Because of Zeus - Personal post

This is a personal post, and I feel necessary.

I am writing this through teary eyes as I think about my dear Zeus.

I had to put my cat Zeus down yesterday. Zeus was a big part of my jewelry making process. He would be in my lap, laying across my beads, or on his pillow next to my work desk always supervising. Where I was,  he was. He was a level of comfort while I worked.  I could reach over and touch him, run my hand across his silky fur, and feel his purrs vibrate back thru my hand. As much as he was a comfort, he worked my nerves -  he was a thief.

He liked to play fetch, that was his favorite game. Anything I would throw he would bring back to me. Gallon milk jug cap rings were his favorite, and running a close second was zip lock baggies.  All my crafty friends may have gasped at this, because I store EVERYTHING in zip lock baggies. There were times I would come home, had forgotten to put my lid on my finished jewelry, and I would find bags of jewelry and beads all over the house. This always happened when I would be working on a piece, I knew I had that bag laying right there. RIGHT THERE!  I would tear up the entire room looking for that bag, because of course that bag had the most crucial component to the design. Eventually I would have to give up the search, and move onto something else. Several days later, it would never fail, Zeus would come trotting in, carrying the bag in his mouth and drop it at my feet, with his tiny little mew he would say - Let's play!

He had this thing about plastic. He LOVED it. Plastic grocery bags was his addiction. He would lay on a corner of a bag, and drag his nose across it. Several times he figured out how to make the bag taunt and he would drag his nose so heavily across the plastic you would hear...squeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee......This is my cat.

Oh that damn cat.

I brought Zeus home in 2006, he was a ferel little mess. His head is misshapen, one eye is bigger than the other, and the one eye has a scar on it, causing it to be always milky and always dilated.

Zeus snuggling on my husbands shoulder

He lived for a week under the couch and wouldn't come out. I wondered what I had gotten myself into. When he finally ventured out, he lived on my shoulder, or in the hat of my hoodie. You never knew when he was going to snap,  and when he did it was always very 'tazmanian devilish' A wild flurry of fur, fangs and claws. Myself and many others have been left in the bloody wake of his rampages. Still I couldn't give up hope on him. He was mine, and no one elses. When I would come home from work, he was at the door with the dogs, meowing and pawing at me, so happy to see me. When I would watch TV, he was in my lap, when I was in bed he was under the covers. His purring was loud and honest, because for whatever reason his poor soul was tortured, he was happy in my arms.

Zeus was the inspiration behind several pieces I donated to different causes. This you may remember from a previous post. I made a piece for Safe Haven, a no kill shelter just north of Raleigh. This was for their auction a few years ago. I named it "Basking Tabby" because he was always sunning himself on his pillow while I worked.

And as always, as I am trying to take the shot, he has to be in it. This one was fitting.

He was always trying to get into the light box as I shot my pieces. You know cats, the spotlight is always on them.

A couple of months ago, he became sick, very sick and went downhill so fast, it was mind numbing how he could be raging one day, and thin and sickly the next. Due to issues beyond my control,  I didn't have the money to have him looked at, or to have him treated. He had diabetes. The blood work, the office visits for check ups, the insulin, was too far out of reach. It is maddening, I felt like I had let him down. I couldn't watch him waste away. I knew what had to be done but I didn't want to stress him out with a car ride, and go somewhere he didn't know and put him down. Thank you God there are mobile vets. Yesterday the vet came to the house, and quietly put him to sleep, in my lap.


When I made the payment to vet for her visit, the payment was lower than expected. I had already stopped by the bank and pulled out enough cash for the procedure. For a split second I was happy that I would be getting money back. Then I had a thought. Yes, this is money I could use, but I had this money ear marked for this procedure. There is someone out there who doesn't. I don't want someone to go through what I am going through because of money. Maybe I can help someone else. I told the vet to keep the change. I needed it to be like a trust fund, that she would keep the remaining balance, and when someone came to her, who didn't have enough money, she could use that remaining money to help them. She didn't understand at first, or maybe it appeared that way. She blinked at me. I explained to her how I was feeling. I couldn't help Zeus because it was so much money that was needed, but maybe someone needed just a little bit more to help them over the hump. She hugged me and said thank you. She already knew who she could help. I felt 1000 times lighter with that comment.


I didn't want to stop right there. I want to keep on trying to help others who have pet needs.I have decided that 25% of all of my sales will go to the Because of Zeus fund. This will be my way to pay it forward.  I will set this money aside and use it to donate to vet clinics to help someone who is trying to help their pet, help them have a better life but can't make the commitment due to financial reasons. Keep watch in the upper corner of the blog. There will be a scale as money accumulates, and a listing of the recipients.
 
My hope is that when someone asks, Where did this come from? How can this be? How did I get this help when I needed it? Someone can tell them -  Because of Zeus.

Jasper and Tree Agate Set - Auction for the Crape Myrtle Festival

I was approached to do a piece for a silent auction to raise money for the Crape Myrtle Festival.

What is the Crape Myrtle Festival, I hear you say. Crape Myrtle Festival (CMF) originated in the summer of 1981 as a small backyard gathering in Wilmington, North Carolina. The party quickly grew in size and moved to Chapel Hill, focusing on the needs of the local gay and lesbian community. In response to the emerging AIDS health crisis, CMF soon began concentrating on raising funds for the HIV/AIDS service agencies located in the Raleigh, Durham, and Chapel Hill area.

The small party evolved into a yearly festival, increasing the donations given by individuals and corporations supporting its goal, and culminating in a Grand Gala celebrated in the last weekend of July. By the early 1990s, special events such as educational seminars, sports tournaments, and musical concerts preceded the Gala, resulting in a week of CMF activities.

In 1992 a group of dedicated individuals initiated the process of incorporating CMF as a recognized North Carolina non-profit organization. By law, these individuals became responsible for setting policies and drafting necessary documents. CMF received state recognition as an official 501(c)(3) non-profit organization in May 1993.

As the 1990s passed and the new millennium began, CMF continued to fine-tune its mission statement and broaden its focus to additional health needs found within the gay, lesbian, and transgender communities. For over two decades, it has heightened positive awareness and promoted fellowship in these communities located within the Triangle area. As we stay focused on our goals, CMF will continue to expand and identify new areas in which fundraising efforts make an impact on the community.

Now all that being said, what can I make that will reflect what the CMF does. Easy :) Jasper.

Jasper is the supreme nurturer, like CMF is so many ways, caring for and encouraging our communities, by raising awareness and helping to raise money for research for a cure for HIV/AIDS.  Now lets add in tree agate. Tree agate, is the stone of plenitude, don't think of it as money = plenitude, but how you have fullness and wholeness in your life when you are healthy. CMF's outreach is to heal, not only the bodies of those who are sick, but also to give a sense of pride to us as humans, that we can and should take on the responsibility of helping, caring, educating and uplifting our families, friends, and even more importantly, the strangers in our lives. Because, a stranger is just a friend we haven't met yet.

Dames for Danes

Dames for Danes is an all volunteer non-profit rescue for Great Danes, located in TN. I recently found out about them when my cousin posted pictures on Facebook of the "Midnight Six".

Six danes were pulled from a breeder in the Memphis. They were neglegted and used for breeding only. One full grown female was only 70 lbs.




From Fox17

A half-dozen neglected Great Danes were rescued from starvation Tuesday and one of them is still fighting for her life.

Bella is a 2-year old Great Dane in bad shape. She's 70 lbs. underweight and suffers from heart worms. But she hasn't given up hope.

“I see hopeful eyes.,” said Carolyn York, vice president of Dames for Danes. “I see a fighter. I’m just real hopeful. You know I see a girl that wants to live that wants nothing but companionship and love.”

Bella is one of six neglected and emaciated Great Danes found in Jackson Tuesday. Lexie and Midnight Shadow are already doing much better but Bella still has a long way to go.

"Bella's the worst,” said Dr. Jason Benner, veterinarian at the Village Veterinary Hospital. “She has the lowest body condition score, she's the most emaciated, everyone else at least has more muscle mass and everything too."

Dames for Danes is an animal rescue organization that specializes in helping these gentle giants. York said this is the worst case of neglect she has ever seen.

“This is a sad, sad case,” York said. “There's a chance she may not make it.”

There are thousands of similar cases of neglected and abused animals all over Middle Tennessee every year.

But just because an animal is expected to recover doesn't mean its guaranteed a good home. Which is why organizations like the Nashville Humane Association are hard at work.

”We've handled hoarding situations, puppy mill situations, neglect and cruelty that have been released by owners,” said Mary Pat Boatfield, executive director of the humane association.

Boatfield said even though everyone loves puppies, older and abused dogs like Bella also make great companions.

“If you just really want to rescue and help an animal that needs special training, special care, special attention, the older dogs work very well,” Boatfield said.

Dames for Danes is hoping to find all six rescued Great Danes a new home. York says Bella may be hurt but she's not broken.

“Most animals are known for their unconditional love,” York said. You know, you see dogs that come in from abuse cases all the time and they still love their human. They may have been starved to death but they just want human companionship. They just want somebody to love them.”



I saw this and my heart broke. I wanted to help, but am 7 hours away, what can I do?
I know!

For the month of February, I am donating 20% of all sales to the Dames to help with the costs of fostering and caring for these gentle giants.

Spread the word and the love. How cool is it to know, that when you are buying jewelry for yourself, you are also giving to these neglected animals, and giving them hope.


How can you not love a dane!?!? My Rosie girl
Yes, she plays with firewood......

Teal Items for Auction - Ovarian Cancer Awareness

This was a more difficult project than I had expected. I sat at my computer table - with a movie on in the background and tried to get lost in this endeavor.

And I sat......

Nothing was coming. Nothing was inspiring. Nothing was happening.

I thought about Jill. This wasn't her first bout with cancer. She was a survivor. I remember in 2007, Jill had to have a round of chemo, and she was worried about, well what we all worry about, losing our hair. She was a school teacher, and as her hair thinned, could she handle all of the questions and stares, and how would she explain she was loosing her hair to her kids?

I didn't want her to feel alone, and those who know me, know, hair is an accessory. It will either turn loose or turn gray, but until it does, it is mine to do with as I please. So in solidarity, I shaved my head.


I kept my head shaved for months, not just a one time deal. Bic'n my head twice a day, to keep it smooth, and rubbing it with tea tree oil to sooth my psoriasis that protested to each scrape of the blade. I wasn't going to leave her alone.

I thought about this, and I thought about, how she wore wigs, fun wigs, pink and purple as a 'just because' while her hair was short and thin. Like I said, she was a survivor.

As I thought about these stories and the memories I have of her, the ideas began to roll in. Let me tell you why I made the choices for beads that I did. I chose the fair trade beads, because of their colors and because fair trade empowers people - Jill quality. The fair trade beads are from Kakar Jewelry.

I chose the apatite for it's properties - Apatite is a stone that mystically can stimulate the thoughts and ideas. It is said to increase intellect, imagination, and intuitive awareness. As a meditation or awareness tool It is said to help you maintain focus, learn, concentrate effectively, think clearly, and communicate better. As I said - Jill was a teacher, I can't think of a better stone.

And then pearls. Pearls attune the wearer to ebb and flow of life. They are calming and centering. They give purity and promote faith, charity, and integrity, truth and loyalty. Jill was a pearl. She had so many beautiful layers to who she was. She never hid any of them.

I designed two sets, hoping to please broader range of people. There is a 'statement' piece and a more subtle piece.


Set 1:







Set 2:












This was a tuff assignment. Needing them to be good enuff, needing to believe in myself, and my creations and need to believe they will cause an awareness.

Just a Peek - Working with teal

I am working on an auction piece to help raise money in memory of Jill McDermott. A memorial fund was established after she lost her battle with ovarian cancer by her husband Jon. Keeping in the awareness color of teal for ovarian cancer, I have this collection I am working with.



Two strands of pearls, two strands of apatite and several Fair Trade beads.


More to come.

Introducing - Basking Tabby

This is the piece I am donating to the auction for a local no kill shelter - Safe Haven.

This is a no kill shelter for cats, so I wanted the piece to have a 'theme' of sorts w/o being kitschy.

*think* *think*

I am attracted to the warmth of orange, so I decided to go with carnelian, tiger eye, some fun glass to stay with orange -

Hey - Tabby's are orange....I have an orange tabby.

I based a lot of this design on my tabby - Zeus. General consensus has it that orange tabbies are the most affectionate and loving of all cats. Blame it on the color. If you have or have had an orange tabby you know what I am talking about. They have to be near you all the time, be in your face, touch you, follow you, talk to you, rub on you, lay in your clothes, follow you, panick when they can't see you - needy is a good word.

In this design I used that 'personality' of my Zeus to create a draped and lazy front design. He has to drape across me or my work at all times.

Here it is -



Basking Tabby - carnelian, tiger eye, white jade, magnesite, and millefiori glass from Sedona Stones.



Close up of the sterling cat clasp from Artbeads.com



Close up of the sterling cat charms that are tucked in the design, also from Artbeads.



And as always - Zeus walking thru at least one of my shots.............

Basking Tabby

I have assembled the mess of beads that will become the piece I am donating to an auction for a local no kill shelter. Safe Haven

Blurb from their site -

This year more than ever SAFE Haven For Cats (SHFC) is depending on support for their Fifth Annual Tuxedo Cat Ball. A dual celebration of our biggest fundraiser event of the year and our 15th Anniversary. Funds raised at this special event will be used in 2009 to rescue and adopt more than 500 cats and kittens and to assist our community by providing feline spay and neuter services to more than 3,000 cats in connection with SAFE Care Feline Spay Neuter Clinic.

Out of this tangled mess will come a big and bold necklace, and a compliment piece of either earrings or bracelet..I cant' decide. Staying true to the theme, I have already named the set - Basking Tabby - for the cat, and to reflect the warm colors in the stones.

All of these came from Sedona Stones

It's like bubble gum

I am thrilled - THRILLED at the product I just received. I am not a fan of shopping on line for supplies. Let's face it, you can't hand pick all the time. There are very few places I trust to give me the quality I demand. Bottom line, my reputation is on the line as an artist, and I have to have the product that reflects that.

One of the places I do trust is Sedona Stones, where these beads came from.

I am making a piece to be donated to a no kill shelter auction in April. In my mind I am thinking bold, colorful, Tabby :) I did some poking around as I normally do, look for something unique and special.

I found these:

Autumn Medley Multi Color Magnesite Nugget Chips, approx 10-20mm 15-16 inch #R643

The picture does not do them justice. I put the nickle in there to give a size representation. They are so vivid and BIG and shiney and random in size! I can't wait to work with them.

I want to eat them - They remind me of bubble gum.

Getting your name out there

I was pah-roosing around on craigslist (as I normally do when bored at work) looking for something interesting, when a post caught my eye - donations for an auction - more precisely - art donations for an auction.

This got me thinking, wrinkled brow and all.


It has to start somewhere.

Being in the craft/art business, one of the hardest things I have found, is to get your name out there. When you have this kind of business you don't always have startup capital - is more of a "pay as you go" plan. Cut costs where you can, forgoing business cards for your name and number scratched on a napkin when someone compliments what you are wearing. Printing up small flyers and adding them to the local community boards, spamming your friends with 'pass this along for me' messages - It really is a word of mouth campaign to get started.

When I first started I was desperate to get my name out there, to get noticed. I had to get my foot in the door, and secure me a corner at a local consignment store. If I was in that brick and mortor, I knew people could see me. Money was my obstacle - "How can I get people to take me seriously and also to see my work on this budget?"

Donate.

Donating items to local charity organization for auctions is a GREAT way to get your name out there. Not only are people seeing your work, they see your business card (even if you have to go to Staples, buy the paper and print your own) AND you are typically invited to attend. At the auction, you get a night out, you get to dress up, you can 'hob nob' (do ppl still use that term?) with other auction goers. You get to shake hands, you get to not only promote your items, but network and met other people in the area and make great business connections.

*insert sage widsom*
Sharing interests with others, creates interest from others.

So kids, whether it is an item, or a service, more than likely it is needed by someone, and can be auctioned off for a great purpose - plus you get a tax deduction!!!!

*drops two cents*

someone can pick it up or drop two more!!!!