I volunteered to donate a prize to the Jangles holiday newsletters. These are newsletters that come out once a week, starting this Wednesday, filled with holiday projects, etc. If you don't already receive this newsletter, I encourage you to sign up here: http://jenniferjangles.blogspot.com/ In addition to the newsletter, Jennifer Heynen makes beautiful ceramic beads, buttons, etc. I'm a big fan of her creations!
This is the bracelet I donated.
This bracelet is done in spiral stitch, using two different sizes of red seed beads. I accented it with red and green crystals. I think it's very festive, and almost looks like a Christmas wreath.
I let the girls have a sleepover for Katie's birthday last night. It's amazing how much damage 6 little girls can do to a house! I think they took apart everything that wasn't nailed down. On the positive side, the house wound up getting a good cleaning today!
It's Friday! Finally! After a long couple of weeks at work finishing up performance evaluations, I'm ready to sleep for about a week! Unfortunately that's not going to happen, though, since the girls are having a sleepover tomorrow night for Katie's birthday. Plus, Katie's birthday party is tomorrow.
I'm starting to think I'm accident prone. Last night I stepped off the bleachers at Hannah's volleyball game funny and hurt my foot (nothing serious). This morning I stuck my pinkie to the curling iron. Yep--I'm a graceful one!
I did get some happy news yesterday. I had entered a bracelet in Beadaholique's Autumn Colors contest, and was selected as one of the top 10 finalists! Yay! This is the bracelet I submitted:
The winner is determined by who's piece has the most Facebook likes. If you'd like to vote for me, this is the link:
Thanks a bunch! Now it's off to enjoy the weekend!
Today is my daughter Katie's 11th birthday. Happy birthday Katie!
The other day someone from the local PAWS (People for Animal Wellness and Safety) chapter asked me to donate a piece of jewelry to auction off at their upcoming fundraiser. How could I say no? I designed a necklace for them, and added a pair of earrings. How can you own a necklace without a pair of earrings to match, after all? This is the result:
It's a pretty simple fall design, using a silver leaf pendant, brown crystals, and silver chain. I hope it does well for them!
I finally finished my new fall peyote stitched bracelet. It took me several attempts to find a clasp that worked. I tried stitching a toggle clasp, but never did like the way it looked. In the end, I settled on a silver leaf toggle clasp.
It wasn't what I originally envisioned, but I like what the clasp adds to the bracelet. I'll have it listed on etsy within the next couple of days.
I've got some orange and black beads that I envision as a Halloween piece, and a few more fall themed beads to use as well. By the way, happy first day of autumn!
I'm insanely stressed out! It's performance evaluation time at work, and since I'm the HR director, my job is to make sure they all get done on time. This year in order to receive a bonus the evaluations must be completed by next Friday. I know what I'm doing the next 6 work days!
Fall is here, and I've been wearing more of my fall themed jewelry. This is my favorite piece, I think.
This is a bracelet I made last year, using "fall" colors. It has a base of ladder stitch and is embellished with deep red, orange, yellow, green and brown. It goes with all my favorite fall clothes.
I've nearly finished my latest "fall" bracelet. It's the peyote strip I gave you a sneak peek of the other day. I added some trim around the edges and now just lack the clasp. Hopefully tonight I'll find time to de-stress by finishing it up!
Rejection stinks! I received an email from the 'Round the Mountain folks Friday afternoon, telling me that my material did not pass the jury session. I was crushed. We all know rejection is a part of life, but it's hard to create something and put yourself out there like that, only to be rejected. The comments made by the jury had to do with using manufactured materials, so I'm assuming that means because I create pieces with beads I buy, instead of making them myself. If that is indeed the case, I will never be a juried member because that's not how I do things.
Travis made the comment to me that this just isn't my audience, which made me think about that a lot this weekend. And, I think he's right. I've always been proud of my Appalachian heritage and know that we're not the "hillbillies" the media tends to portray us to be. But, my jewelry doesn't necessarily have the Appalachian "look" that you expect when you think of crafts from this area.
So, after my little pity party on Friday, I decided to move on and let it go. I went over this morning to pick up my little rejected pieces--I still love them! :)
This is the latest piece I'm working on--a bracelet in fall colors made using peyote stitch.
It's nearly complete, and then it will be listed in my etsy shop.
I'm still waiting for the results of the 'Round the Mountain jury session. This is hard for me because I'm not exactly the most patient person in the world. I like to know things immediately. I hope I know something today so that I'm not on pins and needles all weekend!
I decorated my house for fall last weekend. It either looks gaudy or warm and cozy--depending on how you look at things. I like to think it's warm and cozy. At least, that's how I feel when I look around. My sister used to make all manners of fun of me for going all out for the seasons and holidays--especially with my accessories. But, hey, 'tis the season to be gaudy, right?
It's still a little warm for sweaters, but one of my favorite outfit combos for fall is jeans, a long sleeved tee, and a scarf. I could live in solid colored clothes, because for me it's all about the accessories. I'd pair this scarf with a pair of jeans and a brown long sleeved tee:
I'd add these earrings:
I found some really cute black and orange beads at Hobby Lobby the other day that I can't wait to turn into a Halloween necklace. Stay tuned!
On Friday, I submitted five pieces for the 'Round the Mountain juried session. Tomorrow is when the jury actually meets to decide who passes. I'm pretty nervous about it. It would be such an honor to be a juried member of this artisan community. I wound up not getting pictures of all the pieces I submitted, but here are a few:
When I dropped my pieces off, the woman wanted to take my picture. She said that way if I pass the jury and the buyer decides she wants to buy some of my pieces to display at Heartwood, they'll already have a picture for the artisan card. I jokingly (sort-of) told her that wasn't part of the plan! I let her take it, though, and when I got back out to the car I noticed I had crumbs on my shirt from lunch! Wish she had told me! I think the picture is only from the shoulders up, so maybe it'll be okay! Actually, I think if they buy anything and need a picture I'll just send them another one. I was not prepared to have my picture taken!
The participants are supposed to be notified by Friday, so let the waiting begin!
My youngest daughter, Katie, is obsessed with Paris. She's dying to go, and, in fact, has the trip she and I are going to take there in the future planned out. I hope it works out! In honor of her dream, I made this necklace this evening.
I made the necklace so that it can be worn long at 36", or toggled in front so that it's approximately 18" or so. It can be found in my Etsy shop. Unless Katie steals it, that is!
Today is my best friend Misty's birthday. I won't say how old she is, but let's just say she's older than me. A month and 5 days older, to be exact. I got to see her, her husband Todd, and their little cuties Elliott and Evangeline on Friday. I plan on seeing them again soon, before they make their big move 6 1/2 hours away!
Tomorrow it's back to the grind, so for tonight I think I'll think about Paris!
Okay, well maybe famous is a bit strong, but I am now published! I'm so excited, I've been bouncing off the walls all afternoon! My piece, Grandma's Owl Necklace, is in the October issue of Bead Trends magazine.
I think as far as excitement goes, this ranks right up there with getting married and having kids! The magazine did a fabulous job of photographing the necklace. This is my pic, which isn't nearly as good!
Hopefully this won't be the only piece I ever have published!
