Happy Birthday, Honey!

Today is my hubby's big 5-0!  Hard to believe - and even harder to believe that we've been together for 30 of those years!  We still laugh and have fun together MOST of the time.  :0)
He isn't much for fuss - so no big party or to-do.  Just dinner with his mom, and then a movie just for two.
We'll probably find a few things to do for fun today too!
Happy Birthday, Honey!  TODAY is all about YOU!

I sold this piece yesterday

This is one of my early design pieces, and I finally sold it yesterday.  It's weird, but it seems like since the first of the year, many of my older designs have been selling.  Either to newbies who've never seen my stuff at all, or to regular customers who just haven't been very observant of the piece before.  I DO have a tendency to rearrange the items in my cases.  It's a trick I learned at the book and gift store - just moving a specific item from one place to another can give it new life.  AND IT WORKS!  I also rotate and put things away, then get them back out a few months later.  That was the case with this one.   I just got it back out of storage about a month ago.....bye, bye, Pink Beauty Rose.  I'm sure you'll make your new owner very happy.  Especially since she loved it so much that she requested a special custom pair of earrings to match - by SUNDAY!  Good thing I had most of the bits and pieces and seed bead colors still around after all this time! 
I will also have some bracelet photos to post in the next day or two.  I have decided to put it together as a class, and have two sample pieces completed.  Not sure I'm ready to start actual classes again - I like the more relaxing one on one meetings so much better - but I think this one will be popular enough for a class.
You'll have to see for yourself....
TTFN

I Used my Muse!

My submission has been made.  Now the wait begins for the judging.  And while I can't yet reveal the entire piece to you, I CAN give you a tiny bit of a tease until the big day arrives.   Scarlett Lanson does a wonderful job with this contest - I wish I would have been able to enter all of them.  I entered the very first one with "Scarlett in Chains" (second photo).  I kept this one for myself, and in fact, seeing the photo - it helped me decide what to wear to the shop today! 
While there's probably no more time left to enter (early bird deadline is MONDAY), I urge you to visit Scarlett's blog and/or website http://thebeadersmuse.com/ and read more about Use the Muse.  You'll be amazed at the prize selections, excited about the concept, and impatient to enter Use the Muse V!
TTFN

Newbie

Floral Chain all ready for Etsy. 
Still working on "Wicked".  Something just ain't quite right with that one....it'll come to me one of these days.  Trying to freeform net in the style of Beverly Ash Gilbert.  May need to back up and redesign a bit.  But that's for another day....

Here they are....

the moment you've all been waiting for - photos of the newly painted dining room!  I still don't seem to be able to capture the actual ORANGE-ness of the walls - it is a bit brighter than in the photo.  I am very happy with how my celestial collection turned out on it.
The other half of the room is the rail side - the bottom half is white with just a hint of a pinkish color in it.  Of course - once I added all my bits and pieces - who can see the walls?  I am pretty happy with it.  The only changes that we may still make is to the cupboard doors shown above-(there is another set on the other side out of the photo) - they may get painted in the same orange.  And also SOMEDAY - I'd actually like to put the dining room table on the orange wall side of the room - but right now - there is no lighting on that side.  The ceiling fan would have to be replaced with a lighted one - not in the budget at this point, I'm afraid.  
Glad it's finally done.  Later today - I'll post photos of my newest creation, and also a teaser photo of my Use the Muse piece!
TTFN

Not much to blog...

Just haven't had much to say lately.  Didn't want to burden ya'll with another vent blog - but really, haven't even had a bad day.  Just blah days.  Nothing worth noting.  My dining room is still a mess, but with a free day ahead of me, I SHOULD have some photos of the brand new space by tomorrow.  I began re-decorating a little bit yesterday.  So transformation should be complete TODAY. 
I posted two more new pieces on Etsy.  Still haven't sold anything.  I know I have to be in it for the 4 month ride, so I'm trying to be patient with it all.   I did just complete a piece that I've had done in pieces and parts in a box for oh, about a year - so I will also have photos of that to post, and then I think it too, will get posted on Etsy.    If you haven't already, check out my site http://www.etsy.com/shop/shescool
Happy Spring!

Ahhhh.... Thursday

Thursday is now officially PLAY DAY.  I have always taken Thursdays off in the summer because of our rockin' concerts on the square on Thursday nights - ya gotta get there early to cop a good spot for your chair.  But I don't usually start them until June-ish.  But - since I've been so down, and needing a break, I have chosen to start early this year.  So today is day One of many fun, and fantastically lazy (or productive if I choose) Thursdays.  And besides PLAYING on Thursdays, it's also my 'support' group day - a group of old friends and new, that get together at the metaphysical bookstore once a week to share POSITIVE thoughts, affirmations, meditate, and also give each other ears for listening and words of caring and support when needed.  We also started a little lottery pool just for fun and prosperity!  I almost did not go today, because I've been so down and discouraged.  Had a really rough night last night, with just a few short hours of sleep. BUT - I decided to get dressed, and get out and go.  And I am SOOOOOO glad I did.  That group of peeps (about 7 women and 1 very spiritual guy) have been a rock and a source of so much wonderfully healing energy.  I feel so much better - even after finding out that it will cost another $400 that we don't have to fix the tooth the DOG broke yesterday.  We'll figure it out, somehow.  Good thing our vet loves us - and LOVES our dog.  They will work with us to pay it off a little at a time. 
Thanks to ALL of you who wrote your comments of support and encouragement to my last 'rant' post.  I'm up, I'm out and I'm ready to bead again. I HAVE TO BE!   Sal comes again tomorrow - with so much excited energy that I won't be able to help but bead.  Then again - she's quite the whirlwind.  I may be too tired after her visit!
(Sally - if you're reading this-your energy is a good thing.  I wish I had 1/2 as much.)
TTFN -  Happy beading!

Does anyone even care?

Did NOT have a good day today, so I probably shouldn't be writing - OR POSTING - this blog.  I realize that Michigan is the worst state for unemployment right now.  I am experiencing it first hand.  But really - all the beaders and the shows and the Etsy sites and people out there creating things - how do I get them to shop in my store?  I have just experienced my 3rd day of sitting there - from noon til after 5, and having NO customers.  Honestly.  Does my store suck that bad?  I think my stock is pretty unique.  I try to carry what you want - but I can't afford to purchase it if you don't SHOP.  I really really don't know what else to do.
Haven't sold a thing on Etsy.  Have no idea what to do next.
But hey, the dining room looks great!  Should be able to start redoing my walls and refilling my curio cabinet by the weekend.  I'm having serious second thoughts about spending extra time there during the Schoolhouse's open house this weekend.  Why should I even bother to put in the extra effort? 
Seriously.  Bad day.  Bad rant.  Let's hope my attempt at dinner is better....
TTFN

WOW!

Uh, that 'golden yellow' wall color called Hit the Jackpot?  Turns out it's a little more like ORANGE on the walls.  My husband doesn't like it - but I kinda do.  It's only 2 walls - that will be filled with my fun and funky collection of sun and moon wall decor.  The other walls - the ones with the plate rail & cupboards - are a pale, PALE eggshell with a pinkish hue- and white.  I don't have the camera handy at the moment  -  I may just wait and do one big giant reveal when it's all done.
And speaking of REVEAL - are you participating in Use the Muse?  My piece is pretty much complete, and I'm awaiting the form from Scarlett so I can enter before the early deadline.  I hadn't expected it to go so quickly - but once I get a thought and a general flow in my brain - I just bead until it's done.  Can't wait until I can reveal it to everyone.  
Happy Daylight Savings time!  Can't believe it's still light at 6:45!
TTFN

Leaf War results are in!

Here are the designs that we came up with.  Sally's is the top piece, with a beautiful Red Jasper and Carnelian.  I LOVE the pairing of it with the Cherry Quartz.  Now why did I never think of that?  This is simple yet beautiful piece.  Very monochomatic.
Mine is, of course, the next one.   My leaf is of Green Jasper, and I combined it with nothing but links of chain, metal carved ovals and lucite rounds that I spent hours wrapping.  It is rather funky - but then - well, that's me!    This was fun - I think we both enjoyed it very much (from the email jabs back and forth, anyway).  I wonder what I can challenge her to create next......
On a non-bead note:  The painting has begun.  We now have a color called "Sugar Beet" on the lower previously paneled portion of the walls.  It's sort of eggshell with a pale, PALE pinkish hue.  The upper portion above the rail (which I kept for my gajillion collectible things) will be white white, along with all the trim.  I THINK I'm going with a golden yellow color called 'Hit the Jackpot' for the big walls, instead of the turquoise or purple.  I had purple in that room before, and I just can't find a muted turquoise that I like with the other accents in the room. I will post photos when complete. 
TTFN.  Time to start my day....

Just got a minute

I'm off for lattes with a friend whom, because life gets in the way, I don't get to see but once in a blue moon.  Then I'm off to choose paint swatches for the 1 can of paint I am allowing for the dining room.  We were GIVEN eggshell paint, which will go on a large portion of the walls, and on the trimwork.  BUT - because I gotsta have the COLOR - I'm buying 1 GALLON of a blingy color for the two big walls out of my (gulp) bead money.  I found a fantastic shabby chic sideboard that I think the antique shop guy is going to hold for me (he's using it as a display, so he'll just use it till I can afford it) - it's a pretty springy celery green - so I'm thinking of going with a very muted teal, or possibly a pale, but not pastel - lavender. 
And on a totally different note - did anyone that watched the Oscars last night notice the startling ABSENCE of JEWELRY on those girls?  I think only Kate Winslet and Barbara Streisand were bejeweled at the neck.
Not likin' that particular trend....
Anyhoo - gotta run.  Have a wonderful day out there in beady world, everyone!
TTFN

More Free Beads!

Another fellow blogger is having a fun bead giveaway.  I NEVER pass up an opportunity to enter contests for FREE BEADS!    If you want to enter - go to http://doreenwilley.blogspot.com/  for your chance at some cool little beadies.  BUT HURRY!  I think tomorrow night (Sunday, the 7th) is the deadline.
There.  That's much better than a blog venting about my life at the moment, and why I happen to be blogging at 4:44 in the morning.  Life. Is. GOOD.   :0)  That is my mantra....
TTFN

Are you A"muse"d?

Ready, set - BEAD!  The Use the Muse IV challenge has begun - and how exciting!  The secret focal is indeed unique, and took me an ENTIRE day to figure out how to work with it.  I am now well on my way to forging the plan, and look forward to being at the shop every day to work on it. 
Can't wait to post a few teasers, as Scarlett suggested, once I've started on the non-Muse part of the piece.
On a completely non-bead note....did anyone notice that it FINALLY seems to get light a little earlier in the morning?  And that you could finally venture outdoors without a scarf and with your coat unzipped?  I heard a bird chirping wildly yesterday - so it must finally, FINALLY be upon us.  SPRING has SPRUNG!

Thought I'd post a few 'before/during and eventually AFTER photos of my dining room.  The new drywall will be going up today, and then hopefully, the painting will be done by end of next week or so.  I don't like that displaced feeling when it's all messed up.  This is the room that my 'office' is in, and where I work on my beading when I'm home.  It's just a little stressful at the moment.  In fact, I'll be spending a rare Monday at the shop today because at least there I have order, sameness, and BEADS. 
As you can see - there were a few surprises.  First of all - there was paneling under the paneling.  Once THAT paneling was taken off, there were numerous issues - including the fun crack in the OUTSIDE wall that you see on the left.  There was also the wall space (above) that contained nothing but studs, and an old water line, complete with shut off valve.  Huh.  This particular section of the house was built in the 40's, and remodeled by the previous owner who knows when - but he definitely cut some corners....I can't wait to show you the AFTER photos.
I think I'm going to be working with a blank canvas - white.  But then again - how much can a gallon of paint cost?  Maybe I'll convince him to let me go funky on one wall.  Although - if you can't see it - I already have a very vivid PURPLE trim and accent color going on.  That was funky.  And now I'm over it.
TTFN!