New logo for my bead & jewelry company. I actually thought it up when i was sixteen, at the prime of my early jewelry / bead / artmaking obsessions, so yeah, the name is kinda airy fairy. I recall my emo little thought process being something along the lines of  "oooh, the moon is soooo esoteric, and trees are all, like, natural, so i'll put them together.....whoa ..... that's totally deep" and that's what i got. Color's even the same as the dress i made for myself for the prom. Dorky! I like it though, and i'm fond of the concept since it marks a time when i was a just a kid who liked to make lots of different things.

Here are some rolled paper beads I made a while ago, which are in my current bead collection. I hand paint the paper, then cut it into long strips. I also use metallic foils, silk, cellophane, printed pages, text, and iridescent organza ribbon to create them. My specialty is "poetry beads", where i put a different verse on each bead- unlike the beads above, these ones are readable- and link them all together to build the whole poem. First project will be a cuff with Neruda's 'Ode to Wine,' which I hope to enter into a national jewelry competition in the fall.

I also just finished my first beaded dragonfly this very morning- well, my first one in about seven years. I used to make and sell these when I worked in the bead shop in college, and they were crazy popular.  I also made praying mantises and spiders, and attached little pinbacks to their undersides so they could be worn. From a distance, it looked like a jeweled insect had just perched on a lapel. This one measures about 3 inches in length- it's a little shaky craftsmanship-wise, especially the wings, because i was trying to work out how to put it together as i went along. Not to mention wrangling 32 gauge brass wire and little tiny seed beads, yiii.

I'm thinking I'll make a few more of these today and bring them around to some local shops next week to see if they'll display them. Once I get a handle on my technique again, it shouldn't take more than an hour or so to put one together, so i can easily sell them or take commissions for $50 each. I'm also thinking of giving a few away for free, to anyone who will wear them and pass my gallery info along to interested clients.

I think my sixteen-year-old self would be impressed.

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added:  panorama collage of our studio space. click for the original size (it's a big'un). Can you spot the naughty rabbit?

heeheehee, there's the little stinker!

I also found some distant relatives in the graveyard, by the name of Farquhar. An unusual name, I know. For those of you not from the New England area, that's pronounced "Far-kwar". Jenny, Robert, Mary, and of course "Lovejoy Leonard" are all buried in one plot on a hillside. All of them long gone far before my time, but it's nice to know they are nearby.

  

This evening, while left to my own devices, i decided to take a walk in the cemetery near my house. Ordinary, modern cemeteries are creepy- like big parking lots for the
dead, where nobody who's still alive wants to linger. There is rarely anything
sacred in those places.  My cemetery, however, is a sanctuary; the
spirits have been so long in repose that they welcome new life, new
contemplations, and the trees grow tall and wide and invite visitors to
sit and think beneath them. It is a sprawling nineteenth century garden full of sweeping paths, vaulted tombs, wooded sanctuaries, and pensive sculptures. There is tranquility there, a kind of
pensive peace between light and shadow, there are stories sleeping there from long
ago. It's also got its fair share of squirrels, whom I disrupted in the early twilight while meandering around with my camera. I also met a bevy of preoccupied angels, contemplated some inscriptions done in romance prose, and stared down a bronze eagle.

Click on the angel to see a collection of photos from my sojurn:

I woke up at the crack of dawn today, put on my hoodie, made a pot of earl grey for myself, and retreated into the studio. We have big windows that overlook our wild, overgrown yard, and the early light was slowly creeping its way into the room through sun dappled leaves. Quiet. Even the rabbit was still snoozing.

So, I felt like making something. I dug through my art supplies for a little while, then looked at the jar of looseleaf tea on my desk. Hmm. I tiptoed around the kitchen and collected some more of my favorite ingredients, gathered my bright melamine dishes, and mutilated a half-wilted bouquet that's been hanging out on on the table. Drank tea. Fiddled with the digital camera. And made stuff.

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Edit:
Just for kicks, here's a picture of me in my studio this afternoon. Mmm, sunshine.

I just want to take a second to brag about my most recent impulse-purchase, and to plug one of my favorite Xangans who's just opened her own Etsy shop. The image on the purse is from an original painting of hers called "Pretty Girl". It's no secret how much I love love love Mexican Muertos art, but not nearly as much as she does, apparently. Wicked fricking gorgeous.

Not only am I excited for her- and excited to be hoarding yet! another! handbag!- but I'm also thrilled to get my hands on some of her art. Art rocks. And so do purses with skulls on 'em!

MAtt forwarded me this string of emails today:
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On Jul 13, 2007, at 12:13 AM, Matt P. wrote:

Hey Eli,
What up fool? I made a video blog for my friend in Japan. If you
listen close you hear some music that sounds kinda familiar! It works
well. Help all is well, brotha.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VzoOXYShpas

Carmalized Lettuce,

Yjorken

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On 7/13/07, Eli C-P wrote:

You owe $35.000, plus you'll need to sign a waver with my lawyers.
They are on their way to your house by way of helicopter. They
require chilled aperitif, and dog food for the many they carry as
protection, in addition to $35,000, cash in Yen.

blanched human infant,

 Eli

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On Jul 13, 2007, at 1:16 PM, Matt P. wrote:

I sent the wire transfer to your bank account for $35, which was
accepted by the bank in Tokyo as $35,000 Yen and then converted into
the Martian currency- which is now equivalent to 34 Zon or 400,730
Pesos. Then your lawyers touched down on the helipad outside and we
ate Sushi and Burritos on my rooftop, while discussing the recent
deployment of Martian troops in Zernon.

We had a good laugh about the time you went bee keeping
in your underwear, then I gave them a shot of
whiskey and they were on their way. Their copter might have
disconnected my power line. I will send you a bill for 34 Zon.

Decomposing squid,
Yjorken

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Silly people.

Last night we went to the Lantern Festival in Forest Hills Cemetery, which is across the street from our house.  I thought it would be a good idea to bring a picnic, so i spent afternoon making making cucumber sushi. I actually dislike traditional sushi, because the texture of seaweed and raw fish ain't my thing, so instead I use thinly sliced cucumber for the wrapping and I put savory veggies on the top. These have ginger sticky rice inside them, with carrots, blanched red pepper, and peach slivers with radish demi-lunes on top. Did you know that peaches taste phenomenal with a little bit of soy sauce? I figured that out yesterday, too.

Avast.

Today went good. I got up with Matt and fed the bunny as usual, then walked down to the bus stop with him. Matt, not the bunny. The bunny doesn't take the bus. The bunny would probably try to eat or attack the bus.

Anyways, I went to Kerri's house and dragged her along for a walk around the pond. It was a little muggy this morning so we were both sweating our asses off- sexy, ain't it? - and she bitched & moaned about her friend's wedding that was this past weekend. We both eschewed the whole concept completely. Or pretended to. That's what walking and bitching is all about.

Afterwards i felt sticky, so I came home and had a shower. Made myself a bologna and potato chip sammich. Released the rabbit. The rabbit looked at me like i had three heads since i was home in the middle of the day. I fixed the stupid bathroom door and did a couple other little repairs around the house while the rabbit "helped". We were both tuckered out after that so we had a nap. Then i decided i was ready for another walk, so i went down to The Valley of the Ghetto-Marts. They have a dollar discount and a hoochie store and a bodega over there. Good times, good times.

On my way back, looking mighty scruffy from my long, hot stroll, I was cut off in a parking lot by a guy in a car. He leaned out and said hello to me, and asked if i had a minute- wuh-oh. Gets out of his car, i back off a bit, armed with my Dunkies coolatta and ready to flee if he tries to grab me or give me religious pamphlets. Says his name is Douglas. I stare at him. He asks me if i live around here. I say, yeah. He says i'm sooooo beautiful he had to hang a U-ie and come say hello. I laugh, since i'm gross and sweaty and cranky. Turns out he's harmless, i say i have a boyfriend but i'm flattered. He says, well, worth a try, have a nice day, goes his merry way. Bye-bye weird dude hitting on me. Huh.

So now i'm back in the studio, tidying up a bit and paying some bills. The rabbit is helping by nibbling off all the corners of the papers i leave within reach. Good job, ugmoe. You can be a self-employed pirate, too.

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