Reclaiming My Studio

Once upon a time, my son asked if he could move back home for "3 months or so". He was having a tough time and had lost his job, so I agreed. I let him move into my studio since I wasn't using it at the time and he didn't want to live in the house proper.

Well, 3 months turned into 3 years and my poor studio took a beating in the hands of a young man. But, he has moved out now and I can finally reclaim my space.

As you can see, I have to repaint everything, from the ceiling to the floor.

I need to pull a hideous credenza out from under the counter and do a bit of landscaping up front. There are "Glow-in-the-dark" stars on the ceiling that need to be scraped off before painting.

I intend to paint it in fun colors and hang bulletin boards along the long wall. Since I have a bead studio in the house, my beads won't go out there, but all of my other art supplies will, along with my art books. I want to use it for teaching a couple of classes, inviting my artist friends over for "Inspiration Parties" and to do a semi annual studio sale.

Now all I have to do is get the ladder out there and start scraping those stars off the ceiling!









Bijou Bits

I recently opened a new shop on Etsy because I was finding myself inundated with little bits and bobs and beads that I didn't need, and I thought this would be a great way to clean my closets and make a little cash. Cleaning out old jewelry boxes left me with some pieces of costume jewelry that I didn't want.

I also make glass cabochons from antique postcards, and thought I could make extras and sell them as well.

And I bought a large quantity of antique French Seed Beads and decided to sell some of them. Sorting through my bead drawers (Yes, I have drawers full of beads) made me realize that I could easily part with some of them.

And I found lots of cute little clasps that I won't use and put them in the shop too.

So please feel free to browse through all my little bits and pieces. The shop is called Bijou Bits and can be reached here. 

More Beaded Pretties

I promised some more pictures of what I've been beading lately. These are two brooches made of glass cabochons that I created from scans of some antique french postcards. This one (above) has antique french seed beads in celedon green accenting it.

I love the image in this one. I call it "Drama Girl with Horse". Ha. 





I'm Back!

I know I have been gone a long time. I had to deal with my mother's death and my second journey with breast cancer. But... I had my last chemo treatment and I am getting stronger every day and I'm ready to return to cyberspace.

I have been beading steadily while going through my treatment, so I have quite a few bits and pieces to show. I went through a heart phase around Valentine's Day and made many of these "Crazy Heart" Brooches.

I'm partial to green and purple, so these were two of my favorites.

But I liked the hand offering the crystal in this Teal number.

I have a lot happening now. Saturday Market starts up in April, My son moved out of my Garden Studio, so I'll be repainting it and moving much of my art process back into it. I plan on offering classes and hosting art inspiration groups there.

I'll post more pictures in the next few days. I have been very busy and my beading has been my therapy, so I have many differant styles that I've been playing with.

Till then....

Hilarious Snack

What a great way to get your kids to eat a snack!

Homeless Dogs

Our Dog, Red.

I recently read Nan Emmett's rant about people who don't get their dogs spayed. AMEN, SISTER! But my post today is on a different line. It's homeless dogs. I used to see homeless people with dogs and I'd think "What kind of idiot would get a dog while he's homeless?" But then the kinder side of my brain said "Maybe they had the dog before they were homeless and couldn't part with their friend and companion.".
I see MANY homeless folks on the streets with their signs and if they don't look like druggies or alcoholics (I'm not funding any one's addictions) than I give them a buck or two if I can spare it. But when I see someone with a dog, it breaks my heart. So I have started a one-woman campaign to make sure that at least a few of those dogs don't go to bed hungry.
I bought a big bag of dog food and split it up into 1 gallon Ziploc bags. I added a milkbone or two for a treat and I keep them in the front seat of my car. When I see a homeless person with a dog, they get a couple of dollars and a bag of dog food. It won't end hunger for homeless dogs of the world, but it helps a little and I get endless doggy smiles and tail wags from it.
One more thing before I go. What started this whole "Feed the homeless dogs" thing was a scene a few weeks ago. I was coming home and was stopped at an intersection. On the corner was a man with his dog. The car in front of me honked and beckoned them over. They gave the man two hamburgers from the McDonalds down the street. So what does he do? He takes the meat patties out and gives them to his dog and he eats the buns. There's a special place in heaven for that dog owner.

Makes Me Go "Awwwww"

Found this picture on Facebook. Not sure who took it, but it's adorable.