BUTTONS AND BRACELETS

Bracelet by Julie Campbell.

Big pile o' bronze buttons.

On May 22nd, one of my favorite people, Julie Campbell, will be teaching a cool bracelet class at Bead Haven. In the morning I'll be teaching a class on bronze buttons that can be used as the closure for the bracelet. Of course the buttons won't be finished in time for the bracelet class, so there will be bronze buttons available at the store. You'll be able to use your buttons for your next bracelet. I hope you can make it!

MONDAY HODGEPODGE

Chaco Sun pendant.

Bronze Buttons.

Pink flexshaft handpiece! It's pink!

Knew Concept Jeweler's Saw.

Well, it's Monday. I planted my tomatoes today. They are now in the basement on heated mats underneath the big fluorescent lights. I planted 48 plants, 13 different varieties. Sounds excessive doesn't it? I know. But I really like tomatoes, plus I'll give some of the plants away. Anyone want one? I usually have a big garden. This year I'll plant tomatoes, zucchini, eggplant, basil (for the pesto that I freeze), patty pan squash, cucumbers, and lots of cosmos and nasturtiums. Please call me this summer if you want zucchini! I love it, but during a good year I nearly resort to leaving it in unlocked parked cars! Like last year, it's a little sad to plant my garden. It makes miss Mom and Dad even more. But, it would be even sadder to not plant it. When the the tomatoes come up in a few days I'll post some pictures as they grow.

I was in another Etsy Treasury today. It's nice when someone does that. It increases the traffic to your store which is also nice. This one's titled "The Sundance" and includes my Chaco Sun Pendant. See the treasury here. Thanks to CozzeCouture for including me.

Another thing I've been up to is making buttons. Julie, one of the two wonderful bead weaving instructors at Bead Haven is making cool stone and leather wrapped bracelets that are so hot right now and she needed some unique buttons for clasps. Think I made enough for her to choose from? I think we may soon do a shared class (buttons in the morning and bracelets in the afternoon). I think it'd be fun. I'll post photos of some of her finished bracelets as soon as I can.

Next, things I've been coveting. I totally don't need this, but how cool is the pink flexshaft handpiece. I love it! I already have this particular size handpiece, so I can't justify it, but IT"S PINK! Check it out at Rio Grande. The other thing I've been coveting is this new jeweler's say from Knew Concepts. The frame is made from aircraft aluminum making it very light weight and rigid. The reduced weight should help with fatigue, which is great since I'm having such trouble with repetitive injury to my hands right now. The rigidity should greatly reduce blade breakage. I'm a decent sawer (is that a word?) but I break a lot of blades. Not a big deal, as blades are cheap, but it's a pain to stop and replace them. Plus, it looks cool too. I must admit that I indulged myself and bought this. I haven't had a chance to use it yet, but I'll let you know what I think. Check it out at Rio Grande.

ETSY TREASURY

My little bronze spider from Artlyon's treasury.

Another spider that I'm listing in my store tonight.

One of my pieces was selected for an Etsy treasury tonight. Etsy treasuries are member curated shopping galleries. A treasury features 16 of their favorite items, usually based on a theme. This list's theme is spring. Thank you to the Artlyons for including me. Take a look at the treasury here.

NEW ITEMS IN THE STORE

I have listed a few new things in my Etsy store. Please go have a look here if you're interested. The proceeds from the first item, the bronze heart pendant will go to the Animal Shelter of Buchanan County building fund. Thanks!

CAT SHOW BENEFIT

This was one big, long-haired Tortie.

There was even a costume competition. My girls would not have enjoyed this.

Some kitties were shy.

Pretty boy.

George was the star of the show. He won many of the show's catagories, mostly because of what a sweetheart he is. He was a very sick boy when he was found. He's been through a lot. He has frozen off ears and only one eye, but I think he's beautiful. The lucky boy now has a happy and safe forever home.

I love the expression on this one's face.

Pretty, long haired Calico.

A couple of weeks ago Paul and my sisters and I went to a cat show in Independence (Iowa) where my sisters live, in the same county where I grew up. It was actually a benefit for a new no-kill shelter that is to be built there. At this point in time there is no shelter there and stray "nuisance animals" are usually put down. I am very excited about this and wanted to try to bring a bit of attention to it. I'm going to put a few pieces of jewelry up in my store in the next couple of days to benefit the shelter which I believe will be built only with donations and grants. If you'd like to help, please contact the contact people listed above (click on the first photo to see the phone numbers larger) or buy a piece of my jewelry on Etsy! Thanks

TRUNK SHOW AND CLASSES AT BEAD HAVEN

The only picture I took at last Saturday's open house.

Riveting by Jennifer, Tami, and Bonnie.

I love how great the gilder's paste made these blah pieces of Pam's old bracelet look. Quite a transformation

Gilder's Paste and Nail polish pieces by Alice.

The Gilder's Paste even transforms old garage sale wooden beads and lava beads.

Bonnie's pieces of filigree. I especially liked the orange and rust leaves and the acid green butterfly.

We've had a few classes at Bead Haven since I last posted. Last week we riveted and tonight we colored metal. I wanted to post pictures sooner, but better late than never!