A Sneak Peak At Some Soup

A couple times a year I participate in a Bead Soup blog hop. Lori Anderson is hosting a mini one this Spring and we will be hopping all over the blogisphere on June 4th. I just happened to get two soups sent to me one from Loretta and one from Eve. This normally doesn't happen so I must have just been lucky, I love a good challenge.

 I've already made a bracelet out of the Lampwork and smaller beads and a necklace out of the Amethyst from Loretta. The necklace will be donated to the Puyallup Valley Gem and Mineral Club Raffle this coming weekend.

I haven't made anything out of this soup yet from Eve but there are some really pretty lampwork glass beads that I might combine with some of mine and then dangle the butterflies and some of the other beads for a charm bracelet. I think it could be quite whimsical.

To see the finished products and to do the blog hop, come on back Saturday for all the fun.

I also worked on a couple of Round Robin Necklace charms today, got them finished and mailed to the next person on the list. Here is one of the necklaces. The theme is birds. I added the Lampwork bead with the bird on it that has an Amazonite dangle at the bottom which coordinates with the other colors. I love this necklace and how it is turning out. Just one more round for this one and then it is on it's way home. I can't wait to see mine when it is finished. Right now it's in Hawaii getting it's final touch from Cris.

It's really been a productive day with getting some shopping done for the upcoming Gem show (I'll be coordinating the deli) and getting some of these jewelry pieces made. I did have to take the little dog to the vet today as he has been limping for the past couple of days. Turned out he had a laceration on his paw in between two toes and needed 3 stitches. Poor thing. He has also been milking it for all it's worth and wanting to be carried and to lay on you. Right now he is all curled up in the blanket with his hurt paw sticking out.

Have a great day!

A Diversion from the Norm

This past weekend was supposed to be our Spring Barrel Tasting over in Eastern WA but hubby had a Gem & Mineral Federation meeting on Saturday over there and the family just couldn't work out all the details for this year....next year for sure.

We did have a good time visiting with my step-brother and attending the local gem and mineral show over there. Driving over the passes was interesting as they were still getting snow. There are some pictures at the end of this post that I took as we were driving through.

One of the items on my wish list to look for at a show this year was a dapping block and other metal working tools....well there was an Oregon business vending at the show and they had just the right things, so I spent money. Well my business spent money but I have been playing a bit today with some copper sheet metal, cutting it into disks, pounding them, doming them, putting words on pieces, punching holes and you name it just causing all kinds of noise. So much noise that I made the house alarm go off this morning....LOL, note to self, turn alarm off before pounding on metal. The business is FeelingStone Gifts. It was a mother-daughter team and they do some wonderful wire work. I highly recommend checking out their website.

Funny thing about attending some of these shows is that you never know who you will see or what you will see. The same woman (Jackie) of FeelingStone Gifts, that I bought my tools from just happened to have purchased one of my gem tree tutorials a couple of months ago....now how do you like that. She and her daughter made several trees that were for sale as well as on display in a case. It was really nice to be able to see what someone else was able to do with one of my tutorials who did not attend a class. She had purchased the Pine Tree tutorial. I think she did a great job both her and her daughter.

Before I even when into the show, I stopped in to the meeting with my husband and a woman from the West Seattle Gem Club asked if both hubby and I would demonstrate at their upcoming show. Yes, I think it was a very productive weekend even if we didn't get to go to a ton of wineries and drink lots of wine.

So if you are in the Seattle area April 30th - May 1st, you may want to check out the West Seattle's Gem and Mineral show at the Alki Masonic Temple, 4736 40th Ave. SW., (W Seattle), WA. The hours are 10-5 both days. We will be demonstrating gem tree design. I will also be signing copies of my book for sale as well as finished gem trees and gem tree supplies.

Today I'll leave you with some of these photos of Snoqualime Pass from our weekend trip. They aren't the best photos as I was inside of a moving car taking them at the time.

Yes, those are skiers.

What a Show

Just back from demonstrating at a rock and mineral show in Castle Rock, Washington. Fun time even though it rained buckets and we had a few worries about whether or not we would be able to get the bus out of the muddy lot where we parked for the weekend. We made it out fine and even came out a little ahead in money we took in. Here is a picture of my little space in the demonstrators room. I had one table for hubby and me to demonstrate and another one to show/sell trees and supplies.

The best thing about demonstrating at the gem and mineral shows is meeting all the wonderful people and sharing your love of the hobby.  As a demonstrator we are not charged for our table space as we are required to demonstrate and teach over the weekend and in turn we get to sell what we make. What a deal and what fun. The other hobbies being demonstrated were wire wrapping, silversmithing, faceting, cabbing and mineral identification. My next gem and mineral show demonstration for gem trees will be at the Bellevue Gem Show next month. I'll share more about that later.

In other news, I mentioned this Summer that I was involved in the Diary 2011 Project and now that project is almost ready and they are taking orders for the diaries. I still have yet to get my order in but I know what my friends and family are getting for Christmas presents. Here is where you can check it out and order if you wish.

I have lots more to share but this night is getting along and I'm ready for a rest after such a busy weekend. Until tomorrow.

Good to be Home

Well last week we escaped the dust, noise and mess of the renovations and headed to the beach. We thought it was supposed to be a nice week but I don't think it ever got over 57 degrees and it's mid July.  We were turning on the heat at times just to get warm. It was not my idea of a fun filled beach trip. I did get several gem trees made during my boring hours since I couldn't work on my tan. We headed back on Friday to check on the progress of the house, take showers and then head off to Tenino for a gem and mineral show. When we got back to town it was warm, this didn't bode well for the gem and mineral show where some years it hit over 100. Way too hot. Usually we don't take the motor home to the Tenino show as it is only an hour away but with the mess at the house we decided to just stay there and dry camp. It was a good idea as we did get to relax a bit and not be on the highway twice a day but it was warm. On Saturday it reached 91 and today about 87. We did have a good show, sold some gem trees and gem tree kits, plus I was able to teach 4 kids how to make trees, which is what I really like to do.

Now back home. Kitchen is completely finished including all the trim work and the dining room hard wood floors have been fixed, sanded and varnished. Yes, it is good to be home.

Relaxing with the dogs in the motor home at the beach.

One of my favorite shots as the sun goes down.

So Much to Do

and so little time. The day has come when my dad gets here. We have been remodeling my MIL's house for the past couple of months getting it ready for him to move here (she passed away this past Summer). Well that day has arrived. He gets in around 12:30..now that house isn't completely ready but it is liveable, new bathroom, updated kitchen, fresh paint all around and a new front on the fireplace. We will be leaving here shortly to go put some final touches on it and move furniture around. It is fully furnished as he is just flying here with his personal clothes. He sold his car and furniture and most of his belongings. I'm sure this was a hard thing for a 73 year old man to do giving up all his personal items, but this is a fresh start for him and that is how he is seeing it. So my brother and I are very glad he will be close by.

So along with getting the house ready for dad, I have a craft show tomorrow...no I'm not ready and a gem and mineral show this weekend. At least at the gem and mineral show I demonstrate and can work on making things as well as selling. I will be selling my book at both of them so I'll let you know which venue was better. I usually do well at gem and mineral shows since the book is right up their alley... you know how to make a gem tree, but I have high hopes that the folks at the craft show will want to make their own tree and will buy the book.

Okay, that's all I have time for today. Pictures of the finished house and my show will be posted soon. Have a good day.