AlohaMoe Polymer Clay Creations

Wrist Bling

2012-01-25T15:24:00.000-10:00

This beading thing is just FAR too much fun. Thank you, Pammie for showing me how to put a serious dent in my bank account, :D

I found this woman in Iowa who makes aluminum blanks and couldn't resist buying a bunch. I love really wide cuffs so this 2 1/2 inch one is one of my favorites...so far. Next one I make will be 3 inches! My Viking ancestors will be proud! :D

Don't you just love that one red Swarovski? I was thinking about calling this piece, "Prometheus". Think lightning would strike me if I did? :D The gods got pretty made at Prometheus. :D

A Cuff For Chopped Liver

2012-01-21T08:12:00.000-10:00

Hah, I seem to have this turquoise thing going on. Beej's urchin, named Chopped Liver, needed a moe-opal something. So, I thought, in my wonderfulness, that I'd make her an opal that was a mix of slate and denim blue then I could make her a contemporary necklace in shiny silver. Hah, again. The best laid plans. :( I get out my Adirondack inks and proceed to make the opal. Looks great! Perfect color and I'm a happy girl.

Then I cured it. For reasons known only to the clay gods, the opal came out...PINK! Yep, salmon pink. Why me? And I can't begin to tell you just how pukey that looked in the silver contemporary setting. CL would have thrown it out the window! It was not pretty. :( So, I spent the next couple weeks trying to decide what to do. And making cuffs in the interim.

It finally dawned on me that opals really don't lend themselves all that well to contemporary designs. So, I gave up on the uber cool and made this instead.

I think CL will like this. If not, her mom will steal it. :D And who names their kid Chopped Liver, anyway? :D

Gingerbelle's Toot

2012-01-10T10:22:00.001-10:00

Hah! I am now calling "tutes", "toots" because one day Brian was fixing stuff on the computer and I said...just make me a category for tutes. When I looked, there was my file called, "Toots". What a guy. :D So... "toots" it will now be.
Back to Gingerbelle.

My friend Ginger who lives in the wilds of Indiana is a clayer and a beader and a generally all around terrific person and crafter. So, one fine day she came up with the idea of making beaded glasses cases. I sniveled and whined so she gave me a sneak preview of the toot. This is what I made:

In case you are wondering what that beautiful green background is...it's Nicole's Bead Backing. GREAT stuff! Find Nicole and her wonderful bead backing over there>>>>>>>>> under supplies and shopping or whatever I called it. :) CRS is a terrible thing. :D

Gingerbelle is really www.Gingerbelsgifts.wordpress.com. But I call her Gonger or Gingerbelle. So, she is working on her toot and should be ready soon. I will go nag her. :D

Beading Away!

2012-01-09T10:18:00.001-10:00

I haven't done much except bead my little heart out lately. Now that the Holidays are over I need to catch up. How about you guys? Can you believe Christmas has come and gone already? 2012! Pretty soon we'll all be counting down the days until 12/21/12. :d

Anyway, until then, here is a new creation I made with my faux opals.

A New Shop!

2012-01-04T12:01:00.002-10:00

A long time ago I had a shop in 1000 Markets. They sold to Bonanza and I let my shop slide. Too lazy for words, is me. :( Anyway, I decided to reopen my Bonanza shop so I've been taking photos and putting new stuff in it! Please come visit me there! It's bonanza.com/alohamoe. Now I have to go find my darling niece so she can put it on here for me. :D What are nieces for anyway? :D

Doin' The Bling Thing

2011-12-26T13:11:00.000-10:00

Happy Day After Christmas! I've been bead weaving my little heart out and using crystals for everything. Yikes! My neighbors need shades from the glow coming from my studio. :D Here are some photos. And Ipo just HAD to help. The last picture is a necklace I'm in the middle of making. :D

Merry Christmas From Allie

2011-12-22T11:59:00.000-10:00

You don't see much of Allie because she isn't the Brat Cat of the Universe like Ipo is. Allie such a sweet little girl. But, she got really out of character last night and got under the tree. Is she too cute, or what? I wish I had put the lights on but I was afraid she'd get up if I messed around with the camera settings or the tree. So, that's why the weird color in the photos. But Allie's just so cute, it's not a problem. :D

The Bruce Goes To A Party

2011-12-18T10:06:00.000-10:00

Well, he's been an awfully good Wee Cow this year but we took him to a party last night. And The Bruce was surprisingly well behaved. I don't know why. He knows all these people and is usually an awful pill but this time he was pretty good. ;D Here are some pictures of a fairly well behaved The Bruce. Amazing. :D

Oh nooooo! This glass is EMPTY! We are not amused!

Well, ok, I'll have some cashews while they get me more champagne.

Yay! Sushi! I LOVE sushi!

About time. They filled up my glass, this sushi can wait.

Yum! I love sukiyaki, too but they don't REALLY expect I can eat with these sticks, do they?

I'm telling you, this Wee Cow's days are numbered if he doesn't get his grubby little hooves outta my dinner! But man, do I have cool jewelry, or what? ;D

Friends

Joe and the Hunnibunni

The Chef having a little trouble with new fangled modern cameras. :D

The Fair

2011-12-03T20:44:00.000-10:00

A super day today! Here are some photos of my fair set up.

A New Washer and Dryer

2011-12-01T13:40:00.000-10:00

Checking the hose hookup.

Looks good so far...

Ok, Washer is connected properly. Dryer is ok, too....

I approve.

And just WHAT is your problem? This is MY new toy! How cool is that? I can see the clothes moving!

So, we decided to brave Black Friday and go buy ourselves a new washer and dryer. Ipo needed a new toy. So, We bought them and set up a delivery day. It came and the men showed up 45 minutes early and installed everything perfectly. Then, Ipo had to check everything. Naturally. Here she is making certain everything is to her liking. :D Thankfully, we got the Ipo Seal Of Approval. :D

Asymmetry

2011-11-26T14:33:00.000-10:00

Don'tcha just love asymmetrical stuff? I do. So, I had this cuff blank that was really cool so I beaded this cuff. :D

A New Bracelet

2011-11-12T15:39:00.001-10:00

The other day my new issue of Bead & Button arrived and, inside, was a tutorial by Connie Whittaker, on how to make this cool bracelet. So, I made a red one and sold it immediately. Yay! It was fun to make so I made this blue one. :D

Upon Being Demented

2011-11-08T14:05:00.000-10:00

So, I am making this beaded thing. I can't decide if I like it or not. Probably I will when it's finished but I can't finish the beading around the cabs until I make the rope. So, I get my beads and begin sewing. I'm almost done with one side when I look closely and see that I have picked up the wrong container of beads. My rope doesn't match! What a doof I am. So, what to do, what to do??

Aha! I will turn the rope into a bracelet. I added some silver cones and made a wire wrapped clasp and got a pretty nice bracelet.

Now I have to go find the container with the correct color beads. Otherwise...I'll have another bracelet. I wish I could blame this on Ipo. :D

Purse Holders and More Pens

2011-11-07T10:22:00.000-10:00

Aren't these just too much fun? I love the Hawaii Happy Face with its hibiscus. Beej, see your cool cane? ;D

SOS Strikes Again

2011-11-05T16:21:00.000-10:00

I was getting my pens ready to list in my ArtFire shop when who came to supervise? Guess. :D I love this cat.

Despite ipo, I did manage to get 3 pens listed. Here they are. ;D

Pens!

2011-11-04T09:42:00.000-10:00

It's pen time again. I mean...it's Christmas Holiday Time again! ;D The last few years I have sold these pens to people giving them as gifts to the mailman, their doctor, their friends, their student kids, as hostess gifts, to business acquaintances, to office staff and partners, their lawyers, and the list goes on. I never realized just how many people use pens. It seems that we have a computer society but these pens just fly off my virtual shelves. Here are just two from my stash. I'm hoping for nice weather so I can get them all photographed and into my shops. I love this green one. Men Pens! :D

Resin and A Bangle

2011-11-03T10:00:00.001-10:00

And so, one fine day I was grouching on my clay forum about this resin I'd purchased that was very expensive then just quit working. Later on, I got this nice email from a man named Terry. He makes resin and offered to send me a sample. Well, not only did he send me a sample but it came with this really cool metal applicator. And it works GREAT! I only needed a small amount, too. Here's the purse holder I made.

I put several drops on then spread it with a tooth pick. There were a few air bubbles but not many. I dropped the purse holder on my desk a few times which brought the bubbles to the top where they popped all by themselves. A couple I touched with my finger and they were gone. Then I put the holder out in the sunshine.

When it was dry I found one tiny air bubble I'd missed so I put on another coat and back into the sunshine it went. It's taken way longer than it should because it's been cloudy and rainy here. But, no matter, the purse holder hardened up nicely and that air bubble is no more. :)

This stuff is super, yanno! It doesn't pull away from the edges like the other unnamed resin I had. It stays where you put it and is really good stuff. Here is Terry's site in case any of you are interested. It's www.epoxyjewelry.com.

And then I got insane and decided I just *HAD* to make this bangle that was on the cover of Bead & Button a couple months ago. It didn't look ALL that difficult. Hah. Let me tell you that it was a bear to make. But, it came out pretty and I like it a lot. :) Isn't that amber color just too gorgeous? I love it.

New Goodies!

2011-11-01T11:41:00.000-10:00

New stuff is appearing as I get ready for my home craft fair. This is so much fun! :)

Ipo... Again

2011-10-23T12:53:00.001-10:00

SOS is just a never ending fun subject, at least *I* think so. She apparently does not.

Here she is thinking: "we are NOT amused".

And, my favorite... "Mommy, WHAT is WRONG with you???"

Golfing and A New Camera

2011-10-16T21:26:00.000-10:00

And so, the Hunnibunni went to play golf in a tournament. He had fun. He won some prizes. One of which is a brand new Nikon 12.0 megapixels camera! He dutifully brought it home and turned it over to his doting wife. :) I actually read the directions and here is our little Allie hoping when the Shutterbug evaporates that she'll get some tasty snackies. :) He also brought home all those spotted bananas in the background. Tomorrow I drag out my juicer and make banana berry juice. :)

Nicole's Blog and Jail Kitty

2011-10-12T12:28:00.000-10:00

My new friend Nicole makes the BEST bead backing! We're getting to be http://beadwright.blogspot.com friends so Nicole kindly did a blog post on me on her blog. Go have a look. :) Oops. I got the link in the wrong place. Computer Doofs R Us. :D

And Jail Kitty. Ipo, AKA Spawn of Satan, is a never ending source of fun photos. I was out on the lanai taking pictures when SOS decided she wanted to mess around. I find that I am loving the idea of Ipo in jail. :D
Here is...what are these? BARS???

And...you think these can stop me??

And my favorite....Mommy! I'll be good! let me out!

Is she too cute for words, or what? :d

Halloween Is Coming!

2011-10-10T12:23:00.000-10:00

And here is Vampire Kitty getting ready to go through her transformation. :D

LOVE Cloudy Days!

2011-10-09T15:37:00.000-10:00

The ever wonderful Mother Nature gave me another cloudy day so I could go out on the lanai and take more photos. YAY! Here's what I took. I'm SOOO happy with how the photos came out. The color is just perfect. YIPPEE!

Restocking My Shops

2011-10-08T18:43:00.000-10:00

One of my friends told me my photos were awful. What are pals for, anyway. ;) So, today I eliminated a bunch of stuff and slowly but surely I will take all new photos and hope they come out better. I did three this afternoon and I'm very happy with them. At least I *think* I'm happy. I'll post them here and see what happens. :D Drum roll::::::::::::

Oh Yay! I'm happy. Perfect color! Happy Dance! :D

Still Cute

2011-10-08T16:33:00.000-10:00

SOS never quits being cute. :) Here she is on the lanai in her favorite purple kitty cube.

Sleepy Ipo

2011-10-07T18:48:00.000-10:00

How cute is this?? :D

Two New Creations

2011-10-06T11:48:00.000-10:00

Well, I beaded another moeopal. :) And finally made the clasp and ear wires for this cool jasper set.

Anitakitty and Me

2011-10-02T07:55:00.000-10:00

My friend Anita made this adorable kitty. She sells them in her online shop listed over there>>>>>>> She's Melobeau. Isn't the kitty cute on my purse? :) And see my cool orange heart? I got that from Ankie. :D

And here is me, yesterday. We had to go to this fancy dinner so I made some serious bling. :O Have serious hair issues. :(

B Goes to Poipu

2011-09-30T17:03:00.000-10:00

B had to go to Poipu on the island of Kauai for business. Sucks to be him, no? :D Here's the Hyatt at Poipu Beach. :D

A New Photo

2011-09-26T15:42:00.000-10:00

I'm trying to find a place to take photos that will really make a difference in how they look. So, I tried out on our lanai. I have to see if it looks any different than inside. What do you guys think? And this peach aventurine is the latest in bead weaving. :)

Ipo and More Beading

2011-09-26T09:36:00.001-10:00

Yesterday Ipo (aka Spawn of Satan) was being cute for Brian so he took some photos. I particularly like these 2: I call them, "I owe you money??"

And, "that much??? You SURE???"

And these two. Life is GOOD! :D

What a cute kitty. :D

And here is my latest bead weaving. I love this one! :)

A Beading Frenzy

2011-09-23T15:56:00.000-10:00

So, I was all set to play with my clay but when I sat down at my table, beading was yelling at me. So, I beaded. :) Here's my blue faux opal all floozied up and ready to list. And a fun pair of fresh water pearl earrings.

My Niece's Bracelet Redux

2011-09-21T12:40:00.000-10:00

Ok, here's the final final finished product. Next one will be a cuff. :)

My Niece's Bracelet

2011-09-20T12:06:00.001-10:00

Well, I decided to make my niece a bracelet. :) Probably you oughta know here that it took me two years to get through 10th grade geometry. That means, I can't add and things that involve numbers hate me. Truly. So, it seems that Col's wrist and her old aunty's are just about the same. So, I happily stitch along and get this fun and funky bracelet done and...it's too short. It fits me, barely. Now I have to put a toggle on it. I am bummed. I measured. I did! :( Waaaahhhhhh. I'm waiting for Col to tell me it's ok to put a toggle on it. She wanted it flat but it doesn't appear that flat is in her future.

Beady kids...chime in here and tell me what I'm doing wrong! Pammie, I KNOW you're reading this! So, do tell me how long should I measure if I want a wide cuff to be about 7 1/2 inches? And you sent me a bracelet measurer, too. I'm a dunce. It's ALL my geometry teacher's fault, no doubt. ;D

Opal Craziness

2011-09-13T10:59:00.000-10:00

I got bit by the opal bug so I decided to make a bunch of opals in weird colors. Ok, some are *standard* opals but the rest are fun. :) I beaded my favorite yellow one but now I'm stuck on what to do for a rope. Beaders... what say you? I'm thinking a simple peyote rope?

And here's a standard color one. It's slightly gray so I beaded with hematite colored beads, opal-y Swarovski crystals and black tourmaline. My brain cell almost died doing that tassel thing. :(

Two New Bracelet and Allie

2011-09-03T13:30:00.000-10:00

Tahhh Daaaaahhhhhh! It's finished! I'm so happy with it! BJ once gave me some uber cool vintage buttons and this one is from that collection. Thanks, BEEJ! xoxoxo

And here is a wire one that I had far too much fun making.

And here is our adorable but mostly camera shy Allie. Is she just too cute for words?

Progress!

2011-08-27T13:58:00.002-10:00

Ipo Sees Aliens

2011-08-27T12:55:00.000-10:00

SOS is at it again. We woke her up from snoozing in her cube and she thought she saw aliens. :)

Work In Progress

2011-08-26T11:11:00.000-10:00

Okey dokey, it's time for a new cuff. :D And so, here's a pix of the work in progress. Everyone jump in and tell me what you think would be good "other colors" to go with these cool stones, ok? Tanks! :D

New Beady Things

2011-08-25T14:47:00.000-10:00

Here are my latest endeavors. :D

Sedona Beads and A New Necklace

2011-08-22T18:19:00.000-10:00

My friend Anita makes these really cool beads using powdered Sedona Red Rock in her clay. I think they are so cool! Dear sweet Anita sent me these two beads. So, toddle off to her site and check them out, ok? She's over there>>>>> melodyo'beaudesigns. You, too can have her beads. I love mine! We visited Sedona several years ago and hiked the red rocks. These beads really brought back some great memories. :)

And this is my newest beaded necklace that I made with my friend Carolyn's kaleidoscope cane. She's over there>>>>>, too. :D

Cool Bead Backing

2011-08-20T07:56:00.002-10:00

My friend Rachel turned me on to this terrific bead backing. If you toddle off to www.nicolecampanella.com you, too, can get some. She has lots of colors. What a treat to have colored backing instead of just white. She's on Etsy, too. I used her dark plum color in my Queen Victoria pendant in the last post. GREAT stuff!

Victorian Something

2011-08-18T13:09:00.000-10:00

Tami Schvat in Israel made this cool cane and I bought it ages ago. Finally, I made something then decided The Queen ( that would be Victoria) would love it so I beaded it with Swarovski crystals and Swarovski pearls. But I can't decide if I should leave the picot edging the way it is or fill it in so it's solid. What say you?? Also, should I leave it this way or turn it on its side? It's a puzzlement. :D

Hi Mike!

Hi Ron and Donna! :D

Food Savers and Cabochons

2011-08-15T08:22:00.001-10:00

And so, we bought this Food Saver machine. All that's come so far is the hand held one. What a fun little machine. We had to charge it for 24 hours so, yesterday when the time limit was up, I got all excited and ran around looking for something to save. :D Ok. Blue corn chips seemed like the perfect thing. I put them into the little baggie that came with the saver. Isn't this fun? :) I'm saving away when I hear all this crackling and snapping. Oh crap. I have saved them so well that they all broke. Now I have blue corn chip crumbles. That little machine works great! :D

While I wasn't decimating blue corn chips I was making cabs and rounds to sell in my Art Fire shop. I was reading my friend BJ's blog about how she used old canes to make new canes. Well, I just happen to have about 14,247 old canes laying around. So, I got nuts and started combining canes. This is just way too much fun! But I got some great canes which made some fun cabs. They'll be great for bead weaving and wire wrapping, don'tcha think? :D

Snoozing Ipo

2011-08-11T10:41:00.000-10:00

Brian found these Kitty Cubes at Walmart so he bought some. Allie, naturally, isn't remotely interested. But Ipo just loves them. She goes from cube to cube snoozing in all of them. How this pose was comfortable is beyond me. ;)

Getting There

2011-08-08T12:05:00.000-10:00

It's a long slow slog this painting of leaves thing. ;) But, I am getting there. I'm now 1/3 done. Well, maybe not. I still will have to highlight some of the leaves. That should be nothing compared to painting each individual leaf, tho. So far, so good! :D

Jury Duty and Other Horrors

2011-08-06T13:28:00.000-10:00

Oh boy. Just the very words strike fear and loathing into the hearts of most. I now know why AND why the state of Hawaii is broke.

For 2 days I had to sit on a jury. Ok, I didn't mind, this is part of our wonderful rights like being able to vote and our favorite right of paying taxes. So, I dutifully showed up and the horrors began.

We had a "criminal" trial which means that the verdict has to be unanimous. Ok, It took them a short while to seat the jury and about an hour to find 2 alternates. Who even calls a 90 year old deaf guy who doesn't speak English to sit on a jury? We went through about 15 of them until they found 2 people who they thought could remain upright throughout. Ok, we're set to go. Yikes.

The state prosecutor was this very very short woman in a very very too tight very very wrinkled suit. The defense attorney was this guy with a voice that could shatter plywood and a suit he stole from Ebenezer Scrooge. It was in very high fashion in the 3rd year of Victoria's reign. The really scary part was that he has TWO of them! Really. Think frock coat.... buttoned up to just under the knot in his tie ;D This guy is long tall and skinny compared to the prosecutor who was most definitely NOT long tall and skinny. The rest of the people all came from Samoa. Now, for those of you who have never seen Samoans, this means that generally they are well over 6 feet tall and large and usually very good looking. The entire saving grace of the trial was the judge and bailiff who were just too cute for words.

Now, The trial starts. The defense guy has this loooooong African name that even the judge can't pronounce so he just calls him O. Mr. O calls the prosecutor "Madame Prosecutor" What century is this guy living in? He has a suit, no, TWO suits from the early 1800's and calls her "Madame Prosecutor". He has hands like Bela Lugosi. That, combined with the plywood shattering voice, we all expected him to take flight as a bat. To all of our great relief he manages to remain in human form for the remainder of the trial.

Anyway, the "case" boils down to this: did the creepy defendant shout foul epithets out the window of his mail truck at his equally creepy ex wife and dull creepy kid. THIS is a criminal offense? Yikes. And we wonder why Hawaii is broke. It took 2 days of paying 14 jurors from Mordor, a judge from Samoa and baliff and another unknown middle aged guy who skulked about and spent the entire trial typing on a bright blue computer.

The court room had a temperature of Absolute Zero and I'm thinking I may have to lose 3 toes to frost bite.

Then, we go in for deliberations. This was a good thing because both attorneys were so incompetent and pitiful that we, as one organism, thought about leaping from our jury seats and stringing both of them up until they promised to quit pretending to be attorneys and started selling used cars or something. I mean, just exactly WHO does not know that you can't jump up and yell, "Objection!" AFTER the witness has answered? Anyone NOT know that? A 4 year old knows that. The judge was ready to slap them silly. We would have gleefully held them down. :D And that was the very least of their transgressions.

So, we go into another courtroom which is even colder than the meat locker we just came from and find that, to my everlasting horror, some evil fool has decided that the jury will eat Korean food for lunch. Think about it. Korean food gave us Kim Jong Il, yanno? I'm not even LOOKING at Korean food. It's awful stuff. Think...hot spicy grease over dead mystery meat. Hot and spicy I love. The rest.. not so much. I go hungry.

Titi (yep, really. this is our 6'4 Samoan bailiff) asks if anyone is a vegetarian. I say I am and he says, I think they have vegetables. I inform him that I hate Korean food. Sucks to be me. But then, I make the grave mistake of asking Titi if I can have coffee. Sweetie that he is he cheerfully says, SURE! I'll make you some. Oh boy. I think happy thoughts of soaking my frozen feet in it. Then the stark reality of what I just asked for hits me.

A little aside here. For those of you who live here, well, we all know that Samoans in Hawaii are Mormons. For those of you who don't live here let me inform you. Samoans who live in Hawaii are Mormons. There may be some who are not but it's doubtful. All Samoans in the entire world are related, ergo, they are all Mormons :D

The awful reality of my question is that I have just asked a Mormon, who has never had coffee, to make it. Yikes. I am pretty sure that it's against Mormon law for them to SMELL coffee much less make it. Oh no. True to my worst fear, darling Titi has made the world's worst coffee. But, it's hot so I put the cup against my frozen feet. This was a useless gesture as the cup is styrofoam.

So, we sit in the frozen room and select a foreman. Foreperson. :) After that we unanimously choose 3 phrases that best describe the attorneys. Madame Prosecutor comes in first with 1) incompetent 2) pitiful and 3) pathetic. Mr O wins the second place black ribbon with 1) incompetent 2) pitiful 3) awful. That out of the way, we get to deliberating. What a ridiculous thing.

We immediately take a vote as we figure that MP (madame) has not even convinced us of her first name much less anything else so we figure it will be a unanimous vote and we can relax and they can eat dead Korean stuff and we'll all go home. It was not to be.

2 of the jurors have decided that they don't like the guy's looks and MAYBE he is a bad guy. The foreperson and the rest of us remind them that we are there to decide if, beyond a reasonable doubt, the guy yelled bad words. It took us 2 hours and a curt note from the judge for them to finally understand that life is shades of gray and the law is black and white and never, ever will the twain meet. We finally decide and Titi takes away our note to the judge.

The trial is over, there is absolutely no expression on anyone's face when the not guilty verdict is read and we all flee the court room.

I got a cheap pen to keep, tho, and frostbite. My tax dollars at work. Oiks.

Sparklies and Fusion Beads

2011-08-03T09:45:00.000-10:00

So, I'm still having too much fun with wire. And speaking of Fusion Beads. If you are buying Parawire, go to www.fusionbeads.com and get it there. It's more than a dollar cheaper than the Parawire company and FB has free shipping! I just did my best to buy them out. :D

Now, where was I? Oh. Sparklies. I made this cool wire pendant then decided to use up some night sky colored Swarovskis. What chu tink? I love it! :)

Fun With Washers

2011-08-02T11:21:00.000-10:00

My friend Liz got some of the washers that Julie Picarillo uses in her beautiful original designs. And, because we all rushed out to buy Julie's book, we had to rush out and get washers. :) I decided that using them for other things might be fun so this is what I made. :)

More Green! And Some Black

2011-08-01T10:28:00.000-10:00

And so, I had this piece of faux jade clay left over from another project so last night I decided it needed to be a pendant. It has silver foil in it so it's pretty cool clay. :) And I totally forget I had this black wire and flowers bead set. I love this one! What do you think?? The flower canes are Carolyn's.

Weird Pearls and Coral Reefs

2011-07-31T11:00:00.000-10:00

One day there was a sale on a company going out of business. I bought some stuff and, when I received my order, the owner had enclosed tons of free gifts! Yay for free gifts. One of the things was a bag full of giant emerald green fresh water pearls. I simply could not decide what could be done with these. So, the other day I got inspired and this is what I made. :)

And, in another serendipitous moment, I was making some...let's see what this turns out to be... clay blends. As I was running it through the pasta machine I saw the colors were just gorgeous. So, I stopped and took it out and made flat ovals to bead weave. If I may say so myself, this is one of the prettiest things I have ever made. Least...*I* think it is. :D I love how the pendant especially looks like an underwater reef. What do you think??

Had These Beads Forever!

2011-07-26T12:34:00.000-10:00

I bought these opal green pressed glass beads donkey's years ago. :) Today I finally got inspired to make earrings. It's hard not to wire wrap everything in our house, yanno. :D

Having Fun

2011-07-25T15:19:00.000-10:00

Well, I bought Julie Picarillo's new book. It's a blast and has tons of fun things to learn. She makes the coolest earrings so these 2 were inspired by her new book. I love the wasabi ones. :) Odd, too, because I usually like the bright colors.

Outside Our Window

2011-07-25T14:02:00.000-10:00

Now, isn't this pretty? I was sitting in my chair the other day and looked up and out the window. I thought this was so pretty with the red in the trees. The I went closer and our pool looked so pretty, too. Well, rats. You can't really see the red. On my screen it looks kind of tan. And I wish there were plumerias on all the trees by the pool. There are some but not in this particular shot. The grounds of our condo are just beautiful.

Some New fun Stuff

2011-07-24T15:08:00.000-10:00

A long time ago our clay forum had a Fairy Door swap. I never did do it but I always wanted to. So, I'm a bit late but I finally made one. :)

I'm happy with this and think it's the perfect thing for a little girl who loves fairies and dragons. :D

And here ar some clay and wire things I made, too. :)

The Kitties

2011-07-24T10:35:00.000-10:00

You all see SOS a lot, but Allie doesn't like her picture taken. She finally agreed. Isn't she a cutie? :D

The Contest Ends Early

2011-07-19T11:36:00.000-10:00

Well, B found an entry he liked and that's all there is. Sadly, there weren't that many entries but all were great. If I had several bathrooms to redo, I'd use everyone's fab ideas. So, thanks you to all who entered! You guys were super to take the time to think about it and offer your suggestions. I'm filing away the dry brushing and the grout stenciling for another project.

But B liked the painted leaves the best. Naturally. HE doesn't have to paint them! And standing up, too. Oiks. Anyway, Mary L wins the contest! Congratulations, Mary! I may never speak to Mary again after days and days of leaf painting. And..I can not BEGIN to tell you what a bad idea leaf painting is after Starbucks. Jeez.

Anyhow, here is the beginning of what is probably going to be days and days of leaves. I'll have nightmares. Leafy ones. ;D But it's going to be gorgeous when it's all done. Thanks again to all who entered! xoxo, The Leaf Painter

WoooHoooo! It's a Contest!

2011-07-13T10:16:00.000-10:00

Ok, here's the deal. All of you who are regular readers here know all about the bathroom wall from hell. After having the wall ripped out FOUR times, they have finally managed to actually FIX the leak instead of merely hoping it would go away all by itself. What a concept, hunh? :(

Anyway, yesterday the guys came and installed the new panel that covers the wall from hell. I wanted a revolving door but that would have made it hard to get in and out of the bathroom. :D And it might have been hard for the kitties to get past.

I have to paint the panel and do something with it... and cover those gruesome screws. For some reason unknown to any other human, Brian hates the frame. I don't know why, it's just a plain old frame. So, he doesn't want the frame to be a focal point. Sigh............. So, here's the contest....

You guys send in your ideas of what I can do to make this panel more attractive. and the winner gets this necklace all made by me. :)

The bathroom walls are a creamy color and the main colors are red and forest green. The sink and trim is all antiqued copper. The travertine is brown and cream. Right now the panel is all white. Yesterday one of the guys and I installed those leafy panels on the plain panel. The leaves are the left over tiles from my studio ceiling. They are also white but can be painted.

So, give me your ideas! I'm looking for something that will look lovely but not have the frame as a focal point. Brian is going to pick the winner as he has frame issues. :D Ok, here are the bathroom photos. Have at it! Contest ends on July 31, 2011. Have fun!

More Idontknowwhattomake Stuff

2011-07-11T09:59:00.000-10:00

So, here are some more beads I made for my shops. I think I *finally* got the Julie style done. Only took me about 50 tries. :( I think the JP bead looks like an ancient treasure map. :) I love the flower beads, too. And I had a bunch of purple beads with green and blue and other pretty colors so I put them all together with silver beads. What a great way to use up orphan beads! :D

Making Buttons and Beads

2011-07-10T11:43:00.000-10:00

And so, I fell into a clay, wire and beading slump. Bummers. So, my pal Ginger said...get thee to button making! So, living in fear of Ginger, I did. :D I also made a cool faux jade bead that I love. It has real silver foil in it and that Pardo trans is the BEST! What do you think? The blue hex and pastel retro buttons are from Carolyn's canes. The sunflowers are my friend Mk's and the rest are from me. :D

Fourth of July

2011-07-04T06:57:00.000-10:00

Happy Birthday, America! And many, many more!

All Better

2011-06-29T09:37:00.000-10:00

The little brat is back to normal. I left her carry case out and she's decided it's a great place to sit in and watch birds. Good to see her back to her "normal" little furry self. :D

Sick Cats and Sunsets

2011-06-27T10:33:00.000-10:00

So, the poor little Spawn of Satan fell ill. She was wan and listless and not her usually annoying self. It was Heavenly except the little brat was sick which we don't like at all. So, we hied her furry self to the vet where she got a shot. Today she is feeling better. But she has another appointment this afternoon. Look at the pathetic little thing. I'm glad she's on the mend. :D

Then I sat in my chair to read and this was the view from said chair. :D

Cleaning and Other Assorted Awful Things

2011-06-08T13:56:00.000-10:00

So, the other day I decided that cleaning kitchen drawers and cupboards would be a good idea. WHERE do I get these thoughts from, anyway? So, I get out my handy rubber gloves. A bright yellow pair. I think this is supposed to make you think you're at the beach or something. Can't fool me!

I pull out the silverware drawer to start. The second I take out the silverware holder, Spawn of Satan jumps in the drawer. Like I need more cat hair there. Sigh. I let her sit and decide, well, I want to move some other stuff so she can stay in the drawer. I think seriously about just closing the drawer. I don't do it.

In my infinite wisdom I have decided that all our canned goods need to be moved. Am I am idiot, or what? They are currently in a floor level cupboard that needs a coal miner's hat with a light to see into. For some reason the builders decided that they would give the condo owners all this terrific cupboard space under all the counter tops. Swell. There is acres of space. You see all that space under the orange plate and the wire basket? And that ridiculous skinny door to get to it? Jeez. :(

What am I bitching about, you query? The door leading into these deep and VERY dark cupboards are about 4 inches across. Really. Wait...I will go measure! Don't go away. :D Ok, I lied. It's 5 inches. I took some pictures. Now I have to see if I can download the pictures without losing this blog. Ok, it's blurry but there is the offending 5 inch door. Yikes.

So, I toddle off to the washer area where I keep rags and cleaning stuff. I need a towel to kneel on. Ok, I look at the towel shelf. Cat hair. HOW does SOS do it? How does her fur get in places like that? Ok, I stop and clean that up. Now it's an hour later so I go back to the kitchen where SOS has left the silverware drawer is is now happily ensconced in the dark and scary cupboard I want to clean next.

Ok, I leave her there and contemplate just shutting the door and leaving her there until archaeologists find her in another century. Nope, she is our very own little Spawn so I don't close the door. Is my halo shiny? :D

I place my towel in front of the stove and kneel down to remove canned good from around Ipo. Then I go to the new location which is over our pantry door. Crap. Even at 5'9, I need a step stool. I head to the closet to get it. Sigh.... Yes, I have to stop and clean up all the cat fur I find in the closet. Hours go by and I hear the distinct rattle of wine bottles from our fridge.

My kitchen is not getting clean. And I hear my wine calling me. I make the serious mistake of opening the freezer to get some ice cubes. Just GUESS what is in the freezer. Yep. Ipo fur. Now, really. We do NOT let Ipo play in the freezer. So, how is it that there is half a cat's worth of hair in there? Ok, I clean that. Back to the canned goods.

I get the step stool and remove all the crap from that cupboard. WHY do I keep this stuff? I can't remember the last time we had a picnic but I have enough paper plates for the entire of Tropical Lightning. That's the guys at Schofield barracks. Hah, see all that space in this picture? The picnic crap now lives there. I'll never see it again. This is a deep cupboard. I'll leave it for the archaeologists. ;)

Now, I want you all to just picture me kneeling on my towel, dragging out canned goods around Ipo who is swatting at my arm each and every time. Then I have to get up, carry the cans to their new home and climb the step ladder. I do this about 5 billion times. It is a sticky humid day and I have gone up and down about 17 million steps,to say nothing of getting up and down from the floor the same number of times. I look lovely, too. Sweat is pouring from every pore I own and I'm dying of thirst. Hmmm, wine time yet? Nope, not yet. My halo is blinding you by now, no doubt.

Anyway, I finally get all the cans moved and all the cupboards cleaned and bags filled for donations to Big Brothers. I get the silverware drawer cleaned too then realize I have about 8 more drawers to go. I look at Ipo, I look at the clock, I look in the mirror and say, screw it. Wine wins! I'll do the rest of the drawers tomorrow. Or not. :D

Memorial Day

2011-05-30T07:44:00.000-10:00

A salute to all our military on this day of remembrance. . Every single one from the vets of long ago wars to the the current kids off in terrible places making sure we are free. That's every single one of them. From the potato peelers to the guy lugging a bazooka.

In 1991 they had a 50th reunion of Peal Harbor. There were lots of vets in town. I was working in Waikiki when I spotted a man in his Pearl Harbor cap. I went over to him and told him, thank you! He wanted to know why I was thanking him. So, I said, it's because you you that I didn't have to grow up speaking German or Japanese in my own country. He said, aw, I was just a cook. So I gave him a hug and told him that there would have been no fighting men if they didn't get fed. Before my eyes the years fell away and that little old guy stood up straight, puffed out his chest and let tears fall down his face.

So, to all you vets, of any war, I salute you and thank you. Don't let the current "culture" of "let's hate the military" get to you. REAL Americans think you're the BEST! We honor you and the flag you serve under.

Blogspot Having All Kinds of Troubles

2011-05-27T16:51:00.000-10:00

Well, for days now I haven't been able to get into my blog. I finally used chrome and got in. What is the matter that my regular way doesn't work? I hear that everyone is having trouble. Anybody else having a miserable time?? :(

A Rough Day

2011-05-23T16:17:00.000-10:00

Harrumph. That's all I got to say. Now, if you are long time readers, you will remember the bathroom wall from hell and the condo manager from hell? They have teamed up once again to make my life miserable. Luckily, my dear Hunnibunni said just yesterday, don't you want to try this pinot grigio from Italy? SURE, I do. Good thing I had a nice new bottle awaiting the end of my travails.

It all started with getting out of bed yesterday. Now, you all know Ipo aka SOS (spawn of satan). For those of you who might NOT know, Ipo is our problem child. We have two kitties. Ipo and Allie. Allie is the sweetest little girl in the world. Ipo is Spawn of Satan. However, Ipo is the cutest kitty in the universe which is the only reason she isn't currently kitty stew. But, I digress.

At 5:30 AM SOS is pawing at me to get up. She's awake, ergo, *I* am awake. Ok, I get up and toddle off to morning ablutions. In the midst of my toddling I find that my feet are wet. WHAT!? I immediately think SOS has a bladder infection and has peed on the master bathroom floor. I contemplate killing myself. Ipo with a bladder infection is not to be believed. Been there. Done that. Not fun. Ok, I flip on lights and sure enough, there is a large puddle on the floor. But... it is right at the base of the Wall From Hell. Crap. My new Pinot grigio is rattling. I can hear it calling.

I get the paper towels. Nope, not cat pee. Uber crap. The wall from hell is leaking water. Again. Now, as some of you might remember, we have had nothing but trouble with leaking a/c pipes, the Insane Upstairs Koreans (henceforth refereed to as UK), insane nazi managers (henceforth referred to as MFH, manager from hell) and dry wallers.

So, I lay my shell-like ear against the WFH and sure enough...dripping water is the mellifluous sound I hear. It is 6AM Sunday morning. WHY does this shit always happen on Sunday? Last water disaster was at 6Am on Sunday, too. Our bathrooms are possessed.

So, I mop up the water and feel the WFH. It is soaking wet. Wet dry wall. I have a George Carlin moment. Like Jumbo Shrimp. Yanno? Sigh.... I wander off to ponder this recurring problem while I observe my blissfully unaware Hunnibunni snoozing peacefully. I think about waking him up so he, too, can suffer. But, I remember that I love him to shreds and let him sleep. I mean, really. This is the guy who reminds me I am out of wine. What's not to love? ;D

After many various thoughts I decide to go see if I can find the guard. I do. He's this darling Micronesian guy names Paulus. Pronounced POW Loose. Ok, I tell Paulus the problem. He knows there is another leak in the building but doesn't know what is to be done. Ok, that's fair. This isn't his problem. But he assures me he will tell the MFH.

So I go back to our place thinking about how a glass of wine will do at 6:30AM and write a note to the MFH then slide it under his door. He hates me so, even though he gets my note, he doesn't give a rip. He has pink water issues. He has lots of other issues, too. :(

Really. I have discovered that a/c people put this crap into their chill water piper which turns the water pink. So, when I finally track him down hours later, the first thing he asks me is... is the water pink? No, Toad, it's clear, like cat pee. Ok, now we have TWO leak problems. Again. He is obsessed with pink water. No matter how many times I tell him that the water is clear, he insists it HAS to be pink. Ok, I tell him I am calling my plumber. The not pink water drips into our bathroom all day and all night. I restrain myself from opening the wine. Idiot that I am.

Monday arrives on little Ipo feet and, after SOS wakes me up at 5:35AM, I wait until a civilized time and call the plumber. What does he ask me? Is the water pink? QUIT with the pink water, already!! I tell him everything he needs to know. Now, Marc has been to our unit many times and knows it inside out. He knows all our plumbing is possessed, too. Marc is also skinny. I tell Marc I need him because the panel into the WFH is skinny. Marc sends me a tubby little guy. Marc is indispensable to someone who was in line before me. :( Why I don't have first dibs on Marc escapes me. I am pretty sure that we must own the plumbing firm by now.

Anyway, the plumber checks everything. Looking for pink water, yanno? Really. I hear more than I ever wanted to know about pink water. Feels slimy like olive oil and makes your fingers tingle and burn if you touch it. Swell. I'm ever so happy to have this pink water education but my dripping water is clear. Hmmmm, what to do, what to do?? Sure enough, the leak is from the UK. Stop it! Not England. Remember? I told you...the Upstairs Koreans. :D Pinot Grigio...loud and clear!

Now, the plumber says there is obviously a leak in a pipe in the UK unit and there isn't anything he can do. He goes to his truck. Now, in the meantime, I decide I need to call Mike, the wet dry wall guy. Mike and his kid Nick will have to tear out...for the 4th time, the dry wall and install new. So, for some reason I find myself out in our parking lot and whose car do I spot? Mike's! I hear voices so I toddle over thinking it's Mike on his cell phone. Nope. It's my plumber and BOTH UKs!

Crap. Over the years I have had nothing but problems with the male UK. I never even SAW the female one. Yet, lo and behold, there they are, chatting like real humans to my plumber. You are thinking bad things. Don't. The male UK has sputtered repeatedly about how he has, "No engrish, no engrish" yet here he is talking to the plumber. I gird my loins. And march on over. I plaster a smile on my face so I don't scare anyone. I am ready to kill. However, sanity overcomes me and I decide to be civilized. I KNOW I am opening the pinot soon!

I introduce myself to the female UK who is about 4' 8 and has on this mid 12th century kabuki dead white pancake make up. She's dressed to the nines but has this make up that is something out of Little Shop of Horrors. It looks like an 8 part video I once watched of The Reign Of Elizabeth 1. She got small pox, recovered and wore this lead based white crud on her face to cover up the scars. They are pretty sure that's what killed her. Death by kabuki make up. :(

Other than the dead white fish belly face make up, the female UK is quite pretty. I tell her so. She beams through her lead based muck and both UKs decide to show me photos of the leak. Shell be insane and/or dead by morning from wearing that crap on her face.

After much chatting in the male UK's non existent engrish, we all agree that: the leak is awful, the building must pay, and that we aren't happy. I am DYING to ask...but Mr, UK! HOW many times have you told me you don't speak engrish? I restrain myself and keep my mouth shut. Those of you who know me will understand how painful this was.

Ok, The end result? The UKs leave, the plumber leaves, the MGR is nowhere to be found and I am left with the leaking Wall From Hell.

Hours go by. My friend is here showing me the havoc she wreaked on a necklace she bought. She destroyed the thing by trying to wrap it around her neck when it was too short. I adore her so I will fix it. While she is here, the MFH shows up with a plumber/a/c person. I let them in and they stand before the WFH debating WHY the water isn't...yep...pink. The plumber guy even looks in my pail to make sure I am not lying to him. Isn't it time for wine yet?

They decide several things: I am not lying, the water is really not pink, yes, there is more than one leak and they don't know what to do. They leave. I say ENOUGH! I drag out the new bottle of pinot grigio. Oh boy. :D

I am ever so happy. I get to try my new wine. I love white Italian table wine. I just know it's going to be dandy. I whip out my 37 year old wine opener and...wait...this appears to be a ...screw top. Oiks. Ok, I know that corks are an endangered/dying thing. You laugh. Is true. So, I think, ok...I'll just take off the foil and unscrew the top. HAH!

The foil is made from the same shit as the female UK's make up. It is solid lead and stronger than I am. I toddle into my craft room while I find the proper pliers. Are you kidding me? I'm an old bartender! I KNOW how to open wine. Nope, there is no opening this bottle. I'm an old massage therapist! I am strong. Nope, this kabuki lead stuff is stronger than I am. I get my pliers and manhandle the stuff off the bottle. I think, they aren't going to be selling much wine if you need The Hulk to open the bottle.

But, undaunted, I get it open, get my glass, pour some wine and I'm a happy girl.

Then I toddle into the bathroom to deposit some of my own not-pink water when I realize...there is no water dripping into the bucket! Can it be that I will get a good night's sleep tonight? No water all over our floors? You'll just have to wait to find out. :D

Bracelets and ...that's all

2011-05-16T13:21:00.000-10:00

I was reading a wire wrapping book and found a design by Tamara Honaman and I had these cool denim blue dragon vein agate from Gingerbells Too on ArtFire. So I made this set. :)

Then I got carried away and made a cold set with cool flower canes I got from Mary Kay who hides out from me in the Land of the Ozarks. She hides out because I am always nagging her to make me canes. She is making me suffer. :)

And then I found and Irina Miesch design and thought I'd try it. Wire Wrapping is just too much fun. I'm addicted. :D

Finished My Fun Necklace Set!

2011-05-13T16:34:00.002-10:00

YAY! All done. Didn't it come out cool? I am just soooo happy with this! What do you all think?

Still Playing With Clay

2011-05-13T10:46:00.000-10:00

And so, I am still making earrings and messing with my clay. I think today I will finish up a necklace then do some bead weaving. It's yet another dark gloomy rainy day here in Honolulu so it's a good day to stay inside.

Idin't these ovals come out great? I love the colors! The blue nautilus cracks me up. And the leaf earrings are just sooo pretty. I wish I knew who made that cane. Anyone know???

Faux Coral and Turquoise

2011-05-11T09:24:00.000-10:00

My life is overtaken by ear hooks! I am obsessed! :D So, here are pictures of my newest set for sale on my ArtFire shop and a pair of super faux coral and turquoise earrings. Complete with my Art Collection ear wires. :D Thanks for looking! :D

Mary L's New Mini-Book and Blog

2011-05-10T11:09:00.001-10:00

Try, Try Again....!: Giveaway!! ... 'When Trees Dream'... (New Mini-Book!!) Please go visit Mary's blog and have a look at her book. This is one seriously talented lady!

Fun Ear Hooks and Stuff

2011-05-09T14:47:00.000-10:00

And so, to keep myself out of trouble I needed a mission. Ear hooks and matching eye pins were it. I spent hours making these then testing each one to make sure it was smooth going through the ear. I listed them all on my Art Fire shop but for some reason, they don't show up on my home page, only in the "Earrings" section. I have no idea why that is, tho. :( Look at the difference in these earrings! One with a store bought hook and one with my Art Collection hook. Makes a huge difference, don'tcha think?

Kitty Necklace and Fun Earrings

2011-05-07T13:52:00.000-10:00

Ok, I was stymied on what to make so I got into CF mode and came up with the cutest kitty in the Milky Way! I love this kitty! :D

And then I made some earrings and more cool ear hooks. What do you all think? I am planning on making ear wires to sell for those who make their own earrings. Think this is a good idea?

Then I went through my bead stash and found these cool beads. I finally got my wonderful expensive wire so I could make the ear hooks and do the proper wire wrapping. Don'tcha LOVE those copper AB Swarovskis?

Fun With Earrings

2011-05-04T13:01:00.000-10:00

I got all enthralled with making my own wire ear hooks so I decided I needed earrings, too. Man, I am SOOOO smart! :) Boggles the mind, no? :D Anyway, I had this cool cane from Jackie and this really pretty green flowers canes from my friend Mary Kay. It always amazes me how different clay things can be. And I got these wire beads from Fire Mountain. I love them, they are so lightweight. They made fun earrings, too. What say you, friends?

A Shawl and Some Earrings

2011-05-02T10:46:00.000-10:00

My friend Angie made me this gorgeous shawl. Isn't it beeeeooootiful? I love it! I'm trying to get her to sell them. :D So much fun making her work! Thanks, GF!

And look at these gorgeous earrings! I bought the hand made glass beads from Lea Avroch. She's a sweetie and makes really nice glass beads. Go check her out. Lea, jump in here! Give people your site! :D

Pens!

2011-04-26T10:30:00.000-10:00

Last year I got crazy making these really cool twist pens. They are really really nice pens and look marvelous covered with clay. I get them from the ever wonderful Larry Rubin who owns Boston Craft Works. He's over there>>>>>> so you can go click and see all the fun things Larry has for us to buy.

Anyway, I got new gun metal black pen gut kits. I love this color! So, here are the latest pens I made.

Finished Fishies

2011-04-19T14:02:00.000-10:00

Wow! I finally got some fishy karma going and finished the last of my trio of fishy wall art. :0 And this beaded polymer clay cab. Such and industrious girl, is me. :D

Cane Sets and Other Fun Things

2011-04-18T10:52:00.002-10:00

Our clay friend Carolyn has been making all these really gorgeous canes sets. She makes the best canes to begin with but now she's offering sets so you don't even have to think which colors go together. And her canes are big enough so you can reduce them if you like and still have lots left over. The bottom picture are some of the other sets. s you can see I'm going to bead the orange and blue pendants. What should I do with the purple? I can't decide.

Are these not super canes? Check out her canes sets at carolynsclaycreations.com. They are beautiful! Here's a pendant I made using a purple set.

A Brain Fart

2011-04-16T12:57:00.000-10:00

Here was me, reading this cool new wire book. I find this really cool river rock bracelet by Lorelei Eurto and decide I wants one only from clay. So, I toddle off to my table whereupon I create this excessively cool faux jade stones. :) LOVE that Pardo trans! So, I make my stones and put the perpendicular pukas in and get out my wire. I make jump rings and the spirals and all is right in my tiny world. Except that the jump rings have to be big to go through the pukas. They look great but now the bracelet won't lay against my wrist. Enter above mentioned brain fart. Just HOW do I connect these stones now? Anyone have any ideas? Hellllp!

Being Sick and The Grim Reaper

2011-04-12T10:26:00.000-10:00

Ok, I'm starting with the Grim Reaper. The other day B and I are in the car and I see this truck next to us. It has a big picture of the Grim Reaper and his scythe. And dead bugs. I look again, sure enough, it says, The Grim Reaper. No, this can NOT be a real company! So, B says, why don't you see if they're in the Yellow Pages? Ok, I do. Sure enough. Check it out. Is this a great name for a bug killing company, or what?

And now a word about being sick. Don't do it. Being sick sucks. I am almost never sick. Really. In the last 15 years, I have been sick exactly 4 times. This past week being the 4th. I am not a happy girl. And it's all the Hunnibunni's fault.

The man simply will not learn. Every time he goes to the mainland he comes home sick. So, a couple weeks ago he was in Napa Valley and sure enough, brought home the Dread California Cooties. I thought nothing of it as I never catch his cooties. Hah, the universe paid me for my arrogance. B was sick as a dog and actually had to go to the doctor and get all kinds of crap to take. I am fine. Then, 3 days later, the Cooties got me! NOOOOO!

For some odd reason, altho I can't breathe, my eyes are running, my muscles hurt and I'm coughing like crazy and have an awful sore throat, I don't feel bad. Aren't you supposed to feel awful? So, I think this is a one day affair. Hah.

I get partial laryngitis. Crap. Me. I can hardly talk. I could die from that! I can croak out a little and sound amazingly like some creature from a slasher/sci fi movie. It's now 4 days later and I am in the throes of...perhaps the cooties are dying??? But, I still sound like the Creature from the Black Lagoon and am coughing like crazy. I have NO idea why. My lungs are fine. All the coughing is from my throat. Aren't you supposed to cough because your lungs are full of dead and dying cooties?

Now what happens? Getting over a cold is actually worse than having it, yanno? Did you ever actually think about how disgusting it is getting over a cold? Now, all those cooties are in you dying like fruit flies, right? What happens to their little tiny carcasses? They have to be ejected from you somehow. Gick.

So, you now spend several days blowing and snorting and coughing and spitting and it's majorly revolting. Anyone around you politely tries to pretend they can't hear you but when you look at their slightly bilious color, you know they DID hear you. Now, on top of being disgusting, you are now embarrassed. This must be why I rarely get sick. it's just all too embarrassing.

But, undaunted by the Attack of the Dread California Cooties, I continued to make fun stuff. Here is one thing. I'll probably have to dip it in Clorox before I sell it. Or call The Grim Reaper. :D

Oh No! PINK!

2011-04-11T11:43:00.000-10:00

I got stuck in Blue Mode for a while which is pretty weird seeing as I don't much like blue. But the last few days I have been overtaken by pink. Yikes. But, I like pink so this will be fun. And, in keeping with my new *make your own ear wires* phase, Check out the wires, too. Thanks for stopping by!

Messing Around

2011-04-08T08:35:00.000-10:00

And so, it came to pass that new ear wires were necessary. Oh HO! I cried, I can make my own. So, I have been messing around making cool ear wires. And other fun clay and beady things. Take a look! :D

Some Fun Pendant Chokers

2011-04-01T08:35:00.000-10:00

So, my clay pal T-Roo sold me these cool pendant frames and chokers. This is what I made. :D

Even More Stuff

2011-03-30T12:22:00.000-10:00

Yikes. I was reading that Art Fire suggests you have more than 100 items in your shops to boost sales. So, I have a question. When I do a craft show people are always saying, There are just so many things, I don't know what to pick! So, if they are having a hard time in person, then why are tons of choices better on line? Is it because they are at home? But, I believe Art Fire so now I'm listing more goodies. :) Have a look!

New Bead Sets!

2011-03-28T13:33:00.000-10:00

Wooohooo! I just finished a bunch of new loose bead sets and am ever so happy! And I got a nice photo of the black and white one from the last post. Take a look, ok? Thanks! :D

Aren't these the coolest links? I had so much fun making them. There are more sets listed in my Etsy shop. You can just click on the link over there>>>>>>

Cool Beads!

2011-03-25T10:34:00.000-10:00

Once again I am having far too much fun. I got all these really cool black and white canes so I decided to make some loose beads to sell in my shops. Then I got really inspired and made 2 wire wrapped stations to add to the set. What do you think? Isn't it fun to have the wire in the set?

Then I made this from serious inspiration from Irina Miech's book. She's the best wire artist! Her stuff is just amazing. I love these beaded bails. :D

Lava and Ipo

2011-03-24T09:32:00.000-10:00

Once again you are probably wondering how Ipo can get into so much trouble when all she does is sleep? I wonder the same thing. I think she just decides that, in her awake mode, she'll wreak as much havoc as possible. Meanwhile, she's asleep and I'm glad. ;)

While she was sleeping, I made a pair of earrings using a cane from PenniJo. I call this, "Lava Rose". I love how the burnt orange Swarovski crystals really sparkle. :D

Again With The Ipo

2011-03-22T15:54:00.000-10:00

Just look at this little brat. Is she just too cute? This is the same little kitty that thinks it's great fun to lay all over my clay work and scatter my beads all over the wood floors. Sigh.................

America

2011-03-19T15:53:00.000-10:00

So, I get tired of always hearing that all the world's problems are America's fault. Personally, I think America is a pretty terrific country and our men and women serving in the military are the world's BEST! Because I think this, I made this set in honor of our wonderful country and all those in it. Pretty sparkly, no? It's dozens and dozens of Swarovski crystals. I'm going to list it in my shops for any who feel patriotic. Thanks America!

Fishy Friend

2011-03-19T15:48:00.000-10:00

Fishy needed a pal. I made her one. :) I'm going to make a set of 3 to sell as wall art. What do you all think? So far...two are here. :)

Fishy Fun

2011-03-17T13:11:00.000-10:00

We were in B&N the other day and I was reading this Aussie beading magazine. In there I saw this wire fish a woman had made. When I got home I found a whole box of copper wire from my darling niece. Heh, heh. A fishy was screaming to get out so this is what I made. It's 4 inches long from lips to tail. I made the jump rings, too. I think it would be too cute for words in a bathroom, kid's room or kitchen. It's for sale. :) A rare Hawaiian fishy. :O

Easter Necklace Set

2011-03-16T11:59:00.000-10:00

I was playing around with some beautiful watermelon colored clay and my friend PennyJo's molds. { Look over there>>>>> for Pj's molds. She's Best Flexible Molds. } Anyway, I decided that this luscious watermelon color just screamed spring time and pearls. So, using PJ's molds, I put a cross on for Faith, a heart for Love and flowers, tendril and leaves for new growth and Hope. I did the salt beads thing to make the round beads and am very happy with this whole set. What do you think??

Donuts

2011-03-15T10:58:00.000-10:00

Haaa, fooled you! Not lard donuts but stone donuts. :O I got this wonderful book by Irina Miesch on wire working. Don't you just LOVE the wire beaded bail? I do! :D

Why Me??

2011-03-14T14:51:00.000-10:00

Now, you all know that I have puce issues. And so, with that in mind, the following incident happened:

I am wanting to buy some new Swarovski crystals because, no matter how much stuff I have, I NEVER ever have the right size/shape/color for whatever it is I want to make. Never. How some people can actually decide to make something and have/order all the proper ingredients, I will never know. I have 30 billion dollars worth of supplies and I never have just what the recipe calls for. HOW does this happen?

Anyway, I am happily ordering all kinds of stuff, not one piece will be what I need next time but, no matter. HAH! I come upon a color (no picture) that is described as kind of an amethyst opal color. Now, doesn't THAT sound pretty?, I innocently ask Self. I should have known. I should ALWAYS have known. :( It should have screamed at me when it didn't have a picture, right? Wrong. So, I order a bunch.

I toddle blithely through life until one sunny day, my package arrives. Yay! I rush into my studio and rip open the package.

Holy shit. WHAT is THIS??? They have sent me 144 crystals the color of Geritol. Swell. This can't be right. I think to Self, whiskey tango foxtrot is it with me and puce? I hate puce. I am plagued by puce. But, I am now the unhappy owner of Geritol colored crystals.

So, I start thinking about it. ALWAYS a mistake. I have mental images of Adolph and Heinie Swarovski hitting the Jaegermeister and discussing their new puce colored bicones. " Und so, Heinie, dese silly Amerikaners vill buy anyting, ja? Ja, Dolph, ve can make dese und sell dem to da stupid Amerikaners, dey vill buy dem und dey vill LIKE dem! Ja, Heinie, have anodder Jaegermeister. Danke, I vill." I hate these guys.

So... it will cost me more than I want to spend to return them. Plus, I probably won't endear myself to the company I bought them from if I insist upon knowing WHY they are selling puce bicones. So, I put my new Geritol colored bicones away figuring one day I will find a use for them. I am bummed.

The I get a new beading magazine and decide...YAY! I will make a fun necklace for Spring and Easter... I figure God probably doesn't mind puce. I whip out my Swarovskis. (Heinie and Dolph are passed out cold). Hmmm, there they are in their little baggie staring at me. Puce bicones. Hmmm.

So, I get to thinking. (Oh NO!) I recall Pammie, my beading guru, telling me that beads aren't always the color we think they are. Oh yeah? Nope, says she... they change color out of their confinement baggies and with/against other beads. Ok, Pammie knows all.

I get out the puce abominations and dump them on my beading mat. I now have a mat full of Geritol colored Swarovskis that are loose rather than confined. Swell. So, undaunted, I get out all my seed beads and start pairing them with the puce crystals.

OMG!!!! Pammie was right! Heinie and Dolph...take a hike! This is what I made, despite Heinie and Dolph's best efforts. :D Pretty Easter-ish, yanno? :D

Yet Another Cuff

2011-03-14T09:12:00.000-10:00

I'm on a roll! :) Here's another one... what do you think?

Another Cuff and Fun Earrings

2011-03-11T10:35:00.000-10:00

And so, I love cuffs! And I love green. So... here's a great cuff, don'tcha think? And a fun pair of beady earrings.

The Look of Love

2011-03-11T09:24:00.000-10:00

This is the infamous Ipo. After wreaking havoc all day and getting yelled at went for a nap. She did this all by herself. I was looking for the brat and couldn't find her in any of her regular sleeping habitats and there she was under my comforter on the couch. How cute is this? :D

Selling Is Hard Work!

2011-03-09T10:30:00.000-10:00

It occurs to me that many people have lots of online places they sell. I have two. Etsy and ArtFire. It makes me crazy keeping up with them! HOW do you guys who have several places manage? It must be an all day affair. Get up, drink coffee, sit at the computer. Eat lunch, go back to the computer, eat dinner, go back to the computer. Get up the next day, drink coffee and sit at the computer.

Makes me tired thinking about it. Right now I'm having a break from editing a zillion photos. Sigh.... This one came out super, tho. I love this! What do you think?

Yikes! Blue!

2011-03-06T11:54:00.000-10:00

My clay friend Carolyn Stearns made this gorgeous cane and kindly gave it to me. This is what I did with it. The end caps are flower canes. Even though I am not a blue person, I just love this set!

And, in my beading frenzy, I also made the the Irish bracelet, too. :)