My Glass Stash

I'm almost embarrassed to say that this is just a portion of my glass stash.  This particular rack has 104 coe Effetre Moretti, Vetrofond and Cim and are organized (kind of) by color family.  I have three more shelves of glass, one that has boro and 90 coe, one shelf that has 104 coe Devardi glass, and one that has odds and ends and the silver and specialty glasses.  Honestly, I could look at my glass all day long lol.  It truly is just a fun medium to work in and the color ranges are incredible.

German Braided Sweet Bread

I finally had a chance to make my mother's German braided sweet bread!  I'm so excited lol.  I haven't really had a decent mixer for some years and now that I have a really good one, I am able to start doing some more baking.  This recipe is particularly time consuming as its a recipe that requires three rounds of the yeast dough rising.  So, its easily a three or four hour project at a minimum.  Usually, my sister makes this for Christmas and we all get to have some then, but we never seem to have it any other time of the year.  I have a feeling that is about to change lol!

Ohio Flint Sterling Silver Ring

I just love Ohio Flint.  It has such a wide range of colors and some of it has beautiful druzy crystals.  This is a large ring and very suitable for either guys or gals.  Its a 10 1/2 and a fairly large stone.  As always, click on the picture to go to this listing.

Speaking of Work Spaces

Speaking of work spaces, this is my metal smithing space in the basement.  (as opposed to the beading space upstairs).  This one stays relatively clean, mostly because, well, I am playing with fire lol, and I being too messy is not a wise thing around an open flame.  But anyway, this is where the metal work gets done,  the stones are paired to with the metal, the metal is cut out and etched or pounded or stamped and tumbled etc. I am fortunate that my husband doesn't mind the fact that I have taken over at least half of the basement.  I will post a pictures of the space I use to make glass beads in another post.  Also locate in the basement.  The nice thing about working in the basement is that I also get a lot of laundry done lol.

The Clean Up

Well, I did it, I set up the shelves, and I organized all the beads.  This is the result.  I'm almost embarrassed  by how many beads I have lol.  I did find quite a few beads that I had forgotten that I had.  It was kind of like a beading shopping trip without actually spending any money.

I did organize the glass beads on the middle shelf by color.  The top shelf  is split between pearls on the left and stones on the right about evenly split down the middle. The bottom shelf has the metal findings and some of the leather and suede cording, as well as beads that are mixed as far as color etc. goes.

The desk has crystals, all of my head pins, ear wires clasps etc. as well as the three drawers full of seed beads. (and yes, they are sorted by color).

I am happy that I got all this accomplished besides the several side trips that involved picking itsy bitsy beads off the floor when I bumped an open container.  (or two or three).

Snug as a Bug

Snug as a bug.  Dragon is so comfy I just want to curl up in a blanket and have a nap myself!

My Messy Jewelry and Beadweaving Space

This is what my work space for beading and beadweaving currently looks like.  I will be re organizing and adding some shelves to the left instead of current fold out tray lol.  I need to get all the containers back in the proper color order and have them on the shelves in away that I can see them at a glance.  And I need to get all of the crystals organized into bins size wise along with the seed beads.  Its almost to the point that its too messy for me to work in.  I seem to go through the same cycle every couple of months though, I will start off with a clean work space and I will run with wherever the inspiration leads me until its too messy to work on, clean it all up and then start again lol.  Anyone else out there do the same?

I will be working on the clean up this week.

Christmas Cactus

Christmas cactus blooming.  Right on time for a change.

My Favorite Fat Cat

My favorite fat cat.  This is Drake, taking up the whole blanket lol.  He is such a sweetie and for some reason has decided to become more social. What is really funny is that Ella, our youngest Aussie, is totally afraid of him.  Its rather amusing to watch her tip toe around him.  He doesn't have any front claws so that isn't it.  But he does have a fierce growl.

Thought I would share this!  Supposed to be very cool!
For more info: http://earthsky.org/tonight/quadrantid-meteor-shower-before-dawn-in-early-january

Wire Wrapped Heart Earrings

I must say, I am very happy with how these turned out!

Tree of Life Pendant

I love making these tree of life pendants.  There are so many different combinations between metal choices and bead choices, each one is totally different than the next and it never gets boring to make them.  Anyone who knows me well, knows that its an important part of creating for me.  I get bored relatively easily and I would never be able to do production work.  I much prefer one of a kind lol.  I have enough ideas in my head to that it would take several lifetimes to make them all.  As always, click on the picture for more info!

Holiday Crafting

New Pendant

I had a difficult time deciding what to do with this stone.  Its so beautiful I really wanted to make sure that as much of the stone showed as possible while still doing a beautiful wrap.  This is what I came up with.  I love the way the copper sets off the deep green.  The agate is semi translucent in spots and really a beautiful stone.

If you are interested in this pendant you can click on the picture and it will take you where you need to go.