So far, 2016 has been trying, to say the least.  Recovery of my thumb surgery took way longer than I expected, and I wasn't able to get back to work until February {from October}.  At least I didn't have to travel during the blizzard {except to go down my sister's for about a week - actually got there before the snow came, and had a week of working on another Wedding album for my niece!}
Lost my mother-in-law in March.  Alzheimer's is terrible disease and I know she suffered.  One can only hope they find a cure soon.

Last.... but not least, I had a flood downstairs in April.  It was a mess.  Carpet up. Two foot of wall removed and it took them two months to put it straight. 

OK, enough of my woes.  I haven't been able to work on my polymer clay with my thumb issues {it's still not 100% ...... I know, I said no more woes!}  So, I've spent time trying to perfect my paper crafting skills.  Like many people, I scour You-Tube for how to videos.  There are so many DIY projects out there.  For some reason, I like to build things.  One example are the mini albums.  I have many "in the works", and hope to get them finished soon.

Another project I like to build are desk organizers.  All right, so I've only made one so far.  I'm pretty proud of it though.

 

 Next, I am going to make a storage organizer for my stamping inks and accessories.  Once again, I think I will be looking for ideas on Your-Tube.  I have already found several I like, made with foam board.  I may even do a video myself, once I come up with a design.

                                                                     

Til next time, stay safe and be happy.

            

                                                              

Looking forward to the New Year

Wow, I didn't realize how long it has been since I last wrote.  Things have been pretty busy here and between family and work - including starting a new position - time does indeed fly.

I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday and I wish you all a safe, healthy and prosperous New Year.

While I have not been doing much blogging, I have had some time to continue working on my jewelry.  I have also started making greeting cards.  I'm hoping the New Year will allow me time to reorganize and make more time for working on my crafts.

Here are a few cards of my early cards.  I'm learning as I go!

 

Getting show ready

I've been working on additional flower applique pieces as well as cameos for a show we have next weekend.  I wish I had more time to devote to claying, but, what can you do??

This piece was made with a mold of a cameo my daughter found.  I really liked the whole body in Victorian dress.  I made the cameo with a faux mother of pearl mix and placed it on a purple background.  Twisted black clay was used for the outer edge and was lightly covered with silver gilders paste.  To finish the piece, I strung it on three thin purple ribbons.

I love tulips, but find they don't seem to bloom for long {might be my lack of a green thumb!}  What better way to enjoy them than to make them last forever in clay.  I placed three white tulips on a red heart and brushed the edges with rose colored pearlex powder.  Three red ribbons finish the piece.  I covered the entire piece with Kato liquid clay.

Hopefully, I'll have some time next week to make a few more before the show.

Til next time, stay safe and be happy.

Polymer applique flowers

I haven't been writing lately, my Mom passed and it's been a difficult few months.

I'm trying to get back into clay mode and have been browsing the internet for a spark.  I came across a tutorial for applique flowers {by Renee of Piper Pixie Designs} and saw many different, beautiful pendants on Pinterest.  I think it's just what I needed.

Over the last few weeks, I've made several pendants.  I think it's going to take some more practice to get them to the level of what I've seen, but, I really like the technique and am pleased with the results.

If you like the results, you can find many more examples on Pinterest.  There are also tutorials on You Tube. 

Til next time, stay safe and be happy.

Tutorials

I hope everyone had a good Valentine's Day!  With the crazy weather we have been having, I also hope everyone has been safe and warm.  We were pretty lucky.  Lost electricity for a while one day and had some branches come off trees in the back yard.  Fortunately, none of the branches hit the house.  It was pretty intense for a while.  So looking forward to warmer weather.

It's been a few weeks since I've been able to devote time to my jewelry making.  I really need to try and focus on one thing at a time.  I'll watch a video tutorial, then go crazy making whatever the tutorial was about.  Example; viking knit....I know I've mentioned this several times and even made a knitting tool to use.  Now, I have multiple "chains" in different colors laying around my work space.

My goal of spending time each week in my studio hasn't come to fruition yet.  It might help if I made a calender and developed a schedule to follow!  Uhh, maybe not.  I'll just try to go with the flow.  Yesterday, however, I found my muse and spent the day there.  I am pleased to say, I was fairly productive.  I completed a piece for the February Polymer Clay Central challenge {hopefully, they will accept my entry - make sure you check it out and vote for your favorite, just follow the link: http://polymerclaycentral.com/,} made another tutorial for you tube for making molds for buttons: http://youtu.be/sxFzQ-LPUbI,  made a tree of life mold and took pictures I'm going to use for another tutorial, and... partially straightened my clay drawer.      

Til next time, stay safe and be happy!

Bracelets and more bracelets

Getting ready to start the new season of craft shows and my plan to be more active in my studio has been going well. 

I am always trying to think of better ways to show off my items when I am at shows, and will be investigating ways to set up my tables differently.  I don't want to spend a lot of money and need something that will store easily and without taking up too much space.  Hmmm, guess I'll have to put my thinking cap on!

I've been working on building my bracelet stock.  Thanks to Cindy Lietz and her wonderful bracelet tutorial, my motivation has been in full gear.  Here's a few more I've made.  I used viking knit for the top and bottom bracelet, but, decided to use a kumihimo for the one in the middle.  I'm pleased with how they turned out.

I've also been working on rebuilding my web site.  I use weebly and they recently changed their format, so I ended up deleting the old site and am working a few hours each day to get the new one up and running.  Hopefully, it won't take too much longer!

Til next time, stay safe and be happy.