It's That Time of Year Again!

Time for the Native American Festival in Sisters, Oregon that is! This is our favorite show to do each year. The Creekside Park setting is beautiful and there is almost always a hint of fall in the air.

Artists will be selling top quality handmade traditional and Native American wares. You will find a variety of pottery, western and Native American jewelry, art work, leather clothing, metal art, log furniture and photography. You will also be able to visit a teepee, watch a demonstration in hide painting, arrowhead making and beading. There will also be a living history display.Western music will be provided on Saturday by the Anvil Blasters, and Native American entertainment will be offered on Sunday.

Celtic and Fleur-de-lis Ceramic Adjustable Rings

I finally photographed some of my newest rings and got them uploaded to my Good Dirt Jewelry Etsy shop :) These were all made from molds that I created from some of my antique and vintage buttons. A peach colored fleur-de-lis and two new Celtic knotwork rings can be found in the "Ceramic Adjustable Rings" section of my shop. The prices range from $12 to $15 and include free shipping.

"One Pine" Ceramic Pendant Featured on the BeadedTail Blog!

One Pine Ceramic Pendant

Don't you just love nice surprises? Sharla, of the BeadedTail Blog, has featured Etsy artists from Oregon and included my "One Pine" ceramic pendant shown above.  Be sure and visit her blog to see some beautiful work from Oregon :)

Tibetan Amulet Bolo Style Necklace

This is a new style of necklace for my Good Dirt Jewelry shop. A while back, I blogged about a really neat antique Tibetan amulet I had purchased. While I never found anyone who could tell me who the deity is, I still found it captivating and thought it would make a unique pendant. I've always been fond of the bolo style of necklace and I thought this amulet lent itself nicely to be displayed in this manner. I finished off the tips with wooden beads and copper wire.

These new pieces will be making their debut at the 4th of July festival in Bend, Oregon. If you happen to be in Bend this Saturday, be sure and stop by to say "Hello!" :)

I've made a couple of rings.....

....or 20!

Contrary to the popular belief that all I do is lay around eating bonbons and reading "True Confessions" all day, I've been busy :) I seem to go through periods of complete burnout, especially when I have an upcoming show, and then have a million ideas present themselves with only a few weeks left to create. In any case, I had to get it in gear to prepare for our show in Yachats which is only weeks away.

These rings are a new item for our 2009 show season, so if you happen to be in Yachats, Oregon May 24-25 be sure to check out the Crafts on the Coast show!

Oregon Pictograph Ceramic Pendant

Oregon Pictograph Ceramic Pendant

Ancient cultures and their symbols is a favorite subject of mine to study. Oregon is rich in archeological art and this earthenware pendant shows an example of a pictograph found in Harney County.

I have glazed this pendant to have the appearance of an old weathered rock, with the pictograph created with a glaze close to the color that may have been used to create the original image. More photos of this unique pendant can be found in my Good Dirt Jewelry shop on 1000markets.com.

*What is the difference between a pictograph and a petroglyph?*

A pictograph, which is usually found on the surface of a light colored rock, is an image that was created by painting with a variety of pigments made up of soot and/or local minerals that had been made into a powdered form. Red could have been made from hematite or iron oxide, and orange could have been made by adding limonite. Malachite provided the green, azurite the blue, and turquoise probably came from ground up turquoise. Other sources of pigment included white clay, silica, gypsum, chalk, calcium carbonate, and charcoal. Pastels were created from clay mixed with other minerals. Thanks to the arid climate found in central and eastern Oregon, many examples can be found today of this early artwork.

A petroglyph is an image that has been chipped, chiseled or pecked into the surface of a rock. These are typically found on exposed rock surfaces. They depict hunting scenes, religious or magical symbols, ancient astrological symbols and other surreal symbols whose meaning is only known to the ancient cultures that created them.

Celtic Ceramic Coat of Arms Ring

Celtic Ceramic Coat of Arms Ring

I've been on a bit of an antique* button buying kick lately, and this unique ceramic ring is a result!

I made the mold for this ring using an antique coat of arms button that features a Victoria's crown, rampant horse on the dexter (right) side, and an uncrowned rampant lion on the sinister (left) side. I believe this antique button must have been fashioned after a Victorian military button which has basically the same elements, with the exception being a rampant unicorn instead of a rampant horse, and the rampant lion wears a crown.

The glaze on this piece is an earthy golden color and the ring itself is adjustable.

There are only two of these rings available--one is in my Etsy shop and the other is in my 1000marktets.com shop. Both have FREE shipping and are priced at $15!

*No antique buttons were harmed in the mold making process* :)

The Tribal Toad Ceramic Pendant

The Tribal Toad Ceramic Pendant

This unique "Tribal Toad" is crawling his way up this earthenware pendant! The pendant measures 2 inches in length and 1 1/2" in width, and has been glazed with a sage green glaze to have an aged look. I have used a brass bead and an old wooden bead that I found at a powwow this summer to compliment the pendant.

If you would like to view more photos of this pendant, please visit my 1000markets.com shop!

Celtic "Love" Ogham Ceramic Pendant

Celtic "Love" Ogham Ceramic Pendant

This "Love" Ogham has been glazed with a clear crackle glaze to give it an aged look. Each piece comes out of the kiln with it's own unique characteristics! The Ogham writing on this pendant has been glazed with a brown glaze, and the pendant hangs from a faux suede cord that can be tied to accommodate many necklines. This material is also great because it doesn't shed all over your clothes like real suede can. The bead is an old Tibetan yak bone bead that has been inlayed with turquoise and coral.

This ogham, and others, can be found at my 1000markets.com shop!

Check Your Phone Bill for Fradulent Charges!

Here we go again!!!

We've been slammed yet again by a fraudulent telecommunications company through Qwest. this time, it is from "ESBI ETS" who charged our telephone bill $14.95 for a residential email service we do not use (Last time, it was "Orbit Telecom" that tried to charge the same amount for an voice mail service we do not use).   The last time Qwest allowed this to happen, we spent nearly two hours on the phone trying to get this remedied.  At the time, we were allowing Qwest to auto-debit our bank account, which we immediately stopped.  Since this is the third time we have had this happen, we can only come to the conclusion that this deceptive practice is accepted by Qwest. 

After doing a Google search for this company, I found that many other people are experiencing the same thing on their phone bills. I also found a great link where you can report these types of fraudulent companies online via the FCC.

Double check your latest phone bill and look for a charge from "Orbit Telecom" or "ESBI ETS"!  Ours was listed under "Enhanced Telecommunications Services".

Oh, and if the Qwest corporate office happens to have a Google alert set for any online occurances of it's name being mentioned and is reading this, here's a little heads-up for you--We are reporting you to the FCC.....again!  We expect a higher level of professionalism from our utility providers than this!

Use this link to reach the online complaint form for the FCC:

http://esupport.fcc.gov/complaints.htm

Sacred Celtic Salmon Ceramic Pendant

Sacred Celtic Salmon Ceramic Pendant

Made with love on Grizzly Mountain!

I created the "Sacred Salmon" from earthenware clay. It has been glazed with an earthy rust colored glaze. This pendant hangs from an 18" ball and chain necklace. If you would like to view more photos of this piece, please visit my online store at 1000markets.com.

**The Sacred Salmon**

To the Celts, the fish symbolized knowledge, wisdom, the gift of prophecy and inspiration.

The Salmon of Wisdom were keepers of all knowledge. Mythology tells us that this knowledge was attained by eating the nuts of the sacred hazel tree.

Good Dirt Jewelry can now be found on Twitter! I'm not really sure what I'm supposed to do with it, but I have it! :)

http://www.twitter.com/gooddirtjewelry

Old Irish Blessing Stone Ceramic Pendant

Made with love on Grizzly Mountain!

This unique 1 1/2" diameter pendant has been made to look like the Buckquoy spindle whorl, which was excavated in Buckquoy, Birsay, Orkney, Scotland in 1970. The old Irish Ogham inscription is believed to date back to the 8th century. My pendant was created with earthenware clay and has been glazed with an earthy iron ore colored glaze. No two pieces ever come out of the kiln the same!

The cord is a wonderful faux suede material that doesn't shed all over your clothes like real suede can. It can be tied to accommodate any neckline.

More photos of this piece and other Celtic and Norse ceramic pendants can be found in my Good Dirt Jewelry 1000markets shop and in my Etsy shop.

According to Wikipedia, the inscription was once used as positive proof that the Pictish language was not Indo-European, being variously read as

E(s/n)DDACTA(n/lv)IM(v/lb)

(e/)(s/n/)DDACTANIMV

(e/)TMIQAVSALL(e/q)

however, in 1995 historian Katherine Forsyth reading

ENDDACTANIM(f/lb)

claimed that it was a standard Old Irish ogham benedictory message, Benddact anim L. meaning "a blessing on the soul of L.". The stone from which the whorl was made, and on which the inscription was written, is native to Orkney.

Grizzly Mountain Arts Now on 1000Markets.com!

Grizzly Mountain Arts Now on 1000Markets.com!

I have finally convinced Dave to open a shop on 1000markets.com! I have had one there for a while now for my ceramic jewelry, but knew Dave's coiled pine needle baskets would be perfect for the site.

While I love making the coiled baskets, my hands won't cooperate these days and boy, has Dave ever taken up the slack! He has put our large stash of Ponderosa pine needles to good use, creating some outstanding pieces.

Dave's baskets incorporate some of my ceramic centerpieces, pyrography on wood and fossil ivory with scrimshaw.

Be the Mermaid!

Be the Mermaid!

Made with love on Grizzly Mountain!

Have you ever had one of those days when you wish you could get away from it all? Well, reach up, clasp your fingers around this pendant, close your eyes and Be the Mermaid!

My "Be the Mermaid" pendant has been individually hand carved by me. This 1 1/2" long pendant has been glazed with a gorgeous turquoise glaze. No two pieces come out of the kiln the same! This pendant has been accented with a Tibetan yak bone bead that has been inlayed with turquoise and coral.

The cord is a faux suede material that can be tied to accommodate many necklines. This material is also great because it doesn't shed all over your clothes like suede can.

A gift box is included with each order!

Please visit my 1000markets.com shop to view more of my ceramic pendants!

Sweet Little Spiral Ceramic Pendant

Sweet Little Spiral

Made with love on Grizzly Mountain!

I hand formed this "Sweet Little Spiral" piece from earthenware clay. It has been glazed with a malachite glaze. No two pieces come out of the kiln the same. Measuring about 1" in diameter, this pendant hangs from an 18" ball and chain necklace.

A gift box is included with your purchase!

Please visit my 1000markets.com shop to view more of my ceramic pendants!

Monet's Garden Ceramic Pendant

Monet's Garden Ceramic Pendant

Made with love on Grizzly Mountain!

I created "Monet's Garden" from earthenware clay. A graceful stalk of lavender from my garden was gently pressed into the clay. It has been glazed with a multi-colored glaze. Measuring about 2 1/4" in length by 3/4" wide, this pendant hangs from an 18" ball and chain necklace.

A gift box is included with your purchase!

Please visit my 1000markets.com shop for more ceramic pendants!

Old Irish Blessing Stone Ceramic Pendant

Old Irish Blessing Stone Ceramic Pendant

This unique 1 1/2" diameter pendant has been made to look like the Buckquoy spindle whorl, which was excavated in Buckquoy, Birsay, Orkney, Scotland in 1970. The old Irish Ogham inscription is believed to date back to the 8th century. My pendant, which is now available in my 1000markets.com shop, was created with earthenware clay and has been glazed with an earthy blue tinted glaze. No two pieces ever come out of the kiln the same!

The cord is a wonderful faux suede material that doesn't shed all over your clothes like real suede can. It can be tied to accommodate any neckline.

According to Wikipedia, the inscription was once used as positive proof that the Pictish language was not Indo-European, being variously read as

E(s/n)DDACTA(n/lv)IM(v/lb)

(e/)(s/n/)DDACTANIMV

(e/)TMIQAVSALL(e/q)

however, in 1995 historian Katherine Forsyth reading

ENDDACTANIM(f/lb)

claimed that it was a standard Old Irish ogham benedictory message, Benddact anim L. meaning "a blessing on the soul of L.". The stone from which the whorl was made, and on which the inscription was written, is native to Orkney.

Good Dirt Jewelry Now on 1000Markets.com!

Have you heard of 1000 Markets? Well, now you have! 1000 Markets is an amazing new online art gallery that combines sleek styling with hassle free Amazon payment services!

I've been selling online for a little over six years now, and I know there are many buyers that just don't feel comfortable sharing all of the personal information required by PayPal to sign up to use their payment services. 1000 Markets has partnered with Amazon.com to allow it's customers to pay using their pre-established Amazon account! How cool is that?! You can shop on 1000 Markets with confidence knowing each seller there is backed by the power of Amazon.com.

I have begun adding ceramic pendants to my 1000 Markets shop, so please stop by for a visit!

It Snowed a Little

A winter scene from my window on Grizzly Mountain.

Central Oregon had been waiting for it's first good snow of the season and it arrived just in time for the holidays. After three days of snow, we have had about a foot here on Grizzly Mountain and more is on the way beginning tomorrow.

My wonderful son will be arriving tomorrow, so I won't be listing any more items in my Etsy shop until after Christmas.

To my regular readers, I wish you all a wonderful holiday season and a very prosperous and healthy New Year!

Celtic Love Ogham Ceramic Pendant

Made with love on Grizzly Mountain!

This is another of my handmade Celtic "Love" Ogham pendants. The Ogham has been glazed with a dark blue glaze and the pendant has been given an aged look by washing the glaze over it. This piece is now for sale in my Etsy shop.