Monday, July 30, 2007

Networking.....


Actually I didn't have a network at all this morning. I think verizon does work in the morning (sometimes) that involves the network being down. I've had this happen twice in the last few days and it always seems that around 10AM everything will be back online again. A little pain in my butt, but I'll get over it.


I've been busy this morning paying bills, calling about insurance & just taking care of business in general. Today will be a jewelry day, if it kills me. The ideas are swirling & it's a little late for me to take to the torch.


The picture up top is of my daughters pretty.

Back to the wire :)

Sunday, July 29, 2007

Whirlwind




The last few days were busy, busy, busy.........Starting on Wednesday (through Thursday) my girlfriend since 3rd grade came out with 3 of her kids. We had a great time talking about kids & life in general. She lives about an hour & a half away so we don't get together very often. Lately years have gone by.....shame on us.......but the kids got along wonderfully & we promised each other to get together more often.


Friday I ran down to my Mom's and took her to run errands. That was an all day excursion & I ended up renewing my Costco card and getting some shopping done too. I always enjoy spending time with my Mom.


Yesterday we ended up going out to look at cars for Brandy.......and she ended up buying one. A 2000 Ford Explorer. Very nice off of a lot. She's a very happy girl today. The payments are manageable & I'm pushing for her to pay it off early.


Between all of this I did get a few more auctions listed & today I'm going to try and get some jewelry made, between picking up toys from the hurricane (kids) that blew through in the last few days while I wasn't around.................


I didn't even get this posted yet and the day is pretty much over.......accck!


Well I hope you all had a relaxing weekend......back to business!!!

Wednesday, July 25, 2007

Lost The @#$% Post

What good is automatic save when it doesn't work.......back later.........

Monday, July 23, 2007

And What A Weekend It Was.....

For my Daughter. I have no doubt that she was glad to see this weekend come to an end. She was opening both days which means up at 3:30AM. I heard her leave Saturday only to hear the front door open again. I yell, "is everything ok?", she says no, that she backed the van into the ditch at the end of the driveway.........It was dark and the garbage men left the can in almost the middle of the driveway & she thought she could manuver around them without moving them.......needless to say the van was sitting at a very ackward angle so we gave her the loaner can & proceeded to pull the van out of the ditch, which really didn't take all that long (20min. tops). Sunday morning comes along and I hear her leave again only this time I heard a loud cry. I jump out of bed in a flash and run out to see her getting into the van & she's crying, I ask her if she's ok & she says she fell down the stairs but has to get going. I ask her again if she's ok and she says yes so I let her go. After work I ask her what her injuries were and she shows me this HUGE BLACK & BLUE bruise on her hinny. Poor kid!!! I told her it could have been much worse!! She could have broken a bone or something........anyway she's glad to see this weekend come to an end.

Jimmy & I have started clearing the blackberries on the back 1/2 acre of the property, by hand. It is definetly a 2 person job. We did get them cleared from around the shop which will deter the rodents from nesting in it. We hope to have is done before the end of Summer. I was going to clip a bit this morning but it was pouring rain again......they say it's going to start clearing up today.

So I'll be working at the torch & then working on some rings. I have a couple experimental rings made but I don't have pictures yet.

The boys headed up the road early today so the house is quiet. Time for me to get the show on the road.

:)

Friday, July 20, 2007

TGIF???

I think that for a lot of people out there Friday really isn't that big of a deal. Depending on the time of year it, for the most part it really doesn't make a difference to me. Sometimes my favorite days are Mondays......I know for some that doesn't make any sense but for me it can be a day of peace. I love my children! My worst nightmares are about something happening to them, but when Monday comes around and they head off to school, I sometimes breath a sigh of relief. I still have one little guy left to go & honestly I'll really miss it when he goes (to school) but call it a split personality......I'll also be happy to have some portion of the day to myself. For a few years now I've been a person who is very happy alone but I also realized (on Father's Day) that I've had my children & am in the process of raising them (which I don't mind at all) but that I'm done "giving birth". One of my cousins was at my parents for a party there and I didn't have that pang I usually have around new babies......I'm pretty sure that means I've reached the point of no-return in peri-menopause. I have no worries about having more children (I had that taken care of after Connor). I'm not going to say that I've entered the grandparent stage (AAAACCCCKKK!!!). My daughter shows no signs of even wanting to have children & at 18 seems to be on her way to a career even without a diploma (I didn't say that & I'm still pushing for her to get it!). I'm not going to be one of those parents waiting for grandchildren.....what can I say......I will be one of those grandparents that you need to call ahead of time to book me (I can still be flexible) but I don't tell my kids that I'm waiting for them to "get married" & "provide me with grandchildren". My main concern is just for them to be happy & fulfilled in life.

OK, I'll get off my box now. I'm working on a couple of new designs for rings &, of course, playing with lampworking.....

So back to TGIF....tomorrow is a work day for both Jimmy & I so....... TGIS.....right... ; )

Enjoy your evening...: )

Thursday, July 19, 2007

I'm On Fire......




Not really but there were a couple of times sitting at the torch that it felt that way. Between a torch, a kiln & an electric fry pan it tends to get a little toasty. I've really been enjoying the warm rainy (tropical) weather.


At the suggestion of a customer I'm working on a new ring design & I'm going to try to make the Fire Mountain Gems (http://www.firemountaingems.com/) Jewelry contest deadline at the end of August. I've got a few designs spinning around my head but haven't quite nailed down which one I want to do yet. I might do them all and then decide (if I have time). I was a finalist in one of their contests a few years ago (see page 71, Necklaces, in the Gallery of Designs, Butterflies & Flowers # 0178) . I've been hanging out at their website the last couple of days trying to decide what to buy for my creations & I forgot that their prices are pretty darn good plus they now give a quantity discount on all items.


I have been hearing the clay calling again too but am putting that on the shelf for the moment. My ideas are leaning along the Christmas Ornament type so I'll probably start play with that again next month.


The kids are really enjoying their Summer even if we are staying home. They have lots to do & plenty of friends in the neighborhood to hang out with.


I added a few more auctions today. Check out the amethyst moon ring. It's really cool and was a lot of fun to make. The size is on the small side (wonderful pinkie ring) but I had a request to see if I could make smaller sizes.


Time to finally kick it for a bit. The kids are getting chimechangas for dinner.


Enjoy your evening : )

Tuesday, July 17, 2007

Acid Etch




It's been awhile since I etched a bead. I just had a customer ask if I would etch one for her.....crap....I'm out, but now that I look at some of my other beads I'm seeing some distinct possibilities. I'll be making the trip to the local craft store for some more this evening.


How is everyone's Summer progressing?? Can you believe we're about half way through! The weather is back to a more acceptable lampwork temperature. The family reunion is this weekend but we arent' going to be making it this year. The kids are bummed but understanding. We are going to (hopefully) be heading to the beach for a couple days at the tail end of Summer. The ocean is one of my favorite places in the whole world. If I ever get the opportunity to live near the ocean I'll take it in a heartbeat.


My last lampwork session produced some orchids. Check them out when you have a chance. Plus I have one new ring up for Auction.

Time to get dinner on....

Enjoy your night!

Monday, July 16, 2007

This & That

Did you all have a nice weekend?

They lost the last soccer game but still had a great time. We took him to Coldstone as an end of the season treat. Fall soccer will be here soon.

I was able to squeeze in some lampwork yesterday when Jimmy took the boys out to his parents on Sunday. The beads are still waiting to be cleaned. I also have some more rings in the process & have started playing around on my new table. I should, hopefully, have something to show you next week.

It's overcast & cooler today. From the forcast is looks like it's going to cool off quite a bit this week. They are saying the 60's which is brrrrr for this time of year........I hope not.

Today is another work day for me. I have lots to do.......

Enjoy your Monday!

Saturday, July 14, 2007

The Last Game




Tonight is Duncan's last soccer game for the Summer. He's already wanting to start the next season. Their team is ranked second. I'm really proud of how well he's done.


Yesterday morning we had an awesome thunder & lightning storm. It lasted about an hour & I loved it. The only downside was how humid it got later. Humidity is great at sapping your energy......needless to say I didn't get a whole lot done yesterday.


I'm working my way around to posting a couple of things today. Two more rings and a flower or two. I haven't had any time at the torch yet & it doesn't look like I'll get there this weekend (DARN!). My new table is screaming at me too ........need to create something.....arrrrg!!.
Enjoy your weekend.......go create something: )

Thursday, July 12, 2007

Hot Baby!!!

It's a hot one, like 7 inches from the midday sun........actually it's nice right now. It's still over 70 in the house but that's very comfortable compared to the 90 degrees it was until about 11:30PM. I actually stayed up until about 1AM waiting for the house to cool down enough to sleep.

I didn't get anything done yesterday since I spent most of my time in the pool with the kids. Today I have to get some grocery shopping done or I'll really be hearing it from the kids & Jimmy. You can guess that it's NOT one of my favorite things to do & I'll put if off until there's nothing but stale bread & catsup in the fridge. Just kidding but from the way everyone complains you'd think that was all there was.

My metalsmithing table turned out wonderful!!! Unfortunately I won't be able to use it until later today or tomorrow......darn!!! So much to do & so little time. I still need to dig out all of my tools & goodies for working.

Gotta run or I'll never get anything done.

Stay cool!

Wednesday, July 11, 2007

Swimming!

We are going to be heading out shortly to swim. It's going to be in the 90's today & I promised the kids.

I didn't get any beads done yesterday but I did get the area behind me ready for my new metalsmithing table (THanks Honey!!!). Took me most of the day to get things sorted & I found a few things to add to my "other" ebay, but now I'm good to go & Jimmy will install the table tonight. I can hardly wait!!!

I did finish a froggie ring last night. It's a little different from the other one with a touch of green tourquoise (picture tomorrow). I'm taking my ring making stuff with me today to hopefully get something done.

Kids are rousing, so I need to get moving.

Have a wonderful day!

Tuesday, July 10, 2007

Ooooops!!




I have a correction for yesterdays post. The earrings I want to make are from Jewelry Artist (Lapidary Journal) magazine. I have to tell you that I love what Lapidary Journal did with their magazine. I used to subscribe to Lapidary Journal several years ago & kind of lost interest in it, but when the premiere issue came out......WOW!! I just love it http://www.jewelryartistmagazine.com/ ...give it a look. I think I'm going to have to subscribe again. I've already found several things I want to try.

I posted my rings yesterday & am working on some others. The weather is really starting to heat up which makes it a little more uncomfortable to lampwork but I'm going to try & squeeze in a quick session today. Tomorrow I'm taking the boys down to swim at my Mom's. Connor has just figured it out & can do the water wing swim (after much screaming) & is now excited to go again. We're supposed to be up into the 90's tomorrow & Thursday.

Time to get moving. Enjoy your day & stay cool!

Monday, July 09, 2007

Rings......

Did you all have a good 4th? It was nice here. We ended up having 2 of my sisters over and some of their friends. I was even surprised that the bombs stopped going off between 11:30 & midnight. My kids had a blast lighting things & in the end I'm really glad it's done.

I have a couple more rings done, "Turtle Pond" & "Askew". I will get those photographed today & up on ebay this afternoon. I really like the way both turned out.

I'm in the process of setting up a metal working/soldering area & have been chomping at the bit to make a pair of earrings that I saw in Art Jewelry Magazine. Jimmy is making the table & I can hardly wait for it to be done. It will be right next to my lampwork area.

I'm pretty sure I mentioned that I was going to be teaching a class at one of the local craft store. Well they offered the class for two months (once each month) & we didn't get any takers. I know that it's mainly because of the weather. When it's not raining who wants to be inside?? I took a pass on this month & will probably wait until September to offer it again. In the end I wasn't dissapointed because I always have tons of things to work on & I do enjoy being home with the kids.

We watched 3 movies this weekend. The Bridge To Terabithia (Sad but ok), Pan's Labyrinth ( I didn't like it at all) & Ghost Rider (Excellent, but I love Nicolas Cage).

Today there is a marine layer hovering over, no rain though & tomorrow it's supposed to heat up a bit, closer to 90. Time for me to get my lavender plant in the ground.

Enjoy your day : )

Tuesday, July 03, 2007

The 4th




The 4th of July is not one of my favorite holidays. We usually get a small amount of fireworks and let the kids light them (carefully) after it gets dark. The boys can hardly wait!


I forgot to mention that I didn't make the cut on the Bead Dreams entries this year. The people who did are absolutely fantastic. No worries, I'll give it another shot next year. One day my name will appear as a Bead Dreams finalist!!


The weather went from stormy to hot. That's making it more difficult to lampwork these days. I'm going to have to start dragging my butt out of bed earlies so I can do it in the cool of the morning. I tried to make a couple of focals today but had a screaming headache. However there was a visitor outside the window. I took a picture but you really can't see the little guy (hummingbird). It kept purching on this outdoor light I made a few years back out of chicken wire, crappy beads & a babyfood jar. You can kind of make him out in the blur of he photo.
I also added a photo of an elephant (aromatherapy vessel) that I've been working on & a cabachon. For all of you wire wrappers out there. I haven't decided if I'll post the elephant of not but the cab will be going up eventually. Do you see the heart in the middle?
I'm off to enjoy a glass of Sangria & make a salad for dinner.
Enjoy your evening & stay cool!