Saturday Craft Time

I haven't worked on anything new in a while because I have been crazy busy.

I couldn't wait to get back into my craft room and start working on something. I haven't played with leather in a long while, but have been wanting to get back into it. I made a few necklace pendants with stamped designs on them a long while ago and I wanted to do something similar but a bit different. Here is what I came up with.

I made 4 more stamped designs and I am going to dye them all differently and put different beads with each design. I might keep this one for myself. Not sure yet.

Nurse Assistant

Where have I been lately? What was I doing?

I was accepted into a CNA (certified nurse assistant) program about 2 weeks ago. It's a free program and lasts only about 3 weeks. I have considered going to school to become a nurse and I thought becoming a CNA would expose me to seeing nurses in action.
Unfortunately, I picked up a stomach bug and had to not go in yesterday. Missing anytime automatically removes you from the program. I was bummed to not finish it out, but learned a lot about myself in the short time I was there.

What I learned in this experience:
Although I think I would make a great CNA I don't think it is s good fit for me and my personality. My cousin told me "Of course it wouldn't be a good fit for you because you are a right brained person." She has worked in the medical field in lots of different capacities and she knows me well. So, I trust her judgement that it's not a good fit. I need to read up on right brained people I guess to figure out what I should be doing.
Seeing the elderly in such bad shape was really hard for me emotionally. I thought giving someone a bath and changing their diaper would be the hardest part- not so. Knowing someone can hardly move and feed themselves and seeing that no one comes to visit them was far worse than dealing with any of the gross things.
I do NOT want to be a nurse. ;)
I am capable of studying and doing well on tests. It's been a LONG time since I have had to study or memorize anything and I was a bit worried it would be hard.My lowest grade in the class was a 99%!
Mostly-It helped me see that what I truly love to do is make things with my hands. I haven't touched a craft in over 2 weeks and I realized that working with my hands really energizes me, gives me a feeling of peace, and helps me release stress. If only I could figure out how to sell more so that I can make this my career...

So, I am not exactly sure where to go from here, but I am trusting that God has a plan for me.
`

A Package!

I am so excited! I just opened the mail and a little package that I have patiently been waiting for arrived today!

I have long admired the work of Jillian from The Noisy Plume. Her jewelry is AMAZING! Her photography on her blog is so beautiful and so are the words that she writes. She is just one talented lady I must say!

I don't really wear much jewelry on a daily basis. Actually, most days I wear nothing other than my wedding band, but I definitely swoon every time I see her come up with a new ring or necklace. The problem for me (and probably a lot of other people who want to own a small piece of her work) is that almost as soon as she lists something in her Etsy shop it is sold. I am not kidding around here either. The second problem I have is that I don't often have much extra money to spend on fun things like this. But...thanks to Christmas and thanks to a miracle I just happened to look in her shop the other day and there were a few things that had yet to be snatched up. I thought "this is my chance!" As I sat there thinking whether or not I should take the plunge the item I was looking at sold in that instant. There was one necklace left like it and I quickly clicked the button to purchase it.
It just arrived today and here is my little package!

I love the thoughtful packaging and the little extras. She included a tea bag along with two of her post cards that feature her photography and a nice little note written on one of them. I also love the jewelry box.

This necklace is called The Eager Thaw necklace. It's a sterling silver casted twig off her lilac tree.

I think what I love about buying handmade items directly from the artists is that you aren't just buying an item. you are buying an item with a personal history behind it. It wasn't something made in China in a huge factory where thousands are being mass produced. You are buying an item that one person put their time, creative abilities, and energy into- hoping someone will find it just as beautiful as they do.

Is there a handmade piece that you cherish or were really excited to buy?

Bead Embroidery Ring

I was bored the other day and decided to do a little bead embroidery. I didn't have a plan for what I was making, but as I worked I started thinking how pretty it might be as a ring. How would I do that???

I decided to make my own ring base to fit the bead embroidery piece. Here is the result!

 I stamped the word "peace" in the middle. I like the idea of having little hidden nuggets on pieces. Just for the wearer. Which might end up being me because I love it so much.

I really love how it turned out BUT.....
It took me what felt like forever to make this. I cut the back plate and shank with a jewelers saw and it took me awhile to get the thing soldered. Hopefully the more I work with metal the faster I will get. I also think buying metal pre-cut for ring shanks would save me a lot of time.

On another note-
Tomorrow I am filling out an application and doing an interview to hopefully be chosen to start classes for something that could turn into a new career path. I am really excited and hope I can get in. If you wouldn't mind please say a prayer for me.
I am believing that 2012 will be full of new adventures!
I pray that 2012 is a great year for you as well!

Rootbeer Floats

Last night while watching episodes of the Twilight Zone on Netflix I decided that I just had to have a rootbeer float. So, off to the store we went in search of supplies. Brought out the biggest cups we could find...
Ahhhh...yummmmmm

I love how it gets foamy on the top!

PS. Have you seen many episodes of the Twilight Zone? I sort of remember seeing commercials for it growing up, but never watched it. Christian really likes it and they are pretty good little short stories.

Etsy

I added some new things to my Etsy shop toady. Thought I would share them with you.

 PS. I love making these little beaded bracelets!

 A crocheted cowl/neck warmer.

PPS. My hair is starting to feel longer. I haven't had chin length hair in forever!

Coffee or Tea

I can't decide if I am more a coffee kind of gal or tea. Are you one or the other? Most people seem to be.

I LOVE coffee, but only with a lot of cream/milk and sugar. If I drink it early in the day it makes me sick to my stomach.

I also adore tea though. It is lighter on the tummy and I can often drink different types without feeling the need to sugar it up.

This is one I bought a long time ago and just now started drinking.

It's REALLY good and has a nice sweet flavor all on it's own. It's green tea, but has a bunch of other flavors mixed in...AND...it is actually good for your digestion. It has become one of my new favorites.

I chose to have a cup of coffee earlier and it was tasty but i think I might have to make another cup of this.

I am curious-What is your favorite coffee brand or favorite kind of tea to drink?

Metal

I made my first ring tonight!
I saw this Thoreau quote on something and knew I wanted to use it in some way.
All Good Things Are Wild And Free

New Bracelets!

I'm not sure if you can tell from my blog, but I love doing/learning every kind of craft under the sun. Well, everything except scrap booking. Not sure why that one doesn't appeal to me???

The other day I taught myself how to make these really pretty bracelets after seeing them around everywhere. I was just watching a show on tv tonight where a girl was wearing one.

Apparently they are called Chan Luu style bracelets and to buy the "real" ones you will easily shell out over $100 for one that wraps around the wrist a few times. The materials are pretty cheap unless you use some more expensive beads, but they do take a lot of time and patience to create. You are pretty much weaving beads between two pieces of leather cord.

The one above wraps around the wrist 3 times.

I recently bought some really pretty beads from Bedazzled here in Nashville and I wanted to make a few bracelets with the cheaper beads until I got the hang of it. I really like how they turned out and I plan on making some more in different colors.

I also have been playing around with a few simple ideas for bracelets. Here are a few I made.

These are adjustable and have beads strung on a piece of sterling silver filled wire.

Anyways, besides all this type of thing I have been crocheting up a storm as well. I am sort of obsessed with crocheting cowls right now. They are so cozy to wear in this cold weather and I even find myself wearing one inside. It sort of feels like you have grandmas handmade afghan wrapped around your neck except you look way cooler. haha...

Happy Crafting!

Christmas

Christmas was fun! Great times with family and some really awesome presents as well.

This is a picture of our pathetic fake Big Lots tree stuffed full of presents.

I got several metal smithing tools that I have been wanting for a long time now. I haven't used them yet, but am planning on it soon. Can't wait!

I hope you all had a really great Christmas holiday and a great New Years!