That's Clever Airs Today!

I hate not having satellite or cable! My episode for "That's Clever!" should be airing in just a few minutes! HGTV has added my website link to their site, which is really exciting, too. Eep!

My EBW challenge entry was in a treasury last week, but didn't get to post the link. It's expired now, but I at least got a screen cap!

February Challenge Entry

I finally finished & listed my Etsy-Beadweavers Challenge entry for February!

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=20223811

This freeform bracelet was created for the Etsy-Beadweavers February Challenge - Tropical Holiday. In thinking about the challenge, I went back in my memory to Waikiki - the crystal blue water that you could see through, that changed color under the magnificent sunsets. The entire island of Oahu seemed to stop every night to watch the sunset.

This cuff is made from 11/0 Japanese cylinder beads utilizing peyote, herringbone, brick and right angle weave stitches. Galvanized denim blue, sea foam green and iridescent purple undulate around the wrist, topped off with dyed freshwater pearls, etched glass reminiscent of sea glass, agate and a tiny glass fish. A large mother of pearl focal houses a peyote toggle clasp.

The bracelet measures 8" long and 2" wide at the widest point.

Visit the EBW blog to see other artists beautiful beadwork; or search EBWC to see more tropical holiday challenge pieces. Please visit the team blog between February 9th and 15th, when you'll be able to vote for your favorite entry.

The Chattanoogan

A friend of mine tipped me off to an online article about Lebanon and Springfield which mentioned my gallery, These Precious Things.

http://www.chattanoogan.com/articles/article_142355.asp


The portions mentioning my gallery are:


"The first thing a visitor should appreciate once he or she has arrived in the Heart of Kentucky is the small town feel that pervades the area. People greet each other on the street by first name, local coffee shop owners know what customers will order without the customers having to request it and everyone seems to move at a slightly slower pace than people who live in big cities. "

"However, just because the small town feeling pervades this area does not mean that the Heart of Kentucky is in any way a backwoods or "hick" area. I was pleasantly surprised at the menu and selection at the various restaurants that I ate at while in the area. The Oak Barrel, a restaurant that recently opened in Lebanon, offered a little bit of everything. Their crab cakes were filling and tasty. The next morning, stopping in at "These Precious Things," an art gallery and coffee shop, for a latte was just the way to start the morning."

Kate Wilson
kawilson830@gmail.com

HGTV!

The airdate for my episode of HGTV's "That's Clever!" is fast approaching! The awesome Corinne Sullivan with the Bluegrass Etsy Street Team plugged the episode on the BEST blog today. Thanks, Corinne!

If you're in the Lebanon area, I'm having a viewing party (which will be a bunch of my friends making fun of me being a goober on national tv). The party will be at Blues on Tap (110 North Proctor Knott) at 8pm on January 30th. I'd love to see you there!

New Listings

Finally got around to trying to fulfill one of my resolutions. Listed 11 pieces yesterday!

Beadwoven earrings:
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=19940601
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=19941048

Glass tiles:
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=19939928
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=19939531

Steampunk Series:
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=19941692
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=19944130
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=19944619
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=19944980
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=19945331
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=19946183
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=19946183

Mother Nature's Night Out

I finished the ISGB Convergence project last week, but hadn't had a chance to photograph it & post until now. Last week wasn't such a good week for the stress level, so I'm trying to start this week off on the right foot!

The Convergence project encompasses the 4 elements. My collaborator and creator of the fabulous beads I got to use was Joyce Rooks. Joyce created 5 beads, called "Planetscapes," that swirled and moved the way one would imagine the jet stream or ocean currents move. I feel so blessed to design a piece around these beads.

In working on the necklace, I wanted to be literal in the representation of the elements, so there's fire, a flower for earth, wind and a drop of water. Each component was created in peyote, including the back copper band. The necklace includes Japanese cylinder beads, Czech glass seed beads (11/0 & 15/0), dyed freshwater pearls, and a sterling clasp. The centerpiece is a circle (for the earth itself) which has 4 tails, one of each of the elements. I'm really pleased with the results. I just need to get some more info from Joyce, but then our entry is off.

Giveaways and More

I meant to post this earlier, but it completely slipped my mind! The Bluegrass Etsy Street team blog is currently having a contest to win a beautiful pair of Swarovksi earrings from Kim Ries of Creative Eye Studio. Just visit Kim's shop and leave a comment on the B.E.S.T. blog about which item you like best. The winner will be chosen at random from the comments left over the course of the month.

I didn't get to my remodeling over the weekend. I was all ready, but my mother begged me to wait until I had someone here helping me out. I think she forgets sometimes that I've been out at 10pm with power tools working on houses before. But, that's a mom for you! So, we've scheduled the 24th & 25th to tear into this place. I'm taking measurements this week and headed to Lowes for the supplies. I'm looking forward to having more space. Maybe I won't hear beads rolling around in my keyboard anymore after this! (And no, you're not getting before pictures! This place is a MESS!)

I've been busy working on my ISGB Convergence project. I'm pretty pleased with the way it's coming along. I've got the major peyote portion of the necklace done and getting ready to add some dyed pearl accents and, hopefully, I'll be done. It's due 2/1 and I want to make sure I get some faboo pics. Joyce Rooks just rocked these lampwork beads. Beautiful!

Treasury

The wonderful WhimsbyMari put together a really nice Treasury on etsy, featuring members of our Bluegrass Etsy Street Team.

What's Red and Black......
http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list.php?room_id=31257

Back to beading. I've got two quilt patches to finish for an order, two repair jobs and then meetings this afternoon. Work work work!

The Mark of Great Art Follow-Up, New Years

By chance, I decided to check up on the Maker's Mark project this morning, to see if the company was looking to do another project. Nothing new posted of that sort, but they have started updating where the pieces have landed after the gallery openings. Mine's in the West Village (woot!) at a place called the Cowgirl HOF... that would be Hall of Fame. So, if you're in NYC, both of my pieces are there at 519 Hudson.

And my New Year's Resolutions (not including the obligatory "I'll get in shape, etc.")...

• Cut down on the number of festivals I do, but make them quality festivals
• List one item on Etsy per day
• Enter more design competitions
• Get my workspace organized (oh, that's a BIGGIE!)
• Finish my painting series & promote it
• Stick to a budget in order to pay off bills & save for my own place
• Update my marketing plan

Looking at that list makes me a wee bit tired, but I'm working on it. I'm planning on fixing my workspace this weekend (power tools!) and getting ready to break out the camera right now & work on my etsy listings. Wish me luck!