Thursday, June 26, 2008

Here they are

Quick photo of the beads I will be wiring up on the way to Oakland. We are leaving soon, and I am looking forward to seeing everybody. I love Montclair!!

Montclair Gift with Purchase

I spent all my time posting the new earrings I made from the crusty bead bouquet pictured several photos down on the right, so I don't have the mail list special gift for Montclair finished yet. The beads are done, but I need to wire them up.
We are leaving in two hours and I have much to pack, so I think I will be finishing them in the car on the way down to Oakland!!!
Keychains, similiar to the ones several photos down on the right, but some will be hearts, and some dots.
The first TWO CUSTOMERS each day that tell me they read this email will get the keychain! A $45 value or around there somewhere, since I don't sell them. They roll over to Sunday, so if nobody asks on Friday or Saturday, I will have 6 for Sunday!!

Wednesday, June 25, 2008

Great Kilnload

This was such a fun kilnload of beads I wanted to show you. It looks like a bead bouquet!
I have a finished necklace for sale at my etsy site made from this style of beads. These will be earrings and bracelets to match, soon.

http://www.fungirlsjewelry.etsy.com

I don't know the special for Montclair yet. Stay tuned......

New Piece for Montclair

Just finished the piece in the photo to the right. I call this a crusty bead, because people think it is pottery or something more "crusty" than glass. The silver beads are hollow, and the beads are hollow, so this necklace is lighter than it may look. Pretty cool if I do say so myself.
Now I am going out to check the kiln. I made a bunch of these same beads yesterday for earrings to go with this piece, and a bracelet. I wonder what I will make!!!
I should know the Montclair Show Special in a few hours. I will need to make something, so then I will post it.

Monday, June 23, 2008

I cancelled Danville

I actually cancelled a show when I wasn't sick or anything. I overbooked shows for "insurance", if something came up, or had a bad show, I had a "back up" show. It is hard to decide which show this should be, so I have pretty much come to the conclusion that I need to alternate years at some shows. There are just too many good shows in June in Northern California.



There was a family event I wanted to attend last weekend, and normally this is NOT a valid reason to cancel a show. Imagine each show as a paycheck, and then realize you are cancelling one of perhaps 20 paychecks. The average person will get 24 paychecks a year, if they get paid twice a month. Some people get paid 52 times a year, if they get a weekly paycheck. In this business, a show is a paycheck. So cancelling a paycheck is a BIG DEAL. But I really wanted to be at this special event.



So, we drove through the California Valley on Friday, in our old Toyota with the broken air conditioner. This was still OK, but very hot. We used to live in Arizona, so it brought back memories.



We also used to live on Highway One, 20 miles north of Santa Cruz, So, on our way to Santa Cruz having survived the vicious heat, we went to the coast to drive south . The temperature went down 20 or more degrees, and we were back in our old neighborhood. We stopped in Pescadero for lunch, and Duartes is the place to eat. But it was a Saturday, and there was a long line to eat. In our normal life, the life of doing art shows for a living, we eat out most often when we are on the road doing shows. And, we just don't wait in line at restaurants. There is no time or energy to wait in line. We just move on to the next place to get a table. This day, however, we actually waited in line at Duartes to eat. It was such a relaxing experience!! We actually had time to wait. I said to John, "Wow! We are doing something normal!!! Some people do this all the time. Some people do this every day.!"
It was a great weekend.

Friday, June 20, 2008

We are in Escrow

I am so sad right now. We are in escrow for a house about an hour away from West Point. I told my neighbors last night, and I am so sad. I have moved many times in my life, and I know that you gain and lose something special with every move. But I am very sad right now. I am leaving wonderful friends and neighbors, and my little studio in the woods.
The new house is great, but right now it just doesn't hold a great deal of meaning for me. I suppose I will get over this, but right now I am so sad. How do I go make fun jewelry when I am this sad???

Thursday, June 19, 2008

Getting Focused

The title of this post is certainly my big challenge right now. I just finished two shows in a row, and I need to get back into the studio. I have always found transitions difficult. After the shows, I need to rest for a few days :( before I can get back to studio work. Resting includes the paperwork, office work, answering emails, ordering supplies and phone calls that any normal business requires. To transition from this side of the brain, to the creative side is always hard for me. What do I focus on now? What is the most important thing to do? What do I need to make? Then, when I am finally get rolling along creatively in the studio, it is time to pack up and go to a show.
Now I am going to my studio. I will just pretend I know what to do...
(Except of course for all of you waiting for orders. I know I have that to do!!!)

Tuesday, June 3, 2008

New Heart

You can see my new heart pendant to the right - Flower Power! I will be doing this heart in many colors, so some are one of a kind until I find the combination I like the best. The ones with the dots raised, as opposed to the red one with the dots melted in completely are my favorites. The pale pink doesn't POP like a brighter color, so I will work on a brighter pink.

About Me

My photo
Calaveras County, California, United States
I love the stones and pearls, and the magic that happens when I combine them, and then again combined with the glass I make. You can find me at an Art show somewhere in Northern California most weekends during the spring and summer. Email me at FUNGIRLSJEWELRY@Gmail.com if you like.