Been busy but not productive.......and that's OK

I made a big decision this year, to limit my shows.  I finally made a jump and applied to some "big time" shows.  I figured if I didn't get in, I would just take some time off and work on my product and my display (need a more modern clean cut booth for these shows) and catch up on things that have been neglected around the house and studio.

So, I didn't get into the spring shows, I got wait listed.  I am doing ONE spring show, the North Penn Select Craft Show, and other than that, I am keeping my schedule open.

I don't even think I am entering Bead Dreams this year, unless I get some crazy brainstorm, I may even take the year off from that competition.

There is not a Spring Bead Fest here to teach at either.

So what I am doing?

I have been feverishly working on new booth ideas.  They must be fairly easy to set up, durable and easy to transport.  Oh yeah, they have to fit in my car too.

I have been sketching booths and pricing options and tinkering with table ideas.  I wanted a narrower table, and I am looking to use wall space to hang jewelry more. 

Thin wood boards to hang vs. cork boards.....still figuring it out

 I may invest in Pro Panels if they will fit in my vehicle.  Anyhow, Here is a table I made, that I am really liking.  The "legs" are two boards with hinges that fold flat.  The top board has small pieces of wood attached to the bottom that the "legs" go into to.  I really like it, but fear its wind resistance.  If I use propanels though, that will help.  

So, this would still get some black stamps (that I carve) on it and they will get sealed, maybe more distressed.  there are still pieces not stained on them as well.  but you get the idea.

It is such a work in progress.  I have idea's......so stay tuned.  It will probably slowly come together as this year goes on.

I have also been spending time with the family as much as possible.  Been doing a lot of chilling and watching movies, and we even got to enjoy some snow (finally PA) together.

Collin also caught his finger in a car door, and it got infected.  He had a bit of a cold too, so I spent a few days with him at home hanging out too.

 the pitties love when a kid is home sick

like that red streak going up his arm?  A little scary, but we caught it early and the antibiotics are working wonderfully

Collin and I have also spent some time working on his Valentines Box for school, but I can't show you too much- he wants the reveal to be a surprise.

I finally fired some ceramic beads, that I had made back in November.  I love them, and totally plan to make more.  Stay tuned for a small sale on my destash page this week.  I will have some of these available.

I also made some little charms from quartz crystal spike and epoxy clay, and I am loving them!  now I can use stones that have no holes more easily.  I will have some of these for sale too, and others will surely go into my charm necklace!

I have also used my free time to spend time with friends, and enjoyed a painting and wine night!

It was a great time, and since then I have been tinkering with some paints.

I also made a new stamp / linocut and had fun with a few prints.

I had a dear friend who marched at the womens march in DC, and she really loved this symbol.  So as Julia and I sat together after the march, and talked about inequality, privilege, and justice, we looked at sister marched, bonded over signs and listened to speeches.  She too, picked this symbol out and said, "wow - that is great".  So, I wanted to do something with it.  

I have also made these into postcards and will order them at cost for you if you are into sending post cards to your senators and reps!  Message me if interested.

I have also used my time to finally put up some prints and fill some picture frames that have been sitting in my family room for way too long!!!!  Below is our little shrine to our dog Jake, and some family photos of the kids and dogs.

Here is my picture wall in the living room, I finally added my Jane of Gritty Arts Studio prints.  If you have not seen her work, please check it out, its amazing.  I also hung my Ward Van Haute (it used to be in my studio).

So, that is what I have been up to between listings.  That and calling and messaging my PA rep and senators to let them know how they can work for ME!  lol!  And you should too, not matter what it is you want.  Because that is how our democracy works.  We don't need someone to give this country back to us, we just need to raise our voices and take it back.  

Next on my list, is finishing up a new Craft Art Edu class on carving polymer clay (yay!!!!) 

and cleaning my studio (going to be a doooooozy of a job) to make new jewelry for the Bethlehem House Gallery and my show next month.  Wish me luck, there is so much other stuff I want to dive into!  

May focus be with me!

So, though I haven't been business productive, I guess things are getting done that need to be done or finished up.  It has felt good, even if I have nothing much to show for it and more mess!  

How is your winter going?  Are you snowed in and going batty?  or making sure you get out and socialize?  Do you have winter projects you plug away at?  I would love to hear it!

Bead Fest Spring: Shopping Class and more.....

My mom and Julia accompanied me this weekend to Bead Fest.  We headed out Friday night and stayed at the Marriot Courtyard.   We had dinner, went swimming and enjoyed some girl time together.  

Saturday we ate breakfast and prepared to BEAD SHOP!  The show opened at 10 and I was due to demo at Parawire at 11.  So I made a quick stop at Holy and Pure Gems.....got a nice batch of beads there.  Then we went and said Hi to our vending friends.  

Demo'ing was a lot of fun.  I got to meet some people who follow online.  Its always nice to be able to meet people in person! 

I used parawire to make some of my donut pendants while sitting there- a fun in and out sort of weave that can be used lots of ways- and I made some clasps with it as well.  I found that the Vintage Bronze is my most favorite color.  Sort of like an old antique brass- so rich.  

Then I had an hour to shop before returning to ParaWire. I made sure to go and see my art bead friends again, and we traded for some goodies.  Heather of HMB and Michelle of Firefly Design Studio traded with me for some art beads.  I ended up chatting with them for my break and then back to Para Wire.  

My mom and Julia went to see a movie and then checked out an antique store nearby until I was done the demo's.  Then we shopped.  We made our way around the whole show.  

I got to see CB & Co and C-koop's booth.  Looked really nice, and I just love Kristi's jewelry.  It was even better in person.  I knew my mom would like it too, and she ended up buying a pair of earrings from her.  

 

CB& Co Booth

I made sure to hit Hands of the Hills for my unique goodies and beads- and I picked up an antique brass belt.  Its soooo amazing.  I also got some brass do-dads for the boys, and some other bone antiquities.  

Then, I just peeked in Intrinsic's booth, and ended up with a heavy bag of gemstones.  They also had nice $2 bags of metal beads and Aiden's big request from me was to get him some metal beads.  Julia hit their $1 section.  I told her she could get 3 and when I checked out there were 11 in my basket.  That's my little bead addict!  How could I say no?  

I came home with some REALLY good loot and can't wait to create now.

 left to right:  ammonite faceted beads, matte kyanite top drilled, faceted pyrite, LARGE labradorite beads, two strands of lovely turquoise, antique brass belt, goldish druzy beads and center drilled rutilated quartz

top to bottom- art beads from Firefly Studio, HMB Beads, bone beads, rough kyanite coins, charms from HOH, ammonite donut pairs, grey ammonite pendants, and DRUZIES

 Left to right- recycled glass beads, mamoth bone beads, fossil clam shells, kyanite rectangles, small drilled ammonite beads (for earrings), fossil coral slabs, excellent fire agate faceted nuggets

ceramic bee, headpins and fish by Firefly Designs

HMB Glass disc beads

After a long day of bead shopping I was looking forward to a relaxing girls night and early bedtime since I was due to teach Sunday morning.  But Julia got a stomach bug, and we spent our WHOLE night up in the bathroom.  POOR GIRL.  she felt so terrible.  Thankfully she is such a big girl that she let me sleep a couple hours......it was a REALLY tough night.

In the morning she was still not feeling well, so we checked out of the hotel very very early......my mom dropped me off at Beadfest to teach and ran Julia back home.  Then she turned around and came back to help me with class.  (isn't she great?  I would be lost without her)

Not only did she do that all for Julia and me, when she came back she went into the show and picked me up some of the druzy shell cabs that I was drooling over. 

 She really knows how to cheer me up.  

Despite no sleep, my class went well.  It was a small one, but I think we had fun.....lots of gabbing and creating.  Its a packed class, and in 4 hours we go from a pack of white polymer, wire and beads to a finished necklace.  The ladies were wonderful, and they all made amazing pieces of jewelry!

(really bad lighting in the classroom)

I love when the students put their own spin on the pieces!  Alison Lee made a whole new shape for her focal.  That is the magic of polymer clay, you can make it into whatever YOU want.  Make it just your style.

Though it was an exhausting weekend, I had a blast.  I really LOVE teaching.  I enjoy nothing more then watching those light bulbs go off when people learn something new, and then do it.  They all left with pieces to be proud of and techniques they can use a million different ways.  It is so rewarding!

Now to unpack and get back into the swing of things.  Julia is home today to recover, since she is JUST finally eating this morning.

(just a little mess to put away)

Thank you to all who stopped by and said hello or took my class.

Enjoy your week!

Painting the Beads

I have finally begun painting the beads.  It is taking forever.  I only have the first layer on.

 

As I am painting them, I keep thinking there is probably a quicker way to do this.  To sort them out ahead of time, and do groups in one color...but I can't.  I just cannot do it that way.  Each bead gets picked up, looked at, until I know what color it should be, then I paint it, and then I add complimentary colors.  And then I take some off, and put some more on and do that until I am satisfied.

 

Then it gets put aside to dry.  This is layer ONE.  These beads will get 2-4 more layers of paint and sealer until they are considered done in my book.

 

Yeah, I could pump these out and save time, but then they wouldn't have that had loved feel to them.  They each wouldn't be unique.

 

So this afternoon, back to painting.  I only got two trays done...I have a packed tray of earrings to do yet, a bowl of loose beads for sets, my stars for the kits Genea and I will be selling, and my doodle beads.  That's all. 

 

Oh yeah, and more metal clay.

 

So here is what I got done yesterday.  Hoping today is more productive.

 

Here are my Graffiti Beads.  Some get a layer of antiquing, others done, then sealed.

 

Here is a large spiral flower and a little Totem Owl

And these are the majority of my colorful beads- fish, hearts, owls and random donuts and connectors in some fun colors.  they get layers of antiquing, crackle, more antiquing and sealing yet.  Maybe I won't crackle them all, we will see!!!

If I get another kiln of bronze done tonight, I will post some pics of my new metal clay tomorrow.

 

In the meantime- since not all of you can make bead fest, I am giving 20% off in both my shops until next Wednesday!!!!  I will not be listing new items- and this wouldn't apply to special orders or requests (which I most likely don't have time to do right now anyway- sorry). 

 

So use code NOBEADFEST to save 20% in both shops! 

 

www.stacilouise.etsy.com

 

www.slartisanaccents.etsy.com