Just a bit...........

.........of a run of test beads for a customer before we leave for the Holiday.  We are headed out to spend Christmas with my son.  Yeah! Only problem is I am sick, really, really, sick.  I went to the Dr. Wednesday and she said I just needed some antibiotics and I swear they made it all much worse.  Before I had a sore throat but now I have a head cold from the devils pit.  Any way onward I have lots left to do before we drive.

New Beads

 New beads are tagged and priced and ready for my spring shows.  Believe it or not my first show for 2013 is in just 2 months.  I love these red ones with the black metallic glass it does some really neat stuff that looks like Racu Pottery to me. 

And I always love etched beads until it comes to trying to photograph them.  There is nothing that I can find that makes them look as soft and pretty as they are in person. 

Work table...........

...............Saturday.  I have to say that there was nothing much on my work table all week but I have been working.  Making lots of beads.  I have to get this pile tied into sets and packaged for kits.  There is a bunch still wet because there was no place to dump them out on the towel yesterday. 

It has turned very nasty here. We had our first real snow for the winter last weekend and this weekend it seems to be raining ice.  Such lovely weather. 

Journal Update

 This is just a little update on my Art Journaling adventure.  I realized the reason I am having so much fun with this the past couple of weeks is because it is just messy creative play.  Making beads right now (kit beads mean allot of the same beads over and over) is frankly a little boring.  Yet they must be made.  I have always loved playing with paint and mixed media and the last few years have not made time for it.  I am just having a grand time and I have even been doodling boldly with a permanent marker, no pencil!  All that's left on the pages above it to journal in my list of goals for the next year.

 This is going to be an ongoing set of pages.  The little round bubbles have the books I have read and the date in them and so I will be adding more.  I actually finished 5 books last month, which is not really a lot, I just haven't been making time for reading either.  Now if  I could just stay off the computer I would get so much more done.

 I got the cover to my junk inspiration journal finished.......

........and I used the credit card scraping method of moving paint around that I saw on many YouTube video's to start the backgrounds on a few pages.

Color Ideas

I have been working allot on beads for kits.  That means lots of the same kind of beads which can get very boring, at the same time coming up with new color combinations is fun for me.  I can usually grab a few rods and be happy with the combination.  Sometimes I make up a sample bead or two the day before making a set just to see how the colors behave with one another.  Every once in a while I get stumped.  I keep the book "The Beader's Color Palette by Margie Deeb in my studio so I can page through it when that happens.

 Recently though I was somewhere on the Internet and started noticing pictures that had color swatches beside them.  That really intrigued me and I went hunting for a way to do this with my photos.  What I found was that Sherwin-Williams has this fantastic tool called Chip It! You can get the paint colors and then print out your photo.  What fun to break down the colors.
The above photo is of a building near the Space Needle in Seattle.  I loved the way the mirrored surface of the building seemed to change from pink to blue.

This photo is kind of dull and I was surprised how well that the tool pulled out colors.  I just love the mountain on the horizon though.

If all else fails though I can always go back and work for a while in one of my favorite combos. Red and Black.  These are a couple of great big lentils that I finished up the other day using some fun black metallic glass.

Work Table Wednesday

 I have to tell you that my table has gotten a little messy again.  I am still trying to organize my stuff, one so I can find it, but more importantly so I can put it away.  It was so nice when I wanted peanut beads to know right were they were, even though I now have two boxes of shaped seed beads. 

I made these two little necklaces to show off my new leaf sets.  I also got a kiln full of beads made so it was a pretty productive day.

Work Table Wednesday....

..........oops!!! Yes I know it is Friday and I so missed Wednesday with this post.  I did make this bracelet on Wednesday though so doesn't that count?  The week just got away from me some how.  I don't even have a clue where it went.  I have had this idea for a while though sort of a friendship bracelet kind of thing with my flower beads. Kind of on the order of some of the pieces in Bohemian-Inspired Jewelry by Erin Siegel, and Lorelei Eurto.  Very retro 60's.  Of course I had to through in a couple of my new leaf beads. 

Journal

Last week I started a junk journal that I want to use as an inspiration journal and put all those things that inspire me in it.  But I was thinking about all the times I have tried to write a journal and have gotten a couple of months into it and just stopped.  Words aren't really something I am good at.  But I have always wanted to write about my days and thoughts.  I was on line again and ran into some info about Project Life and while I like the idea of recording every day events I don't like the plastic pages and preset size for things.  I decided I would try out an art journal type book.

I also found that using the catalog that was already bound was harder so my plan for this book is to use a standard page size and put it in a 3 ring binder.  I am still working on the Inspiration Journal and may see if I can take it apart to work on the pages and put it back together as I go.  These background pages were lots of fun to make I used whole page photos and  collage, then stitched them round and round with the sewing machine.  I was having a blast and lost two hours because I was so into what I was doing.  I also realized that I do not like the feel of the gesso after it dries so I have got to find some Gel Medium.  Once again something you can't buy in Huron.

I also keep finding little things in the junk mail that are just begging to be turned into an art journal.  This is a little advertising booklet from Hilton and it's envelope that I think will become part of a page where the envelope is there to hold it's own little book.  Just what I am going to put into it I am not sure yet. 

Leaves

 leaves, leaves,

 leaves, and more

leaves.  I can not stop making leaves for some reason.  I have been having so much fun making leaves but I need to make some other beads and soon.

Work table Wednesday

 Wow more than a week since my last post.  Not doing too well on that goal for this month, and I got off to such a great start.  I'm here now though with a little bit of what is on my table today.  I have loved LavenderField on Etsy for a long time and just love her use of fiber in her jewelry.  From what I can see she uses these great little fiber pieces that are like disks.  I of course think my beads need to be in there with the fiber.  So I decided to crochet a bunch of little circles like you can see in the above picture.

 

 Then I strung them with some of my beads.  I like the look of it but of course don't have enough beads and will have to make some more before I can finish the piece.  I also need to learn some tension control as my disks are sure not a pretty as hers. 

I also finished up a few row counter bracelets that I have been making beads for.  I know it is November but spring and shows will be here in a big hurry.

I hope that everyone has a fabulous holiday tomorrow.   Happy Thanksgiving, enjoy family, fun, and food.

Junk Journal Adventure

Recently I saw something on line about a Smash Book and being the recluse I am here in the wilderness :-) I had no real clue what they were talking about so I started looking around the Internet.  Ha should have known an Art Journal with a fancy name, or a plane ole fashion scrap book.  I also found references to Junk Journals.  Ah Art Journals made from repurposed materials.  Since I have had it on my goals list to work more with the things I have and to be creative in ways other than beads I decided that I would just make myself a Junk Journal as an Inspiration Journal.  A place to put all those little pieces of things I had cut out of magazines and the colors that seem to be drawing me lately.  I started with a 2 year old catalog. (Why did I still have that I do not know)

 Then I got out a package of paper that my sister gave me probably 20 years ago and I just love all the pretty edges and never found just the right use for them. 

 On some of the pages I glued in some of the papers.  Just as backgrounds to start with.

On some of the pages I painted Gesso.  That was honestly really fun  and very relaxing.  I needed to cover the color and the type.  I have to actually add another coat of the Gesso when I want to paint on the page as things still show through.

 Some of the pages I am doing some water color backgrounds to start.  Frankly I have only even worked on the first section of the catalog so there will be lots of room for lots more playing around.

 On some of the pages I have started gluing in things I have clipped out of different books.  Just things I like that I want to work into the background for other ideas.  I did do an entire page of a collage that I used pieces where I had kept them because of the color combinations.  I really don't like it as the colors all blend together so they wont really inspire me for other things.  I will just use the page for a background and I have another idea for a way to put in my color combos where I will be able to use and see them better.

So while I have not finished a single page I have lots started and I have been having lots of fun the last few days.  I also found this really fun blog and she is having a great give a way. So if you are interested in Art Journals check out Gathering Up Bits of the World and sign up for her give a way.

Work Table Wednesday

 WOW!!!!! Work table Wednesday was a lot of work.  I finally managed to clean up the mess which you can see here.  Yes there are a few bowls of stuff to either put away or finish but at least I have a few more inches of space to work.

The table did not stay that clean for long as I started working on Stitch markers.  I made several sets and my fingers and hands are worn out.  Tomorrow I get to put them all on cards.  I love that part.

Fall

 I know it is not fall any more.  At least not here in South Dakota, but I missed it.  I was in Florida for most of September and the beginning of October.  The fall season had not started there when I left and by the time I got home all our leaves were gone. 

 The changing of the leaves is probably one of my favorite things all year.  And while we don't have many trees there are a few and at least they turn yellow gold. 

Any way the other day I decided I wanted to make some nice fall leaves to make if feel less like I missed it so totally.  These two sets are headed for Etsy in the next day or so and there are maybe a couple more sets in the kiln. 

Ears to You Blog Hop Reveal

 I love making earrings and should have had time to make way more than the 5 pair I was supposed to make for the Blog Hop.  But life seems to be getting in the way of my fun lately.  Have no clue why but it has.

 So yesterday I set down to make at least the ones I promised to make and these are the results.  If you haven't been reading along the earrings are going to be donated to Ears to You.  This was the great idea of Amy Freeland at Copper Diem.

 I am thinking that I can find a few more pairs in my show cases to add to the box before they head out on Monday.

I you want to see lots more fun and funky earrings here is the participant list so you can hop along on your merry way.

Ears to You Blog Hop Participants

Copper Diem
My Addictions
Beads, Tea and Sweets
Juls Beads
Fabric of my Life
Blogging Business Artisans
Jeannie's Blog
Lorelei's Blog
One Kiss Creations
Backstory Beads
According to Katie
Cherish Designs
Beads: Rolling Downhill
Falling Into The Sky
Garden Path Beads
Antiquity Travelers
Sissy and Jacks
Erin Siegel Jewelry/Art Bead Scene
Northwood Creative Studio
SilverRose Designs
Dreamin of Beads/SAS Jewelry Design
Cabe Woman
Summers Studio
Honey from the Bee
Shaiha's Ramblings
Mama's Got to Doodle
Beads for Busy Gals
Tanya McGuire
Creative Atelier

Goals

A couple of weeks ago I talked about the difference between Goals and a Bucket List.  (you can read about that here)  I said I wanted to create an on line list of each so it would help me to be accountable and to actually work toward things on each of the lists.  So this is my goal list and a few of the ideas of how I plan to accomplish them.

Goals
Blog at least 3 times per week
                 OCT - didn't really manage it but did get about 2 posts per week
                 NOV - I really thought I had done better but once again it was only about 2 posts per week.
                 DEC - not so good had a few weeks where I did 2 posts but then the holiday just got to me.
Double my Etsy sales over last year
        - start listing jewelry and more sets and focals
        - be more active in social media
                  - Try to play in a blog hop each month
        - blog more
Have a cleaner neater house
        - organize
                  NOV - make sure the kitchen table is cleaned off every night(did pretty well was able
                  to eat on the table every morning at least.
                   DEC - ha lost the table again
Fill my bead trays by February
Loose weight
         - exercise more
         - eat less (these are kind of a no brainer)
Save more for retirement
          - make more
          - spend less
                  - use the supplies I have rather than buying more and different ones
Accomplish more in a day
          - waste less time
                  NOV - do not turn on the TV during breakfast and lunch (did really well with this only    
                  a  few bad days)
                   DEC - spent way too much time on the computer.
           - organize
           - plan
Learn to bead embroider
           - finish my button a month challenge
 Donate more to charity
           - Halos for Hope
                       - make 52 hats by next August
                             - OCT have 13 done
                             - NOV finished 11 for a total of 24
                             - DEC finished 3 for a total of 27
           - Art in the Bag
                        - OCT finished one bag for this year
           - Beads of Courage
           - Ears to You
                          - NOV sent 5 pair of earrings
Be published
           - find out how
           - make items
           - submit
Get my to do list down to one page
Lighten my load of physical stuff
            - try to go through one closet, drawer, or area a week
Take a real vacation every year if even just for a few days
Make more time to read
               NOV - 5 books
               DEC - 1 book and had trouble getting through it.


I plan to update the list and show my progress here as the months go by.

On another note Work table Wednesday was a busy one but I am working on something I can not show you until this weekend and the Ears to you Hop.

October Fest Reveal

It is time for the October Fest Blog Hop.  I had fun making fall beads and a fabric wrapped pumpkin.  I will be making the blog post from my phone while I am out of town this weekend so I will have to wait for the fun of looking at all the fall ideas until I get home.

 

Just click on the picture above you and you will jump right to the host blog. or look below for a complete list of the participants. 

 My favorite fall beads are this frit combo and I just love them with some copper.  The leaves are ones that hubby makes for me.

And the fabric pumpkin has a secret inside.  It is a fat quarter of fabric wrapped around a roll of toilet paper.  I was in a friends fabric store earlier this month and she had a little patch of different colored pumpkins like this on the bathroom counter.  So festive.

Now to add a little note.  Here in South Dakota it is no longer fall.  It has already dropped that white stuff on us and has gotten quite cold.  Got to love it here.  9 months of winter and three of summer and nothing in between.


Host Toltec Jewels            http://www.JewelSchoolFriends.com  (you are here .... beware! ;)  
Heather Otto                     http://www.thecrafthopper.com
Mischelle Fanucchi               http://www.micheladasmusings.blogspot.com
Marlene Cupo                   http://amazingdesigns-marlene.blogspot.com
Shaiha Williams                http://shaihasramblings.blogspot.com
Shelly Graham Turner          http://shelleygrahamturner.blogspot.com/
Shelly Joyce                         http://www.aujourlejour-shelly.blogspot.com/
Charlie Jacka                    http://clay-space.com/blog/
Pam Sears                        http://crazycreativecorner.blogspot.com/
Margareta Saari                  http://magsinhelmet.blogspot.com/
Marita Suominen                 http://momentofjewelry.blogspot.fi/
Lisa Posthumus                   https://www.facebook.com/lisa.posthumusharper
Jeannie Dukic                      http://site.jkdjewelry.com/blog
Cheri Reed                          http://creativedesignsbycheri.blogspot.com/
Arlene Dean                        http://aglassbash.blogspot.com/
Duffy Blevins                       http://bubbasjewels1.blogspot.com/
Susan Kennedy                   http://suebeads.blogspot.com/
Dita Basu                           http://www.alankarshilpa.blogspot.com/
Sonya Ann Stille                 http://dreaminofbeads.blogspot.com/
Audrey Allen                      https://www.facebook.com/pages/Wrapped-Up-In-Magic/145456948869148
Kashmira Patel                   http://sadafulee.blogspot.com/
Kathy Lindemer                 http://bay-moon-design.blogspot.com/
Kris Mattingly                    https://www.facebook.com/kris.h.mattingly
Lennis Carrier                    http://www.windbent.net/
Shannon Hicks                   http://uptwnsh-fallingintothesky.blogspot.com/
Paula Hisel                         http://simplybeadiful.weebly.com/simply-stated.html
Karin Slaton                       http://backstorybeads.blogspot.com/
Shirley Moore                    http://www.beadsandbread.blogspot.com/
Alicia Marinache                http://www.allprettythings.ca/
Valeria G. Rome                http://fancysphynxdesigns.blogspot.com/
Lo                                     http://thecreativeklutz.blogspot.com/
Zoe Marcin                       http://beadsteaandsweets.blogspot.com/
Carolyn Lawson                http://carolynscreationswa.blogspot.com
Kimberly Booth                 http://thepinkmartiniboutique.blogspot.com/
Sherri Stokey                    http://www.knotjustmacrame.com
Tanya McGuire                  http://www.tanyamcguire.blogspot.com/ 
Debbie Rasmussen             http://kepirasmussen.blogspot.com/
Christine Stonefield             http://sweetgirldesign.blogspot.com/
Tanty Sri Hartani                http://tjewellicious.blogspot.com/
Sandra McGriff                  http://skyescreativechaos.blogspot.com/
Renetha Stanziano              http://lamplightcrafts.blogspot.com/
Evelyn Shelby                     http://raindropcreationsbyevelyn.blogspot.com/
Colene Waltermire              https://www.facebook.com/groups/426147797447039/?fref=ts
Lee Nova                           https://www.facebook.com/groups/426147797447039/?fref=ts

Facebook Group Reveals:          

https://www.facebook.com/groups/426147797447039/?fref=ts

Owls, owls everywhere.

Little Hooters are what these guys look like.  I have been thinking about how I wanted to make an owl bead for about a month now.  It took a challenge to get me to get them made.

If you click here or on the button above you can go and vote for my little guys.  (You do have to be a member of Artisan Whimsy to vote.)

 I of course had to think it out and make them in nice bright colors.  I made quite a batch of them up the other day because I am headed out in the morning to DesMoines IA for a bead show at the fairgrounds this weekend.  The first part of the week they will be headed for Etsy as well. 

 They are about an inch tall and the hole runs top to bottom. They also have faces on both sides so if they turn you still see a little owl.

They look like a little birdy family.