Our Next Chapter

Big news! Dave and I just closed on what will be our brick and mortar storefront, Helium Studio. In what was formerly a used bookstore in the Main Street historic district of Wayne, Michigan, we plan to offer our own handmade jewelry, as well as jewelry and other handcrafted items by local artists. But before we can plan a grand opening, there are about 10,000 used books to inventory and liquidate. Then rehab and remodel the space, which hasn't been updated in years. And in the meantime, get the word out to the community and invite artists who would be perfect for our collection of fab goods. Stay tuned for book sale news and other updates!

How do you keep your lists?

I find that I can be more productive when I keep a list of to-dos. I know, not shocking. Everybody's doing it. 

As of yesterday, I'm using a sharpie and a note pad that I plan to keep available so that when things come to me, blah blah. I'm even numbering the to-dos. Great, huh? 

Well, you would think that with so much to do I would have awakened at the crack of dawn and started with item one. Well, I slept in a little later than the crack of dawn. Then I went to an estate sale (not on my list) and to shop for a padded envelope to mail a book (on my list, but Dollar Store didn't have one large enough). Then I made myself some tomato soup, clickety-clacked through Facebook and now I'm blogging. Still can't cross anything off. Back to the list. 

But I did get a nice piece of pottery at that estate sale.

 

How do you keep your lists?

After: my red piano

Ta-daaaah! Completed my first painted furniture adventure. 

Jumping on the painted furniture bus

A few years ago, my church offered this piano to anyone who would rescue it. I promised to take good care of it, which included re-painting it. It used to be a player piano. Not sure I will restore it to that state any time soon, but repaint it, I shall - finally! Here's a "before" shot. Updates as soon as I have progress to share. Stay tuned. 

New year, new jewelry elements

My dear husband gifted me with a neat gadget for Christmas - a Sizzix BigKick for embossing metal. I'm going to have a blast creating new jewelry elements, like the patina-ed disc below. Check it out in our etsy shop: https://www.etsy.com/listing/174298452/aviary-1

Blog Girl necklace giveaway on Danielle's blog ... check it out!

See more at Helium Studio and Post on etsy

Like to blog, or to follow blogs? Show your colors! 12-year-old Danielle of "Danielle's Fun Blog" is giving away one of our hand-stamped Blog Girl necklaces. There are a few rules (following our blogs, liking pages, etc.), but it's all worth it! Check out Danielle's blog post here and get your chance to win. I'm so jazzed to help this young blogger. You go, Danielle Muniz!

Bravo, Holly Laginess!

 Today I'm saluting a fantastic woman who has taken a risk on behalf of so many artists. She's invested in developing a brick and mortar store, Poesy, that features so many talented artists from Michigan and the US. Holly Laginess, who is also a superbly talented artist - By Golly By Holly - expertly (it seems to me, at least!) juggles the challenges of running a small business, including balancing the interests of artists with her own drive for success. You've gotta stop by her shop, which is in Royal Oak, Michigan, on Rochester Road between 11 and 12 Mile Roads, nestled in a little neighborhood. Holly, I hope this paragraph is a small encouragement to you today. You go, talented lady!!

Marbles & Cracks

Marbles & Cracks, a photo by Theresa Thompson on Flickr.

My fave color is Orange (or as PANTONE would say, "Tangerine Tango"). I adore the swooshes of Tangerine in this photo. And I eat two tangerines a day for lunch when I remember to bring them from home. So there :) From Theresa Thompson on Flickr.

Show Me Your Booths Flickr Group - ideas!

SHOW ME YOUR BOOTHS, a group on Flickr.

Are you getting ready for the fall craft season? Check out these great ideas for booth set-ups. Inspiring!

I heart my sis!

IMG_1603, a photo by graphia on Flickr.

Tonight I'm praying for nothing but a swift, uncomplicated and supernaturally smooth procedure for my sis tomorrow morning. Love you, Erika. xo

Fisherman's Bay playground

Fisherman's Bay playground, a photo by simone-walsh on Flickr.

Looking forward to our vacation in a couple of weeks. We aren't going to Australia, where this photo was taken, but we'll be pretty close to Lake Michigan, which is good enough for me. can't wait to be at the beach!

Love the photo, Simone Walsh.

fantastical book

altered book, a photo by alexcastroferreira on Flickr.

created by the artist in a class with Nina Bagley (Nina's blog), who is one of the most wonderful mixed media jewelry and assemblage artists. thanks for sharing the photo, Alexandra.

Dragonfly Whisperer

Dragonfly Whisperer, a photo by Angie Tanksley on Flickr.

what a fantastic shot. i love the textured background.

more resin love

heart necklace, a photo by Maggie Zee on Flickr.

i really appreciate the composition of this necklace. beautiful work.

New toys!

New stamps mean new creations! Love the chandelier. What do you think?

Adding rivets to the repertoire

Stamped washer pendant with rivet connections, a photo by KimWJenkins on Flickr.

Dave is loving riveting! Made a couple of pieces today (here's one of them) and put them up in the etsy shop right away. Have been away for work since Monday, so it was so fun to get back in the jewelry groove with my dear husband - togetherness in our basement studio!

Pretty, empty nest

Untitled, a photo by Angie Tanksley on Flickr.

Out of town this week and not able to blog much. Here's a peek at a pretty shot. Amazing how birds can be such effective architects. Check out Angie Tanksley's Flickr photostream when you get a chance for more great outdoor shots.

if this doesn't inspire you ...

these things are fun and fun is good, a photo by mary jane dodd on Flickr.

... take your pulse! :) Such imaginative use of resin to make some of the charms. From the ICE resin Flickr pool. Click through on photo caption to explore more inspiring resin creations.

check out tracy owens chasteen's collection

Three like Dixie, a photo by polishedtwo on Flickr.

aren't these necklaces beautiful? i own a couple of tracy's pottery shard necklaces and i can vouch for their heft, their careful composition, and their "look-at-me" attitude. Check out the necklace section of tracy's etsy shop - you will be dazzled. And then look at the rest of what she has to offer - hairpins, earrings - and only in the brightest hues. love it!

Northern lights (God's majesty) as seen in Iceland

Northern lights Iceland, a photo by olgeir on Flickr.

What a photo. God's majesty captured in this image. "Holy is the Lord, God almighty! The earth is filled with His glory." I hope you have experienced God's glory today. Listen to Chris Tomlin sing of it.