Con Fidé

Kenya in February - 3 Fold Mission

2009-11-06T07:21:00.000-08:00

I'm planning my next trip to Kenya for the month of February and it seems to be turning into a trip with a 3-fold mission! 1. Glass Apprenticeship at Kitengela 2. Music Therapy research in Nairobi

3. Square Foot gardening on Lamu Island.

2009-11-06T07:09:00.000-08:00

I'm going to start volunteering at Urban Glass this winter and spring. I think it will be inspiring and educational to spend time in a glass studio and around glass artists. So far I've taken two bead classes there and both were phenomenal. I'm currently learning how to draw on glass with glass. Needless to say, it is so hard but so fun at the same time. I feel like I'm 5 years old again, learning how to trace my letters. The brain-hand connection is just fascinating!

2009-08-07T09:42:00.000-07:00

A bunch of us from the Relief Society went up to a farm in Connecticut last weekend to pick peaches. It was wasn't exactly my plan but I actually picked about 30 lbs of blueberries as well and I don't regret a minute of it! My freezer is once again busting at the seams. Once home, we canned up the peaches in my hot & steamy kitchen and it only took us about 8 hours! It will be well worth it come that early-fall, dutch oven cobbler that's on the brain...

2009-07-14T11:37:00.000-07:00

I am dying over here. I've got a yearning to work with glass that won't leave me alone. In the past I've hesitated to get into the art of glass blowing because it seems intimidating, expensive, and extremely involved. But, I have a craving that won't go away. I want to work with recycled glass like they do at Kitengela and learn the art of glass blowing and Dalle De Ver. I want to be excellent at it. I want to create tableware of all kinds and housewares such as doorknobs, drawer pulls, light fixtures, lamps, sinks, windows, staircases, and even walls. I want to keep making beads as well to incorporate into my silversmithing work. And speaking of silversmithing and yearnings, I have GOT to get my in-home studio set up asap. I'm overflowing with ideas that are screamin' to get out!!!

2009-06-30T08:07:00.000-07:00

Missing Kenya....a lot...it's in my heart and I feel a tugging

2009-06-24T13:46:00.001-07:00

Joined the Park Slope Food Coop today! Very excited. Absolutely no genetically modified foods. Yippee!

2009-06-22T13:17:00.000-07:00

Check it out. My very talented little sister, Roxy made these cake toppers. Are they to die for or what? She made a scene for my 35th birthday of a cute Swedish girl in the woods. Get to know her better at romawinkel.blogspot.com

2009-06-22T12:28:00.000-07:00

I am becoming very inspired by our history of the Women's Land Army. I love how they saw a need, quickly rose to the occasion and took care of it. Women are brilliant!

2009-06-22T06:21:00.001-07:00

Just saw Food, Inc. this weekend. It's about where our food comes from. Please find where it's playing and go see it. As consumers we have the power to say what we will eat and where it will come from. It simply boils down to awareness and education. Oh and by the way, you can watch the trailer on YouTube or at www.apple.com/trailers/

2009-06-19T07:08:00.000-07:00

Yee-haw!! Putting the hammock up in the backyard this weekend. A nice little finishing touch I'd say. Looking forward to having families over for bbqs and seeing how many kids can pile on and get it swingin'!!

2009-06-18T12:21:00.000-07:00

Just got this book in the mail. It's really fantastic. Tons of classic, unusual and old time recipes, lots of pictures and stories about legend pie makers. The author lives in North Carolina...sigh...and wins blue ribbons for her pies in State fairs. I'm inspired.

2009-06-18T09:16:00.000-07:00

All this rain is making me want to cry. After a long, cold winter and spring it isn't welcome anymore. My body and mind is confused. It's pushing into the end of June and summer activities should be up n' running. But no, I just find myself curled underneath a down comforter every morning, feeling like I didn't get enough sleep and slipping into dreams of hybernation...???

2009-06-17T13:38:00.000-07:00

Lenz's Deli is just around the corner from work. The owner and I are buds and he hooks me up from time to time with goodies. Today I went in and asked him if I could buy all the fixin's for a large pizza. He gave me dough, sauce, mozz, peppers, onions, pepperoni, and basil....on the house. I'm thinkin' I'm going to need to bring in a pan of the delicious pudding dessert for him to sell or something. That guy...

2009-06-16T09:05:00.000-07:00

I'm reading 'Fruits of Victory' right now about the Women's Land Army during WWI and how it literally saved the U.S. and our allies from starvation. It's a fascinating and inspiring read, yet is a part of history that has been forgotten over the last 90 years unfortunately. I'm feeling compelled to learn everything I can about the Women's Land Army. I'm loving the book.

2009-06-12T07:33:00.000-07:00

Ok, I've gone a little Kitengela crazy but I can't help myself. I'm in love. Their whole philosphosy is magnificent and the beauty they're able to create out in the bush in Kenya is awe inspiring.

2009-06-12T07:25:00.000-07:00

Thinking of adding some stenciling touches to the house although I'm a little nervous...don't wanna mess up with paint!

2009-06-11T13:06:00.000-07:00

Silversmithing class tonight...making aquamarine stack rings similar to these. What a satisfying craft. Getting the home studio set up soon...watch out! :)

2009-06-11T12:53:00.000-07:00

I'm so inspired...and hungry! I found a cake pedestal w/a dome lid (really simple and cute) at Target the other day for 10 bux. Can't go wrong there. There's just something about walking into a room and seeing goodies under a glass lid.

2009-06-09T14:10:00.000-07:00

I adore the Spanish artist Antonio Gaudi. His work is mesmerizing, enchanting, inspiring and not to mention..FUN!! This work is Gaudi inspired.

2009-06-08T09:07:00.000-07:00

Strawberry season is around the corner! Oh the jam, the pie, the shortcake! Ladies, here we come...

Cobblestones and watermelon...

2009-06-08T08:56:00.000-07:00

I have wonderful friends. Miguel helped me for 3 hours on Friday night, in the pouring rain, schlep a load of free cobblestones & benches into my backyard. Stacy and Linda came on Saturday to lay cobblestones and clean house, and Kamilah came on Sunday to bake cinnamon rolls and eat watermelon. Not a bad weekend.

2009-06-02T08:04:00.000-07:00

Gardening is so satisfying! My friend Kamilah and I planted seedlings last night. Tomatos, basil, peppers, zucchini, squash, watermelon, lettuce and collards!!! I can't wait for the harvest.

2009-05-29T07:37:00.000-07:00

Going camping for a week in August to Mokuleia, Hawaii... but don't worry it's not going to be all play and no work. I'm attending a leadership & community development workshop that just happens to involve a lot of rhythm and drumming on the beach in Hawaii :) To find out more about leadership/community development through rhythm go to www.drumcircle.com/playshops/hawaii/index.html

2009-05-29T06:55:00.000-07:00

My silversmithing class started last night. I love my teacher!! Her name is Honey and she's awesome. I will continue to take classes from her for as long as I live in NYC. She's helpful, very knowledgable, warm, and encourages outside-of-the-box thinking. I'm working on a ring similar to this one in it's simplicity. I'm using white topaz and am embarrassed to admit I didn't know white topaz even existed. It's beautiful and sparkly and wonderful...and it isn't something that involves human exploitation :)

2009-05-28T13:31:00.000-07:00

Oh me, oh my, blueberry season is just around the corner. Last year I went picking with my dear friend Kiasa and her family, and brought home 30 lbs that I froze and used sparingly throughout the winter. Blueberry picking is the lazy man's sport which is one reason I gravitate towards it. You can sit on your bum with your friends and eat, talk and pick. The blueberries hang so low they practically come to you. Pure Heaven. I CAN't WAIT!!! If you want to fill your own freezer or make delicious jellies and jams this season, check out where to go get 'em. www.pickyourown.org/CT.htm

2009-05-28T12:15:00.000-07:00

My mom turned me onto Mary Jane Butter's Farm in Northern Idaho. I'm beyond inspired by her and want to stay at her b&b one day. She created a 'country club' on her farm where people pay a yearly membership fee to be able to access fresh u-pick fruits and vegetables all summer and fall. What a wonderful idea. You can check out the farm at www.maryjanesfarm.org

2009-05-28T12:08:00.000-07:00

Ohhh...flowers... I'll be posting a lot of pictures of flowers as they are often my inspiration in jewelry design, and they've been known to send my heart aflutter.

2009-05-28T11:54:00.000-07:00

With summer approaching I've been reminiscing about and thinking of beautiful places I've been. This is one of my favorites. A hidden oasis way down deep in the Grand Canyon. A brutal hike in...and out :/ but definitely worth every bead of sweat. For more info. check them out at www.havasupaitribe.com

2009-05-27T09:50:00.000-07:00

The most powerful documentary I've ever seen about how music was used as a tool for hope and organization of emotional chaos during apartheid.

2009-05-27T09:44:00.000-07:00

A resource-efficient type of organic gardening that I've taught in Africa and India. My friend Kamilah and I are now doing it in my backyard :) Our mouths are watering just thinking about fresh garden tomatoes. Check out the organization at www.squarefootgardening.com

2009-05-27T08:47:00.000-07:00

One of my favorite places on earth, Kitengela Glass, just outside of Nairobi, Kenya. It's a sustainable business where they take used motor oil to generate their furnaces for making everything you can imagine out of recycled glass. A most magical place...

Check them out at www.kitengela-glass.com

2009-05-27T08:31:00.000-07:00

Starting level III Silversmithing this Thursday. Can't wait. I get a lot of inspiration from Sundance styled jewelry. It's rustic and feminine and imperfect. Just what I like. Check them out at http://www.sundancecatalog.com

Stunning earrings by Sundance Designer, Thoi Vo

2008-01-31T10:38:00.000-08:00

My blog name 'Con Fide' is Latin for 'With Faith'. Con means WITH and Fide means FAITH. The word Confidence is derived from it as well. The concept of faith is something that takes up a lot of my mind space and will probably be a running theme throughout my posts. I'm not referring to faith within a religious or spiritual context although the two are absolutely interrelated. I am interested in what happens to a people's lives (physically, mentally, emotionally) when they walk by faith. The reason this is on my mind so much is because for the last 7 years I have been developing a theory/method of music therapy and psychology. The very foundation of the theory involves the idea of what happens when we live mentally, moment to moment in the unknown or rather in present time, which is basically the essence of faith. The actual method involves using music improvisation in a specific way as a tool to develop this presence of mind. People seem to have a basic understanding of music and its power, but society in general does not yet know how to harness that power and use it as a tool to bring mental/emotional balance. Due to the abstract nature of music, it is generally viewed as an 'alternative' measure to be explored when other options do not work. This is interesting to me due to its ability to rapidly and drastically shift our physiology in natural and unobtrusive ways. We witness these shifts constantly at concerts, while watching movies, at church, etc. Music is something we have unlimited access to and yet the question is How? How do we go about using the elements of music on a daily basis in specific, concrete and reliable ways to bring balance to ourselves as a whole? I'm searching for the answer to this question.

2008-01-31T10:32:00.000-08:00

I just started reading 'The Hidden Messages in Water' by Masaru Emoto. Considering I am a Music Therapist and am fascinated by how music affects the body, mind, and spirit I was particularly interested in something stated in the introduction. Masaru said, "Water crystals are filled with much wisdom for us. Natural water displays a beautiful array of crystals - even more so when it is exposed to beautiful music".