Peek at My Week (Feb. 16-22)

I'm doing my best to regain some sense of normality or come to an understanding of my new normal, or something along those lines. In any case, this week felt like a week of getting back on track and catching up. Sunday was my first full day at home in weeks, so I relished in it. But, on Monday, I indulged in some thrifting and antiquing and picked up a few new tins, but that was it. It was good for my soul to do something just for me. 

I spotted this book at one of the shops and it tickled me to no end for some odd reason. I didn't bring it home, instead, I left it there for someone else to prize. 

Things started to feel more back on track on Tuesday as I went grocery shopping and even listed something new in the Etsy shop.

On Wednesday, I helped my mom out at her house and canceled my grandmother's appointments and insurance. That was weird and so final. On Thursday, I was ready to get down to business and my desk totally reflected that from the get-go.

I worked in my bead box that day and the next but was ready to mix in some art journaling by Friday evening. (Of course, I also finally got some serious house-cleaning knocked out too!)

A little liquid therapy is what I was really aching for, but it's far too cold to get in the water. So, drinks and lunch at The Gulf were in order.

Before hitting the restaurant, we made a detour to my favorite bead shop. They were having a busy day, so we didn't stay long, but I was able to pick up a few essentials.

After lunch, we hit Pirates Cove for some bushwhackers on the way home. 

 I can't wait for it to warm up enough to take a dip. 

I'm feeling more like myself now! But, I didn't find a whole lot of inspiration for the week except for these few. Maybe we'll get luckier next week.

• The Beading Gem shared this tutorial for creating a Unisex Wire Coil and Bead Bracelet. 
• Natural wood beads have been all the rage lately. Here's a roundup of 10 DIY Natural Wood Bead Necklaces. 
• ArtBeads shared an interesting tutorial for a necklace they call Heron's Landing. 
• Paper chains have been a crafting staple forever, but I've never seen them used to such a classy-looking rainbow wall hanging. 
• Lastly, a tutorial on making a Knotted Pearl Necklace. 

I hope your week was wonderful and that the week ahead is full of much joy and creativity!!

Friday Finds #4 | Thrift, Craft, and Antique Stores

I know, I know. These finds were from November, but I'm still trying to catch up. I do hope y'all will forgive me and just enjoy the finds!

Here's my video reveal of all of these scores. It actually includes all of them because it was recorded just after I discovered the goodies.

If you're just not feeling like watching me ramble for five and a half minutes, here's a peek at most of what I unearthed.

From a thrift store in Mobile, AL

From Blue Girl Beading Co in Gulf Shores, AL

From Hobby Lobby

My favorite find in this post! From The Rabbit Hole Marketplace in Summerdale, AL

The jewelry was brought home in a bag and sorted before being placed in a jar. This may not be the right jar. You'll have to watch the video to see what I got. Oh, and I figured out that the tiny jars are food coloring jars. I was excited about that. Anyway, these were from an antique store in  Robertsdale, AL.

So, that's the bulk of my finds lately (even if that was back in November). I've been so busy since then, there hasn't been a whole lot of treasure hunting. Hopefully that will change. However, I've got so many treasures right now that I really just need to spend some time working with them instead of hunting for more! Who can resist the thrill of the hunt though?

Have you found anything good lately?

Weekend Re-cap and a Meal Plan

The manic of a Monday got away from me after a really wonderful weekend spent with my hubby. We got to see Zappa Plays Zappa (for the second time) on Friday night with a friend, go for a leisurely (eleven mile) bike ride on Saturday, and play some disc golf on Sunday. It was great to be outside enjoying the milder temps.

Dweezil, Ben, and Scheila of Zappa Plays Zappa

But Monday had me wanting to do something just for myself. After some chores this morning, I took off for my favorite local bead store, Blue Girl Beading Co. and treated myself to some beads. Actually, I went down there to shop for my Bead Soup Blog Party beads but got a little carried away as she also had two trunk shows going on. Oooops! After sorting through my new goodies (meaning I dumped them on the bead table and admired them), I realized that I hadn't shared my menu for this week. It's pretty basic but needs to be shared. It is Monday after all.

Breakfasts: Juice, Cereal, Yogurt w/homemade granola, Scrambled egg whites w/toast

Lunches: Tuna noodles, Juice, Black bean & corn quesidillas, Soup & salad, PB&J

Dinners:

7 Layer tortilla pie

Vegetarian Chili w/rice

BBQ tofu pizza w/salad

Shrimp Vodka pasta w/spinach salad

There's more Menu Plan Monday at I'm an Organizing Junkie.

Another thing I accomplished today, marking down a few items in the shop.

Now 15% off!

Was your Monday a little manic too?

BTW: Earrings, Kumihimo, and Buttons

Yikes, how did it get to be Wednesday already?

Oh right, I remember. I took a Kumihimo class with a friend of mine at my favorite local bead store on Monday and that fun lasted almost all day. Then, I spent yesterday trying to catch up. So here I am today all primed and ready for Bead Table Wednesday!

It rained ALL weekend here, meaning we were stuck in side ALL weekend. The gloomy weather did very little for my motivation, but when we had to unplug all the TVs and computers for fear of lightening strikes, I decided it might be best to get in the craft room and create. With low motivation on my side, earrings seemed like the perfect choice.

Completed earrings just need ear wires added

I've even got a few more beads set aside to make into earrings as well.

You can see the six other pairs of beads that want to be earrings.

As I said, on Monday I took the Kumihimo class. Actually, the class was supposed to be something else, but since it was just my friend and I talking it, the shop owner (who is good friends with MY FRIEND) persuaded us to try Kumihimo. Oh my goodness, look what I made!

My completed kumihimo bracelet

Of course, when I got home I had to make MORE

These are just glimpses of the three patterns I've made. They're still incomplete as I have finished the ends yet.

Perhaps it wasn't just the class that has me trying to catch up. . . .there's something to ponder.

Lastly, yesterday afternoon we visited with my mother-in-law and she mentioned that she was donating a bunch of arts and craft supplies, mostly quilting supplies. She asked if I was interested in any of it. At first I told her no, but then I realized that there might be some buttons. So I asked. Before long, she had pulled out this large tin.

Buttons, button cards, beads, fasteners. . .OH MY!

I still haven't sorted through it. Dang Kumihimo pulling my attention away from the BUTTONS!!

There's more Bead Table Wednesday in the Flickr Group.

Before I head out, here's a heads up that I've got a few more items in the On Sale section of my CraftyHope Etsy Shop.
That's it for me. I've got plenty on my plate to work on. Here's hoping you enjoy your day!

Bead Table Wednesday: Creative Relaxation

I've been editing photos and writing descriptions like a madwoman for days now. Since I'm feeling a bit on edge, I know it's time for me to plant myself in the craft room and get creative for a little while. It's therapy!

Here's just some of the options on my craft desk today.

Strands of beads bought on our last two trips out of town (left) and a pair of earrings in process (right)

MOP pendant and freshwater pearls that I might use to play along for the Bead Soup Blog Party. If so I desperately need to get busy on that soon!

Enameled beads and glass headpins I won from Gardanne's blog. Aren't they PRETTY!? Here's Gardanne's shop as well.

I've got a short day today since a local bead store's having a 40% off everything sale (that I MUST check out) and I'm heading over to help with the nieces after while. Sooooo, I better get to work! Head over to the Bead Table Wednesday Flickr Group for more beady goodness!

Lastly, before I head out there's two new items and another re-list in the shop.

Fancy Free Necklace (NEW)

Bright Daisy Necklace (NEW)

Glitter and Glow Earrings (Re-list)

What have you got going on?

Everyone Else is Heading Back to Class. . .

I got to do something today that I haven't done in a VERY long time.

I took a class at my local bead store.

Blue Girl Beading Co. is located in Gulf Shores, AL at 2220 East 2nd Street, Suite F

Inside the store is wall-to-wall goodies.

And that's only a peek!

They've got at least four of these old printer's cabinets (that I think are as cool as all get-out) that are used for storing the bulk of their beads and findings. But of course the walls are also covered in sparklies as well!

Now, about my class.

I decided to take the "Texture, Patina, and Polish" class to get more comfortable working with heavy tools and metal. 

I ended up being the only one enrolled. As such, I got plenty of one-on-one attention from Tara, the shop's owner. (Tara is a DELIGHT as is her husband, Jack, who is also often in the shop.) The goal of the class today was to make a pair of earrings. Tara had me draw out my design, cut out the metal shapes, file the metal, texture it, patina it, and punch holes. 

She even showed me how to make my own ear wires from which to hang the earrings. It was a BLAST.

I know these are not 'perfect', but heck it was my first try and I'm quite happy with them!

There's a calendar on their website with plenty of different classes. As well, Tara often takes classes herself in order to share her skills in the shop. As well, she makes some of the coolest jewelry pieces that she sells there in the shop and at various shows.

If you are ever in the Gulf Shores, Orange Beach, Fairhope. . .or just basically in South Alabama/Northwest Florida, you should totally head over to Blue Girl Beading!!

If you can't make it, please check out the Blue Girl Beading Co. Website as well as their Facebook Page. It's a real treat.

Progress Delayed

So my first week of the new cleaning routine is almost over. I've only got two rooms and a hallway to get to today. The house looks SO MUCH better than when I started. Of course, things have started to fall apart.. .of course.

First off, my dishwasher has been acting up for MONTHS. We even had a repairman out once (almost a year ago) to check it out. Since then, it still has never drained quite right, we often have to repeat wash items, and from time to time there is a residual film of some sort left on some of the dishes. Last night after a full day of baking and cooking, it decided to stop draining for good. . . we think. So, this morning I got to hand wash. BOOOOOOOOOOO!!
With a full load of dishes, my counter now looks like this

My sink like this

AND, there are still more dirty dishes in the dishwasher.
Pat says we'll be getting a new dishwasher this weekend.
I pray that's true.

Of course, there's also the issue of the vacuum cleaner. It too has been acting up for a little while. Wouldn't you know it, just as I'm really getting into my Spring cleaning; it stops sucking. Which REALLY SUCKS!! How am I supposed to remove all the dang cat hair from the carpet without a working vacuum? Perhaps while we look at dishwashers, we can mosey to the vacuum aisle as well.

In the end, this means that my cleaning spree this week won't be as successful as I'd hoped. Ah well, at least the house looks BETTER.

Let's stop dwelling on the sad, sad condition of my house and turn our attention to happier subjects.
Before I went to help with the nieces on Wednesday, I stopped by one of the local bead shops. Here's a sampling of what I picked up while I was there.

And, here's an idea of what I'm working on at the moment (at least it's what I was working up when I closed up shop yesterday.)

**I found another GIVEAWAY to let y'all know about. The kind folks at Craft Gossip are giving away a copy of Sherilyn Miller's Wire Art Jewelry. The contest ends March 27th, so hurry up and leave a comment over there!

With that, I'll leave you with a few Jewelry Crafty Links (ideas, tutorials, and inspiration)

• Elaborate wire and crystal bracelet inspiration
• Leather chain necklace tutorial 
• Wire wrapped ring tutorial
• Quilted pendants
• Fabric scrap necklace 

And wish you a WONTABULOUS weekend!!