Dream Tool

I noticed this tool about 2 years ago and thought, "who would want or really need this?" Its expensive and I have lots of other ways to spend 175.00. This is how I thought until last June when I developed a bad case of tendonitis! 

Tendonitis is not fun. Last June, after a month long fundraiser where I had to make hearts, I developed tendonitis in my right forearm. I noticed that it hurt using my hand to open things, may arm swelled and I couldn't lift weights! My bout with tendonitis lasted the whole summer, into the fall and winter and would flair up anytime my elbow was even slightly bumped! It has taken almost a year for it to "heal"....thankfully I'm fine now...and thanks to my massage therapist, Gail!

With my June fundraiser approaching I'm thinking seriously about this tool...the Bead Releaser by Jim Moore.  No more  taking stubborn beads off manually.....this removes them with ease!! Go to Jim Moore's Bead tools to watch the video.........Yes, I will be purchasing this tool!!

March Lion

With the arrival of show applications and other signs of spring, its time I do some studio clean up and bead making. I am not a slave to cleaning so I will keep my organizing to a minimum and really spend most of my time bead making. I typically gather some things to sell so be watching.....I generally sell my orphan beads, glass rods and other goodies at great prices!

Last week I was in NYC for an art educator conference and made a stop at MOMA. This image by Rousseau is one of my favorites........really I have lots of favorites :) It made me think of March as a Lion and I've been the sleeping Gypsie........I've got to wake up and get busy! I'm just starting to think of jewelry ideas and display ideas too for upcoming shows.  I'm also dreaming up my next Open Studio event........Gosh, I do have lots to do.

As many of you know, I'm an art educator by day in a local school district. I'm going into my 17th year and have seen many changes.......Districts across the country are under hard times and ours is no different. The school I work at will consolidate with another school making our building next year a k-5th grade. I say GREAT! I look forward to teaching the older students. However, this consolidation means jobs cut, teacher shifting and room changes........needless to say, this atmosphere brings out the worst in people.  Paranoia to the extreme.

To keep mindful of all the wonderful things in life and to keep everything in perspective I feel the need to focus on what I am grateful for. So for the next week, my posts will be on the beautiful things in my life.

Today's beautiful things:
:: Waking up and hearing the birds chirping. I love listening to the birds and know that spring will be here soon.
:: Our warm comfortable home. Time spent at home is so relaxing and restful to me....filled with art and art making materials, my home is where my heart is.
:: Two loving little dogs that no matter what, will always love us. Kisses in the morning, tail wags, and snuggling.
:: A great cup of coffee and watching the sun rise. No matter what happens, the sun will rise each day!

Inspiration

inspiration  (ˌɪnspɪˈreɪʃən)
— n
1.	stimulation or arousal of the mind, feelings, etc, to special orunusual activity or creativity
2.	the state or quality of being so stimulated or aroused
3.	someone or something that causes this state
4.	an idea or action resulting from such a state
5.	the act or process of inhaling; breathing in Just looking at things that interest me...maybe they interest you? Bright colors...what colors are next to what..Lines, shapes.... Nature is just so amazing......look at all these patterns.. A symmetrical design...line, shape, color..... I love the spiral....simple yet visually interesting.. This week I've been just watching, looking, exploring.....finding inspiration in the world around me. Looking to be inspired.......looking for a new direction. Dinner with a friend tonight.......poking around my favorite florist shop, strolling thru the Conservatory......playing with things.  This is how I go about looking for inspiration. I wish I lived near the ocean........I'd love to walk a beach right now :)

Serious Bad

Me. I've been seriously bad with my blogging. Can't explain it either. I guess, I just haven't had much to say? Not true. I do. I guess I have just been lazy. Well enough is enough, I must get a grip and show up here to do some writing.....I actually do have things to talk about and show.

What I have been doing with my time is journaling. I began this journaling journey last year around this time and have been plugging away at it ever since. Its something I can take to work and do over lunch, in the morning while I enjoy my first cup of coffee or at night as I listen to the t.v...I am really enjoying it. Its just nice being involved in the creative process and in a different area other than what I normally do. I really think it helps me with my glass work....it lets my mind drift into other colorful areas where new glass ideas are born. Its been so fun.

Now, don't think I haven't been doing any glass work! I have, really. But this time of year is my time to slow it down and enjoy some "free time" and to build my creative mojo. I have been making lots of "pandora style" beads.......I've posted many in my Etsy Shop and have had customers stop over to pick up a few here and there too.

I'm thinking of doing a little tutorial on how to core beads. What do you think?? Interested in that? I'm looking to post more of these either in video or written/photo form. Let me know what you'd like to see.

Mehndi

This period from January until about mid March, I'm all about enjoying some creative rejuvenation. Oh, I'm still creating beads & jewelry too but my pace is slower . Its now that I am free to be a creative explorer since the summer show schedule is in the distance...playing with materials I love other than glass and just experimenting is a great way to stir my muse. I love so many different types of art making that this time is really pure joy and inspiration. A great way to dream up new jewelry and bead ideas!

For Christmas my Aunt gave me The Spirit of Henna. Its a box that contains mehndi patterns, henna pens and a book of history and ideas. I'm home sick today and really am anchored to my bed but I still want to make something!! So I've decided to decorate my body....my hand and arm that is :)

 I just love the beautiful patterns! Flowing designs and just one color.

Typically someone else does your henna.......I'm doing my own so I'm sure my designs won't be this spectacular.

I love paisley. Over the summer I created some fun paisley inspired buttons......I might revisit that idea after my mehndi focus today!

I'm sure I will feel wonderful after my henna tattoos are done. What will my husband think when he gets home?! What do you do to feel better when your home sick?

Thinking Spring

It's no wonder that I'm thinking about spring. Our winter here in upstate NY so far has been very mild. AND I'm not complaining one bit. I'm born and raised here but do not like the winter all that much...I try my best to get involved with outdoor stuff in the winter and to really embrace the snow but really, I'd rather have it HOT.

The grocery store already has tulips and daffodils and Easter candy.  Last weekend I was in the mall shopping and noticed that stores are even beginning to show off their spring clothing lines. I better get on board!

Pantone is the leader in color. From graphic art to fashion, Pantone is the place to forecast seasonal colors. Here is what they are saying:

I love the Tangerine and Cabaret....and the Bellflower too! Nice brights mixed with some soft Beachy colors like Cockatoo, Starfish and Margarita. Makes me think of Siesta Key Beach......I'm hoping to get their this April.

Hope this inspires you to think spring also. I'm sure we will be seeing these colors in spring fashion lines and home decor.

I'm Never Bored

Truly. I am never bored. I think that is the great thing about being a creative person. You're always thinking, looking, experimenting, making........Tonight I'm fascinated by creating paper roses.

I'm making dozens of these and then will hot glue them to a wreath form.....or a cone form...or maybe a heart shaped box.....not sure yet.

Here is how you do it:

:: Cut a square of colored card stock. Trim it into a circle shape. Don't worry about being perfect. Cut a spiral.

:: Starting at the end, begin rolling paper tightly. Roll until you reach the center of the spiral....this is the bottom of the rose. 

:: Hot glue to a wreath form or use as an embellishment to a card. So much you could do with them!! 

Years ago I made these with students in art class but I got re-inspired with them from someone on Pinterest! Another addiction I now have :)

As you might have guessed, I'm thinking about Valentine's Day and making a few things to decorate our dining room. I love being festive! This weekend I plan on making dozens of Valentine cookies that will be decorated very fancy.....I'll be sure to post.....I'm bound to make one giant mess!

Captivated by Pinterest

I know, I know......I'm probably the last to be part of the big Pinterest craze but I've finally arrived! For the last 2 weeks I've been pinning and repinning images of my favorite things creating my boards. Kind of addicting......and I don't really need something else pulling me away from things I need to do! But I do find it fun.

For those of you who know me, I am crazy for window displays. I think that these are one of the oldest marketing tools store owners have and they are so effective......but under utilized by many. A great window display...or store displays of any kind really........evoke feelings and really transport the viewer........right into your store ready to purchase! Anthropology stores have remarkable displays. They are colorful, creative and for the most part simple. Simple in concept that is. They will take one item and then go to the extreme with it. Just beautiful. So please go to my Pinterest boards and see what I like.....you will see lots of Anthropology displays!

Along with my pinterest interest, I've been busy Art Journaling. Later today I will hopefully post some things I'm doing on my Tutorial page......we'll see.

Beads

These Valentine Beads will be up in my Etsy Shop later today.

I had planned on putting them in my shop yesterday but I was off doing other things.

My prices are always very reasonable.

I'll be doing more of these too. Its back to work this week and then our Holiday Party on Saturday. Sunday will be spent in the studio!