Newest Additions to Shop

This idea came to me when I was rummaging around the bottom of my tote bag trying to find my chapstick! Then I thought about all the times I need to run out and I don't want to carry my purse, so I end up throwing keys, chapstick, license and cash into pockets only to have my chapstick melt and have my keys bulking up my pocket. So, this idea came to me. It solves the melted chapstick and bulky keys problem. I thought they were cute and a nice little sparkle to clip to a beach bag or summer tote!

I Think I Must Suffer From This!

Recently, I was diagnosed with A. A. A. D. D. - Age Activated Attention Deficit Disorder

This is how it manifests:

I decide to water my garden. As I turn on the hose in the driveway, I look over at my car and decide my car needs washing.

As I start toward the garage, I notice that there is mail on the porch table that I brought up from the mailbox earlier.

I decide to go through the mail before I wash the car.

I lay my car keys down on the table, put the junk mail in the garbage can under the table, and notice that the can is full.

So, I decide to put the bills back on the table and take out the garbage first.

But then I think, since I'm going to be near the mailbox, when I take out the garbage anyway, I may as well pay the bills first.

I take my checkbook off the table, and see that there is only 1 check left. My extra checks are in my desk in the study, so I go inside the house to my desk where I find the can of Coke that I had been drinking.

I'm going to look for my checks, but first I need to push the Coke aside so that I don't accidentally knock it over.

I see that the Coke is getting warm, and I decide I should put it in the refrigerator to keep it cold.

As I head toward the kitchen with the Coke, a vase of flowers on the counter catches my eye--they need to be watered.

I set the Coke down on the counter, and I discover my reading glasses
that I've been searching for all morning.

I decide I better put them back on my desk, but first I'm going to water the flowers.

I set the glasses back down on the counter, fill a container with water and suddenly I spot the TV remote. Someone left it on the kitchen table.

I realize that tonight when we go to watch TV, I will be looking for the remote, but I won't remember that it's on the kitchen table, so I decide to put it back in the den where it belongs, but first I'll water the flowers.

I pour some water in the flowers, but quite a bit of it spills on the floor. So, I set the remote back down on the table, get some towels and wipe up the spill.

Then, I head down the hall trying to remember what I was planning to do.

At the end of the day:

----the car isn't washed,

----the bills aren't paid,

----there is a warm can of Coke sitting on the counter,

----the flowers don't have enough water,

----there is still only 1 check in my check book,

----I can't find the remote,

----I can't find my glasses,

----and I don't remember what I did with the car keys.

Then, when I try to figure out why nothing got done today, I'm really baffled because I know I was busy all day long, and I'm really tired.

I realize this is a serious problem, and I'll try to get some help for it, but first I'll check my e-mail.

Growing older is mandatory. Growing up is optional. Laughing at yourself is therapeutic.

PS: I just remembered...I LEFT THE WATER RUNNING IN THE DRIVEWAY!

Bride's Jewelry Set

These have got to be my favorite jewelry pieces. They are so dainty and delicate. The crystals have the aurora borealis finish, so they sparkle in many colors! I really liked the way the pattern turned out when I was "playing" the day I made them. I think they would make a beautiful accent for any blushing bride! (This set is listed in my Etsy shop A Rose By Name.)

Project Update

Here's the frame project so far. I think it's turning out great. I also made a bunch of little bracelets, but with so many people (MANY, MANY people) selling bracelets on Etsy, I'm rethinking them altogether. I have a couple of other ideas, but would like to finish this project before starting on another!

Violets are Blue

Not very long ago, I bought a tote bag on Etsy. I love it! The creator has the shop Violets Are Blue at Etsy and her totes and purses are all so great. While shopping (in the real world) with my daughters just last week, the two 20-something clerks commented on how much they liked my tote. Needless to say, I had to tell them where I got it and passed along my own shop address as well. Since the tote is a hit, I wanted to share a link to her shop so you could see for yourself just how cute her totes and other items are!

Greeting Cards

I've recently started adding greeting cards to my Etsy shop. Now these cards are really special because they are created by my 15 year-old daughter. I think they are very cute and I am hoping they sell as she would be thrilled not only with making money from her endeavors, but having someone acknowledge her abilities (other than her mom!) would really be a boost in the self-esteem department. (Something we can all use from time to time!)

Latest Project

Here's my latest project. It will eventually be a square mat for a picture frame. Because it will be square, I will probably have to make my own frame to go around it. My design was inspired by the Prairie style panel windows. I really like that style but then, I've always been more comfortable working in geometrics than freeform.

I'm using an alternating pattern with a block of nine beads going towards one side, while the next block of nine goes to the opposite side. This seems to give more of a sparkle to the whole piece without taking away from the colors.

Making a Living

Someday I would like to be able to make a living (or at least be able to pay some bills) with my beadwork. I am constantly trying new things, but many of those projects never make it beyond the "test" stage. I believe that I am a creative person, but sometimes my nit-pickiness gets in the way and I'll abandon an idea or project because it's not turning out the way I imagined. Sad to say that some of those could be just fine, but I don't want them to be "just fine" when they could be beautiful!

Anyway, I am promoting my work, I have word-of-mouth going among friends and family, but it seems I am at a standstill. I've sold a couple pieces in my Etsy shop, but I'd like to get more sales. I am currently working on totally different pieces and I am now carrying my daughter's greeting cards, so I am hoping they will spur some sales as well.

If you have a moment, take a look at my shop and let me know what you think.

THANKS!