Wilde Jewels

Moody Monday

2010-05-17T11:35:00.000-04:00

I'm not moody but the weather sure is this morning.I have been such a putz about keeping up to date on this blog. The new gallery has been the priority of late and now I'm beading like crazy to get ready for the Crosby Park Show in Toledo late in June. AND I have been taking an Art Doll workshop with Kevin Buntin. Not coming up with any pretty little baby doll or fairy....mine is more of a female ogre out of Dark Crystal...this ol' broad has definitely been hit with the Ugly Stick. But I'm having a great time working on her.
Let's see....I have Wilde Jewels for the jewelry and Wilde Hare for the paintings...need a name now for the 'dolls'.
This is something I have wanted to do for years but avoided because I knew it would lead to another obsession. I just 'happened' to have been collecting clay, various scrap materials, doo-dads, mohair hair, etc. Now I'm ordering books, tools..slobbering late night over dollmaker websites....here we go.........

The above necklace features a pendant by Lisa Kan that I got at B&B last year. I've been calling it Haiku Spring.

And this one is by Gail Crosman Moore. Wave Dancing seems to fit.

I hope to see both artists again this year at the Bead&Button show next month.
Along with Wayne Robbins and Judy Mountain and Shirley Cook.

Don't Pay The Ransom!

2010-05-12T09:58:00.000-04:00

No, I haven't been kidnapped or fallen off the edge of the earth.......just overwhelmed with opening The Wombat Art Works. By the way, it appears that our mascot has chosen his name....Wally. Everyone just seemed to fall into the habit of calling him that so it must have been his idea. We had a great opening and are now into our second week of business and things are going well. I've actually found time to do some beading for the gallery and the Toledo show next month. The time I found is usually until 2: or 3: in the morning but, hey, who needs sleep? I remember when I used to stay out partying until then or later..lol.

Along with the paintings, photography and wood pieces, the Wombat has some very extraordinary jewelry (am I just a bit prejudiced?) and I think people are surprised when they see what we have. Trish Jeffers-Zeh, Lauren Buchan, Zoe Hutton, Rachel Goetz, Bridget Beck, Doni Hatz and me.

Moonlight and Magic, or should I name it Midnight, Moonlight and Magic to go with the late hours involved...lol.

Soggy Sunday

2010-03-28T17:44:00.001-04:00

Here's the boy...our Wombat....as yet nameless

Ahh, it's been awhile.......a very busy while. The new gallery is coming along. I have two partners now - Trish Jeffers-Zeh and Debbie Lentz, both artists I greatly admire. We've been working on the place, putting in displays, etc. and we had an Open House for Artists last Thursday. Of course that had to be the night that rain, sleet and SNOW had to show up. Still, we had a nice turnout and lots of favorable comments.

I've only been able to do sporadic beading in the meantime and with a late June show looming on the horizon I had best get to it seriously. Of course I want to go to the Bead & Button show, too, to visit with friends from across the country who just happen to be among the best lampwork glass artists around.

Just had to pause and cover up Sugar and get my "good night kiss" from her. I feel guilty leaving her alone to go work on the gallery but once it opens she'll be coming with me to 'hold court' some days.

So I'm off to bead tonight and maybe watch/listen to a movie...haven't seen Blind Side yet.

Now the Fun Begins!

2010-03-03T08:41:00.000-05:00

At least I expect it to be fun! I signed the lease for the gallery yesterday and the name is now officially The Wombat Art Works. Trust me, the reason for the name will reveal itself as time goes on. And besides, wombats are cute little buggers.

Fortunately the gallery is already in good shape and more or less ready to move in. Now it's collecting artists and display equipment that is paramount.

And when I'm not doing that, I need to be beading in prep for this year's art shows. Where's the bead fairies when you need 'em! There's a gem & mineral show in Cincinnati this weekend that I want to visit, too...nevermind that I have trays and trays of cabochons already...they might have the perfect one that I don't know I need and can't live without.

This morning will be working on the computer, cleaning the kitchen (ugh) and then having my beady friends over for the evening. My dentist had to postpone my appt. tomorrow so don't worry, no more big snows tonight.

Long Week

2010-02-28T20:43:00.000-05:00

It's been a long but exciting week here. I've been looking at a building I would love to open as an artists co-op gallery if I can afford it. I had a gallery/studio for 12 years but closed it down 10 years ago. Six days a week got old and I wanted to travel more so I closed the doors and went to Africa.
If it works out, I have all kinds of great ideas for events, workshops, exhibits, working with the area schools......There would be painters, jewelers, potters, glass, textiles/fibers...the absolute best in the area.

On Saturday Lew and I drove to Michigan to see a similar gallery that a friend of mine participates in. It was very impressive and well put together. So tonight I am tired and going to bed early for once. Hopefully I won't wake up at 3: a.m. again with the "Are you CRAZY?" thoughts...lol.

Magpie Tendencies

2010-02-20T17:14:00.007-05:00

I was just reading someone else's blog where they likened "us" to magpies with a penchant to collect all things shiny. Wow! Spot on! Since I was a mere toddler, going through my grandma's jewelry cupboard, I have been fascinated by the sparkly, the textural, the pretty, the odd.....

My cache of all things even remotely "beady" is like a treasure trove and I often get lost in just looking through it....mostly when I'm supposed to be organizing, not looking. I marvel at the wonderful lampworked focal beads I've gotten from artists who continually amaze me. It's not just their work, it's the friendship they've offered to go with it that makes me smile. Wayne Robbins, Nanette Young-Greiner (Scorpio Beads), Shirley Cook (Jumping Jack Glass), ponies from Patti Leota Genack of Glass Horse Ranch, Joanne Morash (Blue Iris Designs)...just to name a few. One big reason I look forward to Tucson or the Bead & Button Show in Milwaukee is to see them in person again...lots of laughs are always involved. And my favorite cabochon person, Jerry from S & S Lapidary. He always has a smile and his enthusiasm is probably why I have 4 stacked trays of cabochons waiting to be used. I'm always happy to see Jerry's wife, Beth and their helper, Paula. So, my "stuff" is not just pretty to look at, it's a collection of really nice people, too.

Like most beaders, I think I have enough seed beads and findings to open my own bead store. Some I must really like since I will find at least 5 tubes of the same color. Not that I needed five tubes, I just forgot what I had. If I croak, my friend Jann inherits it all.....she can worry about sorting it all out!

Today has been one of those days when I can't seem to accomplish anything. I go from one project to another and finish nothing. So, here I sit, with a glass of wine and a roast beef sandwich. I've been reading other blogs, playing gin rummy with the computer and shocking the cats everytime they come by to be petted. Zaaappp! If I were ambitious I'd go see Avatar but seem more inclined toward a book and warm bed covers for the evening. Yeh, I like that plan.

One Word Answers

2010-02-20T12:21:00.001-05:00

I'm supposed to answer the following questions with one word, so here goes:

The list:

Your cell phone? useless

Your hair? silver

Your mother? nearby

Your father? passed

Your favorite food? potatoes

Your dream last night? strange

Your favorite drink? wine

Your dream/goal? survive

What room are you in? den

Your hobby? reading

Your fear? poverty

Where do you want to be in 6 years? alive

Where were you last night? bed

Something that you aren’t? bored

Muffins? Blueberry

Wish list item? vacation

Where did you grow up? Ohio

Last thing you did? bead

What are you wearing? jammies

Your TV? Samsung

Your Pets? catsncockatoo

Friends? Lots!

Your life? Comfortable

Your mood? relaxed

Missing someone? grandchildren

Vehicle? Mini-van

Something you’re not wearing? shoes

Your favorite store? beadstore

Your favorite color? black

When was the last time you laughed? today

Last time you cried? January

Your best friend? Jann

One place that you go to over and over? kitchen!

Facebook? yes

Favorite place to eat? out

Hope that was fun for you!

NO MORE SNOW!

2010-02-14T00:55:00.000-05:00

I know that I previously wished for a blizzard to cancel my dental appointment.....and it worked. I have another one scheduled for Tuesday and I PROMISE not to wish for any more snow!

It's Friday Already?

2010-02-12T10:16:00.001-05:00

I think the dreaded first of the year annual heebie jeebies about being a self-supporting artist have ended. Whew! I only mean self-supporting in a monetary sense because I am so fortunate to have great people supporting me in many other ways.

So, instead of whining and whimpering in a corner, just shy of sucking my thumb, I am determined to get back into the pro-active world. A certain "muse" who bumped into me recently (Christine) has me interested in doing tutorials. I have a head full of ideas for new jewelry pieces I want to create. And I need to get back to marketing and getting my name recognized again. Have to admit the health issues the last couple of years put a dent in my momentum but it's time to get back on track. I'm an old broad and don't have time to waste otherwise I may have to change my business name from Wilde Jewels to Geriatric Gewels.

Along that line, I'm going to add a Discussion tab on my Wilde Jewels facebook page to start a "Brain Trust", not only to help me but anyone else in 'the biz'. Any and all suggestions welcome. Think I'll call it "Who in the World is Cassandra Graham aka Wilde Jewels?"

I am so sorry I couldn't make it to Tucson this year for the shows. The first year that I went was mind-boggling. I landed at about 12: noon, rented a car and headed for the first show. Talk about getting weak in the knees! And then, when I came out to head for the next show, I couldn't find my car. Most of the rental cars in Tucson are white and I couldn't remember the row I was in. I had to walk several, clicking the remote to see which car responded. I had intended to spend 3 days at the shows but by the morning of the 3rd day, I was driving there and had to pull over.
My senses had become so overloaded with what I was seeing that I just had to stop and leave town. That first show was where I met Wayne Robbins,Judy Mountain, Nanette Young-Greiner (Scorpio)...glass artists that I love working with and look forward to seeing any chance I get.

Fortunately, for me, I have old friends who live in Tucson who let me stay with them for the shows. An added bonus is that my oldest son and his family live an hour south of Tucson and I get to visit with them after the shows. After that first year I learned that my checkbook and I can only stand about 2 1/2 days of being exposed to all the wonderful sites. I can't wait to go back next year!

Slightly Snowy Monday

2010-01-25T16:24:00.003-05:00

Sitting here hoping for a blizzard since the first of my dreaded dental appointments is tomorrow morning. I have an extremely bad history with dentists since childhood and I tend to get totally unnerved, especially when I know just what they intend to do.

So far I'm trying to keep focused on beading and egads! housework. Yesterday I finished working on organizing the garage...at least organization that I can live with until it warms up more. Today I started on the inside of the house. With the new sweeper that really "sucks", I had to empty the container twice. More than enough to make a cat in there. And where does all the flotsam come from???

A nice young woman stopped by this afternoon to look at jewelry. She's into "re-enacting" and working on a gown to wear to a couple of balls. I plan on loaning her something to wear in exchange for her passing out cards to others involved. Hard to put a period on my pieces...part Victorian, part fantasy, part Sci-Fi, part Art Deco, part cat hair.........

As They Say...TGIF

2010-01-22T14:49:00.000-05:00

Feel much better today....especially since "sick" episode means I also lost 6 lbs.!
Let's see...So far the cats have managed to filch 3 of the new felted balls. Had an argument this morning with my mother (par for the course). Heard from a long missing friend who found me online. Made a pot of vegetable soup and then managed to spill some in my lap when I tried eating lunch and reading Facebook at the same time. I think I'll go shower and meet some friends for drinks at Bar Louie's. Yeh, that's what I'll do............

Icy Thursday

2010-01-21T15:33:00.000-05:00

I can hear the little ice pellets hitting Sugar's window behind me. What a gloomy day. Spent the whole night with my head in a bucket about every 1/2 hour until about noon today. One of those nasty 'surprises' that post-gastric by-pass people get occassionally. All set off by 2 pieces of toast at 10: p.m. Who knew? Should have just had a couple glasses of wine instead.

Prior to that event, I was making bright colored wet-felted balls to make more earrings. Now that they are dry I can start working. At least those counter the dull gray outside the windows. As usual, the kitties are watching them closely, hoping I'll turn my back so that they can grab them for "kitty toys". Speaking of which, a realistic squeaky mouse mysteriously showed up again after being missing for about a year. Where do they stash this stuff?

Still wrestling with my annual January Heebie-Jeebies about surviving as an artist one more year. Don't have another show until late June (if I am juried in) so I'm trying to think of alternatives for now. Home parties? Open house? Gallery exhibit? On Tuesday I went to see "Up in the Air"...George Clooney's movie about a man who goes around the country firing people for corporations. I left it thinking "at least nobody can ever sit me down like that and tell me I'm finished". After 45 years of being my own boss, I may be tired, but I'm certainly not finished.

I suppose I should get in the car and back down the driveway to the mailbox..too icy to walk it. I know that the property tax bill is waiting there.....but so is a new lampwork bead from Shari Slonski and I really want to see it.

So Much for a Happy New Year.........

2010-01-16T11:23:00.000-05:00

Sigh.......I had such hopes for a new year. Thursday I had an appt. for Blue at the vet (putting the boy on Prozac), Sugar had to get her beak & claws trimmed and then I had to go to the dentist. None of us were happy. I knew after cleaning and x-rays it was not going to be good news but Geeez.....seems the side effects from cancer treatment/meds has caused an eruption of cavities...far more than I thought. Estimate is $3000. So much for the calmness of having some money in savings. The vet suggested that Blue and Teddy have their teeth cleaned....since it cost me $400 the last time that was done, they had better get used to those "Greenies" for teeth cleaning or else.

Today I'm off to bead awhile with some friends and hopefully get in a better mood.

2010-01-12T12:25:00.000-05:00

Have spent/wasted most of the morning working on computer glitch...sigh. At least the sun is out for the first time in days. The photo is one I took yesterday morning of some misguided robin, sitting unhappily in "Sugar's Tree". He seems to be looking wistfully at last summer's nest above him.

I sort of feel like he does....I'm normally an upbeat person but January seems to bring out the worst in me. I suppose it's from looking ahead to sweating out art show juries, arrival of house taxes, impending dental repairs, tackling organization of beads (again), dealing with the cat who insists on pissing on my carpet..and so forth. Fortunately this mood never lasts long. After all, to be self-employed for about 45 years, you have to be an optimist and a gambler at heart....or crazy.

Perhaps the cure will be to start on a couple projects. Have a raven's head glass piece by Wayne Robbins and a client who wants a "manly" necklace incorporating a peregrine falcon. I intend to try sculpting that head out of polymer and fastening it to a large round moonstone I have. Yeah....that's what I'll do...cleaning the kitchen can wait....

Back to work.......

2010-01-05T09:46:00.001-05:00

Vacation time is over...time to go back to beading, beading, beading. Also time to apply for this year's upcoming shows. Of course I could be distracted by taking down the Christmas decorations........This morning there were deer once again on the front porch and in the backyard. Stirs the ol' wildlife artist in me to see them.

On tap this week is a dentist visit for me and a cat vet visit for Blue. He's still pissing on the carpet and I'm giving up and putting him on Prozac. They are predicting a lot of snow on the day of our appts. so we may both get a reprieve.

Santa Lew was good to me this year by giving me everything on my wish list which I didn't expect at all. A new camera, a food processor, German cooking knives (which bring to mind the line in a Crocodile Dundee movie - "Now THAT'S a knife!").

New Year's resolutions...End my love affair with chocolates. Make use of all the beautiful focal beads/cabochons I have squirreled away in the closet instead of going to Tucson and buying MORE. Lose 2 lbs. a week (see note on chocolate).

Knock, Knock?

2009-12-21T09:34:00.000-05:00

Hellooo? Yes, I'm still alive....just not very good at keeping up with a blog apparently. I'll try a short synopsis of life since early July....

Another knee surgery to try and fix the previous replacement. Didn't work. The only thing it accomplished was putting a dent in my bank account and giving me the chance to meet some nice therapists who did their best with me.

A show in Columbus in September...again a rain disaster further disappointing because someone stole a cuff bracelet from me that was a favorite. Sigh.

Let's see...October brought my 65th birthday which should not have pleased me except that I am now on MEDICARE! Yippee!!! No more $1000. insurance payments every month. Along those lines, I made the rounds of all the doctors whose titles end in oncologist and got good marks from all. One year down.

During these last few months I've been beading like crazy to prepare for the two Winterfair shows - Cincinnati and Columbus. It paid off because both shows were fantastic saleswise. Should keep the wolf away from the door for awhile...lol. It was also a good time to see friends and clients again that stop by my booth to visit.

So this past week I gave a Christmas party on Friday night and went to one on Saturday night. Sunday night was a Christmas concert at the airbase with the Air Force Band of Flight. They have it at the AF Museum in a hanger filled with very large planes. Today I'm giving my mom her Christmas present..a luncheon for her and her friends and former neighbors. Average age is probably 85. Wonder what would happen if I gave them all champagne? Geriatric Twister?

My son and daughter-in-law, Jeff and Eun Ae, finally got their restaurant open in Sierra Vista, AZ. Took as much time as having a baby and Jeff says it made him just as nervous on opening night. Andrea is waiting tables and Matthew is bussing them and Jeff is hosting after work so it's a family affair. Reviews have been good on food and decor.

And this brings you up to date so I want to leave you with this piece a friend sent me today...I hope you like it, too, and pass it on.

This was written by a Renaissance monk, architect and poet.

Written on Christmas Eve, 1513

I salute you. I am your friend, and my love for you goes deep. There is nothing I can give you which you have not. But there is much, very much, that, while I cannot give it, you can take. No heaven can come to us unless our hearts find rest in it today. Take heaven!

No peace lies in the future which is not hidden in this present little instant. Take peace!

The gloom of the world is but a shadow. Behind it, yet within our reach, is joy. There is radiance and glory in darkness, could we but see. And to see, we have only to look. I beseech you to look!

Life is so generous a giver. But we, judging its gifts by their covering, cast them away as ugly or heavy or hard. Remove the covering, and you will find beneath it a living splendor, woven of love by wisdom, with power. Welcome it, grasp it, and you touch the angel's hand that brings it to you. Everything we call a trial, a sorrow or a duty, believe me, that angel's hand is there.

The gift is there and the wonder of an overshadowing presence. Your joys, too,
be not content with them as joys. They, too, conceal diviner gifts. Life is so full of meaning and purpose, so full of beauty beneath its covering, that you will find earth but cloaks your heaven. Courage then to claim it; that is all! But courage you have, and the knowledge that we are pilgrims together, wending through unknown country home.

And so, at this time, I greet you, not quite as the world sends greetings, but with profound esteem and with the prayer that for you, now and forever, the day breaks and shadows flee away.

Fra Giovanni

Merry Christmas to all of you!

Friday Before Fourth

2009-07-03T08:40:00.000-04:00

Wow.......can't believe I haven't written anything since late May! The two shows I did were polar opposites. Hathaway Brown in Cleveland was a weather disaster...thunderstorms and wind, few people, few sales. Toledo was warm but sunny and lots of nice people in attendance. I couldn't believe the final sales total! Did sell a couple of pieces I was very fond of, especially the owl necklace shown here on the blog, but they went to good homes.

Also went to the Bead & Button Show with friends and spent time again with Wayne Robbins, Nanette Grainger (Scorpio) and Shirley Cook (JumpingJackGlass), all great lampworkers whose pieces I use. An after-the-show dinner in our room with Judy Mountain and Wayne turned into a late night laughfest that left my sides aching. I tried to be good this year and show some restraint in purchases. Friend Jann was my "conscience". Jann is fired.

Yesterday a lampworker was recommended and I fell in love with her work...Lydia from LampworkTreasures. Her pieces remind me of Russian Fabrege` eggs and I've already ordered some. Can't wait to get my paws on them!

Having a small 'family' picnic tomorrow so today is a cooking day...something I love to do so looking forward to it.

Three weeks from today I'll be having my knee-replacement replaced. Gee...I can hardly wait..sigh. I've been telling everyone that if I live to be 70, everything I own will be replaced, repaired or removed and I can start all over.

Is It Friday Yet?

2009-05-21T10:15:00.000-04:00

Have been off the computer for awhile, fighting an eye infection...sigh. Beading like crazy, though, getting ready for the two shows in June. The Craft Fair at Hathaway Brown School in Shaker Heights (June 19-20) and The Crosby Park Festival of the Arts in Toledo (June 27-28). Trying to make up for the time I'll lose while visiting Arizona next week and then going to the Bead & Button Show in Milwaukee the following week.

In between all that I have to have a 6-month mammogram and have an appt. with the surgeon about redoing my right knee in July....geez. One of these days I will get around to beading my cane..lol.

No Title Tuesday

2009-05-05T08:20:00.000-04:00

Had a great weekend with "beady" friends. Started out with a trip to Columbus for a fiber and art doll show. Jann drove and we met Jennifer there. Now I have a big tub full of beautiful wool colors (like I need to start a whole new obsession!). The exhibit of art dolls was exciting for me since I feel a strong pull to start making a few. The three of us drew a lot of attention with our jewelry we wore. I had on the Emerging Frog, Jann wore her new Cheetah amulet bag and Jennifer was wearing a couple of her amazing peyote cuffs.
We had a nice lunch and Jann and I headed back here for a 'late into the night' needle felting adventure with Lauren and Zoe, from Cincinnati. Zoe has some experience with it so she got us started. Things were going smoothly until Jann and I tried making little chickens and everyone ended up laughing so hard it hurt...of course I think the wine we had been drinking contributed to it, too. Mine turned into a 'polka-dot pullet' and Jann's became more of a 'Chicken McNugget". I think the cats are going to benefit the most with all the new 'reject/cat toys' we came up with.

Rainy Tuesday....

2009-04-28T11:30:00.000-04:00

So much for the 'summer' weather we've been having....back to normal today. Got the acceptance for the Hathaway Brown Show in Shaker Heights in June. It's the week before the Toledo Crosby Park show so I need to be shaking my tail feathers (sorry, Sugar) especially since I'm going to Arizona late in May and the Bead & Button Show in Milwaukee the first week of June. I need a "bead fairy" to help...lol.

I am worried about how the shows will go this year...it's painful to think of all the stress on the artists I know (me included). I read a discussion recently that really hurt my feelings. It was a criticism of artists complaining about this being 'hard times'. The implication was that we should have had "REAL JOBS" to begin with...sigh. Most artists I know work incredibly long hours..nevermind that we can't get unemployment benefits, retirement benefits, decent health care costs, etc. Can't think of any of us who will get a small business "stimulus package".

Yes, I chose to make my way as an artist and have never regretted it, despite the 'feast and famine' aspect. After finding out I had the cancers, I spent quite a few middle of the night hours reflecting on my life. I decided that if it turned out badly, I still felt I was fortunate to have been able to work at something I truly loved, hopefully leaving the world a tiny bit nicer with what I created over the years. Art has given me the chance to go wonderful places and meet some great people. Yes, I would be pissed if it ended sooner than expected, but all in all, it's been a good run so far.

Didn't expect to be so philosophical this morning!

2009-04-28T11:26:00.000-04:00

The Divine Miz Sugar.......

2009-04-27T12:06:00.001-04:00

Since you can't see him too well in the full photo, here he is alone. Lampworked bead is by Wayne Robbins.

2009-04-27T11:00:00.000-04:00

Post of "Emerging Frog" necklace that I finally got around to photographing.

Milde Monday

2009-04-27T08:42:00.000-04:00

I have spent the last FIVE days putting beads away and "organizing" (LOL!!!!) my storage for them. Have a bad habit of amassing trays and trays of leftovers from finished projects. There are some beads that I must really, really like since I find there are multiple tubes or strands of the same bead. (senior moments at the bead shows? who me? Naaah......)

Did take a break yesterday to send out my first newsletter...not as easy as I had thought it would be. For those who got it..be patient, I hope to improve.

Radiation treatments ended last Tuesday...huzzah!! Now I just have to see one or the other of the doctors every 3 months forever. I liked the staff in the radiation/oncology dept. but hope to never see them again...lol.

Started a new cuff bracelet this morning but have to put it aside to take Sugar to the Bird Farm for her monthly beak and claw trim. She enjoys that about as much as I like going to the dentist. Found a small piece of cheese on the counter that I forgot to give her last night...granted it was a bit dried out but she's so crazy about cheese I thought it wouldn't matter. She took it, looked at it, looked at me and threw it out of her cage. Sort of like the time I gave her some Jello.

More Milde than Wilde Sunday

2009-04-05T10:40:00.000-04:00

I seem to be having one of those mornings when I can't get away from wandering around the internet. Yesterday I bought an issue of Art Doll Quarterly at the bookstore and once again feel drawn to start exploring this media. Just what I need, another creative adventure...sigh. Beaded doll? Needle felted doll? Polymer clay doll? Geez....how do you decide? So I've been going from site to site and drooling over all the examples of dollmaking.

Sugar appears to have new neighbors in the little crabapple tree outside her window. The robins moved in first but the male apparently got tired of banging his head against his own reflection in the window and they moved on. Now it appears that we have little sparrows busily adding new "stuff" to the old nest from last year. Sugar is not amused.

Hopefully a Not So Wilde Thursday

2009-03-26T08:56:00.000-04:00

So far this morning I've been to the hospital for 7: a.m. treatment, grocery shopping at WalMart to kill time until I could get to the post office at 8:30 and find out what will happen to all the bills I sent out yesterday without !@@##%#@ stamps on them....sigh. I asked the technician if radiation affected my brain and she said "Nope..not anywhere around it..sorry"...LOL. A senior moment perhaps?

I don't intend to stick my nose out the door for the rest of this dreary looking day.
Best intentions are to work on "organizing" my beads...ROFL, yeah.....right.

Have been accepted into the Crosby Park show in Toledo in June...a favorite show of mine...and have applied for ODC's Hathaway Brown show, also in June. Since I always go to Milwaukee for the Bead & Button Show, that makes for a full month, especially since I'll be spending the last week in May in Arizona. (Maybe I'd better be beading instead of organizing)

Fairly Wilde Friday

2009-03-07T02:58:00.000-05:00

Went to the Gem Street USA show in Cincinnati this afternoon with beading friends...and, as usual, spent too much money. We first had lunch at the Carillon Park where I was surprised to run into an old friend...Mark, the Mad Russian, who was in town from Chicago. Just shows that you always have to behave wherever you go because someone who knows you will find out. I was once having lunch in Seoul, South Korea and there were only two other Americans in the restaurant. Turns out they lived 30 miles from me and knew one of my aunts.

At the gem show I found some beautiful cabochons at S&S Lapidary, was happy to see Paula from Louisiana who was helping at S&S and met another vendor that I hope to become friends with...she has birdies, too.

An Early Wilde Wednesday

2009-03-04T10:34:00.000-05:00

Had my first radiation treatment this morning at 7: freakin' a.m.! My cockatoo, Sugar, was grumpy because I woke her up so early. Every day for 7 weeks and then I can sleep in again...sigh. I should be glowing in the dark by then but it sure beats the alternative!

My oldest son, Jeff and his wife, Eun Ae, are opening a restaurant in Sierra Vista, AZ soon and I have to work on their sign design today...something I haven't done in a long time. I expect to get appetizers for life in exchange for this.

Tonight two friends are coming over to spend a few hours of beading and gossiping and chocolates.

I had a call today from a man who bought paintings from me over 25 years ago when I was still exhibiting in mall shows. Very good for the ego to know he tracked me down after all this time.

Not So Wilde Sunday

2009-03-01T15:14:00.000-05:00

My computer is repaired and so quiet now I can't believe it's running! Four friends spent the weekend here and we worked on various bead or polymer clay projects, drank wine, ate jambalaya and cheesecake and generally spoiled the pets with all the attention.

The radiation treatments start on Wednesday at 7:00 in the freakin' morning! for the next 7 weeks. I can now say that I have tattoos.....even if only 5 little "dots".
Hopefully it won't lead me to having more picturesque ones done later on.

Now that the Charleston, SC show is over I have time to try some new things I've had on hold for awhile. And to come up with ways to survive this #$%@#!!%# economy.

Wilde Wednesday

2009-02-25T15:11:00.000-05:00

I'm starting my first blog just as my computer fan is giving it's last gasp so I will no doubt be gone for a few days while it's being repaired.

In the meantime I wanted to post a pic of the newest cuff....When I decided to make it on "hair-on" cowhide I was stumped as to where to find it but then had an "AHA!" moment and looked on Ebay.

Sure enough a company offered scrap pieces and I bought, expecting to receive small 'scrap' pieces.

What I got were very large pieces in many colors so now I can make a full-size patchwork cow if I want. Maybe bead the horns?

Sugar, my cockatoo, is coming back home today from "birdie camp" where she stayed while I was in Charleston, SC doing the Southeastern Wildlife Exposition. This is a beautiful high-end show where I used to exhibit my oil paintings of big-game wildlife and it was my first time back as a jewelry designer. So great to see Charleston again, reunite with old friends and have wonderful seafood every day.....mmmmmm.