Keeping Busy

Well, I have been busy helping out my dad, but with my brother here to help these last few weeks I have found time to make more jewelry and to do a couple of my local Farmer's and Craft market.  My brother has now gone back to Chicago, and I am back with my dad, but he will be getting his custom-made knee brace today and I do hope, for his sake mainly but mine as well, that this will really make a difference for his ability to drive or to at least be able to get around safer and with less pain and thus be able to get out of the house. My dad has been, for the most part, inside his house since December 13th. He must be getting batty and this can't be helping his spirits.

In spite of this past month, I have been able to produce a few pieces that I am really proud of.

 Another scale, chain maille bracelet. I just love these things. This one is in violet and gold.

 Lustrous champagne colored fresh water pearls with sterling silver chain and a big, flower clasp.

 Chain maille bracelet in 24K gold plated rings with gold-filled lobster claw clasp.

 Lamp work glass bead, made by Radiant Mind with sterling silver and genuine suede leather cording.

Closeup of the focal bead and my sterling silver metal handiwork.

Small Family Emergency

I've been unable to write lately because my dad hurt his already badly arthritic knee a week ago, then he fell on Saturday and is now bedridden. My dad is a very good patient and not a bother at all. But it is still hard to be the only one taking care of him. I have been staying at his house for this past week and will be there until Thursday, when my brother will come in from Chicago, bless his heart, to help us out. I am so grateful he is coming because it takes some of the burden off me and now it will be 2 of us taking turns with my father.

On a happier note, I did get to set up my booth at my local farmer's market on Dec. 11th and made a good deal of sales which included a nice amount of money, tee hee! Also made a few more sales on Etsy. Unfortunately, it may be another week or more before I will be able to attend another one. Hopefully next Wednesday between Christmas and New Year.

I want to wish everyone a belated Happy Hannukah, a Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays. God Bless.

Visit to White Sands

  So my son, Jason and I went to White Sands National Monument here in New Mexico, about 50 miles from my house. Here are some photos:                                      

                     Pretty sand dunes with desert flora

                Jason writing in the sand, a message to his girlfriend.

                   Jason sledding down the dune.

                   That's me. I'm such a doofus! Good thing it is from the back.

                      This was a great dune to slide down.

                     At the top of said awesome dune for sledding.
We had a really good time. Next visit we plan to see Carlsbad Caverns.

Getting Ready for Son's Visit

I leave in a couple of hours to pick up my 21 year old son Jason from the airport. I am looking forward to his visit, haven't seen him since May. He will be here for a week so I may not find time to write. We plan to visit White Sands. I will post pics. White Sands is a pretty cool place.  I also made my first sale on Etsy. I sold this item:  

I like these earrings, I think I will make more. Don't know why I didn't already. But then again, I rarely make the same thing twice.

Las Cruces Farmer's and Craft Market Day 1

I set up my booth at my local farmer's market this past Saturday. I had a lot of fun and met some wonderful people. I even sold a few pieces and made a little money. Considering that the city only charges $2 to rent your space, it's rather hard to lose money. They hold the market every Wednesday and Saturday year-round. It is outside, but while it can get cold here in southern New Mexico, we stay pretty mild down here in the valley.

Here's some photos of my display. I have a canopy which I didn't  bring-side walls would have been nice, maybe sometime in the near future I can add some.

Finally Doing Something with the Sea Glass

I had found someone who sold genuine sea/beach glass last year at what I think was reasonable prices. I bought a bunch of little itty pieces in blues and greens and white for earrings and got some larger ones for pendants. These little gems of the sea were already drilled with a hole, so I didn't have to worry about it.

For anyone who doesn't know what sea or beach glass is or what's so special about it, well I'll try and explain.
Sea glass is made whenever there would be a ship wreck of some sort or anytime that glass, like bottles, wine glasses, plates, soda bottles, etc, would end up in the ocean. Over  time, with the salt water and sand and rocks in the ocean hitting against the glass, they would be sanded smooth. Eventually these glass bits would be washed ashore and some lucky beach comber could collect these colorful little gifts of the sea. Of course, nowadays, with everyone trying to be so much more conscious of the environment and protecting the oceans, there is less garbage, er, glass, ending up in our seas. This is making beach glass more rare and more expensive I guess.

Well, anyway, I finally brought out my little stash and started making earrings and pendants. So far I made 2 pairs of earrings and one pendant. I plan to make more asap.

Of course you can find these at my web site.

Tomorrow I will be bringing a turkey over to my 83 year old dad's house and making dinner for him and I. I'm looking forward to turkey sandwiches for a week. My son is coming a week later and asked me to save him some turkey. I doubt there will be any left, so I told him I would make him a turkey breast when he comes.

I've Been Noticed!

This lovely lady  has featured one of my pieces on her blog, along with a whole bunch of beautiful hand crafted creations  from talented artists. I am so very thankful for the spotlight, no matter how small or brief it may be.
And, it turns out, she lives very close to me. Maybe someday our paths will cross.

In the mean time, I think I am finally ready to set up my booth at our local farmer's and craft market . It operates year round on Wednesdays and Saturdays. I plan to try Wednesday first, since it may not be as crowded with other sellers and not too hard to find a spot to set up. After I've tried it once, then I will move on to the busier days.

Here a some of my newest stuff that I hope will sell: