Monday, June 30, 2008

New Project

I am in total shock! I was contacted this morning by the company that sells this bag and others. They asked me to do a bead embroidery piece to be inserted into the clear pocket of the bag. They are sending me a bag just like this one. When I get the piece done, I'm to send it to them for photography and then they send it back for me to keep. It will be published on their website, put in news releases and perhaps even be offered to a magazine. I will get full credit for my design and be linked on their website as well. After several emails today, the bag is on its way to me.
This came right out of the blue. I have no idea where they even saw my work. I must have angels sending the word out for me. Amazing!
Posted by Picasa

Thursday, June 19, 2008

Latest Class Samples

This first picture is a a soft cuff I just finished as a class sample. Pastels are not really my thing, but the LBS owner wanted a summe bracelet, so this is what she got. It's done on EZFelt and backed with the same. There is no metal insert so it fits snug around the wrist. It's very comfortable and lightweight to wear.
I saw a picture in a book and modified it somewhat. I will be teaching this next month at our LBS. It's called Topaz Treasure.

I've been having fun coming up with new class ideas in between finishing my BFAC doll and several other projects.
Posted by Picasa

Friday, June 13, 2008

Window to the Past

This is a window into our past. This picture was taken in a gold mining ghost town in the Eastern Sierras. It's name is Bodie. At one point in time, Bodie had a population of 10,000 people. Now it is run by the State of California as a park. It is kept in a state of "arrested decay". There are still many buildings standing, but you are able to enter very few of them. This is the General Store. The picture was taken through a dirty window.
There is a museum there with a myriad of items the miners used in their daily life. There was a bank, but all that is left of it is a wall and the old safe. There is a firehouse, a gas station, a mortuary, a schoolhouse and a church. Up on the hill above the town is the remnants of the old gold mine. They say there is still gold there, but it is too expensive to mine it.
At the edge of town is the cemetery. It has many fancy marble and granite head stones. Most of the inhabitants died very young. Outside the fence of the cemetery is a tall (5 ft?) obelisk with just the inscription " Rosa" on it. Rosa was a prostitute who helped nurse many of the miners when an epidemic hit. She is said to have saved many lives. However, due to her profession, she was not allowed to be buried in consecrated ground. I have been to Bodie many times and there are always flowers on her grave.
This is just a glimpse into the past of California. It is well worth visiting during the summer months. From mid-September to June the high mountain passes are usually snowed in. However, it can be reached easily from the Nevada side.
Posted by Picasa

Thursday, June 05, 2008

Tagged for a Meme

1. What was I doing 10 years ago?

I was working nightshift as an RN at our County Jail. Worked with a great bunch of Officers! I still consider them some of my favorite people. I was into rubber stamping and just starting to take some bead classes. One of my favorite things to do was to take off by myself and drive up into the Eastern Sierras to do scenic photography. Another was watching my grandsons grow.

2. What are 5 things on my to do list for today (need not be in order)?

Take a picture of my BFAC doll and post it.
Finish a bead embroidered soft cuff bracelet and write instructions for the class I will teach in two weeks.
Start my Sample doll for BAD.
Start cleaning the apartment (hate housework!!!).
Start bead embroidery on silk cord bracelet.

3. Snacks that I enjoy.

Unsalted nuts of any kind.
Chocolate (in limited quantities these days)
Sugar Snap Peas (Love these)

4. Things I would do if I were a billionaire.

Set up trusts so my grandsons' college education was guaranteed.
Buy into our local bead shop so we could double the size and staff.
Spend money lobbying to improve mental health care.
Need I say it? BUY BEADS!!!!
Make sure all family members have what they need.

5. Places I have lived.

Born in Avenal, CA. Lived there until age 20.
San Luis Obispo, CA for 2 1/2 years. Worked as a Lab Tech.
Lawton, Oklahoma for 3 years. Married to an Army Officer.
Omaha, Nebraska for 9 months-Hubby taught at Creighton University.
Hawaii for 4 years. Stationed at Schofield Barracks.
Fort Ord, CA for 3 years.
Fort Knox, Kentucky for 3 years
Fort Leonardwood, Missouri for 1 1/2 years. Divorced.
Sanger, CA. Worked in a hospital.
Clovis, CA. Worked at Co. Jail for 16 years, then 6 years in Adult Day Health Care. Now retired.

6. Peeps I want to know more about.

Grace of GraceBeading
Bobbi of Beading at the Beach
Sandy of Focus on Fiber
Ellen of Dollie Beads
Jackie of Beading Gram

I will notify the above of their tags. Hopefully they will want to play too.

Thanks for the opportunity, Robin.