Run for the Roses!

Today is Oaks Day here in the Bluegrass State (that would be the fillies' race, for you non-Kentuckians) and tomorrow is the Derby. This state goes nuts, Louisville in particular. I've never been to the Derby and would love to go. I heard a news spot this morning on the radio, talking about how there were still tickets available for both the Derby and Oaks, as well as hotel rooms. That's a true sign of the weak economy, when you generally can't get a room anywhere near Louisville during Derby weekend.

BUT, on a happy note, simpleelementsdesign has honored myself and some other folks with a treasury dedicated to the Derby.

Run for the Roses
http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list.php?room_id=55372

I've been programming the last few days and haven't done much in the way of jewelry. I did get some chain maille done last night with some cool anodized aluminum, but have other projects to work on today. Repair, custom redesign of a belt into a necklace, and a custom order. Hopefully, I'll get my EBW challenge finished and be able to work on my B.E.S.T. challenge entry!

Pink Out - Oaks Hat Contest

I didn't have a contest in mind when I made my Derby/Oaks hats, but a local tv station, Wave 3 in Louisville, is having an Oaks hat contest. From the Wave 3 site:

"This year Churchill Downs will donate $1 for every person that attends the Kentucky Oaks to Susan G. Komen for the Cure, guaranteeing a minimum donation of $100,000. They are asking everyone to show their support by turning the track into a "sea of pink"... to wear pink to the track on Oaks Day in support of finding a cure for breast cancer."

On a personal note, my grandmother had breast cancer resulting in a double mastectomy when I was in high school and overcame it before losing her battle with depression a decade later. I'd like to think of her wearing this hat, laughing that incredible laugh that I'm happy to say I inherited. Family gatherings sounded like a din of hyenas :)

Love you, Memaw.

So, please go to http://wave3nation.wave3.com/vmix_hosted_apps/p/media?id=3859606 and vote!

Run for the Roses

I absolutely love the Kentucky Derby. It's one of those times that I just want to strut around & tell everyone I meet that I'm from this beautiful state.

My dad has been on me for years to do Derby hats. This year, I finally heeded his advice and created some hats. I was supposed to make it to a friend's wine tasting tonight to show these off, but my body has other plans, so I just spent the last hour & a half listing these beauties on Etsy. I had tons of fun making them, even if I ended up covered in glitter, hot glue and feathers for a while!

The pictured hat is already sold. I LOVE those feathers!

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=23845814
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=23846787
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=23847069
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=23847372
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=23847662
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=23847854
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=23848096
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=23848307
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=23848682
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=23848907
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=23849347
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=23849101

In other news, I just got Mod Knots by Cathi Milligan in the mail. I've done some simple macrame in the past, but I'm itching to try these out! Because I'm too ADD to not try something new!

My beads came in for my latest EBW Challenge, Hollywood Red Carpet Creations. Can you say sparkly?

New Treasury and Work

The fab facesarefunny from the Bluegrass Etsy Street Team put together another great treasury, this time called Tangled Up in Blue (I love Bob Dylan!). She was nice enough to feature my Wrapped in Blue glass time bracelet! Go give it some love.

http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list_west.php?room_id=48136

I've also been hot gluing away on my Kentucky Derby hats and have been enjoying it immensely. I've finished 6 and have another 9 coming in to work on. If anyone out there is interested, message me through here or Facebook about ordering a custom one. I'll be posting pics of the completed ones soon and am thinking about listing them on Etsy. I've got two private showings in April that I'll be traveling and taking the hats to (Girls Night Out in Louisville & Wine Tasting in Richmond), but they're on display here in the gallery, as well.

I've also finished up my Time Travel entry for the Etsy Beadweavers April challenge. I've got it photographed, but haven't had time to crop, etc. I'll have it up before the end of the week. In the meantime, here's a few pics of it in progress to wet your whistle!

The waiting continues

I finished my application for the FMG contest today. I'm entering three pieces - one in the cabochon/turquoise category, one in the earrings/cabochon category and another in the seed & bugle beads category. I've had two finished for a while and am entering them on a whim, but designed the third just for the competition. More waiting.

In the meantime, I've put the flowers aside until I can get to Michaels in Elizabethrown this weekend to pick up some tulle and silk flowers. I'm considering doing some cloches as well as the typical sun/straw hat, if I can find something that fits with what I want to do. In the meantime, I'm going to bead a band of galloping horses for one of the hats. Have I mentioned that I love the Derby?