where we roam...

words and pictures can do little justice for how incredible our 11-day trek West was.
for now, i'll attempt to intertwine a few of the experiences on my favorite hike up to Surprise and Amphitheater Lake on the Grand Teton.

and so i'll let my thoughts go uncensored...
disobeying a usual writing format, hoping to give you how any given moment felt up in the snow-cap mountains:


camp-weighted, we traversed 1,300 miles Westward
pavement repetitiously pushed us further along towards unknown
magnificently stretched mountains greeted us
point reflections in the alpine waters beneath
hastily chosen hike: 9.8 miles. 9,698 elevated ft.



we brought ourselves places. persuaded our breaths to climb higher.
begged-legs and salted brow.
breath-taking views in thinner air
rationing our sips of water
hours like minutes

upward, the trail began to level.
reaching the mountain's bed where treasures were hidden
glaciers melted concerns
into crystalline mountain lakes
their waters of snow and ice, warmed by the closeness of sunlight

the sun stretched closer to the edge of the summit
with daylight perspectives closing
we gathered what will there existed to leave this incredible place
there is a piece of us tucked away in the amphitheater
three pieces tall
modest . appreciative . quiet .
but existent nonetheless
on the Grand Teton, is a wholeness we're certain to revisit

...and We're off!!!

this is it! my last breath of technology for nearly 2 weeks! Patrick and I are taking a week and a half road/camping trip together Westward to Yellowstone!

here's the parting image from dear Lucy (my chocolate lab!)

she spys suitcases and immediately knows something's up...

the resulting image: Lucy always parks it strategically behind my car so i can't leave.

she's also the culprit who pretended to have the urge to pee for 15 minutes as week promenaded around the yard's perimeter.

i will miss Lucy too! :(

anywho... just wanted to say fair-well & hope everyone has a delightful couple weeks!

i'll be missing you, but will be coming back with many a tale to tell :)

it's Patrick & my first trip out West... we're hoping not to meet too many bears along the way... only from a distance.

adventurously yours,

Lynsey

up excitment! down prices! 25%-40% off

hello lovelies!
some exciting news to speak of this morning...
(disclaimer: this is my first video)

while patrick and i are reading ourselves for our trip across the West, my shop is also preparing to be on vacation for a couple weeks.

so now there's a very special offer: almost every piece in my shop is on sale at 25%-40% off.
seriously.
i've only had one other sale in my shop, so that will tell you how often these chances come about.
hope you're able to take advantage of this special event, & give these handmade enamel pieces some wonderful homes!
did i put enough links for you to find my jewelry? here you are, friends:
http://www.VerreEncore.etsy.com

thanks so much!
x's & o's!~

COOL it DOWN

a hot hello from St. Louis today!
(well... not too unseasonably hot)

this past weekend was b-u-s-y.
moved into my new apartment, which happens to be less than a block away.
i have a wonderful roommate now too!

the greatest hardship was lack of AC during the weekend.
luckily i think it's up and running again.
*wipes sweat from brow*



in honor of the return to coolness... i'm featuring these handmade icy blue enamel pieces today!
hope you all enjoy & keep cool
xo,
Lynsey

Living Large (in a sense)

by no means am i living large... but my newest prints sure are.!
i was a bit ambitious creating these 16"x64" woodblock prints... as our longest press bed is only 45". with the help of Todd Anderson, my printmaking teacher extraordinare, we put together an extended press bed

i've been spending hours upon hours in the studio. thank you to Patrick for being so patient as i am living in the printmaking studio. it's uncommon for me to leave the studio before 9pm.... and i've been known to stay as late as 4am. yeah... that was a sleepy drive home.

this is my last week of printmaking... which bittersweet.
ending this intensive summer course is both a relief (time-wise) and difficult (bc it's challenging me as an artist).

i'll be able to grocery shop again with all this time! yesterday was 100% out of coffee, and so desperate that i reheated some leftovers from the previous morning. true.

alas, when it's all said and done, i've acquired a great skill-set for woodcut prints and the desire to push myself in my art.


next on the agenda is marking off that giant 'to do' list so that when Patrick and i on our roadtrip West... there's not a thing on my mind but enjoying some much needed time together. x

Midnight Oil

hi all!

i have a second to let you know what i'm up to... and am excited to show you my first multiple-block woodcut print!

currently in printmaking class, we're working with carving wood to create these lovely printing blocks. the imagery is always up to the creator, but this assignment asked us to use at least four different overlaying woodblocks & to play with colors. (no black ink allowed)

i might do a little show & tell about the process and what each step looks like later on, but for now, here's the final product. not the best photo, but you get the idea of overlapping color and images to create interesting changes and gradients of color and shape.

although i was in the studio till 4 am... working 10-14 hour days, i'm so happy the midnight oil paid off!

hope you all had a great 4th!

Happy Birthday to Canada!

Here's to you O' CANADA!

I'll be wearing my sweet little maple leaf necklace all day, and for the occasion have marked it do [today only] by more than 20%! This piece is on special sale for today only to get you in the spirit of our great neighbors to the North!

A little about the pendant, it's a handmade maple leaf, which captures a delightful sense of warmth, color, and beautiful glow of Autumn/Fall. I've done this in a special transparent enamel, allowing a subtle shimmer when the light reflects just right.

Enameling, put in its simplest terms is fusing of glass to metal at temperatures of around 1500 degrees F. The pendant measures just about .75" (shy of 2mm)and hangs from a 18" sparkling sterling silver chain.

Hope you enjoy the day!
Cheers