Torso:  Tribal, full, shoulder detail, necklace detail. 25"t x 16"w x 5.5"d, hand made, slab built, ceramic wall sculpture finished with glaze and acrylic.  Detachable/wearable necklace turquoise, silver and cording.  $750 by Tammy Vitale. Inquiries invited.

Happy New Year, Everyone!  May the year be all you have anticipated!

I am pleased to announce that the first pieces of my 2008 exclusive line, Sacred, (go ahead, click over, you can come right back) are posted on that website.  And my first lesson of the year is to go with what I have.  Each piece will have an amulet and a book that goes with it, but none of them have that just yet, although the book will be based mostly on what is on the website.  I haven’t quite decided how to do the jewelry.    It’s becoming apparent that some of the jewelry pieces will be stand alone (i.e., not attached to a torso).  It’s also becoming apparent that I need help getting good pictures!  I’ve taken about 20 shots to get the 2 finals I have here of The Kuan Yen necklace (the first two were really good except that there were all kinds of fuzzies on the black that the camera picked up that you don’t really notice).  This 20" necklace is made with freshwater pearls, faceted garnets, swarovski crystals and sterling silver beads and clasp.  The focal piece is 2.75" long with garnets, a pearl and quartz druzey (which is pinkish but that’s hard to tell in the photo). (It’s available for $195.00)

No resolutions this year, but journaling on things I am grateful for, things I am claiming, and things I would like to accomplish.

Things that I am grateful for include all of you, my readers and new found community of friends and artists, and all those blogs out there just waiting to be read.  Things that I am claiming include "time enough" and a release of that "hurry, hurry, hurry" feeling I’ve had my whole life.  This year, in March, I will arrive at my 6th decade.  I think it’s time to slow down, wear more purple and red, and spit if I feel like it.  Of course, after a whole life of hurry, hurry, hurry it will take practice to slow down.  I think Sacred  is going to teach me a lot about taking my time, making time, allowing imperfection (I made my Jan 1 deadline, but everything is not lined up and in order – and that’s okay).  I can sense, as we creatives tend to do, that there is more to come with these pieces.  They aren’t done, therefore my work with them is not finished.  And that’s okay too.

What are your hopes and dreams for this year?  Have you chosen a word to guide you through the year?  (this from Christine Kane’s New Year traditions – make it a resolution to get to one of her retreats this year.  She’s offering 4.  No I don’t get any compensation – I’ve just been to one and it was just what I hoped for).  At first I chose Dream and Grace (abundance:  one doesn’t have to stop at one word), and then while journaling this morning it became very clear that my word for this year is "sacred."  And dreams and grace are bundled right into that word.  In fact, I can’t think of anything that isn’t bundled into that word, so for me is it absolutely the best guide for all of 2008 (until another word arrives.  I am flexible).

Another thing I am anticipating this year is Art Every Day lead by the magnificent Leah of Creative Every Day, who has led Art Every Day Month for 5 years (I think, I’ve joined in 2) and who decided that 2008 would be a fine year for expanding the concept.  As always, she inspires!

One of the things I did this past week was take a day trip to New York City with daughter where I took lots and lots of pictures, she found lots and lots of shoes to look at and try on (and buy) and I found beads!  Who knew?!  And NYC shop owners will haggle so you can get the price down (37% and 40% in my case).  I’m working on putting the pictures in a muvee to show you later this week, and will write more about the trip then.

thought for the day:  What if the story had had a different ending?  What if we’d been raised with a creation myth that involved god’s delight in our exploration and expansion?  What if god were encouraging, loved to share creative collaborations with us, loved our steps into risk?  What if god had said, "I’m so glad you finally noticed that apple!  I made it bright red for a reason! What did you think of seeds?  Aren’t they a great idea?  I really think they’re fun….  Julia Cameron, The Vein of Gold.

I wish you different endings and happy creations and no fear in 2008.  May your life be Sacred.