Happy New Year!!!

shaggy loop bracelets, I keep thinking in my head shaggy dog!

Well, 2013 is almost over, and 2014 will begin.  New year always make you think of resolutions, of new beginnings, the ways to make yourself over into a better person.  Which sort of naturally leads to thinking something is wrong with you now.


I'm tired of that. 

I've struggled for years with just feeling like don't I deserve the space I take up, the air I breathe.  All the bad things that happen seem to be deserved, all the good things not.  The fear I feel sometimes, waiting for the other shoe to drop -- because life is going well, you know that shoe is out there, just waiting -- it's overwhelming.  Sometimes. 


The last few years I think, have been better.  I look around and despite my own internal self doubts, I seem to view myself with slightly kinder eyes.  It's a trend I want to continue.

So my resolution is this: I'm going to pamper myself more.  I am a good person, and I deserve the good things I get. 

So if I buy a book on i-tunes as a pick me up, it's OK.   If I can find a fancy bath product that doesn't make me sneeze or wheeze, then I'm going to buy it, and take that extra time to exfoliate. 

It's OK that I like colored pens.  If i see something at an art show this summer and can't trade for it, then just maybe I'll buy it outright.

If I can swing an extra girls weekend, I will.

And I'm not going to feel guilty about it, because there is nothing to feel guilt over treating myself well.

Happy New Year's everyone.  It's a good year to be kinder to yourself, and to others.

Merry Christmas, everyone!

May your Christmas season be filled with steampunk fairy dust...

And Cart loads of fun!

more sewing machines...

sorry the photo is sooo fuzzy.  the cases are all wood, and in wonderful condition!  At least considering they are 90 years old.

I adore this motor tag .. these motors are original Singer ones so they date from the 1920's as well.  I'm excited, the motors we have had prior were added on a treadle machine after the fact. 

closer shot of the box... I'm hoping to incorporate this into our display without  altering it.  I want to be able to lay chain necklaces across it.. I"m thinking something using wire.

By serial numbers these date to 1920 and 1924.  Got them at a good price, and the boxes are in lovely shape for their ages... I've been wanting wooden boxes for a while, so I'm glad I waited til we found these!!  I know.. I have a thing for boxes.   But I'm actually planning on refitting at least one of these into a display for the booth.  That's a tentative plan.. I want to figure out a way that makes it useful without actually altering the box.  I have to consider this very carefully as this will be a huge footprint of space in my booth.. but if done correctly I think will add a lovely touch to it. 

Jerry's getting pretty excited about ripping stuff up, he's already started on these singer.  I really believe next year could be our best yet.. we are both so excited at the direction my art is taking!

Flea Market Finds ....

I'm planning on doing a series of lockets made out of old little tins.  I made one last year, I've I've wanted to do more since.. so I've been collecting the little guys as I see them.

I've got a bunch of watch part tins, I've got some typewriter ribbon ones winging their way to me via etsy, and this weekend I hit a bonanza of them!

I saw a few I didn't buy, because they wanted more money than I could spend... but I'm pretty pleased with the ones I did find.

Not all of these were at the Flea Market at the fair grounds.. We also decided to hit the 2 best and largest antique malls in Des Moines, The Brass Armadillo and The Majestic Lion.  (the Lion especially has incredible furniture for sale.. some of it is listed online-- if you like antique you can't afford check out the link!) 

Here are pics of what I bought this weekend.  I want to hi-light 2 purchases...

At the flea Market, I bought a small tin of chocolate ex-lax.  Now, if one is constipated, eating a chocolate bar laced with laxatives wouldn't be my first thought... but this little tin amply demonstrates someone did (in fact, to my horror, they still sell stuff like this... ick)

The amazing thing is when I got home, I discovered the "candy bar" is intact and whole inside!!!! ICK!  See pics below....

More importantly to me, the fuse boxes still had a few fuses in them! that's a total score...  that made me smile!!

Most of the finds this from this weekend....

A pleasant surprise! both fuse boxes still had fuses... total bonus and I've already got some ideas on how to use them

Interesting, if not so pleasant a surprise... the tin is full of laxative goodness (ewwww)

OK, gag reflex is activating.. see the quote.. " not impaired by age .... May turn grey.... "

can you believe they still smell? I can't be sure, this this tin and "candy bar" might date to the 1940's.  Judging by the artwork on the flyer, it's not any earlier than the 1950's, and online I can only find this style of tin from the late 1940 to early 1950's.  Have I said EWWWW yet???

Gearing up....

just a quickie, went to the Flea Market with Jerry, didn't actually buy much, but had a good time.  I did find a bunch of tins -- small ones, which I've been looking for, for a series I'm planning to start working on in the next week or so... so I'm pretty happy.

Also found some really lovely chandelier crystals, in a kick-ass drop shape.


A few other odds and ends.. I'll save the rest for for my next post once I get a chance to take pictures.

the flea market had the used book dealer again.  I love her... she brings huge PILES of books, and if you buy at least 10, they are only 50 cents each.  Heaven!!

Since Jerry went with me, he actually picked out 10 mostly Science fiction for him too. 

And the guy selling peanut brittle was there ... Woot!!

I've also been lurking on etsy and ebay and buying small lots of stuff for my mechanical romance line.  I've got more smallish tins coming for my new line ( typewriter ribbon boxes!! some really adorable) and I found a nice lot of older, 17 jewel watch movements with the faces still attached... which is wonderful my supply of older watch faces is dangerously low.  I have a bunch of larger faces, it's the under 1 inch size I'm really low on, and almost no pairs or almost pairs for earrings left.  I'm going to keep searching online for pairs.

I also bought a bunch of pendant crystals... splurged really, and they are gorgeous!!  The only problem is being willing to SHARE them enough to actually make jewelry to sell with them!!!!

Jerry actually took apart a couple of clocks and some of the gears in them... ohhhhh!!! I'm getting ideas!!

And I finally ( I hope) have worked out all the nit-picky design details on the commission I'm working on, my hope is to get them done tonight, or at least this weekend..


I guess what I'm trying to say is I'm getting excited again to make jewelry.  I think my batteries are at green again.. are just about fully recharged. 

Now if it wasn't arctic in my non-heated studio...  The little ceramic heater just isn't quite enough heat when it's below zero out by wind chill......

more adding machine fun....

such a cutie!! got it cheap, it seems to be in perfect working order, but missing the stylus... it's getting taken apart though, I have plans for the gorgeous brass detailing!!

Got this one at a flea market in South Dakota on my last best-est buddy visit in September.  Jerry Decided to start taking it apart as a study break yesterday.  It looks to be a easy one .. which is why he picked it.  ( he's swearing he will get back on track ripping stuff up as soon as all his finals are done next week.... I hope so.. I need some mechanical romance inspiration here!!)

So I did some researching on this cute little guy, and it's patented in 1946.  I can't find specific info on when mine was made ( late 40's to early 50's is my best guess), but check out this link which includes a popular science add from 1947, it's a hoot and a half to read ( it reads like one of those late night infomercials) and tells me all kinds of interesting stuff, like this is all metal, made PROFESSIONALLY ( what adding machine would not be professionally made?  was there a market for homemade adding machines??)   And it touts the lack of paper as a convenience for the buyer!!

Love it!

why am I busy???

I'm working on a couple of commissions, and I've been slowly and methodically cleaning/ reorganizing the studio.  LOOK! the painting desk!!! it's clean!! and look... you can see all my paints and patina's easily on that carousal.!   That is a old fisher price paint caddy I believe.  Works great!

I've also been cutting up old and not so old candy and cookie tins to experiment with this weekend, if I can get my commissions done during the week.  My hands are kind of beat up, cutting up the cans can really do a number on silky-smooth skin.... oh wait! You have to have silky smooth skin to began with? dang...

surfing the web

The last week I've been cruising the Internet more the normal.  Heck, I don't normally have the free time to sit in front of my computer and just browse the web.  But I've been Christmas shopping, and that's lead to strange waters.  I detail only one:


 I am a hug fan of Tim Burton's Nightmare Before Christmas movie.   Jerry showed me this very kewl t-shirt design showing Jack in the holiday forest, staring at a tree with a TARTIS on it.  wowo! 2 of my most favorite cultural icons on one t-shirt! I want I want I want!! I did finally find it ( the artist doesn't currently have t-shirts up but you can buy prints here) but one of the things I ran into was Sally as the virgin Mary.    I kid you not.  I adore Nightmare, but Sally as the virgin Mary??

I did some more searching on etsy and ran across a couple more strange juxtapositions of various characters playing Mary, so maybe it's some sort of Catholic thing.

Notice I didn't lift pictures of either item because I respect copyright.  But click on the links to check them out!!

I still want that shirt.

I hope everyone had a grand Thanksgiving!!  I've certainly enjoying my 4 day weekend.  Tomorrow is a PJ day, if I get anything useful done it will be to work on my commissions.   I have a very interesting challenge from a customer I'm working on, but they are Christmas gifts so no sharing until after the holiday.

Or maybe I will read.

Or maybe I'll just goof off on the Internet again!

Adding machine pic

Jerry and Jesscera ... he's sooo happy to have a new baby to destroy!

 Trying to clean up my pic files, I love this one... its from one of the Sunday Bazaars we did in the Village in September, and Jerry bought this adding machine and took it apart almost immediately.  It had really kewl number dials on it, which made great earrings.  I've only got a few of them left now!! (the dials.. and 1 pair of earrings)

I probably won't blog in the next week or so, since I don't have anything on the docket and next week is ThanksGiving!! so have a great holiday all!

Random Thoughts

My shows are at a end for the year / til May probably, thought I can pencil in some home shows and of course if anything really interesting pops up I'll go for that.   I admit after the success of the Holiday Boutique I'm somewhat more inclined to give more crafty venues a 2nd try.

Still I feel a huge bit of contentment that I'm done for awhile.


Time to recharge my batteries, catch up on other activities (house cleaning, ugh) and read books without active guilt.

The break between the last of the September shows and These shows in November was long enough I started to work on things for fun!!! So I doubt it's gonna be a long break.


Once again a childhood show disappoints the adult in me.  I caught a couple episodes of lost in space this weekend on TV, and boy, what a illogical plot both had.  How can anyone trust Dr Smith when he seems to betray them every episode?   Miners digging too deep and destroying the planet??  Judy and the other guy never quite seem to get it on???  ugh.  And Poor Penny, doomed to always be alone.


The robot is still kewl, Bill Mummy is adorable, and I still like the theme song.   The mom in the show is beyond insipid.  I think next time it's on I"ll watch the opening credits and ta da along, and then change the channel.

I miss the Daily show.  I hear what's going on in politics on NPR  and never hear the funny side anymore. 

I still haven't seen the last episode  of Project Runway Season 12.  I know Dom won, and I'm sure she deserved it, but I really need to chase that down sometime.  I wonder who won Face off??   now that I have time again, I'm sure I"ll trip over this stuff online eventually.

I'm contemplating buying a tablet, and then feel guilty.  I mean here we are doing very well managing money on a single income, but there really isn't extras $$.  Then I think the business has done so very well this year, and it's easily a business expense.  The business has some $$.  I want a I-pad, but at $500 it's way too expensive.  I 've looked at some alternatives for half that... still I don't really need it, I've spent 45 years of my life without it.     but I want it!! Why do I want it?  I wish I could absolutely pin down why beyond I want it!!

Part of our financial plan as a single income family is paying off the car ( which means no savings left, but no monthly car payment either) We got the title in the mail on Saturday.  I don't think I've owned a car outright since My college days.  My college cars were junk.  Our owned out right car is a 2012 Grand Caravan.  It feels good. 

Reading Terry Pratchett's Tiffany series.  pretty good.  I got them for Jerry for Xmas last year.. which tells you how up to date my reading pile is.


Going to watch a movie with the Man now... it's actually a homework assignment for him.  I don't remember being able to watch movies as homework when I went to college!!!!

This weekend: Beaverdale Holiday Boutique

"At my garden window"  brass , crystals

A funny thing happened last week, on the eve of my "last show" of the year.... turns out it's not the last show.  This coming weekend, Fri Nov 15th 6-830pm, and Sat Nov 16th 8-3pm I'm pleased to announce I'm in the Beaverdale Holiday boutique

Now, how, do you ask, do I end up in one of the best local and longest running (36 years and counting!!)  church shows in the Des Moines Area and not know about it??

Well, I signed up for this show, or tried too, 4-5 different times this summer, and every time the website would cut out on me somewhere in the process.  I would start the application again, and again, I would loose the website.  I finally gave up.... but apparently one or more of the application attempts actually worked.  Wooooo hooo!!

So Join me this Fri or Sat for a huge huge and what's gonna be a fun church show !!   I'm now gonna run upstairs and create new stuff just for this show!!

Art on the Prairie

Door hardware that I got at a flea market some time ago, vintage watch face and butterfly, crystals are captured in the drop

 Sorry that I dropped off the face of the earth.  On top of all of my normal busy busy, Last week ( and somewhat still now) I got the worse cold in my entire life, and it had bad asthma side issues to boot.  Ugh.  My doctor basically said bed-rest last weekend, and it wasn't hard to do, as moving just made it worse.  It was best to just sit there and not move, regardless of what the doctor said anyway.  I basically didn't move from Fri at 6pm (when I got home from work) until Monday Morning around 7am, when I had to get up for work again.  I'm mostly slept (poorly) and took medication, and coughed, coughed, coughed.  I had no appetite and took naps all the time.  For those of you who know me personally, these last too items should alarm you as much as they did my family.  I never take naps, and I damn well never loose my appetite.  Even when I have the flu and i"m worshiping the porcelain god, I very rarely lose my appetite for food.  I did with this cold.  I only really got it back maybe Weds? of this week. 

So while I had great plans to have all kinds of new items ready for Art on the Prairie this weekend, they just didn't happen. 

I did have new earrings and a few necklaces, but I still feel like I have gaping holes in my inventory.  Still I'm making the best of it.  The Prairie takes place in several downtown buildings in Perry, many of them historic and just beautiful.  My venue space is the Carnegie Library.  This building is just gorgeous both inside and out.  Built in 1904, very classical lines and it's been restored to approximately to 1910.  We are in a room just off the bathrooms and share space with a young artist named Mallory.   She's a student and this is her first show, so it's really fun to share space with an up and comer.

There are a ton of fabulous artists at this show, including one of my long time favorites, Julie McCullough.
She has been making lovely fiber dolls forever, but the last couple of years she's been combining her dolls with found objects / junk.  I just love where her art is going, it really speaks to me.  Someday I will buy something from her, it's just not going to be this year. 

Jerry and I will be back tomorrow in the same place, 10-4pm.  Be sure to drop by if you are in the area.

Gear from 1882 clock, dragonflies and crystals.

Psss..... my happy45 coupon on Etsy expires soon!

with coupon happy45, this $40.00 bracelet is only $22.00!! click this link

Just remember.. to save big on my etsy site, use coupon happy45 .  This coupon expires at midnight 10/31/13.  

Praying Mantis

 Jerry found this in our year today, I don't think I've ever seen such a large one so up close and in person!! 

more pic catch up

Just one today... these are great bracelets made with nuts and round bits from old cash registers, sewing machines , adding machines etc.  I love that they are uni-sex... I've had both guys and gals buy them. 

More Picture catch-up

These are gone, I'm still trying to get my picture files straighten out.  Still if you see something you like I can make something similar just for you!

flower rings!

gears and springs from 1960's adding machine

This is one of my most popular styles of pearl and brass necklaces, done in silver-plate brass.

"I love tea time!" Inspired by my good buddies in the Iowa Steampunk group, who meet for tea  monthly.

picture catch up

My version of a "poison" ring, made with a small heart locket riveted to a ring blank.. added gears and watch parts.

 I'm working on a commission today, and some fix it items for friends..  These pics, with the exception of the earrings below, are sold and and I can't make up again.  I'm trying to clean up my picture files!! But I still wanted to share these with you.

More earrings made from that 1935 royal typewriter.  I've gotten more use out of that first typewriter we salvaged!  I still have a pair of these made up

more type writer parts!

This very kewl bit of metal came out of a adding machine.  I wish I had more, I love it!  long gone...

Happy Anniversary To My folks!

standing in front of the Big Steer Sign in Altoona, IA

OK it's blurry... I'm not sure what was said, but I swear my Ma is blushing!

Whatever it was, she sure seems tickled!

 October 10th is my parents' wedding anniversary, and this year it's the big 6 Oh!   We kids ( all 5 of us, some spouses and grand-kids) got together this Sunday and surprised them with Supper at Big Steer in Altoona, IA, one of their favorite restaurants.  Pretty good trick, considering only 2 of us live in Des Moines!  They were really surprised and happy.  We just kept it to Family, but it's always nice to get the whole family together.

The sweetest kiss ever!

I'm having a sale this month on Etsy..... 45 % off!!!!!!!!!

This month I turned 45.  I think I've mention once or twice on the blog that getting older isn't scary, it's a gift... I spent a bunch of my childhood in and out of the hospital, and actually stopped breathing a couple of times.  Life is good.. life is miraculous!!   I know I sometimes get bogged down in the day to day grind of life, but my birthday always reminds me how much I have to be grateful for.   (OK I could live without the chin-hair.. lol) So this year I'm sharing it all the month of October.   If you spend $30.00 or more in my etsy jewelry shop, use coupon code happy45 for 45% off your whole order.  It's my way to share .  Here are just a couple of the items in my shop, with links to that listing.  I'm putting up new items everyday. If you want to look at my whole shop, well just glance up to the tabs.. and click on the mkp jewelry on etsy link and it takes you directly to the shop.

sterling, pearls and crystal in Autumn colors.. buy it here

one of my favorites!! I made the glass too.  you can see it here

steampunky without being too steampunky.

this little guy has character!

What I will miss about TV

Now that we are truly a single income family living the 2-income life, it's time to really look hard at where our money goes and start cutting things out. First on the chopping block is our satellite service.  I will probably miss it the most; not that there are not a few shows that Jerry and little Bit will miss.  Jerry mostly watches Jon Stewart for news. Little girl likes a few network shows.  I'm working on getting a converter box or 2 so at least we will get local channels, so that fixes her up.  Jerry can probably figure out how to watch Stewart on the Internet.  Heck I can probably figure out how to watch the shows I want to watch on the Internet, but that isn't the way I want to watch TV.. I want to be able to fold laundry in the spare room while watching it, or watching it while I cook.  I like having the TV on in the background most of the time, and that just doesn't really work trying to watch on the computer.


It does occur to me that this will be the first time since I was maybe 12 that I won't have cable or satellite TV.   Maybe younger... it seems like we had cable before most of the kids on our block.. I can remember when MTV first came on cable... it was sooo kewl watching music videos when they first came out.  I just looked it up and MTV started in 1981.  OK, I feel old but not in a bad way.

Even in collage I had it.. I can't remember if I had it that one semester I lived off campus, but I doubt I watched much anyway, between a full course load, a part-time job and an internship.  I'm not sure I did much more than sleep in the apartment I shared with my good college buddy Jamie!  Still that's almost 3/4th of my life that involves having more than 5 channels.

Now saying this, other than just having it on all the time for background noise,  there is only a few shows I'm really really gonna miss.  I'm thinking I'm going to really get into music again, since I won't have the TV.  Thank goodness for I-pods!

So here is my list of whaw I'm missing them:

Project Runway.  Started watching this as a family during it's 2nd season, and I've not missed a season since.  I've watched all the spin-offs, and I even watched the crappy intimation "the Fashion show"  Tim Gunn rocks. Next Thursday is season 10 Finale, so this is one show I will definitely try to catch online. 

Face off.  love love love this show.. again it's something that the whole family enjoys, though with Jerry's schedule and Jesscera's teenager-ness, I am the only one who watches it fatefully each week. 

Walking Dead.  OK this one reallllly hurts.  I adore zombies even though they scare the snot out of me, so I make Jerry watch this with me every week when it's on.  It premiers 4th season this Sunday night and I will be missing it.  sigh.  I guess this one I'll have to do the DVD thingie next summer but that's a bummer.  This one I can actually talk to co-workers the next day about... or I could if we still had access to it.

Doctor Who.  I adore watching this on BBC America the same night it premiers in England, something they started to do this year.  I guess it's DVD time for the old doctor, but it's sad sad sad I'll be missing this when it starts up again for the year.

There are other shows I enjoy, but really it's those 4 that I really will miss watching when they come out.  I will survive, no doubt.  I won't even really regret it because it needs to be done... but I will miss it.


What's your favorite, can't miss show?

Going on Vacation......

Manufacturing label from a 1898 volt-meter ... made into a bracelet

The show went really well, it was a good way to end the summer season.

I'm going to take a week (or 2) off ---- this weekend I have girl's weekend with my good buddies in South Dakota and in general recharging my batteries. 


We might have something going on in October, but I don't want to jabber about something that isn't set in stone yet... and I have 1 show in November - Art on the Prairie in Perry IA which I'm very pleased to be in. 

I'm really looking forward to exploring more ways to recycle old mechanical gagets into jewelry, and I want to get back to my glass -- I've hardly touch my kiln in almost a year!!  And more etching, chain-mail, etc etc etc.  Some where in all of that I suppose I might finally give the house a good cleaning... nahh!!


I'll be sharing my adventures on a regular basis on this blog like always!    So, see you in a week or 2

Riverssance Art Fest in Davenport, IA

Tag from a motor, probably from the 1930-40's.  The motor was mounted on a 1903 sewing machine.  it was common for folks to add a motor to a older treadle machine, giving it new life.   ( I have a Sears catalog from 1923 that advertises this very thing! )

Old pen caps, and hoops made from vintage adding machine.  I have no idea of the age on these, couldn't find enough info online.

This weekend is Riverssance!  One of my favorite shows each year... and a good show to end on.  I only have 1 more show scheduled in November... I am looking at some other possibilities, but this weekend really ends my normal show season.

It's been a good one!! 

more sewing machine jewelry

some sort of washer thingie, but very kewl

tag from a singer, and the leather band is recycled from a watch.

my version of a "bib" necklace ... done in chainmail

sold (though I could make something similar )

 Tomorrow is my last East Village Sunday Bazaar ---- noon to 4pm down on Grand and 5th.

One of the groups I belong to is B'Sue's Creative Group on Facebook ( anyone can join, but it's moderated and screened, to keep the spammers at bay) Every month she runs a friendly challenge just to get creative juices flow.  Normally during the summer I can't really participate, I just don't have the time between real life, shows, work and family.

This month is Bib necklaces I realized I've actually made a couple in the last few weeks, not on purpose, but I can post them!!

These are done in chainmaile and scales.   I love how they turned out, have lots of movement and are just frankly cheerful!

This one is just gosh darn cheerful!

My last Farmer's Market is this Saturday.......

Singer brass tag is from 1903 sewing machine, brass butterfly wings, misc charms and crystals. 

Saturday is my last Farmer's Market for the year.  Sunday is my last East Village Sunday Bazaar.

And next weekend is my last show til November....


Tomorrow My baby-girl turns 17.  I started making jewelry when I was pregnant with her. 

The mind boggles.

Come out and see Jerry and I Saturday or Sunday... your last chance Des Moines!!

Rambling

New brass stampings, with chain and crystals

I adore butterflies! so do my customers as both of these are long gone.  I have some ideas for updated versions, just soooo little time!

After the show yesterday, I was wiped out!! We were busy busy busy, and especially the last 2 -1/2 hours it was HOT.

Not as bad as the weekend before, but still, pretty stinky/humid/hot.

So, while I really wanted to get up in the studio and make a bunch of stuff in time for Bazaar today, I whilted after 1 pair of earrings, and I was in bed before 11pm.

For those who know me well, yes, that is rather shocking.  I must be getting old.

So of course, I wake up this morning, the first time, around 6am.

I went back to bed, and finally gave it up about 7am.

Nobody else is up yet, and so I find it irresistible to play on the Internet now that's it's really working well again.  For maybe the last month(?) it's not been working well at all, but we had a tech come out and now it's faster then it's been in years!

And it hasn't gone down yet, finger's crossed...

I actually spent a few minutes checking out my friend's facebook and ran across this on my buddy Sue's page: 30 things to stop doing to yourself

Now, while I've heard most of this before, maybe I'm just more receptive to it this morning then I've been in the past.  Maybe my gawds awful last couple of weeks is making me more introspective. (no I'm not going to explain what's wrong, it's mostly resolved now)

Regretfully, I don't really have TIME to be introspective.  I have 2 weeks left of shows, 4 shows in those 2 weeks, and I need to get inventory done.

But I'm really looking forward to having a break -- and having the time to stop and think before plunging into the next thing on the schedule, to get the house in better shape, to read a book and not feel guilty because I don't have time to read right now, to recharge my creative batteries, because I"m feeling pretty creatively drained.  Heck, I'm feeling pretty drained in general.

To sleep in on a Saturday.  To sleep in on a Sunday ( Assuming I don't wake up at 6am!!)

The sad thing about getting up at 7am today is I could have slept in... East Village Bazaar isn't til noon, and we have decided to do our "wind" set up.. it's faster to set up and actually, it will be windy today  - so if we get out of the house by 1045am, being ready for customers at noon will be no sweat.

it's 830am now, I think it's studio time!



 

Wonderful Day in Cedar Falls, and it now it's Sunday Bazaar in the East Village tomorrow!

Brass and rubber... the round parts actually can move

Had soooo much fun making this one, a "cha" cha" with vintage subway tokens, vintage glass pearls , and key charms with crystals. 

OK had a fab fab day in Cedar Falls today for Artapalooza on Main !! I 've always loved this show, they are so darn friendly and nice down here. 

I had one adventure I want to relate.. right at the end of the show, 2 gentlemen bought bracelets for each other.  I soooo wanted to ask if they were married, but it seem rude... but they had matching wedding rings on, or at least rings on the wedding finger that matched.. so it seems like a pretty good bet.   It makes me so happy to see same sex couples out and about enjoying themselves just like married folk should. 

Iowa is so laid back and middle of the road about most things, and I think after just a couple of years with gay marriage.. I think most Iowan are OK with marriage equality now.  (Though I think more Iowans were OK with it before the ruling, see the part about about laid back...)

Anyway, it just gave me such a lift that last minute sale!!  I've always strongly supported gay marriage, gay equality -- I've just never understood why people had problems with the concept that gays are, well, people. 

Anyway, tomorrow is East Village Sunday Bazaar noon to 4pm.  I need to try to whip out a few items as my inventory got hit hard today!