Back to reality

Vacation is over.  Back to reality now.  I'm trying to look on the bright side--seeing my dog and cats, watching the Olympics, knowing that fall is just around the corner--but I really like the pretend world I was living in last week!  It takes a little while to adjust after a long awaited vacation!  I didn't get too many pictures--Hannah is the "official" photographer of the family, but here are a few.  

This is one of Travis, Hannah and Katie at a small lake at Carolina Beach:

Such a pretty place, and the weather was beautiful!  This one is of my car after a teenager backed into it in a parking lot:

I'm happy that no one was hurt, but I'm not looking forward to being car-less while it's repaired.  Not the best way to end a vacation!

On the way out of town, we stopped at the local farmer's market, where I found these charms:

Aren't they cool?  They're copper, and were originally part of a copper roof on a house on the Outer Banks.  She also had whales and hearts.  I regret not buying more.  I got her card, so I suppose I can always look her up.  I love pieces with a story!

I didn't make any jewelry last week, but I did read one book and half of another.  I've got a lot of ideas floating around in my head that I need to act on before I forget them!  I wish I could draw well, but usually when I try to sketch something I can't make heads or tails of what I was trying to draw!

I'm trying hard to concentrate and be positive today, but I really, really wish I were still on vacation!

Getting closer

It's getting closer to time to leave for the beach!  I have to say I'm happy this week has gone by fairly quickly.  I thought it would absolutely drag by, but I'm pleased to say it hasn't.  Of course, I couldn't get through the week without an adventure.  We had a blood drive at work on Tuesday.  I give blood regularly, so I didn't think much about going.  After I gave, I hung out for a little while, but when I left I nearly passed out in the parking lot, grabbed the back of someone's truck, and fell.  Luckily, I only wound up with a skinned knee and elbow, but apparently I tried to hang onto the truck because the next morning my upper arm felt as if something was pulled.  I remember reaching for the truck and then hitting the ground, but I don't remember trying to catch myself.  Managed to get up and make it back to the blood mobile, where I laid down until I felt better.  Quite the day!

The worst part was that at some point a jump ring came loose on the lariat I was wearing and part of it came off.  Not quite sure when that happened--luckily I had both parts hanging from my dress when I got in the car.  It's an easy fix--just haven't had time to do it yet.

This is another necklace I made for the beach:

I found the pendant at a bead shop a couple of years ago, and have been hoarding it ever since.  Unfortunately, I made the necklace a little too long, so I'll have to shorten it before we leave.  Guess I should have paid more attention!

Counting down the hours now!

Beach countdown

What a Monday!  Thankfully, this time next week I'll be lying on a beach, relaxing.  I'm still designing pieces to wear while I'm gone, like this one:

Technically, this pewter pendant might not be a sea turtle, but that's what I thought of when I saw it.  I like the way it looks with the small blue toned beads--perfect for the beach!  I finished off the back of the necklace with chain, but made it a tad too long, so I'll have to shorten it a little.  

Hopefully the rest of the week won't be as crazy as today, but will still go fast!  

Job's Tears

Several months ago a co-worker told me about a plant called Job's Tears.  He said that the plant has seeds that are hollow and can be used as beads, and promised to bring me some.  After forgetting them many times, he brought them this morning.  I love them!  These look similar to the ones he brought:

My co-worker told me to pull the middle out of the seed/bead and plant it to grow more.  I'm going to give it a shot, but I have a very black thumb!  Wish me luck--lots of it!

After doing some research, I found out that these beads are used a lot in religious jewelry, like rosaries.  I'm not Catholic, but I think rosaries are beautiful, so maybe I'll use the beads in a necklace with a cross pendant.  

The co-worker also told me the Cherokee Indians used these beads in jewelry a lot.  My great great grandmother was Cherokee, so I found this interesting.  I'm so excited to have something this unique to use in my designs!

Fading bracelet

I made this bracelet the other night when I made the necklace from yesterday's post:

I like how it turned out--it's very beachy and, as a co-worker called it, "fun".  The problem?  The beads are dyed and the color bled onto my skin!  I looked down at one point and my wrist was turning green, red and orange.  That's something I'm going to have to watch out for when I wear it.  I know there are things you can do to prevent dyed beads from bleeding, but I can't remember what they are.  Time for more research, I suppose.  It may be too late to do anything since I've already strung the bracelet.  If so, I suppose I'll be keeping this one for myself.  I don't want to sell or give away something that will fade on the new owner.

We're enjoying a very wet, cool day here.  Nap weather, as I call it.  It's a nice break from the 100 degree temps we've had recently.  

Seven more working days until vacation!  I haven't been watching The Weather Channel.  I hope no hurricanes are on their way across the Atlantic!

Back at it

My arm is doing a lot better, so I decided to make a couple of pieces last night.  I'm planning to spend my jewelry time for the next week or so making pieces I can take to the beach.  This is the necklace I made:

The pendant is a Vintaj embossed black piece, and I accented it with sea glass inspired crackled beads in purple, pink and blue.  I strung the piece on a chain and ran thin blue cording through the links.  I don't know if any type of paint will adhere to Vintaj pieces, but I think it would look nice if I could paint the waves pale blue and white.  Might need to experiment with that.

Only 8 more working days until vacation.  Not that I'm counting!

Forbidden

I have been forbidden to make jewelry for the next few days.  Yep.  It's true.  I finally broke down and went to the doctor yesterday for an arm injury dating back to Christmas (I'm a baby when it comes to going to the doctor, to say the least).  Turns out, she thinks I've irritated the elbow joint and told me a few things to try--like laying off the jewelry making for a few days.  I'm trying to be good and follow doctor's orders, but it's hard--especially when something like this arrives in the mail:

My Jade Scott connector came yesterday!  It's absolutely adorable and I can't wait to use it.  It was packaged in the cutest little envelope, too.

Now, if this arm will just get better...

Happy 4th of July

Happy 4th of July!

Happy 4th of July!  I finally got around to making a pair of earrings to celebrate the 4th.

These were very quick and simple, made with various lengths of chain paired with red, white and blue seed beads and star charms.  Now, I'm off to celebrate with a cookout at the in-laws!  I hope you're enjoying the holiday as well!



Softball and earrings

After the softball game last night, the girls are one step closer to playing in the district championship.  If they win tonight, they'll play in it.  If not, softball is over for the season.  I have to admit I'll miss it when it's over.  We have a lot of fun with our friends at the games.  But, volleyball season will be upon us before we know it!

I made these earrings for a friend last night.

There are so many elements in these earrings that I like.  I love the brass branches with flowers and the green and brown crystals.  I also really like the little flowers.  I can't remember where I got them, but I'm hoping to find some more soon.  Hopefully the bead shop I visit when we go to the beach will have some.  

Still haven't managed to make my 4th of July earrings!  I suppose if I don't get them made tonight there's no point.  I'm just hoping either my parents or Trav's will have a cook out!

Flat Spiral

I didn't realize until I just logged in that I hadn't blogged since Thursday!  Time does fly...  

It's been incredibly hot here--in the very high 90s and low 100s.  I know some of you are probably used to temps like that, but we're spoiled here in the mountains.  Typically we have pretty mild weather.  To make matters worse, Hannah has been playing in a softball tournament.  We've just about roasted, but I'm doing really well with drinking more water!

I finished the flat spiral bracelet I started last week.  

I love the colors and the starfish charm.  Very beachy!  Quite relaxing to make, too.  There's just something peaceful about bead weaving.  Tonight, I need to try to make something patriotic to wear Wednesday.  Hope I have time after the game tonight!