the narrator

i'm having way too much fun, right now, tinkering around in the studio, pulling out this and that, surprised by the way things fall so serendipitously into delicate place.  there was a length of days where i did nothing but make a series of components, such a boring thing to do - resined charms, engraved mother of pearl, strands of knotted pearls - but once i'd finished the menial work and could begin to sit and pull things together, the magic truly began.

a whole sweet little neighborhood of houses sprang up within a couple of days... houses, and birds... i love these pale blue birds!  made by none other than my talented california potter friend julie whitmore, and she made these just for little old me. and the eggs are, of course, those made by my sister ellen, found here.  some of these lovelies will be strung on hand painted, hand stitched silk ribbon, made by my pal lorri scott, with whom i so recently visited and played... lovely, yes?  they take my breath away.

words are everywhere; i can't stop engraving my thoughts onto silver, into the pearlescent moons. i love the egg shape, the way that it whispers of imminent spring.
so many things to share with you, so little time....i spend my days from morning until late evening arranging and rearranging bits and pieces of the things that i've made, making them look this way, then that; i feel a little like an alchemist, a magician, a gardener, philosopher, storyteller, all.  the words come out of nowhere into my hands and onto metal, the pieces i've filled with resin or engraved with words come together in new ways that surprise their creator, right there on the studio table, early in the morning, late at night.  this is what pleases me, the spontaneity of the way that i work, the whimsical way that the pieces transform themselves.

(*andrew's blog and shop are here). morning becomes afternoon, then unfolds into twilight moons, right before my eyes.  direction becomes ornament; emotion becomes something to wear around one's neck or dangling from one's ears.  the story always, and forever, shall continue through the years. xo

"Miracles are a retelling in small letters of the very same story which is written across the whole world in letters too large for some of us to see."

                                                                               - C. S. Lewis

Comments

[Erin Gergen Halls]

what an amazing visual journey as i scroll down through these new images,
new path and scenery,
but familiar, like a recurring dream.

i'm hanging on to your skirt hem,
and following you,
tripping into springtime,
splashing right through shimmering puddles.

[Diana B]

It's delightful, as always, to see you make magic with the techniques you taught us at Artful Journey, Nina. The people at Artfest who'll be able to see these delicacies in the flesh (so to speak) are so very lucky!

[Barbara Bechtel]

i love the domed silver eggs. They remind me of vintage silver spoons, yet different and updated while retaining the influence. so pretty. your tinkering has paid off as usual!

[peggy mcdevitt]

Oh so beautiful, I want to touch touch and feel them al. These are works of art and you are the artist. Love ya

[kathy vk]

oooh busy busy bee. such a good thing - joyous creating. xxx

[Mary]

Amazing! I just LOVE those resin house charms. How can you look at this post and ever doubt your muse? Your direction? It is always so fresh, yet so Nina. A beautiful collection.

[Janine]

On Nina, these are all so wonderful! I love the houses with the words on the back and I love the birds with the houses...heck! I love them all! You are really on a roll!

[mary lawrence]

Oh!! how unfair the way you tease us with glimpses of your lovely new creations, yet deny us the opportunity to feel the depth of their emotion round our necks......dare I hope a few come back home with you from Artfest????

[mary lawrence]

.....but please don't stop posting the photos... I LOVE seeing what new delights your nimble fingers have strung together. just couldn't help but whine a little as I am SO ENVIOUS of those lucky girls who will have the opportunity to own one of your new creations

[Renate]

Such intricate beauty flows from your heart through your fingers and into these pieces! xo

[Susan]

Absolutely beautiful Nina. And those blue birds - wow!

[beth]

those things you feel like...no wonder, it's because you are !

and those earrings....finally a size to fit my peanut sized head :)

[juliette crane]

you do such beautiful work! those little homes are so sweet and adorable! thank you for sharing your art! best wishes to you!
xoxo, juliette

[Michelle]

Beatiful creations...all of them. That silk ribbon is amazing! So good that you USE it. I've leave it on the shelf and admire it! lol! I should have known the birds were Julie's...I love her work.

[Julie Whitmore]

Nina those little birds didn't fly just to North Carolina, they flew right to heaven.
xxx
j

[kat]

you are an amazing artisan!! love all of your beautiful pieces!

[Lisa]

Love the houses and compasses. Love your work!!!! Can't wait to see you!!!!

[herhimnbryn]

Oh Nina! Such treasures.

[Nancy Krampf]

oh oh oh am sooooooo happy to see the houses. one of which i have as the first nina purchase i made and i love it so.

and it speaks volumes. as much in its absence as in its re-emergence....... so very kindred.

the well, she is deep , no?? much deeper than the murky waters of meds, the meds we are all tossing out and it shows so much in our work. i see it in mine and yours and in many others.

yet here we are, wisdom women with herstorys to tell and honey you are a tellin and a tellin and a tellin . just magnificent.!!!!
mucho xx0x0x0xx00x00000x0x0x0x0x

[Elizabeth Woodford]

Such glorious components put together with such care and grace. Your sister's eggs never cease to delight and the little blue birds are such treasures. I love the way your handwriten engraving speaks so peraonally of you they are imperfectly perfection!!!! love it all!!!I am also so very glad that you are finding such joy in the creation and freedom from druggy hazes!! Happy Happy Spring!!!!

[Tina in McLeansville]

i'm so sorry...i must apologize...i know it must've hurt your ears, and poor walter's too...you did hear it, didn't you...all the way from here...that excruciatingly high-pitched squeal?! it was me. when i saw the birds. you will no doubt come home emptyhanded, dang it....but OH! what beauties....i'm lovin' your awakening! hugs....xx

[lilylovekin]

These pieces are so lovely that I just might have to fight the maddening crowds at artfest vendor night to get a peek!!!!

[Andrew Thornton]

Thanks so much for using my chain in your beautiful work! You've been making lots of lovely treasures lately. Nicely done as always!

[Cindy Ericsson]

Mmmmmmm...I finally got computer access again, just in time to see all these lovely new creations. So very magical, so very Nina!

[sandra]

these are wonderful...and the support of other artists makes them so special...this shows the power of the art community at its best...thank you so much for this post...and also thank you for taking time to share...i'm going to enjoy the "eye candy" because these won't be around for long...

[Nancy Prawdzik-Steinbach]

Such beautiful things-a feast for my winter weary eyes!
Today, I sowed 'Oakleaf' lettuce and tasted the first leaves of the sorrel. The crocuses have bloomed in little pockets around the edges of the yard.
Spring.
I hope.

[Magda]

Beautiful & precious! This one with bird and eggs is so gorgeous!!

[Michelle Brown]

The house charms are just gorgeous!

[Lorraine]

I'm taking out a loan before I come to AF...

See you soon!

[Jan]

I love how your art pieces incorporate the art of your friends and family. Each component having its own special meaning.It must be very difficult to part with them.

[Erin]

SO beautiful Nina-you are a true inspiration!!

[Colette]

I am nourished again by you and your story trailed across little trinkets. Best sleep remedy.

[Shirley]

OMG!! Nina. You have outdone yourself.
I COVET everything here!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!>
You will have absolutely no effort sharing and selling these lovely,
lovely ornaments.
YUM...ME!
Hugs,
Sassi ;))))))

[Nancy Prawdzik-Steinbach]

Nina--
Is that a spoon that you are using?

[Kathryn Stripling Byer]

Nina, love the blog, the photos, the spirit. So glad I im'ed you today, something I don't usually do, but I miss you.
love, K

[HOLLY-UK]

oh nina, stunning work and words as usual....i love this bit you wrote.."i feel a little like an alchemist, a magician, a gardener, philosopher, storyteller, all"....YES, you are all of them and thats why i love you so xox

[Janet McDonald]

Awww Really Lovely Nina!!!

[Judi]

Oh, they are all wonderful, Nina! Bring them ALL to Artfest!!

See you next week, my friend.

[Ally]

Holy cow woman!

You are in the zone!

Amazing Amazing Amazing!!

Well done!

:-) Ally

[Lee]

Nina, your work is so breath taking!! Really love necklaces- it must be so fun to put them together! If you ever sell your charms separately, put me on the list!! xoxo

[Cindy]

I so love the little houses with the paint brushes....So CUTE!!

[Dee Mallon]

really, really lovely --- the bits alone, and the way you combine them. thanks for talking about your creative process... your humility for the way it 'happens' is refreshing.

[robin dudley howes]

I hope you had a fantastic time at artfest. I was surprised to see so many of your new creations...I didn't think you would have time to post before you left and well...here they are. I am shaking my head as I scroll down...shaking my head with awe! you are re-inventing your self with all these incredible new pieces Nina! I just love them all, especially those little silver discs and the font you used along with the little houses and with the bezel pieces! So, so inspirational. so much soul. hugs to you...