acorn

The most exquisite acorns are falling down the street. Having a true Fall, as it is here in Ohio, I love the crisp evening air, the turning leaves, the feel of Fall in the air. The cornfields are going dead and dry. Shelley made the most delicious stew with turnips and beef and apple cider from the farmer's market.

Summer's End

As the hot, humid days of summer subside, I wanted to share some photos of the food vendors at the Art Show in Westerville. I've never seen such elaborate food carts!

Farmer's Market

The Harvest is in full swing at the Worthington Farmer's Market. Corn, Heirloom Tomatoes, Pumpkins and squashes. Mmmmmmm

Mural of Schnauzers

For the past two weeks I have been painting a surprise Birthday mural for a friend. Yesterday was the unveiling, so I can post them here! It's interesting to work on a mural based on animals that interact with me everyday, I can try to capture their unique personalities and that glint of mischief in their eyes. Miss Boo is a Senior Citizen, and the Alpha dog, so her right place was on the cushion. Sawyer is the young Schemer, so he sits below, plotting his next move. The miniature portrait is of Bentley who passed away some time ago, but I wanted him in the mural as a memorial. It was such fun to work on. I hope that this may be the beginning of painting murals in the Columbus area.

Woodland Theme

New Steampunk SHTUFFF!

I think I hit on a cool idea! I took these little ladies watch faces that I've had in a jar for over a year now, and I formed them into beads. I think the look is very different from the typical Steampunk gear.

Franklin Park Conservatory of Flowers

Yesterday my friends and I went to the Conservatory, which is more like an Art Museum with plants. Everywhere you look, you see blown glass sculptures, mostly by Dale Chihuly, tucked in amongst the orchids, palms and Koi Pond. I loved it.

PERFECT

Happy Fourth!

The Deep Blue Sea

I created a Jewelry mini collection called "Dangerous Waves". I wanted the set to reflect elements of the ocean, Lobster Quartz, Picasso surf blue beads, carved bone, and a Pirate's heart locket and key in brass.

SUMMER SALE!!! Only 10.00 each!

Only at my Etsy shop:

www.babettebistro.etsy.com

Ten Dollars Each !!!

Summer Sale FUN!

Now til the leaves turn, or I run out!

Blood Lantern Earrings

These blood red earrings are like mysterious lanterns.

I used Czech Fire Polished glass beads.

Keaton and Chaplin

Fireflies (Cue Owl City)

I sat by the pond last night, watching the tiny flickers of intense green light, and I thought about how very lucky I am to be alive and to be starting a new adventure in my life.

Ohio has the most beautiful clouds, like a Maxfield Parrish painting, that slowly make their progress across the sky.

Lawns that make the entire city look like a park.

No fences. and where there are no fences, there are no boundaries.

Sky's the limit.

I've been working on new pieces

Even though Shelley and I have been making scissor fobs, and I've been helping her with her shop called "Piratesprize"- which is her elegant line of jewelry, I've managed to create a few new pieces for the Babette Henri Line.

Here's two that were posted to Etsy last night.

As soon as I get my new business cards, I can go to some shops in the area.

Steampunk Scissors Fob!

well, it had to happen

Shelley and I made a STEAMPUNK scissors fob. I had so much fun painting the gears and cogs and the two top hats. I hope that some Steampunk Seamstress out there is in need of a scissors fob, or a cool tassel.

Cue the "Wicked Witch of the West" Theme Song

Tonight I experienced my first Tornado Warning.

There is a BIG difference between a Watch and a Warning

When there's a warning, you see some lightning ( a LOT of lightning ) and you hear the atonal crashing sounds of thunder ( as if it were uprooting trees and your roof ) .

Tonight I could see a big storm brewing in the sky- dark clouds beyond the rooftops, screaming across the sky-and I was quite looking forward to it.

But the winds kicked in and trees began bowing down, the sky was instantly dark and there was no sign of life, not a bird, a squirrel or rabbit in the yard.

The lightning became more intense and numerous when we sat down to dinner.

Chai was becoming a bit agitated, so I went up to give her some reassurance, when I heard it...off in the distance, the lonely hollow sirens. It was a Tornado Warning.

It was time to take the dogs to the basement, along with the last of my supper, and as I was shoving the unwieldy Pomeranian into the bright yellow Southwest dog satchel, it started to feel very surreal, the air was hot, lightning was bursting and illuminating the room in a white hot glow, rain pounded against the window panes and I felt my knees start to shake.

It's not much that scares me. Not to that extent. But I was actually afraid.

This is not like an earthquake, where you look up suddenly when things start to shake, and think- "Door Jam!"

No.

This is much more intense. It's like a slow moving freight train about to hit you, and you just can't get...off...the ...tracks.

I polished off my taco salad while watching the local news channel, and saw that the main event for our county, was past.

Phew.

ok, so this goes on for how long?

Charlie Chaplin

I love this photo of Charlie Chaplin. Haunting in a way...

Day of New Beginnings

I love waking up and knowing I have a project to work on. Today I'll be painting the beads that will be part of the Scissor fabs that Shelley and I are making for our Etsy store.

Yesterday I created some new jewelry for Babette Henri and that Etsy store- Babettebistro.

Can't wait til my new business cards arrive from VistaPrint. They say two more weeks. Hard to wait though.

Memorial Day in the Nation's Heartland

This weekend "The Moving Wall"- a smaller touring version of the Vietnam War Memorial, is here in Westerville, Ohio. The Rotary Club has also set up rows and rows of full sized American flags and it is called, "The Field of Heroes". Anyone can purchase a flag in memory of a loved one who has served this country. The flags have blue hang tags with inscriptions from family members. The memorial has bright lights that shine on it 24/7. On Friday night the Boy Scouts were protecting the area. It was one of the top stories on the news.

What I find fascinating is that this sort of thing seems to create a strong sense of community. It just seems so natural to people that there is a memorial that fills a huge field, that it is a place of reverence and that everyone just respects that, without question. There are no airs of indifference to the situation. No one is protesting the mere presence of such a place.

I find this surprisingly pleasing and calming.

At the grocery store on Saturday, all manner of people were wearing red, white and blue shirts, often with garish graphic art of Eagles and flags, and these shirts ore openly admired by passersby.

It's a basic love of country. It's new to me.

Of Scissor Fobs and Tassels

Here are three of the 8 tassels Shelley and I have been working on.

I paint the beads based on the colors in the tassel that Shelley makes. I'd never even heard of a scissors fob before now.

High Sewciety

Today marked the launch of a new Etsy Shop called High Sewciety. It's a collaborative effort - Shelley and I are making Scissor Fobs and jewelry and things for crafters and fiber artists.

So far we've put up 7 hand painted wooden bead and tassel scissor fobs and soon the thimble necklaces Shelley makes. Should be fun! We have so many ideas for the tassels, next up I want to do a Steampunk inspired one ( just so I can paint a top hat and gears! hahah!) and some for weddings too.

Check it out! Feedback encouraged!

http://www.etsy.com/shop/highsewciety

Worthington, Ohio Farmer's Market

I am a big fan of the town of Worthington. Bucolic splendor, amidst a little village built in the 1840's. Large park where there will be an ice cream social in two weeks. Ohio may be a Culture Shock for a jaded Californian, but the charm and beauty of the place and the friendly denizens are making me a believer. I know, I know...the SNOW!! well, in May, this place is like magic on a lush green blanket.