Bracelet(s)

I need to post the picture of the last bracelet finished.
Started another -- it's a bit odd.
But I also have idea's for a new one.

And then there is the new stamping toys that I got... need to get metal so that I can play with those.
Hopefully someone at Bead Binge will be selling.
Otherwise, looks like I have to make an order -- can't wait until August for Bead Fest in philly -- but that would be a good place to buy it!

Bracelet

My latest bracelet is almost completed.
I spend so much time sweating over placement.
Not like other people, no I am not.
It has to be right for me.....
So I am the slow poke.
s'ok.

I'm doing this for me.
No one else.
For me.
The pure act gives me joy.

Detachables

About 2 years ago when I took my first (and only) collar class from Sherri, I came up with the idea to make the pendant detachable.
At the Tahoe Retreat, I showed her what I had done... making two pendants and using detachable hooks -- she was stunned and said she had not thought about that.

The design keeps coming back in to my mind and I want to do more detachable things.
Not more collars -- the brass setting/base is too tight.

But I want to incorporate my idea in to other items. Working on something right now (in my mind) and as soon as I finish this bracelet, I am going to start on it.

I need some metal to cut and shape ....

You never have enough....

Had a new project to start... went to look for Black size 8's.
none to be had.
Now how could THAT happen.

Mailed Beki some beads to match.
Got my answer :)
New bead order going in !

I need to attack my art with vigor -- with activity!
I need to be AGRESSIVE with it.

Have found I am becoming somewhat passive.
Not liking that..... taking the easy way out and not dedicating myself to working on it.

MUST. CRACK. WHIP. ON. MYSELF.

What to do... what to do....

The BFAC is finished.
I completed a freeform bracelet for myself.

WHAT TO DO NOW ???

I started an "odd" piece -- not sure what I will do with it.... but it is started.

The purse is screaming to be finished, but that would mean I would have to start over again.... because I don't like where I am with it.......

sheesh.
I need to do something.

The idle mind is the devil's playground.

Weekend update

It's getting hot again here.
Not much going on.

On Saturday we went to see Eat Pray Love. It made me cry in several places.
And it forced me to remember that I do need to forgive myself for some things.
And to acknowledge that there are things that I am not responsible for.

My current project involves greens. I am making a freeform bracelet for myself.
For this to be freeform, it sure does take a lot of planning on my part !

Rachel Alexandra did not win her race yesterday.
I didn't think she would.
Making her Horse of The Year was not a good decision.
IMO.

Our area has had strong riptides this weekend and stronger ones predicted for later this week.
Colleen and I went down to the beach yesterday.
It was nice.
And I discovered this morning that we went with last years tags....... sheesh.

We'll be going again on Thursday.

things lacking at the show

I found it odd that there was a noticeable lack of dichroic glass artists at the show.
One of the things I wanted was dichroic glass cabs.
And very little to be found.

Guess I will hit ebay.

What did I buy?

Crystals -- tiny tiny TINY ones.
oh me Lordy, I do love me some tiny crystals.

And hot fix crystals too.
And some pearls, seeds, and some odd little things to use in quirky little places.

This time my color chart was quite different and a tiny bit out of my comfort zone -- but I am feeling good about it

Vivid purple, golds, margarita greens.

And then there is that whole green group -- so that I can finish a bracelet for ME !
We discovered that I do not keep anything for me -- and I had almost nothing of my creations to wear to the show.

I need to be on a quest for myself.

Now I am on a kick of wanting to wire crochet again -- I did one necklace for myself over a year ago.
Looks like I will have to re-teach myself.
And that whole turn part looks a bit intimidating.
But I will buy some cheap wire from Michael's and work on it.

Then there is the purse I need to finish for myself.
And a bracelet for a co-worker/friend.
OH and either a pin or bracelet for me -- I am thinking bracelet as I have some ideas re racing silks.
Sheesh!
so much and not enough time.

What I'm doing.....

Because my project for BFAC is finished, I thought I would zip back and work on the purse that I started in Sherri's class.
Alas, that didn't work.
I wasn't feeling the love for what I started.
Colleen helped me to "allow" myself to start over.
(when we go to Beadfest tomorrow, I am going to look for new colors).

In the meantime, I am working on a freeform bracelet for me !!

Pittsburgh

Colleen and I arrived safely in Pittsburgh.
I had forgotten how beautiful the countryside is.
'The mountains were a nice remembrance too !

We went exploring last night before we settled in at the hotel.
BTW, got a great rate from Travelocity for 3 nights at a Wyndam.
I found several places I would like to shoot pictures but am not so sure of the safety factor.
The good news is is that I have Colleen with me and that is good!

We stopped at "Dozen Bakery" because the ratings were so good.
"I" was disappointed.
Had been craving a German Chocolate cake for weeks, simply WEEKS. I picked up one and the cake was terrible.
Frosting was good but the cake was awful.
Colleen got some strange cornflake peanut butter chocolate concoction and liked it.
I'm not sure I would go back ---- but they did have a savory pesto scone that I was curious about ......

Today we have day 1 of our class with Sherry Serafini.
She's a fabulous artist and a good friend.
I am looking forward to some serious inspiration!

BFAC

Still plugging away on my BFAC. But I am getting closer to the 2/3's mark.
Since I am off today, I am going to work on it for about an hour, then we will go out and run errands.

I'll be glad when it is completed so that I can go on to another project!!
Like RAW.
Or an idea that is pulsing in my brain!

Time is just so short.
And I bead so freakin' slow --- I just can not fling them on like hand grenades.
They all must be RIGHT.

?????

Could I possibly have too many beads?
If I find bags with bead in them... that I don't remember buying....... does that mean I have too many?

Blasted Bracelet is finally finsihed

I'll have to take a picture of it.
Sheesh.

Bracelet is ALMOST finished

I made a mistake on Wednesday evening. I knew I was tired, I SAID I was tired.
And I should have stopped beading.
But I didn't.
And I made a mistake.
It took me two (2) days to come back to the bracelet.
That mistake just about got the best of me.

But fear not, I have not given up.
The bracelet is almost finished.
I suspect it just might get finished this weekend.

And a darned good thing too -- I have ideas for the BFAC and need to work on them before the beads get here.

Working on........

finishing the pin from Sherri's class at the Tahoe bead retreat.

Then I will take apart the Marcia DeCosta bracelet and begin again.
I had such difficulty with that.
It was almost abandoned completely -- several times it was almost thrown across the room.

But I refuse to defeat myself.
It is ok to let myself fail in order to learn it.

I WILL defeat -- umm, I mean -- finish that bracelet

New project

Working on something new right now -- a rush project.
Only have 20 days to finish it.

Have to put the BJP on hold for a few days.

film at eleven

BJP 2009

I worked on the last heart for the 2009 BJP while we were in the midst of the snowstorm.
There are times that I wish I beaded as fast as others.
Just is not going to happen.
I can't fling them on -- it is a whole process for me.
And I can't not cover the material.
Just to have some beads here, and some beads there makes me nuts.
NUTS I tell you !
It really does make me twitch.

I haven't picked out my shape for next year.
12 individuals?
1 large one?
I know they all have to be the same size.
I think they will be smaller than this year because there needs to be time for other items.
With work etc., I need to be able to make room for other pieces to work on.
There are so many ideas crashing around in my head and I have to experiment with those too!
Plus there is always the BFAC project that will come up in a few months!

I am thinking.........

a lot about the post Beki made about future retreats.
It would be less than honest for me to say I wish they would be closer -- the west coast is such a schelp for us right coasters. The time zone change really messes with the mind.

But...... there is nothing I can do about that.

On the other hand, I was thinking a lot about what teachers I would take repeat classes with.
There are a few.

And on the other hand -- and for the sake of politeness -- I will keep it to myself, there are those that I would not repeat with.
Just didn't enjoy, didn't get anything out of, or didn't mesh with them.


And on another similiar path --- I wish Sherry would teach her purse class somewhere close.
I doubt she will be back to Blanche's anytime soon to teach it.
I am wondering how much I could teach myself???

Getting Back on Track

I'm still struggling since returning from Tahoe.
Not sure what happened.
Well, I have an idea ---- and I am keeping it to myself.
Something "put me off my feed", as we would say about horses.
SomeONE.
Why I let myself be intimidated, I don't know.

NO --- I intimidated myself with this person.
She could care less about me, or the art I have -- in fact, that was pretty darned obvious.
I'm like a terrier with a ragtoy -- I have not been willing to let go of my feelings.
I keep telling myself to "Feel the feeling and let it go.
nope -- not working.
I seem more inclined to feel it, leave it alone, pick the scab off and torture myself with MY pain again and again and again.

SIGH -- maybe if I go out in the car and yell really loud I will feel better!

I have been struggling for two weeks to get back in to my art.
Last night I took a baby step.
That helped.
I will do more today.
and make myself, every day this week.

Next week is Breeder's Cup Saturday.
We'll hunker down for the day -- horseracing, beading, and munchies - a great time will be had by all.

Kicking and screamin

Damned Blogger - -ate my post.

Looks like I am going to have to drag the muse back -- kicking and screaming.

I am headed to the living room to MAKE myself bead.
maybe watch some tube and check the baseball score out.