beadacious1221

SANTA came to Daughter's House EARLY

2011-12-18T14:42:00.001-08:00

Some House Photos

2011-12-18T14:36:00.001-08:00

Here's a few photos of my new DIGS taken right after the move September 1st

HELLO FROM NORTH CAROLINA

2011-12-15T16:27:00.000-08:00

I am posting this from a PC that I had shipped with all my MESS from Tucson. I had not "used" this PC in over 2 years and it sure is much slower and "different" than the laptop I have gotten "spoiled" with. The darned thing WORKS though which is INCREDIBLE since I bought it in 2003 from a wonderful friend who built it for me. He knows who he is!!! Thanks BOB!

I cannot believe how time has just FLOWN BY since my big move in July! There was the ten day trip by auto with Kitty and Grandson Mylz then the hectic pace of getting a new residence while bumming off my daughter, her man and my grandkids for a month. Now it is these piles and piles of boxes still blessing my garage and storage room not to mention their contents which must find a home either inside the house or in the stash for Garage Sale.

The house I bought, me and Fannie Mae, is 1000 sq ft SMALLER than my Mother's home. Now it's kinda like trying to fit a whale in a sardine can. BUT it's MY SARDINE CAN and I am a mere 3 miles from my daughter & family & see the grandchildren nearly every day!!! YAY!!!!!

I am trying to get all my BEADS and YARN located and organized which might takes years if not DECADES! I found "some" of my Christmas decorations and found a place to erect my 3 foot prelit artificial tree (on my former kitchen table in the Craft room). The most splendid part is I finally get to SHARE my Holidays with the little Family I have here....not what I have but WHO I am with!!!

Must admit I splurged on a couple of purchases for which I will be in hock for a long while...new 46" SMART TV, new 'he' washer and dryer and the house came with a marvelous side by side Samsung computerized refrigerator & high end Kenmore range/oven/microwave that are only 2 years old. So I am very "comfortable" in my new digs.

Been keeping busy knitting now that the cold weather is nearly here. Joined this fabulous group of knitters/crocheters that meet at the local Yarn Shop where I teach an occasional Bead Crochet class. A Row of Purls is the shop's name and our "group knit ins" are twice a week, Monday and Friday evenings. I usually get to just the Monday gatherings as Fridays are reserved for grandchild sleep overs at MY house.

The climate is not messing with my osteoarthritis nearly as much as I thought it would. I am staying pretty active compared the "life of a slug" that I used to lead in Tucson, AZ. Yes, it is more humid, which means my skin is soooooo much happier! People here think LOW Humidity is in the 30% range....HA HA HA...Tucson's average is about 10% I believe!

The people here in Fayetteville, NC are SUPER!! I have the Sweetest Next Door Neighbor Lady who has been a Godsend on Gardening Help!! I acquired a HUGE yard and Lots 'O Plants and Trees that this Desert Rat is gonna need a huge amount of assistance in what to do about it all!!! Especially come early Spring planting time!

The Travel Cat, Squeakers is VERY HAPPY in her new "nest" especially since familiar furniture came in. She is not too "pleased" that we have two "outdoor" cats from next door that like to hang around our front porch and yard. She is especially "miffed" when she sees them rubbing up against me when I am outside doing yardwork or whatever. She trys to tear them apart through our insulated, double paned windows to no avail. HA HA poor Squeakers! She was an AMAZING Travel companion on the LOOOOOONG drive here. She gave us NO GRIEF!!!

So that's about all for this Post. Will get some photos up from the Laptop shortly. Sorry this has been so BORING a BLOG for such a long while...maybe it will improve in time...I HOPE! HAPPY HOLIDAYS ALL!!!

TRIP UPDATE

2011-07-23T06:03:00.000-07:00

So, here it is day FIVE of THE BIG ADVENTURE!!! We are just about to pack it in and leave our LUXURY accomodations at the WESTIN St Louis. We are directly across from the St Louis Cardinals Ball Park...four floors above the a above the metro station with a view of the ARCH!

I just couldn't do another day of lugging belongings in & out in triple digit temperatures....not to mention re-arranging everything in the car for every trip. So I splurged!!!! Concierge took care of it all & will again this morning!

It has been such a WONDERFUL experience so far....GOOD FRIENDS....great company....sweet travel all the way around!!! Off for a new & exciting DAY!!! It's AKRON OR BUST Today!!!!

An ARTIST EMERGES !!!

2011-07-15T08:20:00.000-07:00

I always knew it would be "NO Problem" when it came to my grandson, Mylz, picking up anything I know how to do. He AMAZED even me with his ability to grasp the concept of crocheting in a couple hours...then adding beads and finally making a bead crochet rope from scratch in just two days of lessons. This is a photo of the proud young man and his accomplishment. It is his second practice piece with absolutely NO ERRORS!!!

This child is a genius!! I wish the world was filled with more amazing young people like him.

OOPS, does that sound like a BRAGGING GRANDMA??? So be it! AMEN

MY TRAVELS!!

2011-07-12T05:59:00.000-07:00

This AWESOME Guy is my grandson, Mylz! He is the older brother (eleven) to the Little Doll in the previous post!! He is also now here in Tucson, AZ and all set to pursue the Adventure of the Open Road with his grandma and Squeakers the kitty....we are having a BLAST of a time getting prepared for this SOJOURN on the highways of America.

In a mere 6 days, the Bekins men will arrive at my door to pack it all up..then on July 19th, 2011 the big moving van pulls up, Loads up and drives away with almost ALL of my belongings.

My Navigator, Mylz and I then follow by heading North to the Wonderland that is PHOENIX, AZ to stay the night in Sun City, AZ with my girlfriend of 40+ years before embarking on the REST of the journey.

Next, we stop just outside of Alburqueque, NM to spend the night with my mentor and friend, Theresa...perchance to do some beading if time and weariness permits but definitely to do some non-stop chatting and photo taking!!!

We are taking a Northern route so as to make our way up to Akron, OHIO where all MY remaining ROOTS are still flourishing. Most of my father's family is located in or around Akron. I have not seen them in over 40 years!!! I guess this is a reunion of sorts....at least it is for ME!!

My other girlfriend...we attended elementary school together, has also relocated to Ohio, but near Toledo...a visit with Sharon is also on the agenda. She may even be able to come meet my long lost extended family just 3 hours away in Akron.

The trusty laptop will be travelling with us as well as a few other necessary electronic devices so I really intend to keep ya posted from the road on here as well. Happy Trails Indeed!!!

MY TRAVELS!!

2011-07-12T05:57:00.000-07:00

This is the adorable little gal who is about to turn FIVE YEARS OLD in Fayetteville NC...she is a HUGE PART of my BIG MOVE across country in just SEVEN more days!!!

The BIG PUPPY JUST ARRIVED Day

2011-06-19T08:51:00.000-07:00

This is a photo of my grandson MYLZ! He sent it to me a little while ago....it has a story all it's own.

Tell me if this sounds familiar??

You are eleven years old...it's summer break from school. You just graduated from elementary school to MIDDLE SCHOOL. You really really want a puppy!!! So....Mom and Dad CAVE and let you have this adorable little ball of fur that has just been taken from it's nest. NOW YOU MUST POTTY TRAIN HER.....oh yay.... fun fun fun.

Your sister, age 4 has your cousin over for an overnight stay. She's younger than you also. She has NO IDEA what to do with puppies that are only 8 weeks old but she wants to play with the little fur ball....so she wakes up TORI (fur ball's new name) and takes her outside to play....and, oh yea, perchance to relieve herself but who's really watching. She's let back into the house and bounds up the stairs to YOUR room, all excited to see her MASTER again and suddenly realizes it's time to squat...OOPS!

Now YOUR whole GREAT DAY is ruined because Mom and Dad blame YOU for the whole botched potty training deal...

HOLY COW WHO KNEW THIS WHOLE DOG OWNERSHIP THING COULD BE SO TOUGH....and on the FIRST DAY even!!!!

June Challenge...EBW

2011-06-11T23:34:00.000-07:00

It's that time folks...Ya Gotta Vote for your favorite piece on the Etsy Beadweaver's Blog at

http://etsy-beadweavers.blogspot.com/

I do NOT have an entry of my own this time...sure are some gorgeous items listed though...please take a moment to VOTE!!! It really means alot to us members of this fabulous Etsy Team...thanks!

On Top of Things

2011-06-06T19:28:00.000-07:00

I LOVE this photo...such a fitting depiction of life in the Sonoran Desert of Arizona. This poor bobcat was "saguaro-ed" (can't call it treed) by a mountain lion at the base of the Superstition Mountains outside of Phoenix. The reason I chose this today is my air conditioning went out yesterday...it was 102 degrees by the way and I was in the middle of an OPEN HOUSE! I have that American Home Shield Insurance protection program provided by my Caldwell Banker Real Estate agent...because I am SELLING my home and I am BROKE!!! So at 5am today I got online...should have done it yesterday, I realize now ... hindsight being 20/20 and all...and put in a request for service. I was contacted at 9:13 am by the company assigned to do the work. GREAT NEWS! They are booked solid until Wednesday, June 8th!!!! A repairman will not be dispatched until 8 am-10am that date....the temperature today was 98 degrees and tomorrow we are scheduled for a 99 degree day...humidity in the single digits though...praise the Lord!!! I refused to leave my little soul mate in the HOT HOUSE whilst I meandered the cool cool malls or some such so we toughed it out together.

I got to try something new...Fan air blowing over ice cubes...it works by the way! Actually the whole experience was rather invigorating TODAY...hope we survive tomorrow. Little Squeakers and her fur coat were stuck to me like glue through this whole nightmare....she sure doesn't like extraordinary circumstances or CHANGE!

I worked on some beadwork in front of the HD watching DVR offerings I have saved up....talked to my daughter in NC....texted my grandson in NC...visited with the potential buyers of my home from yesterday's Open House...quite a social day for a place that was well over 90 degrees inside.

Life in the Sonoran Desert...there was a reason the Native Americans from down here migrated North after May rather than "weather" the searing sun and blast furnace heat!

Happy Trails Folks.....till we meet again

Beyond Buckskin: Video | Colin Coonsis

2011-06-04T19:14:00.000-07:00

Beyond Buckskin: Video | Colin Coonsis: "Zuni inlay jewelry artist Colin Coonsis, the son of well known jewelry makers from Zuni Pueblo is continuing a family legacy and making a na..."

I AM ALIVE!!!

2011-06-01T18:50:00.001-07:00

There was the Pima County Fair...>see the photos above of our space for demos there< my gosh, that was over a month ago!!! Then there was a huge multi family yard sale where I got terribly burnt from sun that I never even felt thanks to COOL temperatures and blustery winds...peeled like an orange for weeks. Really was not an attractive addition to an already prune-y physique, believe me!

May is NOT a favorite month of mine to be so far removed from my daughter...first there was yet another Mother's Day apart...sob! Then there was her 37th birthday on May 20th...I was too broke to even send her the bracelets that I made her...they are still sitting waiting to be shipped...then there was the eternal WAIT to sell this house!!!!! I AM SOOOOOO DONE WITH THE HOUSING ECONOMY, FOLKS!

Basically I have been super duper in the dumps!

We had yet another OPEN HOUSE last Sunday...Memorial Day weekend and all. It yielded THE PERSON I want to see get this house...he is a wonderful young man raising his three children by himself...he is from TOGO, Africa originally and is bringing his mother up from there to live with him and her grandchildren...now we wait and see what he can qualify for...I DO SOOOOO see them in this huge home and I know he would be very pleased with the surroundings here. SO many of the potential buyers are so critical of what is here or NOT here...needs this, doesn't have that, would have to do this...this fellow LOVED the place "as is" and had no negative remarks at all. All my friends have been saying all along is that the RIGHT person will come along. This is that right person I just FEEL it!!!! So I have been praying my heart out that he qualifies high enough that I can afford to let him have this place. I even have prayer requests on it posted to the internet. The family deserves a good home like this one!

I have been half-heartedly doing my beading as well...but just too bummed to photo, write up and post my new creations on ETSY...shame on my apathy!! I am pushing myself to be motivated...it's coming up on 9 years since I moved down here from NC to care for my mother...so past time to be MOVING BACK!! Plus I have been living in this way too large space for a year and a half since mom passed...too long to be away from family!!!

So that's the news from the great southwestern desert for this first day of June. The true BLESSING has been our weather...milder than I ever remember for so late into Spring...saving tremendously on electric and gas bills...watering the plants has gone up due to the dryness though.

Let's see if I can maintain a more active BLOG in days to come...always speak the truth and you'll never get caught in a lie... always admit when you're wrong and apologize and you can walk with your head held high... let go of your worries and do what you can, at the end of the day, you'll rest easy... if somebody does you wrong, don't spend your energy hating them, wish them well and walk away... living well is always the best revenge..

Happy Trails Ya'll...till we meet again!

THREE SALES IN ONE DAY !!!!

2011-04-09T20:17:00.000-07:00

I was having a big debate in my head today...you know the kind, where you just can't figure out what to do and you're asking the dumbest person on the planet for help...YOURSELF? I was trying to figure out what I would have to cut out of this month's budget just to scrape by. Why all this soul searching...I had to buy groceries for me and Squeakers...mostly I really needed Toilet Paper...CRISIS, YES!!!

So I came to the conclusion that I could still have time to cancel my quarterly pest control service and maybe the $94 that would save me could let me scrimp by on RAMEN for the next few weeks.

I spent over $100 at two stores...some was for Easter gifts for the grandkids. I got home after splurging at the local authentic Mexican food drive thru $3.24. Dispersed all my purchases to their relegated sites then popped my butt down in front of the computer for some info on what's what in the world...VOILA, I go to my Etsy page and something was amiss...three items were missing...huh?? I didn't think I had any expirations till 4/11..then OMG, I checked the SOLD items and there they were...MY SALVATION!!!

I really have been killing myself the past few weeks trying out Handmadeology's plans for sale along with the Etsy Success stuff. I do want so badly to be a productive member of the Etsy Group...for my own sake!!!

So Spring is Sprung, the Grass is riz and I just got MY FLOWERS even if it is only 41 degrees in SUNNY Tucson right now with snow predicted for tomorrow morning in the desert southwest...Yup...SNOW on April 10 2011...gobal warming for sure!!! ROFLMAO

EBW April 2011 Challenge...Spring Around the Corner

2011-04-08T13:39:00.000-07:00

It is finally here! The big day for me...my first entry is actually posted on the Etsy Beadweavers Blog for VOTING tomorrow April 9 thru April 15th > Will I win...not a possibility...but I am IN IT!!!!

http://etsy-beadweavers.blogspot.com/2011/04/voting-for-april-challenge-spring.html

To share the same space with such AMAZING Bead Artists is my DREAM!! The competition is OUTSTANDING!!

Please be sure to cast your vote for one of these STUNNING pieces but be sure to look at the offerings of ALL of the ARTISTS on their Etsy pages...you will not regret it!!!

Thanks so much

3rd Anniversay Celebration GIVE AWAY

2011-04-07T00:54:00.000-07:00

On April 7 2008 I made the BIG LEAP to online selling!! I joined the Etsy Group of fabulous handmade Artisans! Now I want to celebrate that event with a Give Away-type Contest. I am sending invitations to all of my 3737 Friends on my personal page of Facebook and I am inviting the immediate WORLD!! Here's the details....

Go to my Facebook FAN PAGE:

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Beadacious1221/135420969835596

Become a Fan if you aren't already one. Then you can click on the MY ETSY app on the left of the wall page and choose an item from my Etsy shop that you like...post the link to that item on my Fan Page with what you like about it...could be just one word like "charming". VOILA...you are entered in the drawing on May 1st, 2011.

The item I am Giving Away is here:

http://www.etsy.com/listing/71606993/spiralific-bead-crochet?utm_source=Facebook&utm_medium=App_Seller&utm_campaign=fb_seller_item&utm_content=items

Photo of it is at the bottom of photos on this post.

The items above it are my recent additions to the shop...there will be more pieces being added every day so keep checking back...some really nifty Mother's Day gifts in the group, PROM, SPRING, Easter too!!

You will be hearing about VOTING in the Etsy Beadweavers April 2011 Challenge real soon too...get on those laptops & vote vote vote...LOL!

Thanks so much for participating in this little event of mine...there will be more!!

$159,970 & NO OFFERS YET????

2011-03-31T15:56:00.000-07:00

I am in the mood to bitch, piss and moan today...why? Maybe because the wind is blowing...maybe because I am really TIRED of bunches of people coming through or should I say "racing" through my house with not even an offer made since August 2010...

It started at $217,000 which all the stats show is the fair market value for this home. Now I just lowered it AGAIN to the ridiculous price of $159,970!!! Good God! Must I give this well maintained, one owner, LARGE, super CLEAN, 4 bedroom, 2 bath, 2 family room, formal dining, eat-in kitchen, double garage with additional carport in rear yard, 2 fully equipped "workshop" storage areas AWAY??? At this current price, that's what I will be doing!

I MISS MY Daughter and her two wonderful little children sooooo much. It has now been another year of not participating in their lives!!! I actually have moments when I swear I will be "trapped" in this 2200 sq ft tomb FOREVER!!

One thing for sure, I now know how to keep a place spotlessly clean Every Stinking day just in case "prospective buyers" show up....BUT, anyone who believes the cow pucky that the economy is on the mend and we're all just hunky dory...guess again folks!!!

And oh yea...buried the St Joseph statue and that whole ritual also...not WINNING!!!

Happy trails???

Squeakers turns THREE

2011-03-30T17:45:00.000-07:00

I apologize for some errors in my previous post which I could not correct properly...

My little girl kitty is a THREE year old today...Happy birthday little Squeakers!!

EBW Team April 2011 Challenge ENTRY

2011-03-30T17:02:00.000-07:00

Here is the Before, During and After photos of my Very FIRST entry in an Etsy Beadweavers Team Challenge. The theme for this April 2011 Challenge is "Spring Around the Corner".This is my attempt at designing a one of a kind Bead Crochet Rope masterpiece in homage of SPRING...a season I never fully appreciated until I lived in Fayetteville, North Carolina for four years.

While I perform every technique and manner of beadweaving....for the past seven years I have specialized in bead crochet ropes as an Instructor and Artist This is a very exacting & time consuming pusuit which was right up my alley.

The first step was designing the pattern on bead crochet graphs (I use Judith Bertoglio-Giffin's version)using 19 different colored pencils. It is much like creating a counted cross stitch chart, but with many more limitations. Step two is putting the graph on a magnetic board & using magnetic strips to hold my place as I string the EXACT pattern one tiny seed bead at a time onto the heavy duty polyester thread...my pattern area was 18 inches before repeat so there was no margin for errors in stringing...which I made several times and had to start over and over to perfection. I used size 8/0, 10/0 and 11/0 Japanese and Czech glass seed beads as well as Czech pressed glass mini drops in the construction of the main body of the 40 inch long lariat. The fringe contains an additional 10 colors of pressed glass Czech beads. The 40 inches of seven beads around necessitated approximately 280 inches of strung pattern. After all these beads are strung precisely as designed, the crocheting with the tiny 1.25 steel crochet hook begins. In the case of this particular piece it took three plus weeks from start to finish...i am not real good about tracking my time as for me it is a labor of LOVE not Business.

I am SOOOO enthusiastic about being permitted to participate in this challenge with the Best Beadweaver Artists on Etsy....Please CAST YOUR VOTE for your favorite design in the Etsy Beadweavers Team Challenge of April 2011 at:

http://etsy-beadweavers.blogspot.com

ANYONE can vote...the entries are awe-inspiring. That is how I was drawn into the Team...maybe YOU will be too.

ETSY BEADWEAVERS TEAM

2011-03-16T12:35:00.000-07:00

Yeah!! I finally got the courage to join the Etsy Beadweavers Team!!

I have been lurking in the shadows...voting for all the Challenges every month. Salivating at the artistic prowess of these AMAZING artisans...now I am in their ranks and hoping to enter my own pieces in the monthly Challenges.

If you are not familiar with these Challenges, you can become educated at this site:

http://etsy-beadweavers.blogspot.com/

The Challenge VOTING begins the 9th of EVERY MONTH and ends the 15th.
EVERYONE is invited to vote for their favorite entry. Entries are submitted via each member's Etsy Shop.

I am currently hard at work composing what I hope will be my very first entry in this upcoming Challenge for April:

"Spring Around The Corner"

Please come and join me in my enthusiasm for this Spectacular Etsy Team by getting involved in the voting process.

I am also a member of the Etsy Bead Team:

http://www.etsy.com/teams/6360/etsy-bead

Etsy Pure Handmade Team:

http://www.etsy.com/teams/7747/

Etsy Trade-A-Holics..

http://www.etsy.com/teams/6490/etsy-trade-a-holics

more very active ETSY TEAMS!!

2011-01-21T17:58:00.000-08:00

Personalize funny videos and birthday eCards at JibJab!

Animals of YouTube sing "Deck the Halls"

2010-12-28T16:32:00.000-08:00

This is the cutest video!! But then the CATS have me hooked!!!

Time Sure Flies When I "KNIT" !!!!

2010-12-28T14:56:00.000-08:00

I have been KNITTING for the Holidays..albeit alot of my endeavors were Way To Small for the young-uns up in NC...I will remedy that ASAP! Plus I have a committment to a dear Trade-a-holic Pal on Etsy to provide her with two hats & a cowl out of the discontinued Lion Suede & Lion Thick & Quick Chenilles that I had bunches of in my "stash" of yarns. I have nearly completed that offering....should be in the mail by Friday at the latest.
I have great plans to open my SECOND ETSY SHOP specifically dedicated to my yarnie endeavors in January. I will be either reducing my presence on Artfire to Basic member or remove myself altogether from their site as I have not sold a single item in the entire year of 2010. I paid $100 for the year's membership and did a whole lotta work promoting my shop there but it just didn't work!

I was under the weather quite a bit lately...was it mental duress? Quite possibly, in light of the events of last year this time & the desolation around here this holiday season with no SALE OF HOUSE in sight! My New Year Resolution is DE-FUNK myself so I am more productive emotionally as well as physically!! What are your resolutions?

Rest of My Life Starts NOW: Google and Me, Best Buds

2010-11-30T19:39:00.000-08:00

Rest of My Life Starts NOW: Google and Me, Best Buds: "Acording to the profesy of Jim Gaffigan, yes Google and I are indeed best buds. just a sample..... why camping is stupid But sereusly I have..."

Proof Positive...Just a Few of My New Items on ETSY!

2010-11-26T07:27:00.000-08:00

I'M REALLY WIRED!!!!

2010-11-10T04:24:00.000-08:00

Im Really Wired!!!

Curated By: beadacious122...

ArtFire.com

Handmade Gifts

My Latest Collection with my Newest Listing

2010-11-09T13:27:00.000-08:00

Gifts for the Qua...

Curated By: beadacious122...

ArtFire.com

Craft Supplies

This is a spectacular selection of really QUALITY BEADWORK!!

AUTUMN SPLENDOR

2010-10-14T13:06:00.000-07:00

There is no greater SEASON in my estimation than FALL! That is probably due to my life spent in the Sothwestern Desert of Arizona where no such season "really" exists. I would have remained pretty ignorant of that fact had I not ventured forth twelve years ago to a faraway land called NORTH CAROLINA! My first Autumn in that amazing "wonderland" of trees and leaves and forests and, did I mention "leaves", brought me to TEARS! I had never witnessed the changing hues of all the leafy things ever before....I never knew those colors even existed!! Of course after spending three more FALLS there i also learned of the chore of RAKING up all those gorgeous leaves...but I still have to say..the autumnal splendor still ranks right up there at the tippy top of all my FANTASTIC ADVENTURES in LIFE!!!

Wire Wrap Pendant COLLECTION on Artfire!

2010-10-14T11:29:00.000-07:00

MUST HAVE PENDANTS!

Curated By: beadacious122...

ArtFire.com

Indie Design

IF I had my druthers, every one of these would be in my possession RIGHT NOW!!

MY FIRST EVER COLLECTION ON ARTFIRE

2010-10-14T01:04:00.000-07:00

CHIX with STIX

Curated By: beadacious122...

ArtFire.com

Handmade Gifts

I never would have thunk it to be SOOOO EZ to create a collection...but it was! This could be addicting!! Please come view & comment so I get motivated to do more, okay??

2010-10-13T15:15:00.001-07:00

Arizona Artisans

Curated By: adamsarts

ArtFire.com

Handmade Gifts

ZERO chance of Rain 033.AVI

2010-09-03T18:53:00.000-07:00

I remember my childhood here in Tucson, AZ and what GREAT FUN it was to romp in the flooded streets after a downpour like the one we had this afternoon. Back then the streets were mostly all dirt & when they flooded they looked almost exactly like this wash behind my house now.

CreativeCritters Blog: Beautiful Beadweaving from beadacious1221ACES520

2010-08-20T18:11:00.000-07:00

CreativeCritters Blog: Beautiful Beadweaving from beadacious1221ACES520: "Sylvia, of Beadacious1221ACES520 on ArtFire.com has been beadweaving with seed beads and teaching beadweaving techniques since 1992. Her ..."

6 Timeless Principles to Deal with Resistance and Excel in Life

2010-08-04T08:45:00.000-07:00

6 Timeless Principles to Deal with Resistance and Excel in Life

Stop Second Guessing Yourself: 5 Tips to Feel at Ease with Decisions

2010-08-04T08:43:00.000-07:00

Stop Second Guessing Yourself: 5 Tips to Feel at Ease with Decisions

A Scientific Perspective on Happiness: Rules in Your Head

2010-08-04T08:42:00.000-07:00

A Scientific Perspective on Happiness: Rules in Your Head

On Catching Thoughts Before They Become Emotional Reactions

2010-08-04T08:40:00.000-07:00

On Catching Thoughts Before They Become Emotional Reactions

When Procrastination is a Good Thing

2010-08-04T08:39:00.000-07:00

When Procrastination is a Good Thing

On Perfect Timing: When Things Aren’t Happening Fast Enough

2010-08-04T08:29:00.000-07:00

On Perfect Timing: When Things Aren’t Happening Fast Enough

2 Ways You Think Yourself Unhappy (and 10 Things to Do About It)

2010-08-04T08:23:00.000-07:00

2 Ways You Think Yourself Unhappy (and 10 Things to Do About It)

How to Have More Fun in Life: Keep Your Thoughts from Pulling You Down

2010-08-04T08:13:00.000-07:00

How to Have More Fun in Life: Keep Your Thoughts from Pulling You Down

TERRIFYING TRANSITIONS

2010-07-12T00:57:00.000-07:00

SOOOO I have been a very bad blogger for a whole long time now! First reason being...no polymer clay project has been accomplished & I PROMISED IN MY LAST POST THAT I WOULD NOT BLOG AGAIN UNTIL I HAD MADE SOMETHING!!!!!! Well, then along came life & chaos involved in remodelling the whole blasted house. A bladder surgery also ensued and a two & a half long visit from my long lost friend of years past and and ...yadda yadda yadda Basically, I am COPING with a whole lotta changes in life as I knew it for the past 8 years. AND I realize that the whole CHANGE thing is JUST BEGINNING!! The photo I have put up this time shows my adorable (GORGEOUS) almost four year old granddaughter, ELLA with her friends already starting to BEAD without ME!!!! HOW CAN THAT BE??????????????
She is the sweetie in front on the left beaming her show-stopping smile at the camera.

THIS is one of the MANY MANY reasons I am hustling to get this house ship-shape for selling so I can be joining my little honey bunny ELLA & her AMAZZZZZING brother, Mylz in NC ......ASAP!!!

Oh, and a sling of some sort to prevent my stress incontinence was put in me on July 6th at Oro Valley Hospital, Oro Valley, AZ by Dr. Peters. She did a superb job but the real Kudos go to the staff of the Oro Valley Hospital who were simply the best medical caregivers I have EVER experienced. And believe me, in the past 8 years, I have experienced a ton of medical personnel...most of whom should never have been called "CARE"-givers!

My friend of 40 years was a life-saver. She has serious health issues of her own but she drove about 180 miles from Sun City, AZ (NW of Phoenix) just to be here for me through my own mini medical crisis. Thank You Jeanette, even though you don't own a computer & pretty much don't believe in them.

My method to avoiding the remodel CHAOS is simple. Squeaker (you all KNOW my soul mate by now) and I 'hole up' in my bedroom and either sleep, read, knit, bead, crochet or listen to the radio & chill during the entire noisy messy session of hard work going on around us. TODAY, however, BIG CHANGES will be made! I MUST relinquish the final room to be scraped of wallpaper, popcorn ceiling disposed and new paint restored....OUR SANCTUARY....my bedroom for the past 8 years.

SCARY as it is for this dutiful only child...I AM MOVING INTO MOTHER'S MASTER BEDROOM!! Yup I am gathering courage as we speak and preparing for the HUGE transition. I will provide photos later.....so stay tuned ya'llll

FANTASY CLAY on ARTFIRE.COM

2010-05-22T20:55:00.000-07:00

This is my next dream...I wanna play with clay...

but I have said that before, so what's the delay?(I should maybe be a poet, too?)

I think it is pretty evident from how slack I am with my blog postings that I am a PROCRASTINATOR extraordinaire!!! Maybe not so much a slacker as a "what is the most important 'need' right nower"....Because I do stay busy at my beading and such.

I just find these cute little poly clay works of art by other artisans so darned cute and original.

The studio I am promoting from ARTFIRE in this little blurb is:

http://fantasyclay.artfire.com

Isn't taking old battered switchplate covers and turning them into artistic masterpieces just the greatest idea? I wanna do that. And the darling little teddy bear miniature complete with mask and little pumpkin would be such a cute ooak collectible piece.

OR how about this bright and sunny FLOWER wall hanging to brighten any room and it is designed with BEADS (I know about them, a little)...I wanna make this kinda thing!

Maybe I have to make a committment to ATTEMPT SOME POLYMER CLAY CREATION before my next blog post and include a photo of it...no matter how pathetic it may be. YUP! That is my goal.

I must admit, after the demos at the FAIR I have been kept quite busy teaching classes in what I know to other folks here at my home.
So life is GRAND and getting grander day by day!

Namaste

PIMA COUNTY FAIR, Tucson, AZ

2010-05-05T18:15:00.001-07:00

The Pima County Fair comes every Spring to the Southwestern Desert. It is an event I wouldn't miss and haven't since 1976.
I have demonstrated "some" craft I was involved with every year since my return from Alaska in 1975. In Alaska my daughter, April, then a bitty baby, took the prize for the "smallest feet" at the County Fair in Fairbanks. I used to enter the Fairs too, but I simply cannot store ANYMORE ribbons, anywhere....and I am not saying that to brag.

The 2010 PC Fair was the 99th year! I couldn't believe that one. So the first county fair here in Pima County took place in 1911...a year before Arizona became a state. AMAZING!!

My own experience with the FAIR began as a tot since I was born in Tucson in 1949. I remember a few little rides and a couple bigger ones and the stinky animal barns when they occupied what is now the Rodeo Grounds in Southern Tucson.

The FAIR and fair grounds are no longer the possessions of PIMA COUNTY. They are privately owned and are for profit now. I have seen a whole lotta changes in the years. Adult entries in Home & Fine Arts have fallen off significantly even though the county has grown tremendously in population...SAD, but true.

The photo above is my display case at this year's FAIR.

The FAIR has added a whole variety of demonstrations of arts, hobbies & crafts in Old Pueblo Hall where I demonstrate beadwork every year now since 1993. More than one fair visitor commented to me on how much they LOVE to come just to watch the working artists.

The participation by schools of children's artworks has also grown immensely and I for one, think that is inspirational. What the youth of today need is artistic outlets to raise their self-esteem, instill discipline and release the creative muses within them.

Senior citizens need this also...I know, I am one!! Above photo of a hand carved wooden saddle is a prime example of the undiscovered talent in our seniors. William Milligan, who is the artist of that piece, told me he never tried carving wood until he retired 16 years ago. His specialty is birds that appear so real, people get angry with him for stealing feathers...but he doesn't. He carves each feather so intricately that they feel real, even to the touch.

The example above is a GOURD carved & painted to appear as an owl in a tree. Old Pueblo Gourd Patch puts on a wonderful entry exhibit as well as presents many fabulous local gourd artists to demonstrate each year. Their membership is spectacular and if you are in the least bit interested in gourds contact oldpueblogourdpatch@mail.com or me & I will tell you their particulars.

I always love the day the spinners and weavers come to demo at the FAIR. The lady pictured above, Jill Holbrook, has been a friend of mine for a very long time. She makes it look sooooo easy. Trust me, I have a wheel, tried to learn to spin and discovered I was the most spastic person on the planet. Doubt i could chew gum and walk at the same time.

This being an primary election year we had our share of politicians in the build. None surprised all of us like the former presidential candidate who stopped by. Senator McCain dropped in and it was not the adversary turmoil or chaos you see on the news. He was totally approachable, cordial, human and behaved just like an average fair attendee. He mingled with his constituents so casually one might have missed him. Thanks for coming by, John.

I have about a gazillion photos of the FAIR to share, but only 5 are allowed per post. So I recommend you go to my flickr page, picassa page or my facebook page to catch a glimpse of them all....you will be happy you did!

New Crazy Train Rider PRETTY PURSE DESIGNS

2010-04-14T09:00:00.000-07:00

Today's Crazy Train Rider on Artfire is http://www.artfire.com/users/PrettyPurseDesigns

The items in her studio are soooo practical AND useful besides being well-made and adorable!

My favorite is the teapot TIMER shown here at the top. If I had the bucks that little cutie would be MINE, for sure....

Connie Gibbs from Mena, Ark is the owner/artist of this shop. Be sure to check out her handicraft.

MY TURN on THE ARTFIRE CRAZY TRAIN!

2010-04-08T02:58:00.000-07:00

I am sooo excited about MY RIDE on the Train Today & Tomorrow! The link to the Chatterbox site is at the bottom of this post...BUT I didn't want to just toot my own horn here. So the first item of interest that I just accomplished is renewing my membership with the SRAJD but as a SPONSOR this time instead of only a Contributor. http://www.artisimportant.com/SRAJD/index.html

Then I wanted to rave on about a really talented polymer clay artist who just rode the same Crazy train I am on today,http://www.artfire.com/users/buttonwilloe

Her work is so PRECIOUS and adorable. Since I plan to take up the poly Clay habit really soon I admire work like Buttonwilloe's very much.

I am not only excited about being featured here on the Crazy train, I want to thank the lady who makes the MOST effort to insure we get the promotion promised by being a member of this group,http://andreawdesigns.blogspot.com/

Without ANDREA Wagner to engineer our CRAZY train we would be lost...her Artfire studio is here:http://www.artfire.com/users/andreadesigns

She is even keeping the train running while her studio is on VACATION! But be sure to check out her wonderful designs when she returns officially to her site.

THANK YOU ANDREA and ALL of my fellow Crazy train members!!

http://www.artfire.com/modules.php?name=forums&op=view_topic&tid=4851&topic_src=1

It's my Party & I Can Sleep if I Want To!

2010-03-30T17:40:00.000-07:00

So here's the deal...I turn two years old today, well according to the veterinarian I am really something like 18 years old in people years, HUMBUG!

You can pretty much get an idea of how I spent my day..lolling around in a half empty drawer that my soul mate hasn't even properly prepared for my BIG CELEBRATION!

Then she has the GALL to wake me up just to take these stupid pictures!

And WHO SAYS it's my Birthday anyway? Was she there? Did she "see" it happen? HECK NO!!!!

Think I will just try to ignore the whole mess.

And go back to my ORIGINAL PLANS....after all, 4 am comes around pretty quickly and that's when I have to get busy everyday disturbing HER sleep to get her to PLAY with me!!!

Squeaker, Queen of Her World

Etsy Speaker Series, Here We Come: Handmade Marketplace

2010-03-30T02:25:00.000-07:00

Etsy Speaker Series, Here We Come: Handmade Marketplace

A blogger friend of mine and downright "interesting" person, Kim Werker, who is collaborating on a book about selling online sent me this post. They will be conducting an online interview AT ETSY headquarters on Thursday, April 1st and are looking for Topics and Questions from us.

Pleses read the article....

I'm In An ETSY Treasury WEST

2010-03-21T19:59:00.000-07:00

A Lovely Facebook friend of mine, Orit Eisenstein created a Treasury on ETSY with my Red Hat Bead knitted amulet bag in it! WOOT! Thanks so much to her and I hope ya'll go over to the treasury site before March 24th and tell her what a great job she is doing by composing these treasuries! http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list_west.php?room_id=92174

THREE ARTFIRE CRAZY TRAIN RIDERS!

2010-03-11T15:39:00.000-08:00

I love the talented http//www.artfire.com/users/ldphotography I believe the fabulous pendant below is a FINE example of their artistic prowess!The item below is from Yours Truli http//www.artfire.com/users/YoursTruli. She specializes in the vintage, antique style jewellry of bygone eras! Her quality is exceptional & creativity is extraordinary!

And finally http//www.artfire.com/users/acadienne
or ACADIENNE items are the following two photos. She tells a really interesting story in her blog on her studio page about the origins of her shop name.

This particular studio is near & dear to my heart for two reasons: first, I have experienced making hardanger items myself; second, she is located in Tucson, my hometown.

I encourage everyone reading my blog to visit these fabulous studios on ARTFIRE!!
While you are there, consider their handmade artwork for your own or gift giving pleasure.

I am finally trying to catch up on all my blogging endeavors now that a bit of the dust has settled from my mother's passing. Don't get me wrong, the turmoil continues, I am just trying to return to some form of normalcy for my own SANITY!

BUT NOW......It's Just the TWO of US Again!

2010-03-09T07:56:00.000-08:00

My soul mate and I were abandoned to fend for ourselves again on February 25th. Took me awhile to come out of my FUNK of being without my little ones, but I am recovering...slowly.

My little soul mate, Squeakers keeps me on my toes! Then there's all that NEEDS to be done so I can get this place sold and get out of here to REJOIN my crew out there in God's Country (North Carolina).

So where am I with all this STUFF that needs doing? Well, while they were here, April & Ella, we had a pretty good sized yard sale with lots of helpers & got rid of a bunch o' stuff. After they left I gave away the dinosaur Hammond organ and they actually came and used three VERY STRONG men to carry it out in the rain to a trailer they rented and drove away with it.

Next, the handmade cutting table that my Dad constructed was given to a very dear friend who has a bicycle business that he could use it in. They also came and disassembled the huge unit into three pieces and trucked it away. My friend and I then cleaned up & organized the largest storage room.

Yesterday I called a roofer who built up the roof (a FLAT one like mine) across the street and gave it insulation and some pitch to let the water runoff. They will be out in a day or so to do an estimate. Then I will call painters for bids on the interior & exterior. Finally I will take all this paperwork along with a list of my debtors I want to pay off to my local banker to apply for a Home Equity Loan to get this work done. At long last, if all that comes through, I will be able to list the house to sell and PRAY it goes quickly.

Oh yea, I still have boxes of clothing and items from Christmas to send to the kids that would not fit in their luggage. Then there's the continual packing going on....I DO GET A BREAK to BEAD and even have a class scheduled here at the house to teach a friend to do "ndebele" or herringbone stitch this Saturday. Haven't taught in ages so I am so glad she is a friend and won't judge my rustiness.

There it is...the blog is now current! Did I miss alot of things we did...sure! But hey, at least I brought this thing up to date! I just wish I was current and more active at managing my online stores so some sales could be happening! All in due time, I guess. NAMASTE!

THESE TWO HELPERS STAYED

2010-03-08T19:26:00.000-08:00

It wasn't totally ALL WORK AND NO PLAY after the boys left!

The three of us went & played at Tucson's largest park one day...Ella loved the swing!

Mommy April had a few tough moments trying to get the bubble machine to work...

I cherish these memories that we FINALLY were able to SHARE together.

Farewell to Half the Helpers

2010-03-07T15:13:00.000-08:00

This photo was taken the day before half of my helpers left to go back to work and school. My grandson Mylz is second from the left & the rest of the crew is his play-pals from next door & of course little sister, Ella on the far right.

His Dad, Delbert did sooo much for getting this project of moving out on the gooooo mode. Mylz was such a great blessing to me also. We even started up making beaded earrings for him to sell on Artfire in his very own shop!

I am so sad they have to leave me now!

My Mommy Left This Earthly Prison

2009-12-29T19:33:00.000-08:00

I have put this off long enough. It just seems I cannot give adequate commentary on something as devastating as losing my mother. The funeral was yesterday and now life must go on without her. My purpose for living must change and re-focus on my children and grandchildren. I MUST be the grandma now, the top remaining branch on my family tree. It is a scary proposition.

Mom passed on November 27th, the day after Thanksgiving. My daughter & her family came out December 20th. I broke into the senior 60's bracket with my birthday on the 21st of December. Then there was the first Christmas I was able to share with my grandchildren in 9 years. Alas that was followed by my 23rd year sober 12/26/86....and finally Mom's wake and funeral....such stress!

It is no wonder nearly every one of the family is now nursing some form of viral bug. My daughter's temperature is 104, I am hovering at 102 and my sweet, precious little granddaughter is 100 with an awful nighttime cough.

What a bittersweet reunion as well. To be grieving and rejoicing simultaneously is the ultimate stress! But even Mom's death was a quandry. She had suffered for soooo long with numerous handicaps. She had prayed for death to relieve her for so long. It was just the horror of a massive stroke and 8 days of slowly dying with no life support but her oxygen that was heartbreaking. But she is at peace now....

As I stood at her coffin at the wake I felt I must still be responsible for her care. I find myself still wanting to pick up all her favorite items at the grocery store. I guess it will just take time.

I love you MOMMY!

New Crazy Train Rider: GRAVEL ROAD JEWELRY

2009-11-10T13:13:00.001-08:00

I am simply bowled over by all the TALENT we have on ARTFIRE and in particular in our group the CRAZY TRAIN!
http://gravelroadjewelry.artfire.comThe link is for the most spectacular wire wrapping I have ever witnessed!
I think the best example to start with is the above pendant!

But she is not just limited to pendants and necklaces, she also does RINGS, EARRINGS, BRACELETS....

I marvel at this ability to wrap wire because I have tried and tried to even just make a simple hook for my ornaments and cannot bend wire the right way to save my soul.

So I will list her studio again:http://GravelRoadJewelry.Artfire.com

Please do yourself a favor and visit to see the ultimate in Wire Productions!

HALLOWEEN TRICKSTERS ARE GONE SO NOW.....

2009-10-31T20:47:00.000-07:00

Don't know how it was in your neighborhood, but here in the SW desert the temps were in the 60's and no breeze so the front door stayed open the whole evening! We probably had no more than 50 munchkins come in costumes of all types. The babies and new little toddlers are ALWAYS the sweetest. My favorite was a little guy dressed as a MONKEY with a sewn banana on his head...adorable..I shudda taken a photo...hindsight!
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

So now onto tomorrow...BIG DAY ON ARTFIRE!! If you are a seller on there, be sure to join in....

^^^^^IT IS THE FIRST TRADE N STAY EVENT ON THE SITE^^^^^

The TRADING POST Guild is putting it on. It starts Nov First and lasts an ENTIRE WEEK!! I am soooo Jazzed about this. I have participated in the Etsy events so I know what a MANIC FUN FEST it can be!! I am so glad to see Artfire promoting this same type of event.

The announcement of the first 12 studios will be in the Chatterbox Forums under CONTESTS...be sure to check it out!!

HAPPY {SAMHAIN} HALLOWEEN!!

2009-10-31T08:48:00.000-07:00

So the Great Day of Trick or Treating is FINALLY HERE! WHOA, for an old fuddy duddy like me, it seems like this year has just flown by...but my grandkids remind me how sloooooow the days go when you are a child.

HERE'S MY TREAT FOR YA'LL TODAY!!
Our Crazy Train Rider today just happens to be Char Myers from the Pacific Northwest and the link to her Artfire Shop is:

http://CharSpirit.artfire.com
This shop is special to me as I personally KNOW how great it is! I bought items from her already and look forward to the possibility of more items coming my way (maybe by trade....hope hope).

The first product, above is a notebook or catalog cover that she designed and it fits in perfect for Halloween..or my grandchildren's choice with pink ribboned skulls.

This second, is just an adorable hand puppet that "loves" his owner so sweetly...my grandkids would love this one too.

I got one of these as a "gift" with my purchase...and was that A TREAT!! It truly is sleep inducer...been nothing but GOOD SLEEP since I tucked it into my pillow.

by the way, I do not use sewing machines but my mother did and I know a good seamstress when I see her work. Char is just super!

I purchased one of these and got TWO different style felt magnets...again superbly made and just so "LOVE"ly to give as stocking stuffers!

NOW we come to my passionate recommendation that everyone get these neck cozies! They are worn around the neck after soaking in water to keep us COOL in the summer! They work FABULOUSLY well here in the HOT HOT Southwestern DESERT!

I purchased FOUR of these and want more to give as gifts!! They are so perfectly made and the fabric designs are so unique.

I give CharSpirit my HIGHEST RECOMMENDATION so please check her out.

AMAZING Handmade Artisan Cards on ARTFIRE

2009-10-28T11:44:00.000-07:00

The ARTFIRE Crazy Train had another SUPER RIDER on October 26-27
AS USUAL..I missed the dates due to extenuating circumstances in my own messed up life, but I bet she can used some publicity TODAY....Her studio is:

http://Butterfly-Crafts.Artfire.com

The first thing that attracted me to her work was her cards created with CROSS STITCH handwork in them For years, right before I got into beadwork, I was an avid cross-stitcher. I KNOW the intensity of the work involved in creating these masterpieces in stitchery. I think her work in that regard is superb!
Then I observed her creativity in other aspects of her card making. Her three dimensional use of paper-craft and the uniqueness of designs are truly "note" worthy....

Just look at the different use of paper "fanning" in the above example of work. For a wonderful ORIGINAL piece of "art" to send for any occasion, you should go to this studio and see ALL her offerings!!

A LITTLE BIT OF PRETTY...GIVEAWAY

2009-10-21T11:55:00.000-07:00

One of my fellow Travellers on Handmade Highway is having a GIVEAWAY and it is Fabulous!!

Look at some of the wonderful items you COULD win...(above)

Her name is Kim and she lives in Saskatoon SK, Canada.Here is where you go to enter this contest:

http://littlebitofpretty.blogspot.com

Her jewelry is simply gorgeous and she is very generous with her choice of giveaway items so be sure to visit her blog ASAP..

THE CONTEST ENDS NOV 1ST

Phoenix Rising Glass Art put me in her BLOG

2009-10-20T20:55:00.000-07:00

Jann Alexander-McCullough wrote about me and my artistic endeavors in her blog on October 19, 2009. How very sweet of her as she only knows me from my Artfire Studio and us both being members of Indie Public. Her blogspot is here:

http://jannadusblog.blogspot.com/

Please check it out...she has some neat info on there about alot of artisans.

What you see pictured here are some of her many eclectic talents.

These can be seen at her Artfire Studio:

http://jannadu.artfire.com

She does so many more artistic venues than I do. She wire-wraps, felts angora sweaters that are upcycled, creates enameled pendants and MOST especially...she does pencil drawings like the puppy below...she is AMAZING!

I highly suggest you visit her studio at Artfire and do some serious shopping from this talented lady.

She lives in Glendale, Arizona
so we share the Arizona Artisan
connection as well.

Her Boston Terrier is truly and amazing work of art!

Artfire Crazy Train Rider for Oct 6 - 7, 2009

2009-10-06T04:21:00.000-07:00

Today I am spotlighting one of my favorite sellers on ARTFIRE

CAT IN A LIFE
catinalife.artfire.com

Her work is eclectic and stunning.

The first piece is a copper wire wrapped necklace with brilliant faceted glass beads worked in such an original design on the pendant. I know I MUST have her pendants soon as I can just visualize them blending perfectly with my seed beads on a rope chain suspending them.

This next piece is done in intricate chain, wire and Czech glass beads in the most splendid color green.

It is a bracelet with lots of life and sparkle!

I chose another copper wire wrapped pendant this time using faceted cat's eye fiber optic beads. The combination of turquoise and copper is always so elegant, but especially in this particular piece.

You must check out her studio. Her prices are amazingly affordable for the quality and breathtaking beauty of her designs.

I am finishing with this egyptian collar all of coiled wire in an exquisite color combination once again.

This lady is truly an ARTIST

http://catinalife.artfire.com

DEATH OF A DINOSAUR

2009-10-05T04:53:00.000-07:00

I have been away from here for way too long but there's been a death in the family...when one owns a car for over 30 years a certain amount of mourning and mayhem ensues...thus the case with the 1979 LINCOLN
My Dad purchased this car in 1979 and it was his "BABY" that he treated like solid gold..he paid $5000 for it back then, and that was GOLD IN THEM THAR DAZE.
My poor father passed on in November 1988 only getting to enjoy his luxury vehicle for nine short years....then Mom inherited it.

My little 5foot 2inch mother propped up pillows so she could see over the steering wheel and plodded along on her vast travels to the corner grocery and back (racking up tremendous mileage of 140 miles a YEAR) until 2001 when the osteoporosis crippled her over so badly she could no longer SEE over the steering wheel with any amount of pillows so she put the "boat" in dry dock and it sat. I entered the scene July 1, 2002...

Mom signed the title over to me and the behemoth became mine while I have been here caring for Mom...the old boat took some mechanical work to bring out of dry dock (the garage) but it got driven far more than ever before. Why I bet I put a whole 140 miles a WEEK on her! And we even got her a personal mechanic who made house calls and repaired her right inside our own garage...and he visited very often the last couple years.

Then on Tuesday, September 14, 2009 when I backed her out to go get a prescription she started making this horrible noise...well, the rest is history...terminal condition in the differential and it would cost $$$$

sooooo...after thirty years of faithful service and not even 86,000 original miles, the old girl had to be put out to pasture and a newer, younger replacement found.

We will miss the Mark V Cartier Edition from Ford Motor Company but we sure won't miss the gasoline bills or the nasty stares from tree huggers whenever we drove by. <<>>

RIP

HARMON ART - Artfire Crazy Train Rider 9/26

2009-09-26T05:35:00.000-07:00

The new BIG thing out here in Tucson is GOURD ART...this outstanding example of extremely GOURD-geous artwork is from Kentucky...

http://harmonart.artfire.com

This "kettle" gourd is 8 inches tall and 7 inches wide. Permanent inks were hand painted on it's surface then sealed. It sells for $18

With just 90 days until the BIG Christmas Celebration, I start to plan my gift giving.

This is an earthenware hand sculpted ceramic spoon rest using an actual black oak leaf from the artist's own backyard...Sure wish we had leaves like this in the southwest desert.

This sells for $22

Be sure to stop by and consider ALL the marvelous handmade items at this ARTFIRE studio for your gift giving this Holiday Season!!

Sweet Whimsy Rides The Crazy Train Today!

2009-09-24T04:22:00.000-07:00

Sweet Whimsy is our Crazy Train Rider

for Today 9/24 - 9/25

sweetwhimsy.artfire.com

She makes these really beautiful pendants. This paisley one is from a scrabble tile wood and is only $8.50

This wire wrapped pendant is fascinating to me....
She describes the process and I still cannot believe it is not composed of metal. To see what it is made of go to:
http://www.artfire.com/modules.php?name=Shop&op=listing&product_id=375802

Aquariann on Artfire

2009-09-23T06:33:00.000-07:00

This was our ARTFIRE Crazy Train Studio a couple days ago...
http://aquariann.artfire.com

I am a HUGE FAN of Faeries,Gnomes,Dragons and other Fantasy characters.
I just thought her artwork was really special and deserved notice on my BLOG!
The first is Halloween oriented...then Christmas cards and finally...

A Unicorn and fairy.

WHAT A WONDERFUL LITTLE SNAKE!!

2009-09-13T05:59:00.000-07:00

AWHILE back, I was cruising the Etsy site just shopping for lampwork beads. I came across the superior Glass Artist and SRA Karen Klomparens! I think I also became one of her best customers...at least my purchases from her are greater than from anyone else...

This cute little green fella is one of my favorites! He was actually meant for braided hair or dreadlocks, but he just spoke to me and I knew he REALLY wanted to climb my bead crocheted ropes...so I got him and some of his friends too.

The problem with ALL of Karen's ART GLASS is I deem it just too beautiful for my unworthy bead crochet ropes, so it sits in anticipation of when I can create a worthy compliment to it. Well this little guy just BELONGED on my woodsy hand spun mix of brown beads.

Then I stumbled upon some kitten hook clasps and the piece was formed.

This is listed on my ETSY and ARTFIRE sites so far. The hits on it have been super...as for Karen, you can find her right here at:

http://fire-n-sand.blogspot.com or go to her Etsy shop:

http://giapet.etsy.com

I went there again when I finished this necklace to sent her a convo and ended up with 3 more of her treasures in my cart...so stay tuned, you will be seeing alot more of her ART showcased on my pieces!

SORRY IT HAS BEEN SO LONG......

2009-09-10T21:26:00.000-07:00

I have been TRYING to GROW MY NETWORK and has it ever...but the greatest news was that my hard work on photographing my creations paid off and I was FINALLY accepted by the 1000 MARKETS site. My avatar is above. It is another shop that I plan to include my daughter's artistry in stringing beads on eventually...when she gets organized.. The new website address for this shop is: http://beadacious1221aces520.1000markets.com

I also finally completed one of my notable original designs that I have a difficult time generating for some unknown reason...this being my bead crochet bangle of Sleeping Beauty Turquoise A grade rounded chunks and firepolish crystals.
I will eventually have these listed on all of my retail sites and should they be the success I hope they will, I will offer them in choices of a variety of firepolish colors to accent the genuine turquoise.

I am ready to roll now on some innovative designs and creations for the upcoming Season of Cheer and Celebration!

Aquatic Leaf Lampwork Glass

2009-08-26T11:49:00.000-07:00

http://derondadesigns.etsy.com
http://derondadesigns.artfire.com

http://derondadesigns.com

These are all the places to find stupendous lampwork beads like the ones in my latest necklace that will be posted to my etsy shop and our artfire studio within the next few days. Not only is her lampwork outstanding, it is affordable....two combinations I find irresistable!

This self-taught glass artist certainly deserves accolades for her artistic accomplishments as these photos surely prove.

Deronda O'Neill is one of My Favorite Glass Artists, she lives in beautiful North Dakota.

My Watch Cat

2009-08-22T22:38:00.000-07:00

I wouldn't believe it if I hadn't experienced it for myself......it goes like this: We had rain yesterday and again last night. Well, that IS UNUSUAL, yes...BUT the real strange part happened real early this morning.......

My sweet little kitty, Squeakers, was really off on her rousting timing. She is never off on the time she has chosen to wake me, 3 am. I still am not 100% sure why that is the chosen time but it's like she has a built in alarm that sets her off and she starts to torture me.

This morning it wasn't even 1:30 am yet and there she was...meowing, scratching me through the sheet, biting me... so I did what I usually do when unnecessarily disturbed by the rambunctious night rambler. I groggily reached for the trusty spray bottle on my headboard and gave her a squirt while barking "NO". That is usually all it takes, one squirt and she relocates to the hallway and pouts herself back to slumber until 3 am (wake-up time).

Not this morning, oh no she just kept coming back and repeating the scene over and over and over. I finally decided after a good half an hour, by then I was awake enough to think, maybe I should just get up and walk around. I rose from the bed and watched her as she headed toward the door out of my room. She was acting really "spooked" peering out into the hallway. HMMMM? (I have always thought cats can see ghosts but I was really hopeful that's all that this might be)

I staggered half awake out into the hallway and now she has her hackles up outside my mother's bedroom doorway. Mom has an oxygenator pumping away in her room while she sleeps and the dog is out cold on the bed beside her as always. I poked my head in the room, nothing odd, though I did hear a slightly different sound emanating from somewhere. So I started the trek through the rest of the rooms to see if I could find the sound.

Nothing unusual, just a slight pitter- patter of raindrops on the flat roof as a gentle rain was falling. But Squeakers is not content that I am doing all this. She is still aggitated and meowing at me like I am some ignorant schmuck. She is back to standing in mother's doorway and looking spooky again. " Okay Okay I will go inside", I tell her as I tip toe into the room so as not to arouse any of the heavy sleepers. I get to the master bath area and I hear the sound again only louder now. I look up at the skylight directly overhead and lo and behold...droplets of water are drip drip dripping onto the sink countertop and the floor. AHA,

now I know what she was telling me..."a leak! we have a leak!!" she's been saying in her own purr-fect way. ( I swore she sneered at me when I made the discovery.)

I got an empty wastebasket and lined it with a plastic bag and then placed a towel over it to catch the water. Squeakers surveyed the operation with approval and she was content....and I was ......WIDE AWAKE!

Her adventure and duty was finished, she fell sound asleep.

I worked on stringing beads for a choker I promised a trader. Had a cup of hot cocoa. Then got on the computer and networked my head off until 7:30 am when I finally crashed and burned until 10 am when it was rise and shine because Mom was awake and I needed to start chores.

I thank GOD for my little Alarm Cat who is so conscious of what could be potentially hazardous to us mere humans. By the way, did I say that the DOG SLEPT SOUNDLY THROUGH THE WHOLE EVENT?

I am In an Etsy Treasury!!

2009-08-21T14:14:00.000-07:00

This MUST be my LUCKY day...now I'm in a treasury with this piece
The Treasuries only last a couple days so you only have until Monday morning to view the whole thing at:
http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list.php?room_id=77631

The super KEWL news about this is that Sarah is the gal right here in Tucson that I did the necklace "picture perfect" with her fine art photo pendant. Even more super is that this is the first treasury that she created herself!!! I am so totally honored to be in her very first endeavor! Thank you Sarah!! You can find her shop at:

http://www.sarahsetsy.etsy.com

Be sure to check her fantastic photography out!!

I WON A PRIZE!! ... and Lots More Goodies, too.....

2009-08-21T11:47:00.000-07:00

WOWSERS!! LOOKEE LOOKEE WHAT I WON on a BLOG...

The Blog is: http://www.muffintopdesigns.blogspot.com/

and the entire listing from her Etsy shop is here:

www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=29643818

I "met" muffintop when I was accepted as an Etsy Trade-A-Holics Team member. She is one of a few very busy people giving of their time to see that team progress. It is gaining new members amazingly fast. It is a real joy to TRADE with the people on Etsy.

Just yesterday they had their very first "TRADING FRENZY" that only lasted 18 hours. In less than four hours here's what I got:

http://www.etsy.com/view_transaction.php?transaction_id=18669834

from:

http://www.FirstLightGlass.etsy.com

Dawn has traded with me before and I just love her dichroic pendants.

Then I got 2 sets of these:

http://www.etsy.com/view_transaction.php?transaction_id=18670438

which I had been wanting for a long while. They came from here:

http://www.thepinkkite.etsy.com

Paula just happens to be in Spain! Isn't the internet amazing?

Then from my favorite art jewelry designer on Etsy, who I always try to trade with I got this:

http://www.etsy.com/view_transaction.php?transaction_id=18670644

Jessi's outstanding work in quality cut gem stones and precious metals can be found here:

http://www.jetflair.etsy.com

I have alot of her gemstone art and highly recommend her work!

Then I got something else I BADLY NEEDED...a set of banners for my new ARTFIRE studio from this shop:

http://www.ABespokeTouch.etsy.com

and Stephanie is operating her business from the UK. So stay tuned to see my NEW BANNER.

My final trade was with a darling gal, Jimell, who is sending all the following to my granddaughter in NC.

http://www.etsy.com/view_transaction.php?transaction_id=18677772

http://www.etsy.com/view_transaction.php?transaction_id=18677770

http://www.etsy.com/view_transaction.php?transaction_id=18677771

Her adorable shop of exceptionally cute little girlie items is:

http://www.piggytailsboutique.etsy.com

Please check out all the links above...then join Etsy to partake of even more spectacular handmade treasures by thousands of international artisans!

Most especially, visit Cy's shop, my benevolent gift giver, at:

http://www.muffintopdesigns.etsy.com

Thank you all for visiting my Blog and please follow me.

What's Happening NOW

2009-08-19T04:49:00.000-07:00

I Highly Suggest that if you are an internet seller you visit this blog that I just discovered today and read her story about "feeling it in her bones". Something we should ALL know about.........

http://www.beadedbear.blogspot.com/

I have been having a "blast" gaining twitter followers since I realized that was where the majority of the traffic was coming from on my ARTFIRE site...I still think it is kinda weird though.

Been trying to keep up with all the demands of life lived in the confines of a house...thank heavens for this internet or I WOULD go bananas for sure...Just like most, I shirk the REAL responsibilities, like vacuuming and God forbid DUSTING! At least I think that's just like most, isn't it?

Check out the photo of one storage shed...yea, we have three. The other two are fairly tidy...but I believe a family of squirrels is living in the big one pictured above since I have seen them enter and peer out at me through the window over my Dad's former workbench. In 105+ degree heat I have NO INTENTIONS of dealing with that mayhem and misery. Now off to post another item on Etsy and Artfire.

2009-08-16T06:14:00.000-07:00

SQEAKER asks that WE ALL join in today's PURRS FOR PEACE at 3 pm EST!
To find ou more about this event please go to:http://www.confuciuscat.blogspot.com/

NEW ITEMS ON ARTFIRE

2009-08-16T05:34:00.000-07:00

Thank You for coming to my blog to see whassup! As you can probably tell, I spend way too much time at home...but I do keep my hands busy. I especially enjoyed putting this turquoise choker together. It is one of my most unique creations in that the sterling silver "cage" bead not only slides free on the rope, but it also doesn't HIDE the rope beneath it.

I was so thrilled when I found this bead because it has the colors of the Lithuanian flag in it. My heritage through all four grandparents is Lithuanian. They came over from there in the early 1900's to escape the Czar. Wouldn't they they be appalled that today the USA has several "czars" of their own.

I became equally excited to find the red and yellow striped seed beads to compliment the focal slider bead perfectly!
The artists who created this lovely dichroic lampwork are at:

http://www.seemyglass.com

Pam Dansie wins again! This is the second of many crocodile rock slider beads I will be using on my bead crochet ropes. The camera just doesn't do them justice. Her beads are available at

http://www.wildsagelampwork.artfire.com

The red red red and gold piece below uses a generic lampwork glass pendant from Asia...but I jazzed it up a bit with golden filigree additions that vintage Chanel. The sparklee box clasp is also pretty snazzy.

I really like the Rapid Cart idea that Artfire has for promotion as well as several of their other innovations. I now have seven items listed in OUR studio there. I have added my daughter to the studio in anticipation that she will contribute her marvelous hand strung art jewellry from 2200 miles away.

Peace Love and Contentment be yours today and always.

One Lovely Blog Award

2009-08-09T02:12:00.000-07:00

I Can't believe that I was tagged with this award by Theresa's Treasures way back on July 11th and I just now figured out how to carry out the mission....can we say DENSE?

Please be sure to stop by http://www.theresastreasures.blogspot.com/

She is an awesome ARTIST!! I have two of her pieces and I CRAVE more!!

So here are the rules when I tag you:

1. Accept the award, post it on your blog together with the name of the person who gave it to you and a link to their blog.

2.Pass the award to 15 other blogs that you have newly discovered.

3.Contact the bloggers you award to let them know they were chosen.

Now here's the fun part, my 15 choices:

1. An eclectic glass artist and her inspirations

2. Beadology, My Life & Times

3. Beads & Birds

4. Cindy's Beads and Dolls

5. Deronda Designs

6. Fire-n-Sand

7. inside the muffintop shop

8. Janel Dudley Beads

9. Wild Sage Lampwork

10. Zen BreezArt Gallery-Fine Art to Refresh the Soul

11. The Soap Barn

12. Beads Fantasy

13. Bare Moose

14. nomad crafts etc

15. Love Clay

Some are not completely NEW to me as far as me discovering them, but I had to include them since they are some of my favorites.

Now go to tag everyone!

(Oh, & don't worry if you don't want to play along as I will not be offended.)

This is the most Fun I have had since becoming a blogger, Thanks Theresa!

2009-08-08T20:52:00.000-07:00

I have been so busy trying to upload my new work now to TWO locations. I finally got bold enough to be a verified member on ARTFIRE...the Tucson operation.

These three photos are some of the items listed on artfire:
http://www.beadacious1221aces520.artfire.com/
which is to be a cooperative venture with my daughter, April who is clear across the country in NC...wow, I am getting brazen with this internet thing, huh?

Artfire is supposed to provide a shopping cart on my blog here too...when I figure that one out, you will be the FIRST to know...after me, that is...LOL. Please take a look at OUR new studio on Artfire.
Thanks

Little Miss CLEAN EARS

2009-07-21T11:34:00.000-07:00

This is the CLEANED OUT left ear!

This is the CLEANED OUT right ear!
I am feeling soooooo much better now!
signed: squeakers

2009-07-19T12:14:00.000-07:00

This is a Titanium enhanced DRUZY.
It has 2 white freshwater pearls wirewrapped expertly into a brilliant pendant that I have placed onto one of my crocheted ropes.

These are the sterling silver findings I knew I must use showcase such a fine piece of art.
My rope is composed of silver lined 11/0 seed beads from Czech.

This photo shows the splendor of the sterling silver wirewrapping done by Gay Nace whose website is:
http://www.designsbygay.etsy.com/

The sterling silver findings, clasp and end cones are of a leafy theme and beautifully constructed.
You can see more detail in the photos that follow.

I met this gal at the Pima County Fair while I was demonstrating beadwork....when I discovered she was on Etsy with me I was so thrilled. I knew I HAD to have some of her pendants for my pieces. This is the first of many.

Come and see my listing for this and many other wonderful items at my Etsy Shop:

http://www.beadacious1221.etsy.com/

Picture Perfect/Desert Bloom

2009-07-14T13:04:00.000-07:00

This is the FIRST finished piece of what I hope will be a long and fruitful relationship between my shop and
www.sarahsetsy.etsy.com
whose artwork is showcased in the sumptuous cactus flower pendant on my intricately crocheted rope in the photos here. Please be sure to visit Sarah's shop to see her magnificent photography!
And now....THE REST OF THE STORY:

Early into my Etsy experience I discovered that we can check out who is local on etsy. In other words, shops who are in the same city or state as we are. This I thought was very KEWL!
I spotted this shop with really spectacular photography AND the artist made some of her prints into art pendants.....WELL

I sent a convo (message) to this gal, Sarah Whitney, that I loved her photography, but especially her handmade pendants with cactus blossoms, jack rabbits, southwestern skies, etc. My only problem was if the bails would slide on my crochet ropes. I expessed my desire to showcase her work in this manner. Sarah started brainstorming where to find larger bails. She is just the sweetest gal.

Shortly thereafter I was a beadwork demonstrator at the Pima County Fair just outside of Tucson. While chatting with different people, I learned of a shop not too far from my home that carried the larger bails we were looking for in sterling silver.
Sarah was more than anxious to acquire the right sized bails to start custom pendants for me to buy and use in my work. She lives miles and miles from the glass shoppe location, but she put her youngest son in her vehicle and met me at the shop.
It was so special for me to actually meet another artist on Etsy and sorta collaborate on some pieces together IN PERSON. And her son and daughter,who I met when she was kind enough to deliver her finished pieces directly to my door, are just precious.
The personal touch of meeting and associating with local artisans would normally have me all jazzed to form some sort of local Etsy group cooperative for support and networking.
That was the old me...jump in with both feet and mingle with the masses.

My situation is now changed and I am lucky to leave the house once a week to buy groceries or pick up prescriptions. Occasionally, terrific encounters such as mine with Sarah, remind me of long long ago. Seven years have taken their toll on my psyche but I guess somewhere my true personality lurks deep in my soul.

MY FAVE FIRE DIVA

2009-07-10T16:23:00.000-07:00

Can you even believe how beautiful this bead is?????

JanelDudleyBeads posted such a glowing statement about my work that I don't even know how to act. I was fortunate enough to find her shop on Etsy, http://www.janeldudleybeads.etsy.com/ , when I first opened my own. I was looking for good focal beads to use in my crochet ropes and there IT was....the perfect compliment to a hank of seed beads that I knew I already had on hand.

I bought that bead and a couple others (of course I couldn't resist) and set to making the rope. It took me longer to get around to putting it all together than it did to crochet the two halves of the rope to showcase her fabulous handcrafted lampwork bead. I have finally posted the finihed product in my etsy shop http://www.beadacious1221.etsy.com/ for the WORLD to see. I will keep you posted as to when the other beads by this "Fire Diva" make it to my work as well.

2009-07-08T13:38:00.000-07:00

This is my little SQEAKER before the fateful FLUSHING!!

My Muse was Flushed!

2009-07-08T13:14:00.000-07:00

Okay, Okay....before any panic sets in....only her EARS were flushed yesterday. I swear, it's like she is my little baby child. I have been just sick with worry about her since I dropped her off at the Vet at 8 am Tuesday, July 7.

They wouldn't let me pick her up until 4:30 pm. I fretted about her starving since 10 pm the night before and not having water to drink all this time and such. When I picked her up after too long a wait in the lobby (well the scared momma in me thought so, anyway)...the doctor called me in to inform me that she has NEVER SEEN SUCH A BUILDUP OF WAX in a cat's ears in all her years of veterinary medicine.

I discussed the possibility of an inner ear infection. Poor Squeaker has been missing the mark when jumping up on things for about a week. She said it could very well be, as she couldn't see all the way to the drum in the right ear. The left eardrum was clear. So she gave me tablets to crush in her food.

I had used drops in her ears once before and nearly had to go to the ER for all the scratches I received in the administration of said drops. Hence the use of crushed tablets in food this time.

Last night was torture for me because she refused to sleep near me in any way. I got more rest, sorta, since Squeaker slept through the night for once, but my concern for her recovery and the deviation from the norm had me stressed nonetheless.

I FINALLY got her to eat some canned tuna from my hand and a couple treats about one hour ago. She still will not drink water. She has brought me her favorite toy (substitute for a baby's "blankie" I think) and has actually ventured to the picture window in the living room to watch for lizards and birds for a few minutes.

She will not attempt to jump up on anything yet....confirming my suspicions of the inner ear problems.

Gosh, do I sound like a new mother or what?????

FABULOUS LAMPWORK CREATIONS

2009-07-06T07:07:00.000-07:00

I FINALLY got busy finishing off my pieces with lampwork art created by various Etsy Glass Artists, This is the first of many items that will showcase the work of Pam Dansie.

She is an Etsy Artisan, Artfire Artisan, and 1000 Markets Artisan. I bought this wonderful slider focal bead from her shop on Etsy:
http://www.mycabincreations.etsy.com/

She is also a blogger on this site:
http://www.wildsagelampwork.blogspot.com/
I don't have her other locations, but if you visit either of the sites given you will gather all the info you need to see her marvelous work on any of her many sites.

And, oh yeah....by the by, if you spot anything of hers that you might like ME to put into one of my special bead crochet ropes, please let me know either here, or at MY etsy shop:
http://www.beadacious1221.etsy.com/
or at beadacious1221@gmail.com

I couldn't capture the actual depth of colors in the design of this bead with my camera. It is just a super stunning piece!

She Fell Into My Life...

2009-06-29T16:56:00.000-07:00

Today is the day this sweet little girl came to be my soul-mate one year ago and changed me forever!

2009-06-25T19:56:00.000-07:00

Well, the picture says it all...I been laying around and not taking care of my blog for some time now! Not that I haven't been working on my Etsy items to post....because I have, no really I have. There's this special order which I got new hanks of beads for from Shipwreck! That's one of my favorite pastimes....BUYING MORE BEADS. So once those arrived I got busy with the order. PLUS I have all these ropes with no finishing done on them and I wanna have a big SHOW of new items for my CHRISTMAS IN JULY event I have planned.

Even though I have been working my bootie off trying to market my shop online, it has been a "nothing" sold month for June.

I joined Beader's Showcase, updated my flickr site, set up a "fan" site on facebook for my store,I think there's more but I am too dang tired to remember.

The other thing is I have been getting little to no sleep. I stay up all night expecting a "call" from mother that she has to go to the bathroom. Too many times I have fallen totally sound asleep only to be wakened by that call and it is AWFUL. So I try to catch winks during the day when she does just fine going by herself.

The weather has been 100's+ and not condusive to photography outdoors like I do also. But, no excuses. I HAVE to get stuff on there.

That's about it for now....gonna nap a bit before the next set of meds are doled out and it's bedtime for Mom.

MARKETING 2009

2009-06-06T00:27:00.000-07:00

All right, I have been an internet "seller" for exactly three months today. I just learned that there is no limit to the clever marketing techniques out there. I am so pleased to have made the acquaintance of this clever lady on Etsy. She honored me with a fantastic trade during the Trade N Stay event that I blogged about last weekend. I received TWO spectacular hand knitted and beaded, delicate mohair lace scarves. WELL....wait till you see what she thought up and it all came about through a bet she had with another seller.

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=26004154

Please check it out...it is amazingly simple but oh so effective....she had over 1000 hits on it in just a couple minutes over 24 hours and it continues to draw attention. That was the bet...she bet that it WOULD NOT get that kind of attention and her friend bet that it would.

Of course it has me going,"WHY DIDN'T I THINK OF THAT!!!"

Thanks for stopping by...I have lots more to share just too darned tired to share it tonite...

MY FAMILY

2009-06-04T00:28:00.000-07:00

Yet another first I missed...Little granddaughter Ella riding the carousel HORSE for the FIRST time at Cross Creek Mall in Fayetteville, NC...June 1, 2009. She will be 3years old on August 2nd. Her brother, my beloved grandson, MYLZ, age 9 is in the background looking pretty "bored" with it all.

I was sooo active in "caring"for MYLZ as a baby from birth to 2-1/2 years when I came back here. It was heavenly! But being here so far away from the grandma scene for 7 years, it seems like an eternity ago. I have forgotten how wonderful the life of "GRANDMA" really was.....

2009-06-03T00:47:00.000-07:00

SUMMER HIBERNATION

To those who are fortunate enough to bask in the realms of four seasons this will sound like total GREEK. Here in the godforsaken desert where pundits rant on about the "dry" heat there is only ONE THING to do when the temps rise over the 100 degree mark....skulk away in some air conditioned hacienda until late October or even mid November when it is fit for human habitation outdoors again. Hence, NOW is when the beadwork blossoms in my little corner of the world. AND, I get side tracked by sitting down in front of the computer and surf all the fabulous HANDMADE shops and sites of the myriad of self-representing artists out there.

I have a Facebook site in my name: Sylvia Kubilus-Elam and I have befriended so so many talented people on there that my mind swims. Alot of them are in my list of bloggers that I follow. Their blogs are mesmerizing to a veritable novice at this stuff. I wonder how they do it all.

2009-05-24T23:15:00.000-07:00

TRADE-A-HOLICS SPRING TRADE N STAY

This is my very first exposure to this type of team event on ETSY and it soooo much FUN FUN FUN! I was a little late getting started today and yesterday, still sufferings a bad case of the "worn outs" from hustling to post eleven new items before the whole thing started. My friend who encouraged me to finally open a shop had just raved about these trades she was making and how she loved them. As usual, I was the procrastinator for fear I would do something wrong. Well, I'm a believer now. It is a great way to familiarize myself with other vendors and their wares. It is a super way to meet other Etsians and make friends. AND most of all...I am getting some dynamite trades to use in my work and for gifts.

Alot of people just won't trade with me because they cannot use what I make...but likewise, I have had offers for trades from people that I cannot find a use for their products either. I have learned not to take any of this personally, just politely decline the trade at this time, leaving the door open for the possibility in the future.

My experience with ETSY in the two and a half months I have been selling with them is that they are a great gathering of artists! The company, I believe it is connected to Ebay, offers real genuine assistance to all of us if we care to use the tools they provide.

I had planned on expanding out to other venues for selling. I even have unopened shops on Artfire and 1000 Markets. Etsy activity has kept me sooooo occupied, I just cannot find the time to even set up in the other venues.

Then my ability to multi-task and versatility factors have sunk way LOW since I took on the obligations of a FULL TIME CAREGIVER to my mother who is now being tended by hospice...but still remains my sole responsibility in the home. I don't believe how much I have "AGED" in the past seven years of service to her. My primary care physician, who I have had for over twenty years, explains to me all the time how caregivers end up in worse shape than their wards. He has watched my health deteriorate steadily since the onset of this new role of mine.

Then there is the "only child" factor.....AND that my only family aside from my mother, which is my children and grandchildren, are all located 2200 miles from here (Tucson,AZ) in Fayetteville, NC. I have seen my daughter and her family only once since moving back here, for 10 days.....my son and family, not at all.

Well, I really got off topic and into moaning and misery so think I will call it quits for tonight. I came on here because the ETSY site is shut down for maintenance for four hours or so. Guess I will do something I havent done in a long while and go play QWERTY on POGO Games...LOL!!

Goodnight from the desert............

What A Day This has Been

2009-05-22T00:22:00.000-07:00

Here it is May 22nd in the great southwestern desert and our high temperature yesterday was 70 degrees....I died and went to heaven it was so beautiful!! Besides the great "heat stoppage" we also had a steady, light, soaking kind of rain that only happens in February or March around here. No micro burst, no blowing dust storm, no horrendous lightning or roaring thunder just a cool, calm winter rain.

So after the last of the misty rain fell, I was able to pack up my remaining items that demand photos for my Etsy shop and got some dynamite shots outside in the clean, crisp, moist air. The temperature at that point...5 pm...was 62 degrees. We had ten days of 100+ temps just a couple days ago so I revelled in the coolness.
Even got a couple drops of water on a pomagranate in a couple shots. Hope you can see it in the image above. WATER...IN THE DESERT...UNHEARD OF!!

After taking 144 pix, I came in for the fun part >EDITING< d r a g

I ended up with enough left to use in my shop after discovering my photographic skills weren't quite as perky as I thought. Now I have yet to POST them. Checked my shop and lo and behold another bracelet had sold whilst I was slaving behind the lens....woo hoo.

I must thank Carol, my one and only "follower" for her generous comments on my nonsense here...I really appreciate the input.

Off to post at 12:40am zzzzzzzzzzz

She's Fit and Feisty

2009-05-15T01:33:00.000-07:00

Thanks for your comments...the little girl is back to herself and not even noticing that anything happened. She is back to HER schedule rousting me at 2:30 am to "play" until oh....8 or 9 am!!! Ya gotta LUV EM!! Then the little bugger sleeps all day while I work away. She is my angel and muse and I wuv her bunches.....

I tried to change some layout and formatting on here. Guess that is a lifetime of experimentation. The header is probably WAY TOO LARGE. I'll figure it out eventually, I hope.

Spent today doing what I least enjoy.....grocery shopping, getting gas,and picking up prescriptions. Asked the checkout at Costco pharmacy why they waited until we had 100+degree days to do parking lot reassembly and construction. Now we must walk what seems like 5 miles just from the car to the store avoiding all the fenced "hard hat" areas. No surprise....it was the local politicians' doing.

I just love living in a suburb of Mexico....with the same corruption and chaos. Having been BORN here in Tucson, I know for a fact that in my nigh onto 60 years association with the city, county and state governments it has been a steady trend downhill as the population grew. A community of over one million residents with the mentality of a one horse hitching post!!!

I am sooooo grateful to my wonderful mobile mechanic who upgraded my AC on the "hoop dee" to the new kind with no freon but that "new" cheaper stuff running through it.
I spent two entire summers with no AC at all and I just couldn't take it one more year. The blast furnace effect with the windows down just wasn't cutting it anymore.
You know that saying: "BUT it's a DRY HEAT"??? Well, mama...HOT is HOT, DRY or NOT!!!!

I should be crocheting with beads right now, or sleeping like my little muse in front of me....no, here I am expounding on reality.

Have a big bunch o' birthday busyness to ship off to NC by saturday so it makes it to my precious daughter for her 35th year on this molten rock. She will celebrate on May 20th, for the sixth year without me. [:<

That's it for this post...be back with more chilling thrills when I get a notion...adios

So Here I Am, NOW WHAT??

2009-05-06T05:24:00.000-07:00

This begins my life as a "blogger", I guess.

Yesterday was Cinco de Mayo but it was a "mess" for me...At 5:30 am, my little muse got her right rear leg caught between the mattress and wooden frame of my bed and sprained her little knee really badly. She let out such a YOWL that I was sure she had broken her leg and I was a wreck.

Wouldn't you know the only means of transportation was broken with the mechanic coming at 10 am to continue work on my " hoop dee " 79 Lincoln classic.

Matters not, as it turned out when I called the Pet Clinic, the lovely lady vet I use was in surgery all day anyway and I couldn't get my little girl in until 3:30. OOOOhhhh Boy!!

Thank goodness she decided to curl up in a blanket on the loveseat and rest all day...healing position...one very uncommon for the feline tornado that she is.

Me, I strung beads on threads for MORE crochet ropes, of course. AND...>smile<...packaged my first REAL order of 3 bracelets on ETSY. WOO HOO.

At 2 pm, when Mr Mechanic got the classic back to driveable (for the rest of the day only) I boogied over to Wally World and picked up a postal scale, bubble envelopes and treats for the little girl with the crippled leg and rushed home in time to go get her repaired.

Vet Lady gave her an injection for pain and one for inflammation after surveying the wreckage and determining it could only be a minor knee sprain. Got her home, with alot of "I don't like to ride in the classic" whining. She hopped out of her carrier> ten foot tall and bulletproof<>drugs and stuck to me like velcro!

About 6 pm I rambled off to mail my Etsy sale and trade and get some slop from Jacque in the Box.

The real bummer is..she is now paranoid of my bedroom, which used to be her haven..and i have lost my cuddle buddy for sleeping.....WAAAAAAAAAAH BOO HOO! She still gets me up at 3:30 am though so I can give her treats. Then when she is real sure I am wide awake and busy on the computer, she crashes out in the rising sun of morning.

So that's my first weird entry in to the world of the rabid beader. Until later....S