Day late...

and a dollar short! It seems to be the running theme for my life! I always seem to be inspired by what is happening now and not what will be happening later, like holidays. I guess I'm not great at planning ahead. I had this fun idea for these "True Love" plaques that could be customized to have the names or initials of your loved ones or just a general "True Love" plaque. It is a bit late for this Valentines day but true love is really a year round deal! The sketches are all I have at this point and can't wait to play with the ideas more. Playing always take me some where unexpected. Even a smaller plaque could be a necklace...

In my head they have a tattoo feel. Black, white and red colors with maybe a few pinks.

Our friends are our family...

It was my birthday on Saturday. Today is Joelle's Birthday (Big smooches to you!!) We had a great little party together on Saturday! If you are as birthday shy as we are, I highly recommend a combined birthday! Our little group of friends and family came for Sheryl's FABULOUS meat balls and pasta (schwetty balls! HA! SNL joke!) and let the kids free range it, so we could all relax! Wrangling 6 and 2 year olds in a restaurant is not our idea of fun. We ate, we laughed hard, ate some more and laughed even harder! Best birthday ever. 38 is looking great, grey hairs and all! How can you go wrong when you choose to spend time with the best people ever!

Bead sisters...

I had a chance to read Melanie of Earthenwood Studio's blog today (thanks for the mention Melanie!) She was talking about simultaneous inspiration, and how this occurrence has happened to us quite frequently. We've had more that a few instances where our creative minds would have very similar ideas at the same time (bubbles, goddess figures, nature, words, lips...) I'm sure we are watching some of the same shows (Project Runway!!!), movies and listening to some of the same music, so it would be natural for any two like minded gals of the same generation to have similar view and ideas. It also seems natural for our works of clay to lean toward similar styles and themes. But it also almost seems supernatural when it happens with great frequency! We have never met in person (I look forward to the day when we do!) and have only spoken on the phone once, but we definitely have this fun and mysterious connection between us! Our styles are different, so similar themes are done in a different way (fun!)

When I was about 8 my Grandma Betty gave me a very beautiful and special necklace of cloisonné bubbles. It is very old and my Mom has a portrait of Grandma Betty wearing the necklace in the 1930's! It is such a special memory of my Grandma and it was the inspiration for the bubble pendants and beads!

What's around the corner...

and out of this world... tee hee!

Chunky Monkey!

I've been rolling other bead designs around that were a bit more chunky and masculine...

The count down has begun...

7 days and counting... to the big 38! Whooo hoo! I found a gnarly grey hair yesterday and I am hoping that it was one that escaped from my true love (he is completely grey and sexy!) and found it's way onto my shirt. Wishful thinking. I didn't think I would have a problem with grey hair. Apparently I am. I don't think that coloring it is an option for me though. The closer to 40 I get the more I find... I think it can look dashing as sophisticated, on other people. So. What to do....

I've had these "bubble" pendants on the back burner along with the "Mens" jewelry for ages and can't wait to see what will happen with some glaze...

Happy New Year!

A new year already! We mostly slept through the ringing in of the new year. Our little beagle decided it was too much with all the noise and fire works and hid under the bed until morning! I've been in a really creative "GO" mode... time to let go of the emergency brake! I've had this project on the back burner literally for years... MENS jewelry!!! Just a few items with a more masculine appeal. Although they are just as wearable for women as well... You be the judge...

Happy! Happy! Joy! Joy!

This year has gone by so fast! I can't believe how busy we've all been. I did not want to spoil the surprise in advance but I figured that the ornaments are at their intended destination by now or they will be shortly. This year's theme is leaves and birds. I hope they made it in one piece...

Peace on earth...

Ok, Aunt Kookie! Here it is....

Dear Aunt Cookie,
You have been so patient! All I have to say is "this one's for you!" So when you feel up to it, come on out and you pick which one you want or color your own... we'll be waiting!

XOXO Us!

As Joelle says...

"You feel like you have one foot on the gas pedal and one foot on the brakes!" All revved up and going nowhere! I've got the kiln loaded and on and have had my second cup or real coffee and it's like I have all the energy and no place... HEY! I will clean! Ugh! Did I just say that out loud! Well, It's been put out there now I must do it! YUCK! I just want the firing done so I can get all those holiday orders out! I want to play with the fun new pendants. I want the fun new ornaments all wired up and bejeweled so I can send them on their merry way... Yes C.A. I will have photos of the "egg" pendant for your viewing pleasure! Ok. so work first... Got it. Ugh.

If you are in the neighborhood, Art Bead Scene is having its monthly contest. I've donated this months prize...
http://www.artbeadscene.blogspot.com/

Here's to taking your foot off of the brakes!

I went a little crazy....

More than a little crazy actually! Usually we are thrift store shoppers all the way, with the exception of the holidays. And yes I went a little crazy. At Target. For the kids. I was going to take it easy. Really. But when your better half is saying go for it! It's for the kids! HAVE FUN! So, I did. And now I'm thinking I should take half of it back. And I will. REALLY. I guess I'd better get to all that glazing then...

Gobble. Gobble.

Gobble. What is it about the holidays that, for weeks in advance, makes me think that I can have free license with the food? I know there is so much of it out there but I just can't say no. Here is a list of things that have been gobbled by me in recent days: Trader Joe's Ginger Cookies, Trader Joe's Pastry wrapped brie and raspberry jelly rolls, Trader Joe's Confused Chips. Of course all with a good cup o' joe. Tee he hee! This will just keep on rolling until New Years. Dang it! Speaking of Gobbling... We have a family of raccoons living and surviving very nicely on our dog food. I've had to store it in the house for now as they are fond of knocking over everything in the car port to get at it. Above is a photo of one of the little rascals caught in the act. They also like to rumble around on the roof at night. They are not a quite animal.

Pack Rat.

It occurred to me today that I am a terrible pack rat. It must run in the family as my father has kept all my drawings from when I was a kid as seen in my last post. I do the same for my kids and can't imagine just getting rid of that precious moment. Is keeping all this stuff for historical reasons or am I just too sentimental to let it go. A bit of both. I also found what has to be, my first beaded necklace. I can clearly remember receiving the heart shaped pendant as a gift from my dad's girlfriend and picking out the tiny pink glass beads (they have since faded to a silvery color) from the local "general" store, a TG & Y. I even remember stringing them on the sewing thread. We lived in a canyon far from our little town and there were no kids around to play with. Entertainment was entirely up to me. Songs sung into an old tape recorder. Walks to the creek for swiming. Making clothes for the family of kittens that lived nearby. But I remember how fun and frustrating stringing the necklace was. The tiny beads eluding the string. I was 6 at the time. Life in a tiny town in the 1970's. Lots of fun to remember and ideas to share with the littleones. The holidays are quickly upon us and with them many opportunities to create... our own history, rituals and many, many things to be packed away for us to share and remember...

Ahhh! Dates on the calander are closer than you think!

How do families do it? I have been wondering how in the world do people manage the holidays on a less than Rocker-feller budget? Not that we are an overindulgent group but I have noticed that living expenses are skyrocketing! I am a thrift store gal (Melanie... any room on that sheet for a "Queen of the Thrift" http://earthenwood-beads.blogspot.com/) . Always have been, always will be. It's not that I'm cheep or don't understand when to spend the money. I just love a deal and can't always afford to take the kiddies to the toy store. My cherished friend Jennifer and I discuss this all the time. The thrill of the bargain! Her hubby can't stand to hear about her bargain finds and views it as somehow tainted. So we girlishly thrill each other with our latest bargains and how good they were! I'll find myself calling her from the middle of Target leaving bread crumb messages about what our cities store has that she just must have. "JEN! Cute sandals in a size 11 at Target! Call me!"

I tend to make our family gifts and realistically I know the holidays are about sharing time with loved ones and it isn't about the money or gifts but with the holidays looming and our families growing and budgets shrinking, How does your family make it through the holidays? This year has been a wonderful year, don't get me wrong but a little financial planning never hurt anyone! How do you do it?




My dad had found these old drawings from when I was about 7 or 8. As some are holiday related I thought they fit the topic. I do love how I drew everyone as cats! Did you know I changed my name to "Marlane" when I switched schools in 4th grade?!?!

Work, work, work.

And play a little too! I took the kidlettes to see "Bee Movie" It was cute and Jerry Seinfeld is great! I couldn't tell if the last 20 minutes were just a bit over the top or I'm completely sleep deprived. Even for an animated feature, I just suddenly couldn't take anymore of the unplausableness of it. Let's just say I liked the first hour and (no pun intended) let it bee. I am still in LOVE with Ratatouille! Give me any movie with France or food in it and I'm all over it! Amalie! LOVE it.



I am so looking forward to Thanks Giving! I want to spend time with my big boy and girl and just make food and sleep in late and visit with Aunt Kookie (She has a lot on her plate) pun intended! My problem is that I stay up too late and then end up not sleeping in. Which requires more and more caffeine to keep me up and running. Then I become a stressed out mess and start having the dang heart palpitations again!!! Vicious cycle... I love my coffee... Speaking of which... Art Bead Scene is having it's monthly challenge and this month (November) it is Coffee Haus! So if you have any beaded coffee related jewelry submit it and you may win a cool prize (see the Art Bead Scene for details!)

I am really pleased with the new little "Frames" that will be coming out of this next firing... Check back for color photos shortly! Happy Fall!!!