Happy Halloween!

Ok, SO I didn't get a single item made Monday night. There is a LOOONG story that shows reasoning, but, honestly I don't know how long it would take me to type it. So, let me put it this way... Family life is definitely unpredictable!

I DID get a chance to sit down last night and make a batch of my signature dangles. If you ever see an item, such as a bracelet or necklace or beaded watch, for that matter, that has a little sterling silver daisy flower hanging off the toggle or clasp, you are looking at an Anderson Arts original. Most of the time, they are paired with a turquoise bead or crystal as well, just depends on if I have enough in stock. But, I always try to dangle the 6-petal flower. The flower actually looks like a snowflake, as well. Therefore, you can wear my jewelry designs year-round and claim it is a snowflake in fall and winter and/or a daisy in spring and summer! HA HA! I didn't have much time to craft last night. And I won't tonight either, since it is Halloween and I have 4 kids, three of which are under the age of six. My teen is going to be working at church at the fall-festival helping out with pony-rides. So, that is cool.

Eli is a cowboy, KayLee is Belle from Beauty and the Beast and Isaac is a CRAB! HA HA! That little one just gets me everytime I think about it. If you know him, you would agree that he can be a crab sometimes, so that is why it is sooooo funny! Well, I am off to go to church to drop off candy for them to pass out to the kids at the fall-festival tonight. I will be there with the entire family. The church is also having a silent-auction, so I donated a sterling silver 23rd Psalm bracelet and a batch of my hand-made greeting cards. The cards are worth more than the bracelet! I hope they sell and bring the church a lot of money! Hope to see you all there!

Tonight's Goal is 30! Um... 15.....?

I am going to make a quick post now just in case I don't get a chance later. I am headed for some serious beading. Going to make some earrings and necklaces tonight. I haven't even started on those yet and the first of the two vendor shows is on the 11th! Eeeeek! So, I better start up early tonight after the hubby comes home and not move my butt from the beading bench until I get at least 20 to 30 items done. At least that is the plan... but you know how things go sometimes... Isaac is bound to fall down the stairs at least once, then needing some consoling; Eli is going to be going in and out of the house causing havok and KayLee for sure will want to change into her Halloween "Belle" outfit and run around calling for "Beast!"

Doesn't sound too bad, since the hubby will be around to manage the household, but then again, it can be VERRRRY distracting! AND I didn't even mention fighting the eldest teen into doing some extra studying in the classes in which he is lagging behind. After persuading Josh (arguing until I get my way!) I will probably be stressed and not feel creative anymore, so will close shop earlier than planned.

Ok, being realistic, my goal will be 15 items for tonight! It is a Monday after all, what do you expect? Ha Ha! I will give you a head's-up on my progress tonight or tomorrow. Cya...

MORE Accomplished! Yea ME!

Quick post! YO! I finished some baby hats today for the upcoming shows. They are so soft, made of alpaca mixture. I also made about 10 more spine twines, but didn't dabble in the jewels today. Heart wasn't in it for some reason. That is why I LOVEEEEEEE having many many hobbies. When I get sick of one, I just go to the next! Aren't you just so excited about my jewel-debut? Have a good Evening.......

Spine Twines

HELLO ALL!

I just finished making about 20 Spine Twine bookmarks! I made a bunch in gold and black, our high school colors! They turned out really pretty! I also made some others using some old lampwork beads that I picked up a year ago on clearance somewhere. They are cute, too! I am headed to take inventory of my crystals. After checking in my order I received yesterday, I figured out that I didn't have the right color for the pink/plum lampwork beads I have on order. That's not good! I should probably get some more black, too, since two of the other sets have black in them as well. And, now that I think about it, I don't have too much of the light sapphire, that I should! UGH! This just keeps adding up! Well, the initial investments in any business venture are huge, I know that, I just don't have to enjoy it!

I made my door-prize box and the papers for people to fill out to have a chance to win a door-prize. I am going to take any extra ticket sales and give that money to the local food bank. Anyone can register free for a door prize, but if they want to BUY more chances (4 tickets for $1.00 or 25 for $5.00) the proceeds will go help those less fortunate than me. I was thinking about doing this type of fundraiser for breast cancer or something major, but then, I thought, you know... WHY NOT help my local community? SO, that is what I have decided to do. And, given the timeframe being so close to Thanksgiving, I think I will stock up the foodbank with green beans, stuffing packages, corn, and other items that would be normally had at a family Thanksgiving dinner.

I hope that everyone is enjoying their weekend! It is dreary and cold outside. Typical for late October, here in southern Indiana. But, thank goodness my crafting keeps me indoors!

Beads and Bookmarks...

I am so excited when I get new beads! I received an order today of crystals, copper and silver and just in time, too. I got more lampwork yesterday and more coming by next Friday! So, I will be hitting the craft studio (aka, the basement) hard this weekend. I really enjoy making jewelry. Bracelets, earrings, necklaces! OH MY! Sometimes I want to make all of them at once, so I don't know where to start! I made special Christmas cards late last night and finished three of the five sets of beads, too. I made three more AWESOME bracelets, which were a hit with one of my friends today, when I showed her.

I also had ordered some fine glass beads and pewter beads, as well, to incorporate into my beaded bookmark, "The Spine Twine". You know these, they are called 'Book Thongs'at Barnes and Noble and other book stores. I enjoy going around town and seeing someone with my beads hanging out of their books. When I approach them and tell them I made it, they always tell me how much they love it and get so many compliments on it. SO, that makes me feel good. Someone told me that they read more now, too, since they like to show off their spine-twine by taking their book everywhere. Isn't that cool?

Well, I am off. Going to go make two more bracelets and a huge batch of bookmarks. Enjoy your evening!

Busy, Busy!

Ok, I was really aiming for one blog entry a day, and already 3 days into it, I failed! UGH! I last blogged on Monday, which seemed like yesterday and here I am on Thursday NIGHT! This week went by soooooo fast!

I have just received some more lampwork beads in the mail today and just finished stringing two of the 5 sets! They are FAB-U-LOUS!!!!! I can't wait to get the remaining beads from my new lampwork bead maker next week! THOSE are Fab-u-lous too, and in a totally different style! I hope that the shows in November will be a hit and will help me get started and flowing with this new career!

Tomorrow is the kids' fall break, so no school! SO, hopefully, I will be able to get more done with the help of my 17 1/2 year old son. Josh is such a super help and the little ones just love him! I will try to post one of the bracelets that will be up for grabs at the show on November 11th!

Blessings on your evening!

Getting Ready!

Hey there! I am so getting ready for the two shows coming up in November. I finished off some bracelets, made some special Christmas cards that I will tell you more about in a few weeks and attempted to take some photos of the finished bracelets to show off to the lampwork designers. Then my lighting decided to dwindle for the 2nd time today! UGH! OH WELL, I will try again tomorrow. I am off to make some more Christmas cards, and when my lighting gets fixed I will take some pics and post them for you. I am so excited to have found my niche in the beading world. I love 'my' lampwork bead makers that I have found and am super excited to share their talent with others!

I can't wait to be able to post some new items for sale. I have to wait until after the shows, but believe me, they will be well worth the wait! I have been coming up with some really awesome bracelets, designed bead by bead BY ME! The lampwork (handmade glass) beads are awesome! They make assembling the bracelets SO easy! Just you wait till you see the lovely baubles yourself!

Check back soon for an update on what is new for you!

Up and Running!

Hi All!

Here is the first post for Anderson Arts Online, which is going to be where I post my hand-crafted items for purchase. Simply put, when I post some items that are available for purchase, I will then send out an email to everyone who is subscribed and on my mailing list. The email will inform you of the new item(s) up for grabs. AND... First come, first served. Who ever contacts me first via email, will get the item!

Most items I make will be one of a kind items, therefore will go quickly. However, if I make an item 10 times, then I will post the inventory amount and what the limit is per order every 24 hours. If I make 20 journals all the same and you want all 20, I may limit a person's purchase to 5 journals in a 24 hour period of time. So, you will have to come back the next day for more. That way, I can spread the love to more than one person!

Right now I am getting ready for two craft/vendor shows in November, so I am stocking up on all of my hand-crafted items. From crochet, to cards, to sterling silver, I hope to have it all. Even those journals, mentioned earlier!

I will keep you all posted daily, hopefully.... However, I am a mom of 4, so I might not be able to get on the computer every day, but I will try my best!