fave publication and Heart Art

First of all, I am a few days late on my blog carnival entry. January's theme is favorite publication. I have lots of favorite art books, too many to choose from. My current magazine favorite is Cloth, Paper, Scissors, a publication devoted to intuitive mixed media collage style art, made primarily of cloth and paper.

I realize that it's not metal related at all. I find the metal magazines to be a bit stiff, and not at all related to my lifestyle as work-at-home-mom, artist, household manager, cook, etc... Isn't that odd? So many practicing metalsmiths are all that and more, but the magazines don't talk about or relate to our art as a part of our lifestyle. The metal magazines don't speak to me heart to heart. Somehow Cloth, Paper, Scissors does that, and inspires me too. I do not make the type of work I find in the magazine, but I love reading the creative processes, seeing the workspaces, seeing the narrative quality to the work and the complete lack of pretentiousness. I get a sense of artists simply being, living, practicing, and spilling their guts out into their work.

Go these blogs to see what the other carnival participants enjoy
Lora Hart Jewels
Elaine Luther
Tonya Davidson
Tamra Gentry

Second
SmokyRick asked how I managed to get all those shots of myself working. It's no secret that I love to have pictures of myself, but no one around here is as camera-happy as I am. The kids have a hard time standing still long enough to take a focused shot. Nor do they enjoy taking the dozens of shots necessary to get one decent shot. I on the other hand, will take pictures of myself all day! well... maybe...

It's fairly simple once it's set up. I put my camera on my sturdy tripod. I get it all set up for the right angle and light settings. I set it on a 12 second shutter delay and also use a remote clicker. (What are those remote clicker things called?) Then I get my work all ready to go. I click on the remote to get the timer started, race to my workspace, and start right in. I have it all fairly close together and the remote clicker lets me be that much closer to my workspace. I do this over and over again, as I work, changing angles occasionally. It really doesn't take that much time once I get the initial settings.

I did not get metalwork done for a few days due to sick kids and ridiculously frigid temps, but I did do fiberart in the house. Of course I took some photos!

1. More Me, 2. More Me, 3. More Me, 4. More Me Created with fd's Flickr Toys.
Click on the links for the full size shots. The photo mosaic is also in my Xanga photos, if you can't access flickr.

I finished up these Black Hearts. You all know the blackhearted people, the ones you alternate between loving and hating?

Click on the photos below for details. All of the hearts are available in my Joyheart shop on Etsy.