Looking Back and Looking Forward...

The first of the U-Haul trucks is on the road.  We were lucky enough (graced enough) to have children visit for the holiday who were willing and able to pack up a 20 foot truck of our lives to head toward North Carolina.  The Christmas holiday celebrations are behind us and shortly in the new year a new life will begin.  No, the entire life didn't fit into one 20' truck.  There is at least another 20' truck in our future - maybe more - but the very first load is out of here and on it's way.

There was absolutely nothing wrong with the old life - except maybe for the winters here.  We are grateful for the full life we've had here in Michigan.  We've raised three beautiful children and they are moving healthily ahead with their own lives.  It's just time to move on with ours. 

My right hand is feeling better - I was truly worried that the right thumb was going to give way.  The left thumb lost the CMC joint and I had to have  major surgery on it.  If the right had gone I'd of been in panic.  I did, however find a great brace to wear so I don't over do the joint again.  It's from Mueller and I got it on Amazon.  Love it.

I'm looking forward to the day I can unpack all of my equipment and start anew on glass and metal.  To that end I've been thinking about my focus lately.  Maybe I ought to consider narrowing the scope of what I do.  I have sincerely been considering staying within the confines of more metal fabrication and finished pieces when I can finally get myself set up again.  We will see what we will see but my ideas have been along that lane for a very long time...so maybe it's time to do that.

I truly admire people who can pick a medium and stay there.  They're happy within those confines.  Maybe I need to concentrate and be more grateful to be setting up some of my own.

I hope your holiday was a happy and grateful one and you got to spend it with your loved ones - be it immediate or extended family and friends.  In this century, ah - maybe any century - I can't help but chuckle and think of the refrain from the song, "If you can't be with the one you love, love the one you're with."  In fact, better if you just love everyone!

Happy Holiday's to You and Yours!

Missing My Art but found a good read!

It's hard to pack and miss out on playing with your art.  I needed a thumb brace for my right hand due to the packing (that was the order from Amazon) and while I was at that I also ordered a book I've been wanting for a long time. 

I picked up Margie Deeb's latest book (or newest to me) entitled The Beader's Guide to Jewelry Design.  I feel as far as jewelry goes I'm a "just okay" designer but certainly not a spectacular one.

So tonight I started reading it once I was too tired for packing or cleaning.  I knew I'd like it.  I'm only about 20 pages into it and it's wonderful.  It should answer a multitude of design problems when I'm stuck.  It certainly is making me rethink a few things that I've packed away and that are in mid-stage as far as designing goes.

So, if you feel like your designs have been a little bleak pick yourself up a copy.  I'm pretty sure you will like it as much as I do.

BEWARE

I've been packing and getting so much ready to move.  You know how it is with art supplies and all.  But, what I wanted you to know is this so I'm posting immediately.  I ordered online from a company called Nile Corporation.  They have cheap jewelry supplies.  Last year at this time I ordered some supplies from this company.  They were the only company I had ordered from so there was NO doubt as to where the problem stemmed from.

You'd of thought I'd of learned my lesson last year, I'm a slow learner.  Within a few short days my credit card was full of thousands of dollars of charges that were not mine.  Of course, cancelled charge plate and yahdah yahdah. 

Fast forward to a year later (from the first credit card debacle) - lesson not learned - I was desperate with this move and needed more jewelry cases.  So, I figured I would order them.  I don't have time to search any out and it has to be an online order.  Did I pay for it in spades.  YES!  I only ordered from two places - Amazon and Nile on the same day.  Guess what, I got home from NC and while I was gone for the week - thousands of dollar of charges on that plate. 

Back to square one - plate cancelled.  AND, I will never ever order anything from Nile Corporation again - ever!  And, unless you want to go through this you probably shouldn't either.  Can I emphatically say it was from this company?  No.  You will have to draw your own conclusions from what has happened.  But, it sure looks suspicious.

Still Sorting and Packing

Thirty years - I have over thirty years in this house.  Uh, that is like 5 tons of I should have purged a long time ago.  And yet I still find myself looking through boxes and telling myself, "That's too close to being finished, I might use that some day, oh no - I couldn't possibly part with this".  What am I thinking - If I haven't done it by now I never will.  It's not that I'm not throwing things away.  That is happening and we've had to borrow the neighbors trash can several times over the past few weeks but it doesn't seem like nearly enough.  Maybe what I need is a dumpster.  If you pay for that thing then you feel a need to fill it up, right? 

I'm lamenting the fact I unplugged the kiln yesterday.  It's done.  No lampworking or clay for the next 3 months while we transition out of this house and into a new one.  It's sad.  I see everyone's holiday beads and such and I get a ping in chest.  The urge to go and work....so not going to happen.

Juggling Act

Sorry to have been out of touch.  My Samsung lap top took a tumble and I broke off a chuck of plastic that held in the battery charger.  Actually the Samsung was always a slippery sucker and I've often complained about it.  As far as lap tops go it was a pretty efficient one but that slippery trait and the placement of the touch pad was awkward at best.  I was used to a Dell laptop and loved the little thing.  I needed more power and was in a hurry and opted for the Samsung because I could get it immediately.  Bad move.  I'm back to a Dell now and except for the Windows 8 I'm a happy camper. 

There is something about getting a new operating system that always throws me for a loop and this one is no exception.  Swipe screens - and keyboards and a dozen ways to do the same thing.  Yikes.  And really, Outlook? When I wanted outlook on my last computer I had to pay for the darn thing - I refused to do that and simply got a new email (with Google) and I'm happy with it.  Now you want me to have a google account or I have to find a way around it.  Oh Pul-ezzze....stop it Gates!  If you want me to be happy with my Microsoft stuff then please just let me put on the things that I want on my computer and make it so us who remember the very first computers can do that with ease.  I don't want to have to take a computer course just to put "my usual" on my desktop.

Yeah, I know, its probably really simple...and if that were so why the heck can't the "geeks" just do it at the Best Buy. 

Anyhow, I'm back in business while the Samsung is being repaired and maybe I'll add sticky bumps to bottom of it so I don't lose it again on the floor.

And, if anyone know how to get gmail on their Window's 8 easily - without a code and without having to sign up for Outlook let me know.

Addition to the Reference List

Quotes from:  Wubber's University  (and you need to put Wubber's high on your speed order list - great pliers, tools, and this too:

"Today's Tip from Lexi:

Ever find yourself in a “tight spot”, where you can’t get a file or silicon wheel into a small area for polishing? This little tip helps a lot.

Use a Q-Tip or toothpick instead. Charge your toothpick with the rouge ...or tripoli polishing compound, then insert it in your flex shaft or Dremel. Use it just as you would a polishing wheel or cylinder.

If it breaks off, just grab another one, they’re cheap! This will get you into a lot of tiny places, and it’s great for rings. This also works great for cleaning the inside of a bail. ABSOLUTELY DO NOT POLISH CHAINS THIS WAY! The chain can catch and whip around your finger or the flex shaft/Dremel.

And, of course, ALWAYS have on safety glasses when using any power tools. Remove any residue from the compound with a mixture of water, Dawn Detergent and a bit of household ammonia."

And, check this one out - I've never encountered this idea before - brilliant, simply brilliant.  It's from a July 30th post at Wubber's University.
 

"Today's tip from Lexi:

If you are soldering bezels which are closely placed together, place a piece of mechanical pencil lead on the back plate between the bezels. This will keep them from moving on the bed of flux and soldering together. It works well with tiny little balls for decoration, too."

The Lexi in all of this is Lexi Erickson.  I've several of her videos and she writes for Interweave and Jewelry Artist Magazine, among others.  Great articles, great artist, great tips. 

How'd I miss this -

Rio Grande Blog

I'm a Convert

I love a good conversion chart.  I have several of my favorites laminated because it's just plain easier to grab a chart and see what drill bit goes with what gauge wire.  Here is the king of places to get conversion charts for your workbench:

Conversion Charts

 

 

Business as Usual?

Have you checked this out lately:

Art Biz Blog

 

There are tons of inspirational articles to get your work right on track!  I could really use it - look at the pile I've created in the kitchen.  Gosh I hate packing.

 

onward and upward!

 

 

 

Julie Sanford Studio

I'd be really a miss if I didn't mention and show you Julie Sanford's great studio in Grand Haven.  She teaches there and has many visiting instructors - such as Gerry Lewy, Michael David Sturlin, and Richard Salley.  If you're ever in a mood for a great Michigan destination I'd recommend Julie's studio without question.  Not only was Gerry great, the town was great, and Julie is a gem.  She couldn't have been a better hostess.

This gives you a small idea of what Julie's studio looks like:

Just a few pictures and I didn't even get the gallery and store section in - the studio is just beautiful

Fantastic, huh?  An ideal setting for working.  Plenty of room to watch the demo - individual benches to work at/ with lights (such a plus to have a light of your own to adjust).  It's just plain ideal.   It's so well thought of that there were students there from Wisconsin, and Indiana - besides Michigan.  And, since Grand Haven is such a wonderful town to visit I'd recommend this as a fun destination trip for anyone.  If it were summer the husbands could laze around the beach, book a fishing trip, or play golf.  LOL - they get to relax their way while you have a great "art retreat".  Whoo Hoo!