Super Hip Chic Mom

No, sadly I am not referring to myself...but MY Mom!
I called her yesterday all excited about the Washi Tape technique (see last post) and my iPhone 4 totting Mom said, "oh yeah....i forgot all about that technique."  what???!  Apparently super hip chic Mom learned of this technique awhile ago and failed to share this with me, hmpf!  Fortunately, I am big enough and got over it.........

Spent the afternoon at a librarian meeting at the ever fabulous Horizon Bookstore in downtown Traverse City.  We got to spend a couple of hours hearing about some wonderful children's books.  I will highlight some of those over the weekend.  Then I got to shop for some books......even better.

My evening was filled with glazing, and more glazing.......fairy houses, pendants, jewlery bits.  Can't wait to load the kiln in the morning to get these pieces fired.  Then I can share here.

some things to think about

So, the other day I read about a new book Us, Celebrating the Power of Friendship  on friendship at Christine Mason Miller's blog.  At first glance I thought, hmmm not a bad idea.  But the more I think about it, I love it!  As I worked at the library today, watching kids interact, girls in particular...some interactions were positive and others....not so positive.  Then thinking about my sixteen year-old daughter and her teenage relationships made me realize, this book is NEEDED.  If we can teach girls to work on friendships from an early age we can help foster healthy relationships for a lifetime.

Another fun thing I found on a blog was how to make Washi Tape....ooooohhhhhhhh my goodness.....genius!  Check out Craft Test Dummies.  Super, super cool!!!!!

Finally, I am participating in a gift exchange organized by Craftaholics Anonymous.  My swap partner is from California.  We have started to exchange some e-mails.  Some of my friends from Minnesota that i swap with on a regular basis have signed up too.  We are looking forward to sharing our swaps at the end of November. 

fullness

As busy as life gets, I am so lucky.

These darn kids.......just make it all worth while.

I started working this year as a librarian at a local elementary school.   It is perfect for my life right now.  The hours are consistent (unlike last year when I was a guest teacher) and I feel like a grandparent.  I get to see all of the kids at school......they make me smile.....and then after their library time I send them back with their teacher.  I don't have to deal with the craziness of testing, kids bouncing off the walls from indoor recess day after day when it pours, etc.  I get to read the kids magical stories and watch their minds relax and dream for 30 minutes.  It is perfect.

This new schedule has allowed me commit to making art for sale.  I have had one craft show, a makers market no less.......talk about a dream.  However, it wasn't the best experience.  I didn't sell like crazy. 

But I did it. 

My family supported me while I worked crazy hours, man does it take a lot of work to pull this off.  And I have another show next week.  This whole experience has helped me to see that

I CAN do it!

It has been a real growing experience.

And what has been a perfect compliment to my growing experience........this blog Christine Mason Miller .  She has a new book coming out Desire to Inspire and has been featuring 60 second interviews (love that.....time is of the essence.....so i can read a snippet and check out their blog and get back to life here at home) with the contributors.  It is a fun, quick way to discover some pretty amazing women.  I am so empowered from what I have read since the start of the month.

Fall Glory

Loving the golden hue that is cast

just so perfectly.

Savoring last bits of summer......at least this week

The last couple of days we have done our best to soak up these last bits of summer....

at least for this week. 

Yesterday and today we were in the mid to upper 80's.

tomorrow we dip down to 60's and then I heard the high for Thursday might be 52.

So after school we hit the beach for some fresh air, warm breezes, sand between our toes, and laughs.

Tomorrow.......I am cranking up the torch to make some earrings!

Tubing Fun

Ah the sounds and sights of summer!

The kids love the water, their cousins and combining that with a tube is just too much fun!

Hibiscus Blossoms

Imprinting another beauty.......

Lodestar Lantern earrings

The Lodestar Lantern earring.  Love these!

And this....Wren rocking her earrings.....

and her braids, an attempt to have wavy curls in the morning.

A true bohemian spirit!

garden fairy

My sweet garden fairy. 

I try to imprint her vision in my brain

so when the ground is covered in knee deep snow

I'll feel the warmth of these summer days.

New Earrings

Abacus hoops. Playing with the beads.   A little to sparkly for me.

These are my favorite right now. 

They are a beautiful yellow green color. 

 LOVE THEM!

My 8 year old wanted a pair too.  So I made a mini version.  They are adorable on her. 

I took pictures and accidentally deleted them....sigh. 

Will take more pictures. 

Her friends are envious because they look so "grown up". 

Makes me smile!

White boho bliss hoops. 

These are so great because they go with everything!

Working on the next style earring being taught in the class. 

Can't wait to finish! 

This has been a great on-line class. 

Deryn has fielded so many questions and offered lots of tips and tricks above and beyond the class time. 

I am so hooked!

New Read

 
I just whipped through The Cookbook Collector.
I thoroughly enjoyed.
It was a nice escape on some unusually cool days here in the north.
 
Now back to my jewelry!
I have new pictures to post, a fun pair of earrings that I am wearing all of the time. 
New beads today so new earrings waiting to be made.

Green with happiness

Oh yes, I am pleased. 

I love the copper flecks in the large center green stone.

With the heat and humidity we have been having it has been a little challenging torching outside.



Likes and Dislikes....and not referring to Facebook!

I spent a good deal this weekend playing with the torch and practicing (despite the heat).

Here is my new set up to torch the wire.  I am a bit stressed about using any of the torches in my regular studio space.  It does not have a window so I am super cautious about the fumes. 

So for now, I torch in the  garage. 

This makes me happy.  When I can ball BOTH ends of the copper wire!

This is a pile of copper wires that I heated up for a LONG time and was not able to ball both of the ends.  I am worried that if I used them after all of the heating they would not survive the process to turn them into earrings.  Need to find out if I can recycle the heated copper pieces?

Here is a like and dislike all in one.  I was feeling pretty darn good, my first earring turning out fabulous.  Seriously fabulous and then.......the second earring, going good until I bent the paddle.  Oh my....not good!

Tomorrow is another day.  Practicing and hopefully creating!

blooming

I appreciate this time

a bit differently.

I missed my art time

my time

so now I play

create

and smile

especially when I get to watch the baby blue birds growing up (and getting ready to spread their wings), the hydrangeas bloom and the pea pods surging higher.

and
of course
i love being home
with the kids
hearing their laughs
their squabbles...okay not so much
but i do treasure these days
especially with one about to be a junior in high school!

beads

I thought I had a decent bead collection.

But then...

I started making boho bliss hoops in the Deryn Mentock's new class and realized...

I need/want different beads for these designs.

I love projects that make you look at things that you didn't before.

I'll be honest, I didn't look at briolette beads very much until now.

so here is how I organized my beads this past Spring.

by color

After taking Alisa Burke's color class last summer I realized that I enjoy color and things sorted by color but for some reason was not applying that to my stash of beads.

I stocked up on some containers from JoAnn's during a fabulous sale.

Then I had the duty to own up to all of the beads that I have bought over the years with one project or another in mind.....and clearly not following through on all of these projects.....sigh.......

Moomer's

Our daughter got a job at a local favorite...Moomer's.

The Moomer's family farm next door is so beautiful.

The mood, the air ...was breathtaking.

I feel spoiled.  I love it here!

Playing with the Torch!

These are the first attempts in my on-line jewelry class.

Working with the torch has been a trip.  Mastering the balling of the copper wire has been an achievement.  Putting the techniques together very rewarding.  I seriously can't wait to work on the jewelry every day.  Practice, Practice, Practice!

Carnival Ride of Life

Life is Crazy.  Wonderful.  Confusing.  Busy.

Spent the past school year as a substitute teacher.  Two long term positions and LOTS of one day positions. 

 And my art took a serious backseat.

Summer has been a delight.

Relaxed hours.

Taking two on-line classes.  One photography.  One jewelry.  Loving them both.

Biking.  Walking.  Dreaming....BIG DREAMS.

Desperately wishing my husband finds work in our hometown instead of 6 1/2 hours away.

I'll be back tomorrow.

Promise