Wildlife Abounds

Over the past couple of weeks some of my fellow blogger friends have been sharing gorgeous photos of their spring gardens and flowers. I was not blessed with a green thumb, unfortunately. So, since I don't have plants to share there is something I do have. Wildlife! At our previous home and our current home we seem to be blessed with an abundance of birds and other creatures. I spotted this Red-Tailed Hawk on our back fence yesterday. I grabbed the camera and snapped a few pics of him. Here in Florida we have a plethora of little lizards called Anoles. That was his chosen meal yesterday. I guess our fence was a good vantage point for seeking out his lunch. Have a great day!

Ode to Backyard Beads

A few months back I begged Doreen of Backyard Beads for some of her recently created polymer clay "Cozumel" beads. I thought they were OUTSTANDING and GORGEOUS! So, Doreen was kind enough to send me quite a few of them. I finally decided the other day that it would probably be best to use one of them soon, because if I fondled or studied them anymore my Hubby was going to have to put me in therapy. I just cannot say enough about these beads! They mesmerize me. Above is the product of my labors. The sterling silver face charm is one that I made a few years ago from Art Clay Silver. Thanks again, Doreen! I hope to have more of these to show you soon.

*Get Excited Challenge Gift*

I recently participated in the Get Excited...Pay Your Art Forward Challenge. Renate of Put A Little Magic In Your Life was one of the kind ladies who I participated with. Renate sent me this lovely copper bracelet. It features a etched and stamped copper connector which reads "Get Excited". Renate made this piece herself. Thanks so much Renate for your generosity!

*Something to Think About*

I found this absolutely fabulous video by Jen Gray this morning via Andrea's Superhero Journal blog. If you've had any doubts lately about the validity of your dreams, then go check out Jen's video! Click on the link and you can check it out at YouTube. Enjoy!

http://www.youtube.com/user/goosegirl40

*Take Your Art to New Heights*

If you want to take your art to new heights then you need to buy Beverly Ash Gilbert's Eye for Color color wheel system. I got mine 2 weeks ago and I love it. It has taken me out of my monochrome way of thinking and working. It doesn't matter if you paint, collage or make jewelry, this wonderful creation will help you to think outside the box when it comes to color combos...Go check it out at Beverly's website.

It's Official!

Well it's been raining NONSTOP (7 inches so far!) here in sunny Florida for the last 3 days! But in the midst of it all I've got some good news. Yep, that's right! It's official! I have one necklace and one bracelet that will be published in the Fall 2009 issue of Stringing Magazine. I'm working on a few more to submit for other issues. Have a great day!

*Making New Friends*

This past Sunday a group of lettering artists here in town held an exhibition/tribute for a fellow artist and friend of theirs who had recently passed away. I read about this exhibit through Lori Vliegen's blog. It just so happens that Lori is a fellow Etsian and one of my favorite artists. Lori creates beautiful handmade journals and cards. Another of their colleagues, Martha Lever was to be at the exhibit. Martha is another of my Etsy favorites. Martha creates beautiful collages and paintings featuring hand lettering. I saw on Lori's blog that this event was going to be held right up the street from where I live so I decided to attend. The artwork there was beautiful and inspiring! The highlight of the outing was for me to meet Lori and Martha in person finally. These ladies are SO talented and have such wonderful, caring spirits! I just cannot say enough about both of them. BTW - They are both fans of my designs as well and own a few of my pieces. To Lori and Martha, the pleasure was all mine. Thank you!

*Hug Your Kids Today*

here are a couple of pics that i took of the boys in the bathtub the other night. just thought i'd share them. that's noah on the left with his new boat like dad's and then there's seth just being the happy little guy that he is.

i'll be posting later today about my sunday afternoon excursion...more to come.

*thought for the day*

"Life is not the way it's supposed to be. It's the way it is. The way you cope with it is what makes the difference."
author unknown...

Today...

today i want to...
be original
be calm
find the right road for me
find my bliss
hug my kids
hug my husband
finish a necklace
finish the dishes...

I'm taking a break...

I'm taking a break from beading and blogging! I'm not into POLITICS and to be quite honest that's where some things are headed. I'm one of those people that if the road gets too rough or if you can't find the fun in it, I want off. There are much bigger and better things in life than beads and selling jewelry. I've got great kids, a great husband and a great life! That's where I am today. I don't want to blog right now. I don't want to live in angst that everything I make is being critiqued by this person or that person and I certainly don't want to be lead to believe by others actions that I need to be sensoring myself or my work anymore than I already do.

I wish everyone the best of luck in all your endeavors! I appeciate everyone's support and sweet comments over the past year. Be back later...

Happy Mother's Day to Everyone!

Happy Mother's Day to all the Mom's out there. Remember to tell your children that you love them! The pic above is my Mom and my oldest son Noah this past Easter. Have a great day!

Picasso In Melon

Here's another new bracelet that I made last week. It features melon/orange colored Picasso ovals, pink peruvian opal, cherry quartz and bronze colored freshwater pearls. The key and hook closure was inspired by Lorelei. It will be in my Etsy shop later tonight.

New Items For Etsy...

I got some time over the weekend to make some new things. I'm not so sure about a couple of the pieces. The last photo is of a necklace that I made using one of Leann's new barnacle pendants. It's still laying on my bead table telling me that it's not quite finished. I think I may tweak a few things on it before listing it in my shop. Yes, that's a mermaid on the right of the necklace. The next to last photo also features one of Leann's pendants. I've used waxed linen on this piece. It was my first time using this medium. I found it time consuming tieing all those knots, but fun. The first photo features a gorgeous focal bead that I got from Sue Kennedy of suebeads. Let me know what you think?

Get Excited...Pay Your Art Forward Update

For the 5 ladies who participated in the Get Excited Challenge here on my blog I have 4 of 5 gifts for you ready. I hope to have the last gift ready this week and will have everyone's package mailed out by next week at the latest. Thanks!