Rabbits, everyday

Lapi ( rhymes with happy) exhausted by its job painting eggs each spring reclined peacefully in chick's gondola, reflecting on past lives and future possibilities. Perhaps a career in vegetable gardening, though being an empathetic rabbit, perhaps nursing would be a good field with job security. Lapi's Dutch uncle had enjoyed the title patron saint (local only) of wounded hares, looked to in times of distress both mentally and physically. Perhaps Lapi could hop into Uncle's boots. Thankfully, Lapi knew whatever new pathway it hopped down it would be loved.

In honor of the Chinese Year of the Rabbit and since I was born in a year of the rabbit, I decided to create this small collection of everyday rabbits to be enjoyed and worn all year round. The images come in token (charm )size, pendant size and ornament sizes. In these photos the pendants are shown with nickel plated steel bead ball chain. They will all be available with linen ribbon if you so chose instead of chain. I work with vintage images, paint, beads, ephemera and my hands to create the original artwork which is then printed in an archival manner and safely encased in metal cases and acrylic lens created from flat stock, in Rhett's studio.

I will get back to you on where these can be purchased. In the meantime please feel free to leave comments or email me as to where you can find them for sale.

Popcorn Bag

Popcorn Bag ( design 55 pattern )
10" tall by 11 and 1/2" wide plus shoulder strap
felted wool hand knitted bag

It is a one hundred and ten mile round trip to Whole Foods. I make this pilgrimage a few times a year, stocking up in the bulk aisle. To make my trip count, I like to visit Yarn Shop & More in old downtown Overland Park, Kansas for inspiration and to pet and purchase the "pretties". Two examples of knitted bags caught my eye. A cotton version and a felted wool one. This bag was covered with knitted bobbles. Immediately I envisioned one of my charms sewn to the center of each bobble. The felted wool bag would be a showcase for my charms. Perhaps it might plant a seed in the imagination of fellow knitters. I bought the design55 Popcorn Bag pattern.

Using Lamb's Pride wool and mohair yarn (mustard and red) and a hand dyed wool yarn from Textiles A Mano (turquoise), I followed the pattern with the exceptions of adding stripes, change of bobble color in one row and length of shoulder strap. I also, after the bag was knitted, went back to beef up each bobble. The turquoise bobbles on mustard row have yarn "rings" round them. Chartreuse and coral. Sewn round each bobble before felting. I hoped this would help these bobbles stand out.

There are twelve bobbles per round therefore there are twelve charms sewn on the bag. I could sew a charm to all the bobbles but that might be overkill. Will meditate on this and see how the bag evolves.

If you are interested in purchasing this pattern, the designer is Carol Eddington. Her email address on the pattern says: design55@everestkc.net . Yarn Shop & More might stil have her pattern for sale too.

If you are interested in purchasing charms, please contact me.

Happy knitting !

Glass beads round your neck

A sneak peak at collection of necklaces I have been working on during spring time rainy days. On the third of Mayo, I will show my latest "pretties" at Missouri Bluffs, a clothing boutique, in Weston, MO. Please come spend a part of your Sunday afternoon with us. Play dress-up. ( noon to five pm.)


Each necklace in this ever growing collection is one-of-a -kind.
Evolution ( yes , even in Kansas....) of rock medicine.
19 inches long necklace

Whilst researching Crow Indian medicine bundles, an image of a rock bundle completely encrusted with glass trade beads lodged itself in my head.

The pendants on my necklaces do not contain rocks though each encased leather shape is a stitched hotch potch of glass beads from my collection. This bundle of beads is strung into necklace form for you to wear when feeling festive or perhaps when you wish to experience light-heartedness.
OLx3
18 1/2" long necklace

Imagery of Our Blessed Mother can be found in my artwork. From a collection of statuary, I photograph and then collage these images with bits of paper, lace, fabric trims, beads, words typed on a 1939 Royal typewriter and all is stitched down in proper order ( at least in my mind.) These collages are printed and encased , thus becoming tags and charms. Three of these tags, a.k.a. pendants, come together here with a hand picked grouping of glass beads to form a statement of gratefulness to OUr Lady.


Cross necklace
19 inches long

This encircling meditation includes a not quite three inch long beaded leather cross, four spiritual tokens, two pewter milagros ( angel & lamb) and various old glass beads ( though two are metal.) A sterling clasp keeps all confidently conjoined.
"Useful birds" necklace
18 inches long

The center pendant is a print of my collage highlighting an image of a Canada Warbler. An old Church & Dwight soda card caught my eye at a flea market, thus becoming the theme for this encircling meditation on our winged neighbors. On the back of the soda card are these words
"USEFUL BIRDS OF AMERICA"
For the good of all
Do not destroy the birds
(interesting words....what makes a particular bird useful? What makes any of us "useful" ?)

Two smaller pendants hold prints of other collages with bird imagery. A yellow throated chat on one. A cardinal on the other.

Certainly not a necklace for the shy or retiring sort to don. If you are feeling particularly "useful" or in the mood to share your knowledge of our feathered neighbors, please consider this encircling meditation.

Holiday Shopping at Missouri Bluffs, Weston, MO

Anne's 25th anniversary party at Missouri Bluffs on Saturday night was a lot of fun. We are so proud of the evolution of her business through the years. The shop only gets better and is well worth the pilgrimage to the historic town of Weston. Rhett and I reconnected with collectors of our artwork and made some new friends. If you are looking for original artwork or Rhett's and my designs for Demdaco, Anne has a large collection. Missouri Bluffs is located in Weston , Missouri. The phone number there is 816-640-2770. The store is on the Main street right beside the St. George hotel. This is a painted cloth hand sewn angel with metal wings. She is holding a garland decorated with my latest design for charms, tags, and ornaments. Peace.
A peek of the table of "pretties" that we set up on Saturday evening. Charms, tags, ornaments, metal trees, necklaces, sculptures and brooches.
This is a view of the front window, packed with Rhett art. A creche in the middle surrounded by Santas and the tree is decorated with Santa ornaments and snow dome ornaments.

Another view of the front window. You can see a couple of the steel and copper trees that Rhett fabricated. They stand 8 inches tall and look great in groupings on tables or mantels. Anne has a full collection of our artwork and many designs that you can only find in her store.