Delicate Balance

While I was out shopping with my friend Eileen we spotted some really nice necklaces, although they were nice in design the materials were not good quality. One of the pieces I liked was a necklace with a lovely combination of Turquoise and pearls. Since I just had stocked up on some great turquoise I knew just what I wanted to create. It has been about a week since I have worked in my studio so I was very happy to relax and play with all of my new stuff. I really love the end result and would never have thought to combine these great organic materials. "Delicate Balance" is a substantial piece with chunky turquoise and three kinds of fresh water pearls. AD Adornment findings really finished this piece off. Necklace is 33" in length and has a 4" pendant drop.

Girlfriends & Horses

The last 5 days have been super busy with my friend Eileen visiting. We always have such a wonderful time together as we love all the same things. We love beads, antiquing , eating, dancing and horses. Today we visited the Wild Horse & Burro Center in Cross Plains Tennessee. The center is about 15 minutes from my house and I like to visit whenever I can. Today much to our surprise " squeal, squeal ", there were three little foals! I just love foals and it was so hard not to be in the pen with them. As you will see in the next photos, one little foal was very interested in us, his Mama was watching out for him.

Saturday night we hit Broadway for some Country Music...a must in Nashville and you are never disappointed! Legends is always a fun place!

...can't go out without my boots!

Thanks Ei...come back soon!

Beads, beads and more beads!

It is that time of the month again, the third weekend of each month is the Nashville Flea Market. I promised I would share a picture of Mary "my" bead lady. Here she is in all her glory amongst her beads. She is one colorful lady and she just loves to talk. It is really fun visiting with Mary and her husband Larry. The flea market runs Friday to Sunday. I usually go on Friday mornings as the crowds are less and it is so much easier to shop. Yesterday after I picked up my girlfriend Eileen at the airport we had a nice lunch at the Yellow Porch in Nashville and then I surprised Eileen by taking her to see Mary. I knew Mary sets up on Thursday and she had mentioned to me about customers seeing her then so I thought we would pop in and see her. We spent 3 hours pouring over beads with no one bothering us, it was so nice of Mary & Larry to let us shop early.

Eileen and Mary

Here is my bead stash....lots and lots of great turquoise! The turquoise briolettes were a must have, they are faceted and I can't wait to make myself a pair of earrings with them.

So today, guess what we did? Got up and went back to the Flea market. Went to see Mary again and then shopped around. I found a few great treasures that will make it to my antiques booth. We also stopped at an Estate sale where I was able to get 2 vintage typewriters. All in all a great day spent with my wonderful friend!

Fly....

I hate to bore you with all my resin pieces but they were so much fun to make! Here is one of the last pieces for now. I especially like this one with the bird from Patina Queen. The color is so perfect with the turquoise beads and really makes the pendant pop! A chunky red carnelian bead is added to the bone and wood beads. You can find "Fly" on my website.

Oh, Honey thank-you!

What more could a girl want? My darling was going to Lowe's and asked if I needed anything, I said no. This is what he came home with for me, a new torch.
I had recently purchased a similar torch and had used it for the first time last night, apparently I did something wrong as a part near the nozzle melted. He told me I could not use it anymore until I had a fire extinguisher ( the ever smart man!)

Look what else he bought at Lowe's.... I am one lucky girl! He is so practical and I suppose he does not want me to burn down the house. He said we are having a fire drill later.


New earrings on my website. I am still playing around with the copper tubing and these were so much fun to do. A little hammering for some texture, heat treatment for some cool colors and some nicely stacked turquoise disks. These swing, sway and swivel so nicely.

Who wants a bath?

My two silly boys Sam and Jack spend more time in this tub than anyone in this house combined! They hop in at least 10 times a day. After lots of carrying on and meowing I finally gave in and keep a cup filled with fresh water for them, however they much rather have the faucet running so they can lap the puddles up. If only those rough tongues were larger and they could do some scrubbing! Well, at least someone is putting this tub to good use.

Where does all the time go?
I ask myself that question too often lately. Time just seems to fly by. Our son Nick was home from college for a week, I can not believe he is 3/4 through with his first year! Nick will heading back today, a day late because he started getting sick on Friday. So.. with a filled prescription for antibiotics, Tylenol, Motrin and a bronchitis diagnosis he will be heading back tonight. I would rather nurse him back to health at home but he refuses to miss any school, so since he is not contagious off he goes....

I am getting ready for company on Thursday, my girlfriend Eileen is coming for 5 days. She comes twice a year and we have a great whirlwind visit. She always plans her visit in according to the Nashville Flea Market schedule. Eileen is a jewelry designer too and loves to buy from Mary. It feels like I just posted about buying from Mary and here it is the end of the month already, so there I go again asking myself "where does all the time go?". So you know where you will find us on Friday morning, sore necks and backs pouring over Mary's bead tables. I can't wait to see what she has new this month.

Oh Hunny...

Here is another one of my resin pieces I call "hunny". It has a little edgy steam-punk thing going on but you know... put the word "hunny" on something and it softens it right up.

I like adding texture to metal, it absorbs all of your pent up frustrations really well. We have aggregate side walks and driveway (all little pebbles in cement) So I use a texture hammer all over the metal and flip the metal as I go. I then take it inside and with a mallet flatten it out. I then oxidize the metal with liver of sulfur and it really gives it an aged look getting all the nooks and crannys.

I have been asked if I made the bezel, well kinda sorta.....does telling someone what to do count? My hubby cut copper tubing for me and viola you've got yourself a bezel. I have not mastered the soldering part yet so I have improvised with resin and epoxy. An old watch gear and bee charm fill the bezel along with the resin. I have also fallen in love with eyelets...it does not take much to thrill me, I know. Renate of "Put a little magic in your life" was so kind to share with me where she got the eyelets, they are so cool and add another great element to designing.


Now, I am off to play with all of my goodies that came in the mail today. Oh, yes you should be jealous because they are wonderful!!

Studio Art Bead

Summers Studio

Have a great evening!

Dreams

The last two days I have been working with resin, I love the outcome but always get nervous pouring the sticky stuff. Had some difficulty yesterday with some over spill but it all cleaned up well today. Here is one of the pieces.."Dreams". I could not decide if I wanted a long or short necklace, so I went somewhere in between at 23". I am not sure if this will stay like this, as I am still debating. So, tell me please what do you think...long or short? Being long I was worried it would look like a badge hanging, or maybe I am just over thinking it...it has been one of those days.

I hope you've got your "Green" on today... Here is a little Irish toast for you...

May you be rich in blessings, poor in misfortune,

Slow to make enemies, quick to make friends.

But rich or poor, slow or quick,

May you know nothing but happiness from this day forward.

Giddy Up

Today I have started a process of fulfilling my hearts desire, and that is of owning a horse. A year and half ago I was helping care for several horses,, my friend passed away and after a few months the horses were moved to Ohio. I have missed them terribly and still miss them like they just left yesterday. Since the big "F" birthday is approaching I feel as though it is one thing on my bucket list I need to fulfill. Sounds crazy huh, well it gets better...I do not ride nor have I ever been on a horse, but I can muck a barn and brush a horse until he shines. So, I stopped by a farm called "Charlie Horse",that boards horses to start my inquiry, it's a new facility not to far from my home. A beautiful facility, small enough and clean,clean, clean. Ok, so I fell in love. I nearly fell over when I learned what the boarding fees were, I really had no idea so I was shocked. So now I am bummed....but I am not giving up I will still keep looking, but in the meantime I believe some horsemanship (not sure it that is the right word) lessons are in my future. I will be the oldest lady in the class!

One project done..

One project done and lots more to go. We had been wanting to add some detail to this wall since we bought this home over 3 1/2 years ago...so finally the DH got going on it. I am showing you the pictures backwards,the finished wall to the way it started with just paint. We really like the detail it adds to the room and the addition of more white brightens the space as well.
I would love to find a cushioned bench for the space, the search is on.








Getting all my wares packed up for a show tomorrow. Not sure how it will be, as I have not done this particular show before. Hopefully I will get my $40 worth in advertising and giving out cards. I have had lots of luck with people visiting my sites after they have taken cards at shows, so if anything that would be a good thing.

Music is Love

~Music is love in search of a word.~ ~Sidney Lanier

I found this very cool piece of pressed glass at an estate sale, I have never seen anything like this before. I do think it is old and I knew it would be a great focal for a necklace. I combined it with pieces of a vintage necklace and some handmade sheet music beads along with some labradorite beads and a cool connector from A.D Adornments.

You can find this in my Etsy shop.