New Etsy Listings (At Long Last!)

Tonight I FINALLY pushed everything else aside to get some Etsy listings finished. It's not hard to post a listing, but it takes some focus to go through the steps to write a concise, yet detailed description. There's the photo editing to go through, too. I'm getting faster, but still, it takes time.

You can see thumbnails of the new additions to my Etsy store on the right side of the screen. Clicking on them will take you to the store.

Today's photo shows a bracelet that hasn't make it to the store yet. It can be yours for $120. The scrumptious lampwork beads were made by my bead pal, Tera of Beady Girl Beads.

Swinging Bridge Studio & Other News

I was recently asked to submit art to a new studio/gallery located in Story City, Iowa. Swinging Bridge Studio's name is inspired by a local landmark in the city park. I took this opportunity to update my artist statement. It is SO hard to describe my work in a few words since I'm involved with many media.

I took some jewelry pieces. Pictured is a necklace composed of jade, freshwater pearls, Swarovski crytals, and Czech glass leaves.

I also took some paintings. Leaf Trio is an example of what can happen when I play with watercolors and one of my favorite subjects.

Tonight I took several shots of some jewelry pieces I plan to post on Etsy in the next few days. I think it's important to write detailed descriptions, so it takes some time to get listings posted.

Finally, this Friday I start teaching knitting at Prairie Fibers Co. There are still opennings, so contact me if you are in the area and want to sign up.

After the Prairie Fibers Co. Trunk Show

Whew! Days of preparations & 3 more days of trunk show plus painting demonstrations are over. Back at home there's all the re-organization to do, but the pressure is off and my body was aching for rest when we got home last night. Aquatic therapy was wonderful this morning.

I met some really great people and was happy to have friends drop by too. Thanks to all who came or sent well-wishes but couldn't make it this weekend.

I've posted 3 shots from the show. The majority of jewelry was on this 2-sided display which was visible from all the street-side windows. The displays generated a lot of interest and brought some people in. We hung several of my paintings on the wall behind the table I was demonstrating at. The 2nd shot is the scene from the sidewalk just outside the shop. I painted several fiber ATC cards with Tsukineko All-Purpose Ink and Setacolor Fabric Paints during the weekend. I will add some embellishments and photograph them for a future post. My last project was painting a canvas tote in an impressionistic watercolor style. It needs some finishing touches.

My next projects are to prepare listings for my Etsy shop. I'm also looking into getting some pieces into a local gallery. After Thanksgiving weekend, I'll be getting ready for the beginning knitting class I'll be teaching later next week.

Open House Eve

I've been putting in long days getting ready for the open house that starts tomorrow. Kimberly asked me to bring in some paintings, so now there's a mini gallery of my paintings on one wall.

We have the display tables ready to lay out the jewelry in the morning. If you are in the Ames area, be sure to stop in and say hello.

TV commercial update for Prairie Fibers Co.

I saw it at 9:30 this morning during Martha Stewart. (It's a local commercial for the Ames/Des Moines market on channel 5). I'm shown knitting in the middle of the commercial - but don't blink or you will miss me! They really got a lot of product in 30 seconds.

By the way, Rosy Gardens, the bracelet pictured above, is available to buy. Email me if you are interested. It hasn't made it to my Etsy store yet.

Christmas ATC's and a Commercial Shoot

It's been an interesting day. I was invited to take part in shooting a tv commercial at Prairie Fibers Co. this morning. I placed these painted fabric ATC's that I worked on the past few days & hung them on the aluminum Christmas tree in the shop. Soon the commercial crew showed up for filming. I just did what comes naturally... knitting, browsing, and painting. Others were spinning wool and embroidering. It will be fun to see what the finished product looks like.

Last night I started knitting a scarf from a fabulous hand spun yarn. It's for PFC to help promote knitting. I hope it will entice more people to sign up for the beginning knitting classes that I will start teaching later this month.

Holiday Open House Preps

I've been working on ATC (Artist Trading Card) ornaments that will be hung on a Christmas Tree at Prairie Fibers Company for next weekend's Holiday Open House on Nov. 16, 17 & 18. I'll try to get a picture posted in a day or two. I put together a quick flyer to advertise my trunk showing during the open house. Click on the image for a closer view. I hope we have a great turn out. It's bound to be a good time.

Another project on the burner is that I will be teaching beginning knitting at PFC later this month. I'm looking forward to teaching again. There's nothing like being part of the joy that comes with learning to make cloth out of yarn with two sticks! That's all it really is.

November Roses, An Ode to Perserverence

I love these roses. They have been blooming since May. When I saw the clusters of new buds a few weeks ago, I doubted we would get to enjoy the blooms. The combination of a mild October and a hearty plant gifted us with blooms into November. What is surprising is that I took these photos today after several nights with below freezing temperatures. Sure, there are dark edges, but aren't they beautiful?

I'm closing in on my 50th birthday. I hope I'm as beautiful on the verge of my winter.

I'm thankful to God, our Father and Creator, to put such beauty and inspiration in our world. I'm thankful for my sister Nancy, whose love and knowledge of plants guided us to buy this rose several years ago during our sister weekend. (It's been too long since we've gone plant hunting.)

It took several years for this plant to come into its glory. After a flush of first blooms, the leaves would gradually drop over the summer. In the fall, it showed signs of improvement. This cycle repeated for several years. Last year I considered moving it to a less prominent spot on our property, but I changed my mind after a glorious growing season of blooms after blooms. It repeated its performance this year. No new special care was done. I think it has become established.

Design Update

In Sept. I posted a necklace in progress at my design board, but never followed through with showing you the finished design. Here's the completed set. I haven't named this set yet. Maybe you could suggest a name if you leave a comment.

I started with a gorgeous set of lampwork glass from talented artist Johanna Stephenson of Canyon Echoes Lampwork Beads. I love the organic character of these beads. The touch of silver adds wonderful texture. I used Australian Jasper, Sterling Silver and Hilltribe Silver to set off the lampwork. I will be adding these items to my Etsy store, but you can contact me directly before they go there.