I'm back and going a different direction.

I know I've been away for months, but I have not been too lazy. About the same time I quit blogging here, I also purchased a new Nikon DSLR camera. Since my training and profession (and passion) is photography, all my creative juices are flowing in this direction. I have set aside my jewelry making for a short while too. I have taken several thousand images since October and am getting to know my camera and my skills are coming back.

We, the spouse and I, finally got to take a trip together last month. Way too short, and waited much to long for it to happen, but it was wonderful. Got to have a mini school reunion with three school friends who have gone back to where we all grew up. Sorry, not me. I need Big City life too much to make it in a small country town. We had a great visit, taking over a local cafe after the lunch crowds were gone.

In addition, since my Van has been the only vehicle for at least 5 years, we finally bought the Husband a (new to him) 2002 PT Cruiser, which he loves, and so we went on Vacation in style and comfort, complete with a sunroof that opens, and leather seats!

Another change I have decided to make are to limit my Craft Show entries for a while. Sales here are pretty poor unless the merchandise is used daily. So my show fees are going towards camera cards and other supplies.

My Son's soon to be Bride has invited to take me around Galleries in the Denver, CO area and get some of my framed work in galleries there. She is a business professional and has lots of friends and connections in the area. Look forward to the challenge and the visit.

I am including a couple of images that are recent. Hope you enjoy.

No show this week-end

I have two weeks without shows, but still have plenty going on. I have at least 8 shows scheduled so I am trying to get a surplus ready, as well as knit scarfs, crochet caps for a charity, and this is Birthday week for my Husband and I......just not saying which one......LOL.

Some of my 'better' pieces are in the invitation only show this week-end. Last year the show was very good for me. Also I left about 6 of my necklaces for the Gallery gift show where my Photography is going. I also added two matted prints to my 'image collection' while there.

Every once in a while, I sit down for the morning and make earrings. Usually making 8-10 pairs gets me caught up on what has sold. Yesterday was my day for that project. I ended up making 9 pair blending new beads, crystals, and even a few 'left over' pearls to create sparkling color combinations in different styles. Most of my earring designs are casual to dressy. So they can be worn anytime.

A friend who likes and buys my jewelry had requested a specific color to go with the necklace she just purchased so of course I gave her a choice of three. She chose one then looked at the other new pairs and had me set one pair aside for next week's paycheck. I love it when a friend/customer keeps coming back and buying my work.

Even though I love working with gemstone beads, I do get a little burned out sometimes. I am working with all glass beads for a couple of days. After selling three necklaces last week-end, I need to replenish anyway.

Have a pleasant week-end. Blessings.

It was a great Craft show Week-end

Hope you had a good week-end as well. My week-end show was great. Lots of sales, all kinds of products, jewelry, photos, greeting cards and sold scarfs before I was finished knitting them. I had a primo spot this time (due to being a many time return vendor) on the busiest corner of the event, and in front of the music. I even had help two of the three nights, my Husband stayed around and helped then visited with some of the Men vendors there. The show was only 4 hours each night so nice and short.

The only flaw was the van threw a fit and the Fuel pump went out...at the Festival so it had to be towed to the garage. But she is back up and running now, even though our bank account is much lighter. We have a small local garage work on our vehicles and they always do a great job and are reasonable in cost and prompt with the repair.

This week is not as busy. I will be taking some of my jewelry to a private showing and sale on Thursday for the sale on Saturday and Sunday. Nice show and invitation only for selling there.

Stay busy, Be happy. Enjoy the Fall's Beauty outdoors.

A break in a busy week.

I am amazed at how busy this week has been and will be for the next three days.

In my earlier post, I informed you about my pending photo shoot of a local cowboy. It went very well, the man was nice to work with and the images turned out really good. Course, due to that job and trying to get some of my butterfly images edited and proofs printed, I've been to the store 3 times this week to pick up prints. Plus, I refreshed my mat cutting experience. Trying to make a little less work for myself, I went to Hobby Lobby to purchase a pre-cut mat for the selected photo from the cowboy shoot. No such luck. Not a white 11X14 mat in the store. My usual luck continues. But that is ok. Since I had to cut one, I measured and cut 5 more and the other matted prints (if not bought by the Cowboy) are going into a gallery.

One of my photographs from China was accepted by a local gallery with room for more of my images as soon as I can take them over. In addition, this gallery is creating a gift shop area and is making a space for some of my jewelry. I will be putting my nicer and more expensive gemstone necklaces there. They will go in as soon as the new necklace displays arrive. This gallery is just opening and being done very professionally. The owner is also an artist so he knows the Art field from both directions...creating and selling. What a great time to be putting new work in what looks like a very promising location.

I have a three day show this week-end and am attending a Gallery exhibit opening this evening. Friends' work is in this so I am excited for them. And I am going to try to do some more photography Saturday of some Indian Dancers. So much is going on right now, and I Love it. Next week is supposed to be a quiet one so maybe I can get some reading done as well as more jewelry done.

Till later. Blessed be.

Fall is Here.

Welcome to my corner of Texas. We are having wonderful Fall days with cooler nights. And I am busy trying to set up my craft show schedule for the upcoming months as well. Been very busy with different crafts; photography- getting more prints matted and greeting cards put together. I now have a full rack of my greeting cards at a local art gallery. Kewl!

I am really happy with the direction that my jewelry is taking right now. I am using more of the gemstone beads and they are fantastic! I ordered and received 30+ strands of all natural stone beads in several shapes. I've made two necklaces with garnet 'heart' shaped beads and my next is just using the garnets in a simple almost chain-like necklace.

As if that has not kept me busy enough, I am busy crocheting and knitting caps and scarfs for the cold season. Also, I will be crocheting at least a dozen caps for a missionary group that helps less fortunate families in Mexico. One of my very good friends is and has been heavily involved in helping those less fortunate for years. This is my way of saying 'thank you' for all we have been blessed with.

This Sunday will be the Fourth month for the Art Market where I have been showing and selling my works. I enjoy this show very much. So I am always excited about these shows.

In Addition, I have a photo shoot Saturday. I'm photographing a Cowboy on location. Looking forward to that as well.

Craft show results

I completed my third show at the Art Market in a series of Five. It was a fun day and made even nicer because my husband (who plays drums) was part of the band that provided music during the afternoon. We usually go our own way with our given 'profession' so this was a real treat as I haven't heard him play for a while.

While sales were not great, the crowd was a buying one. Great to see. My sales consisted of both my jewelry and my photos so that made me happy. My greeting cards are still a very good seller and are now being featured in a local gallery. The Christmas cards (SouthWest Desert version) will be available soon as well.

There was a great deal of interest for the chain necklace with the Adventurine focal. Thought I had it sold, but the young lady opted for the very delicate turquoise jasper necklace and a copper ring. It looked so nice on her as she had a wonderful tan, bringing out the colors of the necklace.

This will be another busy week as I have some really good images of butterflies that I need prints of for more greeting cards and I also need to work on the jewelry.

I am starting to design pieces and put the entire laid out design on a piece of wire until I can wire wrap it. Some times I have the time to lay out a design, but not enough time to work it up, so now I can at least keep the design.

My work with natural gemstones instead of glass beads has been very well received, so I hope to continue in that direction. I have more jade and a new string of garnet hearts that are really calling to me.

More later as time permits.
Have a healthy week.

Guess Muse is back.

Good morning all. I'm happy to say I've been very busy creating the last few days. I have completed two more necklaces and one pair of earrings. In addition, I designed a fashion-oriented high style necklace yesterday morning that has yet to be wire wrapped. Hope to get that one done today. Many Monday mornings are shopping day for me so I only got the designing done yesterday, but did get one pair of earrings made.

Photos of my new work will follow with a better description as I have the time.

Look forward to sharing and hope you have a great day.