Sunday, November 23, 2008

Finished The Gloves


I finished the fingerless gloves and am quite happy with them. They work perfectly and I will have to make more but alter the pattern (I don't prefer the open back). The gray yarn and blue buttons are just some "stuff" I happen to have around. For the next pair I will take more care with picking buttons to match the yarn. The gray works nicely for what I'm doing but they need to be washed frequently because of the dirtiness of the papers. So I will definitely need to have spare pairs around. Plus Duncan went with me and has now requested a pair for himself. I'm working on a collar too, that's kind of like a mini scarf. I love scarves but hate the way they hang down and get into stuff and I tend to live in them during the Winter, so I'm going to try out a mini one and see how it goes.

I made some Holiday Goddess's the other day and am really pleased with how they turned out. I should have those up tomorrow and will be making more this week before Thanksgiving.

We were going to have Thanksgiving at home this year but my wonderful In-Laws have extended an invitation to us and we are taking them up on it. We are really looking forward to it!

Enjoy your Sunday!

Thursday, November 20, 2008

Skinned Knee & Dorkism

Ok, you would think that in the 40 odd years I've been around that I have learned to walk well enough without falling down. Apparently not since I took a tumble yesterday and actually skinned one of my knees and a hand. It was right after my littlest got on the bus so, thankfully, he didn't see me. My first thought after OUCH! was, yeah! I didn't rip my jeans. Weird, huh? Then I limped back home to repair the damage. By last night I was wondering how I was going to function. I couldn't believe how much a knee could throb and swell. My daughter gave me a couple of Aleve and I hit the bed at around 7, wondering how I was going to manage my route today........well low and behold, my knee feels MUCH better today. It is still a little sore and I've noticed a couple of other bruises, that I didn't notice yesterday but I'm so glad it seems to have recovered. 20 years ago I would have barely flinched at a skinned knee. Amazing the difference the years can make.

So, since I didn't finish my JustBeads listings yesterday, I added the last few this morning. Sorry about that!

Gotta tell ya about something interesting that happened this morning. Our truck has a digital thermometer in it and when I walked out of the house this morning I noticed that it was shockingly warm and the sky was clear. When I started the truck the gauge read 59 degrees. That was about what I thought. The wind was blowing too and it was a warm wind. We live up on a hill so as I drove into town, which involves going down hill the temp began to drop. By the time I got into town, about 7 minutes later, it was 37 degrees and flashing "ice". It was very bizarre, to say the least, and of course by the time I got back from my route (3-1/2 hours later) it was 34 degrees at home. Just had to mention it. Weird huh? I swear I was awake when this happened :0.


Today I'm going to squeeze in a little more lampwork and finish up my fingerless gloves. They are very basic. The pattern came from Lionbrand. Tons of free knit, crochet and craft patterns (If you're into that). Plus lots of cool ones you can buy and, of course, there's the yarn. Have I told you about my yarn stash.......never mind........I'll save that for another time. So a picture of the gloves tomorrow.

TTFN
(tah, tah, for now)

Wednesday, November 19, 2008

I'm not a snob......or am I??







A bitch, yes, but not a snob..........I don't really talk to the other people that do routes at the same time as me. I made a choice here. I go there to pick up my papers and get the job done! Not to socialize and smoke (I am an ex smoker, but it doesn't bother me that other people smoke), in the freezing cold. Plus, I'm just not talkative in the middle of the AM hours. Add to it, that there was really only one woman there that I liked. She disappeared last weekend and I heard the "chat group" saying this morning that her husband had died (bummer). Sounded like it was sudden since I didn't get the impression from her that he had been sick and she looks to be in her 40's like me. Anyway I chose not to go up and ask what had happened because, if she comes back, I would rather hear it from her than from the people passing around all of what's going on in everyone else's life, that they work with. Where this is going I'm not sure except that I have found that I just don't fit in with this group. It doesn't bother me at all. These are not people I would choose to socialize with outside of "work" so I choose not to socialize with them at work. Maybe I am a snob. However I'm getting what I need to get done, done and I think I'm doing a good job. I do know people who think it's important to fit in with any group. That they should mold their personality to fit each set of people that they meet and if they don't, they worry that those people "don't like them". I quit caring a long time ago about what other people think of me. I answer to "myself" and feel good about it. My companion, kids and family are the most important things in my life and I realize that I don't make them happy all of the time either. Bottom line I do what I need to, to be happy......everyone else.......well...........we are all supposed to be different, Right?!

Speaking of different......I've made some more Goddess rings. I have a fascination with "pixie dust" right now and am chomping at the bit to get my hands on some enamels, but that's going to have to wait for the moment. I'm slowly adding a shell or two to a growing collection. What I'm going to do with those.....well I haven't quite decided yet. I'm going to be revamping my collection on Etsy within the next couple of weeks. It's all a work in progress.

The green fertility Goddess at the top turned out cool, but unfortunately has a "starburst" of cracks around the cz in her belly button. So she gets to stay with me. The polymer set is one that I did quite awhile a go. The rings are pixie dust Goddess's and one acceptable fertility Goddess (Merlot creme). All of these (except the cracked Goddess) will be up on JustBeads before the end of the day.

That's all I have for now.
Enjoy your day today!

Tuesday, November 18, 2008

Cleaning Beads & Photographing

Today will be devoted to both of those......yeah! I got to spend a few hours on both Sunday & Monday melting glass. I always forget what fun it is to do this when I spend sooo much time away. I think that I may have to make up a schedule to keep me on track, somewhat. I love variety so I'm thinking that I will devote certain days of the week to certain "things". Hmmmm, will have to work on that thought some more. In the meantime, today will be for cleaning and photographing, just because I need to get it done and it one of those tedious things that "needs" to be done in order to move on to the fun stuff!

Interesting, I have been following some other blogs, plus what I read in the newspaper (I stay away from the news on television), which is only because I deliver it everyday, and I've noticed the word "Fear" coming up a lot. This, of course has to do with the state of the economy. A lot of artist's are being "forced" into finding supplemental jobs because of this "fear". My reason for my job was not, so much because of the economy (or so I thought) but just because I'm sick and tired of worrying every month about whether or not we can make ends meet. So I figured that if I could find something that wouldn't interfere (too much), with the kids and my routine that it would be nice to finally be able to work to play "catch up" instead of robbing Peter to pay Paul every month. Plus with Christmas just around the corner, that added to the motivation. I do think that all the "Fear" that is being reported by the media is creating a domino effect. If the media focused on the good instead of the bad more. I think that people, in general would be in a better state of mind and that the economy would feel the effects of that instead. Has anyone noticed the price of gas lately?? It's almost under $2 a gallon here, YEAH!! Or how about that you really DON'T need a lot of money to have a WONDERFUL Christmas. We have had a couple of years being "dirt" poor, through the holidays and you know what?? The kids still had a great Christmas!

This year we are planning on making ornaments for the tree. Everyone in the house can contribute and you can make them out of just about anything. The kids love the idea! We've decided that we (in general) are just going to try to focus on being more positive!! I think I'm going to have to quit reading the newspaper. So for today, try to think of the good things instead of the bad. This economy is NOT going to last forever! It's going to upswing SOON!

Ok, off my soapbox for today. Check back tomorrow for new goodies!

Saturday, November 15, 2008

My Route Continues

I'm really enjoying having my boys tag along on the route with me. They only get to "work" on the weekends and only one at a time. I've started rewarding them with an Egg McMuffin. For the moment they think that it's a fair trade. But I'm sure they'll start asking for $$$ soon.

I've decided that I need some fingerless gloves and a hood of some sort for working these routes. I've been looking at some crochet patterns for something quick to "stitch" up. Or maybe even a sewing pattern. It's getting cold enough to where having a little extra help staying warm on the route would be nice. Actual gloves are not an option because of the handling of newspapers. And a hood that will actually stay on my head would be wonderful with all the rain and wind. I think a raincoat would be a little too bulky with getting in and out of the truck.

I'm still lagging in the lampwork department. Every time I make plans to sit at the torch something comes up......but.......tomorrow is looking good for some time. We'll see! I'm really into Goddess's, shells & my Tree Goddess Beads. I also have a couple of ideas for new ones. Of course I always have ideas for something or other. I'm telling ya, I need at least 48 hours everyday!

I wanted to add a couple more people that I love in the pattern department too......Knit Art By Grace, Iza Malczyk & Julida Designs. You'll notice that they are not all jewelry but a variety of patterns that have interested me. I could offer a ton of other artists but I spend far to much time on the net as it is so for now have fun checking these ones out.

Thursday, November 13, 2008

Stormy Season Is Here

It starts with loads and loads of rain then it clears up and the wind BLOWS and it gets down right chilly. You would think that living in the Pacific Northwest, I have no right to complain about rain and I'm not really complaining. Rain in and of itself isn't so bad. In fact a lot of times it's nice, especially when you're looking to stay in and create. But add some wind and the cold. Maybe a power outage or 3 and I've had enough! I start pining for Spring! Luckily for us we live up on a hill so flooding is not an issue unless you count the creek that runs the through the yard and other than giving the kids something to get muddy in there's no threat there at all. So the stormy season is here and it's just time to ride it out.

I actually got to lampwork a little last weekend. I'm also working on several tutorials. The first will be very basic and I'll build from there. This is something I've been talking about doing for a couple of years and now I have no more excuses! If I can publish a couple before the New Year I'll be very happy!! Tutorials are all over the place now! Coming up with something new is the fun part. It has been interesting watching people price them. I was really excited that another lampworker was making a tutorial on one of the floral pieces she does until I saw the price. I do feel that people can price there tut's for what ever they like, but when it's overpriced I think it motivates people to work at "figuring" it out instead of paying for it. I was willing to pay what I thought would be a reasonable price. Needless to say, she's sold very few tutorials in comparison to those that are priced "reasonably". This is, of course, just my opinion and as I've said everyone is free to price their work at whatever they think it's worth. There are tons of fabulous tutorials for great prices out there so look around. These are some of my favorites: JewelryLessons.com has tons and this will be one of my venues for when I'm ready. These are just a few of the artists I would highly recommend for their Tutorials: EarringsByErin, Eni Oken, Cabisuteria, (Christina Amador), Gailavira, Mary Lockwood, and Christi Friesen just to name a few. This is a very small mix of what's out there. So if you're looking for tutorials there's lots out there to choose from and the price range varies greatly.

No pictures today. I need to etch a couple of things and will most likely be lampworking again this weekend. I'm looking to start playing with enamels soon with my glass and am using pixie dust on a regular basis. New stuff coming soon! I should have at least one tutorial done by the end of this month (fingers crossed).

Add me to your favorites if your curious.

Have a great day!

Wednesday, November 05, 2008

Change Is On The Way!!!




Just a quick note today to say how relieved I am that Barack won. I think we have been long past due for a change (at least 8 years worth). But after the fiasco of the last election I was a little worried at what the out come might be. Needless to say it was a wonderful overwhelming response that this country is READY for change! And yes, I did vote.

Moving on to behind the scenes. This week has been crazy and I'm slowly making progress on the jewelry/lampwork front. I'm hoping to get my torch lit up this Friday but that will depend on how the day goes. I'm volunteering for about an hour in the morning for Connor's class while they have an Art Docent come in. She was looking for a couple of extra parents to come in and help with a project they are doing. Sounds like fun, so I'll be there. If I don't get a chance to torch on Friday I'll definitely be squeezing in a weekend session. I have a couple of requests and need to get busy melting glass.

Pictures up above are of sets that will be going up on JustBeads sometime within the next couple of days.

Time to go get dinner started. Have a great evening!

Saturday, November 01, 2008

Featured Artist For Just Beads!!




Yes, Me!! I'm the featured artist for November for JustBeads.com! I'm thrilled! Can you tell? Just click on the link at the top left of their home page.

Now that the contest is over I can also post pictures of my entries for PCC (Polymer Clay Central) monthly challenge. I had been thinking about entering one of their monthly challenges for ages but finally got around to it when they made is so that you could send your photo's online. I didn't win but that's ok, it was fun to do, and I'm thinking I will probably be entering more in the future even though they've returned to the Snail Mail entries. So keep an eye out for more of me in the future.

Those were my surprises that I was waiting to tell you! An excellent way to start November!! It would be even better if I could spend the day creating but alas I desperately need to restock our pantry today. The natives are hungry and complaining that we have nothing to eat in the house, so off I go. It will probably take most of the day but hopefully I won't forget anything (seems to happen even when I have a list). The one store that's the most fun is Trader Joe's. I love it!! Filled with unique, yummy and great priced goodies. Dakota claims he's going to work at one when he's old enough. Hopefully they will have one a little closer to us when that time comes.

I'm off to take care of business, enjoy your Saturday and don't forget to Fall Back tonight!