Keeping Busy (WOYWW)

Last week may be considered the "Lost Week". I wasn't near as productive as I'd have liked because my schedule was off. I did get to spend much of the week with my grandmother and oldest niece while my mom and step-dad went on vacation. As well, I helped a friend prep for her daughter's birthday. We also agonized over what to do about my sweet Asia kitty. Her illness isn't getting any better. While steroid shots seem to make her feel better for several weeks at a time, she's still struggling to breathe and looks uncomfortable the rest of the time. We cried and prayed over what to do, but the decision is so very hard to make. For now, she's received another shot while we monitor her even closer to try to make the decision and come to terms with it.

Gah! Okay, enough with all that. Here's what my desk looks like today.

There's a little of everything on there once again.
At the far left is my art journal, open and waiting with a blank page.
Next is my bullet journal, also waiting for me to set out the day's list.
Then there's the altered playing card that I'm currently working on. It's got some washi tape and gesso lines on it, but that's as far as I've gotten.
Finally, there's a bead mat with an assemblage key, some wire wrapped czech glass beads, and a variety of pearls that I'm trying to decide on. (You can see my mat better and pick your favorite on my Instagram video.)

If you're curious, the top of my desk includes a small trash bin (the green thing at left with the clothes pins on it.), a glass container with various supplies (rulers, x-acto, bone folder, wooden skewers, knitting needles, etc.), a swiveling organizer that holds my pliers and scissors, a bowl of miscellany (tape, glue sticks, lip gloss, liquid paper, and tape measures), a cup and saucer that I throw things in to keep them from getting buried), a plastic cup of water with some paintbrushes, and a nice big selection of pens and pencils (I have an office supply issue.) Also on my desk are my timers, which I set to try to make sure I get up and move around every half hour or so.  You know, for my health.

That's the bulk of it for today. And now, it's time to start tackling some of these tasks. Here's hope you keep happily busy today too.

I'm linking up my desk on What's on Your Workdesk Wednesday at Stamping Ground. Come play along, or just tell me. . .what are some of the supplies on your desk that are always there?

On my Desk (WOYWW)

Ever since I got the craft room cleaned and organized the other week, I've done a pretty good job keeping it that way. I've even been pretty good at cleaning off my desk between projects. . .pretty good - not perfect. And, of course, I usually have several projects going on at once. Currently, this is the state of my craft desk.

In the center is my to do list. I took this picture first thing this morning, just after I finished writing it out. Just above that are some keys for a tutorial I'm working on for a secret project. . .to be revealed later. On the left is my art journal with black scribbles (I was trying to use up some paint) and a finished altered playing card (the flower). Of course, there's also a large mug of coffee and all the other miscellany I keep within reach. Just these few things have me a bit overwhelmed at the moment, so I think I'm going to clear the excess to clear my head and get motivated. Do you work better on a messy desk or a clean one?

I'm linking up at Stamping Ground for What's on Your Workdesk Wednesday (WOYWW).

Days of My Craft Desk | Episode 1 (WOYWW)

I know I've mentioned here somewhere how much I love seeing other artists' craft rooms, workbenches, and creative spaces in general. I've been lax in sharing my own as I'm still not sure how this new space will work for me. However, I don't mind sharing my desk. In fact, I'm going to try a recurring feature giving you peeks of what's on my desk through a single day. Now, this can range from beady to crafty to paperwork-y, and that's just in the course of one day! And, because I'm a dork - I have to name it something corny.

Like beads rolling across the studio floor, these are the Days of My Craft Desk.  

In this first installment, let me start by sharing just how clean and pure my craft desk can be.

Yet, at other times it's quite dirty - piled high with miscellaneous craft supplies, projects, and general junk.

Now, let's begin.
Yesterday's desk was pure beady goodness all day long. It started out with the sorting of some broken jewelry acquired at an antique store.

By mid-day, actual jewelry was being made for a silent auction.

After lunch, a large jar of 'bead soup' was sorted into separate palettes for more silent auction projects.

Before the lights went off in the craft room, this was the bead desk's shameful state. Beads were scattered everywhere as bangles were being created from the bead soup palettes.

Come back later to see what else happens in Days of My Craft Desk!

Ha, see. . . I'm a huge dork, but I like this format so much. I'm sure I'll be sharing many more days. Of course, I'd like to know what you think of it too. Please let me know before I embarrass myself any more!

I'm also linking up at Stamping Ground for What's on Your Workdesk Wednesday

What's on Your Workdesk Wedneday (WOYWW)

I'm desperately trying to get so much done that it feels like I'm not accomplishing anything. I don't even know how that's possible. With so much going on, my desk feels a little schizophrenic at the moment.

At left is my to do list, then some beads in a muffin tin, and washi tape at the far right.

Here's a better look at some of what's going on.

I've re-filled one of my muffin tins and am SLOWLY getting some items made from it.

Then there's the pile of Valentine washi tape. . .just waiting for inspiration to strike.

As you can see, there's not much in process at the moment. Like I said, nothing's getting done. Blarg! Hopefully once I check off, 'blog post' from my to do list I can engulf myself in creating. . .oh wait, laundry first. Anyway, I'll be linking up this post with What's on Your Workdesk Wednesday at Stamping Ground.

What's covering your work area at the moment and are you getting anything done?

Bead Table Wednesday | Upcycling

Though Bead Table Wednesday originator, Heather of HumbleBeads, is busily prepping for BeadFest I'm simply dreaming that I was jetting away to BeadFest myself. Instead of sulking, I'm keeping myself busy in my own studio. Take a peek at what's on my desk at the moment.

You may recall those rings in the center. They're off the file folder dividers I found when we bought the desk we thrifted and upcycled back in October. I'm finally ready to do something with at least some of them.

As you can see, I'm starting by flattening them out. Next, I want to add some color.

However, I'm not sure what medium I want to use to color the metal so I'm just going to play. (L-R: Vintaj Patina in Verdigris, Gilder's Paste in Patina, and Iced Enamels Medium and enamel powder in Turquoise Relique).

This should be fun! Though Heather's not doing the link-up today, I'd still love to know what's on your Table too. Let me know in the comments.

Bead Table Wednesday is the brain child of Heather Powers of HumbleBeads who encourages you to show off what's on your creative desk each week.

I'm also linking up to Thoughtful Thursday on Cozinest and Show and Share on Coastal Charm.

Bead Table Wednesday (7/23/14)

Even with all the pondering and list-making I was doing last Wednesday, I was still able to finish the necklace I had on my desk before jumping headfirst into another project. (YAY for finishing something!)

Since I was doing some heavy soul-searching and goal-writing, I decided to work on a project that needed very little thought but still would keep my hands busy.

I collected a small assortment of beads and dumped out my leftover hoard of wire scraps onto my bead table.

From there, I've just been attaching beads to other beads with wire via simple or wrapped loops to make beaded bracelets.

I think these would work well alone or stacked together with other bracelets. So far, I've got quite the collection.

This busy-hand method has left my mind free to brainstorm other projects and pursuits. So that's what's on my bead table today. What's on yours?

Bead Table Wednesday (BTW) is the brainchild of Heather of HumbleBeads, and you should see the beauty that's on her craft desk today!

On My Mind and My Desk (BTW)

I am still sorting through the dilemma that is this blog, but I couldn't let Bead Table Wednesday (BTW) pass me by. My craft desk is currently covered with the same things that consume my thoughts.

On the left is my stack of to-do lists and blog ideas, lists, and ramblings that I've been jotting down since yesterday. On the right is the actual bead work that I have out to do. You can see which of those pictures is larger and thus which one consumes more of my thoughts. Oddly, it's like a battle of my left brain and right brain right there. . . hmmmmm. I guess it's time to see which one wins.

Bead Table Wednesday is the brainchild of Heather of HumbleBeads. Today she is revealing the Michael's Beading Challenge that she and Lorelei are hosting, but on other Wednesdays you can usually sneak a peek at what's on her desk too. Why don't you play along sometime and share what's on your worktable.

Bead Table Wednesday on 30 Word Thursday (Let's Do This)

Chaos from one end to the other,
Supplies strewn haphazardly;
Like a mad scientist searching for the answer,
A toddler exploring,
Or perhaps I was robbed
Nope, I was creating.

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The premise of 30 Words Thursday is simple...

Take an image.
Write 30 Words about it. No more. No less.
Post it each Thursday.
Share it on Erin's Treasure's Found blog.

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Bead Table Wednesday is similarly simple. Created by Heather Powers of Humblebeads, she only asks that you share a picture of what's on your bead table each Wednesday. (My picture was taken yesterday.)

DONE and DONE!

(Despite being a little late.) 

Bead Table Wednesday (4/2)

Each Wednesday, Heather of Humblebeads encourages you to show off what's on your bead table, craft desk, workbench for the sake/fun of it.

Alas, since the organization bug has bitten me (see yesterday's Organizing My Jewelry post) my craft desk has been pretty lame.

Yup, that's a stack of spiral bound notebooks. They all have different purposes and are helping me get my files (paper and digital) in order. It's a long process of editing pictures, writing product descriptions, pricing jewelry, doodling, making lists, and whatnot.

Since my desk is so boring, why don't you play along and let me see the beautiful bits that are on YOUR bead table.

Thanks to Heather at Humblebeads for this awesome weekly prompt!

Oh, and since I like big buttons and I cannot lie. . .I made these earrings with some big beads to match.

Curvy Earrings

And, yes I do crack myself up. I know I'm not as funny as I think I am but at least I amuse myself. That's important, right?

Bead Table Wednesday: 3/19 (from the couch)

Pat is out of town for a few days, so I get to figure out who I would be if I were single. So far I've realized

Yeah. . .I don't watch much Glee while he's at home. Since I knew I'd be bumming it on the couch for almost endless a few hours, I made up a tray of work to do in front of the TV.

In fact, it's sitting there now waiting for me to watch some more Glee this evening! I can't wait to get to work.

So what's on your bead table (or couch) this Wednesday? 

BTW was originated by Heather of Humblebeads.

Bead Table Wednesday: Flotsam

All week I've been working through ideas from my sketchbook. However, I've hit a wall on the next one. With that roadblock, I turned to the Jewelry Making Mojo Challenge from Heather at Humblebeads and pulled out some of the bead soup and other flotsam littering my space for a bit of a break. As such, this is my contribution for Bead Table Wednesday.

Now I just need to figure out what to do with these miscellaneous beads, wire bits, and pieces of chain. Part of the mojo challenge is to not over-think the design. Ha! I'll work on that.

So what's on your Bead Table this Wednesday?

Bead Table Wednesday

It's back!
I'm not exactly sure where Bead Table Wednesday disappeared to as I desperately clung to it until about May of last year. Heather Powers of Humblebeads, the originator of BTW, has resurrected the weekly ritual.

What's actually on my desk is something I can't share until next week. As such, I did some more experimenting this morning with an idea that's been bouncing around in my head for the last few days. It started with a couple of the keys from my massive collection.

First I cleaned and sealed them with Renaissance Wax. Once they dried, I altered them with some Gilder's Paste and StazOn ink

Then added a little Magic-Glos. . .

The experiment isn't quite finished as I still need to Glos the other side, but I've learned that I need to add a little bit more of the Magic-Glos than I think I need and to not add more glos after I've already cured a coat. (Unless I want to coat the whole thing again.) All in all I really like the look though!

What's on your bead table today? To play along:

::Snap a photo then share it on Instagram, your blog, or on my the Humblebeads Facebook page. 

::You can share a work-in-progress, a total disaster, or a finished project. 

::Use hashtag #BTW or #BeadTableWednesday on Instragram

::If you blog about it, grab one of the icons on Heather's blog and link back to her.

I really enjoy BTW and hope you play along as well! The links to Heather's blog above are last week's. Here's her blog post for this week for you to check out and link up to.

Clean Desk and the Leftover Hoard

I looked down at my craft desk this morning to see this awesomeness, I mean mess, BIG OLE MESS!

It was terrifying, and intimidating and something needed to be done.

I started with what was right in front of me, my little bench block and a bit of extra wire. So, I cleared the wire away by going ahead and just making some wire clasps.

As I unearthed the layers and layers of debris and supplies from my desk, I found even more leftover wire and bits of cord.

I can't bear to throw away these plentiful lengths of workable material. So, what do I do?

I stuff it in a jelly jar.
Yup. . .I'm a hoarder. Big time.

At some point I will sit down and make something from this treasure. I've even got a few ideas. Until then, I guess I'll keep it squirreled away.

But look. . . my desk is clean.

What do you do with those extra bits of wire and cord when a project is complete? Do you seriously toss them or are you skilled at only cutting off what you need? Do you save it like me? I'd love to know.

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Before you leave, check out what's new in the shop:

Wabi Sabi Earrings

Re-listed: Sweet Flower Necklace

Thanks!