Sea Glass Jewellery

I think I'll revisit this design in the New Year. I wanted to call a series like this 'Clothes Line'. I told that to a fellow vendor at a show last year and she laughed. But I can't help thinking of a clothes line when I look at that long, slightly curved line that the pendant dangles from. This blue piece of sea glass actually was replaced with another and found it's way to a different piece of jewellery
(Blue Midnight). My now 7yr old daughter used to ask me all the time why we didn't have a clothes line. A comment that made my mother laugh hard. Let's see...because our yard is not large enough...because in the winter you can't use it anyway...becuase...because...because I'm too lazy and the dryer is too darn convenient okay! If we ever move and get a larger place I'm going to put up a clothes line. I'm never going to use it, but it will make my mom laugh when she visits (my mother-in-law too for that matter as they both use one) and my daughter can feel free to use a clothes line when she learns to do her own laundry (which might be very soon if she keeps questioning my techniques).

Happy Winter!

'Happy Winter'. That's my new secular greeting. Today was perfect weather for Snowpeople. The snow was thick and heavy and damp. And a year ago or so we started using food color in water spray bottles to color our winter creations..it's a hoot. The kids live for it and I think it looks fun.

Of course in fine Maritime weather fashion...one hour later they disappeared in a blanket of rain. Such is the life of a snowperson.

Handmade Gifts

A couple weeks back I was asked whether I give handmade gifts to those I know at Christmas. The answer was of course, yes. I also have bought handmade when I couldn't think of something to make myself. And of course, like everyone, I also pick up that last minute 'stuff' that really, is not very satisfying. But now, that question has stayed front and center on my mind, both as I get my own gifts ready and as I come up with gift ideas for my kids to pass out. At first I was a bit hesitant to give handmade gifts because we're so used to buying everything, in a whirlwind of shopping that we later regret. Value somehow being tied into how much you spent. But the more handmade gifts I give, the more I want to do now. The more gifts I get my kids to make for others, explaining to them the value of handmade, the more I realize it doesn't just apply to kids! The more time I spend all through the year thinking about something that works for each individual, the more satisfaction I get out of the gift.
I give jewellery of course. But this year I went beyond jewellery and completed several drawings for my sister and although I felt a tiny bit of pressure, it was really enjoyable being creative in a new way.

So..my one New Year's resolution for 2008 is to come up with my own handmade gifts for Christmas 2008...for everyone. And my brothers can cringe all they like...I'm convinced I can do it, and do it well.

Sea Glass Charm Bracelet

I made five of these bracelets in 2005 (if I remember correctly). I have one left in the Studio. I love this bracelet. To me it's a true charm bracelet, or at least, what I always thought a charm bracelet was. Busy! When you wear it, and swing your wrist, it clicks and clunks and well...makes me keep swinging my wrist. It's funny.
Anyway...I'll be sad to see this last one go. For sure I'll make more bracelets that use lots of sea glass, but not this style. I prefer to do the Limited Originals thing..making a few pieces from one idea, then moving on. That way folks get something unique. Well..I suppose each one is truly unique since the sea glass is always unique.
Anyway...just thought I'd chat about that piece today. Two days of school left for the kids and then we our Christmas Vacation starts.

Looking for Sea Glass

My usual pose on any beach, head down, eyes to the ground, unaware of the scenery around me.
It's snowy and cold out today, and I have to run out to do last minute shopping, which I say every year that I'm not going to do next year.
So I figured that called for a beach shot. This was taken near Lawrencetown in Nova Scotia. Head Chezetcook I think is the actual place (although I can't ever remember how to spell it!). It's near Porters Lake anyway.

Crazy Quilt

Continuing today...reminding myself not to think about the construction. Just make squares and sew them together. 2 is now 6.

Snow Day!

And it starts. Today school was closed because of snow. When my daughter was in grade one, and I was still used to my days when the kids were home and I could stay in my pajamas 'till mid morning, I loved snow days. They were a reminder of being home, not having to go anywhere, not having to do anything. Now, that both are in school (Grade 2 and Preschool) I hate snow days. I hate PD days. I hate any days where I have to stay home when I would otherwise be at the Studio. Now I have things to do. I have places to go.

That being said, it's 9:15am and I'm still in my pajamas and about to make another cup of coffee. So...I guess hate was a bit harsh. It just takes me a couple hours to slip back into the old role of desparate housewife (the, pajama, coffee, ballcap, don't answer the door type. Not the TV type...thought wouldn't that be grand).

Crazy Quilt

I have ideas for some quilts I am going to try, but I can't seem to get passed my large stash of fabric that I've never used. Two large containers to be exact. And it's not fabric I want to use anymore. So I am going to purge and I think a Crazy Quilt (or three) is just what the doctor ordered to use up this fabric. I'll get to use the little cute stitches I learned in my Fabric Collage Class and some buttons I grabbed from my mom. Best part is I'll get a blanket (or three) to have in the TV room. The one I have there now is getting ratty.

So, here are the first two blocks. This is an exercise in following through on a project. I am using any fabric, in any color combination, any thread (whatever is on hand) and I'm not thinking. NO THINKING ALLOWED. LET THE PURGE BEGIN!!!!!

(Hmmm...will it be done for Christmas...who could I give it to?)

The Season has Begun!

Lists have been started. Items are being discussed. Supplies are being gathered. Ideas are flowing...along with the Nog. Plans are in their infancy. Good luck to everyone...play safe.

Necklace and Pendants

I'm supposed to be at work today, but my son, who is in Preschool, found out that his class trip was to Christmas Play downtown, and has refused to go to school. He thought his class was going on "an adventure", which is what his teacher told him. But he was informed by his older sister, in grade two and is also going, that it's a Play. "Well, I'm not going to that! You'll keep my home right mommy?".

Now...I realize I might be contributing to him thinking he has power over his life at the moment, but really, I can't blame him. He's not one to sit and watch something, I can barely entertain him through events that are half an hour let alone a whole Play. I can't imagine taking a group of 5yr olds to something like that, his teachers deserve a medal. So..we'll stay home. It's something I can do, so I will.

But while sitting here thinking about what I'll do at work tomorrow ("But you ARE going to school tomorrow without a fuss right?!) I came up with a new product I'm going to whip up and put on the site this weekend (if my sister, who is my tech support and who just had a baby two weeks ago can find half an hour to do some work for me). It's a necklace with four pendants that you can swap.

I'm excited. It's not revolutionary, but it's so fun to be able to just change the pendants that I think it will be a good product.

Don't laugh at my little sketch. That's my work for today!

Nova Scotia Beaches

Here are a couple photos we took in the Fall on one of our trips to beaches near my inlaws in Nova Scotia. It's a hard sell sometimes, telling Granny she has to babysit because I have to work...and scout some shoreline. But hey...we can't all be doctors and lawyers and have an office.

Wire Jewellery (Jewelry)

I'm looking for some new sites to link in Canada and the US, that make wire jewellery. If you have a site and want to do a reciprocal link, post here or send me an email. I realized today while I surfed, that I prefer looking at links on site, rather than scrolling through search engines. So I'd like to expand my list.

StumbleUpon

I'm hooked on Stumbling! I get on here, figure I'll stumble a few sites, and an hour later, I can't stop...I'm serious! So great being able to put in a few descriptive words and then just flippin' pages basically. Like looking through a great magazine you've found at the Doctor's office and then the nurse calls you and you think to yourself 'hmmm, how am I going to get this magazine out of this office, I didn't get to finish flipping'.

Well, I'm not sure that was a great analogy, I should've stopped at 'it's like a great magazine'.

Have you Stumbled today?
stumbleupon.com

'Sunset' Worn

Okay...so this type of photo is a bit harder to take, but it gives you the length. I'm wondering if the necklace is now a bit too long, considering I dropped the pendant down? The neckline could stand to go up a bit. I'll see what the customer has to say. Depends very much on the style of the wearer. And I have to say, it had lovely weight to it, and movement, a bit of jingling as the shells touch when I moved around! It for sure will get some attention I think.

Custom Piece with Wampum

My first time working with Wampum. For this I drilled each piece, and then using the natural shapes, tried to balance size and color, matching the pendant to the earrings. And tell me...what do you think the pendant looks like...for me it's a sunset over water.

Today's Sketch

Went to drawing class last night. Reworked a sketch from last night. I'm still struggling a bit with 'not drawing the line'. Seems my process so far is, drawing the line to get dimension, adding some shadow, then trying to do the drawing again, later, leaving out some line. Wow..what a hard habit to break! Anyway. This was a nice pose.

I think I'll try it again later, I don't like the knee to the left (her right). I made the outside shadow too heavy.

Celine Dion

Now, as a Canadian I have reservations in even saying this...but...I'm not a Celine Dion Fan. My reservations are that she's such a Canadian icon that it seems a shame not to follow her career. Her music is beautiful, but...it's in that genre of larger than life...international superstar...And...it's not my thing. It's fantastic, great, wonderful, but not my thing.

That being said, I just caught her on Oprah, and she sang her new song 'Taking Chances' and I was like 'Hey, that song is from Celine Dion! I love that song'.

This song is a real departure for me, from her trademark style...and I think I'm going to buy my first Celine Dion Album. I'm no music critic, nor do I know much about music styles, but...something is different...and I love it. I guess I'm finally feeling the right vibe from my fellow Canuck.

Here it is on You Tube...listen...and then go buy it!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fRoosUq1Eig

Hmmm...I'm just now (a day later) reading some of the posts on UTube...it's not 'her' song...it's a remake. Just the same, I like it. I hope maybe she looks to putting out some of her own music with this flavor. I'd be up for it!

Garbage Bags

Seemed like a Sunday sort of thing, sitting around, drinking coffee, made cookies, did some preliminary Christmas card construction with the kids, reworked the old Blog and...thought about ways to 'Be Green'. One thing that hit me was using garbage bags in the kitchen garbage can. Actually, we're out of garbage bags at the moment, and I'm using the bags I get from the grocery store (the ones my groceries come it) and I thought, why am I even using a bag? I don't use a bag in my little green compost bin! And I use a garbage container, that would hold leaks and such. Why aren't I just putting garbage into the container and then cleaning the container...or perhaps lining it with something like paper so that at the very least, nothing sticks too hard to the can making it hard to clean.

And yes...I have bought the reusable grocery bags...but as of yet, I've not remembered to take them to the store.

So...starting tomorrow I'm going to try and stop using garbage bags in the kitchen/bathroom garbage cans. Seems easy enough...but old habits are hard to break.

Handmade Cards, Postcards

I'm fascinated with handmade cards and postcards! I can't get enough of browsing for them. I think it goes along with my newest (renewed) interest of drawing. So I'm going to try and make some up this week, for Christmas I think. I'm so done buying cards, what a rip and it goes in the trash anyway. And now that I think about it, I almost always end up buying the minimalist type cards with little images on them, basic, simple and sweet.

Anyway..that's this weeks' project I think. Other than getting all my photography caught up and some new items on the website by December. Cripes I'm lazy sometimes.

I need a new, very small, sketch book to start carrying around with me to come up with some small sketches.