The Best Laid Plans!

Well, I’m sitting here thinking to myself that I forgot something this morning and I’m right!! I TOTALLY forgot to take pictures of the custom pieces that I dropped of at the gallery today. I really meant to take pictures, then got side tracked (that happens a lot!), and forgot!! Too late now, I guess. It wasn’t anything too exciting, there were two hammered bands, a VERY plain amber pendant (just a bezel and a back plate with a simple bail), and a diamond ring (band with a ridge on each side with a bezel around the diamond – the texture was done with an electric engraver). My friend (and wonderful student)  calls the style of the diamond ring a ‘rail ring’ because it looks like a rail on either side of the band. I know, pictures would help!! Okay, picture this ring with round edges instead of the squared ones shows (I used square wire for this ring, round for the diamond one!), plus the texture on the wider part of the band has a brushed look. Of course the stone is smaller and round and a sparkling diamond! But this is the style. 

So lesson learned, I must remember to take more pictures! Now I must go get ready for class tonight! Have a great week!

Too much driving!!

Hello! Today I spent WAY too much time driving. Hubby (Randy) & I picked up Mark (our 21 yr old son) and his g/f Cecili, then headed all the way to Richmond – we’re talking more than an hour drive one way! We were off to visit Randy’s first son Josh and his wife (Carla). They just delivered grandchild number 2, a gorgeous little boy named Samuel. I always forget how adorable tiny babies are! Sigh! Probably why I had so darn many myself (four boys!)! LOL! We visited with them for a while, then headed back home. Carla was looking a little tired – okay, a lot tired! She had a c-section on Tuesday, so no wonder!! Anyway, we headed home, dropped the kids off, then met our oldest son, Chris and his g/f Val at our place. They were going to get some tattoo work done (Randy is a tattoo artist), but once we’d been home for a while, just seemed like too much work for everyone involved, plus Val wasn’t feeling to well, so scrapped that plan til next time. Then I drove Chris & Val to the skytrain in Surrey, which is about an hour round trip. So in all, if you count the half hour of driving around before I even left home this morning, picking up kids, getting gas, etc, we’re talking roughly four and a half, almost five hours driving time for me today. not a very environmentally friendly way to spend a day, not to mention the achiness that goes along with sitting in the car for that length of time. I tell you, tomorrow will NOT be a day of driving!! Tomorrow, I WILL finish my custom orders for the gallery. I’m also hoping to get a chance to try out a new ring design I have in my head. But we shall see! Apparently we do have to go to Langley for some drywall. I wish there was a magical portal or maybe a port-key so I didn’t have to drive! Yeah, I know, too much Harry Potter!! Okay, I’m babbling! As many of you know, I do that sometimes!! Tomorrow’s blog will be jewelry related – somehow, someway!!! Cheers!

PS Tomorrow I will strive to lay off the exclamation mark! HAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!! Oops – forget those ones, they don’t count. (boy, that’s hard! rats, there I go again – this is going to be a HUGE challenge I see)

Still Alive and Kicking!!

Well, it’s been a while, sorry about that! Life got in the way for a few days there! I had a resin class at my home studio on Sunday, taught by Mikel Leffler – www.bijouxdumonde.net – who has been working with resin for many years. I finally convinced her that she should teach a resin class at the bead show this year, and she finally agreed! So our little get together was a dry run, and a way for her to determine what kinds of things she needs to be prepared for when confronted with real students! So Mikel, Susan (my wonderful teaching assistant who really doesn’t get enough kudos from me, that’s for sure!) gathered at my studio and spent several hours playing with goopy stuff! Wanna see what we made? Oh all right!

First is my favorite pendant (saving the best for last is NOT my moto! LOL!)

Then there’s this little pendant – I seriously slapped this together the night before the class! Hah hah!

Then with all the left over resin, I used a cabochon mold and made these

And here are Susan’s pieces – first two are copper pendants that I quickly put together the night before.

And her left over cabochons! I LOVE the color!!

I think I really love this stuff, even though it doesn’t look like we accomplished much, I certainly got a lot of great ideas and can see myself doing a whole new line. We shall see anyway!!

Other news, my stepson and his wife are at the hospital as I type. She’s having a c-section this afternoon to bring our newest grandson into the world. Must be nice to know the sex, the date and the time that you’re going to have your kid, not like the good old days when I had mine! Hah hah! The new baby’s name is Sam. I guess it’s easier to name a child early on if you know what you’re getting. Kevin (our second) was almost two full days old before we had a name for him.

Well, guess I better get my act together and get working! have a great day and I’ll be back tomorrow!

All is right in the world again!

At least in mine it is! I have had a couple of places contact me about the show, and all will be fine! Whew, not that I was worried, but I really don’t like loose ends like that! I hate change even more, but I have a great crew that will hold my hand through the newness!

This is a very quick post as I have to get ready for class tonight. Note to self, try to get this done earlier in the week so I’m not rushing on Mondays! Hah!!

Gratuitous critter pic!! Here’s a pic of Marvy, the inspiration for the tattoo. He’s a total pain in the butt, and you can’t help but love him!

I’ll be linking to some other jewelry blogs soon – I’m a little slow to figure this stuff out, but when I do, you’ll be able to spend a day surfing, much like I do on a regular basis! Hah Hah!!! Have a great Monday everyone!

Kitty Tracks!

So what do I do on a lovely Sunday afternoon? Well, get a tattoo of course! Yes, another one. This is number 10 – unless you count the collage on my leg as two (technically they were done years apart) which would make it 11. No, not my last either. Wanna see???

Weird huh?? Yes, this is behind my ear, so when I pull my hair up in the summer, they’ll be visible, but when I have my hair down, only I’ll know they’re there. They’re actually pretty tiny foot prints, but I wanted lots so went with smaller ones. I know, I know, what was I thinking! Hah hah!! It didn’t hurt much at all, the top two were a little ouchie but not unbearable. It does pay to have a hubby that tattoos!

I have done very little in the studio this weekend, bad me! But I have a bunch of projects lined up for this week, so hopefully I’ll have some new eye candy for you all!! I’m also working on some riveting projects (the technique of riveting that is!) for my advanced classes this week. I’ll show you what I make when I get them done.

Hope you have a great week planned – I know I have lots of work this week (bead show stuff, class stuff, custom work stuff and maybe even some jewelry to sell!) but I will be online to keep up here – that’s a given! Hah hah!! Cheers!!!

Hooray, it’s not personal!

Well, turns out the convention center doesn’t hate me personally (I know they didn’t but I always take things personally! Hah hah!!). Turns out they’ve had a major reconstruction of management, ownership, etc. and the new crew is a little narrow-minded. So I will be presenting my case to them next week, and hopefully I can persuade them that we are important enough to make a few exceptions, but if not, then I will find another venue for our show. It’s way too much fun to stop now!

I haven’t been in the studio in a couple of days but should probably head down there today. Our oldest son & his g/f are coming over for some tattoo work (my husband – heretofore referred to as ‘dh’ – is an aspiring tattoo artist. The kids are on their way, but they’re coming from Vancouver, so could be a while yet. You know, I’m pretty lucky, I really like the girlfriends my three oldest sons have chosen. My youngest doesn’t have one (he’s 17), but the others are fantastic.

While I have your attention, I should probably say something jewelry related! I’m seriously thinking of organizing a get together of former students, jewelry artists, friends, jewelry enthusiasts sometime this summer. A get together that focuses on sharing ideas, show & tell, suggestions, resources, etc. I firmly believe in sharing information (as my students will tell you!), and a group of like-minded people could have a REALLY good time! And if we have it during barbeque season, even better- good company, good food, lots of eye candy (show & tell!), promises to be a good time! I’ll post more on this as I figure out the logistics – in my spare time – that I don’t have – but I want to do it anyway! Don’t mind me, Now I’m rambling! That means it’s time to get off this computer and get into the studio and create! Cheers!

Ever have a hissy fit?!

Well, I did! Today in fact. As many of you know, I’m the organizer for the Fraser Valley Bead Show and the place that we’ve held the last two events has told me that I probably won’t be able to book for next year (2009). So I stomped my foot, yelled and screamed (at my computer, not at a real person!!) and tried to write a responding email. I finally decided that I need to grab this bull by the horns and phone them tomorrow. If they don’t want my $15,000 – $20,000 next year, I’ll find someplace that does!! But I won’t say it that way! I keep waffling between pouty and whiny for not getting my own way, and mad and frustrated because I thought they liked us! I guess I’m spoiled because I really get upset when things don’t go my way – guess I need to work on that! hah hah! I’ll keep you posted how it goes.

In the meantime, how about a gratuitous critter pic!

This is my granddaughter Freya and Bummy (originally it was Rocko, then it was Babykins, then I’d make comments like ‘he’s such a little bum!’ and it stuck!). Bummy is the snuggle puss of the cats here. If I sit still for 5 minutes he’s trying to crawl in my lap and snooze (after scrunching and purring for a good long while). When Freya comes to visit though, I don’t exist. He thinks his world revolves around her. He’s a pretty handsome guy for 11 years old.

Signing off for the evening. It’s much later than I usually post things. Ah well, took me long enough to get over myself! LOL! (for those that are unfamiliar – LOL means ‘laugh out loud’). Back tomorrow with a much more positive note, I hope! Have a great evening!

HAppy Hump Day!!

Well, made it to Wednesday already! Yippee!!! I have a sinus headache from this stupid cold I ended up with. But could be worse, so I won’t whine (much!). I am running slow today – must be the cold. I have to head down to the studio and get some things prepared for tonight’s class. I’m teaching them reticulation and should prepare my silver in advance – it takes ages to anneal a piece of metal 7 times. Sigh! While I’m down there, I think I might design a couple more bracelets, plus I think I need a new pendant for myself. I got a new chain from Joye as I chopped up my other one for a jewelry project a couple of weeks ago and it needs a nice new pendant to hang on it. It’s not like I don’t have any new stones to play with! LOL Have a great day!!

Just gotta brag!!

No, not about me! I have to show you this picture! It’s the piece that my student made that I spoke of earlier today. I forgot I had already taken a picture of it! Phyllis is one of my Wednesday night students, and this is her third piece ever!! I’m so proud!! She hasn’t seen it finished yet, so don’t tell her I posted it until after Wednesday night, okay?!

I went to the gallery today, Joye Designs in Port Moody, BC (www.joyedesigns.com) and dropped my bracelet and pendant off (see April 1’s post – the opal & peridot bracelet and the eudyalite pendant/pin – I forgot the two small sqaure pendants, and the ammonite bracelet is sold). I picked up a few commission pieces, had a great visit with Joye and played show & tell with our stones from the show. She took 5 of the mabe pearls (I bought extra just for her!), and I can hardly wait to see what she does with them! She’s such a talented wire wrapper!

I’m off to spend the evening quietly relaxing with a cat in my lap, fighting off a cold. Wish me luck! Cheers!

Where did Monday go?!

Here it is Tuesday and I totally missed Monday’s post! My only excuse was an extremely busy day yesterday! I discovered that copper and brass are really expensive! LOL But I have enough copper now to keep the students entertained for the next couple of weeks. I went to the place that I buy my fire bricks from – and they are closed on Mondays. ARGH!! I’m glad I didn’t make a special trip – I had to go to town anyway. I had to go to Staples to get a new printer cartridge and bought a ton more stuff. I have a stationery problem! I LOVE stationery! Notebooks especially, but yesterday it was binders! I bought two, and they’re pink!! Only because they didn’t have purple. Sigh. I think I’ll survive! LOL!

I’m off to the gallery this morning. Joye & I are going to play show & tell of our gem show finds. I did pick up some extra mabe pearls for her, as I know she’ll love them and wish she’d gotten some. I have a couple of  custom orders to pick up and I have to drop those bracelets and necklace off with her. She hasn’t seen them yet, and I know she’s going to love them.

Before I run, I should tell you about one of my new favorite places t o buy from!! www.komarevichoriginals.com – they’re in Calgary, AB. Be forewarned, they’re website sucks, but it’s under construction. He’s the guy I got my pearls from, and my assorted quartzes, and probably a whole lot more! He’s also one of my bead show vendors. Super nice guy, and I finally got to meet his wife! She really does exist (I thought she might be a figment! He never brings her to the bead show!). This is the place I got my NECKLACE MANDREL from – that’s the steel form for making neck collars on. He had them at the show for $65 which is his regular price!! If you’re looking for one of these, you’ll know that is a damn fine price!!! Even if you have to ship from Calgary! More info on them as it comes to me – I’m sure we’ll be in touch, he gave me some interesting news that I hope comes to pass! More on that when I’m ‘allowed’!!

Now, off to the gallery, have a great day everyone! I’ll be back tomorrow with some pictures. One of my students made an amazing pendant that I want to share with you all!! Cheers!