The Story of Tina's Sedona

Many people seem to think that I live in Sedona instead of Tucson and are puzzled by the name I gave my small woman-owned business.   I thought readers might be interested in how the name Tina's Sedona came to be and clear up any confusion. Every December differing versions of the "Christmas Story" are told, to which not everyone subscribes. So, here is a refreshing true story not open to debate. 

In 2015, a friend and I traveled to Sedona for the first time. In preparation, I spent time researching the nature of "vortices" and where I might find one in Sedona where it is believed they run rampant. My efforts were needless, because within 24 hours of arriving, I began to feel either high or drunk, I couldn’t decide. Vortices do move around and apparently they found me. Everywhere I went I asked people if they could feel it. Their response? "Sounds like a vortex has got ya!" There is much debate on the subject of altitude's impact on emotions. With Sedona at 4300 feet above sea level and me -- back then -- from St. Petersburg, Florida at 48 feet above sea level, that may have been a factor. That said, I would argue that, for me, this experience felt much more spiritual than physiological.

Seeing captivating red rock formations up close and personal within Sedona proper was indeed mesmerizing. Their energy was palpable! At the local airport, my friend and I attended a daily event that rendered an absolutely spectacular sunset.  

This is me at the airport. Do I look high or drunk? (I was neither, I swear.)

Was I inspired by the trip? Likely. But more than that, I was strongly influenced. The colors of the red-rock buttes, the vivid blue skies, and extreme sunset compilation heightened my innate love of color.  The whole experience seemed to create a sense of confidence, a “knowing”, and a steady stream of ideas with an urgency for my hands to produce artistic creations at a frenetic pace.  Suddenly, color, texture and nature became imperative for my pieces. Returning to Florida, my creative nature turned somersaults and began to produce creations that I had not before considered.

So instead of "business as usual" I got serious about my artwork knowing that my impression of Sedona and the energy I experienced there was always going to be with me, with no way to turn back. In every piece I produced, I would have no choice but to reflect my interpretation of Sedona. Hence the name Tina's Sedona! It came quickly and surely,  like an old friend, just waiting for me to discover it.   ➰➰➰

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Tina's Sedona © All Rights Reserved

A Fall Respite

New Subscribers

Let's get this part out of the way. I confess to having added new subscribers without asking permission. Without a subscribe box on my website I have no way to recruit subscribers. My subscribers are important because they encourage me and help spread the word about my artistry. I know that I can count on you to unsubscribe if you do not want to receive these blog posts. Just follow instructions at the bottom of the email you've received. PS. Do you know that you can tap on any of these pictures and zoom in for a closer look?

Spring Memories

This year, in the April-May timeframe we headed for Northern Arizona where I had my first GoPro camera experience. I decided not to get fancy and put in time editing it all. You will hear the sounds of wind blowing and the tapping of my walking sticks. You can always mute the sound. It is the

Staying Sharp

Inquiring Minds

I've been asked how I found French beading or why I even considered the challenge of it. Of course, the saying "to each her own" comes to mind. With very few responsibilities other than laundry and occasional house cleaning (and I do mean occasional) I have completely retired from all things I do not favor. Hey, it's time.

I didn't know anything about French beading until

The Post With No Name

WOW. Almost two years have passed. I cannot cover the whole timeframe in this post but suffice it to say we love living in Tucson, Arizona.  In 2019, we started out in St. George, Utah, moved next door to La Verkin for the pandemic, and as soon as we got that second covid vaccine in March 2021 we hightailed it to Tucson to find an apartment. Before the lease was up, we knew Tucson would be our permanent home. If you don't follow me on Facebook then you have no way of knowing that we bought a manufactured home in a senior community last March 2022. It's quiet but very active! 

I have found my tribe of beaders and artists here. I was lucky to get some guidance on where...

Hoop earrings are back?

A fashionable friend of mine recently wised me up and told me they never left! Then I discovered an article from last summer that attests to their long term popularity over thousands of years. Seriously? Thousands of years? Obviously not a fashion queen, I thought they had gone out of style since I wore them in the 70's.

It is only when I started making them for customers that I thought about wearing them again.

Personally, I have to wear small ones because big hoops are just too long for my neck. I am also over 60 so the larger they are, the more foolish (I think) I look. I wanted a pair for myself that was small and sedate for a mature woman but had a little bling to them. So, a few years back, I set out to make a whole lot of beaded wire hoops about 1-inch around, the size of a quarter. Those were the perfect size for me!

At one point, I got bold and created a huge pair that I named "Sedona Salad". There have been NO takers for those (yet) as you need a long neck and have to be under 25 to wear them (just kidding!).

Then recently, due to the article I found, I decided to branch out, making three totally different sizes. They poured out of me like water! OK. So the smallest size came out larger than 1-inch but who can stop when you're having so much fun?! Here is that completed bevy of hoops that I am still in the process of posting to my website.

With all this recent experimentation, I was ready to tackle a new pair of 1-inch earrings and pursue a different style just to keep it interesting, and, in doing so, I hit the jackpot for my face and temperament! I can't wait to make more. These hoops all have a hammered surface to reflect more light and just a small spray of beads to make them more interesting.

Here are a few of my personal collection and I love wearing them! They feel perfect for my age and they are light and whimsical. I feel like having fun whenever I wear them. So now I am planning to produce this 1-inch style for the website. I just have to start making them.

The more I make jewelry the more I realize that each piece is such a personal item. That said, I have come to the conclusion that hoops are wearable for all ages. Just find the right size for your personal taste. Experiment with different sizes. If you use scarfs or wear high collars that can interfere with your earrings, they are too big for you. At the least, use ear wire stoppers so you don't lose an earring! Stay tuned for all the hoops getting posted.

Tina's Sedona © All Rights Reserved 2021

Ode to 5305 Chez Levy circa 1948

Our old house, dubbed "Chez Levy" on a dinner party menu I made years back, was built in 1948. It is no longer ours but I had to capture its essence in photos before we left it--as best as I could--that is, if it's even possible to photograph those parts of us that stay behind in grace and beauty and color and style.   Every inch of brush stroke and corner cleaned to our satisfaction. Every window dressing something discussed and decided upon. Every color chosen carefully. Every repair done skillfully with loving hands to maintain our investment. Every inch cleaned with a commitment to keeping things nice.  Every foot of acreage seeping with Nathan's environmental stewardship and love for the land and nature. 

The furniture is no longer there but part of us--and everyone who entered its space--remains. This was not what one might call a fancy home, ah, but such a real one! Filled with love and parties and friends and caring and sharing. A home that supported us as entrepreneurs, lending itself as an administrative office for a training business, a studio for artistic endeavors, cottage industry home cooking, a center for education in diverse healthful subjects, and a distribution center for healthy locally grown food by St. Petersburg urban farmers. This home was privy to tough subjects, mournful tears, warming hugs, and friends who met there and remain good friends to this day. This home was a meeting place for such a wide variety of people who may never have met if this home had not opened its doors and welcomed all who entered.

Here is my Ode to Chez Levy... in all its nakedness... and ours.