Jewelers Bench is almost ready! May 3, 2009

I only have a few things left to get.  I need a lamp because it is way too dark in the basement where I need to work.  I have this thing about light.  I require lots of bright light wherever I am.  It doesn’t matter if I’m working on something, making dinner, watching TV.  I LIKE lots of bright light.  So I’m off to Target to see if I can find a lamp or something that might work.  A Jewelers desk light is like $70.  hmmm, maybe I should try Goodwill.

I hope to get a few school projects done today at the bench.  I need to work on a free form wax item.  Doesn’t matter what it is, but I saw a friend at school use a hot glue gun.  She put wax in it and made these awesome pendants.  I am going to do something similar but not totally the same.  Well I’m off to get a lamp, wish me luck.

Ahhhh, made it through the day! April 29, 2009

Thanks to those that have sent me well wishes the past week.  It’s been a daily struggle, thats for sure.  I made it through a whole day at school finally.  Been a week since I’ve been able to go.  I finished diamond channel setting 2 rings, only 2 more to go!!!  Can you tell I’m excited.  I also worked on polishing my BEZEL set onyx rings that I HAVE to get done before the semester is over.

I was able to talk to my college instructor about taking an incomplete for my classes, just in case I don’t get my assignments done.  It saddens me to know that I have a 3.8 gpa going and I was so on track the 1st semester.  I guess my life had a different direction it needed to go for a bit.  I just hope that the different direction gets back on track and soon.  That just means that I will have all summer to finish the projects that I don’t get done and hand them in at the beginning of fall semester.

I am really looking forward to this weekend.  Hopefully I will be able to get some beads made and some house work done.  It all depends on how many trips to the couch my body needs me to make Or if I have a sick daughter home all weekend.

One foot in front of the other.  That’s all I ask for.

Quick Update April 28, 2009

Nothing much new here. Still struggling a bit with my fibromyalgia. It is somewhat improved, but has definitely slowed me down.

I did however make a few beads this weekend. Along with having a very successful garage sale. I finally decided to sell off my 25 year old rubber stamp collection. I haven’t stamped in forever and it is time. I have been in LOVE with melting glass and working with jewelry for over 3 years now, so it was time to move on.

Only have a couple more weeks of school left, yikes. Not sure how I will ever get all my projects done for my classes. Going to put my best effort in and if I can’t finish, I will have a chat with the instructor.

Well that’s it for today. Oh, on a really happy/sad note. I have sold one of the puppies. Happy that I will be able to pay some bills off, sad that I have to let go of one of the puppies.

It’s been a long couple of weeks April 22, 2009

I usually don’t like to post about my health, but it is the reason why I haven’t posted in 2 weeks.  It’s been a rough couple of weeks.  I’m dealing with so much pain that it has brought me to a point that I just sink into a hole and do what I can to make it through the day.

I’m so thankful for my friends and family that understand me and are there to listen to me.  Don’t know what I would do without them.  I’m trying to stay afloat with school and that is getting difficult.  I went to the Dr today and will be going again tomorrow and hopefully come up with a game plan.  Most of you know that I have Fibromyalgia.  Normally I can deal with it and go on with my life, not currently though.  I would call what I’m going through as a flair up.  It’s so hard to describe to those that haven’t heard about Fibromyalgia or don’t know anyone with it.  All I need right now is some relief from this pain.

Blessings, Deb

The weekend April 11, 2009

Ahhh, the weekend.  I already have a kiln full of beads.  Played with some new techniques and colors.  Can’t wait for the morning or should I say LATE morning to see what is in the kiln, lol.  For those of you that don’t know, I’m a late riser.  I enjoy my quiet alone time at night.

I plan on torching most of the day tomorrow, which means another kiln full of beads.  I am slowly getting my studio up and running.  Still have lots to organize.  Just grateful that I have a small place cleared out to torch.

See you all tomorrow!

Wall painted April 9, 2009

My lime green wall is painted in my glass studio.  Now the fun begins.  I get to try and figure out the best floor plan to squeeze everything into my studio.  It’s a narrow space, which makes it a bit of a challenge.  It doesn’t help that I have a ton of junk and clutter.  I am hoping to go through some of that junk and clutter and either donate it or sell it on Ebay.  So much to do, so little time.

Crossing my fingers that the puppies and 2 dogs sleep through the night.  I thought having a baby in the house was hard.   The 4 puppies are soooo much work.  Last litter there was only 2 puppies.  This litter there are 4, so twice the work and twice the mess.

Well it’s late and morning comes early.  Hope I get lots of stuff done at school tomorrow.  Need to get so many projects done.

Blessings, Deb

Life slow down, please! April 8, 2009

Well things continue to be hectic here.  Between drivers ed, dr’s appointments, driving daughter to school, myself going to school, etc.  Life seems to just be flying by. 

On a positive note, we might be able to lower my daughter blood pressure med.  Her BP seems to have stabalized.  Her echocardiogram looked good.  Now all we have to do is wait for her lab work and we will be good to see if her body can handle the lower dosage.

I have been trying to make beads 2-3 times a week.  I know that if I want to continue to improve, I must practice, practice, practice.  I am working on lots of assignments at school and have so many ideas swirling in my head.  Looking forward to some nice spring weather this week.

Hugs, Deb

1st Etsy item listed April 5, 2009

Here is a link to my first Etsy item.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I can’t believe how much there is to learn in regards to posting photos, editing, etc.  I have a NEW appreciation for those that sell items on Etsy.

Here are some photos from the day I spent with Donna/Fyrebeadz

We started the day off at a store called World Market or something similar.  We were greeted by this nice looking man, lol.  Oh what fun we had.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Next we went to the Potters Shed.  OMG, what a fun place that was.  I will be going back there to paint some pottery at some point.  Not sure if I can talk Donna into that or not.  I will defintely be going back there.  That had a ton of amazing pieces of art.  Lots and lots of pottery and some glass work.  I can’t wait until the weather gets warmer.  They had an outdoor garden area that looks like it will be amazing when it is planted for the summer.  They also will be having music on Friday nights.  Hopefully Donna won’t get tired of me and I won’t wear out my welcome at her home.  It’s a nice break away from the zoo at my house, lol.

 

 

 

I think this was called horse hair pottery.  Some how they must use horse hair to make the black looking lines on the potter.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I loved how these glass items were displayed.  They used lots of old windows, shutters and doors for many of their displays.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hope you enjoyed looking at some of the things we saw on our day out.  I had a BLAST!

Working on Etsy store April 4, 2009

I am currently working on trying to get an Etsy store up and running.  I had a fun couple of days with my friend Donna.  We made a few beads and did some shopping today.  Found some really cool stores and took some photos.  Hope to get on the torch tomorrow. 

Here is a link to my Etsy shop if you want to watch my progress.

Hope you have a GREAT weekend!

Ahhhh, No School! April 1, 2009

Snow again today.  Hopefully I will be able to find my dremel, so that I can clean some of my beads that I’ve made over the past few weeks.  Lots of errands to run today and lunch with hubby.  Hopefully I will get to some more organizing in my studio.  If I find my dremel, I will come back and post some more photos.  Thats a big IF!

No bead photos, but here are a couple pictures of my niece and nephew holding the puppies that we have for sale.