Flowers n' stuff...

...a few new blooms that I love!  My irises were a bit iffy this year, since last fall I had a big iris borer problem so I had to dig up rhizomes, cut off infected parts and replant.  I'm scared some of my special hybrid colors are not coming back, but you can't go wrong with old fashioned purples!  The big solid purple ones are heirlooms from my Momma's backyard....I can't look at them without thinking of her :)  The pink clematis is also a favorite!

This shot is from Ben's first Boy Scout meeting...they had their own bridge ceremony.  I like his face in this photo...he looks like he is has a secret!

These are patterned copper (thanks Keirsten, for tips!), embellished with stacked dapped and enameled disks...totally an experiment, and all mine, since they are not weighted right and therefore hang askew, plus the errant blob of white enamel.  I like the idea, though, so will be playing around with more!

Just a few rambling thoughts for Monday...I have loads of things to do around the house and garden, plus a couple of deadlines for custom work and Sally Russick's One Crayon Color Challenge...color me green, and it is my day on Thursday for Earrings Everyday, so check back in!

What about you?  What is on your agenda for the week?

Spring Fever Ramblings

Having a 9-5 job when Spring decides to flirt with your senses is totally unfair!  Granted, it has been  a very mild winter here in Maryland, I am so ready for warmer weather, green grass, and flowers!  The spring-like temps yesterday and today have me unfocused on my admin work and chomping at the bit to go and dig in some dirt!

Unfortunately, I have suffered with an off and on headache over the last 3-4 days...just when I think it is gone, it's knuckles tap me on the side of the head again..."I'm baacckkk"!

My day on Earrings Everyday....Confetti!

Here are a couple more pairs of earrings I created a while back featuring my new love of  bezel cups...

Handwrought copper  disks with faceted blue chalcedony; lampwork by SueBeads

Sterling disks with tiny turquoise cabs;  Picasso finish Czech glass drops

Have been working on some custom orders...including a silent auction piece for one of my co-worker's Breast Cancer fundraiser and a special gift for my son's Scout leader...she has been his den leader all the way through Cubs, and will continue into Boy Scouts.  Hope to have photos of these to show soon!

Speaking of Scouts, B crosses the bridge on Saturday!  Will take lots of photos!

Oh, I almost forgot...I am still going to have a giveaway based on my Bead Soup leftovers...will get a post up soon, I promise!

Hope you are all enjoying the spring-like weather and aren't stuck inside at your desk!

Leap Day Random

Wow, time has flown...I really can't believe it is the end of February already!  I feel like I have been really, really busy for the past couple months, but don't really feel like I have accomplished anything that I wanted to accomplish...sort of like the hamster in the wheel...running, running, running, but not actually getting anywhere. Now, here it is Leap Day...an extra day in February to start/do/finish things before March!

A necklace I actually started and finished in February, featuring a HumbleBeads polymer leaf pendant.

This resin-filled bezel was created as part of Deryn Mentock' s Towers an Turrets class (last year!) - just finished the necklace with copper, Czech glass and an unknown stone!

Went last week with B to visit his new middle school for next year, and got the lowdown on classes he is expected to take and electives, etc...he is a bit disappointed he can only take 1 elective...so will have to choose between band and art. His Dad and I (musicians that we are) are pushing band, especially since we went ahead and bought the drum he has been taking lessons on for the last year and a half, but he is really good in art as well.

Have been procrastinating (surprised?) about working on my bead soup pieces, but will be ready to reveal my creations this Saturday, March 3rd, right here...so stayed tuned, my friends!  Psst, there might even be a giveaway involved!

Also on this Saturday, I will be at the Frederick Artists Market, located at 15 North Market Street, from 5-9pm.  This will be the last market until October, so if you are in the area, stop by and say hello!

Oh, I just acquired a new domain and will be unveiling a new website soon...more on that later!

Random Friday

• After some encouragement from last Friday's random thoughts post, I am back!
• To all those serving or have served in our nation's armed forces, in any capacity, "Thank you,"

Visiting Grandpa at Arlington Cemetary, Memorial Day 2011

• Tonight, I will be sleeping on a gym floor in a sleeping bag, while my Webelos son runs around like crazy, shooting Nerf guns at other 10-11 year old CubScouts...yippeee!
• Tomorrow morning, after a sleepless night, and waking with an aching back, said CubScout and I will join the rest of his pack to pick up food donations in the neighborhood for this years "Scouting For Food" drive.
• After that, a shower, and maybe a nap...I am heading down to the Bead Society of Greater Washington's Annual Fall Bead Bazaar, in Gaithersburg!  My dear friend, the fabulous Ms. Barbara Lewis, will have a booth, as well as some of my favorite lampwork artists!  If you are in the area, you should definitely attend!
• So, the concensus was that I should, in fact, offer some of my components for sale.  I have decided to do just that...but it will be a little while until I amass enough that I really don't want to hoard for myself.  Umm, by the way, how do you art beads people do it.  Everytime I say, "okay, gonna enamel something to sell!", I look at them, and say "Ooh, I should keep this and make xxxx"!  You are all rolling your eyes by now!  Anyway, here is a sneak peak at what I did last night!

• Have a wonderful, autumn weekend! As always, thanks for stopping by!

Random Thoughts...

• seriously considering offering my handrafted components (embedded solder, various enameled pieces, etc) for sale...am I silly?
• was excited to see my Monet's Flowers earring project included in Interweave's new 10 Fabulous Wire Earrings ebook!

• I think I am coming down with a cold :(
• I thought there was an Arts Market tomorrow that I was stressing over, but turns out there isn't! Now my Saturday is free! I need to go to Artomatic before it is too late.
• Maybe I can start my big studio swap that my hubby agreed to - it will entail a massive clean-up on my part in order to organize.
• One of the jack-o-lanterns B and I carved for Halloween! 

• I have had this African violet on my desk at my office for a very long time and it finally re-bloomed..my office moved and I now have a fluorescent light under my shelf! 

• I have got to stop eating leftover Halloween candy...even though I confessed to Jen V. that I specifically bought Butterfingers for giving out, but hid them for later :)
• I normally go to Weight Watcher's at noon on Friday's, but think I will blow it off today...see above.
• I think I will make this type of post a Friday regular - I mean, I am so interesting, you will probably be waiting with bated breath to read what I am thinking, right?
• I hate the stupid cheap disc cutter I bought, so I took advantage of Thunderbird's sale recently and just got a whole bunch of lovely copper discs!
• I need a hair cut.
• Not really a football person, but I am a 'Bama girl, so....Roll, Tide, Roll!
• Happy Friday!