Skeleton Key to my Heart

I'm often asked what the key I wear around my neck belongs to. Honestly, I really wish I knew. If I could uncover the stories behind all of these keys, I can only just imagine how it might make for a fantastic adventure novel.

As it is, all I can say is that I found these relics at a lower-Haight garage sale. Actually, just about all of the materials for these necklaces were rummaged from various garage sales; including the chains, ribbons and buttons.

They were inspired by necklaces I saw at a crafts fair hosted by Thee Parkside sometime last year. I made them for three different, very special lady friends (one of whom is my 19-year-old sister) as birthday presents.

I also made one for myself. Sorta like a friendship bracelet, I suppose. Somehow we're all connected, though I wouldn't say it's through jewelry...

Compact disks are useful after all

Compact disks may be going the way of cassettes, but that just means they're getting cooler, right? Or at least, for all uses besides the cataloging of music. I mean, maybe girls dressed in garish flower-print, combat boots and leather jackets will start making necklaces out of them. They are a symbol of the 90s, after all...

Photo courtesy of Phillip Maisel

But all of that aside! This creation was inspired by a video exhibit at the Contemporary Art Museum in Chicago. Really, what could be more magical (and surprisingly harmonious) than a disco ball in the forest? Especially if it's made out of recycled CDs! We had to try it out.

Created by Ropka and myself, this is a Styrofoam craft ball (from Pearl) covered in cut-up pieces of old CDs. If you dip them in hot water first, they're a lot easier to chop. Also, use hot glue!

When you ask for homemade, you get homemade

Last year my mom lamented the fact that I never make her anything. As I child, I used to make her gifts all the time, but somehow I could always feel her critical eye examining my creations in search of flaws. So I stopped.

In any case, I decided to give it another try.

This necklace was inspired by one I saw at Blue Bird on Pierce St. It is composed of braided silk, beads, a button and thread.

Living in the ocean

Sometimes San Francisco doesn't feel like California at all. Sometimes it doesn't even feel like you're on land. As Rob likes to point out: "It's like we're living in the ocean."

I made this mobile for Rob - as a birthday present. I think it adds an extra dimension to the fog.


Some of the yarn came from Goodwill, some from Scrap, and the rest was purchased at Cliff's Variety on Castro. The squid and jellyfish were patterns of my own making, while the octopus and sea vegetable were taken from Wunderkammer patterns found at the Curiosity Shoppe.

I collected the branches in the woods of Rogue River, Oregon (in my sister's backyard) and sanded them by hand. The crochet needles were given to me by my dear, lovely Grandmother, who likes to talk about the weather.

From Mt. Tam to your very own 'Ball' jar

This terrarium was created with real moss and acorns collected on Mt. Tamalpais, dried flowers from Xapno, and an old 'Ball' brand canning jar from your Grandma's garage. The Pegasus was discovered on the street, seemingly abandoned and lonely. Now it has a new home.