If it's silence he wants....

Silence he'll get - I suppose.  Gotta vent here for a minute:   I was clerking at the bookstore today, and conversing with friends and fellow consultants about life in general.  In the process, I didn't realize that I was apparently harshing someone's mellow.  Upon asking a customer, who'd been just browsing for 10 or 15 minutes, if I could help him in any way, his response was "YES, I have a request".  I expected him to ask me for merchandise he couldn't find.  Nope.  He asked me if I could - and I quote - "tone it down".   EXCUSE ME? I'm sorry, I don't speak in the most quiet of tones, but I also don't speak like a meek little mouse.  I exchanged looks with my fellow friends and consultants (who hightailed it for their respective offices and rooms) and replied that while I was speaking in what was my normal voice, I had things to do in the next room, so I would leave him in peace, and would he let me know if he needed anything.  WOW.   Could not believe it.  Still can't.  Now, had we been being obnoxious, or crude in any way, I would understand - but we weren't  - and never would be in front of customers.  It was just a crazy, busy, high energy day.   Apparently the man can't handle high energy.  Or maybe he mistook us for a library rather than a busy bookstore.  There remained many other customers, and conversations going on while he continued shopping for another 40 minutes or so, and he never said another word, except of course, to ask me questions about things from time to time.  I was tempted to feign a sudden case of laryngitis, but I calmly answered his questions.  He finally decided on a book.  One single solitary QUIET book.
So that's my vent.  All I know is, I bet the man is single.
TTFN

And earrings to match

:0)

Stay true to my beliefs, or....

It's a question I asked of a fellow beader on Facebook this morning, and got comment responses that wholeheartedly agreed with me - that we shouldn't be asked to make changes to what we create.  It is a piece of art that was completed the way that it was supposed to be.  Sculpture artists, painters and many other artists are never asked to change their work - and are probably offended if they are asked to do so.  So why should those of us that choose beads as our medium, be treated differently?  What I do is ART.  It's not just beads on a string.  And 99.999 percent of the time - I'm sticking to those convictions.   Many of you may remember the "Joyful Buddha" incident - the bracelet designed specifically around a unique pewter Buddha face, a bracelet that just wouldn't have the same meaning without it.  Well, sure enough, a customer loved the bracelet, but HATED the Buddha.  I refused to change it, or remove the Buddha, because after all, that's what the bracelet was all about.  I lost that sale, but turned around and sold the bracelet within the next week or two, to the perfect person.  I DID, however, have to shorten that bracelet to fit her, which took some doing, but did not compromise the energy and design intended.  As far as I know, she still wears it.

And that's where I sit with another of my pieces.  'To the Trees' has been for sale at The Lansing Art Gallery since fall. 

Yesterday when I did my volunteer hours, the program director presented it to me and asked me if I could change it for a customer.  At first I was hesitant, but then discovered that it simply needed to be shortened.  SIMPLY being the operative word, however.  It really wasn't as simple as that.  The patron truly likes the piece however, and is also asking for matching earrings, which will add to the purchase price of the set.
So I brought it home.  And I laid it out on the board.  And I made sure I had all the beads I used to make the thing over a year ago (miraculously, I have almost all), and then looked at for awhile.  What to do....

The large bead on the left was the "clasp" before, that closed with a loop end.

I waited until this afternoon to look at it again, and finally came up with the idea to simply work the original sections (approx 3 1/2 inches from each side) into the work, instead of cutting it off.  I then added a new clasp section, which is now a barrel shaped bead:

I also added TWO loops to the end, so they can choose the difference in length of an inch or so.
I am pretty pleased with how it turned out - and the only beads I actually ADDED are the barrel and rondelle and three seed beads for the new clasp bead, as well as the loop end beads.  And I didn't remove ANY.  I felt it was important to try to keep the braid intact - or risk losing the whole strap.    It went from about 22 inches to 18 inches - 19 if you use the outer loop.

Now on to the earrings.  I really hope the customer is happy with how it turned out. 
Peaceful beading - and CREATING -
TTFN

Newbies

Here are the pieces I've completed in the last week or so.  Diana got my creative juices flowing with her special Malachite/Lapis custom piece, and they haven't stopped yet!

This one is on a ribbon that slides through the tubes and beaded beads and rings so that the big cool chunky toggle can also be worn in the back.  But...why?  It's meant to be seen!

Metal-icious Earrings.  All the metals - silver, gold, copper, gunmetal, and pewter all in one.  Goes with everything!  Funky!

There are a few more, but I like these the best.  Now to start gathering beads for Through the Clouds....

Beaders Backache

I think I need a better chair.  Or a bigger pillow behind me, or both.  Because not beading until my back stops aching isn't a priority!  I did make myself finish my book this morning (Water for Elephants-two thumbs up!), sitting with the heating pad instead of beading, but I do have some photos to take of pieces I've completed in the last few days, as well as a couple new projects waiting in the wings.  I've taken to sketching on paper the ideas - and names - that come to me.  One of the most interesting ones came to me in the middle of another piece - not sure why - but it will be called "Clouds and Sun", and be assymetrical with greys and silvers on one side of the piece, radiating brighter to blues and sunny yellows and oranges around to the focal side of the other.  That's all I know right now.  Don't even know if I've got all the pieces and parts I need to start it.  I just know I had to stop and write it down.
The days are inching closer to what could be my fateful week (or longer) of Jury Duty.  I won't even know until Sunday whether I have to report, (crossing fingers and begging the universe hourly that I don't) and then hopefully not for long.  I have visions and nightmares of not only having to report, but of being put on a jury that will have to be sequestered, away from my hubby, my dogs, my beads, MY LIFE, for months and months.  I am hoping that's all it is - a vision and a nightmare that I will wake from.  Uck.
Got the pieces back yesterday that were photographed by Holly of Photos from the Heart.  I hope there are still more photos coming - I know she's busy with work and school and kids and my brother.  Love what she's done so far....and I'm seeing comments from moms and friends of the models that are interested in seeing more of my work.  Yay.  Someone told me not too long ago that interest would come in my jewelry from a very unexpected place.  I'm thinking this is IT!  :0)
Here are a few more of Holly's wonderful photos:

The necklace is actually done in bronze, yellow and teal tones on big silver chain - but I love the black and white. Just to give you an idea, here's a color close up of one of flowers in the piece. 

Pretty unique, huh?  That's me. 
Off on another chauffered errand day.  And probably to start another book with the heating pad.  Dang back, anyways.
Photos of new work - a cool necklace that has a clasp that can be worn two ways, and a funky cool pair of big hoop earrings - coming SOON!
Peaceful beading,
TTFN

Photos with "Heart"

Just a sneak peek at some of the photos taken at the shoot by my sister in law Holly Mayes of "Photos from the Heart".   Just as I suspected.....AWESOME!

I LOVE the way the model wore the ring in the bottom photo.  There are many more to come, but I couldn't wait.  I think she's planning to do a better edit job on them, and I haven't even seen them all yet!  Thanks to Holly, and models Sondra and Alyssa for looking beautiful in my beads!
As far as my weekend errands - found this at HomeGoods.  Not exactly what I was looking for, and my original thought was to paint it, but after posting it on Facebook, general concessus says leave it as it is.  So I guess I'll have to play with some of the pieces I know I'll be showcasing - see if it will work with the bling as is.  If not - I'm thinking a light spray mist of purple, or maybe crackle painting it slate grey/silver.  Still have a while to think about it.
Anyway - whaddaya think?  To paint, or not to paint?

Ignoring the messy studio work table, of course!  LOL
Happy Chinese New Year, everyone!  It's the year of the Dragon - harmony and prosperity for all!
TTFN

Website lift off?

At least I hope so.  I finally have a new password, but now Wordpress is telling me it's down for scheduled maintenance?  Whatever.  What's one more day of lame websitedness?  I do want to get it up and running, though, because as soon as Holly is done with her photo shoot, there will be some KICK ASS (sorry, Mom) photos of my pieces on professional models!  Not just display busts or fabric.  She does such a good job.  Would love to post her website, but think she's 'doing maintenance' too - but you can look her fan page up on Facebook if you want to see her great work - Photos from the Heart - Holly Mayes.  Thanks, SIS!
Really gotta run and get some things done today - even with the snowfall we had yesterday, it's errand and appointment bound for me (well, me and the chauffeur/hubby).  One thing I AM going to do today is head to the Homegoods store to see if they still have any of the cool display busts like My Life under the Bus (Patty Gasparino) got there.  PERFECT for my upcoming art show - with some purple added, of course...

And as promised, here is another oldy but goodie...still available for sale.  'Bleeding Heart' - Rhodonite, citrine, nephrite jade, freshwater pearl, and lots and lots of seed beads..of course.  $85.00

Enjoy.  And peaceful beading, everyone...
TTFN