Hail the Equinox!

The weather here has been quite interesting (?), to say the least.  Last night's equinox was heralded with wild winds, torrential rains, and then this, when I opened the door, as it finally became quiet.

Autumn arrives with hail.

This little metal table sits right outside, where I can put things down so it's easier to unlock the doors to get in the house.

I was so fearful that the power might go out, as it did a few rains ago, for awhile.  So I made sure I had my battery operated camping light handy.

How did you welcome autumn?

Harvest Moon and an invitation.

I spent some today in the studio with my carving tools, making some rubber stamps and hand stamping a card for someone special.  (Shhh!  Don't tell - it's a secret!)

I posted the picture over here at my City Different Artisan facebook page.  I invite all of you on facebook to go take a look, and if you'd be so kind, like my page. 

In the meantime, I wanted to share with you some pictures I've taken of the clouds which have been flowing in the skies here.  We finally have gotten some much needed rain.  Don't you just love the smell of rain?

Coming together, with blowing wisps.

The sun was still trying to show through.

It started to smell like rain.

As summer draws to a close, I am enjoying the crisp, cool evenings, and mornings.  I've always been drawn to fall, with the changing colors, autumnal traditions, and don't forget - the Harvest Moon!  It's tomorrow night!  Do you have your crystals ready to bathe in the moonlight?  Even if it is cloudy, the energies of the Moon are there.  Also, with the Harvest Moon, in particular, it will appear full for three nights.  Happy Moon Gazing!

Update

I've been absent for quite a time, I know.  I've been busy working behind the scenes in Pixie Campbell's luscious Visual Quest course, as well as her Woman is a River course.  I am looking forward to completing my painting in Visual Quest (running behind, as many of us did) and when I do, I will post here.

With fall approaching, I have some things up my sleeve which will also be appearing here.

In the meantime, I thought you might enjoy some pictures I took of Grandmother Moon in the last months.

This was the Strawberry Moon - see the jam?

This was our last Blue Moon, as she peeked out from the clouds.

I adore moon gazing, and often use the full moons for all kinds of fun things, like making full moon water, as Dana Gehrhardt has described. (She wrote a blog post about this at MoonCircles.com) I also like to place crystals to bathe in the light of the full moon, charging them with her special energies for the work that I do with them.

Wishing you, my readers, fun as you gaze at the moon.  Our next full moon is coming up on the 19th.  Try some moon water, if you like.  It is really magical.  What crystals will you be bathing in the moonlight for this Harvest Moon?

Walk Downtown in Santa Fe

The Square, Downtown Santa Fe

 I went on a quick walk downtown and took a few pictures to share here with you.  These are two of the park benches on the square.  If you look closely, you'll see the pigeons walking around.  There are always many on the grassy areas.  A lot of tourists feed them popcorn and bread, and they've learned to gather frequently.  



I got this one to pose for me while I was taking shots.

Posing Pigeon

Hanging Baskets

These hanging baskets are gorgeous, filled to the brim with petunias.

Potentilla in Bloom

Potentilla Up Close

 I've always loved the beautiful yellow blossoms of Potentilla.  They don't last long, but are so pretty on their spindly green branches while they are open.  Then they all blow away.

This was a charming plea for rain, which some jerk decided to partially erase.  I had seen it the day before, and that is what prompted this little walk downtown, camera in hand.  I particularly wanted this.  Even though someone messed it up, I still liked it, so took shots anyway.  It had said "Pray for Rain".  The stones forming the word "for" were removed, as well as a little circle which reminded me of a medicine wheel.  The request worked, anyway.  We got rain the evening I took these pictures, though not a lot.  It was so welcome!

Elm

 

 

This final picture is of some interesting growths on an elm tree.  It gave the trunk character, I thought, as though it was a gnarly old gremlin in a fairy tale.

Thanks for joining me on this brief walk around downtown!  I'll share more of my lovely city in the coming weeks and months.

As always, I appreciate your visits here, and your lovely comments. 

Delivery

Not long ago, I delivered an order of gift tags to Collected Works Bookstore, a local shop here in town.  Dorothy has owned this independent bookstore for years, and it is a Santa Fe treasure.  She added a coffee shop not long ago, which serves not only coffee, but pastries, burritos, salads and sandwiches made locally.  They have your standard cup of coffee, espresso drinks, and really good iced teas.  There is also a selection of sodas, like Izze, or Blue Sky, and always complimentary ice water, as well as bottled water.

If you're in Santa Fe, you simply must stop in an visit.  There are often talks and demonstrations going on, as well as children's story time.  The staff is well versed and friendly, and the ambience is comfortable and homey.

You'll find Kat's Kards, as well as these little gift tags there.  Be sure to ask about them, as their placement in the shop often changes.

Introductions - Bookhou - one of my favs

I've been wanting to share with you these wonderful pouches I purchased from Bookhou.  I've had them for a little while, and have already starting using them for my tools and other things I use in my jewelry making.  I simply love her work, and have several of her pieces now.  I am an avid follower of her blog, and have a huge "want" list for several of her new designs.

I hope you take a moment to look at her offerings.  I know you will love anything you might purchase from her.  And I so enjoy getting a peek into the life of her work and shop, as well as her family.  She owns a brick and mortar store in Toronto, as well as selling online.  She also recently shipped wholesale orders to Sweden!!  I am so excited for her.

I got TWO pouches!!

Dropcloth Pouch from Bookhou

Flip side of Dropcloth Pouch

I'll be back tomorrow with a peek at some orders of mine that just went out in a local shop, as well as perhaps some WIPs.

Thanks for stopping by - I appreciate each and every one of you who visits.  And I really enjoy your comments, as well.

Until next time ~ 

Visual Quest - an online journey into art by Pixie Campbell

I have been a member of Pixie Campbell's SouLodge since its inception, and I absolutely adore her and her teachings.  Not only is she a wonderful space holder,  she is truly a gifted and talented artist.  Her paintings are created from her shamanic journeys.  They are beautiful interpretations of the animal medicine that our four-leggeds and winged ones can bring to us.  She is finally holding an online course in the use of journeywork for creating art.  Her live courses have received much acclaim.

I am so happy to introduce you to my clan sister, Pixie Campbell.  Please stop by to see her blog, and consider this beautiful offering.  Visual Quest promises to be inspiring and sure to touch your soul.

Below is one of my favorite pieces painted by Pixie.

Dahlia Wolf Dignity & Integrity

by Pixie Campbell

Happy Summer Solstice!

My gosh, it's been a while since I've been here.  I've been devouring other's juicy blogs, playing on the SouLodge private fb page and working on quite a few new things.  Work time for creative "stuff" is so disjointed now, that I have many WIP and little finished.  I'll be sure to share when they are complete.

In the meantime, since Summer Solstice in the Northern Hemisphere is TODAY, I wanted to share blessings for this time of intention setting and the longest day of the year.  This picture is typical of the single petaled roses you see here in Santa Fe, and it's beautiful yellow color said "solstice" to me.  Enjoy ~

Leather, a cat bead, and special order.

So, here are pictures of what transpired after the collection of the supplies I shared in the last post. 

A strand of these little cat faces were acquired a long time ago.  I thought the beads were small and had planned on making them into earrings.  I received a big surprise!  I finally decided they would make perfect buttons for a braided leather bracelet.  I combined sueded leather with deerskin lacing for the construction.  I am busy making more for anyone interested in having one of their very own.  Just let me know.

This Sun and Moon wrapped leather bracelet was a special order for someone's mom.  I hope her Mother's Day is awesome, and she enjoys wearing this as much as I enjoyed making it especially for her.

I'm continuing to make more jewelry combining leather and beads and/or charms.  I'll share those when they are complete.

In the meantime, I hope you find something that sings to your creative heart, and share it with those special to you.  Until next time ~

Today In the Studio

Checking in really quickly, with a picture of what I'm working with today.  

Stay tuned to see what it becomes ~

A little of This and a little of That

I went to one of my favorite shops the other day - Traveler's Market.  I love to look at all the booths, some of which have antique pieces.  There is one that has fun beads from all over the world.  This is what I found  (click on the picture to view larger):

Treasures from Traveler's Market

There was a little rabbit and the cutest donkey, along with the buffalo and fox (I think) fetishes at the bead place.  I'm not sure what I'll do with all these, though we are working with Rabbit in SouLodge this month, and I think she needs a special something.  The bone piece with the holes will become a one of a kind necklace, I think.

The little wolf was found in one of the collectibles booths.  He is one of a series that was made at the turn of the century.  There were all kinds of little ceramic animals, many of which I'd seen before.  I'd never seen the wolf, and since he is one of my guides, of course I had to have him!

I also got the most wonderful owl pouch and dish towel in the mail from one of my favorite artists, Arounna Khounnoraj, from Bookhou.   I tried to take pictures, but I couldn't do better than the ones she has, so you'll find the link for the pouch in her first name and the towel in the shop name so you can see.  If you've never seen or had a piece of hers, she is well worth checking out.  I own several now, and am saving for a bag.  Guess you could say I'm hooked!!

Miss me?

It's been a while since I've been here.  I've been working on many new things.  They are still in need of photographing before I can share. 

I've been somewhat under the weather as well, and afflicted with sciatica in accompaniment to the pain from last year's still healing shoulder injury.  These things slow one down a bit.

So, for now, I want to share a little of what spring looks like here in Santa Fe, (before we get the snow again that is forecast).

A beautiful full dogwood.

Forsythia

Fluffy clouds - do you see the winged  heart?

Things are starting to bud and green.  I'm keeping my eye on the lilacs - they are my favorite, but suffer so quickly when they get nipped by cold.  They bloomed wonderfully last year, and my hope is to see more this year.  It is truly my favorite scent in the whole world.

I hope the coming week bodes well for you.  My "weekend" occurs in the middle of the week, so I will be lining things up to photograph and post here for you to see then.  

Thanks to those who visit and comment - I love to "see" you here!!

In the Studio Today

I am enrolled in a wonderful e-course called SouLodge (click on the link to your right to see more about it).  This month, we are working with Buffalo.  I purchased a wonderful Buffalo fetish earlier this year, not knowing She would be one of our guides.  I felt called to make this necklace for myself in Her honor.

In addition to this wonderful central piece carved by Albuquerque artisan Anthony Turpen, I have included a polished stone from the Pacific Ocean, a small turquoise teardrop, and a replica of a Chinese coin.  I made the copper coils from wire to separate the pieces.  Everything is then hung from a leather cord, which is adjustable.

All of the components were purchased here in Santa Fe from a wonderful store run by Sudasi J. Clement and Ruthie Parrott, called Beadweaver.  If you're in Santa Fe, be sure to visit.  And please tell them Kat sent you ;-P.

Message In the Snow

This little face greeted me outside my door after the snows fell.  I think it was created by the puppy prints, but I'd like to think the little snow fairies decided to smile upon me.
I'm creating in the studio this week and hope to be able to share a few things with you as they are completed.  Stay tuned ~ 

Hearts and Roses

Here is a peek at the little gift I made for a dear friend on Valentine's day.

My way of telling her how loved she is as a very special friend.

Did you have fun creating something special for a loved one? 

Valentine's Day

This is my gift from Nature for today ~

An elm sends its love, even while in sleep.

Wishing you a love filled day.

Welcome

Welcome!!

I'm Kat, and this is the home of City Different Artisan.

Santa Fe, New Mexico, which calls itself "The City Different" is a magical place to live and work, create art, and so much more.

In this space, I will be sharing my works of art (cards, jewelry, and whatever the muse inspires), as well as views of my surroundings, blogs I follow, and more.

In the meantime, I invite you to see just a little of what this magical place has to offer.

 This lamp is hung within an adobe wall surrounding a home.

 Wild trees draped in snow.

 Deep, rich blues in the skies are regular sight.

Snowy mountains are peaceful and serene.