Over the Weekend, Summer Began

Now it feels like summertime.  Usually around my Tinicum Arts Festival show, summer fun starts to ramp up.  Plus, its scorching hot here now in PA.

 

We have had a pool in our basement for years.  We finally had it set up.  It's been put off and put off, but the kids are at the age now where they can all use it without mom holding them.  They can swim and play and enjoy it, and, unless we go to a friends house (which doesn't happen much, cause then I can't work here at home) we didn't go swimming.

 

I grew up swimming everyday during the summer.  My grandparents had a pool when I was little, and they lived 5 minutes down the road.  My mom would drop me off, and I'd swim with my cousins all day.  It was like summer camp and Mommom and Poppop's!  It's what made my summer so great.  It makes everyday a vacation.  Our kids really need to learn to swim better, since they haven't had much time in the water.  They have all been scared of the water, and just needed to be in it more then twice a year.

 

Here she is- the Pool of Happiness and Refreshment

 

 

I loved watching them play with their dad, he would shoot them with the water gun, and they'd each go under to avoid it.  Well, now they are good at going under!  And its shallow, so they can all stand.  I can already see their confidence in the water growing, even with just being in it three times!  You can see how new it is from the pile of dirt behind it!  Now the pool is up, and the cicada's are singing, lightning bugs are coming out at night, it really feels like summer!

 

I am glad our kids get to experience relaxing summer fun.  I am not a go go go mom by any means!  I am a, go play outside kinda mom...like we did as kids.

My kids find joy in catching firefly's to feed to the toad that lives on our back patio (yep, he never leaves it).  When the feed them to him, you can still see them blinking in his tummy. 

They build forts in the woods and play pretend market out there.

 

And when its too hot for them, they are inside driving me nuts because they have too much energy for the house!  Man I pity their teachers.  We need a gym so they can run a treadmill or something!  LOL!

 

Anyhow, it summer now.  And I am already sad that before we know it, it will be over and time for school again.

 

Anyhow, the pool was set up Friday, and the Tinicum Arts Festival was Saturday and Sunday. 

 

Justin and I set up Friday in the pouring rain.  We got a little soaked.

Here is how my display looked all dried off Saturday.  It's such a nice show, full of fun artists, friends, and lots of great customers who stop by every year to say hi.  It really is like family there.  I'll tell you, I feel so spoiled doing a show that is so enjoyable.  And you can't beat the setting.

 

 

It is in a park right across from the Deleware River.  I got a spot under a tree, and it gave me great shade all day- which was nice, cause it was HOT and HUMID. 

 

I made a bunch of new pieces for the show.  I am hoping to update the etsy shop a little this week.  I will let you all know if I do!

 

Here are just some of my favorites that I made....

 

knotted earrings using the technique I learned from Erin Seigel!

 

Ceramic donuts from Starry Road Studio

 





Dangles from Scorched Earth

 

Wing Dings by Genea Beads

 

Ceramic discs by Starry Road Studio again

 

Below is a new style- I made three similar ones for Tinicum and sold two.  I am thinking this is a good design to going with!

 

I also made some other simpler necklaces- like the one below, using Suburban Girl Studio's patina green Boho Pendant!  Just LOVE this one.

The long one below features a Marsha Neal Studio pendant I have had for years.  Finally paired it with a great and fun color palette for a necklace that will go with lots of outfits!

 

Another simple necklace, I have got to make more of these, I really like how light they are!

 

Heavy copper swirls with a Lisa Peters Art Flower in dusty blue

 

Summer fun begins!!!!

 

So what speaks summer to you?  Do you vacation at the start of it?  Is it when you go to the pool everyday?  Is it a show you do, or attend that feels like the start of your summer? 

 

Whatever it means to you, enjoy it, because it sure does fly by!

 



Summer Summer Summer Fun!

So, Tinicum Arts Festival was last weekend, and I just love that show.  Shady spots under trees, GREAT vendors to chat with, very friendly.....white elephant tent and book sale too.  Its just plain fun.  I am always against the red barn in section B-2 somewhere.  This was my display this year.  I keep tweaking it just a little.

Have I mentioned how much I love my table covering????  I am so happy I found it.  It's not only beautiful, but it is just soooooooo my style!  I love circles and dots, and you will see them in my work often.  One customer said that my table covering is what drew her to my tent.
YAY!
An old friend stopped by and bought this bracelet.  Doesn't it look like it was made for her?  Can you see it?  Its a blue butterfly cuff bracelet...it brings out her eyes~ totally!

Thanks Alyssa!
The summer is flying by, and we have been busy with picnics and friends.  The fourth of july weekend, we had two cookouts to attend, and the kids and us had fun at both.  My oldest son broke his toe on Monday- the 4th jumping into the pool though.  Summer fun = summer injuries.
Sunday after Tinicum Arts Festival we went to the free concert in the park in Quakertown.  My mom took the kids on the playground there, and, well, another injury.

She wacked her eyebrow on a low entrance on the big wooden playground.   POOR thing.  I know that hurt!  She actually has a scar on the opposite side, same spot.  I am begining to wonder if she forgets she is tall for 6 years old!
She is a real trooper, and hasn't let it slow her down at all.  We keep teasing her and saying she didn't have to hurt her eye so it would look like she has eyeshadow on!  (she gets a kick outta that)  Its pretty purple now- but less swelled.  My son is already running on his broken toe a week later too.  So~ summer goes on.  Hoping all summer fun equals nothing more then minor injuries. 

Today- we play in the kiddie pool with cousins.  Summer fun.  Lovin it!

What does summer fun mean to you and your family?

Love My Art Jewelry Giveaway and other stuff

Have you been over to the Love my Art Jewelry blog yet?  Its a great group of very creative gals, and they talk about and promote using handmade components to make unique and handmade jewelry.  Its a great blog, and I enjoy reading it everyday!  Well, they are having a giveaway right now!  So check it out.  They are asking for some feedback- and you will be entered to win these beauties, made by Jennifer VanBenschoten

They also have an Art Spark challenge each month, where you create within the theme, upload your picture to flickr (and if you want, write a little about your inspiration and process) and you are then entered to win some really fabulous prizes.  This months is a nature theme~ which I am very excited about.  You can check it out here!
Soon- I will be added as an author to LMAJ, and I couldn't be more excited.  I love this group of ladies, and they work very hard to bring you a comprehensive site for all things Art Jewelry!!  So I encourage you to come over, check out the site, and add your thoughts and comments, because a community isn't a communtiy without communication both ways!  We'd love to hear from you.

What have I been up to you ask????  Well, even thought I didn't have to make more jewelry for this upcoming show, I did.  I just can't seem to go to a show without some new pieces?  Do any of you get like that????  Anyway, here is what I have been up to this week.  Enjoy!  And if you are in PA- come on out to the Tinicum Arts Festival!

Like those silk cords??? I buy them from Marsha Neal Studios.  They make a great alternative to silver chain- comfy, add color and keep the cost down.  She has every color you can imagine!  You can buy them here (along with her awesome beads and pendants).
So- with my new adventure to begin soon on Love my Art Jewelry- my question to all of you is, what do you look for when reading daily blogs?  AND what turns you off in a blog?  Do you want all information?  To see designs?  Do you not want to hear about the artists kids?  Ect....  There are no wrong answers, I just want to know what you guys think.
Personally- I love getting to know the artists / bloggers.  I like to hear about their craft AND their life.  Most of all, I love information...where did you get that tool?  How do you etch with a battery?  Where did you get those fabulous beads?
So what do you look for?

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!