I have a fortune cookie fortune taped to my computer that says "although it feels like a roller coaster now, life will calm down". I've had it for about 4 years now, and things have never calmed down! I suppose that's what happens when you have two very active children. I fantasize that someday I will have some spare time, and when I do I have several projects in mind. For example:
I would like to make something similar to this, but use some old black and white pictures my grandfather took in Germany and France during WWII.
I've made scrabble tile necklaces before, but I've never had the epoxy stickers that seem to make it so easy.
These earrings are something I need to try my hand at very soon, since next week is Independence Day!
I purchased this connector from Jade Scott today.
I love it! I can't wait for it to come! I haven't decided exactly what to do with it, but I've got ideas...
Tonight is my third jewelry class. Tonight's project...necklaces. Hope it goes as well as the other two classes!
I started my diet today. So far, it hasn't been bad. Of course, the day is young. I actually got out of bed in time to walk a little over half a mile, which is certainly better than nothing! As I write this post I'm trying to drink some green tea, which is recommended on the diet. Now, I'm probably the one person in the south who doesn't like tea--no matter what kind it is. I'm trying my best to pretend I like it (envisioning myself in England having high tea..), but the more I drink the harder it is to choke down. I'm much more of a coffee person.
Last night I sat down and started a flat spiral stitch bracelet. I decided to use very pale blue crystals for the center, and a turquoise color for some of the loops and orange for the rest. I think it's very beachy.
I think to finish it I'll use a pineapple toggle clasp and attach an ocean inspired charm--maybe a starfish? I had forgotten how relaxing bead weaving can be.
Tonight we're off to a softball game, but I'm hoping to find time either before or after to do some more work on the bracelet.
The other day, Katie came home from her grandmother's house with some pretty seashells her grandmother had given her. In the collection was a beautiful piece of sea glass. I loved it, but couldn't talk Katie into giving it to me. So, being the wonderful mother I am (wink!), I offered to wrap it for her so that she could put it on a chain. This is the result:
Katie chose the reddish-orange crystal at the top. I still love it, and I'm secretly hoping Katie will get tired of it so that I can take it for myself!
I've been getting the itch lately to do some beadweaving. Maybe it's because vacation is coming up soon and that's how I keep myself occupied (and awake) on long trips. I'm hoping to find the time to sit down this evening and stitch something. Hmmm...maybe I should offer to take Hannah to practice so that I can sit in the car for a couple hours and do just that?
I bought the 17 Day Diet book today, and hope to start that soon. Not that I particularly want to--but I need to. In fact, a few of us here at the office are thinking of starting it. I warned our boss that he's going to have a bunch of cranky females on his hands soon! Skinny and cranky or fat and happy--wonder which is better?!
Today was a nice change from the non-stop pace we've been going at lately. I actually got to sleep in, and later Travis and I took Katie to see Brave. I enjoyed it--especially since the little girl in the movie has hair just like Katie's!
After we got home, I made this necklace using dark brown pearls and some lace I picked up on sale.
I like the way it turned out. I love brown, and the little lace bows give it a touch more femininity. I skipped the bows on the necklace and earrings because I never could get them situated the way I wanted. I added small crystals instead.
I have a white frilly shirt they'll go well with, but I think Hannah may still the necklace to go with her new lace shirt!
Today is our 16th wedding anniversary. In one way it seems hard to believe it's been that long. Other times, it's hard to remember what life was like before we met. I have to say that even after all these years I'm as happy with Travis as I was the day we married. I truly believe we're perfect for each other!
I made this bracelet last night, using some brown cording, blue and tan beads, and a wooden bead as the clasp.
It was actually quite simple to make, and worked up quickly. The biggest challenge was making sure my beads had holes big enough for the cord to pass through twice. I really like the way it turned out, and I'm wearing it today with a denim skirt and navy tee.
I have a hard time making a bracelet without matching earrings, so I made these to go with it.
The cording that's knotted onto the wrapped loop ties the earrings in with the bracelet well.
I'm thinking of making a few changes to my etsy shop to make it more interesting. I've got a few ideas, so once I get everything worked out I'll post about it.
Yesterday I received an application to reserve a space in our local craft and entertainment festival this Labor Day weekend. I haven't completed it yet, but I think I may go through with it. This will be my first real festival and I'm nervous . There are two others I'm considering as well--both larger than our hometown one. I've got to make some decisions soon about whether or not to participate.
Thank goodness it's Friday! Hopefully I can find time this weekend to pull together some not-as-simple designs!
I made another simple pair of earrings last night after VBS. These use little girl charms I found at Hobby Lobby. I paired them with pale pink crystals since that is the alternative to my opal birthstone. I started to use their birthstones (garnet and sapphire), but in the end decided on mine because, well, I did give birth to them after all!
When I got home from work on Monday I was absolutely exhausted, and knew I still had to go to bible school. So, I drank my first Red Bull. It helped, but when I got to bible school I drank a Mountain Dew. Probably not the smartest thing I've ever done, but it perked me right up! Believe it or not, I actually got some sleep that night, too!
Hopefully I'll have the energy to whip up something else when I get home tonight!
This is going to be a busy week. Our vacation bible school started tonight at church, so I'm going to have little time to do any beading this week. Since that's the case, I decided to focus on simple projects--projects that can be put together quickly when time is tight. Tonight I made these owl earrings.
When I think of owls, I think of the forest, of course, but I also think of black nights with full moons. The black beads I used have a crackle finish. The white crackled portions made me think of lightening flashing through the sky on a stormy night, and those who know me know I love storms. Not the ones that cause damage, but the evening thunderstorms that tend to pop up during the summer. There's just something about a good thunderstorm that is invigorating. Weird? Maybe, but I know I can draw more inspiration from a cloudy, stormy day than a beautiful sunny one.
So, this week, expect simple designs on my blog. Whether I wind up with earrings, bracelets or necklaces, they'll all be quick and simple.
Today was a pretty rough day. Nothing in particular happened--it was just one of those days when you feel pretty sure if you could slap someone you'd feel better! Someone at work told me I needed chocolate. Not sure even that would have pulled me out of my grumpy mood.
Fortunately I was able to get myself together enough to teach jewelry class #2. Tonight we made bracelets. I had three students, two of whom finished during class. I think they all enjoyed it--I know I did. These are the finished products:
I had better pictures, but for some reason photoshop decided to be in a grumpy mood, too, and wouldn't download them! On the bright side, tomorrow is Friday!
I had my annual doctor's appointment today. Not a lot of fun. I have a huge phobia about going to the doctor. I don't know why, but I get so nervous my heart rate goes through the roof. Since I survived, I decided to treat myself to a little shopping. Mostly bought supplies for tomorrow night's bracelet class, Father's Day gifts, and an anniversary gift for Trav. We'll be married 16 years next Friday.
Hopefully I'll get the chance to try a new bracelet project in the next day or two. In the meantime, I made these the other night. First, a necklace made with a Katiedids component.
Next, I made this bracelet using glass beads I purchased from an artist at the Virginia Highlands Festival in Abingdon, VA last year.
I didn't intend for these to be a set, but found they looked really good together. You can't have a necklace and bracelet without earrings, so I made these as well.
Only a couple more days left in my etsy shop sale! Shop now to receive 15% off!
We had a wonderful weekend. Got to watch our local high school girls win the softball state championship! It was so exciting--worth leaving at 6:30 a.m. to catch the game!
Funny necklace story. I made this necklace last night:
I used pink-ish pearls, crystal spacers and a rosette I found at Michaels on Saturday. I wore it to work today and received several compliments. We have a student worker in the building, and she came up to me, reached for the rosette, and said "oh, you have something on you". I had to laugh! I told her it's supposed to be there. She thought it was tape or something. I couldn't get mad at her--she's as sweet as can be. I'm thinking she might need me to mentor her a little--teach her all about accessories.
I made these earrings to match.
Enjoy your Monday!
It's finally Friday! Looking forward to the weekend ahead. Our local high school softball team is playing in the state championship game tomorrow morning at a field about 3 hours away, so we're hoping to get to go. Should be exciting!
My first jewelry class was last night. I only had two students, but we had a great time and I think they enjoyed it. They made three pairs of earrings and did a great job. Next week's class--bracelets.
I got home pretty early from class and wasn't as exhausted as I thought I would be, so I made this necklace.
This is made with a Katiedids component. I bought several a while back, but had never used them until last night. I filled the rectangle with crystals, and then wrapped wire on top. I added a few more crystals at the bottom, and strung it on a silver chain. I'm wearing it today with a raspberry colored tee and I think it looks quite nice.
I'm hoping if we go to the game tomorrow there will be a bead shop nearby. Can't travel without trying to find a new store!
Will things ever slow down? I have been so incredibly busy lately. Our summer intern arrived at work yesterday and I have to say I'm thrilled to have her! I can already tell she's going to be great, and it takes a lot off me to be able to delegate some things to her.
I spent this evening working on reports for church (I'm the treasurer) and on making kits for Thursday night's class. I go back and forth between being excited and scared to death! I just hope the students enjoy it. Making jewelry can be stressful for some at first, so I want them to relax and not get frustrated.
I found the ink I was looking for Friday, and these are my first attempts at stamping blanks.
I'm pretty pleased with the way they turned out. I'd like to have a few more stamps, but it's not easy finding mini ones. I'm hoping to find an owl soon.
I'm teetering on the edge of exhaustion, so I'd better call it a night!
I give up. As convenient as it is to snap pictures with my Berry, I'm going to have to start using a regular camera for this blog. I'm just not at all satisfied with the pictures, so even though it's more time consuming, I'm going to have to break down and use a camera.
I made these earrings today for a co-worker who loves elephants.
Obviously, I took the picture with my Berry. Then, I made the mistake of wrapping them up before I saw how the pictures turned out (it's hard to tell on the phone--only when I download them to photoshop can I really tell what I have). I could unwrap them and take another pic, but to be honest, I'm too lazy!
I'm missing my Sunday afternoon nap today. I had several things to do, and the girls and I are going to see our local high school softball team play for the regional title. I wanted to get everything done that I possibly could before the game so that I can (maybe) have a relaxing evening.
Since half the town will be at the game, I suppose I should go touch up my face a bit!
Yesterday was a big day. Lots of shopping, and I got to meet little Evie for the first time. She's adorable--just like big brother Elliott! Wish I could have spent more time there, but someone--okay, me--overslept and we got a late start.
Managed to get some good shopping in, though. Stocked up on some Bath & Body products, bought a few things for the front porch, and did some bead shopping, of course. Here are a few of my purchases from Michaels:
Hannah picked out these dark jade nuggets. I like them because they're different from most things in my stash. I don't think I have anything else this color.
I really like these blue and green beads. Very summery.
And, finally, some connectors. I've never used any quite like these before, so I'm anxious to try them.
I found the ink I was looking for and some stamps. Hopefully I can try them out very soon--with good results!
Travis is coming home from his golf trip tomorrow. I'm sure he's had a great time and I'm glad, but I have to admit I'll be happy to have him back home!
