Angelas Diner

I have neglected this blog - it’s evident.  But with the kids back in school, and my own re-energized approach to my beads, it’s the logical next step to pay more attention to talking about what makes me tick creatively.  The economy has certainly affected sales at the gallery for me, but I’m happy to mention that you can now find my work at Argentum Designs in Wakefield, RI.  Argentum was awarded a Best of Rhode Island award for best crafty shopping = if you haven’t been there, you need to go!

Just so you all know, I’ve been focusing on a couple of new bead types - and I’m really excited to begin putting them into jewelry.  The beads are made with colorful twists of glass and then encased in clear….depending on the colors they are warm, or cool, or jazzy, or serene, it’s really fun to pair up glass and see what happens!  I’ll post pics a bit later of those, after I’ve made some bracelets and things… I really like encasing in clear now; the way the clear adds depth and magnifies the colors and swirls is great fun to see.

Other than beads, blogs, work, kids, etc., I’ve also been neglecting my garden - take a look.

    but these little guys are lookin’ ok  

Our local favorite clam shack is closing for the season really soon, so Sam and I went down last night to have a bite and see what has been kicked up by Tropical Storm Hanna.   The food was great, but the waves were NOT big at all.  We drove up along the sea wall in Narragansett, and in the distance we saw a lit up cruise ship - that was cool!

Because it’s raining like crazy right now, I’m holding off making beads until later today.  For now, it’s back to reading “The Outermost House” and “Presentation Zen.”  And I promise to be re-energized and post at least twice a week - 

Sat around on a rainy Saturday working on a seed bead rope that will feature this really cool large bead…. here’s a pic of the tray i work from (really cool old wood tray with two sections, you can barely see it under the beadstuff) and a close up of the bead.   This necklace will be going to the gallery with me on Saturday for the August show…..I’m gallery sitting Saturday afternoon; it is supposed to rain, so if you want to visit, it would be a great day to come by.

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…