When I dream of an animal or come upon a particular animal repeatedly, I often look up the Native American meanings behind it.  It can be called "animal medicine" or "animal totem".  The idea is that animals have lessons to teach us and can help act as guides just by the way they are "being" in the world.  I recently created a custom journal with a turtle on it.  The recipient wants to use the journal to record his dreams in and told me that the turtle is important to him.  It made me curious as to what turtle medicine is all about.  Here is a little bit that I found:

Turtle symbolizes both new beginnings and endings. It is through the ending of something that allows space for something new to arise. This ending may be of an outer circumstance or a change or shift that occurs within ourselves.There may be a sense of loss or even grief over what has passed and yet it is through the energy of Turtle who is very long lived and thus very wise, that we can come to understand why something did need to leave our lives. Turtle can help lead us to that space where we can finally move on, to let go of what has been, celebrate it for the gifts it gave us and finally to turn and head for a new shore. 

You can find this information and more about turtle medicine here.

take it all one day at a time and enjoy the journey

 

I'm so excited to be the Kentucky Arts Council's featured artist for September! Being a part of KY Crafted has been really given me many fabulous connections and opportunities. They've been great!  You can view the porfolio they posted online here.

This refillable leather gig planner/journal was specifically designed for famous Flat-foot dancer Paul Anderegg.  He has used many planners and journals over the years during his workshops and performances, but none of them were able to meet all his needs.  This design was created to solve that problem.  It fits a 5 x 7 notebook or a 5 x 8 planner and can be refilled year after year.  It also has two business card holders, two pen holders, a wrist and finger holder feature, a place for storing CD/DVDs and a pocket for folded 8.5 x 11 loose papers.  It closes securely with a snap. The flap on the front can be used as a nameplate that you can either add your name or initials to or have me hand-stitch them.  It will be a perfect fit for speakers, teachers, performers, and musicians alike.    It is now available exclusively in Paul Anderegg's online store.  

Here is the newest community journal/sketchbook at Coffee Times Coffee House! You can find it on one of the tables.  Feel free to share your thoughts, a favorite quote, or create some sketches. It's 8.5 x 11 with 450 recycled pages and was created from a coffee bag from Coffee Times. Please enjoy when stopping by for a cup of java!

I received of an email from a Kristin, owner of Ephemera in Paducah, KY, telling me how one local artist bought a couple of my book necklaces as weddings gifts and then embellished them.  I love the idea, and they turned out SO BEAUTIFUL!!  Stefanie Elaine Graves of Cowango Studios took the two necklaces and had Ike, their local book artist, embellish them with the women's names.  She then chose stanzas from Wendell Berry's poem, "A Country of Marriage," which she illustrated with watercolor. She also added a beaded headpin to the leather strap on each to make it more decorative, and shared the photos below with me.  They are so lovely, and, hopefully, get your ideas flowing for the different ways that you can use these bitty books.   

Memory Book Ornaments are mini-books that you can actually write in and hang on your Christmas tree each year.  They are frequently used for writing little notes or memories in or for giving as gifts to book lovers, teachers, librarians, book club members, etc.  They come in two sizes with the larger size also having decorative beads.  They both have the whimsical swirly hook for hanging.  They come in a variety of colors.  If you are interested in some, please contact me or stop by one of my shows.  

This custom sketchbook was created from a discarded encyclopedia cover.  The textblock is recycled, acid-free paper that is hand-torn.  And, yes... there is a black ribbon added as a built-in bookmark.

This bright remnant leather was discovered by a customer who wanted to have some custom orders created for her out of it.  She has bought several of my products before, but decided that she wanted something for herself this time.  She loved the mixing of the aqua and purple, which we did a bit of on each of the pieces.  The refillable planner has leather flower on the front and also a small inside pocket for her post-it note booklet.  She obviously likes to keep ongoing lists like me!  The colors were so fun to work with, and we were both delighted by the outcome.

Here is her response:

"They came!! They came!!!! My oh my~~I LOVE THEM!!!! It's almost as if you read my mind. They are perfect. Thank you!!! ( and yes I will be keeping these for myself. ;) ) "

This Custom Leather Portfolio is for a dear customer who has bought from me multiple times for gifts, bought a few products for herself, and follows me at shows.  She is so supportive, and always makes it fun when she wants a custom piece made.  This portfolio is for her as she embarks on a new job.  She wanted a mix of blues with a pop of yellow inside.  We added the business card holder inside as well, which turned out to be the perfect addition.

These are a couple of custom leather journals that I made for a lady and her friend.  It was fun to work with her to get the colors and details exactly like she wanted.  What isn't shown is a letter to her friend on the first page of the journal that she was giving to her friend.  Here is here response:

"They are here, they are here! My journals are absolutely gorgeous! You do amazing work, Melissa! Thank you so much... they are worth every penny! When I met you at your first show, I knew then, that you would have great success.  Congratulations to you and the wonderful artist you have become. Thanks again-- I'm sure I will have future orders!"

This journal was created specifically for an adventuring, outdoor-loving, dancing, free-spirited man.  He wanted it rugged, extra thick, and with lined pages.  This book has close to 300 pages and will be assisting him on many traveling adventures and teaching/speaking endeavors.

The 2013 Refillable leather planners are now on sale for $35.  I've only got a small batch left, and then I will be moving on to 2014 planners.  These are 3.5 x 6.25 inches, which is a great size for carrying around.  Larger sizes are available as custom orders.  These planners have both a weekly and monthly view and come with a pen that fits fabulously in the inside pen holder.  2014 refills will be $14 and should be available in early August.  You can purchase one of these 2013 planners here.

 This was a fun one to create!  One of my neighbors, who is also an artist, had me create this rugged, manly journal for her husband for their 1st year wedding anniversary.  She had just found out that he kept notes throughout the day in a little notebook of things that he wanted to remember to share with her.  She surprised him with this gorgeous, earthy journal.  Here is what she had to say:

"Thank you, Melissa, for making this gorgeous journal for Ron for our first anniversary! Now he has a place to write down all those things he wants to remember to tell me. And he recently acquired tiny little journals that his grandfather and father kept. So this turned out to be perfect!"

Beautiful day at an orchard on the Blue Ridge Parkway in Spruce Pine, NC!
Best view ever hands down!!!

This custom rugged leather bird journal was created in collaboration with a customer who asked simply for a large, earthy journal that had a flying bird on it.  She left the details up to me, and this was what came of it.  I loved these colors together, and it reminded me of this poigenet Rumi quote:

“God turns you from one feeling to another and teaches by means of opposites
so that you will have two wings to fly, not one.” ― Rumi

“Love is the ultimate outlaw. It just won't adhere to any rules. The most any of us can do is to sign on as its accomplice. Instead of vowing to honor and obey, maybe we should swear to aid and abet. That would mean that security is out of the question. The words "make" and "stay" become inappropriate. My love for you has no strings attached. I love you for free.”

― Tom Robbins, Still Life With Woodpecker

This is a custom leather wedding guestbook that is being given as a gift to the bride and groom. It was created from remnant leather, has hand-stitched initials, and closes with a handmade glass bead.  The quote on the first inside page was chosen by the couple: "This is no ordinary love."

Dance is the manifestation of the soul. –Isadora Duncan

This is a custom journal that my previous ballet professor is gifting to another dance professor.
How much fun is that!!

Here is a medium refillable notebook that is being given as a gift. The hand-stitched initials on the tree are the couple's initials and the monogram on the flap is the recipient's.  I first used the idea of putting initials on the tree trunk for my dear friend as a wedding gift.  I gave it to her long before the wedding so that she could write the story of their engagement and reflect on moments leading up to the wedding. I love how it turned out!