Our Hopeful Home: Sunday's Featured Artist: Lani Kent

Last night I came across the blog of a multi-talented artist named Lani Kent, http://www.artistlanikent.blogspot.com/. Her blog, entitled "Healing Expressions," showcases some of her talents and philosophy. The keyword here is "healing." According to her profile, Lani is a Therapeutic Arts Facilitator and Mixed Media Artist. She tries to help people heal from their ills by creating and sharing her original art that is full of sentiments of hope and healing.

She states that her passion is creating original art in the form of mixed media collage, assemblage, altered books, altered art blocks, altered art dangles, jewelry and other artful surprises. You can also check out her website at http://www.healingexpressionsbylani.com/. She has an Ebay store and an Etsy site at http://www.healingexpressions.etsy.com/. I found all of her art to be inspiring, but I really loved her inspirational charm bracelets. You should check them out.

On another note, can anyone believe that the stores are full of Christmas music and decorations already? I figure if they can do it, so can I. Soooooo, here is my latest Christmas pendant necklace.

This is not the picture I wanted but it's the best I could do. The square epoxy pendant is on a 24" antiqued brass chain with a toggle clasp. On the pendant is the picture of a female Santa with angel's wings and she's holding a shining star. I love the vintage look and feel of it. I hope to create some charm bracelets with similar, albeit smaller, epoxy Christmas charms.

For now, I've created a more traditional Christmas charm bracelet. The 7" silver plated bracelet is made up of 14 charms, all with tiny red, green or clear sparkling gems. I especially love the large red bauble charms.

There's also a few Ho-ho-ho's, knit cap, gloves and scarf, reindeer, snowman and the quintessestial Nutcracker. I had fun putting it together. Le me know where you get Christmas charms. Send me some pictures of your Christmas jewelry. Perhaps a jewelry challenge is in order? Any ideas for a Christmas charm bracelet challenge? Please comment and let me know -- I'd love to try!

Time to go and get ready for the week ahead. Or should I say get the family schedule in order for the week ahead? There's chess club, third grade book projects, parent/teacher conferences, doctor's appointments, field trips, volunteer time at the kids' schools, Irish dance lessons and religious education. I'm sure that I'm forgetting something. But that's okay. It's pretty much all I need for right now. Ciao.

"We live by faith, not by sight."

- 2 Corinthians 5:7