Thursday, May 29, 2008

Giving up TV challenge...

My husband and I have been living without TV for about a year now (we still watch movies and TV on DVD though). We made the decision first to save money, but it has turned into a boycott of mindless shows and advertising. It is funny how when I mention not having TV to people, they look at me like I'm crazy, but after going this long I don't even think about it anymore. Actually, now when I visit someone and watch their TV, I find myself disgusted with the advertising and how it encourages materialism, stereotypes, and hysteria for things we do not need. One response I get alot is "So you don't watch the news!?", but I get my news from the internet and besides, most news channels are so biased anyway and they only report what they want people to hear. I feel that knowing what is going on in the world is important, but the news can cause us to see the world as a more horrible place than it actually is since they only really report on the negative things that happen, not the positive. But you can't really blame them, that is what get ratings. Nobody cares about the loving things people do for others, just who got shot and what natural disaster is occuring in the world, ya know the juicy stuff.

Anyway, I am extending this challenge to those who read this: Seriously try living without TV for a while. Even if you don't care about the things I said above, you will still benefit by having more time for more important things and save a little money as well.

Sunday, May 25, 2008

Sunday Workshop

Last week I worked on getting my business in the paper, and for once it worked out. I was able to get my business in the new business column of my local paper. It felt like a real triumph for me since I was able to work up the nerve to contact the necessary people and did a good phone interview. Here is a link to the story. My business is the third one in the column.

I also had a workshop today with Michelle, a friend from my astronomy class. Her mother, sister, and grandma were there, and we had a lot of fun chatting and making beautiful jewelry. I was especially excited because Michelle bought the bracelet that I made a while ago. I really loved this bracelet, but I think she will get more use out of it.

She also made a matching necklace and earrings. I didn't have much of the hessonite garnet left(the small orange-brown ovals) so she had to use some slightly different stones, but I think it turned out amazing. I LOVE that fire agate pendant!Michelle's mom made this lovely necklace with an amethyst drop. Sorry, the picture is quite crappy, so it doesn't look nearly as beautiful as it did in person.And finally, Michelle's sister made this adorable necklace for her 2-year-old daughter. She also booked a workshop in July. I'm ecstatic.Michelle kept saying how much fun she had; I think I spread the beading fever!

Friday, May 23, 2008

Gemstone Therapy

Today Kate (one of my best friend's from high school) and I went to lunch to belatedly celebrate both of our birthdays. One thing that is so easy for others but so hard for me with my anxiety is going out with ANYONE, even friends that I have known for a very long time. Today was a real triumph because we had made these plans earlier in the week and I did not agonize about them. I just did it, and it was fun as always!


This was also a great time because I got to give her the gift I made back in April. It is what is called jeans jewelry, and I made it because she has polycystic ovaries and hormone problems which cause her quite a bit of pain. I chose certain gemstones that are supposed to ease problems of this nature: Tourmaline for empowering the feminine and to ease cramps, rhodochrosite for reproductive health, smokey quartz for alleviating cramps, blue lace agate for stress, moonstone for internal hormone balance, and crystal quartz to amplify the other stones. All of these stones are made from Gems to Jewels components.




We also got to finish her ankle bracelet she and her little brother started in March at one of my workshops. It is made with labradorite and sleeping beauty turquoise, and what a gorgeous combination that is! We also weaved the beads letting them be free to move. This picture definitely does not show the beauty of this piece. The turquoise is so much brighter and the labradorite so much sparklier.




Thursday, May 22, 2008

Swap dolls

I have started on both my pastel icicle doll and goddess doll for my summer swaps on swap-bot. The icicle doll is turning out amazing, better than most of the pictures of them I have seen on the internet. I have her body sewn and stuffed as well as her face and hair attached. I went and bought some new seed beads to finish embellishing her with, but none of the needles that I have are small enough for them to fit through, so I have to go and get some beading needles.

For as great as the icicle doll is working out, the opposite is true for the goddess doll. I started on her after I bought some beautiful czech glass beads and realized I had felt to match them. I made a beautiful template for her body, but it is quite thin and was really hard to turn right side out. I was a little upset at my husband last night when working on her, and nothing was going right. The inside stitches are showing through, I didn't stitch enough on the inside so she was really hard to close, and I messed up on her hair big time. She looks like she has bald spots! I am not ready to give up on this one (which is something I do quite often) though because I used up my beautiful felt for her, and the colors are just too pretty. I guess this doll will teach me to stop being so impatient with my art because sometimes it doesn't always start out well. I also learned that these dolls need to be worked on with love in your heart, not when you are angry!

I'll post pictures later after the swaps are received.