What a Year!

What a year this has been!  Ups and downs like crazy, but that's just life, isn't it?

I must say, getting to know you and having my little Etsy store do so well this year (because of you) has definitely been in the ups. I know there are more, just having a senior moment right now.  Online the other day someone shared a blessing jar, you know, write down what good things happen and save them up for the end of the year.  Looking thru it at the end of the year would surely be helpful, I am so forgetful.  Even a journal would help, but I forget to write things down every day, or even every week!

I've lost three uncles this year, Rusty had an operation that went wonky, but he is fine now, I shouldn't complain.  Millie even had to go thru an operation, but she is fine as well.  Those were for sure the downs.

What's up for next year?  I'm sure I don't know and wouldn't want to, I just ask for the strength to get thru whatever it is.  Would you want to know what your future holds?  

Thank you, thank you, thank you for coming around and stopping by!  take care!

Merry Christmas One and All

I saw a clip from a video or movie that Blake Shelton is doing in March of next year and it is the only thing that put me in the right frame of mind for this time of the year.  This year has been sort of rough, and yet, I know I am blessed beyond many...and I thank the Lord for that, not that I deserve it, but I do appreciate any blessing from above.

So, I want to wish all of you a very Blessed Christmas season and prayers for a happy and blessed New Year!   Thank you from the bottom of my heart for all of your patronage but most of all your friendship.  Coming to know many of you online has been a great privilege and blessing to me for sure!  Once again, as I've said before, this online thing is remarkable as it has opened up my little world...
God bless you every one!

thanks for stopping by and take care

Working in Clay

Worked up some dark red clay the other day, today I am wet sanding and glazing.  May fire tomorrow.

Got some new speckled clay yesterday and I am excited to do some things with it.  Left it out in the car last night so it's probably frozen, but they say that won't hurt it.  It has lots of specks and they say it is very smooth, so hopefully it will work out as I hope.

Christmas is just a few days away.  I want to wish all of you a very Merry Christmas and a wonderfully Happy New Year.  Thank you for all you have done for me this year.  God bless you every one!

thanks for stopping by and take care!

I Can See...Again

I think it was back in March or April, I got a new pair of glasses...to me, fancy ones!  Not fancy rims, just rectangular rims, but the lens are scratch resistant, glare resistant, go dark and light in the sun...you know, the works!  Not a week went by and my vision changed in one eye.  Talk about disappointed!  Well, all the rest of this year I've gone to the eye doctor and back and forth to other doctors trying to find out what happened.  Well, after all that time, seems things are okay, for whatever reason, the vision in one eye just went wonky.

So, after deciding it must be my diabetes, since nothing else has showed up, the eye doctor gave me a new contact lens.  Just for my left eye.  I haven't had contacts for over 20 years, I hope I don't forget to take it out...but the best thing is I CAN SEE AGAIN, no blurry vision..finally!  I've had blurry vision for months, and it was so aggravating!

I will never take my vision for granted again.  I've worn glasses since I was eleven years old, but this has been the best day for a while as far as my eyes go.  Thank You Lord...what a change one little contact lens can make!

thanks for stopping by, take care!

Baby's Been Busy

Yesterday was a firing day and I am very happy with what came out of the kiln!

The purple Victorian pendants in the top picture on the left are being saved at this point.  The ones that haven't sold will be listed later.  Hope you enjoy looking and as always thanks for stopping by and take care!

Clays and Glaze

The wonders of clays and glaze!  I am still so curious about what will come out of the kiln and although my experiments are not legendary, they are still interesting to me.  Those of you educated about such things probably won't even find this curious, but I do!

Here is one experiment that I started this week.  There are four different clays and the same glaze on these pieces.  The first is a white clay, off white, buff and dark red.  They were all layered as carefully as possible with the same amount of glaze on each piece.  The backs of the finished ones look very similar to the picture of the unglazed ones.

Here are the results!  I love the look of each, what do you think?

As always, thanks for stopping by and take care!

A Few New Things

These are the last few things out of the baby kiln this morning.  These are sold, but if you'd like one, please just let me know.

These were made with an off white clay and I think it makes the colors even more vibrant!  What do you think?  

It's Been A Long Week

This has been a long week with a sick dog for a couple of days and then putting her thru surgery, waiting to be able to go get her today...I have not been up on the Etsy store/sale...just barely paying attention.

I LOVE MY DOG!  She IS my little girl and as much as she HATES me, I LOVE her.  She is the sweetest dog I've ever had and earlier this week when she got an upset stomach and was sick for two days, it was my fault because I fed her too much Thanksgiving goodies.  Talk about kicking myself!  If I could have, I would have.  Made me feel evil for doing that to her.  She is such a good little beggar, it's so hard to say no, but...will do better from here on in.

Then the surgery she went thru Friday morning.  I took her to the vet's for a checkup Thursday and I had got myself ready to leave her because I figured surgery would be required.  Leaving her at the vet was awful, tho they put her in the Queen's Castle, I cried for miles having to leave her.

When I picked her up today, she wouldn't even look at me...but on the way home she forgave me and let me know that I was forgiven.  My friend went with me and she sat in the backseat with Millie while I drove us home...what a week, glad it's over and I hope Millie has a quick recovery.

Maybe this month will go better!  Can you believe it's DECEMBER???  Where has this year gone?

Thanks for stopping by and take care!

Well...

Sort of disappointed with the cyber sale...didn't sell one piece!  But I'm not complaining too much, because I did get an order that I am going to work on this week.

And, I have a couple pieces in Stringing that Jean Wells made up using a couple of my components.  Honestly, the bracelet she made looks great, but I think that is the ugliest piece I ever made.  I am surprised she used it and that it was published!  But I love the little owl earrings she made, I think those are some of my best pieces...so life has its ups and downs, what's new, right?

I wish I could show you the exact pieces in the magazine, but not sure I can do that.  But here are some pieces that are similar.

These owls are connectors, hers were earrings, but you get the idea!

https://www.etsy.com/listing/101421852/owl-connector

okay, as always, thanks for stopping by and take care!

Fabulous Sale Items!

There are going to be a lot of sellers on Artisan Whimsy this weekend!  From Friday night thru the weekend!  Check it out here:

http://artisanwhimsy.ning.com/page/artisan-whimsy-2012-holiday-collection

Kiln is On!

The kiln is just purring away this morning and I have a few new things in it.  I should be able to have the new things in the store by Friday for the sales I'm having this weekend.   At least that is the plan, nothing like doing things last minute...not my intentions, but the way it works out for me most of the time.

I have not been able to work out a schedule at home where I can be the clay artist I want to become, and keep up everything around here the way it should be and I don't have kids!  I don't understand how young women work outside the home, in the home and have children to deal with along with everything else.  God Bless Them ALL!

Take care if you go out shopping, people will knock you over to get what they think is a good deal.  I'm not even going close to town this weekend!

Hoping you all have a Happy and healthy Thanksgiving.  We can all be happy if we are healthy!  There are no replacements for good health or as good as it can be.  For those of you who have sadness during the holiday, take heart, it will get a little easier as time goes by...we never forget those we love and miss, but try to find things to be happy about...you can do it!

as always, thanks for stopping by and take care!

BOC Cyber Sale

Plans in the making for a cyber sale this weekend.  Two in fact!  Hope you plan on coming by...see you there!

With approval, this is my give away component for the Beads of Clay Cyber sale.  

Plans for GiveAway!

We are making plans for a Ceramic giveaway over at Artisan Whimsy.  When everything is in place, I will let you know!  You will want to get in on this!  Some beautiful pieces will be given out!


http://artisanwhimsy.ning.com/page/artisan-whimsy-2012-holiday-collection

Busy

Been busy making a few new things.  More owls, some Santa's and snowmen, and more horses.  I should be able to fire early next week.

Hope you all are doing well and getting ready for the holidays!  take care and thanks for stopping by!

Well...

Well, the Fair was a bust, but I came home to some orders online, so I am revived!

Here are some beads from the last firing.

I made some Fortune Cookie pendants that I thought were cute.  

Is it rude to think of them as cute and say so myself?  Hope not.  I am finally beginning to like some of my own things, it sure has taken a while.  You all are so good for my "ego".  I'm starting to believe you! LOL

Well, thanks for looking.  You can find these things at my Etsy store, the link is above on the right.

As always, thanks for stopping by and take care!

4H Craft Fair

The Ritchie County 4H Craft Fair is Saturday, November 3rd, from 9-2.  I think I have plenty made and everything packed for the day.
Trying now to play catchup on the housework and everything else I need to do before leaving for the day.
I am so excited to see more folks coming to my blog and adding it to their blog lists.  I am not much of a blogger, but I am happy to have you here and hope I can share something meaningful to you at some point.
thanks for stopping by and take care!

New Things 10-25-12

I am not putting these things up until next week or later, depending on the Frankenstorm that is coming, hopefully can sell some this weekend at the 4H set up.  But here are the newest things out of the kiln this morning...do you like them?

The odd little curled up thingies on the bottom of the second picture are fortune cookies...there are gourds, pumpkins, Chakra beads, a moon goddess face, heart paws, and two sided lotus Om beads. 

My Entry for the Hooters Challenge!

Here is the last batch of owl connectors that I did a few weeks back.  These are going to be entered in the Hooters Challenge on Artisan Whimsy.  Not that I think they stand of chance of winning because there are fabulous artists there, but I like them and they have sold very well for me.

http://artisanwhimsy.ning.com/page/hooters

Each eye and beak is rolled out by hand and added onto the head with slip before the wires are added.  Then they are glazed and fired.   Thanks for looking!

thanks for stopping by, take care!

Getting Ready

Getting ready for the setup in Cairo, WV tomorrow.  Sounds like a fun day!  Vendors, food and big engines running all day!

I made more earrings and button bracelets, have a card of my ceramic buttons, and my drum carder and some alpaca to card.  Should be fun.  Will let you know how it went!

Time is Flying By!

I have a set up next week in Cairo, a small country village if you will, a few miles down the road from home.  It is only on Saturday and from what I understand there is going to be a bag pipe player along with several big engines going all at the same time.  Some of these engines were used to run oil and gas wells around here.  That is going to be a lot of noise..A.LOT.OF.NOISE.

But, I made some earrings anyway...thinking I'm going to be able to stand it all day...

They may be too weird for around here, but I like them.  My own ceramic beads along with white metal findings and wood beads.

What do you think?

thanks for stopping by, take care!

Millie

Millie had a spasm this evening.  It only lasted a little while (maybe two minutes from beginning to end) but it scared me half to death.  It all began when it looked like she had stepped on something that hurt her foot.  She was holding up her left front foot, but still walking around.  I picked her up to check her foot and then all of a sudden, her body began to stiffen, her neck and down her back.  When I set her on the floor, her back was raised up like a scared cat, and then seconds later she seemed fine.  Another thing tho, while I was holding her, praying for her and trying to comfort her she got hot...HOT and shaky for just a few seconds.  She did not pant or gasp for air...in just a few minutes she was fine...wanted to go outside to do some business and came back inside and started licking her back foot like nothing had gone on at all.

I was shaking so badly but got online to a Chin site and asked some questions.  It seems at her age, eight or nine, that is wouldn't be epilepsy, that seems to come on early in their lives.  It might have been a sugar low some suggested.  Another said possible heart problem.  Some said to watch her, but it may never happen again...I don't know what it was, she still seems fine, but I don't know if I can go to bed this evening and sleep...I know I will call her vet in the morning and that can't come soon enough.

I love her so much...This was her summer cut earlier this year.

thanks for stopping by and take care...

New Blog Spot: Artisan Whimsy!

Hey, things are happening here:    http://artisanwhimsy.ning.com


Check them out!

The SKY!!!

The sky over Harrisville was just incredible tonight!  

When I first went out...

overhead...

a couple minutes later...

at a distance!

Baby is Working!

Baby is heating up this morning!  I have a couple of new things and Chakra beads in there.  Hope they turn out!

Just in Case...

Just in case you do not know of or see Art Jewelry Elements, here is a blog spot I just did for them.

http://www.artjewelryelements.blogspot.com

I enjoyed doing it, hope to again someday!

Happy Old Girl!

I'm a happy old girl today.  I've been having some blurry vision in one eye and my regular eye doctor gave me some kind of test where I could see a small blob on the back of my eye.  Scary!  Altho, he said not to worry, it wasn't the big C or anything like that...but I saw that little blob on my retina and after tests today, the blob is gone!  I am very thankful that my eyes are as good as can be expected (for my age)!  I am grateful...Thank You Lord.  You are so good and I appreciate You!  I praise You!

New Things 9-25-12

New things from the kiln today...have I told you lately, I really like this little kiln!  I absolutely love the way it fires.

The Chakra beads, peacock and blue heart paws are spoken for.  I thought I try to make a bracelet set from the others.  Let me know what you think and as always, thanks for stopping by and take care.

I Made a Wind Chime!

I love wind chimes, big ones, little ones, loud ones, tinkly ones...I just love wind chimes!  So, after all this time, I made one.  Here it is, it's my first attempt so don't laugh!  I bought the starfish and shells that I got the impressions of a few months ago.

Here is a better pic of just the shapes.

Here are a few more things from the baby kiln.

  

Some Chakra beads, and a larger brown barrel, 

turquoise and gray bead caps,

a new fish cuff in a great brown and gray,

and a new peacock pendant.

I've got to come up with a name for her so we all know who I'm talking about.  Want to help me come up with a good name for the baby?

Well, as always, thanks for stopping by and take care!

Clay Today!

Have been busy around the house this week, so hopefully today and tomorrow nothing but clay!

It was so exciting lining drawers and organizing our socks and undies!  But, it helps to be able to find something when we need it!  I did not inherit the organized gene or the spotless house one.  Mom was a good housekeeper, but I didn't pick it up...then or now.  It just seems like such a waste of time.

Anyway, must I complain more?  No, the weather is beautiful, cool and bright.  Last night, the sky was just majestic...here's one pic of several that I took.

I don't know my clouds and it's a shame because I love taking pics of them and enjoy them so much.  As you can see, they were light and thin...not even fluffy and the sky was just beautiful.  Hope you like the pic too!

thanks for stopping by, take care!

Baby Kiln Offering

Here is the first fire offering from the baby kiln.  I am happy with the outcome, just doesn't seem like enough things for a ten hour firing, but I will have to get to used this, I guess!

The starfish cuffs are spoken for, the top right cuff is sold with the leaf charms beside it, and the odd looking starfish at bottom left is going to be a wind chime sometime in the future.  These two pieces were the only ones that would fit in the first firing.  There are five more pieces to go with it.

The oblong star cuffs are a new design for me.  I hope you like them.  The fish, I just can't stop and the gingko leaves were a suggestion.  I have never seen gingko in person, so I hope these are okay.

Let me know what you think and as always, thanks for stopping by and take care!

Baby Kiln

Well, here we go, my first real firing of my baby kiln.  I am hoping it will be a great firing!  It is going to Cone Six which is over 2200 degrees...impressive for such a little thing.  Will know sometime tomorrow how it went and will let you know!

Good Times?

We are having a sale on Etsy for our First Friday Art Walk...check it out!  I am having a 15% off if you use coupon code BOCPAT15.  There are several others having sales as well!

My button buddy and I had a good time at Button Club, I came home with more buttons than I intended to, but that's okay.  But, let me tell you about our trip...on the way up, I hit a bird, a BIG bird, but did no damage to the car...I hated that so badly I can't tell you.  He/she was in the ditch by the road and I didn't see it at all until it hit our windshield.

That was enough to practically ruin my day.  I've hit very few animals while driving and it makes me sick every time.  So sad as it was only doing its birdly duties...makes me sad yet today.

Then on the way back from Button Club I had to lay some rubber down to keep from t-boning an old man who pulled right in front of us!  I saw him coming and I kept thinking to myself, don't do that...stop...don't pull out in front of me...so I was able to slow down enough.  I have never blown my horn at anyone before, but I did him!

We ate at Taco Bell which I wasn't in the mood for, but maybe we'll hit Chinese next time!

Thanks for stopping by and take care!

Button Club

Heading to Zanesville tomorrow to Button Club.  I haven't been there since Spring.  This has been a crazy summer with Rusty's operation and my little clay biz as busy as it has been.  We have been blessed, that is for sure.

The last few days have been miserable hot and humid, and unless this winter is crazy cold, I won't miss it one bit.  I know it's silly to complain about the weather, but I enjoy cooler more than too warm.

I made a few fish pendants today, so Friday I hope to glaze and fire.  I am going to use the small kiln and see how it goes.  Just as I was getting used to the big one...but that is okay, the larger one will be handy just in case I don't get the little one figured out.  It's a digital I keep telling myself, it should be easier.  I can only hope!

well, once again, thanks for stopping by and take care!

Catching Up...

Trying to catch up on some housework...I will never understand how this house can go to pot in two or three days when there are only two people and one dog and cat.  Crazy.  I don't see how working women with children can even keep up!  But anyway...

I do have a small order to get ready this week, they are made, but need to be glazed and fired.

I sent a picture to Bead Trends hoping they will be interested in showing some of my beads.  I mentioned the store and one lady that has helped me along the way.  Hope she won't mind...can you guess who you are?

The first fire in the little kiln didn't go as well as expected, but it was totally my fault, I'm sure.  My big kiln gets done in about six/seven hours and this one wasn't even close to cone six when I turned it off.  It showed it was above cone 01, where the test cone witness was, but, after I turned it off, I realized that it would have to be there and over for a bit to heat the whole inside...I was nervous about running it, but will fill it next time and let it alone, only checking, I have to learn to trust it!

thanks for stopping by, take care.

Nervous as a Cat!

I am so on edge today, I am firing my baby kiln for the very first time since I've had it...bought it back in April!  Pretty sure all will go well, but I felt like this the first few times I fired the old one too!

Hope you all have a great and safe Labor Day weekend!  Do something fun if you can and make wonderful memories!

My best friend from childhood is coming for a visit tomorrow and altho we only live about 30 miles from each other, she has her life and I am busy with mine, so when we do get to see each other, it is always fun.  I love her so and am so glad we reconnected after we grew up.  Now hopefully, we can grow old together and be friends till the END!

I will be firing for sure on Monday if at all possible!

As always, thanks for stopping by and take care...

Another Batch of Goodies

Here is another batch I made.  These wings are fun, a little difficult, because I have to cut it out by hand not just cookie cutter it out.  And there are lots of details that disappear easily if handled too much.  And I love the details!   I like making these and I hope the receiver is happy with them, she seemed to be by the sound of her emails.

Hope you all have a great day, and as always, thanks for stopping by and take care!

So Happy!

UPDATE!  Here is one of the Mended Hearts in use...For Mr. Ryley!  God bless!



The kiln was good to me this time.  I had four special orders and all turned out very well.

Here are my Mended Hearts made for a special project involving children with heart problems.  I am so happy with the way they turned out and so is the person I made them for.  This is just such a blessing to me.  For them to mean something to someone else makes the meaning of them even more special...

If you want to read my story of the Mended Hearts, use the search button, above left, and it should take you right to it!

thanks for stopping by, take care!

A Great Day to Glaze

What a beautiful day, the morning was bright and cool, I just love this weather!  Almost too cool for a fan, but I have to have the air around me moving, even if I have to put on house slippers to keep my toes from being too cold...love it!

I am glazing up a storm, lots of wings and hearts and little matching beads...and more.  I am so grateful.

I put up an item in my Etsy store this morning and in less than half an hour it had been sold!  That is fun!

You all are making my life so happy and full and I am grateful to each of you.  I finally feel like this is where I should have always been in my life...Just wish it hadn't taken me so long to find this place!

And as always, thanks for stopping by and take care!

Getting Back in the Groove!

Saturday was a clay day that I thoroughly enjoyed!  I do enjoy all clay days, not just this last one.  It had been so long, going on three weeks.  Very happy with what I got done, have a few more pieces to do and then I can wet sand, glaze and fire.  Maybe this weekend!

I am also having an online Pampered Chef party for a friend.  I LOVE THIS STUFF!  I LOVE GADGETS, kitchen thingies...I love them.  I am not a cook, but I do like the stuff you use to cook with, and all the fun things that go in the kitchen.  Let me know if you'd like anything!

Thanks for stopping by and take care!

two weeks out

Two weeks out of not being in clay, not taking pictures, not loading store and I feel so behind and that I will never get caught up again.  bad feeling!

Trying to get things organized and wanting to get back into my clay so much!  Must get some clay done today, I just have to!

And the Winner Is!

DEB BALL!  Congratulations and thanks to all that joined and liked...I appreciate you very much!  Deb, send me your mailing address at rusmar31@yahoo.com and I'll mail out your necklace set.  Thanks again everyone!

Chances Closed!

Will draw a name after seven p.m. EST.  Thanks to those who joined my blog and liked Marti's Buttons-n-Beads.  Hope you win!

Last Chance!

Tonight and tomorrow is the last chance to like Marti's Buttons-n-Beads on Facebook and join my blog for a chance to win this dyed green shell necklace set.  White metal and monofilament make a strong necklace with shell pieces and glass beads and the earrings are silver plated if I remember correctly.  The necklace is almost 21" long the earrings dangle 1 3/4" from the curve where it fits the lobe.  The necklace could be shortened or lengthened if you'd like, up to four inches.  Anyway, I hope you'll join up and I can sign you up for a chance to win it.

You must let me know you've joined either lately or long ago!

I will add you name to the hat and have a drawing sometime tomorrow after the family reunion.  Thanks!

A Chance to Win!

If you join my blog and like Marti's Buttons-n-Beads on Facebook, link here:
https://www.facebook.com/MartisButtonsNBeads?ref=hl  I will put your name in a hat in a drawing Sunday for the green shell necklace and earring set I made at the County Fair.  Let me know you've done both and thanks!

The County Fair

The Fair went great yesterday, kind of slow, but there was a big crowd outside, they just didn't make it inside, or at least not many of them.  The air conditioning went out and it was getting stuffy by five.  I held on till about six, but then came home.

I did get some things made while I was there and here is my favorite.  Please let me know what you think...
I don't know what you call these shell pieces, but I love them and think they are beautiful.

as always, thanks for stopping by and take care!

First Friday Art Walk!

Tonight at midnight our Beads of Clay Professional Art Team is having its First Friday Art Walk sale beginning at midnight tonight, mine goes thru Sunday midnight.

My store is having a 15% discount on all things using coupon code "BOCPAT15".  Hope you find something you like!  Check it out here:  http://www.etsy.com/shop/MartiC51

Not going to the fair tonight and towing all that stuff out there for just a few hours.  Will be there tomorrow and Saturday from 10-7, making jewelry with my beads and pendants.  Hope to see you there!

Have a great weekend and as always, thanks for stopping by and take care!

Having a Sale!

Between right now and midnight tonight, I'm having a 20% off sale at my Etsy store as I'm shutting it down this weekend and will revamp it before opening back up.  If you want anything, please go now...
Use coupon code FAIR2012 to get a 20% discount!  Thanks so much!

Found out I lose my stats if I close or vacation mode the store...so still having a sale, not closing the store, sorry for the oops!


http://www.etsy.com/shop/MartiC51

My Blog Hop Done

Wow, the blog hop is over for my third and now I am going back and taking my time.  Why did I think I had to thru it so fast?  I didn't...so I'm going slower and really enjoying it so much more!

The Ritchie County Fair is being held this weekend.  I didn't go out last year, but I am looking forward to it this year.  There is going to be a rodeo which I'm not crazy about, but that is new as far as I know.

Got to get busy and get some stuff together.  Looking forward to the next reveal!

thanks for stopping by, take care!

Bead Soup Blog Hop-REVEAL

I've had some excitement and trepidation about the BEAD SOUP BLOG HOP!  But really, more excitement than anything.  Thank you Lori for this wonderful opportunity!

Here was the batch of beautiful beads I received from my swap partner, Karyn Lewis Bonfiglio...

I knew exactly what I wanted to do with the lovely snowflake obsidian beads as soon as I laid eyes on them.  The onyx oval gave me pause for a day, but that beautiful pearl focal and waxed linen cord drove me nuts for more than a couple of days! 

My online friend, Jean A. Wells from Kansas City, does a great lariat necklace and so after a little thought, I brought the snowflake obsidian beads together with some shiny black glass beads I have and here is what happened...

I strung them as a wrap bracelet with the lovely leaf clasp for a closure. It can also be worn as a necklace.  There were a couple left over beads and I used them for matching earrings along with the black rose charms Karyn sent. 

I strung the onyx pendant on a silk ribbon from Marsha Neal Studio and the polymer beads that Karyn made were strung to dangle from it.  Two matching beads were used for dangly earrings. 

The set that gave me the most problem was the gorgeous pearl focal and waxed linen cord.  I had no idea what to do with them.  I really didn't have anything to match or even coordinate with them without making a trip to town.  So I thought about it for a couple more days and as I was reading my Bible in the morning as I usually do, a multi strand bookmark came to mind. 

I cannot tell you how much fun this was for a non-beader and for someone who does not consider herself to be a jewelry maker.

Thanks Lori and Karyn for the opportunity...now I'm off to see what the others have done!

Here is the list: 

 www.beadsoupblogparty.com  

Ritchie County Fair

Here are a few things I'm taking to the Ritchie County Fair this year.

I'm working on some bracelets and a necklace or two.  The Fair is a good time with good people, and good food.  What more can you ask for?  Will add more details later.

thanks for stopping by, take care!

New Orders 7-17-12

Here are most of the things out of the kiln today!  I am happy with most of it.  One or two small mishaps, but, that happens sometimes.
Most of these things are orders that have been so long in the making, but another good thing is, Rusty was released from Doctor Yoak today.
If you see something that you think is yours, it probably is!

thanks for stopping by, take care!

Kiln is On!

The old kiln is just purring away.  I haven't had time to try the new one yet.  Really need to get it on and running.  

Won't be able to open it until around noon and later tomorrow because we are going to what we hope is Rusty's last doctors appointment for a while.  I hope they release him to do what he wants to do, he's getting a little stir crazy.

Very muggy and hot today...storm weather for sure.

thanks for stopping by, take care!

Finally Getting Some Work Done

How long has it been?  I am finally getting some work done!  Other than a few beads and a few more pieces that this pic didn't have room for, this is what I've gotten done the last few days as time allows...

I lay my flat pieces out on these ceiling tiles to help keep them flat as they dry.  I cover this piece with one on top.  It's getting worn and ugly, but it gets the job done.  Next step is wet sanding!

thanks for stopping by, take care!

From June 4th till now...

There is a story I have to tell...some good things, some bad as most stories go.

June 4, 2012, my husband of over 30+ years was scheduled for surgery to repair cervical spine 3-7.  His walking was being interfered with from the damage done to his spine from who knows when.  The doc said it was an old injury...he could not tell how old.  So, the surgery was set and completed June 4th, 2012.  It was a very successful surgery, doc was happy with results.

Almost a week later, there were drops of serum coming out of the back of his neck.  We ran back to the doctor and when he opened the wound, it poured serum and blood...the good news was, no infection.  He said he had never seen anything like it...I almost fainted.  We had to maintain a wick and padding to clean up the wound...it didn't work.

So, a second surgery was set to clean up the wound and add a drain to take off the fluid.  After that was done about a week later, the drain was removed and away we went...only to return days later with a leaky back.

We were sent to another doctor, a plastic surgeon this time and when he pulled the stitches, a gap was left that I had to pack and maintain for two days until he could get a surgery lined up...third surgery...

Finally a week and more after the third surgery we are seeing some healing and the results are turning out good.  His walking is improving and most of all, the healing has finally begun.  The stitches are to be removed this coming Tuesday, but the drain may last for a while yet.

I must say, during the first two surgeries Rusty suffered no pain to speak of.  I am so grateful for that, because had that injury been painful, it would have been AWFUL.
He has had some pain with this one as the skin is drawing together and the stitches are holding it tight, but it's manageable and hasn't been beyond his reach.

There are pics to go with this story...they are at Flickr and if you want to see them, just know, some are very graphic and stunning.  You wouldn't believe he wasn't in pain...

http://www.flickr.com/photos/95712917@N00/7523031198/in/photostream


7-10-12  Rusty got his stitches and drain out today...thank you Lord!

An Interview

Shelley gave me space on her blog!  Here is our interview, hope you enjoy it.

http://shelleygrahamturner.blogspot.com/p/bffs-beading-friend-friday.html

Clay!

I actually got some clay work done yesterday...ahh...so nice!  I have missed it very much.
Now to get some more orders done so I can start wet sanding and glazing!

Tickled Pink...

...and grinning like a possum, so pleased with the pieces I made for the blog hop! I could get used to this and I DO NOT need a new hobby! But at least I did these to suit me and I would be glad to wear these out for others to see! Can hardly wait to show them off!

The Hubs

Rusty got a good doctors report yesterday for which I am extremely grateful, but he is not quite up to par yet. He doesn't even know exactly what the problem is...just doesn't feel really good, even as good as he felt several days ago. We missed another big storm yesterday. It was stormy but nothing like it had been. There are still thousands in our state and surrounding states without electric. I have another sale to Finland, but she wanted and bought a reserved item and I cannot get hold of the person who reserved it. I told her I would ask before I send it to her. Hopefully, I can hear from the lady who had it reserved today. I like to get out the items wanted as soon as possible, especially when they have so far to go! Thanks for stopping by, take care!

BEADS!

Got the beautiful beads today from my Bead Soup partner Karyn Lewis Bonfiglio and they are stunning!

I've mentioned too many times now, I am not a jewelry maker and I am not a beader, but I could become a bead hoarder...does that count?

I think I would be in some great company!

thanks for stopping by, take care