Friday, August 30, 2013

Three Beautiful Things This Week

Three Beautiful Things This Week was inspired by a wonderful blog that Three Beautiful Things. Everyday, Clare writes about 3 Beautiful Things that happen each day in her life. It's a wonderful blog! I can only hope to imitate her in a very small way.

1) This heat wave is set to break tomorrow!  Dang it, it's been hot!  I'm so glad for the relief to come!

2) Pixie made a lot of people smile this week!  She loves her visits to the nursing homes!

3)  I made a new bracelet this week!  It's really bright and colorful!

Thursday, August 29, 2013

Pixie Cuteness Day!

The girl is so cute!!!

Wednesday, August 28, 2013

Can You Tell Me What the h*&^&* -eck This is?

I don't know!
It was supposed to be a blown sea shell.
I haven't blown any sea shells in a long time.
Looks like I need a little bit more practice.
Sigh!

Tuesday, August 27, 2013

I wonder what this blog is going to be about???? Don't end a sentence with a preposition, she said... No, that's not what I meant...Balls

Balls, you say?
Yes, balls.
I made these balls out of polymer clay.
They were an experiment in making hollow beads,
big hollow beads.
However,
in the end, 
I didn't like them.
Soooooooo
What to do?
What to do?
Well, I'm learning to juggle with these
balls.
Now, I can only juggle two of the balls, but I'm hoping to get to there soon.
So, these 
balls 
came in handy.
And that's what this blog is all about!

Monday, August 26, 2013

Easy Peasy Polymer Clay Worry Stone Tutorial

Are you a worrier?
Do you know someone who is?
Would you like to use up your scrap clay?
This easy peasy tutorial will show you how to do this.

You will need two contrasting lumps of scrap polymer clay.

Make sure that you condition the clay.

Mix the two colors together with your hands.
You want to leave a contrast between the two colors.

I finished mixing when I could still the colors.
I also felt I had enough to make two worry stones out of this mix so I broke the lump of clay into two pieces.

Roll into two balls then flatten with the palm of your hand.
Each flattened piece should be about 1/4 - 1/2 inch thick.
I used sandpaper to try to give more texture to this piece.
I have to admit that doing this did not actually add more texture to the worry stone.

Add a thumb print to the center.

Bake the worry stone for about 30-45 minutes according to manufacturer's directions.

Let cool!
You have a worry stone!

Sunday, August 25, 2013

Friday, August 23, 2013

Three Beautiful Things This Week

Three Beautiful Things This Week was inspired by a wonderful blog that Three Beautiful Things. Everyday, Clare writes about 3 Beautiful Things that happen each day in her life. It's a wonderful blog! I can only hope to imitate her in a very small way.

1) We're starting to see signs of change.  Even though the summer has been mild, the change will be welcome.  Remind me I said this in the middle of winter.

2) Change is needed.  Change is good.  Life goes on.

3) Sunset have been beautiful.  Sunrises later.  I like the longer days, but this, too, is a sign of change.

Wednesday, August 21, 2013

Glass Beads Daily + Holly Dare = AWESOME! Holly is My Guest Blogger Today! Thank you, Holly!

  •     
     Glass Beads Daily
    by Holly Dare


         Glass Beads Daily is the culmination of several years of misadventures in blogging, studying SEO and selling beads! LOL!
    My background is in film production and advertising. But I loved crafting and have taught jewelry making during dry spells in my career. I found myself working for Carol Duvall,Queen of Crafts back when HGTV was good television. When I left that show, I started a business helping smaller craft companies with basic marketing. Making their websites function better always seemed to land in my lap.
        
         I got so good at that, I started freelancing for bigger companies. But I missed writing for television which led me to blogging. With the social media boom, I started taking classes or going to meetings just to learn more. I met people who actually make a living from blogging. And I tried a few of those...but knew that wasn't my ultimate goal. I just wanted to sell my beads!
        

         I was also one of the leaders of the Fire Divas (along with Lea Avroch and Theresa Ehlers) which was an off shoot of the original Lampwork Etc Etsy Street Team (LEST). That taught me so much about managing a group. There were a lot of rules and people would get upset because they were doing more than other people were. It was a lot of work but a great learning experience.
        
         I had set up the Fire Divas blog and realized that CONSTANT posting is a lot of what drives a blog. It's one of the reasons I post my own beads a bit differently than most artists I know. I prefer to list one or two beads a day (at different times) rather than ten all at once.
    But with all I had learned about search engine optimization (trying to get a good Google ranking) it suddenly hit me that no ONE bead maker is EVER going to get a high Google ranking. It's simply impossible for one person outdo some of those Chinese importers or "famous" bead makers. But a blog with consistent content using those good keywords over and over WOULD break that Google wall. We are four months old and we've made it to Page 2!
        
         A friend pointed out to me that I've essentially created another team of bead makers where I do the bulk of the work (creating the blog post and sharing widget we use every single day). But the artisans who share with us do have a job too! There is on one rule: if you have something glass bead related to share, please do so and then share the blog post on the social media venue of your choice. Without all their voices out there, we would have never made it this far!
  •      
  •      I ultimately knew I could help other bead makers and jewelry designers who were out there struggling. Others have told me that it is easier to promote someone else than to talk about yourself. My own best promotion has come from word of mouth. GBD gives us a venue to promote others and help ourselves too!

Tuesday, August 20, 2013

Holly Dare - Artist, Promoter of the Arts, Blogger--Well, You Name it, she does it!

Until I started writing this blog today, I hadn't realized that I had not "liked" Holly's fan page on Facebook.  So, to make up for lost time, I "liked" her page, and you can do the same.  Click
HERE to go to her page, and be sure to like it!!!  I really do like Holly and her work.  She makes beautiful beads!  Look at this heart on your right.  Isn't that lovely?






I found this fun pumpkin bead on Holly's fan page on Facebook.  The link is in the last paragraph.  Go and buy it while you can!!!















I found these cool spacers in Holly's Etsy store.
Click
HERE
and you can check out her store!  I really like what she has in her store.  Time to run, not walk, to the site and buy some of Holly's fabulous creations! before they are all gone!




Yet, another place to find Holly!  She's got a great website called Holly's Folly.  Click


to visit her site and see the beautiful beads she has listed there!

Holly is, literally, all over the place!!!

It's a good thing!  I love her beads!!!  Check out each of her sites, and I think you will LOVE her beads, too.






But, wait!!!!  There's more!!!

Holly has not one, but two blogs!  One is a bead making blog and the other is a writing blog.  Actually, she has three blogs, and we will talk a little bit more about the third blog in a bit.

Here's the link to Holly's Bead and Jewelry Blog.  Click
to reach that site.

And that's not all!!!  
Here's the link to Holly's Creek Hiker Blog.  Click

to reach that site.

And wait, that's not all!!!!
Tomorrow, we are going to talk about a third blog that Holly developed.
It's called
Glass Beads Daily.
Click
to reach that site!

Tomorrow, Holly will be my guest blogger.  She's going to tell us how she developed the Glass Bead Daily blog.  She's quite a woman!

Monday, August 19, 2013

Just Because I'm Having a Sale = JUSTBECAUSE30 = 30% off your order at checkout

Now that was a lot to say!!!

You can find this bead
It's still 30% off!

Ginkgo headpins
made from polymer clay!
30% off!
Click

You can find this beautiful dragonfly
The sale will end tomorrow.

Pie's on sale, too.
Click

Remember
JUSTBECAUSE30
at checkout
=
30% off your entire order!


Friday, August 16, 2013

Three Beautiful Things This Week

Three Beautiful Things This Week was inspired by a wonderful blog that Three Beautiful Things. Everyday, Clare writes about 3 Beautiful Things that happen each day in her life. It's a wonderful blog! I can only hope to imitate her in a very small way.

1) Bittersweet memories today.  I must visit the cemetery.

2)  Looking forward to lunch with a friend to celebrate her birthday yesterday!!!

3) I love my weed burner!!!!!

Thursday, August 15, 2013

Pixie, the Hospice Therapy Dog

I honestly don't know how Hospice got my name, but one day, in my email, was a note from the volunteer coordinator of hospice asking if I would be interested in joining the hospice team with Pixie.  I had to really think about this, and I did say yes.  I had to go through a background check, of course, and I had to jump through a few hoops, including some training.  Then I received my first assignment.  And we were off. 

This photo is one of Pixie as she's waiting in the car to leave for "work."  If there's enough time in the car, Pixie grabs a quick nap.  I'm not allowed to take photos in the nursing homes or of the clients with whom we work, and that is fine with me.  As soon as we walk in the doors of the facilities where we "work," Pixie hikes up her shoulders and heads down the halls.

It's amazing to see her "work."  We leave smiles in the pathways we walk.
Everyone seems to know her name.  They don't know mine!! :)  That's okay. 

We have met some wonderful women and men.  Most of them like dogs, but those who say they don't, we assure that we will not come near them.  In one mental facility, one gentleman told me he hated dogs and that if he had his 22, he'd shoot Pixie.  I assured him that we would not go near him.  Pixie didn't like him at all!

I've found that Pixie is very sensitive and picks up a lot of information as she works. 

1) I have found that if someone is actively dying, even if they are not aware of it, she will go into their rooms, but she will not go near them.
I thought that was interesting.

2) I have found that if someone doesn't like dogs, or if they prefer cats, Pixie will go to them, very reluctantly. 

3) I have found that, often, staff sometimes need Pixie's visits more than clients.

4) I have found that Pixie likes her ice cream treats when she is finished.

5) I have found that there are some very wonderful people who know they are dying but still wish to live as much as they can while they are alive.

6) I have found that Pixie is a good hospice therapy dog.

4) 

Wednesday, August 14, 2013

I'm having a SALE!!!!

I'm having a sale in my Etsy Store.

From now until next Tuesday, August 20, if you enter the coupon code

JUSTBECAUSE30

You will receive 30% off your entire order!  I hope to be adding more new things in the meantime.

Stay Tuned!!!

Rosebud101

Tuesday, August 13, 2013

Words of Blessing

Wikipedia defines the word blessing in this way:

The infusion of or bestowing of something with holiness, spiritual redemption, divine will, or one's hope or approval.

So, no matter how you define the word, in secular or divine terms, a blessing is a gift of love from one person to another or from God to a human being. 

"Love never Fails."

Here are some of my favorite words of blessing:

God Bless You.
I love you.
Peace.
May you be blessed.
For you
Blessings
I give you my love.
I hold you in my heart.
I am with you always.
I hope you feel better.
Let me hold you.
I give you my heart.
I want to help you.
May I help you.
Listen to me.
May I help you find a seat?
May I carry that for you?
How was your day?
Let's do this together.
Are you all right?
My heart is in your heart.
I will never forget you.


What are some of your favorite words of blessing?










Monday, August 12, 2013

And the Garden Only Caught Fire Once....

Huh?
I love my new torch!
It's brand new, and it's not made for beads, but I think if I were desperate,
it would be difficult, but I could make some beads on it.
Maybe not, but my regular torch works just fine for now.
Anyway,
this torch is made for burning weeds.
I had so many weeds coming up in the cracks of my driveway that even my lawn care guy was spraying for weeds in the grass,
he sprayed my driveway for weeds.
The weeds have been mocking me for years.
I've tried the "natural" products.
HOT vinegar and LOTS of salt.
The weeds just laughed and grew back.
I poured on industrial strength weed killer.
You had to be careful because when you used this product, 
nothing would grow in that spot for years.
The weeds just laughed and mocked the weed killer.
That did it.
I saw my neighbor with this magnificent torch
firing up his weeds.
When he did, they were gone.  
They did not mock the torch.
They were burned,
and
THEY
WERE
GONE!
 
I bought a new torch.
I burned those weeds,
and
THEY
ARE
GONE!
 
and
the garden only caught on fire 
once.  
I was happy!

Sunday, August 11, 2013

I Heart Macro!!! Rhubarb Seeds

The season is nearing an end!

Saturday, August 10, 2013

Friday, August 9, 2013

Three Beautiful Things this Week!

Three Beautiful Things This Week was inspired by a wonderful blog that Three Beautiful Things. Everyday, Clare writes about 3 Beautiful Things that happen each day in her life. It's a wonderful blog! I can only hope to imitate her in a very small way.

1) Pixie did a great job working with our hospice patients yesterday.  She brought smiles to faces from staff to patients.  She enjoyed her work, even though we had to walk in the rain to get back to the car.

2) We had a taste of autumn yesterday.  I have to remember, it's been a wonderful summer, and that fall is only a transition leading us back to spring.

3) Dinner with friends is always wonderful!

Thursday, August 8, 2013

This is Where Pixie and I went today for our hospice work...

We are changing facilities.
This nursing home is only about 8 minutes from my home.
The grounds are beautiful!
Pixie had a great time exploring!
We were waiting for another volunteer to give us an orientation of the facility.
We waited and waited and waited.
Only then did we find out,
We were at the
WRONG
facility!!!!
So, we jumped into the car to drive to the other facility which is only 
4 blocks from my house.
We did have fun!
Then Pixie went to work!
She brought smiles to the residents there.
Oh, well, 
I'm glad we had fun!

Wednesday, August 7, 2013

The Bead Box is Filling UP for BEADS OF COURAGE

I know I said it yesterday, 
but
needs your beads!
My bead box is beginning to fill up.
How's your bead box?




Tuesday, August 6, 2013

I got to meet Jean Baruch from Beads of Courage!!!!!

Here we are with Malcolm Potek in his studio in
Minneapolis, Minnesota!

Jean is a dynamo of energy and ideas!
We had a great time making beads and enjoying the company.
Do you remember Hannah?

She was there, too, and she not only brought her beads from 
but 
Hannah joined us in making beads!
It was a great time!

My dear Bead Maker friends,
you can see Hannah's strands, 
and she has an entire basket full of beads now.
The beads for kids are well used and appreciated!

Click
to learn how to donate to 
Beads of Couage!
Look under 
Artists.

More later on my beads.
In the meantime,
always remember,
with Jean,
resistance is
futile!!

Monday, August 5, 2013

An Easy Peasy Knotted Scarf Tutorial

I realized this weekend that it has been a while since I posted a tutorial on this blog.
So, since I have been making these,
I decided to share with you
how I make them.
This tutorial came about because I looked at the amount of leftover
yarns that I have in my closet.

These scarves can be made as thick or thin scarves.  I make thin scarves for the spring and fall.
Love them!

This scarf will be right in the middle.
I cut 14 strands of yarn approximately 3 yards long.

Fold the yarn strands in half and tie a knot in the middle of the yarn.

Next tie another knot on each side of the middle knot.
These are about 6 inches apart.
I use the palm of my hand for a measurement.
On my hand, from thumb to pinky, I measure about 6 inches.

Continue tying knots in the yarn until you have about 8 inches of yarn left at the end. 
To make this an "Infinity" scarf, knot the two ends together leaving about two inches of length.
If you don't want an infinity scarf, finish the last knots 6 inches from the other ones.

Ta-da!  In about 15 minutes, you have a new scarf to accessorize your wardrobe, and, you have used up some more of your leftover yarns.
Have fun!!

Sunday, August 4, 2013

Saturday, August 3, 2013

Friday, August 2, 2013

Three Beautiful Things This Week

Three Beautiful Things This Week was inspired by a wonderful blog that Three Beautiful Things. Everyday, Clare writes about 3 Beautiful Things that happen each day in her life. It's a wonderful blog! I can only hope to imitate her in a very small way.

1)  Oh, no, JoAnn Fabrics had BOTH polymer clay AND yarn on sale this week!!  Guess where I went yesterday, and guess what I bought!!!  I love them both!!!!

2) I met a lovely woman this week who will turn 100 on the 18th!!!  Wow!!  What a life!!!

3) I saw such a difference in Pixie as a therapy dog when we only went to one nursing home rather than two on the same day this week.  She really gives a lot of herself when she "works."  I am impressed.  She was not as tired as usual when we only visited one nursing home on Wednesday.  I didn't realize how much she gave of herself.

Thursday, August 1, 2013

If I didn't Have this Headache

I'd tell you about my day,
but
MY
HEAD
IS
KILLING
ME!

Maybe tomorrow!
For now,
OUCH!
and
Welcome August!