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.

I have so been neglecting my wonderful little blog.  I have been so busy I have hardly had time to breathe.  Fall and the start of the school year is a busy time for me.  I have been on the road visiting schools and talking to teens about life after high school.  6 career fairs in two weeks.  About 400 miles a week.

In October, my sister and I participated in a Ladies Day Out event at my friend Tracey's nursery: Tsuki Nursery here in Olympia.  We had a wonderful fall day (with rain, sunshine and more rain) in the northwest.

Len made cassoulet, crostini, pizza, black bean tapanade and a black rice salad. I made 13 bean soup.  We had crackers and cheese, coffee and wine and of course: art for sale...jewelry....handsewn items...handknit stocking caps.

The weather was cold and crisp and the maple trees were in their fall glory.  We had booths on the inside of the greenhouse and the maples were our backdrop.  It was beautiful and people couldn't believe how wonderful it all was.

My son has been home on leave from the army....my daughter has visited several times from Seattle. I have been in my studio space (a corner of a back bedroom) just creating a way.  I have created 6 really fun charm necklaces with handmade charms, found objects and glass beads.

I sit so long at school events, I have been taking my knitting and have been knitting little cuffs/wrist warmers.  All they need is some button and felt embellishments.

A large bag of mixed up, crazy colored, shiny glass India beads came home with me from the local bead shop last weekend. I poured them all in a bowl one night and sorted to my hearts content.  21 pairs of earrings came from this bead decadence plus two bracelets and a necklace.  

Leather lacing has been fashioned into several bracelets and hardware has become pendants.  The creativity in my little tiny blocks of time has just been pouring from me.  I am having so much fun and plan on sharing my creations with my sister's at Christmas time.  They love to get and to give handmade gifts....so we have fun exchanging our art.

I will be doing a Christmas show in a few weeks and hope my beautiful creations go to new homes.  Then I will have space to showcase the other ideas I want to make.

All is good, in the world of crafting/creating/art.  I'd love to see what you are creating....

Happy Thanksgiving!

Jewelry Show Season

It seems to be jewelry show season....harvest time events - a good time to share your autumn themed items, orange or old gold colored pieces and pre-holiday items.

Last Saturday, I did a show for Kokua here in Olympia that supports children and adults in our community who have disabilities.  The fair booth was high and the sales were low but at least BluJeanBeads was representen'.

When sales don't go as hoped you have to decide whether it was a bust or did you do something for your community.

I followed the advice of someone on line that said you should have a statement piece on your table to draw the eye and "the crowd."  It worked....I had two wonderful charm necklaces....I wore one and displayed the other larger one.  People loved it....women came up and had to feel all the charms....

I think (with wanting draw others to my table) I created a niche item.  I am going to make more charms and more charm necklaces.

I will report how it goes.

School is Around The Corner but Summer Hasn't Left

I don't know why people always equate school with fall.  Summer ends on September 21st so we have a little time.....to be well...summery!

In the last three summers, the Northwest has been blah....not enough warm weather till late in July.  Then it gets dry with a couple of days in a row of scorchers:  above 90 degrees.

So what? We get about three really good days to dazzle in our summer dresses.  Then it is school....people start thinking about fall and boots are on sale in the major department stores before we can get our latest pair of flip flops.  Just doesn't seem fair.

But I am loving the colors of fall this year that I see in the fashion world: that deep burnt orange, magenta, deep reds, mustard and old gold yellows, teals and dark greens.

Although I am having some trouble moving away from my light summery pinks and blues, bright yellows...I will....I have too....I am being compelled.  But I choose to wait....late in September!