Sweet and Pink

The bows are in the house! Actually, they will be at www.gaea.etsy.com today 2/22 at noon (PST). So much of this firing was soft and sweet and pink. But not all of it...

Enjoy your Friday! 

Love Me Nut

That "Love Nut" I carved a few weeks ago came out of the kiln and I am pretty pleased! This works for spring or fall and accepted the glazes happily! Here are a few bead bundles I made with them as well as the "first try" on this design. Both made me happy.

"Love Nut" version 1.

"Love Nut" version 2. 

Fit to Be Tied

I tend to make multiple designs when I am creating a new bead or pendant. The first carving  seemed a little small and wasn't having the feel I was looking for. The second bow is a bit larger than the first and had the volume and softness that was in my minds eye. You never know how the final product will be with glaze so both are designs were made and are cooling off....

On a Dime...

I am so proud to have two projects in the Spring 2013 issue of Jewelry Stringing magazine! The first project is a pair of earrings featuring my paisley earring pairs and drop charms from Thea too (link below) and a second project for their Jewelry on a Dime section. When I sit down to design something, cost is not always at the forefront of my mind. Keeping the cost of the project under $25, as requested, was a challenge for me.  Not that the items featured in my project were all that costly, but every option seemed to put me just over the target. The first project went over by about 10$ so the editors asked if the design could be edited. I couldn't bring myself to pull it apart so they gave me the option to do a similar design. Here was the outcome...

Because the cost of the full strand of gem stone beads put me over the top, I came up with a new plan...

 This design features a heart charm and button from Thea Too www.theatoo.etsy.com and lovely recycled sari silk from www.ribbonsandsilk.etsy.com

Happy Hearts and Flowers Day!

Calories must run and hide! It is Valentine's Day! Eat some candy and kiss someone! 

World Spinning

My world seems to spin in a regular rotation but occasionally my rotation gets bumped, in a good way! The lovely thing about living in a community with lots of creative people is the chance to collaborate with other artists and crafts people. The project is in the "talking" phase so I don't want to jinx it with too much talk. I can say that the project does involve my clay and drawings. My initial reaction is how am I going to fit one more thing into my life. But when I think about it, how can I not welcome this creative  but slight divergence from the everyday rotation! Emails have been sent! Fingers are crossed!

In other news... This happened in my etsy shop....

New Original Designs...

Feeling so springy about spring. February is confident enough to handle more than its fair share of pink and frill so I think it can handle it. These and a few more will be listed at www.gaea.etsy.com today at noon!

Love Nut.

In spite of everyone in the house being sick, I am plugging along and making this...

It looks rather large but thanks to clays ability to shrink, it will be quite a bit smaller... Stay well!

The Winner...

It is always lovely to have people compliment your work, even if I am bribing you to do it! I drew a number at random....

Cheri said...

I love each of these new designs, you already know how I feel about your beads. Love them all...one of the reasons needing a sugar daddy...
I shared on facebook also.
Thank you for the opportunity..

Thank you for your kind words, Cheri! Please send me a convo through etsy with your address and I will get your set to you! 

Spring Ahead (And a Giveaway!)

The last few days have been like a spring preview. Balmy and bright. I can feel my vitamin D level rising. This burst of warmer weather in the midst of an unusually cold Souther California winter has left me breathless for new spring colors and designs....

These sets will be listed in my etsy shop Tuesday 1/22 @ noon (PST)!

As an artist I am blown away when you spend your hard earned cash supporting me and my original designs! In this way, you support a whole family, not to mention a community. I am so thankful for all of the support!

This is why the last set, I will be giving away. Please spread the word how every you see fit and leave a comment about your shout out! The contest ends tomorrow at noon (PST)! I will draw a random winner tomorrow afternoon! XO Gaea

Funky Fungi and New Designs...

A free project post at Art Bead Scene....

New spring inspired pendants and beads are heating up today, to be listing here next Tuesday 1/22 noon PST! Happy Friday! Have a great long weekend!

Happy New Year! Happy New Work!

Nothing beats opening a full kiln with new treasure inside! Soon to be bundled up with beads!

Happy New Year! (O.K., Back to work!)

Almost a New Year

I was plesantly surprised to find that I am now able to blog from my phone. Maybe itis my new phone or maybe blogger changed something, but I wasn't able to do this a few months ago... I have been enjoying hiking lately and finding little treasures growing along the trail as well as some lovely inspiration..

They Keep Splashing Me!

It is hours before Christmas and the new little fish pendants will not let me rest! So, I have gathered them up into my bundles and will be listing them @ www.gaea.etsy.com on the 26th noonish!

In Denial

I don't think there is any other rightful place to be when you lose a dear friend. All the years of friendship with Caitriona, and I counted 30 in all, you never think about final words or the last time we... So I sit here is total denial that a cherished friend is not around the next corner, or ready to tell me about what her 3 boys are up to or how proud or frustrated or adoring she is about them. Even after all the wonderful stories are shared and times spent laughing are reminisced, I will not believe she is not just a phone call away. Our Thursday breakfast ritual, in spite of the other amazing friends at the table, feels so empty. Her voice echos in my mind and heart, her laugh just out of reach. So, if you will forgive my talking to the wind or crying mid sentence, I will continue to be in denial about this deep loss. It is the only place for me to be.