Google+ What I Made Today: January 2011

Sunday, January 30, 2011

Pickled Eggs


Over the past day or two, the spirit of my good friend and father-in-law has been whispering in my ear. Such whispers lead me to making things like this. He used to make pickled eggs quite often and I loved them. He made lots of delicious things to eat! So, in a few weeks - if I can wait that long - we'll have some yummy pickled eggs.

They're so simple to make. I just hard-boil enough eggs to fit in a quart jar, and simmer a pint wine vinegar with dried oregano, astragalus root, garlic, onion and about a teaspoon of salt. I peel the eggs, place them in the jar and pour the hot vinegar - with the herbs - over them, and cap the jar. You can vary the herbs and spices to your inclination. I don't think I've ever made them the same twice. 

So now they go into cool storage for a few weeks. When they're ready we'll honor the spirit of a very special man who possessed a modest joy for life and all its simple offerings. 

That's what I made today.

Peace.

Saturday, January 29, 2011

A Mindless Doodle


I've been preoccupied these past few days … finalizing bookkeeping for 2010 and preparing my business tax forms for all the impending deadlines that begin with Monday mailings. This morning I completed them all and rewarded myself with some mindless doodling. 

Good medicine, that.

Next up … the income tax preparations.

Peace.

Wednesday, January 26, 2011

An Introduction to Diane's Dangles


This week's On Fire for Handmade featured Artisan is Diane's Dangles.

Diane started out making beaded earrings and then moved on to necklaces. It proved to be a way to express her love of color, gemstones and metal. She then studied silversmithing and began to combine her beadwork with her sterling silver pieces. You may learn more about Diane's Dangles and see her lovely handcrafted jewelry at … 

Daine also has a 2nd studio on Artfire called BeadSouk ... take a peek there too!

Peace.

Monday, January 24, 2011

"A Winter's Eve" ArtFire Collection


I love pausing to browse the artisan studios at ArtFire. The handmade items on ArtFire just keep getting better and better and today I discovered these lovely, icy blue creations. Take a closer look, rate it, leave a comment and visit the studios of these talented artisans!

Peace.

Thursday, January 20, 2011

Headway


Over the past week I've created the layers that make the base to my little Nature-inpsired journals. Today I made headway in sorting and choosing and applying leaves and sprigs and flowers to some of them. I have a few larger notebooks this time around and I started one of those too. I'm most accustomed to working small, and I'm not sure if I'm happy with how the larger one is turning out. So now the question is … if I'm unable to save it, shall I use it myself or offer it in a giveaway?

What say you?

Peace.

Tuesday, January 18, 2011

An Introduction to Jewelry by Nala


This weeks On Fire for Handmade featured artisan is Jewelry by NaLa


NaLa is a jewelry designer who describes her creations as having a "contemporary vintage feel." She uses new materials to create what she describes as "the romantic look and feel of vintage jewelry." 


Discover more about NaLa at:
Etsy
Blog
Twitter
Facebook
FlickR
NaLa also hosts a wonderful group on Facebook call Handmade Harbor!

Peace.

Sunday, January 16, 2011

Ugly Soap


Two days ago I made a batch of soap. It rested, covered and undisturbed overnight, then uncovered for another day and a half. Today, I un-molded it and cut it into fourteen ugly bars.

That's what I call my soap: Ugly soap. It may not be pretty, but it sure is nice. This batch is made with lard I rendered myself, coconut, olive and castor oils, glycerin, vanilla oleoresin and essential oil of lavendula angustifolia. I can't thank my friend, a Wicked Step Mom, enough for demystifying the process and helping me find that place of confidence to do it myself. Before I started making my own I used to buy handcrafted soaps, though it was sometimes challenging to find them without synthetics added, but even then they are far superior to the commercial detergent soaps.

I have six bars left from last year and they will last plenty long enough to allow this batch, and the others that will follow, ample time to cure well.

That's what I made today. Peace.

Saturday, January 15, 2011

A New Nature Inspired Video



Today I made a fresh video of my mixed-media, Nature inspired journals. I figured it was a good use of time as layers dried on the new ones I'm working on. Take a peek … rate it and leave some too!

Of course, you can take a closer look at my ArtFire studio too!

Peace.

Friday, January 14, 2011

A Mug Cozy


I've seen so many mug cozies made by my crafty friends that I finally broke down and made myself one. I wasn't sure what to think of it at first, but aside from using up some scrap yarn I was delighted to be able to set my steaming mug down on a whim without hunting for a coaster.

I made a batch of soap too. And pizza. That's what I made today.

Peace.

Wednesday, January 12, 2011

A Way Out

First I made a way …


… a way to get into the van so I could retrieve my good, warm winter gloves and the keys I had locked in the night before.

Then The Boy joined me and we commenced to dig our way out.

That's what I made today.

Peace.

Tuesday, January 11, 2011

Specific Crochet


Today I finished one of my silly little crochet projects. This is a bag made specifically to carry specific items to a specific meeting. I was able to use up a small stash of purple yarn and most of the green too. That's what I made today. Gotta run!

Peace.

An Introduction to Heart & Sow Designs

This weeks On Fire for Handmade Featured Artisan is Heart and Sow Designs! You can find Heart and Sow Designs at:
Check out her creations!
Peace.

Friday, January 7, 2011

The Second to the Last Squash


Tonight I baked some sweet potatoes along with this lovely little winter squash. Aside from some other winter squashes that are cooked and in the freezer, I only have one good sized kabocha squash left from the garden. This little acorn variety was so good tonight … mealy in texture, nutty in flavor and warming to the belly and the heart. It didn't even need butter. I have some left to enjoy tomorrow - for lunch, methinks. And once some deadline sensitive tasks are behind me, I'll be inventorying my seeds to determine my order for the coming season's garden.

That's what I made today. Peace.

Thursday, January 6, 2011

Cups of Love

For over two years I've been hosting a monthly gather that I've most recently dubbed "Foolish Wisdom." It's a discussion group that I still look forward to every month. I look forward to brewing tea for friends of like mind and heart, to discussing our chosen topic, to sharing, to laughing, to crying … to loving.

Peace.

Wednesday, January 5, 2011

Congratulations to Shooting Stars Mag!


Shooting Stars Mag offered the 82nd comment on our Win a Whimsy giveaway! I hope you'll pause to wish her big congratulations, and while you're at it - check out her site and blogs too!

So … Shooting Stars Mag, when you have the chance, stop my ArtFire studio to let me know which Nature inspired mini journal you want. Three have already sold, so hurry before more flitter out of my studio!

I want to thank every single one of you who offered a comment and took a chance in playing my New Year's Win a Whimsy. I'll be hosting more whimsy giveaways in 2011, so keep an eye out!


And by the way … I'll be making more of these mini journals as well as some larger sizes. They take some time, but watch out for them in my Walk in the Woods, LLC ArtFire studio.

Again - Congratulations Shooting Stars Mag!

Peace.

Tuesday, January 4, 2011

An Introduction to Zur Designs

Meet Deb Hall of Zur Designs, this weeks On Fire for Handmade Featured Artisan. Deb describes her design style as contemporary with an old world flair, and her works as inspired by life, love, and the beauty of the Berkshire Mountains that surround her.
You can find Zur Designs on: Etsy Blog Facebook Twitter Tunkt
Peace.

Monday, January 3, 2011

Juicy Love


Remember those peaches I harvested in August and that elixir I started? Well, today I strained, filtered and bottled it, the juicy love that it is. I made use of two old apothecary bottles that had been sitting empty and just rock-n-rolled some quick labels. If I'm inspired to make the time and invest the effort, I'd like to re- label them "Juicy Love," but once things are done, I generally move on. In any event, it's quite good - as juicy love tends to be - and I suspect it will continue to meld, mellow and improve in the bottles.
That's what I made today. Peace.