Addictions...

Every once in a while... when I'm feeling like I should disclose more than I really should... I let a secret out about myself. Sometimes, they aren't so much secrets as absurd facts that matter to no one but myself. For example... I love eating fat free candy. Seriously. Little orange wedges? LOVE! Spice drops? Yum! Red Vines? Oh color me happy! Circus Peanuts! DIVINE (I know... gross right?) I eat them late at night, when I'm doing things instead of sleeping (you know you do it too). Of course I am never without my trusty Sonic Diet Coke . a-hem. Another ditty... up until very recently, I had an amazing collection of thin plastic bowls. You know, the kind that you can buy at your local Target or Hell-mart at 4 for a buck? I had puh-lenty of them. And even a few for spares. Until I came home after Steve had a day off. He decided I had a problem with bowls. And threw them all out. Them all. Seriously. It wasn't until they weren't there that I realized I used them for everything. Everything. Yes, I really do mean everything. Sorting beads? Check. Sorting other crafty diddies? Check. Seperating taco toppings? Check. Sorting Jelly Beans? Check. Feeding Fred? Check, Check, and double Check. Eating cereal, soup, salad and anything else I can eat out of it? Check x 4,000. So now I find myself minus my bowl stash. I have 2 or 3 of them left. I treasure them but am sure they'll find themselves off to a barren wasteland without me to use them and help them feel appreciated. That is, if Steve-o gets hold of them. Yes, I know they're cheap. Definitely not classy or upscale (neither am I - so we're cool). The best part though? They.don't.chip. They.don't.break. (melt, yes. shatter or break? no) We have tile floors throughout the main floor of our home. Every one of my glass (acquired pre-marraige) dishes are chipped. Every. One. So, what do I do now? Steve-o does not want plastic. I can't handle having my dishes chipped. I love the lightweightness of plastic. Any reccomendations?

Creating Here and There…

Lately, I’ve been slammed with projects. Most of them have been SUCH fun and a great creative release. Some of the projects are idealized things I’ve inflicted upon myself (really – why did i decide to go through the bins of clothes to separate and organize them when I have several mountains of laundry that should have been worked on instead?)  Maybe, they’re all just different types of “creating”. You think? I participated in Wendy’s International Tag Swap. I had the country of Russia (wanted Germany but Wanda got it first – dagnabbit!), and all i could think of was my stack dolls and the amazing architecture of Moscow. I remember Russia being very into wood, and wood burning. SO, I created tags out of thin wood veneer, burned an outline of stack dolls into it and then painted each one. Good grief, that was a ridiculous amount of work, but they turned out absolutely gorgeous! So out of the box, but fitting for the swap. I am looking forward to seeing the end result for sure. I am participating in two swaps at A Gilded Life’s next event, The Gilded Nest. One of the swaps is making a flea market bag for another participant. The other is to put together a collection of jewelry pieces, findings, and other items for another participant. I’ve got the pieces cut out for the bag, and most of the items acquired for my jewelry swap. Now just to finish them up. Of course, then there are the Silver Bella swaps. Oh my. This year, I am again, hostessing our community and overseeing the swap organizational flow. The swaps that we’re offering this year are off the hook. I’m talking amazing! So many different ideas flowing through that group. I tell you – they amaze me! This year, I’m only participating in three swaps – this ought to be a new thing for me! I can’t wait to get going on them!

Still Rambling....

I have at least a dozen posts half written and waiting for fine tuning (whether it be photos, movies, or just finessing) yet I don't put anything out there quickly. I'm lame! Oh well. I am what I am! KWIM? I've been in my studio over the last few days being ruthless in destashing. I have so much I've never used, have just barely used, or will (more than likely) never use again, just hanging out taking up space. I decided that I needed to just let it go. Let the cost of what I spent acquiring it (or the wages I was compensated with product in) go. So, I have 9 or 10 boxes that will be delivered to our local goodwill (not really Goodwill, but a like charity store) and my studio will be mine again. All mine. I can't wait. Of course there are a few things that I just couldn't let go. I just couldn't. But, I'm offering them here just in case some of you might be interested in adding them to your craft arsenal. You might have noticed the new page headers just under my blog label. Yep - they're new. I started creating them because in the very near future my blog will have total face lift - I can't wait! It'll be fabulous! Anyway, there's one there that says Blog Destash Sale. As I find things, I'll post them there. No pressure, no worries. If you want any of it - great! If not - great! In other things... Fred made me so 'over the moon and stars' happy today. He danced! I mean the booty shaking, waist twisting, arm swinging get down and groove dancing! How very pleased it makes me! I've danced with him since the day he came home and wondered if he'd ever dance back with me. Really dance. Not just the shuffle dance. And he DID! He really really did! I tried to record it so that I could prove it to Steve-o, but I was too late to the camera. I did manage to get a very very quick groove out of him, but not much. Oh how happy I am! (silly isn't it that the tiniest thing made me so very happy!) Happy Mothers Day to me!

New Soldering Classes Coming!

Goodness! Lately, I've had quite a few requests for both basic introductory soldering classes, and more advanced classes. Thank you for your interest in attending my classes! I am working on finalizing a schedule now. Prior to having my son, it was easy to schedule a class, but now that I need to make sure he's taken care of, it takes a bit longer. Following is a list of classes that I'm working on calendaring: Basic Soldering Class (3 hour introductory class covering basic skills) Soldering Workshop (6 hour introductory class covering basic and more advanced skills) Charm Bracelet Class (4 hour intermediate class) Soldered Light House Class (4 hour intermediate/advanced class) I am also working on creating a e-course complete with demonstration video's that you can do in your own time from the comfort of your own home. The technicality of making that all happen is in the works now! I'll be sure to share when that is available also. If you are interested in attending one of these classes, please let me know so that I can keep you posted.