Austin Trip...Early Morning Communing with Nature

I'm back from Austin and had to show you what we did early Tuesday morning before I left. I went Stand Up Paddling for the first time with fellow beadmaker Anastasia and Jim Berry of Austin's Blue Moon Glassworks. I have to be honest- a lot of my time was spent kneeling, because I'm a little shaky still and Ana & Jim were so good. But it was a lot of fun. Lady Bird Lake was serenely beautiful and you can see the skyline in the distance. We spotted turtles, ducks, herons and even swans. I'm hoping we'll get a chance to go again, next time I visit.

X Ray Photography

I recently ran across this cool photography by Jim Whetje. He has overlapped and x-ray photographed seashells to form this koala piece. There is a variety of other x-ray photography on his site from dolls and heavy machinery to the most fragile flowers, check it out. I love it!

Where's Waldo?

Remember those books with the striped shirt guy hiding somewhere? This is a quick shot of some of my tangled bead mess. I feel like Waldo should be popping up somewhere in the middle of it.

I'll be home tomorrow and ready to blog about my class with Anastasia. See you then!

Austin Bead Society

I'm currently in Austin, Texas again. This time to take a class, instead of teach it. But before I discuss that, I wanted to show you just a little bit of one of the display cases at the Austin Airport.

Wow, the Austin Bead Society sure knows how to put on a great show. Gorgeous work by a variety of artists, prime location for many folks to see it, and great big posters publicizing their group.

I'm hoping that this kind of enterprise is mirrored in other locations. What has your art group done recently to help the members? This is so cool. Hats off to the Austin Bead Society. Great job!

Sunday Funnies

Sorry, I couldn't resist.

Brian Dowdall

Meet contemporary Folk Artist, Brian Dowdall whose paintings brought an immediate smile to my face. I knew when looking at his work that he would be as much fun as his work. (or is it play?). He is. And a nice guy too.

Brian was very proud to tell me about his upcoming year long show at the American Visionary Art Museum. He is included in "What Makes Us Smile". So very true.

So pop by his website. I personally think art should make us feel an emotion. And for me, Brian's folk art's colorful simplicity and style brings out twinkle and a grin and a jolt of happiness that is always welcome.

My Phone Is Off For You

I saw this website and the concept really resonated with me. It seems like every time I go out to eat, many of tables have multiple occupants texting, checking emails, or talking on the phone, instead of chatting with each other.

As a person married to someone who is constantly working and mom to 2 kids, I know that when the phone is physically turned off, at least there's a better chance to have a real face-to-face conversation. Can't help it- I really love conversations with good eye contact and folks focused in on the topic. I know, "old school".

According to the website, the handkerchief shown above actually blocks the phone signal. Although this is a wonderful idea, (in my mind), I can see physically turning off the phone works equally well.

So what do you say? Spread the word? Tweet, text, blog, call- just don't do it during dinner.