Saturday Smiles

I don't have much to say this week, too busy, too crazy, too overwhelmed by life.  But I have loved 

some of the snow days we've had lately.

 

Saturday- not Smiling

This has been a ridiculously HARD week.

Some family yucky stuff that has added stress.  Blech, blech, blech.

Plus, the big deal: I have talked to my doctor, done a CT scan, and now I'm seeing a neural surgeon.  Which adds up to me probably having another lower back spinal surgery. I am so not happy about this... But at least I knew it was possible.

When the surgeon removed the nasty synovial cyst on my lower spine he warned me that it might grow back.  Until I have a MRI (which I thought I couldn't have 'cuz I've got a metal plate and screws in my neck, but they are titanium so I was wrong, yay.), we won't know exactly what's going on with the soft tissue.  But the CT scan shows some pretty weird bone stuff going on down there.

Not happy right now.
And scared.
And worried.

Glad God has it all under control, 'cuz I certainly don't!

Saturday Smiles

I am having fun with glass tiles.

I bought a bunch of glass marbles at a garage sale this last summer.  I had seen this really great tutorial over on houseofjoyfulnoise.com, and I wanted to try it.

And I did!

I wanted mine to look like something you would only ever find once, like nothing you'd find in a chain store. I think I've achieved that goal; however, I'm not done with them just yet...

The tutorial I read suggested Diamond Glaze, but I was using multiple papers and a few items with dimension- the ribbon, thread and glitter- so I used a Mod-Podge style glue to seal everything.

"Fly"  Collage marble

First I layered the papers and images using regular Elmer's white glue.  Then I added words and accents with Sharpies and some ink stamps.  After those were dry, I added the glitter glue and the ribbon and thread.  I waited another night until everything was completely dry and added any final touches to complete the tiny collages.  And then, I glued them onto the marbles, again using the Mod-Podge.

"Dream" Collage marble

I waited another night and then sealed them with Mod-Podge again. I admit I was shocked at how long the project has taken so far.  I think my favorite aspect of these pieces is how the marbles each add another layer to the collage.  The "Fly" pendant is clear, while the "Dream" one is so cloudy and iridescent... And the "Once Upon A Time" pendant is rather blue with a bit of shimmer to it.

My intention is to take these marbles and bezel them in my metal-smithing class this semester.  Probably with silver, which I hate using...  (I prefer the look, feel and cost of copper.)  I'll have to take them to the shop and see what looks best with each piece.  I hope to reveal the final pieces soon.

I want to do more!
I think I might just be addicted.

Saturday Smiles

I found my camera today!!!
It was in the drama bag I took to camp this summer.  Pretty ridiculous!  I can't believe I didn't find it until now.
So, I took some really quick photos of the work I've been doing this semester.
All our final projects are due in a week and a half, and I'm NOT ready for the semester to be over!

These Leaf Pendants are my favorite pieces from this semester.

First I pressed some leaves into the copper to create an impression of the veins.  

Then I cut out the leaves and fold-formed them to give them the texture and curve of a leaf.

Finally, I attached a wire stem.

I had some fun creating copper bangle bracelets.  

I cut the wire, soldered it together, then hammered them all over.

They are fun to wear!  

I'm not sure yet whether I'll leave them as they are or wrap them with fabric, bead, chain or wire.

Probably I'll mix it up and do a bit of all of those.

These are some Word Pendants I created. 

 The top left one is a leaf impression like the Leaf Pendants, except I didn't cut it out.

The other three are fold formed pieces that I soldered onto nickel, 

and then attached onto a leather backing.

I desperately wanted to try my hand at enameling this semester and finally

got the got the courage to try last month.

These are some pendants I made, and I am in the process of creating necklaces from them.

My favorite one is in the top right hand corner.

It's this fabulous mix of blue and lavender, with sparkles of turquoise.

I struggled with the bottom two so much, and they both look horrible in this photo.

The bottom left one doesn't show it's amazing black and green color well in this photo.

Beth calls it my "Galaxy Piece", because it looks like deep space.

And the bottom right one is this amazing dimensional red, 

but I had to re-enamel and re-enamel and re-enamel for it to look good.

Here is one of my wave pendants.  I made three of them- One is at school in the student art show.

Here is another of my wave pendants. I'm not finished with this necklace yet.

One of the things I really like about this piece is that I made the clasp myself.  

Not the most elegant of clasps, but I am pleased with myself.

I want to make more!

Saturday Smiles

Wow.  I can't believe I haven't posted since September.  That's crazy.
I normally try and post a couple of things that have made me smile over the last week, but since I haven't posted in so long I think I'll share a couple of the things that have kept me busy over the last two months.
*****

I'm taking a couple of classes up at UAF (University of Alaska Fairbanks), Advanced Metalsmithing and Beginning Ceramics.

I've got a TON of stuff done in Metals, but I've only taken one picture.   My camera is still MIA, so all of the following pictures are from my phone.  And no, they are definitely not the best.

Enameling, butterflies, and pendants, oh, my.

My metals bench from a couple of weeks ago

I'm surprised at how much I'm enjoying the ceramics.  I've never done anything in clay before, and it's fun! I'm noticing how weak my shoulders and arms have become after my last spinal surgery.  

My first bowl

We had the assignment of making between 4 and 10 bowls using different methods-  coiling, slumping, draping or pinching.  We made that many with the understanding that we were going to give some to the local food bank for a Empty Bowls fund-raiser.

Our next assignment was to reproduce an ancient vessel.  I chose to make a reproduction of an Egyptian Canopic jar, primarily because my girls and I love cats.  If I was going to have some ancient thing hanging around the house I wanted to make something I liked.  And it looks like I've got a really fun cookie jar.

Our class projects with my professor on the left

My cat jar is front and center

Our next project was to create a narrative teapot.  I really was annoyed by this one- a teapot that tells a story?  Talking it over with my sister and my professor, I ended up deciding to make a representation of some of the books my daughters and I have read together over the last year.  I've turned completely around and I love my teapot now.  It's been incredibly fiddly and annoying, but so much fun.  This project may be my favorite...

My teapot of books and character bits

And the lid

I haven't completely finished with this project- it's not glazed yet, but I really like what I've done so far.

So the sum up is this:  I'm crazy busy!  As a student, a mom, a wife, a reading tutor, a sister, a daughter and a jewelry designer.  Plus, I'm the primary taxi driver and cook for our home.  My house is currently a shambles and the girls have taken to begging for me to do laundry on Fridays...  And my husband has been wearing my socks (because I don't wear mine out like he does, so I have more pairs).  

Anyway, I love my classes!  And we are surviving.  And we've got an end goal now.  I've probably only got a couple of years of part time classes and I will be certified as an art teacher.  I'd rather be a drama teacher, mind you.  But nobody hires those full time...  I'll have to pass a couple of tests, but I'm not overwhelmed yet.  (Mind you, I haven't looked at the math portion yet.)

I hope I can keep up with blogging better now that I have an end goal and am adjusted to the pace, but I don't know...  

P.S.- PLEASE don't tell Jake I said anything about him wearing my socks!

Saturday Smiles

I LOVE my classes!

I can't believe how much I love playing with clay- squishing and forming it, turning it into pretty useful things.

And metal-smithing!  Yes, I love making pretty jewelry.  I love making components I can use to create my own jewelry.

I am crazy busy.  Running from class to work to picking up kids, to class.  And I'm loving it.  I need to take some photos of what I'm making!

Saturday Smiles Late

Wow.  Okay, I haven't blogged in something like three weeks, and I honestly forgot.   I've been crazy busy with work, school, jewelry making and mommy-ing.
My job as a reading tutor for the school district has begun again, and I'm having fun and working crazy hard. I've got four little groups of students and I have an extra helping this month because one of our tutors is in France helping with her sick father. I'm so looking forward to her return!  I normally have about 6 or 7 students and right now I have 10.
My classes have started and I am having so much fun!  I'm taking beginning ceramics and advance metal-smithing.  It's fun to try new things when I don't have a lot of emotion invested, which is where the ceramics comes in.  And I'm doing what I want to do in Metal-smithing.  So far, I've done a lot of rolling press leaf imprints and some fold-forming pendants. Nothing is complete, but I like working on several little projects at once so that I can leave something in the pickle or whatever.  I'll take some pictures this week of the works in progress and share them.
Plus, I've been doing my wire-work at home to get ready for the Christmas bazaars. I should do quite a few pieces to get ready and I just don't know how I'll accomplish all of it!
So, too busy.  But having fun.  That's me.

Saturday Smiles

On Saturdays I share a few things that have made me smile over the last week.
*****

I admit it.  This has been a HARD week.  For many reasons.
First, I started work again.  I'm a reading tutor during the school year, and I enjoy it very much.  However, it's hard work- it involves lots of brain work and dealing with kids who often have issues.  They are great kids, and I have to figure out how to work with them and help them learn.
Also, both of my girls complained and whined their way through this week.  They are readjusting their sleep schedules and trying to deal with homework, new teachers and new friends.
Deborah's best friend moved away over the summer.
Abigail has realized she knows very few kids at her new school.
They both HATED school this week and they made mornings miserable for everybody.
I did smile this week, though.  About several things.

1) I made new jewelry!
I made some pretty things, but my camera is still MIA.  Blech.

2) Abigail got to go berry-picking with her class and she loved it.

3) Deborah has been recommended for the local youth orchestra by her orchestra teacher.
And she wants to audition.  We'll see how it goes.

Saturday Smiles

On Saturday I share a few things that have made me smile over the last week.
*****

1) School Started!
My girls were gone at school all day on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday. Peace and quiet reigned. And...

2) Abigail likes her new school!
Which is a miracle and thrill.  She has never really liked school, and we finally put her in the potential pool for one of the local charter schools which spends a majority of their time outside.  Her name got drawn out of the hat, and she was excited at first.  As the first day of school approached she started saying no, she didn't want to try a new school.  But she liked it!  And she wanted to go back.

3) I don't have to start work until next week!
I start tutoring next week on Tuesday, and I am thrilled to say that I'm enjoying the quiet at home while they are gone. Quiet and peace is an amazing gift.  I've gotten a surprising amount of work done without their constant presence.  I like my job.  I like getting paid.  But I also like accomplishing some much needed jobs. The job will come soon enough.

Saturday Smiles

On Saturdays I share a few things that have made me smile over the last week.
****

1) Farmer's Market
Beth and I have been selling jewelry as fast as we can make it, and we are really struggling to keep up.  I always remind myself at this point:  Must keep up with the inventory better during the coming winter... Will I do it this year?  I don't know...

2) Summer BBQ

Hanging out with friends and eating grilled halibut and s'mores.

3) Fresh Tomatoes

All I planted this year was a cherry tomato bush, and I've actually kept it alive.  Plus it is fruiting like crazy. I have more than 20 little tomatoes ripening, and they are so pretty.

Saturday Smiles

On Saturday I post about a couple of things that have made me smile over the last week.
*****

1) I found another wire artist I like!
Cheryl Parrott Jewelry's Etsy shop is a delight.  I love the organic nature of her jewelry and how she captures different seasons.  I want to grow up to be just like her.
I want to share some of my favorite pieces she has made:

She makes amazing pieces and I am so pleased to have found another wire artist. I wish I could work in silver wire as she often does, maybe soon.

2) My girls, my sister and I went to Chena Lakes Recreation Park on Thursday.

We had so much fun playing in the water.  I waded around while they swam, then we had a wonderful picnic.  I've got a sunburn for the first time in about 10 years.

3)  Pearls, pearls, pearls...

I've made about three pearl wire necklaces this week, and hope that they sell out again! 

at the beginning

in white pearls

Saturday Smiles

On Saturday I post about a few things that have made me smile over the last week.
*****

1) My girls have gotten along really well this week.
The difficult neighbor girl has been gone all week, so my girls have played with each other and had a delightful week.
Okay, so here's the honesty...  We have a neighbor girl who plays my girls off of each other.  She'll be friends with Abigail one day, and say that Deborah is horrible and come up with an idea for a club so that they can leave Deborah out.  And then she'll do the opposite the next day.
I want them to learn how to get along with difficult people so I have not forbidden them to play with this girl. BUT.  I wonder sometimes if I should.
That's bad, isn't it?  I should be the "nice" mom or the pro-active 'soccer' mom, but really, I just want everybody to get along and stop being so mean.

2) More new jewelry
My camera is still MIA...  So no good pictures.  But, believe me.  I've made a lot of new stuff, and I'm happy with it all.

3) Fun Movies

During the summer, Beth and I watch movies and bead like crazy people in the evenings to keep up with the demand of Farmer's Market.  Over the last week we have re-watched the Harry Potter movies and had a lot of fun.  I discovered I never saw the third one, and she never saw the last one.  It's fun to watch them again, and see what we missed the first time.  It's great to watch them straight through and see the over-all story-lines.  Plus, they are good beading movies because we'd already seen most of them.
We've also re-watched the Spiderman movies and the X-Men movies.

Saturday Smiles

For the Bead Hoarders Blog Hop post, please go HERE.

On Saturdays I post about a couple of things that have made me smile over the last week.
*****

1) I had a good market week.
I sold quite a few things last Saturday and Wednesday!  Which meant...

2) I made a LOT of jewelry this week.
I normally make jewelry like crazy during the summer to keep up with the demand, but it seems like I never can quite keep up with the special requests.  I was able to make quite a few pieces this week and have fun, too.  I'm not ahead, of course, but I might just be caught up finally.

3) My girls were baptized last Sunday!
I wanted this to be something they chose, something that would be meaningful to them and mark a day they could remember.  Jake and I talked with them and explained how baptism is a picture that shows their choice to follow Jesus and live for Him, and they got it. They talked to me and to our Children's Minister about wanting to be baptized like Jesus.  And we got to do it in the Chena River last Sunday!  My heart is so happy when I think about their baptisms.

Abigail

Deborah

The prayer afterwards with Pastor Andy Ekblad and Children's Minister Emily Miner.

Saturday Smiles

On Saturdays I post about a couple of things that have made me smile over the last week.
*****

1) A week of No Expectations!
Okay, so I LOVED being at camp and teaching drama, but wow.  I came home exhausted, and I'm finally rested after this week.  I didn't have many appointments, and we skipped Farmer's Market on Wednesday so I am feeling lazy and rested.

2) My girls have had sibling bliss for most of the week.
Deborah & Abigail have had very few arguments and have played well together most of this week. I'm loving it.  I can't tell if it's a left-over from camp or just growing up, but they are getting along.  We've all enjoyed the peace and quiet.

3) Bead Creativity
I've had a lot of fun making new things this week.  I need to take pictures of the new material, but I'm delighted with the amount I've gotten done and the fact that they are pretty and that they worked.  I completed about ten pieces this week and I like them, which doesn't always happen.  Sometimes when I'm done with a piece, I'm just glad to be done with it.
I was talking to my sister this week about the fact that I don't do the same thing over and over and over because I get bored very quickly.  I like to try and make something completely different every time.
No, I don't achieve a wonderful and unique piece every time I start something, but I don't want to do the same thing over and over.  I don't know how artists can do it!  I know that we have to eat, but I made about five forget-me-not necklaces and I was done.  I never wanted to make any more again.  I might actually be in a place where I'm willing to do some more soon, but then again...

Saturday Smiles

On Saturdays I post about a few things that make me smile over the last week.
*****

1) Bingle MADD Camp
I got to teach at a Music/Art/Drama/Dance camp this last week!  I loved teaching and working with the teenagers. I taught drama and script-writing, worked my behind off, and had a blast.  I got to do this last year and loved it then, but this year was better for a couple of reasons.
The primary reason was that my husband came, too.  He taught a song-writing class and worked with the worship team.  What a joy to spend our free time together!  I love getting to hang out with my Jake, doing fun things and sharing the beauty of Alaska together.

Jake leading worship with one of his students

The other reason this was such a great year was that the director gave the counselors an option to choose classes, too, which strengthened the relationships this week.  By the end of the week we had spent a LOT of time together and seen each others' strengths, weaknesses and sheer goofiness...

I've got more pictures of this week, but I'm so tired I'm not finding them on my phone. =)  I'll share more when I'm more coherent.  I slept a lot today, but apparently not enough...

2) My kitty
My poor Luna missed me so much while I was gone.  She has not left my side since I got back.  She's behind me on my chair right now.  Poor lonely girl.

3) The cool of Fairbanks
Ha!  Never thought that would make me smile!  It was about 85 degrees out at the camp this week, and while it's still hot here, at least our house has good windows and a few fans!  Our cabin would get up to about 95 at night, and we didn't dare leave the door open because the mosquitoes this year are voracious, plus they swarm.  We've had a particularly bad case of mosquitoes because of the relatively warm, long and wet winter.  (It only got down to -50ish this last winter and it didn't last long, plus our spring took forever.)   I've got 22 mosquito bites on my right leg alone...

Saturday Smiles

On Saturdays I post about a couple of things that have made me smile over the last week.
*****

1) I really am better.
I missed posting last Saturday because I was still pretty messed up from the car accident. No, I'm not at full strength yet and I'm going to be doing some doctor visits for a while, but I really am better.

2) I've sold two of my pearl vine necklaces in the last week.

A white pearl necklace completed and lovingly photographed

A cranberry pearl necklace in progress on my bead tray

One of the ones that sold had turquoise pearls, which look like blueberries, while the other was the cranberry style.  It's great they sold, but it means I need to get cracking...  I just didn't get much inventory built over this last winter. I don't know why....  Some winters I'm fantastic at trying new things and just get tons of stuff made, but not this year.

3) The girls and I spent some time at Pioneer Park on Tuesday and had a blast.

Abigail on the new rope climbing tower

Saturday Smiles

On Saturdays I post about a couple of things that have made me smile over the last week.
****

1) Summer Break!
We've had 80's and sun, sun, sun.  My girls and I have spent most of the week outside, and we've had a lot of fun.

Summer Fun with our Life Group friends

2) Deborah's Birthday Party
A couple of friends from school and a lot of friends from church met us at a park.  The kids played, ate cupcakes while the parents chatted.  Fun was had by everyone involved.

3) VBS Decoration
Vacation Bible School is next week and we've been setting up and getting ready for the big day.  I LOVE VBS!  And I'm excited to get to work with kids all week.  I get to do science experiments and hands-on activities with the pre-schoolers, and it's just plain fun.  We're doing a castle, knights, queens, and princesses theme, and it promises to be a blast.

Saturday Smiles

On Saturdays I share a couple of things that have made me smile over the last week.

*****

1) School is Out!

Thursday was the last day! We had a picnic with hot dogs, chips & cookies and a slip n' slide.  Fun was had by all.

Abigail and Deborah with a couple of school friends

Abigail spent so much time on the Slip'n Slide

2) Deborah turns 10 today!

I can't believe my little girl is going to be ten.  I remember sleeping curled up around her when she was a new-born.

3) Farmer's Market!

Today is our first day back since last summer, and we are both pretty excited.  Hope to see you at the market! 

Saturday Smiles

On Saturdays I share a couple of things that have made me smile over the last week.
*****

1) School is Almost OUT!

I LOVE the last 2 weeks of school.  We have four more days left, and I'm as giddy as the kids.

2) Doctor Who!
We're watching more Time Lord adventures while we bead and I'm loving it.

3) The snow has mostly melted.
We've got a little pile left in our front yard, a big pile in the back yard and a larger pile left at school, but most of it is gone.  This has been the longest winter I remember ever living through in Fairbanks.
I am so tired of the snow!
Mind you, it is snowing outside RIGHT NOW.  But the temperature is supposed to go up and stay up after this weekend.  My fingers are crossed.

Saturday Smiles

On Saturdays I share a couple of things that have made me smile over the last week.
*****

1) Beading!
I've been beading and experimenting with some different styles.  And having fun!  Here's another couple of new pieces I have made over the last week.

I fought with the pendant/dangle on this chain necklace for so long!

I could not get it to behave...  It kept twisting and turning and behaving badly.

I like the result, but somehow it doesn't look like what I had in mind.  I'll probably give it a couple weeks of rest and then go back and see how I can change it to look like what I saw in my head.

Earrings to match.

Even while I was fighting with the beads and cursing them, I was still having fun!  And that is a very good thing.

2) Only 9 days left of school!

I am so looking forward to summer this year.  It feels like the winter has been never-ending.  

3) The snow is MELTING!!

We've had a VERY late spring here in Fairbanks, Alaska, and everybody is so tired of snow.  Here's a picture of the playground from two days ago.

The snow has normally been melted for about a month by now.  We're all VERY frustrated with the never-ending winter...  But the temperature outside right now is 38F and is expected to be in the 40's tomorrow.  Which is snow melting weather! HALLELUJAH!!!