My Julsbead necklace

Ok, Julianna said that it was ok to post. There has been so much talk around copying others work without giving credit. So this is like one of her necklaces that she made. I love her bumpy beads and could never figure out what to make. Her beads are so luscious and full of life. Without further ado, here it is. (this is strictly for me, not for sale)

You can find her blog at Julsbeads and her Etsy is here.  Her work is absolute wonderfulness!

Thank you and a few new pieces

First, I wanted to thank all of you for your supportive comments on my interview. Thank all of you, it means alot. You are all so supportive.

Now, on to a few new pieces. Again, Friday night and then Sunday during the football game (oh do I love that theme!).

Hand hammered silver sticks and hoops with beautiful boro beads. I apologize, I don't remember where I got these.

Fun beads from Julsbeads.  I love her work. 

Another of Julsbeads! I also created a necklace very similar to one that Julianna created but want to make sure it is ok with her. It is a piece for me, not for sale, and with all of the issues that have surfaced lately, I just want to make sure that it is ok. I hope to be able to post soon. I love it especially much! I wore it to work and got the comment "I love that, it looks like something you could eat!"

As always, any comments are more than welcome! 

A big step for me

I was contacted by a journalist who writes a post in our area and she wanted to interview me! She found me on Etsy and it went from there. Have to admit that I was absolutely terrified. For me the whole stepping outside my comfort zone is tough. I love what I do, but am not good at promoting myself. But, I did say yes and it was a 5 minute interview, really not long and she put me on the front page of her cyber journal/blog/news site.  I was blown away! Below is the link. Small steps.  :)

http://colesville.patch.com/articles/shop-local-qa-with-beads-by-breul-founder

She included pictures and links to both my Etsy and Artfire sites. I have seen my hits go up drastically on both. Psyched! Let's hope it generates some sales........

Lori Anderson's new web site

It is up and running! Absolutely beautiful. The colors, her pictures, navigation. You did an amazing job Lori! Congratulations. Please go over and check it out ~ Lori Anderson Designs.



Lori Anderson's free eCourse

Good Morning,
Lori Anderson of Pretty Things and An Artist's Year Off is offering a very interesting free eCourse on blogging. Definately worth the hop over and read. I am looking forward to participating in this and can say that in the first post, I have learned a few things and have had some of my decisions validated.  Her words are very thoughtful and true.  Please go over and check it out.

Thank you Lori.

Monday Morning! with a picture.

And how did my Monday start you ask?  Well, I opened my email to find MY FIRST SALE ON ETSY! Yeah Me!

A picture was asked for, so here it is.  It has one of Kelley's wonderful eggs!! Thanks Kelley.  Thank you all for your words! (and figuring out that whole paypal thing, geez.)

New Beads!

I couldn't resist any more. I finally had to get some of JulsBeads beads. Her use of color and texture. I love them. So I got home yesterday and my package was here!!! (I remembered to take pictures before I ripped into the packages.

How cute!

Look at the color and texture.

Beautifulness!

And, she sent this as a gift! Thank you Juls!

Coordinates with one of my sets! So kind. 

I. Can't. Wait. To. Play!

Friday Joy!

My joy this week is my family. I know that sounds funny, so let me lay the ground work.  My son is in middle school, 7th grade to be precise.  Last year, 6th grade, was a rough year for him. Not academically, he made Honor Roll all four quarters.

 Now, we don't have a "home school" where we live. We have the choice of three different middle schools and chose the one that held the most interest for him. His school's emphasis is robotics and engineering and he loves it. Loves his computer classes, loves the teachers and I think has made some friends. I say this because not many of his friends live in the neighborhood.  Over the course of the last school year, we had a series of bullying incidents - issues on the bus, gym locker kicked in, binders and notebooks destroyed, issues on the playing field. Not one child, apart from the bus, but a series of incidents. I know that bullying is the worst in middle school and his school has been SUPER responsive. We have dealt with the principal, head of security and his counselor.  They have all be very supportive and most importantly, responsive. My son is a good kid, very trusting and nice, just wants to be liked by folks.  Now, school has started and the issues with the little creatin on the bus have started again. Interestingly, the majority of this stems from his being white in a predominately hispanic and african american school. He tells me that the teasing has started again and just doesn't want to have another year like last. He wants to transfer out. He is tired of being called names. We have gone down the "just let it roll off your back" route among others. Personally, I wouldn't want to go to school every day wondering what was going to happen, not a good learning environment.  Did I mention that he is bigger (taller and stronger) than this little shit. (forgive the language) This hurts my heart.

So to my Friday Joy. At dinner last night we all had a very long conversation with each other and him. Dinner was about 1 1/2 hours long. No TV, no music, just us talking. I mean really talking. Sharing the past (hubby and I), sharing my daughter's middle school experience, talking about how to make it better, without inciting anything and running the risk of his being jumped when he gets off the bus. For one and a half hours we all talked, shared and supported my son.  Everything else stopped. Asking what he thought and how he thought this could be fixed. Listening to him.  Explaining that transferring might not be the answer as there will always be little shits around. Now, this makes us sound like we never eat together and always have other thing happening during dinner. We do eat as a family EVERY night. Very important to both my husband and I.  But this meal was amazing. The love and support that was directed to my son. He was very teary all dinner. But I  think that he has a better understanding of possiblities and possible solutions and hopefully, the understanding that we all support him and will do what every needs to be done, even if it means transferring schools. And that we all love him tremendously.

I love my family.  My kids are wonderful, caring, bright people. My husband, strong, supportive and an amazing father. I am so lucky.  So there is my Friday Joy.   May your Friday be filled with Joy.

ps - I will keep you posted on what happens and would love to hear what your thoughts are. Please.

Little things

I have a "heart" in my Etsy shop! Go Me!

Cindy Gimbrone's Not-So-Famous Missed Anniversary Bead Giveaway!

Cindy's beads are so wonderful! Please go over and check this out. The stash of giveaway beads, mmmmm, beadilisciousness! (yup). Her blog is Lampwork Diva.

Look at this wonderfulness.  Well, off to work. Have a great Tuesday!

(Hey, at least I didn't send you all hopping off again! :) )

It must be football season~

My creativity has jumped! Loving this. The NFL Theme is like a huge cup of creativity. First I have to share a culinary first for me. I. Made. Wings. Our local spot closed.... :(........so I decided to attempt my own. I used a recipe from Ina Garton, the Barefoot Contessa, on FootNetwork.

First some of these

and some of this

with these

gave us these!!!!!

Tastey!!!!!

Now, on to projects. First is this necklace. I have been playing with these floral components from Sleeping Dog Studio. Now, understand that I have to look at, hold, play with some things until they speak to me.  Well, they finally did. I used some glass beads from Indian Creek Art Glass, some enameled headpins from Sue Beads, and some antiqued copper chain.  I think it turned out really well.  In fact, my daughter said that she may have to "borrow" it.  :)

Oh, and there are a few great beads from Kelley!  Thoughts?

Next, some earrings.

Hand wrapped with some great disc beads from HMB Studios.

These started as a bracelet from Forever 21. It was just too good and I had to take it apart.

Now, these are my fav! I love hammering silver! Gets that aggression out!  12 g silver pounded into sticks and 20 gauge hoops. I do love that rustic feel to hammered silver. But I do have a question - for all you metal workers out there - how do I buff them out? Is there a special tool? Do I get a Dremmel? I would love to know.  I also love how they look on my daughter!

Today rocked! I mean, you know when you get into the groove, really into the groove?  Well, I was there! :)  In fact, probably TMI, I sat downstairs working, drinking water for almost 3.5 hours. Forgot to go, if you know what I mean........Love the groove! Felt really good.

I hope that you all had a good weekend.

Go Skins!!!!!

Yup. Mine. All. Mine.

Uh huh. Mine. 

and

All. Mine.

Kelley of Kelley's Bead Studio made these beautiful beads. Had to have them. My daughter and I were looking at her blog and all she could say when she saw these pink beads was COVET. So, 'nuf said.  Thank you Kelley, for being gracious on a Saturday morning and answering my email. You are wonderful and oh so talented. 

I can't wait to get these and just hold them in my hand for awhile. Then we shall see what they say to me.

Friday Joy!

I know that I haven't posted Friday Joy in a while, so here it is.

Fall - It is slowly coming! This morning was intoxicatingly beautiful. As we left the house for the bus at 6:25 this am, the sun was just coming up, it was 65 degrees out - sweater needed, the glow from the rising sun playing off of the leaves that are just starting to turn color.  I do love the fall! The need for a sweater, the wearing of jeans, being able to have the window open at night with a cool air coming in. And of course, Football. My family seems to be a bit brighter and happier with the coming of fall.

Fall is amazingly peaceful. It signals the beginning of cooler weather, the approaching holidays spent with family, the hope of snow, and for me, promise. I love the colors of the leaves. Watching them change. Each morning this week I have seen a tree with just a hint of color and it is wonderful. I keep forgetting my camera! Grrr. I have to say, this is my favorite season. Each day is filled with promise. I can feel my creative muse slowly returning. I am ok with the shorter days. I am ok with the cooler temperatures. I love a good cup of tea or coffee and the sofa. I love eating wings with friends and watching football!

This morning I ready two great posts, one from Amy of Copper Diem and one from Lynn Davis of LLYNN.  Amy's was about her bucket list and remembering to live in the moment, not waiting until.....not living for tomorrow to be able to......so powerful.  Lynn's was very similar. She quoted a line from a James Taylor song - "The secret to life is enjoying the passage of time".  Again, powerful.

I think that we often move too fast and are always looking towards tomorrow for "something", something that today can't bring or do. I know that I do. I need to be here, be present and enjoy.  Today can do! Today can bring something wonderful. You can do something from your Bucket List! Do it! Life goes by too fast not to. My kids get older, my parents get older, time with my husband goes by and we don't stop, even for a minute, to enjoy and be grateful. There is so much to be thankful for - bask in it, love it, be thankful. Life is short, enjoy every moment. Drink it up.

Well, there it is!

Happy Friday! May you enjoy every moment of it.

Bead Giveaway by Laura of Beads by Laura

Check this out!

Laura of Beads by Laura is having another giveaway. Hop on over to her blog and check it out. (boy, I send you all hopping all over, you must be in great shape!)

Always and Forever!

Thank you! Thank you for being my best friend, for being there for me, for laughing and crying, for unconditional love, for our children, for everything. I love you more today than yesterday, cliche I know.  It still feels like we just met! I am truly lucky that I married my best friend. Thank you for the first 20, may we have many, many more 20's together!

September 8, 1990

Vail, Colorado

The early years

Tomorrow is our 20th anniversary - crazy I know. 20 years, seems like yesterday. Here is a photo from one of our first dates. 

We look like kids!  But then we were.

Pictures

Here is why one always needs a model.......

No one wants to see my old skin! :)

A few new pieces.

Here are a few pieces that I created this weekend. Hope you enjoy.  The first is a fun bracelet which had one of Kelley's eggs, one of Heather Power's beads, and one of Jubilee's little raku house beads.  I love, love this bracelet. It's called Green with Envy.

These next few are created with some fun charms.  All are on brass chain and can be worn at different lengths.  The first is Robot Love.

The next is A Bug's Life.

And the last is Always on Film.

I would love to know what you think.

Andrew Thornton's Thursday Giveaway!

And I am a day late in getting this up. Seriously, if you luv crystal, hop on over to his blog and check it out!!!!!

Yumminess!

A wonderful giveaway!

Janet of Singingwoods is having a wonderful giveaway. You should hop on over and check it out. Her bit on faerie doors is great as is her jewelry!