Here we are in Poland. After discussing different traditions our families brough to America from the old country- I used my example of the food my family eats at Christmas Dinner. I am from Italy so in addition to the traditional American turkey we also have ravioli, braciole and other wonderful goodies. In Poland we made wycinanki(vih-chee-NON-key) symetrical paper cuts used to decorate at Easter time. They were left up in the house for an entire year and replaced at the next Easter.

Passports ready and here we are!

We grabbed the passports and went to Ancient Egypt. Here's the group showing off their artifacts! Come join us for Art Around the World. You never know where we'll end up next! I was alot of fun having my nices and nephew stop by and have fun with us!

...and in the Afternoon...

The Ladies of Harley- as in Harley Davidson. These ladies had a great time making this suncatcher that I designed just for them. It features the Harley wings and the front wheel, handlebars and headlight of a Harley.

Ancient Egypt in the Morning

It was a busy Saturday in the studio. In Art Around the World we visited Ancient Egypt. I have been collecting Egyptian artifacts and novelties for years and the kids enjoyed trying on my treasures. The kids made their own "beaded headbands" and I gave each one a cartouche of their name in hieroglyphics.

Galapagos Islands

These are the baby sea turtles we made while visiting the Galapagos Islands.

Art Around the World

Art Around the World has been going on now for 6 months. The kids and I have had alot of fun "visiting" different countries each week. We learn about other people and places through music, culture and customs. Each week when the kids walk in they ask " Where are we going next week!?" In the photo above the kids were picking out beads to decorate their drums from Yoruba. When we visited Africa. Pretty soon our passport books will be filled up and I'll have to issue some new ones. Next week we are going to Ancient Egypt to discover wonderful treasures...

Interview with Sherry Borzo Podcast

This podcast thing is really cool. Sherry Borzo of dsmbuzz contacted me today because she heard about my Hillary Clinton purse. It was so much fun. The internet is a wonderful tool isn't it!
Here's the link:
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/wwwdsmbuzzcom/2008/01/22/Color-outside-the-lines-an-interview-with-Laura-Comito-of-Artworks-Studio

The Hillary Rodham Clinton autograph!

inside MY BAG!

This is what they wrote about my purse for the auction:

Leadership Leopard
The only woman running for President shows her leadership style in this purse.
Born in the 50’s, this bag has been updated with all vintage recycled materials including rhinestone-studded buttons and millinery trim. The artist, Laura Comito, says she waits for the bag to “speak to her” before beginning and “when you have gold lame you have to have leopard print.” She selected this bag for Hillary because “it speaks to me of power. It’s not frou-frou fluffy. It’s feminine, it’s powerful. So’s Hillary.” Autographed on the inside, it’s the perfect accessory for the Inaugural Ball.
Donor: Hillary Clinton Value: Priceless

Hillary Clinton and Me or my bag actually!

When Hillary was in Iowa last month Christie Vilsack sent one of her(Hillary's) aids in Des Moines to an art gallery in Valley Junction that I sell my work in- The Lagniappe – she wanted the aid to purchase a purse that was made by an Iowa artist. The Lagniappe called me and asked if I had any cool purses made- I told them I had this vintage handbag with a gold lame handle that I covered in leopard print and embellished with vintage millinery trim and rhinestone buttons- they said that’s the perfect purse for Hillary. I had no idea why I was sending them a purse just figured a customer was looking for something in my style so I mailed it and forgot about it. What a duh moment on my part- I should have put two and two together and figured out that it was THE Hillary. The United Way of Johnson County Iowa called me two weeks later for more information on the purse- asking if Hillary actually came and picked out the purse herself. That’s when the light bulb went off in my head- Hillary Clinton was the person they were talking about. Hillary autographed my purse on the inside and then donated it to the United Way of Johnson County’s “Power of the Purse” auction. My purse raised $625 for their fundraiser.

RAGGEDY HANDS

My best friend in the world says I need to make these mittens available on my website. I know I should but my IT guy (aka the boyfriend) is too busy remodeling a bathroom. This is the best I can do for now. You want the mittens email me at laura@artworksandbeads.com

tell me if you want small, medium or large. Give me one color you want- like brown, light blue, black, red...etc. The mittens are $16.00 including tax and the postage is $2.00. I will send you a Paypal invoice so you can have your mittens on your hands as soon as possible! Until the IT guy is available that's the best I can do!

close ups of those mittens

raggedy hands...

that is what I am calling the mittens that a friend and I started making. We hate to just throw something away and with the felting craze one thing led to another. She knits- I don't. So those sweaters that you accidentally threw into the dryer and they came out stiff as a baord are now getting a new life as mittens!

raggedy hands

recycled

hand stiched

mittens