So Full of FAIL

I want to go ahead and say that I’ve been blogging for a while now, and I consider myself a fairly skilled person when it comes to technology. That kind of arrogance always leads to problems. Case in point: yesterday, I discovered what a huge LOSER I can be sometimes.

See, for a good long while I’ve been wanting to be able to reply to comments via e-mail (rather than clogging up my comments page with responses from moi.) I kept searching the settings in blogger to try to figure out how to do this. (Seriously, I went through all the setting SEVERAL times over the past eight months or so.) Yesterday afternoon I finally broke down and asked another blogger. Within minutes of hitting the send button on that request for help, I figured it out by myself. GAHHHHH!!! All I have to do is just reply to the e-mail alerts that Blogger sends me. You have NO IDEA how big of a fool I feel for simply not getting this. I think I was under the assumption that the e-mail I received about the comments was just an alert and one of those “do not reply to this” e-mails. . . how very wrong I was.

So, unless anyone has an issue with this, I’m no longer going to reply to comments in the comments section. I’ll actually send out a personal e-mail to each of you who leave a comment. The only time I plan on writing a comment to myself is to clear up anything, to answer a question, when there is no e-mail for the commenter, or when some other issue arises. I actually already started with the e-mails yesterday (when I realized how easy it was.) Does anyone foresee any problems with this?? Please let me know!

I just had to fess up as to how big of a goober I can be and why you may see changes in the comments section.**

~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~

Now for some eye candy-

Magic Stirs Bracelet

 

 

~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~

Before I forget. . .. a GIVEAWAY!
Beading Arts has a review of and is giving away a copy of Margot Potter's new book. Head over there to read the review and enter for a chance to win!

**{Hopefully my failure helps someone else who wants to do the same thing. Yes, I am risking my own embarrassment to help. Of course, I do realize that everyone else probably already knew how to reply to comments via e-mail and I may be just making myself look like a bigger idiot than I feel. Ah well. It is what it is.}

What's with Today, Today?

(First off, can you name the movie that quote comes from?)

I don't know exactly what got into me this morning, but I actually got up and out of bed when my alarm sounded. Unless I have to be somewhere, the alarm is meaningless. It usually tends to be more of an alert system (by the way, morning is here when you decide to finally get your lazy butt out of the bed.)

However, this morning I got right up. Perhaps I'm excited about Bead Table Wednesday or (more accurately) the bead soup that's sitting on my bead table. MAYBE I'm actually starting to behave like a grown-up.

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!

Nah, it must be the bead soup.

After starting breakfast and pouring a cuppa coffee, I headed into the craft room and allowed myself to cut the strings on the strung beads (as Kate suggested.) Of course, I'm still a bit neurotic. So, I only slid a few beads off each of the strings. Let me admit that I HAVE already separated my beads into piles. One pile is with the focal and the other is with the clasp.

Of course, I've still not quite figured out what I'm going to DO with either pile AND I still haven't pulled out any of my own beads. It'll come in time, I'm sure of it.

Bead Table Wednesday

Be sure to visit the Bead Table Wednesday Flickr Group for more BTW fabulousness.

~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~

While I'm on the topic of bead soup. . .Andrea revealed some shots of what I sent to her. I'm so happy she likes the lot!

~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~

I do have one GIVEAWAY announcement

- Gardanne is having a pretty great bead giveaway on her blog. As well, you should check out the sale she is having in prep for BeadFest - 15% off everything in both of her shops. There are also links on her sales page to a several other beaders who are having sales for the same purpose. AWESOME!!

~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~

New Necklace

Float On Necklace

Now, let me go see what this soup can become!

Bead Soup is Simmering

I really lucked out with my bead soup partner Andrea Morici of Beadaholique. She absolutely spoiled me . . .and yes, I know I said the same thing about Patty's package from the last bead soup. It really amazes me how many generous beaders there are out there. 

I won't get as picture heavy and lengthy as I did before, but I still want to show you all the lovely items that Andrea sent.

First, when I saw the envelope that I knew contained the bead soup, I was giddy.

Look at it bulging!!

Here's what it contained.

1. Swarovski crystal aquamarine rondelles

2. Antiqued Copper fluted round beads

3. Round black wood beads

4. Topaz cathedral beads

5. Tapered tube dyed green magnesite beads

6. Round red carnelian beads

7. Glass round matte druks

8. Round faceted yellow honey jade beads

9. Round yellow with red stripe ceramic beads

10. Grass green silk ribbon

11. Red rose cinnabar beads

I'm guessing you want to see the focal and the clasp too huh. . .

13. Golem ceramic round pendant with daisies and ladybugs

14. Genuine copper granulated flower clasp

Here's another picture of the beautiful focal

And, this is what they all look like together!

This bead soup is AWESOME. I've thanked Andrea profusely. . .or at least I hope I have. Of course, the awesomeness also makes it very intimidating. I don't know where to start. Right now, I've just got the beads simmering on the craft desk as I'm still working up the nerve to cut those strings per Kate's advice. Of course I know that the mixing would definitely help me see a few more possibilities. 

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Before I go stir the soup, here's what's new in the shop

Garden Enchantment Necklace

All the News That's New

It was a GOOD MAIL day today.

Not only did my bead soup from Andrea arrive, but also the awesome pendant I was lucky enough to win from Erin Prais-Hintz. (Yes, I know I forgot to mention it, that's exactly why I'm doing it now.) 

Wanna see?

Alright, yes . . .the picture's a bit skewed for my bead soup, but I want to devote a WHOLE post to the joyous reveal of the package tomorrow. Can you wait? Pretty please?

In the meantime, check out the pendant from Erin.

You may recognize the pendant from the cover of the most current issue of Stringing Magazine! How lucky was I?

While I'm showing off all the pretties, let me add the newest pair of earrings in the shop to the list.

Clouds Dripping Earrings

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Now. . .down to business with the menu for this week. Let me admit first that due to some bumps in the road last week, NONE of the menu for last week was cooked (or even bought.) Yup! So this week is similar with a few changes. What can I say? In addition, since last week was so rough, this week is all about the comfort food. Here we go!

Breakfasts: Toast w/PB or nutella, cereal/grits, waffles (from freezer), buttermilk blueberry breakfast cake, eggs w/bacon and toast, hashbrown baskets

Lunches: Ham sandwiches, homemade hot pockets, chicken salad, bean burritos, quesidillas, soup and grilled cheese, leftovers

Dinners:

Tacos w/rice

Chicken alfredo w/broccoli

Pork chops w/cauliflower gratin & rice mix

Potato soup w/salad

Pot roast w/carrots, potatoes, rice, field peas

That's my plan for this Meal Plan Monday, check out loads more that are (most likely) not repeats over at I'm an Organizing Junkie.

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Now for something a bit  more serious. The fabulous Andrew Thornton is reaching out for help to open Allegory Gallery. From his own blog, 

It's an opportunity to help us open a creative space that's one part bead store, one part fine art gallery, one part jewelry boutique and one part gift shop. The aim of Allegory Gallery is to promote artisan craftspeople, inspire the community to explore their creativity, and act as a focal point for classes and artistic education.

 Currently they are asking for  help to raise the funds to open this creative and inspiring space. Read more about it on Andrew's blog and go like Allegory Gallery's Facebook page as well!

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One more thing before I head out to play some more the the awesome bead soup. . .hehehehe!

A GIVEAWAY. . .Love My Art Jewelry is giving away a pair of really neat copper earrings. You need to go to the post to see these beauties!

That's it. . .I think. I hope your Monday is and continues to be spectacular!

I Know I've Forgotten to Do Something

I've spent most of this week trying to get as much done as possible for two projects. The first is the decorations for a murder mystery dinner theater thing I'm on the committee for and the other is the Bead Soup Blog Party. I've gotten done what I can.

Today I play catch up. . .

• Finally getting to the e-mails I barely glanced at then saved
• Actually participating in twitter, facebook, and G+
• Perusing some of the beautiful and fun things on Tumblr and Pintrest
• Reading the blog posts I've been missing
• Checking my stats
• Posting something in the shop
• Writing this blog post
• Cleaning the craftroom after the whirlwind I created in gathering, prepping, and packaging for the Bead Soup Blog Party
• Possibly creating something
• Taking photos of the items that have been made
• And so much more that I've neglected.

Let me start with the picture of my craft desk that I took on Wednesday for Bead Table Wednesday. . . but couldn't get around to posting.

It was my mess of just some of the bits I pulled out while working on my package for my Bead Soup Partner.

Speaking of which, let me tell you that my partner is Andrea Morici of Beadaholique. She also has an Etsy shop, Noon Blue Apples. I was a little intimidated by being paired up with Andrea since I can tell from her BTW posts that she often works with seed beads. AND. . .she works for a jewelry supply company. However, she assured me that I could send her whatever I wanted and the wonderful Lori Anderson of Pretty Things (and the creator of the Bead Soup Blog Party) also re-iterated in one of her many e-mails that this IS supposed to be a bit of a challenge to work with materials we don't always use. So, here's a teaser of what I sent to Andrea yesterday.

Bwhahahaha. . ..

Lastly, I can knock listing a new item off that to do list as I put this beauty up for sale. . .it's a favorite of mine!

Brighten the Nest Necklace

I know there were other things I wanted to say in this post. . .but they've completely flown out of my head. Ah well, I'm sure they'll come to me later! (and knowing me I won't write them down and will forget them once again.) HA! At least it's Friday!

Monday Morning Madness

This sweet angel was called all sorts of (not so ladylike) names this morning as she insisted that it was TIME FOR MAMA TO GET UP!!

BLARG!

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Since it's Monday, let's start with the usual routine of the menu. . .

Breakfasts: PB/Nutella toast, cereal/grits, waffles, buttermilk blueberry breakfast cake*, eggs w/bacon and toast, hashbrown baskets*

Lunches: ham quesidillas, chicken salad, homemade hot pockets*, bean burritoes, ham sandwiches, soup and grilled cheese, leftovers

Dinners: 

Grilled chicken w/grilled corn on the cob and baked beans

Tacos w/ rice

Potato soup w/salad

Chicken Alfredo w/broccoli

Pot Roast w/potatoes, carrots, rice, & black eyed peas

*If you are observant, you'll notice that the blueberry cake, hashbrown baskets, and hot pockets are repeats from last week. I never got to make the cake or pockets, but I did make the baskets. . .

And, they were SO GOOD that they're on the menu again this week! (Please note that I made them with scrambled eggs.)

For more Menu Plan Monday, head over to I'm an Organizing Junkie!

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While I've got you checking out links, here's a few GIVEAWAYS!

• Lori at Studio Waterstone (of Macro Sunday fame) is giving away a fabulous suede journal AND a beautiful cuff! Go there now and enter!
• Art Bead Scene is (as usual) offering up a Studio Saturday giveaway. This time it's for some of Jennifer Heynen's ceramic beads!

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New necklace

Moonlit Shadows Necklace

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Onward with my day, even though Asia's got me feeling like this

YAWWWWWNNNN!!

I Heart Macro: In and Out of the Yard

I think Pat's just about busting at the seams to get out of the house and onto the boat. . .even though I just rolled out of bed.
At least I already had my macro shots ready . . .well, they were in the camera already.

I spotted these crepe myrtle blooms in my driveway and knew they were destined for Macro Sunday.

Oddly, they were just in this clump/pile at the end of the driveway (not a macro shot. . .sorry.) I wish I had gotten to them earlier when they were less crunchy-looking. The Alabama sun will do that to you!

While out in the yard, I decided to go ahead and get a picture of another of the blooms in our flowerbed.

Then I rushed back inside to the cool and comfort of the craft room, where my gel medium was waiting for me. With camera in hand, I was compelled to get a shot of the neat texture within the jar.

I realized I was out of control and stopped there. (Aren't you relieved?)

Head over to Studio Waterstone for  more I Heart Macro Sunday!

While I'm here, I need to go ahead and mention that this beauty of a necklace is now on sale in the shop (since I didn't post on Friday when it went on sale. . . oops)

Blooming Buttons Necklace - Now 20% off!

Now, it's time to don the swimsuit and get outside before the weekend is over! Here's hoping you enjoy what's left of yours as well.

My Thanks and Blue Bracelets

Thanks for all the support yesterday y'all!!

It really meant a ton.

Now to actually start working on the new goal instead of all the little bits of other tasks that distract me and suck the day away.

As you can see I finished the bracelet from yesterday. And, you can see the button I picked out for the closure.

Several of you guessed that I would use a different button, and that's the one I was actually leaning toward. 

However, as I picked it up and turned it over, I saw some writing on the back that indicates a particular maker and year. 

I want to do some reseach on this button before I use it. As well, it's a bit heavy and I was afaid it would send the balance of the bracelet off. So, I went with my second choice instead. The metal on the one being used has a blue-ish tint to it that I think goes well with the turquoise colored stones. 

As you can also tell in the bracelet picture, I'm now wearing the thing. I put it on as a test run, but am really kinda liking the feel of it. . .hmmmmm We'll see what I decide in a few days!

For now, here's another blue bracelet that was just listed in the shop today. 

French Lily Bracelet

Lastly, I want to encourage you to head over to JennP1751's blog for a GIVEAWAY!! Jenn and I are both in the Alabama Accents Team on Etsy. She makes some fab jewelry too. :)

On to the next item on the list!

BTW and Finding Direction

The funk has passed. I'm pretty sure it was hormone related. (Oh the joys of being a woman!)

This morning, I decided to just ignore all the little doubts and questions that were plaguing my mind and causing the mental clutter yesterday. I simply got to work. 

Since it is Bead Table Wednesday, I'll share what I worked on!

I started by pulling out the small, but fun selection of beads I picked up at Michael's yesterday with this 20% off your entire purchase coupon.

Then, two of the big jars of buttons came out.

I dug through them to try to find just the right button to use as a closure on a bracelet.

Can you guess which one I ended up using?? Well. . .can you?

Check out more over at the Bead Table Wednesday Flickr Group.

As far as the moodiness of yesterday. Well, I think it was simply caused by my want to succeed in this jewelry game, but not really having a sense of direction. I'm aware of several paths I can take as well as some other alternative routes and resources I can use, but how to find the additional time to cram in those pursuits?

For now, I think the main path I'll start down is trying to get into a magazine. Of course, there's a ton of info I want to gather and compile for that first so. . .GAH! Fortunately, as I was going through my feed reader yesterday I came across a post by Shannon over at For My Sweet Daughter and then a post by Erin at Treasure's Found :: Inspiration is Everywhere that really gave me a more positive outlook and a bit more confidence to trudge my way forward.

EESH!!! No promises, but I have pulled out this stack of my favorite jewelry magazines and am going to take some notes.

I've also already found many of their submission guidelines and realize that I need to get to work IN A HURRY!

Enough with the stressing. I'm going to take some deep calming breaths while you  take a look at the newest necklace in the shop.

Subtle Southern Fall Necklace

Now, don't we all feel better? ;)

Pardon My Mental Clutter

I'm feeling a little lost at the moment.

I'm totally distracted by thoughts of what I want to and should be doing, but there's so much to be done that I can't seem to find a starting point. As such, I'm sitting here almost paralyzed with confusion. . .shoot that's not the right word at all.

This is most likely just a mood swing and will pass soon.

If you'll humor me for today, let me just share some shop news so I can go make dinner and then hopefully a game plan.

NEW

Adventures Abound Earrings

ON SALE

Copper Dragonfly Earrings - 20% off

Let's hope I can get past this funk!

Productive-ish

While I haven't touched a bead all day, I've still been fairly productive.

***I made a new header (look up, or click OUT of the feed reader to see it!!)

***The menu's made. . .

Breakfasts: PB/Nutella toast, waffles, hashbrown baskets, cereal/cheese grits, buttermilk blueberry breakfast cake, eggs w/bacon and toast, cinnamon croissants

Lunches: Turkey quesidillas, tuna noodles, chicken salad, homemade hot pockets (ham and cheese), turkey sandwiches, soup and grilled cheese, bean burritoes 

Dinners:

Grilled pork chops w/corn & mashed potatoes

Chicken Piccata w/salad

Taco Soup (from freezer)

Grilled chicken w/grilled corn & baked beans

Crockpot ham w/green beans & mac-n-cheese

See more Meal Plan Monday at I'm an Organizing Junkie.


***There's a new necklace in the shop
Playful woodland pal
Sharp bristles but soft inside. . .
It’s the core that counts

Woodland Pal Necklace

 ***Two items are on sale

The Cat's Meow Necklace - 20% Off

Night Blooms Bracelet - 25% Off

See. . .FAIRLY productive. Now to hop on all the other tasks that were neglected.

OH! Don't forget that Bead Soup Blog Party signups started TODAY. You've only got THREE days to register!

Sign up and join the fun!