Happy Holidays

As I write this post, I must come to terms with this being the end of this year.  End of one journey and the beginning of a new one.  Excitement and anticipation are only a few of the emotions that envelope my days and nights as 2011 comes quickly to a close.  I am not afraid of what 2012 brings, I am quite anxious to begin a new chapter.  So here is to new friends, new adventures, and new achievements!

Prayers

Just want to ask for prayers!  On November 1st at a wellness checkup - a small cyst was found on my left breast.  I have a mammogram scheduled for November 22nd at 9 am.  Not panicked but a tad worried!  Hope you have a blessed day!

Let the fun begin....

I had an awesome day yesterday with Lisa Hacker, a 4-H volunteer in Jonesboro, discussing and showing my jewelry.  She wanted to learn how to use mixed media and that is what I do - I love using anything I can get my hands on.  I also got a bag of bead soup from my favorite store - $1 Jewelry Galore.  I never know what I will come home with when I go there!  It is the best source for re-purposing or reconstructing or even to add to other pieces!

Nothing new in my world

Not much has been going on in my world!  Just getting things cleaned up and ready for County Review and 100 yrs celebration for EHC.   I need to make some jewelry to raise money for them.  I need to get my blue bracelets finished for Global Gene Project!  Do all of this and still find time to take care of myself.  I felt like I had rolled around in insulation last night - I could feel every hair on my legs (shaving is such a chore that I only shave once a week plus it helps keep my legs warm in the winter)(besides I don't wear shorts in the summer much less in the winter.)   If you do nothing more today than smile at your neighbor or wish them a good day, then make sure it is a bright smile that can be seen for miles.

God be with you!
Sharon

One Year!

It is hard to believe that one year ago on October 9th, I married my best friend!  God has blessed us greatly!  I need to set my mind to working on jewelry at least one new piece a night!    Love to all!

Paying it forward !

Posted on 14/09/2011 by bluesquarequilting

I loved this film and loved the idea behind it !

Now I am taking a leaf from Cindy’s book over at Fluffy Sheep Quilting in this post to spread the quilting love around blogland.

Here is how it works :

I will make something for the first 3 people to comment on this post. What I make will be a surprise, and could arrive anytime in the next year.  It will be a random surprise in your mail box.

To sign up, you need to play along as well, i.e post this, or something similar on your blog and continue the chain. This means that you need to have a blog too !

I have so many ideas for this !
Who would like to receive a nice surprise present in the next year ? Come on and sign up in the Comments.

Once I have my three lucky bloggers, I will contact you to get your postal address for delivery and after that, the suspense will start !

All you have to do is Pay It Forward!  

Holy Smokes Batman!

October has pounced upon us out of nowhere it seems.  Time continues to fly by like Mario Andretti at the Indianapolis 500.  I love this time of year because the leaves are changing colors and Mother Nature is getting ready to let Old Man Winter step up to wheel.  During this time many animals and plants take a long nap, this is also a time when many people struggle with SAD.

Right now I am getting prepared to schedule programs and workshops for next year.  I am looking forward to a new start.  I have been working on my jewelry more and need to post some of those pictures.

Remember October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month!  Save the Ta-Tas, Second Base, the Boobies, etc!  I  want to take this time to remember those who have lost their battle and those who continue to fight!  Any cancer is devastating to a patient and their family no matter what the age or gender! If you have someone special you would like remembered during this time, just comment their name below so that prayers can be delivered.


Have a great day!

MiShel Designs: October Means Awareness!

MiShel Designs: October Means Awareness!: Shel's Awareness Ribbons Since October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month I thought it was a good time to do a 'reminder campaign'. Ple...

Breast Cancer Awareness | The art of Jen Goode

Breast Cancer Awareness | The art of Jen Goode:

'via Blog this' http://www.jgoode.com/breast-cancer-awareness/

Beautiful Art Work!

Pictures from last's designs!

Butterfly  with  daisy 

 Please let me know what you think about these!

Blue with pearl and rhinestones

Designs for the 7000 Bracelets of Hope for the Global Gene Project

Turquoise globes

Design Power Activated!

I  have finally gotten my design mojo, power, etc. back and it is flowing pretty well!  I have made two bracelets for the Global Gene Project - that means only 18 more to go this month ( My goal is 20 to send this month to help reach the goal of 7000). I am also trying my hand at some organic medium with some real moths and butterflies, leaves, flowers, etc. that I have laying around (the insects were dead).  I will post pictures later today or tomorrow!  :)

Clean Up Your Act

Today is clean up at work day - Cleaning out files that are no longer usefully or up to date.  I think we have files in the office that date back to 1950 or 60 even.  It is a hoarder's paradise.  It isn't just piled every where -well at least some of it.  It is in file cabinets, with neatly labeled folders.  I  am just tired of having to look through all of it to find what I really need.  On top of that, I have an EHC leader training meeting at 1 pm and then will leave for Lepanto to hopefully start a new EHC club through a group that wants to learn Line Dancing.  I am excited because I miss dancing and this will be good for me (I hope)!  Anyway - Back to cleaning up the office and recycling paper!

uhm,,,,,

so i am back to having trouble with pain.  my back feels like some have shoved a knife or rod under my shoulder blades.  i had been doing so so until i went to the dr on thursday.  now i wish i hadn't said anything about my neck, heart burn, acid reflux, etc. dr prescribed a foam wedge which has realigned all my joints and have started hurting again.  i am really tired of this pain.  it wears me out just to put on clothes and walk to the car.  i am not looking for sympathy - i am looking for relief.  and to make matters worse - i can't sleep!  so that keeps my body from healing itself.  blah!  just pray for me!  it will work out as it can!

Dog Tags round Two

I love MelonHeadz illustrations!  Nikole is amazing!

I can't wait to use them in bottle caps and wooden pieces and some other resin pieces!

Valley View Bottle Caps for teacher!

Hope that she likes them!

Inspiration/Motivation

I am lacking motivation or inspiration to stay focused on jewelry designs.  Any suggestions?  Of course when you can't sleep and shut down your mind or body for an hour at less.  NOTHING IS HELPING!  OH well - back to my drawing board!  I will show you later!

Bottle Caps, and other items

Bottle caps, scrabble tiles, wooden tags

My hand at "Shrinky Dinks"!  

http://c-is-for-craft.blogspot.com/2011/08/diy-shrinky-dink-from-plastic-container.html

Wood pieces

Wood Pieces for earrings, necklaces, and ringsDifferent backgrounds, images, sequins, stickers, etc!

Dog Tags

Harry Potter images from Scott Serkland!

Butterflies, flowers from Digital Scrapbooking Sites
Religious Quotes from MelonHeadz

Holy Guacomole! My blog is gathering dust

I didn't realize I had been off the blog radar for so long.  Work got rather hectic and my creativity plummeted but I think everything is somewhat back in order.  The Poinsett County Fair has come and gone, so has another Birthday!  I have made new friends, keeping track of old ones, having fun with my job and all while trying to lose weight  - HAHAHA!  I think I find it more than I ever lose any.  I have been training in Tai Chi for Arthritis and have kinda of  slipped on practicing every day!  It isn't fun to practice if you don't have friends or family to laugh at your movements.  I look like I am chasing a mosquito in slow motion!

Many of you follow me on Facebook as well so some of you might have heard about the tragedy that has struck the small town of Harrisburg, Arkansas.  We had a family of 3 found shot to death.  Please remember our community and the extended family during this tragedy.  We also lost a young man of 11 or 12 (I didn't know him or his family personally) during the 4th of July in an automobile accident.  Death is so difficult to handle when it comes because it usually comes like a thief in the night - never knowing when to expect it.

For now everyone is quiet and mellowed out.  Squirt, Ginger and Roscoe have all gotten a case of the I am not going in the back yard with the Tallulah Tuna Moose!  Squirt will generally go if she isn't by the door but if she is hovering, then I have to lead everyone except Roscoe outside.  Roscoe just doesn't want to go because   I don't give him a treat each time he comes through the door (AHEM - GRANDMA DOES b/c SHE LOVES US).  Poor Tau is just so big and heavy that it is even hard for me to play outside with her but I try.

Fibro is under some control.  As long as I stay calm, then all is good!  Yeah right - it is August and my work calendar year is coming to an end.  WHERE DID 2011 GO?    I have stopped drinking sodas AGAIN for the time being.  I have developed Acid Reflux and they just aggravate it even more.

I think this catches me up to September on life in general here.  I hope to get some jewelry photos posted this weekend!

May God bless and keep you all safe (especially those who have been dealing with disasters like Joplin, and those who may be dealing with them soon like North Carolina)!

Crafting withdrawals!

I go through them on a regular basis!  I get ideas at work and try to write them down and then don't have what I need or can't transfer the idea to paper so I think I lose it.  I am in the process of decorating the "studio" - bead room - art cave - take your pick - LOL!  I have decided I need more inspirational items up on the walls.  So I am posting color ideas, words, quotes, pictures and old projects to see what motivation I might get!    Well I had better get back to the 9 to 5 (hehehe that is to laugh)!

Business or Hobby?

I am still trying to figure out if I am a business or a hobby.  Yes I am selling items.  And like many of you my expenses greatly out weigh my incomes.  I don't want to live off of doing my jewelry, I just want to make some extra money off of it.  To turn around and put that money back into my expenses!  That is my thought for the day/week?  Hope you are all happy crafters!  God bless you all!

First Giveaway

Last night on Facebook at Kathy's Kreative Korner, I decided to give away a bracelet.  Charms4U , Angela, ended up winning my bracelet.  I can't wait until next weekend!

Two more bracelets of hope

Another Bracelet of Hope

Here is another bracelet of Hope for the Global Gene Project!

Learning & having fun!

Who knew that there were so many crafty people out there!  I love it!  I met several through a speed comment and auction last night and had a blast! Can't wait until next weekend!  Off to my craft cave to work on my bracelets for the Global Gene Project and for my free gift I offered last night!  AWESOME TIME!

Check out Kristi Bowman's Birthday Giveaway!

What a nifty idea to have a giveaway to celebrate your birthday! Click here to see more! Happy Birthday Giveaway

WOOOHOOO

I feel a bead party coming on! I have 2 followers!  I know I am lame!  Thank you to Happy Mango Beads and Rudi Taylor for the follow!  I hope that you enjoy my blog as much as I enjoy writing it!. 

Win Beads from Happy Mango Beads

http://blog.happymangobeads.com/2011/03/mardi-gras-and-the-beads/
In honor of Mardi Gras - Happy Mango Beads is having a drawing for free Czech beads!  See their blog for details!

Curiousier and curiousier

I am just curious as to what is stopping people from buying my jewelry.  Is it priced to high?  I thought they were reasonable on the price but I don't know.  Maybe they aren't priced high enough.  I am ready for the weekend so that I can make some more and post some pictures!

Bracelet that is half finished

Oh man, this designing jewelry is insane!  I came across a link on Facebook called The Global Gene Project. The Global Genes Project is a rare disease initiative to create greater awareness about the prevalence of rare disease and provide support for the millions of children and adults affected.

Many ways to participate - host jeans parties, wear jeans, help build "$1 Makes a Difference" campaigns locally. Your efforts can benefit the rare disease charity of your choice.
The link I found had to do with the 7000 bracelets of Hope -

Blue Bracelets for '7000 Bracelets for Hope'

Denim blue bracelets created for the '7000 Bracelets for Hope Campaign'. Bracelet donations are collected by the Global Genes Project and each is given to a family living with rare disease. Learn more at http://www.happymangobeads.com/7000-bracelets-for-hope.aspx Are you making a blue bracelet for 7000 Bracelets for Hope? Email an image of your bracelet donation to info@happymangobeads.com and we will include your bracelet in our Blue Bracelets photo album (be sure to tag yourself on your bracelet).

So my brain went into overdrive - How can I create a gene/jean bracelet?  First I thought about the belt loops and was like - nah several people probably already did that.  Then I started thinking - use strips of jean - nah already been done also.  Denim binding - ok now we are getting some where.  What to add to it....what about charms made out of denim?  Brain really smoking now....how to accomplish this?  Ohhhhhh - use denim patches and fuse two different colors together (step 1).  Ok now what - I can't draw a straight line to save my life.  Oh yeah - what about all those stencils I use for other art projects like sharpie tye dye and scrapbooking (Step 2).  Ok - now I have several different designs stenciled onto my denim patches....how to get them to become jewelry?  I know.....bead around the edge. After several tries (Step 3) I finally got the beads right where I wanted them.  Just close enough to the edge to keep the pieces together but also far enough away from the edge to get it just the right amount of fray.  Ok charm complete?  Not quite...do I just put it on a jump ring and attach it to a 8" chain with clasp? or do I bead the bracelet part and what pattern do I use for the bead work?  (Step 4 and 5) I started out making a loop for a jump ring and then changed my mind so I had to stitch the loop down.  (Step 6) About midway of the charm, I decided to put my bracelet straps.  Loops of 6 seed beads for about 3" and then I turn the strap sideways and used 6 more, making a "loop" coming down between my first loops.

Good morning Bead World

I had an awesome day yesterday - I found another flea market that has grab bags of jewelry!  I love getting bags, jars, or boxes of mixed up, broken, tangled pieces.  I love getting to see what kinds of treasures did I really find!



Happy Beading!

Vintage Montage

 The orange trio was an earring.

The strand of wood beads and silver spacers from from another earring.

 The pendant on this one was also a vintage earring.

Both necklaces are posted as a set on my Etsy.com account.

Melancoly Maiden

I chose her name because of the blue and because I suffer from depression.  I find when I work with my jewelry (after I get my OCD and ADHD under control), it helps me to forget about my worries.  I can lose all track of time.  Even if I have my TobyMac or Brandon Heath cd playing, sometimes I get "blue".  She is for sell on Etsy.

Welcome

From broken to Reborn, from lost to Found, God gave me this talent to make jewelry and I didn't realize how relevant it was to my life until I was listening to the radio praising God and this song came on (of course I forgot the name and such) but it talked about taking the old and making it new again. God did that with me as I do that with my jewelry! I love taking old broken pieces and recreating something new and exciting. If the necklace doesn't have earrings with it, I can make some to go with it.