Sunday, February 26, 2012

30 Day Bead Challenge & Updates

This morning while catching up on email, I came across this idea from FusionBeads.com (one of my favorite beading sites).  In March they are conducting a challenge.  Read more about each day's challenge here and find the download calendar for the whole month here.  They are also hosting a Pinterest contest which you can read about here.

Meanwhile, we are still busy prepping for Marble Crazy which occurs this week (Friday and Saturday, March 2 and 3) in Bonner Springs, Kansas.  Chris is nearing his goal of 50 large marbles plus some really pretty new pendant style beads with Tierracast Bails.  I have been busy rooting through his bead boxes creating jewelry with his products.  Chris has also been busy making some really awesome chainmaille designs, teaching chainmaille to Girls Scouts for ArtVenture yesterday, and managing the chores in the house.  I have also been trying to get the tax info finished up to get to our new tax guy, David Bierman, CPA.  David and Stacy are friends as well as customers (their daughters, Keirnan and Justine always make me smile) and we are glad to give our business to them.

I will try to post some new pictures of items this week, but with all the packing and stuff we have to do, there  is NO guarantee that will happen!  Hope your week is a GREAT ONE!

Tuesday, February 21, 2012

Happy Mardi Gras!

 I posted these pictures a couple weeks ago after I learned the flat spiral stitch.  I have made three bracelets since.  One for Julie's in beautiful reds and one for Pixybug in pretty pastel seed beads and round Swarovski crystals instead of the pearls.  OOOH that one is so pretty!  But since today is Mardi Gras I wanted to repost the pics from this bracelet.  Lent begins tomorrow, and though I am not of a religion that restricts the menu during that period, I am always happy because fish appears on menus!  I love almost all seafood and am glad for those 6 weeks to have the option when eating out!  Happy Tuesday, we are busy prepping for the big show at Moon Marble next week.  Chris spent his government holiday with his marble mold and scorched himself and his chair twice.  I spent last evening working up his lampwork creations into jewelry to take along to the show.  New photos soon if the sunlight cooperates!



Monday, February 13, 2012

Marble Crazy!

We received word last week that we have been accepted to be vendors at Marble Crazy at The Moon Marble Company!  Want more info?  Click this link!  We have spent the past few days prepping and wrapping our minds around doing a show in another state which we haven't done before.  Here are some of the details we are dealing with:
  • Tax id number for Kansas (and may I just say, their tax system is a nightmare).
  • What about accepting credit cards?  We have done so for the past year using Chris's cell to phone them in but it can take 3-10 minutes to submit the info depending on if you push the wrong button, and if we get busy that won't work.  I signed up for Square this morning but that means I will have to upgrade my cell phone from the simple $25 per month (no texting, no internet, 40 minutes of air time) to an Android operating system.  We can run it through one of our iPod Touches, but only if we have a wireless signal.  
  • Hotel reservations, directions/map for getting there, and arranging schedules to be off work/off school.  Thankfully, Mina doesn't have school on that Friday of the show, but we will have to head down the day before to be able to set up for the show first thing on Friday morning (it is about a 5 hour drive from our house).  
  • Inventory, what to take, what to sell!  
  • Chris alternates between thrilled and nauseous! He is so excited to meet all the other marble makers and learn, but the demonstrating makes him a bit frightened (even though he demos at almost every show we do).
So there it is, prepping for a show we haven't done before.  If anyone has any helpful advice, we would love to hear it!  If you are in the Bonner Springs, KS area on March 2 & 3, you won't be sorry for stopping at Moon Marble!  It is an awesome shop!

Wednesday, February 8, 2012

Big Art News!

Mina and I have been juried into the "Seeing Red" show coming soon to Graham Gallery.  This is my submission and Mina made a loom woven wall hanging of the Nebraska Sunset for her submission!  Our beautiful, talented daughter also received word that she was awarded her SECOND Gold Key in the Scholastic Art Competition.  She also won a Gold Key for her marble submission last year.  This is the submission for this year:
Special Thanks goes out to Christine Brown who is Mina's amazing art teacher! 

Sunday, February 5, 2012

Greetings all!  Guest blogger Chris here.  Here are pictures of some marbles I made yesterday.  I hope you enjoy...




What do you think?  I am partial to the bright pink one and the yellow tiger striped one.  I also enjoy the yellow one with the snakes!

Friday, February 3, 2012

Blog Recommendation

I came across this awhile back and wanted to share it with you.  Too funny!  Enjoy your weekend, we are about to be snowed in AT HOME!  YEAH!  Bead time for me!
Beaded Laughter

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