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Welcome to my crafty witchy world ..... Life has taken me on some amazing paths. Join me in my crafty path.

Tuesday, September 18, 2012

The wind on wings........

 
Todays post brings a new gift....
I’ve been working on transformation and altering...Not only me but my passion as well. Working in mixed media has been so rewarding and uplifting that I feel the need to share my joy....
 
A store bought box that can go from this ........... (this is not the exact box...I failed to photograph the box I used before hand....but very similar except it was purple and brown...not black and white.)

 
To this.......I just enjoy the vintage look.
Simple old leather look...........
opened it looks like a miniature trunk.........
So much more needs to be done to it but...........
When done it will be a package deal both box and Journey Photo/ Journal.

The winds of change sweep across my wings and allow me to fly higher than I ever thought possible.


Monday, September 17, 2012

A Phoenix Rises...


So in my odd pursuit to try and bring my ‘gifts’ to the masses, I found myself being introduced to a lovely lady by the name of Doreen. Doreen founded a wonderful gallery in Thomaston, just about a year ago, called The Phoenix Rising Center. The center takes over the first floor of the old Seth Thomas Clock Tower on South Main Street.
There she has gathered some of the most amazing artist from all parts of the state. The center offers classes and workshops and even sometimes concerts.

So one day while perusing Facebook I noticed a shared post from my friend Allie..it was from this place called The Phoenix Rising Center...and this was the posting:

 Call for Artists - April Show at The Phoenix Rising Center
"Through the Eyes of Gaia" - a celebration of Mother Earth and Earth Day
Deadline for application extended to March 27th - drop off Monday April 2nd 2-7pm
Opening reception: Saturday April 7th 6-8pm
Application fee: a commitment to walk gentler on Mother Earth this month and to recycle more.
All mediums and all ages accepted - limit to 3 pieces -
your own interpretation of the theme is welcomed!
For more information contact Doreen at 860-294-1156 or email: doreen@thephoenixrisingcenter.com

And Allie posted “this sounds like you Jody”.....
Well I had just finished four pieces of art I like to refer to as Gevebaholtz Folk Art.
Gevebaholtz Folk Art is an ancient art form through which women told their stories. The joining of fiber and wood has been dated back many centuries and I found it the perfect medium to tell my stories… So I entered the April Art Show and was pleased to have my work hang in such a joyous place.

And to top off such a wonderful story...A few months after that Doreen asked if I would like to teach a mixed media class at the gallery in the fall...I said “Absolutely...sounds like fun” But that my friends is another story to be told.....However this story is what I call a happy beginning to a long friendship. Thanks Doreen for this wonderful opportunity!! 

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Sunday, September 16, 2012

Gift of the Day

My ‘Business Journey’ began in the summer of 2006 when I had heard that an adjunct professor that I knew had a stroke...it was bad and everyone seem to think that he wouldn’t make it.
Mark was 48 and had everything going for him back then...brilliant artist, teaching at Tunxis Community College and newly married but to me, a student worker, working as a graphic studio lab assistant...he was a troublesome teacher.
My job was to watch the graphic studio during the times it was not occupied by a class. So this allowed the students some hands-on time with all the computers and expensive equipment that was available to them, at the same time keeping a close watch on that same equipment...basically, I baby sat Apple Computers...and I TOTALLY adored my job!
 
Mark would show up most of the time late for his class, meaning I would have to work late until he did show up and he took long breaks without locking the room..in turn, some equipment had been stolen while he was out smoking with the students.
I had had a few run-ins with him about these issues and angry words were even spoken. So basically neither of us liked each other although I bet today he wouldn’t even know who I was or even remember our situation.....but I remember. 

Now the story isn’t a story of blame...but a story of compassion and understanding.

You see it was Mark Catalina who inspired me. He was my, what you would call “jumping off” point in this Business Journey I started.

The summer I had heard of his stroke, something had happened to me, I can’t explain what it was. The need to help him in some way washed over me and only a few months before I had begun designing dolls, (no not the pretty fun little girl kind,) but the spiritual art kind.
So I thought I would design a doll in his image, filled with healing herbs and positive charms (kinda like a voodoo doll but in reverse) and then blessed it under the full moon to guide it’s intensions and fill it with healing love.
I found a way of getting a photo of him and began the design with that...adding to it the herbs and giving him life...and the doll itself was delivered to him by one of his friends at Tunxis. I never heard another thing about it...but I like to believe that that empowered doll had just a little part in his healing...maybe in both our healings.

So to make a long story short...the ‘Journey Doll’ was born....
And so began ‘gifts of a lesser goddess’, my business and my passion.


PS...Much to my surprise, while writing this story and doing a little research on the time frame, I found this..... An exhibit of Catalina's work, pre- and post-stroke, opened Sept. 10, at the art gallery at Tunxis Community College. I can’t wait to see it! Talk about things coming full circle!!