Spend your Labor Day Saturday with a talented group of artists at the Gulf Coast Arts Alliance

As many of you know,  Van and I spend most holidays of the year  and most weekends either traveling to or working an art show ....

This Labor Day weekend will not be any different!  We will be showing at one of our favorite shows and ( Art Markets)  in beautiful Gulf Shores Alabama.    Gulf Coast Arts Alliance Art Market at Waterway Village.  Those that know me well also  know I am an ALABAMA girl and and my heart is in GULF SHORES, ALABAMA!  This is where,  as a child I grew up going to the coast with my family every Spring and Summer.

Van and I always spend our 1st Saturdays of each month  at the Gulf Coast Arts Alliance Art Market at Waterway Village ( unless we are traveling on the road). This Saturday, September 5 , we will be there and we would love to see everyone who is in the  Gulf Shores -Orange Beach  area from 10 AM - 4 PM that day.  I will be selling my newest jewelry art creations and Van has his unique paintings for sale.

This Art Market is growing every month at Waterway Village ( located next to Acme Oyster House ) and we will be there with some very talented artists from the Gulf Coast.  If you havent toured the new GCAA Art Gallery across the street,  please take the time to do that.... many artists with much talent have their artworks there for sale.

My very talented husband, Vanuel,  will be teaching acrylic painting classes  in a workshop there starting Monday, September 21 at 10AM-12noon.  This class will be a very good one (because he is a wonderful instructor)  teaching you everything from beginner to advanced in an in depth  6 week course.

Contact them at :   http://www.gulfcoastartsalliance.com and under the tab adult classes for more information about his class.  Or you can contact Vanuel on  FB here :  Facebook

I was fortunate to have been featured  in the Mullet Wrapper, a local newspaper in Gulf Shores this past month of August for my handcrafted art jewelry shown at the GCAA.  Thanks to my good friend and one of the charter members of GCAA, Eloise Thomley.

Well, I have just been informed that I have my picture once again in the local Gulf Coast magazine "Beachin" for the month of September.  Thank you so much for liking my jewelry enough to have me in both of these publications...I am so grateful to be included  (thanks again Eloise Thomley)

Read about me and other artists that will be at the upcoming Art Market this next Saturday here;
Beachin Magazine

Last Workshop of the year ... Limited Space so Hurry!

LAST workshop this year, so  HURRY and get signed up NOW!

  Your LUCKY DAY!   I just had some cancellations, so I have spots available for students if you would like to attend.  But you must HURRY!  I will not teach this class again until later next year  ( about this time of year) so get on board if you want the opportunity to learn all about exploring metal jewelry.  Those of us who create jewelry are aware of the Busy Holiday Jewelry Sales during Oct- Dec. every year.  Most of us make the majority of our income during these busy months every year. I just do not have the time to teach all year long with my schedule!

Last class of the year will be :  Wed. September 23, 10 AM - 1:00 PM Introduction to Metals - Textures, Shaping and Coloring Metals Jewelry   $49.00 includes all supplies, materials, and brunch is served.  You will take home at least 2 -3 pieces of jewelry from my class.  (Remember class has to have a minimum of 4 students paid in advance for class to make) This will be the last class due to the busy season.  I will schedule more workshops beginning in January 2016 so keep in touch.

I have had to get more strict about letting me know when you cannot attend.  I need  at least at least  3 or more days before the class is scheduled if you need to cancel.  Reason:   Lots of planning and preparation goes into each and every class... and I have to order or purchase materials 1 - 2 weeks in advance.  I would so much appreciate your attention to this please!  I will not be able to give any refunds...

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and I will keep all of you aware of any new happenings and classes!


Have a really productive and prosperous Fall and Winter  ... see you real soon!  :)


Message me on FB  or call me if you have any questions!  

Where Women Create — From A Woman's Soul Through A Woman's Eyes By A Woman's Hands

Have you often thought about ... what is inside the creative woman?  Then you are not alone.... I believe as women, we want to know  what makes the "creative" woman tick.

It is hard to express this because it is different for everyone.  I can only speak for myself.   I dig very deep sometimes and nothing happens.....and sometimes it doesn't happen on its own.  We all have experienced the creative block on occasion.  And I have to admit that I have it happen to me quit often.  That is when I have to do something different to make it happen.....

I often have a block when I am under pressure , strained mentally, am just plain tired, or somewhat depressed. When I get down or depressed, it is very difficult for me to create.  But when this happens, I take time to either get away from my desk and my studio (which is my home) or start researching what others have created just to get my creative juices flowing again....

My greatest love is that of watching nature at the waters edge..... and since  I live just 20 minutes from the ocean and 5 minutes from the bay and river, I like to go there to get inspiration.   When I feel the need,  I make a trip to one of these places and get rejuvinated  and refreshed by what I love most.  I enjoy taking quiet walks with my dog,  Sam . And since he loves water play the best,  we hop into the car and go to the water to relax , play in the water or just take a walk..  I get many creative thoughts this way... since I am such an ocean lover I often go to the ocean  to look for sea shells and sea glass.

My advice to you is.... when you have a creative block... reaching out to what you really love to do often relieves the block of creativity that you have hidden inside.  It helps the soul to rebuild what you enjoy in life.....makes you smile, relax and pull from your inner self.

Many have told me they didn't have a bit of creative nature about them. I really do not believe that we were born without it.... I think everyone has something they can be excited about and therefore bring out this from inside them.  They just have to find out what it is and start doing something about it.

One way is to start taking art classes. This will bring your gifts to the surface.  Try something new and see if you are good at it.  We will never know until we try it.

Often we will feel like we just cannot do something and be good at it.  No on e starts something new and will be good from the start.  It is only after much practice that we learn to be good.  It is never in the beginning of a skill that we see we are good.  Practice is always the key.  Doing something we enjoy over and over makes us good and then and ONLY then we learn that we can be creative with that new skill.

Believe me.... I was not good from the very beginning of jewelry making.... It took me years of practice to get to be good and to develop a creative  soul inside.  IT TAKES PRACTICE!

But I have to admit ....some of my students seem to be "naturals" at jewelry making and will become fine craftsmen and women!

One of the most important things women can do is find a skill or art they love, learn all there is to learn every day, create an organized studio or room for your art, then start doing what you love to do with it.  Then before you know it you will be a master of it..... takes some work, long hours, and dedication to it.  But everyone starts from somewhere......slow in the beginning... then the creative juices will start flowing.... IF YOU LOVE WHAT YOU ARE DOING!

We all have something inside of us.... it just takes 'Being quiet and listening to ourselves" to bring it to the surface.  Have some quiet time where you have no phones, no computers, no television, or any person to talk to but yourself.... AND JUST LISTEN!