Fairywebmother's Laboratory

Word for 2012

2012-01-02T12:19:00.000-08:00

I had been thinking about years past...resolutions I fought with and didn't keep. A few years ago, I decided to keep it simple and my resolution was to "love more, complain less" which I thought was a brilliant cop-out and something I could easily keep...The Universe, however, in its infinite sense of humor, decided to test that, right away, and as I was watching the only channel we could get in Wheeling WV, with no cable, I realized they did not switch to a New Years Eve countdown! I MISSED the COUNTDOWN to 2008!!!! I can't begin to tell you how emotional I was about that. I don't think, in my whole life, that had ever happened. I wanted to call that d*** station and give it to them, good!!! The Universe...laughing... (yes...I heard it) grabbed me by my brightly colored reins and jerked me back, playfully, of course. For the next three years I worked on that same resolution...with some success, here and there, but that simple resolution was a lot harder to keep than I expected.

It will always be with me.

This year, as many of my on-line friends were choosing single words for the year, I started tossing words around in my head. Nothing jumped out at me, until I was talking with my friend, Liz in Honduras. She was in the process of choosing hers, as well. She inspired me, in only a few seconds, to take my word a little more seriously. When I really opened my "eyes" my word appeared. I wasn't sure I liked it, at first. It isn't really snappy like "Joy" or "Peace" or "Creativity" or "Growth". A lot of really cool words popped in and out of my head...but as I watched my word float around in my brain and saw my life situations bouncing off it in so many ways, I knew it was the right one. My word for 2012 is....drum roll please.....UNBURDEN.

Unburden is the perfect word for me, at this time in my life. Over the Christmas holidays, I had to make a trip to Wheeling, WV, to pick up the remainder of my things. My daughter sold her beautiful building there, where I was living, something that was very difficult, but necessary. It had become a burden on her and in order to move on with her abundant life, she had to let it go. My things had to be dealt with..quickly. My plans for Christmas were made long ago and were very different, but I surrendered to the Universe and was rewarded with a lovely celebration with my new grandson, which I thought I was going to miss. While in Wheeling, I dealt with all my "stuff", going through boxes and sending piles of stuff to the Goodwill. I got a nasty cold, which left me weak and uncomfortable. Michael arrived with the truck on the 26th and we spent the next two days clearing out stuff. I got the load down so far, that I only needed a 5'x10' storage space, and there is room to spare, for some things I have here. Now that we are home and healing, it is really beginning to sink in what a burden has been lifted.

I feel lighter...better...clearer. I have a lot of burdens yet to go, as I still have a storage space in Florida, but now, clearing all that out seems more possible than it ever has and as I release more and more "stuff", I find I am uncovering my Soul....opening my heart...and believing in myself in unexpected ways.

Unburdening will also apply to emotional burdens, attachments and expectations of myself and of others. I am redesigning my life to allow for more peace, love and joy (we knew those words would come in, didn't we?).

As I write all of this, I realize that the word "FREEDOM" describes the real goal for my life...the essence of my desires. This year will be about letting go...of guilt...of fear...of imagined obligations. It will also be about getting more monkeys off my back, accomplishing tasks...and NOT taking on ANY new ones that don't serve my purpose in creating a more balanced, centered and manageable reality.

"Unburden" describes the "act" of making myself free. Perfect.

Happy New Year!

*LOVE*

Bettina

(c) 2012 Bettina Makley

The Cupcake Incident

2011-08-21T08:58:00.000-07:00

It happened one year ago, today. I know that, because Facebook now has this cool thing where they post your status a year ago, in a little link on the side of the page. I've been meaning to blog about it, so this seems like a really good time.

I belong to several art groups on Facebook, Ning and other networking sites. In one group, Willowing and Friends, there was an art challenge. It was simple. Make a piece of art in any medium using the prompt "cupcakes". At the time, I was actively art journaling and used this prompt to try out a lot of techniques I'd been picking up from various artist videos on Youtube. The image above is what I came up with for the challenge.

So on this very day, one year ago, I posted that pic on Facebook and made a few comments about how much I would really like a cupcake, etc. Later on, around 2-ish, at work, I was having a discussion with two associates (one being my daughter, Natalie) about Synchronicity and the power of thought to create reality. It was a brief discussion and when it concluded, we all went back to our offices to get some work done. (I need to interject, here, that I am an administrator in the sales office of the condominium complex I was living in, at that time.) Anyway, a very few moments later...in walks a woman I had never seen before...with a plate full of...you guessed it...CUPCAKES.

Natalie heard my exclamation and came out to see what was happening. The woman's name was Jessica and she had purchased a condo in the building. She explained that she had made cupcakes for a gathering in her home and that her guests had not shown up...and so she thought we might like some cupcakes. (OMG...I know) But we're not done, yet...

After talking to Jessie for a bit and filling her in about our earlier conversation and my artwork, we thanked her for her (very delicious) cupcakes and she went back to her apartment. Meanwhile....my boyfriend, Michael, was at the store to pick up some wine. As he was looking around in this HUGE Wine/Liquor place for anything interesting, he glanced down to a lower shelf and saw a label he had never seen before. Can you guess? Yup! Cupcake! Not too long after Jessica had dropped off the cupcakes, Michael came in with the bottle of wine. (wow...right?) Still...not done.

Right after work, Michael and I were having dinner at a restaurant, when I got a text from my friend Jimmy, who had seen my post on facebook. He mentioned how disappointed he had been, earlier (um...around the same time Michael had come in with the wine), because he had stopped by this little bakery in NYC and they had been out of his favorite cupcake.

Jump to that evening, after Michael and I had come back to the apartment. I called Natalie and we decided to get the remaining cupcakes in the office and bring them up and have a toast with the Cupcake wine. At this point it was myself, Michael, Natalie and her friend Ricky. As we poured the wine, we realized there was one cupcake and one glass of wine left...so we decided to call Jimmy, who also lived in the building. Of course, he came and there we were, The Cupcake Connection. As we sipped and talked, Ricky divulged that he had to make a choice, at some sort of event during the day, involving food, between two desserts. It occured to him that he had chosen the cupcake, as he had not had one in a very long time. "What time was that?" someone asked. "Around 2:30 or 3:00" he replied. At that point we compared our notes a little more closely and realized that all of these events happened around the same time, that day! It was also revealed that Jimmy's favorite cupcake was chocolate, which of course was the flavor of the cupcakes Jessie made.

There you have it. The cupcake incident. Just to update, Jessie has become a good friend...and still occasionally brings us cupcakes.

It is a wild, weird, wonderful world...

Synchronicity Rocks!

Bettina Makley

Background Experiments

2011-08-19T08:01:00.000-07:00

This is a digital collage of some images from my 9x12 mixed media journal. If you click on it, you will see it much larger.

Just trying to keep the creativity flowing. I recently moved from an apartment in the city, to a house in the burbs and it's going to take a while to get completely organized. In the mean time, I have appropriated the second kitchen (yeah, we have two...lol) as temporary studio space. There isn't much room, right now, to unpack all my boxes, but at least I can get to many of the basics, for art journaling.

This, from a recent Facebook note, explains my feelings about visual journaling:

"My journal is where I heal, where I grow, where I recreate myself, from the inside out. I scream into my journal. I cry into my journal. I laugh into my journal. I dance, celebrate life, mourn loss, gather skills, both personal and artistic, get angry...and quietly detox my mind and defuse the anxiety that can so often build up in my Soul. Creating is a need...like food or breath, at least, for me.

When I am creating, there is a flush of energy that is almost intoxicating. Sometimes that "flush" is like a wave that hits out of nowhere and I do my best to catch it and ride it to whatever distant shore it is taking me, and though I may be surprised by the destination, I am NEVER disappointed...and I await the next wave with joyful anticipation. "

The collage, above, is an example of a creative wave. I have no idea where those pages are going, but I am really enjoying the ride, in what little time I have to create, these days. I'm scraping, painting, heating, tearing, cutting, drawing, splashing, spraying and writing, and there are new ideas emerging. More importantly, I am healing from months of stressing out over the move.

Baby stepping, back to my creative life. :)

*slinging paint with a great, big sigh of relief*

Bettina

Still Splashing Around!

2011-04-25T08:05:00.000-07:00

I'm still splashing paint around in my 9 x 12", mixed media journal. Playing with ghosting, stamping, spraying and stenciling.

Honestly, I have no idea where these are going, but I'm sure they will let me know, eventually.

In the mean time, they are helping me relax and regroup in a wild and crazy world.

While on my crazy journey, I came across this tree. Still needs something, but it will wait for me to figure that out. My journals are very loyal.

Well...quick updates are better than NO updates.

Until next time!

Bettina

Hold on thar, Baba Looey!!!!

2011-04-07T12:02:00.000-07:00

UPDATE!!!! 4/07/11: Just too attached to this blog. I was nervous about using the newer design elements in here, and so just started a new blog. As I look over this site, I realize I have some followers here...and I really invested a lot of time over the last few years, until my computer crashed, just as I was working on a new image for the header. I felt discouraged for a long time, but I like this blog...and I've decided to keep updating it. I know...it's wishy-washy behavior...but hey...I'm human.

I'm keeping the new blog, too, but will use it in a different way. Perhaps to showcase my photography and adventures in NYC, as that seems appropriate. Anyhoo, I'll be updating this blog, soon with new images and new experiments from The Lab. There's a lot bubbling over, in there. :)

Much more to come!!!

BTW, the pic is from my latest art journal. I've fallen in love with a 9" x 12" mixed media journal I bought at Blick, in Manhattan, but you can get a really cool combo of this journal and a hard cover sketch book, inexpensively, HERE, as well.

Happy experimenting!

Bettina

Follow Me to My New Digs

2011-03-22T08:43:00.000-07:00

This blog has served it's purpose and will remain as an archive, but all future updates will be added HERE. I'd love to see my followers on the new blog! It's all explained there. Thank you, so much, for following me, here! Please come follow me there, now! Update! Silly me...changed my mind. See most recent entry.

Bettina

Inspiring View

2010-09-09T06:57:00.000-07:00

So, I've been dabbling in photography, lately. I've always loved to do crazy editing on my pics, adding wild colors and making extreme adjustments, but recently, I acquired a new boyfriend who was a professional photographer. Mike has been teaching me about the basics of photography and I am having a blast, taking pics around this area.

This photo was taken from Hamilton Park, in Weehawken, NJ. It's just a hop-skip-and-a-jump from where I live and has one of the most, spectacular views of NYC you can find. I love how the Sun setting makes the buildings look as though they are on fire!

So if you're ever in this area, and love beautiful views, try to make the time for a drive down Blvd. East. You won't regret it. :)

With depth of field,

Bettina

Dance For Joy

2010-09-04T11:26:00.001-07:00

Dance For Joy,
originally uploaded by fairywebmother.

Here's my latest art journal page. I've been art journaling all over the place, lately. So behind in my blogging. Anyway, this is a mixed media spread using all sorts of techniques. There's some obvious collaging, but also lots of painting, printing, and some masking tape resist. So much more I want to share and WILL share, soon! If you want to see the progression, I photographed this, while it was in process. Go see the rest of the images at flickr. :) Just click on the little picture to make that happen and to see the image at full size.

Bright Blessings...and keep dancing for joy!

Bettina

Holy Cow! She Actually Made Art!!!!

2010-06-18T14:54:00.000-07:00

Here's an art journal spread that I did in about 10 or 15 minutes, last night. I was in an angry state...a very angry state and here is how I dealt with it....by choosing creativity over anger. I can't tell you how much this little creative exercise calmed me down. I thought my head was going to explode, but I did this instead.

A far healthier choice, don't ya think?

Peace through Creativity,

Bettina

PS: Check out www.TeeshaMoore.com for some awesome inspiration. I've been watching her Youtube vids and they rock!

Winter Wandering...

2010-02-27T08:51:00.000-08:00

I've been working on a new entry, for weeks, now. I'm still working on it, but I thought I would add a quick note and a few pics about my latest passion.

That's right...snow people.

Can't tell ya how great it felt to really play in the snow! I spent my very, early childhood in New Hampshire, then moved to Florida when I was five. I remembered that snow was magic, but it took this many years to really find that magic, again! I turned 53, this year!
This experience I have compared to the old "Twilight Zone" episode, "Kick the Can". Anybody remember that one?

Anyway...snow is bliss. :)

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Forgiveness and the Freedom of Letting go

2009-08-18T06:04:00.001-07:00

Sorry I haven't blogged in a while, but life keeps throwing me curve balls. I am learning to catch them or duck, but the injuries, frankly, have been deep.

Today, in an effort to heal, I offer this wonderful video. I have said for a long time that "Forgiveness is not a reward that we give to the person who harmed us...it is for our own healing". Holding on to hurt feelings only hurts us. The person who harmed us, could often times care less, but if we release our hurt feeling and forgive, we take their power to harm us away.

Just pop down the page and turn off my site music, before you run this little gem....but DO run it. It is very healing.

Namaste

Bettina

BlissChick: Perfection Is Impossible but Fun Is...FUN!

2009-07-21T09:06:00.000-07:00

This is a fantastic blog I just discovered. I'm still exploring it, but I had to share.

BlissChick: Perfection Is Impossible but Fun Is...FUN!

I'll be back to blogging, soon! Life is still pulling together, here in NJ!

B

White Springs Yodel - Bettina Makley

2009-06-20T10:12:00.001-07:00

Posting this from YouTube. I performed for the last time (as a resident) last night, in Wheeling, WV. Not a perfect rendition of this song, as anyone who has heard it before will know, but...the yodel came out OK....lol. Anyway, it's a song about my family and our years at the Florida Folk Festival. I wish you could hear it with all of them singing with me, but for now, this will have to do. You should probably scroll down and turn off my music player, so it doesn't interfere....and thanks for listening! :)

I'm still packing, just FYI. Should be moving at the end of the week.

Bettina

Moving to Jersey City!

2009-05-29T10:12:00.000-07:00

Just when I think things are settling down, upside-down they turn, again!

I'm moving to Jersey City. This is a good thing, though I had to talk myself into believing that. The fact is, as much as I love where I am, the opportunity is too good to pass up. I just got back from a month-long reconnaissance mission and I am filled with inspiration! I guess I'm more of a city girl than I ever realized. Also, my dear, sweet guy, Lance has much better job opportunities there, not to mention that all three of my, beautiful children live in the area, as well.

We have a place lined up and I will still have a studio, though it may be a few weeks before I have time to update this blog, again. The real reason I took the time, today, was so that if anyone of my on-line friends are in the Jersey City/NYC area they can let me know! I have a lot to learn about the place and it would help to have friends there, already (though I've already started to make a few)!

I'm totally new to condo living, but I can see how I could become totally spoiled! I'll be two blocks from the Grove Street Path (train into NYC), so I can bop into the city, any time I want to. I've really enjoyed my visits there and, of course, it is a never ending source of inspiration.

The picture was taken by Lance Kirtley and is the view from our new digs. Pretty cool, huh?

Well...I'm off to finish packing. Wish me good fortune...and lots of energy. I'm going to need it.

Namaste,

Bettina

Make Your Own Metallic Stickers!

2009-02-21T05:03:00.000-08:00

OK...so I was cleaning up, in the Lab, yesterday. I tend to "play", as I clean. I began to noodle around with some metallic tape that I got at the home improvement store and some alcohol inks that I bought at Michael's (with a Christmas gift card from Lance's Mom). I had seen, somewhere on the Internet ( I wish I could remember, now) someone using a scribing tool to make impressions on the tape. It's something I have been intending to try. The inks were sitting there, too and since they are intended for non-porous surfaces, I thought I would see what what would happen if I used them on my impressed tape. I'm really happy with the results! The tape is peel and stick, so I can save them and use them later...probably in a journal, but who knows?

Anyway, that was a fun experiment, so I decided to do another and capture myself creating it. It's my first demo-style video and it's really given me the bug to do more...and to get better at making them. This is a mini-tutorial for hand made, metallic stickers. Let me know what you think!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4OabLGrC3ss

Tootles,

Bettina

Art Paper Doll

2009-02-13T05:52:00.000-08:00

I'm learning to download the pictures from my camera to this machine, but VISTA won't run my favorite editing program, so I have to find a new one. I've been using an old program called Micrografx Webtricity. It was bought out by Corel, years ago and I knew it would, eventually become obsolete, but I was really hoping...sigh....

Anyway, here is a picture, straight from the camera, of a recent project. I wish I could noodle with it to give you a better view, but that will come in time, I guess. This is a little, artist paper doll that I included in a birthday card to my daughter. I also included samples of all the textured paper I have been painting, lately. It's my latest obsession. I've been using it in my art journaling...another obsession.

There's a lot more I'd like to share, but I have to keep it simple, until I'm more familiar with this machine, though it sure is good to be back!

Bettina

New Notebook!

2009-02-11T07:36:00.000-08:00

It may be a little while, yet, while I get used to this thing, but I'm finally back on line with a new lap top! This could be a bit dangerous, because I can go anywhere, now and type stuff. Particularly frightening is the fact that I can sit in the Satellite Lab (my bed) and connect. If I'm not careful, I might never get out!

I haven't loaded any programs or learned to add pictures from my camera, but that will come in the next few days and I have been creating, so I will have colorful things to share, soon!

In deepest gratitude to a very special benefactor who has asked to remain anonymous.

Bettina

Computer Still Down

2009-01-23T09:45:00.000-08:00

I guess I need to update this blog, though I'm at the Library and can't add anything too interesting. This is just a quick note to say that I am still checking messages and comments, so do feel free to leave them. When I do get back to regular blogging (and I will), I have so much to blog about that my readers (all three of them) may be deluged. I have to tell ya... a Fairywebmother without a computer is a pretty, sad creature, indeed, so if anyone out there runs in to the Fairyhardwarefather, please tell him I need help!

Maybe if I put my hard drive under my pillow....

"Obsession"

2008-06-11T08:43:00.000-07:00

I feel the need to blog about this, but it isn't that easy, as this isn't, really a "yookie what I did" kind-of-a piece.
Many years ago, I lived in a very dark place. Unaware of my deeply embedded programming, I lived my life from fear. Fear of disappointing...well...everyone. Fear of lack. Fear of doing the "wrong" thing. I lived with...and enabled...abuse on so many levels.
This painting was like giving birth. It started as a vision, right after my decision to walk away from a destructive relationship, and a suffocated self. It's been incubating for about thirteen years, now.

On Friday, June 6th, 2008, this and a few other pieces of my work were featured, along with several other local artists, in an opening at Artworks Around Town, here in Wheeling, WV. I had promised a new painting for the event, the tenth anniversary of the gallery. It had been a long time since I had done a large painting. Since my work is very rarely planned in any way, I had no idea that the vision I had been cradling in my soul for so many years was the one that would show up on the canvas. I had some idea of a landscape, or something and I had a canvas that needed updating, as it had the beginnings of an older work that I no longer felt moved to finish.

Over the years I have worked, very hard, to heal myself. It is an on-going process that has opened me to so many, new thoughts and ideas and it's hard to know what to share in this little blog. There is so much I want to share. I share it in bits and pieces in all that I do...in all I create.

We have so much power to heal ourselves and yet, so many of us feel powerless, when most often, all we need to do is let go...turn away...turn around...choose a different perspective...a different life. Sometimes, making a simple choice can be the hardest thing we have ever done. Until we become self-aware, our perceptions are clouded with programming...by society...by our families, friends and associations...and by, the hardest for me to overcome...religious dogma.

Women in my generation were taught to believe the man was in charge. I was raised to be a mother, a caretaker, a home-maker. I was led, by my programming, to believe that I was virtuous and strong if I stood by my man, no matter what. That he was responsible for my reality and, though it was not clear to me at the time, that I was a lesser being. Another misconception that I lived with was, that if anyone in my life was angry with me...I must have done something wrong. It never mattered who it was...if they were angry, sad or upset about any of my choices, I was the one who needed to change.

When I look back on this way of thinking, my body tenses, as I remember allowing my emotions to be batted around like a tennis ball. I felt completely powerless and waited, like a good, little martyr, for GOD to deliver me from myself.

Now, I believe that sacrificial giving is a good thing...when it is a loving choice. But what are we really giving when we are, simply, programmed to do so? When we have surrendered all consciousness not to our connection to Spirit/Creator/God...but to men/women who we were programmed to respect and follow? How can our choices be sacred when we are not the ones making them, as we have no real knowledge of who we are?

One day, I gave my life...back to myself. For me, the process of self realization really began when I picked up the book "Creative Visualization" by Shakti Gawain. It was an easy read, yet the concepts went straight to my Soul and changed it, forever. It planted a seed that has come to full bloom...and will bloom again and again, as I open my arms to the idea that I am new with every breath and that, though I may not fit in with a society that still, desperately tries to chain me, I fit into the Universe perfectly...just as I am. I have become a person that I value...a person I want to protect and nurture.

"Obsession" is a kind of inner self portrait of who I was in the dark times. Focused only on the flower in my hands, while an abundant Universe was just out of sight. The birth of this picture was exhausting to the point that I actually thought I might never paint, again. Now that it's finally out of my head, I find myself with other visions and I realize I've opened the flow...not closed it.

Even as I type this I am a bit overwhelmed with emotion and, as tears stream down my cheeks, I am so glad and grateful to The Universe that, eventually, I found the strength...

...to turn around.

© 2008 Bettina Makley

Healing Art Journal

2008-02-09T18:31:00.000-08:00

I won't bother you with the details of the past few months, but suffice it to say it's been challenging. A roller coaster ride of ups and downs that have left me feeling emotionally exhausted and physically drained.

The idea of an art journal has appealed to me for a long time, now. I've started a few. They are buried, somewhere in a box, with all my really important stuff, like my steel drum and my red wig. Recently, however, new inspiration has arrived in the form of a YouTube video series by Suzi Blu, or, as she is known to her fans and friends on YouTube...suziblutube. Suzi inspires artists and would-be artists to believe in themselves and just create...something we all struggle with, from time to time. She also shares lots of tips and how-to's, in her very colorful and free-flowing videos...and there's quite a few of them. I hope you will visit her channel and check them out!

Since watching, Suzi, and all the wonderful artists on YouTube, who are sharing their work and experience, I have begun a new "Healing Art Journal". If you click on that link, it will take you to a page with more information and pictures. It is really doing it's job and I'm feeling better than I have in a long time.

I would also like to acknowledge Emily Townsend from "Creative*Art*Journal", one of my favorite blogs and a wonderful source for art journaling tips. Visiting her blog has been very informative.

I would really love for any "links-followers" to check out the new Website design at http://Fairywebmother.com/. I've been changing it, quite a bit, so comments or suggestions may be helpful.

Namaste,

Bettina

Cleaning out the Cobwebs...

2008-01-02T17:00:00.000-08:00

One of my goals for the new year has been to tie up as many lose ends in my life, as possible. To that end, I was going through an old file cabinet, today, and found this colored-pencil drawing I did of my daughter, Sarah, when she was a little (a very little) girl. I thought I might have lost it, or it was still in storage in Florida, but to my surprise and delight, there it was...tucked neatly away in my files.

Maybe...I should draw more. I am a bit spoiled by the computer. Not that drawing skill is not necessary in a computer. In fact, basic drawing and painting skills are a big plus, if you do digital work.

Here is a pic some of you may have seen before. This is a digital painting, taken from a photo of Lance's daughter, when she was younger. All that's left of the original photo is the face. Everything else was digitally "painted" using various brush tools. I clipped the wings from a black and white line drawing of a butterfly. They were cut apart and painted, individually, then repositioned behind Rachel's back to make her into a fairy.

I'm always turning people into fairies. I guess I've been doing it for quite a while. Here's one of my earlier attempts using the computer and a photo of my sister, Ruthanne, in a long-ago Easter dress that my Mother made. This one was more photos and filters, than drawing, but I did have to draw and paint the wings and the mushroom.

Well...there's more fairy art in my files, but it will have to wait for another blog. I really just wanted to post that early drawing of Sarah. I was so happy to find it. :)

Happy New Year, everyone!

Bettina

Needle Felted "Horizon"

2007-11-24T13:31:00.000-08:00

At least...I think it's finished. I'll mull it over for a day or two before I add it to my Etsy store. It is an ACEO, which is always 2.5" x 3.5". It is 100% wool fiber, hand needle felted, including the base or "canvas".

This, like most of my work, just started creating itself. I had no idea where it was going, when I started, but I think it's there.

I think.

Thanksgiving was quiet...but filled with love...and good food. I have so much to be thankful for that if I began to list it all here, I would never get off this machine, so I will only say that I am very grateful for the many gifts in my life...family, love, creativity, wool...lol...oops! Oh no! I've started the list!! I simply must stop here, because I'm sure you get the idea and I have to go enjoy the gifts I've been given. :)

Altered Clothespin Doll

2007-10-29T06:47:00.000-07:00

I haven't stopped needle felting. I just wanted to add a blog about a doll I made, a while back, for a swap. I couldn't post her, as I did not want to spoil the surprise for my "swapper".

This is "Primal Singer". She is altered on a clothespin using hand-painted fabric, hand made beads and embellishments and one of my hand-sculpted, high fired faces. She is my first doll in this format, though I have made dolls for most of my life.

Not your grandmother's clothespin doll...though I love those, too!

I have several other dolls, like this, on my work table...which I have not seen since I started needle felting in the "Satellite Lab" (the bed *wink*). I am really feeling the itch, though, to start combining all my skills, again, so more of these may be forthcoming...with a little needle felting worked in!

I'm also going to include a pic of my latest flat felted piece, a dragon and "The Green Man's Cat", though I'm not really liking the scans I'm getting of him. Also, he might need some whiskers. I'm still thinking about it.

Well, I'd better get back to The Lab!

Needle Felting Abstracts

2007-10-26T08:31:00.000-07:00

Well...my computer went down for a bit, so I was inspired to work more on "real-time" art. These scans are of my latest, needle felted "paintings".

I recently acquired some new wool from my new friend Doxie, at The Special Tea Shop on EBay. These fibers are unlike anything I have purchased, so far and are very fine and short. Unexpectedly wonderful for shading! Lots of new, intuitive art is showing up, so look for more, very soon!

In the mean time, I hope you will enjoy these little works. The one on top was fun to do, but I haven't thought of a title for it, yet. It is an ACEO (2.5" x 3.5") and will be listed soon.

The other one is an abstract that just showed up, called "Bird Watching". It's 2.5" x 4.5". Birds show up, a lot, in my work, especially in the abstracts.

Look for a new needle felted character, soon! He's finished. He just has to be photographed, so the next blog will showcase "The Green Man's Cat".

Tootles!

Needle Felting: "Farmer Jack"

2007-10-05T09:07:00.000-07:00

It's that time of year, again.

Here is my offering for Halloween. "Farmer Jack" is needle felted over a wire armature. I like doing these characters, but they are so time consuming. I know I say that, a lot, but it can't be expressed, enough, in my opinion.

I've read where some people think needle felting is easy...and it can be, depending on what you want to achieve. The hardest part, to me, is making hands and feet...the same size. You have to get a feel for how much wool will needle down into the size you want. This character had entirely different hands, before I ripped them off, because I had used too much wool and just couldn't get them down to the size I wanted. That was a three hour lesson. Now, I know that less is better, to start with, as you can always add more, but taking away is extremely difficult.

I know I am getting a little faster, at this, all the time, but it takes the time that it takes and rushing only causes...well...three hour lessons. Also, I like my work to be firmly felted. This takes hours of additional time. Add to that my obsession with details ( I really had to reign that in, with Jack, as I wanted him to be more accessible, price wise) and you can get work that must be compensated by hundreds of dollars, if one needed to make a living from their art, as I do.

I guess what I'm hoping, here, is that anyone reading this will understand the monetary value of time. If "Farmer Jack" sells for the minimum amount I listed him for, I will have made around two dollars an hour for labor and then there are all the listing fees, final value fees and other overhead. If I didn't love doing it, this could be very discouraging.

Well...fortunately...I do love doing it, so I'm not complaining...just educating, a little, I hope. At any rate, in the future you may see work that is priced according to the amount of time and love I put in. I always like to have pieces that are accessible to everyone who wants to invite my work into their homes...which I consider an honor, by the way, but some of it may be out or reach for some. I can't let that stop me from putting all I am into my work.

I'd love some comments on this. Should artists expect, at least, minimum wage for the time they put into their work?

Needle Felted: "Devotion"

2007-10-01T11:45:00.000-07:00

Here's another quick update with pics of my latest. I've become fascinated with miniature, needle felted pictures. My latest is a two inch oval called "Devotion".

See my other tiny "paintings", as my friend Melanie calls them, in my EBay listings. There is so much love and passion in my work, lately. I just can't get enough wool! This will be a great art form to curl up with, this winter!

I'm also adding a pic of "Fishies".

I still haven't listed "Harvey and His Pooka". It's so hard to detach, sometimes.

Many blessings of creativity!!

Needle Felting: Harvey

2007-09-22T12:23:00.000-07:00

Well, I was looking at my needle felted cat (seen in a previous blog) when it occurred to me that I had the perfect colors for a new experiment. Not too original, but I couldn't resist trying it. When I had finished (hours of poking and several, painful finger-sticks later) I placed my new creation next to Harvey and a new and everlasting friendship was born.

"Harvey and His Pooka" is a OOAK creation, inspired in part, by the movie with Jimmy Stewart and also by my love for sock monkeys. I had a sock monkey, when I was little, made by my grandmother. Her name was Luisa (the sock monkey, not my grandmother) and was named after an organ grinder's monkey in a Shirley Temple movie.

In case you didn't know, the Harvey in the story was Elwood P. Dowd's pooka. In Irish Folklore a pooka is a mischievous spirit, like a fairy or goblin, with the power to be seen as an animal. In my world, Harvey has his own pooka in the form of a sock monkey!

This work evolved, over time to become what it is...an artist's interpretation...a tribute to a classic movie...and a classic toy. In no way, have I intended to infringe on any copyrights, and I hope this will not be seen, as such.

If you haven't seen the movie...it's well worth the rental fee...and if you want to make a real sock monkey, you can still purchase Rockford Red Heel Socks on the net.

Happy Creating!

More on Needle Felting

2007-09-21T06:39:00.000-07:00

Just a quick update. I've been so busy, I haven't had a lot of time for blogging.

I'm still very excited about needle felting and I have found some awesome links, in my recent wanderings around Cyberworld. They are added to my Fiber Links, on the right. Do check those out for some visual treats...and for good information.

I just received an order for new needles from WINDORWOOD FARM, on EBay. I bought in bulk, three different sizes. They were very reasonably priced and I am enjoying my experiments with the different sizes...and now I have extra needles, in case one should break (I broke one, last week) or should I want to show anyone else how this is done.

I'm starting to get bids on my needle felted work on EBay. This is delightful, as it will enable me to buy more supplies (feed my addiction...lol).

I'm including a pic of my latest character. It's my first, finished piece with a wire armature. I'm calling him "Harvey" for now, but that could change. He might be finished...or he might need clothes...or he might be a she. You just never know. In any case, I'm not ready to list him, yet.

It does take a little time to detach from these pieces. They are far more time-consuming then one might think and it's hard to let them go, sometimes. I will miss "Edward". His auction closes, tomorrow.

Many blessings...and fewer pokes (ouch).

Bettina

Needle felting: Nuts and bolts.

2007-08-29T06:05:00.000-07:00

I've become so passionate about this art form, that some of my friends are starting to ask me questions...like I must know something. Well, I have a long way to go, before I am any kind of an expert, but I am happy to share what I have been learning, so far. If there are any felters out there who would like to add something, please feel free to comment.

Lately, I've been learning about the importance of a light touch. It's easy to get excited and keep jabbing away like Michael in "Halloween"...but that's also a good way to stab yourself, a lot. I'm more of a tapper, now, than a jabber, especially on the flat pieces.

Felting needles are extremely sharp. They are also fragile, in the sense that you should not use them to pull fiber from one place to another. I turn them around and use the handle for this, or I grab a stronger, tapestry needle for that job. The latter is better, so you don't poke yourself. In any event, felting needles can break if you bend them, so it's best to use them, only for poking straight into the fiber.

Another thing to think about is needle sterilization. Since sticking yourself is common, sharing needles is a bad idea. Be sure to have extra needles around, if you want to show friends how to do this, or you want to teach classes. Each person should have their own needles.

Fiber comes from lots of different animals and even plants. Some is great for felting, some is not. I'll post more about that, as I learn more about it. So far, I have found that fiber that is crinkly seems to work better than ultra smooth roving, though you can crinkle some of the smooth stuff in your fingers and it will work better.

Today's pics are of a cat that is a work-in-progress and some tiny, flat "paintings", so to speak. I just keep experimenting.

I hope you will check out some of the other blogs that are listed on the right of this page. Some of them will take you to some awesome needle felters...who know much more than I.

I'm off to poke some more stuff! :)

Bettina

"Grandfather Sun" is Evolving.

2007-08-21T08:16:00.000-07:00

I am beginning to learn that, with needle felting, one needs to pace themselves. This is much more difficult for me, than creating a character.

Needle felting can be tedious. I mean, it's great fun to watch a character appear, but it's an awful lot of pokes, before things really start to shape up and get exciting. I still find it relaxing, but the only problem is, I tend to want to push myself to the finish line in one sitting...and if that means sitting for three days, so be it...sigh...

The other day, I sat down in the Satellite Lab, right after Lance went to work. I started jabbing this and that...just experiments...pieces and parts, many of which, were tossed in the "bone pile". Suddenly, I looked at the clock and it was time for Lance to come home from work!! I got up and my whole body felt crippled with muscle spasms and sleeping appendages! LOL...I had really zoned!!!

I just couldn't help it. New wool had arrived in the form of bag of end pieces. One pound, which turned out to be a lot of different colors, from bluegooseglen. It was very reasonably priced, and I laughed, maniacally, as I explored the bag and separated all the colors into little balls. It was like getting 20, or so, new paint colors (maybe more, I haven't counted)! Update: I counted...38 colors!!! No wonder I was excited!

I also had received some wool from my friend Noelle (trickystitchesprimitives on EBay), who had some extra and was kind enough to share some with me. Noelle is a gifted artist of primitive cloth dolls, which are just wonderful, BTW.

Another small batch of wool came in from EBay, as well, from woolpicker. I had to ask about the smell of eucalyptus...not a bad smell, but I wanted to know where it came from. She sent me a note that explained that her wool was stored with a moth-repellent potpourri; a special blend of herbs. It really smells just wonderful, while I work with it. She also sent me a picture of Erna, her beautiful ewe that crossed over in the spring. I feel blessed as I work this wool, to be honoring the Spirit of a beloved pet.

I realize, at this point, that life must go on and I must slow down, a bit, with the needle felting. I don't need to race to any finish lines...and I do have other things to do, like clean house, create ACEOs, books, shakers, dolls, music....sigh... So "Grandfather Sun" could be a work-in-progress for a long time.

I just know there must be more hours I can squeak out...somewhere.

Here Comes The Sun...maybe.

2007-08-16T16:30:00.000-07:00

At least, I think that's where I'm going with this. Another intuitive sculpture with some cool, new fluff that came in the mail, today! It's so nice to be working in yellows.

This is a work in progress and I'm thinking about a sun...but these things have a way of running away with me, so who knows what it will really end up becoming. Whatever it becomes, you can be sure I will be back to post about it (Creator willing and the Ohio River don't rise).

I wanted to mention, here that my practice in sculpting in polymer and other clays has come in very handy in this art form. The parts and pieces come together in much the same way, as with clay, but instead of using my fingers and other tools, I am using a single needle.

If you are interested in this art form and have never sculpted anything, before, I highly recommend checking out some books on polymer character building. If you are already building in clay, then you shouldn't have any problem creating fun characters with wool...but a word of warning...If I had sculpted this head in polymer, it would have taken me about thirty minutes or less. I've spent the last FIVE HOURS working on this face....and there's still a long way to go!

I have a whole new appreciation for the time spent creating needle felted characters. No regrets, though. It's the most fun, relaxing thing I've done in a long time.

Well...I'm off to make dinner.

Bettina

Meet...Edward.

2007-08-15T15:52:00.000-07:00

In my last blog, I had begun my exploration into the world of needle felting. You can read more about needle felting, there, but I wanted to pop in and tell you about "Edward".

"Edward" is my first, intuitive, needle felted sculpture. I couldn't wait for more roving to arrive, so I used the left-overs from my bear kit. I'm really champing at the bit to start playing with more colors, but I'm thankful there was enough purple left over to create "Edward". I used what I learned, but no patterns. He just poked, right out of my hands!

I've listed him, but it was hard. He's my first, original design, in this art form...but I need more roving. :)

Bettina

Needle Felting: Uh-oh...

2007-08-06T04:38:00.000-07:00

...I feel another addiction coming on...sigh...

So, you take a ball of fluff (wool roving) and jab it a gazillion times with a very sharp, barbed needle (a specialized tool) until the fluff is packed down into a shape.

It's really rather amazing.

I wanted to try it and was advised to start with a kit, so I did a search in EBay, for "needle felting", and found a very nice kit, listed by Blue Goose Glen. It came with most everything I needed, along with instructions which had lots of color photos of the step-by-step process for making an adorable, little purple bear.

When my kit arrived in the mail, I couldn't wait to get started, so as soon as I could get away from everything else and settle down into my "Satellite Lab" (the bed) I opened the box and began looking over all the supplies. I read all the instructions, carefully, before beginning (not like me, at all), then, when confidence was high, I sat back with my "fluff" and my foam pad (Cardinal rule # 1. Always work on a foam pad!!) and began my project. After a while (all that evening and part of the next day) and a couple of finger pokes ( I only drew blood twice) I had a surprisingly adequate sculpture of an adorable bear...that looked nothing like the one in the picture, but then...we all know...I'm a rebel. Their bear was short and cute and mine is tall with more "human" proportions. Theirs had an embroidered nose, mouth and paws, but I couldn't find my embroidery thread, so mine are felted.

This has to be one of the most satisfying, creative activities I've discovered, to date. Sculpting with wool. The detail that can be achieved is the amazing part. Right now, I am learning, so I'm practicing with whimsy. There are those on-line who are making some extraordinarily realistic creatures, as they combine this technique with others, like polymer clay. That's where I want to go. Since I have sculpted dolls in polymer for years, I am already ahead of the game, there.

I know I will be back, with more on this subject. Right now, I'm just trying to decide if I want to put clothes on this little guy.

Have a beautiful, creative day!

Bettina

I'm Back, With Color!

2007-08-04T09:14:00.000-07:00

I have to get back to the Lab, but I thought I would surface, for a few minutes, to add this update and bring the color that I promised. You should be able to click on the picture, for a larger view.

So, I bought these, cool, bamboo tiles from saigonron2000 at EBay. They are about the size of a domino and have two holes down, through them, so all they need is a little embellishment.

I used hand-dyed paper towels for the basic texture and color, then added one of my hand-made embellishments, made from air-dry clay, in the center. The leaf is hand-sculpted from white, fired clay. Metallic paint and vintage copper wire finish this little pendant.

There...promise kept. I'm heading down to the Lab, now, to get some more work done!

Happy creating!

Bettina

Woo hoo! I'm Back!!

2007-07-25T06:01:00.000-07:00

Well...my good friend, Jason, came by and fixed my computer for me and I am back on-line!!!! Woo hoo!!! (is that too many woo hoos?) Anyway, the last week has been a productive one and my Lab is bubbling over with new projects and my house is cleaner than it's been in a long time (even my laundry room has been swept and re-organized!).

Go figure.

I do spend a lot of time in Cyber World. I belong to several art groups, some in EBay, others on Yahoo. I have no regrets about that, as I get so much great inspiration from some very wonderful people with whom I have much in common. I also learn a lot about a lot of different art forms, but every now and then, the Universe (good 'ol Universe) points out to me that I am spending too much time in here and not enough time using what I've learned (too much in-put, not enough out-put).

So, I've learned not to freak-out when my computer goes on vacation. I use the time to clean and organize and create...not to mention that I get a lot more exercise walking to the Library to check my email.

I want to add some pics of my latest projects, but will do that in the next blog, as they are birthday presents that have not been delivered, yet. (No spoilers, here!)

I'll be back....with color.

Bettina
ई चूसे लोवे

Computer's Down!!

2007-07-17T07:08:00.000-07:00

This is just a quick post to let anyone, who makes it this far, know that my computer has crashed. I have no idea when I will be able to get it back up, but I am able to go to the Library a couple of times a week, to check emails and such. So if you are trying to reach me, know that I will get back to you. I'll just be a little slower, for a while!

Ah well...I'll use the time for more experimentation in The Lab!

Tootles!

Bettina
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Back to Library Pockets...

2007-07-11T10:13:00.000-07:00

Just thought I would pop in and add some pics of the latest stuff I've been making.

While zoning in front of the TV, during all this heat, I kept up with my "thread noodling" and came up with these little guys. They are made from two pieces of plastic canvas, so they are puffy and two-sided (the pics show front and back). I think they might make pretty cool charms (maybe I'll add some beads). If you want to know more about artist charms, here's a cool link.

Before it got too hot, I was in the studio, creating more "supplies" for myself. Here are my latest papers and library pockets. Yes...there's a new book, stewing.

I'm off to do some housework, now. It's about time.

Bettina
ई चूसे लोवे

Plastic Canvas... a New Appreciation.

2007-07-08T11:12:00.000-07:00

I had seen others make it. Looked closely at it at craft fairs, but until recently, I'd never tried it myself. I'm not sure why that is, except maybe because it seemed to require patterns and I'm more of a cook, than a baker, if you get my drift. I like to experiment and throw things together and see what happens with the color and the texture and such, rather than follow hard and fast rules.

I'm a rebel.

The other night, I was watching Lance work his plastic canvas. It's something he has done for a while, "because..." he says..."It's a great stress-reliever and if Rosey Grier can do needle point, I can do plastic canvas". He learned from his ex, Jan, who gifted me with an extraordinary little Christmas cottage that she had made, last year. I really loved that gift and certainly could see the time spent creating it. I still did not think I would be trying it, though, because, as you all know, I have a lot of creative cra...er...stuff on my plate and the last thing I need is a new hobby...especially one that does not get the attention...or the monetary rewards it deserves. In fact it breaks my heart, just a little, when I see this work sold at craft fairs for far less than it should, considering the time put in.

While I watched Lance work, I kept wondering what it would look like with variegated yarn. The wheels started to turn and I picked up one of his scraps and asked him to show me the little box stitch he was using. Oops.

I kept saying to myself "I don't have time for this...I really don't", but it was too late. As I started pulling and pushing the yarn, in and out, seeing all those pretty colors magically forming those little squares and, especially after I was holding my first bookmark in my hands...I was hooked...sigh...

I won't follow patterns, though. I'm still a rebel. I'll learn stitches. I'll learn how to use my tools, but I'm most excited by trial and error and I love to experiment with my own ideas. To that end, on my latest bookmark, I got out my old "Knit-wit" tool. Remember those? Yarn flowers that just pop off the tool? They still make them...but mine has got to be, at least thirty years old!! After fiddling with it for a bit, I managed to remember how to make those flowers and soon I was popping them off, as I did when I was a child. I added one to the top of my second bookmark and, abracadabra! Innovation.

I've tried crochet. All of my afghans turned into mufflers...if I even got that far, but with PC I can do tiny projects that are finished in an evening...and it IS SO relaxing. Actually, it's a form of meditaion for me, now. It's something I can do without making a big mess. Something I can do in front of the TV at night, when I am too tired to do anything else.

I'm still a rebel. Honest.

Bettina

ई चूसे लोवे

Family Reunion and Book from Library Pockets!

2007-07-03T07:25:00.000-07:00

My recent family reunion and performance with my family singing group, was wonderful fun. I had more than a dozen extra people in my home, but managed to stuff them into all the corners where, I hope, they were comfortable.

I live a long way from family, so it was really nice to have so many of them here, with me and wonderful to sing with "The Makley Family" again. We all wore beautiful, tie-dyed dresses, made by my sister Ruthanne and my niece, Mary (Mary-n-Mom) and after much rest, tea and prayer, the laryngitis that I had, all week, cleared up in the nick of time and our performance went very well, I think. We sold a few Cd's and received some nice comments, anyway. (The pics, above, are by J.H. Mason.)

Now that I've had a few days to recover, I've been working in the Lab, again. I've become fascinated with the idea of altered and hand-made books and journals. I've altered journals, among other things, for many years, but this week I made my first book from scratch...sort of. I found some library pockets at the local teacher's store, here. I thought they might make cool embellishments and we even talked about an altered-library-pocket swap, in an online group I belong to. To that end, I started slapping paint around on a few of them, thinking I might be ahead of the game, if there was an official swap. As I stacked them on top of each other, I got the idea for this BOOK.

I'm waiting to see if my pics turn out, but I hope to add a tutorial, of sorts, to my Website, as I took lots of pictures, throughout the process. I really had fun with this project and look forward to creating more of these, colorful journals.

Well...that's the latest from the Lab! Have a beautiful day, everyone!

Bettina

ई चूसे लोवे

Story Tellers

2007-05-12T18:00:00.000-07:00

So...I've been making these "Spirit Rattles". It's been a long time, since I've put this much love into my work. There's something about them. I mean, I like drawing and painting and I've really enjoyed creating ACEOs, but these, little, musical instruments come from a deeper place, within. It's hard to explain. Perhaps it is what people have felt for thousands of years, as they create...and pray...with rhythm.

My latest rattle was inspired by the Pueblo Storyteller Dolls. My Mom collected storytellers. I couldn't help but think of her, as I worked the clay. She gave me a storyteller ornament for Christmas, once. When she died, several of her storytellers came to me. If she were alive, this year, this rattle would surely have been her Mother's Day present.

I borrow from many different traditions, as I develop my personal connection to my Creator. To me, as in Native American culture, the making of a Spirit Rattle is a sacred act. I start my day in the studio with ceremony for healing and cleansing, before I begin working. I do my best to keep my thoughts positive and loving throughout my day, but especially while working on my rattles...though they make it easier. It's hard to feel bad with one in my hands.

Each Spirit Rattle is one-of-a-kind and each has it's own, special energy. Since I work from intuition, it's always interesting to see who shows up. :)

Blessings,

Bettina
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I Choose Love...

2007-04-18T07:36:00.000-07:00

I choose love,
From the moment when I get up,
To the closing of the day,
And when I'm sleeping,
I choose love.

I choose peace...

I choose joy...

© 1999 Bettina Makley

I am sharing this, today, in the hope that it will bring some comfort. I wrote this song to comfort myself, during hard times. We have the power to choose. At the very least, we have the power to heal. Today, I will focus on LOVE and HEALING. I am sharing this "candle", if you will, and if any of you would like to share it, feel free. Please, do not use it for personal gain or attach it to any negative images, but DO share it for singing. It's an affirmation that I truly believe in.

Brightest Blessings in dark times....

Bettina
ई चूसे लोवे

Typing in Hindi

2007-04-14T13:04:00.000-07:00

ई चूसे लोवे

ई चूसे पास

ई चूसे जोय

How cool is this?

Brand New Blog!

2007-04-11T08:35:00.000-07:00

Now, before you think to yourself "Oh no, not another one," let me explain.

When I first joined blogger, I was thinking that I might be smart (right) and I chose the "advanced" settings option and hosted my blog on my own ftp. This ended up causing a lot more headaches than it was worth and I have since discovered that I have some much easier creative options by just letting Blogger host my blog. Since I am not completely certain what the consequences will be, I'm not going to delete my other blog, but so far, I've had a lot more fun doing it this way.

Since this is my first blog, using this option, it will be a little experiment, so let's try uploading some pics, now.

OK, cool. That worked. Now let's see if I can add another.

FanTAStic! OK...I think I might be getting the hang of this!

The video links, underneath this post, are a very, cool, new feature! If you have not seen my original video "Help Me Bloom", just click on the North Wind, below! When you get to my video, be sure and visit my channel where I have "favorited" many other cool artists on YouTube.

Many Blessings of Wonderfulness,

Bettina