My Trip Part II: OK, NM and a touch of Texas!

June 5th was mostly a "driving day" .

To be honest, I really can't say much about the rest of Kansas... don't get me wrong, KS is a great state, but the route we were driving on was flat, flat flat and sad.... most of the towns were tiny and dieing or dead.  The route took us through the panhandle of Oklahoma, and Jerry noticed we were maybe 45 minutes away from Texas, and he's never been in Texas... so we took a Slight detour mainly so we could take a picture of a sign of Texas.  Hey, after all flat and sad even a detour to Texas sounded fun!

added about an hour to hit Texas from OK.

peppers and "land of enchantment" ... could be misconstrued no? 

 The Detoured really paid off though, because it meant we drove through ( and stopped and had supper) at Des Moines, NM!!!   So I think the detour was totally worth it.  Food was pretty good.

The view of our room from the courtyard

Jesscera Slept in, this is me taking her picture from the outside!

Our room was the originally the master bedroom - huge!

Jerry catching up on facebook in the lovely courtyard

 The Bed and Breakfast is called Casa del Gavilan and located in Cimarron, NM.  Cimarron is famous for being the location of Piedmont, the Boy Scout urber camp.  We actually drove by it 3 or 4 times looking for our hotel... by that point it was raining cats and dogs and we literally missed the sign.. and when we found the sign, it was a locked gate.  The phone reception was non existent and we missed the little sign telling us to use the buzzer.. which we couldn't see either through the rain.

Still after a few more scenic near night tours of the surrounding countryside in torrential rains, we finally figured it out.. The rain stopped basically :)

View from the back yard of the Bed & breakfast

As you can see from just a few pictures, the house was gorgeous and comfy and the next day was bright and sunny and just amazing.  The Mountains as our back yard?? Splendid.

The main reason I picked this location?   One of the planned stops for June 6th was Elizabethtown, NM, one of the more than 400 ghost towns hanging out in New Mexico.  E-town, as it's called, is about 1 hour away from Cimarron.

Tombstone in the Elizabethtown graveyard, about the only thing of real interest in E-town

 Sadly this was a disappointing stop.  Most of the town is gone, just 1 building remains in ruins and the gift shop was closed on June 6th.   The graveyard was kind of interesting.

 Actually June 6th was sort of a wash -- quite a few businesses in the area were closed for Monday.  I guess tourists are supposed to travel Tues -Sat only judging by the signs.  There were several interesting artsy shops in Cimarron we didn't get to go to, because they weren't open.

Still, most things were in Red River, NM which was a blessing, because we had a small issue driving around the mountain roads... a hole big enough to ruin the tire.  Red River seemed to be a tourist trade kind of town, and had a full auto shop.  What could have been the biggest monkey wrench on our trip was only a couple of hours side-tracked.  Jesscera and I went shopping! Jerry ended up buying 2 replacement front tires, so it was sort of expensive, but seriously, just think if we had to stop out in the middle of no where on a back mountain road with a busted tire!!!! The rest of the day was pretty uneventful and we jumped on a interstate to make up some of the time... last stop of the day Grants NM.  Grants is right off Route 66 stops and home to the ice cavern, which was the "big" stop for June 7th.  I'll tell you all about the surprise at the ice cavern next blog!

The river is really small at this point in NM, but the gorge is huge!!!! and deep

Jesscera and Jerry enjoying the rock formations around NM!

This was the toilet in the malt shop in Red River, NM.  what a hoot!

We interupt my travel blogs ......

OK, I know, I'm a horrible blogger -- I promise to finish my trip entries just got busy with real life and this weekend is Central Iowa JunkJaunt and since I don't have a show this weekend, Jerry and I will finally get to do this!!! It's 5 cities in Iowa, and surrounding areas that will feature antiques and repurposed items all weekend!! over 20 stores / spots are on the map, which is printable ( and it's been printed)


See ya out pickin' this weekend!

My Trip Part I - on the road again!!

OK, I’m back!!

The Kat always comes back you know.  But boy, what fun we had!!

I started planning this trip in January, because after 3 years of 1 income and no real family vacations, I thought we were due.  A quick quiz session on what and where, and we decided to go to the grand canyon.  None of us had seen the Canyon before, so it seemed a natural target.

The Grand Canyon is approximately 1400 miles away from Des Moines IA.

So logically we should fly, right?

Well, I really don’t like flying.  And we enjoy rambling road trips where we have time to stop and look at something that sounds fun from road signs.  So we decided to do a long ( 13 nights, 12 days) driving trip.  The plan, which we did more or less follow - was to drive through MO, KS, catch the tip of the pan handle of OK, drive almost the entire length of MN, and then AZ and the canyon.

To make it interesting we would circle back through AZ, and cut through the Rockies in CO.  (and if the timing was good… hit 4 corner’s monument, which is where CO, AZ, NM, and UT meet) (are you counting states yet?)   After a 2 night stay in Denver we would drive straight home through NE and then finally back to sainted IA!

(if you were counting, it’s 9 states)

For those who know me, I am a planner.  So I had all the hotels booked and some pre-paid by the end of January ( actually for those who are not planners… if you are going to the Canyon booking the hotels 6 months or more in advance is a really good idea.. The hotels fill up fast, and they get more expensive the less lead time you have)

The longest day of driving planned was 7 hours… but most days I tried to plan 4-6 tops, so we would have time to meander and stop at stuff that looked interesting.

Because getting time off is hard when you have a day job, we left on June 3rd at 5pm central time… when I got off shift.

That first night was pretty uneventful -- the only thing of note is that first hotel was below my normal standards.  I went by price since my normal stand by ( holiday-inn express ) wasn’t available.. In Topeka KS.

We tried to take pics of all state signs, but we missed Kansas.... 

June 4th: the plan was to spend the day in Hutchinson.  When I was researching the trip, I tripped over a salt mine museum that sounded interesting, and it had a link to another place of interest in Hutchinson -- a space museum

Who Knew?

The area of the museum is HUGE .. this pic gives you some idea.  it's probably a 3 or 4 foot ball fields wide.  all 600 + feet below the surface.... 

The salt mine was very interesting - It’s 660 feet below ground - and it’s still a working mine, though you only get to tour the old part they don’t mine anymore.  We actually got to meet a few miners who got off shift, and they seemed like a really nice bunch.  

Anything that goes down to the mine won't come back up, 2 expensive .  This tire got recycled as part of the displays

This wall of the ladies' bathroom is all SALT - OK, some of the lines of black is other sediment.  Still... SALT

The Space Museum was really lovely and surprising cool.    It's called the Cosmosphere and it started out as an observatory in the early 60's and just well, grew, into a very nifty place.  The first thing you see when you walk in is a real Blackbird.  You can actually touch the nose of it!

They have a large collection of real artifacts from space, rockets, and the space race.

Real space suits from the Apollo program!

 They have some mock ups as well, but it's surprising how much is real.  You just don't expect to find a gem of a museum like this in the middle of - well - Kansas!.  Seriously, if you are in Kansas Hutchinson is worth the trip.

Part of the Berlin wall.. I've never seen parts in person before

Next blog - New Mexico !

On a break --- Back 6/16/16

I hope everyone has a great couple of weeks... since I don't have any shows until June 18th ( when we have another FABULOUS! Farmer's Market ) I'm taking some time off.  I'll be back approximately June 16th.  Til then, Just hang out with our fur-friend and have a great time!

psss.... if you need some jewelry ( or other art) before then, then run! run! I tell you - down to Five Monkeys.  While I won't be the featured artist for June like I am for May, I'll still have a selection of great Mechanical Romance items on display!  Five Monkey's represents 60 or more Iowa Artists most months, so lots of great stuff you can get.  

Below is the T-shirt my daughter just had to have, as modeled by my mom: 

Just one of the many wonderful bits of iowa art you can buy at Five Monkeys.  

Some bling for farmer's market

Well it looks like bling this week at the market, Jerry and I will be there bright and early at 7am to noon. We are located on Court Ave in the 100 block-- right in front of the Polk CO Admin building.  So swing by and say hey-- and I'll say Hey right back at ya

This piece incorperates vintage clock and watch parts, a vintage broach and crystals.  I'll take me some sparkies with my steampunk today.

Farmer's market this weekend!

pssss..... I'll be at Farmer's Market this weekend.. Sat May 28th.  Then I'm taking a 3 week break from the business, and be back at Farmer's Market on June 18th.

Here's a couple of newer earrings.... I admit it's been hard creating stuff since my Pop died, but this weekend I actually got some earrings done and some commissions... and I need to work on those Leaf bracelets I started at Five Monkey's the week before.

Gallery event was a success!

Well I had a blast at my gallery reception at Five Monkeys on Saturday, and I want to thank each and everyone who stopped by to say hi to me and all the other fab artists that had showings that day.

Not only did I get to gab and met terrific folks, but I actually did get some work done... I'm working on another round of my leaf bracelets and here is a sneak peak of one, all it needs now is the clasp and chain...

I'm also please to announce I'll be at the gallery through June at least, though if you want to see the big display you need to go this month!  

next up on the Five Monkey's Calendar is another artist reception this Friday... Shane S. Francis, so come out and support your local Iowa Artists!

Gallery Event at Five Monkeys This Sat!

OK, I'm excited... I'll be at Five Monkeys This Saturday 12-4 and I'm bringing tools and stuff to play with! woo hoo!  I'll be there to answer questions, adjust jewelry and generally just gab...

and I'm not the only artist scheduled for this weekend, Praireland Herbs, Girl with a sword and more will be there during the same hours, and that evening another artist will be featured.

Actually that's one of the things I really like about Five Monkeys... there is something going on every weekend.  Fun artsy stuff... my kind of place.... See ya this weekend!

french lady earrings

Had Farmer's Market today, and I must say the weather was much much better than originally promised by the weather gods... way to go Weather Goddess!  (when the weather goes right, she's a she... and when it's wrong.. it's a guy.  Seriously, what other way could it be?? )

These lovely earrings are fixed mistakes.  My original design had something else going on, and the hole got messed up on 1 of the Fleurs.  So they turned into French Ladies.

Eh.   I recycle everything when it comes to jewelry!!

Look MA!! I'm in a Gallery again!!

I'm very very very pleased to announce that I'm again in a gallery...  a very well respected local gallery -- Five Monkeys!

Actually I'm one of the featured artists for the Month of May, which is pretty darn exciting actually.

Five Monkeys promises to be a very good experience for me as an artist -- it's all local central Iowa artists, and Dina ( the gal in charge and owner) has special events scheduled all the time.

Here's a sneak peak of my display in the gallery for May:

 As you can see most of the jewelry is from my Mechanical Romance line, and I've peppered the display with "future jewelry" -- mechanicals that Jerry hasn't taken apart yet.

Five Monkeys is having a open house this Friday to celebrate the expansion of the gallery space, and the next Saturday  (May 14th, noon to 4pm) I'll be one of the artists on site.. I'm planing on bringing a few things to play with and of course tools to make adjustments on jewelry.  Both nights promise tons of fun and art, so if you are in the Des Moines area.. stop by for gosh sake!!   Located at 4211 Chamberlain Dr, Des Moines, IA ( across the street from the shops at Roosevelt, close to the playhouse )

next up - FARMER'S MARKET!!!! YEAHAHAHAHAHA!

Hi Ho, I'm Kermit the frog... wait no...
sorry, I just had a Muppet moment, it was the enthusiastic Yeah!! after Farmer's Market -- I love the original Muppet show.  I just couldn't get into the new version. Since it doesn't seem to be on anymore, I'm guessing I'm not the only one who couldn't.  But the original?? classic!  Nothing beats Kermy introducing some new guest -- with the yeah! and the hand waving.

So imagine that sort of enthusiasm for the start of Farmer's Market .

Anyway, here are 3 earrings just ready to go for Farmer's Market.  All involve vintage watch bits.

I'll see ya there bright and early, starting at 7am , this Sat, 5/7/16.

Maifest Today in Amana's

Well it's time for our first show, it's almost 6am and Jerry and I are getting on the road for Maifest in the Amana's Colonies.  We will be at the big red barn art show which runs 11-5pm... so despite the rain come on over, we are indoors for this one.  (Yeah! hate getting rained on)

A quick note on these earrings, which I love but these are the only one's, unless we find another 1930's typewriter with the same gizmo's inside... the long black parts are from the typewriter.  I attached a retaining ring, wings and vintage watch face.. I love how these turned out, they look like flying ankhs.

Dad: Dec 16th, 1929 - April 4th, 2016

I knew it was coming, he's been in a slow, downward spiral for several years, but it still was a shock.  Wednesday of last week he had a major heart incidence and his defibrillator went off multiple times in a short period.  He would have died then of a massive heart attack if not for the defibrillator, 911 and a trip to the hospital.  They ran the tests and his heart function had fallen to 20% or less.  Even with all the medical intervention in the world, Dad was in bad shape and didn't have much longer.

I spend about 3 hours with him in the hospital that night, and I knew then.  It's hard to describe... 

But he was done.  He was tired, and he wasn't fighting anymore, and he was ready.  He never really put it into straight out words, but I could tell this was it.  

I came home and cried that night. 

Thursday a meeting was set up with the Doctor, the hospital palliative care folks, Dad, Mom and me.  I don't believe Mom realized what the meeting was really about at first.  Dad decided that morning to turn the defibrillator off, he didn't want to be shocked anymore.  It's really really painful and with his heart like raw hamburger, his quality of life was approaching zip.  He decided to die on his own terms with dignity and peace and no pain.  

He went to Taylor House that afternoon, and after just a few days, he died peacefully in his sleep on Monday Morning.  

I will miss him terribly.  Growing up he was the best of Dads.

I could write books on him, but instead I'll share 1 story, one of the earliest memories I have.   Mom almost never spanked us, that was Dad's job.. being the disciplinarian.  My brother Kit told Mom I did something bad and she exasperatedly told Dad to take care of it.  Dad hauled me into their bed room, asked me my side of the story.   He dried my tears and said all right, now scream like I'm spanking you.... so I screamed and he whacked the bed several times... then hugged me and and led me out of the bedroom holding my hand and saying she's been punished and that's the end of it.

I remember how smug my brother's smile was, and I remember looking up at Dad, holding his hand and seeing the gleam in his blue eyes.  I remember trying not to giggle through my tears.  I felt so special in that moment,  He listened to me, and took my side in a way that wouldn't hurt anyone else in the process.

I can't remember what the transgression was, I'm sure it wasn't anything major, because Dad did punish me when he really needed to.  I don't think he liked Kit narking on me, or didn't feel it was worthy of a spanking... He never really spanked me much growing up.  Honestly he didn't have to -- knowing he was disappointed in me was more punishment that a spanking could ever be.  I admit I was a total Daddy's girl.

The last several years have been difficult watching him age, personality changes, mobility issues, and all the rest of the sucky getting old stuff -- and he had dementia.  He still seem to know everyone, but he got confused about when it was, and his short term memory was really messed up.  Whenever he had a heart episode - which seemed to be monthly the past year, he would often get really confused about why he was in the hospital and what was happening.  He was always so good at math, and he would figure stuff in his head .... but the last few years I'd helped with balancing the checkbook, because he just couldn't anymore.  He wrote checks and forgot to put them in the register, and then forgot what he wrote them for.  I know this really frustrated him.  He knew he had Dementia, and it would only get worse overtime.

His hands had grown stiff to the point he was having problems using utensils.

He was in pain all the time.  His heart, and all the rest of him, was just worn out.

So while I can't believe he's gone, and I still burst into tears at the oddest moments and it HURTS that's he not here anymore, I know it's better for him.  

I love you Pops.

Crystal Heart Earrings

recent bracelets

Mystery parts earrings...

not in a gabby mood guys, sorry.  These are retaining rings from the hardware store,  and some strange springie things that are possibly ? came in a big mix lot of stuff, and these came in metal tin box, no idea what they are but very cool looking.  The earrings have serious dangle factor... fun to wear.  Any ideas what the parts are?

Art deco style pendant

this is what my work desk looks like most of the time.. actually this is pretty cleaned up.  I have about 3 projects going in this pic.... 

This isn't true Art deco of course... but the watch case made me think art deco... all clear stones in a geometric style.. very art deco... and every sparkly!   So I went with it.. Overall I liked how it turned out and I"m hoping to get a few more pendants based on watch cases done.. like everything else bouncing around in my brain, 2 many projects and not enough time.

Close up of the innards - I put a mucha pic in the back ground, I thought that went well with the art deco style of the watch case... and some gears, crystals and little opal like flakes.  going for glamour here baby! 

Took me forever to get the cupchain to lay right.. I tried to glued, wire wrap, and a couple of other things.  Ended up sewing them on a bit of vintage ribbon.. which worked pretty great actually.  The necklace part is woven wire.

more clock pendants

Here are a couple more clock pendants.... another sparky one and then one with a dragonfly wire wrapped on it.  Today I'm trying to update my Etsy stores, and hopefully update my show schedule -- and if i can get all of that done, for a treat I'll make some bracelets.  I have several started, and others that I'm in the "contemplation" stage.... aka still figuring out if the design will work or not.

lightbulb earrings

I wish I could claim this "bright" idea, but actually the concept of using lightbulbs and adding paper to decorate them is from Susan Lenart Kazmer's book Making Connections.    

Great book for mix -media type artist.

The Rhinestones are my idea though.  

I predict more of these in the future, at least until my small stash of lightbulbs disappear.  She uses lightbulbs in all kinds of projects including bracelets... I have fears of them breaking, so I"ll probably stick to earrings for the most part, though I might try re-enforcing them , maybe dip in resin first? she actually mentions this somewhere in the book but now I can't find where... oh well I guess  I'll have to read through it thoroughly again.... such a hardship!

clock, camera and watch earrings

I love that these earrings incorporate materials from a clock , a 1930's 8mm film camera and watch parts.  I used Niobium ear wires because I thought the black looked the best.. it matches the gunmetal camera disks thingies.

This weekend I'm in the studio, mostly cleaning and organizing my travel supplies.  When we do shows I always take a stash of materials with me, so I can alter sizes or even create new pieces if I have time.  I am also working on another batch of leather cuffs and I'm having a great time planning these out.

I'm completely reworking my selection of chain to travel, I'm hoping to add more but I don't have the space to go completely nuts.

I carry a plano box of mixed beads, cabs and rock pendants.. I think that's going to go entirely because that was mostly for wire-wrapping.. which I'm just not doing so much anymore.  I'm going to add more clock and watch vintage parts in the travel stash, and keys and such... but I'm still going to carry my emergency crystal stash... you never know when you might need a crystal or 2!!

I'm going to cut down on the sterling supplies and increase the base metal copper, antique brass, etc instead.  and carry more copper/brass/bronze and black wire.

I haven't had time in the last several years to really modify my bag, I've just added in extra stuff to the point it's so heavy I worry about my husband lifting it, let alone myself.  My style has changed significantly in the last 3 years, it's time to really acknowledge that in what I carry around. So hopefully I'll get it to a more manageable weight while really concentrating on the items I need to carry to successfully adjust sizes and swap out chains when needed.