Time Flies...

source: Pinterest

Wow, I can't believe it has been 2 weeks since I have stopped by to say "How-dy-doo!"  Time sure does fly!  A lot has been happening behind the scenes during that 2 weeks...my baby boy turned 10, he started 5th grade, I turned 53, uh, 29 ; yard work, house work, new den furniture, lots and lots and lots of rain, dr's appts (lots of preventative stuff that I have put off), and on, and on! Family wise, those are the things I have been focusing on. 

On the creative front, there are deadlines that are approaching...the Bead Soup Blog Party reveal is this Saturday, the 17th.  Yikes - that sure got here fast!  In other words, I am not done and am stressing a bit! My piece(s) will get finished, though, never fear!  Art Bliss is fast approaching as well and though I am totally excited about that, I signed up to participate in the charm swap and the name tag challenge.  The charms are started, at least...coming up with the design was the biggest hurdle.  The name tag is another story!  It's not too late to sign up, by the way!  Online registration closes on September 20 but I believe you can register at the venue, unless the class is full!  I will be taking Deryn Mentock's "Wax On"  and Richard Salley's "Lasting Impressions" classes!



Source: ArtBliss Workshops - Deryn Mentock & Richard Salley class photos

Then, there are the upcoming jewelry shows!  October 1 is a pretty big one for me - the East Street/Shab Row Jewelry and Wearables Show in Frederick.  I did this one last year and it was pretty much a success - my 1st real "outdoor, using my tent" show.  The weather was gorgeous and I had no tent issues, so am hoping this year goes as well.  Needless to say, I have been cranking out some new items for that, as well as some other shows on the horizon later this fall.
So, there you have it!  My current life in a nutshell!  I'm glad you stopped by :)

I am grateful...

for many things this year...my sweet family, a roof over our heads and food in our pantry, a job that helps provide those things, my friends - new and old, especially you my dear readers!  I am also grateful for new opportunities :)

I haven't been around much this week - been working, cleaning house, planning tomorrow's feast, and still trying to be prepared for the 2nd of 3 three jewelry shows I scheduled pretty much back to back!  Just Sunday I was at St. John the Beloved's annual bazaar.  In 2 days, on Black Friday, I will be at the Frederick Artists Market from 10-6, then again on Saturday, December 4th.  Once those shows are over I have some pressing deadlines, then I can relax and enjoy the holidays.

I wish all of you a very Happy Thanksgiving!!

 

Blossoms...

As I mentioned previously, I have 3 upcoming shows in October...the 1st one is less than 2 weeks away.  I have been working daily on new items, but have been actually finishing things pretty slowly. What is it about having a deadline like a show, that makes me think of all these cool new things I want to try, knowing full well I don't have time to do that! I have been trying to incorporate some new twists in some of my old favorites, though. 

Here are a few that I got shots of yesterday afternoon...man, the autumn light is already different!

borosilicate by Lori Robbins, garnet, Hill Tribe silver flowers

Aren't these borosilicate beads by Lori Robbins just drool-worthy?  The colors are soooo yummy!

borosilicate lampwork, swarovski and Hill Tribe silver blossoms

I have had these beads forever..the last of a set I bought on eBay ages ago.  I'm sorry I don't remember the artist.  Once I had Lori's finished, I decided I wanted to do another pair!

czech glass leaves, woven with copper wire

more czech glass, woven together with sterling, Balinese connectors

Of course, I had to create some more of my woven-wire flowers...they have sort of become a signature thing for me!  I really like how many moods/styles you can create with these.

Stay tuned for more eye-candy tomorrow :)

Ack!! Where has the time gone!

Wow...I have sitting around all complacent and this weekend it suddenly dawned on me, that I have 3 shows in October!  Ruh-roh!  If you have read my blog for a while, you probably know that I am a total procrastinator, and sometimes do my best and most creative work under tight deadlines, but I'm thinking I am so behind on increasing my inventory, it just isn't funny!

The 1st one is October 2 - The East Street Jewelry Show, located at Everedy Square & Shab Row in Frederick.  All handcrafted jewelry by 24 local artists...no pressure there!

One of the things I am most nervous about is the fact that this is an outdoor show, and I'm biting the bullet and getting a tent. 

Another is coming up with more professional looking business cards, etc...I have been making my own, but am about to take the Moo plunge...here are a few templates I came up with for Mini-Moo cards. These are 1st drafts, bound to change, but I kind of like them.  I really like how you can get several different images with one order of cards.

The mini's are half the size of regular business cards, and double-sided, so all the business info is on the back...what do you think?  Are these too simplistic?

Dragonflies...

Countdown continues with Day 3!  Yay me!

Here are a couple pair of fun, economical earrings featuring links from some cool chain I bought at Michaels...embellished with pretty Swarovski's in spring hues.  I really like them and may make a few more pair with different dangles.

On a sad note...I thought these would look fabulous enameled green or blue, but as soon they hit the flame, they were a pile of melted goo :(

Notes from the Universe

I signed up to get inspirational emails from this site called "Notes from the Universe".  I really love it, you personalize it, so it is like a pep talk from an old friend!  This is what I got yesterday...

"Little is more impressive, inspirational, or sexy, Melissa, than watching someone in the throes of action, driven by purpose, oblivious to all but their aim.  Today has your name all over it - The Universe"

Cool, huh?
And in keeping with that...here's my Arts Market Count Down Post - Day 2

Last night was yard cleanup...trash days in our neighborhood on the 1st and 3rd weeks of the month include yard waste pickup, so Ben and I worked hard outside until dusk.

I was able to work on a new piece for a bit...can't wait to show it to you, but alas, it is not ready yet :)

But keeping my pact to post new work, here is more Swarovski!  First is a necklace and earrings in sterling, featuring fuschia briolettes and tiny bicones...

Next is an antiqued brass necklace with emerald green opal. I love the "opal" Swarovski crystals, they have such a nice depth and almost chatoyancy - somewhere in between transparent and opaque!  I thought this worked really well with the big rhyolite bead.  I am going to have to go back and try to oxidize the wire I used on the necklace, as it is just too bright.

April Arts Market Count Down...

I'll be back at the Frederick Arts Market on Sunday, April 25 from 1-5...stop by if you are in the area!  I really wanted to get some of my new work finished for this one, so I will be working hard this week (procrastinator, remember?) cranking out some new pretties between now and then.  I have to stop experimenting and practicing and get down to business!

Here are a few recent creations. I bought several pairs of Swarovski briolettes in various colors and have been making earrings using fused and hammered/stamped fine silver rings or copper washers. All have hand-wrought sterling earwires.  The tanzanite ones and the copper ones are my favs :)

I made a pact with my self that I would post new pieces every day this week in order to keep my momentum for the show...Day 1 done!

Welcome to my new blog home!

Make yourself comfy!

I am feeling positive about my venue change...so far so good :)

As I indicate in earlier posts, my 1st of 3 shows over the next 2 weeks is Sunday, so have been cranking out some new items. This one is a church bazaar at the Catholic church where I sing, so I anticipate some rosary/spiritual jewelry sales, so have been focusing on that this week.

With the economy, I also wanted to make sure to include some simpler, less expensive items, so have been working with that in mind. Here are 4 of a series of necklaces I have been creating out of beautiful, affordable copper. All have cute toggle clasps in the front, but each has a different type of focal.

Carved coral with brecciated jasper

Amulet agate (at least, that's what the vendor called it) with Czech glass

Imperial jasper

Silver Leaf jasper

More to come!