Circles

I can't believe that January is almost over and I haven't posted here even once. I really need to get back into the swing of blogging again. I'm not sure anyone really cares but it matters to me.

We have had some really cold weather so firing up the torch hasn't been a good option for most of January. To quiet my creative urge I have turned once again to twisting wire and hammering metal. There seems to be a great deal of satisfaction in hammering and twisting.

The earrings shown here seem to best represent January for me. Seems we have been going in circles. The loss of a precious loved one at the beginning of the month and now another loss at the end of the month, the visits with loving friends, the cycle of freezing cold and thawing warmth. Now the glorious rain that will bring a beautiful spring. I'm looking forward to spring.

First Snow of The Season

We had our first snow for this winter season. Here in my part of Texas it could also be the last snow of the winter season! We welcome the moisture in any form.

Just Looking For A Home

Someone dumped this little fellow about two or three months ago. He had been hanging around a house down on the highway and we thought he belonged there but they wouldn't feed him enough. We usually took him a bit of food when we went to get the mail. There was also a little female that had been in the same location for maybe nine months and the two were fast friends but, very hungry. We had been feeding her as well but they just didn't get enough food to keep their ribs from showing. The little female led this little fellow to our house a couple of times but each time we sent them on their way. Then about two days before Thanksgiving this little fellow appeared, without the female, and has not gone away. We tried to take him back to where we thought he lived but, each time he would show back up on our door step just was fast as he could make the mile long trip. We learned he didn't belong to the house on the road and that they had "taken care of" the female dog. So we have let this little boy stay at our house but, we are trying to find him a good forever home.

We call him Buddy and he is a good little boy. Very smart. Plays well with other dogs, as long as they don't try to take his bed. He doesn't chase the cats unless they run from him, in which case he thinks they have taken him up on his request to play. He is learning to come when called. He understands "no". Has learned to walk on a leash. Loves taking walks in the fields. He isn't a barker. Likes getting a good scratch and being brushed. He seems like he would be good with children. He loves to play and would soon learn to fetch. Over all, he is a very good dog just looking for a home.

Storms of Life

I must admit we have had a few storms in our life over the last couple of months. In fact I think we could officially be declared hurricane status! These are storms of a personal kind rather than those that Mother Nature conjures up for us. This type storm doesn't go away over night but you do get through them. It takes lots of prayer and patience but they do pass.

So, I was digging through the bead box and contemplating what I might do with beads that no one seemed to want. I have loved this "tornado" bead since I made it and could never figure out why some creative soul couldn't see it's artistic value. As I was turning this bead in my hand it came to me that it represented the life storms we have been going through. With that thought I dug out the silver wire and created a "life" symbol and attached the storm bead. I rather like the creation and it seems to bring peace to my mind. I hope you enjoy it as well.

Spider Web????

Does this look like a spider web to you? I really hadn't intended it to be. I was just having fun making these disk beads and ruffling the edges. I had the idea that the black and clear would look somewhat classic but after I took pictures all I could see was a spider web. Perhaps it's the perfect thing for Halloween or maybe the goth look. I rather like it myself.

Finding a way to use this type bead has been a bit of a challenge for most of us. I have seen lots of ideas from other glass workers. I like them simply strung on the wonderful hand dyed silk strings that I purchased from Jamn Glass. She has some wonderful colors of both strings and ribbons and they are so soft. Check out her website here http://www.Jamnglass.com Not only does she make beautiful dyed silk ribbons but she is a great glass artist as well. You can find her on Etsy as well, www.jamnglass.etsy.com

Making earrings from these disks is another challenge but I think I solved my problem by using a variation of a method I have used to make rings.

All in all I was pleased with these and went on to make several different colors and styles. To see more just follow the link to my Etsy shop. Hope you like them.

The Other Bracelet

Geez, tomorrow seems to have taken a wrong turn and it has been almost a week since I said I would "show you the other seed bead bracelet tomorrow". Here it is and all listed in my Etsy Shop as well. The other one sold and the buyer requested a second one so I've been busy chasing those tiny little beads. As I was finishing the bracelet I panicked as I was two beads short but, I found the two I needed under the couch cushion.

I spent a good amount of time today adding new things to the shop. I'm adding finished jewelry for quick and easy holiday shopping. I have some fun flower disks ready to be placed on some hand dyed silk ribbons. Just waiting for the postal lady to deliver the ribbons. I love using silk ribbons as necklaces.

We actually got some good rain here on Valley Creek today. The poor dogs got soaking wet before I realized it was raining. Then I got soaking wet getting them over to their little cabin. Small price to pay for some much needed rain.

When The Kiln Goddess Takes A Vacation

Sometimes the Torch Fairies and the Kiln Goddess disappear. I suppose they are on vacation. I never seem to know what to do with myself when I can't "create". So I end up pulling this and that out of storage bins and once in a while I settle down to a project that feels right. Often that involves those pesky little seed beads that are so pretty but so difficult for me to handle.

I did manage to finish a couple of projects and still have one on the beading board. The kitties like these bright, sparkly beads too and of course the long, waving thread! The result is, I have tiny beads everywhere, on the floor, under my couch cushions and under the couch as well. My "nest" is full of tiny beads!

I'll show you the other one tomorrow since I seem to have myself locked into one blog photo at a time!