The penny tour....

I managed to pry the camera from my husband's idle hands this week, so I've got some updated shop photos to share....if you look closely at the second one on the left, you can see my little 'island'-complete with palm tree, real shells from a Florida beach - and SAND.  I also added a grass skirt, and some fun Hawaiian flowers.  A tropical, WARM theme for this snowy February.  The other photos are just random shots about the shop - mostly of the spaces that have been updated and changed recently.  
I should have some new work to post in the next day or two.  I do have a new brooch ready to put on Etsy, and I am also working on another freeform project, based on a cool photo found in a magazine.  This is just the teaser - but the NAME of the piece (the name came first this time) is "Wicked". 
Hope you enjoyed the shop tour....
TTFN

Intermittent blogging

Normal blog postings are being pre-empted due to abnormally nasty snow fall.  We have mounds and mounds and mounds of it, with another 4 to 6 inches expected tomorrow.  Poor hubby has cleared our drive (5 car lengths LONG) 3 times this week, only to have the plows block in the end again, WHEN they finally decide to plow at all.  It takes him approximately 2 1/2 hours to clear it - and another 1/2 hour to clear the deck and a path for the dog.   It's cold, it's nasty, and there's been no sun to speak of in DAYS.  Am I getting a bit antsy?  You betcha.  It's disheartening, if not downright depressing to make it all the way to the shop (a 20 minute drive on a GOOD day) only to have absolutely no customers all day long.  I think after today, I will be staying home for a few days again.  I HAVE, somehow, miraculously, come up with a few more design ideas.  Now if I can just find somewhere here at home among the wainscoting, treadboards, and drywall to BEAD.  I've been wanting my dining room redone, and the paneling removed for ages.  Now that my husband is laid off, and BORED - he started ripping down my walls.  I came home last night to find all my precious ornaments and wall accents in boxes. Thanks, honey.  I hope we have all the paint and spackle already to fix it with....
We will continue with our regularly scheduled blog postings, complete with photos of some of my newest creations - when I dig out from under the piles of white.

I took the Etsy plunge!

I've been thinking on it, debating it, talking myself out of it, into it, and out of it again.  Today - I did it.  You can now find me on ETSY - http://www.etsy.com/shop/shescool
One of the hardest parts about selling was deciding which pieces to list, since I can't have them in my bead shop at the same time.  So I chose a couple new pieces, a couple art gallery quality pieces, and a couple of pieces that have been around awhile and even redesigned.  I will be very curious and excited to see how many hits I get - and I would LOVE, LOVE, LOVE to sell something soon.  I know. I know.  Don't expect it to happen right away.  I've talked to several people that have sold very little and have been open for quite a while.  I've also talked to those who make a decent amount on a regular basis, and haven't been in it all that long.  So we shall see.   Thanks again to Lorelei, (thanks, Lorelei, part 3!)  Reading your blog and about your success and excitement helped push me over the edge.  I don't have a banner yet - or probably even a permanent avatar - but I'm up, I'm open and I'm ready for business!  I hope, while waiting to sell my first piece, to come up with a unique yet inexpensive packaging gimmick.  Wish me luck - on both counts!
TTFNOTSD (Tatafornowonthissnowyday....)

Use the Muse IV

I actually blogged about this earlier this week when I pre-registered to enter.  But now that I've got dates and details - here we blog again....
February 25th is the very last day that you can pre order your kit for this wonderful contest.  I participated in the very first contest that Scarlett held, and it was fun and very cool to be 'lumped' in with all the other great and some FAMOUS bead artists out there.  I didn't win - but as they say of the Oscars - "It's an honor just to be nominated", or in this case, considered as an entry.  Scarlett has asked the question "What is your main motivation for entering USE THE MUSE IV?   Along with the reasons stated above -I entered for the challenge, and THE MYSTERY.  Not knowing what that focal piece is going to be is part of the intrigue.  And I think, from viewing the teaser photo on her blog, that I will truly be challenged this time.  Not colors I would normally work with - and so it will open my mind to new possibilities.  I don't have many followers - but if you love beads and are up for a great challenge with GREAT PRIZES, check out the site BEFORE Feb. 25!  http://www.thebeadersmuse.com/

Midnight blue in the light of day

I love working on the face pieces.  They take on such personality as I work on them.  This one is so clearly a MALE energy.  "Midnight Blue" is what he named himself.  I swear they talk to me.  I know.  WEIRDO!   My nieces and nephews refer to me as their 'crazy' Aunt Sheryl - but in a GOOD WAY.  I think.  :0)  Anyway....This one is a metal focal with a hematite color coating, surrounded with seed beads and cubes.  The outer ring of hematite beads are from a stash of broken, vintage stuff that someone brought me from a garage sale.  It was one of those prestrung, manufactured strings like Mardi Gras beads.  I attached it with loops around the string between the beads.  PERFECT!  I love when I can find new ways to use the old stuff.
And speaking of old stuff....out with the Valentine's display today - and in with the vacation getaway display.  I've got sand, and shells, and sunglasses, and all my beachy summery pieces ready to display.  I'm going to stop at the Dollar store on the way there and see if I can find some other cool tropical display items.  Just one display case - the other will be my signature purples....but still fun!  Maybe I'll post a pic....
TTFN 

Think I'll keep it

I think I do like this new blog style.  Pretty.  Very SPRINGY, which is what we all need right about now. 
At least the sun is shining today.  YAY!  But I bet it's still cold out.  The solstice occurs today, however, the Sun moving into Pisces with it's tease of spring just around the corner....I CAN HARDLY WAIT!  I'm getting really tired of wearing wool socks and lots of layers.  I don't need any help in the bulky department. :0)
Happy beading, everyone!

Photo phrustration

I need to take and put more photos in my blog.  Everyone does such a great job of snapping great photos, and then sharing.  My problem is that I have to share the camera with my hubby, who is still getting a few straggling real estate appraisals in (that job is holding on by a thread, or we wouldn't even have peanut butter to eat), and he never knows when he's going to get an order on a house that he can immediately go take pictures of.  So I have to leave the camera HOME everyday.  Bummer.   So until I have a way of getting some great photos to rival the likes of all of yours, my words will just have to tell the tale.
There will be new photos of the kidlets after this weekend, though.  We'll be celebrating Madi & Kaity's birthdays in Holland this weekend. The 2 oldest sisters were born 2 years and 2 days apart.  We enjoy celebrating with them.   My husband is their Jungle Jim.  Can you say INNER CHILD?  He plays just as hard as they do when he's with them (there are 4 in all - 3 girls and boy - Madison, Kaitlyn, Zachary & Lilly - ages 8, 6, 4, & 1).  And somehow, miraculously, no one ever gets seriously hurt.  Knock on wood.
It's THURSDAY - my favorite day of the week.  I skipped last Thursdays group because I hadn't been at the shop all week, so I'm in serious need of positive reinforcements!  So note to "The Thursday Girls & James" (all girls and one guy if you couldn't tell by the name) - ready or not, here I come!
TTFN