Just Catching Up...

Gee, it's been a long time since I posted anything!  Just thought I'd catch up a little bit on what's been going on with me.

In May I started working full time again.  I'm working at a brand new lumber yard and hardware store in my small home town.  It belongs to my daughter's best friend and her husband, so they're like my kids!  It's been fun getting in on the ground floor of a new business and I'm enjoying being out and seeing people again.

I haven't really gotten into the groove of working and crafting yet, so the few things I've made lately have been pretty quick and easy. 
















I was always grabbing a grocery sack on the way out the door to carry my stuff in so one weekend I crocheted a market bag.  It's a lot more cheerful to carry than a plastic sack!

Of course, I had to make myself a "hardware" bracelet if I was working in a hardware store!  I just connected miscellaneous washers and other hardware items with jump rings.  I made it long and wrap it around three times.  It's fun and dangly.

I saw something similar to the yarn wrap bracelet on Pinterest.  (Yes, I've jumped on the Pinterest bandwagon!  I fought it for awhile thinking it would just be another time sucker, and it is, but I 'm addicted!  I keep pinning stuff in hopes that I'll get to it "someday".)  Anyway, this is a cord knitted with the spool knitter.  I found these sparkly little rhinestone spacers at Wal-Mart.  My plan is to make them in different colors.  The spacers just slide on so they can be moved from one color to the other.  I think they'll be cute with slouchy, comfy sweaters this winter.  

Well, that's about it for me.  Hope you're doing well! 

~Today's Quote~

Let's plant grass seeds in all our shoes & paint yellow inside our hats so even when it's cold and dark we will always feel like we are walking barefoot in the sunshine!

Playing with Macrame

I've never done macrame before but I keep noticing all the cute bracelets and great tutorials out there and decided to give it a try.  As usual, once I start something I get addicted for awhile!

Beadaholique has some really great video tutorials for the Shambhala bracelet, the Bazaar Wrap Bracelet, with beads on the inside and the Cinnamon Bark Wrap Bracelet, with beads on the outside.  Another one is this easy macrame bracelet tutorial by smitten by a knot.  

I've also played with different closures and really like the one in this tutorial from Rings & Things.  These are just a few that I've found.

I think this is my favorite of the ones I've made.

I used a mood bead that I got in Eureka Springs a couple of years ago.  I've done a few things with it but never really liked it.  It seems to go perfectly with the hemp.  I love mood beads!  Must be the child of the 70's in me! 

This has been a fun learning experience!

~Thought for the Day~

“Three things in human life are important: the first is to be kind; the second is to be kind; and the third is to be kind.”

~Henry James

Crocheted Wrap Bracelet

I love the wrap bracelets that are so popular!  In fact, I've got a file full of tutorials stored on my computer!  This one is crocheted with waxed linen cord and hot pink lined clear seed beads.  I learned to do the square knot slide closure which I really like.

 

I like the button closures, but if I may rant for a bit, I get really frustrated with the selection and price of buttons in our little area.  Actually, shopping for any type of craft supplies requires a 45 mile trip, unless Wal-Mart has it, which is a 20 mile trip.   I know there is so much available online, but there are some things you just want to see and touch before you buy!  I do have a button box full of old (and not so old) buttons, but you know, there isn't always just what you need.  And there's the annoyance factor of searching through about a thousand buttons for just the right one!

So.... that's why I like the sliding knot closure, you don't have to search for a button that matches and it's adjustable so you don't have to worry about it being exactly the right size.

This bracelet is going to be part of a birthday gift (from my Mom) for my nephew's fiance'.   When she asked me for a bracelet for her, I tried to think of something a young woman would like.

My nephew was in the Army and was recently discharged.  While stationed at Ft. Hood, he met the girl of his dreams and proposed!  They just arrived back in Kansas last weekend so I haven't had a chance to meet her yet, but from what I hear from everyone that has, she's a doll!  Unbeknownst to them, my sister snapped this photo while she was visiting them in Texas. 

Aren't they sweet?

~Thought for Today~

"Take each other for better or worse, but not for granted."

~Arlene Dahl

P.S.  Is anyone else having problems with Blogger's "Preview" button?  I haven't been able to use it on my last several posts.

Not Too Motivated...

Happy New Year! 

I really haven't been too motivated since the craft shows in December and Christmas!  The only new jewelry I've made is this wrap bracelet.

I've seen these in all the magazines and several websites.  I really like them so I thought I'd give one a try.  Normally they're made with leather cord and beading thread.  I used what I had on hand, which was rubber cord and 28 gauge copper wire.  I used green aventurine beads and found this button in my button box that matches pretty well.  These are a lot of fun.  I'm anxious to make more using real leather and a variety of beads!

Speaking of leather... this is a necklace I made for the last craft show,

a piece of brown leather captured inside a copper spool knitted chain with a copper and mother of pearl pendant.  I'd like to make another one with black leather and silver wire. 

Well, that's it for now!  Hopefully my motivation will return soon!

~Today's Quote~

"Nobody can go back and start a new beginning, but anyone can start today and make a new ending."

~ Maria Robinson