No Words

Well, ok  - maybe just TWO.

THANK YOU.

To my faithful friends for always being there to listen, love and help me manifest my dreams.

To my THURSDAY girls - for always being there to listen, love and help me through the fears ABOUT manifesting my dreams.

To the UNIVERSE.   For making the dream manifest as more real every. DAY.

Today was another 'giving' day - and it's still hard for me to wrap my head - and heart - around the kindness that so many offer me.  I was brought up to BE a giving person, but that TAKING was not something done without monetary or other compensation.  It's been hard for me to TAKE without guilt.

Last summer was a biggie for me - all those beautiful beads from so many wonderful sources.


 I took with love and 'paid it forward' to a fellow bead person - knowing that the person that had owned them (if you recall she was a bead lover/hoarder that passed away) would have liked that.  I'm STILL finding beautiful AWESOME surprises like vintage charlottes and antique beads in the bottom of those boxes.....

Unbelieveable awesomeness from my summer of 2014.

And now it's happening again. In the form of a dinner invitation from a friend soon to be permanently moving out of state.  In the form of MOM allowing me to use her car until the end of the day so that I can manifest all this greatness in all it's many shapes and sizes.   In the form of an entire box of like new/brand new display items that are perfect for my denim pieces.  I couldn't just take them - so I gave her a denim ring as a 'swap'.  And she can advertise for me.  Win/Win/Win.   And then I did repairs for someone on something I made her that was clearly a design flaw on my part.  She INSISTED on paying me for the repairs - WAY more than I was planning to charge her.  So we came to the decision that I'd make her a few more in return.  Win/Win again.     So much love and caring in my life already today-but I felt that the reciprocation on my part of the ring and the items to come was necessary for MY piece of mind.

Now - before I reveal the BEST part of the day - a little back story on "The Thursday Girls".  These girls are all a part of my metaphysical/new age family.  Our illustrious leader was the owner of the bookstore that I started working in as a retail clerk - she took a chance on me even though I had had NO retail experience.  I went on to be manager and newsletter editor for a second store owner as well, and also worked in a second store, where I also sold my wares for awhile.  I've learned so much from them, and from a few of the other girls in the group that have been with me from the start - each with their own unique gifts and insights - I cherish each one.  I've been introduced to new people through these girls too - and we've managed to maintain most of the original members - as well as a few new ones - for going on about 5 years now.  We are each others shoulders, rocks, sounding boards, and support systems.  We do abundance and prosperity manifestation, meditation, and try to keep the positive vibes flowing by reading affirmation cards each week.

So imagine my surprise today when mine was all about "facing your fears".  Exactly those fears and the dread that I've been bashing myself with over my summer sales this year; panicking that I'll sell nothing.  Freaking out that the weather will be nasty.    

It was and it wasn't something that I wanted to share - even though I knew that's what those girls DO.

And of course - never letting me down - they all provided me - each with their own take - on WHY (see MONDAY'S blog post) and how to snap myself out of what was surely self sabotage.  AGAIN.

The surprise was one of those beautiful souls - one that has had faith, hope and love for me from the start - has graciously made a "down payment" of a substantial amount on what she knows will be an awesome piece  - she'll know it when she sees it.  

Blow. Me. Away.   I tried to return it.  I tried to make her hold on to it until she actually SAW the piece she's going to want.  But no.  She insisted that it needs to help me get started on my summer sales - in however way I need to make it so.

WOW.   She will definitely be on my mind as I continue to create - one awesome LIZ statement necklace comin' up!

So much love in my life.  Remind of that the next time I get cranky and whiny,  OK?   :)

Peaceful beading,
TTFN

And P.S.  JUST as I'm closing this blog - I've also got an ETSY sale coming in!  CHA-CHING!  That's the sound my phone actually made when it did!

Awesomeness from The Universe.  It really is that easy.....

tiny buddhas and tranquility dudes to the rescue!

For those of you who don't like listening to the ME stuff, the stuff about the not so happy days, and the 'whining'  - STOP right here.   You won't like this post.

But if you are one of the tried and true following friends that will read and see me through, and may even have some comment words of encouragement and comfort then here we go...

It's been a 'why me' kind of weekend.  And forgive the "astrolog-ese" when I say I would like to blame Mercury Retrograde for everything.  LOL.    But it seems as though this is the week, weekend, and TIME for all things electronic in this house to hit the fritz.  Fzzzzt.  First  -  this laptop is on it's last legs.  Internal battery not worth a plug nickel - and it overheats during ANY video.  Ack.
Then my phone.  Don't get me started on my phone, and I still have a year left on the contact.  Even my little used Nook was giving me trouble this morning.  How will I survive???  

 I'm also all of a sudden in a beadwork sort of FUNK - finding little to inspire and motivate me after discovering another artist (although not in my immediate area) working with DENIM.  I had planned to make a trip to her neck of the woods - hit the art galleries, a street fair maybe - but she's going to have the jump on me.  So it depressed me a little to realize (as I should have all along) that what I do is not unique. (Just put Denim Jewelry in the search on Pinterest.  Ack).    Even though I will swear on both my dogs lives that I DID NOT copy anyone when I began creating these pieces - I must have seen something somewhere to put the thought - the idea - in my head.  And I ran with it.  Pretty successfully so far.  So I guess that's SOMETHING....

So as I'm having one of those feeling sorry for myself kind of mornings --- I find this in my Facebook pages feed this morning.... a wonderful quote from Neal Donald Walsch posted by the Tranquility Dudes.

"Why is this happening?" is the most useless
question in the Universe.

The only really profitable question is, "What?" As in,
"What do I choose now?" This question empowers.
The "why" question simply perplexes, and rarely
satisfies even when it gets a good answer.

So don't try to "figure it out." Stop it. Just focus on
what you now wish to create. Keep moving forward.
There's nothing behind you that can possibly serve
you better than your highest thoughts about tomorrow.

You will not have to think but a second to know
exactly why you received this message today. - Neale Donald Walsch

Ahhhhhh.
 I love the Tranquility Dudes.  I need to remember to go read stuff the Tranquility Dudes post more often.  As well as Tiny Buddha.  BOTH of those pages always have pertinent posts that just happen to come to me at the right time.

I am hoping that my plan to get out all my trays of jewelry and inventory for the looming summer shows will jump start me into creating wonderful again.  Only about 20 days before the first show to kick off the season.  I have a new 10x10 canopy, new weights that are more streamlined and easier to handle, and a new way to display many of my pieces - HANGING racks!


The metal grid rack in the back has a twin - and BOTH should hang beautifully from the bottom rungs of the 10x10 frame.  This will free up much table space and help lighten things up a bit!  Kind of excited to see how well they work....And the bonus is - I can test it early.  We have my old 10x10 permanently affixed to our deck now - so I can play all day!

 I HAVE done a few things this week - in between cooking for my STAY-CATION husband (who's having a grand time, by the way).  He goes back to work tomorrow.  So more bead time for ME!

(Sunset Blues.  The center section is a teaser for my Fire Mountain seed bead contest entry - something that didn't make it into the piece).

The focal piece is another lovely polymer clay creation by my artist friend and fellow art fair vendor - Claudia of Clawdia's Creations.  She has a unique style - and a cat theme that's quite popular 'round here... can't wait to see what she comes up with next.   I'm having fun playing with the pieces that can be incorporated into beadwork!  This is a tribute to her of sorts - "The Cat's Meow"...

ah.  Now I'm feeling just a bit better from 'venting' through this blog - so I'm sure this funky thing with pass - they come around every once in awhile, and thankfully, with a little help from my friends - they pass quickly and are followed by massive bouts of YAY-ness.  So something to look forward to.....

Thanks to all of you for sticking with Cool Moon and the Babbling Beader.  We truly do LOVE YOU!   MWWWWWWWWWAAAAAA!

Peaceful beading,
TTFN

Just BE.

A quick little blog with a link to a LOT of beautiful beads, and stories of faith, hope and courage. Lori Anderson's Art Bead Challenge "The Art of Awareness Blog Hop"  began over the weekend.  I was so busy with Battle of the Beadsmith, and my other obligations, that I didn't participate in this hop, but I have taken time to check out many of the blogs - and oh my.

I urge you to take the time to GO.  Look at the beautiful work.  Read the stories.  But grab a box of kleenex first.

The post title is all about what one of the participants had to say about her challenge pieces ....... 

Live life.  Breathe.  Love.  

BE.

Peaceful beading,
TTFN

And P.S.  I submitted my BOTB 15 piece to Steven yesterday.  Now the nail biting suspense of the vote begins..... (deadline isn't until 6/8).   EEEEEEK!

Still alive and beadin'!

Haven't had much time for blogging lately.  And it's not that I've been super busy-

well, maybe just a little.  

It's more like my brain is running in beady overdrive!   I have sooooo many ideas pouring out of my head and through my fingers.  This one happened just yesterday, while I was 'playing with possibilities':

And this happened this week too:

(the focal tile was made by my wonderful polymer clay friend Claudia of Clawdia's Creations)

As well as having a fun First Thursday Play Date last Thursday, despite the fact that some lowlife decided to key some cars that apparently were blocking their path.  :(  

  (This is Claudia!)

And Dodie, and Middy (BOTH were first time meet in real life Facebook friends!)  And Jane, the queen of all things theatrical and the organizer of many a successful art show....

Everyone was so focused on their projects!   And on their plates - there was a whole spread full of munchie goodness in the kitchen!   NOM.  NOM.

Another exciting development - I HAVE STUDENTS for my HCE Spiral Rope Bracelet class!
I've offered classes similar to this one 2 other semesters now - with NO results.  3rd time's the charm.  And I'm hoping that these 2 hopefully NEW and excited beaders will also sign up for next weeks EMBELLISHED Spiral Rope Bracelet.  Now I just have to finish those kits and tutorial!

But I think my MOST exciting 'busy thing' this week was my Sunday trip back to Owosso for the Member Show reception.  Wow.  I didn't realize it would be such a shindig!  What a turnout - and fun afternoon.  Here's what my piece looks like on display in the show room:



Cool huh?   There are sooooo many other fabulous pieces of art that have been entered in this show, that I'm sure I don't have a chance of winning the award - but the gallery manager tells me that there WAS an inquiry as to purchasing this piece (YAY!) AND - I have sold so many things from the shop, that I need to bring them more.

Awesome.  

This is once again, for the most part - turning into another year of Sheryl!  LOL!

Peaceful beading,
TTFN