Long Overdue

It's been a very long time, but I have a pretty good pile of excuses. At the end of February, my sweet little dog, Crazers, who's been featured on this blog many times, got very sick. I spent a few weeks trying to get her better. Many trips to the vet, working half-days from home, cooking her meals, numerous meds several times a day, but alas, there wasn't really anything that could help. She was just old and had too many health problems. So I had to say goodbye to her on March 9.

In a crazy desperate attempt to mitigate my sadness, I adopted another dog right away. But after a few days, it was clear that she was way too aggressive toward our cat. Perhaps with time and patience and a month off work, I might have been able to teach them to get along, but I was in no state to do that. Not to mention, the shelter neglected to test her for heartworms until AFTER I'd filled out the paperwork and went back to pick her up after being spayed, and it turns out she had them. They said they'd pay for the treatment, but she'd be on a waiting list for a couple of weeks. It really was more than I could handle, so I decided to return her. At least it didn't take long for someone to foster her, because she really was super cute and sweet to people. Anyway, after that, I was very depressed and totally unmotivated to do anything at all. So I took some time off from jewelry for awhile. We've since decided to get another kitten instead, and worry about another dog (in trainable puppy form) once we don't live on the 3rd floor of a condo. Kitten searching commences next weekend. I can't wait!

So in the last couple of weeks, I've managed to make a few things that I like pretty well. I've become a little obsessed with making this particular style of earrings:

A few days ago, I ordered some more lampwork pairs, and plan to make plenty more in this style. 

Next month, I'm going to be a vendor at the New Orleans stop of the national touring Sugar Art Fashion Show, which I'm excited to do! There's only going to be a handful of vendors, so hopefully I'll do pretty well and maybe make some good contacts with buyers, shop owners, etc.

Here are a couple of bracelets I've done this week:

I will do my best to update my blog more regularly at this point!

(Sorry about the Captcha for comments, but I was seriously getting 5-10 spam comments a day for awhile, so I had to.) 

I'm on Fiyah!

I am an embarrassingly bad blogger!!! So to recap since whenever it's been... I had shoulder surgery shortly after Christmas. All went well, and I should be pain free in about 2 more months. My doctor was so impressed today with my range of motion, he's not even sending me to physical therapy. Hooray!

I've still been keeping up with my jewelry, though maybe not at the speed I have in the past. I've got a bunch of new stuff to deliver to the salon tomorrow - I've had nothing there since the beginning of December, which is inexcusable.

Now I must show you what the wonderful and uber-talented Susan of Libellula Jewelry did. Several months ago, she offered to make me some copper tags for my jewelry. I know she did it for a couple of others out there too - Keirsten and Brigitta at least. She sent them to me before Christmas, and I have neglected to blog about them. They're wonderful and I can't wait to start using them! I just haven't made any copper necklaces that hook in the back since then. She sent them bright and shiny, and I immediately dunked them in the LOS. I've buffed a couple, but figured I'd do the rest on an as-used basis. Pardon the indoor, Ott-lit, iPhone photo of them, but you can see how fabulous they are! And if you are tempted to order some of your own, she would be happy to design some for you!

I also had the chance to meet and hang out with her over the holiday season. She's super cool and so easy to get along with. She was in town again last weekend doing a table at an Art Market in the hipster part of town, and she asked if I wanted to split a table with her next month. Apparently that market encourages people to split tables; so I agreed to do it. It's a weird weekend to do a market, i.e., Mardi Gras weekend. So I'm not sure how many people will be attending it rather than parades, or if those who do go will even be looking for jewelry - since it's touting that weekend as Last Minute Costume Sale - the Bywater hipsters are massively into fabulous DIY costumery. No matter what, it'll be fun and it'll be good exposure for both of us. I also kinda sorta think some of the artsy folks who attend that market will likely be more my demographic than the last several markets I've done. So crossing my fingers and toes for that!

Did I mention that I got a torch for Christmas? Of course that led to: oh, and I need pickle. and a pickle pot. and crosslock tweezers. and copper tongs. After I finally managed to get all that, I spent the better part of last weekend making ball end headpins and a few clasp hooks. It was SO MUCH FUN! And another friend who has a tumbler offered to tumble it all for me, and of course I let her keep some for her trouble. Weirdly, they all curled up in the tumbler. I guess I cut them too long? Or is that the usual?

Not really a problem, as I can straighten them easily enough, and some of them are halfway to being earwires anyway! Notice the two sterling ones in the bottom of the picture. They did not curl. All of this is 20g.

So yeah, I'm gonna need a tumbler now. All because I wanted a torch! How it grows. Surely it'll be a kiln soon, and a new place to live so I have room to store/use all these things.

Here's a necklace I made last night featuring one of my fancy new hook clasps!

I love it! The heart, in case you didn't know, is from Nancy Schindler of Round Rabbit fame. So that sorta matching bead on the side there? It was all white carved cinnabar so I took some black acrylic paint and rubbed it in there, and sealed it with renwax for good measure. How perfect is that? I suspect I'll be doing that again, 'cos I got another one of these hearts in teal.

Now for some earrings made with my exciting earwires:

Note the teeny 24g headpins holding the green garnets. I am awesome. Haha. Really though, I'm so excited about all this.

I will be back to blog again soon, I promise!

Gossiping Goddess / Cheeky Cherub Challenge Reveal

For some wonderful reason, Kaz from Cheeky Cherub Designs decided to bestow a heap of leftover lamp work beads on Lesley Gossiping Goddess Watt. In a very fun and generous move, Lesley decided to share some of her treasure with her readers for this challenge. I was one of the lucky winners! I received a heart and two coordinating round beads. I forgot to photograph them before I utilized them, sorry!

This year, we got a bigger Christmas tree than we have in years past. That meant the ornaments were a bit sparse, so I decided to make one out of the heart. I combined some coordinating beads, sari fabric, and cranberry leather, and made this beauty. I like how the fabric looks like the heart's wings! And it looks lovely on the tree. I'll get to admire it for years to come.

For the round beads, which are admittedly an unusual color, I managed to find matching beads, and made these adorable swingy earrings. I'm very pleased with them - they turned out much better than I'd initially imagined. I love when that happens!

Please make sure to check out what everyone else has done!

Lesley Watt - http://thegossipinggoddess.blogspot.co.uk/

Cory Tompkins - http://tealwaterdesigns.blogspot.co.uk

Rebecca Anderson - http://songbeads.blogspot.co.uk/

Marie Cramp -  http://skyejewels.blogspot.co.uk/

Claire Braunbarth - http://smittenbeads.blogspot.co.uk/

Heidi Post - http://expostfactojewelry.blogspot.co.uk/

Tiffany Smith - http://southerngalsdesign.blogspot.co.uk/

Sharyl Macmillan-Nelson - http://sharylsjewelry.blogspot.co.uk/

Ailsa Cordner - http://www.bramalfiebeadsetc.co.uk/

Linda Landig -  http://lindalandig.wordpress.com/

Caroline Dewison - http://blueberribeads.co.uk/

Renetha - http://www.lamplightcrafts.blogspot.co.uk

Kari Asbury - http://hippiechickdesign.blogspot.co.uk/

Niky Sayers - http://silverniknats.blogspot.com

Purple Cobwebs - http://www.purplecobwebs.co.uk/

Cilla Watkins - http://www.tellyourgirlfriends.com/

Therese Frank - www.theresestreasures59.blogspot.com

Claire Ennis - http://clairescrystalclassics.blogspot.co.uk/

Emma - http://apolymerpenchant.blogspot.co.uk/

Kathy Lindemer - http://bay-moon-design.blogspot.co.uk/

Alicia - http://www.allprettythings.ca/

Sandy Huntress - http://keepsakecrafts.net/blog/

Lori Bowring Michaud - http://artfullyornamental.blogspot.co.uk/

Amy - http://copperdiem.blogspot.co.uk/

Katherine Gale - http://terrabeadworks.blogspot.co.uk/

Back in the Swing

Finally, after what seemed like eons, I am inspired and making jewelry like a crazy person! I can only do so much at a time; I do not care to go through all that back pain again. But slow and steady wins the race right? The keyword being STEADY. Of course I also have my upcoming Craft Fair in 2 weeks to be lighting a fire under my derriere. But who cares why I'm back? I'M BACK!

I've posted most of these photos to my Facebook page, and at least two pairs of earrings here sold as a result (and another request for something similar sold as well).

Top: Focal by Bo Hulley. Bottom Right: Focal by Julie Rowe of Beads Birds & Bones.

Pendant by Julie Rowe of Beads Birds & Bones.

 Polymer Buddha head by Second Surf.

 Bird pendant by Kylie Parry.

Root beer pendant by  Lynn Davis.

Owl pendant by Round Rabbit Extra.

Lots of earrings (with some bits by Round Rabbit and Bo Hulley, as well as some upcycled vintagey things). The Day of the Dead earrings are always a customer favorite - these sold right away, and in fact were even blogged about! I made a custom pair for someone else who fell in love with these.

MOAR EARRINGS! I've been an earring making fool. These are perhaps less inspired than the ones above, but they're nonetheless pretty and will likely be a hit at the craft fair.

And the best thing I've done in a while is make this super fantastic wonderful earring display. I am bursting with pride over this one. Almost as much as my dog is bursting with tired in the background ;) And if you are interested in making something similar for yourself, I'll be doing a tutorial for Art Bead Scene all about it! I'll be sure to let you know when the post is up.

Thanks for dropping by, and I apologize for being such a bad blogger - but like I said, I'm back!

Catching Up

It's probably been a month or so since my last blog. I'm sorry about that. Things have been busy lately. After I hurt my back, I kind of lost all inspiration to make jewelry. I was pretty bummed about it, but figured it would come back soon enough. But you know what came instead? Hurricane Isaac! That was um, "fun."

80 hours without power in sweltering, windless, humid, heat index of over 100 weather - that's miserable. Sleep was very difficult - we tried sleeping by windows, in the car, apparently Steve tried sleeping on the ground outside by the pool (all the outdoor furniture had been packed away). I found the sofa nearest a window with my legs up over the back of the couch to be the best position. With a wet rag on my face. And something to fan myself with nearby. I was up by 5:30 every morning, which would never normally happen. It was just miserable. During the daylight hours, I did manage to make some jewelry because there was NOTHING ELSE TO DO. I read a little bit, talked to some neighbors. Carried my 35 lb dog up and down two flights of stairs because she's too old, fat, and short-legged to manage - and of course the elevator wasn't working. And of course I'm not supposed to lift more than 15 lbs. with my back. A lot of wine was consumed, which created some candle holders for the taper candles we had. I could go on and on. Just trust me, it was awful. And when we could finally get to a McDonalds, we were glad to wait an hour for service because it was a hot meal and a cold drink. I don't know how people used to live?!?!'

Then, it was my birthday last weekend, so I was a bit consumed with festivities/hangover. A recent order from Lima Beads arrived yesterday, and I made a cute pair of owl earrings with some long-hoarded Kristi Bowman copper leaves.

Enough reading - time for pictures now!

I finally went back to the darker bright red for my hair, and I'm glad I did. It's almost as red as my car, which you can see over my shoulder. Also, new sunglasses birthday present to myself.

The aforementioned owl earrings with Kristi's copper leaves.

Look what I found at TJ Maxx yesterday! I now have a family of five. That should be enough.

All of these were made during the so called "hurrication." Believe me, it was nothing like a vacation. At least two happened before the power went out though.

This came together after the power went out. It was one of those things that made itself. I just helped.

Okay, this was actually a week before the storm, I just hadn't gotten around to showing you yet. That gorgeous hammered copper ring was something I won from the super talented Susan of Cicada Silver/Libellula Jewelry

This cute little Golem cardinal pendant had been waiting patiently for months. The first night of "hunkering down" (a term so over-used it inspired a drinking game), I created this one. Still had power.

First thing I made when the sun came up the morning after the power went out. Another one that made itself. When I finish something like that - especially with components I've had for ages, I think "This piece of jewelry has been here all along just waiting to become whole. What took it so long?" I have picked up that charm and those beads so many times and wondered what I should do with them. I guess it took a hurricane to sort that out for me!

Anyway, I'm hoping that I'll get back to making something almost every day soon. I'm in PT for my shoulder (surprisingly, that was just a while I'm here, my shoulder's been bugging me for awhile thing I'd mentioned to my ortho when I went to see him about my back, and that's what I'm in therapy for!?) and with all the exercises I'm doing for it, it's been hurting more and more. So I still have to take it a little slow with jewelry. Do you all realize how difficult it is not to hunch or slouch while making something?!?!

Okay, that's enough for now. Thanks for visiting  :)

Activity Modification

Some of you may know I've been having some back issues lately. Well, I got the results of my MRI last week, and it turns out I have two, yes TWO ruptured discs. Hooray! That's what 15 years of sitting at a desk'll do ya. When you're me, anyway. What can I do? Well, not too much really. Surgery? Noooooo. Cortisone epidural? Thanks, I'll pass. The Brace From Hell? Eh, if it gets to the point of OMG-I-CAN'T-MOVE again. Activity Modification? Okay, that I can deal with. No heavy lifting. No bending over. Okay, okay. I shall squat to pick up after my dog on our thrice-daily walks. I will have Thighs of Steel by the time this is all over. Which is approximately... never. My doctor told me I was just going to accept the fact that no matter what, I will be living with "lower back weakness" for the rest of my life. Yippee! I'm starting PT tomorrow for an unrelated shoulder problem (when exactly did I turn 80? I must have missed it). So I'm going to ask him about the best things I can do for my back. And if he thinks I should have PT for it, my Dr. said he'll write up official orders. I think he's just a believer in the be careful and don't do anything stupid method. And walking.  As for my workspace (at work), I've got it as ergonomically organized as I can manage now. Oh, and my dad bought me one of these things. Ha! He's got a few and he loves them. Mostly, I've just given my dog long-distance ear rubs with it, which she doesn't seem to mind.

The good news: I never have to change the water in the water cooler ever again! 

So of course, two days after I got this information I had an art market I had agreed to do. Bending and heavy lifting galore! Fortunately, my mom, a sister and niece came out to help set up, and the niece stayed the whole time. I didn't sell a whole lot - it was one of those weekly markets that brings mainly browsers unless it's a holiday. But I covered my table fee and made a bit extra. Plus I made some new friends, and that was the best part. It was a young couple - she was from here, he was from Mexico, but they met in Wyoming. She's about to give birth any second now, so they came back home to be close to her family. He's a potter, and she does the glazing. At the end of the day, we made a little trade where she got a couple of pairs of earrings and I got a couple of their beautiful mugs!

Here's the only shot I took of my table.

Here are the mugs.

Here's a gratuitous picture of a little tree frog I took at my parents' house the night before my market.

I've been sloooooooooowly working on one necklace this week. But between back pain and laziness, I haven't even managed to finish that. And now that I have all my stuff back from the salon, a lot of it will be going up on etsy. I've already listed three things last night. Go me! This, this, and this. I'll need to get a bunch of new stuff made to take over to the salon. I have a hair appointment on the 1st anyway, so I'm sure I can get motivated to make a few new things. I certainly hope so.

Not Quite Back to Normal

I haven't blogged in ages - I'm sure you've all been crying yourselves to sleep at night about it, right? Okay, maybe not. But I have a good excuse. About a month ago I hurt my back. I wish I had a fun story about it like a battle with a Sasquatch or a unicycle-on-a-tightrope mishap, but no. It had been generally sore for awhile (bodies are not meant to sit at a desk for 8 hours a day), and one day - and you beading ladies will understand this - I was at Michael's. There was a big sale on Bead Gallery beads, plus I had a 20% off everything coupon, so I wanted to make sure I took advantage and bought all the little filler beads I wanted. You know how at Michael's, you look at the beads at eye level, then you have to stoop down and look at the bottom beads. Then stand up, take a step to the right and repeat 8-10 times 'til you've seen everything? Well that's when it happened. Every time I stooped down I thought, "OUCH! I probably shouldn't stoop down again." And then I kept doing it until it all went very very wrong. 

So I spent the following week on the couch watching The IT Crowd on Netflix and napping. I finally got an appointment with my orthopedist, and he made me wear this torture device of a brace for 2 weeks (even while sleeping). It was miserable. As you can imagine, I didn't particularly feel like making very much jewelry. Plus I was doped up on painkillers and muscle relaxers, so I wasn't very interested in doing much. During that time, I had to make my Bead Soup pieces, and managed to pull it off. I am very sad to report that this past Sunday, I was wearing the bracelet when it flew off my wrist and that gorgeous toggle shattered on the tile floor. It broke my heart -- I really loved it!

Anyway, my back's still kinda sore but at least I'm out of that dangbusted brace. Of course it hurts most when I'm sitting down at work, but I can't take a month off, so I must suffer and remember to get up every hour and walk around. I've got a kneeling chair now, but I can't sit in it all day. It's good to switch back and forth with my other chair. 

Point is, I haven't made a whole lot of jewelry in the past month! Other than my Bead Soup stuff, this is what I've done lately. 

 Focal by Lynn Davis, birdie by me, hematite nuggets, mookaite, agate, dalmatian jasper, & carnelian.

Copper poppy clasp by Daisychainextra, ceramic focal by Bo Hulley, faceted pearl, carnelian, mystery purple and tan stone, copper, waxed linen. 

 Ceramic bird focal by Kylie Parry, Czech glass, crystal, antique brass,  wood beads, waxed linen.

Ceramic focal by Round Rabbit, bone bead, and copper. 

Ceramic Shotgun House by Jessi, mookaite, new Czech glass (green), and vintage Czech glass (blue) from old Mardi Gras beads.

Sardonyx agate.

I custom ordered this mini-me bead from Soul Silver and I just LOVE it! I'm totally not vain at all, no. I'm going to make a necklace out of her eventually, but for now she just keeps me company in my computer/jewelry making area.