New Inspiration

Happy Monday! I hope everyone's weekend was good. Mine was icky so not much to talk about today.

Check out my new rhinestones/cabs I got in the mail on Friday. As soon as I saw them, I was in love. The first is a set of 6 tortoise colored rectangle lucite cabs. These are my favorites. I'm wishing I had bought more of these. I may have to go back. The second is a package of 48 white rhinestones. They have a cab top and a slightly pointy back. They remind me of milk glass. I have a particular project in mind for some of these. Hopefully, I'll be able to do it. It works in my mind, but we all know how that goes.

This week I'm finishing up my contribution to the LittleBlackBoxes monthly sample bag. I'm not going to tell you what it is, but I will give you a clue. It's in my shop. Do you think the packages are pretty? I worked very hard on these. The box is monogrammed with JSD. My new business cards are tied up with pretty ribbon. I hope they stand out. I'm hoping to send in about 25-30 pieces.

In other news... K's second week of school has just finished. So far, we have had two fundraisers. That's right. Two. Criminy. She's all ready gotten a cold with a nasty cough. Not good for a kid with asthma. And, they have sent home a list of their field trips with the total cost. They want half of 90 some dollars in a month and the other half a month after Christmas. Talk about timing. I really wish I could homeschool.

birds

Thanks to those of you that hearted and checked out the shop yesterday. I really appreciated it. I am frequently updating it so I can get things in the shop and find the right time to list. Last night I listed those pretty gemstone flower beads I found in my stash.

If you read my blog last year, you might be familiar with my trials and tribulations of birds in my chimney. I think I might have another bird in the chimney. The problem is this time it must be stuck in the actual chimney because I can't see it or get to it. It could also be just a piece of the chimney flapping around making noise. I am torn as to what it is. I'm going to feel awful if it's a bird because no one can get to it to get it out.

I keep hoping that he will figure out how to get out. I mean, he got in on his own, didn't it? Then sometimes I think it is just the flu or whatever rattling around. The house is falling apart, and I haven't been able to get to remodeling that part of the house. Steve says he's checked and fixed the guard around the chimney. I don't know how they keep getting in. Maybe it's not even a bird, but some animal.

Okay. I'm freaking myself out now. I'm going to be terrified to go in that room now.

Orchid and Vintage

I hope the time change, for those in the U.S, is not screwing you up like it's screwing me up. We don't really have clocks in our house other than the ones on the satellite and the computers. The satellites changed by themselves, and we have been too lazy to change the others. The inconsistency is driving me crazy. I keep running back and forth to make sure I know what time it is. I'm forcing Steve to change the remaining clocks.

Well, I decided I did not have enough work to do with my one shop on Etsy and started a second. I have had plans for awhile to do this because K and I have been wanting to start a shop for pottery. We just have to find a good place to put our kilns. I didn't want to wait any longer because I had a name so I opened one up for my vintage things and supplies.


As many of you know, I am remodeling and have found so many vintage items that I have acquired from yard sales, flea markets, and auctions. They either no longer fit my style or I never had the heart to throw them away when they came in box lots and didn't need them. I'm such a hoarder. It's all my father's fault. He's an auctioneer and antiques dealer/appraiser. His house is full to the brim and overflowing. I'm trying to break the cycle.

I've even sold my first item in my little shop which was surprising as I had to wait 6 weeks for my first sale at JewelStreet. I only have two items in the shop right now, but I have a ton getting ready. I'm going to spread them out as we all know that's the best way to do things. My first two items are pictured- a vintage set of 3teacups and a strand of multi-colored two hole onyx beads. I'm getting ready to list a really pretty vintage porcelain horse figurine.

So, stop Orchid Pottery and check out my very bare but up and coming shop. It's kind of fun starting all over again.

Two Contests and a Necklace

I hope everyone made it through Monday with no problems.

The necklace pictured is my entry into the lovely Victoria's, of beads4you fame, winter beading challenge. The challenge is to take a bunch of beads, approximately 36" worth, and create something from them. This is just the first of my pieces. As soon as I saw the focal beads, I knew what I wanted to do, and I think it turned out very well. I even learned a new chainmaille weave for this project. I think it's very sexy. In fact, that's what I named it! It is currently available for purchase in my shop.

Now on to what I really want to talk about. My contest. I've decided to have my own contest. Here's the deal. Purchase anything in my shop and be entered to win one of two $50 gift certificates. For each item you purchase, you will receive one entry into the drawing. The first drawing will take place on Valentine's Day, and the second will be on March 1st. You can see all the details in my shop profile. How exciting is that?! I wonder who will win.