Black and White

New black, white and crystal earrings.

Sunshine, tugboats, theft, disrespect, and Rice Krispies

This past weekend I had a booth at Harbor Days, along with Kandyse of Blue Fox Glass and Dawn of LaGrave Designs. The weather was gorgeous and the setting perfect. My booth was 50 feet from the harbor with a cool breeze, views of the tugboats and Olympics in the distance. And having friends to share a room and dinner with each evening makes for a fun weekend.

It was a busy weekend with many folks there to tour the tugboats and watch them race, check out the tall ships and see the new boardwalk and park.

 

 

Saturday two if my items disappeared. In the last 2 years of doing booths almost every weekend, I have had only had one theft, a pair of earrings this past August. This day a bracelet and ankle bracelet disappeared. And folks were so rough on my things Saturday! Dropping them on the sidewalk, bending, breaking, stretching, cheesy popcorn fingerprints on earring cards, dripping ice cream on my displays, etc. 

Glass gardens are a fancy, fringed beaded bracelets I make that take a lot of work and a lot of beads. I usually put them out front because they are interesting and in the sunshine their sparkle draws folks in. The sixth time my purple one hit the ground it broke in 3 places. I re-arranged my display and put them back by my cash box so I could keep on eye on anyone who touched them. I also had a woman pull so hard on a necklace she broke the clasp. I know that my memory wire bracelets are indestructible, but did a lady really have to totally straighten one out and let it snap back? Another woman grabbed a crystal sun catcher and promptly dropped it on the ground. Retail value of my losses on Saturday: $144. Two steps forward, one step back.

An artist puts thought, creativity, time and a little bit of themselves into each piece they make regardless of how small or the price. Being so rough on my things was disrespectful. As my booth neighbor Kandyse said, it felt like a personal violation.

Sunday was another beautiful day – and Olympia redeemed itself. The day was extremely busy. Folks were appreciative and they bought many things. In the end I made my goal for the weekend. And the best part of the day – Kandyse made more than 2 times her best ever show!!

Kandsye and I often get booths next to each other so we can share funny stories, commiserate as needed and keep a running commentary on people and dog fashion. One of the memorable things this weekend was a sticker on a skateboard – “I do what the Rice Krispies tell me”. So when is the last time you listened to your Rice Krispies?

Harbor Days

This weekend I will be down in Olympia at Harbor Days - weather looks gorgeous so if you are looking for a destination come on down! Booth #29. Tour one of the many tugboats in the harbor or watch the races at noon on Sunday. Check out their website for more info.  http://www.harbordays.com/

This weeks work

Another busy week in the studio. Agates, copper, glass. Take a peek!
All have been  SOLD

These have been selling like hotcakes. These are the last 3 square agates I have. 

I am trying to find more of these stones.

 A reddish agate with blue streaks hanging from matte black diamond and dove grey opal seed beads.

 A red and gold agate with rust and pale topaz seed beads. 

Another reddish agate with wisps of blue and gold hanging from smokey grey 

and shimmering grey seed beads.

The next 3 use LillyPilly pendants. The pendants are made out of shell that is etched using a CO2 laser. Very delicate and detailed.

The next three pictures are of necklaces and earrings that use hand blown glass beads. The earrings use Niobium wire - excellent for anyone with metal sensitivities.

When friends travel they often bring me back beads as souvenirs. These beauties are from Italy. They are glass flecked with copper. I used copper for the findings to bring out the warmth of the beads.

Art in the Garden

For a slide show of all the great art available this weekend at Art in the Garden click here!
Art in the Garden

Plants and Plates

This weekend at Art in the Garden you will see these whimsical garden decorations made by Brenda. She also has a collection of sedum plants in the cutest containers! 

Art in the Garden

 One more day until my garden is filled with art! Friday 4-8pm and Saturday 10-5pm enjoy the last lingering days of summer while strolling through gardens with refreshments while browsing beautiful and locally handmade art.

Fused glass art and pendants, pottery, photography, glass and driftwood wind chimes, whimsical garden art, crystal sun catchers, beaded jewelry, and more!

Featuring:
Ann Haines - Beadware; Noelle Morris Photography; Linda Ricci - Side Door Pottery; Kandyse Tobias - Blue Fox Glass; Brenda Ackermann - Plants & Plates; Kim Pinkerton - Wind Dancer Glass & Pottery; and Dixie Armfield-Rogerson - Eastern Wind Glass.

Updated Photo Links

I have updated the slide show photo links on the right side of my blog page so check them out. I still have to do the Beaded Earring slide show, but I have to decide which ones to feature as I am sure pictures of all 1200+ pairs of earrings I have made is a bit too much to wade through!

Many of the items have been sold since the pictures were taken, but I still include them so you can see what kind of work I do. For example, most of the agate necklaces in the Stone Necklace album are selling as quickly as I make them, but I still have a few more loose stones and hope to find more. If you see something you are interested in be sure and send me an email at beadware@wavecable.com.

Happy browsing!

Recent Work

Some pieces made last week....

All have been  SOLD

 Agate with rust seed beads and gold accents.

  Agate with bronze and antiqued gold seed beads and a brass clasp.

Moonlight with stars and moons.

 This purple one is already sold!

 

 Autumn glass garden.

Another version.

 Look at all those glass gardens!

Juliana - it's a great little store

I just came back from meeting with Jenny the jewelry buyer at Juliana, a fun little boutique in Port Orchard. Be sure and check them out when you are in the area. For hours and directions go to their Facebook page.

You can now find these Beadware pieces at Juliana....

I just made this agate, copper and bronze glass necklace this morning! 

 Another dark grey agate

Purple crystals and glass with a honey bee toggle clasp.

Triple strand "Bits 'n Pieces" glass beads

 

There is also a purple crystal and pearl bracelet, a double stranded pink pearl bracelet and matching earrings and 2 bead art pins - one in greens and one in purples. 

 

Stop in and tell them you heard about their store from Beadware!

Guest Bloggers Lenny & Bruce on Originality and Inspiration

Lennie and Bruce Beet (Snooter-doots™) were discussing the creative process recently, over a warm cup’a Joe.   Snooter-doots are the perfect example of originality and inspiration.  Their artist, Gina McCauley, wanted to make a fun, durable toy for her grand-dog, and as she was already knitting and felting warm hats and caps, she pulled out some left over yarn and started knitting free-form. 

The results were the origin of what is now the phenomenon called Snooter-doots, whimsical and unique, handcrafted, art-dolls of felted wool.   They have morphed a bit from that original creation (which, by the way, the grand-dog loved)  into soft-sculpture critters with tons of personality.  Snooter-doots are now spreading joy and whimsy throughout the nation when ‘adopted’ by their new forever families.  They are even named with birthdays, all ready to go!

Lennie and Bruce find it interesting to consider where creative inspiration comes from.  True artists find their muse in many places.  Snooter-doots are inspired by nature.  Gina draws from her horticultural background, love of the outdoors and food, through a system of ‘what if’s’.  She designs and develops her own ideas into loveable characters that have become quite collectible.  Strict adherence to the artist’s creed, ‘thou shall not copy’, results in unique and original pieces that bring long-lasting joy and pride to their owners.

Patrons can best support true and original artistic concepts by talking to the artist about where their inspiration came from and how they make their product.  Look-alikes are not original artistic concepts, and do nothing to enhance a person’s collection.  Accept only the best, the real McCoy, from a true artist. 

Snooter-doots are handcrafted in Seattle, WA.  They are available online at www.snooter-doots.com and at many fine gift shops throughout the Pacific Northwest.  You can also ‘adopt’ them directly from the artist at local arts/crafts fairs and festivals.  Follow Snooter-doot adventures on Facebook at www.facebook.com/snooter-doots; Lennie and Bruce would love to meet you!

Spotting a Counterfeit

I recently got a lesson in how to spot counterfeit money. An artist friend of mine handles money in her day job and gave me some tips on what to look for. For $10 and larger, hold the bill up to the light with the face towards you and look for an identical face watermark on the right side. There should also be a security thread running top to bottom towards the left side.For when I don't have enough light, or I don't want to be so obvious, she also gave me a spiffy pen that you make a small mark on the bill and it will change color if it is not the real deal.

For more detailed info you can also check out this website: http://www.wisebread.com/how-to-spot-counterfeit-money

View from my tent - Painted Water

Last weekend I was next to the most amazing painter. 

Ian has been painting for more than 20 years as well as composing his own music.

 His latest works are mini-paintings. Original master peices that are very affordable.

Mount Rainier is the subject of many of his paintings.

You can see more of his paintings and hear his music at his website www.paintedwater.com.