Happy Easter!!

Spring has really set in here in Las Vegas.  

We are up in the 80's or higher most days and the sun is lasting longer each day.  

Taking pictures is a challenge as it is much brighter but I have some to share from this morning:

Thursday was a day trip to Red Rock and Bonnie Springs with my girlfriends above

(The Four Menopausal Musketeers)
(amazingly there was no chocolate involved in this day!)

We skipped the old cowboy town routine because it was school vacation week 

and the place was overcrowded with families having a ball. 

But if you ever get to come to Las Vegas in the spring or fall 

and can make a trip through the loop at Redrock the scenery is amazing, 

there are lots of hiking trials. 

Bonnie Springs has live outdoor theatre in the this little old replicated cowboy town 

with gun fights, bank robberies, 

a trial shere you are the jury all quite comical and very entertaining.

I saw this several years ago with my nieces and nephews and they loved it.  

We decided to walk through the petting zoo for inspiration

and had a great lunch in the restaurant. 

Here are a few of the creatures who posed for me:

Mr. R

Mr. Rooster Close up

Lovely Lady Peacock- she posed for me a ruffled up her front feathers too. 

Mr. Peacock chose to stand with the mountains in the background.
I only had a few seconds to capture this before he hopped down.
 His tail was stunning!!

A Toddler Wild Burro we stopped to greet on the ride home.

His Mom getting a good massage on a dead Joshua Tree.  Pretty sure another baby is on the way.

Today it is all about

flowers, flowers, flowers,

I can never get enough of flowers.  

My honeysuckle is in full bloom and smells delightful.  

Everyone who comes to my front door gets to inhale the sweet perfume 

that I wish I could bottle and send to you. 

When you stroll up my walk and look up this is what you see.

A mass of vines covered with delicate little amazingly fragrant yellow and white blossoms.

Straight ahead is my Spring Front Door Decor.

These are silk flowers as there is no sun in this spot. 

Just love the mama bird guarding her eggs!

Have a Very Happy Easter everyone!! 

7000 Bracelets of Hope Blog Hop

I am proud to be a part of this group and here is my contribution.

This beautiful blue bracelet will be shipped off 

to a family with a child who has a rare disease, 

with a note of encouragement. 

It's a feel good day!! 

My Blue Bracelet for the 7000 Bracelets of Hope Blog Hop 

Here is the focal bead on my bracelet. I captured a blue druck bead in the center to represent a seed, (our eternal soul).

Here is a close up of one of the Bee charms
which represent accomplishing the impossible
and
savoring the sweetness in life. 

One of the Girlfriend's "Gert" modeled my bracelet at coffee yesterday morning.
This was taken with my pbone camera so not a great quality picture but
I love how it drapes and the Teresa's  flowers  in the background just oozed Spring!

I added Bees because they do sting which hurts like a disease and seeing a loved one suffer, 

BUT 

they also create honey which has wonderful medicinal purposes 

like aiding people with allergies to local pollens. 

Even more important they have been long-time symbols of 

accomplishing the impossible and savoring the sweetness in life. (honey) 

There is good and bad in every situation, catalysts for growth and learning. 

I used brass to represent strength and longevity, 

glass because it is translucent and we can see (our way) through it, 

and the enamel flower bead with a blue druck bead hidden inside

represents the seed of life deep within us that never dies, our soul.  

We can always hope for the best

and thank goodness we can give and receive love and compassion. 

Here are all the wonderful people who joined this hop 
to make bracelets for families of children with rare diseases. 
Have a fun day hopping!!
For new blog hoppers: Click on the turquoise portion and you will go directly to that blog.

To learn more about this campaign, visit The Global Genes Project by clicking here. 

Bracelet Blog Hop
I apologize I didn't realize my list wasn't working- no links
Click here to see the blog list.
Thanks again to Lori Anderson for hooking us all up to the cause!! 

Pay It Forward

Pay It Forward or (PIF)

I am the lucky recipient of a gorgeous bracelet by Penny  in the Pay it Forward Challenge. (PIF) 

(you can visit her website by clicking on Penny above 

and see wonderfully inspiring video from Canada!)

Even the packaging was beautiful!

Wonderful color and the viking knit is impressive!! 

I love this idea, sending joy to someone! Gifts in the mail.

So here goes... 

The first 5 people who comment on this post will receive a handmade gift by me (it could be any thing)! In return you must write a blog post explaining Pay It Forward 2011 and send your first 5 commenters a gift handmade by you.  It's a great way to make new friends and spread some handmade love around in Blogland! No rush to send them out today or tomorrow.. but do make sure you send them out...'

So, here goes. 

The first 5 people who comment here will get some handmade goodness from me. In addition to commenting, please leave me your favorite colors and a way to contact you.

Hurry up now and comment!! 

Time to oganize again....

This week I will be making a blue bracelet for the

  7000 Bracelets of Hope Blog Hop 

along with all these other participants:

http://lorianderson.blogspot.com/2011/04/bracelet-blog-hop-7000-bracelets-of.html

thanks to Lori for the information- 

The bracelets are given to one of 7000 families 

having children with rare diseases to show them love and support.

Come back on Saturday the 16th and follow the hop if you want to, 
I will post my bracelet then. 
For now:
Friday April 8, 2011
"Some days are just like this", I say to myself. 

I can feel the weight of the universe pulling me in a thousand directions 

and I feel like I am being sucked into a black hole-
Dizzy and confused,

Amazing Black Hole- can you feel the power in that gravitational pull?

Why? 

I have "Pyle's" (piles of stuff)

(my married last name- probably the curse that started this) LOL, 

of materials for this and that, (and more STUFF)

many unfinished projects in process and so many directions I could go each day 

sometimes I just go nowhere.  

I decide to sit down at my computer 

and connect with the rest of you and see what you are doing. 

I am so grateful for all the bloggers out there that share their joy and angst.
You help me feel normal.

For now I don't seem to have any problem with inspiration 

it is organization that makes my head spin.

No this isn't me I just feel like that. 

Hit play to hear my theme song. 

PS We do a routine to this at Zumba Class. 

My inner critic looks a little like this guy, tough, inflexible and bossy. 

I want him to go away but he stays and nag, nag, nags....

"Why haven't you finished that? 

What about that over there? 

Why is this room such a mess?

Will you ever finish that thing over there?

.....

so the black hole actually looks inviting.

At least I won't be able to hear him anymore. 

I do wish my head wouldn't spin though

I feel dizzy and sick. 

OKAY,

Saturday, April 9, 2011 

I wrote this yesterday before I went to lunch with two of my friends to celebrate Barbara's Birthday.

We went to our new favorite haunt: " Nora's "  Great italian cuisine.

We shared stories, ate, laughed and then went back to my house 

so Barbara could choose one of my new cuffs as a present 

and 

Teresa bought one too! 

so 

We took a picture with our cuffs on to commemorate the day 

Cool Cuff Girlz

We giggled a lot as we strategically worked on the camera set up 

so we could hide the muffin tops we all had from the delicious pasta lunch 

and giggled even more 

while we practiced how I would run into the picture 

after activating the shutter timer

and then we zoomed off to Teresa's for 

The Best Chocolate Cake and Coffee I have had in a long time!! 

You know what- the Black hole is gone,

I don't feel dizzy and my mind totally cleared -

I feel GREAT!!

Girl Time is Great Medicine!! 

and for me Chocolate is a drug of choice.

More Seratonin baby!!! 

Thank you to my two wonderful friends.

I have just been holed up in the house too long or 

frantically carting my treasures about to sell 

and needed this little mini-vacation.

So here are the two new Cuffs I made this week:

You can find these in my Aquariart Etsy Shop .

This color palette is one of my favorites 

so I had to make two cuffs that were similar. 

The first is hiding the polymer clay button I made. 

I am also working on a surprise project I can not talk about yet.

Come back later (August) to see that. 

Hope your weekend is wonderful. 

Monday is my husband's birthday so I got tickets to see a comedy show tonite.

Laughing is also good medicine. 

I hope I made you laugh a little too! 

I am going to take a bath-

MARABS Challenge and 15% off coupon available to celebrate First Friday in April May and June

If I don't post this weekend please forgive me as I have had 2 craft shows in a less than a week, 

already posted twice this week (BLAH, blah, blah)  and had several deadlines to meet. 

One of which was the 

March ABS Challenge:
(click above to see the inspiration and links to see all the entries)

 Here is my "Tahitian Dreams" Necklace 
inspired by Gaugin's Painting: "Sacred Spring, Sweet Dreams". 

Doesn't it just make you want to dance barefoot on a tropical island 
and swing those hot colored beads around your head? 
It is a very long but adjustable necklace.
 32 inches around!! 

Those tickly little fiber tassels land right on the collar bones 
looking like whimsical little flowers, semi-lai-ish. 
When I uploaded my pictures to Flickr I wrote wonderful long descriptions of my process. tags...
and guess what?
I forgot to click save (imbecil- me not you) 
so they are magically gone. 
I am a little miffed so I won't do it again today, maybe tomorrow, but not today. 
Hate that!!! 
Love this:

The good news,
I had one really long bead making day yesterday,
8 am to 12:30 am got up this morning and added the finishing touches
photographed before 10 am and uploaded to the Art Bead Scene Group on Flickr  
with a few minutes to run to the store for creamer 
before my friend Diane was arrived for a visit at 10:30. 
(for rarely am I not the Queen of the Last Minute, Race to the Deadline Gal)
and this time I left some skin on my finger tips when I sanded and buffed my beads with my dremel.  Last time,  well I will spare the gore and say: 
"I didn't know that sanding could remove that much skin" 
and my husband said: 
"Is that the Michael Jackson look you are trying out?"

"Just Sand it.....,Sand it....., this sure ain't how you planned it!!
Skin off the fingers, down to the flesh,
stings quite a bit 'cause these wounds are fresh...
Just sand it...., sand it........"
(to the tune of "Beat It")

(bandages and a couple weeks off from sanding and buffing- all is good)
Hope I made you laugh! 
Shop and Save!!! ARTS and CRAFTS Spring Shows

For Locals I am vending at First Fridays in April, May and June this year
right outside of Studio8ten on corner of S. Las Vegas Blvd and Gas Ave.
I can now proudly accept mastercard and visa and will be collecting sales tax for the state of Nevada.
Yes,  I am officially in business!!!

 What is First Friday?  

A potpourri of local artists, musicians and vendors all celebrating life and art in our own 

"Glitter City"

(Las Vegas)
Here is the flyer:

DIRECTIONS:

WALKERS- If you are concerned about walking over to Studio8ten from the Arts Factory area off Charleston watch for escorts.  There are volunteers who will accompany you all the way to and from the Studio.  PS They will have flyers with special discounts and free raffle tickets to entice you to come. 

DRIVERS:

Actually you may want to start there as the parking behind the studio in the Law firm parking lot on 4th is free.  If you take the 15 to Charleston heading east simply take a left on 4th, you will see a large law firm on the right a couple blocks down where the parking is free and the back door to the studio is right there.  Tents will be set up in back and walk through the studio to see several vendors including moi in front. 

There will be live music, raffles and children's art activities so you can shop without distractions.

Studio8ten is one location of the Transition Services Inc. non-profit organization that employs people with disabilities and you will be amazed at the products they make and sell too.  It is well worth the trip. 

If you attend First Friday and please do join the fun,

 I will be passing out coupons with the code for 15% off 

on online purchases from my two shops; Aquariart and Heatherp22 Shop.

Come by and get one - you will be glad you did because

  it will be good for any purchases made online 

the first two weeks of each month April, May and June 2011!!!

In addition I will offer 10% off anything you buy at First Fridays in April, May and June.

For my out of town Blogger friends- 

you can use this code to receive the 15% off the first 2 weeks of each month; April, May and June: 1stFriday15

I have to include you because, well 

I like you and wish you could all be there to celebrate with me.
Oh Happy Day!!
I am done talking this week!!!! 

Hey I am still here during the week... just busy

I stopped in to say: "Psst-

I am listing my New Spring Cuffs starting today on Etsy !!"

(click the giant sentence to go directly there)

I may put a couple in the Aquariart shop too as they qualify as Fiber Art. 

I hope to gather my audience around this concept of creating fiber art to wear. 

I know it is not just my idea.

It really is very comfortable to wear perhaps due to the fact that most of us 

(nudists and neanderthals excluded)- * read the fine print

 (no harm intended just a joke)

have already worn fabric most of our lives

beginning with the dreaded diaper. 

(Hopefully I won't have to revert to that style in old age!!) LOL

Also

I just happened upon a wonderful giveaway this morning over at

Marcie's - La Bella Joya
 She is celebrating her 300th sale on Etsy!!

 Wow! 

You can see why when you look at her shop 

She not only makes meticulously amazing beaded items 
but sells tutorials for her beautiful designs 

she has lovely fingernails-
I am guessing she doesn't work in clay! LOL
AND

she is having a sale too!! 
(click here to get a coupon)

Click HERE to find out how to enter the giveaway. 
DISCLAIMER: This post is purposely remedial for beginner clickers.  
Anything large and colorful will take you somewhere. 
Hopefully to the places I am talking about. 
I reserve the right to make mistakes though as I am menopausal... LOL
Have a great week- Back to work - it's a polymer clay play day!! 

Inspirations from Mother Earth

pink lame flower close up of beaded center

I have finished most of the cuffs I started last week for the Aveda Eco Fashion Show and Art Walk 

that I will be vending at this Sunday (tomorrow) from 3:00 to 5:00pm. 

 For locals the school is on Tropicana and Eastern in the strip mall on the NE corner.  

Close up of the Button

The Art Institute Students will be displaying art and 

the fashion design students will have created the items in the Fashion Show.  

I am very excited to see what all these young artists have come up with.  

So here are some more pictures of my finished Cuffs.

The entire cuff.

Closure  and beading details

Inspirations from Mother Nature, machine free-motion stitched, 

handmade organza 

and lame flowers

  singed with a tea candle, beaded and embellished with ribbons, pearls, frayed silk......

I also made three little flower pins.

Snake Woman Cuff

My polymer clay face beads were put to good use on a few of them.

This one is my favorite- The Apple Blossom Goddess

Back to work- I have to gather and organize all my inventory for tomorrow. 

Have a great weekend everyone!!