I were both smiling...both so in love with each other. He knew why. I told Scott how I was so happy that I was finally legally divorced..... free!...free to love him even more than I did, free to open my whole heart to him, free to be able to begin our life together. He then reached into his pocket and pulled out a little black velvet box in the shape of a heart, took my hand and said "Pixie? will you marry me?" I could hardly breathe and said "Yes..oh Yes, YES!" We embraced and I buried my head on his shoulder, hugged him and cried. As I gained a little composure, he took my hand and placed a beautiful emerald and sterling ring on my finger.

Paul played, "It Had To Be You" for us and the couple at the next table bought us champagne, a round of applause from everyone at the restaurant and congrats from Ricky and the crew. We were their very first proposal at Cypress..... Paul played Moon River, The Way You Look Tonight and lots of other romantic tunes as we tried to eat our meal and dessert...we were so happy and giddy and twitter-painted and kissed and kissed and looked lovingly into each other's eyes with "I love You" over and over again......sigh.........so romantic!

Months ago we agreed to wear each others birthstones as our wedding rings. He found my ring...an antique (which is what I wanted) emerald ring from England. I fell in love with it the moment I saw it. His ring is titanium with a thin, crushed turquoise band around it.

We agreed that our wedding would reflect our personalities and be unconventional in many respects. Our date is April 14, 2012. Six months to plan, which is going to be so fun for us. A small gathering of friends with my love in full Scottish attire. YES.....he will be wearing a kilt in his Johnston clan colors. They are truly beautiful...teal and blue and green with thin black and yellow striping. It's taken all the self control I have not to look at wedding gowns and try them on. I can't wait to find the "one"! This will certainly be a culinary event. Good Scotch will be involved and great food.

I'm a happy, happy, happy PIx! I'm in love with someone who loves me more than life and would do anything for me and walk to the ends of the earth...(that's what a Jeepster is by the way). We are extremely compatible and perfect for each other. I love his kids and he loves mine AND they dig each other too.....

Stay tuned for wedding news and updates.........and a whole bunch o' love!

Tiger Pen for Penscapes

Time to reveal painting secrets to painting on tiny cylindrical surfaces....here is a (almost) step by step on painting the Siberian Tiger pen, a commissioned piece for the Admiral.

Hey there, Hey there Mr. Roboto!!!

Bots are cool....time to scour the bottom of my tool box for more fun stuff to create with.

These will post on Etsy soon.

Shell Lockets at Cottage Jewel

I will be teaching a class on making these little beauties on March 17th at 4:30 at Cottage Jewel in Danville. My love these days is creating unusual art to wear. The tiny scallop shells are perfect to house little pictures, sealife and treasures.