New Listings and Bead Soup Blog Party

I'm slowly getting my jewelry pieces listed in my shops.  The following are my new listings for my Fine Silver shop Petalo Azul

Faceted Labradorite and my Fine Silver Charms 

Fine Silver Hoops I fabricated, hammered and oxidized.

Faceted Mystic Labradorite and my Fine Silver Charms

After a long hiatus, I also recently opened my Etsy shop Colibri Designs and put in a few pieces there.  I love all kinds of jewelry, so there I have my jewelry pieces I create with beads and gemstones.  I put a link to both my shops on the side bar here on the right.

Also exciting, is that I've joined Lori Anderson's Bead Soup Blog Party.  I decided to join to help me get those creative juices going after my long break from working with my beads and maybe get out of my comfort zone.  I tend to gravitate to a certain delicate style of jewelry design and I'm looking forward to receiving beads that may be different than what I'm used to purchasing.

Last I checked, there were 397 participants from all over the world.  This in itself is exciting.  Lori will pair us with a partner and we will exchange a focal bead, spacer beads and a special clasp.  Once we receive our beads, we will post a photo of them on our blogs.  Then we are to design and create a piece and share a photo of that piece on the day of our assigned party date.

Thank you to Lori for hosting this great event (this is the 6th party) and letting us connect with other creative people from around the world.  Can't wait to see everyone's work. 

A Little Whining and Re-Opening of My Old Shop

Hate to bore you all, but I've been living much of the same old stuff.  Unpacking and getting the house in order.  I was just in the middle of measuring to drill holes and install curtain rods in my living room and trying to do this alone is a bit frustrating.  I kinda broke down and cried.  So I'm taking a break from that and posting this quick update.

I went ahead and opened my old etsy store (colibridesigns) for my non metal clay items and have listed a few earrings.  I figured this may help me get more energized to finish getting my office/workspace in order.  I really enjoy playing with my beady stuff.

Getting this house in order has been difficult and draining.  All the little stuff, like getting curtain rods up, building furniture for my office, unpacking the never ending boxes and organizing all that stuff, etc. etc., all by myself, just adds up to a lot of frustration and tears.  Trying to settle into this life after my divorce has been challenging and I pray I will have some happy days soon.

Well enough of the sadness.  Chin up, Sandra and get back to the measuring and drilling holes.  Say a little prayer for me.

Here's some photos of a couple of new earrings.

A Little Bit of Fun

I've been working so much.  The unpacking of the never ending boxes.  My ex keeps bringing me more and more from the storage unit.  He's almost done.  Thank goodness!

I have found many of my jewelry making things and so yesterday I took a little break and sat down just to play with my beady things.  It felt slightly awkward at first, but in no time at all I was back at it.  I'm still missing a lot of stuff, so I worked with what I had and made these simple earrings.  It was nice to get my hands working, creating again.

Metal Clay

I've found some of my metal clay stuff and I am getting set up.  I'm getting excited!

Pantone Bead Swap

As you know, I have been spending a lot of time building furniture for my office/workspace and sorting through boxes.  I signed up to participate in the Pantone Bead Swap because I knew that would really motivate me to unpacked boxes.  And I'm glad I did.  I have found so many goodies that I totally forgot I had.
Here's a photo of the beads my partner is getting.  I hope she likes them.  The colors were pulled from the Spring 2012 Pantone Color chart.

Still Organizing

I got another cubicle storage built and realized that the second one like this one would not really fit without making the room feel crowded.  So I returned it and will get a 6 cubicle storage instead.  I didn't have my 20% off coupon with me at the time of the return, so now I have to make another trip.  Blah.

I keep all of my beads in these plastic containers which I have labeled, but I don't think this is working for me.  I'm a visual person and this time around when I'm designing and creating pieces, I want to able to see several beads out.  I know some people use muffin tins and I like this idea.  I could pull off the tops of these plastic containers for a similar effect.  Don't really want to spend any more money.

I wanted to ask all of my jewelry designer blog mates for suggestions.  What works for you when you want to sit and create new designs?  What type of layout do you use for looking at your beads?  Thanks in advance, I would really appreciate any ideas.

My New Office/Work Space

I've been in my new house for 4 months now and I have been slowly getting moved in and organized.  It's amazing how much stuff I have accumulated over the years and I have boxes and boxes to go through.  The one room that is taking me the longest to get in order, is of course, my office/workspace.
The first thing I did was paint the walls.  I wanted it to be a very similar color as my room in California and I came pretty close.  It's a soft blue green, which I find it very calming. 
I started to unpack boxes, but soon realized that I was going to need a lot of storage space for all my beady stuff.  I found these great cube storage units at Bed, Bath and Beyond, but they have to be built.  Have I mentioned I hate building furniture.  I have built 2 and have 2 left.  I also had to buy a new desk, because my desk from CA was missing an important piece and I knew that that one piece would not magically appear anytime soon.  I have that kind of luck.  The new desk was a bear to build, but it's finally done.   
So I'm hoping that I will get in there this weekend, finish building the rest of the storage units and start unpacking more boxes that contain all my beady goodness.   Once I have the room somewhat workable,  I'll then move on to the closet.  Lots more storage to plan out in there as well.

Thanks to everyone who has left such kinds words for me.  I am starting a new phase in my life and after being with my ex for 22 years, it will be quite a change.  But I am looking forward to my new life.