25 Beads

Yes, I know those are not beads. They are charms. Oh wait there are two beads sitting there off to the right. I have been in the studio. I have been working hard for 3 days straight. I made stuff - a lot of stuff. To be exact I made 25 beads, 53 charms, 10 pendants, 20 bead caps, and most likely some other things that I can't remember right now. All bronze, about 300 grams worth. I'm pretty sure that's a personal record. There are a bunch of new things too. I'm feeling rather pleased with myself. It's been a while since I was up to getting out there and spending time in the studio and it feels good.

These are boo boo beads. It has been so long since I made anything that I forgot my sizing and made the first parts too big. So I dug through my molds and made them into big focal beads that I wasn't sure about. But this morning I liked them. I can see them in bracelets which isn't unusual because I always see things in bracelets. I made some other boo boo beads that I actually thought first of in necklaces. But you can't see those. Sorry. They are experimental and I haven't quite got things worked out yet. I'll show you someday. Promise. Unless these boo boos turn out really ugly. Then I will just keep them to myself and pretend they never happened.

There are stacks and stacks of bronze pieces. Some waiting to be finished this morning. Some in the kiln, some in the tumbler. It's a bee hive of activity here. Which feels a lot better than sitting in a recliner watching television during the day. Toddlers and Tiaras .... I hang my head in shame. It's my daughters fault. When she was here she put on an episode for the amusement value as I was feeling pain and not at all amused with myself or anything else. It was like watching a train wreck. I really couldn't take my eyes off of it. But I am cured now.

And, drum roll, please....There will be an Etsy shop update soon. There will be lots of stuff. The wrens, nests, and bunnies will be back. Pretty much everything I have ever made in bronze and some new designs too.  Sorry, no ceramics. I am just not able to heft bags of clay yet or turn the seriously tough crank on the slab roller because it needs greased. Soon though. I'm thinking I will break my no internet on Sunday self imposed rule and do this Sunday afternoon. I'll let you know, OK? I'll post details here and on Facebook.

I just have to show you what I wake up to outside my bedroom window every morning right now. It is a  dogwood in full glorious bloom. It is stunningly beautiful and takes my breath away. It is a ginormous tree. I have never seen so many really huge dogwoods as the ones we have here. And I am not even in Texas where everything is bigger. I anticipate seeing some dogwood inspired designs in the future. I do love this tree.

Just before I go I wanted to show you one more thing that in a bizarre and probably twisted way makes me smile. My flamingoes tucked themselves into an embrace during the storms last weekend. It's like some kind of weird Dia de los Muertes installation in my garden. They just tickle me pink and are staying that way until they decide to pose themselves in some other way. BTW, my neighbor, nice man that he is, does not understand these flamingos.

But seriously, it feels so good to have turned this corner after surgery. I feel great and I am ready for the next step of treatment. I almost feel invincible. OK maybe not invincible but I do feel strong.