Can it be?

It seems that spring truly has sprung.  I just checked the 10 day.  Never a temp below the mid 40's.  Which, while being a bit nippy - is not snow temps.   So I'm trying to remain positive, and remember what it's like to have a garden that will hopefully, once again, look like this:

Isn't it wonderful?  I love my garden space.  One thing we WILL be changing and adding this year is to somehow privacy fence the chain link fence across the back of the  yard.  The neighbor's dog is about to drive us insane.  If she can see us, or our dogs, she is barking.  And barking.  And barking.  So incessantly that it's starting to make us angry.  It takes away from the whole ambience of the space above.  We've mentioned to the lady in the past about the barking, and she just says that it's because she wants to 'play' too.  She does nothing to stop her.  EVER.  So I'm hoping that if she can't SEE us, she won't bark as much.  HOPEFULLY.  I am an animal lover, of ALL animals.  But I tell ya, my husband and I have both had some very unpleasant thoughts for what might shut that little yappy dog up.  And they ain't pretty.  (For those of you who don't know me - DEFINITELY KIDDING.  Would never harm another animal.  EVER.)  Just gotta do something to save the sanity.    The fence is very shaded, so growing something on it is going to be difficult, and take too long.  I'm looking into some sections of bamboo fencing, along with more well spaced louvre door planters to break up the line.  I am willing to shell out a little bit of cash, but I want it to look nice too.  I think a trip to Home Depot to check it out is in order today.....

So here's to spring everyone....the official start is Thursday.  Can summer be far behind?

Peaceful beading (didn't mention them once in this post, can you believe it?)
TTFN

A Perfect Vintage

While digging out beads for yet another project, my brain came up with the idea for this: 

I just listed them both on Etsy today.  Visit my shop with the link to the right - shescool is my shop name, they are listed separately - The Perfect Vintage Necklace and The Perfect Vintage Earrings.
Getting ready to enjoy an afternoon of Biggby Caramel Mocha, probably iced, cuz it's a scorcher, and reading with the book club girls. 
Peaceful beading,
TTFN

A Crafting Superstar!

My little Nook has once again offered me a great deal, and a great read!  Yesterday's 'daily deal' was this:

"Crafty Superstar" by Grace Dobush.  It has TONS of information - some of it I knew, some of it doesn't really help me, but MOST of it is very valuable.  LOTS of info regarding Etsy, which, even though I just opened my shop for the second time, I still don't know a lot about.  There's also a LOT of information regarding displays and art fairs.   I haven't finished it yet - but I'm sure I will enjoy the rest, and because it's in my Nook - I will always have it handy!  No more wondering "Now what did I do with that book?"  lol
On a related note:  I have a feeling these little 'Drops of Joy' are going to sell like gangbusters at my shows!

As I mentioned in my previous post, I sold two pair before I could even photograph them, and after my sister in law read my blog (because I link it to Facebook-yay!) I'll probably be selling a few more.
I was fortunate enough to find more of the little silver cap bases, so onward with as many color combos as I can come up with! 
I also forgot to post about the special bracelet that I made recently:

My niece, who is an avid biker, and a nurse, just became engaged to another avid biker, a fireman.  I decided to put together a fun little 'charm' bracelet for her, that includes a fun bike charm, along with some others, and she can have charms added as she wishes. 
She absolutely loved it, which of course, was the plan!  I am considering do a few more 'theme' type bracelets for shows - but haven't quite found an affordable source for those charms!  PRICEY!
Anyway - looking forward to another absolutely gorgeous WINTER day here in my neck of the woods (sorry, Al).  We broke a record yesterday with 79 degrees, and it will be that warm again today.  Next week, we are heading for the 80's.  I expect snow for Memorial Day.....~sigh~  lol!
Peaceful beading,
TTFN

Happy Bead Table Wednesday

"Oh what a beautiful morning, oh what a beautiful day, I've got a beautiful feeling, everything's going my way!"  No, I'm not auditioning for Oklahoma! - but it's how I'm feeling this morning.  It is already absolutely gorgeous outside, in the middle of March in Michigan - the temps will be almost 80 today!  The sky is already clear blue, AND - the best part - I finally muddled my way successfully (I think) through Gwen Fisher's anniversary beaded bead from this month's issue of Beadwork.  BAH!!  This was a tough one; very challenging.  And it's for SURE not exactly perfect (those thread paths are killer for lefties, Gwen!), but I think I have a very close facimile, and can't wait for the next issue to see what the next one will be.  Is anyone else planning to complete all them and enter the contest?  This is my Bead Table Wednesday submission - (along with the remnants of yesterday's beauty, that you'll see later - "The Perfect Vintage"):

  I didn't realize until I was 1/2 way through that I chose the same color combo as the bead I made from last months issue - 'Seeing Stars' (I think by Melinda Barta-I can't find the mag!).  So I will definitely have a theme going on with the rest, so I better make sure I stock up on those purples and golds....

In yesterday's blog I mentioned that I was having a little 'earring show' for a friend.  Here's what the table set up looked like; very informal, didn't have to clear clutter or clean for her - but I like how it worked out, and she bought FIVE pair!  Decided not to make her own - I had plenty to please her, but we just may plan a 'just bracelets' party for her, and a few other friends, in the near future. 

Why not try that yourself?  If you have friends that don't wear necklaces, or LOVE earrings, have a show featuring JUST the things they love the best.   Then offer a few kits or packets of beads from which they can 'create their own' should they wish.  Great fun!  I can't wait to do it again!
Off I go to enjoy my day.  We may have to drag out the patio chairs...cuz I'm definitely giving our deck some love today!
Peaceful, beautiful beading everyone,
TTFN

EARRINGS!

I finally had an earring making day!  AND - one of these little beauties is being submitted as a project to the bead mags!   I really wish I would have taken the photos yesterday, because, upon getting together with my little merry band of bead girls last night - one of them bought TWO PAIR!  I told her it would be easy enough to show HER how to make them (she IS a beader, after all), but she had too many projects and a special gift to buy - so she decided to just buy them from me.  OK!  One pair were orange, of which I'll be creating a second pair (something I rarely do), and a purple pair, that can't be duplicated because I don't have enough of the little accent beads I used.  So anyway - here they are "Floral Joy":

Aren't they cute? And so simple to make-let's just say you'll never look at bead CAPS the same way again! I wish I knew how to create the kind of file that can be downloaded for a tutorial and sell them on Etsy - but I'll just have to settle for local and kits, as well as the finished product for now.
Here are two more different types - I made SIX pair in all!

The reason for the need to create some new and different earrings is my good friend Sandy is coming today for an 'earring day'.  She loves earrings, in fact, it's the only accessory she wears.  She's not fond of bracelets, and only wears a special keepsake pendant from her late mother, but she does bling it up when it comes to earrings.  So we're doing a special Sandy show, and she may design a pair of her own as well.  Should be fun - and it was a good excuse to clear the clutter of mail and junk on the table again!  lol!
Off to whip out a couple more pair - and maybe give the vacuum a ride!
Peaceful beading,
TTFN

Babbling about blogging

I just spent about 1/2 hour 'blog hopping', and I realized something.  In the course of a year, I've gone from not blogging at all, to blogging almost every day - which is more than most of my fellow bloggers do.  Is there supposed to be a success formula for blogging?  Is there a 'stress the hoppers' factor when it comes to blogging? Can you blog TOO much? I know I probably bore many of my visitors most of the time, and get very few comments.  But that doesn't mean they're aren't at least reading.   I also know that blogs are one of the easiest ways to find people out there in etherland, even more so than websites, it seems.  I definitely wouldn't want to overload my ready peeps, but then again - I know, as a blog hopper, that I HATE when I go to what is supposed to be a popular blog and find that they haven't even blogged in ages!  Oh well.  Too many thought rolling around in this head before 7am - and no caffeine.  The DOGS haven't even asked for their breakfast yet.
One topic I've noticed on more than one of my fellow beady peep blogs - is their dedication to shows this year.  OR NOT, as one case may be.  But I would imagine, that doing constant shows all year long for several years would get a little old.  One would need to take a break - and hopefully be able to AFFORD to do so.  I feel their pain.  Shows didn't used to be my favorite, in fact I had (with prompting from my husband) sworn OFF shows for a long time, which I now realize was a big detriment in getting my name and my unique style out into the area.  He still refuses to help me for the most part (he WILL drive me to local shows so I don't have to worry about parking) but help with set up, hauling, tear down, and sticking around for encouragement is NOT going to happen.  If I want to do shows, which I'm discovering that I enjoy (except for that nasty hauling/set up/tear down part), I have to either do them by myself, which is difficult to do in popular venues, or find like minded peeps to share space with, something that many of the larger venues won't allow.  Not sure why.  I am willing to pay a 'shared space' fee, or even the full vendor fee if need be, and follow the same rules as other vendors.  Not sure what they are afraid of when we want to be in the same space.  It's more fun, I'll tell you that.  And so far, at the outdoor shows we HAVE been allowed to share space in,  it hasn't been all that confusing for the customers.  We each (ideally, there are 3 of us - one on each 'side' of the tent) have our own signage, and handle our own money.  The only other factor that comes into play with shows, especially here in the middle of the mitten - is the weather.  Mother Nature is quite fickle when it comes to Michigan seasons - so we are gambling every time we sign up for an outdoor event, and even an indoor one.  If the snow is knee deep, it makes it difficult to get your wares to the space, let alone get customers there.  That's why I'm crossing my fingers that our mild winter (it'll be in the mid 60's all week this week), doesn't turn into a frozen spring.  My first - and my most important - show of this season is coming up the weekend after Easter.  It will take place at and be promoted by The East Lansing Pubic Art Gallery space in East Lansing.  The director is enthusiastic, to say the least.  There is always, ALWAYS major marketing in relation to anything that takes place at that gallery.  It's my first two day event - leaving the space set up overnight.  But if there is snow (yes, it does happen in mid-April in Michigan) or even lots of rain - it's going to be difficult for all of us - vendors and customers alike.
So anyway - that's what my head is about today.  Aren't you glad you hopped by?  :0)
Off to create coffee and jewelry, in that order.  Maybe I'll treat you to a second blog later that will include a few new earring pics....
Peaceful beading,
TTFN

Serenity Saturday?

Hubby was gone.  Dogs were gone.  It was a nice, quiet afternoon for getting things done. Only problem is - my mojo went with them!  I tried two different projects while they were gone - and neither one would do what I intended, with no help from the pieces themselves for a change.   I did, though, manage to get lots more Etsy photos taken, and the cropping and organizing done.  I think that part takes longer than the listing.  Listing has changed alot in just one year - it's really easy, all on one page now!  And quick links to Facebook AND Pinterest, too.  I think I'm going to like Etsy much better this time around....
And on a non-bead related note -  although I'm not really an Oprah fan, I do like some of her principles and life goals.  One of the things I remember she talked about, and did a segment on during her TV show a few years back was the Vision Board.  I remember doing one of those back when I was first introduced to metaphysics, and although I have no idea what happened to the board I did - I remember it being quite fun, and also thought provoking.  Well, while working at the bookstore yesterday, I came across an article in one of our local new age publications talking about a "Soul Mission Collage", which is virtually the same thing.  So it got me thinking - I think it would be fun to start a 'vision board' group.  The initial meeting would be to receive your board, and talk about the goals and visions that we each might have in mind, and maybe do a meditation.  Then we would go out into the world, do our things that we do, allowing life to flow as it may, adding items to the board along the way, and then meet again a few weeks later, and see what has transpired.  Sort of like my book club - only a board club.  I may put up a flyer about it, and see if anyone is interested.  I just thought it sounds like fun, and like something that might get that positive thought flowing regularly again.
Anyway....nearing the end of the day.  Dinner time.  New recipe night.  Thank you, Pinterest, for "Pizza Casserole".  I'll have to let you know how it turns out....
And last but not least....
I also took the time today to make the submission of my essay to Bead Design Studio.  No turning back now.  Cross your fingers. 
Peaceful beading,
TTFN