A Rose By Name

Now Showing

2012-01-18T22:33:00.000-05:00

I've now listed all the completed cuffs in my shop (http://arosebyname.etsy.com) I love how they've turned out and truly hope they spark some interest (and buyers!). I am incredibly nervous about Kent's Art in the Park Show next year, but excited, too.

I am currently working on a piece with an "ocean view" based on this photo from one of our trips to Florida. This one is from 1999!

Listed

2012-01-16T10:18:00.000-05:00

I decided to list my newest cuffs. I would like to stockpile them, but the money from them could buy more beads. I'm always needing more beads!

I have also decided to make more of these corset style cuffs in different colors for the show. I think these will go over well with the college and twenty-somethings from the university.

My biggest problem right now is having too many patterns I want to bead. That's what I get for playing with my photos for days on end! Now I want to create the patterns all over again because I've gotten more bead colors and I think they could be even more detailed.
Such a wonderful dilemma...

Finally An Update

2012-01-06T18:34:00.004-05:00

Galaxy Cuff
24 beads across, 14 colors, single-drop

Goose Creek Cuff

24 beads across, 15 colors, single-drop

Lightning Strikes Cuff
26 beads across, 20 colors, single-drop

Paua Shell Cuff
28 beads across, 20 colors, single-drop

Rosette Torregrosa Cuff
22 beads across, 18 colors, single-drop

I'm thinking about how I will set up my shop and the display at Art in the Park next year. I think I will have sections...Deep Space...Of the Earth...In the Garden...At the Museum. I have obviously done pieces for the Deep Space and Of the Earth sections, but I've yet to get going on the floral patterns and patterns based on pieces found in museums. I think, too, I will list my finished pieces, even though I was trying to stockpile for the show next year.

And So It Goes...

2011-11-18T19:42:00.000-05:00

I've finished the piece with the tree. It's based on this photo of a tree at the point where Goose Creek meets Chautauqua Lake in the Ashville area of New York. We love going there in the summer to rest and relax, if only for a day or two. Luckily we have family who live there every summer, so we always have a place to stay!

I'm now working on another Deep Space piece, but will return to the lake photos when I've finished this one, I think.

Latest Cuffs

2011-11-13T18:35:00.000-05:00

Birth of Stars

Carina Carina

Dust in the Swan Nebula

Pass-a-Grille Beach Sunset

Goose Creek Cuff (in progress)

2011-11-04T23:13:00.000-04:00

Fall colors

Ashley's roses from graduation

Citrus colored leaves

Edge of the woods

Park trail

Falling Fall

2011-10-14T07:56:00.000-04:00

Spent last weekend at the lake for the final time this summer season. It was beautiful...but sad, too!

Doradus

2011-09-15T09:22:00.000-04:00

This is my 3rd cuff in the Deep Space series (the first two have already sold!). This one is based on one of the photos of the star formations in the 30 Doradus Nebula. I loved the mix of colors. The photographs from the Hubble Space Telescope can be seen on the Nasa Images website (http://www.nasaimages.org/)

In Remembrance

2011-09-11T10:23:00.000-04:00

Veil Nebula Cuff

2011-09-09T14:21:00.000-04:00

This cuff was completed while we were at the lake Labor Day weekend and immediately purchased by my mother-in-law!!

Spiral in Space Cuff

2011-08-22T14:31:00.000-04:00

After many failed attempts, several starts and tear-aparts, here it is at last! The first in my Deep Space Series. This one is based on a Hubble Space Telescope photo of a spiral galaxy. It is 24 beads across, single-drop peyote technique and I have 16 different colors of Delicas in it! I liked the button because it looked a little like a spaceship!

Inspiration

2011-08-14T15:11:00.003-04:00

I have recently fallen in love with the photos from the Hubble Space telescope and decided to try my hand at creating patterns and cuffs from these photos! So far, I am VERY pleased and excited about this new series of cuffs!

Carina Nebula

Doradus Star field

Eagle Nebula

Jupiter

Dancing Nebula

Orion Nebula

Spiral Galaxy

Photos courtesy of http://www.hubblesite.org/

Back to School...

2011-08-01T17:26:00.000-04:00

Back to School Cuff CCC Week #35

Latest pieces...

2011-07-29T14:07:00.000-04:00

Floral Filigree II (in pink, white and gray-rhodium) for the BAO Color Challenge 07/25/11

This piece is based on Graveyard Point Plume Agate, but I don't think I want to name it that. This was for the CCC Week #34 Challenge.

Floral Filigree (in light tan, alabaster and crystal clear) for the CCC Week #33 Challenge.

This gorgeous cuff was created specifically for my dear friend Dawn Blair. It's based on purple agate stone.

Visitors

2011-07-12T10:51:00.002-04:00

Aren't they sweet? A mama deer and her two fawns came out of the woods to nibble on some grass in our next-door neighbor's backyard. They were so cute and bounded all around before heading back into the woods with mama!

July 4th Weekend at the Lake

2011-07-06T02:34:00.000-04:00

Cuffs and Stuff

2011-06-26T12:35:00.000-04:00

Black, White and Shades of Gray Cuff

Uncharted Waters Cuff

Not many new pieces, but I'm working on a very special piece for a very special friend! I'll post a photo of it after she sees the finished product.

Cloudy Skies in June

Lately, I've been obsessed with sky photos...well, clouds really. They're always different, always fascinating.

Happy Birthday Mom!

2011-06-18T01:12:00.000-04:00

Today, June 18, would have been my mom's 68th birthday. We lost her July 21, 2003 after a four year battle with ovarian cancer. Not a day goes by that I don't think about her and miss her.

Just recently we took our oldest daughter to New York City to start a graduate program there at NYU and I just kept thinking about how much fun Mom would have had showing her the city. New York was by far one of her favorite cities. She started traveling there for work and fell in love with it.

Seventeen years ago this very weekend, Mom took me to New York City. The trip was a prize from a silent auction and it was a one night stay at the Four Seasons in Midtown Manhattan, Broadway tickets to see Les Miserables and the flights to and from NYC. We spent the day walking the city, seeing The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Central Park, The Strand Bookstore, Greenwich Village and Soho. While walking the city, it was very, very hot and humid. We ran out of energy and had to take a break for something to drink and to cool off. We ducked into this little juice/smoothie bar and enjoyed the A/C and a nice cold juice. Well, 17 years later, while walking in Soho, my daughter and I had to find a restroom. So, we ducked into this little place and, low and behold, it was the exact same juice/smoothie bar I went into with Mom! It was almost as if she was saying, "Hey, I'm here with you!"

I know she's with me, I just really miss her...Happy Birthday Mom. I love you...

And so on...

2011-05-30T18:23:00.000-04:00

These are my latest cuffs. Two are Color Combo Challenges and the top one is a Bead Art Originals photo challenge. The last photo is of these pretty scary storm clouds that came rolling in last week. Very cool looking, but scary!

More New...

2011-05-09T22:56:00.003-04:00

Bali Sky Cuff

Ocean Jasper Cuff

Tropical Tangles Cuff

Peachy Keen Cuff

Pretties

2011-04-26T13:48:00.002-04:00

Dark Chocolate Candy Cuff

Steely Band Cuff

Toffee Cuff

Photos Needed and Other Junk

2011-04-07T19:15:00.000-04:00

I have several pieces I need to take photos of and though the sun cooperated today, my head did not. I put together several RAW pieces for the Art Show last weekend at my daughter's cosmetology school, but alas, I didn't sell them. Hopefully someone on Etsy or ArtFire will love them and want them!

Also, I have been dealing with pain issues lately and it's made everything more difficult. I can't think straight when I'm in pain. My doc is hoping that some major anti-inflammatory meds will help, but just my luck, the pharmacy didn't have them and then they said they had to get pre-authorization before they could fill the script. So, I still don't have the meds yet. More than likely this issue is being caused by inflammation of the nerves around my jaw (due to major dental work), so hopefully the meds will do the trick and I'll be back to sporatic pain versus this constant daily crap.

Trying not to complain too much, but just wanted to say what's going on and why I haven't been posting too much lately.

New Stuff

2011-03-29T13:27:00.000-04:00

Top cuff is Golden Nebula (based on golden nebula granite) and the lower one is Quadraplaid (based on my original pattern). I'm also in the process of creating several cuffs for a small art show this weekend.

More Weather Photos of the Yard

2011-03-11T17:47:00.001-05:00

As a friend (she lives about 30 minutes north of me) on Facebook stated: "I live in Narnia!"

Of course, it's supposed to warm up again causing more flooding! I'll be very happy when this winter is over!

Winter Flooding

2011-03-01T15:55:00.002-05:00

So, we're lucky (so far) that we haven't had any water in our basement. There is still a flood warning in effect, so the water level could rise more, but here's hoping it doesn't! The creek is usually about three feet lower than in these pictures. Then there's our neighbor...skating rink in their backyard! (In the spring when it floods, they have fish swimming over their grass!) I hope I haven't just jinxed us with this post!!

This Photo

2011-02-18T18:50:00.001-05:00

Here's the finished cuff....what do you think?

Currently working on a cuff based on the sky in this photo. Such lovely colors! I'll post the photos of the piece when it's finished!

Newest

2011-02-13T11:46:00.009-05:00

The first one is "Alaskan Waters" and was created for the Bead Art Originals Color Challenge. The next is the photo used for inspiration and it's the one I took on vacation at the stern of the cruise ship sailing through Alaska's Inner Passage. I love the color of the water there!

The next one is another in my "stone" series. This one is called "Chiffon Granite". And lastly is the cuff I did for a special order. I LOVE how it turned out, so nice and crisp and clean looking!

Etsy Beadweaver February Challenge

2011-02-02T21:54:00.011-05:00

Voting has started! Check out all the beautiful entries & vote for your favorite here: http://etsy-beadweavers.blogspot.com

Starting February 9th the voting will begin for the "Touch of Royalty" Challenge. I've finally (after more than a year) submitted a piece for a challenge! It's a simple bracelet called "Elizabeth I" loosely based on a necklace Queen Elizabeth I wore in several portraits. The portrait I've included is the Phoenix Portrait painted by Nicholas Hilliard in 1575. Be sure to stop by the Etsy Beadweavers Blog (http://etsy-beadweavers.blogspot.com ) from February 9th to 15th to vote for your favorite piece in the challenge...and trust me, this is going to be a tough decision!

New Stuff

2011-01-29T18:38:00.010-05:00

Here's what I've been up to lately. The kitchen isn't getting done yet, but I wanted to show the colors. These are the same colors that were in our living room & dining room. (I can't believe I hadn't taken a "before" picture!) So, now we have the new colors...from camel, sand and Merlot to modern gray and grapy (a really smoky purple). The previous carpeting was this really cheap berber that was here when we moved in and now we have this lovely, cushy, fluffy carpet that Sadie certainly loves!

The last photo is another color challenge piece for Bead Art Originals! I can't believe I actually finished one on time. I also just completed a piece for the Etsy Beadweavers Royalty Challenge, but I haven't photographed it yet. I have to get that done tomorrow so I can list it before the deadline.

That's it for now...but I think I may be on a roll, so you may be seeing more soon!

Not the Way I Planned...

2011-01-17T13:08:00.003-05:00

This is not how I wanted to start my new year...I've pretty much been sick for the last couple of weeks and it's getting very aggravating! I suppose I'm going to have to get in to see the doctor soon since this is just not going away!

I did get the cortisone shots in my trigger point (lower left neck and shoulder) and as far as I can tell, it's really helped. I say that only because it's hard to tell for sure when your head's messed up from coughing and sneezing!

The nicest thing to happen though was being Baby Girl's "guinea pig" for her cosmetology class! Her assignment was highlights and she did a beautiful job! There is no doubt that Baby Girl has a natural talent for this and I know she'll do very well in her future career!

I have tried to create something every day though it's been difficult being sick. I did finish a piece, but too late for the Bead Art Originals color mosaic. I'll get it together eventually!

New Year and New Stuff

2011-01-02T12:24:00.014-05:00

Hope everyone had a lovely, festive and safe New Year's Eve. DH and I had a nice, quiet evening (older daughter was at her boyfriend's and younger daughter had a little party of her own). We didn't even watch "the ball" drop in NYC...we were watching a movie! The first day of the new year was quiet as well. The girls are off on their own with their friends, DH and I just stayed around the house and then he took me for a steak dinner! YUM!

More done in the family room...new carpet, which doesn't look this beige in the real world. It's called "cobblestone" & it's a gray with flecks of a darker gray in it. It's very soft and cushy! There's new track lighting and of course, the new TV. Now, if we could just get some furniture in there. The chairs just don't cut it. (One's a throw back to our first living room set and the other is a refugee from my mother-in-law's house and neither of which will be staying!)

I've been enjoying my new Christmas presents! I've been reading again...something I've not done in a couple months. This is very unlike me. I used to read every night, but somehow got out of the habit. I've also spent my entire Fire Mountain Gems gift certificate (and then some)! That was a lot of fun, but there are still many more beads I would love to buy and several that I'd like a lot more of!

Hope everyone is enjoying the new year!

Happiest of Holidays

2010-12-28T14:24:00.005-05:00

I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas (for those who celebrate it) and/or the happiest of holidays. We had a lovely time with our little family. The girls were home (& didn't fight) and along with their boyfriends, we had a lovely Christmas. DH surprised both the girls and I with Kindles! I've been having a lot of fun playing with it and downloading books. There are so many free classics that I want to read, I haven't even spent money on books yet!

Our family room is coming along. The carpet was laid today, so the echo is gone and the room is warmer! Now we just have to get some furniture down there!

Here's the completed Pink Marble Cuff. I found a large button that reminded me of a Roman shield which went along well with the marble design. I'm working on a cuff now which resembles blue zircon. It's a little darker than I wanted, but we'll see how it goes.

Isn't It Pretty?

2010-12-21T01:26:00.002-05:00

Pink Marble Cuff...just need to do the finishing touches!

SNOW!

2010-12-14T01:44:00.006-05:00

Living in a snow globe...and getting ever so tired of it!

December 2010

2010-12-08T13:01:00.013-05:00

This is crazy! We have had snowfall every day since December 1st! This type of snowfall is normal for oh, late January or February! Hopefully it will let up enough for me to do some Christmas shopping this weekend. This is what our yard looks like:

This is a pattern I beaded based on the accompanying photo. The colors were chosen by my program to best match the photo, but I'm not happy with the results. I'll be trying it again, but I'll change out the colors to make it closer to the photo.

The second pattern based on the next photo turned out better, though it went gray rather than the green/blue of the photos. I am also working on a series of patterns for cuffs based on textures and nature. I like how they're turning out and I think they'll be fabulous when they are beaded!

Starburst Snowflakes...

2010-11-29T11:57:00.004-05:00

This is the latest cuff. It's Starburst Snowflakes and is 7" long and 1 1/2" wide with a three button and loops closure. The buttons have a pearl finish on the top and silver-tone shank. I love the matte cobalt blue with aurora borealis finish. Then I've added medium navy blue and a very pale blue along with a matte transparent white and crystal clear to create the stars.

I've created a lot of patterns lately, too. I've been fascinated with creating patterns from the photos from our Alaska trip. Then I went through photos from our trips up to Chautauqua Lake in NY and started a lot of patterns with those. Then I turned to the gorgeous flower photos I took this past spring and summer. And now I'm playing with natural patterns like those in quartz, marble and agate! It will take me forever to get through all these patterns, but it'll be a lot of fun! Currently, I am working on a pattern based on this photo:

Remodel Update

2010-11-27T14:24:00.009-05:00

Here are the latest updates on the family room! DH has filled the hole between the family room and kitchen and finished up the rewiring in the one wall. He's also added recessed lighting above the fireplace and over what will be a booth/bar area. He's always wanted a home theater, so that's what this room is going to be. Makes me tired just thinking about all the work I'll be doing when he gets the wall work done. Painting, painting and more painting!

Brand New

2010-11-22T14:47:00.004-05:00

Doesn't this look like it should be soft and warm like your favorite winter sweater? It's not fuzzy, but it is cool! I added the wooden button because well, it does look like a fuzzy winter sweater!

Someday...

2010-11-18T23:39:00.007-05:00

Someday I'm going to be able to create for a living. Well, that is what I'd like to do anyway. I've had a mental boost lately with a couple of good sales and when that happens, I feel like, yeah, I could do this for a living. I've wanted to bead as my livelihood for years, but there's always been that pesky little thing called money getting in the way. I'm just too old to be a starving artist.

I am having a creative problem lately...I can't seem to focus on one project at a time. I have so many ideas and patterns that I've created, it's tough to get through one because I'm thinking about the next. I've just finished a chocolate brown, cherry red and cream colored argyle patterned cuff, and I have a pattern for swirling water (based on this photo) that I want to work on, but then there's this streamer/confetti looking cuff I created a pattern for that is, of all things, based on a pillow Izzy had on "Grey's Anatomy". I've been seeing patterns for new cuffs in a lot of things lately, thus the lack of focus. I suppose there could be worse things...like no ideas at all.

Oh yeah, then there's taking pictures! I have three cuffs I haven't photographed or listed yet! Hopefully it'll be bright enough tomorrow to get some good photos.

Happy Dance

2010-11-16T13:05:00.004-05:00

I LOVE getting new beads and then I get media overload and can't seem to figure out a color palette for my next project! But oh, what a dilemma to have, right?! So, here are my 36 new colors (OK, it's really 35 because I accidentally bought one I already had)...

The next photo is of the latest project I just finished. This one is called Berry Square Cuff. I am currently working on an argyle pattern in chocolate brown, deep red and blush. I'm going to call it Cordial Cherry since it seriously looks like those colors!

Newest Projects

2010-11-12T21:33:00.006-05:00

This is the latest cuff. I think the name will be "V is for Victory" Deco Cuff. Lovely beadweaver, Rikki came up with the name and it's very fitting!

Then this is our nearly "naked" family room. Dear husband is in the process of putting wiring in for lighting. Then it'll be ripping up the carpet, fixing the cement flooring and having new carpet laid. Oh, yeah, I guess I'll have to paint before the carpet goes down. I see much wall painting in my future. We still have the living room, dining room, kitchen and the upstairs hallway and bathroom to paint. I'm getting tired just thinking about that!

The New Cuffs

2010-11-03T13:00:00.004-04:00

OK, here they are...Crystal Bliss Cuff and Pearl Blush Cuff. Similar to my Rock & Roll Cuff and Little Black Cuff, but I created these using netting stitch versus right-angle weave.

Two More

2010-11-01T21:22:00.003-04:00

...new cuffs. One is all icy sparkling gorgeousness and the other is lovely pearly goodness! I'll have initial photos tomorrow, I just have to finish the pearl one first.

UPDATE: OK, I ended up having to drive out to baby girl's apartment to deliver new plates for her car (there went almost 3 hours of my day) and now I have to go to work, so...I'll try to get them photographed tomorrow or tonight if I can get my lightbox set up.

So Many Beads....

2010-10-25T15:39:00.005-04:00

...not enough time! I have so many beads (three more bins not pictured) I want to play with and 15 or so different projects I'd like to start...creative overload!! I guess there are worse things to have!

Netting

2010-10-22T22:15:00.004-04:00

I'm finding the fun in netting again! I haven't done this stitch in a very long time and I'm finding it just as fun to do as RAW and actually looks a little lacier than RAW.

Something New, Bad Photos

2010-10-18T20:12:00.004-04:00

So I made another version of "Screening for the Girls". This one is single-bead RAW, while the original is 2-bead. The other cuff is an all baby pink single-bead RAW, I've called "Be in the Pink". $5 of the proceeds will be donated to the Susan G. Komen Foundation.

A Few Days Ago

2010-10-17T17:23:00.006-04:00

I Won, I Won!!

2010-10-14T00:21:00.004-04:00

For once I actually won a giveaway prize and it's GORGEOUS! Carol Dean of SandFibers had her 3rd Just Be(ad)cause Giveaway and she picked me for one of the prizes!!! So, this is what I picked! I can't wait to get it! Yay!

The New Stuff

2010-10-12T00:41:00.008-04:00

This one is "Screening for the Girls Cuff" and $5 in proceeds will go to Susan G. Komen Foundation.

This one is called "Give Cancer the Raspberries Cuff" and will also benefit the Susan G. Komen Foundation.

This one is called "Rainstorm".

This one is "Breaking Dawn" and it has nothing to do with "that" book!

And lastly, "Brassy Cuff" which is actually more copper than brass, but gorgeous nonetheless!

New Stuff Coming

2010-10-11T00:09:00.003-04:00

I have three completed simple cuffs and working on a fourth. Three of them are in the pink family and will have proceeds donated to the Susan G. Komen Foundation. I'm thinking I may list all of my newest pieces in my Art Fire shop. Well, maybe one or two in the Etsy shop just to get some "new blood" in there. I'll have photos tomorrow.

I Love Fall

2010-10-08T13:50:00.007-04:00

I know, most people love spring with the earth wakening from it's winter sleep, but I love fall. The smells in the air, bonfires, the colorful leaves, school starting, the cool crisp mornings and nights (perfect sleeping weather) and just the whole transitional time between hot, humid summer and cold, dreary winter. I don't mind the rain or cloudy skies either.

I'm also inspired by the colors of fall...I just got my latest bead order and in it are the most beautiful, tiny 15s in olivine green, some lovely 11s in dusty purples, topaz and grays. I'm currently working with metallic burgundy iris and they are gorgeous, too! So, what am I waiting for??? I'm off to bead....

Sand Fiber's Giveaway

2010-10-05T15:29:00.004-04:00

My dear bead friend, Carol Dean, is having a giveaway on her blog. She's not only giving away gift certificates to use in her wonderful shop, but she's also giving away one of her gorgeous Blooming Beads! Click on the photo to go to her blog and comment to win!

Little Black Cuff

2010-10-04T22:14:00.005-04:00

Another new piece. This one is all an all black embellished RAW cuff & the perfect accessory to that Little Black Dress! (black opaque Japanese seed beads, black Swarovski pearls and black Swarovski crystals with a black satin ribbon "corset" closure)

More Detail and Better Photos

2010-09-29T11:47:00.007-04:00

Here is one of the cuffs ("All Screened In Cuff") I posted previously, but this is a much better photo. The cute little camera my sweet husband bought me on our cruise is definitely not great for taking macros of my pieces! You just couldn't see the gray and black distinctly. So here is a new photo from the listing I just created.

The next cuff ("A Little Fishy Cuff") is another of the patterns I created based on astrological signs or symbols. This particular one is the symbol for Pisces and is in purple, capri blue and orange. The purple is representative of the February birthstone, amethyst, the capri blue for the aquamarine of March and orange...well, that's one of my daughter's favorite colors and Pisces is her birth sign. I've also created a pattern for one based on Gemini in emerald green for my oldest daughter.

The last cuff ("Rock & Roll Cuff") is one I'm not sure I'll list in my Etsy shop. I had a friend at work tell me I should bring some of my pieces to sell at the gallery where she works. This is one of the cuffs I think could go over really well in the area where the gallery is located (an artsy college town). I can also charge for it differently than I do on Etsy. I think I would really like to give this selling option a shot. I need to sell more than I have been on Etsy and this might be the place to do it.

A Few New Things

2010-09-14T23:20:00.007-04:00

Here are some new cuffs that I've recently finished. I've been hooked on the RAW technique lately and having fun embellishing them, too. (OK, so these aren't embellished, but I do like embellishing them!) The multi-colored peyote cuff is a special order for a birthday gift. The symbol is for Virgo & I've used the colors that sapphires (September's birthstone) come in! I don't know how well she liked it yet, but I'll hopefully see her tomorrow night. It was fun to do, though!

Alaskan Skies

2010-09-09T16:34:00.007-04:00

Back to Reality

2010-09-08T15:55:00.004-04:00

I'll be posting more photos, but here's a couple...the first is one of the 10 zip-lines we did and the other is of the four travelers when we finished our excursion! It was SO fun! We wanted to go again!

Vacation!

2010-08-25T23:26:00.005-04:00

In just a little over 36 hours, we will be on a plane going on our vacation! We are so looking forward to getting away! In the meantime, I have finished a couple of cuffs (one for the BAO color challenge and another of the crystal/pearl cuffs) and working on a third, but I don't think I'll be able to finish it and list it before the EBW challenge deadline. I guess I'll just have to list it when I get back & not be a part of the challenge. I did have inquiries about a custom order! I'm going to start working on that idea, too.

Scatter-brained

2010-08-17T15:20:00.000-04:00

I want to create a few cuffs to take on our vacation, but I keep getting side-tracked. Work, Facebook, Twitter, laundry, television and just the fact that I have so many beads I want to play with that I can't make up my mind what to do first! I was told by one of my friends to leave the beads at home, but I don't think I could go 9 days without beading! There will be quiet times on the cruise, plus there are the flights out there and back and they will no doubt be long and boring. (Especially since the return flight is a red-eye and I don't sleep well on planes!)

Since I already have the TV on today, I think I'll keep plugging away with the little cuff I'm working on now, but tomorrow I'll keep the TV off and see if music will inspire me to get really creative. It's worked before, so hopefully it will work again.

I have a gorgeous RAW cuff started, but had to stop due to having white instead of cream pearls. This cuff is light topaz, gold, cream pearls and deep Siam crystals! It's the same design as the one(s) I sold before I listed it, but it will definitely have the Elizabethan look I was going for with the first one. Oh and I bought black pearls and black crystals to make an all black version too, which I know will be stunning!

A Weekend Away

2010-08-15T23:25:00.005-04:00

Sometimes you just have to get out of town for a couple days! That's what we did this weekend and it sort of backfired! Now I want our vacation to start tomorrow!! The saddest part is that once our vacation does start, it'll fly by faster than the zipline we'll be riding in Juneau!

photos:
top-Chautauqua Lake, NY (my photo)
bottom-Glacier Bay, AK (from About.com)

Ugh!

2010-08-10T14:28:00.003-04:00

Just could not get the double RAW to work, so I took it completely apart again. I've decided to play with something else and go back to it because it was just really frustrating me. So, I'm playing with some lovely silver-lined frosted peridot beads for the time being. Then maybe I'll make a pretty bracelet for myself to take on vacation with me!

Only 17 days until we leave on our vacation! It couldn't come fast enough! We are going to the lake this weekend, so that will be a short, yet wonderful getaway. But this cruise is going to be so therapeutic! A physical and mental recharge, for sure!

Had a dream about my mom last night. Been feeling melancholy since I woke up. She was upset with me for some reason and that feeling has stayed with me. I know it's just a dream and it doesn't mean anything, but it's made me sad nonetheless.

Starting Over

2010-08-08T20:52:00.003-04:00

So, I took the RAW bracelet I was working on completely apart. I have restarted it using alternating colors of "Metallic Cosmos" and "Silver-lined Milky Montana Blue". I think I will embellish it with more of the Metallic Cosmos beads to give it more bulk and weight. I think this is going to be the perfect accessory to casual jeans or even adding a bit of bling to a dressier outfit.

BAO and EBW Updates

2010-08-07T02:19:00.003-04:00

Check out these gorgeous pieces by some of the Bead Art Original lovely ladies! (yes, one of the cuffs is mine, but the other ladies are all lovely...trust me!)

Oh and don't forget to check in on the Etsy Beadweavers. The latest challenge (Silver & Gold) will be up soon, so be sure to vote for your favorite! The next challenge has just been announced and it's "Bollywood"! I really like this idea and may just have to come up with something myself!

New Project - New Technique

2010-08-03T10:52:00.005-04:00

I've done RAW and have learned to love it. I didn't like it when I was first working in the technique because I had trouble getting the tension right, so it always looked wonky. Now, I can do it and love it. This latest project is cylindrical RAW, something I've not done before and to up the level a little, it's going to be a double RAW. I just have to figure out how to do it.

Custom Order

2010-07-26T17:09:00.002-04:00

Well, I didn't have to list my "Royal Romance" cuff as I not only sold it, but another three just like it! YAY! The buyer has three daughters and a daughter-in-law and these are their Christmas gifts. Working on these has me thinking about earrings to match. Unfortunately, I have several ideas...now to play around and see if I can make those ideas work!

Seven Years Ago Today

2010-07-21T11:55:00.001-04:00

The thunder rumbled, the lightning flashed and in the midst of the storm, you quietly left this world. You held my hand as my life began and I held your hand as yours ended.
I miss you so much it makes my heart ache. I love you Mom.

Finished

2010-07-15T23:24:00.006-04:00

UPDATE (7/20): Woohoo! The person I was hoping would buy this cuff is not only buying this one, but commissioning me to make three more just like it! YAY! He has 3 daughters and a daughter-in-law and now he's done with this part of his Christmas shopping!

Here's the cuff finished with a lovely pearly-rose 1/8th inch ribbon.

New Piece

2010-07-06T23:15:00.006-04:00

I finished a new piece! I know, shocker, huh?! It's a right-angle weave base of Japanese silver-lined milky peachy-pink 11s with embellishments of Swarovski cream rose pearls and Swarovski champagne bicone crystals. I love the antique look of it and have decided to use a 1/2" satin ribbon lacing as a closure instead of a button or beaded toggle. I'll take more photos when I get the ribbon together. I think I'll actually use a model for the photos, too as it looks absolutely gorgeous on a summer tanned arm! The only thing I haven't been able to do is come up with a beautiful name for it. Any suggestions??

New Listing and Events

2010-06-29T12:39:00.005-04:00

OK, so it's been almost two months, but I've finally listed the Champagne Cuff. It's really gorgeous and it will go with most any outfit. Dress up jeans for a night out with friends or with that little black dress to add just the right amount of bling!

In other areas of life...the girls and I went up to the Buffalo area this past weekend to celebrate our cousin, Ally's graduation. It was great seeing the family there and we will be seeing more of them this weekend for Uncle Cal's birthday and 4th of July celebration at the lake. We really love it there as it's so peaceful, yet a lot of fun with the family!

On the health front, I finally got my injections to block the occipital nerves in my head so that I can stop getting these horrendous 3-day headaches. They aren't migraines as it's not caused by anything other than a malfunction in my occipital nerve. I was really out of it yesterday (the procedure requires sedation) and today I'm still "off", but day-by-day it will get better and I hopefully will have months and months without another headache episode.

So, that's all the updates for now...

Busy Weekend

2010-06-21T14:17:00.003-04:00

So, we had Baby Girl's graduation party on Saturday and we had way too much food. Though I'm sure the "boys" at the apartment were quite happy since they took a LOT of food home! It was also nice that everyone who came stayed for quite a while. The only down point was the mosquitoes! Despite fogging the yard, having citronella candles and one of those "Off" lanterns, the mosquitoes were still bad! I have many, many bites to prove it, too! Ah, well, it was still a successful party, everyone had a good time and much eating and drinking was enjoyed.

Yesterday was, of course, Father's Day. It was a quiet day for my DH. In fact, Lindsay and I left him alone most of the afternoon while we went and did some cardio, some weights and then went swimming. We were feeling pretty good about our day, but I've blown it today! This is the problem with party leftovers...too much "bad" food left to munch on! Oh, well, tomorrow is another day!

New Look & Stuff

2010-06-18T23:41:00.006-04:00

So, I'm really liking this new look for the ol' blog! I was thrilled when the new designs became available and they had these gorgeous roses! I really needed a change of pace and this was perfect! Let me know what you think!

So, Baby Girl graduated on June 8th (YAY!!) and we have her party tomorrow to celebrate. Between getting everything together for her party, other grad parties and work, I've really neglected not only my blogs, but my beading as well! I'm hoping that things will settle down in a week or so....OK, it might not happen until after the 4th and I have all these beautiful beads calling to me! And yet, that is another problem...I have so many new beads, I'm on idea overload and that's added to my frustration! So, I just keep putting it all off.

One thing I have been spending way too much time doing is ogling everything on Modcloth.com! I've become addicted to the clothes on this site and I have at least a dozen items on my wish list already! If only I could buy everything on my list just so I could have a fun, new wardrobe for our vacation at the end of August! This dress is perfect for a lovely dinner on our cruise! The site has so many gorgeous retro/vintage style dresses that it's really hard to pick just one! Then there's the retro/old Hollywood style swimsuits that look great on most any figure...how could you go wrong?

OK, I just really need to stay off that site for a while and get down to working on some bead designs! Focus, focus, focus...oh, look...a pretty dress!

Photos and Info

2010-06-06T15:57:00.008-04:00

I know you're probably tired of all the flower photos, but I've been feeling "off" in regards to beading lately. I have started a new RAW cuff with the hope that it will turn out as I imagine for the BAO Challenge theme ("A Novel Idea"). And though it's going slowly, I am at least working on something! I have also decided to list the champagne cuff I originally made for myself. I will make another, somewhat smaller version for myself sometime later on.

On another note, after thinking it through then adding my favorite blogs to my Google Reader, I am going to drop Entrecard (pun intended!). It's been great for traffic, but I find that I don't have enough time for everything I normally do plus dropping from two different blogs. So, thank you to all my loyal droppers and I hope you'll stop by from time to time anyway or maybe even add me to your reader! I'm hoping with the little extra time I'll have, I'll be able to post more regularly!

Photos (top-bottom):
1: Sterling Silver Rose
2: Perfect White Rose
3: Deep Pink Verbena
4: Yellow Daisy
5: Euphoric Honey Bee on a Miniature Pink Petunia

More Flowers

2010-05-26T14:17:00.009-04:00

Here are some more of the gorgeous flowers in and around our yard! One more bloom I'm looking forward to seeing is the tiger lily.

Events of May 22nd

2010-05-23T03:40:00.009-04:00

So, this day brought about Lindsay's 21st birthday and Ashley's senior prom! Needless to say, we were busy all day! After the photo op with Ashley and her friends, we took Lindsay and her boyfriend Nick, along with more family and friends out to a favorite bar to celebrate her turning 21! We were all having so much fun that the table behind us bought her a drink, too! Turned out they were cheer parents who knew Ashley and didn't realize it was her sister!

Ashley said her evening was great and I know Lindsay had a blast, so it was an all-around wonderful day!

Photos: Lindsay impatiently waiting for her sister to get ready so she can wish her a good time, then she was off with her boyfriend Nick to buy herself a new dress for her birthday celebration.
Ashley with her boyfriend Steve, her longtime friend, Devon and Devon's boyfriend Mike. Don't they all look great?!
Ashley and Steve...yes, they do look cute together.

Don't Forget...

2010-05-09T00:43:00.004-04:00

...it's Mother's Day. To our Mamas, we love you and miss you so much!!

Updates and Stuff

2010-05-03T15:56:00.013-04:00

So, I've taken more photos of the beautiful blossoms in our yard. This time it's sweet white lilac and beautiful pink azaleas. In a few days I'm going to take some photos of our neighbor's miniature lilac that is so full of buds you won't be able to see the leaves when they are all fully bloomed!

On the beading front, I'm currently working on a lace (netted) cuff in turquoise and I'm debating about adding in contrast colors. I think I'll see how it goes with just the two styles of the turquoise first! I also bought some gorgeous triangle beads and seed beads that I just couldn't resist making into some bling for myself! I have the first in silvery gray using the RAW technique and I'm looking for the perfect buttons to finish this stunner in champagne AB triangle beads using two-drop peyote.

Most exciting is a huge order from one buyer who said she saw my work through another site and fell in love with my style! I'm waiting on some confirmation from her before I ship it all out to her! I'm so thrilled with this order, I hope it all goes through perfectly!

So, that's the news for now...

Special Order, No Photos

2010-04-23T13:55:00.005-04:00

Silly me, I created a different version of this cuff for a customer, but forgot to take photos before I shipped it off to her! Ah, well, these things happen!

Other than that cuff, I really haven't created a whole lot lately due to pains in my head. I'm not calling them headaches or migraines, because technically they aren't either of those. The doc is pretty sure it's an issue with the nerves in my neck and the main occipital nerves in my head and possibly aggravated by arthritis in my neck. I'll know for sure when I can get back in to see him once they've moved their office this week. I can't wait to get a treatment plan in place so I can get some relief! It's really hard to bead when you can't concentrate and I have a need to bead!

Finally Spring is Here!

2010-04-09T01:58:00.003-04:00

I've been lacking in the creative realm, but that's due to the pains in my head playing with my creativity. Hopefully that will start getting resolved in the next month to six weeks with nerve blocks and meds, then maybe I'll be thinking clearly enough to be creative again!

One thing that has helped my mental mood though is the weather. We've had some gorgeous days of sunshine and warmth and now the flowers are blooming! It's amazing how much improvement there is in everyone's mood when the weather gets better. Winter's blues and grays are burned away by the yellows and greens of spring...it's wonderful!

With spring comes the ending of another school year and that means we're closer to baby girl's graduation! We're thinking that DH and I could be "empty nesters" within the next 18 months and I have to admit, we're not unhappy about that! We love our girls and are very proud of them, but we're ready to have time to ourselves!

So, here are some photos of our backyard getting it's spring on! Enjoy...

A New Piece

2010-03-23T15:47:00.004-04:00

I finally got a few photos taken. It's been a bad week or so with headaches off and on and full-blown migraine all day Sunday and into Monday. Many of my friends know about migraines and how draining they can be...ugh! Anyway, here is the new cuff. It's Gradient Rose with White to Pink to Pale Rose to Dark Rose and a Soft Gray. I used to love to color these designs all the time when I was a kid in all different colors. So, don't be surprised if more of these show up in my shop in all different patterns!

Dream into Waking

2010-03-13T00:21:00.002-05:00

Have you ever had a dream that so upset you in your sleeping state that those emotions carried through into your waking? I had that happen this morning! I won't go into the dream, but the feelings of despair, frustration and almost humiliation have stayed with me all day. I really hate those feelings! I tried to keep busy, I tried to think about other things, but the feelings persisted. The rock in the pit of the stomach, almost nauseous feeling that come about when you know you've done something wrong or haven't done something you should have stuck with me all day and it was ridiculous that it was all caused by a dream! ARGH!!

Retro Spots

2010-02-17T16:29:00.002-05:00

A brand new cuff! This one is over 1 1/2" wide with aqua, purple and lime green on a silver and black background! What do you think??

Another New Squiggle Cuff

2010-02-09T13:10:00.003-05:00

Here is one for Valentine's Day. I've called it "Hearts Desire".

An Etsy Beadweaver Challenge Entry

2010-02-06T00:17:00.004-05:00

I haven't entered an Etsy Beadweaver Challenge in a very long time. Mostly no time, but I just couldn't pass up the Ocean theme! I love the colors of water/ocean/sea and loved playing with those colors...despite starting this project at least a dozen times before finally being happy with the combination of colors! So, here is my entry: Stormy Seas Cuff.
Oh and here's some fitting news to go along with the cuff...my husband and I, along with our dear friends, have booked an Alaskan cruise! We'll be going in August and we can't wait!!

Finally Some New Stuff

2010-01-29T21:36:00.004-05:00

I have finally completed some new pieces! One is for the Bead Art Originals Color Mosaic (Yellow and Gray) and the other was inspired by the Etsy Beadweaver's Challenge for January..."Ocean and Sea". (Although, I am working on a different cuff to submit for the Challenge!)

Accomplishments

2010-01-24T12:18:00.022-05:00

Yesterday our youngest daughter received two very prestigious awards. They are the Scholastic Key Awards for Young Artists and Writers. She received a Gold Key for the color photo and the Silver Key for the black and white photo! The Gold Key photo will be sent on to New York City for the National competition!

After the ceremony we went car shopping for her and this bright yellow Chevy Cobalt is now her ride. She knows this is the one and only vehicle she will get from us, so she's got to take care of it! One good thing about it being so bright and noticeable is that she will have to watch her speed...police will definitely pay attention to a bright yellow car flying by!

Wanting to Help

2010-01-20T13:29:00.006-05:00

Tanya Boden of Aardvark Silver (an Australian living in Thailand) is in a terrible situation right now. She is in need of critical heart surgery and must pay for it up front and her time is horribly short. To read more about her story and condition visit her blog Aardvark Silver and specifically this post: MAYDAY MAYDAY.

I have decided to join in the efforts to raise money for her so please visit my Etsy shop where I will be donating $15 from every "Squiggle" cuff sold towards Tanya's fundraising efforts.

You can help too:

Our Frozen World

2010-01-11T16:57:00.001-05:00

I apologize for no new posts lately. The weather is really getting to me. We have had snow off and on every day since New Year's Eve and we haven't reached freezing (32 degrees F.) since January 1st. It's getting to be a bit much and yes, those are our "icicle" lights encased in real icicles. I don't think the Christmas lights will be coming down anytime soon.

Hair Cut

2010-01-05T12:08:00.001-05:00

OK, here's the hair cut. Still not used to my exposed neck especially in the cold weather, but I do have a nice scarf!

New Year, New Me?!

2009-12-31T20:07:00.007-05:00

Well, I haven't had my hair cut in a very long time and I decided since it's this long, I may as well donate it. So, today my daughter Lindsay and I went and got our hair cut. I had a total of about 11 inches cut off mine! I haven't had hair this short since I got married in 1986! I will have to take a picture of my new hairdo, but here is one of my donated ponytail! I will be mailing off my ponytail on Saturday to Locks of Love. I hope it helps! I do have to say that my head feels very light and my neck is really cold! :)

2009-12-25T01:11:00.000-05:00

New Bracelet

2009-12-18T03:11:00.004-05:00

It's a new version of another cuff that I sold at the show. I sold it to a very sweet lady and I hope she is thoroughly enjoying it! I'm calling it "Dappled Sunlight II". Not overly imaginative, but it's just fitting! I've used metallic gold, light bronze iris and 22k gold plated Delicas for this one and it's two rows wider than the original with a slightly different beaded toggle closure. I'm also working on a cuff for my daughter's boyfriend, as well as a scarf. Not that I'm getting too far on any of it! Too many things going on and not overly motivated. Ah, well...

Latest News

2009-12-12T02:28:00.004-05:00

Just the day after my last post, Grandma passed away. She was 92, but it was still tough as we had been taking care of her for almost three years since my mother-in-law died. She didn't live with us, but we moved her closer to us so we could spend more time with her and always have her with us on the holidays and birthdays and Sunday dinners as well. My dear husband spent the most time with her and he cherishes every moment.

In the last six years we have lost all our Moms. My Mom passed away in July of 2003 when she was just 60. It was ovarian cancer. We lost my Mother-in-law in January of 2007 and she was just shy of 70. It was also cancer. Now Grandma. These losses make for quiet and bittersweet holidays. And I don't care how old you are, you always need your mom.

And so, we wait anxiously for our daughter to come home from Italy so that we can be together for these holidays...as quiet as they will be.

News

2009-11-29T00:22:00.010-05:00

I haven't posted as much as I should, but I have very good reasons! I was trying to get things together for my first show! It was a two-day event and I did fairly well! I made enough to cover my fee as well as all the stuff I bought to do this show! (boxes, bags, display pieces, tablecloth, etc). The best part is that I had a really good time! I met some great people who have shops on Etsy and/or Art Fire or who just sell locally. The row of tables I was in had some hilarious people and we laughed a lot! Thank you to Lizz, Melanie, Veronica, Aminta, Jessica and Deanna for making my first show a blast! And also a very large thank you to Tammy for setting this up and being such a love to work with! The photos aren't the best as I took them with my phone, but you get the idea and note the BAO, EBW and Carol Dean's cards I had on my table as well! Oh, yeah, and I did show off my pattern in Step-by-Step Beads! :)

Secondly, yet more personal, Grandma has been very sick and it's not looking good for her recovery. It has been tough the last several weeks and the last several days have been the hardest yet. There is more before us... We give each other strength and have grown closer to each other through this trying time. So, if I don't post for a while again, I hope you'll understand.

Update: Finished!

2009-11-18T01:51:00.007-05:00

Update: All moved in, but as you can see the window still needs to be framed. I was just glad to have my dining room table back (not that I use it as a dining room table!)

My dear husband has been working on his office and has taken over the dining room table while in the midst of the remodel. This is normally my space, since I don't have a studio or room to call my own, so I have been very cramped for space! No new pictures either because my light box/photography space has been usurped. But, luckily, he's almost ready to move back into his office. The walls, floor, doors and desk are all set up now and he should be moving back in very, very soon! YAY! I'll be able to get some new photos of my jewelry taken! I have four new bracelets, a remake of an older one and a scarf to take photos of!

Veteran's Day 2009

2009-11-11T03:38:00.004-05:00

I posted this poem on my Hero Blog for Veteran's Day 2006 and wanted to share it again. I truly appreciate the sacrifices our military men and women have made on behalf of our nation. My sincerest thanks to the veterans and those still in service.

HEROES UNAWARE
By Mark A. Wright, HMC(SS)
22 June, 2000

I first saw him on a park bench
I’ve seen him every day
Sitting in a shady grove
Where my children come to play
Sometimes he feeds the birds and squirrels
Or whittles little toys
Sometimes he just sits and smiles
At the laughing girls and boys

And I never paid him any mind
‘Till one day just this year
I noticed that he wore a frown
And on his cheek … a tear.

Well I asked him why he seemed so down
He looked up, began to say
I lost half my friends 60 years ago today
He told me of the terror
As he fought to reach dry land
By the time the beachhead was secure
Half his friends lay in the sand

That was just in one long day
He fought on for 4 years more
And the 60 years from then to now
Have not dimmed His sights of war

He said they have reunions
Just to keep in touch and share
And for each comrade who has gone on
They leave an empty chair

Well, His park bench has been empty now
About 6 months or so
And if I’d never took the time
Then I never would’ve known
That sitting on that simple bench
With bread crumbs and little toys
Was a man who gave his all
To guarantee my daily joys

So give thanks to all the men and women
Who’re still here or have gone before
And made the highest sacrifice
In both Peace time and in War
Because they bought our freedom
Paid their own blood, sweat, and tears
Then endured the heartache of those empty chairs
For all these years

So please do not ignore them
Or speed by without a care
‘Cause you never know
When you might pass by
A hero, unaware.

New Pieces, New Designs

2009-11-08T03:46:00.004-05:00

Something new I've been working on. I've done some pieces in RAW, but these are more uniform. I really like them! (OK, I don't like the photo, but I'll work on that. Have to get my dear husband back in his office so I can have my dining room table back for my light box!)

Top Droppers for the Month of October

2009-11-03T23:57:00.003-05:00

Thank you so much to my top droppers! I truly appreciate your stopping and dropping!
1. Business & Life Success
2. Beaded Tail
3. Juliana's Lair
4. Learning Corner
5. The Beadings and Buttons of Random Creative
6. My Gypsy Goods
7. Are You Hungry
8. After Cancer, Now What?
9. Mom's Place
10. Mature, Not Senile

A Cuff and Two Sets of Earrings

2009-10-28T00:15:00.008-04:00

Here's my latest cuff. I called this one "A Round in a Square" and I created it with two shades of turquoise, copper plated and galvanized pale copper Delicas. For the earrings, I've created another pair of "Heavy Metal" beaded bead earrings. This pair has a different earwire which makes them a little bit shorter. The second pair of earrings is in a gorgeous capri blue triangle bead and blue zircon Delicas. Both pair of earrings have sterling silver beads, earwires and pins.

Newest Stuff

2009-10-19T02:38:00.004-04:00

The first one is "Golden Honey Bronze" and the second is "Pink is for the Tatas" and $20 from the purchase price will be donated to the Susan G. Komen Foundation in the purchaser's name!

Top Droppers

2009-10-02T13:43:00.003-04:00

Thank you to my top droppers! I truly appreciate the drops!

Business & Life Success
Center for Business Success, Life Success, Management Success and Career Success
Learning Corner
Center for Personal Development, Professional Learning and Education, Finance, Smart Investment, Business Management, Business Strategy, Leadership, Business Success, Computer, Technology Update, Lifestyle Improvement.
BeadedTail
Antics of two cats and a dog! Plus, we make jewelry for animal lovers with proceeds benefiting animal charities! We're making tails wag one bead at a time!
Shopperista
The shopping and fashion place.
My gypsygoods
Life, creative moments, saving money, nature, eco-friendly tips.
Supporting & promoting the handmade community.
Mom's Place
Home & Family. Includes articles, shopping, product reviews, current news and events locally and shopping.
Patsy's Words of Wisdom
A place where Thoughts and laughs are shared. And hopefully some words of wisdom passed along. Short writes on Daily living.
The Beadings and Buttons of Randomcreative
I chose my username because I have always enjoyed making random creative projects using all different colors and materials. I opened my Etsy shop on Halloween of 2008.
Alterity Art
Specializing in No Harm antique and vintage button jewelry to preserve button's value and hierloom/museum quality of the jewery. Each piece is one of a kind :]
Juliana's Lair
A blog about loving and living in the Big Apple. It details the dynamics in the household of a happily married interracial couple; she as a stay-at-home wife, and he as a Wall Street professional.