tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36672346360080963562024-02-06T20:44:44.029-06:00industrialpoppyThe humorous musings of artist industrial poppy-and a look at subjects like adoption, cats, shopping, and etsy.industrialpoppyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07114815888198065577noreply@blogger.comBlogger56125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3667234636008096356.post-71303808063706929412010-11-27T20:34:00.000-06:002010-11-27T20:35:53.095-06:00This moves me.<iframe src="http://player.vimeo.com/video/17174656" width="400" height="225" frameborder="0"></iframe><p><a href="http://vimeo.com/17174656">this KINGDOM</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/user814889">phos pictures</a> on <a href="http://vimeo.com">Vimeo</a>.</p>industrialpoppyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07114815888198065577noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3667234636008096356.post-74303411859560182312009-11-29T21:05:00.001-06:002009-11-29T21:09:35.962-06:00Leave MeSometimes we all dream of turning back time. What if it was possible?<br /><object width="400" height="225"><param name="allowfullscreen" value="true" /><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always" /><param name="movie" value="http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=4220803&server=vimeo.com&show_title=1&show_byline=1&show_portrait=0&color=&fullscreen=1" /><embed src="http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=4220803&server=vimeo.com&show_title=1&show_byline=1&show_portrait=0&color=&fullscreen=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" width="400" height="225"></embed></object><p><a href="http://vimeo.com/4220803">Leave Me</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/darosfilms">Daros Films</a> on <a href="http://vimeo.com">Vimeo</a>.</p>industrialpoppyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07114815888198065577noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3667234636008096356.post-14946841568174182542009-11-10T09:09:00.000-06:002009-11-10T09:10:15.444-06:00Ur doin it right!<a href="http://icanhascheezburger.com/2009/11/07/funny-pictures-prevent-swine-flu/"><img title="funny-pictures-cat-washes-paws" src="http://icanhascheezburger.wordpress.com/files/2009/11/funny-pictures-cat-washes-paws.jpg" alt="funny pictures of cats with captions" /></a><br />see more <a href="http://icanhascheezburger.com">Lolcats and funny pictures</a>industrialpoppyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07114815888198065577noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3667234636008096356.post-22815461628892349392009-06-06T20:11:00.002-05:002009-06-08T17:55:13.715-05:00Guitar KittehFell off my chair laughing.<br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/Cl5csk5eXC4&hl=en&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/Cl5csk5eXC4&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>industrialpoppyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07114815888198065577noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3667234636008096356.post-88109590370764962662009-04-26T12:07:00.002-05:002009-04-26T12:08:00.005-05:00'Nuff said."I, not events, have the power to make me happy or unhappy today. I can choose which it shall be."<br />– Groucho Marxindustrialpoppyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07114815888198065577noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3667234636008096356.post-48081109470581444422009-03-22T12:08:00.003-05:002009-03-22T12:19:13.357-05:00I LOVE this ad!<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/BR0utofGLF8&hl=en&fs=1&rel=0"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/BR0utofGLF8&hl=en&fs=1&rel=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br />That's it! I'm going out to enjoy the day: library, coffee and a thrift store!industrialpoppyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07114815888198065577noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3667234636008096356.post-15664847488363049332009-02-07T22:08:00.003-06:002009-02-07T22:13:27.348-06:00Oscar peeking...<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoqhExPy8SP659gQqKcGLjpEJ37RuY5SUTvb0tF1HClTLXSucjRPo71JwVcuZ6W9Cm88f8uOMtAoyfGeLQ_EEKlgHuG2mBYmUTtsZtibFySWk6oD5HSS6vu8zDaBK4nb0h_x-zziUOQsa7/s1600-h/oscar+peeking...jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5300274804675404402" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoqhExPy8SP659gQqKcGLjpEJ37RuY5SUTvb0tF1HClTLXSucjRPo71JwVcuZ6W9Cm88f8uOMtAoyfGeLQ_EEKlgHuG2mBYmUTtsZtibFySWk6oD5HSS6vu8zDaBK4nb0h_x-zziUOQsa7/s400/oscar+peeking...jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0fNRwazirF4UiJF0XACgRCYIUm2Wtc29i3dtws9CWHNALnVTKoo26Hw9clp2f8R2ircaDc8YjZ3Kd6wPScEfi-bgzZrpKdHefjIlw6HQUDCi7M_fL2hLD7w3ZB1g9ISN2MwTIxwfzLBe0/s1600-h/oscar+peeking...jpg"></a></div></div>industrialpoppyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07114815888198065577noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3667234636008096356.post-12217517309230303492009-02-07T19:57:00.001-06:002009-02-07T20:17:21.238-06:00I don't know why...but there's one in every crowd.<br /><a href="http://icanhascheezburger.com/2009/01/27/funny-pictures-fish-pee-in-there-you-know/"><img class="mine_3088478" title="funny-pictures-horse-hates-drinking-from-lakes" alt="funny pictures of cats with captions" src="http://icanhascheezburger.wordpress.com/files/2009/01/funny-pictures-horse-hates-drinking-from-lakes.jpg" /></a><br />more <a href="http://icanhascheezburger.com/">animals</a>industrialpoppyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07114815888198065577noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3667234636008096356.post-23441250767263188032009-01-05T21:40:00.005-06:002009-01-07T10:54:07.254-06:00Etsy Sellers that give back...I just love Etsy! I love shopping there, I love selling there and I <em>love</em> meeting new, inspiring people there! Just the other day I learned about accessory artist Kathie Stamou - not only does she have an interesting shop, but an incredible story as well:<br />"I was the regional coordinator for 10 years for a group called "Rock and Wrap It Up!" in the Philadelphia area. This is a food rescue organization started by the son of a Holocaust survivor. They pick up food from backstage at rock concerts and take it to food banks and shelters. I heard about them needing volunteers on an MTV news broadcast in 1994 and was so inspired by Syd Mandelbaum who founded the organization. It felt fantastic to give back to the community - hunger and homelessness are issues which touch me deeply and make me want to take action. We moved to Dublin, Ireland in 2004 and I tried unsuccessfully to start a similar program here. There are too many restrictions and laws that would prevent such a program. I have, instead been involved with the American Women's Cub and International Women's clubs here and helped with thier many philanthropic endeavors. I have been collecting the toiletries that everyone gets when we travel (and we travel a lot here) and bringing them to the shelters instead of food."<br /><br />WOW! What an inspiring story to start the new year off with! To read more about Kathie and to visit her marvellous shop, check her out here <a href="http://www.kathiestamou.etsy.com/">http://www.kathiestamou.etsy.com/</a><br />Happy, healthy and prosperous new year, everyone :)industrialpoppyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07114815888198065577noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3667234636008096356.post-15607197344500477742008-11-11T08:58:00.005-06:002008-11-12T07:55:53.603-06:00Jewelry show a great success!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3DvQtRX5AStNu_dby_JMqEq0BbyY5j7HlsBbVHFt6HnarIdcyi3O1MO2wFtFCyAopflAOcmG7YBhWMnnzFcifBUafBfoaIchT7SDvIm6_RnTZCBGqa_b7LEb3rr0tHFkP7YaQkRKjgJHW/s1600-h/craft+show.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5267769009296916994" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 292px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3DvQtRX5AStNu_dby_JMqEq0BbyY5j7HlsBbVHFt6HnarIdcyi3O1MO2wFtFCyAopflAOcmG7YBhWMnnzFcifBUafBfoaIchT7SDvIm6_RnTZCBGqa_b7LEb3rr0tHFkP7YaQkRKjgJHW/s320/craft+show.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>Many thanks to everyone who attended the craft show this past weekend and stopped by to say hello and take a look at my latest collections. Oh and all of the compliments you all sent my way were very encouraging and flattering, so much so that my head swelled up and I could hardly fit my giant ego into the car to go home at the end of the day LOL! But seriously, thanks for your support and appreciation for what I LOVE doing so much-the sales were great that day and it was so nice to chat with some of you instead of just selling online day in and day out. And many thanks as well to the owner of <a href="http://www.manicmittens.com/">http://www.manicmittens.com</a> who did such a great job of organizing the event-it really was filled with some of Winnipeg's finest artisans and I was very pleased to be among them : ) </div>industrialpoppyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07114815888198065577noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3667234636008096356.post-19336811760914829702008-10-08T12:43:00.006-05:002008-10-08T20:56:22.919-05:00My kingdom for some cookies...Alright, alright, I know. I haven't been around in a while. Quite a while actually. I think it has something to do with the changing seasons-when all you want to do is bury your nose in a good book, and burrow deeper into the sofa with a pot of stew burbling away on the stove and the aroma wafting throughout the house. Oh, and there should be cookies, fresh from the oven, waiting for the stew to nourish the body so that they can take their turn nurturing the heart. At least that is the way <em>I</em> feel in autumn. The ever-increasing chill makes me feel plump and drowsy, figuratively speaking, and everything else seems to suffer from neglect. Luckily, it is a transitory sensation; motivation kicks in again when it starts getting really cold, the days get shorter, and you know you are in it for the long haul.<br />Which brings me to the title of my post. I have no cookies in the house, though I have the ingredients to make numerous varieties, should the matter become urgent*. (*An example of this would be snowfall. I would urgently need cookies if it snowed). In an effort to incite motivation, I have spent countless hours perusing old cookbooks as well as the net for a cookie recipe of such rousing proportions that I might cast off this shaggy leaden coat of inactivity and spring (!) almost lifelike, to the kitchen, wooden spoon in hand and a song in my heart!<br />Alas. No such recipe has crossed my path and I am doomed to spend another day haunting the pages of "The Great Big Cookie Book", seeking not only a cookie recipe to soothe the heartache of another summer gone but also one that might prepare me for the long cold winter that surely looms ahead.industrialpoppyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07114815888198065577noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3667234636008096356.post-21427515880468104912008-09-05T10:12:00.005-05:002008-09-06T17:51:46.958-05:00Lollishops?<a href="http://lollishops.com" title="LolliShops: Elegant Whimsy, Romantic Inspirations, Fanciful Creations"><img src="http://lollishops.com/wp-content/themes/default/images/btn-share-1.gif" alt="LolliShops is a juried, online selling venue for talented artists, collectors of vintage and art supply vendors"/></a><br />Lollishops-a fun , new place to shop and meet people! Looks as though they'll be a mecca for those seeking sugar and spice to fill their life! <br />It will be a series of juried storefronts with enough romantic frou-frou for everyone, and looks as though it'll be opening this fall-check out their site!<br />There is already a long list of notable artists that have been accepted-click on the comments to find their shop links and visit them now!industrialpoppyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07114815888198065577noreply@blogger.com74tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3667234636008096356.post-61437359259463548302008-08-31T08:27:00.001-05:002008-08-31T14:21:06.366-05:00What inspires you?<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_iXUfWhTsQZNf7Wjq2kaZEo8c_F9jf5905hSJVLd7P-HtpC45LCQ8WwZl3Bj24GJ2SBSgdv1FdoA1Qz4eqhfIytv5EQLuV6LvG03JhAFszndimbLP-SzMl3PLt_wZeuZuhtj17cqwRnus/s1600-h/rings+029.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5240763898211130706" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_iXUfWhTsQZNf7Wjq2kaZEo8c_F9jf5905hSJVLd7P-HtpC45LCQ8WwZl3Bj24GJ2SBSgdv1FdoA1Qz4eqhfIytv5EQLuV6LvG03JhAFszndimbLP-SzMl3PLt_wZeuZuhtj17cqwRnus/s200/rings+029.jpg" border="0" /></a> The subject of inspiration came up the other day when someone asked me "what inspires you"? It's a challenging question to answer; my answer often depends on who asked the question. Sometimes my answer is short and simple- nature, for example- but the reality is that it is at once, both more complex and more simple than that.<br /><br /><div><div><div>For me, I can be inspired by anything and everything, it is really more a question of receptivity. Yes, I think dragonflies are exquisite and yes, I have insect-inspired pieces in my jewelry collections. But true creativity, for me, is using any random thought as a starting point, and quietly following the course of that thought to an eventual or satisfactory end, one that can be physically represented using your material or medium of choice. I think that is what art is: an interpretation of something that has crossed through an artists's mind and out their hands. And the fascinating thing about art is that when art passes through an artist like that, they invariably leave their mark on it. The lifetime of experiences that the artist has lived or endured influences the subject in subtle ways to reflect that artist's life experience. These perceptions alter the body of work , often in very imperceptible ways - sometimes only the artist knows they are there, and sometimes it takes a very astute observer to see something that the artist didn't even realize had presented itself in the work.<br /></div><div>Here is an example of abstract inspiration: the other day a friend of mine told me a great story about a family get-together. It had all of the elements of a good story: drama, danger, hope, love and faith. It only took 5 minutes to tell the story, but I thought about it all afternoon. In her family, she is an auntie to a little boy and girl, and I could never imagine a more fiercely devoted auntie. She works very hard day and night but is always -<em>always</em>-available to those kids, no matter how her workday has been. They are her family, and as such, they are with her in her thoughts all day. In my mind, I see them as a kind of beacon to lead her home, a kind of light at the end of her "workday" tunnel. And I see the unending bond of family in her life; as the undercurrent of her day, the connectedness like reassuring markers scattered along an uncertain path.<br /></div><div>So, inspired by that, I created this ring. It is thick and solid, but not burdensome, just comforting. The band has a textured finish, representing the nicks, scrapes and challenges that we endure in the outside world. It has highly polished brass on it to symbolize her and the kids she adores-bright and gleaming, to represent the joy they bring each other. But inside the band is smooth and serene; the word family is indelibly forged, like a hidden map, secretly carried. And though the outside world may not be aware of its presence, it's a private reminder of what matters in this world, a reminder to make time, and go home to your family. <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5240708134477293970" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOvpfTsXcqLEXgZR4qIX0PaFmnuimixja_v-TTWpWu4zaYgk_PmMBUQLUxsC2sqjbIAWsOOioxORUYkXJEZGSvNu3zDojjdDyhxjcEfFhxgeKTrlSQQt6-eRoaX6Kppo3Lg4AgqOz1qHQe/s320/rings+021.jpg" border="0" /></div></div></div>industrialpoppyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07114815888198065577noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3667234636008096356.post-32099495283746003612008-08-29T09:47:00.006-05:002008-08-29T10:44:06.153-05:00Earrings for Fall!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPlxbMatoZ03K16rh4MS_stQCxJSd_dpPobUS_38UFENvIaYhKCtZV3tDHdx9pcVULO01CaawAkHiXaA6bQbM4lmuH-TtWqR58j7f2xYYXVD3ztqsu2EXTcW6DjFkJkfbj_hnw6ehT-hmW/s1600-h/earrings+074.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5239965596783902946" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPlxbMatoZ03K16rh4MS_stQCxJSd_dpPobUS_38UFENvIaYhKCtZV3tDHdx9pcVULO01CaawAkHiXaA6bQbM4lmuH-TtWqR58j7f2xYYXVD3ztqsu2EXTcW6DjFkJkfbj_hnw6ehT-hmW/s320/earrings+074.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>We've had some cooler weather lately and I must say that I <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">personally</span> am looking forward to boots, jeans and sweaters. And some new jewelry. And I wear alot of blacks, creams, and greys, so this particular pair of earrings is appealing to me for that reason. The glass flowers are a kind of pale smoky-grey lilac color-the perfect choice to complement the colors listed above. A post and drop style, I can picture these earrings dangling from the earlobes of Keira Knightley or Natalie Portman! So pretty!</div>industrialpoppyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07114815888198065577noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3667234636008096356.post-87352405840106634152008-08-22T21:29:00.005-05:002008-08-23T11:15:27.790-05:00The Lily Collection Copper and Aventurine Necklace 3<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_hVrf6ay9YJdN0SRlWQGAZuhX0Oig86es_i7S_IKfkjDxt0Nx-B64qqOH7RAmSquobgAWzhwfAekDIvTKM3ezpTGtx2zybdveBDFbg6ZKgZ_EE7ULsJT9V4l9PlUgW6J8lm6ucXtMLr8D/s1600-h/earrings+087.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5237747436482158274" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_hVrf6ay9YJdN0SRlWQGAZuhX0Oig86es_i7S_IKfkjDxt0Nx-B64qqOH7RAmSquobgAWzhwfAekDIvTKM3ezpTGtx2zybdveBDFbg6ZKgZ_EE7ULsJT9V4l9PlUgW6J8lm6ucXtMLr8D/s320/earrings+087.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><br /><div><br /><div>Lily reached for her good luck necklace; it made her think of China and the daughter that she knew was waiting there for her. Fondling the coins, it seemed to soothe the wait, and the red beads that intermingled with the luminous stones reminded her of an ancient saying: "An invisible red thread connects those who are destined to meet, regardless of time, place, or circumstance. The thread may stretch or tangle, but never break." She sighed, but was comforted knowing that she too, would eventually meet her daughter. Looking east into the rising sun, she knew it would be a good day.</div><div></div><br /><br /><div>This is the third necklace in the Lily Collection, and is now available in my Etsy shop...just click on my links to the left of this post!</div></div></div>industrialpoppyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07114815888198065577noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3667234636008096356.post-9905476803992865422008-08-19T11:45:00.005-05:002008-08-22T21:49:42.905-05:00Handmade Fuzion<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-owfrPiHXuiVsJV82m943jEOr9S8Yc1xE9qM9L8y36sQUWiWgzN6B6X9njz1dMneVvFlfqKt9fvCN8kEsMAGT6c1Jb2AKez6fA_xtOYQxjfMUW-0_yYZKG2rK4ehmJg3-EBRrRunB9oIi/s1600-h/handmadefusion.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5237539843321420898" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-owfrPiHXuiVsJV82m943jEOr9S8Yc1xE9qM9L8y36sQUWiWgzN6B6X9njz1dMneVvFlfqKt9fvCN8kEsMAGT6c1Jb2AKez6fA_xtOYQxjfMUW-0_yYZKG2rK4ehmJg3-EBRrRunB9oIi/s320/handmadefusion.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0Ce2qoqQCHCq4D4GqjW2G-1sLf9_jjIwB0xyyNGP_obio5ROW-BSNaCBXwCkxv8S7tlHyjPZH5DLiZCGdkwqGG7inTLGaSky6qKdD_HTJchwJZFqSqX4bqmfbvC_mVcKLeAbQcoj18qQC/s1600-h/handmadefusion.jpg"></a><br /><br /><div>It seems as though there is a new shopping/networking site in the works: <a href="http://handmadefuzion.com/">http://handmadefuzion.com/</a> This is what their website says so far:<br /></div><br /><div>We are a Social Networking Marketplace dedicated to the handmade community.<br />We are currently only accepting vendors of handmade and gourmet items.<br /></div><br /><div>Hmmmm. I wonder what kinds of things they'll be selling? I like the part about "gourmet"...</div></div>industrialpoppyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07114815888198065577noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3667234636008096356.post-20561116350287454832008-08-15T21:22:00.015-05:002008-09-03T19:28:13.205-05:00Ahhh, the Olympic games!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3QOYZ3sm2lJEt5kCQ-BEjFhrD5KKDaghYyRf0dpQ3LHPE7mK_Q1tRM8P-4as0_OQtVZ0_AiiEHP5PpcmhILQ0oifqJco9Iwv_iNImCd6-WluhR7FCLNJTN9TenV7FGEx92fniUPk0TPoT/s1600-h/rings+035.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5237540335978169458" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3QOYZ3sm2lJEt5kCQ-BEjFhrD5KKDaghYyRf0dpQ3LHPE7mK_Q1tRM8P-4as0_OQtVZ0_AiiEHP5PpcmhILQ0oifqJco9Iwv_iNImCd6-WluhR7FCLNJTN9TenV7FGEx92fniUPk0TPoT/s320/rings+035.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>There is so much excitement around the Olympic games this year-more, it seems than usual. I started wondering about the origins of the event as well as where it is headed-given that it is increasingly becoming a platform for political expression. Of course, the games began in ancient Greece: participants were required to be young men from various Greek cities who had trained for a minimum of 10 months preceeding the games. (Women, it can be noted, were only permitted to participate in equestrian events). There were a number of skill-testing games, among them footraces, chariot races, wrestling and boxing. I was particularly interested in boxing. Initially soft leather covered their fingers but eventually hard leather weighted with metal was sometimes used. That got me thinking about metal on hands and, being a metalsmith, I wanted to capture the simplicity and harsh brutality of this event. So I created this ring: I think it captures the kind of raw determination you would need to spar with an opponent wearing metal-tipped leather gloves!<br /><br />Truce was called during the games to allow the safe passage of the athletes and visitors-wars and legal disputes were put on hold and generally this was observed. There is a story however, that claims that the Spartans were forbidden from attending the games and fined 200,000 drachmas for assaulting the city of Lepreum during the period of the truce, claiming that the truce had not yet taken hold.<br /><br />Crazy Spartans. Always lookin' for a fight.<br /><br />The ancient Greeks exhibited a great understanding of human nature when they realized the potential for political grandstanding and took steps to prevent this during the games. But nowadays there is a growing tendency to use this global event to express political viewpoints, in spite of the original intent.<br /><br />What about you? Do you think the games should symbolize peace, goodwill and sportsmanship throughout the world? Or do you think that it is an ideal opportunity to capture the world's attention and make a stand for what you believe in? Our very own Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper boycotted the Olympic games this year to make a statement.<br /><br />As for me, I'm grateful that I live in a place where I have the freedom to choose.<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5234951426256037154" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUnpT9W61LqOsgxTsfn7rFmaxYzeRl2uYEfXqHGtAv9weSi6iJTUXCeSamaZ8uBdcw8Qmx1plToLy8hdThIqXVOWNZJot4HK3szdD7_wxw-3GN0q2gkJtm3oHnFgLrhQDlrgaWNUfLi2eK/s320/rings+027.jpg" border="0" /></div>industrialpoppyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07114815888198065577noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3667234636008096356.post-34485147429933491082008-07-31T15:01:00.005-05:002008-12-09T11:08:40.331-06:00Can you say flexible?<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvZ1t_RJkbwRcHWfHImH8kIT0DGUB2B6SIc41XuDe847kmv26UqTxfWsbOgq7CSnAMFf6snfB-bArWJbQ3X7Vd6GUpcXYtM64kp48fBVkdFaDst32kw9WHmZj1QgFCW7JDcHDVApOt5RWC/s1600-h/garden+2008+098.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5229272969446083074" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvZ1t_RJkbwRcHWfHImH8kIT0DGUB2B6SIc41XuDe847kmv26UqTxfWsbOgq7CSnAMFf6snfB-bArWJbQ3X7Vd6GUpcXYtM64kp48fBVkdFaDst32kw9WHmZj1QgFCW7JDcHDVApOt5RWC/s320/garden+2008+098.jpg" border="0" /></a>Ummm. Yeah. I know that this pic looks entirely unnatural, but can you say flexible? I was doing a little yoga this morning, and as I was doing <em>Downward Dog</em>, Oscar was observing. Not to be outdone, he can be seen here doing <em>Sideways Cat</em>. He must've thought I was an absolute beginner!industrialpoppyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07114815888198065577noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3667234636008096356.post-59456225548798107572008-07-24T10:27:00.006-05:002008-12-09T11:08:41.767-06:00Helen of Troy and Oscar the FearlessSorry I haven't posted in so long. Terrible I know, but I'm back. As you know, I have a recent addition to my family: Oscar the supermodel Norwegian Forest cat. A beautiful and entertaining creature, NFC's are known to be loyal, talkative and I believe they like to play fetch.<br /><br /><div>In addition to these wonderful aforementioned qualities, they are also excellent hunters, and will stop at nothing to protect their home and loved ones. Especially if your home has been invaded by the dreaded woolly mice. Woolly mice, very dangerous and clever creatures, will endeavor to invade the home - Trojan Horse style - usually hidden in a seemingly harmless household object, such as a roll of toilet paper. Once inside, they will get up to all kinds of devilry, such as building nests in the fur coats of less suspicious cats, usually when they are sleeping.<br /></div><div>Anyways, I have recently confirmed that such an attack was indeed scheduled to take place the other night, but wait! Thwarted they were by none other than Oscar The Fearless. Surveillance photos later confirmed the events:<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5226608682116318146" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSla23RGdRaPqp9njPMVmGrXZTwAGTYp_7x_WeGAtUXfooiZHT5QacB9Af7ALDpo7E56lyg0eppfmkfIDJRTmBiRHVc8S-8y1XAFt55ZBKmsAfFUQlPAWESPkobFSzJzwVzXyoliDqmh6C/s320/garden+2008+087.jpg" border="0" /> Nashford looks on nervously from a high, safe vantage point.<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5226608014294991794" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6cJvYTcZxRK0YarSjf6fdY4UNlvGVdHCihUy8ELXfZil47tmft-Kzc43KDFAmYS_VlgUlnaY4d-uNebrFXQAp-aTd3sl_M3RSdILcM3aScpTkoM-wco98NY-IDzwrJwH2z5VzOZWXPZwb/s320/garden+2008+091.jpg" border="0" /></div><br />Oscar saves the day!industrialpoppyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07114815888198065577noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3667234636008096356.post-80170877193462592852008-07-05T09:37:00.004-05:002008-12-09T11:08:41.896-06:00Flowers from Outerspace?<div>Haha! Made you look, didn't I? Well take a look at this pic, and tell me that you don't think this flower looks like it might have come from outerspace!<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5219539600747264242" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyCxOzNjnUn4WfSHs73VM_HeemBhAgfEsFE5w9-CE9I_fgy1cag63y6rzNh48P4UzcX2x5M6SIw1aGqtrumZrtxF-OFLZQl8mxPmao1w3auHsvEpVt68R7CFQUj9a8jJUrTD8JKZ9gOA6v/s400/garden+2008+059.jpg" border="0" /></div><br />Finally, my columbine (aquilegia) is blooming, and although it <em>may</em> have come from space, right now it is enjoying the summer in the Tangled Forest in my backyard. And blooming for the first time ever, now that the deer have stopped repeatedly munching it down to nothing. (I now have a fence!) In fact, many of the plants that I had previously tried to grow to no avail, are now doing well. I can hardly wait for all of them to bloom.industrialpoppyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07114815888198065577noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3667234636008096356.post-3820903259834952682008-06-27T21:42:00.005-05:002008-12-09T11:08:42.207-06:00And the Oscar goes to...<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR9-TfblLMluYlGA2gKANQhjR_oaDfsleMRVVBi_G5PSoIIi_HQ4v_b0NRCdr7hWR2gNu_MAOAdTIsLcjI8VQia-6PFozCif09FMSEQl_4W1uMo_lxeTbPLjZByUph6JSitzh3Iz_WK-KQ/s1600-h/garden+2008+063.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5217055647285755954" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR9-TfblLMluYlGA2gKANQhjR_oaDfsleMRVVBi_G5PSoIIi_HQ4v_b0NRCdr7hWR2gNu_MAOAdTIsLcjI8VQia-6PFozCif09FMSEQl_4W1uMo_lxeTbPLjZByUph6JSitzh3Iz_WK-KQ/s400/garden+2008+063.jpg" border="0" /></a> Meet Oscar.<br />The first time I laid eyes on Oscar was about a year ago in a local no-kill rescue. His elderly owner had passed away, and he was brought in. I frequent all of the shelters in the city, and when I spotted him I thought he was a real charmer: fur as fluffy and weightless as a cloud, and a beautiful blue color, a charming demeanor, with amber eyes that seduced. We became fast friends, but I did not bring him home. I was looking for a younger cat, one who would liven things up for my two older cats. He was a bit older.<br />As time wore on, many cats came and went, but no one chose Oscar. He greeted me warmly every time I went to search for a cat, even when he became quite ill in the shelter-he still raised his head to me. Still, I wanted a younger cat.<br />I had encountered many cats of varying ages and personalities, as you can imagine. None of them seemed quite right for our household though. My search continued.<br />Two days ago I was back at the shelter: Oscar was still there-sadly approaching his one year anniversary of being there. I took him out and patted him for a bit while I chatted with the adoption councilor. "I really like him" I said yet again, placing him back into his kennel. "But I really wanted a younger cat. Someone who'll be really playful".<br />Back in his cage now, I turned to leave, but froze in my tracks as he gave a sharp call. Staring at me, he picked up a little pom pom toy and tossed it in the air. Another meow, and he grabbed a different ball and batted it around, then stopped to stare at me.<br />I looked at the girl, who stood there with her mouth open. "He's never done that! He's not usually that playful!"<br />Looking into his face right then, I said "I think I'll be back tomorrow".<br /><br />Tomorrow arrived, and I bustled back to the shelter, my heart doing flip flops because I was finally going to bring Oscar home. But when I bent down to look into his cage, it was empty and cleaned out. Tears welled, but I figured at least he had finally found a home. I straightened up, swiped a hand discreetly across my eyes, and toured the shelter to mask my disappointment. He wasn't anywhere. Turning to leave, a volunteer walked up to me and asked if I needed a hand with anything.<br />"I guess someone finally adopted Oscar " I said, trying to sound happy.<br />"What?" she replied. "No. We just cleaned out his cage. He's in the kennel on the floor in the corner!"<br /><br />Oscar, a beautiful Norwegian Forest cat, has settled in very nicely to his new forever home.<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5216757506508324770" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr6xNiQ95cyor4N0i260pyP-MzlN_aaw6Ymw3rGgWgK7MN1aX8rVqoUljG9W_o4lCSqSZjOeDky1nIP6MHYGnaIbvtPXBIctnDQ_vuUCjuZyp0nWpDlLfeBf5da-cNI4ghSBcQCKIxfkNR/s400/garden+2008+064.jpg" border="0" />industrialpoppyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07114815888198065577noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3667234636008096356.post-70839448116722332482008-06-25T08:28:00.005-05:002008-12-09T11:08:42.396-06:00Summertime shopping - Cool ideas!Summer is officiallly here: flowers, patios, great food, friends and....that's right-shopping! If you're like me, I spend my money on things that make me happy. And there is a whole lotta happy over at <a href="http://www.etsy.com/">http://www.etsy.com/</a>, where you can find a mind boggling assortment of handmade products -everything from food products, clothing, and jewelry to furniture and objects d'art.<br /><br />(Ok, I'll admit it...I have been known to spend hours at a time perusing amazing sellers). Etsy is a kind of cyber warehouse for wonderful artists to sell their creations, using a standardized and user-friendly format. A great example of this is my Etsy shop to the right of this blog post-clicking on any of the items shown there will take you right to my etsy shop where you can purchase the items you like; or, by scrolling a little further down this page, you can see examples of other etsy sellers that are some of my favorites, and clicking on <em>those </em>images will take you to <em>their</em> shop. Fun huh?<br /><br />One of the other fun features is what is known as an etsy treasury: members choose 12 of their fav items (from their fav sellers) and compile them onto one page-to kind of showcase other peoples work. It is a great compliment to be chosen for a treasury, and it makes you feel great, like people really appreciate your pieces.<br /><br />I have been lucky enough to have been chosen for another treasury, by seller <a href="http://moyou.etsy.com/">http://moyou.etsy.com/</a>, click on her link to check out her amazing shop, check out her treasury below, and say hi to my "woolly mice"!<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5215820102131498722" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKXxfT2yly35DIF17rLtC_XmDKwOtERKKAMFh1-8dW2pHEXROnNGxs5CbyX2zqNlmk_yJJ0LGm4zYdssxC2XBhaoKbbrg2E4gCEs-NMuPuLgoF-Q8_e2vP8eYpBcY_px3Nde1-USNF98fP/s400/neutral+mice+treasury.png" border="0" />industrialpoppyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07114815888198065577noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3667234636008096356.post-54425926047740251612008-06-20T20:23:00.006-05:002008-12-09T11:08:42.723-06:00Lucky day!I have been known to say "I never win anything"-but no more! I was visiting one of my fav blogs <a href="http://nnairdas.blogspot.com/">http://nnairdas.blogspot.com</a> because I love what she has to say. She was running a contest (fun), which I entered not expecting to win (but also fun) and guess what? I won!(yay)<br />I won a book, which I love, but I wanted to share with everyone the beautiful way in which it was packaged and shipped to me-check out the pics:<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX3FPgkOx_2Txvr5UkbOqFu7mtHL8JKUxfkY6x9is0Uh3NnCWHxtHa9G47HpDIAes3eCSrRqF-Hxgr4uyX6eYCdZ_Qy1yRpUcPeH1WhY7rNv479zPVDM_RkLjR7-u0qGGNA5fjPWSAqC7O/s1600-h/garden+2008+036.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5214140868564858034" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX3FPgkOx_2Txvr5UkbOqFu7mtHL8JKUxfkY6x9is0Uh3NnCWHxtHa9G47HpDIAes3eCSrRqF-Hxgr4uyX6eYCdZ_Qy1yRpUcPeH1WhY7rNv479zPVDM_RkLjR7-u0qGGNA5fjPWSAqC7O/s320/garden+2008+036.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6kw3UjtaFD2oqLkpVMXyLoldRw1tsWpMbBxSaL2gIntydthEwzvXzmtYGqx_Rsjqmu2sUTKocRPjq8mlcTPVrbZLMlTXEvRZQjXL11Dn_sl1DhJqlvSGCAErHg4z5fARnJWx7EAbGtMyU/s1600-h/garden+2008+037.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5214140871261025986" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6kw3UjtaFD2oqLkpVMXyLoldRw1tsWpMbBxSaL2gIntydthEwzvXzmtYGqx_Rsjqmu2sUTKocRPjq8mlcTPVrbZLMlTXEvRZQjXL11Dn_sl1DhJqlvSGCAErHg4z5fARnJWx7EAbGtMyU/s320/garden+2008+037.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />It was such a treat to unwrap this gift that I just had to take a couple of fun pics. She used recycled materials and her skills at scrapbooking and cardmaking are wonderful as you can see. I certainly was reminded of the fact that I myself can do more in the way of preserving our planet, and do it beautifully. Give yourself a treat and check out her blog.industrialpoppyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07114815888198065577noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3667234636008096356.post-8916210446305711502008-06-18T20:25:00.001-05:002008-06-18T20:27:26.775-05:00Haha<a href="http://icanhascheezburger.com/2008/06/14/funny-pictures-o-hai-oh-crap/"><img class="mine_1259215" src="http://icanhascheezburger.wordpress.com/files/2008/06/funny-pictures-cat-hi-crap.jpg" alt="cat" /></a><br />more <a href="http://icanhascheezburger.com">cat</a> picturesindustrialpoppyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07114815888198065577noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3667234636008096356.post-27525993574194679722008-06-14T23:18:00.003-05:002008-12-09T11:08:43.627-06:001st peek at the garden!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhePzr7xCG0bAeMKAQIPk0oelprZKsrmVThUi-MgjWIp5ReVLU5WEAteWTX6njD4ikEiFoT-AOUagFEBrr8s0xmed6BKvgb8CiSSSIo5B6Defm-P99CwDAAgSstSUQcmlv_rmTSbsuAAuwg/s1600-h/garden+2008+019.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5211959035133411186" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhePzr7xCG0bAeMKAQIPk0oelprZKsrmVThUi-MgjWIp5ReVLU5WEAteWTX6njD4ikEiFoT-AOUagFEBrr8s0xmed6BKvgb8CiSSSIo5B6Defm-P99CwDAAgSstSUQcmlv_rmTSbsuAAuwg/s200/garden+2008+019.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>I've just had a week's worth of holidays, and while the weather was quite rainy for alot of it, there were still a few glorious days. And the garden is not only in, but starting to bloom in pockets as well. Here's the first peek:<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5211959015365735954" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY1mqtPZW_vckmC7ezhTAEePv7-JpkJYCGIduez9MRdqhHGsiDPa-1Kb5kMVvvjFwGpq-O5RhEGa-2-Zly7y1P-snBAndNBBFNCco4pxN02wFLLtYN-V-yQjZsErWhDXz6ydObYhdpvpww/s200/garden+2008+010.jpg" border="0" /></div><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5211959023648732274" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr_s5WIdeHpP4lZkdFu6siUDkTIwHpxP87CCBXSmEtAOeaGq_9_QUBcXmz5t8vj2VVeoCNb5ryFyym5y4mztJAsZYn2cwyLJWSumaOOcH2otxd_x5t9lxbmNGjmZRe2mAycyCRhKnT6g9k/s200/garden+2008+011.jpg" border="0" /> And this little guy, who I discovered nestled in the petunias. Once he realized what the pictures were for, he agreed to pose.<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5211959039503423842" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirdccrr9PeZ1p7wDPOq4Orih6JJvQqHSUr63NE_uNCVl-N7wUVK8Ssnshu36ZOnECakA4A3enjzfREAuGSNAP0KMZuYnn2AwL9m2IjhpGoBgk5pa4pJlBDB5x045qp2t8a1BSL5QwrHI0o/s200/garden+2008+001.jpg" border="0" />industrialpoppyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07114815888198065577noreply@blogger.com3