"I plugged in my Stylewriter Mac printer the third day here to print something out, and as it began to print, it also immediately began to smoke.  Disconcerting plumes of flame shot from it, as though it were being executed in Florida.  Horrible sight, particularly as it kept on printing even as it destructed, another symbol of the writer's life."
—Paris to the Moon by Adam Gopnik


This passage made me laugh.  The show must go on, right?  I don't think this situation is limited to writers either. How many people drag themselves to work when they're sick or insist on sticking to their routine when their life is falling apart around them?

While I was reading the book, the Bush Barn Art Center in Oregon requested I send in new jewelry for spring and summer.  Those seasons make me think of travel, so one of the simple necklaces I made included this one with a map of France and a Paris charm.  I could say that the three dangles symbolize the three members of the family and the flower symbolizes the park near their home, but that isn't true.  When I made this necklace, I wasn't consciously trying to portray the book.  For me, this necklace is just another example of taking in a lot of inspirational sources and not being sure exactly how they will filter out.  I could make the same case for my Swim Bracelet. I enjoyed the book's father-and-son scenes at the pool at The Ritz, but was that really my source of inspiration?  It's hard to say.

There is an official blog hop for readers who deliberately created items inspired by the book.  See all the creative projects inspired by Paris to the Moon at Andrew Thornton's blog.  Enjoy!

Quotation Source: Paris to the Moon by Adam Gopnik, 2001.

"Nobody sees a flower, really, it is so small.
We haven't time - and to see takes time
like to have a friend takes time."
—Georgia O'Keefe

Last month in Santa Fe, I saw this rock outside of one of the Georgia O'Keefe buildings.  I thought it clever how the groundskeepers planted the purple and white crocuses near the base of the rock.  Those little beacons of springtime made me detour across the street and notice the quote.   

These pink creeping phlox are right outside my front door, so I see them every day.  You'd think I'd know what they look like after several years, but it was only when I was taking photos that I noticed the yellow, white, and purple centers. 

I like to think that I'm observant, but I'm not.  I'm the person who ends up buying multiple jars of peanut butter because I can't see the one in the cupboard in front of me. 

Maybe this why I like to read mysteries; I admire people who can scan a room and retain all those details at a later time.  (Sherlock Holmes often pops up on the topic of observation such as in this article in Scientific American, "Don't Just See, Observe.")

A photo challenge group like I Heart Macro or Focus on Life (at The Studio Sublime) is a great way to train yourself to become more observant.  If you write, you might enjoy Christina Katz's 21 Moments where she emails you prompts to focus on moments in your life.

In the 1990s, a popular book titled Don't Sweat the Small Stuff by Richard Carlson appeared on the New York Times bestseller list.  While I agree with most of his advice about letting go of petty concerns, I disagree with the title.  You need those tiny flowers ... the robin staring you boldly in the eye as you back your car out of the driveway .. the ice crystals forming pretty patterns on the kitchen window.  Looking at the small stuff helps you see the big picture.  If you're missing all these tiny delights in the world, you should sweat it.  Get out there and look!

Quotation Source: ArtCyclopedia

I spent the weekend in Santa Fe.  It's one of my favorite towns because it doesn't feel like anyplace else.  It's considered the third largest art market in the U.S.  The Canyon Road area boasts more than 100 galleries in a square mile area.

Santa Fe is an easy trip down Highway 25.  It's true that there are long stretches without much to see besides sky and flat stretches of snow and dirt.  There are few billboards along the route.  Aside from Denver and Colorado Springs, there are long stretches without signs of civilization.  But that doesn't mean that the trip is boring.  It's nice to have stretches of time without the computer, time to listen to music or stare out the window at nothing and let your thoughts drift.  I don't do that enough any more.


I do know what Charles Kuralt means.  It's harder to find something special along a major highway.  If you've ever taken a smaller highway or 2-lane road, you've probably come across something unique:  a quaint diner, a tiny museum, or an unusual artifact ("the largest ___").  It does require a little bravery to go off the beaten path.  In one little cafe, it was obvious I was the only non-local customer.  I felt a little bit like a bug under glass with the stares of the locals, but that didn't stop me from enjoying a slice of amazing homemade pie.

Photo: Along the road near Garden of the Gods in Colorado.

Quotation source: Goodreads.

I saw my first little library in person in Kansas last week (pictured here).  These are small cupboards in neighborhoods where you can take a book or leave one.  Neighbors are encouraged to leave notes inside the books, saying why they recommend them.

The little library movement started in Hudson, Wisconsin.  Now these little libraries are popping up all over in places like the Puget Sound area and Brooklyn. They're even some international little libraries in places like Ghana and Brazil. (Check this Google Map to see U.S. locations.)  There are more little free libraries than Carnegie libraries.

I love this idea!  In some small towns, these little libraries are the only libraries.

If you want to build your own little library, there's helpful information at the Little Free Library site, including building plans, finished libraries to purchase (including an adorable one shaped like a red British phone booth), and a list of frequently asked questions. They also have a Facebook page.

Are there any little libraries where you live?

I'm glad to be back home after traveling to the Bead & Button show, though it's a bit worrisome being close enough to the fire in the mountains that the house smells like bar-b-q and you can see little particles of ash float in the air.  I'm hoping that the fire gets contained soon and everyone will be safe.

On a happier note, at the show I met some online folks in person for the first time, including a lovely blog reader (Hi, Ellen!), Vlad at Golem Studio, and the two talented authors of Bohemian-Inspired Jewelry, Erin Siegel and Lorelei Eurto.  I also apparently missed seeing quite a few people.  (See Andrew Thornton's blog—Day One, Day Two—for a virtual "meet and greet" of some of the talented jewelry and bead makers who were there.  Diana Ptaszynski also has a nice post on some of the people she met.)

Bead Show Finds

I bought less at this show than in previous years, so if you're looking for major eye candy, see the great finds by Lori Anderson, Lorelei Eurto, Hilary Frye, and Carmi Cimicata.  Frankly, it's amazing that we were all at the same show; I didn't even see some of their beads.  It just proves that a good bead show has something for everyone.

I stocked up on wire, chain, and Czech glass beads.  Here are some of my other finds:

	This tree pendant from Green Girl Studios is already being transformed into a simple necklace with some pretty antiqued silver chain from Primitive Earth Beads.  (It's a wonderful luxury to be able to match your chain and pendant in person, rather than guessing online.) The back of this pendant has a quote from Henry David Thoreau.
	Believe it or not, this porcelain bicycle pendant from Earthenwood Studio was actually on my shopping list.  Biking is popular where I live, so this pendant seems perfect for creating a piece of local-inspired jewelry.
	After stamping the word "love" repeatedly on some custom orders this spring, I decided I needed this metal heart stamp from Beaducation.
	I always buy at least one item at bead shows that I'm not quite sure how I'm going to use.  This set is that item!  I found these recycled vinyl flowers from The Beadin' Path fascinating, but I'm a little intimidated by their large size.  (Don't be fooled by the small photo on this page—some of these pieces are the size of my fist.)
	I love the matte appearance of sea glass.  Plus, the cool glass feels great against your skin, making it just right for summer jewelry.  ZNETSHOWS had a good selection and good prices, too.

I was so excited about my purchases that I sketched some jewelry designs on the way home from the show.  I hope to meet you at a future event!