Friday, June 24, 2011

Saturday Smiles

I'm going to do these when I can, but I'm not sure how consistent I will be during the summer. I want to go to bed!


1.) Petunias

I love any and all flowers, but for some reason petunias just make me happy. They have such happy faces, and they don't smell awful like marigolds.






2.) Listening to my girls giggling together

They have had a lot of time together this summer, and they are enjoying each other more. I love seeing them figure out how to compromise and play together. Yes, they have had some pretty big fights, but I would say they've done more giggling than arguing


3.) Camping

Jake & I both like to go camping and it's sad how little we've been able to do together. Since we've never had much excess money during our ten years of marriage, it took us a while to build up the equipment we would need. We're hoping to get to go at least once this summer.

With my neck and back in such a mess, I have to have a pretty elaborate sleeping set-up or I can't function the next day. But it's worth it!!

Tuesday, June 21, 2011

Bead Table Wednesday

Okay, it's Bead Table Wednesday, and my bead table is in our Farmer's Market box... (The box we throw everything in that goes to FM with us- our gift boxes, bags, money drawer, earring racks, water bottles, lunch, etc.) My tray is at the bottom of the box, I might add. And the tray is a mess, anyway.
So, I'm going to TELL you what's on it, and let you imagine.

Here goes:
1) I have three completed items- two leaf bracelets, and my sun necklace. I hope to get good pics of them in the sun tomorrow.
2) I have a leaf bracelet I need to complete.
3) Two projects that customers brought for me to repair. (Yes, we do some minor repair work, and we don't charge very much either!)
4) Pearls to create a pearl wire necklace.
5) Flowers and beads to create a Y wire necklace.
6) a random assortment of beads that need to be put away from projects I've finished...

So, that's my mess, and yup, I hate working in a mess. So I'm hoping to complete several of these projects tomorrow while I'm at FM. However, tomorrow is a day that the girls have to come with me, so I'm not expecting to actually get much done.

Still loving all the pretty beads!

Break

I am not keeping up with everything!
I've got Farmer's Market, Pioneer Park, swimming lessons, PT for me, OT for Abigail, church... Whew. I'm a little stretched out. I can tell I'm feeling overwhelmed because I've finished 4 books in the last 5 days. Definitely a strong indicator of a need to escape.
Things are selling faster than I can make them, and I've got to get my stock back up. I've had quite a few of my wire pieces sell, and I haven't had time to replace them.
So, I'm taking a break from FB and most of my computer stuff. I'll try to keep up with Bead Table Wednesdays, but I don't think I'll get to my Saturday Smiles til school starts again. I have high hopes, though!

Tuesday, June 14, 2011

Bead Table Wednesday

What's on my Bead Table?
A RAINBOW! (only a single one, sad to say)
I'm working on a chime/mobile project... And hoping that these rainbow dangles will be the perfect finishing touch.

Do you remember the old light mnemonic? ROYGBIV? I'm delighted to say that yes, I do remember it. And although the way I use it is probably not what my science teacher had in mind, I bet she'd be happy I remember it. =)

Still loving all the pretty glass beads! (and the wood ones, and the stone ones, and even some of the plastic/"resin" ones...)

Fun Day- Two Finished Pieces

One of my leaf bracelets

To create the leaf component:

I softened the copper with the torch, and textured it with a hammer. Then I ran it through the rolling mill with the leaves. Next I sawed around the leaves, and filed smooth the edges. Finally, I drilled the holes on the sides, and formed it to the proper shape.


When I got it home from the metal-smithing workshop I chose some lovely blue glass beads and braided the little strands all together.


Balance Pendant

The pendant is created with bluestone, silver, copper and nickel silver.

First, I textured the copper by hammering and folding it. Then I cut out each oval and filed them smooth. Next, I soldered all the pieces together. After soldering, I added the letters and used liver of sulphur to patina the metals. Finally, I slipped the bluestone cabachon into place, and burnished the setting.










When I got the pendant home I was delighted to discover I already had some lovely bluestone rounds to match the cab.

I created some bluestone links, found some fabulous chain and beaded it up. I'm very pleased with the end result.







Song- The Redeemer

The Redeemer
by Sanctus Real
from the album Pieces of a Real Heart

Sometimes I just want to start over
'Cause everything looks like a wreck
And I need the courage to carry on'
Cause I can't see what's ahead

And there are places I've wished I could be
Battles I've wanted to win
Dreams that have slipped through my hands
I may never get back again

But I'm still a dreamer, a believer
Oh, I've lost my faith in so many things
But I still believe in You
'Cause You can make anything new

Sometimes I just wish we could say
All the things that are easy to hear
Ignore the injustice we see
And explain every unanswered prayer

But I'd rather speak honestly
And wear a tattered heart on my sleeve
'Cause in the middle of my broken dreams
Redemption is here

And I'm still a dreamer, a believer
Oh, I lost my faith in so many things
But I still believe in You
'Cause You are the answer, the Redeemer
Oh, I've given up on too many things
But I'm not giving up on You
'Cause You can make anything new

I don't have every answer in life
But I'm trusting You one day at a time
'Cause You can make a weak heart stay alive
Forever

This is where heaven and earth collide
I lift my hands and I give my life
This is how my weary heart stays alive

Oh, I'm still a dreamer, still a believer
And You are the answer, the Redeemer
'Cause You can make anything new
Yeah, You can make anything new

Tuesday, June 07, 2011

VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL

We've got vacation Bible school this week. The girls are attending and I'm teaching part of the pre-school (4's & 5's) class. So I am exhausted. I will not be posting a BTW (bead table wednesday) photo. I'm sorry.
I need to go to bed and get ready to get up early tomorrow.
Till Saturday!
Parting is such sweet sorrow.

Wednesday, June 01, 2011

Bead Table Wednesday



These pearl necklaces are selling as fast as I put them out! So, I'm trying to keep up. And it's hard. =) Which makes me happy.