MWMDesigns

A "Cool" Necklace

2009-07-31T08:25:00.000-07:00

I love the soft, almost neutral color of these pearls and the translucent amber glass pendant that anchors them.

I love pendant necklaces

2009-07-25T11:22:00.000-07:00

The colors in this flame agate focal bead knock me out and I love that the stone is nearly transparent. I found the stone at a lapidary show and it lingered in my stash for a long time until I found a beautiful strand of flame agate rounds that complimented each of the pendant's colors. Pretty stuff.

Getting the chimney pointed

2009-07-24T11:30:00.000-07:00

No, I'm not taking a picture of the chimney and posting it! Just noting that it's interesting to watch a worker perform his trade artfully and efficiently. It's what I aspire to in my own artistry.

The Craft Show Doldrums

2009-07-20T05:34:00.000-07:00

Maybe if I applied to more shows in the summer, I wouldn't feel like there is NOTHING happening right now.
Does give me lots of time to create, however, so all is not lost.

Househunting

2009-07-19T05:54:00.000-07:00

Househunting with one of my daughters has taken its toll on blogging time! I keep making things, listing them on etsy, and selling at craft shows, but my blog has become something of an afterthought. The thing is that one really has to work at a blog and I can always think of something that needs doing.

Like creating jewelry, as in the black gold amazonite necklace pictured. Those stones are so cool--both color and style.

Flagfest at Betsy Ross House

2009-06-15T10:45:00.001-07:00

What a wonderful event this one was! One reason I was so happy to have participated in it was that I did very well on the money side. But the event was nice in other ways, too.

First, the event staff was awesome--helpful, generous with their time and making sure the vendors were comfortable, willing to go the extra mile to hlp--in particular, moving vendors around on Sunday to accommodate traffic. Thank you, Chris--and Michelle and Keith and many others.

Second, lot of fun stuff, like Uncle Sam on stilts, guys riding up and down on those wonderful big-wheeled bikes, Punch and Judy shows, John Philip Sousa band music, food of many kinds, and a great variety of vendors.

Finally, a wonderful crowd of potential customers. There were lots of Boston Red Sox fans in town for the series with the Phillies, and they were lovin' it! Also lots of travelers from everywhere in town for a few days--I met a wonderful duo, Barbara and her sister, who not only bought some nice pieces from me on Saturday but came back on Sunday to say good-bye as they were leaving town--how nice was that? Lots of kids and dogs and balloons and ice cream...I hope the Betsy Ross House folks run this again. It's a real winner.

Flagfest Philadelphia 2009

2009-06-01T10:29:00.001-07:00

http://www.betsyrosshouse.org/prog_flag_festival/

I'll be participating as a crafter/vendor at the Flagfest celebration weekend at the Betsy Ross House at 3rd and Arch on June 13-14. It's kind of cool to be exhibiting my own skills at a festival celebrating America's most famous sempstress.

Turquoise and Copper

2009-06-01T10:20:00.001-07:00

I love turquoise with silver--it's almost a "natural"--but copper works just as well, as evident in this cool, cool summer necklace. My daughter says it looks like a dragon to her (huh?) but to me it looks like what it is, a beautifully-shaped oak leaf dipped in copper.

Lansdowne Farmers Market

2009-05-21T16:06:00.002-07:00

If you like organic food or just good local produce, fresh-baked breads and pastries, or local art, check out the Lansdowne Farmers Market, which opens for the season this Saturday, 5/23, and will be open every Saturday until the end of October. No corn for a while, but when it comes into season, I'll be wallowing in it.

Well, it's ALMOST a sunny day

2009-05-08T09:30:00.001-07:00

What a pleasure to wake up to bright sunshine this morning after nine straight days of rain. We're promised clouds and a shower this afternoon, but right now I'm sharing the delight expressed by this handsome dude.

Kentucky Derby Day

2009-05-04T06:29:00.001-07:00

Kentucky Derby Day, the first Saturday in May, always feels like the initial day of "real" spring to me. I love the horses, the color, the excitement, the anticipation, the suspense. And the HATS!!!

The pic is of daughter Nancy watching the Derby at a friend's house. The hat was dredged out of someone's attic and is perfect for the occasion. No mint juleps, though.

Darn it, no photos!

2009-04-26T06:41:00.000-07:00

The jewelry brunch show yesterday at my friend Mira's was so lovely--a gorgeous display of good food, my jewelry placed to its best advantage all over the house, wonderful company and interested customers who wanted to talk about design and material and technique--and no camera! I wish I could show everyone how delightful such an event can be and how much everyone enjoyed the day. What's more fun than spending a few hours with like-minded folks who want more than anything else to make a day as good as it can possibly be?

Mira bought the necklace shown. Black and white is hot, hot, hot this summer, and Mira is not one to let a fashion trend slip through her fingers!

Pidge's Jewelry Show Brunch at Mira's

2009-04-22T16:27:00.000-07:00

I am so looking forward to doing this show at Mira's this Saturday. Mira is a wonderful cook and has really nice friends. If you are in the neighborhood and have a little time to stop in, I'd like to see you. Thanks!
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=77369558988&ref=nf

Spring Fling at Spacial Anomaly Gallery

2009-04-20T12:41:00.000-07:00

This weekend, April 18-19, artists Nicole Pelligrini, David Carrozzino, and I offered our work at Spring Fling Celebration at Spacial Anomaly Gallery. I always love working in this space because, when one is surrounded by art over the course of many hours and days, the creative energy is practically pulsating. I hope you get the opportunity to visit this remarkable little gem of a gallery at 1944 South Street in Philly.

There will be periodic displays of original art, artist-designed jewelry, and other arts and crafts at the gallery, and I'll be sure and keep you posted of these events.

Chanticleer Stroll Garden

2009-04-12T04:40:00.000-07:00

The spring colors are just getting underway here in chilly southeastern PA. But the sun is out today and made me think of this lovely little garden shed at Chanticleer Stroll Garden in Radnor. It used to have dried flowers and herbs hanging from its ceiling, but that's been cleaned out and replaced with this pastel rendition of the shed's surroundings.
The gardens are a beautiful place in which to spend an afternoon. It's where I went for a day after 9/11, just to bring myself into a sense of peace and calm.

When a child gets lost....

2009-04-09T08:06:00.000-07:00

....one hopes he or she has the presence of mind to know what to do. Grandson Asher was lost for many hours yesterday in the Downeast Maine woods, and he and his companion were very smart in employing the outdoor skills they knew to manage to rescue themselves. A very intrepid and self-reliant pair of boys.
http://www.bangordailynews.com/detail/103408.html

Nest Egg

2009-04-06T16:18:00.000-07:00

My friend, Artist Victoria O'Neill, told me she is "into birds," so I started to think of ways to incorporate our free-flying pals into my jewelry. I found this cool "pendant" in a craft store. Some turquoise (bird's egg blue?) beads and opaque topaz glass chips got added in and this fun necklace emerged. In this economy, the guarding of a "nest egg" seems especially important.

Thanks, Victoria, for the imaginative nudge.

Pidge's Jewelry Brunch at Mira's

2009-03-29T15:52:00.000-07:00

A wonder friend named Mira is hosting a brunch and jewelry show for me on April 19. Is that cool or what? Check it out on Facebook and oh, how nice it would be if you came and ate good food and cruised the art.
http://www.facebook.com/home.php?ref=logo#/event.php?eid=77369558988&ref=mf

Handmade Philly Team

2009-03-27T12:21:00.000-07:00

The Philly Etsy Team has morphed into the Handmade Philly Team and is branching out in ever more creative ways. Check out the home page and the blog from the link: http://handmadephilly.wordpress.com
And join the team if you're in the area!

How fragile are our lives

2009-03-17T17:02:00.000-07:00

I just learned that a dear friend is seriously ill with cancer. I am stunned and reminded again that our lives are so fragile no matter how well we take care of ourselves. A sad day.

I've been very ill myself in the past so I know what it is to be scared. But at least when it is oneself one feels that things can be done to alleviate the problem. When it's a friend, one feels so completely helpless.

My heart goes out to Marda.

Unique Women in Business

2009-03-16T16:15:00.001-07:00

I just joined the group, Unique Women in Business, and just like that I bought a piece from the featured artist and got a great write-up about my own art. Check out the commentary at http://www.uniquewomeninbusiness.blogspot.com/ There's a lot of energy flowing at UWiB and a lot of amazing and beautiful art.

Life is good.

A friend asked me.....

2009-03-15T16:15:00.001-07:00

to creat a necklace for her "to go with red." Well, okay, but it's hard to make a piece without guidelines from the potential buyer. So I offered her these two pieces--she wears choker-type necklaces, and maybe one of them will do. But in fact we saw one in a gallery a few days ago and I think it would be just right for her. Hope she buys it, and also that she buys one of mine.

Spacial Anomaly Gallery Show, April 19, 2009

2009-03-15T08:24:00.000-07:00

I will again be participating in a unique art show at Spacial Anomaly Gallery at 1944 South St., Philadelphia PA.

The gallery displays art by David Carrizzino and Nicole Pelligrini, plus jewelry designed and handmade by yours truly, Pidge Molyneaux of mwmdesigns, and Nicole. There are also numerous works of art in glass, metal, and pottery by other artists.

You can find all the details at http://www.facebook.com/home.php?ref=logo#/pages/Philadelphia-PA/Spacial-Anomaly-Gallery/50571847747?ref=mf

Happy Birthday, Charles Darwin

2009-02-12T07:01:00.000-08:00

Born 200 years ago today on the same day as Abraham Lincoln, Charles Darwin is one of my main men. Happy birthday, Charlie!

New pieces

2009-02-09T16:28:00.001-08:00

I wish I had more time to take photographs! Here are some of the newer additions to my inventory.

Spacial Anomaly Gallery Show

2009-02-09T16:24:00.000-08:00

How wonderful being invited to show my jewelry at a beautiful gallery filled with art of many kinds--paintings, pottery, glass, and of course lots of jewelry. Thanks to my friend Nicole for making this happen.

Making and making and making

2009-02-06T11:26:00.000-08:00

I've been so busy "creating" new pieces and working on getting them marketed that this pleasant space has been neglected. Keep watching, there's a lot more on the way

2008-10-12T15:33:00.000-07:00

Here are a couple of shots from the Malvern Festival of the Arts show. I do wish I didn't look as if I was about to spit at someone and that there wasn't an "invisible fence" sign right in the middle of the second picture, but the shot does display some work of which I am proud.

Show Schedule

2008-10-06T07:47:00.000-07:00

I will be showing at the following craft shows in the Philadelphia area in Fall 2008:
October 4: Haverford Townsip Days, Havertown, PA: 10-4
October 5: Malvern Feativel of the Arts, Malvern , PA: 10-5
October 11: Craftadelphia!, Mew Gallery, 906 Christian St., Phila., 11-4
November 13: Ladies Night Out at St. Denis, 300 E. Eagle Road, Havertown: 7-10
November 14: Ladies Night Out at St. Mary Magdalen, 2430 N. Providence Road, Media, 6-9
November 22-23: Cardinal O'Hara Band Craft Fair, Springfield Pa, 10-4December 6: Craftadelphia!, Mew Gallery, 906 Christian St., 11-4
December 13: Spatial Anomaly Gallery Holiday Party, 1944 South St., Phila.: 11-6: for more information on this event, go to http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=28857721505

Desert Oasis Necklace

2008-09-26T12:55:00.000-07:00

I love this piece, titled "Desert Oasis." It's made from a big turquoise nugget and a dozen strands of olive seed beads with a picasso finish. It's neutral enough to blend with many other colors, but vibrant enough to draw attention. This one is a winner.

Grading papers

2008-09-24T07:28:00.000-07:00

I love my job as an English professor. What could be more fun than reading good books, poems, plays, and then talking about them with interested students--or at least students from which one is working hard to elicit interest? I walk into those classrooms every day with anticipation and am often rewarded by a good discussion, perceptive questions, and pleasantly surprising answers.
Then there are the papers to grade. Exams are no big deal and don't take too much time. But the papers.........arghh! Wrting this whine is merely putting off the inevitable. Back to work, Pidge.

I've added some links

2008-09-23T16:17:00.001-07:00

As this blog evolves, I hope to add more links and information. For now, I've linked to my etsy site, to my Philly etsy team site, and to Cooking in Cleveland, managed by old cyberpal, Linda. Next I hope to add some stuff about my teaching. Stay tuned.

Fall Craft Show Season

2008-09-22T07:39:00.001-07:00

The fall season is starting in the world of artist designed, handmade art and I am SO ready. This little beauty, crocheted craft wire sprinkled with all shades of purple crystals and pearls, and silver beads is my most recent design. I hope someone loves it as much as I do.

What have I been doing?

2008-09-21T13:43:00.000-07:00

Besides letting this blog languish, that is. Well, making lots of jewelry, selling as much of it as I can, and spending way too much time following politics.

Go Obama/Biden!

My love affair with jewelry

2008-03-05T16:08:00.000-08:00

Someone once asked me how many necklaces I have, and I said, "Not enough!"

Yet it took me a long time to come to understand that I have an "inner artist" who has found her place designing and crafting unique necklaces, earrings, and bracelets. I raised a family, went to college, got a Ph.D. in English literature, have been teaching for the last 26 years, and only now have found this avenue of creativity. While I continue to teach, my love affair with jewelry covers all areas of my life--whether I wear it, make it, gift it, or sell it, my jewelry occupies my mind every day.

One of the best parts of this endeavor has been my introduction to many, many other artists and crafters, and my involvement with the PhillyEtsyTeam. What a great bunch!