Getting closer....

I have decided how I'm going to use my Rings N Things blog partner Steampunk components - hopefully every last one of them.  I still need to take a photo of them, and I also want to photograph a project box preview - but as far as what the actual project IS - I'm gonna keep that one a secret just awhile longer.
Lots of metallic coatings, and funky accents - definitely outside the box for me....
Stay tuned.
I'm getting there...
TTFN

Still thinking on it...

Still got those Rings N Things Steampunk components staring me in the face.  Gotta come up with a plan.  All of a sudden I'm swamped with ideas again though, with project beads and components all boxed up and waiting for TIME. I just now thought that maybe I can work a steampunk piece or two into some of them.  Hmmm...  Anyway, I have two shows coming up - a rarity for me - one on Sunday, and one again in 3 weeks.  I know I need to have Halloween earrings and bracelets available, so that's the focus.  Not going to do too many, cuz I don't like to get stuck with seasonal stuff, but have a few bracelets done, and I know I have a small box of already finished stuff at the shop - somewhere.  I have so few places to store things, yet somehow still manage to forget where things are....
So don't worry, Dave, I'm thinking on it!  I didn't forget - and I'm blogging!  Next time I have the camera and the components in the same place at the same time, I'll take a photo of the 'before' pile!
(sorry I didn't post the RNT logo.  I'm having to use my hubby's desktop.  All my photos are in my laptop at the repair shop-sigh-).
TTFN Bead Happy!

Great recipe ( I'm BAAAACK!)

I didn't realize how much I missed blogging.  Still need to address the laptop issues, so may not be able to blog as often unless I can kick hubby out of the office, but I will blog as I can... 
I want to share a recipe that many of my friends enjoy, simply because it contains NO FLOUR or WHITE sugar.  Gluten sensitive people can eat these!  YUM!  They're pretty simple to make - and very, very tasty....
Flourless Peanut Butter Cookies
1 Cup Peanut Butter (creamy or crunchy) I use crunchy
1 Cup light brown sugar, packed
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 egg, slightly beaten
1 Cup Semi sweet chocolate morsels (I've also used WHITE chocolate ones)  I've also had a friend that makes these say that she leaves OUT the chocolate entirely, and they come out fine.  I however, gotta have the chocolate....
This makes about 3 dozen.  I sometimes double it for larger groups.
Preheat oven to 350.  Mix peanut butter, brown sugar, baking soda and beaten egg in medium bowl.  Stir in morsels.  Drop by rounded but not huge teaspoonfuls onto ungreased cookie sheet.  Bake 8-10 minutes until lightly browned.  Remove from oven and allow to sit ON COOKIE SHEET for 5 minutes.  THIS STEP is IMPORTANT or the cookies will crumble.  After 5 minutes, remove to complete cooling.  Store in airtight container.
Hints:  Bake just one sheet at a time; keep the spoonfuls of dough small - big gobs tend to be too gooey in the center. 
ENJOY!  I know I do!
Hope to see you on the blogs again soon.  I'm busy beading for TWO more shows coming up - The Art Market - the last of four shows is in two weeks. The last two went much better than the first, where, as you may recall, I made $0.  I am also participating in one of the largest indoor holiday season shows - Haslett High School - in October.  This one's HUGE.  People come from miles around - so my beady brain is working fast and furious at ideas for fun, unique and AFFORDABLE designs.  My fingers can barely keep up!
Wish me luck!
TTFN

Blog Partner blogging

I apologize to Rings and Things for not having the blog partner logo on THIS post.  It will appear as soon as I can access my own computer, and not have to use someone else's.  Dang virus.
Anywhoooo....it's been awhile since I blogged, but I promised (and it's part of the deal!) that I would blog if I won the Rings and Things blog partner goodies.  And I did.  So I am.
It's fun getting goodies in the mail.  Not only did the package contain pieces and parts for STEAMPUNK, but other fun things as well-like a ruler, and bead sizing info.  Always helpful.  The steampunk parts were all nicely packaged and marked - I received golds, silvers, coppers and gunmetals. 
Now here's the tricky part - STEAMPUNK is NOT my forte'.  I haven't been a fan, didn't want to be a fan, but thanks to Rings N Things, I'll now be creating something punky.  I'm thinking bracelet.  It's GOING to have seed beads worked in somehow, cuz I rarely work without them, and may end up not only punky, but also chunky AND funky. 
I plan to post again, with photos of the pieces received, the piece in progress, and of course, the final result.
I also plan to attend the Rings N Things touring bead show in Grand Rapids, Michigan this weekend.  And if I see any more steampunky funky components that are worthy, I may have to have them to add to my piece.
Stay tuned....get geared up, and watch this space (add any other components type puns you can think of here).....
ta ta for now....

Blog News

Things are just not going all that well for me this summer - between personal home issues, family issues, and business issues - I'm a little overwhelmed right now.
So something - namely my blog - has got to give.   There may be a posting every once in awhile - and I guess I can't be a Rings & Things blog partner if I can't afford to buy from Rings & Things.  Besides that, the "Poor Beaders Club" blog event I tried to plan didn't really garner much interest at all.  So all in all, my email, my Facebook and my physical bead shop are enough for me to handle at the moment.  I realize that this is a total turn around for someone that planned at the beginning of the year to blog 365 - but life happens....
I'm sorry if anyone is disappointed.  I will try to blog if and when I have HAPPY, important news to report.
But between the hot flashes and the housing issues - it may be few and far between.
So TaTa for what may end up being a long, long while....thanks to those of you who have read my blog.  I hope I'm not gone forever.....
Sheryl
Cool Moon

Little glitch in the plan

I had planned to start listing strands of semi precious beads as well as some pendants and cabs on Etsy in the next few days - however -
Glitch number1 - I have to have the laptop repaired. Part will be in first of the week - probably won't get it back until Thursday. 
Glitch number 2 - somehow, someway, for some unexplained reason - my wifi connection AT HOME has stopped working.  The fact that it works here at the coffee shop tells me that at least it's not this poor worn out laptop that is causing the issue.  I hope we figure it out - fast.  What will I do with myself at 4am!?!
So for now - all work will have to be done at the coffee shop (like I needed a reason to spend time there), or at the bead shop, where I prefer to keep it all beads all the time.  I won't get anything done if I am on line - but I suppose this Etsy thing is important - so anywhere I can manage to find access....
I babble.  I stop now.
TTFN!

I THINK I'm a blog partner

I asked about doing this so long ago - I forgot about it.  And I'm not sure WHERE I'm supposed to put the logo, so if anyone else is doing this - and I'm doing it WRONG - give me a shout, will ya?  It's a partnership program with Rings N Things - they send cool stuff, and I blog about it every day.  Cross your fingers that this poor old struggling laptop holds out.  I took it to the laptop hospital this morning - parts have been ordered, but a new one is just NOT in the cards-or the budget-at the moment. 
Just a quick heads up to everyone that I will soon be selling BEADS on my Etsy site!  I'm taking the entire week off from the shop next week to list them and upload all the photos.  Today was photo cropping and inventory day.  I'll start slow - but may add more if I find people are interested - and BUYING.  And I keep meaning to buy some cool stuff I saw, too.  I just am a little apprehensive about that when I'm having computer issues that have me freezing up and unresponsive in the middle of doing something.  PayPal is the LAST place I want that to happen.    My site address is http://www.etsy.com/shop/shescool if you want to give it a look....

Last but not least, and totally unrelated to beading - another great night of free music.  It was 95 in the shade - but there was still a huge turnout - just not as many dancers as usual.  TOO HOT!   
TTFN