Ethical Clothing

I've been absent from blog-land for quite a while. My dance card's been pretty full.  I'm in the procoess of updating this blog so please bear with me folks.  (Are there any of you out there?)

I just posted the "Ethical Clothing" badge to my sidebar.   I found this at Isis Handmade: http://isismade.blogspot.com/2009/09/ethical-clothing-pledge.html

Here's the skinny:

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T H E _ E T H I C A L _ C L O T H I N G _ P L E D G E

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I pledge to only wear clothing that is one or more of the following:
1. Pre-loved
2. Handmade (preferably by me)
3. Reconstructed
4. Made with ethical / environmentally friendly materials
5. Made by a company with strong ethical policy & workers' rights

* Companies with environmentally friendly practices (such as cutting down on waste/energy/water) get brownie points
* If I get one little inkling of sweatshop labour, I'm outta there!
* Above all though, I think the most important thing is reducing the amount of things we use in the first place. Not purchasing ANOTHER piece of clothing just for the sake of it is the biggest statement we can make.

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I am all over this.  It seems whenever I go to TRY to buy something new, it's made in China.  I started putting those things back on the shelf.  I spend a lot less money these days.  My favorite place to shop these days is my local thrift store. That way, the money at least stays local the second time around.  I've been following Refashionista (http://refashionista.net/) and the Refashion Co-op (http://refashionco-op.blogspot.com/).  These folks are so creative and resourceful - what inspiration! 

I think I need to find a dress form.......

Mindful meditation

Things have been a bit hectic in our lives right now.  The garden's coming in and I've been canning tomatoes, making pesto, drying basil, and making pepper jelly.  The kitchen has been smelling reeeeeeeeeeeeeally good.  We've tried to get some quiet by going camping, listening to the birds & bullfrogs. 

When I need to quiet my thoughts I try some mindful activity.  I find it difficult to quiet my mind and sit still to meditate.  I find that knitting or stringing some beads is a meditative, calming activity. Last night I pulled out some cube beads I'd gotten on sale (having no idea what I'd do with them when I bought them) and determined I was going to learn a new stitch.  I pulled out my trusty "Mastering Beadwork" and picked out the square stitch bracelet on page 33.  Since my beads were metallic, I'm calling this "heavy metal."  The beads sort of snapped into place, and the closure was easier than I'd originally thought.  It doesn't really close in a V; that's the way it's laying on the table. It's a bit different - I like it.

At least I've done something a bit different than all the right angle weaving I've been doing.  Now, on to learn something else. 

It's a color thing

Don't get me wrong. I LOVE my wire and my semiprecious stones - and all the healing power therein.  But lately I've been looking at little tubes of seed beads and I'm like a kid in a candy store. I got a few tubes of beads and some amethyst AB Swars, practiced my right angle weave and here's what I ended up with.

It might not be silver and turquoise, but I'm liking the colors.  And it feels kind of vintagey.  Any thoughts?

Wise words from a Native elder

From the "Proud to be Native American" Yahoo group:

Elder's Meditation of the Day June 14


"The basis of knowledge is the fire, rock, water, and green. But when that power was given to man, he used it to twist his own mind. Tunkashila gave man just one drop of that wisdom."

--Wallace Black Elk, LAKOTA

All of Nature has the wisdom to follow the Natural Laws. All of Nature knows how to live in harmony and use this wisdom in a good way, with exception of the human being. Often we misuse this wisdom. Wisdom always remains with those who use it in the proper way. Nature has used this wisdom well, so now we need to go to Her so we humans can relearn and change our lives. May we start doing this today, before it is too late.
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And if people had paid attention?  Would we have such a mess in the Gulf???

Another kind of circle

I hope anyone reading this is having a great start to their summer. I took a day off work on Friday and we all had a nice long weekend. I feel relaxed for the first time in a long time.

I've been fiddling my way through a couple of beading books and this past weekend I gave another stab at the "Supple, Shiny and Shapely Bracelet" from Carol Huber Cypher's "Mastering Beadwork." It's a great book. I did this one before but really goofed up the clasp. It may end up in a pile on my bead mat. I don't like to do the same thing twice. Someone can say "you did a really nice job" and I'll point out my mistakes. Stupid, I know, but that's me.

At any rate, this one turned out as good as I'm capable at this point in my life. :)

I think I'm liking the fake tanzanite color....

At any rate, I'm keeping my old brain active.  It appears you CAN teach an old dog some new tricks.  if there's something you think you'd like to try, give it a shot. You never know what gifts you may have that you're unaware of.  And you might just have a boatload of fun too.  Enjoy life.

Going in circles

I've been fiddling with right angle weave "RAW" lately.  Took a while and then it "clicked."  

The top bracelet I made in Shelly Gross' class. MANY 4mm silver beads and about 90 crystals.  Clasp is sewn on. Then I thought I'd try it with only one row of crystals and the 3D weave.  Pulled out my pliers, made some jumprings to connect the clasp.  I REALLY like this one.  Then I thought easy peasy, one row RAW and crystals and go for it. Quick. Easy. Delicate. 

Thoughts? Suggestions?  Thanks for any input. Top two are 3D/layered.  The bottom one is just one row RAW & crystals sewn in after. My old sewing skills are coming in handy!

Closeup comparison:

Then today I was feeling a little green - kinda like Kermit?  I pulled together these colors and thought "Bring me a margarita!"  These colors just say summer party time to me. 

I am enjoying fiddling with the seed beads.  These colors really jumped out at me. I truly enjoy making something that I think is pretty cool with materials that aren't too precious.  I think this is kinda fun.  To me it says "Get me a margarita!"  Preferably prickly pear. :)

Hey folks.... Life is short.  Enjoy the beauty that surrounds you.  Count your blessings. Life is good.

And if you have a chance to have a prickly pear margarita - go for it.  They're WONDERFUL. ;-)

I try to learn something new every day

It may not be copper. It may not be wirework. It may not even be jewelry or metal. Heck it can be a new recipe.... I just want to keep learning. Here's what I've been up to lately.

A little bead soup and RAW.

A little3D  RAW and some Swars.

I'm learning.....