Happy Easter!

It is Easter afternoon on a cold, windy, rainy northwest kind of spring! Perfect day to be inside and make things or in my case; pack for a show. My mind races as I get ready to choose which of my inventory to take with me to a show. I pack this and then think, " oh, I better take this, too and maybe this and maybe that.... " and before you know it there is no organization and I have a bunch of " stuff ". I just always want everything with me and then usually my first few customers ask me for what I did not bring! AAARGH! But... you know I love this crazy bead life!

These are some photos of Jacob with his Easter basket and Regina. Jacob best liked the tins of mints he received in his basket. I am going to keep these forever he says! My sweet little boy, my last child, is growing up so quickly! He didn't even remind me to dye eggs or ask for a basket! I miss that boy who loved hunting eggs in the soggy garden on Easter morning!

Phil is off buying special treats for dinner and I can hardly wait. For what is an Easter dinner without ham, potato salad, applesauce and sweet gherkin pickles! Yum! Happy Easter! Make some bunny happy today! xxoo, Lois

First Day of Spring

Here it is already the first day of spring and the days will be getting longer now. I love spring and all the possibilities of birth and renewal that fill the air and my soul. I have to admit though that I really lust for winter. The cold gray days make me feel productive and nestled in my interior life. Spring and I have to expand my horizons and leave my comfort zones and get out. Outdoors, out everywhere, out here, out there, never sitting still until winter comes again. I do want to get some tomatoes planted so I guess now I am waiting for spring to become summer. Hope takes the form here in the pacific northwest of those who annually plant tomatoes knowing there is never enough sun to ripen them! Laughing at the absurdities, Lois

Aren't These Cool?

Well, I am guessing that these photos turn out alright. Sometimes working with my laptop is like working with a machine from Jupiter! We just don't understand each other. I am an idiot and it just punks out and refuses to work!

Anyhow, these are some drilled fossilized ammonite pendants that I will be taking to the Bead Expo show next week in Portland. They are so fabulous; like little landscape paintings in each piece. Some of them are even opalized in their fossil state. I adore them and they will make such cool necklaces!

I am really tired tonight so I will keep this short. I think that a slow day at the shop makes me even more tired. I think I will hit the hay with a good mountaineering book and a slighly beat up People magazine. Good night - sweet dreams, Lois

What I Have Been WoRkInG On!

I have been experimenting with finishes on some of my silver charms. I like the antique satin finish on these charms although honestly, it came about by accident. Sometimes the best things happen by accident especially in the fine craft or art field. The bracelets are on elastic and are worked in my favorite color pallette of olive, topaz and plum. I wanted to show off the single charm drop. They are out for sale in the shop now. I also painted this locally made concrete crow. I am uncertain if it is a crow or raven but I have a mad love affair with crows. I like him all glossy and black. He is also a piece for sale in the shop and he needs a good home. Two local brothers made him and other concrete pieces. Poor man's marble, I guess!
Off to work at the shop tomorrow where I will play and sell and meet and greet friends and customers. XXXOO, Lois

Part 2 - Saint Patty's Day

Here you have our evening at my house! A great photo of Andrea and Whit plus a pic of Andrea with her favorite toy ( at least for now ) doing one of her favorite things! Finally a photo of Jacob, Phil and I feeling very satisfied after a wonderful dinner that included spaghetti squash and Elevated ice cream with tons of chocolate jimmies ( sprinkles ). Tis good to be Irish for the day! Nighty - night! Lois

Happy Saint Patrick's Day!

Ahhh...'tis the wearing of the green it be this day! Jacob was all dressed for school today in his favorite blue hoodie but then he dashed back into his room, ripped it off and put on the green! I told him that since I was the mom I could still give him a little pinch along with a kiss. Now, Whit and Andrea over for dinner and it will be a nice and festive evening. Think green! Lois

Almost Spring!

Although it was gray and rainy today; I still managed to trim back some of my lavender plants and maybe spark them into spring. I can never bring myself to actually cut stems from my plants in the spring or summer as I like looking at all the lovely blooms on the lavender. I should have worn gloves though as my hands are a bit scratched up but oh, the sacrifices we make for our gardens!

I played all day in the studio with short breaks for housework ( sigh ), laundry ( double sigh ) and paperwork ( extra heavy sigh here ) and managed to get quite a bit of jewelry made for the shop. I will be in the store all day Friday and Saturday. It will feel GOOD to be back in the shop. My shows have kept me out of town for the weekends so I have missed playing in there.

I am posting a not so good picture of my Guadalupe banner I take to shows with me. It is pretty small with quite a bit of bead embellishment and she goes to all my shows with me. I consider her " my girl " and she reminds me to keep the faith and makes me feel protected. I wish you could see the beading details as I added some of my hand dyed lucite beads.I may try another picture one of these days.

Time to move onto the next project. Have a great night. Lois