Art Charm Swap !!

 I've never done anything like this before. I always stalk around and look at everyone else's blogs to see what they're up to. So I finally thought I would dip my toe into the water. I'm going to be apart of an "Art Charm Exchange" ! 40 or so jewelry artists will be divided into groups of 10, and they will exchange handmade charms that they have made ! Cool huh  ??  I'll post when I get my goodies, should be fun !!! Can't wait to see what I end up with !

Changes are a comin.......

I just got my second rejection letter in two weeks. Krasl Art Fair in St. Joe, Michigan and the Talbot Street Art Fair in Indianapolis. My next question to myself was, "why not " ?  It could be many different things, but I prefer not to dwell, and to move on. So my next question was "what's next" ? 7 years ago when I started doing Craft shows with my beads and jewelry I had set a goal for myself that someday, I was going to make it into the Penrod Art Fair. Penrod is THE Art Show in Indiana. Very prestigous. Well, last year, I was accepted. I was thrilled beyond belief. So once a goal is attained, you set new goals, right ? RIGHT !
So what is/are my new goal(s) ? I don't have the slightest idea!!!
       Do I want to stay in glass? Absolutely ! Silver ? Check ! 
 So, for right now, I have one show in May (Brickstreet Market in Zionsville) and possibly Penrod again. (I'll know by May 1st)
       I'm thinking the rest of the time I'm going to concentrate on new skills that will promote new ideas. Classes, classes, classes. You don't know what you don't know, right ? RIGHT !
Wish me luck on my learning journey !!

Woo Hoo !! Getting ready for the "Chica Boutiqua"

http://www.indystar.com/article/20101028/LIVING17/10280316/A-variety-of-gifts-all-in-one-place?odyssey=mod|newswell|text|IndyStar.com|s
Getting ready for the "Chica Boutiqua"  It's the first year I'll be doing this show. It benefits the Zionsville Food Pantry , which is a great cause. My bracelet was featured in the Indianapolis Star- a little blurb about the show.
It put a smile on my face.

OH MY GOODNESS !!!!!

I am throwing out to the universe the thought of NO RAIN TOMORROW. I just know it's going to get it all out of it's system tonight, and be a beautiful, clear sky-ed awesome day tomorrow. I am really prepared, every i has been dotted, every t crossed. NOW, if I can get rid of the poison ivy breakout I'm having, life would be fabulous !!  I will be in Booth # Green area 41. Stop on by !!
PS- Penrod Art Fair- on the grounds of the Indianapolis Museum of Art, Saturday September 11th 9-5

Countdown............. 7 FREAKING days !!!

Wow, I remember when I got the notification that I was accepted to the Penrod Arts Fair that I had 4 months to prepare. No sweat, right ? YIKES, did those 4 months go by quickly ! I'm now in countdown mode. Cleaning pieces, assembling pieces, and still making beads ! I had a friend tell me that for this Fair, if you think you have enough inventory, you probably DON'T ! Luckily, with Labor Day on Monday, I'm only working 2 days this week,  Tuesday and Wednesday. I took Thursday off "just because" ! :)
Since this is my first year doing this show, I don't know what to expect other than huge crowds ! My wonderful niece will be helping me on Saturday, and I get to go the day before to set up my tent, and take my tables, so all of the big stuff will be out of the way.
I'm excited, nervous and a little bit overwhelmed~ It's all good though !

Best birthday present EVER !

I was talking with my sister Jan the other day, and she asked how things were coming for Penrod. I told her that all was well, and that I hadn't talked to anyone to ask them if they would want to help me. I also told her how great would it be if  my niece (her daughter)  Liz could help me that day. She lives in Kansas City, and is an artist herself and has done smaller shows in the past. The next thing I know, Liz is calling me to tell me that she will be flying in on Friday night before the show to help me !!!
My sister had purchased a flight for Liz to come. I told her this could be my birthday, Christmas gift for the next few years !! I'm truly blessed to have family that is so supportive. Even though my sister doesn't "get" lampwork beads, she still supports my passion.
LOVE YOU JAN !

I can vacuum anytime !

I had the day off today, and I had tons of things on my honey-do list (me, being my own honey)  I decided that Penrod is going to be here before I know it, and I needed to come up with some cool, knock your socks off designs .  When I'm designing, I "don't do" FAST. Pieces get put together and then taken apart multiple times before they're considered ready ! Here's a couple of things I came up with. I can't take credit for the bracelet design (Melissa Muir), but I changed up the design of the clasp closure, and added my own type of dangle.
The Wishbone pendant started out as a "ladder", but morphed into a wishbone. I just love the color combination of the peridot colored bead with the shiny silver. Yum ! Lemme know whatch think !