Snow Again

Big flakes came down fast. Picture does not do it justice.
Big flakes on Topper's back.
Really pretty snowy sunset.

Snow Days

We are now on the 12th day of weather days this school year. Epic amounts of snow have fallen so far this winter. We are already above our average snowfall. So walking to the mail box (my only exercise during these times) with topper in tow, I happen to notice this last snow fall was sparkling just like sugar crystals. For Christmas presents this year I bought some frit called sugar frit. It is a crystal clear small grit size. I made several pair of these snowball earrings. I thought they would match lots of outfits even at other times of the year. Hope everyone is not too sick of the snow to wear them.

I have a tendency to gravitate to color combinations that are familiar and comfortable. I keep going back to this same bead lately. It is a teal/turquoise frit on a Dirty Martini background. It dawned on me today why. The afghan that has been in my den for a long time (made by my mother) is the same color combination. It definitely was thought provoking when I walked by the afghan and realized the similarity. What do you think?


The beads and the afghan are much prettier in person.

I ordered some new glass two weeks ago on sale. Due to everyone doing the same thing it took them a week to fill the order and then it always takes at least a week to arrive here ( in the middle of nowhere). Fed Ex is supposed to deliver today. Can't wait. Hopefully snowy roads will not prevent delivery.

So far school has not been canceled for tomorrow, but it really does not look good.

Sunday and No Snow for A Change

I am again trying something new.  Windows Live Writer allows me to post to my blog remotely from the Windows format.  I am hoping that it will be a tad easier to get things lined up.

One of the most annoying things about the setup on the blog was that you could not wrap text around the pictures.  I just figured it out in Windows.  That makes this step worth it in my mind.  I even got a border added to the picture. This is a pair of earrings I made for Mag last summer.  Not the best picture but worked for test purposes.

Sorry about not posting the past few days.  I have not felt real well; battling a UTI.  I did manage to make some beads that I am fairly pleased with, some weren’t what I expected though.  I tried a round shape in my Beadroller tool and for the first time it came out round.  I even like the design.  Nothing earth shattering but a twist on something that I have done before and I think everyone else has done too.  My son’s girlfriend wants a pair of light blue earrings, so I managed those.  I have issues doing the same thing over and over again, when I have a set in mind, I just do one or two each session of that design.  The thought of doing nothing but one design in a session just isn’t me.  It might make me more productive and the design better but what fun would that be.

Danny took the Census Bureau test yesterday and passed with a 97.  He is thinking of doing that for a couple of weeks for extra cash, since our car is in the shop.  He suggested that I try also but I am a little leery about me going to some houses in this area by myself since I am so well liked by some parents.  There is the problem of meth labs also.  They train you in March and then you work 20 to 40 hours a week in April.  I don’t know if I can manage beads, school, census and house etc.

I also have been working on my father’s Birthday present-a windsock.  I love the design but why oh why can I not pick something simple.  I always start a project thinking I can finish it sooner than I really can.  I forget how long it takes to stitch all of those pieces on.  When you look at the whale it looks simple but not in reality. I plan on working more on it today.  Hopefully I will feel good enough to be patient with it.  Sewing a windsock for me is a contrast in emotions.  I love it because I can work with patterns and fabric that my mom so loved.  The other side is struggling with not being able to ask her questions.  I also worry that my design and quality is up to her standards.  I am not sure my father is as picky as my mom or myself.  So I hope he will like it even if it is going to be a little late, nothing new on that account.

I am going to try to take some decent pictures again today.  The 2 mg pixels is just not cutting it.  Need to really get with Darrin and have him take good pictures.  Maggie will be home in two weeks for Spring Break, hopefully with her camera in tow.

Another Big Snow Day

Today was another snow day. I used it to take pictures of beads. It takes longer than you would think to just do that. Then you have to download adjust, adjust, adjust then save.

I did manage to list the above bead on Etsy today. I also applied to a organization of Self Representing Artists. The process can take up to 3 weeks. The group promotes glass lampwork artists and tries to educate the public regarding the differences between mass produced beads and a handmade bead. Believe it or not, no fee, optional donation. You had to send proof in pictures of your studio, beads that you have for sale, etc. If approved you can use their logo on your site selling beads only. I hope my application will be approved. I would not have been ready to do this a few months ago.

I burnt some beads tonight, concentrating on organic style bicone focals. I am anxious to see what the kiln fairy will bring.

After you view the next pictures - Do you think we are going to be out of school for a few days?
These were took out the sliding glass door down stairs.

Happy Valentine's Day

Well as it seems every weekend, we are expecting more snow. Danny's car is at the bottom of the hill so he can get out. I am going to be really mad if we have gone to all this trouble and it doesn't snow for a change.

I didn't get a lot accomplished today other than normal chores. I did sort through a lot of beads and make decisions on what should be done with them; whether to make some jewelry or sell them as individuals, pairs or sets.

I also did get some pictures taken. They are really not as good as with Maggie's camera but it will have to do for now. I even listed a new focal. It is a bead that I made without the aid of a press and it is bigger than I normally make. I am really fond of it and I think it will make a great pendant or be great in a long necklace. Maybe tomorrow I can get some more pictures taken and list some more.

I am So Excited - First Etsy Sale

You know how you have these great ideas and then they don't happen like you think they will. Well I was about to get discouraged with selling on Etsy. You struggle to wonder if your items are good enough, does the picture do the item justice, is your price right, are the colors and designs what someone else would want to wear. Well I am pleased to say that a nice lady in IL thought that my beads were worth the price that I asked. In fact, she bought 3 items that I listed totalling 7 beads in all, 3 earring pairs and one focal. They happen to be some of my favorite combinations.

I had read tonight on a forum that one seller just couldn't keep a certain bead in her store. It is a very different bead than what I have been doing, and her price was about 8 times higher. I was really starting to doubt myself. But thanks to one nice lady, everything is good. I think just because she made my month, I will throw in some spacers to boot. I guess I will be making a run to town and the Post Office tomorrow. I haven't been out of the house in 5 days. Starting to go a little stir crazy. But now I am re-energized to continue on this journey. I know it is not always going to be easy, but now I know I am on the right track.

On another note, could not even get a hold of my husband or daughter to share this wonderful news. Today is my husbands 60th birthday and he had to leave on a business trip this evening.
We both were a bit disappointed, not that we had big plans but it really is a special day. We will have to celebrate his birthday this weekend if it doesn't snow again like they are forecasting. My son's birthday is next week so it would be nice if we could at least see him soon.

Believe it or not -- We have another snow day tomorrow. I think it will really be more of an ice problem in the morning than snow. There was a really bad wreck not to far from the house this morning due to slick roads. Kind of glad Danny doesn't have to deal with the hill tomorrow.

Guess What Another Day with Snow

Today Danny and Topper worked really hard to clear parts of the driveway and roadway so he can go to work tomorrow. School has been called off. Topper is such a dear. He recently protected our property from the skunk. He still smells a bit like skunk. He is the dog I have always wanted. He actually even gets along with the outside cat crew.

I was moderately productive, burnt some beads, did some laundry etc. Maybe I will play all day tomorrow. Our Miata is not really the car to be driving in 8 inches of snow.

Blueberrry Marble

Well another snow day, I will be working until the end of June and still may not get my days in. Oh well. We are supposed to get between 6 and 10 inches of snow.

Today is a very good friend's 60th Birthday. Happy Birthday Barb.

On the torch today, I used more of the Blueberry Marble glass. I also tried Raku again and used it in the form of shards instead of breaking it into frit. I also tried the shards that I purchase and have had minimal luck with. Both seemed to go a little smoother. I dug out a coffee cup warmer and put the shards on that and heated them. My only problem was picking up the hot shard. Tweezers didn't work to good on that part. I did all of these on an Opal Yellow base and pressed them with the lentil press. Trying to amass beads for two exchanges. One is an earring exchange and the other is bead made in a press exchange. These are the first ever exchanges that I have participated in. We will see how it goes. Looking forward to spending my whole day tomorrow in my studio. I have got some stringing to do and some burning to do.

Big Storm Looming

I am sure that people who live in moderate climates live longer. The stress which is attached to a big snow is unbelievable, we have spent all week long waiting and hopefully preparing to be snowed in. We are hearing anywhere from 1 to 10 inches of snow. We are hearing that it could be here as early a 8:00am or start at 1:00pm. It really sucks, our only four wheel drive is not up to the challenge this time.

On the bead front I have listed two more groups tonight. They are pictured above. I was really torn about listing the etched trio. It is one of my early successes, and I really liked the combination. If it sells, I think I will do more of that look. I also listed the petroleum green and ivory combination. It is also one of my favorites.

Snow Day #2

Today was a day to stay by the fire and work on my internet pages. My daughter and I both sat on the couch in front of fire and TV with afghans on our laps and our laptops on top of them. We both should have been doing other things but it felt good somehow to just watch the snow come down. Hopefully tomorrow will be a productive bead day. Maggie did do some studying for a certification test she has to take on Monday and I did accomplish some items that I needed to take care of on my Etsy shop page. The picture is of a button that I listed as my first item for sale on the internet about a month ago. It has not sold yet but I am new to all of the intracacies of selling on the internet. I made some adjustments to the page and my profile. Pricing is another whole ball game. Etsy suggested that I belong to a service that is called Stumble. Etsy stated in their info pages that it would increase the traffic to my site, I am not sure how that happens but the service is very interesting. You give them a list of interests and they load web pages that fit. Very interesting pages occurred. You then give them a thumbs up or down. Who knows maybe I will learn something new anyway.