Ending The Year With A Bang! And A Thank You!

I know the year isn't quite over yet but it's getting close. And thinking about the past year, there have been some highs (seeing my work in Stringing and Belle Armoire Jewelry!) and lows (Thank dang sciatic pain!) but one thing is for sure, I have been so lucky! So, I would like to end this year with a bang! A coupon code to say "Thank you!" for all the love and support of this little bead adventure that I'm on! It is what I love and can not imagine doing anything else! Please use the coupon code "STUFFMYSTOCKING" for 10% off your total etsy bill or enjoy free shipping and a free gift from www.gaea.cc. Thank you!

Things That I Am Loving.

Fablehaven.
If you haven't heard of this magical series by Brandon Mull, let me just say that it is nicely filling the nasty void left by finishing the Harry Potter series. It is a series for teens but don't let that fool you! I was on the edge of my seat and gasped out loud!

Trader Joe's Cinnamon Bread
Toasted. Dipped in egg and fried. Strait out of the bag. Just. Plain. Delish!

Constant Comment Tea.
I prefer the decaf model but both are great! Especially with the aforementioned toast.

Joe and the Snow.
The children's book from 1968 about a kid who "thinks" snow.  By Tomie De Paola.

These beads...

Good beads, good reads, and good eats (and a good man!) What more do I need?

Yum!

Amanda Austin makes amazing glass beads! I don't know how I would part with these, so I won't! She is having a sale in her etsy shop (don't forget to use the coupon code!) All I can say is yum!

How cute is her packaging!? I didn't want to open the package either!

Give Your Etsy Some Love! Now and Later.

I've been told that to have a happy etsy shop you need to give it a bit of attention every day. So, that's what I will be doing. These went in this morning...

And these will go in later this afternoon...

Who's a happy etsy shop?

MY PRECIOUS!

I've been having a serious lusting problem lately. It all began when I found Denise Yezbak Moores etsy shop full of amazing silver art clay and semi precious bling! One thing led to another and BAM! It. Was. Mine!

While you are shopping make sure you congratulate her on being one of 2 chosen out of 68 designers for the upcoming jewelry book, A Jewelry Accord by Lorelei Eurto and Erin Siegel!

Let It Snow!

And oh how I wish it would. We are back into the 70's again and it isn't very winterly of the weather! I really do love a good cold and blustery day. Yesterday was one of those days that I just wanted to climb back into bed and catch a couple more winks but it was too darn hot! First, I dumped coffee onto my keyboard. Not just a small spill, I mean the whole 16 oz. cup bullseyed right in the middle! DOH! Then I tripped over the dog (easy to do in this small house with our big dogs). She's alright but I'm feeling the aches. I think it's time for me to sit quietly over here in this corner...

These Things Take Time.

Not really, but I have a way of making them take more time than necessary! The Love Gem and Love Gem Mini Beads have been waiting for literally months (7 to be exact!!!) to be added to the website. So, I am giving myself a big pat on the back for finally getting it checked off my list!

While I was in the mood I made a few bracelets for the Made In Ojai store. This turquoise and ceramic bracelet is on its way to a local holiday event! I hope it makes it's new owner happy! Who doesn't love turquoise!

Sunrise...

Sunset....

It just never ceases to amaze me. The things that nature can think up!

Take A Moment...

If you are like me rushing around this holiday season, please don't forget, like I did, to slow down and take a moment! I say this after I was brutally attacked by a concrete dolphin sculpture this weekend. Did I say attacked? More like fondled, harshly and then tricked into laying down. Hard. Ok. I tripped over the stupid concrete dolphins sculpture that was out in front of the shopping mall. And, I was trying to call my husband to check where he and my son had wandered off to. At least I wasn't texting. I don't think anyone would have bothered to help me if I had been. I don't think they would have noticed because everyone is either texting or on the phone as well. Let's all just remember to look up once in a while.

Other than that It was a great weekend at the Annual Emily Street Boutique. There was awesomeness at every turn!

Tobi Jo Green who was our host, has a wonderful line of health and relaxation products as well as a clever company name...
Two Hoes in the Garden!

Beautiful recycled glass work from Lynn Hegney of Casa De La Luna

There was beautiful local honey and hand painted gords, pottery and beautiful handmade drums from Justen.

Watch out for those nasty dolphins!

Sale and Bead Bliss!

I just noticed that ETSY now has a way for you to offer coupon codes for discounts! How cool is that! So, for the next 3 days I am offering 5% (I know it seems like a silly amount but most sale items are already discounted by 15 - 25%) off your whole etsy order if you use the discount code of "BEADBLISS" at check out! I just added some new earrings and will be adding new bead bundles too! Happy Holidays!

These have rubies, pink tourmaline and oxidized sterling. I even made my own head pins with my torch! Wheee!

Pink Tourmaline and lime crackle "gems"

Enjoy the sale!

Holiday.

The wee ones had the whole week off which is so nice because we are allowed to do what our bodies and minds want to do, which is mainly sleep in late and play. Not being able to not work for that long I kept my hands busy with items for the Annual Emily Street Holiday Boutique! I couldn't help but make loads of polka dot buttons for button bracelets and bunches of earring charms, for, well, earrings!

Then on Tuesday this was in my mailbox! Yep! You have to be in awe of Denise Yezbak Moores DELISH wire wrapped gem jewelry! And the cutest, I mean seriously amazing pmc bird house charms which are featured inside the winter issue of Belle Armoire Jewelry. Seriously. OH! And Nancy "Round Rabbit" Schindler has some really sweet projects too! 

And then we ate turkey. The end.

Fish Out Of Water.

That is how I feel about using stringing wire and crimp beads. I know comfort will come in time, but I just feel all thumbs and unsure. But it is good to try new things and am determinedly working with new materials. Even new shapes and sizes of beads are working their way into the mix. I made my own toggle clasp with the spiraled wire and at least I remembered the crimp covers! Spring and summer are just around the corner!

Have a happy Thanksgiving!

I Heart Kelley Hart!

I met Kelley Hart at the Holiday Home Look-in Market Place last year and I was so happy to see her back this year. She designs and sews the CUTEST kids (and sometimes adult) clothes! Her use of vintage fabrics just floored me! I am in love and was lucky enough to trade with her (she's wearing the necklace!) Check her and her fantastic designs out...

Vintage table cloth dress and skirt! (Shhhh! Don't tell Magnolia!)

How cute is she? Very!

Who? What? Where? Why? When? How?

That's me in a nut shell. Or rather, just nuts. I don't know how the days have gotten away from me, but they have. I hope everyone is doing well and on their way to a calm and enjoyable holidays! I've been totally out of the loop but will try to do a quick catch up!

I've been furiously working on the latest firing. Lovely pieces on their way to Norway! The firing had some really great pieces and some lumps of coal too. The universe has to balance us, yes?

Thanks to the lovely and helpful comments about my "leg/sciatica" issue, I've gotten myself to the Dr. and an excellent physical therapist. I say "leg" problem as "butt" problem doesn't sound too lady like, but suffice it to say that the problem is being dealt with and it seems to be directly under my gluteus maximus! FUN!

The holidays do sneak up on us! I suddenly realized that with all this "leg" hullabaloo that there were several holiday events that I needed to prepare for! YIKES!

I participated in a lovely local holiday market place and in spite of the rainy cold weather and low attendance, I had a great time (more on that later!)

Harry Potter ROCKS!

XOXO Gaea

Fill Me.

These frames are empty and need to be filled. What with? That is for you dears to decide! I've been working diligently on these frame that are now over at Lima Beads! Lima Beads has quite the collection of art beads going on from artists like Heather Powers of Humble Beads, Jennifer Heynen of Jangles, C-Koop Beads and Green Girl Studios! I will be in good company over there! Have a look-see at the new artist beads and check out the frames! I worked hard on them and am so happy with the way they turned out! For the record, I will be filling my empty frame with a fairy drawing my 5 year old did and some sparkles!