Jack Johnson and Ben Harper - Gone

Yowsers! Hot, hot, hot! Two of my all-time favorite guitarists/singer/songwriters on the same stage playing such a meaningful and soulful song. Just listen to that slide guitar, too! What a find!

Miss Carrie's Stained Glass....

I've almost finished my leaded stained glass piece to match the stained glass project that I did with the kindergarten and first graders at Salvador and McPherson Schools. I was able to grind, lead, solder, and putty all in one three hour period! Then, I polished it up for the final clean, the next day. Now, I just need to solder some hangers on it, so it can hang from my window, instead of sitting on the overpopulated windowsill!

Ivan Chan - "Out on a Limb"

Out on a Limb, oil on canvas, 36" x 12" NFS, originally uploaded by Ivan Chan Studio.

oil on canvas, 36" x 12" (NFS)

It is our intentions that take us where we will go, and even if it seems accidental to find oneself on the edge, it is no less purposeful.

What do we learn, and what do we offer, when we climb out on a limb?

I learned--and offered--my willingness to leap.

Thought that I'd share with you today one of my favorite Californian artists, Ivan Chan.
I love his "Here Kitty Series," a series of halo-ed cats caught in contemplation.
His technique consists of fingerpainting with non-toxic, professional grade paints.
Read his bio, here.
Check out his blog, here.
See more of his work, here.

Gary Jules - "Mad World"

Ingrid Michaelson - "The Way I Am"

Postmodern Venus by Madelyn Smoak

PostmodernVenus, originally uploaded by MadArtjewelry.

I just found an awesome new-to-me metal artist! Wow! You've got to check out some of her work!
Check out her shop, here!

Steel Cut Oatmeal

I've found the yummiest steel cut oatmeal recipe at VeganYumYum:

I've been substituting coconut oil for the margarine, and I think it adds to the flavor. Also, instead of sugar, I use 1/4 tsp of blackstrap molasses and 2 tsp of maple syrup. Enjoy!

Apple Cinnamon Steel-Cut Oatmeal

Serves One Hearty Breakfast Portion, Two Petite Portions

2 tsp Non-Hydrogenated Vegan Margarine
1/2 Cup Steel Cut Oats
1 1/2 Cups Hot water
1/4 tsp Cinnamon
1 Pinch Salt
1/2 Cooking Apple, diced
1/4 Cup Soy, Oat, or Nut Milk
1-2 tsp Brown Sugar (or regular sugar with a small drizzle of molasses)
1 Tiny Pinch Nutmeg, optional

Heat margarine in a small sauce pot that has a tight fitting lid. Add oats and toast them for 1-2 minutes, until fragrant. Add cinnamon and salt, stir well. Stir in hot water and bring to a brisk boil. Cover and turn down heat. After 15 minutes, add apple, milk, and sugar and stir. Cook for another 5 minutes uncovered, stirring occasionally.

If after 5 minutes you’d prefer your oatmeal to be thicker, cover and turn off heat and let sit for an additional 5-10 minutes. This gives the oats a chance to absorb more liquid without running the risk of burning the oatmeal. Also, the oatmeal at this point is approximately the temperature of magma, so you might as well let it cool down a bit before you dig in.

If you feel like dressing up your oatmeal, drizzle it with a small amount of molasses and a pinch of nutmeg, or sprinkle it with additional brown sugar, or add a fresh apple slice or two to the top.

The Importance of Eating Organic...

I felt the need to share this with everyone that I could!

CHILDREN FED NON-ORGANIC FOOD HAVE PESTICIDES IN THE URINE
A new peer-reviewed study found levels of nerve-gas like pesticides in the bodies of children who eat conventional foods. Researchers found that if a child switched to an organic diet, the pesticide disappeared from the child's urine within 36 hours. Organophosphates were designed during WWII specifically to kill humans and later evolved into commonly used pesticides for food crops. The study has not yet linked the pesticide levels to specific foods, but other studies have shown peaches, apples, sweet bell peppers, nectarines, strawberries and cherries are among those that most frequently have detectable levels of pesticides.

Read more about it here.

Art Integration Program at Salvador Elementary....

We've finished our first project! Yea!! The kids worked very diligently and are ecstatic to have finished pieces! I got the design for this project from Hands On Crafts for Kids.

Stained "Glass" Windows with theKindergarten/First Grade Class

I took the kids through the actual stained glass procedure. First, we made templates of each of the shapes. "What shapes do you see?"
Then, we traced around the templates on tissue paper (our surrogate glass). "How many of each shape do you need?"

Stained "Glass" Windows with First Grade Class

After all of our pieces were traced and cut, we glued the tissue paper onto waxed paper, using our pattern as a guide.
Finally, we put borders on both sides of the piece so it can be viewed from the front or the back!

So, it's time for me to get ready for the next big project!
Nipping glass while watching Aragon.

Hmm...mental note to make sure the kindergartners know they should wear shoes...
I did shoot glass on the carpet, but I think I cleaned it up well.
Most of the glass that I had access to for this project is transparent or translucent, so for the first class, we used crayons to color our base pieces. We're almost ready to grout already! I really love how these pieces are coming along so far.

Glass Mosaic with the First Graders

Some of the kids worked on mosaics with me in the afterschool program last semester, so they zipped right through this project. They really loved the addition of the colored picture beneath the glass.

Yael Naim - New Soul

I'm a new soul, I came to this strange world,
hoping I could learn a bit about how to give and take.
But, since I came here,
felt the joy and the fear,
finding myself making every possible mistake.

la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la...

I'm a young soul in this very strange world,
hoping I could learn a bit about what is true and fake.
But, why all this hate?
Try to communicate.
Finding trust and love is not always easy to make.

la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la...

This is a happy end, 'cause you don't understand,
everything you have done. Why's everything so wrong?

This is a happy end. Come and give me your hand, I'll take your far away.

[Refrain]:
I'm a new soul, I came to this strange world
hoping I could learn a bit about how to give and take.
But, since I came here, felt the joy and the fear,
finding myself making every possible mistake.

la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la...

la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la....

You! Promote here....

So, wow! What a long list! And thank you for that:)

and Here, too!

My new slogan...

I love this one! From Sloganizer.net:

The goddess made CalyxAnn.

Swimmy's New Friend....

Etsy seller thebirdsandbees sent a felted fish, inspired by Swimmy, to the Etsy folks in Brooklyn. Based on the video below, the folks at Etsy are now going to make a diorama of fish, arranged as a big fish...

So our vision is to be the eye — to be a kind of organizing principle. We do not want Etsy itself to be a big tuna fish. Those tuna are the big companies that all us small businesses are teaming up against.

Those big companies are holdovers from the days before the Web existed. And any company that is being run the same way now as it was before the Web came about is due for some massive restructuring or deflation.

Etsy is a company born on the Web, literally. I see the company itself as a handmade project, and we'll continue to build it this way. There's much more to do, and we're up for the challenge.

I decided to take the call for Swimmy's friends as a challenge! I also wanted to incorporate the style of the Northwest Coast Native American/Canadian Tribes that I was exposed to this past year during my trip to Vancouver.

Fire Mountain Gems 2008 Beading Contest

Get your design in by April 15, 2008!

Grand Prize: $1000 Gift Certificate to Fire Mountain Gems!!!

OMG! I've got two projects I'm working on right now.

There are several categories, just too many to list. So, to see where your design fits in, check it out!

Can't get it out of my head....

but I love this video with Sara Silverman and Matt Damon!

For a little history, and why the above video is even funnier...

Friendship Series

Friendship, originally uploaded by CalyxAnn.

Just thought I'd post some new photos, the new tumbled glass and sterling silver charm pendants that I've been working on lately.
Enjoy!

The End of the World...

is nigh! Buy something! Quick!!!

Three Guys Walk Into a Pub...

Bill Bailey, British comedian...see more on his flash-heavy website, if you dare...

Happy New Year!

The year of the Rat! (I don't have a rat, just a dragon.)





From http://www.chinapage.com/newyear.html

There are three ways to name a Chinese year:

1. By an animal (like a mscot).
2008 is known as the Year of the Rat.
There are 12 animal names; so by this system, year names are re-cycled every 12 years.

More.
1. By its Formal Name (Stem-Branch).
   This year is the year of Wu Zi.

   In the 'Stem-Branch' system, the years are named in 60-year cycles, and the Name of the Year is repeated every 60 years.
   2008 is the 9th year in the current 60-year cycle.

2. Current year is Year 4705 by the Chinese calendar.

   [A few Chinese astrological/zodiac websites believe this year should be considered as Year 4706 for zodiac calculations.]

Thought I'd take this chance to show off my sushi sets, once again. Once I get motivated, I'll actually start listing these!

Intimidating or....

just plain silly?!? You decide!

Hidden Hearts Scavenger Hunt

Hidden Hearts Scavenger Hunt

Ah, St. Valentine's Day, the day of love. (sigh) Feel the love and join the CGGE's Hidden Hearts Scavenger Hunt!

Members of the Creative Glass Guild are holding another scavenger hunt, and you are invited to join us. Find the hidden image in our Etsy shops, and win cool glass prizes!

Take a good look at Pippi Love, the cupid girl, above. She's the clue that will lead you to the prizes! Participating members of the CGGE will hide Pippi somewhere in our shops. Find her in every participating shop, tally your results and send them in to Artglassfusion

From The Poppy Fields Edonated copper on glass enamel Sgraffito pendant by DichroicDazzle

Time Machine Dichroic Fused Glass Pendant donated by Quotentials

Heart lampwork bead donated by DjinnGlass

And while you are searching our shops for Pippi, you'll notice fabulous sales which may include set percentages off, Buy-One-Get-Ones (BOGOs), free shipping, and more. See each shop's announcement for its special SALE!

Here’s how to play!

• Contest runs Feb. 1-7.


• To play, you must be an Etsy member. It’s EASY, sign up here if you are not a member
  already: www.etsy.com.


• Each participating shop has one Pippi secreted somewhere. When you find one, make
  a note of the shop name, and the item number shown in the address window of that
  item. For example, you find Pippi here: http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=285136.
  Jot down "creationsinglass 285136" (shop name and item number). Remember she may
  be hiding ANYWHERE in a shop. Simple!


• When you've found a Pippi in each participating shop, send a convo to to Janet at
  artglassfusion, with all your answers.


• The contest will run for one week, Feb. 1-7. At midnight on Feb. 7, our CGGE judges
  will check all of the entries for correct Pip sightings. Winners are the entries
  with the most correct sightings. In the likely event of a tie, the three winners
  will be drawn at random from all the correct entries. The lucky, clever winners
  will be notified via convos on Feb. 8, and their names will be published before
  the cheering throngs on our website and in the Etsy forums.


• CGGE members are not allowed to participate, but will join in, chat and cheer contestants
  on in the thread while you are searching for Pippi Love!

Participating shops:

CalyxAnn	glassprimitif	Getglassy
glasscatjewels	shasglasscrafts	creationsinglass
matechuk	smokeylady54	colorshoppestudio
gimmebeads	melissabeads	CassaroCreations
ccvalenzo	dichroicdazzle	periwinklesuz
kerichrystian	artflowe	artglassfusion
JoanJewels	papernclay	eccentricity
squidglass	geltdesigns	LaWatha

Have fun and good luck!!!

CCCOE January Challenge - Voting time...

Here's my entry for our January Challenge: Science and Geekery....Vote for me if you wish,

but also check out all the other entries. You wanna be fair, right?!?

Welcome! The California Crafters Club of Etsy (CCCOE) is proud to present the entries in their January challenge under the topic of “SCIENCE and GEEKERY”.

Now it’s your turn to judge which one is the best. Polls open until midnight Thu., Feb. 8.

Click through the list or see them all in one place here
http://quirkynberkeley.blogspot.com/2008/02/cccoe-january-challenge-entries-science.html

Rules:
1. Post your vote here.
2. Chat as you wish but vote only once!
---------------------------------------------------
One lucky voter will receive this LP recycled bracelet and business card holder by http://tresijas.etsy.com. See them here;
http://www.flickr.com/photos/quirkynberkeley/2235271498/
or here
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=9227267
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=7961267
______________________________

1. MI CORAZON by SandySimone
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=8682994

2. Intravenous by Tresijas
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=8715644

3. Scanning the Universe by ElenaMary
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=8717744

4. Science is Sexy by Surly
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=8719461

5. Sum of Two Halves Necklace (w/free matching earrings) by prettycheap
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=7992783

6. Albert Einstein Soft Sculpture by peggradyart
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=8742322

7. Girls are Great Science Students by TresLocas
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=8758697

8. Victorian astronomy necklace by AlliesAdornments
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=8833144

9. Paige the Wild Carrot by buttercupbloom
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=8748121

10. Marching Prehistoric Lava Bugs Bracelet by cigarboxbeads
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=8875464

11. Shell Bracelet (Marine Biology) by PalleikoDesigns
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=8838625

12. Dichroic Computer Chip Fused Glass Pendant by CalyxAnn
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=7789765

13. elemental aka chaos theory by mrsm
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=8963269

14. Salute to Gregor Mendel by ArttoWearDiva
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=8982688

15. A Heavenly Body by PamelaJean
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=8985032

16. bbzz by OhCuddles
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=8912991

17. Star bracelet by appleandstar
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=8934388

18. Phrenology tie by knittergirl
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=7933960

19. Transistor Earrings by luchi
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=8997798

20. I Am Having Heart Palpitations by NeedleWorks
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=9011656

21. Starry Sky by RedBessBonney
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=9061449

22. ALBERT EINSTEIN soldered glass pendant by DesignsbyTami
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=9027245

23.A New Beginning Ring by AmandaKLockrowJewels
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=9074432

24. Serotonin Necklace - for happiness by molecularmuse
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=9231252

25. Theoretical No. 1 - blank note card set with visible green squid
by audelaine
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=9130620

26. dichroic DNA by jenifereadington
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=8987595

27. The Marie Curie Origami Peace Crane
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=9244301

Been Just A Little Busy Lately....

But, you know, the busier you are, the more you get done!! Isn't that the crazy part?!?
So, I've been working on some new freeze-n-fuse pendants....I've got just the glass part done. I've wanted to create enough that I could work on incorporating them into Silver Art Clay in one session.
Also, there's a gigantic project at the studio, and we've been working overtime to get it finished. I've not got any beautiful pictures to show...but this project has got sandblasted, fused, and painted elements incorporated into the leaded glass windows. Below is me, prepping some pieces to get sandblasted. The glass is flashed glass, which in this case means that there is a thin layer of blue glass on top of a thicker layer of clear glass. When these pieces are sandblasted, the leafy area will then be painted with green paint and fired in the kiln to make the paint permanent.

While I was working with the buttercut and prepping for sandblasting, I was able to salvage some scraps to prep for a project that I'm trying to finish for Todd's birthday. Eventually, it will be a stained glass suncatcher of the seven chakras. I was able to dig out some scrap for the red, orange, blue, and violet; but I need to fuse together a green and yellow disk. Can't wait to show you the finished pics. Here's what I've got as of the latest photo session:And, now, for the unveiling of my latest series of pendants:

Sterling silver charms incorporated with tumbled stained glass! I really love these!!
Umm....perfect for your Valentine?