by Cindy on April 24, 2010
Have you seen Beads 2010? This is the first time I purchased this publication….. I just couldn’t resist checking out all of the beautiful beads inside. What I found when I flipped through the covers was that 1) there are beautiful projects inside too, and 2) I recognized most of the artists whose beads are featured. There is only a handful of beads created by artists I was not familiar with…..it is really becoming a small world. If you have beads or a finished project in this issue, CONGRATS on being featured in this beautiful collection!
I was happy to discover a new (to me) clay artist who makes really gorgeous pieces, especially floral pendants. The Classic Bead has an Etsy shop full of such ceramic beads and pendants.
Beads 2010 has an article featuring bead and jewelry storage ideas – and that’s where I spotted a wonderful wrought iron jewelry stand by Moxie Metal. When I visited their Etsy shop, I found they have a huge assortment – all hand forged in California. This multi-tiered stand is one of my favorites.
See these pretty little lampwork beads? No, they are not from the pages of Beads 2010, they were a surprise I received in the mail this week! I couldn’t resist showing off Lori’s lampwork beads (hope you don’t mind, Lori!)….you would never know she only recently began her journey with creating glass beads. At this rate we may see her work in Beads 2011! {update – oh my, just visited Lori’s blog and we featured the same exact ceramic focal! You know what they say…..great minds think alike!}
Thanks for stopping by!
by Cindy on April 20, 2010
Hello friends
Just a quick post to share a few bits and pieces from my day. But first, thank you to everyone who left such sweet comments on my post about our Pups. Many of you have furry members of the family too and really understand what I was expressing…your kind words were so good to hear.
Today it was a wonderful relief to mail off a special project…all the way to England! This is something I’ve been working on for a time now (because I admit I work very slowly – in stages) and can’t wait to share more details later in the summer!! Just a little hint, as you can see the secret number fits in this little rectangle box…
Working on little projects like these sometimes require having a bio picture on hand…and I have to say I’m just not happy with any I have. Anyone else out there dislike their pictures? Well, I happen to know quite a few of you who stop by my blog who are very photogenic, so you just don’t seem to have this problem! 🙂 I had to resort to asking my 9 year old son to take a few pictures for me…. and then my 18 month old joined in the photo shoot. 🙂
The highlight of my day today was meeting up with one of my best friends. I’m talking about a friend who goes back 20 years. Several years have gone by since we saw each other last which is such a shame. She was in town for her Mother in Law’s service so we couldn’t let this opportunity pass us by. There’s nothing like a talking about old times over a slice of cheesecake!
Now to bring this post back to JEWELRY, after all, that’s probably why you’re here…..
Remember way back when I mentioned that Richard Salley is coming to town? His workshop is getting very close! There is still 1, maybe 2 seats left in his Fabulous Found Objects Pendants workshop on May 24th. There are going to be so many great techniques covered in this class…think about joining us if there is any way you can come to the DC area! For more details, please visit the Workshops page on the fundametal’s site.
by Cindy on April 18, 2010
Roses from my husband
Are you wondering where that Spring weather went? I guess I can’t complain about our high 50’s weather this weekend when I hear other friends have weather in the 30’s! The 30’s in April ?? Now that just doesn’t seem right.
It was a little bit of an emotional week this week with with one of the family pups in the hospital for a few days. My Dad’s Westie was a member of our household until my Dad completely adopted him. I brought Bentley home on Tuesday to care for him while my Dad -poor timing-happened to be in Sante Fe on business. It was really rough to see him so sick. He is 12 and has been blind for a couple years so he has been through it all. There are many things still that make him happy though, and one is being out in the sunshine. It was wonderful to see him perk up when I carried him outside to sit in the bright sun. I think many of us are like that, being so positively effected by sunshine.
Our dog Hodgie is 14 1/2 and has been with us since the year my husband and I got married (1995). He has such a puppy face, I sometimes forget his age. But he’s slowing down and can’t walk very far anymore. With Bentley being so sick, I found myself reflecting a bit more than usual about these two guys and all of the good times we’ve had through the years. I felt so thankful that they are both still with us and really made a conscious effort to savor the moment – those that would normally be taken for granted. I had some “stop and smell the roses” kind of moments. When it hit the 80’s, I decided the time was NOW to get out there with our pup, Hodgie and got for a really long walk like we used to do. The fact that he couldn’t go too far without losing steam wasn’t going to hold us back….. he just needed to hitch a ride! Our new arrangement worked out quite well and the 3 of us made it to a nearby playground. I’m looking forward to more outings like this.
Two peas in a pod
Look who landed nearby
I’m grateful that this “wake up call” reminded me to stop and smell the roses in life. I hope I can remember to slow down more often and simply enjoy all that right there in front of me.
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