Of few words.....

I apologize for not writing too much these days. I am just soooo tired! This week especially has been tiring. If I am not napping, I am frantically trying to get things done that I feel are important. Or else I'm blowing my nose as I can't kick this stupid head cold.

At any rate, I thank you for being patient with me and continuing to follow my blog. For whatever reason you follow me - to see new jewelry, to hear about the pregnancy, or just to see what I'm up to in general - thank you!

I just listed the two bracelets above on Etsy. Have a great holiday weekend!!!

ABS April Monthly Challenge

Finches and Bamboo, Northern Song dynasty (960–1127)

Emperor Huizong (1082–1135, r. 1101–1125)

ChineseHandscroll; ink and color on silk; 11 x 18 in. (27.9 x 45.7 cm)

The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York

John M. Crawford, Jr. Collection, Purchase, Douglas Dillon Gift, 1981

After not submitting to the monthly Art Bead Scene challenge for a while (believe me, I've missed it), I have two entries so far for April! You can see the inspiration painting at the top, and above is the first necklace I have created. It features a colorful bird from the Vintage Grove line. He is holding a copper etched tablet from Jennifer Stumpf. He is surrounded by brass florals, green and gold agate, and faceted carnelian. And below here, you can see a bracelet that was inspired as well. The art bead is a polymer clay bird from Sharon Palac at Bijoux Jardin. I used textured gold rounds and light blue ceramic rounds to pull colors from the bead. Ceramic lentils with Chinese writing on them bring in more characteristics from the painting.

Both of these pieces will be listed in my Etsy shop as well!

New Listings and/or Eye Candy

Friday's Peacock Find

The weeks are getting away from me...... as much as I want to keep up with Bead Table Wednesdays and my Friday peacock finds, they are often a reminder of just how quickly the time is passing. Maybe I will change my Friday peacock finds to Sporadic or Random peacock finds to fit my changing life. At any rate, trying to find peacock items for a baby boy is a bit challenging as most things are suited for a baby girl. But you knew I'd try, right? Several months ago I was alerted (by another blogger) of this fantastic blog - Aura Joon. She too was going through pregnancy, so that - along with her beautiful photographs and inspiring decor - was enough for me to check in with her from time to time. She recently had her baby girl Elodie (congrats!) and the first photos she posted featured a beautiful peacock feather print blanket. So I went in search of this peacock blanket, hoping it wasn't something one of a kind or handmade. I found it! It's a bamboo swaddling blanket from Aden + Anais. I purchased the set of 3 and I think Jon will like the other 2 because orange is his favorite color. I can't wait to get them - bamboo is one of my favorite materials! It is so soft! You can be sure you will probably see some pics of Baby Richard in this blanket!