Pique Assiette Hall Table

The photo above is a detail shot of two of my finished Pique Assiette works for the St. Margaret's Guild Decorators' Show House , which opens to the public on April 24th.  Here you can also see artwork from two of the 10 Artists who lent their inspired work for my "Walk With Penrod."  I am in awe of the works that these exceptional Artists have contributed to my vision for this area, and in the coming days I will be featuring some of their inspired works in an effort express my admiration and heartfelt gratitude.  I feel quite fortunate to also refer to these Artists as my friends.  Some of them I have known for years, and others I have gotten to know better just recently, and I would consider many of them kindred spirits.  All of them have something in common...and that would be me  :o)

All You Need Is Love #16

A pique assiette heart with three different pale pink patterns  with deep red vintage glass surrounded by crystals. The final installation of this series.  Oh there will be more hearts, oh yes there will be...but maybe not so much of me mentioning how great hugs are.  Maybe.  hmm...I really cannot make that promise, sometimes hugs just happen...without much thought.  That's what makes them real.  Oops there is another one...I cannot seem to help myself :o)

Hug a friend and hug yourself.

Today I will hug my Baby Sister, it is her wedding day...

Love Love Love...its easy

All You Need Is Love #14

I know I know, but it is still February, and I still love hearts. I also love the delicate pink roses on these broken bits of a put together heart. vintage red glass, a rhinestone and crystals finish this little pique assiette heart.  I very good friend of mine is also in love with hearts and you can see what she is working on by going here Leigh Dunnington-Jones.  If you were to look up Artist in the dictionary, one of the photos you would find there would be Leigh's.

Embrace your passion

Love Love Love...it's easy

Queen Of Hearts

A new addition to The Lady In The Mirror Series. This lady has broken bits of antique china, shells, opalite, chrysophrase, garnet, carnelian, a vintage china rose and findings. Happy Valentines Day to all who hold another dear in their hearts. xoxox

Embrace the moment.

All You Need Is Love #13

I love the balance of color and gold on this pique assiette heart, and will always have an eye out for just one more chipped or cracked plate in this pattern.  The combination of pinks, green, a touch of blue and gold are quite beautiful to me. I think this is a good example of less is more, a little vintage stained glass and a few crystals complete the design.  Lucky number 13 for today, could that mean 13 hugs?

Speaking of lucky numbers, I learned recently that my design area at the St Margaret's Hospital Guild Show House is also now number 13. This was determined once the path through the house had been decided upon by the Guild.  Below is a little tease, a before photo of the area.  This was taken from the sun room.  My area includes the landing, upstairs sitting area and long hallway...which will be transformed into a gallery featuring the works of six extremely exceptional artists.  Oh, and some of my work will be there too :o)  In this photo, you can see that we have already installed picture moulding, and the white wall on the left has been smoothed with plaster to prepare it for my hand painted wall covering.  More to come on this project.

Embrace your dreams.  

Love Love Love...its easy   And sometimes smells like paint :o)

All You Need Is Love #12

A little Pique Assiette heart with vintage china from one of my favorite finds.  I love these delicate pink flowers combined with pearly pink glass, crystals and a tiny rhinestone.  This little heart has also in its possession the enhancement of charms, adding so much interest to the little unbroken heart. Friends are like the charms that we add one by one to our lives when we least expect to do so, the little gifts we give to ourselves.  Its kinda like finding a flower in that unexpected place...maybe it actually found you.

Embrace friendships near and far...distance matters not to the heart.

Love Love Love,...its easy

All You Need Is Love #11

A pale yellow pique assiette heart surrounded with crystals.  This heavy vintage plate came to me with a very large crack half way through its pink and yellow roses, it nearly fell apart in my hands. The crazing beneath the glaze made it very difficult to keep the delicate roses somewhat in tact. I love the way the crystals reflect a bit of the yellow rose.  I felt it needed no more than to just be.  

Embrace simplicity.

Love Love Love...its easy

all You Need Is Love #10

A charming little heart, this one a bit smaller with bits o china, sterling charms, crystals and rhinestones.  A friend came by the studio today and chose a little heart to call her very own...and another friend came by just to give me a big hug.  What a nice day!  I also spent a few hours sorting vintage china by color and getting some of my books on shelves from my move.  It was just one of those snowy winter days in the studio. hmmm

Give a hug...get a hug...all good.

Love Love Love...its easy

All You Need Is Love #78

Ha, really just #9 but a nod to a good friend that asked just how many of these I was going to do.   The answer, if my good friend is reading, or...if you too are wondering...is until my surprise on Valentines Day.  Sometimes hearts can lead to surprises, and part of the fun is the anticipation :o) and allowing it to sneak up on you. This Pique Asiette heart is made with bits of vintage china, stained glass crystals, a pink rhinestone and a whole lotta love.

Hug a friend when they least expect it.

Love Love Love...its easy

All You Need Is Love #8

Sterling charms and Royal Albert Country Roses on a strand of candy pink beads.  This little Pique Assiette heart is now in Florida with a good friend that chose it on a snowy evening before heading for the sunshine.  It always warms my heart to catch a smile and a twinkle in they eye of someone finding the love in a little unbroken heart, once the bits and pieces are back together again.  Maybe its not true what they say about all the kings horses and all the kings men...when it comes to unbroken little Pique Assiette  hearts.  So sorry Humpty Dumpty...come and see me next time :o)

Did you know a single hug has great healing power?  

Love Love Love...its easy

All You Need Is Love #7

This little Pique Assiette heart is one that I chose for myself, and I love to wear it in February.  Bits and pieces of my favorite antique china surrounded by crystals and a few of my favorite candy pink beads...yum

I have some exciting news about my little hearts.  A few days ago I mentioned that I sent two of my favorite little hearts to a Hands For Haiti - Doctors Without Borders charity auction.  I learned today that my hearts went for a total bid of $500.00 for this worthy cause...leaving me nearly speechless! Nearly...I am so happy to have been able to help, and want to thank the generous bidders for reaching so deeply to contribute to this worthy cause.  To learn more about sending a bit of loving help to children in need, please click Le Studio.

I also have a bit of sad news.  A very good friend of mine found the end of her journey late Saturday evening. I had rescued this silky pup six years ago, but as it turns out, it was she that had rescued me.  Unconditional love from a wagging wonder is a healing thing indeed, and can sometime arrive when we least expect it...be it a person or a pet it matters not.  I feel lucky that she found me, and I will miss her very deeply. She was 14 and sweet and simple and beautiful. Rest in peace puppy...

Hug a friend tightly today, you may not know just how much it is needed

Love Love Love...its easy

except when it comes to goodbye

All You Need Is Love #6

A pretty pink heart made with bits of antique china, rosey red stained glass and crystals.  I love the hand painted vintage china used in this little pique assiette heart. I also love working with pieces that were  lovingly created long ago. I find that I also love creating a new life for a beautiful piece that...due to a chip, crack, or imperfection...it had been thought of as no longer beautiful.  Thats three times I just said love...and I think three loves equals a great big hug...

Give yourself a big hug today with a nice cuppa cocoa...yum

Love Love Love...its easy

All You Need Is Love #2

I am working late at the studio this evening, on my entry for the "Art From The Fourth Chakra" exhibition that is on Friday evening, and remembered I had not yet chatted with you today.  As promised, this little Pique Assiette heart has a double row of crystals, vintage china and a tiny rhinestone...another little heart offering in the month of love and dreams.  Speaking of dreams, Leap Year was a good movie...the kind that takes one to beautiful places otherwise left unseen.  Did I ever mention I love castles...I do   oops! there I go, dreaming again...I'd better get back to breaking plates. 

By the way, I really cannot believe that I am touching my mac with these crusty digits..."I guess I knew that this would happen",  as John Mellencamp said " But I was hopin' not today" 

Love Love Love...its easy

Did you hug that friend yet :o)

Out Of The Blue...too!

As promised, the Pique Assiette  Mirror that was done along with the Bomb'e Chest.  I found the two pieces separately and brought them together with the design.  I love the way the stripes continue up the mirror.  Reflected is the gallery in my studio. Thanks for looking!

Out Of The Blue

Pique Assiette Bomb'e chest covered in vintage china, findings and shells. Once I decided upon the design, my quest began to find enough of the right color of each vintage pattern to complete the work.  The blue and white china is a newer pattern, but works nicely as a contrast to the cobalt in this piece. I choose china and findings for a work much in the same way I would choose colors of paint for a painting.  Stacks of china are arranged by color. It did take 15 teacups to make six drawer pulls...but I do now know the secret bwa ha ha!

Next:  The mirror!

ps...not to worry, any teacups harmed and not used in this piece will turn up in another just when you and I least expect it!

Little Piece Of My Heart Necklace

Pique Assiette necklace made with vintage china and antique beads.  The necklace can be worn as a long pendant, doubled, or as a lariat.  

BirdyBoo Purse

This is a Pique Assiette Purse made with vintage china, stained glass, findings, rhinestones and crystals.  I wanted to design a purse that could use all of these elements as well as painting and glazing, and this is the result.  I then upped the whimsey factor by lining it with faux fur, lest we hear a tube of lipstick knocking about inside :o)

The Lady In The Mirror ~ Sold

This Pique Assiette piece was made for a VSA Arts of Indiana charity auction. I was given the smaller framed mirror that you see within the center.  I then added the larger outer frame to accommodate my design.  Then came my favorite part.....finding, breaking and piecing all of the broken bits and pieces back together. The Auction was in October, and my Lady found a new home in a private collection in New York.  It was an honor to make her for VSA, and it was an honor for her to go to a loving home.....and as usual, a little piece of me went with her.  The Lady In the Mirror is the first of a series I am working on.   To learn more about VSA Arts click here.