Beads, beads, BEADS!

This time of year especially - it's ALL about the beads.  Not only do I have that big 3 day show coming up, but I've got TWO private shows for friends, AND, as I mentioned in my last post - I've reopened the Etsy shop.  You'll see the little Etsy mini shop and link over on the left - there will be many more pieces added over the course of the next few weeks - I think I've discovered a way to keep things in the shop and offer them at shows at the same time!  That would make my life easier (except for the photo taking part.  That still takes up a BIG chunk of time).

My fireplace display in years past....

I made the trip to Bronners in Frankenmuth this week, to give myself a little tweak into the Christmas spirit.  I used to decorate my ENTIRE house, in and out with Christmas cheer - now I'm lucky if there's a wreath on the door, lights on the railing and a tree.  Is it an age thing?   Just haven't been able to get that holiday spirit going the last few years.  Hoping to change that THIS year 

My tree is tiny - but full of crystal and purple decorations and lights.  Cuz as many of you know - purple is how I roll....

I've also made the trip to Shiawassee Art Center to deliver my Holiday Market pieces for this year.

These are just two of the creations delivered to them this week.  I hope you've had an opportunity to check them out.  

Hope I get a chance to check in and blog again soon - but with the big days drawing near - may be too busy cleaning, shining, and preparing.  I will TRY to remember to take photos during the show to post DURING and afterward - but honestly - sometimes it's just TOO busy!  

If you're local, or want to road trip! - here's the flyer and map:

Peaceful beading,
TTFN

FOURTH time the charm...

It popped into my head over the weekend.  Then it kinda got lost among the beads.  But a friend messaged me with questions about opening a shop of her own - and there it was again.  ETSY.  Should I?  Or Shouldn't I?  I've tried on three separate occasions to sell items through Etsy - listed mostly beads.  Sold a few.  Listed some jewelry. SOLD NONE.  And therein lies the rub.  Will it be different this time?  Etsy has changed things.  Rules.  Regulations.  Shop pages. and more.

But what the heck.  They're not going anywhere sitting in their boxes on a shelf either.  So......

With November 1 coming on Saturday - there's no time like the present.  THE SHOP IS OPEN!

There's nothing in it right now - just a few teaser pics on the 'about' page, and info on the profile page.  So head over and make it a favorite - shescool on Etsy -   and then check back soon.  Not sure what all will appear right away - still have 2 private shows and then the big 3 day comin' up.  But since they've made it so easy to put the shop in vacation mode (probably for that very reason), I can 'take a break' as they call it, and still have the inventory when needed.
Now I just have to find time for photos.  And come up with keywords.  Man, I hate keywords...

And in other bead news...  :)    If you subscribe to Beadwork magazine - watch your mailbox in DECEMBER for the issue that features ME as a challenge participant!  So exciting.

I'm also considering entering Bead Dreams.  Yup.  One of the biggest and brightest.  And - I was keeping this one a secret - but I've spilled it to a few people, so if you read the blog you get to hear too - I've also submitted to Battle of the BeadSmith for next year.  So I could have some BIG HUGE giant projects - WITH DEADLINES - coming up.

Big beady goodness -- here, there, and everywhere!

Peaceful beading,
TTFN

Tuesday intentions

I've had every intention of writing this blog today.  While waiting for the words - I've updated the background (leafy) and updated the Creative Spark Issue photo.  The new fall issue is up and ready, and even though I don't have a piece appearing in it this time - several of the design team members have knocked themselves out with awesome fall designs.  So go HERE and enjoy....

I've had every intention of starting to get my house ready for the big three day show coming up next month.  Alas - the beads, the books, the puzzles, the ZenTangle AND a new season of Sons of Anarchy on Netflix! all have a stronger appeal.  I KNOW it must get done, but as usual - will probably wait until the week before.

I keep justifying it in my mind by looking at my beautiful Bella - and all her hair.  I'll just have to clean again next week, right?  And the week after that - and the week after that....  well, you get the idea.  I blame the dog for the house not getting cleaned....  :)

I DID intend to bead - and actually completed a piece that's had several different beginnings over the course of the last few weeks.  Ever heard of the frog stitch?  As in "RIP IT. RIP IT."  Much beading and unbeading before this piece was through:   "The Golden Season" Necklace.  I think it was worth the effort, don't you?

The beautiful focal leaf is a handmade ceramic piece made by a friend and fellow beader;  she beads for fun - but her passion is ceramics.  This is just one small piece of her art.  I hope I did it - and her -- proud.

There are other things that I intend to do this week too - but hey - it's ONLY Tuesday....

Peaceful beading,
TTFN

Tangled up

Oh boy.  As if my beads didn't keep me busy 24/7.   I've been officially introduced to Zen Tangle.

I have recently become acquainted with the "other Sheryl" in the area - Sheryl Lamarand.  She's a beader, a Wire Knitz enthusiast, and a certified ZenTangle instructor.  She's also a lover of my Enlightened Denim bracelets - and already owns several!  Turns out we have many things in common besides beads - right down to our golden retrievers!

We took a trip to the Great Lakes Bead Guild monthly meeting in Detroit on Tuesday,  She was the featured speaker - introducing everyone to ZenTangle.  I think I wasn't the only person hooked.  It's a very 'zen' way to relax and let creativity flow. I plan to use some of the strokes and patterns in creating my detailed embroidery pieces - and may even venture into tangling on the denim.... later. Still playing with it - I USED to work crossword puzzles and the like during my TV/down time. NOW I tangle!

And since I can't come up with a good segue into my update on last weekend - here it is!

Birthday was quiet.  Hubby had to work a day shift, which left our plans in limbo.  We opted for a simple quiet dinner at a local steak house that offers free steak on your birthday (how can you resist?) and then home afterward - after all - getting up at 5:15 the next morning was not the kind of 'day after' birthday morning everyone really wants!  BUT -  rise I did.  The annual Holidays in Haslett show day had arrived.  And wow!  What a day!  WHEW!    I LOVE my new location - although a bit smaller - So I had to choose my merchandise wisely.

  I was on the main concourse - people, people everywhere!  It was definitely one of my best shows this year - and to think I almost didn't do it!  I am still debating on whether or not to participate NEXT year - after all - it will be ON my birthday - but I'm thinking maybe that will HELP the sales even more!

Next up - my Shiawassee Art Gallery Holiday Market inventory.  It's ready - only sold 2 of the pieces I had planned to take there; just need to write it up, and take it up.  The fun thing about the location of THAT gallery is that it's half way between here and Frankenmuth - the home of my favorite bead store in all the land - Bead Haven!  So mom and I (and maybe even my mother in law) will be making a day of it, and doing some shopping too.  FUN!

Looking forward to not one but TWO completely free weekends in a row before I have to knuckle down - stop the beading and the Tangling long enough to clean for the NEXT big event - the Holt Holiday Sampler show!  HERE!  IN ONE MONTH!  WHEEE!
Peaceful beading,
TTFN

I can't drive 55

Today's the day.  The big FIVE FIVE.  55.  Fifty five. 

I am now officially old enough to get SENIOR CITIZEN discounts in several retail and fast food establishments around town,

and could legally live in a senior community should I desire.

I DON'T DESIRE.

I thought 50 was going to be hard.  50 washed away in the Gulf of Mexico (went to Florida for the big 5-0) with nary a whisper.
But this one's hittin' me.
Maybe because I'm feeling my age more often than not.  I'm letting my hair get grayer between coloring sessions.
 

My heart says let's go out and shake it tonight!

My body says let's just go have dinner and come home and SLEEP.

I'm spending my day mostly solo today - a little beading, a little reading.  And then

there WILL be dinner.  

And maybe a little shaking.  

After my NAP.

Peaceful Beading,
TTFN

(All images courtesy of Google Images)

Multi beading

Are you a multi tasker?   I've always been one of those people that could do - or tried to do - more than one thing at a time.  

But as I get older (I'll be 55 NEXT Friday! GASP!), I find it harder to accomplish.  I start out doing one thing, and stop to get started on the second thing, and pretty soon - the second thing has consumed my time. 

Take yesterday for instance.  Looking for some 3mm firepolish beads turned into a sorting session that had me forgetting what I was looking for - but the drawers are now clean and organized!

 I used to be able to have more than one bead project going at once; work on one for awhile, put it down, rest a bit, brew more coffee, let the dogs in/out, and off to bead on the second.   

People have sometimes asked me if I draw out or write down my project plans as they pour out of my head faster than I can bead them - and I always answered NO.

 Lately I've had to change that answer.   If I don't at least write down the concept, or even pull out a few beads in the right size, style or color - I may never recall that little spark again.

I'm trying to wrap up the projects that have pouring out of my head lately - and hope to only have ONE thing to concentrate on for the winter months.  Unless there's a custom request or two - or three....  ;)

I don't want to reveal my big "winter project" quite yet - I don't want to jinx it.   If it pans out - it will definitely need to consume ALL of my beady time.  No multi tasking allowed.

Peaceful beading,
TTFN

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