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

  

Feeling Behind

WOW--I just noticed I have 50 followers on this blog!  Welcome and thank you so much for joining me here!

I feel like I'm getting so behind I'll never catch up.  Rusty is on the mend I think, I really think so, this time.  We see the doctor Tuesday.
I have beads on the way for the blog hop and am so excited to have them to think about.  I hope to get back to some clay by Wednesday.
Once again I appreciate your patience with this lousy situation...don't give up on me!  I am more anxious to get busy with clay again than you could know!
The weather is crazy hot and humid, so far our electricity is still on and I thank God for A/C!  And He knows I mean it...lol.
Hope you all are well and that it is cooler wherever you are than it is outside.
Thanks for stopping by and take care!