MINERALARTS:

Summer Solstice

We celebrated the Summer Solstice with a day in the Catalinas, the big mountain range just north of Tucson. I wanted to look for Golden-flowered Agaves, whose blazing flower spikes are the very essence of Midsummer. Unfortunately, the 2003 Aspen Fire decimated the agave population (and a lot of other things) but we did see…

ironwing

June 21, 2009

Nature

Forgotten Treasure: Old Bells

Last night I got a phone call from a Tucson art gallery that used to carry my work. I sold gourd rattles and copper jewelry there in 1992-94, and when we moved back to Arizona in 2000, I put several of my bells in the shop. A year or so after that, the gallery came under…

ironwing

June 20, 2009

Iron & Metalwork

More Light

Over the weekend, my husband installed two windows in my shop. Although my forge and anvil are outside, I spend at least as much time (maybe more) in this tiny room, which is set up for grinding, polishing, silver work, etc. For the first time, the light of the High Summer sun and the Full…

ironwing

June 9, 2009

Iron & Metalwork

Desert Incense

The desert is a fragrant place, since many of its shrubs contain aromatic oils. Some of these plants have medicinal properties and are usable for incense. Here are a couple of my favorites: BRITTLEBUSH or INCIENSO – Encelia farinosa A very common small shrub among the saguaros, with triangular leaves that are covered in dense white fuzz. The…

ironwing

June 2, 2009

How-To, Nature

Shaman Antlers

It’s not really the right time of year to use these, but I am finishing some projects that are cluttering the shop and making me feel unproductive. These are naturally shed antlers with decorations based on my personal symbolism for “black” and “white” shamans. The “white” antler is from a Western Kentucky swamp. It has a…

ironwing

June 1, 2009

Iron & Metalwork, Nature

Forged Iron Triplet Cone Bells

Just finished these shaman’s bells today – I still need sound recordings and better photos for the website. Both sets are cone bell triplets hung on triangular hooks so all three bells can swing freely against each other for the best sound. The hooks were forged from small flat triangles. The Genii Cucullati set is…

ironwing

May 20, 2009

Iron & Metalwork

Letting in the Light

I’ve been sidelined by illness for a couple of weeks, but am back at work now. I looked for ways to restore balance around the house, and decided to cut a window in the door to my studio. I keep the door closed because some of my more primitive cats will spray and wreak all kinds of…

ironwing

April 23, 2009

Cats, Uncategorized

Ironwing Tarot Update

Ironwing Tarot full 78-card deck with book and bag: SOLD OUT as of today. 22 card MAJOR ARCANA set (square-cornered cards, no book or bag) is STILL AVAILABLE.

ironwing

April 6, 2009

Iron & Metalwork, Nature, Paintings: mineral pigments in egg tempera, Scratchboard, Uncategorized

How to Draw Fire

The title phrase has shown up in my blog stats every day for about a year. What does fire look like? Regardless of the art medium or style that you are using, you need to be familiar with what fire looks like and how it behaves. Here’s the photo gallery at wildlandfire.com, the ultimate online…

ironwing

April 1, 2009

How-To, Nature, Paintings: mineral pigments in egg tempera, Scratchboard, Uncategorized

Shaman’s Bells…and a request

I’ve been forging iron jewelry, shaman’s bells, and other magical iron objects for nearly 15 years, and am still experimenting with different styles and designs. It makes me happy and feels like something I’m “supposed” to do. I’ve been asked to write an article for Sacred Hoop about my blacksmithing and shamanic work. The magazine explores modern…

ironwing

March 31, 2009

Iron & Metalwork, Nature