Getting Balanced

Just finished the second full week of the new school year! Time really does go by fast. I have a new schedule to my classes this year and I haven't quite adjusted to the new rhythm. The day goes by so quick but there is little to no time to do the necesssary art room up keep.........materials, products, etc....I know I'll find my way thru it all but adjusting takes a bit of time.

With this new school schedule I admittedly have had a difficult time fitting my beadie life into my routines. In part because I'm tire! This weekend I will again be at the torch preparing and making what I hope to be some awesome items! Sadly, I have nothing to show you as of yet, but please stay tuned.

Along with bead making, I also have Book Club! I love our book club......we have been together for so many years and its just nice to know you have friends that are truely FRIENDS. We have been there for each other thru some tough times and good times.......we are all different but we all love each others differences. Pictured above is just 3 members. Our dear 4th couldn't make it to our last meeting. We are not a hugh group but actually thats what makes it great.....Tomorrow we meet at Sue's house! Can't wait. Wanted to show them my Nook I bought but I was so excited about it after I showed our librarian, Karen, I left it out on my desk and forgot to bring it home!

Today Pete and I are going on a tour of Downtown Lofts and other buildings called Inside Downtown, presented by the Landmark society. We've done similar tours in the past years and everytime, we are so amazed and impressed with what we see. The renovation of historical buildings into living spaces, the achitechure, and of course, the decorating. You think you know the city you live in but after taking a tour of this type, you realize how much more there is to learn. I am interested in local history and just love to learn more.

Caught in a Whirlwind

Hi everyone! No, I didn't fall off the face of the earth...........its just been a whirlwind of a start to the school year. Really, that is nothing new. The start of a new year is typically like this. I not only have to get back in the groove of a scheduled life by getting back to work but it is also the time of the Clothesline Arts Festival. Busy, busy, busy.

Clothesline was great! There was a new layout to the show which had mixed reviews but my sales were strong. Sunday was a quieter day however since the weather was a bit gloomy. My sister and niece stopped by to give me a well needed break and we all got a bit silly with some beads........I love this picture! I was told I could not put this on my facebook page but if I did I had to promise not to tag her in this photo!

Okay. Next week I am going to try and ease back into a "normal" pattern here and get cracking at the torch too. I have a trunk show coming up and there is lots to prepare!

A Bit of Nostalgia

Donuts Delight opened up in 1957 and has always been THE place for donuts in Rochester! Krispy Kreme is just a cheap imitation of a donut compared to Donuts Delight. So, we went down memory lane and went to Donuts Delight which happens to now be Salvatores Pizza AND Donuts Delight......a very unlikely pairing.......to have ourselves a donut.

Pete had the Banana Creme. Fantastic!

I had the Black Raspberry Apple. Amazing!!

Sooooooo good. But, you can only have one......they are larger than most donuts.

Just a few of my round beads to show ya............I am working on putting some new Pandora Style Beads in my Etsy Shop....check them out later. I LOVE them!

Missels, Bombs or Bee Butts?

What to call these beads? They also look a bit like water bouys. Not sure bee butts would be an interesting draw to this bracelet but the shape is similar. Anyone have a great name for this?

Alert: I've made an Etsy Update!

Its been very hot lately and I've had to wait a bit before heading off to the studio to work. This has given me some needed time to actually add items to my Etsy Shop!

I am going to really try and keep to a weekly update in my Etsy Shop and that day will be on Wednesday's.  I'm hopeful that I can keep  to this new plan.

Updates....finally

No, I've not updated everything but I have updated my Class, Whats New and Shows and Events links on my website. There is just never enough time to get everything done! Website updates also take a bit of time.....especially for me since understanding web codes and lingo just isn't my thing. I manage however....slowly.

Not a big post here today. Lots of beads to make since school will be starting and I have Clothesline coming up fast. I have several great neck pieces in process and I can't wait to get them done & photographed.

I'm off to the gym and then back to the torch! Enjoy the day!

Fall is in the air!

The days are getting shorter. The nights cooler. I started to see leaves already beginning their change. Its sad to see one season leave................except winter. Fall however, is a colorful season and one that leads us all into those holidays we so love! I am a bit sad today knowing that summer is planning to leave us but know that fall has its wonderful appeal too.

If you have signed up to recieve my newsletter, you know that I will be doing a fun Felt & Glass Brooch class on Saturday October 2nd! Its fun learning a new trick or two and then making something that has so many possibilities. I sure hope you'll join us for the fun.....Class Time! Learn to Make Bella's Felted Brooch! via @constantcontact

Today I'll be working at the torch preparing once again for an upcoming show.....Clothesline! I love this show. They have a whole new lay out so I'll be posting my new location in days to come. Hope to see you there!

Packing it up for the Show!

I'm rather amazed that I am pretty stress free going into the show this weekend. Typically I'd be buring the midnight oil frantically working to get things ready. But not this time! I created a nice schedule of work to be done weeks ago and simply made what was planned for that day! Bada Bing! Done! Why I never did this before, I don't know but I feel like my procrastinating ways are possibly behind me?!...well, at least in this area. We'll see.

This is my Chaos necklace.........the name is the story of my life. I tend to roller coaster ride from calm to chaos in my creative process. I am who I am......what can I say.

Pendant necklaces.........I love them. These dangle from an nice loooonnnnggg sterling chain. 

Metallic and earthy. Fine silver, reactive glass, turquoise and pearls....finished with a handmade silver toggle. A break from my love of brights. Variety is the spice of life right? I've enjoyed working in "uncomfortable" color palettes........

There is plenty more but you'll just have to see me this weekend if you can :) 

Pendants with Stringer Control

So these are the pendants I made yesterday in attempt to practice my stringer control. I really like how they came out.

Yeap. I made the murrini that you see here.....I love murrini. I have more pendant beads in the kiln now and will be anxious to see how they came out. I feel really good about 2 of them but am unsure about the others. I just really like practicing this new skill and developing a new system of working.