My new working studio.....Yay!

12 Ruffled Grouse feeding in our driveway

We moved in to the house our daughter used to live in a month ago....wowsers, is it that long ago?  The house isn't new.... part of it is two stories built in 1937 with three charming bedrooms upstairs.   An addition was built in 2000 which has a master bedroom, bathroom and living room.  It is smaller but very cozy indeed. We are fortunate to have lots of huge mature trees surrounding 2.4 acres.   So far, we have seen a fox, deer, ruffled grouse and hear coyotes at night.    

This cat came to live here in the summer she has a very lovable disposition.  I wonder how anyone could get rid of a cat like her?  She is a good mouser too.
We call her Titty Tatterson.....it's a long story :)

I picked colors from a paint chip this summer when I was in BC so it was a real shot in the dark.  We hired a painter to paint the entire home top to bottom.  I chose white for the ceilings and Designer white for the walls.  Then I started to panic thinking it would be too stark.  There is still the old original hardwood floors in pretty good shape, and  lots of wood mouldings around doorways.  When I saw it all painted - I was totally in love with the warm colors I chose.  Yay!

My beading side of the studio - lots of plastic I know...but hey, it does the job of holding so many beads

The very best part was setting up a studio in one of the upstairs bedrooms that has good lighting throughout the day.  I love the thought that this used to be my granddaughter's room.  

Jenica is very artistic so it is nice to think about her when I create.  

Wire and components.  Pictures my grand daughter painted to inspire me

Art side of the studio and all my supplies within reach

This is where I work - I love the big window that faces South.  Believe me it won't stay this neat!

Teeny tiny walk in closet typical of older homes but is very charming.  I decided to surround it with pictures I love of all my family.  It adds color and inspires me.

The corner wall features art work by my grand kids and pictures.  I have all my beading books within reach.  

So this is where I will be spending my days from now on.  I love my new space and can't wait to get back to being my usual creative self.  It is inspiring to have a new space where I can work.  Thank you for stopping by and visiting me!

Stop and Enjoy Those You are With

Beautiful Pacific Ocean at Nanaimo, BC
 Left BC in rain and comfortable temperatures but knew it would soon be colder weather and snow.  Not what we wanted but we are finally moving into our new place so I packed up all my beads and headed for Alberta once again.   

We were walking our dog on the beach and stopped to chat with this lovely couple.   Later, I couldn't resist taking their picture as they strolled hand in hand stopping to admire the beauty.  I love moments like this when we see how life can be enjoyed if only we stop and admire those we are with and what is in front of us.

A herd of Mountain Goats on the road 

  As we were driving along, we came upon these animals. They come down to get the salt from the side of the road. They weren't interested in sticking around so I had to get pictures of their butt sides.  They refused to stand nicely and pose!

Males pushing and shoving each other

Back to snow and colder temperatures

Some of the sights we have to endure on this trip.  It's hard but someone has to do it.

 It was snowing lightly so wasn't sure if my pictures would turn out.  Ended up having a nice effect and no, I didn't photoshop these!

 I think they have a different look to them - 
                    maybe even pastoral possibly?

Abraham Lake about 100 miles from our destination.

Sun was peaking through the clouds and I like how it               reflects off the water.  Always such varied conditions from one location to the other when we travel.  

So now I am busily moving into my home and trying to figure out which room(s) I can claim for beads and paints and all the beauty I love to surround myself with.  I have my eye on a couple so we will see....

I will be sure to let you know how that goes in my next blog post.  Until then, don't forget to stop once in a while and enjoy the things around you and those you are with!

Life goes On but can I stop for a while?

 Day Lily in my yard in Alberta

 I want to thank every one who stopped by my blog and left a comment after the Bead Soup Blog party on July 28th.  I'm a little late doing this but very thankful for every one who sent uplifting messages in the past few weeks.  This has been a very trying time for my daughter, and our family and you have no idea how your kind and caring thoughts and comments have mattered.  I don't even know some of you but you have made a difference.  I am very proud to be a part of this beading community because not only are you talented artists, you touch people by your words.  That means a lot.  Thank you to Lori Anderson for putting on this event - I really enjoyed being a part of it and to my partner Terry Matuszyk for sending me such great beads and being there for me.  You were a great partner.

Kids watching DVDs on the trip to BC

Each day is another day onward and forward.   We drove our three grand kids to BC and are staying for a couple weeks of much needed rest.  However, with a 12 yr. old, 10 yr. old and 7 yr. old there doesn't seem to be much of that.  The very best news possible is that our daughter is coming to join us tomorrow and bringing Charlie with her.  Charlie is the 6 yr. old orphan son (of her boyfriend who was killed in the plane crash).  We are so happy that he will continue to have a relationship with her and with us.  We are looking forward to their visit and planning where we can take them.  Charlie has never been to the ocean so everything will be new to him.  The kids are so excited to show him around.  

Yesterday the waves were crashing into shore and the kids swore they wouldn't get wet.....oh yeah!
That was no fun.  They had to see how close they could get to the spray.

I have put my Etsy shop on vacation mode until the end of August.  I feel like I have nothing left to give to my bead business at this time so must put my family first.  I look longingly at what others have on their blogs and etsy sites and I want so badly to create as it is what feeds my soul and keeps me in balance but these days, there is no time left at the end of the day when I fall into bed.  So I must stop for a while.

I will be checking the BSBP this coming Saturday and can't wait to see what all you talented wonderful artists came up with.

I will be back stronger than ever in the fall I promise.  Thanks again for all the comments - please continue to do so as it helps more than you will ever know.  Warm Hugs 
Katherine

Bead Soup Blog Party and Why I make Jewelry



The Majestic Rocky Mountains of Alberta Canada

I am sitting in a lineup at Horeshoe Bay in Vancouver, British Columbia waiting to board the ferry to cross the Strait of Georgia to Vancouver Island to our home where I will spend the next month resting and relaxing. I packed our SUV with most of my beads and tools so I won't be bored. 


I am very excited to have signed up for the 6th Bead Soup Blog Party put on By Lori Anderson (my first). I love reading Lori Anderson's blog - she has inspired me so much this year even though I have never met her. It is because of her that I try to be REAL in my blogs.  And I'm posting more often.

Low lying clouds over the Rocky Mountains

So why do I make Jewelry?   Well....About 15 years ago, anklets and bracelets with big hole beads on leather or cord were very much "IN" so I made and sold them at farmer markets and craft shows until the market was flooded. These were rather a casual style.... and sold well with the young teens. Then I began making earrings with multi-dangles when very long earrings were in style - the longer the better. I always wore some as well. I made exclusively earrings for a while and that is why it is hard for me to make earrings now. I really have made enough of them in my day. I rarely wear them now either.
 

With my American Eskimo dog - Lucy

I took a break from making jewelry for about 5 years and then started buying beads and supplies on Etsy and other Bead Companies. I wanted to learn how to wrap, coil, forge and bend any gauge wire so bought copper, brass and sterling silver (when it was cheaper) but used mostly copper to practice with. I purchased tutorials to help with learning since I live where it is hard to take classes. Last year I took a Lampwork bead class and set up a torch and purchased supplies to make Lampwork beads. I loved that! I started bead weaving and find it very stress reducing. I have so many things in my head - ideas I want to try but I have no studio for the time being....a little more patience!  A little more time!




This year I have been unsure what to do. I was going to quit making jewelry many times because I didn't think I had it in me to do anything better.  Then I got involved with a couple challenges and met some new wonderful inspiring people who have been most encouraging.  So why give up?

 Beautiful reflection in this Pond!

Shuswap Lake in British Columbia Canada - love the wispy clouds

My plan for the future is to have fun with the bead soup blog party and hope that it pushes me in a different direction. One where I can combine beadweaving with wire work and stringing as well as incorporate my own lampwork beads or use art beads from some of my favorite bead artists. I am very much inspired by the current Boho trend and will use more of those techniques in my jewelry design in the future.

Lucy




Please feel free to leave comments - I love comments.

I am Happy in Nanaimo BC

 I am in glorious, beautiful, Nanaimo, BC, Canada at my second home.  I have had migraines for two months and recovering from foot surgery so this was a necessary get-away for my own sanity.  Alone time near the ocean is better than any Doctor prescribed medication - don't you think?  We sold our Alberta property and after looking at dozens of places especially in the frame of mind and condition I was in - nothing appealed to me and frankly I had to get away from it all.  I packed boxes of beads and then forgot to take pictures of all those beauties!  One thing I knew for sure - I was going to make something for ME and Green and blue make me feel good especially when I would be looking at the ocean every day.  So here are some of the beads - sorry the pictures are rather atrocious - must be the dreary dull day.  Can't wait to get started.  Think I will make a free form necklace.
If only I could decide how long and how big and how many gems.  It seems so much easier to plan a bracelet which I am much more used to doing.  But I am no coward.  I have 10 days to myself and I want to do something BIG and lucious and dripping with watery colors.  I made up teal, blue and green soups so now I just have to get my move on.  OK, ready, set, GO...