Milargos

I have a fansination with religious artifacts. Last year I discovered Milargos. The word milagro means "miracle" in Spanish. People might carry a milagro with them in order to get its benefit. Milagros can represent specific objects, persons, or animals, or they might represent concepts that might be symbolized by the object represented in the milagro. The Milargos I used were blessed by a priest. I believe in being blessed by God, giving a blessing and recieving a blessing. Descriptions or concepts of common of Milargos Some I gave away and the others I kept to make something special. I thought for awhile my milargos were going to be part of necklace. Last night they decided they wanted to be a bracelet I could wear in my travels. I used the new C-LON cord I got from Cindy's Crafts with half hitch macrame knots. A good book to learn how to make Micr0-Macrame Jewerly with tips and techniuqes for knotting with beads is Micro-Macrame by Joan R. Babcock The Lord bless you and keep you, the Lord's face shine upon you and be gracious to you, the Lord look upon you with favor and give you peace. In the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

Merry Christmas

Click here for a full color chart of the pattern. Christmas is just around the corner. In two short days we will be going from sun bunnies to snow bunnies and heading home for Christmas. While worked on packing up the gifts we got for the kids and the grandbabies I wanted to give something to you. A Christmas Teddy Stocking. May your Christmas holiday be filled with peace, love and joy. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. Christmas Prayer I said a Christmas prayer for you Because the season's near I didn't ask for riches But for gifts so much more dear. I asked for joyful gatherings With your family all around And for carols to inspire you With their old familiar sound. I asked for quiet moments In your heart on Christmas morn For a special time to celebrate The Savior who was born. I asked for friends to send their best That you might know they care I asked for peace and love and hope And I know God heard my prayer. ~ Nancy Brummett ~ Text © Abbey Press, St. Meinrad, IN. 47577 http://www.abbeypress.com/

Felting Frenzy

Our time together at the Gilmer Get Away has come to an end. It looks like we have felted everything we could our hands on. Becky and Jackie are back home. A wintry mix kept me an extra day. I didn't mind at all. It was another day to play with beads and spend with Marcie and Judith. We started with needle felting on wool making pictures and designs. Becky made a sampler. Working magic with the needle and roving. Pushing the envelope she created her felted bag with a heart design. Jackie sat quietly in the corner needle felting a ladybug with a sun. Before we knew it she had a snowman scene completed with a beaded Christmas tree. After a trip to "Dressing Gaudy" Jackie was inspired to make a cell phone holder and glass case. Freeform Felting Marcie added her special touch with freeform felting to create a wonderful abstract bag. Her cleverness didn't stop there as Marcie felted the sides of her bag together. I believe she created a new technique. Felted Ball Necklaces and Lariats Bev made a black abstract. Judith made several felted ball necklaces. Sleeve Art by Bev and Judith So much was done in such a short time. I love our Gilmer Get Aways!

Sleeve Art

It's that time of the year when we get together for our Gilmer Get Away. We have fun trying out new ideas on each other to see where they will take us. We all tried our hand felting. It is always interesting to see what five different women will come up with all using the same supplies. First we tried wet felting and made felted ball. Jackie brought wool garments which we washed and felted. Out of necessity sleeve art was created. I can sew with the beads but I can't sew material together to make something. Isn't that crazy! The light came on with Judith first. She created her purse using the felted sleeve of a cashmere sweater which brought me to the sleeve of a jacket for my flamingo purse. This was the beginning of sleeve art. The other projects we worked on here felted cell phone holders, felted ball necklace and felted lariats. What was really different about this get together was the food we ate. Over the last seven years we have acquired special diets. I have to eat Gluten-free and Marcie has to eat low carb and low sugar. Our first night was a rolled port roast with bread crumbs made from Gluten free bread and special spices. The side dishes were pumpkin with spices, baked apples and a salad. The next night was spaghetti squash with spaghetti sauce. We all take turns cooking and the next night Jackie made a stir fry chicken veggie dish with the spaghetti squash and green beans with cranberries. Are you hungry yet? Tonight it was eggplant with ham and baked apples. So far our favorite shopping trip has been to Dressing Gaudy. What a fun place. Funky clothes, beaded shoes, boa's and hand bags. It was a fun place to hang out for awhile in between the beading stretches. Watch for more pictures of a beaded square picture we have been working.

Copyrights "I Should be flattered"

As a bead designer many hours are spent creating a design. I put a lot of details into the step by step instructions and graphics. On the pattern there is a copyright that states this is for your personnal use. Personal use: This means if you purchase the pattern you have the right to make the design. You can sell the jewelry you made from the pattern for pin money. It may not be mass produced or taught as a class with permission from the designer. "Pin Money" n. Money for incidental expenses. What effect does this have on the designer? 1. A violation of the rights of the designer 2. Lost of income 3. Legal fees If you make photo copies or share the pattern electronicaly over the internet you are depriving the designer of income from that design. In most cases legal action will be taken by the Designer. For another view on bead copyright issues please read Beadline's Blog. I was told I finally "made it" as a designer if someone copies your design. You should be flattered. I am not when it is done on such a large scale.

The Bead Pavilion Storage Unit

Being a beader you know the hardest part of beading is trying to find a way to store your beads. There never seemed to be an easy way to have your beads at your finger tips when it is time to start a project. I have tried plano boxes, cardboard boxes, trays with tops and trays with no tops. Big baskets and little baskets. Sova Enterprises has come up with the perfect solution. The Bead Pavilion. There are two ways to purchase this unit. One is the Bead Pavilion with four shelves or you can purchase just the shelves. The shelves are stackable. There are two types of shelves to chose from. One will hold square tic tac containers and the other will hold round tubes. I got my Bead Pavilions from Cindy Tipton at Cindy's Crafts. Cindy will fix you right up and help you find the right size tic tac's or tubes for your shelves. I am off to bead something now that I can see my beads.

The Gadget Girl

I am always looking for a way to make something easier. Have you ever tried to make your own earring wires? It is very hard to make two exactly the same size. I have found this wonderful gadget called EZ Earring. I bought it from Danrek.com You will find very detailed instructions to guide you through making your own earring wires. The next step is the design. I chose 4 mm Swavorski cream and 20 mm blue Swavorski pearls with Tribal Silver bead caps. I added the componets and finished the ends of the wire by making a very small bend to hold everything in place. If you are doing juried shows or sell your designs in a gallery. This could be just the gadget for you. This finished pair of earrings are now in a private collection. Below are other examples of earrings I made.

Studio Friday "Secrets"

Today is Studio Friday The theme is "Secrets". Yes I have a few secrets. I keep them in a bottle. My granddaughter Hannah and I whispered secrets in to this bead bottled five years ago. What kind of secrets? I can't tell you or they wouldn't be secrets! My other big secret is I am pack rat. If I can't use it today, I might be able to use tomorrow, or next year or maybe never..... but I can't throw it away. Another thing happened today. I have been tagged by Janee's Tag I am it! These are 20 random things about me. This tag was suppose to be for illustrators. It may not be illustrations on paper but it is illustrations of art with beads. 1. Even if you have a million beads you still might not have that one special bead. 2. I could spend the rent money on Beads if I didn't have a conscience. 3. I am 5'3" and a foot shorter than my husband. 4. I own a van, but I am not a scoccer Mom. 5. I love teaching beading classes. 6. If I could run away it would be back home to Michigan. 7. I would love to own a motor home. 8. The Discovery Health Channel is my TV station of choice at night. 9. Steel Magnolias is my favorite movie. 10. I had a identical twin sister her name was Mary. Yikes two of me? 11. My favorite coffee is Mocha Latte's 12. I wanted to be a nurse when I was younger. 13. I do not like life in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina 14. My favorite bead artist is Dona Anderson 15. Naps are a must in the afternoon. No I am getting to be that age! It is the medication I take daily. 16. I would rather have a baby than go to the dentist. 17. I treasure my friends. 18. I am a computer geek 19. I don't pass on email chain letters. 20. I believe in God the Father almighty maker of Heaven and Earth. The Father, Son and Holy Ghost. I hope this wasn't more than you wanted to learn but here it is 20 things about me.

A Trip to San Antonio

I just got back from a trip to San Antonio. I had a great visit with my daughter and her family. Hannah and Evangeline are getting so big! Our plans for the week were to watch Heather's premier on HGTV's "That Clever". Heather showed how to make her Dragonfly pendant and a block print. You can order your very own Dragonfly Pendant from Humblebeads Congratulations on a job well done. I am very proud of you. We like to try new things when we get together with our beads and findings. Our stitch of choice was the herringbone. We put sterling silver wire through the middle of the bracelet and added a hand-crafted clasp. I like to make my own head pins and earring wires. I got a really great earring maker called EZ Earring from Danrek Jewelry Supply. I like the versatility of being able to make different styles from the same jig. I added pearls to the wires to create a one of a kind pair of earrings. I knotted pearl buttons and orange sponge coral beads to make a necklace and bracelet with matching earrings. After all this creating we did the Houston Street Fair on Saturday. It was a first time street fair put on by the mayor of San Antonio. I was so excited when I sold a pair of earrings to the Mayor's wife. The weather was beautiful. The best part of the day was when someone would come into our booth and say to Heather "I saw you on HGTV yesterday"! I spent my day with a celebrity The animated pictures on this blog were made with Bannershop Gif Animator 5 by Selteco Click on any image on this blog for a larger view.

Hope

This bottle of hope was designed for the Bead Society of New Orleans. To welcome us back home after the storms. To give us hope for rebuilding our lives and our city. The design is simple but the meaning is big. "Hope" Something to build on. Make your own bottle of hope. Keep it simple or build it into a master piece filled with embellishments. (click here for the directions)
You will need adobe reader to view the file. The second thing you will need is a small insulin bottle to bead around. We had our first bead society at Planc's Coffee & Tea Saturday. Thank you Steve and Deb for letting us use the coffee shop and a special thanks to Shannon and Tammye for taking care of us.

Asymmetrical

I started this bracelet while in Michigan watching Fox news and getting hurricane updates. It is very hard for me not to be symmetrical with my beading. I like both sides to look the same. I just went for it and this is the end results. The focal point is a humblebead made by daughter Heather. She sent me this bead along with some others for my birthday. Set your VCR, Heather will be on HGTV "Crafters Coast to Coast" October 28th. Check your local listing for times. My thistle is almost finished and I couldn't wait until I had the leaves done to scan it. I used a felted bead for the center and a felted stem. The pattern for the thistle is from Diane Fitzgerald's The Beaded Garden. The bead in the picture is felted with bead netting on it. Today was a computer day. After four years of running smoothly my computer developed a hiccup. A while back Art and I went to Best Buy and got a Firelite Scan Disk. It is a portable 40 gig hard drive. You can plug it into any UBS port and access the files. We use it as back up for our computer files. Thank goodness I had all my files backed up before I handed the computer over to be reformatted. Mission was accomplished and my computer is back up and running. Now if they could just fix the internet so it would work all the time instead of part of the time. We would be in business.

The City that never sleeps

The lights are out and it is dark. The City that never sleeps has turned out the lights. We arrived home to a much different place than what we left a month ago. I started noticing the difference as we neared the Mississippi-Louisiana border. Trees were uprooted and other were snapped in half like toothpicks. We thought it would be a good idea to fill up the gas tank before crossing the swamps. We stopped in Hammond for gas. The gas station was full of cars. Hand written signs on plain white paper said "Out of Gas". We left and hoped our half of tank of gas would be enough until tomorrow. We crossed the Bonny Carre' Spillways and I saw the lights from a refinery. I looked for the city lights of New Orleans. It was dark. We got off at the I-610 spilt and headed down Airline Hwy towards Williams Blvd. Piles of debris lined the side of the road along with refrigerators that had gray duck tape around them locking the smell and mold inside. The smell of things rotting was overwhelming. We continued on knowing our apartment complex would be a mess also. We were prepared. Home was just a few blocks away. We walked into our apartment and it looked just like it did when we left it. No water damage, no mold on the walls and no trees through our walls. We were the lucky ones. Our internet access is sparatic and the cell phones always have a busy signal. I wanted to get a dial up service but Art said "no" just be patient. That just about cuts me off from the rest of the world and my friends. That is the part of all of this I dislike the most. This morning I took a few pictures of the storm damage outside of our apartment. This is the sidewalk that leads to our apartment. These Cypress trees fell behind the complex next to ours. This Cypress tree fell right in front of our patio. We were so lucky it fell along side of the apartment. Otherwise we would not have had much to come home too. It ripped up the cement patio by the pool and crushed the wrought iron fence. I can't imagine the damage we did not see as clean up has been going for a couple of weeks. We took a ride this morning to the post office to see about getting our mail. The lobby was open but the counter was closed. I brought my camera a long to take more pictures. Instead I just looked in awe at the damage in the process of being cleaned up. Trees on roofs and laying in yards. Not just trees but very large trees. Fences were down everywhere. Like someone had come along and stepped on them here and there. I saw a tent city set up by the national guard and a church parking lot with a sign giving out food and water. There is only one Wal-Mart opened and that is in Kenner. You have to stand in line with a number and wait your turn to go in and shop. The Super Wal-Mart on Jefferson Hwy by my house is closed. Small signs line the side of the road with stores that are open and others saying help wanted. Big pieces of plywood spray painted saying "Open for Business" in other places. You see the path the hurricane took as she passed by. The telephone poles are bent and the street signs are pointing in the wrong direction. Everything looks like it has been tilted in the wrong direction. A trip the grocery store to replace food in the house meant long lines. Not everything was in stock. We learned quickly that you get your errands done before dark. We came home to quite a few U-hauls in the parking lot with people packing up and leaving for good. I wish we were back in Michigan.

A Few of my Favorite Things

Walking along the shores of Lake Michigan and watching the sunset. The squeals of laughter from children as the water laps at their feet. These are a few of my favorite things. I have been in Michigan for almost a month. What started out as vacation became an evacuee haven. I treasure the extra time I got to spend with my sisters. We went to the Allegan county fair, walked through the barns and laughed at the chickens with their funny feathers. I rode the Ferris wheel and smiled as I remembered how scared I was when I was younger. We went out dinner and celebrated birthdays. We had coffee with friends and shared stories of the past. Sunday dinners with my kids and enjoying my grandbabies creating memories to carry back with me to New Orleans. My sister Rosanne showed me how to do needle felting and I learned how to make felted beads. I can't wait to go home and create bead art with these things. I am going to try my hand at knitting a bag. The pattern is from "Just One More Row" Rosanne makes the most wonderful felted bags. She has an eye for color and uses beautiful wool colors in her patterns. You can never have enough beads and now I have to add "you can never have enough wool" Fibers and Bead Art. They go good together. I found out today that our apartment is just as left it almost a month ago. We are leaving Thursday to head back to New Orleans. Picking up the pieces will be easier for us than those who have lost homes and loved ones to the hurricanes. Will things ever be the same? I doubt it, but it is time to take my new memories and head south to pick up the pieces and get on with life.

Living Day To Day

It has been 8 days since we left our home. Our vacation is now a place of safe haven at my Moms. We are wondering how do you pick up the pieces? Do we try to move back home when they give the ok and say it is safe, or do we start our lives over again in Michigan? We don't know. I am no longer saying I am not going back and you can't make me. I know my home is where my husband has a job. On to more pleasant things. This weekend I did a show with my sister Rosanne. It was the "All Crafts Fair" a juried show. It was sad to see all the commerical products that were suppose to be hand made. It is really hard compete with jewerly that sells for $5.00 and up from a trade show. It is like comparing Macy's to Walmart. I am thankful I made enough to make my van payment and help out with groceries. I always look forward to this weekend and spending time with my sister. I got to spend time with my daughter Amiee and my son Ray. Katelyn, Josh and Allison are growing up so fast. I want to thank everyone who has emailed and called to check on us. Friends are such a blessing and I am grateful for each and everyone of you.

Katrina

Katrina has left so many unsure whether they have a home to come home to. Art and I made it safely to Michigan with Cricket before the hurricane made landfall on August 29th. We have been glued to the TV watching the devasation and destruction left from this powerful storm. I know my friends, Tanmye, Chuck are safe with their two cats in a hotel in Northern Lousiania. Brenda, Jerry, John and Karen are safe also, along with their pets. My other friends Steve and Debb, Chris and Andrew are in a hotel four miles down the road from Tammye and Brenda. I haven't been able to get hold of my friend Sally. She is a nurse at Ochsner Hospital. I know she was on hurrican duty. This afternoon I heard that Kenner, LA was under water. I hope her husband Bruce is with her. I am 1,009 miles from reality. I am Wondering what we will come home too when they give the ok God Bless New Orleans. The Crescent City needs so much help right now. I will write more in the days to come. Bev

The Big 50

Every Friday night we meet at Planc's Coffee & Tea to visit. Steve and Debb make a mean cup of cafe mocha, 2% milk with a little whip cream please. I love their kids Chris and Andrew. Tonight we had dinner together. (Tammye, Chuck and I) Something we do just about every Friday. I never thought they would surprise me with a birthday party tonight. Monday I am the big 50 or as my daughter tells the new 30. I should have suspected some thing was up when Tammye told me our friend Carolyn was joining us also. We grilled steak and tuna and had green bean casserole with artichoke hearts topped with bread crumbs. Tammye made a super salad with red, yellow peppers, avocados, grapes, almond slices and lettuce. After dinner they sang happy birthday and we had a wonderful carrot cake from Maurice's Bakery with 3 candles to make a wish. One for past, present and future. I blew them out and made a wish. I can't tell you how much it means to have such wonderful friends in New Orleans. I will be in Michigan with my family the day of my birthday. We are leaving with the threat of Hurricane Katrina possibly making landfall close to New Orleans. Tonight I went back through my beads and packed some of my favorite one. Who knows what we will come home to after the storm hits. Bead Happy and be well...I am on the road again.

The Dragonfly

I have a fascination with Dragonflys. They are also known as "Horse Stingers" and "Devils Darning Needle". I found the folklore and information on this creature very interesting. My recent obsession is beading business card cases. The focal piece is a glass Czech Dragonfly button. I see dragonfly everyday living next to the Mississippi river. I have been carrying a beaded case for over a year. When someone asks what do you do? I say "I bead". They look surprised and say you do what? I pull out my business card case and have an example of my work to show and a card to hand out. I have spent hours searching the internet for Beaded Card Case and haven't found any like I am doing. I taught this last year at the Arkansas Beadcave and again this year Shreveport Bead Retreat. It was big success. This last one was completed on August 23rd. I used vintage nailhead beads as accents around the focal button. If you would like to have me teach this class in your area please contact me

"Pearls by the Sea"

This is the bracelet I will be teaching on Bead Cruise 2006. My daughter and I have had so much fun planning for the Cruise. Dona Anderson and Judith Giffin will b teaching, along with me and my daughter. There is less than a month to sign up. Take your Beads to the High and join us on Bead Cruise 2006.

"Take me to the Sea"

Next weekend is Ida William's 4th bead retreat in Shreveport, LA. My friend Marcie is teaching a class on how to make these wonderful little treasure filled with images on bottlecaps. I called mine "Take me to the Sea". Albalone chips between the bottlecaps create a clink that makes this bracelet fun to wear. Stay tuned for more projects from the retreat in the next coming weeks.

Puppy Love

Yesterday I got a condolence card from the vet saying "May you find peace in knowing that your decision was truly kind and loving." Oh my that was my undoing. Art had the day off which was a good thing. I cried "I want my dog back" Poor Art just hugged me and told me it would be ok. I was so sad. We went out to dinner last night and afterwards we went to the mall. I knew Art was taking me there to see the puppies. I had mentioned I wanted a Yorkie Terrier. We looked on the internet and they wanted between $1,000 and $3,000 for a puppy. Way out of our price range. We got to the pet store and they were so busy. There were 3 puppies left that were not being held by someone. One of the them was a black minature schnauzer. Art asked me if I wanted to hold him. I said sure. They brought the little guy out and I took him in my arms. My heart started to heal and the hole I felt from loosing my Kody filled with love for this little guy. He curled up on my chest after giving me a kiss and looking me in the eyes with his big black eyes. He snuggled in and fell asleep. An hour later we were bringing our new puppy home Look I am a big dog!! This little guy is our new addition to the family. He hops around like a bunny and plays like a big dog with his Dad Art. The only thing that slowed him down was his reflection in the dishwasher. All tuckered out he is winding down and getting ready for bed. I am wondering what new adventure will take place tomorrow. We don't have a name for him yet but we are working on it. Got any suggestions? This little guy has a big job. He has to fill the hole in my heart left when we had to put My Kody Bear down Monday. That was the hardest thing I have ever done in my life. Kody was my baby puppy for 16 years. She kept me company and watched me bead for many years. I have a feeling this little guy is going to try and eat the beads instead of watching me.

Vintage Art

Some other man better come soon Or it's me for the man in the moon This mini wall art measures 2x3 inches. The picture is a copy of a Vintage Postcard. Accents include a charm which says "I Hope" Wtih seedbeads, sterling silver beads and a crystal. The picture is set between two pieces of glass and the sides are soldered. These pieces will be available for purchase from my website soon.

Back home from the Gilmer Getaway

There is nothing like spending a week in Gilmer with the beadtrekers. A quiet place with friends and beads, no TV or radio. The world revolves around the projects we are working on. Our projects were microscope slides and bottle cap bracelets. It seems the microscope slides have become obession. We couldn't make enough of them. It's not fair that we get to have all the fun so I made a webpage to share. Gilmer Get Away 2005

Gilmer Get Away

It is that time of the year time for the Gilmer get away. The Beadtrekers are on the move. Who are the Beadtrekers? Friends, traveling north, south, east and west to met some where along the way to visit and bead together. Last year we logged 15,000 miles getting together to bead. This is our fifth year to met in Gilmer as one of our friends travels from west to east. What do we do when we get together. We bead, laugh, eat and sleep when we want. No TV or radio to distract us only the sounds of talking and laughter. We test new bead ideas and pass them along later in the year at bead retreats or as classes in our area. See you in 10 days with news of yet another bead adventure.

The Invisible Join

I have been bead crocheting for about five years. I have tried my hardest to learn the invisible join to close a crocheted bracelet. Give me a bead and I could close that puppy!! I could just never get those beads to line up for me. Tonight I didn't have a choice. All those beads in my closet and not one matched this bracelet. I have been told if you hold your tongue just right it sometimes helps to make it work. I choose to grit my teeth and do it. The first attemp was one bead off. I took it out and tried again. Happy Days it worked!! The big question is will I be able to do it again on another bracelet. I feel like the old dog who just learned a new trick.

Strawberry Fields Forever

In memory of Miki Robinson. In our life time we are lucky if we have 1 true friend. We are blessed if we have 2,3 or 4 close friends. In this life time I have been very blessed. I have traveled the country making friends. The bond which binds us is a passion for beads and a creative streak which brings us together. These long distant friendships are mantained through mailing list, emails and phone calls. On April 25th, 2005 my friend Miki Robinson passed away. They say "Time heals the pain". My conclusion is that time doesn't heal the pain. It brings an acceptance. I miss Miki and I think about her often. She will live forever in the hearts of those who's life she touch. Writing about Miki and her boys was a very hard thing for me to do. I can't imagine what it would be like to be almost grown up but still needing the and guidance of your Mom and Dad and not having either. I pray that God will watch over her boys and help her other grown son and daughters. If you would like to make a donation to help take care of Miki's family please stop by and visit Miki's memorial page or stop by Beads Buy the Kit and purchase a kit for a bracelet that Miki Designed. Look under "beads goods". All donations go directly to Miki's family.

A Beaders Palatte

Has your husband or partner said "Don't you have enough beads"? The answers is "No I don't have enough beads". The other question is: "Why do you need more beads". Just as an artist mixes paints and other mediums to create so does the bead artist. The difference being the beader must buy the colors of beads in different sizes and colors to make the pallet. This week my bead palette was expanded with some wonderful crystal lined beads in hues of purples, blue, montana blue mist, mink and copper in sizes ranging from 6, 8 and 3's from Charlene's bead Shop. Plated metal beads. These beads are not galvazined and the color will not come off. They are plated with metal. The metal beads are copper, gilding metal gold, zinc and brass. I couldn't wait to use the metal beads. One of my favorite patterns came to mind from Cheryl Assemi. The copper size 8 seed beads were perfect for the necklace. They have such a wonderful movement. I used size 3 crystal lined amethyst-copper and copper metal beads for accents. I can't wait to use the zinc beads in my next project. They are a gorgeous shade of blue gray and silver. Stay tuned.

Queen of Mardi Gras

The Queen Of Mardi Gras with Mardi Gras music lyrics on the back side. The actual size of this pendant is 1 x 3 inches. This was the first time I have soldered something directly to the frame of the side. I still have one more step to finish. I am waiting for the pin backs. My daughter Heather is going on cruise to Mexico in a couple of weeks. She will be showing her illustrations to publishers on the cruise. I made this pin with one of her pieces of artwork to wear.