BLACKBERRYBEADS

Its actually pretty nice here this year. Plenty of rain to keep things green and alive, the butterflies are all over the yard, the cats are happily playing outside, and while its hot and humid, we have had exactly 0 days of 100+ temps so far this year. That will change this week, but it is August afterall and I expect that kinda weather.  I heard the weatherman say last night that Richmond VA has had 10 days of 100+ temps and we’ve had none. Last year, by this date, we had had FORTY days of 100+ temps.  and our record was 59 days last year – so yes, I am happy. Hot, and sweaty, but happy.  It could be SO MUCH WORSE!

I laughed watching a woman in NYC proclaim “I believe in global warming now!” after their extremely hot summer this year.  ORLY?  What was your first clue?

I’ve been working on new beads – yes, that’s right. Hollows. I dunno if ya’ll like hollows or are interested in them at all, but I have become enamored with them. I’m using Bullseye as well as Moretti, they have different colors in the palettes and its fun to mix and match them.  While I’ve made plenty in opaque, the transparent is what most folks like. I sold more of those at the show than the opaque, so that’s what I’m making right now. I’m also going to continue working with the silver glass.  While my oxygen source isn’t giving me the total O2 output I’d like, its a little tricky to get the colors the glass would give with full-power O2, but i’m getting some pretty cool results all the same.

Am also working on some custom orders that people have asked for. Repairs of beads that have broken, and some interesting tests…what I need to do is get off the computer and get to work. Its noon and I need to have some lunch and get going. The glass is still in my heel, i don’t seem to have any glue (thanks Tracey!) to slather over it, but I will go get some. Ironically, it feels fine when I wear my pink and orange Croc sandals, but when I go barefoot, it hurts. Weight distribution. Science is funny.

Why am I such a brainiac?  I typically go barefoot in my studio, which isn’t the smartest thing in the world, what with all the teeny glass bits all over the sisal rug.  And well, yeah, i ground a teeny bit into my left heel last night.  Part of it came out, but it feels like there’s still some left…I can’t really see the part of my heel where its ground in, I can only feel the pain when I walk.  Is it glass left inside, or is it the cut that’s hurting me? I think its more glass.  Don’t be stupid, kids! Wear protective footwear.  And you know I was back in there this morning – barefoot.  Cause I’m a dork!

I was up late last night, so I was up late this morning.  Actually I’ve gotten about 4 hours of sleep, so I’m kinda sleep walking at the moment.  Movements aren’t sharp, thoughts are slow to process. I’m irritable and frustrated and things are setting me off.  I need more sleep…but I was wide awake at 2:00am last night, and didn’t even want to go to bed, but i forced myself. And now….I’m paying for it.  Another smart move by me. Man, I’m full of smart things today, huh…

I was really proud of myself last night tho…I was watching an Etsy site that was being updated with new Fall items – and I didn’t buy anything. I was tempted, but I waited, and the pieces were snatched up by other customers, and poof, it was all over. I felt better about not buying anything than I would have if I’d have spent way too much money. It was kinda a test, like Galadriel in Lord of the Rings..Can you tempt me with the One Ring and will I grab it and run, or will I wait and let the mood pass.  I also know that next week I’m finally taking my drop spindle class, so I’m trying to save up for that, in case I find a beautiful spindle I want, or some really neat roving/top to spin with.  I am not as strong when the items are in my hands, as I am when they are on the computer screen, that is for dang sure…

I must say a big fat THANK YOU to everyone who has helped with the Charlie Fund. He’s been wandering around the house, although he’s still pretty petrified of the dog and wont come into the living room, even when she’s not indoors.  I can hear him in the kitchen right now, wailing away, cause he can’t find me.  He goes in and out the backdoor faster than anyone else in the house. He is so happy to be inside, then wants to go outside, then back inside – like any normal cat.  He’s kinda befriended Clementine, she doesn’t hit him, instead she walks right up to him and sniffs his ears, face, neck, and then stands there looking at him. He’s definitely not an alpha kitty like Eko is. Which is good for him, cause he’ll be easier to adopt that way…Once his scars heal and he adds more weight on him, he’ll be ready to go. I’ll keep ya’ll up to date on his progress, so you can see him on his way…

Just got back from the vet with Bette Davis, who is getting two teeth removed Monday. This blog is becoming “what’s new in the world of cats today?” blog, so I’ll try to keep it short.  Bad canines. Need removing. Monday morning. The End.

I do believe I will be upstairs today, shipping treats.  The good news is I have even more stuff to post, but haven’t shot pics of everything yet. Now that the camera is cooperating with me, I should take advantage of it, right?

The Dallas Cowboys training camp has started..The Texas Longhorns will be revving up soon.  This is good. I used to be a Cowboy fan, but once Jerry Jones, the owner hired all the thugs from the NFL, it was hard to root for them. He’s finally gotten rid of them, but as long as he’s the owner, the team will never prevail, cause he can’t keep his hands out of the honey jar. And he’s not a coach, nor does he know what he’s doing. So, I’ve lost interest in them, and instead just focus on the Longhorns and the college circuit. July is a little early to be watching football, true. I can’t quite get into watching games yet, its too hot and not the right feel for the sport. But its coming….and I’m glad….

The butterflies are going nutso in the garden. Its a good day for a butterfly.

Alrighty, we spent a couple of hours at the shelter playing with kittens…and now I’m having dinner and am ready to publish the Charlie Fund page.  Thank you for visiting it, and I hope you find something you like…Interested in a grey and white cat, perhaps?????

The Charlie Fund

Please refresh the Charlie Fund page, to see what might have been sold while you were enjoying the view…Thanks kids!

6:00pm – The page is done, I just need to go volunteer at the shelter before I can publish it for you. The shelter doesn’t have wifi or any online access of any kind, so I’m in a dark hole when I’m there – its like 1987! No Internet, oh noes!!!  Anyway, we should be home around 8:00pm CST and I’ll publish then. And of course, will be here keeping tabs on it all.  Don’t worry if that’s too late for you, it’ll still be up for the next few days.  Thanks for checking back…I’ll pet some kitties for ya…

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I managed to get all the pics I wanted and am now starting to optimize them. I will post some here and later on I’ll post others on Etsy. Check back later today/tonight to see what’s been posted. I’m keeping the price points low, cause, well, Charlie would want it that way…

“I’ve got places to go and bugs to catch…I can’t be lying around here all day waiting for my picture to get took…”