Process

With my first bead show of the year around the corner, litterally, I am surrounded by beads in all stages of completion.  (It is the Berks Bead Bazzar in Reading pa if you are local, come on out, its a wonderful show- not too big, but has the best selection of what you need)

 

I have been posting a lot of process pics on facebook, and thought I'd catch you all up here.

 

Here are some beads getting their first layer of paint.  I use many layers to create depth and warmth in my beads.  Some are still "naked" to show you the before.

 

 

Here they are finished.  These are some of the little guys that were sent off to the Bead Cruise by Heather Powers. (you will find me under the sponsors for the cruise- something new for me this year)

 

 

And here they are all packed up for the Bead Cruise

 

 

 

Here are some first layer shots of my color polymer

 

 

 

And here is that last pic after the second layer of paint

 

 

And here are some samples of finished beads

 

 

I also made these bead sets that have my earthy mix of polymer beads along with sea glass and gemstones. 

 

Here is the earthy mix before they were made into sets

 

 

And here are the sets

 

 

 

And then there is the metal work, which is what I am currently working on finishing and sealing

 

 

There is so much more to do to be ready.  I really hope I can't get it all done without wearing myself out.  With all the colds and such this time of year, wearing myself down is a guarenteed illness.  So I will keep plugging away, and going to bed on time ;)  Hopefully I will see you at Berks!!!

 

AND- after the show, I will be having a giveaway that Friday, March 8th- so stay tuned!!!

 

Panic!!!!

I have 4 weeks until the Berks Bead Bazaar.  I am now, officially in panic mode.

I know I can get done in time.  But when you see what I am dealing with, well, let me show you.....................

Right now, I am making things in the little space at the end of my desk here....................

However, if I move my elbow, things come crashing down.

What I need to do, is prioritize.  I have beads, in all stages, waiting to be finished.  I have LOTS of beads made, but none are totally finished.  So the time for some major major lists is in order.  

Finishing my bronze is a multi-part task....with both antiquing and patina.  Some have been antiqued, but I need to start the patina pieces, so they have time....to do big batches like this, it takes me 2 weeks of this and that and adding color and finishing and waxing, ect........

Here is the bronze I have made.

So I need to get on the ball.  about 1/4 of the bronze requires a cut, hammered and antiqued backing that they get riveted to, or toggle bars that need to be made.  So that needs to be done.

I have polymer in all stages, but need to make much much more.  Then they need to get painted and sealed.

 These are ready to bake.

These are just baked.

These are my daughter Julia's beads.  I am letting her have a little tray to sell at Berks Bead Bazaar.  

She made them with no help for me, except the holes. I made the holes.  I showed her how to make hearts and she was off.  She even drew sketches of the beads she wanted to make (like the diamond heart cross bead) and then she just made them.  Tomorrow I will teach her to sand them and paint them with some fun finishes.  If you come out to Berks, you will get to meet her, because she is my helper.

These are the only finished polymer beads I have ready for the show, and they are not really ready.

So that is where I am at, complete and sheer panic.  

Oh- I almost forgot my copper clay beads.  Want to see them?  Oh, you can't, because they are still only in my head.  I need to make poppies, eyes, and some of those fun double sided polymer and copper clay beads.  

ok.  I can do this.  I always do, right?  *sigh*  No etchings will happen for Berks this year, but that's ok with me.  I am hoping to make some more fun sheet metal stuff though, like my flowers, and some planet like lentil beads that I am keeping a secret for now.  But alas, you will have to come to Berks to see what I actually complete.

Can you guys do me a favor?  If you see me cruising facebook in the afternoon, can you yell at me to GO AND MAKE THE BEADS?  Thanks. I need that kick in the butt sometimes.

BTW Bead Table Wednesday~ What's Up Guys?

Well- after a long weekend away from my family and lots of prep work the weeks before, I took some time off last week to just hang out with the kids and catch up here. 

Our local library has great summer programs for the kids, and I just love it.  They get rewards for reading, they have free educational and fun entertainment on thursday nights, and the kids get a free book to keep each friday!  I think we are reading more now then we were during the school year.

So, now Tinicum Arts Festival is this weekend....but I am NOT freaking out (seriously~I am really not).  I have lots to sell.  I do need to beef up the bracelet department, and play with the new load of bronze from the kiln, because honetly, I don't think I could do a show without a few new necklaces. But I feel ready (for once) Tinicum is a great show, shady park, GREAT friends and vendors there, and wonderful customers.  It's one of the those places people come year after year, and I enjoy it very much!
I also took some time for me.  I dyed my hair (yes- I do it myself).  I wanted something funky and two tone.  So I dyed the back blonde and left the front brownish / red.  I don't look good with blonde hair against my face- it just doesn't go with my complexion....but I thought this way- I could be blonde and brunette.  I like it~ but it was such a bear to get it light.  Two applications of ultra blonde and a highlight kit later, I get reddish blonde.  I'll take it.  I love redheads.  (I hate taking pics of myself, so please ignore my funny face I am making)

So~ its bead table wednesday again, and all I have is a list and some bronze pieces sitting on my table.  I better get crackin if I want to get these made along with some more of my cuff bracelets.  I made lots of little sea urchin charms- since they were a hit as earrings at the last show, and I have had some orders for them too.  I also made a new mold from a large and really wonderful sea urchin for some pendant size pieces.  I think they will get riveted to some cool copper backings.

What I want to know is, what is pulling you out of the studio this summer?  Your children?  Your garden?  The pool?  There are so many wonderful distractions this time of year!