tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21233528719414938242024-03-13T02:42:51.304-05:00WillOaks StudioWillOaks Studio - just beautiful wearable art. Blogging about the messy business of learning and living, ideas and inspiration behind the gallery view.WillOaks Studiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00986825696455165387noreply@blogger.comBlogger529125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2123352871941493824.post-88182016306210850092014-08-21T15:36:00.000-05:002014-08-21T15:36:13.411-05:00Vitreous Enamels on Copper 101--AKA Learning to Use a New Medium!Yesterday, I was hopeful I could somehow import photos to here from my iPhone to post on Blogger...it didn't work. So I'm looking into an app that will let me blog from my iPhone as I'm not near any wifi or a big computer...just my little phone & 4G most of the time this summer!<br />
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So below is an overview of my summer exploration into vitreous enameling on copper...part chemistry, part magic, and definitely trying to "paint" with powders and crumbs of glass under fierce heat in a kiln. Pretty exciting, actually! <br />
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Copper shapes on trivets and a wire tray, either going into or coming out of the kiln.</div>
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A lot of larger glass bits, of the correct melting point to use in the system of enameling that I'm using. (Apparently, different glasses melt at different temperatures....that's a bit beyond me yet!)</div>
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So I turn the crushed glass bits into my "palette" in order to use some of these bits. Finely graded glass powders are used to cover even areas of the metal with a fine coating to fire as a smoother coating.</div>
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More copper pieces, either coming out of or going into the kiln. My pieces seem to require a minimum of 6-7 individual firings between 1400F and 1500F before they may or may not be "finished" to be cleaned up for use in earrings, pendants...and soon to come-tack pins and other wearable items.</div>
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Due to all the steps involved, I tend to work on several things at one--in this case, pairs of earrings. I seem to learn new things almost every time I work in this new metals studio at the old campground, and as noted in my post yesterday, I've been posting "blow by blow" photos and info on my new Instagram page @WillOaksStudio in case you'd like to check it out and/or follow along!! <br />
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OTOH, if I CAN figure out how to blog from my phone, well shoot, I can add more goodies right here too!! To be continued!!!!! Thanks for stopping by--Karen<br />
<br />WillOaks Studiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00986825696455165387noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2123352871941493824.post-77568320069096614882014-08-20T18:04:00.000-05:002014-08-20T18:04:59.579-05:00Summer Art-making--With a Twist!I'm not blogging here much this year, but I have started a whole new "blog-like" project over on Instagram. I don't have a computer connection to the internet except when I "go into town." But with a phone & Instagram-I can document all sorts of things & post them pretty fast.<br />
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I've moved back to the old campground for awhile--but with a twist: we're not open to the public, I'm not running it as a business, and best of all, I created a small metals studio & installed my new little kiln....& so I've been trying all kinds of new things!!<br />
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All the cats & my new rat terrier, Nellie, are with me here in the camper/cabin--and it's been a beautiful summer!!<br />
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Please come find me here on IG @willoaksstudio. There are wonderful landscapes, bugs & butterflies, animal antics, and a new art studio with new work coming along on a regular basis!! Come say hi--& if you're also on IG, let me know so I can follow you too!!!<br />
<br />WillOaks Studiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00986825696455165387noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2123352871941493824.post-64045524457903698482014-03-29T11:44:00.001-05:002014-03-29T11:52:56.955-05:00Go, go, go!! Lots of work.....I'm not sure where the past month went, but I do know that I've been working pretty hard on orders, including some very challenging special orders. It's also that time of year to finish all the accounting, file taxes and close the books on 2013. I'm very close to being finished, yay!<br />
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I did write a blog post I was invited to submit to the website Birthstone Central as their "Shop of the Week." Please hop over there and take a look! <a href="http://www.birthstonecentral.com/willoaks-studio/">http://www.birthstonecentral.com/willoaks-studio/ </a><br />
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The idea was to give an overview of my work and how I got there....I had a very good time writing it and an even better time creating photo collages to illustrate some of my work with pearls. Here's a little peek<br />
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<a href="http://www.birthstonecentral.com/willoaks-studio/" target="_blank"><img alt="http://www.birthstonecentral.com/willoaks-studio/ " border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHcmPdh9CgjKme5XejE8MQ7XELJkUUp_UZYZBdwZS06B_0I_lZYcoYVHnaJQdc9GIO48zHIJ51L2V0Uhw93RQLqXHoeIIW1zjsVRS-WF2HG_nZONxNw6YfZUCXNjEv-ikDiF2s07OU_3zH/s1600/WillOaks+Studio+pink+&+green+&+blue+pearls.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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I was invited to submit my story by Jayme, one of the artists involved with this site. Jayme <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/MyLittleAthlete/" target="_blank">has a shop</a> on Etsy and the main page for <a href="http://www.birthstonecentral.com/" target="_blank">Birthstone Central is here http://www.birthstonecentral.com/</a> Jayme's Etsy shop is sports related things for kids....and I also learned she lives in Alaska--which is neat because I lived up there for around 8 years until the economy tanked locally there, and surviving as a working artist became too difficult for me....but I miss the place and hope I can visit this amazing state again some day. Meanwhile, it's always fun to connect to folks up there in little ways....isn't the world wide web just amazing?!<br />
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Have a great weekend!WillOaks Studiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00986825696455165387noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2123352871941493824.post-41210145458208985972014-02-22T16:20:00.002-06:002014-02-22T16:21:35.306-06:00Enchanting Emerald GreenWhile I was thinking about "green" I came across this collage I made a few years ago, with samples of some of the many shades of green that grow at WillOaks Farm. I decided that for some of us, tired of looking at white snow and gritty melting scenes, it might be a soothing, hopeful image!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpNs7XVopu6DluRF2Z0wZfTCOvz-QFW2EDMSX1WV9taFp7kmt6BQBxprlHSm4xMruQaP_1rLQ-E12m5EzUClp-WWS9D8fyOmfO0jkoVIFr0CYbiyE6qT-nJAi2PQhyi42fUkKoK5uUAd6R/s1600/Collages36.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpNs7XVopu6DluRF2Z0wZfTCOvz-QFW2EDMSX1WV9taFp7kmt6BQBxprlHSm4xMruQaP_1rLQ-E12m5EzUClp-WWS9D8fyOmfO0jkoVIFr0CYbiyE6qT-nJAi2PQhyi42fUkKoK5uUAd6R/s1600/Collages36.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
Emerald green was a "Pantone Color of the year" in 2013. I wasn't
too sure how popular this might be, but since I just love green in ALL
her glorious moods, I went ahead and used the color in a few pieces last
year.<br />
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This year, I came across a box labeled "St. Patrick's Day" in my studio (I'm still unpacking and organizing things here.) Inside, I found a small collection of bits with that deep, emerald green that I think is perfectly perfect....in my imagination. So the following collection, to honor my idea of the Irish and the Emerald Isle, came together.<br />
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Around the same time, I realized that I have a small collection of clip-on earring findings--parts I've used over the years for some of my customers by request because they do not have pierced ears. I decided to try a few, and will try to remember to add this variation to other earrings that I make in the "drop style" because I just haven't been organized enough to DO this until now.<br />
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So St. Patrick's Day is March 17, which is a few weeks away. If you know anyone looking for jewelry to mark the occasion, or need a gift to commemorate it, please consider browsing my studio on Etsy. <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/WillOaksStudio/search?search_query=emerald&order=date_desc&view_type=gallery&ref=shop_search" target="_blank">This link (click here)</a> will narrow your looking to things I have made up in the "emerald green" color of green.<br />
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Other shades of green, which is a color I adore and use often, can be searched in my studio via the "local search" box <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/WillOaksStudio" target="_blank">on page one of my studio</a>, using the lower box. Or <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/WillOaksStudio/search?search_query=green&order=date_desc&view_type=gallery&ref=shop_search" target="_blank">you can use this link</a> to "just" look at 4 pages of pieces that use some kind of green.<br />
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And I'm not the only one here that loves green! I've discovered a way to help my cats continue their transition to being mostly indoor cats by helping them get access to "good greens." It's wheat grass! I found a local grocery here the sells lovely growing pots of this grass for $2.99. We make this last for just about 2 weeks, and maybe it's one of the reasons my cats don't bother all the house plants I tend? This grass plant is much tastier (and probably safer, too!) The only down side is when they really "need" the grass, eat a lot, then turn around and upchuck (& I hope to find it and clean it up before I step in it)...but that's just cats for you. The good, the bad and the icky =D<br />
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Have a great weekend, everyone and thanks for dropping by!<br />
<br />WillOaks Studiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00986825696455165387noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2123352871941493824.post-58399165607677145132014-02-21T23:11:00.000-06:002014-02-21T23:11:04.877-06:00Or "D"-None of the Above?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/180252573/cubic-zirconia-beaded-necklace-mixed" target="_blank"><img alt="https://www.etsy.com/listing/180252573/cubic-zirconia-beaded-necklace-mixed" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuF51oLg5o4bOrnub0hVTnU2-VyzX1Z2OVjAuhUGHpTwLajFEXm-E_IuFTa1ZkUZqLqiDIwjH7KnA-xKhuULR05QIHPoD7wWXZTuu3hvCexkwqSNTDdUVr3itwK7v-Uol6SKAFqfW-OCYk/s1600/satin+silver+and+crystal+rondelle+on+ox+chain.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
I'm just excited about this sort of unusual and accidental new necklace. Last summer, I found these smooth clear crystal rondelle beads of Cubic Zirconia but wasn't sure how to use them. I adore cubic zirconia but was only familiar with the faceted style, which look and feel like gemstones. So these smooth ones took awhile to get used to. After fiddling around with them on and off for a few months, I finally tried stringing them together with larger satin finished sterling silver beads and voila!! I was enchanted by how soft the look was, despite the fact that this was a mix of metal and very hard crystal. By putting this mix on fine oxidized sterling chain, I added just that shot of contrast that I thought was needed, and I'm very happy with this simple, yet elegant, new design.....<br />
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Back to your regularly scheduled broadcast......<br />
<br />WillOaks Studiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00986825696455165387noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2123352871941493824.post-12126320532496451592014-02-20T22:46:00.000-06:002014-02-20T22:47:21.410-06:00When things slow down a little.........there are a few things I'd like to spend more time exploring here:<br />
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1.) Cooking experiments<br />
2.) Orchid growing in the Northern Climes<br />
3.) New works in Emerald Green<br />
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I'm struggling to wrap up some other projects right now, so can only give a quick peek at some promising photos that I've begun for these ideas...and hoping that over the coming weekend, I can dig in a bit deeper!<br />
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And a weather update....frozen conditions turn to flooding conditions.....but maybe not for too long as it's going to turn really cold again, so then, we'll have icy conditions I guess?<br />
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Have a great Friday!<br />
<br />WillOaks Studiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00986825696455165387noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2123352871941493824.post-821890092578638632014-02-17T23:01:00.000-06:002014-02-17T23:01:30.857-06:00Bingeing on Earrings.....<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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When I began my "adventure in metalwork" last summer, I gravitated to pins and pendants because whenever I DID try to create earrings with this approach (to formed and forged wire), the results as earrings seemed clunky. But I kept trying and about a month ago, I was finally creating some shapes and forms that seemed more promising....I was so excited! I think it's just been taking a LOT of practice to get this approach to really work for the "precise" ends I want to achieve, so today, I'm so happy to show of few of these new pieces that I decided did work well enough to put into <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/WillOaksStudio" target="_blank">my shop on Etsy</a>....happy day!</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/179661438/black-pearl-earrings-metalwork-dangles?" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" target="_blank"><img alt="https://www.etsy.com/listing/179661438/black-pearl-earrings-metalwork-dangles?" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8KRnkGWeOnKMu1DdUwsbrOLPoPaIVK_AMalBgKVUh09BhC1dB9nV3vuZlzRJfNSlj29jvMksOYl-q8T4X4_RUOm_0tyqoirSGmHbCidLft41Meprvq-DrVn6cLPzdOW51HeV-dSyqQgNi/s1600/IMG_2876.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Black Pearl plant shapes.</td></tr>
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I have resolved two different designs so far. The "leaf" or "plant" shapes are like many of the pins that I made earlier, the materials are just finer and smaller.<br />
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<a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/179670551/green-pearl-earrings-metalwork-dangles?" target="_blank"><img alt="https://www.etsy.com/listing/179670551/green-pearl-earrings-metalwork-dangles?" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1DlnjhgSNBzHm81tXCtUS7X2zttOBoAIAKjUvGk_pfSovFvYfeD9yJb4N1gDViVYL4wowASN2iMvhK5IdUdVVF0s2dFtFu524qplNPzzQVWaGMGonwLpERbyUWxDJomBEQhOkns5RcyLY/s1600/IMG_2723.JPG" height="320" width="319" /></a></div>
I look forward to trying this dangle design with different beads, different materials, different colors and different colors of metal.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeyYtEXD2y7feboyQVXueC3_PqJ2Z7J67c1F6fN7jJznWpNg9Jd6uUcZDMZeB1Fa6XmIhJ4_LCUqHMdXN30HQbc2OMmA22d1lre5P2auwGxf4fkZUM3jPwV4eG1xjWDtH9PopR1_wmwkTz/s1600/IMG_2925.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeyYtEXD2y7feboyQVXueC3_PqJ2Z7J67c1F6fN7jJznWpNg9Jd6uUcZDMZeB1Fa6XmIhJ4_LCUqHMdXN30HQbc2OMmA22d1lre5P2auwGxf4fkZUM3jPwV4eG1xjWDtH9PopR1_wmwkTz/s1600/IMG_2925.JPG" height="320" width="319" /></a></div>
Digging through my stash of older pearls and stones to find ovals, which has been fun, and of course, round shaped stones and beads are plentiful.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">White pearls and this pair has already sold, yay!</td></tr>
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But I had another "break through" in forms that seem to work with my metalwork, too! Yesterday, I wrote about my "hoop" obsession, and guess what? Hoops don't HAVE to be round!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX92TGPZhxwhLBrWghPBTce55f7hytbeNtlGCqJMl6HdKWjbvaqG-Ljo9_eSzIOl2snSdX_0grdZUNcZLkxyDmpyiz8JrD03q0K_TxNTZ2yoj7cWNva7oSC6YHmCg326N2nAV6wAPO6TJu/s1600/IMG_2941-001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX92TGPZhxwhLBrWghPBTce55f7hytbeNtlGCqJMl6HdKWjbvaqG-Ljo9_eSzIOl2snSdX_0grdZUNcZLkxyDmpyiz8JrD03q0K_TxNTZ2yoj7cWNva7oSC6YHmCg326N2nAV6wAPO6TJu/s1600/IMG_2941-001.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
This idea took a lot of tries to get all the parts to be as they should and to land where they must, so I need to keep working with it. But here are a couple of ideas that seem to be going in the right direction. They aren't very heavy at all, they seem to be very sturdy, and, well, it's kind of exciting!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/179764836/lavender-silver-pearls-hoop-earrings" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" target="_blank"><img alt="Silver gray pearls on hoop earrings" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWfi_H0RRfuPWKaf_51TB_VD4kz0NGIDkRme-eq2kGr9H22q06H75OiyGhy7srqfmbIpdqKJ__Pu381TwHYtckd8iAg4IyokPVcMW3rimQGXeKE0Fi6DWORVbEmvsEaOMh1AEY3HyJrbYx/s1600/IMG_2692-001.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Silver gray peacock freshwater pearls on hoop earrings</td></tr>
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So of course, I keep going back to pearls because pearls are right near the top of my favorite materials of all.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/179762991/purple-amethyst-feather-dangle-earrings" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" target="_blank"><img alt="https://www.etsy.com/listing/179762991/purple-amethyst-feather-dangle-earrings" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO5pU7qVb1Xdok5Cxf_q88gNOkU-oeMJlPkwldb3JO1E1VxiqwhvoD24gpn5KkjlmkxmjF4LmhsHxGfoy-3Tetez6tmgZmw8YogmRvvlvsMQHv4vz9pkv1kqRc9gWzKbdCcDbf9cI85Ife/s1600/IMG_2844.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Feather dangle earrings with purple amethysts</td></tr>
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And in honor of the <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/WillOaksStudio?section_id=5768146" target="_blank">"earrings" section</a> in my <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/WillOaksStudio" target="_blank">Etsy shop</a>, which today reached the 100 mark, I also added a new version of my very popular "feather earrings" for women to wear when they are feeling just a little bit hippie or bohemian (showing my age, I know.) I did an <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/87773138/teal-turquoise-feather-dangle-earrings" target="_blank">earlier version of this design</a> in shades of turquoise and greenish blues with all natural stones and they have been quite a hit....so I thought I'd try them in shades of purple--natural amethyst--highlighted by some pretty amazing labradorite marquis, which have some surprising "flash" to them.<br />
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Finally, it DID snow here all afternoon so I'm hoping to try some snow photos tomorrow, since the word is our temps will get a little bit warmer, perhaps as hot at 27F....everything is relative....<br />
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Thanks for dropping by!<br />
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<br />WillOaks Studiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00986825696455165387noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2123352871941493824.post-47210785728982944722014-02-16T22:39:00.000-06:002014-02-16T22:39:56.808-06:00She's Gone Hoopy on Me.....<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I've been making hoops for a long time now, and wrapping them with all sorts of things like beads, crystals, metal and stones for just as long. But somehow, I don't get tired of it and when I launch into one of these "hoop fits" I tend to do several, just to see how they will look....</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI6rkciRa9USfr65mZpL4gNhdHtcFSpdfxUaFnVacBcG3bvxM6j7OAEr4MjHzPFseHzQ9oFX4MKrY-N4uxzrb5IOqFgHgqU0upTyLG4U-y-GwfXwcKVcDtkO4-UnxUtav9XjmwlNBPJvOv/s1600/IMG_1708.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI6rkciRa9USfr65mZpL4gNhdHtcFSpdfxUaFnVacBcG3bvxM6j7OAEr4MjHzPFseHzQ9oFX4MKrY-N4uxzrb5IOqFgHgqU0upTyLG4U-y-GwfXwcKVcDtkO4-UnxUtav9XjmwlNBPJvOv/s1600/IMG_1708.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Red coral beads on gold filled hoops, small</td></tr>
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Sometimes, it's just that I've found such cool small beads that I want to try out each type, including recent finds of red coral, tiger eye and natural amber.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMUpnu0Z6fUp2wsxi7CiUGnJtcmXzN8MJeykc3UF7G7si1G5MNiOvLnHhYQsnZIS5C-VNWtKrnjp_-GvuZ9VCwC6v4EkkkB5UjjRq0goHFKVwpjeFCLaBCVGGWoRUMfWTQaBXuS63zE4n1/s1600/IMG_1789.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMUpnu0Z6fUp2wsxi7CiUGnJtcmXzN8MJeykc3UF7G7si1G5MNiOvLnHhYQsnZIS5C-VNWtKrnjp_-GvuZ9VCwC6v4EkkkB5UjjRq0goHFKVwpjeFCLaBCVGGWoRUMfWTQaBXuS63zE4n1/s1600/IMG_1789.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Natural Tiger Eye Stone beads on gold filled hoops, small</td></tr>
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But recently, I invented a new design that reminds me of a zipper or a zig-zag. It requires really small beads, 2 mm or smaller, so I don't have a big range of colors and stones available quite yet, but carnelian, garnets and adventurine have given me hoops in scarlet red, deep red and cool green to date.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheD2rzjlyhZMx4EmolekHDgdCyutwHTWvewlGO1-gCkaFIOawCLI7DmTI5vMMMvaTH1p8x4Z_fAdPsQjjTvxRCNbwyU5WE4fB1B9dv335t6Mua4Q_Co7FIkeU3RYhd2viWDKtDgpTjer-0/s1600/IMG_0537.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheD2rzjlyhZMx4EmolekHDgdCyutwHTWvewlGO1-gCkaFIOawCLI7DmTI5vMMMvaTH1p8x4Z_fAdPsQjjTvxRCNbwyU5WE4fB1B9dv335t6Mua4Q_Co7FIkeU3RYhd2viWDKtDgpTjer-0/s1600/IMG_0537.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tiny Carnelian Stone beads on sterling silver hoops, small</td></tr>
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Normally, the base for these hoops is forged of either sterling or gold filled to a size of between 1 and 1 1/4" diameter, and then the beads, etc. are bound to the hoop. It's a design I like to wear because they are secure and don't fall out easily in winter, when I'm usually wrapped in a scarf (even in the house) or pulling on a coat or jacket (when I dare venture out, given the extreme weather we still endure here, mid February.) So rather than complain about the new snowstorm due to start again here in the morning, I'll just close with a small collage of recent hoop designs for now.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/WillOaksStudio?section_id=5768146" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" target="_blank"><img alt="https://www.etsy.com/shop/WillOaksStudio?section_id=5768146" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi88LpO-vGJEIssYDOJYN50zL0baF0PrPMFxMx0OxwgD7fJ2ufR50HtdrJmyPiUu0PH44Ym8rwrP5a9tilqpiB7naa2lAb_N83L1HG1P-7LY0-rS_QXEQslT3opGKTXwus1biRbEnKeSR4n/s1600/Select+Hoop+Earring+images+to+use+for+blog+collage.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Click this image to find a whole hoop collection in my Etsy Studio!</td></tr>
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Happy "President's Day" to one and all and hope your weather is better than our weather!<br />
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WillOaks Studiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00986825696455165387noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2123352871941493824.post-69995062950995358232014-02-10T22:22:00.000-06:002014-02-11T19:57:54.054-06:00How to Survive Winter.....or not?I may have selective memory, but I don't recall this many days below freezing without a break. We're into the zero and subzero realm again here, and the very basic tasks such as taking out recycling and garbage, or bringing in groceries, are a challenge, especially when the wind is blowing. I'm impressed by how high the snow bank has gotten next to our walkway here-our little path to the garage and the dumpster. I try to remind myself that February may be the longest month of all, because it follows the two before that were more of the same weather--we're talking about a full quarter of the year here! No wonder it seems so long...<br />
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My spirits could be higher if I weren't facing these piles of accounting work, tax prep and other paperwork that's important, but oh so boring. I need to knuckle down to be free of it (AKA get it finished already) so at least I can have a free mind and spirit to carry on with my new adventures in the studio.<br />
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<a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/WillOaksStudio?section_id=14426194" target="_blank"><img alt="https://www.etsy.com/shop/WillOaksStudio?section_id=14426194" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwoVWe3khSL8cqXwVTCO33gfcHx0VS0NbPZ3K085Mcr69fRuDUqc6mDRJu1Bm3GvZMVTl7fqwLHrs8tr9Q_125z14uvwGPgzMJWIAtFTZTgXs616o4lCI3DlB8BWg6vTn1e2vl9Dw4TrV9/s1600/Select+Pendants+for+blog+collage.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
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I'm still experimenting with different shapes, colors and materials for my formed and forged metal pins and pendants. I've just begun a new batch of earrings, rendered in this style, which should inspire me to clear the decks of all the "have to finish......" stuff so I can focus and keep this new thing going!!<br />
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Meanwhile, a peek at local coping mechanisms to survive the long winter: <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAGFZ5BqhaXhBdiJbiQcGHpiH0iRU6fz27KdEVNyro3WmvM_ntXqzAEGphiWGlTNCFD9DleJH7WqmG-qgGqitzma3H4A44xvRKwBGpgpCaiAC4lygFDkgH1ixZ2n7r2z1wOuKDa0EWvxnb/s1600/IMG_2054.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAGFZ5BqhaXhBdiJbiQcGHpiH0iRU6fz27KdEVNyro3WmvM_ntXqzAEGphiWGlTNCFD9DleJH7WqmG-qgGqitzma3H4A44xvRKwBGpgpCaiAC4lygFDkgH1ixZ2n7r2z1wOuKDa0EWvxnb/s1600/IMG_2054.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Red Kitty believes he's a jungle cat!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEcMO368HqLAFXOjpXaBr7YsyHShuZtGeGC1vsPJI-rZX2P8ujo2RxodW86oeON4Z4zerIQBa37aq37s0zkNYuQX-Ybez732WzYzwLjyoNpKWS3Z_17ucBoKAJKUGVxcnfcKO4Z5fPha1l/s1600/IMG_1903.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEcMO368HqLAFXOjpXaBr7YsyHShuZtGeGC1vsPJI-rZX2P8ujo2RxodW86oeON4Z4zerIQBa37aq37s0zkNYuQX-Ybez732WzYzwLjyoNpKWS3Z_17ucBoKAJKUGVxcnfcKO4Z5fPha1l/s1600/IMG_1903.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mariah loves to attack paper and shred it to bits</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuawMP4QCr2_iRi0Ye_GhCU3Yepwg7YVCTwswtKBqsYjwZ5nB913tfD730lnMjbwAFKIyq7D27oKc1vs1v7FdZJLHXJOaUJGNynTLAC4HBKGSb26ZgqHx4bf0xClS-7JMH7qzQBkO2cuMq/s1600/IMG_1929.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuawMP4QCr2_iRi0Ye_GhCU3Yepwg7YVCTwswtKBqsYjwZ5nB913tfD730lnMjbwAFKIyq7D27oKc1vs1v7FdZJLHXJOaUJGNynTLAC4HBKGSb26ZgqHx4bf0xClS-7JMH7qzQBkO2cuMq/s1600/IMG_1929.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Purrmeister proves he's NOT afraid of that old vacuum cleaner, even if it is too loud</td></tr>
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And Karen just keeps messing around with silver and copper and pretty beads.....we will all find a way to survive winter for a few more weeks.....<br />
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Thanks for dropping by and stay warm!<br />
<br />WillOaks Studiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00986825696455165387noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2123352871941493824.post-11955917269495696112014-02-06T01:09:00.001-06:002014-02-08T22:52:09.235-06:00Orchids in the WinterI've tended an orchid collection for around 8 or 9 years now, and as a long time gardener, this species of plant has the best, the very best, record for very lovely and welcomed flowers in the dead of winter. Ironically, Pantone named "Radiant Orchid" as the 2014 "Color of the Year." Lovers of shades of purple and fuchsia should be well served this year, when it comes to fashion and decor.....and I've always loved purple (I painted my room purple when I was old enough that Mom let ME choose, in grade school!) and using this color, in all its glorious shades and variations, has always suited me just fine.<br />
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So it's the dead of winter here, and one rather interesting discovery I've found about my new place is this:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx7HRbDrGW8eICiwfUQBSM8fFpwBCV_oeakU1Aczop3wOVV6N4RODRRvzqoMfBC7sOxaVLsUCfOcjYeM3MV0q6M6W9v6n5SFKb6d0hVPeMw-HMIytP8xgLEEDhbXhCI1mFtpSG2eIEr_K3/s1600/IMG_1896.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx7HRbDrGW8eICiwfUQBSM8fFpwBCV_oeakU1Aczop3wOVV6N4RODRRvzqoMfBC7sOxaVLsUCfOcjYeM3MV0q6M6W9v6n5SFKb6d0hVPeMw-HMIytP8xgLEEDhbXhCI1mFtpSG2eIEr_K3/s1600/IMG_1896.JPG" height="319" width="320" /></a></div>
Yes, that's a skylight. In fact, it's the skylight that I depend on for my photography here in my new set up. And I've learned it's not actually very reliable when it snows too much, something that's been a simple fact of life here this winter. I'm very happy when the snow melts...I wait it out when it's really dark up there (more on that at a later time...like how a plant collection that's also dependent on the skylight is faring up there....)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMWXxVB7OINA5-ksGjN1w3xT2IxgypXM61SuT8_BCmioYoBCFGflvXkTXhK17o6owZQh9RhvuPu-rWjqjKI6C1dxoEQAP16hnT23EZdliFgixNU0xKhs_aib0hOU38I8kol35phoVnDIAb/s1600/IMG_1993.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMWXxVB7OINA5-ksGjN1w3xT2IxgypXM61SuT8_BCmioYoBCFGflvXkTXhK17o6owZQh9RhvuPu-rWjqjKI6C1dxoEQAP16hnT23EZdliFgixNU0xKhs_aib0hOU38I8kol35phoVnDIAb/s1600/IMG_1993.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
Yes, it's been a long winter. I wish I could send some of our precipitation to my friends in California....<br />
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My orchids have their own little humidity area, tented shelving and trays of rocks and water, except when I bring them out to do their blooming. They are in one of the brightest north windows here, at the patio door.<br />
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In fact, the orchids, in winter, enjoy this view!! Except today, I think the snow is at least a foot deeper than in the photo here.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0Xh30i_ECW1KB-kDwtplzy5ao5iW7yqFjmzSMoQKbRfWKsAUe_-B02g8-rEXv3I-akS7cnrOf6W7WYoG4Du5YahYJ9iO3Xd9CWNHf1ekgYat8f1S1i7ENgxOe-u2MaX_WM9yY_mMr7nm7/s1600/IMG_2050.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0Xh30i_ECW1KB-kDwtplzy5ao5iW7yqFjmzSMoQKbRfWKsAUe_-B02g8-rEXv3I-akS7cnrOf6W7WYoG4Du5YahYJ9iO3Xd9CWNHf1ekgYat8f1S1i7ENgxOe-u2MaX_WM9yY_mMr7nm7/s1600/IMG_2050.JPG" height="319" width="320" /></a></div>
But the orchids seem happy enough to be blooming for me, and the show is just beginning for Winter, 2014!<br />
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It's my experience in growing orchids, that the flowers actually come in a pretty wide range of colors, besides purple. But yes, there are plenty of variations on the pinky-purple, fuchsia, purply pink range, such as is close to the Pantone color....<br />
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<a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/176627484/metalwork-orchid-pearl-brooch-freshwater?" target="_blank"><img alt="https://www.etsy.com/listing/176627484/metalwork-orchid-pearl-brooch-freshwater?" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirY888uf5WqIt9q95d0MYGnsqF40jJDUUWHhyphenhyphen5CqcA70vo4de5jlM8D9C_j1l5hfUBcxO26y-Zrq9Z4VRN3lE2lRY89C2cGkWcbvYoS0GoxuIEHZAipSuWui-v61c2AmDBRhTvW1ANlTyw/s1600/IMG_2323.JPG" height="320" width="318" /></a></div>
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So, naturally, I'm happy to oblige. I have a fairly big collection of pearls and other gems in this color range so as my adventures with wire proceed....<br />
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<a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/174446918/radiant-orchid-freshwater-pearl-brooch?" target="_blank"><img alt="https://www.etsy.com/listing/174446918/radiant-orchid-freshwater-pearl-brooch?" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioEu0UppHv0twkPm8bDNuQ_W6qchHneIROUK_tFZqRHSlT3VPV_s-em8WaUHdsHS4BwW9muWRmoCKl1ZmiesK9MmKjWBPzsw7MH81W4hYwF8t2wPnDz8uVbnm9QTlqYnX6ALFvzFUbwVNW/s1600/IMG_1584.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
...it's as good an excuse as any to use it!<br />
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<a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/176631567/radiant-orchid-statement-metalwork?" target="_blank"><img alt="https://www.etsy.com/listing/176631567/radiant-orchid-statement-metalwork?" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZGxQMaL4K4U_-zuS5qXG_L36zUD1ZgB6yDWZmXzK4k3Qvl9p35p5iaF1eIC7IjrAl9bwXI9wvfVIpzpST009sc3ieUkrTzWJGGCKPONnJGjV-fSjuTXKf4h4nlGa8J9hvlVmD33WPDx7K/s1600/IMG_2292.JPG" height="320" width="319" /></a></div>
<a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/176631567/radiant-orchid-statement-metalwork?" target="_blank"></a><br />
If you'd like a closer look at this series, <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/WillOaksStudio?section_id=14426194" target="_blank">visit my studio here.</a> If you'd like to examine any of the pieces I'm including here, click on the image to go to their page in my Etsy studio.<br />
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Hope you are all finding ways and means to keep warm and happy this winter!! Thanks for stopping by!<br />
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<br />WillOaks Studiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00986825696455165387noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2123352871941493824.post-83856376539153756522014-01-28T07:00:00.000-06:002014-01-28T11:23:08.907-06:00Taking the Wire a Little Further.....As a working artist, I would explain my process as some mystical (tortured?!) fusion between a basic concept (idea or direction) and using the chosen materials. Both sides of this equation tend to pull apart as often as they pull together. So my current work with wire and mixed materials is a good example of this process.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifSoShKxfpDVEuHTd1XEpIOS4ofZnUIVQfEJk6-CTRz1FIvmM9tnZ2QL2agmp7YoF_32KLIHIv_izQE3frauNeEUuQmNrxJEUYZKun63uUoOBoAyNc3SNIU1aMtjsBzNwFMRnzLOs7Dey0/s1600/IMG_1650.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifSoShKxfpDVEuHTd1XEpIOS4ofZnUIVQfEJk6-CTRz1FIvmM9tnZ2QL2agmp7YoF_32KLIHIv_izQE3frauNeEUuQmNrxJEUYZKun63uUoOBoAyNc3SNIU1aMtjsBzNwFMRnzLOs7Dey0/s1600/IMG_1650.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
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On one hand, I started with the wire and a specific "need" in mind for a finished form...but this original impetus was abandoned as the wire itself, as a material, took its' own lead. <br />
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<a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/WillOaksStudio?section_id=14426194" target="_blank"><img alt="https://www.etsy.com/shop/WillOaksStudio?section_id=14426194" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwUe3IBYc2HDMrhAQmMQEz2rFJX-Bd_L4Ddfm8UWOyjWvIv_5oPdOlrptJjnCb5viwhh-mjN_i-wWDN3grNk7kL2eUnl_ilymQ3Iv9yBnRvXVeWs-kZaOYVtNpCw8etK_jEincVlQUHccf/s1600/Petite.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
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As I began to see what might be possible, I began to see how I could gain more control and get the metal to conform more to what I'd like. So while it's still give and take, there are two possibilities that are worth examining. One is where the materials gain the upper hand and really do dictate the outcomes, sometimes pieces emerge that are nicely surprising. The other is when I insist on getting to a certain outcome--sometimes it takes a few tries, but this is where persistence pays.<br />
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<a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/WillOaksStudio" target="_blank"><img alt="https://www.etsy.com/shop/WillOaksStudio" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi82i5-vRaLa-jUPlc6xziS7KWGTyY_hbQ7QYApTGkI7T_oFm94lA885KvesWv10fHct_iTHrL9IT3AcMjZp6ykaZwygSw-6bcU5M_0TcdAt8YxFCNG8mVqI20JsrAG8XnXSztIpefO5CF7/s1600/2014+Pin+details%252C+garnets%252C+sets.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
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On another topic, the weather is a major current issue up here in the Midwest this winter, and in particular this week where we are below zero, again. In my new place, I have a strange phenomena where what SHOULD be one of the warmest areas of this place....has skylights overhead! So when temperatures are so far below freezing, all that heated air that floats up to the second floor is negated by the interior air that is cooled up in the skylights, is heavier, so floats downward, and so right now, it's kind of chilly up there. Which explains the cats, all tangled together on their cat chair (which is under the skylight) doing what they must to keep warm. <br />
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Thanks for stopping in and wherever you are, do keep warm!WillOaks Studiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00986825696455165387noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2123352871941493824.post-75116971960280148292014-01-26T04:30:00.000-06:002014-01-26T08:55:04.578-06:00Drawing With Wire<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnp6aTxkETtCYHs4C9_1bBX3cKvvDkC1HzEz87QwNNEI3nQ_iCN1v9r80bjeELxTjIxtQUy-LmcDRpvPBelevpiyHwSJZginln0SoXrYl2kp-rcrGsWgetKgwK8PD6pXjeq4g_cOZBPp5M/s1600/IMG_9308.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnp6aTxkETtCYHs4C9_1bBX3cKvvDkC1HzEz87QwNNEI3nQ_iCN1v9r80bjeELxTjIxtQUy-LmcDRpvPBelevpiyHwSJZginln0SoXrYl2kp-rcrGsWgetKgwK8PD6pXjeq4g_cOZBPp5M/s1600/IMG_9308.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of the first ones, 2013</td></tr>
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Actually, maybe these started more as "doodles with wire" as I was preparing to begin to learn <a href="http://www.pinterest.com/willoaksstudio/thinking-about-enamel-metals/" target="_blank">Copper Enameling,</a> had no idea what I'd be doing WITH the enameled pieces I was hoping to create. I got this brainstorm about some kind of "pin-thing" that I could sort of dangle pieces from.....<br />
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<a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/170357487/sage-pearl-and-copper-brooch-freshwater?" target="_blank"><img alt="https://www.etsy.com/listing/170357487/sage-pearl-and-copper-brooch-freshwater?" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8mUIq2tg5YY4yk04PeDVlXFXIb41wLAnjpnqfHBG6b2UeOU8U9m3BD7RUQOhrmWR269ORuQypy_RtStbc7vUvi0ng_icERaxrzFJipdngE8dzD2JENiG9OU6tmSJ1dceP06vTFRSceB_e/s1600/IMG_9691.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
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Ha! I never got close to doing this (yet.) Instead, I got hypnotized with this act of bending and moving the wire, and bending it more, and hammering on it, and on and on.....So as I mentioned <a href="http://willoaksstudio.blogspot.com/2014/01/we-are-at-zero.html" target="_blank">in the post before</a> this, I was caring for Dakota, prepping to leave for Maine, and running the campground even as I was fooling around with copper in preparation for my trip to Haystack. And from the start, I was enamoured with this sort of zig-zag pattern. As it evolved, I've come to call some of these pieces "rustic filigree" because of the lacy quality they can get, once there are a lot of loops.<br />
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<a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/171194957/artisan-metal-bib-necklace-with-white?" target="_blank"><img alt="https://www.etsy.com/listing/171194957/artisan-metal-bib-necklace-with-white?" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhybeKiCRr8iHpb-7DXdmKaH0HsPK_udAWXZW-n6HhwKqI9TiTjXCAgTCXpe3FX0anKAgqxkq4PYMaN0sme1RW_b_TbhQ1jc9QodtQ4Ae7qLfj3stNauJ4YAWqNQUWmAqQu6cEfx5BI6de_/s1600/IMG_1244.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
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But really, for some of these, I really think there was something about drawing (or doodling) with the wire. I started to add pearls and other beads pretty early so eventually, I was making the "doodles" with an eye on fitting certain beads or other materials into some of the "loops."<br />
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I'm putting some images of the early efforts here....later, I'll show where this has gone since I've started this detour (or is it? Hard to say when you're in the middle of something....) If a piece happens to be available, it will link to the listing. If not available, <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/WillOaksStudio?section_id=14426194" target="_blank">please visit here</a> to see what is new!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Not finished or resolved yet. Kind of a break out piece but future unknown.</td></tr>
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Thanks for stopping in and have a great day!WillOaks Studiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00986825696455165387noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2123352871941493824.post-26137887521436939272014-01-23T11:56:00.000-06:002014-01-23T11:56:18.396-06:00"We Are At Zero...."Declarative statement made today, meant as an achievement, on the local radio station. "We are at zero...." If I think about it too much, I go down paths I'd rather avoid just now. So suffice it to say at least it jogged a little "something" so I'd start a new post here on my poor neglected blog.<br />
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Zero is a temperature reading--everyone knows that much. Well zero is also my current dog quotient as, I'm very sad to report, Dakota has departed. She went over the Rainbow Bridge in late September and I'm still feeling the loss. She was a good companion and was my last living link to my dad. So in classic Karen fashion, I buried myself in new work (a pattern I have finally figured out I've been doing for decades now, to cope with heavy losses.) If I'm immersed in a new project, new work, a new series, I don't brood...quite as much.....<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dakota, Summer, 2013</td></tr>
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So the back story is this. After I posted the post below, Dakota continued to slowly, very slowly, fail all summer. A few times, I thought "this is it, she's giving up now," but I'd manage to coax her back. She got a terrible infection that was very challenging to heal (although I did learn to fit her with a T-shirt to keep her off the wound--a very nice alternative to "the cone of shame.") I resorted to buying fresh roasted chicken for her, to bribing a friend to cook beef for her, anything I could dream up to keep her eating.<br />
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But it was getting harder, she was having trouble navigating the area, the step up into the camper, the deck--her eyes and her balance were failing. We all finally realized it was time, and her wonderful doctor helped me help her to a peaceful ending. I have her ashes here. I mean to scatter them around the farm and the campground, and on my dad's grave. When the weather improves, I'll take care of this.<br />
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So around this same time, the end of the summer, I was contacted by the Haystack School of Art to learn that there was a cancellation in their faculty retreat in early October, and that my name had been drawn to fill the spot..."Are you able to come to Maine?" I basically moved heaven and earth to get there...I needed that proverbial "shot in the art" that only comes through a group of artists acting like kids. And I had a mission, too...I wanted to get back into that metals studio on campus there to see "what's next?" In my mind, I wanted to experiment with vitreous enamels....and what this has also come to include is working more directly with metal, too. Copper in particular, but silver might be good too.<br />
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It was wonderful to be at Haystack again, to see old friends and meet new ones. I postponed grieving for Dakota for a couple of weeks....it hit me when I returned to the campground and realized she wasn't sharing my camper anymore...most of you know this drill....the profound sense of loss.....<br />
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So my tried and true coping mechanism? Besides keeping all the "regular things going" I dove into making stuff. And somehow, a whole new body of work began and has continued to evolve, in fits and starts, since October. You can see some of it here <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/WillOaksStudio?section_id=14426194" target="_blank">Metalwork Pins & Pendants</a> Since I didn't have the luxury of staying quite as focused as I'd like, it's been slow--I did manage to close down the campground and move back to town during this time....and I did get through a pretty good Christmas season, too. But when I can get some spare time, I just keep making more of these new pieces....and I give all the credit to Dakota. It's not rational, there's no direct or obvious link, it's just the way things came together the past 6 or 7 months. I miss her. Her absence is noted now that I'm back in town now, too. But I'm trying to start writing again. And looks like I just took my first couple of steps!WillOaks Studiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00986825696455165387noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2123352871941493824.post-68974151818828958812013-06-21T00:14:00.000-05:002013-06-21T00:14:21.992-05:00Little Critters Everywhere!So many animals call WillOaks Farm and Campground home. They are mostly charming and I really, really try to be tolerant....but....<br />
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There are a lot of cute little chipmunks that have extended "clans" all through the farm. They are adorable...really...yet so destructive sometimes. There are some planters and planted areas in the campground that I've "replanted" 3 times now--just over the past few weeks. Come to find out that chipmunks have a lot of fun clipping petunias off at ground level - really radical pruning I guess. And when that gets boring, they randomly dig up plants. This happens both to plantings directly in the ground and to plantings in pots and planters. I haven't given up....yet. Petunias are replaced with geraniums and marigolds...surely I'll find something they will ignore, eventually.....<br />
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One of the worst hits, unfortunately, was a whole double row of snap peas that had sprouted and were starting to grow strong in our new communal vegetable garden. I guess the chipmunks had a feast because there are perhaps 3 seedlings left. We're debating about trying peas again a bit later in the summer to see if we can get a fall crop....maybe....<br />
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So I've relented about letting Red Kitty and Mariah out of the camper. That's right, I'm trying to sic my cats on those destructive chipmunks.....Not sure how effective they will be as hunters....but they sure are happy to be outdoors again!<br />
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The raccoons are really active here this summer. I try to warn tenters to lock up their food, especially at night when the coons are on the move. These little bandits have taken down and emptied my bird feeders, they have made off with bags of chips, and I have a feeling I've met one or more of them (or their relatives?) a couple of years ago....because they are even trying to figure out how to get into our covered dumpster, again.<br />
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Witness all the footprints on the lid? A couple of years ago, when the wind blew open the lid, I found a youngster sitting at the bottom of the dumpster amidst a bag of trash that was all torn up. But the poor guy was stuck in there-steep slick metal walls are pretty hard to climb back up. So I went and got a long board, put it into the "big metal box" for a ramp, and politely looked away while the little guy scampered up and out. So when I saw the fresh new footprints on the lid a couple of days ago, I realized I'd better keep an eye on this as the summer goes on. I have a feeling that Ma Coon teaches her cubs "dumpster diving."<br />
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And don't get me started on squirrels--they are amazing acrobats and I'm in a constant game to protect a couple of bird feeders here. Yet when a couple of campers showed up with a "pet" squirrel last weekend, a baby that had been hand raised and bottle fed, I realized that it was probably neat that the little guy was "coming home" to the country woods....though I was a tad surprised when I learned that as the weekend progressed, they decided to let the little guy go.<br />
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So I guess he lives here now, too, but briefly, it was pretty cute to
see him up close as the woman held him like a kitten and carried him
around in a cage. I'll be curious to hear if he decides to visit with
other campers here this summer--he did seem to have a fondness for humans!<br />
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Finally, on the totally relaxed and mellow side, Dakota is happy to be the campground dog mascot again, and to sleep on the deck or in the shade or where ever it's a bit cooler. Because these northern breeds are always too warm in the summer, notice the hair cut she's got? Hope it helps keep her cooler because it's about to go into the 90's here over the coming weekend! Push comes to shove, we can always turn on the air conditioning here in the camper. Because Dakota is 17 years old this summer we're treating her like the grand dame she truly is!<br />
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Have a great weekend and enjoy your own local critters!<br />
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WillOaks Studiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00986825696455165387noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2123352871941493824.post-22728815440284638072013-06-18T00:08:00.000-05:002013-06-18T00:10:17.269-05:00Spring is Springing<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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It continues to be a long, lush Spring around here. Things are blooming and many fruits are forming, including mulberries, chokecherries, raspberries and more. I made the collage above to juxtapose a collection of the textures that different plants are showing now as buds and flowers blanket limbs and branches.<br />
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A week ago, I collaborated with 3 other families to resurrect my father's vegetable garden. In years past, I had edged two of the three plots with a mix of perennials, shrubs and bulbs, but left the center square free for ever changing vegetable crops. A mix of seedlings and seeds are finally installed! Heavy on cole crops, and plenty of beans, peas, lettuce and much more to pick and use in due time.<br />
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A trio of salmon pink oriental poppies have bloomed for me for many years now and I'm just fascinated with these flowers and with the striking seed pods they become when mature. They are part of the "border" that surrounds two of the vegetable patches.<br />
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Finally, one of the best surprises so far this Spring: a number of my tractor tire planters have self-seeded with snap dragons!! I was so happy to just discover this, as I'd been searching in vain for seed starts for the larger, taller snapdragon plants. I guess they aren't in fashion this year as I could find NONE at any of the numerous garden places I checked. And then, a few days ago I finally took a closer look to see about weeding and preparing these planters that mark the road back into the campground. Lo and behold, numerous, vigorous seedlings from plants here in years past had grown all on their own! Good thing too, because I've never had much luck trying to start these from seeds, but good old Ma' Nature had no problem getting these guys started all by herself, no help needed.<br />
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So the past weekend, a good part of the transplanting, putting in seeds, general pruning and clearing weeds, etc. was all almost completed around WillOaks Farm and Campground. Everything is happening so late this year but am hoping the "better late than never" holds true....to be continued! Meanwhile, bone weary, long days, tons of work to do all in between running a campground that seems to get busier every week. Yep, things are very busy around here!WillOaks Studiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00986825696455165387noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2123352871941493824.post-52014874801301731282013-06-12T22:38:00.001-05:002013-06-12T22:38:53.523-05:00Peony SeasonYou thought lilacs smelled divine? There are certain varieties of peonies in bloom here now that seem to perfume the whole farm! Another brief, glorious, seasonal event as my collection of peony bushes bursts into bloom--a bit later than usual due to the cold spring, but welcomed in the landscape and wonderful to cut for bold, fragrant bouquets to bring indoors.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I love this form--and also have it in deep ruby and bi-color pink, but white has little fragrance.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This variety seems to have the most fragrance (and the most ants!)</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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I remember when we first moved to this farm when I was quite young, and as was typical of many farm houses, a large bed here, devoted to peonies, was memorable. At some point, it disappeared from the landscape. When I moved back to take care of my dad in 2003, I brought numerous plants from Iowa, including a few that are heirloom varieties. If the big storms currently moving through our area this evening haven't destroyed the look of some of the bigger, brighter bushes, I hope I can photograph and post a few more views soon.<br />
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Anyone else enjoying peonies this month? Thanks for dropping by!WillOaks Studiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00986825696455165387noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2123352871941493824.post-15869973710459756692013-06-11T23:14:00.000-05:002013-06-11T23:14:49.455-05:00Wordless Wednesday (Bead Shopping)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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2013 Bead and Button Show, Milwaukee, Wisconsin</div>
WillOaks Studiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00986825696455165387noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2123352871941493824.post-30967504766863985642013-05-30T23:50:00.000-05:002013-05-30T23:50:41.394-05:00Return of the Cicadas - Samuel Orr<a href="http://www.blogger.com/%3Ciframe%20src=%22http://player.vimeo.com/video/66688653%22%20width=%22400%22%20height=%22300%22%20frameborder=%220%22%20webkitAllowFullScreen%20mozallowfullscreen%20allowFullScreen%3E%3C/iframe%3E" target="_blank"></a> <br />
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">A 7+minute clip by Samuel Orr - Return of the Cicadas </span></div>
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The other day, I did a "show and tell" <a href="http://willoaksstudio.blogspot.com/2013/05/bugs-project.html" target="_blank">blog post </a>with my new <a href="http://pinterest.com/willoaksstudio/insects-bugs-butterflies-and-moths/" target="_blank">Pinterest Board </a>about all things Insects. I specifically mentioned using this collection as a kind of therapy to sort of toughen myself so I could take more time to look at bugs, and try to tamp down the "eww" reactions. I particularly mentioned how the Cicada emergence this summer was on my calendar, specifically the 17 year cycle creatures, which I hope we will find a few of here on our farm in the Midwest.....<br />
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So maybe I can just watch films and videos about cicadas instead of bracing myself to actually go nose to nose with them? I was wandering around the Huffington Post today, and I found the totally amazing clip embedded above, which is a fusion of stills and video all about the life cycle of this fascinating insect! You can also <a href="http://vimeo.com/66688653" target="_blank">watch it here on Vimeo</a>.<br />
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In fact, I was so smitten by the beauty of this piece, and by the topic, that when I read that Samuel Orr, the author/artist of the piece has a Kickstarter campaign going to more fully develop and produce his Return of the Cicadas, I promptly signed up for Kickstarter here <a href="http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/motionkicker/return-of-the-cicadas">http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/motionkicker/return-of-the-cicadas</a> and added my little contribution to help him more fully develop this beautiful "nature tale" about a truly facinating creature AND, more to the point, a fascinating life cycle.<br />
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No, really, they are very beautiful creatures--don't say "ewwww" until you watch the little movie! (And the sound track is fantastic, too!)<br />
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Thanks for dropping by!WillOaks Studiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00986825696455165387noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2123352871941493824.post-3709939971271958192013-05-27T20:55:00.000-05:002013-05-27T20:59:11.746-05:00Camping in the Rain<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Actually, I mean campground in the rain! It's so hard to complain when we're just coming off of full summer of pretty bad drought, but come on, we don't even get a break for a HOLIDAY WEEKEND? Nope, but we had some pretty awesome campers show up despite the cold, wet weather, and it was really busy around here. Not very much swimming, but I guess the fishing was pretty good the past few days!<br />
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So to add some cheer and color, I decided to set up a new potting bench behind the office. I'm slowly making planters and pots of annuals to sort of spruce up the place!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Potting Bench and the flowers I have left to plant.</td></tr>
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These pots and planters seem kind of sketchy looking when first planted--they are just babies popped from cell packs, after all. I seem to have a pretty pink theme going this year. I love the contrast of the pink against all this green everywhere. And I'm thinking of this post as a place to look back when things are all lush and overgrown, overflowing with trailing flowers. It's been a couple of years since I planted flowers in the Spring--another chorus on the "Yes I Can" theme I started writing about last week, I think.<br />
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I'm hoping a few hanging pots of "Wave" Petunias will really take off; I can't plant enough geraniums; and I chose a mix of Nicotiana in hopes of getting a few hummingbirds to stick around. Otherwise, the concept is: mix it up.<br />
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But the real mystery (as in "will this work?") is all the seeds I'm busy putting in. For a few years now, I've had a vision of tall, colorful sunflowers all along this old wooden fence that secures our firewood for sale. I've transplanted a number of catnip plants here, saved from certain death as they were growing in our bonfire circle. I'm adding seeds for dill plants. And to really make it colorful, a collection of zinnias will be in front of the planting. So far, only the catnip is visible....but in a couple of weeks, I think it will all be clear whether or not this is going to work or not. And since it's predicted to rain for at least another week or so here, maybe this will actually all come out. I'll keep this new garden project documented here!<br />
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Now about the 6 tractor tire planters along the road into the campground.....to be continued! Thanks for stopping by and hope your holiday was a good one---and enjoy the short week!WillOaks Studiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00986825696455165387noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2123352871941493824.post-42372052579801174642013-05-21T23:04:00.000-05:002013-05-21T23:04:41.411-05:00Bugs Project<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://pinterest.com/willoaksstudio/insects-bugs-butterflies-and-moths/" target="_blank">WillOaks Studio "Insects, Bugs, Butterflies & Moths" Pinterest Page</a></td></tr>
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I've found a wonderful purpose for my new Pinterest collecting--it's becoming a kind of therapy to help me get better with my insect aversion. Alright, aversion might be a bit tame: a better description would be my tendency to totally freak out when spooked by bugs.<br />
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So on Pinterest, <a href="http://pinterest.com/willoaksstudio/insects-bugs-butterflies-and-moths/" target="_blank">I'm carefully collecting them</a>, looking at them, actually enjoying the amazing shapes, colors, diversity. And not just the really pretty ones, either, although there are plenty of these. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2xo0eSage5Kmad9LzBnrdkGp98XYximAAzbsKhmm5Hb8qj9Y_UMsULnEf40BvxMfK6G5U99hN0vd91hFhVVVRXXXCbACPvJGsnc6lsbSBveP441ACl68Hldos5BvulEH6CHNTZhckFwXX/s1600/big+hairy+spider.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="205" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2xo0eSage5Kmad9LzBnrdkGp98XYximAAzbsKhmm5Hb8qj9Y_UMsULnEf40BvxMfK6G5U99hN0vd91hFhVVVRXXXCbACPvJGsnc6lsbSBveP441ACl68Hldos5BvulEH6CHNTZhckFwXX/s320/big+hairy+spider.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Look at this spider photo I found yesterday....it reminds me of the time I came nose to nose with a "Wolf Spider" in Fresno, where I could have sworn the creature was larger than my hand, and had a row of eyes that wrapped all around his head. I became hysterical because he was in my place and I had no idea what to do. Lucky for me, my friend took care of the problem....but I ask myself now, why couldn't I just relax and LOOK at the amazing creature? Calm down, take a breath, and study him?<br />
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So maybe bug photo collecting will help prepare me to handle insect encounters better? You see, I'd love to go nose to nose with some really big cicadas this summer, if I'm lucky to see some, AND if I can remain calm, cool and collected enough to really get up close and look at them. So if any of my readers know of any good bug photos, please leave me links here, and I'll add them to my collection! And if any of you happen to have any ideas to add to my proposed course of insect therapy here, add those too! Thanks!<br />
<br />WillOaks Studiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00986825696455165387noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2123352871941493824.post-58851770977369205592013-05-18T23:02:00.000-05:002013-05-18T23:02:19.411-05:00Weekends at WillOaks<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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This has been our third weekend of the new season but the first one that was "crazy busy" with lots of campers. I took this soft photo of the pond, and the ones below, just after we finished our weekly mowing and prep work, but before about 100 campers moved in for the weekend. Looks peaceful here!<br />
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There's a visual softness at this time of year as trees are just beginning to leaf out and on the audio side, I think I actually heard the first "peepers" (little frogs) of the year begin their first little call and answer just a couple of days ago, and then the first amazing reverberations of our resident bull frogs just yesterday. In due time, these become the steady background sounds of life here through the summer.<br />
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And I'm really glad we pushed to get the beach up to speed this past week, because it was full of swimmers already today! Methinks the water has a nice chill to it yet, but when it's 80F, maybe that's a good thing? After that frightening drought last Summer, to see the pond full to the brim with clear, clean water and lots of healthy fish in all sizes was an enormous relief this Spring, and I hope we can just skip the drought drama this year, thank you.<br />
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I'm totally exhausted and since the majority of our campers this weekend are kids with families, I feel pretty safe going to sleep early as crazy midnight parties, etc. seem pretty unlikely. OTOH, early morning fishing and swimming are very likely. So good night for now and best wishes to all for a lovely Sunday, folks, and thanks so much for dropping by!<br />
<br />WillOaks Studiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00986825696455165387noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2123352871941493824.post-5243160445124094592013-05-17T22:00:00.003-05:002013-05-17T22:09:04.011-05:00'Tis the Season'Tis the season for truly heady fragrances! I wish there was a way to capture them for a blog so I could come back to visit in the dead of winter, but I guess a few photos will have to suffice.<br />
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The WillOaks Campground is a small part of an old midwestern farm, so naturally, a few lilacs, crabapples and other blooming trees have wandered into the more wild and "natural" landscaping of the actual park.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This lilac bush is closest to my camper.</td></tr>
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So, in spite of the small spaces that life in a camper has to offer, I've currently made room for 2 nice big bouquets just so I can breathe the incredible perfumes....amazing!<br />
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Have a wonderful weekend (& don't forget to smell the flowers!)WillOaks Studiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00986825696455165387noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2123352871941493824.post-91185540299569817112013-05-13T21:59:00.001-05:002013-05-13T21:59:52.432-05:00Yes, I can....Yes I can come back to life, I mean. Yes, the campground is open for business for one final season and we're off to a running start! Yes, the drought has broken with a cold Spring just full of rain (and so we're running way behind on the growing calendar.) Yes, the 3 cats plus Dakota are with me here on combat duty (lol!) living in our camper again to run the show.<br />
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Yes, the bird life is still astonishing here, including Sandhill Cranes living even closer than before (their habitat next door was clear-cut last summer and they are searching for and finding new nesting places.) Yes, the fish survived the combination of the 3' drop in pond level with the 1+foot of ice on top, at least most of them did as there was no big carcass mess to greet us when the ice finally melted.<br />
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Yes, we already have campers staying here--truly wonderful, intrepid campers--willing to tough it out in freezing weather (which sounds kind of strange as it's mid May.) Yes, I'm still making lots of things, both new things and revisiting older things to fill orders, which I'll bring back to my lovely neglected blog to give readers the inside scoop.<br />
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Yes, I've been trying a few new things including a brand new Pinterest account which is pretty darn fun, but I still feel kind of all thumbs with...(connect with me there if you share this obsession! <a href="http://pinterest.com/willoaksstudio/">http://pinterest.com/willoaksstudio/)</a>, including my new "about" page on Etsy (which I plan to change and edit on a regular basis) <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/WillOaksStudio/about/">https://www.etsy.com/shop/WillOaksStudio/about/</a> and the iPhone app "Tunein Radio" which I love when I'm out and about.<br />
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Yes, I adore my new place in town, and was totally shocked by how quickly the winter flew by as somehow, it did end up I spent much more time in the new studio than in getting my "whole place" together....oh well, next winter!<br />
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Yes, I did get my trusty old camera fixed (finally!) so I can use it as a portable device again, instead of only plugged into an outlet, as I limped through the past year...(apparently, rechargeable batteries do die over time but I cannot recall ever killing any before? Thank goodness for Amazon shopping!)<br />
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And finally, yes, I am just beginning to write again and to find my voice again....it's a tad scary, but mostly, it feels good. Hope to reconnect with old pals and find new ones here again in due time! Thanks for dropping by!<br />
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Karen <br />
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<br />WillOaks Studiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00986825696455165387noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2123352871941493824.post-62300977729334430682012-07-17T06:23:00.000-05:002012-07-17T06:23:00.575-05:00Droughts and Heat AdvisoriesI can't believe I'm still struggling to pack and move in this heat, but yes, I am. In fits and starts; in bits and pieces. A few hours a day but I'm becoming hopeful that it's beginning to add up. My goal is to have both Dad's house and my rented sculpture studio emptied by the end of July--two weeks to go. And once everything is under my "new roof" then the process of making sense of it all will begin, but hoping without so much pressure or heat....<br />
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So my blog has been neglected and I'm chagrined to admit that I was just de-listed by Project Wonderful so going forward, no one can post those ads here anymore. I took the PW windows down as they seemed to be emptily mocking me. Somewhere down the road, when I'm operating on all cylinders once again, maybe I can rev up my blog, it's traffic, and it's Project Wonderful spot. But for now, I'm not very focused here as there are simply too few of me and too few hours in any given day....<br />
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But I've got some interesting photos to share here. I found a couple of gems in the midst of this not too attractive
heat wave and drought we continue to endure.<br />
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The ephemeral pond on the farm is the new home this year for a pair of Sandhill Cranes and their new youngster.</div>
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Here's a closer look-so glad this water didn't evaporate yet!</div>
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Grass is mostly brown and dormant BUT the weeds hang on. I've never seen a Canadian Thistle this small, put out only one blossom, but it has popped up during our break from mowing.</div>
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We still get together for food and weekend family fun, but are very careful about campfires these days.</div>
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And Dakota really, really likes the food her cousin Bella gets...and really likes the visit, too!</div>
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Stay cool!</div>WillOaks Studiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00986825696455165387noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2123352871941493824.post-16347000706852361202012-06-29T22:36:00.000-05:002012-06-29T22:38:17.243-05:00Beautiful and Dangerous<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Midwest weather extremes from excessive heat, to high winds, to huge hail stones, drought and then flooding....dangerous weather but amazingly beautiful skies.<br />
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Have a great weekend!WillOaks Studiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00986825696455165387noreply@blogger.com5