Kalaya Steede

Yes I know.  I have been off the blogger for awhile.  I swear I've been working!  ;) I have been busy trying to find my own path and I think I have finally found it. Ha!  A lot of "I"'s in that sentance.   So that being said, what exactly have I been doing? Participated in an Upcycle show at RHINO Gallery. In this show we were to use at least 75% recycled material.  This piece was  inspired by the 43 students of Ayotzinapa that were taken on September 27, 2014 and presumbly met a violent death at the hands of corrupt officials and a drug gang. . The initials of all 43 students were etched into the .38 caliber casing. I cried after comleting the piece.  It was so powerful to me. Ghosts   Designed and made earrings. Astro Earrings Sugar Skulls Did a commission. Comission Annnd made one big pendant. Louisiana Opal, sponge coral (grandma's), oxidized silver, 14KY, 22KY Am I having fun yet? ...

I have taken a long hiatus and am now just getting back into my normal routine  but this time without my studio mate Cosmo.   He passed away about a month ago while I was out of town and my heart literally broke into a thousand pieces.  I think my last post said I was busy taking care of him but no more.  So it has been hard for me to get back to work but I am trying.  His 16th birthday was last Friday.  I know he was old but sometimes you just cannot help but to think things will last forever when you know deep down that they really don't.  :'( So...I started off slow and finished a commission.  Next was to start and finish making Pagoda Earrings to go with a Kimono of mine.  I also made a few more for the Arts Market tomorrow here in New Orleans. Next on the list was to make some enamel earrings for the summer.   I think I will call them Lunar Gum Drops. Nice, simple, and cool whitish green earrings for the summe...

Lately I have been having a hard time at the bench.  I found myself becoming frustrated and actually questioning myself and my art.    Mardi Gras got in my way, Facebook got in my way,  and  I got in my way. I had to step away from the bench and Facebook and go back to the things that mattered to me.  Go back to the things that inspire me...nature, reading, meditating, listening, and seeing. I find that nature inspires me a lot with all its hidden geometry and so I collect pictures when I find it.  For example, this picture of green eggs on an old rusty metal rain gauge.  Merci  Strathbogie Ranges  for that picture. I thought green eggs would be a cool pendant  but  they turned out to be earrings just because  I got confused.   I had two projects going on at once (a pendant and some earrings).   If this is not proof of my inability to multitask I do not know what is?   Hahah...

Bonjour everyone!   It is Friday and Hobo decided to stay home to work today.  Yay! But that is not what I wanted to talk to you about. ☻ Have you all ever heard of Nancy Anderson? For those of you who do not know her, she is a collector of rusty things, dreamer, and an artist located in Colorado.   I admire her sense of humor and playfulness in her pieces.  Just take a look at all those delicious rings! Picture by Sweet Bird Studio One day I will have a ring of my own.  I especially like this one... Picture from Sweet Bird Studio My soul is drawn to it for two reasons.  Can you guess why? 1.  Skull...of course! AND 2.  New Orleans coin Oh...I digress.  Nancy has a new blog I wanted to tell you all about.  It is called Anglo Maiden  and it is about her journey out west.  Go check it out if it tickles your fancy.  Her art is off the charts! So what is on my agenda for today...