What I Made Today

Monday, February 28, 2011

My Own Reality

Yesterday, before cleaning off my kitchen windowsill, I made a quick doodle.

Today I leveraged some freed-up time to add color.

Color that is rooted in my reality of the moment. That's what I made today. Peace.

Monday, February 21, 2011

I woke to snow this morning and by the time it started to subside the sun was making a valiant effort to peek through the lingering clouds and snowfall. It was serene … and somehow motivating. I lit two candles for a friend. I cut the calendula-tangerine-lavender soap I made the other day, and am once again pleased with the outcome. I made a quart of pickled eggs and worked on some herbal-based products I've been refining, and I cleaned up some files too.

I then made time to sit and doodle. I finished up a journal page I started on the first of November. I've been adding a little here, a little there over the past few months, but two days ago I honored the spirit of my father who passed from this life 36 years ago, and was inspired to fill and complete this Día de los Muertos page. Today, it is filled, with honor for the cycle of life, and with memories too.

Seems I'm continuing the theme now too.

That's what I made today. Peace.

Sunday, February 20, 2011

A Natural Observation

Nature knows. Nature knows that resurrection is eternal. Nature knows that resurrection is ever present. Nature knows that resurrection preceded and will outlast any human concept of its truest meaning. Nature knows.

Peace.

Tuesday, February 15, 2011

An Introduction to Edi's Little Treasures

This weeks On Fire for Handmade "Featured Artisan" is Edi's Little Treasures.

Edi describes herself as a self-taught wire wrap jewelry designer, and if you dig wire wrap style jewelry, you'll want to take a closer look at her work! You can visit and learn more about Edi as well as see some her amazing work up close at these places:

Take a peek! Peace.

Monday, February 14, 2011

Unexpected Delights

Seems my Ugly Soap is getting prettier. Today I un-molded and sliced my latest batch of violet patchouli soap and was rather surprised at how nicely it looked and behaved.

Then I made some time to go outside to delight in the sparkling sunshine, to listen to the snow melt, and to be embraced by the warming thaw that released from its snowy grip a season-worn gift of humble might. It flitted on the breeze and landed at my feet.

That's what I made today. Peace.

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Saturday, February 12, 2011

Violet Patchouli Soap

Today I mixed sodium hydroxide with water.

I blended handcrafted herbal oils of viola leaf and calendula flower with my own rendered lard and some castor oil.

I blended the water into the oil.

I stirred and prayed. I stirred and offered song and blessings. I stirred in kaolin clay and essential oils of patchouli and carrot seed. I stirred in love and peace. And I stirred some more. And more. And more.

I poured this alchemical love into a mold, covered it with a towel and placed it in my healing room to rest, undisturbed for a day or two.

Then I took last month's soap, wrapped and labeled it, and tucked it away in my soap drawer where it will continue to cure and mellow for a couple more months before it is enjoyed in a cleansing ritual.

That's what I made today. Peace.

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Thursday, February 10, 2011

Pause

Before I cleaned up my paint and collage mess, I paused to doodle an image to capture a bit of the creative chaos.

Once it was tidied, I put the kettle on to boil and paused again to fill one side of the page with images of held inside my (grandmother's) breakfront. The kettle whistled and I opened the glass door to retrieve a teapot and cup to assist me with my next pause.

That's what I made today. Peace.

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