New Necklaces

New Necklaces
Originally uploaded by megan_n_smith_99

I have been taking some of my hoarded treasures out of their nests and working them up into jewelry, some for myself, and some i will be adding to my etsy shop soon. i wear necklaces just about every day, more than other jewelry. i did end up using a lot of autumn colors here, my favorites. i suppose i should do more a variety but, see, i still had autumn colors left! i guess in the end it is good to follow your heart even if it is not well-rounded.

red Haired Maiden

red haired maiden
Originally uploaded by megan_n_smith_99

Red Haired Maiden
4 x 7 inches
watercolor and ink on paper,
2003
available on etsy.

I've been holed up inside today, avoiding the rain and watching Jonathan Creek. If you've never seen that, it is a rather charming British mystery series. The main character, Jonathan Creek, is a sort of antisocial genius who lives in a windmill when he isn't designing illusions for a flashy magician's stage show. I've only got one more dvd left, alas.

I've listed 2 paintings from 2003 on etsy. I think I must have been listening to a lot of Tori Amos in those days.

Red Tree

Red Tree
Originally uploaded by megan_n_smith_99

Red Tree
8 x 10 inches
watercolor on paper
available on etsy.

I spent the morning finishing this painting and then I headed downtown for an interview with a head hunter who had contacted me. I am afraid it was a little discouraging due to what I am told is my "odd background". So I felt a little blue after that. I came back to Ballard, picked up some groceries and an iced tea, and sat in the park reading for a while. Then I came home to put my groceries away and have continued reading. I am reading Isabel Allende's first autobiography, Paula. It's a beautiful book and I think this is the 3rd time I have read it.

Today seemed a bit quiet and wrapped in solitude.

When Red Bird Sings

When Red Bird Sings
Originally uploaded by megan_n_smith_99

8 x 10 inches
watercolor and ink on paper
on Etsy.

This is my latest painting! I was quite happy with how it came out. Most of the colors are from Daniel Smith's Quinacridone Set. A bright and cheerful painting was a good thing to work on, on a gloomy Seattle day.

Dryad

Dryad
Originally uploaded by megan_n_smith_99

I think to exist in Seattle in Spring you have to be of sturdy stock. Because for every one gorgeous day there is a week of gloom. Well, today is one of the gloomy days!

I took advantage of yesterday though to head over to the bead store in Fremont, and to get a gluten free cinnamon roll at the Flying Apron. It certainly was a beautiful day to be out. Today I am probably going to hole up, continue my job search, and maybe read a bit. I am having problems with my left shoulder which do not preclude painting and drawing - thank goodness i am right handed - but do, i think, preclude any knitting. I sometimes get a pinched nerve in that shoulder and it takes a long time to mend up.

I finished rereading The House of the Spirits by Isabel Allende am working on The Grand Tour by by Caroline Stevermer and Patricia C. Wrede. Also in my pile are 100 Years of Solitude by Gabriel Garcia Marquez, and The Mislaid Magician by by Caroline Stevermer and Patricia C. Wrede.

My mind seems to be going 2 directions at once but that's not so unusual...

raku moon face necklace.

05032011necklace2b
Originally uploaded by megan_n_smith_99

the moon face is from Rama, a wonderful bead company that does not exist any more. I've been hoarding all the Rama beads I still have, but decided it was time to start using them. I made this necklace for myself. But there is another new one on Etsy.

We had a beautiful day in Seattle for May Day. I took advantage of the good weather and walked down to the Fremont Sunday Market. The one in my neighborhood is more of a farmer's market, and the one in Fremont is more of a craft / flea / random thing market. I lived in Fremont for 6 years so I always feel at home there. It was a 5 mile round trip, though, and I was pretty tired afterwards!

Yesterday I went out to Vashon Island, where I grew up. I got pretty drenched getting there but the weather cleared up for my ferry ride home. It's so quiet and peaceful on Vashon. I had a good day. Though today I am tired and may actually take a little nap now...

Happy May Day!

butterfly beaded button
Originally uploaded by megan_n_smith_99

Happy May Day!

I have many fond memories of picking flowers with my sister on May Day to give to neighbors and family. This was when we lived on a farm on Vashon Island. There was always a wide assortment of flowers in our yard and garden and wild flowers growing nearby.

Yesterday I took advantage of the good weather to go on a 6-park trek. It was about 4 miles according to google maps. One of the parks I went to is a park I had not been to in years - Sunset Hill Park, but it has the most sublime view of Puget Sound and the Olympic mountains in the distance.

Today I am thinking of going to the Sunday Market in the next neighborhood over , as a change from going to the market in my own little neighborhood!