Just another work day...

...with a good meal planned at the end of it.

I participated in my local Y's Turkey Trot (5 mile run) this morning. It was bitterly cold. And I'm kinda grumpy. I didn't do as well as I thought I would, but at least I finished and at no time did I walk. So there.

I also loaded my display items into my truck for tomorrow's show at Market Street Media Foundry in Des Moines. I'm going to try recreating my outside space. It will be difficult with out the walls. I have a few pieces to work on today, then I can pack up all my work (and there is one metric boatload of it!) this afternoon, then just hang out tonight, maybe play a little Boggle.

Correction!

The peanut beads I talked about a few weeks ago are NOT Miyuki. They are Matsuno brand.

Flowers

I have a show on Friday. I have a feeling earrings will be popular. At least I'm hoping so :)

I received the bell flower beads from ArtBeads.com. They are just beautiful. I've used this type of beads before, but I hadn't seen all these wonderful colors. I'm very found of the "stone" finish. And I like that at ArtBeads.com you don't have to buy a strand of a particular bead. You can purchase just what you need.*
*I have received the products free of charge from ArtBeads.com and I am honestly reviewing the products and have not been paid for my endorsement as it pertains to the products received.
The other beads and findings I used are from an old stash I recently uncovered :) It's like Christmas all over again.

ArtBeads.com in the mail!

I ordered up these fantastic Czech pressed glass bell flowers in two sizes, 5.5mm x 9mm and 8.5mm x 12mm. Both make great earrings and dangles on vintage inspired pieces. Both of which will have to wait until tomorrow. I need a little break from the studio this afternoon. As soon as I am done sorting freshly tumbled jump rings, I'm heading home for a few hours of non-beading and hanging out with my cat Shelby.

Busy Bee

Since my return from NYC, it's been nothing but go-go-go. I've had 5 classes in Omaha, a few very hectic days working at the Bead Market (people sure are crabby around the holidays- Jesus Christ on a Laptop, your buying beads, it's not rocket science people!!), organizing and pricing the booty from my buying trip...and getting ready for the next show in Des Moines at the Market Street Media Foundry. (Perhaps afterward I will either celebrate a good show or drown my sorrows in the best sushi this side of the Missouri River, Miyabi 9.)

Most of my time has been spent working in BronzClay and CopprClay. I love it, and have come up with a centerpiece that works well with Mermaid's Tail weave. It is pretty cool, even if I do say so myself.

Hey there, Peanut!

Miyuki 2mm x 4mm peanut shaped seed beads. Fabulous!

Beading Contest

Over at GoodQuillHunting.com, there's a little beading contest goin' on. I've entered a project inspired by #22. I did something completely different from my normal gig. 1.) I used brick stitch, and it's sort of sculptural, and 2.) employed bright colors. It's definitely NOT an award winner. It got me out of my comfort zone (but for far too many beady hours, IMO). You live and you learn I suppose. Each round is an individually worked entity. I layered each piece and tacked them together. I made the toggle bar out of 14 gauge fine silver and hammered the ends. It took over 8 hours to complete. It sure doesn't look like it.