Counting Beads, I Mean, Sheep . . .

I am soooooo very tired. I have three MDs suggesting that I do a sleep study. I know what the results will be. The study will show that I DON'T SLEEP. I am considering having one done, though.

All my pewter spiders have been shipped off to their new owners. I thoroughly enjoyed my reign as Queen of the Arachnids at my Etsy shop. I've got another cute something to start listing. I'm also on an earring kick and will put some pictures up soon.

Now, back to the stitch I can do in my sleep. I finally figured out that the problem was not in the stitching, but in my perception of the instructions. I was looking at my drawings, reading my words, using the correct number of beads. But my brain wanted all the beads to line up nice and straight with all the columns of equal height, regardless of what the instructions and drawings said! I am abandoning this project, although not because I couldn't stitch it. I did finally get it right. I'm abandoning it because as a short length, it's fine. As a longer length, say a necklace, it's too stiff. So today I will move on to something else.

Bead DUH

When we belonged to a medieval role playing group, most of the stories around the camp fire started with "No shit, there I was." Even the dainty ladies used this phrase.

Well, no shit, there I was, working on a new teaching project. Now this is a stitch I have done countless times before. I have even put it in kits, so you would think I can do this in my sleep, right? Wrong. I'm sitting on the sofa stitching (okay, I was watching TV, but it was the season premier of CSI). I'm stitching along, just stitching away, and I look at what I've done, which was about five inches, and it's not spiraling. I look at my instructions, and for some unknown reason, I decide they are wrong (mind you, these were the instructions I included in a kit). So I un-bead. I start stitching again (now I'm watching ER). I bead about three inches and look at it, and it's STILL not spiraling. I decide it's a sign from the universe that I should not be beading at this particular moment in time. So I un-bead. I go to bed, read, try to sleep, toss and turn all night, and suddenly I am hit with an epiphany: DUH!

It turns out that I CAN do this stitch in my sleep after all. I just don't seem to be able do it while awake!

I'm spending the day with T-man, so no beading until this evening (I can't bead and drive at the same time). I did make a pair of earrings yesterday that go nicely with the new necklace. I'll put a picture of them either here or on my website tonight. Have a bead-iful weekend!

Sore Bead Muscles?

There's not much to say today. T-man starts his new job on Monday. He's excited. I'm excited. Can't you tell?

I've done something to my neck/shoulder which is making it difficult to sit at the computer right now. It doesn't bother me as much when I'm beading or when I'm using the lap top, which is not connected to the Internet. Bummer -- maybe I'll sit and work on some new patterns for the angels to work on. The pain is keeping me awake, though. So I'm taking it a bit easy today and through the weekend. I'll check the email periodically, but that's about it. Later!

MAKE YOUR OWN JEWELRY!

Okay, so I was running an errand yesterday and I picked up the current issue of In Style magazine. I get home, open a soft drink, sit down and start thumbing through the magazine. I buy this particular magazine because it's a great way to look at trends in clothing and jewelry. Anyway, I'm kind of scanning the table of contents and I see "Make Your Own Jewelry". CRAPOLA!! Et tu, In Style? I flip through the pages, looking for the dastardly article, expecting to find bead stringing lessons, trying to imagine Angelina Jolie making her own earrings (yeah, right -- in between babies), and there it is. Tips on how and where to remake your old jewelry, as in 10 carat diamond engagement rings from that millionaire's son you met while studying Latin at Brown, antique pink sapphire sorority pins from your great aunt who went to Wellesley, your great-grandmother's pearls, etc. *whew* Breathing a sigh of relief, I go back to enjoying my magazine.

The Onion had an article a while back stating that "80% of the US Populace Now Selling Handmade Jewelry". What it doesn't say is if it is their own jewelry they sell or cheap imports from third world countries. I would guess that 80% is a huge overstatement, but it's possible.

Today I am putting spiders in envelopes and mailing them off!

Beaded Necklace Seeks Perfect Ending

Well, I did find the perfect clasp and will add it in a bit. This is a Liz Smith design that was in Beadwork magazine a while back. It's called "Sheherazade". I purchased the ceramic bead at one of the Austin Bead Society's bead bazaars. This particular piece is not for sale, it is mine. And of course, the scan doesn't do it justice, but I wanted to get it posted today. Why, yes --- it is green!

Today is another very low energy day. It could be the ragweed. *sniffle* After all, we are sitting the in the middle of a giant ragweed forest out here. You would think the county would take measures to eradicate some of it growing on the side of the road, but no. We feel privileged when they just mow over here on the east side. And even that is an infrequent occurrence.

Today, the exercise regimen begins. Tomorrow, I may not be able to move! I'll be sure to let you know. I may have to borrow Juls' voice-activated program, though. In the meantime, don't worry -- bead happy!

Beads. What else?

This is one of those days that beg to be conducted from bed. I feel tired to my bones. There is no apparent reason, maybe it's a delayed reaction to all the stress in the house these past few weeks. But that's how my life goes. It's just that the older I get, it gets more difficult to deal with the weird little aches and pains and the big energy lags.

I beaded this weekend. And I sold spiders. I have a few more left. As for the beading, well, it's coming along. After I finish this necklace (for me), I will be designing and planning for sales in the spring, mostly with the EGA.

A is home today with a tummy ache, I got up late, so N got up late (I am her alarm clock, evidently). T-man was off early, early this morning to go work in Austin. He did take the entire weekend off to putter around the house, mow the lawn, vacuum the pool, fix the truck, and make some stepping stones! That is how he relaxes.

The angels were here yesterday so we could brainstorm. We came up with lots of ideas for new kits! Y'all are going to love them! I'll be giving sneak peeks here and there. Tracey gets first peeks though.

Okay, I'm off to go sit on the couch and finish my necklace. It should be done today, as not much is left.
Happy beading!

Itty Bitty Post II

T-man got a job!

We are doin' the happy dance!