Listed some new things on Etsy and nabbed a Treasury too. You can click on any of the Etsy pics on the right side of the page and go right to my online shop.
Summer's Over!
We have the cutest little tree frogs here in Scappoose! They're really most prevalent in the fall and can usually be heard calling (croaking) out to their mates. This li'l guy was on my front window ledge this morning, just sitting there above my flowers. He stayed there for about 2 hours before moving on. Won't be long until the croaking sounds fill the night!
Listed some new things on Etsy and nabbed a Treasury too. You can click on any of the Etsy pics on the right side of the page and go right to my online shop.
Listed some new things on Etsy and nabbed a Treasury too. You can click on any of the Etsy pics on the right side of the page and go right to my online shop.
Wahoo! First Etsy Sale!
Finally got an Etsy sale! I love this bracelet and I hope its new owner likes it as much as I do. I made the lampwork beads with Bullseye odd lot glass in Seabreeze and a blue-green aventurine color, then swirled some silvered ivory stringer around the middle of the focals. Freshwater stick pearls, Swarovski crystals and Hill Tribe silver completed the look.
I think the new camera is making a huge difference in my pictures. Crisper and much better detail. I picked up a macro lens and a portable light studio and that's making it easier to take close-ups and get the colors right.
Remember this little ditty from childhood?
I see the moon,
And the moon sees me.
God bless the moon
And God bless me.
That's what comes to mind when I look at this photo:
I took this one with the sunset setting on the new camera. No editing at all. Isn't that cool?
Spur of the Minute Trip
Last Thursday, Randy discovered that he had to go to Central Oregon for a class so I gladly tagged along. It's one of my favorite spots in the State - sunny and dry with beautiful vistas and rivers. I entertained myself shopping while he was in class, then we went and explored. On the drive home, we stopped at Lake Billy Chinook, which we'd never been to. Beautiful! Of course, Randy liked all the fishing possibilities; I liked the sun and scenery.
After that, we drove down to the Deschutes River and watched the Warm Springs tribal members fishing (catching!) salmon and steelhead at Shearers Falls. It was a beautiful drive and we visited some of my favorite spots along White River, the Deschutes River and Mt. Hood. Ahhhhhhh, the sun!
So now we're back home on the cloudy side of the State. I'm not looking forward to winter's grey skies and drizzle. I'll have to remember that a quick jump in the car and short 3-hour drive away I can rediscover all the beauty (and sun!) of Central Oregon.
After that, we drove down to the Deschutes River and watched the Warm Springs tribal members fishing (catching!) salmon and steelhead at Shearers Falls. It was a beautiful drive and we visited some of my favorite spots along White River, the Deschutes River and Mt. Hood. Ahhhhhhh, the sun!
So now we're back home on the cloudy side of the State. I'm not looking forward to winter's grey skies and drizzle. I'll have to remember that a quick jump in the car and short 3-hour drive away I can rediscover all the beauty (and sun!) of Central Oregon.
Took the Plunge!
I finally did it!! I listed a set of beads that I made on Ebay! I finally feel like my skills are good enough that I can sell my beads to strangers. I really like the set that I listed and thought about listing them on Etsy, but decided to give Ebay a chance (maybe some extra exposure will get them sold). You can click on the Ebay link on the right to see what I've listed on the 'Bay; it should update itself any time I list other items (notice how I've already decided to list more?).
Learning New Stuff
I finally got a new digital camera and a portable lightbox! I'm hoping for some improvement in my bead photos - closer, clearer shots. If you ever want to reaffirm that you know next to nothing about technology, get a new camera. I feel like such an amateur! Here's the camera I got:
I love it so far, especially like the ability to manually focus (although it's nice to rely on the macro function when I'm lazy!).
I'm addicted to making a different style of earrings than I usually make. A bit longer and more dangly. They've been popular at the market so I'll keep making them until I burn out or run out of Swaro crystals, whichever comes first. Okay, a small admission: I'd have to make a bajillion pair to even come close to depleting my crystal stash. I'm selling these for $15 a pair at the market.
I went down to Bullseye Glass last Thursday to pick up some of the new oddlot rods. One of the colors is Carnelian and it's really stunning. Here are some beads I made using the Carnelian and another odd lot color, Creme Brulee. The Creme Brulee has beautiful swirls of cream and beige and the Carnelian sets it off so nicely. I think I'll try to sell the beads without making them into a piece of jewelry. There are soooo many jewelry artists on Etsy and I'm hoping they'll get more attention if I list them as a set of beads.
Look for more beads made with the Carnelian. It's quickly become one of my favorites and I want to experiment with it alot more.
I love it so far, especially like the ability to manually focus (although it's nice to rely on the macro function when I'm lazy!).
I'm addicted to making a different style of earrings than I usually make. A bit longer and more dangly. They've been popular at the market so I'll keep making them until I burn out or run out of Swaro crystals, whichever comes first. Okay, a small admission: I'd have to make a bajillion pair to even come close to depleting my crystal stash. I'm selling these for $15 a pair at the market.
I went down to Bullseye Glass last Thursday to pick up some of the new oddlot rods. One of the colors is Carnelian and it's really stunning. Here are some beads I made using the Carnelian and another odd lot color, Creme Brulee. The Creme Brulee has beautiful swirls of cream and beige and the Carnelian sets it off so nicely. I think I'll try to sell the beads without making them into a piece of jewelry. There are soooo many jewelry artists on Etsy and I'm hoping they'll get more attention if I list them as a set of beads.
Look for more beads made with the Carnelian. It's quickly become one of my favorites and I want to experiment with it alot more.
Planning for Saturday's Market
I've got some new goodies for the Scappoose Market. Here's a preview:
Swarovski Cosmo Jet Crystal Earrings
on Sterling Ear Posts $15.00
Lampwork Bracelet with bone and sterling accents $30:
Lampwork beads with Hill Tribe silver on 1mm sterling snake chain $45
Red & Black Lampwork with Silver on Sterling Chain $45
So if you happen to be in the Scappoose area tomorrow and want to see more jewelry or buy some farm-fresh produce, swing by the Scappoose Farmer Market!
Swarovski Cosmo Jet Crystal Earrings
on Sterling Ear Posts $15.00
Lampwork Bracelet with bone and sterling accents $30:
Lampwork beads with Hill Tribe silver on 1mm sterling snake chain $45
Red & Black Lampwork with Silver on Sterling Chain $45
So if you happen to be in the Scappoose area tomorrow and want to see more jewelry or buy some farm-fresh produce, swing by the Scappoose Farmer Market!
Etsy!
I snagged a Treasury on Etsy and have showcased some beautiful jewelry creations by my fellow TBO (Tranquil Beading Oasis) members. Check it out here:
http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list.php?room_id=7247
I've made several new bracelets and earrings and finally posted a few in my Etsy shop. I have several more to post (maybe tomorrow?). And I got some new gemstones today from Lima Beads that are begging to be transformed into a necklace, along with the new sterling I got earlier in the week. So many jewelry designs, so little time!
http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list.php?room_id=7247
I've made several new bracelets and earrings and finally posted a few in my Etsy shop. I have several more to post (maybe tomorrow?). And I got some new gemstones today from Lima Beads that are begging to be transformed into a necklace, along with the new sterling I got earlier in the week. So many jewelry designs, so little time!
New Glass Goodies
I've been a little MIA lately, huh? I've really only been torching with my new glass goodies so nothing mysterious going on. I got some beautiful Gaffer Cane from Gail Joseph of GG Glass and made some beads that demanded to be made into a bracelet last night. Here are the results:
And I also made some Swarovski pearl earrings that I really like. Here they are:
I made several pair of earrings and a few bracelets so I could replenish my booth at the Scappoose Farmer Market tomorrow. There's also a vintage car show in the neighboring park so attendance at the market should be up a bit. Of course, the weather isn't being entirely cooperative - chance of showers - but maybe the rain will hold off until after the Market ends.
In other news from Scappoose, the yellow finches and hummingbirds have discovered the feeders I put out and have been eating me out of house and home. Unfortunately the neighbor's cat has learned that she can lay under the rhododendron and make flying leaps at the birds. I've found the feeders on the ground a few times but no sign of any dead birds so I'm hoping they're faster than that feisty feline. I put some border fencing around the area where she was laying in hopes she'll get frustrated and move on to new hunting grounds.
My cyber-friend Pam, of The Blue Between (blogspot is in my links), was kind enough to send me some new Vetrofond odd lot glass that she got at the Frantz Bash last weekend. I'm off to light the torch and see what this new glass can do!
And I also made some Swarovski pearl earrings that I really like. Here they are:
I made several pair of earrings and a few bracelets so I could replenish my booth at the Scappoose Farmer Market tomorrow. There's also a vintage car show in the neighboring park so attendance at the market should be up a bit. Of course, the weather isn't being entirely cooperative - chance of showers - but maybe the rain will hold off until after the Market ends.
In other news from Scappoose, the yellow finches and hummingbirds have discovered the feeders I put out and have been eating me out of house and home. Unfortunately the neighbor's cat has learned that she can lay under the rhododendron and make flying leaps at the birds. I've found the feeders on the ground a few times but no sign of any dead birds so I'm hoping they're faster than that feisty feline. I put some border fencing around the area where she was laying in hopes she'll get frustrated and move on to new hunting grounds.
My cyber-friend Pam, of The Blue Between (blogspot is in my links), was kind enough to send me some new Vetrofond odd lot glass that she got at the Frantz Bash last weekend. I'm off to light the torch and see what this new glass can do!
Another Day in Paradise
Saturday was a fabulous day at the Scappoose Farmer Market. The sun was out and attendance was up over the week before. Sales were good and I'm anxious for Saturday to get here so I can do it all again! Bracelets were the hot item this last weekend so I'll be replenishing my stock this week. Here's a couple of my favorites, both made with my lampwork and Hill Tribe silver.
On a different note, my husband has been having a blast catching albacore tuna off the Oregon coast so I've been canning tuna like a madwoman. He also got a couple of salmon this past weekend so we'll be having some cedar-planked salmon for dinner. If you've never had salmon cooked on a cedar plank in the grill, you have no idea what you're missing. It's fantastic! Very easy to do too.
Cedar Plank Grilled Salmon
Soak a cedar plank in water for at least 30 minutes.
Marinade your salmon in a mixture of maple syrup, spicy mustard, balsamic vinegar and brown sugar (I just throw it all in a ziplock bag and put the salmon in there for about 30 minutes). I don't measure anything, just mix it to taste.
Put the salmon on the plank and put it directly on the grill rack. Cook until salmon flakes with a fork.
It doesn't get much better than this!
On a different note, my husband has been having a blast catching albacore tuna off the Oregon coast so I've been canning tuna like a madwoman. He also got a couple of salmon this past weekend so we'll be having some cedar-planked salmon for dinner. If you've never had salmon cooked on a cedar plank in the grill, you have no idea what you're missing. It's fantastic! Very easy to do too.
Cedar Plank Grilled Salmon
Soak a cedar plank in water for at least 30 minutes.
Marinade your salmon in a mixture of maple syrup, spicy mustard, balsamic vinegar and brown sugar (I just throw it all in a ziplock bag and put the salmon in there for about 30 minutes). I don't measure anything, just mix it to taste.
Put the salmon on the plank and put it directly on the grill rack. Cook until salmon flakes with a fork.
It doesn't get much better than this!
Playing with my homemade lightbox
I've been struggling to take decent photos of my jewelry for awhile now and I thought a lightbox might help. Since I'd rather spend that money on glass or jewelry supplies, I decided to try my hand at putting one together with some things I had on hand.
I took some artist canvases and removed the canvas, then covered the frame in white muslin. Some simple fun foam on the bottom provides a nice non-shiny surface and my Ott light gives a nice light so I don't need the flash on the camera. I took these pics with it and think they turned out pretty well. Better than waiting for a sunny day so I could take photos outside! I'm going to add another light source opposite the first one so I can eliminate some shadows too.
Without further ado, I give you a bracelet made with some wonderfully swirly Gaffer glass in blue and a pair of earrings made with pink Gaffer glass and stick pearls.
I also made a pair of earrings to give my friend KP for her birthday. She loves brown tones so I used some of my "magic" glass and reduced it for some swirly color. They show up a bit more reddish in the photo (didn't use my newfangled lightbox!) I added some Swarovski and a sterling flower dangle for a little bling. Hope she likes 'em!
I took some artist canvases and removed the canvas, then covered the frame in white muslin. Some simple fun foam on the bottom provides a nice non-shiny surface and my Ott light gives a nice light so I don't need the flash on the camera. I took these pics with it and think they turned out pretty well. Better than waiting for a sunny day so I could take photos outside! I'm going to add another light source opposite the first one so I can eliminate some shadows too.
Without further ado, I give you a bracelet made with some wonderfully swirly Gaffer glass in blue and a pair of earrings made with pink Gaffer glass and stick pearls.
I also made a pair of earrings to give my friend KP for her birthday. She loves brown tones so I used some of my "magic" glass and reduced it for some swirly color. They show up a bit more reddish in the photo (didn't use my newfangled lightbox!) I added some Swarovski and a sterling flower dangle for a little bling. Hope she likes 'em!
First Time at the Local Farmer Market
Last weekend marked my foray into the world of farmer's markets. I had a booth at the local market and displayed my jewelry for the first time. I had a great time and despite rain and low pedestrian traffic, I sold some pieces and received alot of positive comments. Being a night owl, I find it hard to function early but managed to get the booth set up before the shoppers arrived. Okay, the coffee shop across the street helped alot! The weather looks more promising this weekend so I'm hoping for a bit more traffic. Here's a photo of my booth setup. Nothing fancy but hey, not everyone has those neat pointy stick things! Gives it a tropical kind of feel, don't you think?
Etsy Treasury
A fellow TBO member included one of my bracelets in her Etsy Treasury. I'm excited because it's one of my favorite bracelets and I'm honored to be included with the other great jewelry artists that she picked. You can check it out here:
http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list.php?room_id=4073
Here's a couple of pics of the bracelet just to whet your appetite. It's made with my glass beads, some freshwater pearls and Hill Tribe silver.
http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list.php?room_id=4073
Here's a couple of pics of the bracelet just to whet your appetite. It's made with my glass beads, some freshwater pearls and Hill Tribe silver.
TBO on Etsy
I'm a member of a wonderful group of bead and jewelry makers on Etsy, which is where I have an online shop. I've included some links to other TBO member blogs and encourage everone to check out not only their blogs, but also search for TBO on Etsy. You can find Etsy at www.etsy.com and if you search for "TBO" in the tags and titles, you'll discover how incredibly talented and creative these members are.
Tiptoeing through the Blog
First post - wahoo! I'm a total newbie here so please be patient. I'm hoping to figure some of the bells and whistles out before too long but I'm not know for my patience at learning new computer things. Bear with me as I embark on the Great Blog Adventure!
