Internet goodies that you discover while googling yourself

Just writing the words, “ googling yourself” makes me giggle. I just stumbled on the flickriver site. What a beautiful way to look at your photo collections  you’ve shared on flickr.com.  I’m sure I’m the last to know about this feature…but ya know…I do live under a rock.

art salad studio - View my most interesting photos on Flickriver

New Glass for Etsy

Finally getting my act together and photographing some of my new pendants and listing them on my Etsy site for sale. I’ve been hoarding all of my latest designs for local art shows and private jewelry parties. With an open calendar for January- I figured I better commit a few more pieces to the online world.

I am a Faerie Dwelling Architect

I can now officially add that to my resume of assorted and random art ventures. My dear friend Matt Greene and I constructed a fantastic little home for our invented faerie friend ‘Flock"’.  The fabulous David Rau, of The Florence Griswold Museum in Old Lyme, was the creative force behind hosting such a magical event at the museum.  (David also happens to be an amazing faerie architect himself. Be sure to scout out his dwelling, the Home of N.)

The premise behind the events was not only to construct, miniature abodes for 3 inch tall occupants,  we were also challenged to incorporate the  museum’s history and love of  impressionism. Each faerie architect was assigned an artist from the Old Lyme Art Colony gang, and we were to cultivate the idea that our faerie was this artist’s muse.

Matt and I chose Carleton Wiggins (1848-1932),  known for painting cows and sheep in the landscape. We imagined that Mr.Wiggin’s faerie muse must be a sheep farmer residing in a wee stone house surrounded with rolling, green meadows and mazes of stonewalls. There are rolls of straw in the fields leading up the the stone barn. His name is ‘Flock’, and sleeps in a cow hair bed with a wool blanket. He works the land, uses his naturals resources, and has some great felted wool socks which you can spy hanging on his clothes-line. Let’s just say, we really got into creating this character.

Can’t wait to see all the dwellings on display starting Columbus Day weekend. There are over 25 faerie dwellings for you to see.Flock's house Fairy Dwelling for Flock Flock's outdoor shower

My first Farmer’s Market

What a perfect day! Last Sunday I packed all my glass jewelry, a few cast-concrete leaves and my hopes and headed to The Coventry Farmer’s Market hosted at the Hale Homestead. The beautiful location and perfect weather were icing on the cake in addition to the wonderful people I met.

The pie was gone before I could snag one, but all the people were a buzz about Millix Farmhouse Bakery and their fresh baked goodies. I can attest to Sleepy Moon’s hand-made soaps. Her Gardener's Grit is my personal favorite. Dearest Winter was the one who gave me the chance to sign up for the Market. A big thanks to you! The Bead Tree had great handcrafted jewelry and it was a pleasure meeting Jane from Snootyfoods. Yummy treats indeed! She was telling me about an upcoming fair featuring Connecticut artists. The event will take place in Oxford, CT on Sunday Oct. 4th. We’ll see if I can sneak a day out. I am tempted since I had so much fun at Coventry.

my tent at the Coventry Farmers Market me & my fused glass

September Pendants

Getting into the autumn mood with the brisk mornings of September. System 96  has some new fall colors of fusible glass. Terra-cotta and a Pumpkin opaque are just delightful. It makes me want to bake a bread or something. Well actually just eat  cinnamon bread or something. Like a friend and I discussed, for some reason as soon as the cooler air comes, my body wants to squirrel away food. Anyways, back to what I really like to bake…glass. No calories involved there!

My favorite thing to paint is trees…and parts of trees such as branches, berries, and leaves. I feel like I can get away with more branch designs in the fall. Peoples attentions will be turning to all the trees around them ( at least here in New England) I feel like I am in my glory. Speaking of which, I should go and paint more trees right now. I’ll be having a tent set up at the Coventry’s Farmers Market this Sunday.

Somebody should come up with scented glass….yeah…so it  smells like pumpkin pie when the kiln is on. yyyuuummmm

sept pendants

Beach Kitty

Had another fun week with the family at the shore. I can’t really call it a vacation since the week consists of non-stop entertaining the kids. It is true- summer belongs to children. I’ve slowly begun to accept this fact, and have discovered that the sting of my summer disappointment has eased a bit. Hot summer days will never be as carefree as they once were- now I’ll attempt to provide that elusive freedom for my son and daughter.

Here’s to some fun in the sand!

Beach house 2009 042

Summer cool




There is something about the coolness of blues in the heat of the summer. I know it's only mid-may...but I have summer on the brain. I was on the ocean last week observing the wonderful humpback whales off the coast of Massachusetts. What an amazing site!
After staring for hours at the water, I couldn't help but gravitate towards my blue and green glass hues once back in the studio.
The glass drops are simple, keeping the style of the earring very versatile. I can picture these being worn with a white linen dress or a striped tee and comfy jeans. I have fallen for this new look.

Best card EVER


Best card EVER
Originally uploaded by art salad studio
This is one of those moments you hope for as a mother. Sincere effort from my little guy to show me that he loves me so. This makes those 3 years of diapers worth it. Happy Mother's Day to all those hard working women out there!
Hope you get a warm and fuzzy moment too.

Packing for an Art Show!


Jens April Glass
Originally uploaded by art salad studio
I've been trying like mad to make some more of my hand-painted fused glass pendants. Many nights I've seen midnight pass. It hurts the next morning to get the kids ready for the day and for EJ to catch the bus. I'll do what it takes.
On a brighter note-I am thrilled that it is spring! The blue and green glass is my favorite. I am inspired to my toes. I've been firing my kiln constantly. Maybe I should take the plunge and get a larger one. It's never big enough, ya know. (Interpret that as you see fit.)
I must get my tail moving and card up some of my new work for Hart's Greenhouse & Florist's - GIRL'S NITE OUT. I am looking forward to seeing my old friends and making some new. Rock on!

Something fun on Thursdsay night....

Girl's Nite Out-
hosted by Hart's Greenhouse & Florist- Norwich CT
Hart's has teamed up with local businesses to bring a one-stop shopping and pampering extravaganza. It's an evening with women in mind bringing local favorites like handmade pottery and jewelry, local artwork, natural body care products, gourmet foods, and even wine tasting, ice cream,mini massages and more. The first Girl's Night Out was so successful Hart's just had to do it again! This time the greenhouse will be brimming with gorgeous plants just in time for your garden,patio or front porch. Bring your friends, have some wine, talk with the Hart's staff and the vendors. It 's a great time you won't want to miss. If you RSVP by April 28th you will be entered in the door prizes drawings all night long. Look forward to seeing you on Thursday April 30th!

Some of the vendors include

Sharpe Hill Vineyard-wine

Mrs.B's Convenient Cuisine- Restaurant

Kitty Harbor -Cat Rescue & Adoption

Meiklem Kilnworks- Pottery

Burgis Brook Alpacas- local items made from alpaca wool

SixPaca Farm- Alpaca items

Arbonne- Skin care products

Pampered Chef- cooking products

Art Salad Studio- Handmade Jewelery

Schwann's frozen foods- Home delivery

Seabreeze Studios-artwork

P&R Electric- electrician services

Franklin Massage Therapy

C.Lewis Design

Call 886-4278 to RSVP and be entered

in drawings for products from the guest vendors.

Spring Bling Fling Baby!!!!!



Another Fabulous event at Indigo Lily Co. on the green in Colchester, CT.
Please join us Saturday- May 2nd from 10 am to 5 pm.
It's one day only!!!!

FREE gift wrapping, Benefit Raffles and a rumor that there will be yummy treats to snack on.
Need more info- check out indigolilycompany.com.
Meet the artists themselves, including moi.
Support your local boutique and artist too!
Hope to see you there.
WORD!
I am trying to remember the feeling of the holidays when I was young. It was such a magical time. Glimpses of tinsel, and smell of cookies, frantically unwrapping gifts, staying up past my bedtime and visiting with family. I must remember to provide those special moments for my children.
Life can get so busy...those chance moments can slip by.
The video is a bit dark, but here is a moment that I captured today...
my two little ones dancing in front of our Christmas tree.
'Simply having a wonderful Christmas time.....'

lomo leaf


lomo leaf
Originally uploaded by art salad studio
I've been away from my computer and out in nature. The leaves are falling fast here in Connecticut. Autumn is my favorite time of year until the leaves actually leave the trees completely. The brilliant orange leaves glow against the gray skies of October.

Printing Inspiration



I've had a hard time following my last post with anything. It has been over a month and I am ready to write again.

I have just gotten some new enamel paints that I have been experimenting with. I am able to form more delicate lines and detail. To the point where I can draw an original line illustration directly onto the glass. Once fired in my kiln, the painting becomes a permanent picture in the glass. You cannot fire enamels too hot, or they will bake away. I've been capping my pendants with clear glass to help preserve the hand painted image. This can sometimes lead to a cool bubbling effect with the painted image. Opening the kiln is always an exciting moment.

I've been sincerely trying to take in my surroundings. As always, I gravitate towards nature. Images of trees and flowers are prominent in my work. I've also been searching out and enjoying the works of fellow artists. Printmakers and fabric designers are so inspiring, especially their use of line and colors. I've been playing with pairing like colors together. It can give such a peaceful image. It reminds me of printing on fabrics. A simple illustration created in a rich dye coming to life on colorful cloth. I hope to travel this experimental road a bit further. Keep you posted.

Sebcoe Dog














I am still quite numb from the past 24 hours. I can't get a handle on my feelings, one minute I'm incredibly sad, tearful, dumb founded, heartbroken, nostalgic, tearful again.... All I can say at this time is that I miss my dog. This was a complete shock. He was truly the greatest and brought so much happiness to my family. Once the kids came ol' boy, you got lost in the shuffle, but accepted it with grace. We'll miss your velvety ears, quick running pace, and hearing you sing along to 'Who let the dogs out'. Hope you are up there swimming in a beautiful lake with fellow labs, having a great time. You are free of your cancer now.

Sebcoe
Feb.2001 -June 2008

Silver Posies

I really love the use of wire in my fused glass pieces. But the control of unwanted bubbles has been a challenge. I've tried different temps in the kiln, adjusting heating times, prolonging hold times, you name it. I invite the cute bubbles, but all you need is one big, unwanted bubble to ruin your design completely. I discovered a happy little mistake the other day. I had done my usual set up with the layers of glass- starting with a base piece, my wire design, and a cap layer of clear glass. When I removed the pieces from my kiln, I discovered that my top clear layer of glass had slid to the side during the fusing process on one of my pendants. Well the area that was exposed with my wire sunk a bit into the glass just a bit. Now, I am thinking there might be a way to perfect a topless wire fuse. So I'm off to experiment more with wire as a surface embellishment. I'll keep ya posted.

10 deep breaths



I can't believe we are at the end of May already. My last several weeks have been stolen by the sickies. Two sick children can drain minutes and hours away into thin air, dissolving all hopes to get anything accomplished. Funny how this happens to follow my sweet Mother's Day tribute. I've taken a photo of this great little flip book I received for my Birthday from a wise friend. I pick a new page each day to warn my husband of my mood. It's been a great tool in our communication. At least I'm poignantly getting my point across. That is what's important ,...isn't it? I better get another cup of tea, take 10 deep breaths and begin the day with renewed faith. The coughs have quieted and we may just attempt to visit a greenhouse today to start our veggie garden. The sun is shining- one.....two......three........ I'm feeling better already.

Mother's Day














Every year Mother's Day means more to me than the year before. I know it changed once I became a Mom, but theres more to it than that. More of my fellow girlfriends, sister-in-laws and co-workers are becoming Moms, so the network surrounding me is also becoming bigger. It's like you've finally earned a membership into the club, and you are automatically bonded with fellow Moms for life. You talk about poop and leaky boobs without batting an eye.
My view on my Mom has changed. She is more appreciated with each year that I am mothering my own two children. She's has moved to where the winters are warm and she is deeply missed. My best friend is expecting her first child this fall. She is going through testing and screenings to ensure a safe and healthy term for her baby girl. I know women who have tried, but could not be mothers. I've also seen Mothers that wished they weren't. It is such a demanding and thankless job.
Today, I'm quietly examining the dynamics of my family. My 4 year old son has appeared to grow another inch over night officially making all but one pair of pants into highwaters, and my 2 year old daughter was groovin' to Lily Allen on the radio with such spunk I was almost jealous.
I can see how important a Mother really is, and I see how important children are as well.

Thanks everyone for coming!

What an excellent day today- My free mosaic demo went great. A lot of fabulous people came to learn about the mosaic process, sign up for my May workshop, and give me support. A sincere thanks for coming and I'll see you in a couple of weeks at Meiklem Kilnworks for a hands on garden mosaic class. The class is the last 3 Thursdays in May. Everyone will mosaic their very own garden bowl. Gotta love original artwork. Can't wait!

Big Thanks also go out to Hart's Greenhouse & Florist for hosting such a fun day.