What I've Been Up To

First off I want to thank all of my Blog followers. I have finally reached 100 followers and I'm so excited. When I first started this blog I never ever expected anyone to even read it. So thank you everyone who stops by and huge thanks to all of you that follow my blog. THANK YOU!!!

**********

I apologize (again) for my lack luster (and pretty much lacking) blog posts of late. I have been so busy with life that my blog has suffered.

My new research position is amazing, but it takes a lot out of me right now. As soon as the lab is completely up and running, everything should be good.

I also have resumed biking to work (well sorta). My ride is about 5-6 miles each way, so not too bad of a ride. It's really great working in a town that is so bike friendly, all the bike paths are great. And I feel amazing now that I'm back in the saddle.

Lets see what else is new. Oh yeah, this lovely lady is going to her new home (in Canada). I have sold my Latte at Hotel Mercedes cuff. I hope her new owner will love her as much as I do. But don't worry, I think I'm going to make another one of these; I'm thinking maybe in a dusty gray-blue color palate.

I'm also working on a line of smaller cuffs. Well I guess they are no longer cuffs when they are only about 1/2-3/4 inches wide. They are really nice and delicate. I'm hoping to have some time this weekend to snap some pictures.

Yoda (yes we've picked a name and yes we are Star Wars fans) is growing so big. She has finally conquered the stairs on the deck, so she doesn't need any help going up and down. When she finally mastered them, all she wanted to do was go up and down the stairs, it was pretty cute.

She's now 11 weeks old (time for our next set of shots) and such a handful. She's almost completely house broken, she has now started to whine at the door when she needs to go out. She also has the "sit" command down pretty good. We're so proud of her.

Nacho has completely excepted her as part of the family (which we didn't think would happen). Yesterday they were sitting on the couch together, CUDDLING!!!! Nacho doesn't cuddle with anyone. It was so cute. Toonces has yet to come around, but she's making progress. It's hard for her because she's not the center of attention anymore. But she'll learn to love Yoda, I just know it.

New Necklace (well just relisted)

I relisted this fun and pretty necklace this morning.

I really love this one; it's super simple, but still so elegant. I might just have to make one for myself.

I used ice blue glass rounds and a deep transparent blue seed bead to create this wonderful pendent.

It has sort of a wavy look to it that makes it very lovely.

You can check it out HERE in my etsy store.

**I'm not sure if I've already posted about this necklace, but oh well. I feel in needs a little repost. And I also love this picture of it. It turned out so nice.**

My Midnight in the Garden Cuff Featured!

My Midnight in the Garden Cuff has been featured on Rose Works Jewelry's Treasury Blog. Go check out all the beautiful beaded flowers in this collection. I am very honored to be part of this group and to be involved with all these talented artists. Thank you very much Rose Works.

Last One (this year anyway)

This last Saturday was my last art show of the year. It was at the Donna Lexa Memorial Art Fair in Wales, WI.

I couldn't have asked for nicer weather. It was hot, but there was a nice constant breeze the whole day, so it wasn't unbearable. It got a little cloudy in the afternoon, but no rain, which is always a plus.

This was such a nice art fair. It ran along the Glacial Drumlin trail and had a lot of really spectacular artists there. I wish I would have gotten pictures of some of my favorites.

Sales were a little slow, but they have been all year, so I think I definitely might apply for this one in the future.

**And we had really great calzones for lunch, they were very yummy.**

Art Fair - Saturday Aug 15th - Wales, WI

I'm getting ready for my show tomorrow. If you are in the Milwaukee (or Madison) area, you should stop out for a lovely show. The weather should be beautiful and there will be a number of wonderful booths to check out.

Click HERE for more info and directions. I'll be there with my beadwoven jewelry and lampwork beads. I'm excited for tomorrow.


And I couldn't help myself, another puppy picture. She is getting so big. We are working on getting her a name that is "her."

She has gotten pretty sassy as she settles in and grows older. She can be a little snot when she wants to be.

We're working hard on getting her housebroken, she is so good already. She knows she has to go outside and will wait by the patio door (but we still have accidents, she's only 8 weeks old).

Now she's just waiting for Toonces and Nacho to come around and play with her.

What's On The Ol' Beading Board

DON'T FORGET TO VOTE FOR YOUR FAVORITE ENTRY IN THE ETSY BEADWEAVERS CHALLENGE. CLICK HERE TO VOTE!!!

Wow it has been a long time since my last post. I've been so busy with so many different things that I've forgoten to keep up with my blog. I'm sorry.

So lets take a look at what's on my beading board right now.

I'm getting ready for my next art show (this Saturday). I'll be showing my art at the Donna Lexa Memorial Art Fair in Wales, WI. You can find more info HERE.

So this is what I've been working on. I am making more beaded hoop earrings, because everyone seems to love them, and I'm working on different interlocking triangles. I just think these are so fun to make. I also am trying to get a few more lace cuffs ready to go. I have just the one done and who knows if I'll have time to get anymore done. But I'll try.

I'm busy, busy, busy getting ready for this show. This one is going to be fun. It's on the Glacial Drumlin Bike trail and the weather is supposed to be beautiful. I can't wait.

I'm in this great OrangeTreasury!

I found my orange tiger lily cuff in this wonderful orange themed treasury: Orange Accented Jewelry. This wonderful treasury was created by Random Creative, thank you so much for including my in this wonderful treasury.

Okay, one more picture, I promise

Okay, this is the last picture of puppies for a while. This is the little sweetheart we brought home this weekend. She is so adorable and lovable. She's super smart and interested in everything. We are really loving having her around. She is fitting in very nicely with the family. She likes to play with Nacho and Toonces. I'll have to post a picture of her "getting" Nacho, so cute.

♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥

Okay I promise to get back to business and get some beady goodness from now on and only post a few puppy pictures here and there (even though she is so cute and I want to just constantly post pictures of things she does).

I'm working on more autism awareness cuffs right now. I have a show in two weeks, so I'm trying to get a few done by then.

I really love these cuffs and they are for such a good cause (part of the proceeds goes toward research).

If you would like to purchase a made to order cuff click here to order. There are two different designs to pick from, the second design is HERE.

The Puppies - 48 days old and ready to go!

So the puppies are 48 days old and the vet said they are all healthy and ready to go to new homes. There are three males and one female that will be looking for new places to live. We (well I) brought home a female last Friday night.

She seems to be getting along alright. She hates being in her crate, but we're being strong and not giving into her tiny puppy cries. She is just adorable to have around.

Nacho and Toonces seem to be ok with her. Nacho is pretty much indifferent about her (but she's indifferent about everything). Toonces is super intrigued, but the second she is close, Toonces will hit and hiss at her. But this morning Toonces was trying to play the game of "chase," so maybe she's coming around already.

We're still trying to decide if a puppy is a good idea at this time. We both really love her and we love having her around, but sometimes are schedules can be a bit hectic (mostly J's schedule, he's always busy). And then I just received my summons for jury duty for the month of September, so that means J will be taking care of a puppy for the time I have to be at the courthouse. But we'll see, I think we're leaning pretty hard on keeping her. She's just so sweet and adorable and we've been talking about getting a dog for quite some time. I think she'll stay, now just to decide what to name her.