Wishes and Gifts

First of all Best Wishes for a Happy and Peaceful New Yea
I had a lovely Christmas with most my family here for the day, Strangefetish stayed in Chicago, but we all got to speak with her on the phone.
I got some lovely gifts, but this has to be my very favorite.

It is a little oil by my best friend who lives just a half block away. When I saw it, it was Love.
It makes me feel happy and youthful, which are important sensations, it was so kind of her to give it up and to give it to me.

I think I have Bursitis or something like it. Have actually seen a doctor, and am taking some medication which makes me sleepy, but is helping some. So has the weather, it got up to 76 degrees yesterday. Cold will return, but then we will have a couple of great days that make winter bearable for me.
I have an order of 50 Prosperity Feather to be ready by Thursday. I have finished them, just need to details, signature, and slipping each in a little Clear Bag envelope. The Norman, OK Rotary GSE Team is giving them away. Next week, have 30 more for a Rotary individual who will present them to other national officers.
I am tired of making P F, but grateful for sales at the beginning of the New Year.
Rotary and other organizations have been a good resource for my small items, often referred to as bread and butter, which is apt.
My new year's resolutions include:
Re-doing my website. Trying to get some translation help as the rate of exchange for other countries is favorable. I had two sales to UK in December. First Class International is not very expensive.
Lose the proverbial 25 lbs. and continue with Tai Chi.
Keep enjoying life.

Please visit my website at joygibat.com

Banned or Blocked ? Censorship

In the 1940-50s, maybe even the 60s, "Banned in Boston" , usually meant that a book banned there would be a best seller.
Well, I just found out that I am or my website is "Blocked in Kuwait" and I have sold the welded tree that I just listed.

The couple had seen my trees before. A few weeks ago, they tried to contact me, but to no avail.
To quote from their email
"That's what I meant about your website being blocked.....they have seen something there that violates their delicate sensibilities, and so we can't go to your site when we're at home. Strange... D::: thinks it is because some of your art depicts Indian religious symbols, so they'll block it." Except for the censorship on the internet, movies, and radio, it's better than most of the Middle East.

They visited their son in Rome and were able to get in touch with me, so am double boxing the tree and off it goes to Kuwait. I don't have to worry about customs as it will be thru an APO.

(I am definitely a liberal but I have not thought of my website as being offensive to Muslims, but there is the case of the teacher, in Sudan, who named a teddy bear, Mohammad. )

Life is interesting!

Howard Tuvelle

I finally added this Welded Steel Tree with Copper Leaves to my website, Joygibat.com

Later this afternoon, I was very happy to hear from a dear friend that he has some videos of his concerts on YouTube.
Howard Tuvelle.
He is a very talented pianist.
If you like Chopin and Rachmaninoff click here There should be a list of his other videos on sidebar.
We liked each other when we were teenagers but our lives were controlled by others who would not have approved, so our lives went in different directions, but we have kept in touch as friends.

I should have done what I advise.

I have always advised that one use file cards to list what one has sold at shows, put name of show, city, date etc.
and I have always done so until I forgot at this last show.
As the school was taking the money, and I wasn't there all the time, I didn't think it would matter.
Well, it is 2 weeks since the show, I have forgotten now what I took, what was left I put in our little local gallery. The check is on its way to me, but I don't think I will get a list of what sold which will not help me next year to know what to take.
As it was so easy to do with the help of my grandchildren, daughter, and son-in-law that I plan to do it again next year.
This is how my display looked. I should have taken more pieces for the wall, but ran out of time.

Althought I didn't sell it, I had a couple very interested in the wall tree at $650.
It is pretty. I finished it in time for EBSQ Autumn Foliage instead of Flower of the Month Show .
I hope to list it on my website soon.

Just acquired a new painting by Angie Reed Garner

I GOT IT ! I GOT IT !
"WHITE TREE DANCING" BY ANGIE REED GARNER.

The painting looks evn better in my hands than on the computer. You can see more of her work at Angie Reed Garner
Angie is leaving on a wild journey to live in Pakistan with her husband, who is already teaching and working there. Thus, I am thrilled to get a piece of her work before she departs.

Plants

Thursday morning I shipped a copper roses and vase to the Dallas area, (about 200 miles south of me), Express Mail, which is costing almost as much a the rose.
The reason is this gentleman wants it to give to someone with which he has a lunch date on Monday.
I am imagining that it is going to be some lunch.
I am now wondering what he will do when he invites her to dinner?
Maybe - jewelry?

Anyway I am having lovely fantasies.

Today is a good day for them.
Very cold this morning.
We had our first frost, but by noon, it was a warm 74 degrees and a great blue sky.
I have brought in the herbs, some flowering plants, hibiscus, jasmine, lavender and miniture rose.
I hope I can get them to winter over, which might be a fantasy.
I have good light from the clear story windows that are above the cabinets.
I have a great ladder, so I climb up and water them once a week.
When one is 70, one needs a good ladder.
The others are in front of living room windows which covers one wall.
As the windows are single panes of glass, it does get chilly but there is lots of sunshine.
I do close the drapes when it is very cold.

Now back to work on making stuff for show.

On the Road Again

I said that I have completely stopped doing shows, however, I am doing a very little one in a week or so. One of my daughters is working as librarian at a private day school. The one day show is just for family and friends of the school.
She thought I should do it. So, here I go again.
I am not putting up my usual display, which takes hours to set up and tear down. This will be simple, it has to be. I have sold my van and now have a older Honda Civic which I really like but it limits what I can take, which is good.
I have strong and able grandsons who will help carry things for me.
I don't even have to be there, they will do the selling for me.
It is a half mile from their home.
Think I will enjoy this. Will give report soon.
I uploaded some old photos of my display just to show the complexity of it. They have scanned very dark, not going to try to lighten them, am sleepy.


Best wishes to all.

Spinning Lady

An interesting site, Spinning Lady

I haven't made anything new, or sort of new, just roses, feathers, trees, and thing similar to what I have done in past, they are still selling so I can't complain.
Best wishes to all.

This for 51 cents?

I am not sure what happened when I listed this single Copper Rose on ArtByUs, I used the "Buy it Now" options, but did not list an beginning price, so I have two bids on it,and it is at 26 cents. Thus, the minimum bid is now 51 cents.

This is not what I intended, so I thought I would put it in this blog in hopes a few readers will bid more.
I intended the bidding to begin at $15. not in the cents range, as I sell these at $30.

These are the details of this bargin!

A Copper Rose with three Brass Leaves arrives with a white box, ready for giving.
I have made this copper rose which is colored by moving the flame of my torch over the copper.

The leaves are brass brazed to a steel stem which I cover with brass.

A small bit of colored cotton is hidden in the center that holds rose oil.

Also included is a gift card and a story card telling how the roses are made.

Shipping is $5. within USA.

Thank you for looking.

I forgot to give some details.

The size is 2.5" x 3.5" about 1/4 inch thick.
Made of copper, steel and brass.
It is colored from passing the flame over the copper,
then coated with a clear sealer to protect its beauty.
A black cord included for hanging.
Signed and copyrighted.


I made this, which has the Eye of Ra (Sun) on one side and the eye of Horus (Moon) on the other.
The steel rectangle is 4" x 2" .
With the steel rods the length is 7" x 3
Comes with a black cord for hanging.
Coated with clear sealer.
Signed and copyrighted.

Requests

A few days ago I received two request, one for some kind of pagan symbol like Eye of Horus and the other wanting an ATC with a marijuana leaf. So this is what I did.

The first is Eye of Ra, on the opposite side is Eye of Horus.
This is "Variegated Leaf"

Think I might do some more on these themes. Would love to have your comments.

DEVIANT CHAIN NECKLACE & EARDROPS

Steel necklace and earrings are coated with a clear lacquer.

The necklace is adjustable.

The welded part of the necklace is 15 inches. The doubled black ball chain is 12 inches.

One earing is 2.75 inches long the other is about 2 inches.

The matching earrings are on sugical steel ear wires.

Although steel, neither necklace or eardrops are heavy.
Starting bid $5. Click Here
for ArtByUs.
Thank you for looking!

BEYOND, Zen Reflection

Have listed "BEYOND", a Zen Reflection, at ArtByUs.

Go Beyond the Boundaries,
Go Outside the Box,
Try Another way of Seeing.

Steel and Brass Sculpture, 2.5" x 5"
Comes with black cord for hanging.
Certificate of Authenticity. Copyright 2007

Please click here Bidding starts at $8.
Thank you for looking.

Very Good News

First of importance, my friend Anna is recovering from surgery and the tumor is Benign !

Second, I rather like this "UNEXPECTED", a Zen Reflection. that I made yesterday.
This reflection suggest that you discover the rose amid the chaos which in turn will form a pattern.
Click on ARTBYUS

Sometimes, no matter how hard I try, I can't get away from roses. Thank you for putting up with me.

Check it out

Hello

EARRINGS

Early on Aug. 1, I did a neat post about the chains I have been making, except I forgot to "Save" just closed the page. So I lost it all. Was going to re-do, but got working on a couple new ideas which have developed into some Earrings that I have just listed at ArtByUs.
I don't wear jewelry, so your comments will be appreciated.
Link LINKLINK LINK

CHAIN OF STEEL

I have made this chains of steel using various size of steel welding rods.

It is aprox. 15 inches long and will support a very heavy plant or sculpture.

I have listed it on ARTBYUS

Or I can make one especially for you. I charge $1.20 an inch.

IN THE PINES

Have listed another 4'' diameter circle, entitled " IN THE PINES" It has been as difficult to photograph as it was to weld.
This piece is all steel, although there is a little brass platting on the 4' ring.
Again, I have listed it at ArtByUs where there are larger photos. Bidding starts at $8.00, no reserve.

BEYOND, Zen Reflection

BEYOND
Go Beyond the Boundaries,
Outside the Box,
Another way of Seeing.
Steel and Brass Sculpture, 2.5" x 5"
Comes with black cord for hanging.
Certificate of Authenticity.
I started welding some small Artist Trading Card size steel sculptures a few weeks ago. This one I liked very much but is bigger than the 2.5 x 3.5, so am listing it as sculpture/ metal art at ArtByUs

Copper Rose with Brass Leaves

I have just listed an single Copper Rose with 3 Brass Leaves. It is a little smaller than the ones that I make that fit in a vase. This one can lay on a table or can be hung on a wall. It comes with a white gift box, gift card and story card explaining how I made it.

The price is $26. atArtByUs