Sunday, September 9, 2012

i heart macro: And the Rain Finally Came

I've been out a few weeks.  When I last posted, it was the week after the drought photos and I had gone back to showing Colorado summer vacation photos rather than continue showing cracked dirt, which admittedly was pretty depressing.



But cracked dirt,


(and cracked concrete...

 ...and cracked ceilings 
and stuck doors)...


...had actually been the state of things all summer.  We were just trying to ignore it.   

When we started falling down the holes, tripping over the cracks in sidewalks, and poking holes in the bottoms of our shoes from the dried grass (...why yes, I did make up 1 out of 3 of those), we finally admitted to ourselves that it had gotten too danged dry.

I heard jokes about washing cars more often, leaving car windows rolled down, and hanging laundry outside to dry--things we normally joke about bringing on rain, hoping that it would.  Finally, even I did something I never do, and that was wish for rain.   I'd much rather have a sunny day than a dark cloudy wet one.... until now. 

Well fortunately, our luck has been slowly edging in the right direction again.  And I have  some strange--if not always good quality--photos to show you!

One day, about 2 weeks ago, it rained "this much" but like a baby's first steps, we were so thrilled, I rushed out and took this photo of the drops coming down and changed my personal banner on Facebook for the first time since I started it!  


Another week later, still parched, this one came along.  Barely better, but it had more hope behind it...


And yes, we are talking about another big deal event here with Sharyl running to grab her camera, out in the "pouring" rain to snap a shot before it ended and evaporated!


Oh yes, and the 2nd big wing-ding-deal about this--the Facebook banner was changed again so the world would know it had rained in our corner of Kansas.

Have you ever been afraid to wish for something for fear something else bad might happen as a result?  (Well, we won't go there, ...) but it is unfortunate that it was the hurricane that hit Louisiana and Mississippi so badly that finally brought us needed moisture.   

After destruction in the South, it brought some life back to the midwest... the result of our first real rain in many months.




Can you believe it?  A puddle?!  I didn't even go outside to take these photos.  It's plenty clear what's going on here.  And look how the dead grass is suddenly turning green again!  How does it do that so quickly?!

The wind picked up quite a bit and tree limbs were blowing around, so these next ones are "abstract," but I liked them anyway.




#6:   "Rain Finally Came"



This feels like our "second Spring."  I kept saying we needed a 2nd one.  

But what if it were like this every year?   Barely any winter, dry and fairly warm.   Spring in winter.  Hot, hot, too dry summers with crops (as well as flower gardens) destroyed.  Homes and other buildings, roads, natural gas lines all with structural damage.   Then when it's time for Fall, it turns to Spring again.   Now that sounds surreal.  It sounds like real climate change.   And I think I had better be careful what I wish for...


Thank you for entertaining my musings about weather twice now.  It's really not something I normally think about--unless an ice storm knocks the power out for a couple of weeks--then you might get a complaint out of me. ;-)

Hope you have a good, lovely, just-right- weather kind of Autumn!   

Now lets go see if anyone has lovely nature photos over at Studio Waterstone!
studio waterstone



Sharyl  ~Sharyl's Jewelry
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P.S. Sunday morning report:

I just got up, stepped outside-- and spooky as it is to report, the grass needs mowing and the daylilies have popped out of the ground and are up about 5".    ("Spooky" because I stayed up much of the night writing this entry about the "2nd Spring!")

We can experience Spring the same time as our Australia family and friends this year.    

Question:  Do you see this as cause for celebration or cause for concern?

I'd love to hear your take on this!  

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Saturday, September 8, 2012

CBC Site Admin Appreciation Day!

The Creative Bead Chat Group on Facebook, otherwise known as "CBC," is holding a Site Administrator Appreciation Day on Saturday, Sept. 8.

This group began just a few months ago and has quickly grown to over 1,000 members.   




I find it's the kind of place where I can:
  • Ask a question about how to do something without worrying I'll be put down, even though I am surrounded by experts.   
  • Find out about what tools are needed for various types of bead-making and metal work.
  • Learn how to take better photographs.
  • Show jewelry and get feedback.
  • Have the opportunity to meet and interact with others who make jewelry.
  • Have the chance to help and be helped by others' knowledge.
  • Live a little, laugh a lot!


I feel supported and encouraged by our administrators and fellow members.  I learn from them.  And as a result, what I do changes and improves.  



So today, I'd like to thank the following people, the administrators of the CBC group:

Please join me in thanking these individuals for their many contributions.  If you make jewelry or beads, I would invite you to join the CBC group on Facebook!


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Thursday, September 6, 2012

Anyone interested in another "Bead Packet Design Challenge?"


Do you remember when we held "Sharyl's Bead Packet Design Challenge #1" in May 2012?    Packets looked like this...


and we only had 5 participants (because I gave away the beads for free).   The idea was to see what each person would design and how different each design would turn out.   There were no artbeads, but the results were AMAZING and each very different from one another!   I was in awe of the creations!

I'm wondering if you are interested in something similar again.   Here's what I have in mind:


  • Slots will still be limited, but this time they will likely increase to 10.   People will express interest and names will be drawn from that group.   (If you participated previously, you can apply this time, but you will only get a slot if there are enough openings for those interested who didn't get in last time.  In other words, people who didn't get to participate last time, have first chance this time.  This will only apply one time.)
  • The goal is the same--to see what people design when given the same item(s) to work with.
  • I'm thinking of using an art bead this time, and perhaps only the art bead, to give more flexibility in design and keep costs down--but I'd really like your feedback on this.  If you prefer a few extra (non-art beads) to go with it, I can do that.
  • I'm also wondering that if we use an art bead, you would be willing to pay for the cost of the art bead + shipping charges?  Depending on whether we go with 1 art bead or a art bead and several other beads, I expect it to run between $6-10.  

I'd like to know if you would prefer:


  1. Just an art bead (includes shipping) for around $6
  2. An art bead + few other beads around $10 (includes shipping)
  3. Would like to have an option.
  4. Not interested/can't participate if there is a charge
  5. Not interested at all
Also, if you are interested in participating, would you want to see the bead(s) in advance?  

If you prefer I not post your answer publicly, just leave me a note, and I will not post.   Or, I think you can leave an anonymous message.  No matter your answers, I will take no personal offense (unless you are mean about it! ha!)

If beads are sold, they will be listed in my ArtFire Store and only be sold to those whose names were drawn.   

So please let me know what you think!  You have until Saturday at 10pm Central time.  (I'm sorry, but only people living in U.S. and Canada can apply this time due to time limitations on shipping.)   The blog hop would be held in late Sept.


[ Important note:  Please do NOT need to volunteer this time.  I'll send a separate message for that in a few days if we hold this event.   I just need feedback this time.]

Many thanks!   I anxiously await your answers!

Sharyl ~  Sharyl's Jewelry

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Graphic Credits:

Ticket:  http://www.wpclipart.com/recreation/entertainment/tickets/tickets_2/ticket_admit_one.jpg

+$:  http://www.wpclipart.com/money/dollar_symbol/.cache/more_money.png

Checkbox:  http://www.wpclipart.com/signs_symbol/checkmarks/checkmarks_3/.cache/checkbox_yes.png

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Wednesday, September 5, 2012

Feeling Squished



I should have photo examples for you, but I don't.   Just a question I'd like some input on!  

I'm wanting to make a functional work space.   

First, I'll tell you my dilemma.    I currently work in 3 locations:

1) Office/Workspace-- A very small former bedroom that I use both as an office for my library job I do remotely and for my beadwork, bead storage, photography, storage of mailing supplies, storage of jewelry ready to sell, equipment such as embosser, paper cutter, etc.   It's so crowded I have a small table on top of a larger table.  The small table has my light tent on it.   Biggest problem:   a futon....nice to rest on, but takes up too much room.   Advantage:  Have most of my things together.  Would like to have more so I wouldn't have to run from room-to-room.

2) Garage-- I use a small portion of a kitchen-cabinet turned work bench that holds my metal-working tools and equipment.  There are handtools such as my collection of 4 (garage) hammers, dapping blocks, disc cutter, stamps, files, saws, and more.  There are larger pieces of equipment such as a grinder/buffer and a tumbler, as well as sheets of copper and brass.   Everything is always laying on top of everything else as my husband and I inch our way toward the center zone for more territory.   Only there is no more territory.   Biggest problem:  Not climate controlled, too little space.   Advantage:  keeps noisy tools out of the main part of house.

3) Kitchen-- My latest take-over.   Never in my life have I spent so much time in the kitchen!   And still no food to show for it!     I moved the antiquing and patina processing of my metal components indoors when it was in the 100s this summer.  It's still over 90 degrees many days.  This winter it will be too cold for the garage.  So I cut and hammer  and file metal in the garage, then rush in to the kitchen to finish the process.  Problem?   This is anything but tidy-looking in a pretty open area of the house.   I used to move it every day, then found myself moving it several times a day, until it just came to rest there permanently.   Advantage:   Right near the sink and water.   Both the kitchen and garage have cabinets and work table that are high enough I can stand and not bend over.  My back is grateful!  




Okay, so any ideas on how I "FIX" this?


  • My first thought is to move the futon out of the workroom and move in.... cabinets?....or a work bench?... or a tall table?....so I can gather my tools together.   (Wish I had running water though!  It's not like I have to go "fetch a pail" though.  It's just around the corner!)



  • Expanding in the kitchen or the garage are not really options.




  • Moving to the basement is an option.  I can connect to the internet, there is running water, built in cabinets (short ones though, but lots of them), windows (it's a walk out basement).  There's much more room, it just has to be "repurposed."    Down-sides:   It's an open shared space so I don't have the ability to shut a door when I'm working my library job and need quiet.     I'd have to take the stairs several times a day which is not easy for me.   In bad weather, I'd be sharing the space with our pet dog and I'm allergic to dander...which is why he stays downstairs and I stay upstairs.   Hmmm....

  • Keep things as they are and go nuts?  :-)


Ideas?   What suggestions do you have for me?   Any links to photos?   Suggestions for work tables/benches/cabinets that work well or don't work well?   

Any and all ideas welcome!  Funny stories are welcome!  Wild, crazy brainstorming is welcome!


Thanks for your help in getting me "unsquished" and organized!

Sharyl

P.S.  If you have a similar question or problem, please feel free to post that in the comments too!  Maybe someone will have a suggestion for you as well!
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Monday, September 3, 2012

Labor Day Sale at Sharyl's Jewelry!

--> Looking for "Challenge of Travel Blog Hop?"  Please click here.


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Labor Day Sale!

Handmade  copper bail.  Components by Sharyl.
[This one sold this morning, but adding similar ones, so please take a look!]

20% off of everything 
(Shipping charges and 
taxes for Kansans still apply.)  

Midnight Sky Earrings.  Lampwork from SueBeads.

You'll find:
Necklaces
Bracelets
Earrings
Metal Components for Jewelry
& More!

All at 20% off.  

But only for one day, 
Monday, Sept. 3, 2012!  

Brass Daisy, Amber Glass, and Silk Rose Necklace



Enjoy the sale and the day!

--Sharyl

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Saturday, September 1, 2012

Challenge of Travel Blog Hop Reveal: Greece

The extremely talented Erin Prais-Hintz from Tesori Trovati Jewelry is hosting a blog hop on her "Treasures Found: Inspiration is Everywhere" blog. It's the "Challenge of Travel Blog Hop." 


Treasures Found :: Inspiration is Everywhere

I'm Sharyl. My country is Greece.  

Greece is such an ancient country that there were so many chances for inspiration, from Ancient Greece to the modern Greek Isles.  
After studying each a bit, I selected the Hellenistic period (approximately 323 BCE-30 CE).  *1 


map.gif (19804 bytes)
Map is from "SeaWord" and shows Greece and surrounding area 
during the Hellenistic period.  *2

I had focused on this period in my graduate studies, but spent very little time on the art and jewelry of the period.  So this was like a home coming, and adding a layer of knowledge onto something I had once studied intensely...many years ago.  It was using something from a former life in this new creative one I now live.

On to my jewelry!   One of the first things I was reminded of was that the jewelry and imagery of this period was strongly influenced by Egyptian art and mythology. *3  The necklace I created may at first appear more Egyptian than Greek, but I'll explain.



It was common during this time period for Greek jewelry to contain an image of the "Crown of Isis,"  especially in earrings.  *4  I've included this symbol as the focal part of my necklace.



This pendant, the chain, headpins, and wire, are brass.    Gold  would likely have been more historically accurate. 

The green beads have a pattern that is similar to a common Greek pattern:

Meander pavement in the streets of Rhodes
From Wikipedia entry on "Meander (Art)"

The beads I've used in my piece are not truly correct in that the pattern is not continuously connected from bead to bead, but lined up give some illusion of the meandering pattern.    The beads had just arrived when I began this challenge and I decided to put them to use in  this necklace.    They are glass.   



Finally, large semi-precious gemstones came into popularity during this period and were  continued by the Romans.   Here you will find genuine Carnelian gemstones and glass-cut green crystals (in place of genuine emeralds). 


There are also a few small brass beads dangling from the chain. 

It would be common to have entire necklaces of small gold dagger-like dangles on a necklace in this period.


The handmade clasp echoes the "meandering" key pattern found in the beads:


I hope you have enjoyed your visit to "Hellenistic Greece" as much as I did!   



Now lets travel on to the rest of the world! 

NameBlogRegion ChosenInspiration Nation
Monique Urquharthttp://ahalfbakednotion.blogspot.ca/AfricaBurkina Faso
Niky Sayershttp://silverniknats.blogspot.co.uk/AfricaEgypt
Therese Frankhttp://www.theresestreasures59.blogspot.comAfricaKenya
Raychelle Heathhttp://abeadloveaffair.blogspot.com/AfricaLesotho
Joan Williamswww.lilrubyjewelry.wordpress.comAfricaMauritania
Sherri Stokeyhttp://www.KnotJustMacrame.comAfricaSenegal
Regina Santerrehttp://reginaswritings.blogspot.comAfricaSeychelles
Raida Disbrowhttp://havanabeads.blogspot.comAfricaTanzania
Kristi Wodekhttp://livedinlife.blogspot.comAfricaZimbabwe
Sally Russickhttp://www.thestudiosublime.comAmericasBrazil
Melissa Trudingerhttp://beadrecipes.wordpress.comAmericasMexico
Tracy Stillmanhttp://www.tracystillmandesigns.comAmericasUSA
Sandra Wolberghttp://city-of-brass-stories.blogspot.deAsiaIndia
Tanya Goodwinhttp://pixiloo.blogspot.comAsiaJapan
Susan Kennedyhttp://suebeads.blogspot.comAsiaJapan
Beth Emeryhttp://storiesbyindigoheart.blogspot.comAsiaJapan
Lisa Conehttp://inspiredadornments.blogspot.com/AsiaJapan
Tanya Bodenhttp://fusionmusebangkok.blogspot.com/AsiaJapan
Inge von Rooshttp://ingetraud.wordpress.comAsiaLaos
Erin Prais-Hintzhttp://treasures-found.blogspot.comAsiaNepal
Dee Elgiehttp://cherryobsidia.blogspot.comAsiaPhillipines
Carolyn Lawsonhttp://carolynscreationswa.blogspot.comAsiaSouth Korea
Lisa Stukelhttp://carefreejewelrybylisa.blogspot.comAsiaSri Lanka
Elly Snarehttp://themagicsquarefoundation.wordpress.comAsiaThailand
Shelley Graham Turnerhttp://www.shelleygrahamturner.blogspot.comEuropeAustria
Mallory Hoffmanhttp://rosebud101-fortheloveofbeads.blogspot.com/EuropeBosnia Herzegovina
Paige Maximhttp://www.pmaximdesigns.blogspot.comEuropeFrance
Jenny Davies-Reazorhttp://www.jdaviesreazor.com/blogEuropeGermany
Sharyl McMillian-Nelsonhttp://sharylsjewelry.blogspot.comEuropeGreece
Evelyn Shelbyhttp://raindropcreationsbyevelyn.blogspot.com/EuropeIceland
Holly Westfallhttp://silverrosedesigns.blogspot.com/EuropeIreland
Rebecca Siervaaghttp://www.godsartistinresidence.blogspot.comEuropeIreland
Toltec Jewelshttp://toltecjewels.blogspot.comEuropeIreland
Lee Koopmanhttp://StregaJewellry.wordpress.comEuropeIreland
Laren Dee Bartonhttp://larendeedesigns.blogspot.comEuropeItaly
Cindy Wilsonhttp://www.mommysdreamcreations.blogspot.comEuropeNorway
Kathleen Lange Klikhttp://ModernNatureStudio.blogspot.comEuropePoland
Shaiha Williamshttp://shaihasramblings.blogspot.com/EuropePortugal
Jennifer Justmanhttp://soulsfiredesigns.blogspot.com/EuropeRomania
Elsie Deliz-Fonsecahttp://ladelizchica.blogspot.comEuropeSpain
Lola Surwillohttp://www.beadlolabead.blogspot.comEuropeSweden
Kim Horahttp://www.kimmykats.comEuropeSwitzerland
Leanne Loftushttp://firstimpressiondesign.blogspot.comEuropeThe Netherlands
Patti Vanderbloemenhttp://myaddictionshandcrafted.blogspot.comEuropeThe Netherlands
Marcie Carrollhttp://labellajoya.blogspot.comEuropeTurkey
Marlene Cupohttp://amazingdesigns-marlene.blogspot.comOceaniaFederated States of Micronesia
Ine Vande Cappellehttp://jewelsbyine.blogspot.comOceaniaFiji
Tammie Everlyhttp://ttedesigns.blogspot.com/OceaniaGuam
Alice Petersonhttp://www.alice-dreaming.blogspot.comOceaniaKiribati
Elisabeth Auldhttp://www.beadsforbusygals.comOceaniaNauru
Susan McClellandhttp://mistheword12.wordpress.com/OceaniaNew Zealand
D Lynne Bowlandhttp://islandgirlsinsights.blogspot.comOceaniaNew Zealand
Denielle Hagermanhttp://somebeadsandotherthings.comOceaniaNew Zeland
Rebecca Andersonhttp://songbeads.blogspot.comOceaniaPapua New Guinea
Mischelle Fanucchihttp://micheladasmusings.blogspot.com/OceaniaSamoa
Kari Asburyhttp://hippiechickdesign.blogspot.comOceaniaSolomon Islands
Cece Cormierhttp://www.thebeadingyogini.com/OceaniaTonga
Emma Toddhttp://www.apolymerpenchant.comOceaniaTuvalu
Debbie Pricehttp://greenshoot.blogspot.comOceaniaVanuatu


 Treasures Found :: Inspiration is Everywhere
Or click here to return to the main page of the  

With sincere thanks to Erin Prais-Hintz for hosting this event!

Sharyl ~  Sharyl's Jewelry

Click to find
for sale.   [SOLD!]
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Notes:

1. BCE=Before the Common Era, often referred to as BC. CE=The Common Era, also referred to as AD. The dating of the Hellenistic Period can vary. It is stated in the Encyclopedia Britannica: "Hellenistic Age, in the eastern Mediterranean and Middle East, the period between the death of Alexander the Great in 323 bc to the conquest of Egypt byRome in 30 bc. For some purposes the period is extended for a further three and a half centuries, to the move by Constantine the Great of his capital to Constantinople (Byzantium) in ad 330." http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/260307/Hellenistic-Age
2.  Map from "SeaWord."  http://seaword.org/ancientwreck/hellenistic.html

3. Collector Antiquities.  http://www.collector-antiquities.com/49/

4. Collector Antiquities.

5. Meander pavement in the streets of Rhodes. Wikipedia entry on "Meander (Art)", http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meander_(art)
6. Ganymede Jewelry, Hellenistic, 330–300 B.C., Greek. HEILBRUNN TIMELINE OF ART HISTORY , The Metropolitan Museum of Art. http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/works-of-art/37.11.8-.17

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