Fall Fun

It's in the air.  The smells.  The colors.  It's really here.  FALL.  It  IS my favorite time of year, since it's also my birthday time of year.  I have NOT stopped celebrating that day yet  -  but I may soon. They're creepin' up there into higher numbers than I should care to admit.

Anyway - hoping for a bit more fall color than we actually found - my mom and I set out on a mini adventure to the Shiawassee Art Center in Owosso yesterday to check my current inventory -

(One of about a dozen selections currently on display)

Pay my yearly dues, pay my fee for the upcoming special holiday market, and enjoy the beautiful gallery.  Always so many beautiful pieces on display.  I wish I lived a tad closer so that I could enjoy it more often, and participate in more events.    It really is lovely...

The only part of the gallery experience I didn't get a photo of myself is the Curwood Castle, which is located on the grounds directly behind the gallery;
I found this one in a Flickr photo share file, courtesy of Brandon Bartoszek:

Built in 1922 and completed in 1923, the castle was the dream of author James Oliver Curwood, who used one of the turrets as a writing studio.  Click here if you want to read more.  

It was a nice day, and good to chat with mom again during the drive.  We took the 'long way' home, but not before a detour to our favorite antique mall   (and my former shop space) - The Little Red Schoolhouse.  

(Photo courtesy of Ann Hackler, owner, LRSH.  From Facebook page)

 Mom was looking for a vintage type tablecloth, and I saw something interesting in a Facebook post earlier in the day.  What an excuse to explore!   The store really has never looked better and brighter.  Several new dealers - lots of new items!    MY find was a success - this matches all of my displays perfectly - no paint or changes required!

SEE!  It's gonna look FABULOUS!

Mom even found her tablecloth, and we had a nice chat with Ann, Pat, and Jan.

A little more fall color would have made the day even better, but it was still a pretty nice one.

Thanks, MOM!

Now off to make a final decision on that special market inventory for the gallery, and to TRY to pare down the inventory for my smaller space at next week's Holidays in Haslett show.  Wish me luck!  So hard to leave pieces behind.  They all scream TAKE ME!  TAKE ME!   LOL.

Peaceful beading,
TTFN

October Activities and a Hoedown too

Now see.  Yesterday was so busy, I didn't get to blog.  Probably wouldn't have for the 31 days either - so just as well that I decided to go 'free lance'.  :)

Yesterday was a FULL day.  Farmers Market.  HAIR appointment.  And a big, giant family hoedown aka wedding reception for my niece and her new husband Luke.  What IS the fascination these days with the younger crowd and not wanting a 'wedding'?  This is the second family member (going on a 3rd who plans to do the same) that has run off to VEGAS to get hitched!  Then a few weeks later, they have a big, giant party to celebrate.  Probably much cheaper in the long run.  According to Elizabeth (the lovely bride) - much less stress.   So here are a few photos from last night - 
a lovely time was had by all!

The wedding 'shindig' of Luke & Liz (Mayes) Langkamp  Oct. 4, 2014

Mom and pop. And my hubby.  :)

Nephew Andrew and his girlfriend Jordan.

The lovely couple - Liz & Luke.

My wonderfully vivacious and awesome sister in law that I rarely get to see - HOLLY!

Mom and Pop taking a spin.  For the FIRST TIME EVER.  (They don't dance)

My brother Steve and his girl Nancy.  (I've never seen him dance before either.  Thanks, NANCY!)

Not a half bad photo - of either of us!  LOL.

  Didn't get to catch up with as many as I'd hoped - and I don't think I even TALKED to Luke!
We probably won't all get to see each other again until Christmas.  Which isn't really all that far away.  But at least it will JUST be our family, without drunken friends and other folks in the mix.  So I can catch up then.


It was a fun night.  I had hoped to have a bit of video of the dancing - but my phone CRASHED!  I've gotten it going again - but it was a scary moment.  Can't live without my electronic devices!

Today will be a day to rest.  Hubby off to the hunt (deer/bow season opened this week), and I have beads and a book.

Another busy week in store though - where DOES the time go?  Eye doctors appointments, and a trip to one of my favorite places with Mom - Shiawassee Art Center.  It should be a bit nicer mid-week, and I hope to get a few photos from there this time - the leaves, the river, the castle (yes, CASTLE).  It will be a blog for a later date....

And oh - I know I made a big deal earlier in blogland about taking October off.  Ha.
I couldn't make myself do it.  So Holidays in Haslett here I come!  I downsized, which should put me out in the common area where my peeps have their spaces, and it's the day AFTER my birthday, so I plan to have a bit of fun with that as well.


Peaceful beading.
TTFN

NO 31 Days for ME

Well it wasn't as easy as I thought it would be after all.  The techno babble link stuff and having to edit and re-edit and relink 30 times and UGH.

I'm out. 2 days in and the tech stuff is truly not as easy as everyone claimed.  I just want to blog. So I will still blog - but not as a part of the 31 dayers - and probably not everyday. 

There. No stress for me.   I had scheduled day 3 before I realized how complicated it was going to be for everyone to even get to day TWO.  But I decided to just go ahead and publish it.  So what do you know.  THREE blogs from me in ONE day!  YAY!

No worries though.   I'll still blog for my followers.  And friends.  AND ME.

Informally.

Peaceful beading.
TTFN

31 Days - Day 3 - Art or Bust

On day one, I sort of touched on the subject of ART, and how I’m struggling with so many and in so many instances to be categorized NOT as a CRAFTER – but as a full fledged, off the top of my head, not like anything else ever seen- ARTIST.  That needs, wants, DEMANDS to be respected – and PAID as such.

 My work – my art – is my JOY.  MY PASSION.   I don’t have another job.  THIS is what I DO.  Art fairs, and yes, still craft shows (can’t get organizers to call it anything else in this area) are a way of life from May (or earlier) to November every year.   Some outdoor, requiring tent, tables and travel.  Some indoor, requiring long hours of watching people stroll by; most of them excited at the uniqueness of my pieces. Thankfully many were happy buyers this summer – and it was one of my best money making years yet.

Working with those little tiny seed beads, the cathartic flow and blend of the colors and the stitches. It's very calming.  Very soothing.  It has become a part of me.  Being away from the studio table for more than a few hours leaves me longing for the color, the shape, the FEEL of those little things with holes.    I also find it a natural, almost intuitive design flow to create with ideas from nature.  Just one walk through the woods, my garden, or just sitting in the chair on the deck can fill my head with the sights and even sounds needed to complete the art I've come to love.
My latest successful endeavor – one that has taken flight and gone further than I ever imagined – is what I have named and copyrighted -  “Enlightened Denim”.  Why Enlightened Denim you may wonder?  Well, first of all because it is old worn out parts of denim blue jeans; RENEWED.  MADE BETTER.  It’s become enlightened if you will.  And because the very first piece that I made includes a lotus blossom link and a Buddha head charm. I called it “Enlightened”.   It was my very first, and the one that inspired the whole line.   I still wear this piece on a very regular basis.

Unfortunately, sadly, there are still those visitors, those show goers, those PEOPLE that don’t understand the WORK, the time, the extra beads, metals, clasps, thread, etc. that goes into creating a one of a kind showpiece.  And they ARE show pieces.  I may be unsure of myself in many factors of my life – but my beading, MY ART I am adamantly sure of, and will fight for.    It hurts my heart first, and gets my dander up second when they question the cost of my pieces created with what they consider ‘junk’.    It’s rude.  It’s unnecessary.  It’s just plain uncalled for. In most cases I do try to explain the WHY, although I shouldn't have to. I’m not sure why people think it’s ok to be insulting in these cases.  It’s not like they’re even anonymous like those on Facebook and other social media.   I don’t even know where to begin with the insult train wreck caused by social media, not just regarding my art, or others art - but in ALL situations.  Everyone has OBVIOUSLY forgotten one of the Golden Rules I learned and TRY to live by:

If you can’t say anything nice, DON’T say it at ALL.

Surround yourselves with beauty, girlfriends, go spread love - and I’ll see ya’ll tomorrow!

Peaceful beading,
TTFN

Day 2 of the awesome 31 day blog

Wow.  Who knew that the world was so rich with writers?  Not just bloggers.  Because some of the posts that have been written - even on the first day, will blow you away.  And I gotta tell ya - I apologize right now to anyone that I don't read.  Because seriously?  Reading all the blogs, under all the categories, every day, for 31 days?   744 hours isn't gonna cut it.  So I need to form an organized, daily plan to get through those that I've already found to be intriguing (truth or dare?  Hmm.  Go look in the Too Awesome category if you want to read for yourself.. they are number 1.)

I will also be checking out on a regular basis  #31 Wild Hair - simply because I've been there.  And #148 - The Musical Theatre Life.  I'll probably be passing that link on to my musical theatre friends. I'll also be checking this out :  #45 - the Yooper life, because (and only Michiganders will get this one) - I'm a troll.  Being under that Yooper's bridge gives us our state in common, and something to relate.  I can't wait.

I  just scrolled through all those that were added last evening - there are now 148 'buttons' JUST in the TOO AWESOME category.  After the FIRST day.  See what I mean?   Not enough hours, especially for an artist that needs to create for a living.  My summer show season just ended - but I still have an October show and the big 3 day holiday home show in November.  Along with the Facebook album of items for sale (shameless plug, so sue me) - create I must.  That may be a good topic for another day too.  Creating is in my blood.  And in my soul.  There are occasional days when I don't get to sit in the studio.  Those days are felt down deep.  And I can't wait to get there afterward....

I think that will do it for Day 2.  If you aren't a "31 Dayer" as we're calling ourselves, you may want to check out the site.  Click the link over on the left (I linked it to the main website rather than my topics list - simply because, for the most part - I am winging it.) and be prepared to be amazed.

Last but not least, because we're entering my favorite month of the year, not just because it's my birthday month (another reason I chose to do this) - but because of the smells of autumn, pumpkin everything, and the spooky, dark 'holiday' that is Halloween.  Just finished this piece last week - I don't think it will stay with me long:  This is "Blink".

If you want price and piece info - go to my Cool Moon Creations & Beads Facebook page and click on the Cool Moon jewelry album.


Peaceful beading,
TTFN

31 Days of Blogging

I'm doing something new and completely different here, girls.  

I have joined "31 days of blogging" challenge that requires us to blog about a subject EVERY DAY

for the 31 days of October.  There were several subjects to pick from, 

like

personal endeavors.  I could have picked that one, but then you see nothing but beads, beads, beads, beads everyday.  ;)   (as if you don't anyway, snicker, snicker).

There was also inspiration and faith.  I liked that one too - I have so many wonderful inspirational quotes and sayings.  But for 31 days?  Snore.

I thought about picking the organization one, or maybe the fashion and beauty.  Then I would STILL be talking about beads, beads, beads, beads each time, but it would be more organized.  

And beautiful.  

LOL.
I ultimately picked the one that I have a sense will be the most popular - because it is all encompassing  -  we can reach for stars, and give you the moon, or just talk about our dog:

My category is "TOO AWESOME TO CATEGORIZE".

So here goes.  On my first day of awesomeness, I may already make you want to

But 

I MUST.   

So here goes.  A rather introductory little post, so that you don't have to visit the 'about' section.
I am a wife.  But not a mother. I am a dog lover.  I am an artist.  I am spiritual.  But not so much religious.  I am a lover, a Libra.  And definitely not a fighter.  Unless it's about my art.

My art, my passion and my life revolves around the passion of beads and bead embroidery.  MORE than just a craft.  Something I still struggle to explain and get people close and far to accept and understand.  I have had award winning pieces. (see Mariposa over there on the left).
I have had pieces and projects appear in magazines.  I am just NOW, after being at this little 'show' for over 20 YEARS - gaining notoriety and respect.  But not necessarily love.
Still hard to explain the whole handmade/buy local/don't want to be a starving artist THING

to the area that I live in.  

Which I think I'll leave to blog about for another day.
So for now, I think I'll leave it here.

On to day 2.
And as I've ended all the rest of my everyday, little babble-y blogs since 2008 -
Peaceful beading.
TTFN

Still living 10 to 2

About a year ago I posted about a big BIG change in my life, and how I was adjusting to 

MY LIFE BETWEEN 10 & 2.
I had to give up my car back in May of last year.   It meant learning to do the things that I need to do in my every day life before my husband leaves to work his 2nd shift job from 3 to 11.

I run errands.  I plan lunches.  I do what I can.  And then after he leaves - I PLAY.  I BEAD.  I watch NETFLIX.  And you know what?

I kinda like it.

After over a year of living this way - I have gotten so used to it, that when I've had opportunities to take advantage of having a vehicle of my 'own' to drive (like during mom-in-laws doctor ordered "NO driving" days last week), I found myself saying NO.  I couldn't think of anything I needed to do that couldn't be done between 10 & 2.

There have been times when a second car would be nice.  Yes, I've given up a few dinners with the girls, and last minute get togethers on week nights, or being able to run to the store on a whim. The hardest part was getting past the guilt of needing to ASK for rides occasionally, and figuring out the logistics of ride sharing.  But I am confident that someday I WILL have a car again.  My car of choice? 

A Kia Soul.  

Although I'm not quite sure it's large enough for all my show displays and tables.  

It's something to shoot for on the days when I'm home, enjoying the beautiful blue skies we've had

 - wishing on those daisy petals for things that come true...  

And speaking of wishes ....

Wish me luck this weekend!  Tomorrow's show is at a local nature center - a harvest type festival that has been known to draw 1000's of people - but they've never had the craft/art show element of it before.  Not sure what people will be expecting, or looking for. 

My ENTIRE inventory is nature themed, along with Halloween.  I went through everything I have in stock, and pulled anything out not relevant to nature.  Pared down what I did have and of course, beefed up the Enlightened Denim.  How about these beauties?  I don't want to do too many of these with a Halloween theme  -  but the ideas and the perfect components just keep pouring out...

This one is more everyday, with just a touch of the colors of fall.  I LOVE doing the zipper pieces, but they are time consuming.  I have four ready for the weekend.  That will have to do.

So there you have it.  Life lived fully and happily - not just from 10 to 2 - but all day long thanks mostly to my beads....

Peaceful beading,
TTFN