pictures only today

Girl's weekend over, whaw!

some of the items I made this weekend...

 Had a great girl's weekend ( started Tuesday night, and ended about 3pm this afternoon) but boy, I'm tired now.  We had a great time... shopping, antique-ing, laughing, eating, talking etc etc etc.  It was a very productive weekend as well, as I completed 43 pieces for inventory.  I wish I didn't have to wait so long for the next one!!

I've never done the leaf bracelet with a fairy before, but I like how it turned out

My favorite piece of the weekend... the back plate is from probably a 1970-80's clock, the gears in front are much older, 1920's or earlier.  I just love the layers on this thing.

Large clock gear (not sure how old but it's old) and brass dragons spell yummy!

next up: girls's weekend !!!!!!! and the theory of packing....

Yes, it's time for the annual insanity of Kat going from one winterland (the state of Iowa) to worse winterland: South Dakota!

But seeing my best buddies is well worth it, and February just works out for everyone work wise.  And it's Sue's birthday month. 

So far we have been lucky weather-wise..  It's damn cold, there may be a foot of snow ( or more) but the roads to date have been cleaned for the to or from part of the trip.

This year I'm very grateful, my wonderful Sis-in-law is taking me down on Tuesday.  Jerry can't due to his college classes. Current plan is going down around noon, hit Omaha for lunch and bakeries, she dumps me at the hotel, where I'll wait til Sue and Cathie can make it.  I'm taking the whole of next week off ( Monday being my also Annual Poke and Prod day, where I schedule as many annual doctor/dentist/vision appointments as possible)  Both Sue and Cathie work during the morning/early afternoon, so they should hit town in the evening --- and I'm sure at least 2 of the 3 of us will stay up too late talking and giggling.

Then Weds morning/early afternoon we will Terrorize go shopping in Omaha.  I'm sure Good food, bead shops, flea markets, antique stores and bakeries will be involved.

leather cuff with gears riveted on.  different for me, Jerry wants one without the crystal rivets.  He's no fun.

Then it's off to stay at Cathie's house  (better known as the Littleton Bead and Spa) for the rest of the week.

I can't wait!!!

I'm going to start packing up beady/jewelry stuff tonight, and I'm not sure which direction to go.

I always end up bringing half the studio with me ( honestly more like 1/8th, but I have over 400 square feet jammed with stuff, that's alot of cubic space in a van... and the weight!! )

Then I always spend a day or more unpacking when I get home.

I'm tempted just to pack up chainmaile and do that all week... compared to regular jewelry components, it's fairly light weight, and I could pack it up in 2 bags with lots of room to spare.

But then if I get excited about a design idea while at the Spa, I'll be crushed if I can just do it then.. and I always get inspired hanging out with my gal pals.

sooo.... still debating which way to go on this.

I'm sure I'll default to normal, pack up the entire studio, and then only dig things out of 2 boxes while I'm there.

more sewing machines goodies...... (pictures only)

Bobbin case from 1970 machine, vintage clock gear and hand

sewing gadget made into a leather cuff

Main sewing lever from a 1920 singer sewing machine.  I just love how gracefully shaped these levers are.

Random thoughts

just for a grin I did a search of my last name: BarronMiller.  Google likes to split it up as Barron Miller.  Someone with this name (Barron Miller 2 words) is a murder suspect in FL.  There is a well known funeral parlor business in Washington named Barron-Miller, with a dash. 

Is someone trying to tell me something?



Blog hop sign ups are tomorrow!!! 
I admit while I really want to participate this year, the weekend of the reveal is bad for me.  I keep going back and forth about doing it.  I probably will because I've enjoyed it so much these last 2 years.  I guess I'll find out tomorrow if I will or

wont.

My boo boo got selected ( only 9 from her high school!) to show art downtown in the annual Student Art Exhibit for Des Moines Public Schools.  Here she is by her artwork, a steampunk collage.  I'm happy to say she Incorporated some of the pieces from typewriters and adding machines that are too big for my jewelry.. we donated a whole box full of parts actually. 

I've been suffering serial burn lately...  both in TV and in books.  I get so far in a series, I'll really enjoy it, but then it's like I hit a wall.  I used to just tough out this sort of thing, because most long running series have it's up and downs, but anymore I just can't force myself to read or watch that next episode. 

I have given myself permission to stop watching or reading a series with this happens.  I can always pick it up later if I really feel the need, right?

So... here is the question: is this a sign of maturity, or lack of something in me? ( faith? patience? energy? )

little tiny pictures....

 

Working on revamping the booth, which includes new signs.  The idea is the company name sign is in the middle, and the 2 pictures are on the sides.

This would be in the back of the booth of course.

Jerry and I are working on a few new displays as well, using reclaimed items like the 1920's singer sewing machine portable cases.

This is gonna be good!