Dias de los Muertos

Nov. 1 and 2 celebrates Dias de los Muertos. The following is an excerpt from Carlos Miller's article in the Arizona Replublic newspaper:
"Today, people don wooden skull masks called calacas and dance in honor of their deceased relatives. The wooden skulls are also placed on altars that are dedicated to the dead. Sugar skulls, made with the names of the dead person on the forehead, are eaten by a relative or friend, according to Mary J. Adrade, who has written three books on the ritual.
The Aztecs and other Meso-American civilizations kept skulls as trophies and displayed them during the ritual. The skulls were used to symbolize death and rebirth.
The skulls were used to honor the dead, whom the Aztecs and other Meso-American civilizations believed came back to visit during the month long ritual."
I took a Michael deMeng workshop a couple of years ago and I celebrated myself in the after life as the Queen of Debris making assemblages from found objects. Yeah, the big head fits me. hehe.

Best Witches To You

Yes, yes, I know it's Turkey season, but I wanted to share a couple of photos from a great time yesterday. I Had a Witches Tea for some of my friends and we had such a good time laughing, eating and talking. I made the shoe favors from card stock I had on hand. But for the real witch's shoe photo and template, click HERE. Thank you to Skip To My Lou blog for the template and wonderful inspiration.

Happy Halloween

Polymer clay marshmallows wishing you the happiest of Halloweens!  [Inspiration: Zombie marshmallows by Meaghan Mountford of The Decorated Cookie-permission obtained]Photofunia editing lets me be an angel for the day. hehe.

Pencil Drawing

This is my pencil drawing projected up on a movie screen through the magic of Photofunia, a photo editing program. I did this drawing years ago; loved it then, love it now. It is just one of my favorites. And what fun to see it on a movie screen in all its glory. I'm taking a break from non-stop painting, pricing and tagging. October has been a blur. A blissful blur.

Alcohol Ink Beads

Some polymer clay beads I painted with alcohol inks and strung on a turquoise cable. Next Saturday is our Art fair and I am on countdown. Wearable art pieces are pretty much done and tagged. Displays and table covers are done. It's the paintings that are not done. Tomorrow.

Free Form Beaded Heart

I had all my free form beaded hearts hanging on organza ribbon, but have switched to cables. They appear light and free and wear beautifully.

Coffee Cuff Surprise

Not only did I receive my beautiful coffee cuff from Cat Ker of In the Light of the Moon (click HERE), but I got the magazine she was published in, Cloth-Paper-Scissors (click HERE). Her article appears in the Holiday 2011-2012 issue. What a great surprise. Again, thank you Cat.

Polymer & Crepe Paper

I really enjoyed making the paper streamer boxes (click HERE) and thought I would give a roll of crepe paper a try and top it off with a big polymer bead. I would do fine for a couple of inches and then, capoohie! Better I should use the crepe paper for our next party.

Big, Bold Polymer Necklaces

These are over 10 years old, closer to 15. I think I made them in '96. The joy of "playing". Simple scrap clay and swirls. Oldies, but goodies.

Look What I Won!

How lucky am I? Out of all those entries on Cat Kerr's blog, "In the Light of the Moon" (click HERE), I won. I chose a custom made Coffee Cuff with the word "Happy" on it. Because I am happy. Hop on over to Cat's blog and enjoy her artistry and then take a look at her Etsy shop (click HERE). Thank you Cat.