" God intended motherhood to be a relay race. Each generation would pass the baton on to the next. "

" God intended motherhood to be a relay race. Each generation would pass the baton on to the next. "

Mary Pride

 During a Structural Materials and Process/3-D Fibers class at Savannah College of Art and Design,we spent spent weeks researching artists, identity issues and up cycling materials into our work.

 My time was spent on self awareness making choices and discovering where I stand in the world as a contemporary artist.  In the end I  came back to the choice I made as a young girl; being with my family is the highest priority for me.  Apron is the best metaphor for me as mother, gardener and home cook.

Aprons have used there for centuries. They are even considered as the most ancient of all garments, with one of the earliest mentions being the Biblical Story of the Garden of Eden, when Adam and Eve discovered they were naked that they fashioned aprons from fig leaves.

The hue for my Apron had to be green.  Green is considered the luckiest of colors.  Green signifies a positive change, good health, growth, healing, hope, vigor, vitality, peace, and serenity. It is also symbolic of ones strive to gain recognition and establish ones independence. Money, wealth and jealousy are often associated with this color. Light green symbolizes brilliance.

While I was in graduate school I longed to return home to start a cottage industry created for women and by women with my daughter Kara. I wanted the cottage industry to be larger than myself, to be eco friendly, to an have appreciation for the past while having an eye for the future.

This past weekend I observed with great pride and joy the fruits of my labor.  Our indie designer cottage industry, rice rafferty, was among the  talented artists featured at Chatham University Holiday Art Sale.



Together with my daughter, Kara Rice Rafferty, we have spent the last year building our dream cottage industry, designing and making one of a kind handmade fashions and accessories.



After we set up our table it was time to look at our work.

rice rafferty fashions and accessories are created from hand dyed fabrics, upcycled jewelry, hand build polymer clay rose.  
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for more information and images please see


http://www.ricerafferty.com/


and


http://kararice.blogspot.com/2010/11/rice-rafferty-accessories-november-2010.html



“The kiss of sun for pardon, The song of the birds for mirth, One is nearer God's Heart in a garden Than anywhere else on earth”



Poinsettia"flower that grows in residues or soil."

 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Euphorbia_pulcherrima



  “The kiss of sun for pardon, The song of the birds for mirth, One is nearer God's Heart in a garden Than anywhere else on earth”   
 Dorothy Frances Gurney


Looking for a place to brighten you mood, maybe put you in the Holiday Spirit ?

  Why not visit your local Botanical Gardens ?

Join me on an adventure through  Buffalo Erie County Botanical Gardens  http://www.buffalogardens.com/

Here I am wearing my own creation Devore Burnout Velvet Scarf by rice rafferty
http://www.ricerafferty.com/



Why not DOUBLE the FUN and go with a FRIEND ?



There is something for everyone to enjoy in a garden.

Did you know Gardens Railroads is one of the fasted growing hobbies ? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Garden_railway

close up of Pitcher Plant





http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pitcher_plant 



some offerings you will find in the delightfully, hot and humid Cactus Room



three koi in a fountain

The Koi is able to fight the current of the water and swim upstream.  
This can be interpreted in two ways:

Being a non-conformist – Koi swimming upstream can be interpreted as showing the philosophy of non-conformism because of the fact that the Koi does not “go with the flow”. This can mean a person is very independent minded and does not do things the way they are expected of him or her. Swimming upstream can mean that a person is not easily influenced by others and does what he or she wants.
Strength in time of adversity – Koi fish also symbolizes persistence and the willingness to go on even though you are being swept away. It also symbolizes surpassing expectations. The Koi fish swimming upriver can show that a person has overcome various obstacles and not only does he or she keep standing, but he or she has come out victorious. http://www.infokoi.com/The_Meaning_of_Koi_Fish_Symbols.html

Now here is a plant with a history. This plant has been in a family home in Buffalo since 1901 the time of the Pan American Exposition
http://panam1901.org/



Who knows after an hour in the gardens you may even feel like dancing ;~)

http://www.buffalogardens.com/PrivateRentals_Weddings.aspx

Thank you for joining in Carol's adventure's @ the Erie County Botanical Gardens ;~)