Felt Jewelry

It's Felt Jewelry! It's hand-felted, handcrafted and wearable art that gives you a warm and fuzzy feeling! I am blown away at all the beautiful hand-felted jewelry I've seen on the internet.

There are so many talented indie designers today who are crafting hand-felted jewelry. In this lens you'll find a nice a cross-section of some of the best handcrafted felt jewelry that I've found.

Pictured here is a die-cut felt jewelry creation by Lily Yung, a Toronto print-maker and jeweller of non-precious material ... She began making jewellery in non-precious materials in 1986.

She has been using textile techniques in wires and beads to transform them into exquisite jewellery since 1994. Her work has been exhibited across Canada and internationally.

Photo Credit: Lovely die-cut felt jewelry creation of Lily Yung.

Cast your vote about Felt Jewelry please!
Do you have a warm and fuzzy feeling for felt jewelry? How do you FEEL about FELT jewelry?

1. I simply adore it
2. Oh, just finding out about it
3. Not my thing

Rapunzel by Mary-Ann Williams
Is it felt jewelry?

Well, I certainly consider this hot new item from that cool "felt" designer, Mary-Ann Williams, as a bit of felt jewelry. It's definitely wearable art!

RAPUNZEL is inspired by the German fairy tale by the Brothers Grimm:

Rapunzel, Rapunzel, let down your hair, so that I may climb the golden stair.

FELT hat/scarf. A unique couture fashion accessory.
- Luxury feeling
- Cocooning
- Sculptural
- Architectural
- Volume 3D-structures
- Two pieces in one: with removable scarf
- Without any stitching
- One size fits all
- Just fold together and store away
- Available in a variety of over 50 different colors.
- Vintage felt 100% pure new wool

Felt Designers
Are you familiar with these felt jewelry designers? Do you know a designer that should be on this list? Please sign my guestbook and tell me!

• Lily Yung
• Karin Wagner
• Liz Clay
• Rebecca Dallas
• Laura Naylor
• Lynsey Walters
• Marloes Feteris
• Hannah Louise Lamb
• Anette Wilhelmi
• Megu Design

Felt Necklace -- Karin Wagner

This is truly a beautiful work of art by Karin Wagner. It was spotted at Patina Gallery.

She makes each piece by hand, giving them a unique charm. She creates accessories, bags and scarves, always ornate with floral motifs. If chance led her to felt, she is not new to creation.

'Working with felt is simple. All you need is sheep wool, water, soap and your hands. It's wonderful to transform these long strips of wool into three-dimensional objects, only by moving your fingers! I try to invent shapes as light as possible.'

She manages to transform this rough material into objects of aerial lightness, very well designed, incredibly delicate, in a range of soft and tender colours.

Felt Necklace -- Marloes Feteris

The felt flower necklace, called a bloemenketting is handcrafted by Marloes Feteris. This is one of my all-time favorites!

It is just one of a wide range of handcrafted felt jewellery by this talented indie designer. It originally sold for 20 Euro. Such a bargain!!

Felt Collar Jewelry -- Megu Design

This bean-shaped felt necklace is handcrafted by Megu Design.

It is approx. 60cm with satin cards with metallic finished beads between felt beads. can be tied on the neck. Shown in black. Pick a colour from: black, sapphire and cobalt blue. This originally sold for 50.00 pounds.

Felt Earrings -- Anette Wilhelmi of Gnu Designs

These are felt stud earrings by Anette Wilhelmi of Gnu Design. They are 3/8 inch in diameter and sell for $32.00.

Anette stared as an apprentice in a seamstress shop. Then, she studied textile design in Maastrich Holland. After graduation, she opened a silkscreen studio in Bonn, Germany to print her designs and introduce them to the public.

Shortly after her first exhibition in Bonn she began to work with felt. She had found the material fascinating since she had been introduced to the concept of textiles as jewelry in Holland. Within a short time she had produced some wonderful designs in bracelets and earrings. This was the beginning of her current collection of contemporary jewelry combining felt, stainless steel, sterling silver and freshwater pearls.

Felt Ring -- Karin Wagner

This felt flower ring is another Karin Wagner creation. It was spotted at Flow Gallery.

'Working with felt is simple. All you need is sheep wool, water, soap and your hands. It's wonderful to transform these long strips of wool into three-dimensional objects, only by moving your fingers! I try to invent shapes as light as possible.'

She manages to transform this rough material into objects of aerial lightness, very well designed, incredibly delicate, in a range of soft and tender colours.

Felt Rings -- A bit of whimsy by Lynsey Walters

These are cute felt band rings with beads by Lynsey Walters.

Lynsey is a talented, young textile designer from Edinburgh, Scotland. Her yummy fabric jewelry, scarves, handbags and decor pieces combine a delightful naivete with traditional craft techniques. The textural effect of her work is just plain yummy and begs to be touched, worn and enjoyed! Each piece is vibrant and whimsical, showing an imaginative use of merino wool, silk tulle, organza, and linen. Lynsey does each piece herself using hand-felting and embroidery methods.

Felt Brooch Jewelry -- Laura Naylor

This handcrafted, colorful felt brooch by Laura Naylor was spotted at MJMAN--Mersey Jewellers & Metal Artists Network.

Artist's Statement: I am a designer-maker specialising in jewellery and ceramics. I am currently focussing on jewellery that is handcrafted from a range of materials including felt, wood and beads. The pieces, including brooches and bracelets, are inspired by flora and colour. They are eye-catching and versatile. The brooches can be worn in a number of ways making any outfit special. Examples include a corsage for evening or special occasion, to fasten a scarf or simply pinned on a lapel, t-shirt, jumper, hat or bag. For real impact they can be worn in multiples.

Felt Bangle Jewelry -- Rebecca Dallas

These felt bangles by Rebecca Dallas are an example of her innovative felt jewellery.

Using a traditional hand rolling technique and hand dyed merino wool Rebecca produces an exciting range of contemporary seamless felt clothing and accessories.

Felt Bangle Jewelry -- Hannah Louise Lamb

These are silver and felt bangles by Hannah Louise Lamb that sell for 140.00 pounds.

A sense of beauty and perfection, an eye for detail and a strong sense of place all combine in hannah louise lamb's jewellery to create unique, highly desirable and wearable pieces.

Felt Collar Necklace -- Liz Clay

I've profiled the Felt Bubble Necklace by this felt jewelry designer in my article on Felt Beaded Jewelry.
Liz Clay's silk and felt collar is one of her newest creations. I am thrilled to know that Liz continues to design these gorgeous handcrafted accessories.

Link up with the felt jewelry designers

• Akar Design
  Check out all the beautiful felt jewelry by Gnu Design, Germany.
• Earth Angels Toys
  Lynsey does each piece herself using hand-felting and embroidery methods.
• Hannah Louise Lamb
  Jewellery that's unique, highly desirable and wearable art.
• Liz Clay
  Exquisite couture in handmade felt!
• Marloes Feteris
  You'll find a selection of marvelous hand-felted jewelry and accessories + sterling silver.
• Megu Design
  This British designer has a selection of felt jewelry.
• MJMAN
  Laura Naylor is currently focusing on jewellery that is handcrafted from a range of materials including felt, wood and beads.
• Patina Gallery
  You'll be blown away at all of Karin Wagner's handcrafted felt jewelry and accessories!
• Rebecca Dallas
  Hand-felted jewelry, clothing, and accessories.

Make Your Own Felt Jewelry!

Felt Jewelry: 25 Pieces to Make Using a Variety of Simple Felting Techniques is a book to help you get started with your felt-making projects! Teresa takes you step-by-step through the projects showcasing a variety of felt-making processes including rolled felt, 3-D felt, and felt made in your own washing machine. In addition she includes ideas for using commercially-made felt that can be found in any craft store.

Perfect for anyone who enjoys the versatility of felt and is interested in making fabulous one-of-a-kind jewelry. These twenty-five jewelry items will easily fit your personal style.

Adorned with stitching, beading, and dyeing any crafter can create fabulous pieces to complement their favorite outfits.

Felt, Fabric, and Fiber Jewelry: 20 Beautiful Projects to Bead, Stitch, Knot, and Braid is another great felt-making project book!

Each chapter of Felt, Fabric, and Fiber Jewelry spotlights a different technique: embroidery, felting, crochet, tatting, braiding, and macramé.

Then there are stunning necklaces, pendants, bracelets, and rings to make, all in a fresh, appealing style.

Twenty projects mean great looks and great gifts for any occasion. I think I'd want to start with the felt jewelry necklace on the cover -- how about you?


Footnote: Be Original; Be YOU!
Please do not steal other people's work! My content from this page on Felt Jewelry : A Warm and Fuzzy, along with content from my other page, Felt Beads : Felt Beaded Jewelry, had been lifted without my permission! I tried several attempts to contact the parties involved, but they just ignored me. My content was at: www.gemztone.com/forum/forum.php?mod=viewthread&tid=1068 showing the webmaster as a Bella. I filed more than one DMCA complaint through GoDaddy, Amazon AWS and other hosting services as this webmaster kept moving their hosting services! On May 3, 2012, Amazon Web Services took down the customer's EC2 site.

Thanks for visiting!
I hope you enjoyed the variety of felt jewelry selections I have shared. I spent hours and hours of research to present these fine felt jewelry selections. It was a labor of love -- until I found others copying my researched work!

History: Felt Jewelry : A Warm and Fuzzy was originally created on Squidoo by JaguarJulie on August 19, 2007. Highest lensrank ever achieved: #1,013 overall. Lens #73 in the quest for Giant Squid 100 Club Charter Member 2007.

No-see-um

No-see-um : You Sure Can Feel-um! You probably have heard of this pesky little bug as a sandfly, sandflea, no-see-em, noseeum, sand gnats, chitras, punkie, or punky.

No-see-um ... yep, you sure can feel-um even if you can't see-um! Hey ... I live in Florida, you don't need to ask me about how pesky these little creatures can be! I remember when I wore my hair very short and gelled it spiky, rather like the performer Pink.

Do you know that is the worst hair style with regard to no-see-ums? They get into your hair and will eat up your scalp! At least that's what I remember one vacation while visiting in the Florida Keys. Yes indeed! The no-see-um has truly earned the distinction to be called by so many names ... a sandfly, sandflea, no-see-em, noseeum, sand gnats, chitras, punkie, or punky! That no-see-um, by whatever name, can be quite annoying ... bite bite bite ... scratch scratch!!

Oh, BTW ... there surely must have been a comedian who was first bitten by a no-see-um who named this little pesky critter!

Photo Credit: The incomparable no-see-um as spotted on Wikimedia Commons.

Cast your vote about the no-see-um!

1. Pound for pound, the most annoying insect
2. They don't bite me
3. Love 'em

Scientific Classication of the no-see-um

Kingdom: Animalia

Phylum: Arthropoda

Class: Insecta

Order: Diptera

Suborder: Nematocera

Infraorder: Culicomorpha

Superfamily: Chironomoidea

Family: Ceratopogonidae 

Biting Midge

A closer look at that biting midge ... It's the name for any of numerous minute, fragile flies in several families. The family Chironomidae consists of about 2,000 species, most of which are widely distributed. The herbivorous larvae are found in all freshwaters; the larvae of some species live in saltwater. Midge larvae are an important source of food for larger aquatic insects and fish. The larvae of some species of the genus Chironomus, which are called freshwater bloodworms, are unusual in that they contain the protein hemoglobin. The pupae are active and aquatic.

The adults, which look like slender mosquitoes, are often seen swarming over or near water, and large courting and mating swarms may contain millions of insects. The larvae and pupae of the net-wing midges, family Blepharoceridae, live in fast-flowing freshwater; they attach to rocks by suction disks and feed mainly on algae.

The biting midges belong to the genus Culicoides of the family Ceratopogonidae; they are the smallest of the bloodsucking insects and are common pests in the NE United States, where they are called punkies, sand flies, and no-see-ums.

The adults have mouthparts that pierce and suck and inflict irritating bites on humans; some species ride the wings of dragonflies and lacewings, sucking the blood of their hosts. Gall midges, family Cecidomyiidae, damage many plants by causing formation of plant galls in which the larvae live. --www.bartleby.com.

More about the no-see-um

• No-See-ums (Family eratopogonidae)
  No-see-ums are tiny biting flies that often live near water. You often see many of themswarming together in a cloud. Keep your mouth shut or you might breathe some in or swallow them! It won't hurt you, but it will probably make you cough.
• University of Florida
  Biting midges (no-see-ums) can be a nuisance to campers, fishermen, hunters, hikers, gardeners, and others who spend time outdoors during early morning and evenings, and even during the daytime on still, cloudy days. They will readily bite humans.
• What is a No See Um?
  You might not know what a no see um looks like because of its tiny size, but if one bites, you won't miss it! The no see um is a bloodsucker many times smaller than a mosquito, but with a bite inversely more painful.

Help!!!
If you are annoyed by flying insects that bite, try the The Executioner Fly Swat Wasp Bug Mosquito Swatter Zapper.

Some other helpful products:

• No No-See-Um Insect Repellent
• Ultimate Survival Technologies No-See-Um Jacket
• Ultimate Survival Technologies No-See-Um Pants
• Equinox Pkgd No-see-um Mosquito Net

Thanks for visiting!
I hope you haven't been too bugged by no-see-ums like I was. There's nothing worse that little bugs that you really can't see that bite.

History: No-see-um : You Sure Can Feel-um was originally created on Squidoo by JaguarJulie on January 18, 2008. Highest lensrank ever achieved: #1,398 overall. Lens #253 in the quest for Giant Squid 300 Club.

Raincoats in History and Fashion

Ah, Raincoats. Fashionable Raincoats : Let it Rain! Raincoats are a necessary fashion for keeping dry when showers come your way! I am humming a popular, wet tune ... Let It Rain! Let It Rain! Let It Rain!

Have you wondered about how raincoats came into existence? I will share the history of the raincoat and a bit of fashion too.

I have Fashionable Raincoats! I really LOVE raincoats, how about you? Growing up in Cleveland in Northeastern Ohio meant it was overcast probably 88.5% of the time ... that meant a good deal of rain. I sure do remember that bright yellow hooded raincoat I wore as a child. Later I progressed to a slicker and then a trench coat.

I'm thrilled to see the raincoat has come into its own as a fashion accessory ... I have a few fashionable raincoats as it tends to rain a lot in Northeastern Florida too!

Look for me in a new type of raincoat ... pastel. Pretty sharp raincoats; you know?

Welcome to the showcase of fashionable raincoats. Everyone needs at least one good raincoat; come rain or come shine. Raincoats are a necessary fashion for keeping dry when showers come your way!

Let It Rain! Let It Rain! Let It Rain! I have Fashionable Raincoats!

Photo Credit: Couple in Pastel Raincoats Hugging under Umbrella.

Do you actually own a raincoat?

1. Yes, I have more than one actually
2. Yes, but just one
3. Nope -- don't need it

The History of the Raincoat

People have been trying to make items of clothing waterproof for hundreds of years. As early as the thirteenth century, Amazonian Indians used a milky substance (rubber) extracted from rubber trees for this purpose. When European explorers came to the Americas in the sixteenth century, they observed the indigenous people using a crude procedure and rubber to waterproof items like footwear and capes.

By the eighteenth century, Europeans were experimenting with waterproofing fabric for clothing. Francois Fresneau devised an early idea for waterproofing fabric in 1748. Scotland's John Syme made further waterproofing advances in 1815. In 1821, the first raincoat was manufactured. Made by G. Fox of London, it was called the Fox's Aquatic. The raincoat was made of Gambroon, a twill-type fabric with mohair.

While these early attempts at waterproofing fabrics sometimes involved rubber, they were not particularly successful. When rubber was used in clothing, the articles involved were not easy to wear. If the weather was hot, the clothing became supple and tacky; if cold, the clothing was hard and inflexible. This problem was solved in the early nineteenth century by Macintosh.

The native of Scotland was a chemist and chemical manufacturer. Through experiments, Macintosh discovered a better way to use rubber in clothing. At the time, the gas industry was new. Coal-tar naphtha was one byproduct of the fractional distillation of petroleum, which was used in gasworks. This volatile oily liquid was a hydrocarbon mixture. Macintosh dissolved rubber in naphtha, making a liquid. This liquid was brushed on fabric making it waterproof.

In 1823, Macintosh patented his process for making waterproof fabric. This process involved sandwiching a layer of molded rubber between two layers of fabric treated with the rubber-naphtha liquid. It took some time to develop the industrial process for spreading the rubber-naphtha mixture on the cloth. The patented waterproof fabric was produced in factories beginning in 1824. The first customer was the British military. Macintosh's findings led to other innovative uses of rubber, including tires.

The process for vulcanizing rubber was developed by Charles Goodyear, a hardware merchant in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in 1839. Vulcanization means to heat rubber with sulfur, which made rubber more elastic and easier to meld. Four years later, Thomas Hancock took the waterproof fabric invented by Charles Macintosh and made it better using vulcanized rubber.

Americans continued to improve on Macintosh's process with the advent of the calendering process in 1849. Macintosh's cloth was passed between heated rollers to make it more pliable and waterproof. Another innovation involved the combination of only one layer of cloth with a layer of rubber.

While such improvements made the cloth lighter than Macintosh's original, these raincoats were still rather hot even into the early twentieth century. Many raincoats were designed with slits to make them cooler for their wearer.

Macintosh's fabric was not the only kind of waterproof fabric invented in the nineteenth century. In 1851, Bax & Company introduced Aquascutum. This was a woolen fabric that was chemically treated to shed water. This raincoat became popular at the end of the Crimean War (c. 1856).

Chemically treated fabrics gradually began to predominate by the early twentieth century. For World War I, Thomas Burberry created the all-weather trench coat. The coat was made of a yarn-dyed fine twill cotton gabardine.

The gabardine was chemically processed to repel rain. Though these trench coats were first made for soldiers, after the war ended in 1918, they spread in popularity. They were also much cooler than those made of Macintosh's fabric.

By 1920, raincoat design moved beyond the trenchcoat, though that coat remained a classic. Oil-treated fabrics, usually cotton and silk, became popular in the 1920s. Oil-skin was made by brushing linseed oil on fabric, which made it shed water. Car coats were introduced in the 1930s. These raincoats were shorter than trenchcoats and made for riding in automobiles. Rubber-covered and-backed raincoats, made of all kinds of fabrics, resurged in popularity between the wars as well.

After 1940, raincoats made of lightweight fabric became more popular. Military research lead to the creation of raincoat fabrics that could be dry-cleaned. Vinyl was a preferred fabric in the 1950s for its impressive waterproofness, as was plastic (through the 1970s), though such raincoats retained heat.

Innovations in fabrics continued to affect raincoats. Wool blends and synthetic blends were regularly used to make raincoats beginning in the 1950s. Such blends could be machine washed. There were also improved chemical treatments of cloth. Heat-welded seams were introduced as well, increasing how waterproof the fabric was.

In the 1960s, nylon was used to make raincoats, and in the 1970s, double-knit became a preferred fabric. Double-knit raincoats were not as water repellent as those made with other fabrics, but were designed differently to compensate. Still such raincoats were not as comfortable, and double-knit faded throughout the decade. Vinyl raincoats briefly had a renewed popularity, especially among women.

Modern day raincoats come in many fabrics, styles and colors. The gabardine trenchcoat remains a favorite. While natural and artificial blends, rubber and plastic are still used, plastic-coated artificial fibers used for Gore-Tex are very popular. Microfibers and other high-tech fabrics are taking over more of the raincoat material market.

I LOVE Patent Leather!

Oh my, but I think there is nothing more fashionable than color block mixed with classic, contrasting colors of black and white, plus a hint of hot pink fuchsia. When patent leather was used in a trenchcoat styled raincoat, that was the rage! I've always thought of patent leather as perfect for raincoats as they are inherently waterproof. And, these type of raincoats are not only fashionable, but can protect from the wind and cold. Heck, I still wear mine. But, can you still find any of these? Yep! eBay.

Flower Power Raincoat

Oh boy, but you have to be brave to wear such a brightly colored raincoat as this flower power one. It's a bit of a vintage or retro style that you might have seen in the 1960s or 1970s more often. Personally, I love this floral print and probably would wear it here in Florida when it wasn't raining. But, that's just me!

Slickers? I actually remember when a 'slicker' was a shiny raincoat! Did you own one?

Poncho Raincoat
Now you're talking! I happen to adore this poncho raincoat because of the styling and colors!

It's the Charles River Apparel Unisex- Adult Pacific Poncho (Jade)

I love THIS color because it looks like a teal or turquoise color that is perfect to match with the colors of the Jacksonville Jaguars. And, great to wear to the football game. It's made of high quality, waterproof New Englander Polyurethane!

Raincoats Today

We are so blessed today that we can find THE right raincoat for our needs. I think many people have a variety of such coats that they can wear in the rain for a variety of occasions, from casual to formal to sports-related; you name it!


Thanks for dropping by!

Ah, thanks for dropping by today to check out all the fashionable raincoats! Rain is a good thing, well in moderation. And, raincoats can be an even better thing, especially when they are fashionable! I am so glad you took a moment to check out my take on the raincoat, along with a bit of history! I've been spotting fashions online for more than a decade. And, I've written a lot about fashion and trendy fashions. It's been rumored by many that I am a style fashionista! Yes indeed. I have a passion for fashion and it shows. Hope to see you again!

Do you love raincoats and have a favorite one? Did you actually own a slicker way back when? I'd love to hear from you today!

History: Fashionable Raincoats : Let It Rain! was originally created on Squidoo by JaguarJulie on February 17, 2008. Highest lensrank ever achieved: #2,321 overall. Lens #287 in the quest for Giant Squid 300 Club.

Linda LeKinff Art

Linda LeKinff is a prolific artist known for her colorful and vivid works of art.  She is an artist and painter influenced by Braque, Matisse, Modigliani and Egon Schiele!

While her subjects are diverse from musical scenes to people caught in an intimate moment of their lives to elegantly dressed couples.

As a collector of Linda LeKinff's artwork, most if not all of her works that I have feature primarily women and occasionally her trademark black cat.

Welcome to the artistic showcase of art by Linda LeKinff. This artist is one of my all-time personal favorites!

Photo Credit: Ellen by Linda LeKinff that hangs over my fireplace. Copyright : JaguarJulie.

Are you a fan of Linda Lekinff?

1. Yes -- and I have some of her artwork
2. Yes -- hope to buy something of hers
3. No, not yet

Linda LeKinff Biography

LeKinff lived and worked in Italy for twelve years learning the ancient techniques of tempera, egg painting and the gold leaf method taught by masters in Florence and Livorno. She also served an apprenticeship in wood engraving, copper engraving, and excelled in learning the modern techniques of acrylic and airbrush painting.

In Paris in 1975 she learned lithography, meeting the artists, Brayer, Corneille and Lapique. In 1976 she met Okamoto Taro, the Japanese Picasso, who introduced her to the sand and sumi technique. In 1981 she spent six months in Morocco where she worked with Chabia, the poetess of the naive abstraction movement. She returned to school in south Tyrol where she became interested in painted, polished and varnished woodwork, using a special material made of casein. She applied it to her paintings and continues to use this technique today but still keeps the traditional approach of painting in acrylic on canvas, as well.

She began to create original serigraphs in the mid 1980`s and uses this technique exclusively in the creation of her original graphic works. She also creates hand-embellished versions of her serigraphs on canvas and wood, and spends countless hours re-visiting each example to extract new artistic possibilities from every individual image.

LeKinff also expresses herself through watercolors or, more precisely, a mixing of greasy pastels, ink and watercolor. Recently she began to use collage. She works without a model and her inspiration comes from travel, her dreams, reading and her imagination. Her subjects are extremely diverse, and include musical scenes, poetic interpretations of people caught in an intimate moment of their lives, and couples elegantly dressed, out for a night on the town. Her influences include the hidden sensuality of Braque, the masterful drawing of Matisse, the elegance of Modigliani and the precocious maturity of Egon Schiele who died at the age of 28.

In 1998, LeKinff was selected as the official World Cup Artist. For that distinction, she created a painting that was minted into a commemorative coin by the French Government, an honor never before offered to a living French artist. In 2002 LeKinff participated in the "Exposition of Prestige" organized by the Ambassador of France in Japan and her work was exhibited in museums and art foundations in Japanese cities including: Tokyo-Bunkamura Museum; Nagoya-Tenjin Salaria Art Foundation; Osaka-Kirin Foundation; Fukuoka-Loft Gallery; Yokohama-RedBrick-Warehouse.

Recent Museum acquisitions include: Jeju Island, Korea; Moulin de Villedoin Velles, France; La Maison de Van Gogh, Auvers sur Oise, France; Musee de Montmartre, Paris, France.

In 2005, Linda LeKinff participated in the following group shows in France: Salon Violet; Salon d'autumn; Salon des Artistes Francais; Salon des Beaux Arts; Salon Comparaison. --Courtesy of Park West Gallery.

A bit of trivia about her name
Of all the artist's whose work I've admired and collected, Linda LeKinff is the one artist who stands out as having her last name MISPELLED more times than any other artist. Here are the various derivations of her last name.

• LeKinff
• Le Kinff
• LeKinf
• Le Kinf

My Art Collection -- For Sale!

Chopin's Concert -- Serigraph

In June 2002 I acquired my first LeKinff through an eBay auction. What's pictured above is Chopin's Concert which depicts a handsome, colorful couple elegantly dressed and standing together.

This serigraph on wove paper from 2001 measures 19 inches x 5 inches. It is signed in ink and numbered 263/350. What I love about it is LeKinff's style and vivid use of colors.

This came with a certificate of authenticity and certified appraisal of $465.00 from Fine Art Sales.

Chopin's Concert is from the regular numbered edition of 350 (55 European artist's proofs, 55 artist's proofs, 55 hors commerce proofs, 7 printer's proofs, and 3 bon a tirer proof impressions also exist). A hand embellished edition on wood panel consisting of 184 numbered examples also exists.

Ellen -- Signed Hand Embellished Limited Edition Serigraph on Canvas

This is beautiful and my FIRST artwork actually won at a Park West Gallery LIVE AUCTION. At that particular auction, I acquired two LeKinffs plus two other artist's work.

Ellen, a serigraph in color with hand embellishment on canvas, is signed in ink, numbered on verso.

From the deluxe numbered edition of 150 (17 deluxe artist's proofs edition and 3 bon a tirer proofs on canvas also exist). There is an edition on wove paper with hand embellishment of 527 that also exists.

This is from 2000, measures 26 inches x 26 inches, came with appraisal of $2,350.00, registration number, and certificate of authenticity.

Fez -- Signed Limited Edition Serigraph

This beautiful work of art by Linda LeKinff was also acquired from an eBay seller in June 2002.

It is a signed limited edition serigraph in vibrant colors on wove paper. It is signed in pencil and numbered 101/350. From the regular edition of 350 (50 artist's proofs, 50 hors commerce and 6 printer's proofs also exist).

This had a reserve price and a BIN -- as the 14th bidder, I acquired it with the BIN price. It came with a certificate of authenticity and registration number from Park West Gallery.

The actual picture measures 13-1/2 inches high x 11 inches wide. This is definitely one of my favorites of LeKinff's.

Mi Corazon -- Signed Serigraph on Wove Paper

Mi Corazon was my second acquisition from the Park West Gallery live auction. So far, it's been my ONLY Park West Gallery auction as my hubby thought I spent a tad too much that evening -- and because we actually ran out of space on our walls!

Mi Corazon, serigraph in color on wove paper, signed in ink, numbered 305/350.

From the regular numbered edition of 350 (50 European artist's proofs, 50 artist's proofs, 50 hors commerce proofs, 24 printer's proofs, and 3 bon a tirer proof impressions also exist).

This is from 2001, measures 19 inches x 16-1/2 inches, came with appraisal of $795.00, registration number, and certificate of authenticity.

Debbie -- Signed Serigraph on Wove Paper

Debbie is a popular piece of artwork of Linda LeKinff. By popular I mean that I've seen it available on eBay throughout the past several years.

However, just recently, I noticed that the price had significantly risen on this item!

Debbie from 1998, serigraph in color on wove paper, signed in the plate lower right. The picture measures 7 inches x 8-3/4 inches and outside 10-3/4 inches x 9 inches.

This came with a certificate of authenticity and registration number from Fine Art Sales, Inc.

Note d'Or -- Seriolithograph

This is a Note d'Or, a seriolithograph in color on paper. Signed in the plate.

It's from 2003 and measures 8-1/2 inches x 7 inches. It came with a registration number and certificate of authenticity from Park West Gallery.

As you can tell, it is UNFRAMED at the moment!

More Info on Linda LeKinff

Knottywood Treasures - Le Kinff has taken her place among contemporary artists whose work frees us from the mundane reality of everyday life, not with elaborate fantasy but with a sure-handed rendering of beauty and elegance in line with her personal view on painting.

Art Brokerage - Art Brokerage has clients for original paintings. View some of her colorful artwork.

Thanks for visiting!
I hope you have enjoyed my artist profile. If you are a collector of Linda LeKinff, I'd love to hear from you. My collection of Linda LeKinff art is for sale. Let me know if you are interested in acquiring any of the pieces in my collection.

History: Linda LeKinff Art Gallery was originally created on Squidoo by JaguarJulie on September 22, 2007. Highest lensrank ever achieved: #2,298 overall. Lens #112 in the quest for Giant Squid 200 Club.

Itzchak Tarkay Art

Itzchak Tarkay is the collectible artist and painter who is realistic, abstract, figurative, decorative and known for his colorful female subjects - The remarkable artsy women! I am an art collector / art enthusiast who loves colorful paintings and adores the works of Itzchak Tarkay.

A friend who is more "learned" at art collecting actually turned me on to this colorful artist who has achieved strong recognition as a leading representative of a new generation of figurative artists.

The inspirations for Tarkay's work reflect influences from Impressionism, and Post-Impressionism, and color influences of Matisse. His drawing style has a distinct feel of Toulouse-Lautrec I think!

I acquired this artist's ever popular Two by Two seriolithograph in color on paper from a friend in Jacksonville, Florida many years ago. It was this very work of art that helped launch my art collection! Yes, I have this artist's work, but I also have so much more ... and that makes me smile!

Photo Credit: That's "Two by Two" by Itzchak Tarkay that hangs in my home.

Are you a fan of Itzchak Tarkay art?

1. Yes -- I actually own some of his artwork
2. Yes -- and I hope to buy something of his
3. No -- not just yet

Itzchak Tarkay Quiet Afternoon Art

Get an Art Book!

Learn about the vast array of Tarkay art from this book, TARKAY: CATALOGUE RAISONNE 1986-1994.

It is the Catalogue Raisonne of the Serigraph Prints 1986-1994.

I personally have a couple of Tarkay art books and get a lot of joy browsing through them from time to time.

What a perfect gift for the art lover you know; or for yourself!

This makes a great coffee table book too.

Contemplation

This Tarkay original acrylic is literally the only painting that he has ever done with a black background.

It retails for $44,000.

I had originally found it being offered by Fine Art Enterprises at a reduced price.

I'm not sure if it is still available!!

But, it is a bit out of my price range, for sure.

Tavern at Dusk

Tavern at Dusk, an acrylic on board with pastel, shows a somewhat loose, even a bit gross style in its full-figured depictions of tavern-frequenters out for a beer at sundown.

To fully appreciate the colorful and beautifully decorative style of Tarkay's work today, you need to take a look at his early works -- such as this one.

You can see, for one thing, that the faces are not as precise as they are in later works of his.

At the Bar

An original acrylic, this is one of the only pieces where the artist actually painted a blonde!

The depiction of people standing at a bar is very rare for Tarkay.

It retails for $40,000.

I had originally found it being offered by Fine Art Enterprises at a reduced price.

I'm not sure if it is still available!!

But, again, it is a bit out of my price range, for sure.

Two by Two

Several years ago, I acquired Two by Two from our friend, THE art collector ... he's a bit more seriously into art collecting than I am.

Two by Two, seriolithograph in color on paper. Signed in the plate. From the edition of 9500.

It is from 2000 and measures 16-1/4 inches x 20-1/2 inches.

It came with a certificate of authenticity from and a registration number Park West Gallery.

Marie and Susie

Of the art that I collect, I do have a few art prints such as this one. This particular Tarkay art print is quite popular.

Marie and Susie is rather large at 36 inches x 26 inches, so I haven't framed it as yet as that frame might cost $500.

In addition, I've run out of wall space for any more art ... unless we add an extension to the house or move into a bigger home!

Beware of imitators!
Be sure to get a
Certificate of Authenticity
as there are "imitators"
of Tarkay's artwork.

Find More of Itzchak Tarkay's Art:

Image Kind - More than a dozen of colorful art prints.
Prints - Several colorful prints of Tarkay.
Canvas Prints - These canvas prints are approx. $200.00.
CJR Fine Arts -- Serigraphs - Quite a nice selection of Tarkay serigraphs.
CJR Fine Arts -- Originals - You'll need to call for a price on these originals.
Fine Art E - A great website for more information about Itzchak Tarkay fine art.

Works on Paper

This is a wonderful artsy hand signed book that I acquired from an eBay seller in June 2002 for $99.00.

There have been printed 4,400 books of this edition. All the books include three original lithographs, bound into the book, and a lithographed dust-cover. It was first published in 1993.

In addition, the three lithographs bound into the book and the dust-cover have also been printed on Arches paper with wide margins. Each lithograph is signed by the artist and is numbered from 1/400 to 400/400. Each lithograph accompanies a book bearing the corresponding number and title.

A Deluxe Edition of 150 books is leather bound. The books are numbered from 1 to 150. Each book in the Deluxe Edition includes one original watercolor painting by Itzchak Tarkay.

Thanks for visiting!
Are you a fan of Itzchak Tarkay's work? Do you own any Tarkays? Would you like to? I'd love to hear from you.

History: Itzchak Tarkay Art : Colorful Females was originally created on Squidoo by JaguarJulie on September 22, 2007. Highest lensrank ever achieved: #3,340 overall. Lens #113 in the quest for Giant Squid 200 Club.

William Adolphe Bouguereau Art

My first introduction to the art of William-Adolphe Bouguereau was back in the 1980s in Cleveland, Ohio. The most beautiful heavenly ANGEL ART posters are those by William-Adolphe Bouguereau! Let me introduce you to a few of my favorite art works by this master.

We had taken a Sunday trip to The Cleveland Museum of Art. I saw this huge oil painting by William-Adolphe Bouguereau of a mother and her children as shown here -- it was the most magnificent painting.

Allow me to introduce you to the fabulous angel art posters of William-Adolphe Bouguereau.

The most beautiful heavenly angel art posters are those by William-Adolphe Bouguereau! It is angel art xtraordinaire!

Heavenly Photo Credit: Mother and Children Art Print by William-Adolphe Bouguereau.

Are you an art fan of William-Adolphe Bouguereau?

1. Yes I am a fan of William-Adolphe Bouguereau and have some of his art!
2. I'm a fan of William-Adolphe Bouguereau, but don't yet own any of his art.
3. Thank you for introducing me to William-Adolphe Bouguereau and his art.
4. I will be buying some of the art of William-Adolphe Bouguereau!
5. I'm not really a fan of this art.

My Favorite Art
Without a doubt, this is my favorite work of Bouguereau's! Seeing this work in The Cleveland Museum of Art imprinted a vision upon my brain and soul that I am experiencing each time I think of this master.

Check out his work!

The Paintings of William Bouguereau - 220 hi-resolution printable images of women, girls, cherubs by a true Victorian master. (Lunagirl Images Fine Art and Illustration Series)

If you love the angel art of Bouguereau, you will love this collection of his paintings.

beautiful for altered art, decoupage, paper piecing and collage, transparencies, scrapbooking, tags, journals, framed prints, fabric transfers, jewelry, and lovely cards. All paintings have titles and most have dates.

Background Info on Bouguereau

William Bouguereau, born in France in 1825, was one of the most successful and popular painters of the second half of the 19th century. His works express perhaps better than any other's the values of classical French academic art: exquisite drawing and masterful perspective, rich coloration, dramatic yet harmonious composition, and classical and realistic subjects masterfully modeled. His technical skill is unquestionable. Yet these very qualities represent much of what the then-new school of Impressionism rebelled against, and Bouguereau's work, dismissed and scorned as academic; fell into near obscurity for many years after his death.

In recent decades, Bouguereau has been rediscovered by art historians, curators, and buyers. Museums display his work and his paintings bring ever-higher prices at auction.

Those who love this artist's work appreciate the tenderness with which he portrayed children and young women, his subtle revelation of personality and mood, his glowing colors, his lovely angels and graceful nudes, and the astonishingly realistic yet delicately transcendent quality of the images he created.

Bouguereau was a disciplined and prolific artist, known to have created over 700 finished paintings in his long lifetime. He painted, sketched, and planned tirelessly and passionately, and was also a devoted teacher.

Among his many achievements, one rarely mentioned is his role in opening the French art academies to women artists. He died in 1905.

William Bouguereau: His Life and Works. Originally published as part of the two-volume set, now available for the first time as a single volume.

This edition includes a chapter entitled 'William Bouguereau's Nymph and Satyr'. It is a detailed discussion of the painting, one of his most significant works, and is written by Kara Lysandra Ross.

A beautifully illustrated and comprehensive biography of French academic painter William Bouguereau.

It explores the relevance of his life and work during a period which embodied the Classical Tradition.

Thanks for visiting!

Personally, I think that William-Adolphe Bouguereau was a fabulous artist. Ever since I discovered his beautiful painting in The Cleveland Museum of Art in the early 1980s, I have been an art fan of his. It is so great to have affordable art posters of his. Love him or own some of his work? Well, let us hear about it!

History: William-Adolphe Bouguereau Angel Art was originally created on October 6, 2009. On September 30, 2011 this lens earned the Squidoo Purple Star Award for quality content. Highest lensrank ever achieved: #3,223 overall. Lens #505 in the quest for Giant Squid 600 Club.

Bristlecone Pine Trees

Bristlecone pines, Methuselah and his old colleagues! Old trees have fascinated people of all times, particularly bristlecone pine trees. In many native cultures old trees had an important role in religious rites. They are a kind of universal symbol all over the world.

Until today old, majestic trees like the bristlecone pine trees are understood as a symbol for life, the eternal forces of nature, longevity and the capability to survive hardship.

Old trees and forests have become a symbol for ecological balance too. They remember us to take care about our planet in a responsible way.

Read here about the oldest trees on earth, their story of discovery by Dr. Edmund Schulman, the oldest bristlecone pine called Methuselah in the White Mountains of north western California and what we might learn from these ancient trees.

A special thank you to my friend, fellow lensmaster and artist Martin aka editionh for turning me on to bristlecone pine trees and Methuselah in such a beautiful manner! What a beautiful story. Thank you Martin!

Photo credit: Pine tree Provence landscape by editionha.

Methuselah Poll
Just a quick little question for you! Had you heard of Methuselah previously?

1. Yes, I knew about Methuselah and the Bristlecone Pine Trees too!
2. I didn't know too much about Methuselah.
3. Well, I am just hearing about Methuselah today!

The Bristlecone Book

Learn more fascinating information about the bristlecone and foxtail pines trees that thrive in a harsh environment and live thousands of years with a special focus on Great Basin bristlecone pine, the oldest tree species on earth.

The Bristlecone Book: A Natural History of the World's Oldest Trees

In this extraordinary journey into the world of bristlecones, author Ronald Lanner exposes the trees inner workings, taking apart a pine to examine bark, buds, needles, cones, roots, and wood.

He follows a tree's lifespan from seedling to great old age, presenting a new interpretation of stages of growth. 

Discovery of Dr. Edmund Schulman
The great age of bristlecone pines was dicovered by Dr. Edmund Schulman.


It is the merit of Dr. Schulman having discovered and documented the great age of the bristlecone pines in the arid mountains of the Great Basin, from Colorado to California. Tragically Dr. Schulman died from heart attack at age of 49 just before his findings where published in 1958 and gained worldwide recognition.

• Discovery by Dr. Edmund Schulman - This document is a summary of Dr. Schulman's discovery. It contains valuable information about the scientific context that finally led to the exploration of the bristlecone pine forest in the Sierra Nevada.
• Ancient Bristlecone Pine - Website by created by Leonhard Müller in 1995 about the Bristlecone pine forests in California, the discovery of their great age by Dr. Edmund Schulman and the White mountains region.
• Oldest Living Tree Tells All, by Michael P. Cohen : Essays - This is a very interesting essay about the exploration of the bristlecone pines in California in the late 50's and beginning 60's and the political reactions on the cuttings made by Schulman and Currey for scientific purposes.

Methuselah, the Oldest Tree on Earth
Bristlecone pines in the Sierra Nevada seem to be the oldest trees on our planet. Methuselah the oldest tree on earth is 4,734 years old. The exact location is kept secret, but it is known that Methuselah is one of those magnificent bristlecone pines that grow very slowly for thousands of years at about 10 000 feet in the the White Mountains of northwestern California.

• Walking among ancients / Bristlecone groves near Bishop home to oldest trees on Earth - A great article on a visit of the oldest trees in the Sierra Nevada. Walking among ancients-Bristlecone groves near Bishop home to oldest trees on Earth, David Desjardins, Boston Globe Sunday, July 3, 2005 "People's reaction is one of awe and disbelief.
• Inyo National Forest - Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest - Information about the bristlecone pine forest on the website of the Inyo National Forest. Here is a link to the region of the bristlecone pine forest on googlemaps.
• Bristlecone pine - Pinus longaeva - ARKive - Videos and photographs - ARKive has two short but good videos of bristlecone pines together with 15 photographs including images of the seed cones.

Survival Strategies of the Bristlecone Pine
To live long die slowly! The exploration of the ecology of the bristlecone pine might be useful to answer the question of longevity on this planet in general. Some strategies of the Bristlecone pine are well known and used often by other plants, for example to avoid competition by growing on sites where no other plant can grow.

In addition bristlecone pines grow very slowly, their demand for water and nutrition is minimized.

The most fascinating fact however is that the longevity of the bristlecone pine seems to be based on the ability to die slowly. That sounds paradox, but this obviously is a successful way to survive in very difficult climate.

Those parts of the trees which are exposed to strong winds, frost in winter and heat in summer, slowly die, but the tree manages to keep some bark, often only a thin stripe in protected areas alive to serve the living functions over hundreds and thousands of years.

The dead parts form a kind of protection shield against wind, temperature extremes and erosion. Under this protection a part of the tree can continue to live.

Botanical Facts
Bristlecone Pines, also called Great Basin bristlecone pines or intermountain bristlecone pines, are trees of the species Pinus aristata Engelmann var. longaeva (D.K. Bailey) Little.

This species has 5 needles in a bundle. Apart from their typical appearance they can be discerned from other 5 needle species by examining their needles of the previous year. Bristlecone pines keep their needle sheaths for more than a year , whereas all others lose them within the year of growth.

The information on the dimensions of adult trees vary a great deal: height 6 -16 meters and a diameter of from 2 up to 8 meters. The biotope are mountain ranges between 2000 -3500 meters altitude. The trees grow in full sunlight and usually have no competitiors in their biotope. The name giving seed cone shows many bristles at the end of the scales that hold the seed. The cones mature within 1-2 years.

• Botanical facts on Pinus longaeva - University of Hamburg - Description of Pinus longaeva (bristlecone pine) which contains interesting facts about the life Bristlecone pines and their survival strategies in severe climate.
• Bryce Canyon National Park - Bristlecone Pine (U.S. National Park Service) - A description of Bristlecone pines in the Bryce Canyon, also with informations about the ecology and their natural biotop.
• Pinus longaeva (Intermountain Bristlecone Pine) - This website is all about the taxonomy of Pinus longaeva (Bristlecone Pine, Great Basin Bristlecone Pine). It is a great resource if you want to know more about the genus of pine trees in general and the position of the Bristlecone pine within. Also
• Bristlecone pine - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia - Bristlecone Pine on Wikipedia
• Flora of America - Pinus longaeva intermountain bristlecone pine - A short botanical description with a link to a distribution map in the U.S.

Inyo National Forest - The website of the Inyo National Forest with lots of information about this very popular region. The Inyo National Forest, located in California's beautiful Eastern Sierra offers clean air, crystal blue skies, mountain lakes and streams, and high mountains.

The White Mountains Images
A great set of photographs taken in the White Mountains on the Lake Tahoe stock photography blog by photojournalist Scott Sady. ~ Images of the bristlecone pine trees in the White Mountains of California

"Methuselah the oldest tree on earth!" For some reason I thought Methuselah was an elderly sage. Well, what about you? Did you learn something today?


History: Bristlecone Pine Trees : Ah, Methuselah! was originally created on June 29, 2009. Highest lensrank ever achieved: #2,473 overall.

Meniscus Tear

Meniscus Tear : Not Just a Jock's Injury! This is my personal experience with a meniscus tear to my left knee. In the knee, it is a common site of injury! Yes, a meniscus tear is not just a jock's injury! It is a common site of injury which is often seen in contact sports but it also affects the common man. Like you and me!

A meniscus is either of two specific parts of cartilage of the knee. The knee contains a lateral meniscus and a medial meniscus.

Did you know that the medial meniscus is more commonly affected than the lateral meniscus?

Have you had knee pain? Do you think you have a meniscus tear? How do you know if you have such a tear?

P.S. It is pretty cool to see that the picture of my knee post-arthroscopy has been featured on page 1 of both Google web searches and image searches -- thanks for the love, Google! I think Google rocks!

Photo Credit: Meniscus tear repair surgery on JaguarJulie Ann Brady left knee.

Cast your vote on Meniscus Tear!
Have you ever experienced this painful condition? Have you had a meniscus tear?

1. Yes -- I had surgery
2. Yes -- no treatment
3. Maybe, don't know yet
4. Nope -- I'm lucky, I guess!

Post-op 6 months after Meniscus Tear surgery ~ Left knee

I had arthroscopy in July 2007 to repair a torn medial meniscus. These may run in the family ... It appears as though the tendency to have these tears may indeed be in the genes. My mother has experienced similar issues, but actually had her meniscus removed!

Post-op 6 months after Meniscus Tear surgery ~ Left knee

Symptoms of Meniscus Tear

1. Knee pain.
2. Swelling of the knee.
3. Tenderness when pressing on the meniscus.
4. Popping or clicking within the knee.
5. Limited motion of the knee joint.

Diagnosing a Meniscus Tear

The pain is quite specific! In osteoarthritis, the meniscus is either torn or worn away from overuse, age, or injury. The joint will be in pain when in use, but when there is no load, the pain goes away.

A torn meniscus can be repaired through some surgery and the body's ability to heal itself. In addition, there are techniques under research which involve sutures and biological glues to enable healing. If the tear is far away from the meniscus' blood supply (the meniscus becomes avascular towards the unattached, thin interior edge), then repair is unlikely.

Capsule of right knee-joint (distended) Posterior aspect -- Grays Anatomy

In these cases arthroscopic surgery allows for a meniscectomy, removing the torn tissue and allowing the knee to function with some of the meniscus missing. Usually younger patients are more resilient and react well to this treatment, while older, more sedentary patients do not have such rejuvenating ability.

In situations where the meniscus is torn beyond repair or partial removal, a total menisectomy and meniscus replacement may be the only option before a total knee replacement.

In sports and orthopedics, people will sometimes speak of "meniscus surgery" and a "torn meniscus" and be referring to an injury to one of the menisci. Tears in the meniscus may be assessed and measured via a minimally invasive test called meniscometry.

Diagnosis

1. X-rays and MRIs are the two tests commonly used in patients who have meniscus tears.
2. An x-ray can be used to determine if there is evidence of degenerative or arthritic changes to the knee joint.
3. The MRI is helpful at actually visualizing the meniscus.

Meniscus Repair FAQs

1. In order for the meniscus repair to heal, the tear must be near this outer edge in an area of good blood supply.
2. Arthroscopically placed tacks can be used, or the torn edges can be sutured or sometimes trimmed.
3. Both procedures function by reapproximating the torn edges of the meniscus to allow them to heal in their proper place.

Meniscus Tear Physical Rehabilitation
My PT involved 4 weeks of 3 visits per week. Although PT was scheduled for the following week after arthroscopy, I waited an additional week to get started.

Managing My Knee Pain

I have found that my knee pain has been a lot more manageable than the shoulder and hip pain that I have experienced throughout my life.

I've gotten to know a lot about heat patches and my Tens Unit. I've surely used more than one person's share of ThermaCare Lower Back & Hip Heat Wraps throughout my life.

For the most part, ice packs weren't all that friendly to my body parts. I'd experience a lot of muscle cramps, particularly with my shoulder injury.

Thanks for visiting!
Have you or someone you know torn a meniscus? Had or contemplating surgery? I'd love to hear from you.

History: Meniscus Tear : Not Just a Jock's Injury was originally created on Squidoo by JaguarJulie on December 25, 2007. Highest lensrank ever achieved: #62 overall. This was a top lens with 14 days on the Top 100 list. Lens #222 in the quest for Giant Squid 300 Club.

SLAP Tear

SLAP Tear? What exactly is it? A SLAP Tear definitely can be a major slap as it was for me. If you're one of the many who have experienced a SLAP Tear, then you know that it can be quite painful. Speaking from personal experience, I've had a SLAP Tear in which the glenoid labrum of my left shoulder was torn along with a total detachment of the bicep muscle from the shoulder bone.

Having 2 separate shoulder surgeries to repair my SLAP Tear injury, presented me with many challenges over the past several years. The first repair surgery lasted over 3-1/2 hours ... much longer than my surgeon expected! Wow, was that experience ever a nightmare!

After that surgery, I couldn't get past the high level of pain. I was subsequently diagnosed with Reflex Sympathetic Disorder or RSD. That meant 2 full courses of pain management which was totally another kind of major pain!

When I began my third course of pain management, the doctor hit a nerve that sent spasms down my right arm. I did not go back for the other two treatments.

Have you also experienced a SLAP Tear and had surgery? I'd love to hear from you! Please leave me a comment in my guestbook. It's definitely more than the name might convey -- for me it was a major S-L-A-P that SLAP Tear! P.S. Thanks to Google for including my pictures post-surgery on the first page of the image search.

Photo Credit: SLAP Tear repair surgery on JaguarJulie's left shoulder.

Quick, cast your vote about the SLAP Tear!
Have you experienced a SLAP Tear? Google "slap tear" and see what search results you get. Try web and image searches. So, have you had a SLAP Tear?

1. Yes, and I had surgery!
2. Yes, although I haven't had surgery.
3. Well, I think I might have one.
4. Nope, never had--lucky I guess!

What's SLAP?
What exactly is a SLAP tear? Well ... S-L-A-P stands for:

1. Superior
2. Labrum from
3. Anterior to
4. Posterior!

Sub-types of SLAP Tears
At least ten types of this injury are recognized with varying degrees of damage seven of which are listed here:

1. Degenerative fraying of the superior portion of the labrum, with the labrum remaining firmly attached to the glenoid rim
2. Separation of the superior portion of the glenoid labrum and tendon of the biceps brachii muscle from the glenoid rim
3. Bucket-handle tears of the superior portion of the labrum without involvement of the biceps brachii (long head) attachment
4. Bucket-handle tears of the superior portion of the labrum extending into the biceps tendon
5. Anteroinferior Bankart lesion that extends upward to include a separation of the biceps tendon
6. Unstable radial of flap tears associated with separation of the biceps anchor
7. Anterior extension of the SLAP lesion beneath the middle glenohumeral ligament

Slap Tear Symptoms

1. A dull throbbing ache in the joint.
2. Difficulty sleeping due to shoulder discomfort.
3. For an athlete involved in a throwing sport such as baseball, pain and a catching feeling are prevalent.
4. Any applied force overhead or pushing directly into the shoulder can result in impingement and catching sensations.

Heat Patches
Experiencing a lot of pain in my shoulder and back, I found that using heat patches seemed to provide some temporary relief. I have used a lot of heat wraps and patches like ThermaCare Lower Back & Hip Heat Wraps.

Slap Tear Treatment

No Intervention? Very few patients with SLAP lesion injuries return to full capability without surgical intervention.

Physical Therapy? Very rarely physical therapy can strengthen the supporting muscles in the shoulder joint to the point of reestablishing stability. For all other cases the choice is do nothing or have surgery to reattach the labrum to the glenoid.

Arthroscopic Surgery? While the surgery can be performed as a traditional open procedure, the recommended course of action is an arthroscopic surgery. This type of procedure is vastly less intrusive to the body and reduces chances of infection.

• Procedure: During the procedure the surgeon should check the general health of the shoulder joint. There are at least twenty different items of conditions that he/she should examine or look for. These include:

• SLAP lesion - labrum/glenoid separation at the tendon of the biceps muscle.
• Bankart lesion - labrum/glenoid separation at the inferior glenohumeral ligament.
• Biceps Tendon.
• Bone - glenoid, humerus - general surface condition.
• Ligaments - check for tears and condition.

My First SLAP Tear Repair Surgery
I had 3 titanium anchors to reattach my biceps tendon to the bone along with the labral repair.

After my second SLAP surgery : surgeon's marks!
Photo of and by JaguarJulie.

The Surgical Procedure ...

1. Glenoid and labrum roughened to increase contact surface area and promote regrowth.
2. Locations for bone anchor are selected based on number and severity of tear. Bad tears involving SLAP and Bankart lesions may require 7 anchors. Simple tears may only require 1.
3. Glenoid is drilled for the anchor implantation.
4. Anchors are inserted in the glenoid.
5. The suture component of the implant is tied through the labrum and knotted so the labrum is in tight contact with the glenoid surface.

Surgical Recovery

It is difficult to be precise when predicting a person's recovery from a SLAP Tear Repair Arthroscopy. You can generally expect to experience something of the following. The timeline can vary a bit according to your own surgeon's preferences and the extent of damage and repair.

1. Stage one - For the first four weeks the arm is typically kept in a sling. There are some surgeons only have the patient in a sling for a week. Patients may find themselves in an immobilizer sling like the Corflex Neutral Abduction Pillow Sling for Shoulder Labral Tear-L, which adds in a waist support to prevent movement. The first stage of recovery is about not stressing the repair site. This is the initial healing phase of the recovery.
2. Stage two - Initial physical therapy. The goal here is to increase range of motion. Load bearing through the joint should be avoided to allow the repair to complete.
3. Stage three - Increased range of motion and initial strength training. At this point, about eight to ten weeks out, the repair should be complete but not ready for full loading yet. Return to day to day activities, but not strenuous activity.
4. Stage four - completion. At about six months out the repair should be strong enough for a return to full activity.

Physical Therapy

Going through several courses of physical therapy, I got to know the Tens Unit really well. And, I liked it! My hubby, now the ex, actually bought one for me as a Christmas present.

I used my Tens Unit so many times that the electrode pads started to feel not so sticky.

Also, I found that my hubby liked using it too. Thankfully, there was a second pair of electrodes that he used for his hairy back.

Ultimately, when I was getting my divorce, I left him that former Christmas present. And, I got myself another Tens Unit. I've actually got the Drive Medical AGF-05 one.

My Second SLAP Tear Repair Surgery

After my second SLAP surgery : lots of bruising!!

After my second SLAP surgery : lots of bruising!!
Photo of and by JaguarJulie.

I returned to my orthopedic surgeon for a second arthroscopy after the initial SLAP tear repair. I was experiencing limited motion in my left shoulder along with extreme, grabbing pain when I would reach out with my hand in a forward motion. You know as you reach across the table to grab the salt and pepper?

It was about a year later that I went back. Once the surgeon got in there, he found lots and lots of scar tissue. He said it was like a giant spider's web. He did a lot of cleanup and then it was recovery time again for me! You can see all the bruising I experienced after that second procedure!

P.S. How I am feeling since my SLAP Tear surgeries?
A whole different story is my experience with 3 courses of PAIN management! I've been hearing more and more from people who have also experienced a slap tear and want to know what to expect.

Similar shoulder injuries are more common than one might expect. In addition to my mother, I've now got 4-5 friends who have complained of the same types of shoulder pain common to a slap tear.

What is key to recovery is PT, physical rehabilitation and constant activity and exercise. As I was immobilized for 6 weeks, I had to deal with the buildup of scar tissue that was debrided in my second surgery. IMHO, I am not 'pain free' but am 'aware' that I had shoulder surgery.

Someone asked about activity AFTER surgery. Well, I was in a fully-restricting arm brace and experienced a fair level of pain. However, after 7 work days, I returned to work--one handed mind you--and was driving myself to work probably 2 weeks after surgery. But, I didn't need to shift or work a clutch thankfully.

P.S. Maybe someday I will take the time to talk about my experience with PAIN after being diagnosed with Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy / Disorder RSD after my shoulder surgery. I ended up needing to have 3 courses of Pain Management which was NO fun! That included a series of 3 procedures for each course along with heavy duty meds and having a HUGE needle stuck in your spine!

Going Strapless!
When I first experienced the pain of my SLAP tear, I found wearing a bra with straps was unforgiveable. I went through a lot of bras before I found one that fit right.

Over the course of my treatment, I wasn't wearing any bras with straps.

Sometimes I would wear one of my tube tops as I didn't need to ask the hubby to hook me up! Later, when I was able to use both hands, I resorted to wearing strapless bras like the Wacoal Women's Full Figure Red Carpet Strapless Bra.

Thanks for visiting!
So, have you been diagnosed with a SLAP tear? I'd love to hear about your experiences as mine seemed to drag on for a few too many years. Had surgery or therapy? What worked for you ... or didn't?

History: SLAP Tear : What is it? was originally created on Squidoo by JaguarJulie on January 11, 2008. Highest lensrank ever achieved: #878 overall. Lens #236 in the quest for Giant Squid 300 Club.