Using my polymer beads in jewelry design

I finally used some of my polymer beads to make jewelry. I created two necklaces and some earrings. I may take the earrings apart to bake them longer since I have learned a great deal about clay from Clay Central and from Cindy Lietz's blogs about curing. The strength of the beads are compromised when they are undercured.

The first photo (not too clear) is a necklace incorporating three black and white beads stung on black leather cord. I used my Gizmo (Thank you Sarah) to curl sections of red art wire to separate the beads. I made these beads at Beadworks in Providence at a class that they had in late January.



The next two photos are of beads made with the faux lapis lazuli recipe that I got online. I strung the beads on Soft Flex Metallics copper beading wire. Between each bead is a copper tube flanked by 4mm Swarovski crystals. I did the stringing at Beadcache in Mansfield. As usual Jane and I closed the place Saturday afternoon.

I'll post the rest later. I really need a light box to get better photos.
Later....Sue

My HerbaLife Shake

I was introduced to the Herbalife product line recently. With my limited income I wasn't able to purchase all of the products for weight loss. Luckily a charming young woman takes her Herbalife business to my place of employment. For a small fee I am able to reap the benefits of this tasty product. I can honestly say that drinking the three different beverages; aloe water, green tea, and shake keeps my hunger at bay for hours.
Last week I purchased the shake. I have tried it with soy milk and blueberries...very thick and yummy. This morning for breakfast I used plain water (ran out of soy) and added a cup of blueberries, a handfull of strawberries, and a small piece of banana. It was a really filling and satifying breakfast. I added the points for Weight Watchers (which I am a member) and it came out to five points. It seems like a lot, but when considering it includes three fruit servings and one 8 oz. serving of water, I don't think it's all that high. The test now is to see how long it keeps me satified.

Beads and Birds

Here are some of the beads that I made using polymer clay. The black and white beads were made at Beadworks in Providence. I took a class with a woman who has made some incredible designs. The blue beads are some that Itried in the workshop...the recipe is called Faux Lapis Lazuli. When I use these beads in a design I may incorporate some beads and findings from local bead shops.
An aside...Sorry for the blur. As you can tell from these photos, I still haven't purchased my new macro/portrait lens.

I included a photo of two birdhouses. Steve made many and stained them (some are painted). Many styles have cedar shingle roofs with hammered copper at the apex. The houses range from $30.00 - $60.00.

Spring Please

We are well into February and I’m counting the days until Spring….40 to be exact. Just a little more than one month from now and we’ll be digging in the earth (I hope sooner). Steve got Friday, February 19th off from work and I won’t be working because it’s winter break…so we will be heading to Providence for the Flower Show. I hope to get some ideas for the front yard which looks so plain. This year I want to plan more so I don’t get stuck with too many plants and not enough area.

No sooner had I decided to post when I came out from under a rock and listened to the weather report. Apparently New England is going to get another chance at a blizzard. They are predicting snow to start early on Wednesday morning. I have a class at 4:00pm in Providence. I don't want to miss a class, so I'm hoping it will be canceled if it gets too nasty.

It'll be a good time to craft in the workshop, if we don't lose power. Steve has a nice supply of bird house for sale. I've been making lots of beads and would like to turn some into jewelry. I'll post pictures when the baubles come out of the tumbler.

Kat Toys

So, you just got a new kitten. Don't waste your hard earned money buying toys at a pet store! Look around the house...use your imagination. In the photo on the left are two items that are very popular with Pumpkin. The first is an empty water bottle with marbles inside and an old piece of stretchy material tied to the cap. He likes to roll it and drag it around.

The next toy took more effort to make. First I had to empty a bottle of wine. Then I washed the cork so my kitten wouldn't get high. I drilled holes in the cork, length-wise and across the diameter of the cork. I glued in some feathers and wired in a few pony beads. Much nicer than spending ten bucks at the store.

Finally...the simplest of all toys...two twist ties. Behold the video of Pumpkin with his favorite toy.

New Kitten, news...

August 31st I accompanied Jacque and Jesse (her grand daughter) to a home in NA that had free kittens. Jacque wanted a friend for her cat...she recently lost an elderly cat. We arrived and were greeted at the door and brought to the kittens' domain. Two white ones and one orange tiger.

I had occasionally toyed with the idea of a kitten, but I had certain considerations...such as, it had to be female, and the coloring would be a silver/black tiger. Well, Jacque chose her little white boy (Sugar) and I, unable to walk away and leave the little orange tiger, came away with a little boy who we have named Pumpkin.

I thought Steve would be upset, but he's not...guess he looks at it as another cat to tease....only this one has very sharp claws! The one who is really upset is Minou. She may be planning to run away.

The cooler weather is here in New England for sure. I actually had to close a window this morning. Last night we sat out for a while until the mosquitoes found us. We have had a stretch of beautiful weather lately. I especially like the sunsets this time of year...lots of pinks and purples. A favorite vine has bloomed; the Moon Flower. I hope to get a picture of it when it has multiple flowers.




A final note for this posting....I'm going back to school, Rhode Island College, to get certified in Special Education. It will take a while since it's not exactly in the budget. I'll chip away...one class at a time until that lottery number comes in.
Until next time...Enjoy your day!

Fitting End to the Summer

Steve and I drove to Mashpee to bike a trail with Linda Lee. It was a perfect day; not too humid, big puffy clouds, and few tourists. We set out a little after 1:00pm. I stopped a few times to take pictures along the way. I had my old camera...not enough power to capture detail or the egrets dining in the marshes. If I can outfit my bike with cushioned bags to hold my Nikon, I'll definitely haul it on our Fall trip. Yes, we are already dying to go back there, it was such a nice ride. We would like to stay a few days and bring the kayaks.


We stopped for lunch in Woods Hole (Landfall Restaurant)...lobster roll, french fries and a jumbo Arnold Palmer iced tea...excellent. After we ate Steve got some bottled water for us and we headed back to Mashpee. The sun was a few hours from setting. It felt like an autumn afternoon. All along the trail there were rabbits and their offspring munching away....very cute.


We made one final stop near the end of the trail and that was to get ice cream. I highly recommend the Shining Sea Bikeway.