(326) Agate Bracelet for B-Day Gift

Today I helped my friends work at the Antique Expo. I fell in love with tiered leaded glass bookcases and a beautiful country butcher block. There is something about the design and craftsmanship of early 1900 furniture that appeases the eye.

But for now new items found a home with me, at least until the remodel is done and I have an opportunity to go through what remains in the basement. At least the basement is now shy 3 large boxes of airplane models. Now if I can get through the 30+ boxes of books this spring I will be on a roll!

After the long day of standing my feet not happy, but I came home just in time for a quick nap, shower and time to bead a simple bracelet for Karely's Birthday before we met for dinner at Fratelli.

The smooth agate stones made a simple, but elegant material in mutated tones of pink, blue, green, and gray:


Unfortunately after dinner I had to call it a night as my cold is still had my head under attack! So it was an early night, to follow a Saturday full of fascinating imagery.

(355) Pretty in Pink - Beaded Ornament

And that completes the packages of ornaments!

I made one of these for my friend, but liked it so much that I snagged the last package and made one for me that matches.

I named this the "pretty in pink" -

(356) The UFO - Beaded Ornament

Yesterday after arriving at my friend's after the Laker game (and yes the Blazers did indeed win) I started work on another ornament.

The package was readily available so I started work on a very sequin-ie pattern that took a long time to put together. Though it does not quiet look like the original photo on the box, there is a definite similarity.

I call this one "UFO" Ornament -

(357) An Ode to the 70s - Beaded Ornament

Over the holiday my friend introduced me to beaded ornament kits that came out in the 70s.

After putting together several at his house he gave me some to put together and keep. The first one I did last month, but I had one more lingering on the table and did not want to pack with the rest of the decorations until it was done.

The ornaments are time consuming, but I think the concept is neat and one year it would be fun to do a small tress all in hand decorated ornaments.

The materials are small and tedious.

But the results are...well here is my "snow reflection" ornament:

(358) Cute and Versatile Multi-Colored Bracelets

Yesterday I came home exhausted and went to sleep early. And today I left work a wreck. I realized I can't take much more of the stress. My job is owning my life and I am not liking the way it makes me feel.

Today my colleague consoled me over happy hour and it all became clear that I need to make a change. Either I learn to cope and deal with the job as it existing (i.e. learn to shut it off) or I move on to a new position. I am not sure which one takes more energy. I inadvertently missed my first day of Zumba and Yoga.

After my excursion I found myself wondering the craft store and picked up some materials to finish some of the partially completed projects.

I was able to finish three bracelets. Unfortunately I ran out of cramp beads to finish the other bracelets and I have yet to figure out a design for earrings (not to mention decided if I want to make earrings that match).

(360) Beautiful Green Prehnite Necklace

The Prehnite necklace is done! Prehnite are crystal formations found in volcanic cavities. They vary in color from a yellow to green tone. It is said to be helpful for meditation to improve visualization and protection.

~~~
Pretty crazy that I am just now getting around to making the necklace I got the stone for 4 years ago.

My friend Anshu and I had decided we had time off for New Year's and to cease the time to go on a road trip. We drove up through Port Angeles and took the ferry to Victoria. We stopped at Mineral World when we were driving from Victoria to catch the ferry to Vancouver and I found beautiful stones. So I picked out a few beautiful stones to mark the journey and make some jewelery when I returned.



Being there for the holiday was wondrous and seeing that pictures makes me want to go again. Maybe next year I will plan on doing that for Christmas...



I wonder what Anshu is up to these days...I will have to email her to find out. Technology is an amazing thing that helps keep relationship enduring over long time. Though strange as it maybe that people drift out of lives as they follow there own paths. Every once in a while it is still nice to cross their path again.

(364) Two Braclets and a Pair of Earrings

It is incredible how quickly time flies when you are beading!

Tonight I beaded two bracelets and a pair of earrings with beautiful Sapphires I picked up at a bead fair in November. I also made good progress on a necklace, but need to make a trip to the bead store for a few more beads to finish.






Maybe part of the reason why creativity has gotten lost in my life is because planning = time + energy. With all the different direction life pulls us no wonder it is easy to lose vision of the things we once enjoyed with the chaos of life takes over.



Art projects can take a lot of planning. I often find myself buying random materials with great intentions, but eventually the paint dries up, fabric gets donated, or items get packed away (out of sight out of mind). Maybe this is how hoarding starts?



I have found that setting a goal with a defined timeline in mind helps me stay focused. A perfect example is there Sapphire beads. I bought the beads to make Christmas present for my sister (as she is born in September and Sapphire is the stone). As I made hers on time I had great intentions to finish matching ones for my mother and I. So even if its not the holiday, it will be a nice surprise the next time I see my mom.