My Intentions for Today

One of the reasons I love animals is that they tend to live in the moment, no questions asked.  If there's food, they eat it.  If there's someone to pet them, they enjoy it.  If there's danger, they run.
If they're tired, they sleep.

Obviously, Walter is living, that is, sleeping in the moment.  He was tired, so he lay down on my bed and went to sleep.  Never mind that I was planning to use the space creatively.  Never mind that I had hopes of using my computer there, too.  He was happy to live in the moment, make himself comfortable and sleep.

I had to stop and think about this.  I had wanted to hammer and make some components for a bracelet I was going to make.  Since I wasn't in control of the environment, (I have been well trained,) I stopped.  Walter needed his sleep.  I fussed a bit about this.  Then the decision was easy.  I decided to be happy.  I put away my tools.  I crawled into bed, and I took a nap.  When we both woke up, we felt better.   I was less crabby, and that felt good.

Call it making lemons into lemonade, or simply realizing that I can't control what other people do or say.  (In this case it was an animal, a cat.)  I can only control my reaction to what is said or done.  I was happy I took the nap. My intention for today was to accomplish something concrete.  It didn't work out, but I learned.  Animals know what to do.  They don't worry about the future.  They only think about the now.  I'm not sure I could live this way, but I'm sure happy I took that nap!

What do you do when you get stressed?  How do you react to what people say and do?  I'm interested.  Let me know!

So, one day, I was trying to copy

Lauren of May Beads, Marcy of Studio Marcy, and Nikki of NLC Beads, I realized what talented artists these ladies are! Do you realize how hard it is to make such small beads and add detail and personality to your critters? Let me show you examples of my work. It's not as good as theirs, but it is getting better. You can check their stores to see the great stuff.


Ever try to make a cow bead? The color of choice was purple. This little bead is about an inch all around. Trying to get the details in that small space was a challenge! That little cow's nostrils almost didn't make it on his face, but were sliding south past his, uh hum, equator? That would have been most interesting. I do think that a youngster in Beads of Courage would still like this little guy.












This little dino looks okay, but if you look at his face, you can see the challenges! It could be better, and I'm learning. My admiration for Lauren, Marcy, and Nikki has increased 1000%! I hope to develop more skills and learn to give these critters personality! I'm impressed with what Lauren, Mary, and Nikki do with their beads! Beads of Courage, here comes this dino!











How about this frog on a lily pad? He looks almost good enough to sell, but trust me, these small beads are hard to make. He has his flaws, but I do think he will be loved by a child in the BOC program.















This is my last try. Samuel actually turned out all right. He was the last critter I made that day. Practice does help. However, in the spirit of the day, Samuel will be making his way to Beads of Courage. I can't let him not join his friends in bringing a smile to a child's face. Also, be sure to visit, May Beads, Studio Marcy, and NLC Beads.
You will see some amazing critter beads!

I'm a Proud Member of Team EFA on Etsy!

I used to belong to several street teams on Etsy, now I belong to only one, and that is Team EFA. EFA means Etsy for Animals.

Michele Erez-------------------------------> founded Team EFA three years ago, "..as a way to bring together animal lovers on Etsy."

This statement is taken from the home page of Etsy for Animals.

What is EFA Artists Helping Animals?

EFA Artists Helping Animals is a group of more than 500 independent artists, independent craftspeople, independent vintage suppliers, and independent art and craft suppliers that combine their efforts to provide charitable relief to animals. EFA can be found as a Team on Etsy.com, an online marketplace for buying and selling handmade items. All members of EFA are also Etsy members.

Isn't that amazing? There are 500 members on this Etsy street team! Each and every artist has a deep commitment to helping animals. I'm proud to be a member of this team!

This little guy

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was recently featured in the EFA blog.

This is another example of people helping animals.

As you peruse the EFA site, be sure to look at the monthly challenge link. You will see some wonderful works by artists who are members of Team EFA!

I'm Shopping Etsy Again!

All right, I'll admit it. I'm stuck on glass! So, as I shop, I look for glass, glass, and more glass. I found it, again, today.

Paula, of Paulanc, on Etsy is another wonerful bead artist. I "met" Paula in cyberspace in the Glass Art section of Wet Canvas, in the thread that used to be called The Newbie Thread. The name has been changed, but that's another issue. Anyhow, I quickly came to realize that the people who posted in this thread were anything but newbies. I was amazed and impressed by their skills and talents. Paula was one of those artists that jumped right out at me. She loves animals, and her current work reflects that. (BTW, you can find these pieces in her shop on etsy.) Take a look at this.

This little guy is named "Bennet." He's adorable!
Wouldn't you love to have him on a pendant? What a cutie pie Bennet is!


Did you know it's good luck to find a cardinal in your Christmas tree on Christmas morning? (Well, at least that's what I've heard. I have yet to find one.)


















Meet Carrie! What a cute little cardinal she is. Wouldn't she make a great pendant or an ornament for your tree?




















Now, Duke, here, reminds me of someone else I know who loves to wear bling! Isn't he the cutest little dog you've ever seen?

And last, but not least, is Howie. What a sweet, little puppy he is! Wouldn't you love to own him?


















Well, you've seen some of the items in Paula's store. Go make a visit, and see the rest. She's a very talented bead artist. She also makes Etsy her home.