p.quinn

Art Every Day Month: Final

I drove across the state on Monday.

Been sick with a migraine ever since.

But I wanted to check in on the final day of Art Every Day Month 2011...

OK.

Which one won out for my next project?

The Silver-lined Amethyst?

Nope.

After digging through my little beading suitcase and seeing exactly what I had left for supplies, the Turquoise/Pearly Olive Luster was the hands down choice.

Perfect for a bracelet set, don't you think?

First step was to sort through the teeny tiny 11/0 Green Iris seed beads to pick out the exact shades of blue and green I wanted.

Yes, I really do this.

Really.

Next I made me some dangles for the bracelet ends.

And then came the order for twenty bracelets and two necklaces!

Toss the Turquoise/Pearly Olive Luster aside!

Instead of bead stringing, I had some bead shopping to do!

What a bummer.

{ha! ha!}

Since I was out of two of the colors needed for my order, I had to pick up a mess of 6/0 seed beads....

I got the colors I needed for my order....

And perhaps  just a few  extra shades.

Also got some other stuff.

I tried to buy only what I needed.

And actually, I did pretty good.

But I ask you...

How could I resist these?

About impossible to photograph, but oh-so-cool!

I also shopped a tad bit on-line....

Some white fresh water pearls were necessary.

They have arrived and indeed are gorgeous.

However, absolutely no sun since I've been in Deadwood, so no photos.

You'll just have to trust me as to how very good they are......

I guess all that remains is for me to get busy, huh?

Yup.

Thanks for following along on my much abbreviated AEDM participation!

Keep in touch!

{XOX}

I am linking this post to:

Now go see what Leah and everyone else is up to!

Happy Birthday!

Today is my blog's third birthday!

Wow.

When I started, I had words only.

No photos.

Oh, I had a camera.

But I was too scared to take it out of the box and attempt to use it.

Then one day, I finally got brave enough to fish it out.

And ever-so-gingerly push THE button.

This was the third photo that I took that day.

Apparently numbers one and two were so bad that I deleted them.

But I like to keep this one around.

For sentimental value.

A lot has changed in three years.

Now, I click away like a wild woman.

Anyway.

To celebrate my blog birthday, I decided I would post some of my favorite photos from the past three years.

Most you have seen before, but a few not.

Some you will have seen very recently.

Some come from way back.

 I had almost forgotten some of them.

{not all my photos are on my laptop, so you will be spared the entire library...}

So, in no particular order, here we go!

Thanks for hanging with me!

And thanks for reading my blog.

For three years.

Yay!

{XOX}

 

I am linking this post to:

Now go visit Leah and see what everyone is up to!

 

Art Every Day Month #3

Last weekend, I spent some time at the first arts and crafts show that I've been to in ages.

I ate ice cream.

And pizza.

I drank Dr. Pepper.

I gawked and poked in {almost} every booth, sampled just about everything there was to try, and visited with many of the artists and crafters.

I even won a prize drawing!

Oh, yes.

I also shopped.

Among other things, here is what I bought....

Irish Twins Soaps in three lovely scents.

This stuff is sensational!

And a couple Simply Natural lip balms.

I haven't tried them yet, but they smelled so good, that I couldn't not buy them...

Some "Secret Peanuts" and an assortment of dark chocolate/caramel handmade candies with cashews, pecans or peanuts.

I am positive I purchased way more than appear in the photo.

Somehow, the rest turned up "missing"......

hhmmmmm.......

And these sweet, sweet magnet sets.

Which came on a metal jar lid in a handmade paper box.

All for only $4 per set!

Made by Heather Cool, Crafter.

How cool is that?

Even though I was busy eating and shopping, I had another mission going on as well....

I was busy checking out the attendance.

{seemed rather large...}

Were people {besides me...} shopping?

{would appear that way...}

Would I like to think about doing the show next year?

{yes!}

Wow.

I haven't done a "real" show in many, many years.

Just the small, couple hour events at my Mom's facility.

I was accepted for a juried show last year, but had to cancel out because life got in the way.

As it sometimes does.

I kind of figured that would be the end of my show thoughts.

But here I am....

Thinking hard....

Come 2012, will I be able to put on Big Girl Panties {as my friend Lynn likes to say and is getting very good at...} and submit my entry?

Then pray that life behaves itself for once.

Just how brave am I?

{not very}

Please help keep me motivated.

{have I mentioned that I need to be held accountable?}

Ooooo!

I'm excited!

p.s.  I just got an jewelry order for 20 {count 'em...20!} bracelets and two necklaces!

Whee!!!

p.s.s.  And I just re-opened my Etsy jewelry shop!

{am I on a roll, or what?!?}

 

I am linking this post to:

Now go visit Leah and see what everyone is up to!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Art Every Day Month #2

Well, a week has passed.

I'm here to give my AEDM report.

I sure miss just being able to sit down to my computer any old time I want to!

Anyway.

While I can't truthfully say I did something art-y every day, more days than not had at least a tiny bit.

Or, at the minimum, some contemplation.

Some thoughts of my art/craft.

Which is way more than had been going on lately, so I consider that an improvement.

Thanks!

I even stopped for a short while to browse in one of the local bead shops...

Browsing not for beads, but for inspiration.

{well, OK, I might have seen a few I'll go back for later on....}

So.

Here's my week.....

Remember these?

The Silver-lined Crystal beads for a necklace?

**Disclaimer**

This is NOT meant as a tutorial in any way, shape or form.

I just snapped a few photos along the way so you could see what I did...

First, I have to make the pendant.

Which, of course, involves more little rings.

And a large Crystal facet....

That gets attached to part of a toggle clasp that kinda looks like a grape leaf.

After the stack of rings are added, it makes a simple, yet eye-catching focal piece.

Next I string up a bunch of beads.

Then comes the crimping.

These tiny little things {on my very wrinkly palm} are the crimp beads that hold the whole necklace together.

And this is the crimping tool that squishes them.

I have a love/hate relationship with this device.

I love it because of the funky teeth.

And the blazing blue handles.

I hate it because it makes me nervous....

I am rather picky.

If I don't like the way a crimp turns out, I end up taking the entire thing apart and restringing it.

I just hate it when that happens.

{do you think I might need to lighten up??}

{just a tad??}

This time it worked just fine!

And we have us a necklace.....

That looks just swell with last week's earrings!

Since I was on a roll with the Crystal, I decided that even if I didn't have enough beads or wire left to make the matching 7-loop cuff, I could still do up the dangles for the bracelet ends so I'd be ready to go as soon as I get more supplies....

Guess what?

More rings.

Fast forward and there we go.

Yep.

Next?

Well, Gunmetal and Light Amethyst sure has been a good seller for me lately....

And I had just enough Gunmetal beads for three loops and six big Amethyst rounds....

How convenient.

There is my week.

In a pile.

What's on the burner for my next project?

I'm not entirely sure.

But here are a couple possibilities....

Perhaps something with Silver-lined Amethyst?

Or how about Turquoise and Pearly Olive Luster?

I'll just have to dig around in my little beading suitcase and see what I can come up with....

What I've got left....

Won't that be fun?

I think so.

 

I am linking this post to:

Now go visit Leah and see what everyone is up to!

 

Art Every Day Month #1

It is November.

You know what that means....

Art Every Day Month!

Yay!

I participated in AEDM in 2009 and met some wonderful blog friends that I've stayed in touch with ever since.

I even met Bobbi in person this summer.

I wanted to join in last year, but couldn't because I was without a computer at the time.

And here I am this year....

At my Mom's with limited computer access, but hoping to play along the best I can.

Just because it is so much fun!

I'll link up whenever I can.

When I go out to find WiFi {and coffee...}.

Probably once or twice a week.

Which is way better than no times a week, right?

Right.

Art Every Day will be presenting an extra challenge for me this year.

When I left for Mom's this spring, I brought along beading supplies for what I thought would be a 3-4 week visit.

It has now been almost six months.

Let's just say my little beading suitcase is running a bit on the empty side.

Yes, I could  go visit the bead shops.

But I'm trying not to because:

A)  I hate the idea of buying more of the same stuff that I already have sitting in boxes and drawers back home....

B)  After this length of time, my beading supplies ain't the only thing running low...I'm about broke.

So....

It will be a month of making make-do art.

{and probably some photography...}

That said, my first AEDM project was a pair of earrings since I still had the pieces and parts I needed....

 

Like little rings.

Lots and lots of them.

First I have to rough the rings up a tad with my round nose pliers.

Can you believe this is still the same pair that I bought when I started playing with beads back in 2002?

The jaws are gouged and the plastic grip on one of the handles has fallen apart, but it functions perfectly.

It was a rather cheap inexpensive pliers, but it has really held up well....

Unlike the chain nose pliers which I use next.

I have snapped the jaws on several pairs of these.....

OK.

After the rings are roughed up, they need to be straightened and put back into shape.

For this process, first I use a pliers in each hand.

Then just one plier and some fingers....

This is when I sometimes pinch a finger with the above mentioned chain nose pliers.

{let me tell you, that hurts}

At which point {perhaps} a few nasty words slip out.

I try not to let that happen, but on occasion, it just does.

Anyway.

All this roughing up, straightening, wrapping wire, assembling {and cussing...} goes on for awhile....

And voila!

I'm done.

They would nice for a wedding or a prom, don't you think?

Yup.

What's next for AEDM?

Sadly, I don't have enough beads or wire left to make a matching cuff.

So...

How about a Silver-lined Crystal necklace?

It will look mighty fine with those earrings.....

 

I am linking this post to:

Now go visit Leah and see what everyone is up to!

 

Art Every Day #30

See that little thin headpin that I am using to hand-wire the Chocolate Bronze fresh water pearl to the vintage chain?

Guess what I ran out of this afternoon while filling in tiny empty spaces on about the final inch of my necklace?

Uh-huh.

That's right.

Doesn't that just frost your cake?!?

What a kick in the pants.

oh well.

I guess I have no finished project to show on Day #30 of Art Every Day Month. 

I ordered headpins last week and as soon as I get them, I will finish what I started and show you the necklace as soon as it is done.

I promise.

Until then, here it sits....

 

All in a pile with some pliers....

Waiting.

I want to thank everyone from AEDM again, especially Leah, for such a fun month!  I so enjoyed all the visitors to my blog and going around to view all the talented artists involved.  Thank you from the bottom of my heart for all your comments, encouragement and inspiration!  Please keep coming to see me.  I know I will be checking on many of you!  Thank you!!!

Art Every Day #29

 

Thought you were going to see a finished necklace, didn't you???

Ha!  Ha!

Instead, one last shot of my fall decor before I put it away and start getting Christmas out.....

I very rarely bead on Sundays.  Seems to be more of a knitting day to me for some reason.

Ah, the little habits we all get into.

It will be strange for AEDM to be over. 

I need to get busy with several non-art projects around the house that I have pushed to the side for the month and I am kinda looking forward to the change of pace.  No longer the need to try to hurry and get pictures taken of my progress to post each night...

I do think, though, that I need to keep posting more pictures of my work in progress.  Get myself out there on the proverbial limb where people can see what I am doing and how it all comes about.  I guess the idea is to make me more accountable.  Keep me working when I would otherwise put it off.

I also need to post more pictures of my work because that really scares me. 

Oh, my!  What will they  think???  And what if I do show it to them  and they  don't like it??? 

I have a terrible fear of the theys  and thems. 

I need to get over that.

I think there is hope!

AEDM has been great!  Such talent!  So many encouraging comments!  More wonderful blogs to follow! 

Thank you Leah!

And maybe I will actually get my necklace finished before the month is over........

 

Art Every Day #28

Nope.

Not done yet.

Arg.

Art Every Day #27

 

It is getting to be quite a pile, isn't it?

For both Day #26 and Day #27, I just kept wiring.

I think the end is near.

I am running out of thin headpins for the pearls and smaller beads.

I am down to the very last couple of Chocolate Bronze fresh water pearls.

I am just plain running out of room to wire anything more on to the chain.

Today it was just about impossible in some spots....

Tomorrow may {hopefully} bring this project to an finish.

Hurray!!!

This afternoon, just for the heck of it,  I did a rough count....

 

There are now over 300 beads and pearls on the chain!

Yikes!

Keep your fingers crossed for me...

Please, oh please, let me finish this tomorrow!!!!! 

Art Every Day #25

 

OK.

I know I promised that I wouldn't show my necklace again until it was finished.

But there it is.

And it isn't finished.

Yet. 

I was afraid if all I had was another post of self-pity, peevish complaints and more photos of flowers from last summer, no one would ever come back again....

So.

Today, Day #25, I felt I made a better effort---like I was once more connected with my project. 

And guess what? 

I liked it again!

That's not saying I still won't be very glad to be finished, but it wasn't such a chore to be sitting there with pliers in hand searching for "empty spots" on the chain.

 

Those "empty spots" finally seem to be getting fewer. 

And much, much harder to fill in!

 

Yep.

I definitely like this again!

{As you may imagine, I am going through lots and lots of headpins making this necklace.  Hundreds!  I just want to give a shout out to Catherine at Danglers Beads in California for her great service over the years selling me all those headpins.  Go check out her website!  I just ordered more today....  Thanks, Catherine!}

Tomorrow I will post my Thankful List!