December 25, 2019

I’m remembering our first Holiday Season in the Southwest. We were living in LaVerkin, Utah, less than 20 miles from Zion National Park.   We had moved out of Florida only six months earlier.

That December 25th we decided to drive through a mostly empty, very cold Zion National Park, getting excited by snowy peaks in the distance in contrast to the roadside stream beds still flowing despite the icy temperatures. As we approached the historic Zion-Mount Carmel Tunnel a soft rain began to fall.  If you have ever driven through that tunnel, then you may know that the 1.1 mile drive is pitch dark except for several large hollowed out windows that provide fleeting views of the canyon.   It makes no sense (to me) that these large viewing windows exist because of the traffic that flows through the tunnel. There are no lookout points to pull off the road and park. Maybe these openings were used during the construction process back in the early 1900’s or they were a planned "peekaboo" moment for bypassers. As it happened, there was little to no road traffic on that holiday, much less in the tunnel. So, momentarily, and a bit daringly, we stopped the car and peered out. Imagine that! One of the busiest Parks in the U.S. and that window was in our sole possession for a few precious moments.

Photo Credit: Joe Braun Photography 

Having visited Zion at other times of the year, we knew that emerging from the other end of the tunnel would be something like an IMAX experience. A bit daunting but also exciting. From experience, we knew we must resist the urge to lock our eyes on the orange sandstone cliffs bursting into view and focus on the road that was no longer a straight line.

But on this visit we did not see what we expected.   We emerged from the tunnel into a full blown blizzard!

We were so excited by the sudden snowfall that we parked the car and hopped out like a couple of gaping kids marvelling at some of the largest snowflakes either of us had ever seen.  Then… another surprise!  As we stood in all that snowy white wind we witnessed a small herd of desert bighorn sheep navigating the nearby mountainside, just across the road from us.   No traffic. No people. Just us, the swirling icy snowflakes, and those incredible sheep.  Lots of pics of that day…  including a brief video of the herd. Oh how we loved those rocks, those vistas, the snow, and those sure footed sheep.

We wish YOU a stupendous, pleasant surprise in December 2025…. regardless of how, what, or if you celebrate holidays, holy days, etc...

Tina & Nathan

Vacation 2017

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An Early 2026

As the year end approaches, who isn't noticing how fast 2025 has flown by? In the blink of an eye, I find myself looking ahead and planning my life for 2026.  I am already focusing on New Year's resolutions. My three priorities are to narrow down my focus of creative production, to slow down a bit (I am still defining that), and to embrace the creative skills that make me happiest. "Squirrel!" Every piece of jewelry in this post contains shades of brown. What does that mean?

AT LAST

After all the exciting activities of the past few months I have slowed down to just 2 - 3 projects in progress. One of them includes hiring a website expert who is working his magic as we speak.   I have yielded to a fabulous web designer and I am very excited for the upcoming results!  I am preparing to make shopping Tina's Sedona a total turnaround experience. It is long overdue and I appreciate everyone who has hung in there waiting for me to reach this point and surrender to an expert.  It is getting close to a launch date.

DOES THE WORD "CULL" APPLY?

I am "itching" to trim my online inventory by removing pieces that no longer represent MY definition of artistic beadwork.  This is going to provide some GREAT SALES for those who want to benefit from a gleaning of unique, attractive, wearable beadwork.  And yes, it is still artistic beadwork, just not as much to me. Do you have similar objects in your life to "cull"?

THE ARTIST'S WAY?

I want to get back to more imagination in my creations like when I first began beading and every piece was an experiment.  When I ask AI "Why Do Artists Get Bored With What They Are Making?" One of the seven answers given was "Desire for originality: A strong drive for originality means that working on similar projects repeatedly can feel uninspired or unfulfilling." Yes, and so does making the same objects as other artists. What do you enjoy experimenting with? Did you know that I sometimes do commissioned work?

INNOVATION?
My French Beaded (FB) floral projects have stalled due to distractions by non-beading "adventures".  That said, I've let my hands explore some smaller FB projects with size 15/0 beads to create a finer weave of beaded earrings - the bottom pair.  Let me know what you think of them? My goal is to provide a Bohemian style (top pair made with larger beads of size 11/0) and a smaller one that gives a more dressy look (Note: The larger the size number, the smaller the bead) Click photo for a larger view.

FOR YOU
Winter is coming and those of you who hibernate to some extent might be considering a new creative experience.  You already have your own list to choose from. I hope it includes considering French beading. You can join and learn for free from Facebook Group Learn How To Make French Beaded Flowers. The month long project videos are so cool to watch even if you decide it's not for you. You will get a better appreciation for the techniques that go into the pieces that I weave. My Anthurium project below...

FOR ME
Once again, with summer heat gone, Nathan and I are walking regularly and cycling a bit in our community.  I am determined to keep walking year round as we do have a gym in our community. Our bodies took a hit from the past summer's hibernation habits.  Being retired after years of 5:30 a.m. alarms is something I still SO treasure and enjoy.  What do you do to get yourself up and out early in the morning to exercise? 

Happy Thanksgiving in advance... Would love to read your comments!

Be Grateful!

Tina

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The Rewards of Tenacity

At last the summer heat has subsided and fall temperatures, even though sometimes in the 80's, are a welcome change. Another welcome change is that Tina's Sedona has rebirthed a shopping cart after a break of several years. I trust you will feel welcomed to shop our full line of beaded artistry from earrings to necklaces to bracelets. When you visit you will find a special offer on any piece that you admire!

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NEW PRODUCTS @ Tina's Sedona

Convenient Online Shopping Returns @ Tina's Sedona

Greetings From Tucson... I'm feeling great about upcoming seasonal opportunities to sell my beaded artistry!  I will be at these upcoming events just in case you plan to be in Arizona this fall and want to know dates and locations. That said, I guess this is a good time to announce that online shopping at Tina's Sedona is once again possible. Important details in a minute.

But first, here is some of my artwork to be sold at several local events.

FIBER ARTS TUCSON 2025

It will be “a first” to sell French Beaded sculptures & jewelry at this Fiber Arts Guild event. These artists are my "tribe".

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VENTANA GALLERY  This is a juried show where Tina's Sedona bead artistry will be available through January 2026.

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As This Season Unfolds... I am excited about attending- of all things- a tatting workshop on October 6th. The only thing that concerns me is going off in another direction with a good variety of 5 want-to-do's already holding my interest. I will just have to live to be 100. After a final remodel in our home which included my studio, I am ready to ditch technology and get back to working with my hands.

For Your Convenience... So my website shopping cart is once again operational after a few years without one. Here are a few of the newest additions to Tina's Sedona. I'm preparing to add My Necklaces soon.

A Final Word...

My interests are so diverse that I need direction from my customers. If you have purchased from me before and you would like to see more of the same, please let me know. I don't mind focusing on what people want to see out there. The holidays are coming and I would love for you to shop at Tina's Sedona.  For an indefinite period - to get purchases rolling-  Tina's Sedona's customers are getting an automatic 10% price reduction off their total online purchase if at least two items are selected.

Until Next Time… Let me know what kind of work or play you are currently doing with your hands. My hand "play" works wonders for me.

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An Unusual Summer

My sabbatical of 15 months has at long last ended and it was worth every moment that I stepped back. I have pittered and pattered the past few months.  But all summer long I have felt as if I was preparing for "something" and then, in late July, the deluge began.  And it wasn't rain from Tucson's monsoon season.

The thought had occurred to me that I should prepare a traveling exhibit of sorts to include all of the French Beaded florals that I have been creating for the past few years. (The Asiatic Lily pictured in my last blog post finally got planted!) I offered the Exhibit and it was accepted by the Cactus Wren Art Gallery & Nest in Tubac to begin in early August. While I finished the pricing of my annual delivery of wearable art jewelry to the Tubac Center of the Arts, I was also mapping out the Exhibit for the Cactus Wren space with hope of delivering to those two locations on the same day. As it happened, just as I have for past three summers - I delivered a collection including some new, original designed beauties, to the Tubac Center of the Arts.

I installed the The French Beaded Floral Art Exhibit just a few days later and it opened on August 5th. The first sale happened within 48 hours!  Visit my Instagram to see which one sold. This Exhibit has since been extended until August 28th.

In the midst of those adventures, I was invited, along with three other artists, to demonstrate my artistic process at CATALYST SAACA Creative Collective in Tucson.  They were hosting a special evening of cultural exchange with a delegation of visiting artists from Kazakhstan, in partnership with the Smithsonian Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage,  the Southern Arizona Arts & Cultural Alliance, and Chevron. Seriously? How does one say "no" to that? So I dropped all preparations for Tubac and prepared a demo to display and explain my work with raw stones including wire wrapped pendants and, of course, my story necklace "Desert Transition".

Several visiting artists from Kazakhstan 

My reward was a wonderful evening communicating through interpreters as well as experiencing up close the awesomely unique artistry of these international ambassadors. We came together one on one with heart warming smiles and handshakes that honestly stirred emotions of unity and connectedness. The kind eyes said it all!  

Lastly (well maybe), the icing on the cake from that evening included another invitation, one to apply for a juried gallery exhibit that will begin in September and last four months. I'm awaiting a decision on my entries submitted.   There are still 11 days left in August.  What more can happen?

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Summer Sabbatical

According to the Cambridge Dictionary, the word “sabbatical” comes from the word “Sabbath,” which is a day of rest dedicated to God. Essentially, a sabbatical is several Sabbaths put together. It feels like the right way to describe my past few months. I don't move forward but I don't move backward either. Ever been there, when all activity seems to slow to a state of silence, almost a state of paralysis? It is an unfamiliar state for me, but I am actually enjoying the "letting go" of it all. No projects moving forward. Dabbling with ideas but not pursuing them. Rest. YES, please. That's not to say I haven't accomplished anything. Just not a whole lot that I would normally sense as productive.

Ah, but, while on sabbatical there is still news to report from my neck of the desert.

Update on Tohono Chul Submission

Poor little thing feels terribly rejected... lol

My sci-fi Sonoran Desert piece was not accepted for the new Tohono Chul Exhibit "Exotic Sublime | treading softly". Honestly, I cannot tell you how relieved I was when I was notified. Smack dab in the middle of a planned vacation to relax was this project awaiting my attention upon my return. It wasn't ready and I wasn't either. That's not to say it would have been accepted even in a completed state. Then I would probably have been very disappointed to have finished it to no avail. But, alas, I was saved from stress I did not need. Will I ever finish it? Now that I am feeling very "sabbatical-ized" I am not quite sure...

Oh, But A Win!

I have managed to sell four out of five bracelets that I submitted to Tohono Chul’s annual 10 x 10 | A Fundraiser exhibition in progress through May 26th!

Utah & Arizona

How did I get into this silent place? Nine days, 1400 miles on the road and exposure to the most exquisite landscapes yet. Monument Valley, Arches National Park, Bryce Canyon to name just a few. I feel as if I was metaphysically hit by a wall of mountain in Bluff, Utah, where our second floor balcony faced a huge monolithic mountain range just feet from us, one that ran the length of the hotel and towered into an incredible sky. That kind of exposure makes it so easy to become silent, to pull back, to reassess motion and all activity. Do you think a vortex got hold of me?

My Current Pursuit

I am walking my way up to 3+ miles about 4 days a week. On vacation, Nathan and I discovered, as we had suspected, that our artistic pursuits have definitely slowed down our physical strength and hiking endurance. We are on a mission to rebuild and regain that. Optimism exists during sabbaticals...

Rest easy,

Tina

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The Spring Desert Enfolds Me

We live in the Sonoran Desert which is blooming like crazy this time of year and early next week we will head back up to the Mojave Desert to see the flora bloom there. Who would guess that we would be desert dwellers in our golden years?

The Drama of Design

The question is always "who am I creating this for?" And inevitably the answer always results in "I am creating this for me." Otherwise, the tendency to run in circles trying to address every possible critique leads to frustration and adds to the production time. This is the dilemma I have been dealt with building a tabletop piece in preparation for submitting to another juried show. Unlike anything I've done before, this piece represents a science fiction interpretation of the Sonoran Desert. Unlike designing and creating a piece of jewelry, this table top project has required a series of components that need to contribute to the big picture of a very surreal desert which I am building. What an adventure it is! Having just submitted my paperwork for jurying of my piece, I should hear from Tohono Chul by April 16th on whether or not my piece has been selected for this Summer's exhibit of the "Exotic Sublime | treading softly".

NOTE - The beaded pieces contained in this depiction of a futuristic Sonoran Desert reflect my first attempt at designing my own creations in French Beading – excluding the Asiatic Lily designed by Lauren Harpster of Bead and Blossom. With her permission, I have included my creation of it in vivid colors of my choice. I have also redesigned its body to “nurture life” via an attached umbilical cord of sorts extending to an adult insect of my design. I have also altered the Lily’s stem work to include a “youngster” emerging from an additional pod which I added to the flower’s structure.  

Guess what? This piece is not finished and, if selected, must be delivered in early May! LOL I will cover the tabletop board with fabric and attach everything to that when I return from our trip to AZ/UT. For now, I am letting it go. It will be easier to let go when we leave town and get to our mountainous destinations. In case you're wondering, we are driving via Flagstaff to Monument Valley, the Arches, Moab, Bryce Canyon, Page (not far from Marble Canyon where we stayed last spring) and a few other majestic spots along the way. We will clock over 1300 miles on this nine-day journey.

This post is going to be a short one as we leave in three days. I am still deciding on whether or not to bring a new, very small, hand sized, "fun" project from my beading bucket list with no demands for completion. I am 90% sure I will leave home without one this time.

As you can guess, next Month's Blog will be about our trip. You will also get results of my Tohono Chul submission! Until then, enjoy this time of year and get outside.

Best to you all,
Tina

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