Shipping Helper and New Beads

Chloe was home yesterday, making sure that her 102.5 fever from the weekend was seriously gone.  She was thrilled to be my shipping helper.  Can you tell she was excited?  She couldn't help but run to the mailbox.

She very carefully placed one package in the mailbox at a time.

I love the mouth opened in concentration as she is trying to get the package into the mailbox.

I also love the tip toes to get everything pushed inside the mailbox.

Aaaaaand done.

Last night I made a few more eggs and some smaller swirly eggs (below) using new frit that Kerry sent me.  At BeadFest, she said she had a bunch of frit that she doesn't use and would send to me.  

Oh.  My.  Stars.  

She sent me a shoebox FILLED with jars of frit.  I couldn't even sit and look at it when it arrived because I had to make a mad dash for the dentist with both kids.  When I sat down at the torch last night, I went through all the jars and decided on two to test out.  These look like little drops of honey or sunshine to me.

Here are the blueberries and cream eggs.  There is a bit of lavenderish purple in this blue and I LOVE it.

Lastly is a larger, funky hollow I made over the weekend.  I love that shimmery purples come out of the amber lines on this clear hollow.  Thinking I will make this into a pendant to hang simply from a ball chain, but I'm still mulling it over.  I really like the shape of this bead.

New Necklaces

Here was my professional jewelry making workspace last night.  Can you tell that Scrabble helped me move through the night?  Little Horse kept me company on the other side of the wall and would occasionally lift his head to watch me and pant.

This first necklace was made for an old classmate of mine to give his Mom for her birthday.  How sweet is that?  I think it is so cool when men will ask me to make something unique for a special woman in their life.  I love this square in square chain!

The necklace is adjustable and has a dangle in the back of the neck.

Then I made this one and the whole time I was playing with the beads, all I could think of was that they looked like something hidden in the moonlight.  They all have a mirrory, metallic finish in blues, silvers and golds on top of black beads.  I used my last Ethiopian silver bead in this and I admit that was hard.  I have hoarded it for several years because I love the shape and knowing it was handmade.  Another chain that I just love.  This is now available in my Etsy shop here.

This necklace is also adjustable and has a fun dangle on the back, which is great for women with bare necks.

And lastly, I made this necklace for an old friend to mark the passing of another birthday.  I made the beads years ago and they have sat on my felted tray ever since.  I waited and I debated on using them because the beads didn't turn out exactly as I wanted.  Some turned a little goldish and didn't stay silver, but after several years of thinking about it I kicked myself in the toukis and went ahead and made the necklace because I know she will love it just because I made it.

Another Weekend Down

Friday night was a productive night on the torch.  I made more eggs and moved another two names off the wait list.  That feels good.  

I also made these eggs with a gorgeous greenish aqua.  Love the color.  Love the veining within the color and around the speckles.  Did not love how it behaved in the flame (it refused to behave for me).  Loved even less what happened around the holes.  Do you see those cracks and chips?  That's not supposed to happen.  So we have come to an amicable and joint decision to part ways and not look for each other again...the eggs and the rods.

I made new beads which made me happy.  I love how the teal-ish blue is metallic in places, devitrified in others and a rusty copper red in others.  Very cool!

On Saturday morning, the kids cleaned out the minivan and I vacuumed it before it got loaded up with coolers and backpacks filled with dry clothes for once we got off the Ocoee white water rafting trip.  Here is the gang before we headed North to pick up my friend Tabitha.  All the wives were gathered round taking pics, blowing kisses and yelling "Thanks for taking my husband and giving me a day of peace and quiet!"   And all the wives (plus my husband) seemed to all be relieved they could keep their feet on the ground and were not being forced into going on this trip.  Let me just tell you they missed out!

Here we are on the Upper Ocoee, which was used as part of the 1996 Olympics course for a few events.  There were Class III and IV rapids with many of them back-to-back.

On the Middle Ocoee section, we had three opportunities to 'ride the bull' and sit on the front of the raft.  Shannon took the first ride and you can tell by his expression in all the pics that he was hanging on TIGHT!  As for the rest of us, well, you might be able to guess it was all fun and games for us by our big smiles. :D  I am hidden behind Shannon's left shoulder, but I can bet you that I had just as big of a smile on my face as the others.

Before the trip I had purchased two disposable, waterproof cameras.  I used one and Tabitha had the other.  Tabitha held onto hers without a problem.  But on the one time I got flipped out of the boat, the camera slipped out of my shorts pocket and was not found.  Sniff.  I can't wait to get the other camera developed and put on a CD.  I am now working on pulling all the photos together to put into books for everyone who went on our 1st Annual White Water Rafting Trip!  It was such a fun day filled with laughter and good friends.  Can't wait to do it again!

When I got home around 10pm Saturday night, I found Chloe was running a 102.5 fever.  I slept with her and was informed throughout the night her throat hurt.  The fever stayed through Sunday with only a mention or two of the throat.  We kept her loaded up on Tylenol, Motrin, juice and tomato soup (I think she had close to 7 bowls!) and a bowl of Dippin Dots that Todd brought home from an afternoon shoe shopping trip.  Crossing fingers this isn't strep and doesn't spread.  Todd had a sore throat on Sunday and went to bed shortly after putting the kids down at 8pm.  We'll see if the sore throat stays and warrants a trip to the pediatrician's office.  The kids and I both have dentist appointments in the afternoon, but I think Chloe's may need to be rescheduled.

I made three new necklaces last night.  One was a custom order, another is a long overdue birthday present for an old friend and another will be going into the shop tonight.  I will share pics and thoughts after I get them uploaded.  Excited that I finally made some new jewelry and looking forward to getting back to creating new pieces on a weekly basis!

I hope you had a great weekend!  Did you follow through on your plans?  Did they get scrapped for afternoon naps and a good book?  Did you stay so busy that the two days flew faster than should be permissable for a weekend?

Friday Randomness

This makes me happy.  Lots of packages to be delivered to my customers and TWO packages coming next week to me.  Woot!

I am moving more quickly through the rest of the egg orders and this makes me happy and excited. Both to get to people on the wait list, but also because I am getting closer to sitting down at the torch without an agenda. And getting to the point where I can designate one or two nights a week to working with metals and/or making jewelry again.

I saw these guys up in a bucket truck when I ran to the welding shop for more stainless steel rods to cut into mandrels.  It made me so very thankful that all of the strike duty training I went through a year and a half ago in Dallas was never put to the test and I didn't have to get out in a bucket truck or climb telephone poles!

Sometimes I think my Little Horse looks as big as a wolf all sprawled out on the floor.  I love that I can see his speckled, freckled skin, even if it is because I gave him a shoddy haircut.  And need to finish it because his haunches have grown so long that now I have to shave his rear end.  Trust me, you don't want details.

I saved a chipmunk from Henry this morning.  The poor thing was most humiliated as Henry carried him around the backyard upside down by his TAIL.  I opened my office window to yell at him to drop the chipmunk and then took off running through the house and then the backyard to make him release the frightened creature.  As I was running, I thought I should have grabbed my camera to take pics because Henry really did not want to drop the poor guy.  But I was more concerned about freeing the chipmunk from the impending torture Henry would have delivered in his attempt to play (because Henry is not a hunter and does not kill the creatures, he just bats and bites in play as they try to run away and then tails or feet are hurt and then there are tears). 

You haven't met Jezebelle yet.  She is a hard one to photograph because she is ALWAYS moving.  So the pics are ALWAYS blurry.  Jezzie is the biggest sweetheart ever.  Last night I brought Little Horse into her room (she's quarantined until Sunday when she can be released in the house) and she just purred and purred and headbutted him the whole time.  He just sniffed her and then ignored her after he laid down next to me.  I can see Jezzie walking on top of him and then curling up for a warm nap!  And no, she isn't winking at me.  Jezzie only has one eye.  The other was removed after the vet's office (where someone left her!) was unable to treat her eye infection through meds.

Tomorrow I am going white water rafting with my friend Tabitha and four husbands from my street.  Get the feeling the majority of the wives are content with less adventure and more of having their feet on the ground? :)  It is going to be such a FUN day and I can NOT wait!  This is the first time in about ten years that I have gone white water rafting.  I used to go once or twice a year in my late teens and early twenties.  I have missed it.  

Check out this bracelet that Lorelei made with my eggs!

So what's on your weekend agenda?  Resting?  Adventure?  Productivity?  I wanna hear!

Oh, and don't forget about my BOGO 1/2 sale going on in my jewelry shop through the end of the month! :D

BOGO HALF OFF Sale on Jewelry

I want to make some space.  

Both in my cabinets AND in my mind.  

So here is one of the few sales you will ever see me do.  

To make way for a little extra sanity in my head, I'm giving you Christmas till the end of August  extended through Labor Day weekend (September 6).  

Buy anything in my jewelry shop and get half off a second item of equal or lesser value.  

Keep the purchase price over forty bucks and you get free shipping.

Just type BOGO in the notes to seller when you check out in Etsy.

Happy shopping. I hope you find something you like or to gift to one of the women in your life come Christmas!

I have hundreds of jewelry customers (just go look to see all of my jewelry that has previously sold! earrings, bracelets and necklaces) and so many report back to me about the compliments they receive.  That's always nice to hear. :)

All of my jewelry is unique and one of a kind.  You won't bump into anyone else wearing the same item.  Ever!

Remember, leave BOGO in the notes to seller.  If you choose to pay immediately, I will refund the sale amount back to you through Paypal.  Or I can send you a revised invoice if you want to wait.  

New Tools and Mandrel Cutting

Happy Thursday!  The weekend is almost here :)

Eggs, Casualties and Grown Up Beads

These eggs will be flying the coop today or tomorrow.

These eggs just came out of the kiln.

And these eggs got thrown into my nest of rejects and casualties.  Hard to see on the two left eggs, but they are chipped by the hole.  Sigh.

And here are some fun stories of my beads all grown up!   

Courtney Breul used one my eggs on a gorgeous silk ribbon.

Kristi of Dreamsome Designs made this beauty with some of my raku beads.

And Lorelei made this cool dragonfly necklace with some of my red/silver beads.  It was snatched up and reserved shortly after she listed it.  How cool?!

I am going to Harbor Freight today over my lunch hour and can't wait.  I will be scoping out some new tools!!!

BeadFest Loot

I didn't buy too much while I was in Philadelphia.  In fact, I think I spent more money on food than I did on beads or supplies.  Which was expected.  Cas looked at me like I had two heads when I told her I had no plans to buy much before asking me in an incredulous voice "So, um, why are you going?"  Well.  I was going so I could hang out with my friends for the weekend.  :)

Here is what I did buy...some lovely red creek jasper on the right and some unknown stone on the left.  I love the colors of both.

I bought these awesome ceramic beads from Diane Hawkey.  How sweet are those little birds???

Not sure how I will use these wonderful toggles from Melanie Brooks of Earthenwood Studio, but I will find a way.  For now, they will sit on my desk and be gazed upon every day. :)  It is rare when I get to hang out with other bead artists, but having dinner out two nights in a row with Diane and Melanie makes their beads and toggles so much more special to me.

Then I bought this little pillow bead from Patty Cahill of Dyed in the Fire.  Like other beads from lampworkers that I have purchased, it will sit on my studio table for inspiration.  I love the colors.  Patty has a great knack for choosing the perfectly muted color combinations, yet still be bright and cheerful.  Her technique is awesome and I have admired her work for years.

I also bought some wire, but you'll just have to wait to see what my plans are for that.  Soon.

Thank you all for your support on taking a break from eggs and the wait list.  Your encouragement and kind words mean so much to me.  And I am so excited to be trying out new techniques and directions. 

Philadelphia BeadFest 2010

When I booked this trip months ago, it seemed like it would never get here.  And then it was gone in a blink of an eye.  Cas came over Thursday night and we hung out while I made Mississippi Mud Cake and then video chatted with Lorelei and Nancy.  We left the house early Friday morning for the airport.  And of course we had to have our cameras out to document every moment. 

As I was refilling my water bottle that I always carry with me, I spilled and soaked my jeans.  So not only did I look like I peed my pants before getting on the plane, I was damp for the next four hours.  But that didn't put a damper on my excitement!  There was our plane :)

And here we are before we even pulled out of the gate :)

Goodbye Atlanta!

Hello 33,000 feet!

And hello Philadelphia!

Lorelei had her little Flip movie camera out as we met in baggage claim and I was shooting from my waist.  It was only two weeks since I saw Lorelei, but it felt like longer.  Always so good to see good friends in person.  And this was the first time Cas or I met Nancy.  I think it's fair to say we liked her right from the start.

After we got checked into our hotel room, we headed to the other side of the building and down the stairs to BeadFest!  There were hundreds of vendors lined up in row after row after row.

Who doesn't need gaudy, plastic roses in every color? :D  I think they would be perfect for the top of birthday cakes!

Not sure if that green is rhyolite or just dyed stones like the rest.  Hard to tell on so many, since they were not all marked.

I don't know what I would do with these big beads, but I loved how they looked.

Cathy Collison of Trinket Foundry had these fun bottle cap beads.

I lurve turquoise!

Sara of C-Koop beads didn't disappoint with all of her beautifully enameled pieces in every color of the rainbow.  I still have some of her beads and clasps from last year, so I restrained myself from buying any this year.

There were cabochons galore, which made Cas happy.  I think she bought a ton and can't wait to see the gorgeous rings she makes out of them!

We had barely walked into the show when we bumped into Marsha from Marsha Neal Studio and talked for awhile and took pics.

Then Kerry Bogert of Kabs Concepts joined us and we had to take more pics :)

Then it was back to shopping.  There were many cool little stamps.

And all kinds of bottles for finishing metals, but they were all considered hazmat materials which I would not have been allowed to bring on the plane.  Bummer.

Here are Diane Hawkey, Melanie Brooks, Kerry and Lorelei cheesing for me.  We all went out to dinner Friday night, along with Cas and Nancy.  It was a fun girls night out!

I thought these white beads looked just like ice.

Sunday morning we met Mary Jane and she was wonderful.  We all wished we could have spent more time with her, but she had to run into a classroom.  And just as we were leaving for the airport later, she caught a 90 minute break.  I'm sure Lori and Nancy were wishing Cas and I had our own car at that point.  Maybe next year it will work out better.

I finally got into a pic with Diane and Melanie!

Before we left the hotel, we did another turn with our cameras.  Check out the ring Cas made and gave to Lorelei!

I wasn't ready for the weekend to end.  I had so much fun with my girlfriends and spent so much of the time laughing.  It was good for my soul.  It was fun shopping with fellow artists and hearing their opinions and experience regarding different materials and also vendors.  This weekend sparked my creativity and has inspired me to break out in some new directions.  

This weekend has also solidified my feelings that it is time to end the wait list on the eggs.  I have been making them for over 6 months now on this custom request line.  While it has been extremely fun and I have been pushed to find new combinations and perfect my technique in shaping beads, it has also stopped me from trying new things or making other beads to put in my shop.  I don't want to come to a point where I hate eggs and never want to make one or look at one again, so I am stopping now.  The people who are on the list will still get their eggs.  After that, I am taking a break.  But don't get too upset.  I know someone who is going to be making her own eggs soon and can't wait to share more on that with you after she is ready. :)