What's Going On ...

Its coming...Its HERE!

Yeesh - this is the latest headlines on CNN- "BlackBerry faces possible shutdown"...

Ok, Kimberly - some of its posted, the others are still tumbling, and may not make it till after lunch...but I'm dancing, oh yeah...

As Kimberly said 'where's the silver you promised yesterday?'...I'm working on it this morning, I promise...so far I've cleaned and strung a new set of beads, found a matching Bead Girl tote to shoot the pics with it, have hand-buffed 2 sets of silver earrings that I made in class yesterday and now they are tumbling for one last sparkle...so while they spin and twirl, I will be taking the pics of the other goodies I have...so hang tight and know I and the Gnomes are working hard to bring you the news of the day...

Letha is on her way over (maybe for lunch, I dunno what time we agreed on) and after sushi we're hitting Harbor Freight so I can pick up a few power tools...so I can bring you even betterer trinkets and treats...

For some unknown reason, my little black and white Darcy has become a 'love bunny' the past few days - crawling onto my chest and shoulders (she's on me right now while I'm typing) for extra love and affection...what makes cats change personalities like that? She's always been sweet and affectionate, but she'd rather be outside chasing bugs and sleeping under the deck...lately, she's like my shadow, and even crawled on my back over the weekend and did the 'snuggle' thing like the Warner Bros. cartoon when the teeny kitty (Pussyfoot) make a bed in the back of the bulldog, all the while digging her little claws into his back...have you ever seen that cartoon? its darling...and now I have my own back scratches from my own little Pussyfoot as well...

Hee...

Today's class wasn't as inspirational as last weeks, but that's probably because I made a bunch of new stuff yesterday...or it could be that I don't really have a specific purpose of what i'm trying to learn at class, but rather just trying to learn good technique and the proper way of doing things..I did learn more about cutting, grinding, polishing and buffing (I should wash my pieces inbetween grinding and polishing- der!)...and we did a bit of 'balling' up the wire on the ends, but my wire was pretty thin and it tended to ball up all over and make a big blob...but that's ok, I am still kinda wandering around the world of smithing and seeing what I want to do...

I have some groovy new silver pieces to show ya'll, but I have to scoot to class this morning...so I'll show ya'll when I return...groovy!

I didn't get a chance to shoot the pics of yesterday's stuff, so I'll do that tomorrow...Tuesday's are always a bit of a crazy day for me, and I don't often get everything done...

I have a question - who out there is a ceramist? who knows something about glazes? email me cause I have some questions for ya!! grazi...

La la la...

I've been workin' all day today, not much to update really...except I do have a new set for ya'll on eBay, since I hardly post anything there anymore...when folks tell me they think I've 'died', I figure I better get out and be seen, lest the obits have my name in them...A fun pink and purple set that reminds me of the Powerpuff Girls - we just donated an enormous box of PPG toys, puzzles, and more to our local "Blue Santa" organization to help kids for Christmas...One year we volunteered time putting toys in the boxes, other groups were wrapping at the tables, and it was a blast...i can only hope my PPG toys make someone's holiday very happy this year...and maybe Santa will bring YOU the set of beads (and groovy ring!)...More work to do, gotta get back to the grindstone...back later babycakes!

Santa's Workshop is in session

Here's a pic of the bracelet I mentioned yesterday and a few of the 'action shots' that I have to endure when I venture outside to take photos for you...just realize, its a jungle out there for me - I take my life in my hands just to bring you the daily news...

I don't have anything exciting to impart today...I am feeling 'experimental', tho, having made a few new beads last night and wanting to continue with the fun today...

I do have a cool place for you to visit, its not a 'game', there aren't any points or results for your efforts, its just a weird world that someone built...I've had this link for years, and sometimes I like to just waste time and let my head settle by wandering around out here: Vector Park

And now....Lets Shop!

I couldn't be caught in those 5:00am store openings, I'm too old and lazy to get up that early (but I could stay up that late! heh)...But if you were out there, I congratulate you on your preserverence and bravery...Brian has done those early morning trips in the past and witnessed some nice screaming and pushing matches...at toy stores...aren't people the best...

Yesterday we worked in the yard, Brian planted our newly bought plants, and worked on the walkway, I chopped down a poor old bush in the front yard, and we have to get it ready for the new roses...its finally starting to rain here so that will help soften the ground (did I mention we live on limestone and clay?)

So today we are buying dirt, compost and mulch...Not your traditional Holiday shopping, but we have learned to plant when the weather is nice because by the time April rolls around its too hot and everything is under stress and dies...Our green thumbs are brown today...

I made a new bracelet w/ some left over beads yesterday, will haveta show that one to ya...watched football, ate turkey, watched more tv - typical inside holiday routines...eat and park in front of the telly...I'm glad we bought our meal already prepared this year, tho, cleanup was a snap and no leftovers clogging the fridge...plus it was cheaper than going out...last year we ate in a groovy Austin restaurant, and they sat us next to people we worked with in the computer game industry...unfortunately they weren't our favorite people, but the good news was there was a divider between us and them...you just never know who you're gonna run into in Austin, its a funny town that way...the meal was great, but we kept waiting for them to leave, which they finally did...bah...

There's lots to do today and this weekend, go have fun, spend money, buy something you've always wanted for yourself and don't tell anyone!

Eat!!!

Are you cookin yet?

I've posted all the rings that i have, except one that I'm keeping (and not that terrible one I showed you - that one stays here!)...The prices are right, I hope you find one that fits your size...I'll try to make some smaller ones - once I start hammering them into shape, they tend to get bigger! I have to start a lot smaller, I think...ha...

Oh yeah - two things to remind you - since the server is down, I can't check my email..and I've posted a NEW POLL about Ring Sizes..!

I'm here, but Brian has brought the server down again for more work-related stuff, so I'm behind the scenes...Just got back from the local silversmith store, am loaded with copper sheet and silver wire and some new polishing items...i think I wanna go hit Harbor Freight tools and pick up their 'dremel' knock off - its only 9.99 right now...why not? For simple polishing and such, I'm sure it'd last at least a month, right? Eventually I have larger power tools I'll need to buy, but for now I'm trying to put my money into metal and make what I can with what I have...I pretty much have the torch setup now, I still need some firebricks but I do have something to carry me over till I get them...

i've made some more scrolls yesterday and with this new wire I should be able to come up with some new designs..I haven't soldered anything here at the house yet, tho...plus I'd like to get some BEADS made too..I have not given up on those, on the contrary, i spent this morning unloading my new glass and putting it away, and I have a lot of some colors that should be fun to play with...

I hope to be back later when I'm able to get on my own machine and not have to jump onto Brian's machine - it looks like Alien in here with wires and weird things all over this office...I feel like something is going to jump out of the cabinet and bite my face...I'll be back later...!

Goblet of Fire is...

A W E S O M E !!!!!

3:00pm - Back from class, I have FINALLY got a few things that I can show you that I've been doing each Tuesday morning...the class is only 3 hours each week, and I haven't been doing *any* homework here at the house (still trying to get my smithing station setup and all) so I don't have very much to show right now, but I'm really excited about the Swirl rings...I decided today that I needed something for my 'instant gratification' gene that was kicking into high gear...I have found myself perusing jewelry sites cause I'm in the mood to BUY something, so instead I just MADE something and now I feel better...I found the rings in a book, and twisted up 4 of them and just jumped in...good thing my teacher was there to keep an eye on me - I was using WAAAYY to much solder, I cut it in half and it worked MUCH easier...see why classes are so worthwhile? I DO have my torch setup here, and I DO have wire, so I think I'll try a few of these today here at the house and see what happens...its gorgeous outside, 79 and sunny, so the windows and doors are open, the cats are outside and I don't think I'll burn the place down just yet...Let see what a mess I can make, eh?

I can't wait to see it again...I think I missed half of it while my face was in my plate of sausages, butterbeer and pork tenderloin, (I don't remember much of the Ice Ball at all)...but we LOVED it! Sure, there are pieces missing (Krum never says "Hermoninny", Skeeter isn't captured as a beetle in the garden), but that's ok - the meat of the book is there and the challenges are fabulous..the kids are better actors now than ever - although I'm tired of Hermione coming across as 'shrill' and 'screaming' her lines all the time, but the boys are great, and there's no DOBBY thank god...he's NOT my favorite character...

I'm tired of doing the same thing I've been doing in my metal class the past 8 weeks, so I feel like doing something new..course, i wait till an hour before class to try and think up something new - bah...but I feel like making a pendant, I just need to design something and make it so...I will show what I've got when I get back...

A bunch of new colors have arrived in my little home, can't wait to get at them...I forgot I have an appt at 6:30 tonight, so alas...I am ready for today to be over and get back to work tomorrow...its only 8:30am and I'm already looking forward to tomorrow...heh...

Back later...gotta go get my hammers packed up...

Countdown to Turkey....

Just wantcha to know that I'm hearing your pleas and desires for more Bullseye beads and will make more...only this time I'm going to do a 'theme' with them, but I won't tell you what that theme will be - you'll have to wait and see...i prob won't get to them tonight, since we have a date w/ Harry, but after my metal class tomorrow, we shall see...will ya'll be around over the Holiday? Buying things online? Will it be worth my while to post at the end of the week? I hope so!

From the dept of 'oh no' - I think the chick at the sandwish stand today gave me her germs...I'm starting to feel headachy and weird, but not terrible...I hope its my imagination...Just to be safe, I'm taking some Airborne and vitamin C (chug a mug of juice)...I'll be really peeved if I get sick over the holiday..dammit!

Its Monday...class today...Harry Potter tonight...Silversmith tomorrow...and then - Turkey! and Parades! and Football! I'm ready...!

I suffer for my art..

We hit the nursery, picked up 2 containers of this Rose and will plant them over the holiday weekend..still have to remove the existing bush, and prep the soil...this rose will get as large as 6x6 or 8x8 feet, so I'm hoping it'll get HUGE and deliver gorgeous fat cabbage roses all year...

So last night I took the beads outta the acid bath where they'd been electroformed all day...and ended up putting my finger in my mouth to retrieve an errant hair, only to realize - d'oh! there's acid on my fingers...and so, the rest of the night my lips tingled and my mouth simmered...if you use Advantage on your animals for flea control, and have ever gotten that on your hands and in your mouth, its about the same feeling...Its cleared up this morning, and I will be more careful, but no promises...I've always been the kinda girl who had bruises from playing softball, scrapes from being outside or riding my bike (scored a broken arm on that one), blisters from walking miles in the summer...and sticking my feet on the bubbling hot tarmac in the neighborhood from freshly tarred streets...that's cool popping bubbles in liquid hot tar with your toes...heh...anyway, having acid make my lips bubble is not out of the ordinary, it coulda been a lot worse...

I was watching a show about small spaces in HGTV last night and they featured a house in my neighborhood that's only 968 sq ft (which is about the size of my house, actually, not including the studio) but it was the 2 college kids who are living in the Upper West Side of NYC in a loft that is only 350 sq ft that fascinated me...two people living in a space where most of us would consider a decent sized closet...wow...I know its hard to find space in NYC, and I bet this place was priced like crazy, but I just can't see two kids living in a space that small...wow...and then I went on to watch a show about the Royal Jewels on BBCA that was even more fun...I did make some beads, played around with some new colors, and then watched the movie "Elizabeth" with Cate Blanchett (one of my faves)...I love all things English, and study the 16th and 17th century monarchy, so I find it all interesting..Here's a little rhyme for you to remember Henry VIII wives - "Divorced, Beheaded, Died...Divorced, Beheaded, Survived"...and now you know the outcome of his six wives...('died' refers to Jane Seymour who died after giving birth to a son, rather than being beheaded, which would also infer 'dying')...

Time to do some housework and then take a trip to the nursery..i've decided to plant some antique roses - climbers, ramblers, big pink puffy roses, can't wait to get them in the ground!!!

I have LOTS of beads for ya'll...

Alrighty - I realize it IS the Saturday before Thanksgiving and many of you are probably at the store buying goodies, so I don't expect these beads to fly out the door...which means (hopefully) that they will be here when you get back and want to spend a few pennies on yourself...and lets face it - we're coming into the season of spending pennies on everyone BUT yourself, so why not start off the right way and buy stuff for YOU before you run out of those pennies, eh? heh...I'm such a corny salesman...

If you missed out on last week's offering (its still on the RFP page if you wanna see), then I have great news...the Bead Fairy made another pitstop last night, delivering more shiny beads in new colors and I've got em...but she didn't come by till after 2:00am, so the beads are still a little warm...gimme some time to let them cool, get them cleaned, etc...in the meantime, go buy your Tgiving fixins and get plenty of cranberry sauce - that's yum tum tummy..

I watched lots of BBCAmerica last night, i think I'm going to have a British accent today...

I'm behind the scenes...

I'm here, have been here, but Brian is home working on a customer's project, and he needs to disconnect our ISP and reconnect to another for testing, which means my computer goes offline periodically (for hours on end) today..right now I'm online, but in a bit i'll be gone again...so don't fear, I'm here...actually I've decided to pull out ALL the colors of Bullseye that I like (20+ rods are on my table) and see what concoctions I can come up with...bwahahahaha...

I've done it again - I ventured onto Lampwork Etc., and fell into the new puzzle everyone is playing there...and I spent HOURS and HOURS on it yesterday...ARGH! I think I need to just abandon it NOW or I will never get anything done for the next few weeks...consider myself 'out' of the game...If you are interested in it, I'll give you the link, but do not cuss my name as it pulls you into the void of time-wasting-ness...And do not ask me for help, I cannot assist, but there is a thread on LE where you can find your way...Don't say I didn't warn you: Quyzzle

Did anyone see Harry Potter last night? We have tix to go Monday (and enjoy the Feast, I think i've already told ya'll this, right?) but I know there were midnight showings last night, and so whaddya think? We watched an hour special on A&E about the making of GoF and it was wonderful, except I think we've pretty much seen most of the movie by now...but like I told Brian - its not like we don't already know what happens, we've read the book! Even so, it looks fabulous, and the little Harry Potter kid is growing into being a really cutie...but I still like Snape, he's so EEEEvil...

Well, there ya go...More later when I'm back online..in the meantime I'll get to work..the kiln is up and ready to go..time to melt away...

Hello my Lovely Creatures..

I feel like this week has been a huge BBLLUURR...I'm finally home alone and can get some work done properly - like pics and updating and don't even get me started on the emails that I haven't responded to (but have read)...I will prob do some 'drive by' responses just so I can get caught up, so I apologize in advance if you are bummed by a quick reply - in fact I've always meant to ask (perhaps in a poll?) whether or not you want a long response that takes me awhile to get around to, or a quick 'hey' just so you know I saw your email...I used to get bummed by Corina's quick 'very nice' replies to emails I'd send her, but now that I'm getting bogged with email, I think I kinda understand why she did that...

Its not that I'm being rude or don't wanna talk, its mostly a matter of time and not having much of it...so, if you aren't offended by a 'hey cool' response, I will be happy to do that just so you know I saw ya...

I have 10 more beads painted and ready to form which will take at least a week to eform, but thankfully I have a bunch to show ya'll...I'm seriously thinking of listing them for sale here, and I promise they will not be $300 because they are not as precise as Kate Fowle's (she puts upwards of 18 hours of time into her eformed beads, so you are getting your money's worth!)...I polished them up yesterday (the copper oxidizes, I'll be coating the copper w/ wax I pick up today)...We were in the gun store yesterday looking for the specialty wax and there were more men hovering around in one spot than I've ever seen in a store in my life...guns- they get guys hot...
I've never seen anything like it!

I made LOADS of large organic beads last night, some better than others...but I was actually surprised I made so many...I just kept going and going...some will eform nicely, others will go into the bad bead jar...you can't win them all, and I haveta feed that jar or it starts grumbling...

So, I'm off to take pics, Lady is outside chasing squirrels and Darcy is crawling onto my chest so I'll hold her...its an active crazy morning here - I wouldn't have it any other way! back in a few...

Copper Queen

I have been busy this morning, cleaning organic beads, painting them with my paint and getting them prepped for forming...I have one in the juice, 8 that are complete and another 10 waiting in the wings...I think I might be obsessed...

I did use a smaller brush to paint the beads today, but if its any consolation, I don't have a super-steady hand, so it does look a little 'organic' and not as precise as maybe it could, but you know what? I like it anyway...its ORGANIC which gives lots of leeway (is that how that's spelled?) to the bead, and I like the way it looks, and I appreciate your feedback saying the same..

Actually, I took the beads to my silversmith class yesterday and they were QUITE the hit - everyone went nuts over them and the fumed pieces I made at the demo on Sunday...its always nice to get a positive reaction to a new technique...

So whats on store - Mick is over today, I think I just heard her car door...I need to post a pic of her Mini! The kilns are warming up and its 47 outside, I have the doors and windows open, but its sunny and my hands are a bit chilly, but frankly, I'll take it over 95 anyday...we need to do lunch and then we're makin' beads...or whatever...

I've got to get some pics, eventually I'll do this..so you can see what's been going on...if its not one thing, its another...busy busy...back later...

Update and run..

Busy day today...burning metal, then BlueMoon, then errands, then work...

On a good note, I picked up some tiny paint brushes (18/0!) last night to paint the copper beads with...I was told very politely that the large swaths of copper paint on the lentils weren't very nice, and that I should do more detailed work...so, taking a cue, I'm going to try some detail work...I rather LIKE the large swaths of copper, and the reaction I got at the show on Sunday was positive, but then again these ARE just practice beads, I am still in practice-mode, so perhaps I can do better...my next goal is to make more large beads, cause I'm just about out of my current stock...so this evening - organics and mega-lentils...

I was busy yesterday, didn't get any pics posted..sometimes real life does happen to me, believe it or not...its not like I'm just sitting around w/ my finger in my ear wondering what to do next...as much as you would ENJOY that visual, I'm sure..ha...but yes, I really do have a life, I really am busy and things are going on here all the time...sometimes faster than I can keep up with them...

All the beads are GONE, Nancy did a great job yesterday shipping everything...I have a few folks doing some testing on the fumed beads for me- depending on their feedback, I will see how I feel about selling them, or somehow re-engineering them so they won't wear off..i've been wearing a bracelet and pendant myself and for the most part its all in good shape...however, I don't wear them every day, but then I do tend to change up the jewelry I wear, so its not the same old thing..so, my thoughts are- if you bought a piece of fumed glass and wore it occasionally, it'd probably last for a good long time...but I'll feel better with some feedback and I have some great testers who will help me out...

Oh yeah and with 55 votes in so far, 70% of ya'll want a daily update...that clears things up for me...(people have looked at me wide-eyed when I told them I update daily - they think I'm insane, so I wanted to know if it was overkill, was I wasting my time, or did you really want a daily update...) but I do like to have at least 100 folks votes, so if you haven't voted yet, feel free...

Ok then, I gotta eat my bagel and get going...back later, with pics I hope...groovy tunes...

I'm back and having fun...

Yesterday's Dia De La Demo was a blast...lots of folks cruised thru, lots of people I knew and could visit with...I like to call myself the 'demo monkey' and just play and goof off during the day, so I made a massive twisted cane (using 15mm clear), and made lots of organics and fumed stuff...I'll take pics of the stuff later, some are in the kiln annealing..I usually give Jim all the beads I make so he can do with them whatever he wants...Tomorrow I'm going over to schedule a Metals class at BlueMoon, where we'll play w/ all sorts of metals, redux and fuming...the fuming went over BIG yesterday, I think I made 4 fumed beads and it was quite the hit of the day...

Nancy just finished shipping all the recent beadstuffs, so if you haven't seen your beads in a few days, keep an eye out...

I've put a new Poll up, asking how frequently you want me to update this site...I have to admit the votes are all over the place, pretty much even steven at this point, some say daily, some say 2-3 days, some say whenever...the Favorite shape poll was a definite 'round' winner, with Lentil and Orrb in close second and third...so it looks like I'm doing something right..more round beads coming up!

I found a new color of cappucino at BlueMOon yesterday and bought everything they had (nearly 3lb)...its a fabulous rich cinnamon brown color that I just LOVE with ivory and other organics...I'll be making beads with it, stay tuned..

I've also had 2 or 3 more beads come out of the Electroformer late, will get pics of those too..they were ALSO a hit yesterday, folks were interested in what they were all about, and I must admit I'm really enjoying them..I've got a long barrel shape, and a small oval, and a bicone 'cooking' right now...and looks like I need to make some more big beads...cool!

The Bullseye is on it's way, I ordered even MORE after my main order on Saturday, so I'm gonna be swimming in it, although I bought lots of colors, but not a large quantity of each, so I'll see what ones I really like and keep working in those...I haven't touched my silversmithing lately, tomorrow is class, and I hope to have the pieces complete and ready to offer...rock on!

Gone for the day...

Brian is here putting Halloween stuff away, but I'll be demo-ing all day...back later..nothing new and exciting, so go enjoy your Sunday!

The Bead Fairy been berry berry good to me..

I haven't needed to order much glass at ALL this year, I've got wacky amts of it here in the studio...but guess what I just got doing - ordering a fist full of new Bullseye colors, since I've had so much fun making beads with it lately...I bought a sampler like 2 years ago, and added a few small bundles based on Val Cox suggestions (she uses it exclusively), but I have only 1 stick of some colors and as my buddy Dodie and I will tell ya- we can't use the glass if we only have ONE rod of it!! Its a sickness, we are 'hoarders' - not the clinical kind, but just a normal kind who can't use glass unless we have at LEAST 6 rods of it as our comfort blanket...And so, I have a load of new Bullseye coming along w/ some replacement Moretti, Schott, and new reduction frit...i'm lookin' forward to this package already, and I just ordered it a few minutes ago...ha...

Well, my computer and webserver host seem to be up and running just fine, and the beadsets are all SOLD today, but never fear, there WILL be more beads..I've got more Bullseye to dig out...so, I hope you are liking these cause I see some orange, grey and cocoa that I think I need to fire up...yeehaw!

I'm at home today, watching College Football and making beads...should be cleaning house, but eccck - who wants to do that? Oh yeah, have 2 more lentils electroformed and right now a long barrel is in the drink...I've got 4 more painted and ready to go, so I'll be electroforming till I run out of copper, which believe it or not is starting to happen...the annodes are beginning to wear away, I'm using them so much...wow...pretty cool...

Beads...Round...4 strands...in colors you've not seen before...like yesterday's strand...hope ya'll are lookin', if you said you wished you had a set of them...up till 2:00 last night...tired...am cleaning beads now...will post as soon as they're ready...going back to work now...zzzzzz...

I've settled down now...

5:00pm - The Lentil has a new name - "Solaris" - it does remind me of a colorful star, its easy to pronounce and I probably will remember it..here's a list of the other suggestions - ya'll are so creative!
"Electrofied, Shiny New World, Longitude/Lattitude, Electroform Madness, Eclectic Electric, Electrogirl, Chastity, Serenity, Disco Disc, Electro Shock, Spherical Rainbow Explosion, Cosmic Energy, Solaris, Venus, Sir Lancelot and Float Bladder (cool huh!)"...Thanks for playing along, I always appreciate your thoughts and ideas...!

AckAck...this is why I am not 'allowed' to visit Lampwork Etc. - I've been out there for over 2 hours now, just poking around, reading and wasting time...please, I beg you, do not let me wander alone thru LE, or I shall completely waste my day...grrr...although I did learn how to do Implosion beads, so i'll be trying that out tonight..Thanks LE!

12:30 - Ok, here's a coupla quick pics of the second lentil...I like this one a LOT, its more in line with what I expected from the electroformer- its more 'coppery' and it looks like I took copper sheet, cut it into a 'cage' and soldered it onto the bead..I love the soft patina on it, and I expect more of my beads will look like this (like Kate's patina on her beads - more coppery, less peacocky) so each one will be a surprise, which is part of the fun..!

12:00noon - Just finished the second electroformed lentil, wanna see it?

Fox has cancelled "Arrested Development"...I'm so sad..that is the funniest show on the air...good thing we own all the DVD's...I hope HBO buys it and makes it a huge hit...

I was really 'charged' (electrons, charged, apparently I'm not settled down quite yet) yesterday with the results from my electroforming...I have another bead that's in the juice and should be done in about 3 hours, and another 2 still do to...I'm combing the house looking for large beads, and you know what? I don't have many! I think I need to make some really long ones, or more gigantic lentils or something...as always, thanks for your name suggestions, I'm getting some really GOOD ones, and one even came in from Portugal! Rockin'...

And I've been 'secretly' playing with some glass I've had sitting around collecting dust for well over a year...its compatible with the gold stringer, so do not fear that it will pop off - it shant...I have more to play with, this is just the first grouping, I love the Cranberry and Peach colors together, and that little focal seemed to work with it perfectly...

This is the first day all week that I have NO where to go today, so I'm gonna continue to work on the studio, make beads, keep e-forming and will probably attempt to do something with that lentil, because I'll prob HAVE to wear it during my demos on Sunday...I'm not the best bead-stringer, I like stuff to be simple and not overdone, so it'll prob have a crystal, a gold bead and be done with it...

Clementine needs to jump up on me and be petted, so I'll be back...

Alrighty then...

4:48pm OOOOOHHHH MMMMYYYYY GGGGAAAAWWWWDDDDD!!! I'm jumpin' up and down, this electroforming is making me happy!!!

8:15am I am officially electroforming...I tossed a bead into the blue liquid and fired up the machine...unfortunately it makes this very high pitched squealing sound that's driving me crazy..i think its the fan inside that needs lubed or something...UGH! and this only needs to run for only 8-10 hours...I need an aspirin...

I was playing around with some new colors last night, but am not happy with how the stringer came out (more freebies!) so back to the drawing board I go...I will have beads this week, I swear...

Still working on the studio, still getting stuff setup and moved around...a cool front came thru and I can have to doors open again, ahhh..thank you Canada!

And there you have it..nothing excited to show today...lets root for something tomorrow...I have yet ANOTHER meeting to attend today, but after that I think I'm done for a few days...I'm ready to just lock the doors and hide in the studio for a few days...you know what I need? A nice recliner in here...something I can just plop into and read my new magazines...EW has Harry Potter on the cover...Got my new Bead Style, but I don't know if I dig that mag yet..I like Art Jewelry, its less beads, more jewelry...of course still get B&B, but dropped Beadwork...I can't handle them all, information overload...plus I don't get around to reading them all, so I feel like its a waste of money...I have some that I can offer for ya'll if you think you want them...I have a stack of mags that has 'got to go', but I hate just tossing them...In fact, I have organzied my jewelry box and have loads of rings to photograph and offer...haven't worn them in years, time to find a new home for them...nothing wrong with them, just have too many! I'm a ring-fiend...oh yeah...

I think its getting back to normal

Good news - the silversmith torch passed the checkup at the Dr. office, so I can start burning silver at home now...and I finally got my electroforming stuff setup, am painting 3 lentil beads now and will start my first one tomorrow...(takes about 8 hours to deposit the copper)...so I might have something to show by the end of the week...and I might make something in silver this weekend too...is it Friday yet?

Feeling Hungry?
San Francisco as done in Jello...(click the 'next' button for more images)

As you all know, I don't like lots of stuff going on in my life at once...this week has been very hectic with the studio overhaul (its about 50% complete), classes on Tuesday ( my day doesn't really start till I get home around 2:00) and then today I have more running around to do...the bad news is, when I've sat at the torch in the evenings, I'm so drained that nothing creative comes to me...I've made 4 beads this week, just playing around w/ new techniques from Kate Fowle's class, but nothing worthwhile...

The GOOD news is, I don't have anything else going on today thru Sat until Sunday hits when I'll be doing some demonstrations at a local store...AND, with the move of my rods, I've re-discovered some glass I haven't paid attention to in ages, and now I want to drag it out and give it a run around the block...so I hope that comes to happen...

I've put more silversmithing pieces into place, today the torch gets overhauled and the acetylene gets refilled...its been outside for 2 years, I don't expect miracles, but it might be salvagable, and if not, I'll just get another one...it was only about $100, not too unreasonable (my beadmaking torch was over $400 on the other hand, and the next one I'm eyeing is over $1800, but that won't be for awhile, you can bet!)...I bought more silver sheet, some stick solder, lots of tweezers to create setups with, and a large dish for quenching...and a proper-sized benchpin to match my anvil so I can saw things...I still need some of the polishing setup, perhaps a bench grinder (the one I have may have too high an RPM, I have to check)...but at least I will be able to construct items while at the house, and if I can't clean and polish here, I can do it in class...

I'm really happy with the results of the soldering I did yesterday on my class pieces...i learned some great techniques to keep the solder from running all over (use less!) and I can't wait to show ya'll what I'm making, but I want it to look GOOD and right now they all need polishing...oh well, probably next week...

I've resized the MiniPoll in the left column, so it doesn't push the website out of size, and you don't have to scroll back and forth anymore (if you're on a 15" monitor like me, you had to scroll and I hate that)...so things are back to normal...

Time for frisbee with the dog, she's got waaaay too much energy and is biting my ankles and crawling on me...that's a sign that she needs to go play... back later...

Almost done with my class project

i hope to finish my clasps this morning in class, we'll see...I have some errands to run afterward (need more silver) and then I'll be back...I worked on the studio more yesterday, its lookin' better...I even have a space for my silversmithing now, although its 'very rough'...but, as in all things, its getting there..

and on yet even more good news front- my electroforming stuff arrived yesterday..all i'm missing is the .99 glass to put all the hooha into, so I'll go hit the thrift store today and dig up something cool...maybe I'll have a bead electroformed by the end of the week...it takes about 8 hours to do one properly, not including all the prep time (cleaning, painting, drying)...but I have some old lentils I'm gonna take for a spin around the block and we'll see what happens..back later kiddos...

The studio dervish has hit

Click the pic and the link below it to see larger versions of the new glass rod area...if you are a geek like me...

My studio looks like I set a bomb off in it - but then it looked like that already! The good news is, I spent a lot of time yesterday relocating my large collection of rods (not my backstock, its safely stored in a cabinet) that I use regularly...It used to be near the sliding glass door, and the dirt and dust would blow in and coat the rods, even with them hidden under yellow towels...

I spent hours moving each bundle into its new location, so now they sit very near me and they look fantabulous...I was able to spread out the colors a bit, giving some of the higer-used rods their own containers...You know what its like to have a clean room or space, you LOVE it...

Now its time to work on the table where the rods used to be located...That is where I'm setting up my silversmithing station, and currently its housing junk and lots of B&B mags that need to go into a bookshelf...I DO love to purge when the mood hits, and lemme tell ya, its here...bigtime...toss n toss n toss that junk...I've also found a bunch of PMC books that I'll be selling (they're really nice, but its just not my thing, I think), so look for those here...good deals and all...if ya'll don't want them, I'll eBay them instead...

But, I'm also in the mood to make beads when I feel like taking breaks...so we'll see...

Some of my tourmalines arrived via Fed Ex at 7:45am...yes, that's right..the doorbell rang at 7:45...very nice...needless to say, they left them nextdoor (I was up, but in the shower)...

And I have to make some trips to pick up some more silver for class..I've got some cool new things I'm working on, I hope to finish them tomorrow, we'll see...I think its time to get my torch cleaned out and set up so I can do homework here and use classtime for more instructional time...

Back with some pics soon...

I purge, you splurge..

I saw that on a posting for a Garage sale and thought it sounded funny...I've been putting off purging the studio, I've been 'threatening' to do it all week, and I do believe today is the day...Put some football on the tube, grab some boxes for 'donate, sell, toss' and just get going...Should I take before and after pics?

We went back to the butterfly garden and nursery yesterday to pick up a large metal arch for our yard...it looks great, and I plan to plant an antique climbing rose next to it to cover it all up! This is the time of year to plant in Texas, our winters are mild (did I mention its going to be 90 tomorrow? um, yeah...) and its easier to get plants established to handle the heat next summer if we plant now...So I do believe we'll be hitting the Antique Rose Emporium very soon...

Did you watch the weirdness of Austin on the 'CBS Sunday Morning' program this morning? Bill Geist did a story on how weird Austin is and a local play showcasing our weirdo local residents...a lady who drives a car covered in Pig paraphanalia, an Elvis impersonator with a Texas cape, a lady who has large dots painted in her lawn and others...I hope you caught it, it showed how fun a town this is, if you can show a town in a 5 minute segment...

Butterflies in the garden

Have you seen the trailer for this yet? I'm ready!!

For all my Brini Maxwell compadres - she's BACK!

We visited our fave nursery yesterday, and walked their butterfly garden...it was covered in migrating Monarch butterflies...I've made some beads that were influenced by the colors I saw yesterday...stay tuned for those coming up this morning...

And I think I solved the problem of the Poll Pop Ups...if you still get them, email me and tell me what browser you're using...but I don't think they'll be an issue any longer...bwahahaha...

off to clean beads, back as soon as I can!

Aha! the plot thickens...

5:00pm - Just got back from seeing Wallace & Gromit and it was DARLING! If you are a fan and haven't gone yet, you should..
And have you seen page 26 in the new B&B mag? The necklace made from Star Wars figures? I think I know what I'll be doing with all these little figures living in my house...

And so, yes...I was actually WORKING last night...its not all troubleshooting all the time here at Blackberryworld...whaddya think? I can't believe how much these match my website color scheme! I was going to call them something boring like 'Blackberrybeads Website Color Scheme", but I think 'Godiva Chocolates' is more appropriate, seeing has how they are wrapped in a gold box...and are they not the most wonderful chocolates on the planet (the candy, not the beads)...I have to walk extra fast past the displays in the mall, or I will be drawn like a magnet to them...

8:56am Wellllll...I've just installed 1.0.7 Firefox and I'm NOT getting popups on Kandice's site...but then I wasn't when I used IE either...and some of ya'll are saying the same thing, but others are saying you ARE getting popups...

SO, my next assumption would be that there is some other piece of software on your computer that I don't have that is causing the popup..Brian told me it was kinda like a flash window that disappeared, not like a typical popup...I wonder what is causing it...I'm not seeing it for anything...so I guess the next question is - do I put the poll back up or no? ultimately I'd like to gather info w/out it being a pain for ya'll...that's what i'm trying to do here, believe it or not...

7:04am Look at me, updating at 7:04am! (look at me, Anne!)...Course, my body thinks its 8:04 and well, we just won't tell it what's what...

Thank you for the feedback regarding the popups, I didn't realize so many of ya'll were getting them, but I think I've found a common thread...

Most everyone who was getting them seem to be using Mozilla (Firefox) as a browser...I'm using IE and Netscape (although I like Firefox, Brian took it off my machine?!?) and haven't received the popups, but I spoke to some of ya'll yesterday who told me the browser you were using was Firefox...I don't know how prevelant FF is as a browser, I think its a cool one, but thought it was obscure, since MS dominates so many computers...(I'm not a MS fan, if you were wondering, just the opposite actually)...

So, what does this mean? Well, I may go ahead and put the poll back up, cause I like getting the feedback, but I can leave it down as long as ya'll are willing to email me your feedback if/when I ask a question in my blog...I was getting some decent responses to the poll, like 50 votes in a week, which was great...Anyway, I feel better knowing it was an isolated browser incident (unless Anne and Kimberly tell me differently, i haven't had a chance to quiz them yet) and that it wasn't happening 100% to everyone but me...

I made a fumed set of beads last night and am going to run an informal experiment on them...I know that silver or gold fumed onto a bead will wear off over time, but what I don't know is how long it takes for the wearing-off to take place...is it immediate, how noticible is it, does it happen against clothing as well as skin, if I wear the bracelet in water will that quicken the process, etc. etc...Man, am I in troubleshooting mode or what? Its what I did in the computer game industry for 8 years and in the software industry for another 5, so I'm kinda wired to troubleshoot by nature...so I'll feel better about selling fumed pieces once I know what to expect...Not many other folks are selling fumed stuff from what I can tell, course I'm not exactly 'in the know' when it comes to what others are doing, so that statement could be wrong...bzzzz...I'll take some pics and show ya what I've got going, tho...

And on another metal note, i ordered all the electroforming stuff yesterday and its already shipped and on it's way...I have some big lentils that i'm gonna practice on and see what happens...stay tuned for that...

And I've declared that this weekend I'm going to do a Mission: Organization on the studio...I can feel it in my bones that it's coming..I'm going to get boxes for 'donate', 'toss', and 'sell (or keep)' and lets just see what happens...We have lots of Powerpuff Girls and Star Wars stuff we're going to donate to a local Santa organization for toys this Christmas, so some little girls and boys will have fun this year...unopened puzzles, toys, dolls, stuffed animals and all sorts of goodies will be leaving the studio this weekend...rock and roll!

Ok kids, if you are got popups with the poll and AREN'T using Firefox as your browser, lemme know which ones you ARE using...and to test it, go visit Kandice Seeber's site, cause she's running a poll right now and I'm not getting popups when I visit...this is a good test...go be a quality assurance tester for me, make me proud...(Howdy Kandice!)...

For those about to rock...

I have a question and I need ya'lls help...
A couple of weeks ago I had a small 'minipoll' on my site that asked a question about how many days I should run an eBay auction...remember that? I took it down because someone (very high ranking official) told me it was spawning pop-up ads and was annoying...However, I've just visited two sites today that had this same minipoll on their site, and got no such pop ups (nor did I get them on my own site)...So the question is - were YOU getting pop ups when visiting my site while i had that poll running? if not, I'd like to bring it back, I think the data is helpful to me...thank thee...

Its a rockin morning here...up early and already have played frisbee with the dog...Amelie was so excited that she darted out from under the truck and ran up a tree I was standing under...she was very proud of herself, her eyes were wide and excited...I don't think she knew how she got up there...

Michelle has packed up her toys literally and taken them home...it was time, I think or perhaps she was frightened when she saw our spare toilet sitting in the hallway (the plumbing is being repaired)...she had to drive an hour each way to come here and work in the studio and now she's found a new home and new studio space, so she's getting her world situated...I enjoyed having her here, no doubt, but I also always enjoy having the studio space empty so i can just goof off and do what I feel like...(make beads mostly)...

And here's a 'dork of the day' story for ya...So, I'm brushing down the studio table to get it all nice and clean, remove the glass chips, etc...and I picked up the Clorox bleach bottle that had been sitting on the floor, and sprayed the table...started wiping it down and thought 'why is this so shiny...this doesn't look right'...so, I look at the bottle and see that instead of using Clorox, I was cleaning the table with Shout spray n wash...d'oh! No wonder the table was so shiny, I was waxing it! so I found the proper Clorox and it magically made everything all better...whew...I'm still laughing about it...

its also time for me to get back to doing some behind the scenes work, get some checks in the mail for some eBay auctions I won (for jewels to set in my metal class)...I really like my world to be relatively quiet - I work better in that environment and am always in awe of folks who are going non-stop all day, all week...There are people who get energy from groups, crowds, parties, people...I'm the other kind - I get energy from alone, quiet time...being by myself...being introverted...Its hard for me to keep everything going when I have a lot going on in my world...so I'm glad to see W I D E open spaces on my calendar for the next few weeks...phew...

Please Bead Me...

6:30pm you would be very proud of me...we spent 3 hours shopping and I didn't buy a single thing...we had a hard time even spending Mick's money, we just coudln't find the right thing in the right size...but we had fun trying on capes and gloves and silly things that we would love to wear, but never get a chance to...time to get back to work...

Crud! my update just disappeared from my screen...all the CTL Z could not bring it back to me...rats...

Nancy is done shippping, if you bought something before noon today, or in the past week or so, its coming your way...

I've ordered some new clear glass for encasing, should be here later this month...can't wait!

I'm doing shopping with Mick in a little bit...I'm doing the 'shopper helper' this time, while she stays in the dressing room trying on stuff, i get to shop and bring her things...plus - I don't spend money this way cause I don't need anything (just paid off my bill from June's Bead and Button excursion!)...

ok, i need to troubleshoot my O2, I think I must have a leak..back in a bit...

Yes...there be beads...the BF came thru...and there are different sized strands, so prices will vary - something to please everyone..
however...however...Nancy will be here to ship around 9:00 and I'm working against the clock..so I"m gonna get these posted asap...come back soon!

Whew! That was a perfect Halloween!

We had a great time...we stayed outside for as long as we could (a cold front brought rain and colder weather to us), but with our backyard all decorated, we had the kids come into the yard to get their treats and the parents all had fun w/the decorations - some even took PICS in front of the pumpkin patch! Love it!

I think we had more fun than the kids did...I watched the movie on the computer (one kid said rather enthusiastically "That's Michael Myers!"- he obviously knew his Halloween movie trivia!), everyone petted Bagheera, someone even asked if he was a dog or a cat...TOO funny! He was happy on my lap, which I covered with my poncho to keep my legs warm...

We finally closed the gates, but continued giving out candy thru the front door and things were wrapped up and we were eating pizza and watching football by 8:30...all in all, we have about 40lbs of candy left - so guess what will be coming in your bead packages again! I can send melty chocolate during the cooler winter months, just not from March-Sept cause it will be liquid mess if you received it during those months...Halloween candy for all!!!

And if you haven't already checked, I snuck a couple of sets onto the Ready For Pickin' page, but they are already sold...remember, sometimes I go 'stealth' and post stuff there to make it a little easier for you to buy, since its such a frenzied free-for-all at other times...

Speaking of which, (witch?- Halloween is ovah, move on Donner) I am working on a new strand of beads that I REALLY like, but only have 5 done, so after silversmithing this morning, I'll be coming back to make more...I can encase these using the Gaffer clear, which is nice and shiny, and hope to have plenty to offer this week..I thought I'd get stuff done last night, and then d'oh! I forgot I shoulda done it during the day, and well, we all know my hands don't work well during daylight...so hang tight, I'll have something for ya this week, no doubt...

I am LOVIN' this time change, its not even 8:00am yet, but I'm wide awake and ready to go...the Spring time change always kicks my hiney...I wish we didn't have to change at all like folks in Indiana and Arizona...good job kids!

So, does this mean its non-stop Christmas now? I noticed Christmas carol song adverts on tv last night (not like they haven't already been shown, but I don't count those in Sept when its 108 outside! you might as well be advertising for Easter at that point, its crazy hot here so you aren't influencing anyone)...its only 48 outside right now, not exactly snow weather...and its supposed to be in the low to mid 80's this week...don't sing those carols to me, i'm not listening...