Off to the Studio...

 Is this my studio?  Did I leave it in this condition?  I know I have been busy but who made this mess and where is my worktable surface?  Let me walk around to the other side...

 Well this is quite the crowded space.  Where ever shall I work?

Oh here is a small spot I can work in.  I need to wrap some gifts for mailing.  Wow...this table is over 4 feet by 8 feet large and here I am trying to work in about a 1 foot space.  Elves?  No, I see nothing accomplished by elves.  Well, let me work on another project that I might have enough space for...

Printing some business cards for an upcoming boutique sale.  I punched each card with a heart and tied some red ribbon so each card is uniquely mine and maybe the person taking it will remember me and need some gifts in the future. 
Maybe I should tackle the studio worktable and put things away and clear a larger space in which to work.  Hmmm...maybe later as I have much more pressing things on my list to work on and complete.  There is something about horizontal surfaces and me.  They never stay empty.  I always manage to fill them up and pile too much stuff on them.  Hmmm...maybe I will work on this in 2012.
Right now I am so thankful for having my spaces and being able to create gifts.  I am thankful for my family and I am thankful for each of you...my blogging friends. 
Please take time to enjoy the moments and the joys of all we have during this busy season. 

Autumn ATCs...

Autumn is that time of year that brings out the warm colors on the color wheel...yellows, browns, oranges, rusts.  The colors that I don't usually prefer.  However when it is Autumn and the leaves on the trees begin to change I find I am really liking these warm colors.  So I made some ATCs.  Silk leaves glittered is focal here.

These are incorporating some local scenes from Gold Country magazine.  I added just a touch of dimension with the rhinestones and silk leaves. 

Some Halloween themed ATCs that were fun to put together. 

 Nothing more than scrapbook papers, fancy smokey tape, ribbon pumpkins and bats and some bling.

Then I packaged each one in an organic waxed baggie and wrapped it with really fun fibers in the Autumn colors.  Now that was a few days spent in my ever so happy studio.  Then the best part was mailing them to some of my faithful followers...just as a thank you for being part of my blogging journey.  Some of you I have no mailing address for so I am carefully collecting those.  You never know when I might want to send you a smile in the mail. 
Happy Haunting and creating...

Studio Activity...

Ahh...the studio...one of my favorite rooms in my home.  Mr. C designed and built this room just for me.  It was once a part of the unfinished back part of the home.  It technically is not a basement as it is on the ground floor of our home.  It was all concrete and unfinished studs and not very pleasant.  He transformed it into a beautiful place to spend time.  This photo is of the biannual refinishing of the french door.  Our weather is harsh here in the mountains and due to the snow, rain, sun and just general aging these doors need refinishing every other year.  We have six exterior french doors and they are a ton of work with mega sanding to be done, priming and hand painting around each and every glass pane.  Mr. C is really good at this however this is definitely NOT his favorite thing to do.  He uses very expensive marine primer and paint to help it last better.  It is all oil based and requires massive clean up.  Thank you so very much Mr. C for keeping our home and this lovely studio so nicely.

Hmmm...what is this photo you ask?  In my waste bin I spotted some wadded up clumps and did not recognize them.  I normally have lots of paper and fabric scraps and even more packaging scraps in the container.  Hmmm???  Cloth?  Painted cloth!  Stained cloth!  Mr. C had thrown his used fabric pieces from the painting of the door and I found them.  Hooray!  Now to figure out the perfect use for them.  The cloth is really quite interesting as it must have been one of the damask sheets I cut up for him long ago for rags in his workshop.  No odor...very good.  Not rough...very good.  Oh to set these aside so as not to let him know I have retrieved them for crafting.  *_*  There are just some things I do that he will never understand. 

I did manage to get this little cover made from wool felt.  I do the three month tracker for my Weight Watchers lifestyle plan and this cover fits the tracker nicely.  Actually our meeting has a Traveling Journal that goes home with someone different each week and this cover is for that tracker.  I made one before and it lasted at least three or more months until it got a little sadly worn looking.  This cover is dark purple and has the heart pocket with a beautiful purple butterfly sticker.  I was thinking of inspiration for those choosing a WW lifestyle plan and a fresh beginning as butterflies represent.
What are you doing this lovely first weekend of Autumn?  Our weather is much cooler and the leaves are falling fast.  There is definitely change in the air.  Autumn is the essence of change. 
Blissful inspiration to each and every one...  

Fabic Pouch Obsession...

 These are the same Origami Pouches I have been making and sharing but with new fabrics.  This time in some gorgeous Christmas fabric.  This fabric has some gold sparkles in the threads and the colors are vibrant and elegant. 
I have used buttons in place of the charms on these and really like the look.  I also turned the flap up a bit to show the lining fabric and make it just a wee bit more fun. 

 Here are two of my favorite blue fabrics.  Each bag uses the exact two fabrics...Fairy Frost and a floral fabric my friend Margaret gave me after she finished her project.  It was merely a matter while making these which side I chose to be the feature leaving the other fabric to become the lining.  The floral pouch has beaded dangles while the blue one has buttons for trim. 

This is probably the most fun pouch I have made so far.  It all started with seeing the chocolate covered strawberry fabric at my local Ben Franklin.  I didn't buy it but my girlfriend did.  Then a few days later I was looking for a special bead and came across these glass strawberry "earrings" that my girlfriend had purchased but not done anything with.  Yes, I do have her bead box here in my studio as we almost always bead together and we share and divide most of our beads.  Well...I was obsessed with getting some of the strawberry fabric I had seen and making her this little pouch.  Hmmm...how could I do that without asking her permission to use her "earring" beads?  So I shared my idea with her and she agreed the two had to go together.  Back to Ben's I went and lucky day they had just enough fabric left on the bolt.  I lined this one with a very sweet black with red polka dots fabric.  The gathering ties are just right with the red and white polka dot ribbon.  An entire theme and I super love how it turned out.  So did Saucy Chick Lorraine when I gave it to her. 
I am having so much fun making these.  With my obesssion in fabrics I think I can make them until the world runs out of thread.  :o)
Enjoying my end of summer holiday weekend.  Staying home, visiting with friends, doing some much needed Fall cleaning (I probably missed my Spring cleaning since we never had Spring for all the seven months of winter), weeding which never seems to end and overall enjoying every moment of every day.  I even spent time organizing and putting away tons of stuff in the studio.  Amazing how my 4' x 8' work table can get so cluttered and I find myself working in a space of only inches. 
May you each have a safe and wonderful end of summer weekend and celebrate our Labor Holiday if in the USA. 
I am seeing lots of Halloween goodies...what are you working on these days?

Charmed I'm Sure...

My little studio has been a very busy place of late and for that I am grateful. It is where I like to spend time and it makes me happy to create things.
I decided several weeks ago to participate in a charm swap that Roni is hosting. I am certain you all follow her escapades with ink and such. If not please visit her. http://inkstainswithroni.blogspot.com/
I actually made three sets of charms and sent them in for swapping. I am not showing them here as the swap is in the process stage and soon to be sent out to all participants and I certainly don't want to spoil any surprises.
This photo is of a single charm I did for Roni herself. Super simple using a chipboard letter (lower case r with glitter), jump rings with beads attached and a lobster clasp for attaching to anything desired.
I must say I am getting excited to see which charms I receive. Roni has been giving hints of the charms she is receiving and they all sound amazing.
What swaps have you participated in? Any favorites you have enjoyed?
I am thinking of some I might join in the future. I know time must be set aside just for each swap so that the items are the best possible. I think this would be a great way to expand my art and sharing is something I love to do. Hmmm...
Summer is marching along. Our local county fair is happening this week. I think I shall avoid all the traffic and crowds this year. If only I could attend just to see all the handmade items that people show. No, I will spend my precious time in my studio and sewing room making my very own handmade items.
Enjoy your days doing something that makes you happy...

Beading in the Studio...

Here is my design board for bracelets. It is a smaller version than the large one I use for necklace designs. As you can see I got this from my favorite online source Fire Mountain Gems. I have spent time in the studio today beading some bracelets for Valentine's holiday.

I had fun digging through my bead boxes for colors and combinations that looked good together. This is proof that you do not need to purchase special beads for every design. I managed to make three bracelets with beads I had in my stash. These could have been beads I had previously purchased or in many cases beads left over from other projects.

I think you might agree that these three bracelets have heart and clearly look good for Valentine's day celebrations.

I loved being in the studio and making these bracelets. They came together quite quickly and easily. Now I am ready for Valentine's.

I hope you are able to spend time in your art room this week and make happy art.

Happy creating...

Great day for accomplishing...

Good Morning Studio! Wait...who made this mess? Did I leave my workspace in this condition yesterday? I know I didn't finish all my projects but did I leave this mess? Let me check it out from the other end to be certain how it looks...

Oh my! It looks even worse from this view. What was I thinking? Oh well let's just begin and see what we get done today muse. What will we be making today?

Do you ever have something you know you need and can make for yourself but you never do it. You think you can always make it another day. Hmmm...

Let's see we need some wool felt.

No pattern? Okay we can just eyeball it.

Small piece of velcro and ribbon.
Sewing machine and away we go.

It's not very big as it doesn't need to be. Scraps will make it just fine.

This is the finished project. It is sort of rough. Not my best finishing job. Oh yes, it is for me and it is merely for practicality.

What is it for?

Here it is. It is for my Walkman and earbuds. I used to keep them in a small coin purse but this will be much softer for keeping it nice. It is durable and light weight.

I am just so thrilled that I finally accomplished making it. I will be using this and see how I like it.

I also completed another item that I am very pleased with but shall wait to show it another day.

Oh, the worktable in the studio? I did clean it off and it is ready for another day of being creative.

Does being productive give you energy? Does it make you feel more confident?

Happy creating...

DH Finish it Friday...

This week it turned out to be my Dear Husband's Finish it Friday...in my studio. It went something like this, "Can you clear a space on your table for me to work on something?" I cleared much more than he said he needed and it wasn't enough space so I kept clearing more. My table is over 4' X 8' and wonderful. We cut and taped poster board together to a nice large size. Being an engineer all his life everything must be very exact! Did I say we are Mars and Venus? Oh definitely! Total opposites in everything we do and say.

What is that black dirty thing you ask? His template. The current trunk liner that he must replace because he has been "engineering some improvements to his car" and needs a new one that is slightly different and will be custom made of aluminum.

Oh goody. Progress and the poster board for the most part is cooperating. Good news. This was a short project. Let's see, we have had a tea break and then a few more hours and we have had lunch. Back at the project. At least I was able to offer every type of scissors, ruler, rotary cutter, circle cutter and tool he might need. Who knew I could be so useful?! LOL

Uh Oh...furrowed brows. Not to worry. A minor adjustment, some more measuring, some cutting, some taping and good to go.
Oh my the evening news is on? Where did the time go today? We were just doing a minor making of a template for a pattern.
Well, lets see if it fits. (Me saying, "Oh let's not".) Out to the toybox...er...garage for the first fit.

Wow! One minor adjustment with the sharpest tiny scissors and eureka! We have a perfect fit. I said he is an engineer! Of course it was an all day project and we used every tool possible as happens with most projects.
Congratulations Dear Husband on Finish it Friday. You got it done and it is as wonderful as you.

As for me and my projects? Well, nothing got finished for me today but I did start a few more things which I shall share at another time. It was a much better feeling today to spend time in my studio observing and helping (?) my wonderful Dear Husband. If I ever need a template I will definitely have him help me...provided I have lots of time to spare. LOL

I hope you each had a productive Friday. It was perfect to be inside as the rain was non-stop all day. Our ground is so saturated and soggy and muddy. But the plants love it. Come on Spring.

May you each enjoy your weekend and do what makes you happiest.

Good Information re Gemstones...

Good day bloggers.

If you are unaware of this website http://www.firemountaingems.com/ then welcome. You have just reached your bonanza for beads, ready made gifts, and all sorts of invaluable information about beading and jewelry making.

I have been a customer of Fire Mountain for many years and I am not part of their staff however I love their service and products. So I want to share it with all of you.

They just recently did an article on Gemstone Enhancement Guide and it is very interesting. It may help you while you are shopping so that you can be more informed and not buy something that isn't what you really want. You can check it out here http://www.firemountaingems.com/encyclobeadia/beading_resources.asp?docid=GMSTNNHNCMNTGD&WT.fmg_linksection=621VJ91C8E0M&WT.mc_id=NL091201

I know this link seems long and tedious but the article is short and easy to read. I actually printed it out (just two short pages) and I will keep it in my 3-ring binder to refer to when my memory fails me and I need a refresher.

I have been busy in the studio and here is a gift I made myself (photo above top). The beads are vintage garnets from my girlfriend who is a January baby. Various beads and components from Fire Mountian Gems. And the focal bead is a signed KLEW (Karen Lewis) polymer bead I purchased at her studio in Tehachapi http://www.klewexpressions.com/. I so appreciate the time and talent KLEW put into such a beautiful bead. My girlfriend and I met Karen while we were at her studio and she was so nice and interesting and really spent time with us. I do apologize for the lighting and you all know I am not a professional photographer.

I hope this blog has been interesting and worth your time to read as I know so well that all of you are busy and have plenty to do in this month of overload and holiday happiness.

Studio time beading...

Today I spent time in my studio and it felt great. I have been promising myself to complete an old task before starting a new one. Doesn't that sound familiar? Well today I did just that. I restrung a necklace that was very old and fraying.

About fifteen years ago my daughter hand beaded these lovely earrings for me. So I beaded a very simple necklace to go with them. Long ago when I would bead it was popular to use dental floss to string with as it was affordable and very strong. In fact it did last for at least a dozen years before becoming frayed.

I got out the supplies: needle, nymo beading thread, pliers, spare beads (for the ones I drop and can't find on the floor lol), scissors and bead threader/cutter. I can't imagine why I kept putting this task off as it was very simple and didn't take long to complete at all.

Now I have kept my promise to myself and completed an old task that was just always hanging over me. I feel so much better for having finished this. I am ready to wear these earrings and necklace and due to the beautiful pastel colors they will be very nice during the hot weather we will still have this summer.

Thank you daughter for continuing our family legacy of being creative and making beautiful things with your hands and heart.

Studio welcomes me...

This is my studio and it is welcoming me with open doors! I feel a spring in my step just knowing I can get into making my creative messes. As you can see I do have a lot of sorting and organizing and putting away to do but at least the door is open.
I usually don't spend much time in here when the weather is cold and nasty as I am not motivated unless the sun is shining and I am toasty warm. Yes, of course I have heat and air conditioning in my studio but that is not the same as sunshine coming in through the windowed french door.
Today I spent a bit of time working on a birthday gift for my sister. I actually have two sisters with April birthdays. They were born 12 months and 12 days apart and spent their younger years being treated like twins by our mom. Of course both of them are younger than me.
I also put some paint on my new journal I am working on. I am inspired by the Somerset magazine "Art Journaling". I have no artistic drawing or painting skills however I do have a love for colors and collage. I realized while reading the magazine that I never even doodled in my life. While growing up I was not allowed to doodle, or twiddle my thumbs for that matter, because it was considered a waste of time and showed no intelligence as per my mother. Yes, now I realize that she was "different".
Actually my mom was very creative and was always crafting, sewing, cooking, canning and talented. She was left handed and I think that is why she was so creative. I am right handed as a side note. One year we all went collecting pine cones on our property in the mountains and then mom spent the summer wiring all of them together to place around the outside frames of the windows of the cabin. I loved the look of them. I remember her hands being pricked from the sharp pine cones but she perservered and completed every window. I think there were at least a half dozen on the cabin front.
I learned lots of crafting and sewing from my mom. Thank you mom. She is flying in heaven.
So sometimes I struggle with artistic endeavors but I am not giving up. I think I can learn to doodle and hopefully draw even at this stage of my life. I just need to remember that there is no perfection and that everything is a learning experience. I certainly have lots of artful supplies as I like to be prepared for whatever when it hits.
My wonderful husband built my studio and carefully measured every nook and cranny and counted all my storage containers to build them in perfectly and mainly to be organized as he HATES clutter. Nice try honey...I love to squeeze more stuff in every space possible. He even put an electrical outlet in the ceiling over the island for glue guns and such so I wouldn't get tangled in the cords. He made certain that I have doors that close off the studio and no one ever has to see my mish-mosh.
I really love my studio and having my very own space to be creative in. I think I shall go and splash some more paint on some paper and plan the next step to the birthday gift.
Happy creating everyone and thank you for letting me ramble on.
Saucy Chick Sherry

Creative pursuits...

This is my husband's idea of creative pursuits. He is a master car guru and racer and used to race professionally. We don't own a stock vehicle and I am very glad about that as I do love cars too.

As for my creative pursuits you can see that I like to stay busy and create things as well. My etsy site has some of my creative endeavors. I usually make things and then donate them to worthy causes or give them to family and friends. Since I am not working a 9-5 job since last September I am hoping to subsidize my crafting budget with sales through http://createology.etsy.com (a shameless self promotion here).

I am giving a lot of thought and design time to my next dozen comfort dolls as my first dozen arrived safely and are on their journey to different women's shelters. It is such a rewarding feeling to be of support to someone else and hopefully bring smiles to their lives.

I am also extra excited as my Co-founder Saucy Chick Lorraine is coming home from wintering three weeks early this year. I am totally looking forward to spending our days together being creative and beading, gluing, sewing, wire-wrapping etcetera all while we share stories and laugh and cackle and vent and generally carry on. This is how we perfected the Saucy Chicks that we make and sell as well as donate to the local oncology department of the hospital. We currently have two "Bunny" Saucy Chicks on etsy for your review just in time for Easter.

Oh dear I really must clean up the studio before Saucy Chick Lorraine gets here soon. We will need lots of room to spread our wings and be creative. Well, maybe tomorrow I will work on that task. Cleaning and sorting and organizing is not my strong suit but my co-founder's.

I am seeing lots of new buds and sprouts and daffodils blooming in anticipation of winter ending.

Happy sHopping and Happy Spring to all.