Something to think about...

This post has nothing to do with polymer clay but I thought I would share it anyway. This is a link to an article that a college friend of mine (Ellen) posted on her blog. Ellen and her husband were blessed last year with a precious little girl they named Nicole. Nicole happens to have Down Syndrome. Ellen frequently posts on her blog about Nicole and way that their family has been changed and enriched by the blessing of her life. I don't normally (actually ever) get political or get into controversial issues on my blog. Although anyone who knows me could tell you that I am a very opinionated, or shall we say passionate, person. But this is something that I felt compelled to share. Read the article, visit Ellen's blog, and maybe get a new perspective on the issue. One last thought from Dr. Seuss' Horton Hears a Who - "Even if you can't see them or hear them at all, a person is a person, no matter how small."

New Pendant

I just finished a few of these last night. I've been wanting to make this design for a while now but for some reason I couldn't get focused enough to finish it. I like how it turned out. I used a sterling silver plated bail on the back and I think that this will be a bit more secure for future pendants.

Just Because

My babies.

Why trucks are evil...

Here is a pic from the show I did this weekend. This is my dear friend Letty who helped me out all day. We had quite the adventure after the show ended.

After we had cleaned up our area and loaded the truck (Letty's Dad's truck) Letty went to move the truck away from the loading area and it wouldn't start! Being much more handy than I, Letty fiddled with the connection to the battery and finally got the truck started (only after a few dramatic sparks I might add). We then went back inside to the reception for the artist and we enjoyed some nice little snacks. When we finished, Letty went out to start the truck back up. A few minutes later I followed outside only to find her standing outside the truck!? I know you're thinking that the keys were locked inside but she had the keys in her hand but the door would not open! We tried and tried both doors but neither one would open. We got the window open a little and tried to unlock the door with a hanger (just like on TV) and a slim jim but no luck. One of the other artists tried to help us too and also a kind man that just happened to be in the parking lot but we couldn't get either door open. It was the strangest thing because the key would turn and you would think that the door was unlocked but it just wouldn't open! By this point we had been trying for about an hour. BTW it was 14 degrees outside. I then called my husband to ask him what we should do and let him know we would be quite late. I don't have a cell phone so I was using Letty's and the phone kept dropping the call! The other artist let me use her phone and I finally got a hold of my husband who called a friend we had in this town (about 25 miles from where we live). He was hunting but could be there in 30 mins. So while we waited we sat in the jeep of this other lady trying to warm up. So then our friend Scott shows up and still we can't get the door open! So Scott went to the police station and soon after out hero show up and after about 10 mins got the door open!!!! Yea! We were saved! Scott left and the officer left and we jumped in the truck....It wouldn't start!!! Can we get anymore drama??? A few more sparks later and we were finally headed back home, half frozen but on the road! These kinds of things always seem to happen to Letty. :)

Come on Ring those Bowls! (I mean bells)

Here are some of my latest ring bowls. They are pretty tiny, only about 2 inches across. These are probably my biggest seller at the shows I've been doing. I keep one on my work table (actually that's where my rings are right now) and one in the kitchen for when I roll cookies or make meatballs and (occasionally) wash dishes. They are fun to make and I can use my canes without the pain of having to slice tissue paper thin slices. I'm actually pretty consistent with the whole slicing thing but I need a really fresh blade and I'm out. Hint, Hint Mom, I would like sharp things for Christmas :)

Etsy Transition

I am making changes to my Etsy shop. Since I opened it I've basically just been selling canes and from time to time some beads. But now I want to carry my finished jewelry. My business cards that I give out at the shows have my Etsy address on them so I figure that I should have my show pieces for sale there too. I'll still be doing canes here and there but I think it will mostly just be for my own work. Unless someone out there reading this just really wants some canes! I will of course make an exception!

Happy December

December 1st...yesterday we awoke to a beautiful covering of snow. It continued to snow all day and everything looks so clean and fresh. I always get excited for the first snow. Ask me in February or March if snow still excites me and I'll give you a very different answer. But for now I will enjoy being inside with my coffee.
On a slightly different note, It seems that every time I do a show another one just appears. Because I'm just starting out I'm not very familiar with the art shows in the area. (I have decided that I definitely will be doing art show and not craft shows). I was thinking that this show I just finished would be my last one for the year except for an open house a friend of mine wanted to do. But last week I was invited to attend a show in a nearby town...This weekend. Very last minute I'm feeling ambitious and I want to take advantage of every opportunity that I can so I said yes. That means I have a ton of work to do so I better get busy and stop playing on the computer!