Friday, July 31, 2009

We have a winner!

We have a winner! Bria of The Urchiness was the entry picked byRandom.org. Please visit her blog and congratulate her. - The Urchiness

Thank you to all of you who entered. Keep a watchful eye out for my next contest. I don't know what or when it will be yet.

Thursday, July 30, 2009

Busy Day



I have several things to cover today. First is this bracelet that I just listed on Etsy. I have to admit, I did not just whip it up yesterday. I did just finish it though. It is one of those projects I get to almost finished and then set aside. I absolutely detest sewing on snaps. It seems I never get them even the first time. This time I did. It just took me a few months to convince myself I should get it done! So - here it is.

Danish Flowers


Next is a fun thing I wanted to share with you. It has been raining so much here it has gotten to the point that even my cat is taking cover. Mia is ready for anything now.





And finally, this is the last day to sign up for my copper bracelet giveaway. I will be picking the winner tomorrow. If you haven't signed up yet here's the link because the original post is buried
.

Copper Wire Wrapped Bracelet

Wednesday, July 29, 2009

Rain




I spent the entire day yesterday making stuffed animals for the market. This flurry of activity resulted in no jewelry getting done.

Since we have had nothing but rain here for the entire Summer I decided to share a good side of being constantly wet. Aside from the facts that my garden has turned yellow and I can't keep the dehumidifier empty, there are a few good points. Sunsets over "my" valley have been spectacular for one thing. I snapped these pics from my front yard so please forgive the power lines running through them. I am much better at macro photography than scenery. My pics do not do God's handiwork justice, but I tried. It seems to be a message for living life. Even storm clouds can be beautiful.

Have a great day. I hope to get back to the beads today!

Tuesday, July 28, 2009

Copper Waves Wire Wrapped Bracelet



I have had these copper colored Cathedral beads for a long time. I never knew what to do with them. They didn't go with any of the gold I have and silver was not an option in my mind. I thought they were to "frilly" for my copper wire bracelets, but I decided to give it a whirl. Since they are so fancy I thought a more structured, uniform shaped bracelet would be best for them. To toot my own horn, I think it came out quite nicely.

Here is the link for more info:
Copper Waves Wire Wrapped Bracelet

If you like my copper wire bracelets, don't forget to enter my giveaway. The last day for entering is coming up. I will pick the winner on the 31st of July.

Click here to find out how to enter: Bracelet Giveaway


Monday, July 27, 2009

Beaded Bangle Bracelet



We set off for the beach yesterday. Not that it was warm enough to go to the beach. We were just tired of sitting home. Half way there we could see the storm clouds over Lake Erie but we pressed on. Of course by the time we got there it was cold and we weren't out of the car more than two minutes before it started raining. Yup, that's about right for one of our day's at the beach. We turned around and came home after a stop at the fish market and KFC. Fun Sunday in Chautauqua County...

On the way we found a garage sale that had tons of jewelry for sale. Some of it will be dismantled and the parts reused. The rest is going on Ebay. I found some really pretty rhinestone sets. Nothing I made of course, but very pretty.

What else could I do on a rainy Sunday after NOT getting to at least wade in the surf but bead? The result of our downpour is this fun little bangle bracelet in purple. I just love the way the faux pearls fit right into the spaces left by weaving the silver lined glass beads using the square stitch. It makes for a simple yet pretty pattern.

Here's the link:


Purple Beaded Bangle Bracelet

Here's a link to one of my Ebay auctions too, just in case you like rhinestones.

Sunday, July 26, 2009

I Am In a Treasury



A pair of my Orchid earrings have been featured in an Etsy Treasury so instead of just showing off my work I thought I would share the entire Treasury with you today. There are lots of pretties to see in this set chosen by the Etsian - Tisserande . Be sure to check out her exquisite hand woven textiles. Just click on her user name above.

Here is the link to the Treasury she created. Give us all a boost up the Etsy ranks and click on all of the items shown.

Bouquet de Fleurs

Friday, July 24, 2009

Flutter-by Butterfly Earrings




Good day to you. Glad you could join me today.

When I ordered the Calla Lily beads, the same supplier had these darling little butterflies advertised. I didn't know what I was going to do with them but they were so darned cute I had to order them. When I got them I sat for a long time putting them on T pins every which way. No matter what I did, they looked like Gummy Bears on a stick. Now, if you've ever seen Jeff Dunham you know JalapeƱo on a Stick is funny, but these Gummy sticks were not. Even my DH thought they were stupid. So, I put them away and went to bed.

Yesterday morning I woke up with the solution. These swarms of butterflies around a lily were the answer and there's no ventriloquist needed
. I made them in both silver and gold so you can choose which one you like best.

Flutter-by Butterfly Earrings

There's still time to enter my bracelet giveaway. Lots of folks have entered this one. Why not give it a shot if you haven't already?


Thursday, July 23, 2009

Back To Earrings - Calla Lilies




A new shipment of beads came yesterday. That was enough to get me to put the copper away for a while. My poor fingers were getting pretty sore anyway.

I saw these Calla Lily beads in a supply shop and just have to have them. They have such a graceful, elegant flow to them. I think it would be hard to make anything that wasn't pretty with them. I did try a couple of awkward looking combinations before I came up with one that pleased me though. Hope you like them too.

Here is the link for more info
: Calla Lily Earrings

Don't forget to sign up for my giveaway bracelet. Giveaway

Wednesday, July 22, 2009

Copper and Pearls



Copper and pearls, fire and water, man and nature combined make for some really beautiful things. I was thrilled at the way this bracelet turned out. The teal dyed fresh water pearls jump off the copper color. The two together shine like a royal crown for your wrist.

Yesterday was so dreary and gray that I thought I would accomplish nothing, and look what resulted. Sometimes I just have to sit down with all my "toys" in front of me and wait for inspiation. Other days I wake up with ideas. Yesterday I sat. I pulled out bag after bag of beads until I found the pearls. I think the two make for a winning combination!

Free Form Copper and Pearl Bracelet

Tuesday, July 21, 2009

Remember When? Phone Wire Bracelet



Remember when you couldn't go more than 5 or 6 feet away from your phone while talking? The only way to get a phone call in a restaurant was for the waiter to come to your table and tell you there was a call for you? Remember when you actually had to wait until you got off the bus or train to make a call in a pay booth? Ah, for the good old days!

The phones in my house are still connected the old fashioned way using cord filled with wires. This bracelet it made from those very wires. Well, not the exact same ones, or I wouldn't have a phone! Pretty colored wires lie inside those phone cords. Since they seem to be coming obsolete, I decided to put them to a new use.

Here is the link if you would like to know more:
Colorful Copper Wire Wrapped Bracelet

Monday, July 20, 2009

Summer Fun




Today it is supposed to get warm here, beach weather warm. It hasn't hit the 80's since mid June. That is fine by me, but the water loving people are a bit chilled by the fact. To be honest, I had to have my electric blanket on last night since the heat is shut off for the Summer.

In celebration of what is promising to be a Summer like day I am featuring one of my Puka shell bracelets. It's the only one left out of several that I made. It is made out of all natural materials with the exception of the wire used. Dyed Puka shell beads are strung on 5 twists of memory wire. I hung a real shell and a wooden bead off the ends. I can just imagine it on some beautiful girl walking along the aqua water's edge, can't you?

Here is the link if you would like more details
.

Puka Shell Bracelet

Don't forget to enter my giveaway for a chance to win one of my copper wire bracelets.

Sunday, July 19, 2009

Copper Wire Wrapped Bracelet Giveaway



Thanks to all of you who sent me your suggestions for this giveaway. I have to admit I was a bit disappointed in the response. Most people jump at the chance to tell me what to do. Joking aside, from those of you who did send in your favorites, the only items that got more than one vote were my copper bracelets. I picked one that hasn't even been listed on Etsy yet, so it is a complete surprise to everyone.

This bracelet was formed using 18 gauge copper wire wrapped with a smaller gauge copper. Two green wooden beads set off the center stone of African Jasper. A hand hammered copper design adds interest to the focal point. This piece is flexible enough to fit most wrists.

All you need to do to be entered is visit one of my Etsy sights and come back here to tell me one of your favorites. An extra entry can be obtained by either blogging or Twittering about this giveaway, or both. Those of you who sent in your suggestions for the giveaway are already entered once. I will pick a winner on Friday, July 31st. I use Random.org to pick my winners so all is fair.

Here are the links. Go have a look around. Sure hope you like what you see.

The Earring Boutique

Good luck to everyone!

Friday, July 17, 2009

Giveaway Update

I am still looking for input for my next giveaway. Thanks to all of you who have sent in your favorite items but nothing is standing out as a popular item. Seems like everyone likes something different! Here is your last chance to voice your opinion. I will pick the item over the week end and post it next week.

Please visit either of my Etsy sites and make your choice. You will automatically received one entry chance for just sending in your favorite item.

Forbes Farm Gifts or The Earring Boutique

Wednesday, July 15, 2009

Not Just Beads





Yesterday I spent the entire day cleaning, tagging and packing up the Christmas merchandise. I didn't quite finish ARGH, so today I get to continue. Tomorrow is the set up day, so it behooves me to get my rear in gear.

As I worked my way through the tubs of stuff, I came across these ornaments I painted several years ago. I thought perhaps you might like to see I can do something other than beading. My talents at painting are limited to what I can do following Donna Dewberry's videos on One Stroke. Most of the ornaments have roses as shown. Some have grapes because we sell on the Chautauqua Wine Trail. Before wine took over, our area was a big provider for your breakfast table by producing the grapes for Welches. But, I digress.... I also found two tubs of blank ornaments just begging to be painted. Michaels had a sale one year that I couldn't resist and I went sort of crazy buying clear and colored ornaments to paint on. I probably won't be able to get to them all in a lifetime.

I'm off to finish my chore. Oh, if it were just the only one on the list!

Monday, July 13, 2009

Flying All Day


I didn't think I'd ever have time to get to the computer today. We are in the process of setting up a second, shared booth at the craft market for our Christmas stuff. Of course, everything is neatly packed away (not!) At least the merchandise is. The trimmings were just shoved in where ever they fit when we tore down last year. Thursday was set as the day to set it all up, so there is precious little time to find and check through everything. I hit the floor running at 5 am and didn't stop until dinner time.

I do not do jewelry for Christmas. Ornaments are so much more fun. Beaded ornaments don't sell well because of the time involved. I pictured one so you get an idea of what I make. The big sellers are my hand painted balls and of course I don't have a picture of one of those. Lower priced plastic beaded ornaments go well also. I "cheat" and throw in some stuffed animals by Russ Berrie. There's not enough time in the day to make every single thing. As long as it's okay with the co-op, it's okay with me.

Don't forget to send in your suggestion for the next give away I have. I have some pretty passionate pleas for certain items, so if you want your desire known, speak up!


Sunday, July 12, 2009

Next Give Away



I am thinking about having another giveaway contest on my blog. I've picked the items in the past. This time I thought it would be fun to let my followers have some say. Go to either of my Etsy pages and pick an item you would like to see me give away. I will pick from the entries and post the contest in the next week or so. Those of you who respond will automatically receive one entry in the contest.

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Here are the links:

General jewelry -
Forbes Farm Gifts

Friday, July 10, 2009

Flowing Copper Wire Wrapped Bracelet

This must be my week for copper. I do craft in spurts. Actually, once everything is out and set up it is much easier to just keep going on similar items until I get bored. Then I pack it all away until the mood hits me again.

This flowing, paisley looking copper bracelet is the result of yesterday's time in the studio. It reminds me of the 60's and 70's when paisley was the "in" thing. I'm dating myself here, but does anyone else remember those gaudy paisley prints we wore then? I wouldn't call this piece gaudy, but it is bright and fun. It wraps around the wrist nicely and can be adjusted to fit your wrist comfortably.

Here is the link to the Etsy page it is on:

Flowing Copper and Bead Wire Wrapped Bracelet

Thursday, July 9, 2009

Another Copper Wire Wrapped Bracelet


Yesterday's copper bracelet was a hit so I am listing another one today. If I can get into the studio later I may make another one. That is, if my poor old fingers can take the wire.

This bracelet is similar in style but I used a smaller gauge wire to wrap with. It results in a bit daniter look. The beads are either dark aqua or teal, you call it. I never could keep those two colors staight. My camera absolutley refused to capture the correct color of the center bead. It is an acrylic and the light bounces off it differently I guess. It appears more blue than it actually is. It is a much closer match in color to the other beads than it look like. Even tinkering with the colors in my photo program wouldn't correct it. Sometimes my camera and I don't get along.

Here is the link to this bracelet. I hope you like it.

Copper and Bead Wire Wrapped Bracelet

Wednesday, July 8, 2009

Back To Beading



I finally got back to the studio and accomplished something. Only because I put aside everything else and concentrated on jewelry for a while. Forget that the grass needs mowing. Forget that the berries are ripening in the field. Forget that the dust is 3 inches thick on the furniture. Just forget it all and create!

This bracelet is a simple design that comes out quite contemporary looking. I used 18 gauge copper wire and wrapped it with 20 gauge. The focal bead is a glass lampwork in lavender and white while the accent beads are a deep purple acrylic bead. It was really fun to make, but oh my poor fingers from all that wrapping!

Here's the link:

Copper and Bead Wire Wrapped Bracelet

Tuesday, July 7, 2009

No Jewelry Today





This is how I spent my long week end, with the exception of Saturday at the market. Obviously, no jewelry was made. I don't think I touched a bead the entire time. Who wants to play with beads when they have someone so much cuter to play with?

I promise, tomorrow I will get back to business. I'm working on repricing my earrings on Etsy today. The prices must be too high because no one is buying anything! So, down they come. Go ahead and check on my progress. The Earring Boutique I have about 100 more to go.

Saturday, July 4, 2009

To Market, To Market, To Buy A....



4th of July or not, the craft market is open every Saturday from May to Christmas, so I'm off to sit and stare at the walls. The only way we will see anyone today is if it rains. It has rained all week. Heck, it has rained all Spring almost. BUT, today they are predicting a nice sunny day for the 4th. Figures. I know it's what most of the people wanted, but I need customers. Paying customers! I have to pay the rent even if I don't make any money. That's how it works, you see. Boo hiss....

Setting up a permanent spot beats the heck out of craft fairs though! I used to do craft fairs. Oh how I hated them, especially when I had to go alone. Pack everything into the car (and I always forgot something important) Drive to where ever the show was and unpack. Set up the tent, the tables, the merchandise, etc. Sit there all day in the heat, or the cold, or the rain, or the wind strong enought to carry the tent away. (must have been the tent stakes I forgot that day) Chase after the tent and the merchandise that is blowing away. Put up with the "flea market mentality" of many of the shoppers. "Why is this so expensive? It's just cheap beads." Pack it all back into the car, drive home and unpack it all. Oh my..... Just typing that makes me glad I'm headed for my nice dry building that is all ready and waiting for me!

I'd better get moving.

Friday, July 3, 2009

Grandma's Helper

Late last night this little face appeared at our door. Daddy was helping him "surprise" Grandma & Grandpa. Believe it or not, he was still smiling at 11 pm when we put him to bed.

Needless to say, there won't be much beading done this week end. He's going to help me in the garden though. He'll be mud up to his ears. On the 4th, Grandma has to work at the craft market. Boo hiss... Sawyer will come help there too. He's a show stopper, so maybe, just maybe someone will stop in our booth for a change!

Hope you all have a wonderful week end. To my American friends, have a great 4th. I'll be at work. The fire works were cancelled due to the economy in our state. More likely due to the idiots we have in our Senate, but I won't even go there. They are just as free to act like children as the rest of us are.

I'll be back with my jewelry soon.

Thursday, July 2, 2009

A New Look

It was time for a change here. I was tired of the black and I hated how my columns ran together, so I asked around until someone headed me in the right direction for a fix.

No new jewelry today. I spent all day yesterday pulling weeds and putting my craft books on my destash page. It takes so stinkin' long to scan 5 pics for each book and upload them to Etsy! I've only made a small dent in the pile. I was issued an edict, either sell them or throw them out! Oh my, good-bye dear friends.... I've hung on to some of these since the 80's, or maybe even before that. I suppose if I haven't made what was in them by now, I never will.

Here's the link to my destash site if you want to get some cheap books. I have cross-stitch and painting books listed so far, with more to come.

Wednesday, July 1, 2009

The Day Can't Be Over Already!

The Day Can’t Be Over Already! - or why I never get anything done

I lay in bed almost every night thinking about what I would like to create the next day. I do my best thinking right before I go to sleep. Then I wake up excited and ready to hit the studio.

The first thing I do is turn on the computer and check for sales. I don’t know why, there are seldom any these days. It just makes me feel better to know I’m not neglecting anyone who MIGHT have purchased something. Then I wander over to CNN to check the news and weather for the day. Innocent enough move. After I know what’s happening in the world I have to check to see if I have any new followers on my blog, Facebook, and Twitter. Of course I have to answer any messages received at any of the above mentions sites. Then I look for a few new people to follow. Before I close the computer and start creating I have to post a new blurb on my blog. Then that new game I downloaded is tempting me and I just have to play it for a “few” minutes. An so it goes on, and on…. Before I know it, the clock has reached 11 am and nothing is done in the studio!

I finally get myself away from the computer and head for the studio, but by then I’m starving, so I head for the kitchen instead. I grab something to eat and sit down to watch TV while I eat, or worse yet, head back to that computer game. Then I clean up my mess and head for the studio again. But wait - the garden needs some work before it’s so hot I can’t stand it, so out I go. I figure I can only work in the garden for short spurts anyway, so a few minutes won’t hurt. Then it’s inside and to the studio to create for what’s left of the day. That is, after I find everything I need. Oops, my Ott light is downstairs. Back down I go, and of course the cat wants attention, so 20 minutes later I might get back to the studio.

Does any of this sound familiar? Well, I decided it HAD to stop so I have set up a few rules I try to follow. I don’t always manage to do so. I also made a few minor changes in the physical set up. I thought I’d share them with you in case any of them might help you too.

1. A quick check of e-mail is essential. I check and answer anything pressing. Newsy letters from my family can wait for later to be answered. Business contacts and orders get 1st attention in the morning.

2. Since I like to know what’s going on in the world, I still read CNN’s page. I just skim the headlines in the morning. If something catches my attention I can come back to it later in the day.

3. Keeping up with my blog is also important, so I head there next and post what I have to say for the day.

4. I do a quick check of Facebook and Twitter, then force myself off of them. 15 minutes max! You may see a Twit from me sometime that says something like “Get off the computer and get to work” That’s me telling myself to get busy. I’ve had quite a few people thank me for giving them the nudge they needed to get going too.

5. I get the gardening done as early as the weather will permit. Then I clean up and call it a day outside. Some days it’s only a few minutes. Some days it may be hours, but I get it done and out of the way.

6. I take my meals to the studio and eat it while I visualize what I’m going to make. I know diet gurus tell you not to eat outside of the kitchen, but I just can’t sit in the kitchen and dawdle over my sandwich. It carries very nicely to the studio.

7. Most days I can accomplish all the above by 8 am. If I neglect the garden, or it’s too wet, I’m ready to roll by 7. Once there, I stay put until noon. It’s amazing what can be accomplished in 4-5 hours.

8. I have removed all game icons from the desk top. If I don’t see them I’m not so tempted to click on them for a “few” minutes.

9. I have organized the studio better so when I do get there I don’t spend too much time looking for what I need.

10. After I’ve accomplished what I set out to make, or when my fingers give out from stitching I head back to the computer. THEN I do all of those things that kept me from getting anywhere before. I answer e-mails, look for new folks to follow, read the news, look at a few blogs and leave comments, etc. By the time I’ve done all of that, it’s time to make supper and the day is pretty much over. Farmers go to bed early, you know. That’s why I can be ready to hit the studio by 7.

That is my routine in a nut shell. I hope if nothing specifically helps you, it at least encourages you. It’s good to know other’s struggle just as much with time management! So - get off the computer and get creating!