Tuesday, May 27, 2008

Banner update and more listings


This afternoon I added more listings on etsy. It was rainy today, so I didn't use my usual photo spot for pictures, so I'll probably redo some of the jewelry ones when we have a sunnier day. I also took the time to play with my banner by adding some insets of different pieces I've made. I'm getting pretty good at Photoshop, if only I could figure out how to add borders... :)

Beading and biking (not at the same time)

I hope everyone had a great and relaxing weekend! I worked on some new projects-- 2 new necklaces (one for me to keep and the other to list!), matching earrings and a bracelet. The bracelet is already sold, along with the Spring Flowers Bracelet. Not to worry, I have enough supplies to make another fun and funky flower bracelet and will list that soon.
We also went on a 20 mile bike ride with our friends in Dayton. The weather was incredible, and it was awesome actually going somewhere on the bicycle. Usually, Eric and I just tool around the neighborhood. We're all pumped about biking now, and since everyone else had a road bike, and I have a heavy hybrid, I'm thinking I want a new bike. I know, want, not need. And no, if everyone jumped off a building, I wouldn't jump too.

Thursday, May 22, 2008

Meet Shelly and Timmy




Here are the remaining two turtles I made last week: Shelly (with the pretty beaded shell) and Timmy (the tiny one). It took me a little longer to finish the beadwork on Shelly, mainly because its been a busy week. I'll be listing them on Etsy soon.


We went to an optometry continuing education meeting on Tuesday, and yesterday I got a Wii Fit. Thats a pretty neat peripheral for the Wii, and I think the potential to have a lot of games based on it is huge. I'm a little sore from playing with it last night. I don't think it is the total answer to fitness, but it gets you off the couch and moving, and it makes you think a little bit more about being active than your typical video game.


Any plans for Memorial Day Weekend? I plan on working on some jewelry ideas and we're going to visit some friends in Dayton and go biking.

Tuesday, May 20, 2008

Mastering the Curl (The Wicked Bead Lady)


I had my beading class on Saturday night. Its taken me that long to recover from it! Seriously, it wasn't as bad as I thought it would be, and the Wicked Bead Lady did not yell at anyone like I feared. The style of the project isn't something that I typically go for, but the technique was interesting. As you can see, I'm still working on it.

Goodbye Old Friend



Okay, so this isn't arts and crafts related (unless you think vintage cars can be a piece of art!)

I sold my 1982 BMW 528e last week. That was my first car I ever owned, it belonged to my grandparents who gave it to my sister and me for our high school graduation present. The car had 172,000 miles on it when I sold it. The reason why I sold it was because I bought a Honda two years ago, and while I had every intention of driving the beemer on the weekends, I just never did. So it was sitting out in our parking lot being ignored and slowly rusting. I felt slightly guilty everytime I looked at my poor little car because until I bought the Honda, that car was pampered!

I sold it to a family who has two teenagers getting their drivers' licenses soon (shouldn't every kids' first car be a BMW?), and their dad's hobby is restoring old cars. I think he is more excited than the kids about his new project!

Its difficult letting something that I've had for so long go, but its easier doing so knowing that the new owners are able to take care of the car and really apprieciate it for what a cool old beast it is. I'm looking forward to seeing it restored to its former glory! Broomhilda, you will be missed!!!

Saturday, May 17, 2008

Oh Look! Turtles!


Just a quick update while I'm felting these cute little guys. I love making these turtles! They are so darling and easy to make. I'm going to leave some of them plain, some of them are already pretty fancy with their racing stripes, and some of them are going to get a little bling of their own. The unembellished ones make great baby gifts, or one of the ladies I work with think they would be good dog toys. I think they would be sturdy and safe enough for that, but I don't want to know if you're using them for that purpose.

In other news, the bead class is tonight. I'm actually pretty nervous about this because Christie (my neighbor and partner in crime) and I went to the guest artist's trunk show last night which was being held during another one of her classes. The teacher totally b***hed this poor woman out for not knowing some of the stitches real well! The reason why I'm worried is because this beading technique is something I've been dabbling in, but just for simple bracelets, and I have never done Peyote or Brick stitch before. So, Christie has christened the teacher the "Wicked Bead Lady" and I hope I do okay in this class. Fortunately, I don't think there's a test at the end!

Thursday, May 15, 2008

The Usual Suspects


Here's my trio of crocheted bunnies, all grown up and felted! And look, in true bunny fashion, there's a fourth one now. The things bunnies get into when you're felting them in the washing machine! The little one is made from the same hook size and yarn, I just tightened the tension of stitches.

We have a birthday party for a one year old this weekend, the pink one with yellow ears is for her. I also have a beadweaving class that I'm taking this Saturday, so lots of photos soon.


Wednesday, May 14, 2008

Taking the Plunge


Ok, so its official. I've taken the plunge and started my own ETSY shop! I've also been working on some crochet amigurumi bunnies that I've been felting. Boy, was Eric complaining about that! I guess wet wool is not one of his favorite scents. Remind me not to get that for him for Christmas!

So now that I have the site up and running, I am torn between making for fuzzy animals or jewelry...

Here's a peek at the bunnies before felting, I'll post the finished product once they are dry.