My Little Orange Kitchen

New Wallet Design

Last summer I designed a wallet with five inside pockets and one outside pocket that can function as a clutch.

I tested it and used mine for almost a full year before deciding that it was ready to be "presented". Well,  I made ten for the Flying Pig Gallery LLC in Algoma (If you haven't visited, you must!) and will be delivering them today.

They are roomier than the normal wallets even though the dimensions are about the same. The same rule applies as far as getting the most out of it and that is to allow it to stretch slowly before over-stuffing it with your cell-phone and lipstick----which it will allow in time. I carry my cell phone in mine, lipstick and I'll admit that I do push it by adding keys!

I love that now you have a total of six pockets and can keep your cards, receipts and paper money separate! Honestly...it's embarrassing how many times I've shrieked in delight over here!

The new clutches will be at the Flying Pig today and I will have a few at The Green Bay Wednesday Farmer's Market on Broadway on September 28th. My table will be in front of D.I. Y. and I plan to come loaded with goods! The price on the new clutches is $30.00.

I've been making tons of my mini collages (one inch circles)...too cute! I think they will make an appearance at the market as well...in the form of ornaments or pendants...your choice because they will come with a chain or a hook.

I hope you have a great day and here's a little inspiration!

Ilka's Attic

Last week was a blur. I tried to take Selkie camping (she wasn't having it), I finished and didn't finish various work projects, I harvested my own cherry tomatoes, basil and cucumber and picked up tons more at farmer's market, I wrote lots and yesterday I decided to get to the woods (sans Selkie) and finished a good book by the campfire. I wonder how this week will go?

Selkie melting down in the tent:

Treasure boxes for everyone:

Harvest:

The second site:

 

Experimenting with one inch circle collages!

What's New

It's been awhile since I checked in. I've been busy working and trying to rustle up two things that I want to come to me for free. A balalaika and a vintage mahjong game. I posted on freecycle today...we shall see. Someone has to have these things just sitting around and I'm thinking that if you don't ask...you don't receive. I'm open to receiving.

I'm taking this free mini-course in receiving and I hope you do too. Since I started, the following material things have landed in my lap as well as numerous less tangible, but equally important gifts: a Starbucks double shot espresso, a surprise check for thirty-six dollars, a handmade hanger frame with custom stamped metal, 2 zucchini, a giant box of magazines for my work, 3 green peppers from someone Mark knows and cherry tomatoes and green peppers from someone I know.  WOW!

I took our little puppy Selkie camping last night...well, I attempted to take her...she wasn't having it. The tent? No. The two of us under the stars? No. Poor thing, she hated the tent...many of my friends don't blame her! I'll try again when she's a bit older. I brought her home without staying the night. We shall see. However, I did set up my table and while she dug a hole to China under it, I managed to get some thoughts down on paper. I love writing in the woods.

I'm so inspired lately. This blog really knocks me out:

Kerin Rose

I'd love to own all of her jewelry...it's at once solid and delicate.

The pendant above was a gift from Carolyn Brady (aren't her tangled journal pages great?) who I was fortunate enough to host in our tiny apartment for a local art retreat. She also gave me a gorgeous stitched house ornament, but I'm saving that to illustrate another post. I put the pendant on the table next to me while I was mapping out some future plans. I love planning...it's the doing I have a hard time with!

That's really all that is happening, except I recently did a 5k WALK/RUN and feel good about that.

How about you?

Everything I Need

Once in awhile I have one of "those" dreams. The kind of dreams you just know mean more than you noticed the tie on the man who was pumping gas next to you or that you've been watching too much of this.

Last night I had a dream that I made a little treasure box out of a matchbox and some beads and vintage crystals. In my dream I was so happy because I love little things and also happen to love the work "treasure".  Cherish is another favorite word and I love how when used in the same context they can mean the exact same thing.

Anyway, in my dream I was bubbling over with excitement and kept saying, "I can't believe I have all the things I need to do this!"  There was a woman kind of on the sidelines who laughed each time I said it and I finally asked her what was so funny. She smiled very kindly and said, "You say it as if you've never known that you have everything you need! You could go for the rest of your long life and never need more than what you bring to your own table right now."

Wow. I wonder what it means? Agahaahahahahaha!!! Just kidding. I don't think this one needs a lot of analyzing! Thank God, because I'm not up for it!

I love that the dream happened during a week I'm finding especially challenging.

Today I decided to make a little matchbox filled with treasures to serve as a reminder of the dream...which I don't believe was a dream, but more of a sending or visitation...which I love! 

In other news...you never notice how much broken glass is on the sidewalk until you get a puppy and spend most of your time taking things out of her mouth that don't belong.

And, speaking of dreams...I love that Anthony Kiedis hears what I hear. He says, "There have been times when I've been very down and out in my life, and the sound of her voice has sort of given me a reason to want to carry on."  I don't relate exactly, but I do love her and it pisses me off that people still make fun of her for her weight and that the absolutely unfounded rumor that she died while eating persists. God, people are fuckers.  YES, I said it. I meant it and I'm here to represent it. What? Anyway, dream a little dream...

<"

Meanwhile The Gypsies Travelled On

I've been sorting and have filled my car twice with vintage books and craft supplies headed to St. Vincent's, but I couldn't part with this book. I mean, a mouse who wants to play the Balalaika? It's too good to be true. Plus, it has great vintage illustrations and a certain type of essence that creates in me deep longing for change.

Lately my thoughts have been at Mt. Shasta in Northern California...a place where I drank from the headwaters (a hole in a rock under some roots that I had to rock hop to get to) of the Sacramento River. The memory of that water and how it made me feel has never left me. In fact, we cancelled some plans we had the next morning just so we could go back and fill our bottles with more. It was truly a magical elixir and I came home with some questions answered. It was shortly after that trip that I decided to sell my gift shop and healing center.

I realize that a trip to Mt. Shasta for another dose isn't feasible right now, but I cannot help but wish for a similar elixir. One that helps me gain some clarity in my work, life and mood. I suppose it's true enough that in the short term I have plenty of clarity...I know I need to continue CrossFit, focus on improving my work, handle customer service issues and better manange my moods, but if you have a restless spirit then you understand how the line "meanwhile the gypsies travelled on" combined with this music creates an almost unbearable pressure on ones skin from the deep inside to the explosive without.

On a lighter note, I don't think I ever told you that one of my all time favorite words is:

Troubadour.

Say it aloud.

Troubadour.

I love it.

P.S. If you haven't "liked" the studio facebook page, you simply don't know what you've been missing. :)