Walk With Me

I haven't been in the creative spirit lately.  What I do accomplish seems trivial.  None of my efforts seem to be paying off so I just took the morning off and spent some time outside.  I took my camera with me to make some digital memories.  I thought I would share them with you.  Now, I realize some of you city people might miss the point entirely, but this - this is home to my soul.

There is no music.  Just enjoy the beauty in silence.....

Certified Handmade!

I'm excited again today.   My shop on Art Fire qualified for their Certified Handmade award.  It is a juried position and I had to send pictures of work in progress, my studio and info on my work to apply.  It took several days to get an answer back.  I was beginning to worry I might not have qualified, but I did!   This gives my promo spots a brand new look.  It's at the top on the right for those of you interested.

Have a great day!

I'm Excited - My First Pattern Is For Sale!

If you have been wondering where in the world I am, I have been right here all along.  I have just been fighting with my old brain to try and learn a new trick.  It may take longer these days, but I can still learn  new things.  New to me anyway.  PDF format has been around for eons in computer years.  I just took on the task of teaching myself how to use it.  After MANY trials and errors, I think I finally have a product that I can list.

I started by finding pictures of Pow Wows and looking at designs on the regalia.  Unfortunately, I could not attend the local Pow Wow again this year and funds do not allow me to travel to any further away.  I have to satisfy my creative yens by looking at pictures taken by folks lucky enough to attend.    I found tons of ideas for bead projects.  I don't use anyone's actual design.  I make up my own after dreaming about actually attending a Pow Wow and getting to see those wonderful beaded pieces up close.

Once the design was created I had to figure out how to send it to someone else.  I know it should have been a lot easier than it was, but I got there eventually.  Now I can sell my patterns on Etsy.  I started with a relatively easy barrette. As my knowledge grows, I hope to include more complicated items.

Here's the link to my very first pattern I'm offering for sale.  Sun Ray Barrette Pattern Take a peek even if you're  not a beader and let me know what you think.  I accept constructive criticism gracefully.

Forbes Farm Has Gone Western

It's almost Rodeo time here in our little town.  That got me thinking about how many folks love the West, or what they perceive as the "West".  We Americans, and a lot of the world think of the old movies and the Roy Rogers type of actors we grew up with as "Western".   I put my own twist on my Western items adding designs borrowed from my Native American roots to many of them.  I try to draw from the colors used by the First People in their early bead artwork along with the ever popular turquoise and silver always associated with the "West".

My Etsy Forbes Farm shop is now carrying my Western wear items.  I am busy at the loom these days with exciting new items.  If there's something special you would like, feel free to send me a note.  Anyone for a beaded horse bridle?  It's in my head, but that's as far as it's gotten.  Heck, I haven't even made that collar for my cat that I promised her yet!

Click on the picture above to visit my shop.

Happy Trails!

Christmas In July on Art Fire

                                 

Yes, it is that time of year already.  Half way to Christmas!  For those of you who like to start your shopping early the Art Fire community is having a Christmas In July Sale.  There are tons of bargains.  I have a coupon in my shop good for 20% off all of my items.  Our cookie cutter page also has a sale going on all Christmas cutters.

If you live where the heat has been unbearable this Summer it's a great reminder that eventually we will be complaining about the cold.  Grab some really great bargains to get you through those cold months.  Look at this beautiful set offered by Camille.

Link to the entire community by clicking here:  Art Fire Christmas In July
Take a look at my sale here:  Forbes Farm
Get ready for your holiday baking here:  Cookie Cutter Guy

The Gift is Revealed - No Winner This Time

I have to admit, this Giveaway was a big disappointing.  I have over 300 followers and only 4 people took a stab at guessing.  I suppose the holiday was partly to blame, but it's still discouraging when there is so little interest in a $20 gift certificate for my handmade things.  I guess everyone was out partying.  We don't celebrate the 4th or our anniversary for that matter.  We worked right through it with Cross Roads and the garage sale.  Most years DH has to work at the hospital, so at least he got to stay home and work here instead.

Any way, no one came close to what my DH gave me for our 39th anniversary.  It was not jewelry.  He says I can make my own.  It was not a puppy.  He says one cat is enough.  It was not a gift certificate.  He did give me that for Christmas one year.  It was not anything computerized.  He says I have to buy that kind of thing for myself.  It wasn't flowers, or a cruise, or a week end away like my son just gave his wife.

I got something to make life in my old age easier...

So now I will let you in on the secret.

Aren't I just the luckiest girl around?

Only One Guess?

No one is interested in a $20 gift certificate?  Holy cow!  I sure would be.  I've only had one person guess what I got for my anniversary and she was way off.  Maybe it's the fact that it's the 4th of July week end and everyone is off doing fun stuff that I never get to do.  I hit the computer every day when I'm home and I'm home just about every day.  The offer still stands.  Maybe I'll have to give the $20 to the closest guess.

Guess What I Got - Giveaway

It's My 39th Anniversary July 3rd !

After 39 years of marriage, some good, some not so much, my DH came home with an early  gift for me.

I've been looking for a reason to have another giveaway, so to celebrate I'm going to give the first person who guesses what DH gave me for our 39 years together an electronic gift certificate for $20 good in my Art Fire shop.  Here is the link if you want to check out what you might buy with that $20 should you win.

Forbes Farm at Art Fire

I will announce the winner as soon as there is one.  

Good luck!