Rebirth - still birthing

Well, crap.  That didn't work.  You may recall a few posts ago, I put up this photo of what I THOUGHT was the 99.9% complete Rebirth.  Just needed a clasp/closure solution.  Well - when all was said and done - it just wasn't right. 

The big cab sections just weren't laid out correctly.  My bad.  So the only thing that I could think of to do to correct it was:

Go back to, well, let's call it square 2.  Now I'm thinking I don't want ANY of of the large cabs added to the strap - maybe just the small ones (which were originally the snap closure).  I've added loops in 4 places across the top of the focal section - and that's where it remains for the moment.  I may have time to work on it today.  Maybe.    Today has been an Etsy listing day - lots of blue stuff loaded in the last few days....today - the blue toned Turquoises, of Howlite, Magnasite and Jasper, as well as true.  If you haven't had a chance to check out my Etsy shop yet - click the link on the right - you may be pleasantly surprised!
Off to enjoy another beautiful Michigan summer day.  A trip to Coyote, a few errands - and another night of music outdoors at Eastwood.  Perfect.  Now if we could just get something done about the neighbors dogs....(see my FB posts for the details.  It's just maddening and sad all at the same time....)
Peaceful BARK free beading,
TTFN

Missed it !

I've been keeping a close eye on my visitor counter - it was getting close to the 11, 100 mark - and as of just now, it's at 11,117.    I missed it!  But still - I think they are pretty impressive numbers for this babbling little blog. 
So what can I blog about today?  It's a fantastic day outside - but only enjoyed just a bit so far what with BEADING to do.  Spent the afternoon with my friend Sally, who's really just starting out in the design world - still mostly a stringer, trying to branch out - which is where I come in.  Wish I'd have taken a camera along with that plate of caramel pecan brownies!  She has created something quite unique for a mother of the bride, using an enamel flower, big chunky rose quartz, some pretty faceted garnets, lots of sparkly Swarovski crystal, and chain.   Very cute.  She loves it so much (and it looks so beautiful on her) that she is kinda hopin' her client doesn't like it - cuz she wants to keep it for herself!  LOL!  I think we've all been there, but at the same time - she's spent a lot of money trying to create the perfect necklace for this woman with special instructions (choker type to hide a scar), and she really needs to be paid for her time and creativity. 
It's going to be a busy week this week - bookstore hours, and last minute shopping for the little Jedi knight in our lives - Zachary!  Unbelievably, he turns SEVEN this week.  Time sure does fly.  His mom says he's into "everything" Star Wars - so shopping for him (ala Toys R Us) will be the highlight of Terry's week!

This is Zach and his dad at one of our previous family events.

I also had to "unbirth" Rebirth. That focal piece is just so huge - I couldn't get it to lay right with the other large cabs in the collar portion. So now I've got THREE extra yellow/brown/white cab portions to do something different with, and to come up with a plan for the neck strap portion of the original piece. Not sure I can do that today - I think Sally sucked all the creativity outta me! 

Looking forward to our trip to Zach's party on the west side (the LAKE SIDE) of the state on Saturday, though.  Crossing my fingers that I'll at least catch a glimpse of beautiful Lake Michigan again this summer.  My friends all keep posting beautiful Michigan vacation photos on Facebook - I long for a trip to Traverse or to the U.P.  So gorgeous up there, and I bet I could find some boutiques for selling opportunities, too.  Alas - don't see a trip liike that in the future.  Oh well.
Peaceful beading,
TTFN

Win BEADS!

Not from me this time - but from Lori Anderson of Pretty Things - also known as the Bead Soup QUEEN!  Click the link, and comment to win some unique and fun beads from a shop in the UK!
You'll need to have time to create and review though, so keep that in mind if you're still brewing soup!
I'm off and about today for a fun day of farm market, Jazz Festival, and beads - not necessarily in that order.  But since there's a bead store on the same CORNER that the Jazz Festival is being held on, well - I think those will pretty much happen simultaneously! LOL!
Hope everyone is having a fun time creating beautiful soup jewelry.  I have a plan for yet a few more pieces - but am on a mission to complete "Rebirth" at some point today.  It's going to be a hot one - in the 90's - so (as my hubby walks into the room) we've just rescheduled our visit to the Jazz Festival until a little later in the afternoon - when there's a bit of shade on that street.  Veggie Market bound for sure, though...always a treat, especially if the Mediterranean Deli has Lemon Bars!  YUMMO!

Just another 'taste' of what I've cooked up....

Peaceful beading, and BREWING,
TTFN

No comment!

I'm not sure how these mystery changes happen sometimes, but while surfing and clicking through the options on my blog site, I discovered that the ALWAYS moderate button had somehow been chosen - and that NO ONES comments were being posted!  SO SORRY GIRLS!  And here I was thinkin' you weren't showin' me the love!  There were several comments, and all very nice ones, at that.  I've changed my settings - and hope that now when you all post a comment - it will actually POST! 
So glad I finally have internet again.  It's like being without an appendage when you use it for business communication.  Even if it just entails Facebook postings - those postings are going to many, many contacts of all kinds.  I can't afford to lose any of you.  PLUS - it's back just in the nick of time for insomnia surfing...  :0)
Happy Friday, everyone.  It will be a busy few days for me as this is my week for Coyote hours.  Let's hope it's just busy enough, but not so crazy that I'm overwhelmed.  People do like them some rocks....  lol.
Peaceful beading,
TTFN

Rebirth is almost born

Just having trouble with the closure section.  I had spent all day yesterday creating a simple, 2 bead peyote strap like what Rachel Nelson Smith taught me a couple weeks ago.  Alas - it just didn't look right when I got it close to the proper length.  So back to the bead drawing board for the back portion.  Any suggestions?

I may have to come up with a couple more smaller size cabs and create a cab closure with snaps.  Still not quite sure where or how she'll be making her debut - on me or on display at my next market.  Not an inexpensive piece, though - I have a habit of creating detail heavy (aka expensive) pieces.  It's just how I roll....I wish I could rock out a sale!  This one's gonna be around $250.00....
Peaceful beading,
TTFN

Back to normal?

If there is any such thing as normal around here - we've at least got Internet again.  Cross your fingers that we keep it longer than a few hours this time.  It did give me the opportunity, though, to change the blog around as I posted that I would.  Back to the orange and the swirlies again - I got many comments from folks who really liked this layout.  I added a few gadgets, and brightened things up.  Mostly, I moved around the Blog Hop and Etsy links - so scroll down to find the blog hop info.  I want my Etsy links up front and first - beginning today, there will be many more items added.  I added just a few this afternoon during the internet test.  Look for a few more tomorrow, and so on, and so on.  I'm adding semi precious strands, bags, mixes, pendants - you name it.  I've still got quite an abundant inventory from the store, and while I would like to still open somewhere again in the future, selling beads is a priority too.  I can always buy more (oh, give me a reason) in the future....
Here is that photo of my newly organized jewelry wall.  SOOOOOO much easier to get dressed and coordinate now.  I have 4 trays of bracelets now, instead of ONE.  It was always so fun (and so good for the bracelets) to dig through them to find what I wanted.  So much easier now.  And the necklaces, while there are still 2 or 3 on a hook - don't tangle and twist as easy as they did when there were 10 or 12 on a hook.  AND I have light.  What a concept!  It took me about 2 1/2 days to do this.  I am actually not embarrassed for people to see my stuff anymore!  I can keep the door open!

So much better.  And I'm utilizing some of my display items from the store, instead of storing them in the basement - which helps me and makes my hubby happy.  Bonus!
I hope the new blog layout is pleasing.  I want my blog to be a happy place.  But hey - over 11,000 visitors can't be wrong!  I LOVE IT!  Keep coming back!
Photos soon of "Rebirth".  It is in the finishing stages - just trying to come up with a layout and clasp, so I can hook it all together.  It is quite the statement piece.
Peaceful beading,
TTFN

Still down - but not out

Still dealing with those internet issues - still no home internet.  Not sure what the next step will be, but somethin's gotta give.  Most importantly, because of the Blog Hop!  I'm gonna need to post that baby at midnight - and what coffee shop is gonna let me in to do THAT!?!  I realize it's a month away, but at this point - it seems as though a solution is that far away too.  Very frustrating - but I'll tell ya - it is SORT OF a blessing in disguise.  So much more time to do other things - I've read THREE books since this thing started on Thursday, and reorganized my entire closet space (photos soon).  It also forces me to get dressed and actually leave the house, which also forces me to get things done that ordinarily wouldn't be.  But it can't go on forever.  I need internet access at HOME.  We're also losing out on our Netflix subscription - no wireless connection - no Netflix.  NO SONS OF ANARCHY.  Horrors!
So having this time of no internet at home has also given me thinking time - and I've decided that rather than KILL my Etsy site again, what with the blog hop getting ready to bring so many faces to my spaces - I'm ramping up the listings instead - once I get the home internet working again.   I may have to do all the photos, cropping, organizing, and make notes at home, and then schlep it all to the coffee shop or the library two or three times a DAY, just to list those puppies (well, in this case, beads) but I'm gonna give it a shot.    The photos began today - I can work on the cropping without internet.  The rest is up to TDS (our provider) and the Universe.  Or Mercury.  Or whatever else may be causing this issue....
I'm also getting major messages in my head, and have a huge urge to seriously check on getting some sort of grant or funding, or financing - somehow - to actually open the brick and mortar store again.  I want my shop back.  I miss it.  I miss the peeps.  It's a thought that pops into my head several times a day - and I'm listening.  Keeping my eyes, ears and heart open to suggestions and ideas....maybe someday....
So in celebration of the big hop coming my way, and the bigger, better Etsy shop - look for this blog site to take on a new look.  I plan to change it up a little bit - and make it an even happier experience (if that's possible! LOL!)   It just takes one thing....HOME internet access. 
Peaceful beading,
TTFN