Nose to the Grindstone

Here's a pic of some of the jewelry I've made the past week. I used the little camera and its crap for indoor/close pics.

Anyway=this is stuff I actually FINISHED I should say, I have 4 times as many partially done pieces floating about. Thats how I work-things have to gestate before being 'born'. Not the easiest way to create, but its how I work. For some, sketching out a piece works for them. I will sketch a general idea sometimes, just so I dont' forget it-but my notebooks aren't the kind people will want to look at after my death. Heck, even *I* can't read my own writing 1/2 the time!

I have another pic of stuff I made this week, but will save it for tomorrow's post-what is steampunk? You know you want to come back for that!

I really need to get a haircut, but am tired of paying $90+ (going rate in SF) for ones that don't thrill me. The last one I had was very indie rocker, very well done, and very not me. Hopefully I can get something next week.

Must go put my nose back to the grindstone, and keep going.

Photo Love

I got knocked down by a lovely migraine yesterday, and slept like a rock for 12 hours-Just woke up 20 mins ago at 10:20...Sometimes I'm REALLY glad I don't have a 'day job' because I'd be fired for things like being ill like that.

I have been taking a billion photos and have finally figured out how to take better ones. This Canon Rebel camera ROCKS, but I can't seem to sit down and LEARN how to use it. Photography terms swirl around my head and don't stick to anything.

I am making some new business cards that have jewelry on them since my current ones have yarn. I think I will be using the pic above for the back, but I may take a few more tomorrow and see if I like something different. It's hard to take a photo that will look good and convey the feeling of my work but only be 2 x 3 1/2 inches in size. Well, hard for me anyway I'm sure for a pro it's no problem. Most of my necklaces are asymetrical and longish...hard for me to set up any kind of vignette without them looking weird.

Hubby installed Photoshop CS on my computer and its SOO FUN!!!! I love all the brushes I can download!!!!! I had an ANCIENT version of Photoshop, so the new one is all cool to me LOL. NOW I see how people are doing all those cute digital scrapbooking things...it was TOO much work to do them in my old photoshop 5, lemme tell ya!

Today won't be a busy day since I'm moving in SLLLLLOOOWWWWWW MOOOOOOOTIONNNNNN. I need to post something over at Craft Gossip and work on this blog and tidy it up. I really want to get a new template for this-but that can wait. I have a list of places to contact about PR/Sales and will probably do that too today.And theres always lots of blogs to read and I'm waiting to see what fun video Ms. Margot will put up today!

foto skilz??? I no haz dem

Ala-lolcats, I haz no foto skilz

I had planned on being on the computer again today. I was going to go thru the rest of the pictures, resize them all and update the website. That was not to be, when I looked at all the pics only about 8 of them are good enough to edit!...darn!!! So I resized 3 wanderlust pendants and now will be spending tomorrow taking more pics. Above is a sneak preview of some of the stuff I made for the new class photo for the Histories: Real or Imagined class at the ZNE ConvenZioNE. I REALLY need to sit down with that camera book!!!! I was lazy and didn't pull out the tent or lights, so its all my fault for trying to cut corners.

Here's some group shots I took-lots of pretty earrings and a couple of rings.

I guess I will spend the rest of tonight making some stuff and work tomorrow then!!!

I made another Treasury!!!

I don't know why getting in one tickles me so much...I guess I'm tired of seeing the SAME people in EVER ONE....I want to see other peoples stuff!

Here's a pic of yesterdays worktable chaos.

NOTHING I did yesterday went easy or well...just one of those days. I fuddled around for hours-couldn't find anything that went together, couldn't find stuff, kept dropping things, etc...... And the PMS started to set in, so I was getting crankier by the minute-not a good combo. But no worries-today is MUCH better!

Today, I am focused on completing some of the computer work I dislike but NEED to do, by reading Alyson's post on Art Biz Coach about working on the website last night. I am going to be somewhat attached to my computer today and get the work done that I dread doing-resizing pics and updating etsy, ebay and my website. I'll do my Craft Gossip posts later if I can stand to be on here after I get the bulk of the drudge work done. But I may have to do them tomorrow if necessary.

A good cuppa fixes everything

Well my gallbladder pain AKA 'parasitic Twin' has been up and down the past week plus. I was feel better yesterday and BAM got all ugly again today, like my collage I worked on for hours then decided to rip apart (above!) Tired of it-it can go anytime now.

Despite the blahs, I am GOING to get some work done today. Including a "to do" list for the week. I am motivated to get a spring newsletter out this week after reading Jennifer Perkins blog post today on 15 Tips for Maximum Newsletter/Sale Effectiveness!

I have been 'meaning' to send out a newsletter for a month now.....Its wonderful when the universe sends you that oh so subtle kick in the seat by putting the right information in your lap. This is a GREAT informative post whether you already do newsletters, are sporadic about them like me or fear the unknown as a new business. I have bookmarked it so I can go back to it and study it and do a better newsletter.

Speaking of the Funkalicious Ms. Perkins, I want to also let you in on her annual Administrative Professionals Week Sale at NaughtySecretaryClub.com

You dont' have to be a secretary to shop and save either, so head on over. Everything in her store is a whopping 25% off!

Well my pot of Adagio Jasmine Pearl tea is done steeping, ready for some Organic Vitasoy Soy Milk and a big mug. I love Adagio Teas, I JUST saw they had a widget so you could send off a $5 gift cards!!! I've installed it at the top left of the blog, so if you are interested in trying them just put your email in there and they will send you the $5 coupon!

Lost and Found

Yes, I've been lost, lost from the internet and blogging land. My naggy little gallbladder/liver/parasitic twin thing in my side decided to have a major flare up on Saturday and I've been in a mess. Only today I am not in pain or needing to sleep. I've had every dang test done and they can't find anything, but that doesn't stop it from trying to drive me mad every now and again.

Even with the physical torment and nausea, I had made an appt to show my jewelry to Claudia at Worthington Gallery West on Sunday, and I HAD to go. We had the car rented, the appt made and there was no way I was gonna let sickness get in the way. It was an absolutely GORGEOUS day, and it was 97 in Pleasanton!!! Claudia was just about the nicest lady ever and her gallery is so amazing, I wanted about EVERYTHING in there. I'm happy to announce she took everything I had to show her! WOO HOO! She was soo good for my ego I temporarily forgot my side hurting. If you are in Northern California, you must visit the gallery and all the shops downtown- its such a CUTE town. I can't wait to go back and spend the weekend there teaching in Aug too!

Today I had to put my nose to the grindstone and get my pics together for the ZNE Fondante book (coming out in May/June). Thats done and tomorrow I will get some pics of some jewelry I finished today too! I have tons of yarn to list too-I keep spinning but haven't edited the photos-that seems to take forever.

More pics of stuff in progress

Misc. stuff I've been working this month in various states of completion.

I've tried to keep busy this week being creative, sort of like trying to raise a Phoenix from the ashes if you will.......I am slowing coming out of this sad place, mail love is helping.

I got the Spring issue of Make it Mine Magazine on Weds with some jewelry & gloves in there (will post pic later). I also got the Interweaved book with my yarn in it and it looks AMAZING!!! I am so happy to be a part of both of those projects!

I also managed to make some jewelry EUREKA! not as quickly as I wanted but no complaining. I have 14 house pendants to photograph and list today as well as one yarn. I also got a great interview with an amazing lampwork artist and someone I am blessed to know- Carter Seibels over at Craftgossip, so go check it out.

Off to finally get a shower and then continue to work! Pics coming later.

Yesterday, Rob and I celebrated our 10 year wedding Anniversary. It was very lowkey because I was feeling tired from fibro and its raining cats and dogs.

He suprised me with this:


We're going to Wales-this fall. I need to start up my Welsh lessons again! I am sure we will include some London in there as well so that I can visit my friends Theresa and Peter & Suz.

We also need the time so we can start hardcore training Bettie to get along with other dogs. We need find SOMEPLACE to board her while we are gone. The cats are no problem, but having a Chihuahua with severe seperation anxiety, fear of dogs, fear of people, and picky about when she potties is a REAL handful! Sadly her BFF Peanut and her mom moved to San Jose and they got another dog Bently. Otherwise I'd be begging Brenda to watch her. I'm sure we'll be able to find some solution by Sept.

Today was a lazy day. I want to do resin this weekend, but it is raining cats and dogs so I probably won't. I will solder up a ton of pendants and cut out the map paper and get it all ready so the next sunny/less humid day I will be ready to go. I have also spun up some new yarns and am getting back into spinning finally.

Tonight I am going to tackle the Quickbooks cd I got..wish me luck!

Also, Bernie is in the top 8 and godswilling she'll stay there and win the $50k!!!!!THANK YOU to everyone that donated!!! I'm going to make up a prize too to donate to the giveaways, check Claudines blog for a full list of prizes!!!

Wanderlust

A couple of weeks ago, Someone asked me to make them a necklace, so I took the idea and came up with these. Can't say WHO it was, cause its a Holiday gift and we don't want to ruin any suprises!!!!

I'm calling this series Wanderlust. They are etched and patinaed copper with vintage map paper. I haven't put them on the website yet, wanted to post for all to see first! I'm also doing these in silver but haven't gotten my etching supplies for that yet. If you are interested in any of these before I list them, just email me.

I have more resin stuff to doo, but I'm not sure if its gonna rain today or not! Also need to go run errands, but am thinking I will put it off until tomorrow when the forecast doesn't say chance of rain.