Complications and Keeping Busy

I have been much more absent than I even expected. Life's complicated yo!

Because this whole seeing and making words things is hard, I created a video yesterday to explain a little of what's going on with me.

With this little bit of an explanation, I do hope you understand if I don't respond to comments, questions, etc. very quickly. Right now, I'm just trying to keep myself engaged! I hope YOUR summer is going well!!

Finding What's Lost

Wow, Wednesday was full of a whole bunch of FAIL.

Besides not really having anything on the craft desk, I didn't accomplish much of anything at all. It was a weird day.

To make up for it, I tried to focus my energies and get some tasks accomplished yesterday. Mainly, I worked on editing photos and writing descriptions.

Since I did get a few things done, and I had birthday money still burning a hole in my pocket, I decided to slip out to the thrift store.

In all honesty, I was looking for some more clothes but this is what came home under my arm.

It was a STEAL

I had to open the big bag in the floor to make sure the contents didn't go rolling off my desk! Here's just SOME of the treasures inside the big-ole-bag.

Loose buttons

Boxes of buttons

Sheets of plastic canvas

Button cards

There was all kinds of miscellanea in the big bag as well. Some of it was saved, some of it went in my "donate" box.

Even with such a huge score and some minimal work yesterday I'm still lacking a sense of accomplishment. My house is a wreck, I've made NOTHING this week, and I still can't find the motivation to do either of them (though I've checked all my pockets, and the motivation is just not there!) Sitting here complaining about it isn't going to do anything. So. . .let me go look under the bed while you check out the newly re-listed item and sale item in the shop.

Re-listed

Fading Light Necklace

On sale

Fly High Necklace

Here's hoping your motivation's not hiding from you!

OH, and 

ROLL TIDE ROLL!!

BTW: Short and Sweet

It's time for another edition of Bead Table Wednesday.

I've been doing a lot of 'experimenting' on the bead table lately, and am really happy with this new technique of making "Shabby Beads." I like them . . .now what to do with them?

As well, I was able to make a little trip to the bead store the other day. This was all I escaped with this time!

Now show off what's on your craft desk over at the Bead Table Wednesday Flickr Group.

Bead Table Wednesday

New in the shop

Foxy Necklace

Wednesdays are usually a little crazy for me and I want to get some more work done before the crazy hits, so let me go see what else I can clutter the bead table with!!

Exploring Creativity this Bead Table Wednesday

I've definitely been all over the place in my creative pursuits lately.
This is quite obvious on my bead table where you can find evidence of collage and soldering.

As well, I tried out new clasp and stringing techniques by using some suede cord, making a loop, and tying on a button for the clasp. It works great and looks pretty with the other natural shell elements to this necklace.

Lastly, I decided to make an uber-girlie piece with a polymer clay cupcake pendant I made a few months back. So, out came the pink and purple seed beads.

That's as far as I've gotten today because I'm hoping to get some shopping done before I head to Mobile to help with the nieces. I'm sure there's a ton more creativity happening on other Bead Tables this Wednesday!

Bead Table Wednesday

In other news, I spent some time yesterday taking pictures and editing photos, but haven't quite gotten to writing up the descriptions. However, I wanted to make sure I put something 'new' in the shop. Sooooo, I re-listed an item that I loved which never sold. And, I even brought the price down some too.

Happy Wish Bracelet

In addition, this went on sale.

25% Off - Naughty or Nice Necklace

With it being the first of the month, I decided to change up the blog header. (You might even recognize that bracelet as my previous blog header picture.) With the onslaught of summer, I went with a beachy picture. I'd love to know how you like it!

All Over The Place

Don't you just love randomness? Here's a ton of it for you!!
I FINALLY got in my craft room today for a few hours and when I left it, this is what was on it.

Of course, my shadow (Asia) was there the whole time to supervise.

I've written and re-written this about six times in my head and twice more on the computer.
Let me just say: I save links. LOTS of links and I'm ready to start purging some of that information here.
What I'm sharing today was originally intended for my other blog, but I've since given that up to just post here.
These are SOME of the crafty links I have saved of some cool projects and inspiration I've found.
Tonight, I just randomly picked a topic - collage/mixed media/decoupage and these are the links that I've tagged with those subjects. Enjoy!!

• List of collage techniques
• Make collages online 
• Scrabble tile pendant tutorials 
• Decoupage your ceramics

Maybe the next time I throw these links at you I'll give you some more information. Maybe.

Branching Out My Color Repertoire

I find myself stuck choosing the same sets of colors over and over. I knew I wanted to do some collage today but wanted to find some other colors to use. So, I turned to the Pantone 2010 Fall Color report for inspiration.

 I started by turning to my trusty wall of paints

and picking out the colors that were closest.

Of course, there were a few colors I had to mix myself.

I pulled out some prepared backgrounds and chose the ones that were the most neutral.

And cut them to size.

I assigned colors to each of the pieces, and started collaging,

and collaging.

And, then I soldered.

I'm pretty happy with the results.


What do you think?

What's on My Table

After the brain explosion yesterday, today's efforts were centered on e-mail, blogs, and actual crafting!! It was a pretty good day.

I'm not sure if I like what I produced, but I'm happy that I got the creative juices flowing. It made me realize just how fast time passes when you're doing something you enjoy. There just wasn't enough time to get a whole project accomplished. The fault probably lies in the fact that I took about an hour to sort wood pieces (taking out all the warped, broken, and just plain ugly pieces.) Then I got to collaging.

At the end of the day, here's what my craft table looks like.

And what I produced. Please take into account that they're NOT done!

I might actually get back in there after a bit. We'll see how the evening goes.

Gettin' Crafty

I'm sorry for the pity party I was having earlier. I'm facing some tough decisions right now and am just down.
So, to make up for it - I got busy creating.
I played with my fused glass kiln. This was an experiment that didn't work out so well. It was a learning experience.I worked on some collage jewelry.I made some carrot cupcakes. YUM!!!**Note: make sure you check the ingredients needed for the cake mix for the cupcakes so that you have those on hand too. I had to wait almost a week to make the cupcakes because I didn't make sure I had eggs for the mix. Eggs were listed on the cake box, but not in the Kraft recipe. Doh!!

I'm feeling a bit better now. More focused or something.
Off to watch a movie now.