I've been featured!!!!

I'm so excited! One of my rings has been featured on Art Jewelry Magaizine's on line Friday picks! What a cool honor!

It was such a surprise to open up  my email and find that message! Made my day!!!!!

Beads of Courage

A little more about my time in Tucson........

Patty Lakinsmith and I were invited to a gathering held by the "Beads of Courage" organization. Until that time, I had not even heard of it. What this group does just blows my mind!

The organization was started by Jean Baruch as part of her work for her Phd. in Nursing at the University of Arizona, School of Nursing, and they work to transform the treatment experience for children coping with chronic, life threatening illness through their art-in-medicine program. Bead artists from all over the world make and donate beads to this cause and each type of bead signifies a treatment or milestone in the child's illness. The organization trains and works with staff in over 60 hospitals across the US, New Zealand, and Japan.

I'm a former nurse and I think of myself as fairly stoic when it comes to dealing with illness. (Unless, of course, it's my family) but I have to tell you, just hearing and reading about this program choked me up. Hard  to imagine a child suffering through cancer, burn injuries, cardiac conditions and other serious illnesses,
so to allow a healthcare worker to help that child through an alternative program such as this is really touching. I'm disappointed I don't make beads!

Here's how it works: each child is first given a length of string and beads that spell out their first name. Then, colorful beads, each representing a different treatment milestone, are given to the child by their professional health care provider to add to their Beads of Courage collection throughout their treatment as determined by the Beads of Courage Bead Guide. Blue for Spinal injection, Red for surgery, striped for hair loss, and so on...

I saw a video of a girl with Lukemia who had a collection of beads that numbered over 100. Breaks my heart. The program extends to siblings and parents as well.

Patty with Jean Baruch, founder

For a small donation, we each got to make our name

out of beads.

There's really so much more to this program...I'd rather you read about it yourself by clicking on this link. You won't be sorry!  http://www.beadsofcourage.org/

Toodles

My First Outdoor Show!

Well, I really did it! One of my goals for this year was to (finally) get started doing outdoor shows and my first one was at Tucson in February. Boy, did I learn a lot about what to do and what NOT to do! The lesson was well worth the price of admission!

Rather than tell you all about the show, I'll just direct you to my partner in crime, Patty Lakinsmith's blog, where she shares most of the details. She's a far better writer than I so you can read all about the fun stuff we did on her blog.

So here are a few things I learned:

You have to take a lot of stuff!!!!

(ok, I told her I would get this picture on the net!!!)

It's  a lot of work!

(Don't forget the lights! That's Patty setting them up!)

Be prepared for bad weather!

(oh ick! This needs no explaination!)

Organize your shop well!

(tah dah! My first booth! It was fun to share one with Patty)

Take the opportunity to make contacts!

(Another artist, Miriam, who had a booth across from us)

Keep good records!

Remember to have fun!

(Taken at the after hours Karaoke party!)

And be prepared to be dog tired!

(That's Patty's dog, Bodie)

I'm not being very serious here, but I have to tell you, this was the most fun I've had in a long time. I was able to meet Patty for the first time- after a couple of years of partnering via the internet. She was everything I expected based on what I already knew about her, and a lot more. This is a friendship I will treasure forever.

She made my first outdoor show an adventure and I really did learn a lot. If you want to try a show for the first time, I highly recommend sharing a booth with someone who has experience doing it. I learned about tents, displays, signage, what to bring, and a whole lot more. And no blood was shed!

Toodles,

Handmade Sale This Weekend

Well, I know I've been away for a while...but I'm back now and rarin' to go! It's been a very stressful couple of months, with my mother's death and settling the estate, packing up her house, etc. But I'm finally seeing the light at the end of a loooong tunnel. So it's back to work! Just before all this happened, I joined a fabulous team on Etsy called Team Treasury, otherwise known as "Teamt". We make treasuries as often as we can catch them, and must feature at least 6 other members. This group is so active, they've been on the front page many times! More about that later. This weekend, as part of the Etsy Weekend Deals, we're doing a giant sale starting Thursday at midnight, through Sunday. Please check out some or all of these shops! They are a talented group and have many items to offer. In my own shop, I'll be offering 15% off all items! If you're thinking Christmas already (Yikes, it's getting close, isn't it?) then stop in and take a gander at loads of options for family and friends. And isn't it time to buy something for yourself? You deserve it! Here's a list of the teamt members:

Team Treasury Weekend Deals, September 25-27:

 http://www.sarahjohnafana.etsy.com/

10% off all framed and unframed prints and photographs,

and 10% off all notecards

http://www.schemata.etsy.com/

10% off entire shop

http://www.ixela.etsy.com/

10% off all jewelry (rings, necklaces, bracelets,

brooches, earrings)

http://www.cyndiesmithdesigns.etsy.com/

15% off entire shop

http://www.brownbagvintage.com/

15% off first item, 20% off two items, 25% off three

or more

http://www.linenme.etsy.com/

20% from all scarves in my shop

http://pipinghotpapers.etsy.com/

10% my entire shop (excluding shipping)

http://www.fiveforty.etsy.com/

10% off everything in my shop

(excluding shipping)

http://lachiffonniere.etsy.com/

15% off entire shop

http://annymay.etsy.com/

10% from all armwarmers in my shop

http://www.bovinebubbles.etsy.com/

15% off (excluding shipping)

http://www.nancywallisdesigns.etsy.com/

10% off everything in my shop (excluding shipping)

http://www.smallearthvintage.etsy.com/

10% off entire shop (excluding shipping)

http://www.edenswake.etsy.com/

Take 10% off purchase of one item,

or 15% off purchase of two or more items

(excluding shipping)

http://glassetc.etsy.com/

10% off any of my plant stakes

(excluding shipping).

Many other items already discounted.

http://www.handamade.etsy.com/

10% off for Apple jacket, coffee cup sleeves,

tote bag, Doll. (excluding shipping)

http://www.jensancandles.etsy.com/

My deal is 15% off all items in the store.

http://ww.vintageaimee.etsy.com/

 10% off entire store.

http://www.trendyknitting.etsy.com/

15% OFF entire shop

http://www.juicygraphics.etsy.com/

20% off everything in the store –

prices reflect discount

http://www.catherinereece.etsy.com/

 10% off everything in store

http://www.mandag.etsy.com/

10% off from all the items in the shop

(excluding shipping) – prices reflect discount

Gettin' Busy!

OK, I know...no excuses! I'm just not as good as I'd like to be about keeping up with this blog. However, I've revamped some things in my life....always subject to change, it seems...and it looks like it may be working towards my goal of having more time for creative thinking and writing.

I struggled with being snowed under with custom orders for so long that I almost forgot what it was like to sit down with a pad of paper and pencils and actually design something new! I have decided that I don't really like operating under deadlines - too much pressure, too much repetition, and way too much complaining! (By me!) So I'm really cutting down on my custom orders, and if I do take one, I'm allowing myself a time span to finish it that I can live with.

The exciting thing for me right now is making pieces for the "Gathering", ISGB's annual conference in Miami. If you remember, back in April, I announced that the piece that Patty Lakinsmith and I submitted was accepted for the convergence exhibit. So now we're designing pieces, following that theme and some new designs, for the show. Patty and I will be sharing a table. In fact, part of my excitement in all of this is finally getting to meet, in person, the good friend I've met on line, and had the pleasure of working with in designing pieces via the internet (ain't technology great?). Can't wait!

Meanwhile, I've discovered this really cool rock shop practically around the corner from my house. Though I don't use a lot of beads and stones in my designs, I've gotten addicted to both, and have made many trips to that shop for inspiration. Here are a few I've just finished.......

using tumbled Obsidian (aqua colored stone), a "sea opal" (multicolored) and a tumbled agate.

Well, that what's happening...I'm getting busy with fun things...finally!

Toodles,

Unique Art Jewelry

I know that when I'm searching for unique gifts for family members, finding just the right gift is difficult. Malls offer so much of the same thing, in very large quantities, that it's just plain tiresome and boring. And - most of what I find isn't made by hand. Since I don't have time to make something for everyone on my list, I go to the venues that offer handmade creations. While looking for some unique items last night, I found these items that really peaked my interest. Take a look....and let me know if you're as impressed as I am.

Salsa Lampwork Cha Cha Bracelet by Patty Lakinsmith

Blue Galaxy by Simply Unique Jewelry

Hot Pink Dichroic Fused Glass Set by Dichroic Dazzle

Carnelian Silver Cuff by Alibali Jewellery

Except for Patty, whose shop is on Etsy, all the other members are part of the Artfire Jewelers Guild. Check out their blog at Artfire Jewelers Guild or the web site.

Support handmade! Toodles,

Artisan Jeweler Guild

I've been branching out somewhat and trying a couple of new venues, just to see how it goes. Being on Etsy has been a great experience, and I've really learned a lot, but I decided to spread my wings a little and see what else is out there. So...I joined Artfire. There are lots of things I like about this site, though the sales are slow (aren't they everywhere?), and I'm still learning my way around the site and trying to get noticed. One great feature are the guilds available there and I recently joined the Artisan Jeweler Guild. If you get a chance, take a look at the guild's page and see some of the great artists and their designs. Here's just a small sample of some of my fellow members :

All Wired Up 2

Ava Designs

Marya Jewelry

Brandy Brook Designs

I'll be adding more shops in a short while so stay tuned!

Toodles,

Toodles,