Karma

Happy New Years Eve! In just about an hour we will be gathering with our funny family to laugh, play games and eat! I'm suppose to be making shrimp dip but as you can see....I decided to blog instead. The dip must wait. Peter and I had a great New Years dinner just the two of us....nothing too fancy. We had those handmade raviolis from the ravioli shop and bread with dipping oil. Yuuummmmyyyyy. I'm stuffed and we haven't gone anywhere yet.

Karma is my sisters crazy little dog pictured above with Peter. She has the loudest most ear piercing yip I've ever heard. My sister has a bark collar for her and once thats on...Karma barks once, gets a little shock and then is quiet the rest of the time. Karma isn't bright enough to realize that the collar is whats zapping her....so this routine of bark once and then get zapped is constant. She is so darn cute however.....I love her. Peter and I thought we'd really get the party started and bring one of our dogs to the gathering tonight. Our dogs are so hyper and so dominating that my sisters dogs get plastered against the wall when there around...afraid to move! No, we won't bring them.....but a fun thought anyways.

Well the hubby has given my fair warning to hurry and make that dip! So enjoy the night and see you in the new year.
Peace.

What do we learn from this?

Just a little something to share.....this is the last of my Tassel Pendants. I picked up my things from the Gallery exhibit at Okee's since she closes her shop until February. I'll be bringing NEW things to her once she re-opens. We are planning a trunk show in March (Springtime!!!) so please stay tuned for information.

Today was a sad day since I attended a funeral for a 23 year old. This young man had his life before him but was shot & killed defending a girl getting beat up. Someone today asked, "What do we learn from this" .....I replied that it should remind us all to be kind to everyone we know or meet, do our best not to be hateful, and to always help those in need......no matter what. Life is too short to be hateful, jealous and nasty. Its hard sometimes not to be overcome by these negative emotions but death certainly puts things back in perspective for us. Hug someone & tell them they are important......you just never know what will happen.

Needless to say, I didn't make any beads today. I'll be at the torch tomorrow bright and early! I will be posting new things either later today (pendants & rings) or tomorrow. The husband wants to watch the movie The Simpsons so I hope you will check in tomorrow.
Be Happy! :) Linda

A New Gallery

I've been busy at the torch and getting ready to take some pics. I'm just waiting for some sunshine! Natural light helps with taking a good image. I need all the help I can get since I don't spend anytime learning what to do with that darn camera. Things will be changing with that however....I'm sick of not knowing so I'm doing something about it!

Along with changing my hairstyle I've changed the look here on my blog. Love the banner.....thanks to good ole buddy MaryJo....she helps me out and trains me on web stuff. I'm learning so much from her! Well along with NEW things happening here I'm also going to be at a new gallery. Well the gallery isn't new...I'm new to IT. For the past two years now I've done a month long holiday gallery show at Okee's located in Honeyoe Falls. She has done very well selling my work so she has asked that I keep things with her year around. Nice. She is a wonderful woman and her gallery/shop is amazing. I always leave inspired by what I've seen there.

Oh, and another NEW thing.....in a few short days you will be able to visit my Etsy Shop!! Another way to get exposure and an opportunity to sell my things. This place could be addicting....lots of cool stuff for sale here. I'll keep you posted and provide you with a link as soon as I'm ready.

Time to clean myself up and head to the studio. I have things to put together and to make!

I was back at the torch yesterday and made a few things. I'll share them with you shortly, I'm working at getting a bunch done & photographed. I've given my muse a creative puzzle to work on.....what she will come up with, I don't know but she has something cooking.

My knitting craze continues. I think its the cold weather that does it to me. I love the colors and textures in the knit shop and I enjoy the challenge of something new. Now, knitting is my mistress (what do you call a male mistress?? A gigilo?).....not my true blue lover. I don't want to send the wrong message here. But, any creative soul knows that mixing it up a bit with a different endeavor stirs the muse. So, I'm stirring. I went to dinner with a friend last night and she asked what NEW bead stuff I'm working on......I said she would have to wait and see just like me! Things aren't always in a neat little package ready to spring out at me....sometimes the cooking process takes time. So, here is one of the few new books I'm combing thru for inspiration. Love the colors, pictures and the things to make. In actuallity, I'll probably only get to one of these projects but some of the ideas here will somehow trickel into my beadmaking I'm sure.

The kiln is warmed up. Mandrels are dipped and I'm ready to roll. I have orders to deal with but will definitly have time to play around with stuff.

What's up for New Year's? I think we will most likely be spending in at home making a great dinner, watching movies and drinking sparkling cider. Typically we go bowling with my sister and her family but I don't think plans have been made for that this year....who knows....things change daily around here.

I'll be back tomorrow!

Merry Christmas! I love the holiday season. Family gatherings, friends, good food and gift giving and getting! Christmas Eve we host at our home and we had plenty of good food and good times. My two nieces and nephew are just too much fun.....we continued the game we were playing at Thanksgiving....well, its not really a game, its a conversation starter type thing. Well, the kids LOVE it! The "game" is called Table Topics and it really gets everyone involved.....even teens and quiet husbands! You really find out lots about one another.

Christmas Eve however did not start out with food preparation or house cleaning as you might expect.....no, I was at the knit shop finsihing up my sisters gift. I figured that I had NO time for mistakes so I chose to sit at the shop and knit my guts out. Plus, lovely Pam took pitty on me and helped me out a lot! The clogs were finished and felted by the time everyone arrived. They were still damp however when I gave them to my sister on Christmas morning. She loved them. I'm making a pair for myself just so I can keep familiar with new knitting techniques that I learned on this project from hell.

Today, the day after Christmas, we have already been out and about. We started with getting our passports.....yes, travel is in my future! Got that taken care of then we headed out to Ulta where I had to get mascara and a cool hair thingie.....you attach it so that it looks like a streak.... bad explaination but I'll show you when I have it in. Now I'm getting ready to go to the hair dresser. I'm getting my hair highlighted and low lighted. A new year and a new do! I sure hope it comes out okay. Tomorrow, I go for my massage and yoga!

Are you wondering about beads at all? I'm a beadmaker and jewelry designer right?! Yes, I'll be back on task tomorrow. I have to take advantage of free time when I get it!

T'was the last day of school......

The energy level has been at record highs this week at school....everyone is awaiting Santa's arrival (or time off from school!). The children can't concentrate on much else....and rightly so. This time of year really is to delight them isn't it? I love seeing their excitement and listening to them anticipate what Santa will bring.

Over the last few art classes I've had second graders rehearse the poem, Twas the Night Before Christmas and illustrate their parts. They will present this poem to the pre-kindergartners, kindergartners and first graders...and at the end of the day at our Holiday Sing a long I'll display a slide presentation of their art work. I selected this image to show you just as an example of their great work.....these kids just amaze me at what they CAN do. Can you believe that this is by a 7 year old? On Christmas Eve I hope to put up the slideshow here for you to look at...maybe include their voices too.

On the bead front: I'll be at the torch for a brief time this weekend filling last minute orders and making some beads to put up for sale. As I've mentioned, I have knitting to finish before Christmas so I need to work at that too. Tonight is dedicated to finishing up shopping!

Enjoy the day! I hope you'll check in tomorrow :)

Have you ever checked the messages inside a Dove chocolate wrapper? These holiday messages are ones that make you think....and do!

I've been going nuts making these fingerless mitts for those on my "nice" list. Remember a few posts back? Buy handmade....or make something? Well, I can only give people just so many jewelry items before they roll there eyes, so this year its knitted items! I've actually had a great time making these. My hands always have to be doing something...this makes for a great activity in front of the television...the re-runs are getting to me!

Tomorrow night is my Sister and I's traditional dinner and pedicure night. We meet at Dominics, have a great dinner and then head off for a pedicure and more girl talk. Yes, I'm bringing my NEW little camera.....an early Christmas present to myself. Can't wait for Friday however....last day for 2 whole weeks! Can you guess what I'll be doing lots of???

Socks and Gloves

I bought this book yesterday when we were out Christmas shopping. I just love it. Billy the dog looks just like our dogs....Winston & China. Over the holiday break I'm going to make a few of these...maybe soon!

Check the bead page later....I'll have a few small sets of beads for sale. And don't forget those buttons. I should have a bunch of earrings up later this week too.

I would love to hear from you.....let me know what you think of my NEW stuff or tell me how your Christmas shopping is going....You need to leave some comments people....please ;)

Some New Things

I've done a little bit of work over the last few days and had to quickly take pictures before delivering them to Spirit Works Knit Shop. One or two may need to have a picture re-do but I'm going to put them up anyways. These are my NEW Large Stacked buttons. These are a fairly good size suitable for sweaters or bags. I'm wild about them and have plans for a few of my own.
I actually forgot to put these up on my site! I'll do that later. These also are stacked buttons. They are a bit smaller in size and are paired with either hearts of flowers.....Lov'em. Its just been a button making bash out in my studio....lots of orders and shops to supply. Here is another of my latest designs....Poppies. All sorts of colors are available. The sculpural quality makes them so organic & flowing.....Beautiful. Well, I have more but you'll just have to look at my Bead & Button page and my Earring page....I'm in process of getting the old stuff off and moving on with the new stuff. About time Huh?! If I had more hours in the day and just one job to focus on then maybe I'd be better....then again, maybe not....I spend a heck of a lot more time at the torch!!

Every year I show this video of Fay's 12 Days of Christmas. The kids love it and I love listening to them try and figure out how & why the dogs have human hands. The conversations they have are priceless! Yesterday, a group was discussing Ruldophs nose and why it wasn't shining when they apparently saw him at the Mall. The explaination I liked best was, "I think Santa puts a clowns nose on Ruldoph thats why its so big" Another said, "Santa is magic and makes Ruldophs nose shine" You just never know what they will come up with next!

This weekend I'm shopping for a gift for myself....I need a little camera to have on myself at all times. We have a small camera now but the husband likes to use it for work. My big, good camera is just to bulky to lug around all the time. I'm really working at taking more pictures so I can show you little tid bits of my life from time to time.

Tonight the plan is to frost cookies and make beads! I get up so darn early that I'm only good for a few tasks at night. Oh, but I will be posting beads in the very near future!

Handmade Continued.......

I'm always making something or else I'm looking for something to make! I have a few knitting projects in the works....gift items so I can't say what exactly these items are since those who are recieving them may be reading. The gifts are coming along fine however I do have one item that is a little challenging...just a little...so I haven't finished this yet and there are just so many days left before Christmas. My dogs are getting gifts too. You know about the sweaters already but I really need to get a move on with finishing these.

I have 2 weeks off for the holidays! I have so many things I want to accomplish that I think a list is in order. Lists work great for me. I like crossing off completed tasks....I feel good about my use of time then. One thing I want to do is make one of these Bears pictured above. There is just something about stuffed animals that I adore. I have a few other projects that I'll attempt at starting. I'm hoping my sister will come to a class with me....its fun working with someone.
I love bags....I hope to start this over the break....I don't expect to finish this- looks complicated- but I'm going to give it a good start.

Buy Handmade

The Grinch is my all time favorite holiday story to watch. It doesn't matter if its the original or the new version with Jim Carey....I just love the Grinch.




Check out this website....www.buyhandmade.org Of course, I like this message!
A handmade gift is so much more meaningful. I like gifts of all sorts but buying or making something handmade is just EXTRA special. The gifts that my husband, father, aunt, or uncle have made me are things that I treasure. So, Buy Handmade people.....or Make something! Nothing says love more than hand crafted goodies.

I'm about to download some NEW items. I had these little lovelies at the Holiday Bazaar and they sold out on the first night! You want to know what they are???.............sorry, you have to check back and find out for yourself.

Good Memories of Horsing Around

On Sunday Peter and I went to watch our neice, Summer, at her horseback riding lesson. It brought back so many wonderful memories for me....I just wanted to get on a horse and go! To me, there is nothing like riding. My dream has always been to own at least one horse...........I just have to keep dreaming.

I made some things on Sunday too. Actually, I plan to take some pictures of them once I get home. Something new and fabulous.

This Sunday I will be at Spirit Works Knit Shop. I'm doing a make and take.....hope you will stop in. I'll be there from noon until 2:00. Short and sweet so don't miss out!

Gotta run....want to get home and bake my mitten cookies!

Oh, What Fun We Had!

Last night was my Tacky Gift Exchange & Cookie Swap. It's always a gamble as to how a holiday party might go. Either many people attend and its great or family commitments and illness keep guests from coming. The crowd last night was perfect. Just the right size actually. I had a few people call at the last minute with issues that kept them away....they were missed but we partied on.

Two great friends surprised me and showed up! Donna and Lisa are dear sweet friends that I just don't see enough of. I hadn't heard if they were going to be able to make it so I was delighted to see them at my door. We have so much "history" together that getting back into each others lives takes mere seconds. Oh, and my sister brought one of her "ole" girlfriends....Danielle....and she was just a riot with her "old stories" I've known Danielle for years too. I was friends with her brothers. She always fills me in with good gossip about my old boyfriend...Howard...but last night I gave her a good scoop to report back to her brothers on. Its great being with good friends....but then the stories of past naughty behavior comes up....that always tarnishes my "snow white" image. She shared a story twice last night which I will not share here but the last time she told it I was laughing so hard that I was actually crying! Oh, my.....youth is such a folly.

This morning I picked up my friend Jean at 7:00 and dragged her to the public market. I should have brought my camera.....the vendors set up in the darkness of early morning was beautiful. Why can't I ever remember that darn camera??? Now, before I picked up Jean I had to take a shot of Pepto since my stomach was a bit upset from last nights indulgences. But....that did not stop my from having a Veggie Emponada with hot sauce at the Empanada Stop at the Public Market.....a favorite little place of mine. Once I got home however I had to take more Pepto and lay down....I hope this isn't really something other than bad food indulgence!

Beads to make later today....I've a bunch of Christmas gift orders to complete. I have studio cleaning to do too. Maybe I'll get my act together and get a picture or two to show you tomorrow.
Happy Saturday......:) Linda

Shame on Me!

Yes, its been awhile since I've posted here. The holiday season makes time just fly by. I've been setting up my display at a gallery in Honeyoe Falls, preparing for a "Santa's Helpers" event at Spirit Works and doing all the other work & family stuff. I'm waiting to exhale after the holidays!

Hmmmm, what to chat about??? Well, we had our holiday book club meeting last night a Phillips European...a delightful resturant with the most fabulous desserts. The book we discussed, The Remainder, was given a thumbs down by most all of us. Sue, is our perpetual Silver Lining girl....she finds the best in everything. She was the only one who claimed to LOVE the book. My secret goal is to find a book she HATES just as passionately as she likes things :) Not really, but you do begin to wonder what would make her not like something.

At our holiday book club we swap gifts. Its always fun to see what we all get. You see you just buy a gift and we draw numbers. The person who is number 1 gets to chose first....the next person can take the gift that number one opened or take an unwrapped one....and so on. Its great fun. Everyone is "nice" generally....but every once and a while someone with take a gift. I like when that happens....gets the blood pressure and nerves going. I ended up with a package of Burts Bee's lip glosses, a Vera Bradley make up bag, blueberry jam and a mitten cookie cutter. I love them all!

Next Friday night is my Tacky Gift and Cookie Exchange. Its s fun girls night out. Of course I've sent out invites but haven't heard back as to who is coming. I know my book worm buddies will be here but, who knows, that might be it!! I'm sure others will come but I always worry like that. With a gathering happening here, you know I'll have to transform into June Cleaver and start cleaning this weekend.....I hate that!

I continue to plug away at creating things but I will admit, I've slowed down a bit. We are approaching the years end and thats generally the time when I can take a short but needed break from the break neck pace. I have a number of things brewing for mid Winter so don't you think for one minute that I'm resting on my laurels! Just a sweet bit of down time to re-energize.