September and Show Recap

I sit here now thinking about how much I love September, and can hardly believe that the middle of the month is upon us. There is so much about September that I enjoy.

I love the transition of the season, holding onto the last bit of summer with the brisk mornings and warmer afternoons. The beach is a dream, the crowds are minimal, and the water is still warm, but no lifeguards (that stinks!) With the return of school, a chance to get back to a schedule after the chaos of summer, not saying that once school starts it's not just a chaotic...just scheduled chaos. And with the chaos of summer, I rarely have the chance to visit my bench : ( so with the welcoming of September I can get back out to my shop! This is great, considering most of my shows fall between September and November.

This past weekend, was one of the largest shows I participate in. It was a great success! The weather was wonderful, and the show was well attended. Being that my blog has been on hiatus, and I haven't shared many of my new pieces lately, I thought I'd share some of the pieces that found new homes over the weekend.

Are you seeing a pattern here? It seemed to be a blue, green kinda day.

Now, back to to enjoying September, which includes new work : )

A Change in Pace

It's official, school's out and summer is in full swing. We will be seeing a little more of this

without the long sleeves and pants, of course

and this



enjoying our place in the hills of PA

I'm really looking forward to a break! This is the first year that we really don't have any definite plans...as of now, the kids are not enrolled in any camps, and there are no trips planned. We're just gonna relax, and go with it.

Hopefully, I'll still be able to steal away, a few hours each week to make jewelry. Keeping my fingers crossed! I do have a couple of shows. One being this weekend...Arts Alive in Ocean City, MD. This is a great show, in a beautiful setting. 

I'll leave you with a glimpse of some newbies...

Lovin' the Little Things

Ahhh...finally a few minutes to sit down and catch my breath. I've been running around like mad since the last time I checked in.

Thanksgiving was yummy and enjoyable. Not that it's not typically enjoyable...I think this year I had decided that I wasn't gonna get myself all tied up in a knot and stressed...and it will be what it will be! And it turned out fantastic...imagine that! That should be my new outlook I think...less stress would be nice. After dinner, I grabbed my little Christmas tree, turned on the Christmas music and went about tiding up my pool house, which doubles as my studio during the Artists Tour, to get everything ready to go for the big weekend.

The show was a great success. Friday morning, I was so busy buzzing around trying to get ready that I forgot to take any pictures. But the show was two days you say? Yeah...Ummm...same excuse for Saturday. Can you believe? So instead here are some items that sold...that I haven't shared yet.

So sad to see this go:(

I met so many wonderful new people and had a chance to chat with past clients, it's such a great time.

Now, to get in gear for the holiday season. There are tree's to decorate, shopping to be done, cookies to bake, and parties to attend! But, least I forget to enjoy the little things in life...like this gorgeous sunset, that I had the pleasure of enjoying last evening.

Ramblings

Thanks to for all the well wishes, of course the Arts & Jazz Festival was great! I can get stressed about the little stuff. This is the first time I have exhibited at a show where there are live bands. And I'll just say it made for a fabulous weekend! Great music, food, drink, and I meet lots of new people.

After the show, I headed north to PA for a relaxing week. We have a lot to cram in these last few weeks of summer. However, there is another show looming, so I had to set a goal for myself. If I can squeeze in at least 2 hours a day in the studio...can it be done?...we'll see.

At any rate, take a peek at the last couple pieces I managed to get finished before last weekends art festival.

Hopefully this weekend I can persevere through the heat and keep my goal...studio time.

Have a great weekend!

Is it Monday Already?

WOW! Where did last week go. Aren't there just some times where you wish there were more hours in the day? I have planned every hour of every day for the next two weeks. I don't do well under pressure...so we'll see how this goes. Thanksgiving weekend, I am one of the artist's on the SEDAST (Studio Tour), and right now my life revolves around getting prepared for this event. This is a really big event in our area. I probably have enough pieces but I'd like to have a few more. So that will be what I concentrate on for the next 17 days.

I have been featured in two local publications. The Coastal Point, a local newspaper, had a really great article. Also, one of my pieces was highlighted in Delaware Beach Life, a local magazine. Both of these publications contacted me because I'm the newbie on the Studio Tour. I was happy to get the exposure, as I'm not really good about marketing my jewelry.

Last week was so busy...functions at school, hubby was away, a Holiday Fair this past Saturday to prepare for, birthday party...you get the idea...so I didn't have much time to create...but I did craft a few new pieces. Take a peek.

Copper Sticks ~ Hammered Copper Wire Wrapped with Sterling Silver Earrings

I'm an earring maniac, and I liked these so much I'm keeping them for myself!!

Stormy ~ Lampwork Focal Wrapped in Sterling Silver

Turtle Bay ~ Oxidized Sterling Silver & Lampwork Bracelet

Don't give up on me...as I may not be posting as often as usual...but I'm gonna do my best. Off to my bench...

Wrapping Up Outside Shows

My show on Saturday...well it was a...wet success. Wouldn't it figure no sooner had I gotten there and unloaded my stuff it started to rain. What a bummer! My tent, table covers, displays, and me, all wet, luckily I hadn't gotten my jewelry out yet! So I waited patiently, hunkered down under my dripping tent for the rain to pass and debating with myself....What should I do?? I remained optimistic that the rain would pass and it would turn out to be a nice day....After about 15-20 minutes it did stop raining, I dried everything off as best as I could, with a still dripping tent:( and got right to work setting up. I was so discouraged...this was my last outside show for this year and typically if it's overcast, threatening rain, people just don't come out for an art show. However, I was pleasantly surprised! After a really slow start in the A.M., people started to come around in the late morning, early afternoon. Even though it was still raining off and on and it was a tad windy.

My Booth~ Almost dried out...notice the wet table cloths

The show was fun though and I would do it again given the less than desirable conditions. I had more time to socialize with people that were at my booth, meet some great artists, and all around just had a great time...no matter the crappy weather! When I was packing up, of course it was raining lightly, so on Sunday I had to drag my tent out and let it dry. I also sprayed it heavily with Scotchguard, hopefully that will prevent the dripping in the future in the event of rain. Any other suggestions? But, as of now I have retired my tent to the back of the garage for this season, not to see it again until next summer.


Still, two more shows lined up for this year. One a holiday faire is in 4 more weeks and the Studio Tour in 6 weeks, both inside. I still have a great deal of work to do to get ready for the Studio Tour. One because it is at my home, and I want to work on the landscape a bit, and because I can't present any jewelry that has any "production" components. None the less I'm really excited about the Studio Tour even though people will not actually see my garage...I mean studio...

Exciting New Components & Show

Have you had a chance to check out all the Swarovski Components and colors lately? Wow!! I did just that recently at ArtBeads.com. They have such a huge selection, I was almost overwhelmed! But in a good way, of course. I picked out a few new components to add to my designs. And I must admit, I love the pizazz that the Swarovski Elements add to my pieces. So scoot on over and check out all their extensive line of Swarovski components as well as their new Crystallized components. And when you place your order...remember that shipping is FREE in the US...yeah:)..and now you can get your goodies even faster...when you purchase over $75 Artbeads.com will ship your order Priority Mail within 24 hours...now that's fast!!

These are my new goodies...oooo...nice and sparkly

2 Swarovski Cosmic Rings in Bermuda Blue, 2 Swarovski Starfish in Indicolite, 3 Swarovski Rings in Golden Shadow, and 2 honking Swarovski Large Hole Roundelles in Copper. I was so excited when I got my package...I couldn't wait to get to work...check out what I did

Rolling Waves ~ Lampwork, Sterling Silver, & Swarovski Bracelet

Finding Fall ~ Lampwork, Copper, & Swarovski Necklace

This is one of my favorite kinds of necklaces to make. I really have fun creating all the different links, and I am able to play around a little more. So Fun!

Copper Angel ~ Lampwork, Swarovski, & Copper Bracelet

I LOVE, love, these lampwork beads and the crystals with them!! They compliment each other so nicely...this is a keeper!!

Big Blue Sky ~ Lampwork, Swarovski, & Sterling Silver Earrings

I really had to fight with these earrings to get them to turn out the way I wanted, but I finally got it:) and I'm happy with the way they turned out. Sometimes that ole wire just gets a mind of its own!

Another show tomorrow. This one is not going to be as big, but it will be fun non the less. It been pretty windy here this week and I'm just hoping that the wind is going to lay down or else I don't know what I'm going to do. The show is in Bethany Beach again and it's always windier at the beach than inland. I don't want to have a potential disaster with my tent...yikes! Now I'm off to iron my table covers...ugh!

Have a Fabulous Weekend!!