Wordless Wednesday

Weekend Wrap Up

What a weekend. I am still recovering from all the craziness. This past weekend was J's graduation party. The big kind of party. Family, friends, neighbors, strangers walking by. You know the kind; everyone was invited. It was a lot of fun, but parties like that are a lot of work.

I went to bed on Friday (okay, it was technically Saturday morning) at 2:00am and was up at 6:00am. So four hours of sleep was all I managed before I got up and started getting ready for the party. It was a very long day. But it was a very fun day and it was a lot of fun to see our friends and family. A lot of them we haven't seen for quite some time, with J being in school and all. So it was worth it. I unfortunately didn't get any photos because I was so busy being an awesome hostess. Oh well, next time.

I didn't just party this weekend. I worked on a bunch of new sketches and have a million ideas swimming in my head right now. So many ideas!

I also finished up my latest custom order. Okay, I still have to add the laces, but the hard part is all finished. Yay! This one was a lot of work and I'm so happy with how it turned out. I can't wait for it's new owner to see it. I really hope he's as happy with it as I am.

Today I plan on working a bit on this bad boy. It's been so long since I've done anything with it. I would love to finish it up by the end of June, but alas, I don't know if that will happen. Fingers crossed it does.

And of course, I could never get anything done without my faithful studio helper. She's a real slave driver. (Good god, I have to clean that window).

So what did everyone else do this past weekend? Did you have beautiful weather? Did you go to any parties? Did you work on something creative? I'd love to know!

Wordless Wednesday

Weekend Wrap Up

Wow, what a weekend! It was a busy, happy, celebratory time here! J graduated with his masters of engineering. Well, technically he graduated in December, but he got to walk the stage this past weekend at the UW Madison ceremony. It was a full day, that's for sure.

We had to get down to campus at 9:30am to pick up his gown and have class photos taken. I entertained his parents while he did this (we got some coffee/tea and sat at the terrace). He had decided to forgo the large UW ceremony (it was all graduates in Camp Randell) because it was very hot and humid and he was more excited about the afternoon ceremony (oh yes, there were two ceremonies). So we headed downtown to get some brunch (and I got myself a couple of bloody mary's). After brunch we headed up to the Kohl Center for the ceremony. It was a nice ceremony with all the engineering graduates.

I am so proud of everything he has accomplished. It's not easy getting a masters degree while still working full time and remodeling a home. I don't know if I could have done it. I'm proud of him and what ever the future hold for us.

And even though it was a super busy weekend, I did find a little bit of time to work on my latest custom project. I better hurry up, this is due next week. Fingers crossed I get it finished in time.

So how was everyone else weekend? Did you attend any graduation ceremonies or are you getting ready to do that? Did you enjoy the weather or did you have some of that scary spring weather? I'd love to hear from you.

Friday Freebie

Oh my, it's Friday again. This weekend is a busy one. This weekend is graduation. J is graduating. Well, technically he graduated in December, but this weekend is the ceremony. We have a lot of things planned for this weekend. Dinner, ceremonies, etc, etc. And on top of all of this, it's also J's birthday. So today I'm making him some boozy cupcakes to celebrate. Yum! I'm so proud of everything he has accomplished and I love him so much.

Okay, okay, I'll stop with this sickening lovey stuff. Not too much else to report. I'm about 70% finished with my custom gold gauntlet. Now I'm just waiting on more studs so I can get that finished up. I'm loving the way it looks (want to see? head on over to instagram). I'll hopefully have a few photos soon, hopefully of it completely finished.

Other than that, I don't have much. I know exciting. But that's fine, that means we can get to that freebie.

This is such a neat freebie.  This pack contains one quick page.
 
Don't have My Memories software, don't worry about it.  You can use my promo code, STMMMS11215, to get $10 off the My Memories Software and then an additional $10 off any purchase in the store. That's a pretty cool deal. The My Memories folks have some really great scrapbooking things. And even if you don't scrapbook, the software and extras are really awesome. I don't scrapbook, but I love the software to make interesting blog post pictures. I even used it to make some labels for my homemade granola bars, so J wouldn't have to guess flavors anymore. Just use STMMMS11215 to get the discounts.

I hope everyone has a fantastic weekend and stay creative.

Wordless Wednesday

Custom Orders

It's been a while since I've shared some of the custom orders I've been working on.  Well today is the day, aren't you lucky.

The first is a leather gauntlet that I made for one of my best clients.

This gauntlet is covered with almost 700 1/4 inch pyramid studs.  It's quite the statement piece.  He really loved it.

The second piece is a munch brighter piece.

This bright rainbow triangle was made for a new client that was looking for a simple necklace to go with a bracelet she already had.  I love this one.  It's so bright and fun.  Loved It!!!

I have a few other custom orders on the board, but they're not quite ready for photos.  If you would like to see the process, head on over to my instagram page.   I post lots of works in progress as well as pics from my everyday life.  And if you have an instagram page that you want me to check out, leave the info in the comments. 

What's on the bead board

I'm working on a custom leather order right now.  I'm about half done with the studwork.  There are going to be almost 700 studs on this gauntlet when I'm finished.  It's quite the project, but I think my client will like it.

I'm also working on a second beaded tin.  Here is the progress I've made on the embroidered top.  Okay, I've gotten a little bit more work done since I snapped this photo, but not that much more.  I'm having a lot of fun working on these.

 
And last but not least, I'm working on a custom rainbow triangle necklace.  I'm excited for the colors my client has chose.  I'm hoping to have this finished by the end of the week.  I'll get some photos posted as soon as I can.  

Monday's Weekend Recap

Another weekend has come and gone and now it's Monday again.  And what a dreary, overcast, cold Monday it is.  We are supposed to get our first snow fall today and tomorrow.  Good news, I don't live in northern WI, were they may get up to 14 inches snow.  I'm not quite ready for that.  I'm not quite ready to get that winter coat out, but with the weather predicted for this week, I think I'm going to have to.  Blah.  Someday I'll live somewhere that it's warm.  Someday.

This wasn't that exciting of a weekend around here.  J had a lot of homework to do because his final presentation is coming up soon.  His group is the first group to present at the beginning of December.  That's great because he'll be done early, but it's very stressful for him to get all that done in such a short period of time.  I'm so proud of that boy and I can't wait to throw him a huge party this December when he finishes up his masters.  So exciting.

So what did I do this weekend?  Hmmmm.  I recalibrated my laptop battery.  It's an exciting life I live.  But what did I do that was beady?  

Well I finished up a guitar string bracelet that is off to it's new home in MD.  I love these bracelets.  I have a few myself and I love to wear them all stacked up on my arm.  They are a lot of fun and I hope it's new owner loves it as much as I do.

I also got a little bit more work on the large red leather gauntlet done.  I'm about 80% done with the studs and beadwork.  I would like to finish this up this week so I can get it glued by this weekend.  I'm excited to see this finished because it is the first gauntlet I've ever made.

I even got a little bit of time to work on my solar system project.  I started attaching the planets to the canvas and adding some paint.  So far I only have the sun attached, but I plan on working on this today, so hopefully I'll have a couple more attached by the end of the day.  This might be the most exciting project I've done in a while.  I'm in love.

So that's what I accomplished this weekend.  Tomorrow I'll have an update on the artist reception at Ebling Library.  That was a pretty neat event.

Till then, stay creative.

New Beady Goodness

I have been a busy little girl when it comes to beady things.  I have been busy at work on some custom orders.  I finished up this bad boy at the end of last week.

 I'm in love with this one.  I love the beadwork and I love the way the pyramids look on it.  I'm dropping it off with it's new owner tomorrow, so I hope he likes it as much as I do.  If not, I would be happy to keep it myself, even though it would never fit me.

Speaking of custom orders, I've been working on my first custom gauntlet (this is for the same person as the cuff above).  The first one is a simpler one; rows of black metal pyramids with a single row of seed beads between each row of pyramids.  I'm pretty happy with how this is turning out.  It's not the easiest to sew through this leather, but it's doable.  Now I'm just waiting on more pyramids to arrive so I can finish this.  I'm hoping to have all the beadwork and studs in by this weekend, so I can get it glued and ready to go by next week.  That's my plan for now.

And last, but definitely not least, is the work I've accomplished on my solar system project.  I finished the embroidery work on Saturn's rings.  I'm very happy with how this turned out and I can't wait to start arranging it on the canvas.  Not only am I going to reach my goal of finishing this before the new year, but I think I might just finish it a month early.  Woot, woot!

  
A quick reminder to all my American readers out there.  Get to the polls and cast your vote.  J and I are going after he gets home from work.  GO VOTE!

Monday, Monday

Ugh, this post was supposed to be up last week, but due to my inability to get photos taken, it had to wait until today.

I've got a ton of projects going right now.  Well, I guess it's not that many projects, just a few.  Three or four at best.  It's funny to think that when I first started beading, I never wanted to work on multiple projects at once.  I wanted to focus on one project and not move on until that one was completely finished.  There were times where I would bead through the night to get something done.  Now, I'm more then happy to work on multiple things.  It helps me from getting board.  So what am I working on right now.

I only have one more planet to finish up for my solar system project.  Okay, I have to go back and work on Saturn's rings, but I'm almost done with all the beading.

Here is the work I've accomplished on Uranus.  I'm hoping to have it done in a week or two so I can start putting the project together.  I'm so excited to see all the planets together.  Maybe I will have this project done before Christmas.

I also have been working on a few custom orders.  I'm working on making large leather gauntlets for a customer.  This is a first for me.  I love going big, but I've never beading a gauntlet before.

Here is a little sneak peak at the first one.  It's just going to be an all matte white with white glass pyramid beads for accents.  I like that we're starting out simple.

And here is a little sample of bead embroidery for my customer.  We are going back and forth between if these should be done in embroidery or if they should be done in peyote stitch.  I vote for embroidery, but the final word is up to my customer.  It just depends on which one looks better to him.  I'll see what he says next Wednesday, that's if I can get this sample finished.

And last, but not least (okay, that's a lie, I may or may not have some other projects going), is a pair of purple tassel earrings that will be going to their new home in Georgia today.  I love these guys.  They are so playful and fun.  And if you are interested, they are now available as custom orders.

So that's a few of the projects on the board right now.  What is everyone else working on?  Any fun Halloween projects?  I would love to hear and see them.