Laura's jewelry, mosaics, gourds, and wings of life.

Ireland

2011-10-02T05:14:00.000-07:00

Loved my trip of a lifetime! Ireland was so fabulous and filled me with endless inspiration. The Dingle coast, Bunratty Castle, a megalithic tomb near the Burren and a ruin from the cemetery in which John O'Donohue is buried, are some of my favorites photos from over the 400 that I took. Ireland is such a beautiful country filled with lovely people.

new from Laura Rodgers Designs...

2011-07-28T14:41:00.001-07:00

Hello!
New necklaces and a mosaic tray I recently finished. The tray is 15"x 22" and certainly functional.
The necklace on the left is antique bronze. The one on the right has silver and antique silver pieces with quite a chunky chain. You can enlarge the pictures by clicking on them.
These items are all available for sale. If you are interested in any of them, please email me. Thanks much! LR

Antique Hat Pins

2011-07-28T14:32:00.000-07:00

I recently finished restoring this collection of beautiful antique hat pins. They had many stones missing along with mother-of-pearl pieces. It was both a challenge and joy making them whole again. They are amazingly long and large for hat pins. I believe the reason being so that in addition to sliding through the hat, they would also hold quite a bit of hair, probably worn in a bun. Here's hoping Kelly and her Grandmother will enjoy and treasure them more than ever!

Mirror mirror in the garden...?

2011-07-20T19:50:00.000-07:00

Certainly not my best photography to date but I was able to capture these pieces before I brought them to Terrie's Harvest Moon Gallery in Green Lake Wisconsin.
. The large mirror with the wrought iron frame has mookah jasper petals on the flower and some mother of pearl pieces in it.
The sun mirror has a variety of unique silver beads in it's rays.
With those gone time to start some new pieces!

Springtime glory

2011-05-19T08:23:00.000-07:00

It's here! My favorite season. Even though it leaves a lot to be desired weather-wise, I love the glory of everything changing green and the precious spring flowers. My beloved garden pictured here that I dream about all winter. Through the bad weather I keep busy never-the-less doing mosaics, jewelry and an array of other arts and crafts.

Springtime necklaces

2011-03-12T19:10:00.000-08:00

Time to start blooming! I created these statement necklaces using vintage enamel earrings and brooches. When worn they are sure to be a head turner if not a conversation starter.
Custom ones can be made using your pieces, just let me know.

Stones. beads and chain

2011-02-25T19:12:00.001-08:00

A couple of trays I've done using a variety of materials. I love using larger pieces as the focal points.

Awesome! I'm listed as a "favorite" artist on CLC's ARTcetera news!

2010-11-18T14:34:00.000-08:00

20th Annual Holiday Art Sale

Join us Friday November 20 through Tuesday November 23 for the 20th Annual Holiday Art Sale. Some of your favorite artists will be in attendance including Laura Rodgers - jewelry and Feng-Hua Cheng - ceramics. New this year are performances by the CLC Singers - sure to get you into the holiday mood.

recent custom work

2010-08-03T19:15:00.000-07:00

Here's some pictures of my two most recent commissions.
I created the colonial tree piece for a back splash. It was installed over a cook top for a kitchen in Texas.
The mosaic mirror was a bit of a challenge as the theme is peacock feathers. Dyed blue agates, colbalt glass marbles and brass findings seem to fit the bill. Shell pieces create the ferns. I spent quite a bit of time on the back round. Happily I finished it by circling the feathers with halos of red and gold and a trail of green.
Red seems to be the color of choice for most of the custom work I've done. I really like it with the gold and green.

been busy !

2010-07-22T18:12:00.001-07:00

Ready to roll... three finished boxes. I also finished a small table and commissioned mirror which I'll post later. I really should get back to the lamp I started in January!

ARTcerta post

2010-07-21T18:37:00.000-07:00

I tried a link from Artcetra's blog to mine. You have to click on the heading below to see the post on my necklaces. Give it a try!

CLC ARTcetera NEWS: Statement Necklaces by Laura Rodgers

2010-07-21T17:59:00.000-07:00

CLC ARTcetera NEWS: Statement Necklaces by Laura Rodgers: "New in ARTcetera: Statement Necklaces by Laura Rodgers of Lake Villa, IL. The 'it' accessory of the moment, these re-purposed vintage jewel..."

H a r v e s t M o o n

2010-06-23T11:16:00.000-07:00

That's my stuff in the window and my dear beasley friend Terrie! Harvest Moon is located in Green Lake Wisconsin. The three sister's building also has Sunrise Property Management and Open Trunk Resale. Be sure to visit if you're up that way. It's a great little gallery!
T

S P R I N G time in the B A R N

2010-04-21T08:56:00.000-07:00

So busy these beautiful Spring days getting ready for my Spring show. In addition to creating new jewelry, gourd art and mosaics I also have seasonal floral, home decor , yard art and lots of other creations. I love to create different displays and have some new ideas for the yard. All are welcome and feel free to email me for more info if you are interested in attending.

latest pieces

2010-04-02T17:49:00.000-07:00

A tray, another rooster, a mirror and every mosaic artist must do a guitar. It was my son's and actually it's not 100% completed. These items minus the guitar are for sale and will be at my next show. Please contact me if you are interested purchasing any of them, or are looking for a custom mosaic.

anticipation

2010-02-16T19:15:00.000-08:00

Like everyone else in the Midwest I yearn for warm weather and all it's glory. A stroll to my pond brings me to a very peaceful state and reminds me of what is on the horizon.

The purple flower mosaic is on a wooden box. The other mosaic fit in so well with the ornamental cabbage when I photographed it.

recently sold

2009-12-22T15:36:00.000-08:00

Just a few pieces that I recently sold. The leaf tray was one of my favorite pieces. I put a patina on it and the mint green glass mirrored it. I think I'm going to do another rooster. I still have some coral pieces I used in him. I 'm starting another lamp and a guitar too.

gourd puppets

2009-11-21T17:38:00.000-08:00

It's the top from a gourd, combined with mini-gourds & seeds. The first one is a mouse... "Hickory Dickory Dock." The pumpkin patch has a dried pumpkin stem for a handle. The haunted house/ witch one received a 1st ribbon at the IGS gourd show. Out of the forest pops the snowman! Please click to enlarge the photos... they didn't come out too well.

TRICK or TREAT

2009-10-26T09:15:00.000-07:00

I'm back! After a two month break from blogging I'm ready to post again. Going back to work, doing two big shows, dealing with a virus on my computer and being a grandma has kept me away.
Pictures here of some of my fall mosaics. I gave most of them have a wire on top for easy hanging on a door or wall. They were a blast to do!
Coming soon... gourds!

here I gourd again

2009-08-16T19:06:00.000-07:00

ok summer as I know it is just about over..sorry to say the three months we totally yearn for flew by and will soon become mere memories. September brings the gourd show. In less than a month I will at the Chicago Botanical Gardens
participating in the IGS gourd show. It's a fabulous show to see as growers, artists and supplies gather all in honor of well... gourds! I'ts truly amazing to see unique works of art on mother nature's unique canvas.
These are gourds I have done in the past. I will be posting my new creations when I get out of summer vacation mode and FINISH them.. well hey..that won't be too long!

what was it?

2009-07-26T22:52:00.000-07:00

Artists tend to see things in a different light. I find using unexpected things in my work brings them even more uniqueness. Here I have a clock key necklace and a cheeseboard frog mosaic. It's very rewarding to create something very different from something that was useless or ordinary.

jewelry day

2009-07-19T18:45:00.000-07:00

two more

2009-07-03T18:35:00.000-07:00

This froggy piece kept me going as I added/changed it a few times and still was not pleased with it. Oh well it happens.
The mirror piece is quite large. It has 3 fern fossils under the mirror. I love fern fossils and also have made jewelry with them. The frame is so pretty! I gave it a green verdigris patina. Both pieces are now in the gallery. Whew! I'm now on to finishing some gourds and writing up some project designs for necklaces. I'd like to do some gardening too but the mosquitoes are now in full force!

it's almost July!

2009-06-28T14:34:00.001-07:00

OK! I have been quite a busy girl. The Antioch Art Foundation and gallery has one or two featured artists in their white room every month. I'm on for July! I'll be sharing the exhibit with a friend of mine Barbara, who does wonderful painting. We will have an artist's opening reception on July 10th .
I've posted four of my newest mosaics with two left to grout. I also have several gourds and pieces of jewelry to finish by Wednesday. Nothing like burning the midnight oil!

gardening gives gifts in many ways

2009-06-13T20:21:00.001-07:00

Ahhh summer! Gardening is such a wonderful and rewarding past time. I so enjoy cutting flowers and arranging them in various ways. I used lots of greens in these arrangements including hosta leaves, mug wort leaves and artemisa. The vases are cobalt blue which is hard to tell by the pictures. I believe fresh flowers should be enjoyed every day and not just used for special occasions. Let's bring them on!. . . (and in!) and that said, once again ...John O Donohue...

The earth is our origin and destination. The ancient rhythms of the earth have insinuated themselves into the rhythms of the human heart. The earth is not outside us; it is within; the clay from where the tree of the body grows. When we emerge from our offices, rooms and houses, we enter our natural element. We are children of the earth: people to whom the outdoors is home. Nothing can separate us from the vigour and vibrancy of this inheritance. In contrast to our frenetic, saturated lives, the earth offers a calming stillness. Movement and growth in nature takes it's time. The patience of nature enjoys the ease of trust and hope. There is something in our clay nature that needs to continually experience this ancient, outer ease of the world. It helps us remember who we are and why we are here.
from ___ Beauty The invisible Embrace ___

Tilling, planting and picking gifts from the earth has always made me feel quite spiritual.

jewelry today

2009-06-10T18:52:00.000-07:00

a passage from the book___ Beauty___ by John O'Donohue
The imagination has no patience with repetition. The old cliche's of explanation and meaning are unmasked and their trite transparency no longer offers shelter. We become interested in what might be rather than what has always been. Experimentation, adventure and innovation lure us towards new horizons. What we never thought possible now becomes an urgent and exciting pathway.

Love it!!!!

Posted here are two of my jewelry pieces with agate stones. The necklace has a small gourd piece I decorated and added as part of the design.

mosaic surfaces

2009-05-24T19:00:00.000-07:00

Amongst the many surfaces I have adhered glass to are a sink and bar top. These two are the biggest pieces I have taken on.
The bar was commissioned by a couple wanting martini glasses in the design. I did them in mirror with geometric mirror pieces in the rest of the design and mirror in the border. The reflection of the mirror from their ceiling lights gives added ambiance to the room.
A river flows through the copper sink complete with river rock. A few agate stones were added to the botanicals along with a handful of freshwater pearls. A pump-like facet completes this vanity top that I created for my own powder room.

yard art

2009-05-20T08:23:00.000-07:00

joyful work

2009-05-18T18:55:00.000-07:00

This weekend I opened my studio to the public. Antioch Fine Arts Foundation sponsored "Studio Tour." I had some visitors and gladly showed them my work and art in progress. Today I happily returned to my teaching job after being off my feet for two weeks after having foot surgery. Thinking a lot about my "work" I remembered one of my favorite poems which happens to be about work and felt the need to re-read it. I decided to post it here to share with you. I hope you enjoy it.
A Blessing
May the light of your soul guide you.
May the light of your soul bless the work you do with the secret love and warmth of your heart.
May you see in what you do the beauty of your own soul.
May the sacredness of your work bring healing, light, and renewal to those who work with you and to those who see and receive your work.
May your work never worry you.
May it release within you wellsprings of refreshment, inspiration, and excitement.
May you present in what you do.
May you never become lost in the bland absences.
May the day never burden.
May dawn find you awake and alert, approaching your new day with dreams, possibilities, and promises.
May evening find you gracious and fulfilled.
May you go into the night blessed, sheltered, and protected.
May your soul calm, console, and renew you.

John O'Donohue from__ Anam Cara A Book of Celtic Wisdom__

Save it!

2009-05-12T18:22:00.000-07:00

When working with gourds I save everything but the "guts." Tops of gourds can be flipped over and fitted into candle stands for quite unusual candle holders. I do a lot of gourd bowls and like the challenge of finding a stand for the top. Usually I use a glass holder with a tea light for the candle part.

I've posted a few pieces of gourd jewelry.
It was natural for me to make gourd jewelry as I've been doing jewelry for so long. Mini gourds are good for earrings and necklaces. I design, cut, paint, and woodburn gourd pieces to collage into pins and necklaces. While I don't have any on this post the gourd seeds are a nice addition to gourd jewelry and on other pieces of gourd art and they make interesting earrings.

moments of May mosaics

2009-05-06T17:44:00.000-07:00

Today I'm posting a few of my recent mosaic pieces. I enjoyed combining stones, beads & jewelry pieces in the vase & tray. The flower like piece is a lazy susan. Doing the photography in a spring garden is the best.

Jami's magic

2009-04-23T17:27:00.000-07:00

My friend Jami did a photo shoot of some of my art work. We had a great time setting stuff up and even got our shoes all muddy. She does wonderful work and is a sweetheart!

movement

2009-04-05T15:29:00.000-07:00

on the path to combining some winding photos just for fun...

gazing

2009-04-01T21:12:00.000-07:00

it's all in your gaze, your personal interpretation of how you look at things.. look closely, savor life and moments of meaning

Pumpkin Coach

2009-03-26T18:06:00.000-07:00

Cinderella changed her ride from a "pumpkin coach" to a "gourd buggy." I created this using two apple gourds and an ornamental gourd. The wheels were cut from the second apple gourd , soaked and flattened using clamps. The top is the ornamental gourd. I made it for a competition but am considering making a few more for the Il Gourd Society State show which will be held at the Chicago Botanical Gardens in September.

Friday Fairy

2009-03-13T19:26:00.000-07:00

Everyone needs a little pretend now and then

Tropical feeling

2009-03-01T09:07:00.000-08:00

H
Here's a tropical mirror I created for someone who loves Hawaii. Her favorite color is red. This was one of my first mosaic commisions.

Gourd Group

2009-03-01T09:05:00.000-08:00

greenhouse jewelry

2009-02-20T17:46:00.000-08:00

Today I discovered that the best place to photograph my jewelry is in my greenhouse window. The natural lighting, plants and outdoor scenery create a fitting backdrop for my work. The terracotta bird that accompanies my plants was right at home next to the agate bird necklace. Along with the pins, I photographed one of my embellished mirror compacts. The bottom picture is a tree/bird/ agate necklace. If you click on any of the pictures they will enlarge.

Harmony

2009-02-08T18:03:00.000-08:00

Harmony was what came to mind as I posted these two pieces . The designs flowed naturally and with ease. The work very enjoyable.
The definition of harmony is as follows: Just adaptation of parts to each other, giving unity or a pleasing whole: agreement; congruity.
Surely the right title!

butteryfly release

2009-02-04T16:34:00.000-08:00

feeling flighty today!

Widgets - Eat the View: The White House Organic Garden Campaign

2009-02-01T07:46:00.001-08:00

Widgets - Eat the View: The White House Organic Garden Campaign

Posted using ShareThis
I found a link to sign a petition to urge the White House to grow a victory garden. Check it out! I thought this fit in nicely with my previous post.

Focus on Flowers

2009-01-31T20:28:00.000-08:00

The earth smiles in flowers.. Say it with flowers. We use flowers in so many ways. Practical ways include medicinal, beauty products, perfume, tea and some are even edible.
In Victorian times flowers were used to convey feelings that were often left unsaid. The symbolic language of flower meanings is known as floriography. Certain flowers have different meanings. My orchid pictured here would mean mature charm, beauty and love.
The etymology of flower names gets a bit more complicated. Botanical names are a combination of Greek and Latin. Common flower names comes from a variety of sources . Some are named in honor of someone. Others are descriptive depicting the size color or shape of the flower or plant.
Of course most of us just enjoy flowers for their visual pleasure and ability to bring joy to each other.

Frog Vacation

2009-01-26T18:37:00.000-08:00

It's always been amazing to me that if you put in a pond or water garden eventually frogs will
find it. ( If you build it they will come. )I really like these slippery, fun, amphibians. I have countless frog statues and pots in my garden and greenhouse. Quite often I use them as a subject in my art work. Hmmmm...I have a frog sketch I've been hanging on to, maybe I'll start a new mosaic today!

Victory Garden

2009-01-24T10:59:00.000-08:00

President Obama said in his inauguration speech that we need to "pick ourselves up and dust ourselves off." It made me think of one of my friends who is caught up in tough times without a job. She has been brainstorming with a realtor to take a highly visible piece of land and create victory gardens. Interested gardeners would pay a modest fee to grow a garden. Her vision includes helping the needy with excess food and having a vegetable stand on site. Something to think about at the time of the year when most gardeners enjoy curling up in a a sunny corner to ponder over seed catalogs and garden books.
Years ago I had a good yard to grow vegetables. This is a picture of it with my daughter trying to get a better look at that sunflower. Let's all hope that the seeds have been planted for all Americans to turn their heads to the sun.

12/25/09 I read today that there is talk of a possible victory garden on the White House lawn. Not only would it be a practical idea, it would also be a very symbolic one.

Beautiful Ice & Water

2009-01-20T18:20:00.000-08:00

These pictures are from two different lakes in Wisconsin. They were taken in late March . A Spring thaw is always a welcome sight. These photos give me the feeling of being on the edge. Being on the edge can be a good thing as it means a change is on the horizon. Whether it be Spring, a new venture, or even a new way to gaze upon your world, may it bring beauty, to you, today.

bracelets too!

2009-01-20T18:10:00.000-08:00

pics of some of my bracelets...the turquoise ones are quite large but make quite a statement

Garden walk

2009-01-11T18:23:00.000-08:00

Ahhh garden photos are in order today to combat cold and snow. I took these in my yard. When creating the water lily tray I used an expanded color palette of glass.

Laura's jewelry designs

2008-12-30T20:55:00.000-08:00

Here are some jewelry designs and mosaics. In many of my mosaics I incorporate jewelry supplies such as beads stones and fossils. New work to come soon!

Mosaics too!

2008-12-30T20:28:00.000-08:00

These past few years I've broken a little glass and have worked on mosaic pieces such as this one. I sold this one in March 2008 at the Antioch Fine Art Foundation gallery, in Antioch Il. Visit their website to learn more about this gallery and organization.
www.antiochfinearts.org

Autumn sunset

2006-03-06T16:55:00.000-08:00

help! They didn't want me in the pumpkin patch!!!

2006-01-29T20:30:00.000-08:00

YES!!

2006-01-25T16:57:00.000-08:00

blooms

2006-01-14T14:43:00.000-08:00

flowers and fairies

2006-01-13T15:13:00.000-08:00

love and peace

2006-01-12T16:52:00.000-08:00

and I think to myself.. what a wonderful world... a little less chaos.. a little more kindness... let happiness arise.. as the sun starts a new day we too shall do the same

outofthebarn 2006

2006-01-12T16:41:00.000-08:00

Hi,
Welcome to my blog. I'm here pre-website. I hope to share my ideas and work with anyone who is interested.
Peace and love to you,
Laura