Computer troubles & a new gourd brooch

My computer crashed a couple of weeks ago.  My husband thinks he can retrieve my files, but his first attempt somehow recovered an old backup of my files from 2007.  Odd.  And my computer stopped recognizing my back-up hard-drive a month or two ago and I never got around to getting a new one.  Doh!  When hubby gets back from his business trip, he'll try again to get my files back (HOPE! HOPE!).  Until then, I am sharing hubby's computer or using my computer at work.  If anyone's wondering what to get me for my birthday, a new computer or back-up drive would be awesome!

Luckily, my wonderful hubby had sent me a photo of one of my newer creations to my work address, so I have something to share.  Here it is...

It's done with Huichol-style beading on a piece of a gourd.  Rather than the usual opaque beads, I used more translucent, glassy beads. They gave a nice jewel-like effect.  I made embroidery-thread kumihino cord for my border to keep the beads in and bring out the color.

I've made a few other new things, but haven't had a chance to photograph them.  I'll try to get them up soon.  But probably not until after this weekend--I've got a very small part in a group bellydance performance this Sunday.  I'll be one of a bevy of bellydancing pirates and have been busy making costume parts.  Aargh!  Should be fun!  It will supposedly be filmed and posted on YouTube--if so, I'll post a link.

My first public belly dance solo

Last Sunday, I did my first public solo belly dance performance at Anaheed's Dancer's Swap Meet.  I've danced at public events as part of a group and have done a couple solo performances in front of classmates and friends.  But this was my first solo at a public event.  I am shy by nature, so dancing in front of a hall full of strangers was a bit nerve-wracking (and scrambling to get to the stage & get ready because I didn't get my 5-minute warning didn't help).  It definitely wasn't a perfect performance, but I felt like it was at least decent.  People told me it looked good.  I was fortunate enough to have lots of friends in the audience, despite the awful storm that day.

I'm glad I did it.  It's good to get out of my comfort zone.  Plus, it gives me an excuse to buy & wear pretty costumes (or at least make my own--full costumes are expensive)!  I know performing in public will get better & easier with more experience, so I plan to sign up for some more events this year. 

Here's a photo my husband took during my performance.  If anyone else took photos, please send me copies!

Book submissions

Mystic Vision Rattle

 Today, I submitted three photos of my work to be included in an upcoming book from Lark Crafts, to be called "500 Gourds."  Hopefully, my gourds will be part of the 500 chosen.  Wish me luck!
The first photo I submitted (above) is of my Mystic Vision Rattle.  The second photo is my Indian Maiden Doll.  She's got a jewelry gourd for her body & head.  The rest is polymer clay.  I built the arms & legs on wire armatures, so they move (at least they swing up and down).

Indian Maiden Doll

The third photo is of the my Fire Flower and Mystic Vision Rattles together:

Fire Flower and Mystic Vision Rattles

The flower and leaves are polymer clay, as are the stoppers and beads on the Mystic Vision Rattle.  For the iris, I painted the back of a glass stone and inlaid it.  Thanks to Mark Mauthner for the beautiful photos!  It would be awesome to be published!

Starting on a new adventure!

I've decided to make the switch from formal website to blog.  This will make it much easier for me to keep everyone posted on what's going on in my little world of crafting and other interests.  Now that I'm working full-time, I don't have time to make a lot of inventory.  A lot of my craft projects are for myself or for gifts, so never make it onto my Etsy site (though if you see something you like, I'm willing to make another one or something similar for sale!).  This blog will allow me to share some of my experiments and custom work.  I'm hoping it will also encourage me to take more time to create and dance and do more fun things so that I can post and tell you all about it.  So, here goes........