Cat Paw Fever

Well sometimes you should be careful what you wish for.  I never imagined that the white and blue cat paw beads that a friend asked for would keep me so busy.  It is sort of like a feeding frenzy.  I have made over 30 pair of earrings for co-workers and friends.  Of course I am not making very much from them, because I had not anticipated such a response and I really do not like to profit from friends.  I am not sure if this fever will continue since the local cat team has lost it’s tournament game and that may have played a part in the popularity of the bead.  I really am not a big fan but have enjoyed making them for all of the big fans.  It did take a toll on the rest of my obligations, like sleep.

Cats Paws Beads

A very good friend asked me to try and make a pair of earrings that would be University of Kentuckyish.  Since I am not a big fan this was not a concept that excited me at first.  I also thought I could whip this out.  Guess what a cats paw is much harder than it looks.  I spent a whole torch session and barely got one to look decent plus the blue was wrong, too dark.  Second day was much more productive.  I managed to get 3 pairs that were pretty good.  I took one set to work and showed a few people to get some feed back and believe it or not got a order for 3 pair of earrings.  I made those last night and managed to get orders for 3 more plus a necklace.  When Danny first saw what my beads looked like, he said I think you could sell those.  I guess he was right.  Thanks Vick for the great push to do this idea. I will try to get a picture soon.  Still struggling with the picture thing.

Technorati Tags: UK,Cats,Earrings,Paws

Yay I Passed the Jury For Sheltowee Artisans

Well it is always good to have hard work pay off. I was emailed tonight with the good news.  They had said that it would be about three weeks before I would hear, not the 3 days that it did take.  I am so glad to know one way or the other, I am not good at waiting.  I hope that I get feed back, good and bad on the presentation and artistic work.  It would be very helpful if I ever apply to the Kentucky State group.

They have monthly meetings and a small gallery in Somerset that you can rent space in to sell your art.  I am really looking forward to the creative input from people that do more than just clean house in their spare time.  Now to concentrate on the next set of hurdles. 

Thanks again Dad for the awesome frame.  If I was on the fence I am sure that the frame made a big difference. Love you.

Rainy Sunday

Maggie and Brian returned to Western today.  The week did not last long enough.  We really enjoy it when they are home. 

I finished Dad’s windsock today.  Finished a necklace that had been in progress for at least a month.  It was a friends Mother –in-Laws necklace and she wanted it restrung.  I am not super happy with it, but it is what she wanted.  Made a couple of pair of earrings for an exchange through Lampwork Etc.  I also made a pair of earrings for me.  I don’t do that very often.  They are a khaki and black polka dot pair. 

Then believe it or not I made some beads.  I had a request for some UK beads.  So I played around with a couple of designs.  A wildcat paw is not as easy as it looks.  You can have all the right elements but it just doesn’t look right.  May take some more practice.  Colors might be ok though.

If I could get them right, I might be able to sell a few, since they are in the tournament and UK fans are very enthusiastic.

Maggie brought her camera home, but forgot the cable.  So I took some pictures but don’t have them yet. 

I really think a blog is boring without pictures.

Long Time No Write

Technorati Tags: Jury,Sheltowee,Windsock,Jeep,Frame,FAFSA

Well, actually I have  been quite busy.  Having to work 5 days a week instead of 2 or 3 is well, getting in the way of progress on the bead front.  Though, I have  managed to finish Maggie’s FAFSA, which was a literal pain in the butt. However, I did not finish the taxes.  Then UofL has the audacity to send a letter saying I had put a figure that they thought was unusually high for Maggie’s scholarship and grant amounts.  Well, If you get a full ride it is a big amount that you have to pay tax on. 

Our dear old Jeep just up and died.  It had to be towed to the repair shop and is beyond help.  So we bought a new used Jeep Liberty and life is good.  Maggie has been home for spring break and we have had a wonderful week.

I have a windsock almost finished for my dad.  I couldn’t just do something simple. No, I have to do a Whale, Ocean and Seagull. I promise Dad I will ship soon.

But today was the big day to turn in the 5 pieces to be Juried by the Sheltowee Artisan group in Somerset.  They will keep the pieces for a week.  I will find out 10 days after that if I have been accepted.  Thanks to my dad’s beautiful framing skills, I think my presentation is pretty darn good.  Now if the beads pass, we will see. Danny and I were both surprised to see the other items that were going to be juried turned in, such as states of disorder, cardboard boxes, no documentation, etc.  I turned in 3 necklaces with matching earrings, one pendant on a chain with matching earrings and a bracelet.  I agonized over what to present, but it is done and they only jury once a year so if I don’t get in this time, oh well.

We also went to see Alice in Wonderland this afternoon.  Definitely not the sugar coated version.  I must have jumped out of my skin 10 times and we didn’t see it in 3D.  I would hate to think of what it looks like in that mode.