Sunday, May 31, 2009

The Beaches of Orange County is Done!


Well, kitschy as it is, The Beaches of Orange County necklace for the OC Fair is done!



I just never know how these Charm N Bead pieces are gonna come out when I start them. I’d decided on the orange (obvious) and the blue and clear (for ocean colors) but in my minds eye, I’d seen the colors a little darker. I’m glad I went with the lighter blue, though, because it really is a cool color combination now that it’s all together.


I had fun hunting for the right charms for this one. I love the old fashioned bikini and the beach chairs, complete with umbrella and drink on the table. Dolphins and detailed fish for the ocean and orange slices for our county’s namesake completed the theme.



I was lucky enough to find the big ceramic “sugared” oranges at this years Bead Bazaar. I think they’re kinda over the top but in a good way, I hope.

Going through the OC Fair process and having my little jewelry piece in a case that so many people will see as they stroll through the Home Arts Building is one of my goals for this year that seems to be coming to fruition. Can’t wait to take a picture of me in front of my entry! My dreams are small but doable!

See ya at the Fair!

www.bearchick.etsy.com
www.bearchickart.etsy.com
www.bearchick.artfire.com

Monday, May 25, 2009

Busy Business Weekend


I did an inventory of jewelry a few weeks ago and discovered I had a LOT of jewelry that isn’t online. So yesterday I spent a good part of the day photographing necklaces, bracelets, anklets and earrings.

I was eager to list my first aluminum jump ring project. I love the mix of silver and lavender:


It’s called Byzantine ala Mare, since it’s not truly the Byzantine pattern as it should be done. I broke it up a bit, partly because I didn’t quite understand it in the beginning and made up a bunch of the patterns only to realize each pattern builds on the next… Live and learn. But then I really liked the way I had connected them separately. I think it gives a bit of breathing space to a very dense pattern. That’s my story and I’m stickin’ to it!

I also got a new bracelet and anklet listed on Etsy.



You R A Star bracelet was done with pieces that are meant to be dividers for multi-strand necklaces. I love working with things in ways they weren’t intended. Makes me feel really creative! And stars are right up there in my list of fave shapes, just under hearts.


The Diamond Girl anklet started out as sale items from my wholesaler. I connected them with oval shaped jump rings and finished with a lobster claw clasp. All my anklets are self-adjusting, so you can attach the clasp where it feels most comfortable and the remainder of the chain dangles stylishly.

Click on any photo to take you to Etsy or ArtFire, where it's posted for sale :-)


Anyone on Facebook? I’m working on a Fan Page. I’ll probably make an official announcement in a week or so but if anyone wants to be a Bear Chick Fan ahead of the crowd, here’s the link (http://www.facebook.com/pages/Bear-Chick/40472594959) or just search Bear Chick. I’m planning to have discounts and contests and other fun stuff. I’ll keep you posted.

Hope everyone is having a great Memorial Day. I did some gardening this morning in the below 70 degrees weather (nice) but now I’m all congested from the dust and pollen (not nice). It was good exercise and my yard looks better, so it’s all good!

Thursday, May 21, 2009

I Know an Author!


OK, I’ve only met him once but he’s a sweetheart and he’s married to someone who is very dear to The Husband’s and my hearts. His name is Chris Peters and he’s written a children’s book called Race the Moon, about a little boy on a trip to Grandma‘s.

This little story reminded me of when I was small and believed that everything was a potential playmate. Illustrated by Laura Thele’s cheerful watercolors, you’ll smile all the way to the end. I particularly like her rendition of Mr. Boots, Grandma’s cat. What can I say, I’m a Leo!


Here’s Chris, looking very scholarly.


Here’s Mandy and Chris with a special charity baseball player in Oklahoma, Mark Harmon



The book can be purchased for $12.95 or downloaded for $1 Check it out!


http://stores.lulu.com/cottontailpublishing


www.bearchick.etsy.com
www.bearchickart.etsy.com
www.bearchick.artfire.com

Wednesday, May 20, 2009

Still Dreaming of Paris


Hey!

I started this blog talking about my desire to go to Paris. The dream is still alive. Someday, someday… (Editors note~this appears on Bear Chicks Journey by mistake. It was supposed to go on Mare's Journey... This is what happens when I post at midnight or close to...)

Anyway, here are two great blogs with Paris in the title that I read every day. I think you’ll like them.

Shelagh Duffett is an artist in Nova Scotia. I love her work--very colorful and cheerful! She writes about all kinds of things, with lots of photos and interesting narrative. Sometimes she even writes about French stuff.




Please remember that this is Shelagh’s copywritten artwork--please be respectful and don’t do anything illegal with it.




This second blog is so cool--everything Paris, right at your keyboard. Carol Gillott posts almost every day and it’s always something to do with Paris. It truly delights me to read her observations and study the pictures of Parisians, patisserie shops and the streets of Paris.



Again, copywritten! Don’t be tempted to do something bad with Carol’s pic!

http://parisbreakfasts.blogspot.com/


C’est la vie!



www.bearchick.etsy.com
www.bearchickart.etsy.com
www.bearchick.artfire.com

OC Cat Stuff


This is for my friends in the OC and So Cal. If anyone’s looking for a kitten, or two, let me know and I can put you in touch with a friend who has two kittens that need homes. Please pass this on and let me know if anyone’s interested.


Also, if you need a reliable, reasonably priced cat sitter, I want to recommend Jule Wood. She took care of our cats, Watson and Raina, while we were gone for a week to Vegas. She asked lots of questions before we left, so she’d know exactly what we expected and did a great job for us. Also, if you know any shut ins or folks who have difficulty getting out to the grocery store, she also has a grocery shopping service. She’s such a fun person and very conscientious. Give her a call at 714-533-7549.




This is Watson, watching the neighborhood cat, Luna, outside our front window.

Friday, May 15, 2009

Spring Petals Necklace~Sweet Detour


Here’s the necklace my Muse insisted on me making last night instead of the OC Fair Necklace.


I don’t know about you but I buy beads because I love them. I’m addicted to them. When I see something wonderful, I have to get them because, hey, I may never see them again.


Consequently, I have a ton of beads just waiting for the right projects. These pretty, translucent lampwork beads have lived in my bead drawers for a long, long time. I’m so happy they found their project!



These starry blue beads have also waited patiently for the perfect project. I so love this chain design and these faceted beads were the ideal complement to the delicate motif.



On another subject, I was a little bummed to find out that Tequila Sunrise didn’t make the judges cut in the Beadstar Contest. Oh well, there’s always next year! Thanks for your encouragement with that project. At least now, I can put it up for sale. You’ll be seeing it soon on Etsy.


www.bearchick.etsy.com
www.bearchickart.etsy.com
www.bearchick.artfire.com

Thursday, May 14, 2009

My Muse Takes Me On A Detour


Yeah, I know. I’m supposed to be working on my OC Fair necklace. Tell it to my Muse…

The last few nights, my muse has had me playing with a new chain pattern, making one or two sets in the course of American Idol and Castle.


Here they are, in the raw.


When I had 7, I knew it was time to combine them with beads and see what I could come up with. In the next post, I’ll show you the results. A pretty little necklace and a pair of sparkly earrings.

www.bearchick.etsy.com
www.bearchickart.etsy.com
www.bearchick.artfire.com

Sunday, May 10, 2009

The Beaches of Orange County Preview


I finally started the necklace I want to create for the Orange County Fair this week and submitted my entry form today. So, I have till June 20 to finish. Totally doable with no stress!


Here’s the full necklace with all charms attached. Aren’t they cute? Swimsuit, fish, beach chairs with umbrella, dolphins and orange slices.


The ceramic oranges I got at the Bead Bazaar at the Bowers a few weeks ago and the pewter orange slices I sussed out on Etsy. They’re perfect!


Close up of the beading I’ve done so far. The theme lent itself to oranges, blues and clears. In this picture, the beads look red (the day is somewhat cloudy here in sunny SoCal) but they really are orange.

So for the next week or so, this is what I’ll be working on. It’s hard to tell with only a few beads whether it’s colorful enough. With these necklaces, you can’t really get a feel for the look of it till it’s half done, so wish me luck! It’s always an adventure with the Charm N Bead!


www.bearchick.etsy.com
www.bearchickart.etsy.com
www.bearchick.artfire.com

Saturday, May 9, 2009

Productive Morning Saling


The Husband had the luxury this AM of going into work late (of course, that means he has to work late…), so we had the chance to do some yard saling. See why I love to sale on my other blog, maresjourney.blogspot.com.


Anyway, here’s the haul (ok, it‘s a rather small haul since we got up late and our time was limited. Let‘s call it a haulette, then). The shirt I bought as inspiration for The Battle of the Bulge I’m currently waging. And who could resist such blingy shoes for a buck!


Here are some excellent charms I can use on my Charm N Bead pieces.



I got these earrings not only because they’re hearts, but because there are spaces I can use to attach chain or jump rings to make them very big charms.


The heart and fleur de lies can be used as charms and the black and silver earrings will make some very classy ATC very happy.


Here’s a close up of the detail on the little shoes. I have a pink and sparkly shirt these will go excellently with. A girl’s gotta have some fun and bling!


So, all this cool stuff added up to less than $5. Awesome, huh!?

Here’s my #1 Yard Saling Tip:

Every night, throw your change in a special purse or tin. Then when you go yard saling, you’ve got plenty of change to whip out and spend easily and the people doing the yard sales love you for not expecting change for a $20!

Thursday, May 7, 2009

Give Me Some Credit!



I haven’t been told officially yet, but it looks like I’ll be going back to part time at the Day Job soon. I’ve been busily making plans to ramp up Bear Chick and one of the components to that is accepting credit cards again.

I’m planning to do more shows this year, especially in the fall and into the holiday season and taking credit cards at shows is always a good strategy. Also, folks who don’t like signing up with websites like Etsy and Artfire can provide their CC info over the phone to me for their treasures. I’m also going to carry around credit card slips in my purse in case someone falls in love with a piece I’m wearing and simply must have it but there’s no ATM is sight. It could happen!

Just in case you’re interested, I signed up with Propay, who I’ve worked with before. There’s just an annual fee, no monthly fee and then, naturally, fees for each transaction, that are actually quite reasonable. It’s a great deal for crafters who only do shows at certain times of the year or just sporadically.


www.bearchick.etsy.com
www.bearchickart.etsy.com
www.bearchick.artfire.com

Sunday, May 3, 2009

Lilacs!!


This is the season that my Back East friends and relatives get to make fun of me. I have a huge lilac bush outside my front door that, by Eastern standards, is anemic, but by Bear Chick Standards is cause to rejoice. It’s been such a weird winter (hot cold hot and lilacs need a cold winter to bloom), I didn’t think I was going to get any blooms at all.

BUT, behold:


I know they’re little but the scent is just as appealing and heady as their big, fat, Northeastern cousins. Every day when I get my mail, I linger and breathe deeply at my miraculous bush!



Saturday, May 2, 2009

Tall Mouse Craft Show


It wasn’t the greatest show on earth… But I met two very cool creative types~Yolandasclay (ceramic beads and pendants) and Laloon (art clay silver and cork)~and gave out a bunch of business cards. When a bad day goes fast, you know you’ve met some fun people!


Here’s a terrible, cell phone pic of my setup. It’s a constant challenge to do setup’s for different size tables and spaces.


I was happy with the different levels I created and for once, I didn’t put out too much and create clutter.



A word to show crafters, newbies and otherwise--if you’ve committed to do a show till a certain time, do NOT pack up early. I don’t want to totally rant out here, but it’s upsetting when vendors leave before the show is over. Besides the fact that it’s unprofessional, it makes the show look shoddy when there are empty spaces. You are making a commitment to do the show-have the integrity to complete your obligation.


Stepping off soapbox.


I’ve been putting off starting the competition necklace for the Orange County Fair. But now I’m back from vacation and the two shows I had are done. No more excuses!! This coming week will be dedicated to getting my Beaches of Orange County necklace done. I may even do a bracelet and earrings! To keep me motivated, I may even post progress photos.


May 15 is the day to start voting for the Beadstar contest, where I posted my Tequila Sunrise necklace. You can believe I’m gonna post the link here so you can vote! For me, hopefully :-)