Hometown

I was home in Bedford, Pa, for Easter and loved every minute of it.  I can't believe I have to go back to my "real world" today.  Sharing a few pictures:

The Bridge's Edge

Classicly Empty

Industrial

Northside Landmark

Spring on Copper Mountain

My first week of Photo Magic

Rooster Number 2, originally uploaded by jenjuddrocks.

Very originally titled "Rooster Number 2". This is one of the crazy roosters down the road from my sister's house in Dutch Corner near Bedford. I'm learning how to use my Photoshop Elements (finally) and this is one of my practice pieces from the first couple of lessons. There is waaaaay too much potential for lost hours! I've been working here for four hours and it feels like four minutes! Crazy! I can't wait to do more!


This is the original....

This is my first class with Marie Otero and so far I'm loving it...full-up videos that walk you through every key stroke to create specific effects.  That's what I was looking for...the books and magazines were not working.  :)

Nature's Curls and Coils

On a hike through the woods near Bedford Springs, I used the camera as an excuse to take lots of breaks from the uphill parts.  I realized after looking at the results when we were finished (and sitting at the pub drinking a beer) that I found a lot of naturally-occuring spirals, curls, bends, and fun curves.  Oh, to take these and get inspired with a little wire.  If only I didn't have to get dressed and go to work.  :)

I just love the bite of this bark....haaaaaaaaaa

I'm really frond of this shot:

I'm going to use these for design motivation this weekend...feel free to share links in your comments to anything you get inspired to create from a little look outside!!!

I Heart Macro on a Sunday Evening

I have had a busy, creative weekend!  Later this week after the glue dries and the ends are trimmed I'll share my work from Art & Soul this weekend.  I had a class all day on Saturday on weaving--really cool looms and tons of mixed media along with a bunch of wonderful characters/fellow students & instructors.  Then, tonight I ended up taking a silk paper class at the suggestion of some of my new friends from Saturday!  Right at the moment I'm just getting sorted out for the end of the weekend and the impending Monday morning uniform requirements so I don't have time for good pics and good links.  Instead, I'm going to share another one of my shots from last week's vacation in Bedford at the Springs in honor of Macro Sunday...


This is some of the luscious tapestry of the curtains in the ballroom where we enjoyed Easter brunch last Sunday.

Hope you've all had a wonderful weekend.  If you're looking for more details (get it, detailed pics?!), then here's the link to the Macro Sunday crowd at Studio Waterstone:

Countryside Garden Flower Shots

I don't have beading tools with me, but I do have my camera, so I continue to look for color and texture inspiration.  Here are some shots from Countryside Gardens here in Bedford.  We were there picking up a couple of flower arrangements and I got a chance to shoot some blooms with no breeze blowing them all around!  You can almost feel the pollen coming off these babies!!  haaaaaaaaaa  Makes me want to go get some allegra.  :) 

Connecting in my hometown for an art show opportunity

I'm at home in my sweet little town of Bedford, Penna. on vacation.  Part of my "work assignments" for the week is meeting up with Heidi, who runs the shop at the Bedford County Arts Council Building.  There are now a ton of my finished jewelry pieces available for sale there.  She has done great work organizing the shop to feature work from all kinds of local artists:  photography, textiles, painting, prints, glass...you name it.  I'm thrilled to be a part of the group!

I have a message to pass on to all my crafty, artisan friends out there who may be near enough to Bedford and are interested in a smaller show in June.  The Arts Council is sponsoring "Arts on the Square" in downtown Bedford.  It used to be a one-day event, but to make it more worthwhile for exhibitors, it's now two days.  This year it's on Saturday and Sunday, June 25th and 26th.

This is a shot of my brother, a portrait artist,  doing a sketch of my mom.  :)  It's a family affair!

I realize the show is just around the corner, but still wanted to pass along the word because they're looking for about 10 more craftsmen/artists.  If I had the leave to spare, I'd be there, but instead I'm just doing some networking.  They don't have anyone who does lampwork or polymer clay nor do they have anyone who is just selling beads.  Plus, out of the 20 vendors they already have lined up, only three are jewelry--they try to keep the jewelry "competition"tough. :)

Please click on this link: Arts on the Square for more information or if you just want to find out more about the art community in my little town!

At Ma & Pa's House

I've been missing for a while because it was a frantic week of finishing up taskers at work and then getting packages together to mail out for family across the country...but, now I'm all settled in at my parents' house, relaxing with a cup of coffee, and spending some quality time doing nothing!  Whoooo hooooo!

But, before I really get into doing nothing, I have to share...I recently discovered, well, more like re-discovered, the Bedford County Arts Council here in my hometown.  A couple of months ago, my mom asked me to send some jewelry for the council to consider for consignment.  Well, I went in to see the display and take in a few more pieces yesterday and, man, was I surprised.  In a good way....the shop is really looking fantastic!!!  I just pulled this pic from the shop's website and it really doesn't do it justice, but you can get a taste of the goodness...look at those amazing dyed blouses!

The shop is in one of the historical buildings downtown--The Anderson House, which was built in 1815.
 

I will go back and snap some pics of the very cool purses that are crafted out of repurposed fabric with vintage brooches.  Or, more likely, I'll soon own one and then take pics!  haaaaaaaa

Anyway, I have to go find some of my mom's cookies so I can get properly fueled for my visit to the gym later.  It's all about balance, right?

Merry Christmas Week!

Vintage Treasures from Murphy's Basement

When I visit my hometown, Bedford, Pennsylvania, one of my principle activities is browsing antiques.  When I was little, there was a store downtown called G.C. Murphy's.  When we were old enough to walk across streets, it was a huge deal for my friend, Brandee, and I to walk to Murphy's and do some shopping.  I don't know what we were shopping for, since we didn't have any money, but it was a big adventure for us. 

Now, long after Murphy's was closed, the storefront has taken on a new life as Founder's Crossing.  A treasure trove of handcrafted goods, art, antiques and all sorts of interesting goodness.  One of the featured artists there, that I just have to mention, is Kevin Kutz.  His work captures the local spirit just perfectly.  

But, my fave part of the old Murphy's is the basement--which houses the antique selection.  It stretches about a half a block under the building and it's chock full of all sorts of interesting bits from Bedford's history along the Lincoln highway to my favorite, the jewelry cases.  My mom can hang with me for about an hour, but then she heads home to bake something up for when I come home all excited about some random old things I've found.  Cool-stuff-hunting and mom's cooking...makes for a perfect day, if you ask me.

Here are some finds from my recent visit home.  Check out these pinks!!!  I'm in love!!!

And, vintage lucite in oranges...I'm in heaven...and look at that clasp!!!

What am I gonna do with these?  I don't know!!!  haaaaaaaaaaaaaa  But, of course, they had to be mine!!!!