CraftyHope

What's What (Vol. 3 - May 4-17)

It's been two weeks since my last post, but we had our staycation during the first week. Then, I spent all of last week trying to get caught up. (Not that I EVER feel caught up.)

What's finished

Since it has been two weeks, and it rained for about half of our vacation, I did get a few things done.

This assemblage work has been in process for several weeks. It's the first in what I hope will be a series that highlights the little details of some of the ephemera in my stash. As such, this piece (available at Hello Gallery) is titled Ephemeral Treasures 1.

Likewise, I took a bit of time last week to turn my ICADs (Index Card a Day) into greeting cards for the gallery.

And, the May Finding the Words art journal spread for YouTube was completed.

Those are just the bigger tasks I accomplished. There were loads of smaller ones too.

What's in Progress

Speaking of cards, I've been working on restocking my supply of cards that get included with purchases from the Etsy Shop. That meant making masterboards and watercoloring some flowers for them.

I can't share what's actually on my desk at the moment, though, as it's my Inspiration Trove assemblage project for the month. I should hopefully have that available to watch within the week.

What's Next?

In addition to the Inspiration Trove video, I'm hoping to have another Thrifty Thursday video up this week, list a few pieces on Etsy, work on a NEW WEBSITE, and get into my Spicy art journal.

What's Caught My Eye?

Since we were on vacation...it's been a lot of things!

This note written in the sidewalk outside a thrift store in Milton, FL is just one of them.

I also found this abandoned birds' nest in the brambles of our property while I was doing yardwork yesterday.

What's Had My Attention?

I just started listening to/reading The Book Club for Troublesome Women by Marie Bostwick and am really enjoying it. In fact, it's this month's book for a book club that I'm likely joining. So, that's exciting too.

What's Inspired Me?

Our staycation was full of inspiring activities. We went to the Walter Anderson Museum in Ocean Springs, MS. It was full of so much colorful inspiration!

We spent an afternoon at the beach (Orange Beach, AL). It's my favorite place to restore my soul, and I am so thankful that we live so close to the coast.

A whole day was enjoyed in Milton, Florida. First, we rode 16 miles of the Blackwater Trail on our bikes. Then we did some dining, antiquing, walking along the Blackwater River, and sampling the local brews.

What was the Best Part of my Week(s)?

See the section above! 😜

What's New?

It's not especially new-new, but I did recently get my PaperArtsy Infusions into little organizers that I've had hanging around. I even made a whole Reel about it on YouTube.

What's New with You?

What's What (volume 2 - April 27-May 3, 2026)

Look at me sliding in with another week's roundup!!

What's finished

Honestly, the biggest tasks I accomplished this past week were getting the last blog post up, updating my space at Hello Gallery, and cleaning the house.

I did get these two photos altered as part of my StitchABit100 for the 100 Day Project.

What's in progress

Here's where so much time has been spent. I've got other photos still in the process of being altered. (I'm really just trying to decide if they're done for now.)

Other stitching has been done on this scrap of fabric, to which I'm adding white buttons and additional stitches.

I've also been keeping my hands busy with some neurographic doodling. It's been a while since I dabbled with these. But, I was absolutely pulled back in.

What's up next?

We're doing a staycation this week and started strong yesterday with grilling by the pool. Though the water is still pretty chilly. We're hoping to take the bikes out, go for a paddle on the kayaks, and maybe even spend a day on the beach. However, we may be overambitious with our time.

What's caught my eye?

After a ton of rain this past week, I looked out my office window and spotted this beauty of a mushroom. It's as tall as my hand!

What's had my attention

Pat had several band practices and a gig this week, so I was left to my own devices (hence the doodling). I watched Practical Magic for the first time ever and rewatched Dead Poets Society (for probably the hundredth time. It's a longtime favorite that I've avoided since Robin passed away.) As well, I picked up watching Outlander from where I left off several years ago (the end of season 2).

Also, the Mastering Mixed Media Expo 2026 has started, and I've been picking my way through those videos. (Today, the Making Zen Online Retreat also starts. I'm hoping to be able to watch some of those too!!

What's Been the Best Part(s) of My Week

~We did go see Cake, though we didn't take any pictures or video (as requested by the band). It was an awesome show!

~I thrifted some buttons.

~A couple of assemblages sold at the gallery

~We celebrated Pat's birthday with a few friends while exploring Pensacola on Saturday. (It was also Kentucky Derby Day, and a mint julep was in order. And, more celebrating was done poolside on Sunday.

What's new

Can you call thrifted bits "new"? If so, I picked up a few new items that will be in an upcoming Thrifty Thursday (though, not the one I've got scheduled for this week.)

My pressed flowers came out beautifully! I was just off to pick more yesterday when I realized that I had plenty to do before our guests arrived. Hopefully, I can make it happen this week.

New videos on YouTube -

~Art Journal Page (Keeping it Spicy challenge)

~Create with me Handmade Bracelets

So, what's new with you?

What's What (the first)

I've been planning for WEEKS to get back to blogging and/or send out more newsletters. But, I want to try to keep it simple in more of a roundup of what's-going-on-with-me-in-the-moment style, similar to the "Currently" blogs I've done in the past. As you can see by the title above, I'm calling this "What's What."

Without further ado, let's get started.

What's finished

I framed up two of my completed assemblages (April's Inspiration Trove and Week 2 Seek Gather Create February 2026) and made a couple of bracelets for May's Create with me Handmade Jewelry (upcoming!)

What's in progress

There's an assemblage piece that needs to be backed and framed, an embroidery pattern that I'm working on for my 100-day project, and a thank-you assemblage piece for the watchmaker who donated a bunch of parts to me.

What's up next (on my calendar)

Tonight, we're off to see Cake (It was a last-minute decision, and I'm beyond excited!!!!!) I've got an Art Journal video going up later this week. Pat's birthday is this weekend, so there will be some celebrations to be had. And, I'll get to check out how well the flowers did (above) in my cheap-o flower press (from Aldi).

What's caught my eye

I've had this post from Julie Fei-Fan Balzer about crafting an artist statement open for several weeks now. I've never written one and probably should. Making it through all the info Julie shares will be my first step.

What's held my attention

A few things (always!) I just finished listening to Jane Austen's Persuasion and started Amor Towles' Rules of Civility. And, somehow, in writing this am I only just now seeing some of the similarities in the two. Hmmm. As well, we've been watching loads of Taskmaster (the new season and some of the old ones too), Rooster, and Margo's Got Money Troubles. We've also just started rewatching Game of Thrones.

What's been the best part(s) of my week (what am I thankful for?)

1- We saw Steve Vai and Joe Satriani at the Mobile Saenger last Monday

2- I was able to spend some quality time with my nieces (on their birthdays) and my parents.

3- I got my craft room and office organized. It took a while and some determination, but it was done by Saturday afternoon.

4- We kicked off pool season with a chilly float on Sunday.

And, that was just this past week. I'm going to try to keep these fairly short and sweet for just a glimpse of what I'm up to and have planned.

Soooooo - WHAT'S new with you?

100 Days of What?

Little slips of paper with scribbled ideas litter the surface of my desk. There's a massive binder spilling over with more sketchy notes of inspiration. It's stashed nearby...along with a journal full of doodled designs. However, I never seem to have the time to work on any of these half-baked daydreams and side-projects. I fill my hours with what I think I need to do. What if I created a need to test out those plans? Every day. For 100 days (at least).

Yup. You guessed it. It's time for The 100 Day Project.

And, I thought I was ready. I really did. This plan was decided weeks ago.
But, I (JUST NOW) reviewed my list of previous projects and realized two things.
One- This will be my TENTH year participating.
Two- My project last year looks a lot like what I have been planning to do this year...On no!

I had to go look at my Instagram to find the 2025 hashtag because I just couldn't remember. My posts there about last year's project are scarce and sporadic. The way I wrote about it feels like I was unenthusiastic and losing steam. So, with only days until the 2026 project begins, I'm rethinking the idea I've had for months. Because...it's just too much like last year's unmemorable project. And, that's not what I want for 100 days of my life.

Granted, I don't need anything groundbreaking or difficult. I want to do what all the advice out there suggests: work on something that I'm looking forward to, something that I want to show up for. I've already given myself enough challenges this year (Finding the Words, Inspiration Trove, Create with Me: Jewelry, etc. - all on YouTube). I don't need anything else to agonize over. What I need is permission to play. Just a little. Every day.

So, I think...I think I'm going to stitch.

That can be interpreted in so many ways: slow stitching, using my sewing machine, embroidering or cross stitching, repairing or decorating my clothes, making stitched stacks or clusters, sewing a journal together, stitching in a journal...whatever.

Just one of my many stashes of embroidery floss

While I have so very many supplies, all I really need is a needle, thread, and something to stitch. So, it's a project that can travel easily if needed. And, I'm excited to do it.

Kits I'd forgotten I had

I just have to wait for the project to start on Sunday, February 22nd. If you're toying with the idea of joining, let me give you just a little advice:

It's okay to not take on too much.
Keep it simple, attainable.
Make sure you WANT to do it for 100 Days.
And remember, you don't have to finish something every day, just work a little on the idea.

Now, get excited and go for it!

If you're interested in my previous projects, below are the hashtags I've used and a little about each of them. This year, I'll use #StitchABit100

2017 - #Make100Earrings: The idea is pretty self-explanatory, and I even did some serious prepping for it.

2018 - #Altering100: I decided to alter a variety of materials for use in either mixed-media art or jewelry. I was all over the place with this project.

2019 - #SilverloxFinds was a really fun and memorable project in which I went out, explored our property, and shared the wild and wonderful bits I found there.

2020 - #MakeArtDontFakeArt was all about using some of the art supplies I have amassed. I think I even had a list of 100 items that I was to work from. This was a bit of a dud, I think.

2021 - #100DaysofMakingJewelry is another I don't remember well. However, looking through my posts, I think I got quite a bit of jewelry-making done.

2022 - #Assemblage100 was really exciting for me because it allowed me to begin playing with the idea of assemblage art. Here's my post about it.

2023 - #Making100Faces AND #MiniAssemblage100 might have been a tad overambitious. But, the faces were easy. And, I enjoyed playing with more assemblage at a smaller scale. It felt more manageable that way.

2024 - #NotPreciousProject was glorious, but I'm still working to not make my supplies so precious.

2025 - #HopeDaydreams was fiiiiiine. I experimented. I played. But, I did it already.

Please note that since Instagram's use of hashtags has changed, you may or may not see my posts when you click on the hashtags above. Sorry about that. Who knew they'd mess up such a vital search function? Sigh.

Anyway

I'm ready to pull out all my floss, thread, needles, fabric, and the rest of it and get to it. I guess you can say that I'm itchin' to get stitchin'

Should I mention all the spools of thread?

As for all those scraps of ideas, they'll get used...eventually.

I'd love to hear if you're joining the party and what your project is.

Oh, and I know I've been away from the blog for ages. Sorry about that. I do hope to be here more often. But, I don't want to make too many promises quite yet.

Jewelry Trunk Show at Hello Gallery in Fairhope

I've been invited to participate in a trunk show with several other artists at Hello Gallery.

You'll find me and a variety of other jewelry makers available at Hello Gallery on Thursday, Dec. 11th, from 4-7pm. We'll be there to answer questions and chat with you about our process. Of course, you can shop all the other amazing art available in the gallery as well.

I'll have my newest jewelry pieces in the shop so that attendees of the show will have first pick!

If you can't attend the show but want to show your support:

Share about the trunk show with your friends.
Shop my offerings on Etsy. (I hope to be adding more soon!)
Follow, like, comment, watch, and/or share what I make/do on social media.

And, if you can't help me out in these ways, consider supporting other artists or small businesses. Remember that when you do, there's a REAL PERSON on the other end whose day you're making!

I am sorry that I've been away from this blog for so long. I'd love to be able to promise that I'll be back real soon, and...I have hopes that I will. I suppose we shall all see!! Thanks for sticking with me.

Finally, if I'm not back before the end of the year, I hope your holidays are fantastic - Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! Let's see what 2026 has in store for us.

A little something new

I cannot believe it's been over a year since I chatted with you. I'm so sorry!

I'll admit that it feels like I've been pulled in a thousand different directions lately. I started a post back in February to mention my 100-Day project for this year, but that post fell to the wayside. And, honestly, the project has dragged a little.

Let's see...if I want to get this one up, I should try to keep it short.

I'm starting a Patreon account!

To begin with, I'm only setting up one tier in order to share my ICAD (Index-Card-A-Day) videos and some free printables. However, once I get the hang of it, I may add other tiers with other offerings to it. If you're interested, you can check out my Patreon page. You should also be able to search for me as CraftyHope there as well.

And, let me know if there's something you miss seeing from me!

For more information, the Index-Card-A-Day challenge (ICAD) starts on June 1st and runs through July 31st. This challenge comes from Tammy. You can learn more on her website, Daisy Yellow, or on the challenge's Instagram account. You'll be able to find all the prompts and themes and all that jazz. As well, Nina Fickett has her own Mixed Media ICAD Prompts that you can see on her Instagram account.

(All the cards pictured here are ones I made last year. Check out the 2024 ICAD Playlist.)

Winding down the 100DayProject

I awoke the other day with many thoughts about the 100 Day project and decided to jot them down here to share with you.

Some of the bits I gathered/curated at the start of this year's project

As this is my eighth year participating and my ninth project* (because I crazily did TWO projects last year 🤦‍♀️🤷‍♀️🤣), you may wonder why I keep doing it. Honestly, I sometimes wonder too.

But, there's something about the commitment of knowing what you're going to be doing for 100 days. And, there's the excitement and build-up of it at the start. Often, there's the relief in knowing that I'll have more art pieces completed at the end and the personal expectancy to show up EVERY SINGLE DAY. But, it is probably the days that lag and when inspiration just isn't there that are the real reasons I do this project year after year. It helps me see that even at those times, I can create something. It likely won't be the best thing ever, but I did it. I got through the lag and drag.

And, there's something about coming out the other side of the project. Of having that release, the FREEDOM to do something else, anything else. That you are no longer held to your commitment to do whatever you've been doing for 100 days - that you now have time to explore another project.

Here, at the end of this #NotPreciousProject, I'm seeing that light at the end of the tunnel and am feeling inspired by what comes next. And, I'm doing it with a sense that I can use those "precious" items. I'm excited to put away some of the things I've pulled out (see picture above) and finally clean up my spaces and move forward.

I mean...ICAD starts on June 1st!

*If you're interested in learning more about my previous projects or this year's please see my announcement post for the 100 Day Project 2024.

Bead Box 18 - Reveal

Hey y'all! I'm popping in to share the completed jewelry pieces that came out of Bead Box 18. I've actually already stocked and started on 19, so you should expect that post soon too.

If you're unsure what I'm talking about, let me quickly explain. I try to keep a basic, divided organizer stocked with the elements I need to make 17 jewelry pieces. This organizer goes with me when I travel, am uninspired, or just need to keep my hands busy. I shared a glimpse of this 18th iteration of it about a month ago, and now it's time for you to see what I made!

This necklace came together pretty quickly and is newly available on Etsy. Teal is probably my most favorite color, so I love this one so much.

These were a tad experimental as I wasn't sure if I could get the balled headpin to stabilize on the tin as well as form a loop for the leaf. It worked! And, I love them. They'll be headed to the Etsy shop soon.

The tin mushrooms came together accidently when two pieces of tin landed on top of each other on my bead mat. As soon as I saw them as mushrooms, there was no stopping me from riveting them together. Of course, that all happened before these wound up in my bead box. Aaaaanyway...I wrapped beads onto a couple of golden rings and these earrings were done. They're available at Hello Gallery in downtown Fairhope.

The pendant of this necklace was originally made for and in another necklace that I eventually took apart. (It happens!) As has become my latest and favorite way to make the chain for a necklace, I added matching beads to the front and finished it with chain. Oh, and that face part of the pendant - it's from Gaea Handmade from AGES ago!!

There's a lot going on in these earrings. They started with the soldered crystal drops but called for so much more. The darkened solder had me turning to some hardware store internal snap rings. But, I wanted to up the bling factor. So, gold and crystal bead fringe was added. These fun earrings can be found at Hello Gallery.

Can you tell that I had a few soldered bits that I wanted to use in this box? The pendant in this necklace is a soldered stack of a chandelier crystal, a turquoise chunk, and a glass pebble backed with altered, crackled paper. I simply added turquoise chips and round, clear glass beads aong with antiqued silver chain to finish this necklace. I plan to list it in the CraftyHope Etsy shop.

This necklace speaks for itself doesn't it? I created the shield pendant with the happy pebble several months back. But was stumped with what to do with it. I created a rosary chain of small beads. And, look closely...do you see it? The pattern is off. I meant for the black beads to be first on both chains. So, I've since swapped it and added a closure. Alas, when I went to take the necklace to Southern Antiques and Accents, I dropped it and the flower bead broke in half. Sigh. I could easily add another one of those beads, but I'm afraid they may be flawed as there was one broken the same way when I received the order of them. So, I'm thinking on it. Let me know if you have any ideas of what could hang from this happy pendant.

I JUST realized that the tin pieces in these earrings may be the exact same shape as the tin in the necklace before it. How funny. In any case, these earrings came together so very quickly and are available at Southern Antiques and Accents (SAA).

Yup, more soldered beads. I played with the translucent nature of these cultured sea glass diamond charms and hung some Chain Reaction from Jesse James Beads behind it. First, I had to change the bead on the chain to that it ended with a headpin and not a loop (it's a personal preference thing.) Like the earrings above, these can be found at SAA.

Those lime drops were the ignightor for these earrings. I thought the pinky-purple would be fun with them. I was right! You can find these in my booth at SAA while they last!

I've got a small jar of these bullet casings that I picked dup at a yard sale a year or so ago. I had my husband help me drill holes in the end of several of them so I could use them in jewelry (like in the Soldier's Necklace on Etsy). These tassel earrings are pretty long, but I think they're super neat. I've taken them up to Hello Gallery.

Yeah, that's another Gaea-made pendant. And, it's another that I had worked into something else that just didn't work out. I really like this version with the leather loops, glass beads, and brass chain. I'll be listing it in the etsy shop before too long.

This might be my favorite thing from the whole box (maybe). It's a simple knotted bracelet with four strands of beads and a cool star button as the closure. Other than the green cord, it's neutral and could easily go with anything. You can find it downtown Fairhope at Hello Gallery.

I try to include several bracelets in each box, though I do struggle with them. This one...I like it. I like the colors and the copper. But, I think I need to rework it. The section where the charm hangs is too long and clunky. They can't all be winners.

Look at that! Another bracelet! This one gave me fits and was reworked several times after this picture was taken. I was feeling unsure about the beading cord and decided to wear this one for a while. And, I did. I wore it until some of the color started to come off the reconstituted stone beads. Drat. So, I do love this bright, fun bracelet. But, it has some issues. So, it's mine.

These are much bigger than they look! The golden bases are from Michaels, and it was pretty simple to add the beads and tin. I think they're perfect for summer. I've got them up at Hello Gallery in case you want to snap them up.

This last necklace is a type that I've been making for years. It's a bit of a bead (and button) soup necklace with copper wire. It took me a while to get it finished, and I'm not yet sure where it will end up.

Like I said above, Box 19 is already packed and started. If you're interested in seeing any of my previous boxes, here is the full list. (I really should just make a page with a link to these. That's a task for another day.)