Collaborations, Components and Jewelry

Oh my!  I feel a bit overwhelmed (hehe, don't I always- I know why mom's in the 50's liked Valium so much)!!!!

 

Anyhow, bead fest flu took a week I didn't have to spare.  Then I have three beautiful children, who all have birthday's within one month of each other (yes, no doubts what month I am fertile...sorry if that's TMI, but I know you were thinking it).  So we had our annual three kid birthday party last weekend.  Labor Day weekend or the week after is our anniversary as well (13 years that flew by), and school starts.  If you have kids, you know how busy this makes a couple week span.  3 kids need new shoes, different stores, new clothes, birthday gifts, things to bake, birthday dinners to make (on their birthday- Julia chose shrimp...YUM!)  Cake pops to order........busy busy busy.  But what a joy when they are off to school the first day, and come home happy and love school.  And it feels good to know I can put new shoes on them (even though some were thrift store, they were like new), it feels good to have been blessed with three healthy kids to celebrate with family and friends.  I am so thankful for September, though, I am not opposed to cloning myself should that become an option anytime soon;)  (I kid, cloning is bad- poor sheep...anyhow....)

Rambling aside, I have two shows this month, and need to make new jewelry for my shop (soon to be shops) that I have jewelry in.  I need to make earrings, and necklaces and bracelets.  I am however, filling bead orders and specials requests right now, and trying desperately to finish up this collaboration that Genea and I have been working on (giveaway to launch our collabs coming soon).  I am also making jewelry to submit to magazines, and need to find time to write for them as well.  So, if I have not responded to your emails, or on facebook, or on here, I am sooooo sorry. I feel a bit over extended right now.  Family is important, and just feel like nothing is getting my all.  I know this will all slow down come October, but in the meantime, I am sorry.

 

I am so thankful to be busy at my work (jewelry and beads) and I am so thankful for each and everyone of you who read this silly blog of mine, and like my work.  You guys build me up and keep me going many many days!!!!!!

 

So, I try to make time to be thankful amidst the business.  Busy times means lots of blessings going on, and I don't want to take them for granted or miss them.  It's all in perspective!

 

Here are some pics of my new beads.  I used the molds and stamps I made for these, and added my own little phrases or words of wisdom on the backside.  Unfortunatley, these really need to go into finished jewelry right now.  Beads are going to be available on a very random basis for the next few weeks.

 

 

front and back

 

 

 

And this one below is already laid out into the pendant it will become- a tree, with diane hawkey's acorn bead- the back says GROW

Now, off to finish painting beads, make some more copper components for my jewelry and earring production, hammer earwires and clasps, patina things, seal them, and then make jewelry.  I got this!

 

So, mom's, how has it been since your kids started school?  Good?  Do you miss them?  Is it more work or more time for you?  "Cause with my youngest only half day, it seems to take up more time somehow.  It's a mystery.