People That I Adore

This is a photo of two people that began as my landlords and became friends. Coila owns the McCurdy building in town and I have an " office/artwork storage " space in her building. I have had this little funky space for probably 20 years?! Keith used to own the James & Hastings Building in town where my shops are located but he had this crazy idea to retire!! First to Costa Rica and then to Panama then to the island of Tobago where he lives in a marvelous home overlooking the water. He would like me to visit but he has big, I mean BIG spiders down there. I do NOT like spiders especially spiders in the same zip code as me! As much as I would like to visit Panama there are plenty of spiders here in my own backyard with out flying halfway down the globe. Just no Keith in the backyard. He has been an invaluable source of business advice for me over the many years I have known him.

We all had a great dinner at my place on Sunday night and Phil made a fabulous pot roast. Good old fashioned cooking! Keith brought ice cream for Jacob who is a bottomless freezer space designed to hold ice cream and Cila came with a special bottle of red wine.

What a great evening! Til next time, Lois

I love working with resins but I have got to say that I have come up with a lot of spectacular failures. The resin was too soft, didn't cure, turned yellow in the oven, whatever and I have beautiful pieces that can never be worn. Oh well, what doesn't discourage me - makes me create again and try over & over.This is a piece that DID work! Yippee! Until tomorrow - xxoo, Lois

Things that Are Pretty

I didn't do too much today; made a few earrings, had dinner with friends, talked a bit on the phone and of course, read the Sunday papers. Having a quiet day made me appreciate all the things about me that are pretty. The lavender in my yard, the soft gray of our cat Sally, the swallows flying outside the new bird house. Here is a found photo of pretty lavender. Lavender helps you sleep so good night all!

The weather outside my window this morning is the kind of day I just love - warm, gray, breezy with the threat of a shower! Wonderful! I think the sun is making an appearance later so that will make all the sun worshippers very happy. I am leaving you with this very brief post and a picture of the victorian building my shop is located in. It is the James and Hastings building built in 1889. We are the entire first floor. I love this building!
Have a terrific day!!!!! Lois

HAPPY JULY 4Th!!!

Here it is already the 4th of July. I love fireworks although I really only watch them from across Beaver Valley or on television. They can be beautiful and certainly I love the sparkles!

I may gripe and complain about our government but I still think the USA is a fine place to be and I remain amazed that the Declaration of Independence was written so long ago with such fortitude and forsight! Have a great time! G'night, Lois

Thunder!

We actually had thunder and lightening tonight for all of 5 minutes but it was pretty exciting! I love thunderstorms; being on the edge of being both scared and thrilled. We had great storms where I grew up back east; it is about the only thing I miss of the east coast. Oh and the fact the that Michael lives in West Virginia and scrapple! Yum! Anyhow, I am wandering off on a tangent here because I really did not have much to say this evening. That's pretty unbelievable!
I am posting a picture of a bracelet from my web site because I just really think the colors in it along with all the silver are rich and delightful! Off to dreamland with me now - Lois

Home from Portland

Wow! Was it ever hot down in Portland, Oregon! When we left the bead show at 6 pm ( where were all the customers? ); it was 104 degrees! In Portland - in June - for pity's sake! LAst year for the same bead show weekend it was 66 degrees and raining. I thought I would melt! Anyone who knows me, knows I HATE the heat and besides my body is not built for hot weather and I carry my own weather system with me! UGH!

We had a fun time at the bead show and met really great customers. I swear, I never get tired of talking with my customers soon to be friends. I love seeing inspiration fill their eyes as they hold a strand of beads in their hand or the moment that bead lust takes over and the bead MUST be purchased. Ahh -it is a fun way to spend the day!

I have posted a funny picture of a cat that a friend sent me from way too hot Texas and I think his face looks like I felt on Saturday evening!

Okay, I surrender - I want to be done with summer! Now to sleep under the ceiling fan in my too hot bedroom, love, Lois