August: Beadfest Prep and End of the Summer Fun

Beadfest is always a marathon to prepare for.  So many beads to make.  I started late this year, due to a million little things......it has been that kind of year for me.  

(I am in booth 572B this year, so come and find me, at the back end of artisan alley! Coupon for $5 admission at the end of post)

Anyhow, it is now only 3 days away and I think I will be ready!  It has been a blur of beads and painting and sealing and pricing and putting together kits!  Here is a peek at all I have done in the last 4 weeks............

making the beads

Painting (and crackling and sealing) the beads, which required some extra organization

and there was carving to be done.....

Set had to get tied together...........................

trays had to be arranged..........................

there was bronz clay that got made, fired, antiqued, polished and sealed......

Practicing my set up

first run

still working on it- it needed the shelves for more space, I like having lots of jewelry samples

Plus, my table is on an end, so I needed the right side to also be a "front" for people coming from that direction.  I think I got it mostly worked out now (I will have a sign up and a drape over the busy table cloth as well)

I finally have arranged trays of finished beads (they just need pricing, which will take the last two days I have)

I am teaching a class on Sunday as well, my Gypsy Wire Choker class

...........so there were kits to make!!!!

and lots and lots of wire to anneal (I used my gas stove ILO my torch and wow what a time saver!!!)

and then there was packaging them and labeling them, which I had help with............

AND, in the last 4 weeks, I have also found time to join the family with a couple day trips to the shore

and some time at Musikfest enjoying great music and friends

selfie with my brother 

I really cannot believe all I have done in the last 4 weeks.  I am going to need a vacation (and sleep)

(my September is never easy either!  It's catch up, tutorials, an anniversary- and three kid birthdays- plus getting in the groove with school starting- I will take a weekend for me in October!)

Even the kids have gotten the bead bug and dug out their beads to make jewelry the other day!

Anyhow, I hope you can come and see me at Beadfest Booth 572B- Artisan Alley, in the back.  I will be in a booth / corner with Marsha Neal Studio, Nikki Thornburg Studios and Diane Hawkey.  It will be so much fun!

Here is a discount coupon, just save it to your computer and print out to get in for only $5.  Feel free to share it too!

Oh yeah- one more thing-

I moved my Painted Polymer tutorial from etsy to my own Indiemade shop.  So if you want to purchase it, you can purchase it here now!

Bead Fest Dreams

I have officially begun dreaming about beads, and Bead Fest.  I have had the dreams that I showed up and forgot my beads, or that no one bought them.  Then I awake to the panic of unfinished beads everywhere!  LOL.  This is my life right now.

 

Eat, take care of kids, make beads, sleep (a little), repeat.

 

But I can't wait.  And I am quite happy with what I am making. 

 

Finally done painting and sealing all the polymer beads.

 

 

So that feels like progress!  I also started putting these loose beads

 

 

Into sets

 

 

I stayed up late polishing all my bronze, so that I could seal it this morning.  Before polishing......

 

 

After polishing

 

 

First hiccup this morning- the bronze oxidized more over night, and I need to re-buff them again before sealing.  *sigh*

 

Second hiccup was when I opened the kiln- which should have been my last kiln load- and found all my copper poppies broken.  I guess I will try to squeeze in one more load, because I really wanted to have these for Bead Fest.

 

 

I am not the only one who has suffered the loss of broken beads in this madness that is Bead Fest prep.  It's part of the game.  So I will drink my coffee, and enjoy this fall like weather we are having here in Pa.  I will string my sets, and make more copper poppies, and finish the metal work that is needed for my crazy urchin beads. (below)

 

Then I will make a sample for the kits Genea and I have been working on and write the instructions.

 

 

 





 

 



 

After those things are done, its just little stuff like pricing each bead, and packing stuff for the show.

 

Two full studio days would be good, but with summer coming to a close for the kids, there is much to get done around here. 

 

School starting is always bittersweet for me.  I love the quiet time when they go back, but I do miss them.  I worry for them.  We have some big changes this year, Aiden goes to the middle school and Collin starts full day- first grade.  Julia goes into third, which is a pretty challenging year from what I remember with Aiden.  I hope they adjust quickly and make friends and love their teachers.  That's all I want for them.  To enjoy school, so learning comes easily.

 

So that is my ramble- it's what's going on around here.  Can't wait to see my friends, and sell my wares, and see all my friends art in person in one week. 

 

If you are coming to Bead Fest- make sure to ask about the gathering Saturday night, with food, wine and giveways- hosted by Melinda Orr of Artisan Whimsy and Creative Bead Chat.  It's a great time!

Wanna Know?

Wanna know what happens while I am making the beads?

 

 

 

Nothing.

 

 

Two weeks of kids wash to fold.  Same amount in the hallway that needs to be washed.   I should probably vacuum too.

 

*sigh*  I am Mom Shaming myself into doing my house work.

 

 

 

We will return to our regularly scheduled program when I get caught up.