I have to admit I love Trader Joe's. But I have a problem with their over packaging. The next problem is I live in a small house and I am trying to keep it from turning into an office and studio not a home. I went looking for nice boxes to store things like letters and craft stuff. Everything was so expensive and looked like it was for an office, which made sense since it is for an office.

THE SOLUTION I am using the boxes from TJ's to make things for my home. A little bit of Mod Podge (glue), beads, fabric, paint and least I forget Gesso and walla I have something recycled and I have solved both problems

Making these boxes have been an experiment in not buying anything. I have used only things in my craft and quilting stashes.

This particular box is for putting in the mail in. Birds and mail seem to go together, at least it works for me.

Taking a jewelry making class

I decided to take a jewelry making class. But first I will start to how I got there.

I have been an artist and a craftsman using fiber most of my life. Sometimes I make quilts as a craft for the sake of beauty, and often I express myself using fiber or quilting as an art. I also have done a bit of jewelry. However, I have had an allergic reaction to the metals, so I had to stop. SOO, I was diagnosed with Celiac Disease and began to eat gluten free about 1.5 years ago. Well as a bonus some of my allergies disappeared, yes they are gone!

Now, I pulled some books out of the library and went to The Bead Factory in Tacoma. When I was there I decided to take a class called All Wired Up with Mark Lareau. It included his book: All Wired Up A BeadWork How to Book. The class was wonderful and the book is so easy to follow and learn from. Also the gallery is just a wonderful inspiration. Now all the books are going back and I am busy perfecting my workmanship. I was so busy I didn't have any time to take any pictures. Sorry.

For anybody living in the Northwest this is a class I recommend if you are interested in making jewelry. One of the students in the class was even an experienced jewelry maker and she was so glad that she took the class. Mark is not only a talented craftsman but also a great teacher and author.

FREE GILAD

Wow it is finally after the holidays. I started work in Best Buy, underemployed once again. Fortunately I work with a decent group of people. I discovered that I am not the oldest person working in the store. I get to help people buy computers and stuff for them. Nobody seems to think that I have an accent. Where did it go?

Anyways, I have been quiet about the events in the Middle East. No I have not been ignoring it I just have been processing what has been going on. Hamas is turning the Gaza Strip to a fundamentalist regime. Meanwhile the modern country of Israel seems to flounder at what to do. How do you stop the direction and build for peace when the other side attacks and them uses their own people as human shields. Then they use the pictures as propaganda? I am sure that attacking Gaza is not a war crime, that Israel has the right to defend itself. However it is immoral, because war is immoral. It can only be used for defense. However there is no defense when the other side has no scruples and they use modern technology and death of their own to achieve their goals.

No, I do not have any answers but we must start looking for them. If we attack we will not achieve anything. Goldstone's report doesn't take into consideration 8 years of rockets being fired on Israel.

We shouldn't be manipulated by Hamas in their thirst for blood

The search for hand made Judaica continues

I love Judaica. I also think that it should be hand made. I want to encourage Jews all over the world to appreciate artwork expressing who we are. Hand made art in general not only Judaica is also important. Human creativity is something that should be appreciated in all forms, I just happen to love art, and I am Jewish.

Over the last few years I have found the need to express my Jewish self in my art. I have today looked for other artists and lovers of art. I found the most interesting blog. Somebody that has a blog for Judaica. She call herself DrMom. Her blog is called JudaicaJournal and I am hooked!

This art quilt says Jerusalem of Gold. Another name for our cherished city Jerusalem You can find it on Artfire

So today I begin my day at Best Buy as an employee. I am so sorry that I am by profession a teacher. I am so sorry to my children that I picked a profession with so little opportunity, that I must work retail. I cannot give them the things I would like to.

Thank you to Best Buy for giving me this job. I have no plans of right now how to get back to Israel though I know that is what I want to do.

This is another piece with Mirrium. On the back is the same quote from Exodus.

And Mirrium the prophetess, the sister of Aaron, took a timbrel in her hand; and all the women went out after her with timbrels and with dances. Exodus Beshelach 20

This one stands up so it doesn't have to be framed. It is sold! I hope the family is enjoying it as much as I enjoyed making it.

I have this picture of Mirrium going forward dancing. I have done several pieces with this quote and a silhouette of a women dancing with her hands up. This really means a lot to me. I hope tomorrow I can go to work with a positive attitude, after all I do love to use technology.

I also sooo miss Israel. I had no idea that I would still be here 6 years later!

And Mirrium the prophetess, the sister of Aaron, took a timbrel in her hand; and all the women went out after her with timbrels and with dances.

Exodus Beshelach 20

So I try again to start a blog. I do not know yet where I am going with this. Right now this is just a summary of where I am in my life.

I finally will start to work at Best Buy. After several unfortunate delays. Once again I join the ranks of the under-employed. I am trying to feel happy anyways. At least I am working.

The big question how in the world did I find myself in America! Why in the world am I broke and not in Israel. Can I finally sell my art, since teaching, or working in my profession is not going to happen. I will try to explore these issues here. If not to others at least to myself.