Fringification

Finito!

My friend Lloyd calls this my cod piece.

Work in Progress

I've been working on this collar for several months now. I'm happy to report that I added the clasp last night and I should be finished with the fringe by tonight. No, I WILL be done with the fringe tonight, if I have to stay up all night. I thought I'd post the work in progress.

These wonderful stones were cut by rock god Gary Wilson. They include copper fire brick and Moroccan mud crack. That's right mud crack. No, not butt crack. Also, among the mix are keishi and freshwater pearls,Swarovski crystal, 24k gold charlottes and bronze charlottes. I used to use Lacy's as a bead foundation, however, since I discovered Nicole's Beadbacking, that's all I use. It comes in many nice colors and is less than half the cost. Amen.

Sorry for the blurrrr...

Almost done...
Stay tuned for the finished product, which includes a fine, handmade brass clasp, brass chain, and super fringy fringe.

True Love

My two loves.

Keep on Rockin in the Free World

This is what bliss looks like.
I hadn't played my guitar in about two weeks, since before I left for Tucson. Sometimes when I don't play for a while and I pick it up again, it's like I'm all thumbs. Other times it's like magic. Like reuniting with a long, lost friend that you've missed terribly. Yesterday when I picked Neil up, it was bliss.

Who's that at the door?!

While dining in the lounge at the Harris Ranch Inn, we were seated beneath a photo of Secretariat.

It made me want to do The Dance. But I refrained.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GE3vyYhwCMo&NR=1

JOGS Beadwork Show

While I was in Tucson, my good friend Marcie Stone told me about the International Beadwork show going on at the JOGS show. I went to check it out and take some photos for her. While I was really impressed with the quality of beadwork in the show, I must admit I was disappointed in the presentation. Necklaces appeared to be thrown haphazardly on stands, some beadwork didn't even have identification tags and to sum it up, there was just no "flow" to the presentation.
I kick myself in the ass for not asking to have Marcie's gorgeous button necklace straightened.

Look at the way the pieces above hers hang over the edge of the glass and look as if they were just piled in the case sideways. I'm sorry, I don't remember whose pieces they were or if they even had tags.
Here's a picture of all three of Marcie's pieces:

Like I said, the beadwork was impressive but had a little more thought and time been put into the presentation, it could have really been nice.

It's Nice to be Home

We made it home safely from Tucson after two long, full days of driving. Sadie was so excited to get home that she tripped on the stairs to the house and ran into the door.

We ended our trip to Tucson by attending the fabulous Atomic Ranch party at Kate McKinnon's house. I took several photos and just realized when I went to import the photos that I never put the card back in my camera. Doh! And damn it all to hell, I had taken a fantastic photo of Andrew Thornton in his best sexy pose.

Now I have to get back to work and there is much to be done. I need to finish The Collar that I've been obsessing over. It needs fringe and a clasp. But I was able to stitch the last seed bead along the edging up as we were pulling into the Windmill Inn parking lot in Tuscon. That was my goal: to be able to wear it to the Interweave party and I managed to pull it off. Luckily, though, I found some great matte teal peacock daggers at Raven's Journey that I think will be perfect with the piece.
I really want to unpack all of my treasures and roll around in them but unfortunately, I need to tend to the tedious tasks first, like laundry and unpacking the car. Fun.

Crazy Busy Days

I've been so busy every day since I've been here in Tucson that every night I sit down with the intention of blogging, I'm so damn tired that I can't seem to put the words down. So, I thought I'd try and recap the last few days here.
Tues. night was the Interweave Party which is always a treat. This is a night were everyone puts on their best jewelry creations and it is perfectly acceptable to stare at the chests of strangers. I ran into lots of old friends and made some new friends. Here is Cathy Collison of Glass Garden Beads and my new friend Jess.

I like how I captured the "women" sign without even noticing it.

And here's a random shot of the crowd:

It's funny that I talked to a number of people the following day who attended the party but I never even saw them there.
So far I've attended Gem Mall, the Best Bead Show, To Bead to Blue and Jogs. The Best Bead is always my favorite not only because so many of my friends are exhibiting there but because of the incredibly talented number of glass artisans there. I always get into way to much trouble there. I will show some photos of  my purchases later.
Do you know what day it is? I loose track here in Tucson. Which is why it's such a fortunate thing that the lovely, talented Kate McKinnon gifted me one of her super cool ring calenders. She totally made my day. Kate is awesome. I think everyone needs one of these babies. groovy ring calender Trust me, you need one.
Check out her blog. It is one of my absolute favorites:http://katemckinnon.wordpress.com/



Baby, it's Cold Outside

I was certainly not prepared for the fifteen degree weather here in Tucson. Last night Barry and I had to go buy some thermal underwear, gloves and a warm jacket. I think I jinxed us by packing my sandals. This is the fountain in the courtyard here at the Windmill.

Ahh... but the cold hasn't dampened the bead shopping.  

Volcano Climbing

Last night we had dinner at El Charro Cafe in Tucson. We have made a tradition out of eating at this historic spot at least once when we are in town. I had the topoco (?) salad. I think that's what it was called. It was a beautiful, huge heaping mound of veggies surrounded by an array of fruits along the rim of the plate. It was such a work of art that I had to take a picture. The margarita wasn't bad either.