Fandango Tuesday

The second child, Audrey, started back to preschool today.  I went and worked out, something I haven't done much of lately, came home, and sanded the new record pendants I cut out last night.  I love having time to myself if I do nothing other than think - in a quiet atmosphere - with no demands.  I was tempted to take a nap it was so relaxing. 

So, I announced the winners of my giveaway on Friday.  Two of the three peeps forfeited by not answering my messages.  Hmmm.  Oh well, life marches on.  The first winner, Robbin, is an friend from when I worked at Southern Kitchen back in the 80's.  That was a wee bit of a wild and crazy time in my life.  Anyway, I am thrilled that she picked the "Enjoy Life" anodized aluminum pendant.  It is a newish product in the jewelry world that takes color very well and is extremely lightweight for those of you with ripped ear lobes. 

So, that is the story for a rather pleasant Tuesday.  The babysitter will be here in 15 minutes.  I get to pack up and go to my weekly jewelry-making class.  I am thinking of making rings tonight.  I love rings and I have some nice rutilated quartz cabachons that are begging to be set and shown off. 

I will announce two more winners tomorrow.  Keep checking your e-mail!

Blessings to you.

And the winners are...

Ok. So it is after 12 o'clock.  I forgot to get to the computer to select winners via the Random Number Generator http://www.randomizer.org site. Cool site, by the way. 

Here are the winners and the order that they get to choose the record pendant or "Enjoy Life" pendant:

1) RZAB1216   My old friend Robin selected "Enjoy Life"
2) Cheryl Jones Mantin     Forfeited
3) Rhetta Street

Yipppppeee!  Congratulations to the winners!  Please contact me ASAP to choose your pendant and give me your information.  Remember the first winner has until 6 p.m. tomorrow to claim their prize, if they don't #2 gets first choice. 

Contact me: creativeinputbyliz@live.com. 

BE SAFE EAST COASTERS!  I WILL BE PRAYING FOR YOUR WELL-BEING!

#1 - I love New York
This one is a little rough in that it isn't smooth

#4 Christmas bell

#2 - High healed

#3 Dove of peace



#5 Enjoy Life
Selected by Robin!



He's off and I'm in.



New OOAK anodized aluminum earrings, VERY lightweight
http://www.etsy.com/listing/80219093/half-moon-anodized-aluminum-wire-wrapped

I dropped Brendan off for his first day about 30 minutes ago, posted the Facebook picture and here I sit.  Audrey is still asleep and here I sit.  Should I be crying about my baby boy happily and confidently walking away from me to the big world of 1st grade?  I think not but there are tears in my eyes none the less.

When I went off to school, I know I sobbed until I was going in to 6th grade.  I was terrified of change.  Okay, I was scared of my own shadow.  I did not seem to possess the ability to talk and interact with people outside my family.  To see Brendan walking away, without looking back at me, does make me proud of Jeff and I for giving him something that allows him the confidence not to be afraid of the next chapter in life.  He said he was excited because he would meet new friends.  What a deal.



So, yesterday, I check my e-mail hungrily awaiting news of whether I am in as vendor for the Funky Finds holiday event in November.  What I got was an invoice for the price of a booth. I'm in, I'm in!  After a couple of "thank you" but "no, thank you's"  I was feeling rejected.  I didn't want to post my rejection, that is no fun, but since I was accepted to a show I can rejoice the good tidings!  And, to tell the truth about how I felt.  You know, it would have been all right had I not gotten in to Funky Finds 'cause God has THE plan and it isn't necessarily what I think is best for me.  It just is.  With that being said, thank you GOD for this opportunity!  May I serve you well.

http://www.funkyfinds.com/events 

Get your shoes on.

I know I keep mentioning the fact that Brendan will be off to First Grade on Monday.  He is my first and my little boy with so much confidence that I fear for his feelings.  I know, too motherly/smothering. We met the teacher last night and discovered there are twenty something other little souls in the class.  Will he get lost, misbehave, or get his feeling hurt?  Probably.  But isn't that a part of growing up?

Speaking of feelings getting hurt... I had a moment, actually, a couple of days this week when I was doubting myself and what the heck I am doing making jewelry with all the masses.  Well, I do it because I love it. To. My. Core. I spent many years intoxicated and unable to tap my inner resources, never mind be creative.  When God gave me a chance to renew myself, I stumbled along, but I changed.  I keep changing, which means growing pains.  Which also means I do the work and leave the results up to God.  I must trust God to care for Brendan as he starts big-boy school.  I must trust God to guide me on my journey.  He hasn't let me down, yet.

You know what faith is? Walking through the fear to the other side. I better get my shoes on.

Pssst. Giveaway next week.

Ode to New York

What happened to last week?  I saw a woman about beads.  They were plastic.  Ewww.  I bought some glass pearls against my better judgement, but she had taken a bit of time to gather and set up a meet.  However, I needed those beads like a hole in the head. 

Dove.  Rough draft

Butterfly with eyelet

Silver bells

Wood domino with scrapbook paper
and record butterfly

Other side of the domino

This is my favorite so far. Record shoe
with tiny glass beads, an eyelet, and stikles

Jeff and I went to his 25th high school reunion on Saturday night.  I enjoyed talking with the wives for several hours. I certainly enjoyed connecting with new people. I am kinda glad these things only come up every five years.  My 30th will be next year though I am not sure if there will even be a get together.

This week Brendan goes to meet his first grade teacher.  He is so grown up in a little boy way.

Here is where I announce a GIVE AWAY of your choice of the above pendants TBA next week. In order to win, please SUBSCRIBE and LIKE my Facebook page NOW for a double entry!

Two sweet Mondays left

Two weeks until Brendan starts school.  I am thrilled and missing him already.  He will be a first grader at big-boy school, his first year.  He looks so cute and sweet playing a batman game.  Will that all change with an introduction to the masses?

Opps!  Gotta see a lady about BEADS... Yahoo!

Still hot

Yes, it is still hot with no rain.  So, I decided to turn on the kiln, which is in the garage.  It wasn't that bad 'cause it was already unbearable so 1450 degrees didn't really phase me.  Now, the door handle to the kiln that burned my hand.  However, with all the time to heat the kiln and prepare the copper pieces, by scrubbing them with Comet, I only finished one side of about five pieces.  I do, after all, have two children running around the house. I did turn it on, though.

Tonight, I get to go to my class at Brookhaven. It is an oasis for me.  No interruptions.  I only focus on the people and the jewelry task at hand.  We collaborate on new techniques and share what we are doing. These women are artists and I am so pleased to be a part of the group.  Joining the Tuesday night class was very intimidating for the first year even with knowing two ladies previously from teaching.  Then I found the kiln and enameling.  I have stayed there for at least four semesters and somehow I gained confidence.  I love enameling.  I am enameling with stamps and stencils.  Once again, the possibilities are endless.  My favorite thing about enameling is the fact that a mistake can be transformed into something beautiful. 

What is your favorite creative outlet?  Why?