Soul Humming

The First Day of Christmas - Ruth Rae

 

 

So finally, today begins the Adorn Artist Group's 12 Days of Christmas ornament exchange! And we open up with a bang brought to us by my old friend, Ruth Rae. As you may know, Ruth and I wrote the book A Charming Exchange together a few years back. And she always brings a piece of her heart to her work. This time it is both a literal and figurative description as you will see...

Underneath the lovely wrapping is...

Ruth's Sacred Heart.

I believe she plastered a little box to create a home for the heart, which is molded in polymer clay, painted and then covered with wax before giving it a crown of thorns. The symbolism is beautiful. I love the contrast of the delicate crystals,the barbed wire and nails.

Along the bottom is a chain of sorts with "beads" of fabric, buttons, and book pages strung and glittered with mica. These details give so much texture, curiosity, and added interest to the piece. It's really lovely! Thank you, Ruth! Be sure to pop over to Ruth's blog to see more details about her ornament.

Tomorrow the girls will open my ornament so stay tuned for that.

Happy Christmas, everyone!

Auctions are Ending!

Pendant by Shari Beaubien

All the auctions for A Charming Exchange are ending within the next three hours or so. Please come over and bid on some beautiful pieces. We still have one piece that has no bids! You can walk away with a gorgeous piece of jewelry and help raise money for Susan G. Komen for the Cure. Click this link to go straight there.

 

Pendant by Katie Kendrick

Cover Bracelet up for Auction

The final items from A Charming Exchange for the charity auction going to Susan G. Komen for The Cure have been added at Ebay. This last lot includes the very special bracelet which graces the book's cover.

 

 It is a replica of the one designed for me by my precious friend, Ruth Rae, and more loving friends when I was diagnosed with cancer. It is really such a gorgeous piece.

 It has so many unique and amazing charms hanging from it's soft suede, pearl, and ribbon base. There's a tiny, tiny key that belonged to my grandfather. There's a miniscule light bulb shining with the word Life. There's a fine silver charm with an art tree cut into it. It is simply the most pretty bracelet you could ever have. And, if you win it you should know that this bracelet carries with it much love, blessing and light.

It will arrive in this beautiful fabric case made by Ruth.

Thank you all so much for your support in this endeavor. I've learned more about having a charity auction than you can imagine. I'll be much more informed next time around after many a hair-pulling hour. But, it has all been worth it. We've worked on this book for such a long time, with so many truly amazing artists. To be able to use the talents and gifts of us all together for good, is such a blessing.

I was thinking last night about cancer. I was thinking about how once you have breast cancer your life is changed forever in so many different ways. In some ways, it is an upside down blessing because you learn so quickly to value every second that you have. And, it seems to me to be of the utmost importance to try in every way, big and small, to help other women from ever having to fight breast cancer.

Did you know that 85% of the women who get breast cancer have No Family History of the disease? So, if you are like me, and your mom didn't have it, and your sister didn't have it, don't think that you will never get it. You don't have to be afraid but you do have to be proactive. Get screened. The mammogram is currently the best test we have to detect breast cancer. But, know that I found my cancer on my own before every having a mammogram. They're your boobs. Protect them. And the rest of your body, as well. Do self-exams, get your yearly mammogram and live your life to the fullest.

Auction Update

 

Many items are closing in mere hours. If you are bidding or want to be bidding, jump on over via this link.

Once there you can sign up for a feed so that you can be notified as soon as new items are posting. I added several pieces yesterday and seven more this morning. So do your holiday shopping early and get a little something for your own stocking. 100% goes to Susan G. Komen for the Cure!!

 

Please, help me to spread the word on the auction. We've been working up to this day for the last two years and really appreciate your support all along the way. Help us to raise funds to stop breast cancer from affecting our mothers, our sisters, our grandmothers, our friends, our selves.

Thank YOU!

New Auction Items Just Added

I've just added several new listings for A Charming Exchange Auction for Susan G. Komen for the Cure. Click on the pictures to go directly to each listing.

Nature's Gift

Green Victorian Dream

 

Eye of God Talisman

 

Button Bracelet

 

Time Flies II

Divine

Thank you so much to everyone who has been bidding and spreading the word about the auction! We really appreciate your support!

The Auction Has Begun

After many problems with software and computers, the auction has begun! I am keeping my fingers crossed that the listings are all correct and make sense. I tell you, it was downright nutty with me using two different computers (the one with all photos and descriptions that keeps bombing unexpectedly and frequently) and up to three different programs at the same time to make it happen.

There is still something odd going on though. If you search via my Ebay seller name (english_dixie) or A Charming Exchange (which is in the title of every listing I've added) nothing comes up! Yet, the listings are in My Ebay for selling and I have the item numbers. You can click on these links to see the first five pieces.

Charm Bracelet

Time Flies 1

Metal Lace

Fan Dance

Button Stack

You will be able to see a slide show of all listings at each individual listing. So as I add more, they'll show up on each page as well.

Any help you can offer to spread the word and to bid is GREATLY appreciated!!!

Thank you!

Sunday, Sunday, Sunday!

It was my goal to launch the auction on October 1st, which was yesterday. But, due to life, my computer shutting down constantly while I am writing, and various other time-sucking things that I had to learn about having an auction for charity, the auction of beautiful, gorgeous jewelry from A Charming Exchange to raise money for Susan G. Komen for the Cure will go live this Sunday, October 4th.

Ruth and I both think it is best to have the listings close on a weekend when folks have more time to pay attention to such things. So several of the pieces will go up on Sunday with a few more coming the following Saturday.

 

To everyone who has battled cancer, currently is fighting it, or stood by while someone you love has struggled through it, please join us in supporting breast cancer research. No matter whether you bid on a piece in this auction or run in a race or make pillows for patients, thank you, thank you, thank you!

We can all make a difference. We can all be a hero. We can all help to find a cure.

A Charming Exchange Auction Preview - Part Two

Here's Part II of the preview of pieces from A Charming Exchange that we will auction in October. Remember, all proceeds from the auctions will go to Susan G. Komen for The Cure.

Leather and Lace

Ruth Rae, Jennifer Rowland, Judy Scott, Joanna Pierotti, Liz Smith

Little Darlings

Fiona Mortimore, Maija Lepore, Ruth Rae, Kelly Snelling, Kathy Wasilewski, Debra Cooper

Forest Floor

Judy Scott, Martha Brown, Ruth Rae, and Kelly Snelling

I must confess that this is one of my favorite pieces in the book. It has the most enormous, exquisite stones. It is beyond beyond!

 

Traveling Nest

Ruth Rae, Joanna Pierotti, Cece Grimes

Button Bracelet

Ruth Rae, Lelainia Lloyd, Jessica Moreau-Berry, Lou McCulloch, Cece Grimes, Jennifer Rowland, Martha Brown, Maija Lepore

FLY

Shari Beaubian, Ruth Rae, Jennifer Rowland, Catherine Witherell

Tire Swing Babies

Lou McCulloch, Ruth Rae, Kelly Snelling

Grow

Ruth Rae, Kelly Snelling, Shari Beaubien, Maija Lepore, Sally Turlington

Veiled Gothic Memories

Kelly Snelling and Crystal Neubauer

Sweet Refuge

Joanna Pierotti, Judy Scott, Ruth Rae, and Kelly Snelling

Braided Bird

Mija Andrade and Ruth Rae

Little Darlings

Fiona Mortimore, Maija Lepore, Ruth Rae, Kelly Snelling, Kathy Wasilewski, Debra Cooper

Metal Lace

Ruth Rae, Joanna Pierotti, Holly Stinnett

Pillow Person

Katie Kendrick, Kelly Snelling, Ruth Rae

Green Victorian Dream

Ruth Rae, Crystal Neubauer, Liz Smith, Dawn Supina

Time Flies II

Cece Grimes, Jess Berry, Kelly Snelling, Ruth Rae

I think this is everything but it is possible that I have missed something. So be sure to stay tuned for all the gorgeous pieces to go on sale via auction at Ebay October 1!

Friends Abound

"What is a friend? A single soul dwelling in two bodies."

- Aristotle

Here I am! Over here...I'm very tired and sort of in a daze, but here I am. I've been writing and making lots of jewelry. I'm working but I honestly don't have anything to show you for it. These two got me a bit distracted...

They popped in for a quick couple days in Los Angeles for Kim Caldwell's latest spectacular soiree. And I was lucky to squeeze in an afternoon with them when the group came south to hit the flea market.

I am not one to spend a whole afternoon shopping. I'd rather stick a sharp stick in my eye. But to see these soul sisters I agreed to wander aimlessly looking at old prom dresses, white linens, and the flea market freaks (always my favorite). Afterwards, Kim had arranged a reception at the Vintage Emporium in Long Beach. And, even though it was to be more of the dreaded shopping, I knew there would be food, and that caused me to continue onward. :0) And look at these cuties who were there...

Ruth and Sarah Rae. Ruth taught the girls at the event to make fabulous fabric cuffs. It was wonderful to see all their interpretations of Ruth's beautiful style.

The Vintage Emporium is a beautiful little store.

Amy and Kim

The girls went crazy snapping up all the great deals (and there were many).

Lisa found this great hat and some of the coolest little dolls.

I went bananas over the finger sandwiches and cupcakes. What can I say? I have my priorities. But the real reason I made it this far into a day of shopping was so I could finally meet Holly live and in person.

Holly is such a sweetheart. And we've been internet friends for a couple years now. She produced stunning work for A Charming Exchange and has always been such a wonderful supporter of the project (and a great friend to me). I was so, so happy to finally give her a great big hug!

Finally, everyone had shopped their fill and we took off to see my dear friend, Mary Haldeman and her new house.

"To a friend's house, the road is never long."

-Anonymous

Mary moved to a beautiful, historic area of Long Beach.

(clockwise from the left) Maija, Tanya, Me, Mary and Danielle

it was a whirlwind visit. i so love these girls. they are the sorts of friends with whom i can completely be myself, warts and all, and know that i am loved, loved, loved. and, at the same time, they call me on my crap and make me laugh about it. they won't let me get away with much. they're awesome.

"To have a good friend is one of the highest delights of life; to be a good friend is one of the noblest and most difficult undertakings."

Anonymous

A Charming Exchange Auction Preview - Part One

 

Here's your first preview of a few of the gorgeous pieces from A Charming Exchange that we will auction in October. All proceeds from the auctions will go to Susan G. Komen for The Cure.

First up, the bracelet on the cover of the book!

"Create Art"

By Ruth Rae, Kelly Snelling, Catherine Witherell, Jessica Berry,

Deryn Mentock, Crystal Neubauer

 

"Fly"

Shari Beaubian, Ruth Rae, Jennifer Rowland, Catherine Witherell

"Nature's Gift"

By Ruth Rae, Shari Beaubien, Deryn Mentock

"Fifties Delight"

By Holly Stinnett , Michael Johansson, Ruth Rae

Button Stack and Pearls

By Liz Smith and Ruth Rae

"Love-knot Necklace & Earrings"

By Ruth Rae, Nancy Nelson, Martha Brown, and Kelly Snelling

"Little Love"

By Sara Lechner, Martha Brown, Ruth Rae

"The Fabric Orbs"

By Ruth Rae & Jade Pegler

"Songbird"

By Ruth Rae, Lelainia Lloyd, and Mija Andrade

Black and White Charm Bracelet

By Ruth Rae, Amber Dawn Goldish, Judith Thibaut, Catherine Witherell, Mija Andrade, Martha Brown, Jess Berry

"Fan Dance"

By Ruth Rae, Nancy Nelson

"Sugar and Spice"

By Holly Stinnett , Michael Johansson, Ruth Rae

Seashore Bracelet

By Ruth Rae, Kelly Snelling, Fiona Mortimore,

Cece Grimes, Lelainia Lloyd

"The Game of Love"

Ruth Rae, Jennifer Rowland, Maija Lepore, Cece Grimes, and Judy Scott

 

"Secret Sky"

Ruth Rae, Lou McCulloch, Catherine Witherell

"Divine"

Ruth Rae, Kelly Snelling, Deborah Edwards, Judith Thibaut

Stay tuned for Part II of the auction preview!!!

And be sure to tell your friends! Thanks!