I found my first art journal.

Last Saturday was the Local Artist Craft Show...

it was not the most financially rewarding show...

hardly a person showed up...

but there were other benefits.

I met some cool creative folks.

One of them is a gentleman named Michael Seagle. 

I oogled and cooed at his table all day long.

Michael's creations have a unique look...kind of that of Sid's toys from "Toy Story"...they are twisted, dark, and fun.

Need a nightlight? 

This was my favorite notebook.

I ended up with the Nevermore notebook...

I couldn't help myself. 

I was so drawn to it.

I got home and stared at it...

then a lightbulb went off in my head...

this will be my first art journal.

I've started a few pages and it is fun, therapeutic, 

and quite addicting. 

I have discovered it is absolutely perfect for the exercises

in "The Artist's Way" book. 

I'm looking forward to some create time...

I'm craving more art journaling. 

Peace, Inspiration, & Love,
 ~Amy
 The Spirit Dancer

My February Artist Date~Asheville Mardi Gras Parade

STOP! In the name of Mardi Gras! 

I couldn't figure out what to do for my 

February Artist Date.

January, I roamed around downtown Asheville and had a good time at some galleries. (You can read about it here.)

I wanted to do something different this month...so I volunteered 

to be in the Asheville Mardi Gras parade.

SO MUCH FUN!

I love to dress up.

I love costumes. 

The day before the parade, I still wasn't sure what I was going to wear. Fortunately, I met an awesome-creative woman named Dawn at the Local Artist Craft Show I was vending at. 

Dawn makes tutus! 

Dawn: "Do you want to wear a tutu?"

Me: "Well, yes I do."

Me practicing my parade wave. 

Let's go to the parade!

I ventured downtown to Wall Street and whoa...people everywhere....beads everywhere...costumes everywhere. 

I was overwhelmed with party goodness.

A lovely Goddess. 

A parade cannot be complete without Pride. 

A couple of parade walking ladies ready with their beads. 

I'd like to be on this float. 

I rode in the back of this truck. 

with these ladies. 

I feel the sunglasses really compliment my tutu.

Clowns are freaky. 

He asked me if I wanted a kiss...

and handed me a Hershey's kiss.

I completely fell in love with the pink folks. 

The detail on her hat is just incredible. 

I wish I had a picture of her shoes. 

Okay, I'm loaded up with beads...

ready to throw them to worthy parade go-ers. 

Um...I don't know. A bug? An alien? 

I absolutely loved her outfit. The blue is just amazing. 

I want blue lips. 

(This is Dawn by the way that created the fab tutu.)

Creative. I never would have thought of it. 

Put a bird on it...now the parade is complete. 

Here is a fabulous photo of the tutu I wore from Maid of Mars.

 I totally snagged the picture off her Facebook page. I would check out her stuff. Dawn is a talented costume designer. 

This tutu could be yours! 

This was a fun experience. I loved seeing what everyone was wearing...all individual human art pieces. 

I should start working on something 

completely outrageous for next year!

Peace, Inspiration, & Love,
 ~Amy
The Spirit Dancer

My First Attempt at Steampunk

Greetings all.

I'd like to show you my first Steampunk creation.

From Wikipedia...

"Steampunk is a sub-genre of science fiction that typically features steam-powered machinery, especially in a setting inspired by industrialized Western civilization 

during the 19th century."

I dig the look of steampunk, but I must say I am much more goth...much, much more goth. 

But I can help but wonder, "Is steampunk the new goth?"

So, my journey into the steampunk world began with 

this charm my mom sent me.

She is always sending me pieces of jewelry knowing I will probably create something out of it.

(sorry the pic is kind of dark)

I got some gears and these perfectly round shell beads. 

And it all started to magically come together. 

I found the pewter flower beads at A.C. Moore and 

just knew they would complete my vision.

The final creation...I'm happy with it. 

And now I leave you with Lady Opal Night Stream...

I really just don't get it...

but hey, it's "Portlandia".

Peace, Inspiration, & Love,
 ~Amy
 The Spirit Dancer

Oracle of the Week~Medicine~Ant

Medicine Cards
Jamie Sams & David Carson

It's been a long, long time since I've used my Medicine Cards.

They were calling to me this week.

I chose Ant. 

Or rather, Ant chose me. 

Ant

Ant represents Patience.

That is something I'm not always the best at.

When I'm ready for something I'm ready NOW.

Ant teaches me things take time. 

"Ant people are active, community-minded folks who see the greater future needs of their town. 

Ant people are planners and are content to 

see their dreams being built a little at a time. 

In today's society that is a rare quality."

Very true Ant. Thank you for reminding me.

I am working on my dream...a little at a time.

I keep going and going...towards my goal.

Ant says, "what is yours will come to you."

Ant restores our trust in the Universe to provide.

You will always receive what you need, 

at the time you need it most. 

Peace, Inspiration, & Love,
 ~Amy
 The Spirit Dancer

This Week in The Spirit Dancer

Madi Gras Parade 2013

This Week in

The Spirit Dancer

Reading: "The Artist's Way" by Julia Cameron (working on the exercises in Chapter 2)

Listening to: Leonard Cohen, Jeff Buckley, Bob Dylan, Simon and Garfunkel...it's my Leonard Cohen Pandora station...digging it.

Watching: "Lost Girl" I'm so loving this show!

Thinking about: My brain is still spinning from this weekend. I had a craft show on Saturday and was in the Mardi Gras parade yesterday...so I'm just energetically wiped. 

Learning: art journaling 

Doing: I just started an art journal Saturday evening. It's therapeutic and tons of fun. 

Pet Peeves: babies in environments that are not for babies

Happy Thoughts: Crafts, connections, sleep, coffee...sleep...sleep....sleep...

Best Quote: "Nobody can be exactly like me. Even I have trouble doing it." ~Talullah Bankhead 

Looking forward to: Having some relaxation time. 

Peace, Inspiration, & Love, 

 ~Amy 

 The Spirit Dancer