Janet Kay’s Musings

Here we go--a new addiction that I didn't know I wanted. It is needle felting and easy and----inexpensive too! My good friend Alison came to my door one day last week with Benny dog under one arm and a basket full of wool under the other. I never try to second guess what she is doing as it is futile. She will try anything new and excel at it in a matter of hours (damn her!).
It involves a block of foam a few needles and some roving and you poke until you get what you want--
3 D or 2 D, but it's fun and I love it so now I sit up all night poking, poking. I need a nap.
Next week--a needle felting project that involves lots of beads and sequins. My "Demented Bunny".
Poke.

There are activities in Denver that are pretty big and great and fun!! The local Gem Clubs in the area started this many years ago and I have been told it is second in size to the Tucson Gem show only.
Beginning on Wednesday, there are a couple of shows that sell everything from beads, gems, finished jewelry to items made from gem stones--such as?? Last year I bought a gaudy mortal and pestle made in India for the silly low price of $15. Also picked up some cabochons for $3 each.
These shows are scattered around Denver--mostly on the north end starting at 48th Ave and I-25, two shows at the Merchandise Mart and the bead show is east off of I-70 and Chambers Rd.

The Club show at the Merchandise Mart starts on Friday and goes thru Sunday--I especially enjoy the demos done by the rock guys and girls in the club. Maybe because my son and grandson will be there showing how to facet clear stones. Check them out--Ron and Chris Snelling. Chris (age 17) has his first showcase this year. He's pretty amazing with his work and I know I am impressed but he has had a great teacher in his Dad all these years.

For more info--google gem shows, Denver, Co. See you there.

13 year old girls know how to have fun. I wish I was 13 again, without the angst. These are photos of my granddaughter, Jordan. She wears skinny jeans, the green tutu over the jeans and has her hair streaked pink. She loves to text and it is an important thing in her life. Communication in this age is very different--I wonder how that will play out in the her adult life. Computers are easy for her and she's always had one in her life for games and education. I still struggle with the computer from time time, but will not give up until I get it right.

When I was 13 years old (in the early 50's), they bought me a pair of Cuban heels (about 1 inch high and TAN) and told me they were high heels that were age appropriate. I wanted some 5 inch heels in red suede and had to wait several years beyond 13 to get them. And girdles--they said nice girls don't "jiggle" and we wore girdles and those awful nylon stockings that were hot in the summer and cold in the winter.
As for any color enhancement--forget it. It didn't happen until I was in my 60's and needed it for other reasons.

Jordan is having fun and she is age appropriate. Do it while you can--it looks silly when you are 70.
Although I might try the tutu with my NYD jeans.

One piece of advice as I am an observer of people at the Mall--don't wear those 5 inch heels unless you know how to walk in them--more of a strut than a walk. Throw your head back and move!

A couple of years ago I went to Washington DC to visit the Smithsonian. I took a side trip to Baltimore, Md on the train which is only about an hour out of DC. I had heard/read about the Visionary Museum but never seen it. It is, quite simply, amazing. It is filled with "outsider" art that is somewhat difficult to describe. There are not a lot of photos but check out their web site and it explains some of questions about "outsider" art---www.avam.org. I did hear that it is the most visited museum in the US by tourists from Europe, especially the French. The best would be a personal visit if you ever in that area. It will amaze you.

The display while I was there was "animals" with a write up on the wall near the entrance. The script said (and I paraphrase) "When I go into people's homes and they have deer heads and other stuffed animals on the walls, I ask them why they do that. Their answer is 'because they are such beautiful animals--I like to look at them.' I think my Mother is attractive but I just keep photos of her". The author of that statement is Ellen DeGeneres.

Another place to see an amazing collection of outsider art is the House of Blues--I love the one in New Orleans. After the show I got a tour with one of the musicians (love those musicians) and it took over an hour although I could have spent a week in that place.

My favorite online place to see art is the Museum of Bad Art--it is in Boston and they have a great web site, books you can buy and the best fun is the text with the art. Not sure who writes it, but they are genius with words. Not outsider art, just bad art which is very funny. Visit their site at www.museumofbadart.org.
There's enough art out there for all of us. We need to keep an open mind and treat the maker of said art kindly.

The photos are of my Morning colors--I love them with their fast growing flowers and strong color.
Some people, especially back East, say they are weeds. They don't look like weeks to me and for one 99 cent package I get beautiful green climbers and blossoms that stay for months. Since they have a tendency to take over a garden, I plant them in a large silver trash can on my patio.
I have beads like the Morning Glories, things that other people think are junk. I am especially fond of bottle caps that are rusty and have been run over many times. I also like plastic and wood beads, crappy Mardi Gras beads (crappy in a good way) pods and shells and anything that I can string. Don't string
bugs--they fall apart when dry.
I have a friend--Dustin--who collects odds and ends off streets when he is out of town. A foreign
lid for Skol that is rusty--charming.
Next blog I will tell you about my favorite museum in Baltimore that specializes in found object art.