Angelas Diner

Sam and I went to the park for a test geocaching run before his upcoming bd on Sunday…. we had a good time struggling with understanding what the heck the GPS meant during our search; and found the two caches we went looking for.

Was down for a bit - work exhausted me, drained me, and I had nothing left for the blog.  What saved me, what cleared my head lately, and brought me back up to where I usually am, was a week out of the office on vacation.  When I looked back, I discovered that the last time I had taken a full week out of the office was back in August of 2007.  That’s a REALLY long time - here I was trying to figure out why I was in such a funk, and the answer was really simple and there all along.  I took the last week of May out, and make beads and gardened until my hands ached.  I literally dug myself out of the funk I was in.  It’s funny, even the folks at work noticed that I’m much more mellow as I returned to work this week.  One person told me in the kitchen that I looked really relaxed and tan and just plain happy.  I’d have to agree!

Been raining today, and I still have a ton of more work I want to do in the gardens, but I went outside and took some shots to show off my blooms!  (I’ve planted some PURPLE roses that haven’t yet bloomed…… I can’t wait to see them - I am a purple fanatic!)  So, enjoy, and maybe, if you have time, and need a break, go outside and plant something…..it really helps.

I’m heading out to Westerly for the monthly meeting and to enter my pieces for the regional… here’s a peek!

oh, spring. sooooo much going on at work, so that when i get home at the end of the day, i want to be “brain dead.” on the weekends when it doesn’t rain i have to rake and clean and prep my garden beds - just dug a new one for PURPLE roses out front. Can’t wait to see how they turn out! I actually gallery sat almost a week ago, and only am now getting to posting the pictures here… saturday sitting was fun really. started out a grey quiet day, and then had some amiable chats with gallery visitors. one man who quilts may submit work for jurying - i’m excited! we really need more varied art - i’d love to have more jewelry there. ( visit http://www.westerlyarts.com and check out what we all do - if you’re an artist, consider applying for membership )

Some photos of the work this month - you know how I love to share my favorites! Just click them for a full size photo.

ya, right, april fool! I finally FINALLY got back out in the studio over the weekend and made a bunch of bright beadies….. got this LUSCIOUS red glass and wanted to make some pulled hollows. Don’t you love the SHAPE of these things? (click the top photo and look on the right of the photo) I’ve been working on ideas for the Regional Juried Show at the CoOp - and the large bead with ivory and grey and pink and silver is one of the centerpieces of a half finished necklace. Once I’m done, I’ll show you the seed bead work that will support that beauty. Oh, it’s been too too long between postings = spring weather is waking me up again! Take a look - and ENJOY!

~A

I have just posted this necklace on Etsy… it’s my newest idea for the water droplet beads.  I’m itching to torch, and the weather is just starting to warm up now….  I want to make more of these, in all different colors.  I love the liquid feeling of the glass - and the contrast between etched and shiny.

I am already planning for my gardens this year.  I’ve got a new seed starting setup from Park’s - and have a bunch of tiny Impatiens Athena sprouting up in the studio.  Just looking at these little green guys gets me more and more in the mood for warm weather!

It has been quite a winter - very very grey, wet, and generally bleary. I am finally shaking off the cobwebs, and ready to write and post in Etsy again. The sun was so bright today, and for a couple of hours in the middle of the day, I didn’t need to wear a jacket. I’m one of the perpetually cold people - I have a small heater near my desk in the cubefarm at work. The sun warmed my mantle late in the day; glinting off the pottery and glass…

I went to “Atonement” yesterday afternoon, and the staccato typewriter clicking punctuating the film made me come home and dig out my dad’s old Smith Corona.  He was a sports writer for the Orlando Sentinel around the time of WW II -and while writing for that paper, he met my mom.  I’ve hung onto this old machine for many years, and haven’t tried to type anything for at least 30 years on it.   After I placed it on the kitchen table, the kids just had to have a chance typing - and it actually worked!  The ribbon held enough ink to be legible!

Here are some action shots:

Today’s post is light on words and heavy on the visual. I gallery sat yesterday, and wanted to share some of my favorite works from this month’s show. ENJOY!

This month is also the Children’s Show, so here are a couple of wider shots of their work this month. (Middle school kids, grades 7 & 8  )