Tidings, thoughts and thanks : Jill Berry Blog

Tidings, thoughts and thanks

Posted on January 4, 2009 - Filed Under Uncategorized

Jane Eileen's inchies cover

A month or so ago I participated in a chunky book swap for Techniques learned at Art Unraveled in 2008. This was interesting on many levels, not the least of which was that the pages arrived unbound. Clearly, I was not paying attention! Jane Eileen, the hostess, included this page as the cover. The back of her cover I peeled off and mounted on the inside cover of the lid. The box is full of wonderful things we all learned at AU, and it was a great opportunity to use this nice little box technique.

It is very simple and I really like it. When you look at the top, you just know it is full of treasure. If you would like the directions on how to do the box for these pages, please email me and I will send you the pdf of instructions. So far, I have been unable to figure out how to embed them here. Another project!

I am on a mission to finish things, and this is the first on a long list of neglected projects in my studio. Books, paintings, correspondence, mixed media ladies hangin’ out with no clothes, stacks of stuff to send off to the next truck stop, entries to magazines; this stuff is piled like the Leaning Tower of Pisa. The last month has been full of making things for our handmade holidays, company and lots of cooking, and children on winter break.

Today is my first day back in the studio in 6 weeks. I listen to Crooked Still and sweep, and drink David’s Rio’s La France Pear Tea and watch the fat flakes of snow drift down out my window. Whoa Nelly I am happy to be here! My sister Linden, who knows me best, can practically calculate how long it has been since I got all arted up by my mood. Get thee to the studio! is her command, knowing full well art will cure what ails me. Funny how I know exactly how much art improves my life, and yet I go so long without it. Why don’t we just do what we know is right? In a perfect world I would make art every day, eat carrot sticks and hike four miles.

Great tidings to all for 2009. We have so many reasons to celebrate!

I am so thankful for the opportunities to teach in 2009 in many wonderful places, the support of my healthy family, a job for Steve, a studio full of more than I can use, and a group of arty friends that keep me honest, humble and laughing.

Comments

One Response to “Tidings, thoughts and thanks”

Jane Eileen on January 4th, 2009 5:01 pm

Wow! That looks great. I think it would be great to get the directions for the box. Also, I think it would be nice to post the information on the AU site in case anyone else is looking for an idea of what to do with their pages that is different.
Whoever photographed the pictures did an amazine job. THey look like they were done with a million dollar camera and someone with a PhD. in photography! Thanks for sharing.
By the way, the photo I used is my dear dear grandmother as a baby. I have probably used that image more often than any other. Every time I see it, my heart skips a beat.
Jane Eileen