Starting fresh (again)

Well that week didn't quite go as I had planned.  Neither one of the pieces that I had in mind for entering contests have turned out NEARLY as worthy as they need to to qualify.  "Drawing" board, I return to you.

 I believe my Muse may have hightailed it for warmer temperatures.  Can't says I blame them....

I am working on completing ONE of those pieces -

 I won't enter it in a contest as I'd planned, but it can still go in my inventory, or to the art gallery next switch out.  I'm also considering a second try at a gallery here in town that I've been a part of in the past.  I need to make some inquiries regarding rent and hours required to work before I commit, as well as feel them out about how they think my denim pieces ( I would only submit those) would sell.  It IS in Old Town - where they were very well received over the summer, so we'll see.

So I guess my week wasn't so bad after all.  I have a list of things to do, inquire and mull about.  In the dead of winter, I guess I can't ask for much more than that.  Except for maybe some Etsy sales.
Honestly kids - I don't think re opening my shop was such a great idea.  WAAAAAAAY too many beaded jewelry (especially bead EMBROIDERED beaded jewelry) sellers to compete with - from all over the globe.  So don't be surprised if I shut it down again.  I WILL keep the album of pieces on Facebook though - as well as the one here on the blog - although I admit it needs an update - badly.
That will have to be for another day - another long, cold, dark, snowy winter day.  BLAH.  :(

Stay warm and bead....

Peaceful beading,
TTFN

New year! New Opportunities! NEW FUN!

So excited to finally put this one OUT THERE!  A new friend put the thought in my head back before Christmas - and I've been mulling it and making it work in my sometimes stuffed up head ever since.  But here it is.  THIS IS GOING TO BE SO MUCH FUN!    

A NEW Cool Moon ongoing event geared just for you!: Beginning March 5th, FIRST Thursday bead class and play night. 3pm to 8pm, classes begin at 3, but playtime- bringing beads and snacks and hanging out - can be anytime between 3 and 8! First class: Bead Embroidery Basics- flattering that flatback. Message me if you're interested and we'll talk about the details like cost and supplies....

I am also venturing into new territory SHOW wise this year - OUT OF TOWN events.  Because I am lucky to have such great friends and family - I'm able to share and/or borrow vehicle space to get where I'm going.  I HOPE that the first show of the season is going to be in Saline, Michigan - down by Ann Arbor.  It will be an over-nighter - show starts at 8AM! Not sure how much profit can be made from having to shell out for food, gas and lodging - but since this is considered THE NUMBER ONE show in the state by major craft show organizers - it may open a few new doors.  That makes it worth it right there.  And another first for this particular show (although it IS only a few months away - MARCH!)  ALL DENIM.

Going to create an entire inventory of earrings, bracelets and few other fun and unique things too, all with my "Enlightened Denim".  If it turns out to be a success - you may soon see a SALE on many of the NON-DENIM pieces.  I do still love them though - so I don't plan to give them up entirely....and believe it or not, there are a few of my customers that just don't dig the denim.... I KNOW!  

It makes me want to scream.  And speaking of screaming (I love a good segue)...
The February/March 2015 BEADWORK magazine holds something very special for me this issue!    I'm a CHALLENGE participant!  Beadwork chooses winners from email inquiries; a certain number of participants each issue, along with a member of their staff.  We get FREEEEEBIIIIIEEEEEES!  from a fun, unique bead source, that we can use as much or as little of as we wish - and KEEP the rest!  MINE WAS AWESOME!  From Aria Designs/Lisa Kan - and included a beautiful length of Shibori ribbon. 

I really need to inquire about when we might be getting our pieces back; because THIS ONE IS MINE! and I want to WEAR IT!

So I hope you've received your issue already - if not - RUN! don't walk :)  - to your nearest LBS and GET ONE!  Cuz I'M IN THERE!

And last but oh so not least - I really really love The Shiawassee Art Center in Owosso.
They are a great bunch of people, and have a beautiful facility (which I've blogged of in the past).  So why am I blogging about them again today you might ask?
Only because I GOT A HUGE WHOPPING CHECK in the mail today for work sold over the holidays!  FOUR items!  Doesn't sound like a lot (I have over 20 in their inventory), but according to them - it's huge.  I'm popular.  And they like me.  They really, really like me.

So there you have it.  My first week of 2015 is spent coughing, hacking, wheezing and BREEZING through lots of cool ideas and bead projects.  Just wait til you see what the rest of the year is going to bring.  I know I can't!  

Peaceful beading,
TTFN

(Almost) Happy 2015!

While it hasn't started out as fun and full of accomplishment as I might have hoped....

I'm still muddliing through.  A little green at times... but muddling.

Who knew that an out of town family member would bring with them the gift that just keeps on giving... a nasty virus that has been passed to half the family at last count.

She didn't.  We didn't.
I wish it hadn't remained such a secret until it was too late.  

At this point, just 2 days in to a new year - I usually have all my holiday decorations down.

Instead - I'm the one that's down.  For the count.
Finally coming up with a little energy today - hence the blog post (and a new Etsy listing!)
I've even beaded a little bit - but I hate to do that when I'm blowing and coughing - big giant hand sanitizer at the ready, for sure.
Next (or maybe next AFTER a nap) I plan to tackle the Christmas tree.
Hoping for the energy to have all the decorations put away.  Before Easter, or if I'm really lucky - Valentines Day.  

Next post will be bigger, brighter and BETTER!  Promise

Peaceful beading,

TTFN

Merry Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year

What a great year 2014 has been!  I can only hope for bigger and BETTER things in 2015.
I DO know that I'll be starting it out with the brand new Feb/March 2015 BEADWORK in my hot little hands - I'm one of the Challenge participants for this issue - and I can't WAIT to see what "Metallique Chique" looks like in PRINT!  I'll be sure to share a photo and details after the issue has been released!

I hope that you and your families and friends experience all the wonders of the holiday season.
If you are a New Years resolution maker - I wish you luck and good results.  I don't usually make them - too much pressure! - but I think I am this year.  My resolution is to have more

TOLERANCE

for the attitudes of customer service reps and sales clerks.  I have to remember that they are (for the most part) doing their best, and that I've been in their shoes.   I will try to be calmer, nicer, and happier.  EVEN with that ONE impossibly horrible one....

I may have time to 'see you' in the next week or so, but if not - see you next year!  As always....


Peaceful beading,
TTFN

WHOA!

Flickr slideshow fail!   I've removed the big giant in your face thing until I can figure out how to fix it.  Would love to have the new Enlightened Denim slideshow running.  Hopefully next post....

I don't have a whole lot to blog about - hustling and bustling and getting ready for yet more holiday-ing with family and friends, finishing up the shopping, and preparing for the cooking, the cooking and more cooking.  My deviled eggs are a MUST at family gatherings (I think they want the eggs more than ME sometimes.  LOL.).  The obligatory green bean casserole will be made two days in a row as well, along with munchies and yummies still yet to be determined....

I WILL have a bit of major news in the new year.  WATCH this blog, along with Facebook (while you still can) for information about upcoming CLASSES - one here at my home, and one at the Art Gallery in OWOSSO!  FUN!  Actually - the art gallery gig isn't a class exactly - but it's a chance to get a 'free' look at how my bead embroidery process works.  STAY TUNED!  And I'm all in for entering a BIG BIG bead contest (or two) next year as well.... mums the word until all is said and done!

And for those of you who subscribe to or buy Beadwork magazine - you'll find me in the Feb/March 2015 issue's CHALLENGE section!   :)

Hope you holidays are joyful, merry and bright....

Peaceful beading,

TTFN

Bead Hoarders Blog Hop REVEAL!

So here it is, girls - the day you've all been waiting for 

 the REVEAL of our pieces made with our bead HOARD!   

My story may be a bit different than the rest of the hoarders.  I DO admit I have my own hoard.  I've been beading for over 20 years, AND owned a bead shop for about 4 years as well.  

I have a ton of beads, but as EVERY serious bead hoarder knows - there is always room for more.
And that's where this story takes a bittersweet turn.
You see, this blog reveal isn't just about MY hoard - but it's a tribute, story and reveal that includes the hoard of a very special friend and (sort of) family member.
Colleen Beach was one of my bead shop customers.  She was a crafter of ALL things, and as far as beads - she LOVED seed beads, especially Delicas.  Colleen also happened to be the maternal grandmother of two of my husbands nieces, so it was sort of a 'catch up on the kids' friendly get together whenever she came to visit.

Sadly - Colleen passed away early last year.  

Upon taking care of Colleen's things, and cleaning up her home, the girls finally had entry into the room in the house that had once been forbidden - the craft room.
It seems that Colleen was a CRAFT HOARDER.  Of all kinds.  Fabric for quilts. Yarn. Yarn.  More Yarn.  And BEADS.  Glorious, beautiful, unopened tubes and bags of beads.  I know she had a plan in mind for at least some of them, but just as with the rest of us - if not - there could be a use for them someday.
My nieces were given the task of emptying this room.  Finding homes for the fabric. The yarn.  THE BEADS.  And luckily, LOVINGLY - they thought of me.  When they invited me over to give me 'some of Colleen's beads'  - I NEVER expected this

 These boxes, PLUS a shoe box were FULL of bag upon bag upon bag of DELICA beads in every color of the rainbow, as well as bugles, size 15's, vintage CHARLOTTES and some other gloriously delightful items that I didn't think to photograph at the time.

This was just ONE bag of seed beads, czech glass and pearls purchased from our local bead store - T&T Trading - all of them brand new, never opened.

I also found some absolutely spectacular semi precious stone - jasper, a gi-NORMOUS piece of Lapis, and some other lovely bead related items as well.

Colleen.

I could not believe that those girls (and probably Colleen herself) had chosen to gift me with these wonderful beads.
There was so much beauty in this gesture, that I felt I needed to share my good fortune - I put together a box full of items from Colleen's hoard, as well as my own - and had a 'Pay it Forward' give away a few months back, giving some of them to another passionate beader,whom I hope in turn, chose to pass some on to yet another.
THEN - to TOP this - a wonderful fellow beader Renetha of Lamplight Crafts, asked if I would like more for the hoard, as she was destashing as well.  WELL, What kind of a hoarder would I be to say NO to a bead? NEVER did I think I would receive such beautiful things from Renetha as well - much much more than I ever expected.  So beautiful.  

So I've included a few things - mostly seed beads - from Renetha's 'hoard' as well.

SO - without further ado -
Here are the pieces that I have created for the 

"Bead Hoarders Blog Hop"
BOTH are my "Enlightened Denim" bracelets - each with a very different style:

The centerpiece of this one - "Olive Branch"  is from MY hoard, as well as the teardrop piece at the bottom (the 'newest' member of the hoard-those were purchased this past October).  The gorgeous pearls, and all of the seed beads came from Colleen's hoard.  The denim I seem to have a hoard of as well; once my friends and family started seeing what I was doing with them - they contributed piles and piles!

This next one is by far one of my favorites that I've done in my "Enlightened Denim" line.  Walking on Sunshine.  Bright.  Colorful.  SUNNY.  Again, the focal - the Cubic Zirconium dragonfly, is from MY bead store hoard, as well as the yellow quartz flowers, and the button closure.  The seed beads are a mixture of both Colleen's and Renetha's, all peachy and perfect.  The Shibori ribbon was given by Renetha, and the zipper was also among the items from Colleen.

 But I think the ULTIMATE hoarded item I used in this piece is the little VINTAGE sterling silver

and flower pendant from our local favorite antique shop The Little Red Schoolhouse.  Circa probably the 50's or 60's.  :)  

The pieces that I make that include the little zippers are my most popular pieces.  I have just ONE zipper of about a dozen left.  I've found fun and creativity in creating with each and every one.

I am going to refer you to Lori Anderson's blog for the list of other bloggers.  I hope you can visit them all over the next few days.  I KNOW there will be some magnificent art work in there....

Here's Lori's blog address:

Pretty Things

Peaceful beading,
TTFN

Mother Nature (and the twins) pay a visit

Whew.  I'm glad that's over.  I can't believe that it's been a WEEK since our annual Holiday Craft Show here in Holt.  Still in the process of putting the house back together, and making room for the Christmas-ing...Our sales weren't nearly as good as in years past, thanks to the little tiff between Mother Nature and Old Man Winter, who dumped about 4 inches of snow on us the night BEFORE the show, making travel difficult for the first few hours of the day on Thursday.  Then they decided once wasn't enough - and added ICE to that on SATURDAY morning - typically one of our busiest times.

Despite the snow and blow on Thursday, though, it seemed to be our busiest day.  It certainly was MY favorite day, because it included a visit from our favorite returning customers - "THE TWINS and DEEDEE".  Sounds like a music group or something, right?

The twins are Sammi and Andrea - first friends with my vendor friend Tracy, and now, as the years have passed, with me too.  They are young college coeds, who both work as bartenders at the same popular eatery in town.  They even have a 'twin bartender night', filling the place and having a blast!
The DeeDee part is their beloved aunt, who seems to follow them everywhere.  She calls them 'my beauties', and together that trio is an absolute HAPPY bubble of fun.  You can't help but laugh when they're around.  They just have that THING about them that throws off positive vibes everywhere they go.
So happy they love us, and keep coming back every year.

All in all - it was fun, and I'm happy with my profit.   We all laughed and ate, and shared stories.  

Girl time, done differently!

Here's a few shots of the house at it's Holiday Sampler show best:

The sun came out for just a bit on Friday; I wish I could say the same for the people. :(  Sadly, Friday was our slowest day - and the day that ALL THREE of my vendors were available to greet customers.  You just never know how to plan for those crowds...

My holiday jewelry and ornament display....

The front porch.  Tracy does good vintage.....

Judy upcycles old sweaters into new accessories: hats, 'texting' gloves, and more.

Michelle offered delicious soy candles.  The chocolate 'flavor' was the most popular! Could be because we had one burning in the kitchen for everyone to smell!

Now on with the rest of the SHOW - decorating for Christmas, AND creating my piece for NEXT SATURDAY'S "Bead Hoarders Blog Hop".  I have a bit different hoarding story to tell - some of you may have an inkling of what it might be if you've been following and reading the blog this year.
Be sure you stop back next Saturday for the reveal....
Off to enjoy a somewhat warmer day, and enjoy the company of relatives from out of town. THEN
Venison lasagna for dinner.
Life is good.
Peaceful beading,
TTFN