Caught in the Act

Up until just recently, I've had a little routine for listing my beads. I'd bring my beads to my computer and keep them in front of me while I wrote my listing. I keep my ruler handy near my computer, so I measure the beads there, too. Then I usually keep the beads under my computer for a while. They keep me company while I blog or surf the net. If they don't sell right away, they get transferred to the bead box, unless they are a new favorite that I just like to keep nearby. At times I have 8 to 10 beads lined up watching me from under my computer.

But, as you may know, things have changed around here lately. We adopted two very rambunctious kittens (an oxymoron, I know), and they are wreaking havoc on my routine, not to mention my beads. It didn't take them long to discover the little critters sitting helplessly under the computer.

Ernie the kitten is caught in the act taking a swipe at the poor doggie, while the turtle and puppy cower together, frozen in fear.

Here Ernie sneak attacks from behind, knocking the poor turtle off his perch.

Now I can reassure you that all beads have been swiftly transferred to a safe spot, out of the reach of kittens. No beads or kittens were harmed in the making of this blog post.

Therapy Thursday

Some days you just need to take some time for yourself. Self-pampering can be extremely therapeutic. Even if it's just 20 minutes to yourself to read the paper or a book, go for a quick walk or take a bath. It can jump-start a good mood. The other day I needed a little "me" time. I had just done a lot of cleaning (four litter boxes included), so I treated myself to a bath and a book. Our bathtub is in our hall/kids' bathroom, where the above picture, Max the Very Clean Cat, hangs on the wall. It's a good reminder about taking the time to do things for yourself, isnt' it? It also cracks me up, as well as every guest who has used that bathroom. I found it in CrazyBliss, who has got the best shop announcement I've seen (talk about a pick-me-up!). Now back to my bath - I also lit a serenity candle from DavesHomemade. Ahhhh. Now that's some crazy bliss.

Murrini Monday

Oh Happy Day! I received my latest package of murrini from loriandkim last week, and I've been busy playing with it ever since. I got two packs of their new Valentine murrini called SWAK, and one pack of Spellbound. They are all wonderful! The butterfly above, however, is made with Glee murrini I bought a while back.

I had to use the pink and red flowery shaped murrini for owl eyes - it was inevitable. And check out the owl's backside.

Did you know that the way to a penguin's heart is through his stomach? At least it appears that way. This red and pink penguin is sporting my favorite heart from the SWAK murrini blend.

And here is that same pattern I used for the owl's eyes on the backside of this girlie turtle.

Here's some more Glee murrini in action - on a funky, bumpy heart.

Ever wonder what a fish would look like with human-like blue eyes? Now you don't have to.

And finally, what I thought would be a shoe-in for Etsy's front page - an owl in a chunky cowl, adorned with a lovely pieces of murrini as a button. It's still in my shop, so you never know, it could make the elusive front page yet.

Turtles!

I started making turtle beads because my sister has pet turtles, and she kept asking me when I was going to make them already. So I finally tried one. And I loved it. They're a fairly basic sculptural bead to make because you start with a round bead that doesn't have to be shaped. But there are still the usual challenges of keeping parts of the bead out of the flame while you add features. The turtle above is one I made almost two years ago (like that flashy red background?). My turtle beads have evolved over time - I've experimented with colors and am now able to keep the eyeballs from melting into the head. They've even grown toes. The turtle below is a more recent creation.

My friend Eileen, of DorsetHillBeads has just started making turtle beads, and they are sweet! Meet Lucy. She's ready for love.

And I love this pink girlie turtle with her strategically placed heart. Plus, she's already wire-wrapped and ready to go.

And check out this new sea turtle in glassbead's shop. It would make a really cool pendant, and I expect it will be swimming out of her shop soon.

Therapy Thursday

One of my newer Facebook friends posted this yesterday, and it gave me a good laugh. Hope you enjoy it, too. Happy Thursday!

Murrini Monday

If you've been here lately on Mondays, then you know I've devoted a whole day on my blog to my newfound love of murrini - those little slices of glass that we lampwork artists like to add to bead to give them a little something extra. The murrini above is from loriandkim on Etsy. It's a gorgeous Victorian blend that just so happens to be on sale. What I like about Lori and Kim's shop is that they give examples of how the murrini looks on a bead. Below are some beads adorned with the Victorian murrini ~ isn't it lovely?

I don't have any new murrini beads that have been photographed yet for this week, so I decided to search out some other artists' handmade murrini.

Check out this amazing set of Under The Sea Murrini (above) by GlassArtEndeavors. I can't get over the clown fish! This set has everything you'd want in an aquarium bead, and the artist also gives examples of the murrini incorporated into beads.

And here are some really cool Little Skull murrini by JohnRizziGlassworks. His shop is filled with murrini blends, from pink flowers to peace signs, each one unique and just waiting to be pressed into a bead.

Dog + Snow = Love

Our kittens have been getting all the attention around here (and rightfully so, they are so darn cute), but I had to show some love for our dog, Chunky. Winter is by far his favorite season, as you can see from the picture above (taken by my hubby). He doesn't care that it's 2 degrees outside, he wants to play in the snow. And he wants someone to throw his tennis ball for him. That's my hubby's job, and when it's really cold he'll lean out the door and wing the ball across the yard and then pull his head back in to keep warm while Chunky tracks the ball in the snow. And it's always funny when my husband throws the ball and it gets stuck in the fence or on the swingset, and then he has to traipse out there and get it. Does your dog like the snow as much as Chunk?