Returning to my Blog?

I have been absent from my beadweaving blog because I did not want to write about my personal feelings regarding my father's passing. I realize that if I want to continue with my beadweaving business, I need to write about my beading passion to let you know my activities.

I added a list of my Art Fairs & Shows which seems to have removed my followers, so I'll have to figure out how to get that back or add a new gadget to do that. Computers can be challenging to understand.

I watched the PBS program, Craft in America, Messages, which was broadcast on Tuesday night. It is available in video and book forms (there are 2 previous programs which are also available from the past two years) from http://www.craftinamerica.org/

This year's program featured a bead artist who confirmed that beaders are collectors/hoarders of their beady goodies. I am certainly in that category. I have accumulated several favorite semiprecious stones, either as pendants or as cabochons. I also have several lampwork artist's treasures and some clay items. As I have some time before my next selling event, I plan to create using these items in my jewelry. I love variety, so I will be using Swarovski crystals and pearls in my work, but not featuring them unless someone requests an item.

Since blogs are best with pictures, here are some of my newer creations that are not necessarily on etsy yet. New cluster earrings with crystals and pearls, cubic zirconia earrings, double drilled rose quartz bracelet, beadwoven embellished flower ring, and a turquoise pendant necklace were created in April and May. Another computer challenge I have is to learn how to have the pictures be somewhere other than at the beginning of the posting. Please give me a hint if you know the technique.

Role of Music

I have been working on applications for Art Fairs, and put a picture of my booth on facebook. I purchased the tent in September 2010 and used it for one fair before winter set in, so it needs work. I have used shadow box frames to pin my jewelry for display which has a magnetic closure on the front, which created some interest in where they were available. They are available at Hobby Lobby.

Hobby Lobby is a great story/role model for on line entrepreneurs such as Etsy sellers. It was started in the family's living area with a small amount of money, quite a while ago as the founder is now a great grandfather. It is a family business, actually several family businesses, because the product in the stores (over 400 Hobby Lobby stores in 39 states) is made by their own companies. Gives them great control over the quality of the product which is in my opinion, good value. You can also order on line. They are based in Oklahoma and have used some of the best sales promotion features of JoAnn and Walmart, etc. Whole categories of items are on sale at 30 - 50% off frequently, and there is always a 40% off one item with the coupon available in the store. Big difference is that the stores are closed on Sundays as it is a Christian business.

When I visited my local store yesterday to purchase a couple more shadow box frames at 50% off, I noticed the upbeat music which repeated itself fairly often, but it didn't bother me. I had a discussion with my hair stylist earlier about the importance of music in the shop. In Hobby Lobby I realized that the music was familiar but not the usual arrangement. When I found the words to the song were in my head, that I knew the "song", I realized that the music was praising God, because the song was "How Great Thou Art". If you are unfamiliar with it, the song has strong emotional connections. We hear so much noise in the world, this was so pleasant, reaching back to my childhood upbringing, that it was in my head the rest of the day. I even woke up "hearing" it. Of course, I bought more than I might have and spent extra time just looking. I have a couple ideas using items I saw in their store. Just from music that was soothing to me, so I could relax in the store. A positive shopping experience.

As an artist/designer, I use music as I work. I will be paying more attention to what I play both while I work and at Art Fairs. To learn more about Hobby Lobby, follow the link:

http://www.hobbylobby.com/our_company/our_company.cfm

Please share in the comments section the music you like to listen to as you work.

New Year, New Lifestyle Changes

I've taken time away for the holiday and to review my business since its inception and my life over the last decade. I decided that I've exhausted myself trying to do things that just are not working, and I've lost some of the things that I used to love. This is not stress or depression, but burn out where I am no longer motivated to act because it seems hopeless and I'm helpless. Part of the "cure" is self care.

I found myself with a gift card to Borders Books store as a result of a return of a gift book. I knew my local store was sadly depleted of jewelry making books, but didn't realize they also had a poor selection of art and art history books I've used for creative inspiration. I've been criticizing myself for not doing marketing and found a book called The Designer's Guide to Marketing and Pricing....hardly a holiday gift but more about that another time. So I searched my former favorite topic areas and found Fried Why You Burn Out and How to Revive by Joan Borysenko, Ph.D. and knew this was a great book for me. I had collected quite a few of her books because they seemed to resonate with me and Fried described my feelings very well. You can find out more about her work at http://www.joanborysenko.com/ or www.facebook.com/pages/Boulder-CO/Joan-Borysenko/211406562428

So today, as part of my self care, I decided I would finally make the chocolate mousse from Raw Food Made Easy for 1 or 2 People by Jennifer Cornbleet. I searched for recipes (mainly desserts because that is what I miss the most...Christmas in my childhood home equals COOKIES) that cater to my food sensitivities and allergies, but did not make any during the holidays because I put my own needs last. Before you write me off as a chocoholic beadweaver wanting a super sugar high, let me tell you it uses avocados, dates, agave syrup and raw cacao powder NOT butter, cream and eggs! It whips up in my Cuisinart quicker than I can clean up the work bowl.

CHOCOLATE MOUSSE: Soak 1/4 cup pitted medjool dates (yummy) in water for 10 to 30 minutes to soften. Drain and place in a food processor fitted with the S blade along with 1/4 cup pure maple syrup or agave nectar and 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract (optional) and process until smooth. Add 3/4 cup mashed avocados (1 1/2 avocados) and 1/4 cup plus 2T unsweetened cocoa and process until creamy, scrapping the sides of the bowl occassionally. Add 1/4 cup water and process briefly. Store in a sealed container for up to 3 days in the refrigerator or 2 weeks in the freezer. Serve chilled or at room temperature ( thaw frozen about 15 minutes before serving) Yields 1 cup, 2 servings...I made a double batch and put one in the freezer!

Please check out Jennifer Cornbleet at http://www.learnrawfood.com/ or her book on your favorite site or at your library. She has good recipes for all meals of the day designed for 1 or 2 servings made healthy with raw foods...no cooking! She talks about tools you use so it's great for novice "cooks".

Happy Holidays!

Merry Christmas!

Taking a Break

I am considering taking a break from writing this blog. The topics that are running through my mind are not ones that I consider of value to my readers who have come to expect beading related topics, but rather more appropriate for a personal journal. I will continue to create, bead, and keep up my etsy shop.

Happy Holidays to you and your loved ones.

Etsy BeadWeavers: Voting for the December Challenge Simon & Garfunkel "Songs of Inspiration"

Etsy BeadWeavers: Voting for the December Challenge Simon & Garfunkel "Songs of Inspiration"

I'm trying to learn other ways to link to sites. I would like to post the picture grid here, but I've only succeeded in taking you to the site at the bottom of the entry so if you scroll up to the top you can see to vote IF you click on the lower title above. Another computer thing I need to work on.

Please visit and vote for your favorite entry.

I was in college when Simon and Garfunkel became popular, so I know most all the songs from way back. If you have a favorite tune, please share it with us in the comments.

I'll get back to writing soon; I put my photography equipment away when I cleaned for Thanksgiving--mistake to put it away, not to clean.

New Pictures

The top photo is a bracelet I created for the July Secret Garden Challenge of the Etsy Beadweaver's Team. I was running out of beads for the base of the bracelet and had difficulty finding a new supply. So I put it aside for a while. Then I realized I didn't have a gold filled three strand clasp. After that the Muse abandoned me. I knew I wanted a lacy edge but only had delica beads and I usually use smaller charlottes or size 15 seed beads. After a time I settled on using the delica beads, but wanted smaller 24 kt gold plate tiny seeds; I went into shock at their price! Got the best price available (almost $20 for a little tube of beads) and proceeded to finish it, not realizing I made a pattern with the transparent pink and blue beads! Guess the Muse had her own plan!

The other two bracelets are my traditional right angle weave bracelets done in Swarovski white pearls which I always pair with silver. One has Swarovski crystal ab bicones with the pearls.

These bracelets need the black background, and I will be making a better prop to pose them on. Still working on the lighting, too. There are some light sapphire bracelets and a peach bracelet and earrings that are at the photo editing stage. Light sapphire is one of the "colors" for December birthdays, so they will be added to my shop soon.

I've got a Black Friday Etsy special on some of my items going on at least thru Monday. Other specials will follow.