Saturday, March 22, 2014

Surgery, Dr. Visits and Exhaustion

Just over a week ago, my husband had shoulder surgery where part of the joint was replaced. Because of the preparation for the surgery, then the hospital time and now that he is home and will be 'one handed' for at least a month, my life has become a little 'hectic' and a whole lot busier.

I have been the one in the past for surgeries and hospital stays so I never realized how much time and care are required.  My appreciation for those in the health care profession has grown considerably in the last few days.  I also have come to the realization that trying to do almost anything one-handed is a tough task.  My husband has had a difficult time but he's healing well and very slowly gaining a little movement each day.

 Again during this intense period, I have discovered how relaxing and soothing a little jewelry making has become.  I even took a mini jewelry making kit to the hospital and did bead stringing while my husband slept. Got a nice necklace made too.

I am hoping to go back to the short 3-4 hour show that is at the local restaurant parking lot on Sunday afternoons  tomorrow afternoon if the husband is up to being left alone that long and the wind behaves a little. Springtime in El Paso is known for being both very windy and dusty.

I have been working on a wire wrap necklace that has many small components and still need to hammer the last few.  It is kind of a combination of links and jump rings which will be a little more masculine yet lightweight and delicate.  Of course, it is made of copper.

Thanks for reading my rambling and as Jeff Smith used to say "I bid you Peace".  Blessed be.

Friday, March 7, 2014

Hearts a'dangling.

This light dangling pair of earrings, made from copper wire of course, is the last creative project I've done lately.  I have a few things on my plate that are kind of blocking my creating thoughts.

My husband is having shoulder surgery on March 14 and since he NEVER HAS serious health issues, I (the family worrier) am concerned.  

In addition, I am in the planning stage of a return trip to Germany to visit family that I haven't seen for a long time.  Excitement and lots of nerves happening here.  Course I know all will work out the way it is supposed to, but I AM the family worrier!

Back to the earrings and better things.  I have been doing a lot of tutorial researching for jewelry making and finding some great new ideas for wire working.  I used some info from one of the new tuts and some ideas from my own creativity as I worked.  Used 20 gauge pure copper and hand formed most of the design, did a little wire wrapping and then some hammering to strengthen the wire.  The small red glass heart bead only seemed appropriate.

The earring went up on my facebook page and are for sale on my Etsy shop site: https://www.etsy.com/listing/181606748/copper-wire-wrap-heart-shaped-dangle?

Weekend plans are still up in the air.  Take up to 4 cats to the vet for shots or do a short 4 hour craft show on a parking lot in the sun and the wind.....

Any suggestions?   Later, Ya'll.





Monday, March 3, 2014

No weather cooperation last weekend.

I set up my crafts at a new location last weekend, both days, at a coffee house that has artists one weekend of the month.  This show was in a farming community in New Mexico.  The location was good, with lots of road access at a busy intersection, Other vendors who had interesting wares  were friendly and helpful. Just one problem.  We had non-stop gale like wind from about ll am till the event closed at 3 pm.  I had been warned that there might be some wind, but by the time I finally got home, I was exhausted from fighting to hang onto the canopy or chasing down necklaces that went flying off the table.  Course I was not alone in this singular dance, but felt silly all the same, and pretty disgusted with the  weather after a couple of hours.  Before the day turned 'ugly' (I really mean another word here) I had a good sale so I had hope that the day would get better.  But it did not.

The canopy  was taken down and placed at the back of my space along with the tables and the chair for Sunday's showing.  Heavy rain woke me up early Sunday morning about 5:15, along with 4 scared kittens racing back and forth down the hall of our home, making even more noise. Within 15 minutes, everyone was awake and getting up (and thinking some unpleasant even unfriendly thoughts about then) to find the coffee pot.

We sat back till the rain stopped about 8 am and the sun started drying off the areas so I quickly headed out to do a few pre-show chores then raced to New Mexico, a short 30+ miles away.

Not sure if I was just going to retrieve my canopy and tables, or go ahead and set up, I drove up about 10 minutes before the show was supposed to start.  Everyone else was there all set up with new vendors as well so I set up and prepared for sales.  What I got was more wind and only one tiny sale.  I did stay till the show ended, but I drove home really dejected.  I plan to go back and try the show again, but I will wait till the windy season here has calmed down some.

The real highlight of the entire weekend was that due to my exhaustion we went out to dinner Sunday evening, to a restaurant close by and had a wonderful Mexican food dinner and had and took the time to relax and enjoy each other's company.

Batteries recharging and now trying to figure out what new items to make for the next show.

Have a good one, Ya"ll.