Website Update

I created a web page using Intuit/Homestead about four years ago which is equivalent to 100 life times ago on the Internet.  Let me tell you:  it was ugly....(being my first one) and horridly out of date.  So today I decided I would work on it.

I downloaded an update to the site builder and started in....only to encounter an error on my third page and then I had to go back and call the service number.  Of course, I had to listen to minutes and minutes of loud bad music before a nice young man came on.

My update was as out of date as my old website.  So he had to update me from wherever he was....not India...from the sound of his Midwestern tones and then I was off and running.

This time I decided to get the first three pages up and published just to get something "fresh" on line. I decided to cool it with the little images I had created before I knew what I was doing and left it spare and clean.

I then published it and went to check it out.  Well of course, my browser is Bing- so no such luck.  No matter how many times I put in BluJeanBeads using Http and www. Nothing.  Then I tried Google.  There I was!  Just underneath a site called Blue Jean Beads.  Someone else who makes lovely jewelry - but with the E in blue and I am without the E in blue.  Tried Yahoo.....no go. 

Good heavens!  But at least I was found in Google and you can find me too: Look under www.BluJeanBeads.com.  All one word.....No E in blue and then you will have me.  Let me know what you think for a "second" beginners try?

Theresa

 

The Fall Sneak

I have been concentrating on gardening for so long that I have neglected my blog.  Although I have been in my cluttered "studio" which is really a four foot long folding table in a corner of my youngest child's bedroom (she has moved to Seattle).  I have between weeding, cleaning out flower beds and tending my little flock of chickens been making this funky little memory wire bracelets and rings made with vintage buttons.

You can see my work online at www.etsy.com/shop/BluJeanBeads.

I found the buttons at an antique store in downtown Olympia.  They were already in a cute little jar.  I also found some old broken pins and old pendants for charm necklaces and bracelets at the same place but in a different booth.

But now look...it is fall. Almost all the leaves had dropped and we are turning up the fire.  Long cooking meals are coming out of the oven.  It is time to think about holiday gifts for the nieces, the sisters and the daughter's.  Got to get back to the studio.  Got to get back to the beads, the buttons and the chain.

Stay warm!

Summer 2013

We have not had a real summer in two years here in the Pacific Northwest, until now.  Mornings are cool and cloudy but my noon it is sunny and temperatures have been in the low 70's to the low '80's.  It is nice.  Somedays a little warm but for the most part not too hot to go outside and enjoy nature, hikes, picnics, parades, ice cream and ice cold melons.

But not trusting it....it took me a month to dig out my summer dresses and do a try on to see what would fit and what wouldn't.  Only three were way too tight and had to go....and four were tight but once I lose 10 pounds will fit nicely again.

Summer jewelry from this year and the past 20 years fits just fine!  That is the cool thing about accessories....they can be your "favorites" forever and ever.   I especially love straw handbags in the summer, bright bracelets and wood pieces with texture.  Earrings can be huge disks or hoops and can be gold, silver or bright colors.  I made a pair of earrings the other day that are giant plastic balls...they are huge and in turquoise!

Ankle bracelets look great with sandals and you can really call attention to them with bright colors or bright polish on a fresh pedicure. 

Have fun, enjoy the sun....wear cute accessories and always (sunscreen).

Growth

Why oh why?

I know we all have these crazy day jobs and even crazier real lives....I know I do.  I have a husband in chronic pain-bad health....a job...where I am on the road more hours of the day then not, an online business: www.etsy.com/shop/BluJeanBeads and three Grandsons (one in utero) and two who are incredibly bright preschoolers.  I am also a daughter of an 82 year old Mom (who is always on the go and I have an account with the FBI to constantly monitor her whereabouts) and 6 siblings....a bizillion nieces  nephews, great nieces and great nephews and friends with children that make more surrogate nieces, nephews and grandchildren to track!!!!!

I am working hard on all fronts and can't remember passwords and have to keep a list of what I should be doing when.  But what should I be doing....making the best jewelry ever and I am.....

In honor of the little girls in my life I have been creating the prettiest, brightest, candy-licious memory wire bracelets.  They are bright and fun and irresistible  .  In honor of the Mom's in my life I have been creating wonderful bracelets, eco-friendly, re-purposed necklaces.  For gardeners....jewelry that is fun for gardeners to wear after they get done weeding, composting, mulching, planting and watering.  For wine lovers ...jewelry for wine lovers. You have too look at my site to see: www.etsy.com/shop/BluJeanBeads.com.

For the love of sun and spring, I have been planting my myriad planters, pots and troughs with vegetables and flowers, perennials and annual seeds.  My garden has pots bursting with seedlings of sweet peas, carrots, green onions and lettuce, collard greens, strawberries, garlic, mizuna, pak coy, and kale.  In my small green house I have tomatoes and summer squash and an acorn squash.  I am looking forward to planting my fave's (green beans), egg plant, cucumbers, hot peppers and corn.

I find that as my tastes are evolving (have you noticed I started with gemstones and glass?) and are now looking at found items and paper.  I have created a quart jar full of paper beads....rolled....glued and glazed. I have also looked at different textures of cardboard and pressed paper items from the scrapbook section of my local craft store.  I am having fun with polymer clays.

Life is varied.....and it is fun....and as long as the sun is shining there is something to grow....plants, jewelry, children....fun!

When Spring Arrives

When spring arrives I
Am gonna put on my jazziest rings
My funkiest necklaces and
My wildest bracelets - all stacked up
In crazy colors

And I am gonna put on my hippest shoes
and walk among the forsythia and the tulips
Cruise through the daffodils

I'll drink my coffee on the porch
And sit on a red chair
Watching the birds build their nests.

I am so looking forward to spring.  I notice that my jewelry creations are opening up....turning expansive like beaches and sky fresh air.  I am so looking forward to sky blue, turquoise and spring green - you know that green that has that lovely hint of yellow in it?

What are you doing for Spring?

How are you changing your accessories?

How are you changing your wardrobe?

What colors are speaking to you?

Let me know.

New Creations

I used to be totally obsessed with writing and now it is crafting in my little corner of my world.  I have been making paper beads, charms, altered art, gifts....and drawing ideas in a little art book I received as a gift from my daughter.

Today I pulled out the camera and put two necklaces online at my shop: www.etsy.com/shop/BluJeanBeads. My sister and I, went in on a light box and today was my day to try it out.

Here is my creation:

https://www.etsy.com/listing/121962315/charm-necklace-found-objects-altered-art

I have also been doing some fiberwork....making crocheted earrings and my work, misprinted a ton of documents and I felt bad about just throwing them into the recycling bin....so I cut them into strips and rolled a quart jars worth of paper beads. Also did the same with some left over old event posters.

Let me know what you think....also let me know what you are working on and share your pics!

TK

Merry Christmas Readers!

What a wonderful holiday it has been!  I made jewelry pieces for my sisters, daughters and friends.  We celebrated the season on the 15th with the 28th Christmas Party yet.  Almost 70 people came and the food just kept getting better and better and better. The cookies we shared were magnificent and I am sure we have all gained 5 pounds.

Last night (Christmas Eve) our friends who own the beautiful Tsuki Nursery (Japanese Maples) here in Olympia, WA came and had Zuppe di Pesce to celebrate the season.  The mussels, clams, scallops and fish were superb in it's tomato sauce.  The wine was sublime, the bread great....the company was magnificent.  We celebrated till midnight.

This morning it was coffee and gift opening with the family. Everybody got the nicest things.  My sister who has a shop called Ashar (www.etsy.com/shop/Ashar) gave me two of the most beautiful copper peaces.  The bracelet is made from wire wrapped crystals and a beautiful handcrafted copper toggle clasp.  She made a pin that is a bow (all wire wrapped and made of copper)!  It is absolutely the dearest and most beautiful piece. I can't wait to put it on my coat and to go out in it.  She also made an "S" pin for my husband's overcoat.

BluJeanBeads was busy with initial jewelry made from upcycled materials and scrabble tiles.  I also gifted with art tags and banners that can be used to state positions:  Jo's says "Read Banned Books", 'Nae's cautions her to make Music Not War and my sister's says "Art before Housework!"

My husband got a hand felted handcrafted cover for his Kindle.  I hope he will enjoy protecting his little machine with it.

Dinner was good, we watched old holiday movies....had naps....read.....

A joyous day.....Hope yours was equally as good, quiet and fun!

Love to all,

T.