Soup Sneak Peak.....

It's Bead Soup time again!

I have been assigned the first reveal and have been paired with my neighbor!
Well sort of, she lives just across the state line to the north by oh several hours drive.
Who? Oh! My partner for this round is Jennifer Lavite. She is the owner of Dry Gulch Beads and judging by her blog a lamp worker.
This is Jennifers Blog stop by and give her a little love! In case my link tool didn't work :) http://www.drygulchbeadsandjewelry.blogspot.com

So think you're up for a sneak peak of what I sent? I mailed my little package of goodies off yesterday and since she lives so close Jennifer should have them by Monday......

I'm really excited to see if Jennifer likes what I sent and I can't wait to get started cooking with what she sends!

Thanks for stopping by and taking a peak!
See you next time!

Master Bath Mural

Here she is! I may tweak a little more later. I'm not entirely in love with her lips and she may need a little more shading but that can wait for the time being. I am happy with her for now!



I have to say, it's been kind of fun watching her morph on the camera. Though I did have a moment of panic this afternoon. I cut my toe while I was adding a touch of high light to her face and had pretty much obliterated ALL of the shading. But I was concentrating on not bleeding all over everything and I didn't really notice until I uploaded the photos - ack!

Three new sketches for some gorgeous filigree on the desk! End of year book work is actually getting done lol Signed up for Bead Soup Seven ..... It's going to be HUGE! Monstrously HUGE!! Over 500 people signed up this time!! I thought my eyes were going cross reading all the blogs last time! This is going to be FUN!

I guess I should get some sanding done in the front hallway, the laundry room and the weight room. Then maybe I can get some more painting done and curtains sewn and hung downstairs.

Obviously no rest here! Thanks for stopping by and taking a peek!
See you next time!

Sign Ups for Bead Soup Seven are under way!

and YES I did sign up! It is ALWAYS a blast!

On the HomeFront: I still (yes still) need to finish the face of my mural. She is looking beautiful but had to take a back seat while the tub was installed and then the sink. I waited for the support wall to go in on the front of the tub but it hasn't happened yet - I think I might just have to start painting again for that to happen! I've uploaded the in progress pics I have to my daughters computer. I can at least give you a couple in progress photos, right?

On the Desk: I actually finished a UFO this week! I know!! The pieces have been sitting in that little triangular tray for over a year. I am so excited to have it finished, it's such a sweet little bracelet. No pics yet, I only finished last night and have been playing on Pinterest today. I know bad me. Not really I love iron work, I have pieces of it all over my house (you see it in my pics all the time!) it translates into wire so well that I decided to create an inspiration board of just iron. I think I blogged about actually cleaning off the desk - maybe that was a FB status update oops any way I said I had actually gotten it cleaned off and of course already had a couple projects ready to go. I had a custom order I needed to finish, then the UFO and now this piece - HEAVILY inspired by the iron. I have another UFO I'm really ready to get to and I want this piece finished up before I begin so my desk can be devoted to what I'm working on.

But Dana, Bead Soup is on the counter waiting for a sprinkling of inspiration. Yes and I have a dead computer that needs to be boxed up. I think it's safe to say after four months it isn't going to spontaneously turn back on. I know, I've been trying. Once it's boxed up my computer desk will be - an empty surface. Since I have decided I like the mobility of Paige's laptop and do believe I'd like one for my own, I don't think the desk is going to fill back up with computer. I'm also looking at rearranging the furniture in there just a hair to free up even more space. So no worries, I got it covered! Huge grin!

Sneak Peeks at the mural these are IN PROGRESS shots NOT the final thing....







Wraps around three walls with no stenciling all free hand. I did use the painters tape as a straight edge - I can paint but I can't draw a straight line lol Even with the tape I managed to get it crooked. Still needs a couple touch ups and her face and hair need finishing. I forgot to put her other arm in - it is in my sketch but somehow didn't make it onto the wall. Debating whether she really needs it, would be something of a pain to tuck in to the white of her gown and match skin tone at this point.

Thanks for stopping in and listening to(or reading) my ramblings. If you liked the in progress shots I may consider doing more - we still have a few projects to finish up around here. Cabinets and tiling, pine flooring, etc etc
See ya next time!

Been a couple weeks, but I am still here....

Just been keeping busy on this end and time slips away from me on weeks like that.

On the home front: Hubs has finally decided it's time to hook up the Whirlpool bath YAY!! however I was in the middle of painting a mural on the wall above the tub.... Pics of mural soon, promise! In fact, now that I'm trying to write a blog post he's decided to pull the tub so I could work on mural while he runs for parts. Isn't that the way?! lol

So keeping this short.... Lori Anderson of Bead Soup fame is hosting another blog hop. Memories and Thanks. I had intended on participating in this one but got busy and I knew I'd be completely overwhelmed had I added one more thing to my plate. Do visit, it's a wonderful way to give thanks to those who lift you and memorialize those who left too soon.

I'm off! Need to get those paintbrushes whirring!!
Thanks for stopping by!
See you next time!
Dana

Alex's Crosses

My son Alex, my best repeat customer!

Every year he has me make several crosses for him to give as gifts. He designs them, draws up a sketch and has me create and fine tune the piece.

Not this year.

Oh, he designed and drew up sketches. But, he wanted to be the one making. So, he asked if I would teach him how to weave, and I did gladly!

So here's my proud Mama moment, My Son Made These!
I hammered out the frames for him and he did the weaving, and wrapping.


Brass with a bead filled base - I helped a little more with this one, he wanted to learn wire weaving not bead weaving lol


He wasn't content to just weave the cross for this one he also wrapped chain around the halo and wrapped beads to the chain, paying special attention to the sizes of the beads to create a pattern for a scalloped edge. I almost forgot to add, he even LOS'd it!!


This one is my personal fav. Again, I did the bead work for him - I love that detail!


This one started out a very simple cross with a couple beads in her favorite color. By the time he had finished with the others he started to feel a little badly that they were ornate and this one wasn't. Back to the design table, he dressed it up a little bit, adding swags of chain. The beads free sliding on the chain are mood beads. All week they were a pretty bluish green, I set the cross on the anvil while I snapped some quick pics and this is what I got lol Please don't hold the color change against him :)

Thanks for stopping by, taking a peek at our hand crafted Christmas goodness, and sharing in my proud Mama moment!
See you next time!
Dana

we interrupt our handmade Christmas for a note on customer service...

Those of you who have been reading my blog for awhile may remember my Dear Alan post on the umm virtues of customer service.

Today I find myself in the same position, but this time with Fire Mountain Gems. Can we say an entirely different experience?!

Check this out....
Dear Dana,
Thank you for your email. We sincerely apologize the package we sent you was shipped via USPS to your physical address which may cause the package to be returned as "No Mail Receptacle". We have initiated a correction order for a replacement package to be sent. Your order confirmation number is xxxxx (cause you don't need to know that lol). We have also noted your account that in the future all Best Way Select orders need to be shipped via FedEx Ground if shipping to your physical address.

This package will be shipped via USPS Priority Mail with a signature required, courtesy of Fire Mountain Gems and Beads. You will receive an automated email containing shipping and tracking information when the package is picked up. This shipping method generally arrives within 3 – 5 days; however it can take up to 14 days from the date of shipment.

The order invoice you receive will state 'Amount Billed'. This notation is needed for our internal accounting purposes. Please be assured that you have not been charged a second time for these items.

We look forward to serving you in the future. If you should have any further questions or comments, please feel free to reply to this email. You may also contact us via Live Chat by clicking the button below or contact one of our friendly Customer Service Representatives at 1-800-423-2319 during regular business hours.

Best Regards,

Tamara
e-Service Contact Center
Fire Mountain Gems and Beads

Not only did they get MY name right, but THEY initiated the correction and took steps to prevent it from happening a second time. I NEED to put them on my Christmas card list :) at least Tamara. And Wal Mart could take a page from their book on customer service, because that's how you do it! Kudos to Tamara and Fire Mountain Gems!

Til next time!
Dana

Countdown to Christmas

It's official! The countdown to Christmas has begun! Paige's final for 3D design is in it's final stages of creation which took us to the Dollar Tree for a few filler items she needed. It's going to be so pretty! She's had it hanging in her room as she's worked on it and all I can think is - that really needs to hang in front of the fireplace! :)

As I was saying we went shopping and I found some cute items for my great nephews and niece. It kind of changes the direction I was going but I really like the whole idea. Look for that post next week!

This weeks post is a pin I just stumbled onto while carousing Pinterest. Food stuffs are always an appreciated gift, after all "nothin says lovin like goodies from the oven" but these days that oven can be of the microwave variety.

Source: blog.gopromos.com via Dana on Pinterest

Love the marketing idea for this as well - did you notice? The pin is for a printer who can customize your mug to say whatever you like! Clever!

If you want that brownie in a mug to be 100% hand made (you know me and hand made!) my friend Christine of BackBay Pottery has some ....

Source: etsy.com via Dana on Pinterest

Or Nancy and Mike's mugs over at HillTop Pottery....

Source: etsy.com via Dana on Pinterest

As does Diana of Crop Circle Clay....

Source: etsy.com via Dana on Pinterest

Or maybe you prefer a Vintage flair....
My friend Jean of Jean's Vintage Kitchen has this great set you may be interested in. Can't you just see the fudge sauce being poured over the brownies from that awesome pitcher? Yum!

Source: etsy.com via Dana on Pinterest

Or maybe CKs Vintage mugs appeal to you.....

Source: etsy.com via Dana on Pinterest

There are many wonderful potters and vintage sellers on Etsy all of whom would love to help you create that tasty little treat for your friends and family.
I could easily list off a dozen or so of my favs and I hope to be able to show off all their goodies to you at some point as they are all deserving of a spot light.
Til then, thanks for stopping by and we'll see you next time!
Dana