A very successful BH Marketplace!

What a great time! I admit I was a bit nervous, but after the first 10 minutes of unloading the car, parking and starting to set up, things started to flow and I eventually calmed down. Thanks to my peeps for dealing with me. I love you all!

I was not imagining such an urban setting, "union square" screamed grass and big park to me (not ever seeing it before), that was not the case at all. It was such a downtownie feel. The regular pedestrian traffic even before the show started, was thick. It was very exciting, exhilarating even!

The afternoon started out with some wind, but it settled down enough for us to set up comfortably with no problems, and eventually the humidity took way to very cool temps. I wished that I had brought a sweater...there were so many things that I could have brought or done differently. I will take all the newfound knowledge and squirrel it away for the next big show.

My rings were definitely the big seller, in fact, I couldn't keep the ring display in order. Every time I fixed it up, someone came along and tried every ring on. It was a happy mess.

Earrings faired a bit better, but they were still not safe from the masses. People were taking them off the displays to hold them to their ears and not putting them back right. I know...I didn't expect them to. I sold the most earrings in one show there. A new record!

My Mom, Me and Suzanne, courtesy of my sister Kathy.

Kathy, Me and Suzanne, also courtesy of Kathy by way of Mom taking the photo.
Kathy got some great shots of all the exhibitors, you can view her picks on her flickr page. Thanks Kathy!


During lulls in the show were the only opportunities that I had to get out there and take some photos...here is one with a few people enjoying James Christensen


The Grown Up Noise also rocked the square, but I don't have a pic of them. Really cool band tho. I was happy. Everyone was happy. Great times!
Kathy really captured some great photos of all the exhibitors wares and also some great crowd shots. Please check out her photos!

City shows rock! Thats all I can say. I really appreciate being a part of this great conglomeration, and I can't wait for the next one! Go BH!!!

Ahhh the life.

The Toaster relaxing in the grass on an overcast day.



Rusty with one of his humans.

nancyrosetta artisan jewerly

Jewerly....yeah, jewerly. You read that right. I feel oddly, religiously pigeonholed now by a stupid misspelling. Not that there's anything wrong with that.



It should be a beautiful thing, but...well, I think I am a little more embarrassed by the spelling than I am happy to accept credit cards.




So there ya go! My imprint for credit card sales. Damn!
They will get a new plate out to me with the correct spelling, but sadly, not in time for my weekend show.

And just in case you thought that I would misspell jewelry, here is my packing slip with the imprint engraving that I ORDERED.



Glad I could give you all a chuckle. Now come buy something from me on Saturday, and you will have a keepsake misspelled credit card receipt, it could be worth something someday, right? Ya, right. Whatever.

4 Days until the Marketplace

I've been off the computer and trying to be productive the last few days. And I'm finally feeling ready for the Marketplace on Saturday. I have some new things and I have already been setting up some displays to make it easier for set up at the actual show, especially earring displays...they are very time consuming. We have only one hour to get our booths ready since there is a farmer's market ending right before we begin. Good reason to get there early, huh? Fresh fruit and veggies!

I am so excited for this show, not only because it is so well advertised and I am in it, but for the fact that I will be meeting other wonderful vendors and seeing all their most awesome handmade things! I'll probably be spending as much as I make. Some sellers who I am really excited to shop with are Elizabeth Brennick Designs, Mimi Kirschner, The Hole Thing, Muchacha K, Vintage By Crystal, Cozy Cottage Creations, Jessica Burko Designs, and Lucky Monkey There are so many others, too, I hope I don't go broke.

More Flowers

I made a bunch of these flower rings today.
They are pierced out of sterling silver sheet free form style! Then I soldered them to some half round wire for the shank part.
I love these rings. They sort of match the pendants I made last week.



And a skull ring!

I have been having the time of my life piercing out these little beauties. I think I found what I love to do. Sawing and soldering!

This is ridiculous

I saw the shortest snippet on the news tonight about these stiletto crib shoes for babies 0-6 months. I had to investigate, and I found the website heelarious, her first high heels . Sure they are funny looking, but *ahem* they are in extremely poor taste in my opinion.

I am not a mother, but if I had a child I would not treat it like a barbie doll.

Who buys these? The child is definitely not begging for them, hell, the child can't even stand let alone speak.

I would love to hear your thoughts, since after seeing these shoes, my mind has completely shut down.

Chik'n rediscovered

I love these!

I had a boca spicy chik'n sandwich for dinner and I have to say that this box will be gone in no time. Really, these substitutes have come a long way. The last time I tried a soy based chicken substitute I was gnawing on cardboard for crying out loud!


It's really hard for me to eat right, having a meat and potatoes husband, but since he is working the night shift, I have been experimenting with my meals. I may just fool him with this product. I went to the grocery store tonight and bought a bunch of veggies for stir fry and picked up these patties as an afterthought. When I got home, it was too much bother to cook, and since I had hamburger buns and some lettuce, I just cooked up a chik'n pattie and loved it! I want another, too bad for me that it's too late to eat.

They have a nice spice, and really have a great texture. I think I'm hooked.

Flower Pendants Start to Finish

I am in production mode, as you can see. I am getting ready for the Boston Handmade Marketplace show in Somerville.

I thought I would take some pictures of the process of piercing. Everyone likes start to finishes, right? These are freehand flowers as you can see from the first photo, I only drew an outline for where I want the stamens, the rest was left to chance.

First I make a divot where I am going to drill. I have also drilled out a hole for the bale. The first pendant does not have the petal holes drilled yet.

Then I use the smallest drill bit I have to drill the holes out.

I thread the saw blade through the hole and start piercing out the petal.

I keep removing the blade and re-inserting it into the next petal hole and pierce out the whole flower this way.

Then I get into the petals with needle files and smooth out all the edges and then sand them until all the tool marks are out and they are nice.

I coiled up some 14gauge 1/2 round wire on a 4.5mm mandrel and cut them just like jumprings with my jumpring cutter, and then soldered them closed in the holes I drilled out earlier.


Now I only have to string them onto a chain or cord.
I think I got pretty good at making them. I can see the progress if I really study the photos of them all together. I'll definitely be making more of these.

Heatwave!

I am seriously melting here.

It's the third day of 90+ with oppressive humidity and I am ready for autumn. It's not even officially summer yet! I like the heat alone, maybe I should move to the desert.

Yes, I am moving to the desert. I'll send you all a postcard.

I celebrated this official heatwave today with a manicure/pedicure. My hands and feet are happy, if nothing else.

What's wrong with our society?

Today, Scott and I went to do a little shopping.

We went to Kohl's (yes, we are old), got lost from each other and our cell phones didn't work in there. I spent a few minutes really irritated and ready to just check out, while I was waiting in line (with all the people!) Scott poked his head around a bend and I scooted out of line and was happy again. Please don't go shopping on the hottest day of the year, the people are crazy and sit Indian style in the middle of the walkways. We paid for our old folks clothes and headed for the parking lot.

As we crossed the lane into the parking lot, a swerving minivan got our attention. It was Cathy, our old neighbor (oh how I miss them!) with her oldest daughter. We chatted a bit, it was nice to see her.

We headed down to Dedham to DSW. Scott and I both separated again, I looked for sandals, Scott looked for tennis shoes. We caught up when we were ready and headed for the checkout. There were only two checkouts open. We stood in line (not for very long) and a woman just walked up right behind the person in front of me...and me and Scott. I thought she was with the person ahead of me since she stood there with such conviction.

Turned out that she just cut in front of us in line! I really still can't get over that completely blatant disrespecting behavior. Who raised her? Monkeys? I didn't know that she cut in front of us until we were called to a new register that had just opened. She was still doing a transaction and the person who we thought she was with was long gone.

Can you believe the nerve of some people? This was a WOMAN, not a kid. Am I in the last generation to have manners? Really!

I did end up getting a really cute pair of wedge sandals and some flip flops that are so comfortable.

The Toaster

Rock for Autism

Band Gig is rockin' the house for Autism on Sunday June 1st. Please show your support for the artists rockin' for the cause and my brother in law Nick. He is truly the busiest person I know aside from his wife Julie (my busy sister).
During this first concert, there will be an auction to benefit SNCARC featuring a whole slew of different items ready to bid upon.
I will be auctioning one of these pieces to benefit SNCarc, I made them today and I can't chose one, so Nick will have to.
This picture is of the front. They are two guitars one flying v and one les paul. Both made from sterling silver with copper accents.

And the backs

They are not polished yet, I have to leave something to the imagination...they will both be beautiful by the time they are needed, that's for sure!

I didn't do it.

Perry's old bed which Buster (Rusty Shackleford) has completely ignored, until last night.

I guess he wanted it gone.

Funny Face

What a mug.



Too bad he has no manners.
We got his adoption papers in the mail this week. If he is lucky we will sign them and send them back.

Tagged again

Kathy of wellerwishes tagged me for a funny, silly meme. Would have been funny if the book right next to me wasn't so depressing.

Here are the rules:
1. Pick up the nearest book.
2. Open to page 123.*
3. Find the fifth sentence.**
4. Post the next three sentences, so if my math is correct that’d be sentences six, seven and eight.
5. Tag five people and post a comment to the blogger who tagged you.

Here are my answers...

Sentence 6:
And he was diagnosed with a tumor in his head, oh, about eight, nine months ago.

Sentence 7:
It's not malignant, doesn't cause him pain, but it causes certain disabilities.

Sentence 8:
And I would give anything, anything for this dog to live another two or three months.

Book:
Rescuing Sprite: A Dog Lover's story of Joy and Anguish by Mark R. Levin.

Mom gave me this book, I have only just started it, and now I fear I will cry when I get into it. Ghaaaa!

Ok, this was a bit depressing, perhaps someone can lighten it up if I tag them!

I tag...Rabbit, Meilan, Noodles, and Jeri

Some Buster goodness

We had a playdate over at Raven's house, but Raven didn't feel like playing rough, Jape did however...

What a cutie pie!

Time for some frogging.

Thirsty!

Buster says 'Hi'!

Spring!

Tulips growing right through a dense bush.

I think this says it all. We are sooooo ready for spring!

(Picture taken while waiting in the drive-thru line at the Dunkin Donuts on Route One in Westwood)

Boston Handmade Marketplace

Please join me in Union Square, Somerville on June 28th for some great handmade shopping and music and just some fun outdoor time in general.

Jessica of my wonderful team, Boston Handmade, has made a web page in honor of this most fabulous shopping event, BostonHandmade Market please check it out for directions and times.

It should be a great time, providing the weather cooperates. Yay!
Rain date, Sunday, June 29th.

Meowing kitties

Buster's stomach has been making so much noise, I am convinced that he has kittens in there. I never noticed him swallowing kittens alive, but I guess anything is possible.

I don't think he feels so good, he hasn't eaten any food today except for some scrambled eggs I made him. Also, he has been eating grass outside, I don't like that one bit.

Kittens are loud when they are stuck in a dogs stomach.

Family on Bikes Cycles the Pan-American Highway

In a short 4 weeks or so, my online friend and bead lover, Nancy Sathre-Vogel and her family will embark on another incredible adventure. This family who in 2006 traveled 9,300 miles across America on their bicycles will be traveling from Alaska to the tip of South America, a total of about 20,000 miles with an estimated timeline of 2 1/2 years. Nancy and John's twin boys Daryl and Davy are hoping to break the record of the youngest people to ever bike the pan-american highway.

How cute are Daryl and Davy?

Please check out The Vogel's website Family on Bikes.

I have been following the Vogel's story since just before their last adventure traveling across America and Mexico from June 06 - June 07. It was so much fun to check in on them in real time via their website. I will enjoy this new adventure the same way, I am sure.

Also, check out the Family on Bikes blog for real time updates of their trip.

I am really looking forward to reading about this trip! I wish them the best of luck!

Just a curious Observation

Buster has been with us for 25 days.

When Buster had been with us for enough time that a bit of trust had been rooted (really only a day), I did a little check on his physical well being. I noticed that one ear was fine, and one had some rips and a lot of cauliflowering for lack of a better term, on the outer edge of that earlobe. I attributed this to his being on the streets in the past, and most likely fighting with other strays or other creatures for that matter. I never thought that those wounds were fresh.

Tonight I had this pup sleeping peacefully by my side on the couch, and I started looking and playing with his ears in a sort of unconscious way. I went back and forth from ear to ear touching, stroking and just massaging while he slept and I watched SuperNanny. All of a sudden I realized that there was hardly a difference between the ears, except for one rather small rip in the right ear. His cauliflowering has healed. His right ear is just as smooth around the rim as the left, except for that one little rip.

I am so glad to see some sort of physical healing for this little neglected pooch. It makes the bad behavior easier to deal with. We are working on the biting/nipping, it is getting fewer and farther between attacks. I think he will heal emotionally just as fine as his cauliflower ear has healed. Wish us luck!

These make me happy.

These little oil paintings make me so happy. I love when something can perk up your day just by looking at it, these little landscapes do that to me.



North Attleboro artist, Kim Morin Weineck creates these minuscule landscapes with oils on tiny stretched canvases. They are sold with little aisles to stand them on, and are very affordable for an original oil painting. These little works of art are only $40.



Her paintings are all about comfort, and it shows.


If you find these as sweet and comfortable as I do, please check out her website for more of her art at BretonBleu.com

I am the proud owner of this little masterpiece.



I placed it in my own studio on my workbench for inspiration anytime I need it.

If you are in the Norwood area, please stop by Custom Art Framing and Gallery 9 to view more masterpieces by many talented artists, along with Kim's full size works. They are truly a sight to behold.

Some Upcoming Show Dates

I have recently joined a group of wonderful artists who all have stores on Etsy called Boston Handmade.

Check out our blog and meet some of these talented people and check out the links to their etsy stores.

We will be participating in The JP Artisan Fair in Jamaica Plain, of which I will be showing on July 3rd, and August 7th both on the Curtis Hall lawn. We will also have a show in Somerville at Union Square called BostonHandmade Marketplace on June 28th outdoors.

I hope to see you there!

This makes me happy

There are about 10 of these trees all in bloom at the entrance of my morning job. It is finally spring walking through them to get into the office building. I love it!

Bezel Class

I went to my first class tonight even tho I probably should have stayed home. I really didn't want to miss the first class, but I was so sick and avoiding people that I most likely came across even more anti-social than I usually am. I hope I don't hear that anyone else got sick next week! eek!

This first class focused on correct measurements using pi...I can now calculate a length of bezel wire needed, instead of just eyeballing it. That alone is worth the price of admission. We got as far as forming the bezel wire, annealing it, and soldering it closed until we ran out of time. One thing I liked about this class is that we were given the information, and had to figure things out on our own. I actually had to get my cell phone out to use the calculator in it. I also realized that I need better files, a digital caliper, and a two scribe thingy that I can't remember what it's called.

So, even though I have nothing much to show for the first class, I did come away with some new knowledge that I am sure will be beneficial in bezel setting odd shapes.

Send a card to Max!

A friend of mine from Iowa posted this plea on a jewelry forum that we both frequent.
Please send Max a card!!!

I'm posting this only because I do know the family and that this is for real. Got this note in our church bulletin on Sunday:

Quote:

Can you help? Max ___ is a 3rd grader at Underwood Elementary School. His mother, Bambi, drives a school bus. Some time back, he had leukemia. It was in remission, but now is back. The teachers at the school wish he could receive one million cards. That is the goal. Even if you don't know him or his family - send a card. Send it to:

Maxamillion
PO Box 129
Silver City, IA 51571

This is his aunt's address, she is collecting the cards.

I thought it would be neat for Max to receive cards from all across the country...heck the world, so I am recruiting my online friends. I will keep in touch with the teachers at the elementary school (this is my little town) and will remove the address when the goal has been reached.

Feel free to post on blogs, etc.,....1,000,000 cards is a lofty goal!!!!

Please send cards by June 1, 2008. Thanks, so much!

Play Date

Buster and I just got home from Raven's house. He wants to play a little rougher than she would like, but she was very patient with him...thanks Raven! Jape instructed a little class of 'sit and wait' I am so pleased that Buster doesn't have any sort of food aggression, he did great! He does like to hog Raven's toys and play with them as if they are his own...he is hard on his plushies. It was so funny watching them play in the yard. Raven is so good, she knows he is still only a puppy, and a playful one at that. These two are going to be great friends, I know it!

It's a Dog's Life

I took Buster to the groomer's today.

I had called about 1/2 a dozen groomer's in the area, and they were all booked 3 weeks out. Then I got smart and told Buster's story to the last place I called, they took him instantly. He did great, and we have our next appointment in 8 weeks.

Hubby and I washed him when we got home with him on Saturday, but there is only so much you can do in a tub with a cup. He definitely needed the power wash. He did great, the people there loved him, he was sweet and now he smells sweet, too.

Yay for It's a Dog's Life in Sharon, MA. They really care for the rescues to take him so fast like that. They also were very accommodating to post the Boxer Rescue flyer that Jane gave me. I thought this may be a better spot than the gallery to post this flyer, hopefully more successful rescues will come of it.

I think he may have eaten some soap at the groomers, because he had a tummy ache when he got home (actually his stomach was audibly churning), but he is all better now. I had called Jane to see if I should take him to the vet, but she said that Boxer's are notorious for eating soap, she told me to feed him some scrambled eggs and some yogurt, I did, and he feels better now.

He continues to settle in easily, I really couldn't have asked for a better dog. It's funny, when I left him at the groomer's (I didn't know I had to leave him), I went home with an empty feeling and worried the whole time he was there. When they called my cell phone to tell me he was ready to go home, I flew out of the house and was there to pick him up in ten minutes flat!

Here is a very clean Buster totally curled up in a ball...

An artsy photo, I took lots and this one was the best. He was sound asleep actually snoring quietly, so I know I wasn't bothering him in my artsy endeavors...unless he is a really good faker!

The groomer's gave him back to me with a silly bandana around his neck. I left it on for a while until he started to try to rip it up while it was still on his neck. Ultimately, I took it off, he played with it as if it was a pully toy with me for a while but now it is forgotten and a toy no more...he likes to be au naturale.

Buster settles in.

Buster is settling in nicely. He has not shown a bit of aggression.
Yesterday Scott had to take his Sunday nap alone on the couch, so Buster was banished to the floor. Crappy picture, but so cute, I couldn't resist posting it.

Later Sunday night, Buster and I just hanging on the couch watching TV. Who could resist this face?


Today, I took him to work with me. He spent most of the day in the classroom playing with his pink rabbit (who sadly died today, and now is an empty shell). Mom came over 1/2 way through the day and spent a lot of time with him. She brought him a kong toy, he ran around with it like crazy. She gave him lots of treats and pets, they got along very well!

I had some extra work to get done so after I locked the gallery door, I let him have his way with the place. He just ran around in circles with his new toy in his mouth. He is so funny!

By the way, I found out today that he can jump 45" over a dog gate from the standing position! He is springloaded!