Studio Weekend

New Inventory in Etsy

Yesterday was a day that I took photographs of earrings and pendants then worked on cropping and resizing the images and then uploading all into our Etsy shop.  There were 24 new pieces that I uploaded yesterday.  That was about 10 hours of work and I am proud of myself for getting that done.

Mom and I did take a break to do some errands.  I had to get a haircut and I wanted to look for new shoes.



Duct Tape in Right Shoe



Padding Coming Out
















I have had these shoes for almost seven years, when I started working full time at my current job.  I love these shoes, but when you are using duct tape to cover up a hole because all the padding has falling out there I think it is time to buy a new pair of shoes.  But boy did I get my money's worth out of these shoes.

New Shoes - Dansko

I have read Lori Anderson loves these shoes and I know my aunt loves them because she owns three pairs.  My aunt, who is a nurse, said she knows of other nurses and doctors who swear by them.  I have really bad feet, so I will try anything for my feet not to hurt.  Of course I have never bought shoes that cost that much, unless you count my jump boots from the Army.


White Board - List of thing to do

Today was working in the studio, even though mom still wasn't feeling up to snuff.  She has been hacking and snotting around - joy what fun for the both of us.


Me torching a plate

I only had a few things to enamel today.  I torched a plate for mom to form and then I got busy enameling.  I had the plate and three pendants to get done.  One pendant is for the November Art Bead Challenge, a pendant is for a friend (Kristen on My Bead Journey) and the other pendant was something mom cut out a long time ago, but I have been putting off enameling because I knew it would be a pain. 

Pendant mom cut out - Flure De Lis

 

Bird for Kristen



November ABS Pendant/Necklace

If you would like to see more of the Art Bead Challenge piece head on over to our Flickr site for the images.

I finally sealed some of the Viking Knit that I patined on Monday.  I am testing these with the lacquer we use until the sealant I ordered arrived.  I can't get a good photograph with the sunlamp, so I am hoping for some sunshine soon.

I guess that is it.  It is late and I still have to go home and do laundry, change the sheets, clean up and eat.  Oh, tomorrow is when the reduction in size program starts with our group at work.  Cross your fingers for us.  I hope you all had a wonderful weekend!

Battle of the Bulge - Belly Bulge That Is

It is official - need to lose weight!  Pants are too tight, uncomfortable and my knees hurt.  Mom and I have been talking about doing something about losing weight, but I have never got off my butt to do anything about it.

Effigy to a Scale

This is a plate I made in my spring ceramics class that explains all I feel about the scale.  Ever since I got out of the military I have had no desire to get on a scale or exercise ever again.  But you can't do that and not gain weight, which I have been doing since I got out - not good!!!

Well, today at work we have decided to start a group to lose weight and there is an incentive to do it - a pot of money.  Each of us, who are participating in the group, will contribute $20 and when we do our final weigh in on April 1st the person who has lost the most percentage will win the money.

So far there are 7 of us participating.  One of the girls will bring a scale in and we will weigh ourselves on Monday and like I said the final weigh in will April 1st.  We have a third party who will keep track of the weigh ins and the money - so no cheating.  I know, you are thinking but it is the holiday's and all that food.  I don't care - my knees hurt!  I have started counting points (if you are Weight Watchers you will know) and I plan on starting to exercise - the Wii is calling my name.  I have my fingers crossed that mom and I can do this because I would love to feel comfortable in my clothes again and my health will be better.

Keep your fingers crossed for us!

Patina's by MissFickleMedia

Yesterday was my play day with my new patina's from MissFickleMedia.  I have been looking forward to this all weekend long.  That was part of our explanation when we were showing customers how we do Viking Knit at our show this past weekend.

Mom and I went to Walmart for some supplies - paper towel, gloves, mask, funnel...Once I got home I set up the studio while mom finished up the Viking Knit we were going to use to make bracelet's and earrings.  I set up the patina on the table that has our torches, the only spot big enough to do anything and where I felt comfortable using the torch on the Viking Knit.  As you can see it was like a mad scientist's work station - this was so much fun!  Well, except when I melted two end caps because I wasn't paying attention.

My Mistakes

It took a few mistakes to finally figure out what I was doing wrong.  I was heating up the Viking Knit to long before I put it in the patina.  The second Viking Knit down you can see where I crimped the metal in the middle.  I finally figured out I need to hold the ends, but sometimes that is hard.  Oh well, I do really like the bottom Peacock Blue (Utopia) Viking Knit. 

 The bottom picture, end caps and toggle clasp, were dipped in the Violet and then the Peacock Blue patina.  The findings have a dark blue look.  That is the same with the Viking Knit - the second Viking Knit from the bottom - was dipped in the Violet and then the Peacock Blue to give it a dark blue look.  We will see what happens after I have sand the findings and Viking Knit and then spay them with sealant.

Saffron - will be earrings

I think I did better on the Viking Knit and End Caps for the Saffron and Paprika patina.  I had better coverage overall and I worked better with the Viking Knit and findings - had more practice before I worked with these colors.

Saffron & Paprika Patina

Top Viking Knit - Saffron and Paprika Patina

I also played by dipping of Viking Knit in two patina's.  I dipped one of the Viking Knit bracelets in the Paprika and then the Saffron patina.  I think the colors turned out wonderful, but I won't know until I sand the bracelet and then seal it.

I played with another color of patina, but this was a cold application - I didn't have to heat up the metal to apply the patina.  I dipped the Viking Knit and wire into the patina and I am letting it set overnight in a baggie.  When I get off work tonight I will stop at mom's house and see how the Viking Knit turned out.  Like I said, I feel like a mad scientist at work - so much fun!

I will take photographs of the finished pieces when we get them made up into bracelets and earrings.  Stay tuned!

Busy But Satisfying Weekend and Now Time To Play

Last Finishing Touches for Friday's Show

Friday night was the opening of the Friends of Frankfort Art Show.  Mom and I arrived around 4:00pm Friday night to put the final touches on the table for the show.  While mom was putting the last touches to the table I had to run down to the car to get something.  When I came back to the building, there was an older gentleman, first in line, sitting in a lawn chair reading a book.  He said by goodness he was going to be the first in line this year, and he was.  I was talking to the lady who organizes this event and she said people usually start lining up at 4:30 for the patron's opening.  I knew it was crazy, but didn't realize how crazy it would become.

Necklace that Sold that We Were
Going to Tear Apart

The opening for the patron's show started at 5:00pm and boy were these people ready to shop!  We had an older lady and her husband come in, and she went directly to an enameled pendant necklace and snagged it so fast it made our heads spin.  It was great.  What is funny is that mom and I had planned on ripping that necklace apart if it didn't sell after our show season.  I am so glad someone loved the necklace enough to buy it.

The Splendor necklace sold within the first 10 minutes of the show.  A woman came by, tried it on, and said she would come back.  She came back and bought it and she wants us to make her a pair of earrings to go with the necklace.  About an hour after that necklace sold, a woman came by asking if we had made another Splendor necklace.  I told her it had sold and then I rememberd her from the Art on the Wabash show.  She really liked the Splendor necklace I was wearing (made with Kelley's beads) and was hoping I would sell it.  I told her we could make another one, but I didn't have any more of those blue egg beads from Kelley.  I said if I could buy more eggs from Kelley I would try to make another necklace and let her know when I did.  I know it is not good business not to sell a piece, but I just can't let that necklace go.

The frog necklace sold near the end of the show.  There were two couples waiting for the group that was lookin at the necklace to put it down so they could snag it.  That was very gratifiying that we had a whole group of people who wanted that necklace.

Mom and I did really well talking with the customers and telling them about how we make the bowls, lampwork glass beads and Viking Knit.  We also had a presentation running on the laptop so they could see the process of how we make everything.

Saturday and Sunday was the same thing.  We sat by the booth working on Viking Knit or regular knitting, we would stop and talk with customers when they stopped at the booth.  If either of us were working on the Viking Knit we would show them what we were doing, so people seemed really interested in learning what mom and I do.  I am really looking forward to participating in this show again next year.  I had a blast and I think mom did too.

Here are some photos of the the gallery set up for the show.

These are just an idea of what was all at the show.  There were walls and walls covered in paintings and photographs.  There were wood workers, textiles, jewelry, glass, pottery, etc.  Just so many great artists were represented at this show.  On Saturday and Sunday they even did demonstrations of woodworking, pottery and painting.  I can't say enough how awesome this show is!
Mom and I took today off to recover plus I wanted to play with paina's from Shannon at Missficklmedia.

I have had to wait all weekend to play with the patina's.  Mom and I went out to Walmart this morning to pick up some of the supplies and now all I have to do is wait for mom to finish up several Viking Knit bracelets and I am jumping right in!!!!  I am so excited.  I also really excited to try the Peacock Blue (Utopia) color.  The color looks so gorgeous when Shannon does her pieces that I have my fingers crossed that the same will happen for us.  I will take photographs of finished pieces - if they don't look awful.  I am now off to play.

I'm Being Nice - Though I Really Don't Wanna!!!!

Juls is having a wonderful, fantastic, yummy giveaway on her blog.
I am being nice in letting you all know about this giveaway so I can increase my chances of winning some of her beady goodness.  Yes, there was an ulterior motive for letting you know, more chances to win baby!!!!

Here are images of the other goodies up for grabs.

Head over to Juls blog and you can find out how you can win too.

New Pieces, Set-Up for Tonights Show and Cup of Bead Soup Reveal

Mom Setting Up

Today is the big show for us - the three day show at the Frankfort (Indiana) Public Library.  Tonight the show starts at 5:00pm to 7:00pm for patrons and then 7:00pm to 9:00pm for the public.  The show also goes on Saturday and Sunday.  I am excited and I think mom is too.

This morning mom and I were able to compete three more necklaces.

Splendor version two with our lampwork beads and pearls and Jasper



Mom wearing the frog necklace and yes she is that white



Mom and I left around 9:30 to get to the library to set up.  We had to have the inventory signed in and while I was doing that mom was setting up the table.  This process actually went pretty fast.  We are going to have to bring a floor lamp because there isn't any good lighting to show off the necklaces and bowls.

Laptop to show our presentation of how we enamel, lampwork
and Viking Knit

That is our setup for the show.  I plan on taking photos tonight to show how packed this place becomes, especially when the patrons' start to shop.

Cup of Bead Soup Pieces

Lori, of Pretty Things, has the first of two reveals of pieces she has made for the Cup of Bead Soup.
Here is a sneak peek of what she posted.  If you want to see more head on over to her blog and see the most awesomest piece ever!

Our Lampwork Glass Beads and River Rock

That is it for now.  I am headed home to take a quick shower and get ready for tonight.  You probably won't hear from us until Sunday night or Monday morning.  Have a great weekend everyone and wish us luck!

Happy Veteran's Day

Left top - Grandpa Ralph, Grandpa Lee, Uncle Gerald
Bottom left - Dad, Me in the field at Fort Hood, Me the night before PLDC Graduation

"For it has been said so truthfully that it is the soldier, not the reporter, who has given us the freedom of the press. It is the soldier, not the poet, who has given us freedom of speech. It is the soldier, not the agitator, who has given us the freedom to protest. It is the soldier who salutes the flag, serves beneath the flag, whose coffin is draped by the flag, who gives that protester the freedom to abuse and burn that flag." - Zell Miller

For all my friends who have served and who are still serving our country, Thank You.  Serving with all of you was a privilege, and I will cherish those years for the rest of my life!

I thought it would be cool to create a collage of my grandpas, my great-uncle Gerald (killed on Iwo Jima), my dad and photos of me.  My Grandpa Ralph (Marine) served during World War II in the South Pacific.  My Grandpa Lee (Army) served during World War II in the European Theater.  My great-uncle Gerald served in World War II in the South Pacific.  My Dad was in the Vietnam War, and he retired in 1991, a few months before I went to basic training.  I joined the Army on November 13, 1991.  I can't believe in a few days it will be 19 years since I went off to Fort Jackson, SC for basic training.  It was definitely a new experience, but I think I might have been the only trainee that had a blast during the eight week course.

Mom and I at DLI in 1993

I joined the Army to be a Russian linguist.  I was stationed at DLI, Montery, CA from 1992-1993.  That was really a different experience.  I was trained for the language and only used it for a year when I was stationed in San Antonio, TX.  I re-enlisted to get out of there as soon as possible!!!! 


Me and two team mates during field exercise at PLDC


I went to PLDC at Fort Hood, TX.  This is where they teach you how to be a sergeant.  The above photo is of me and two of the girls in my group the day we went to the field.  I think that is the last time I ever wore camo (paint on face) and the only other time I wore camo was at basic training,


Me at PLDC Grad Dinner


This is the only good photo I could find of me in my Class "A" uniform.  This is the night before we graduate from PLDC.  How about those '90s glasses!


Dawn and I at NTC 1998


I think this is my favorite Army picture of all time.  This is my best friend Dawn and I before we rolled in from the field at NTC (National Training Center), Fort Irwin, CA.  Yes, that is Play Girl you see in my hand and Dawnie has a cigar.  Just so you don't think we just had Play Girl magazines, we had Play Boy too.  We used those to trade the infantry guys for bullets.  Because we were a MI unit, we usually only got five bullets per team member - WTF????  We get attacked too.

So, that is a brief tour of my time in the Army.  I don't regret a minute of my time in and there are times I truly miss it.