Amazing Artisan- Sachiko Kodama

This week's Amazing Artisan is Sachiko Kodama. Ms. Kodama is a Japanese artist who creates art using ferrofluid, a fluid that changes its shape when influenced by a strong electromagnetic current. Her sculptures smoothly change shape and flow into the next. Watching them is soothing and mesmerizing. I would love to see some of her work in person. I know I would find myself a seat and just observe for hours.

Her web site is Sachiko Kodama. Below are a couple of videos of her work. Enjoy!

Thoughtful Thursday- Helen Keller

I am starting a new weekly post featuring quotes. I love quotes. I love words. I guess that offers some explanation as to why I have a degree in Speech Pathology. Anyway...here is the first of some of my favorite quotes.


When one door of happiness closes, another opens; but often we look so long at the closed door that we do not see the one which has opened for us.

- Helen Keller

Wordless Wednesday- Swimming Lessons

Handmade Louisiana Featured on Handmade News

Our group, Handmade Louisiana was featured on Handmade News. My friend and fellow co-founder, Mamas Little Monkeys, was interviewed for the article. The article gives some great information about our group and shows a picture from one of our recent meetings. What is sad is that I noticed in that picture and the one I posted on my other blog, Photographs From Here, I am wearing the same shirt. I guess I really love that pink shirt.

You can read the article here. Enjoy...

Monday's Menu

Each Monday I am going to post a recipe link for a recipe I plan to use during the week. I will give you our critique the following Monday when I post the new recipe. I am not a great cook, but I love to read recipes and cookbooks. Hopefully, this will motivate me to be more creative in my menus.

This week, in honor of Lasagna Day, I want to make this lasagna again. I made it once before and it was sooo good. Enjoy the recipe!

The Best Lasagna. Ever.

Things to Celebreate

I get a kick out of reading that this or that week is National Hamburger Week or Hug Your Cat Day. I thought you would too. I will post each Sunday as to what "interesting" week this is to celebrate. I will also include any "important" dates that occur during the week. Enjoy!

July 26- August 1st 2009

This week is Moby Dick Week! Go check out the book from the library and read this classic. I don't think I have read it, so I will be looking for my copy.

July 26- All or Nothing Day
July 27- Take Your Houseplants for a Walk Day
July 28- National Milk Chocolate Day (I will be happy to pick up the
slack of anyone who does not like chocolate!)
July 29- Lasagna Day (note to self- make lasagna on Wednesday)
July 30- Cheesecake Day (Anyone noticing a theme here?)
July 31- Always Live Better Than Yester Day
August 1- Document Delivery Day

Amazing Artisan- Willard Wigan

This week's Amazing Artisan is Willard Wigan. Mr. Wigan is another one of those artists who causes one's chin to drop. I cannot imagine the concentration and steadiness required to attempt his creations. He often works at night so the static electricity in the air and traffic vibrations do not disturb his work. Take a look at his web site, Willard Wigan- Micro Sculptor. This man's skill is incredible.

Enjoy a couple of videos about him and his work. You will be amazed!

Handmade Louisiana

Handmade Louisiana is a group of Louisiana artisans who have joined together to offer support and guidance to each other. MamasLittleMonkeys, LisaRaspino, and I formed this group to get local artisans together so we could meet, online and in person, to discuss topics relative to running an artisan based business. I have thoroughly enjoyed all of our members and have learned so much from each of them. It helps to know other artisans who can offer you support and advice.

Check out Handmade Louisiana. You might recognize the currently featured member.

Amazing Artisan- Phil Hansen

This week's Amazing Artisan is Phil Hansen. I spend much of my time looking at Mr. Hansen's art with my mouth hanging open. I am in awe of his artistic talent. He has an unusual way of looking at the world which turns his art into something more than just wonderful to view. He uses non-traditional media to create much of his work and ties it to the subject of the piece.

Some of his work can be found on his web site, Phil Hansen's Art. He also has a channel on You Tube, Philinthecircle where he has uploaded videos of his work. Have fun watching this artisan. He is truly amazing.



Bruce Lee portrait created by karate chops...

Leaving Entrecard

I will be leaving Entrecard. I enjoyed it while it lasted. My reason for leaving? I have not been too thrilled since they started all of the hoopla about letting paid ads on our blogs. The thing I loved the most was finding all of the wonderful blogs out there while clicking away and racking up credits. Some of these blogs are the first things I read when I get on the Internet. There are some other things within the system that were handled a little messily. I didn't enjoy earning credits anymore. I just wanted to read some great blogs. I can do that without Entrecard. The final straw, that is causing me to leave the system, is their poor support. After I replaced my hard drive and was back in business, I could not access my account. I sent a "ticket" to support asking for assistance. I have had no response after a week. I know this is not an emergency, but I feel a week is sufficient time to help me out.

To all of my Entrecard blogs, I loved reading you and will continue to do so. I follow many of you in my Google account and have many more bookmarked. I will continue to blog here and on my other blog, Photographs From Here. I would love to see you pop in and leave a comment when ever you can. Take care everyone!

Amazing Artisan- Bruce Gray

This week's Amazing Artisan is Bruce Gray. Mr. Gray creates incredible metal sculptures. He creates fun and unique takes on items found in everyday life. Many of his pieces are created with found items once destined for the landfill. I particularly enjoy his kinetic art. The mobiles and rolling ball machines are so fun to watch. Other favorites of mine are the larger than life sculptures of items. I love his series of Swiss cheeses.

You can find more of his art on his web site, www.brucegray.com. Take a look around. His art will make you smile. I love his pieces.

Below is an interview with Bruce Gray. Enjoy.

The First Official Dork-Off

Duck and Wheel with String has posted a great post featuring the First Official Dork-Off. Lin's blog is one of my favorites. She is funny, insightful, and just all around nuts. Her blog is one of the first ones I read each day. If you have some time, go and check out her blog and read some of her posts. She will keep you laughing.

Tag. I'm It!

Last Wednesday, when I was struggling with what was going to be the end of my hard drive, Lin, at Duck and Wheel with String, tagged me with a photo meme. I told her that as soon as I was back up and running, I would post my response. According to the meme, I am to open the first file in my photos and post the 10th picture. Since all of the pics on the computer were wiped out (but I miraculously had backed them up prior to the sadness that was my hard drive), I only had the one file of photos to choose from. Lucky for me that is all I needed. This is the 10th picture. Robyn wanted me some pictures of her down at the lakefront. This is one of several I took that day. They aren't too bad. The lakefront is a beautiful place and has lots of great photo spots.

I am not going to tag anyone to pass this meme on, but if you want to participate, jump on in. Post a comment here so I can come and check out your picture.