tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34997689269004382102012-02-01T07:06:43.747-08:00A blog about me, making stuff, funny stuff & language stuff.Laurelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12219009870087789422noreply@blogger.comBlogger4701100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3499768926900438210.post-69920976643748384122012-01-31T09:37:00.000-08:002012-01-31T09:38:31.497-08:00

Woo-hooooo! Another feature on PCD - SO COOL!  Toot, toot, toot (that's my own horn, don'tcha know...) My creation is the ivory colored one on the left. It's one of the four pieces I just finished in order to submit them to for a show at the BEST local mixed media store, Zinnia in South Pasadena. This link goes to their blog, which has a link to the store. So. Zinnia occasionally has shows

Laurelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12219009870087789422noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3499768926900438210.post-64884226017079606872012-01-19T07:01:00.000-08:002012-01-19T07:01:48.663-08:00

Hey all - I haven't been around much, I know. I have been really down mentally, and it just gets to a point where I don't feel I can share that kind of blackness, because most people just don't know how to cope with the revelations of it, and I don't want to burden them. Too bad I can't afford a therapist, right? And don't tell me about public health options in LA if you don't want to hear

Laurelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12219009870087789422noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3499768926900438210.post-68760480435957512432012-01-08T13:38:00.000-08:002012-01-08T13:39:20.355-08:00

Laurelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12219009870087789422noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3499768926900438210.post-59333109428276477822012-01-08T12:40:00.000-08:002012-01-08T12:41:28.767-08:00

Hello. I'm still here. Honest. Just barely, but hangin' in. Baaad news in the mail in the way of unpaid bills (but I'm used to that), but then I found out that not only did I get a citation for parking on street cleaning day when....wait a minute, let me back up. Last month the owner of my building had one of our driveways and the area in the back re-concreted. So while the work was going on, we

Laurelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12219009870087789422noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3499768926900438210.post-29150630923453062042011-12-31T11:57:00.000-08:002012-01-08T12:42:02.179-08:00

 For myself, I wish for work, rent-paying (and perhaps even bill-paying!) work that is. And I wish to see more of friends and family. I wish to be able to focus on the good things in my life. Like you! Then here is the classic New Year's wish from Mr. Neil (like I actually know him, right?) Gaiman: And most of all  When snowflakes fall  I wish you love.

Laurelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12219009870087789422noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3499768926900438210.post-63802974759550888992011-12-26T11:53:00.000-08:002012-01-08T12:42:33.887-08:00

How was your Christmas - if you celebrate it, of course. Mine was GREAT. My brother drove down from Ventura and picked me up here in L.A., and then took me to our sister's back up in Ventura for a lovely holiday brunch with the fam.  Got to see my sis and her hubby and Nephew Kevin, plus my brother's son Trevor and their brand new puppy! Too cute! My sister also has two doggers, one papillon and

Laurelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12219009870087789422noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3499768926900438210.post-8477957691309574002011-12-24T13:48:00.000-08:002012-01-08T12:43:39.861-08:00

  Here's wishing you and yours a happy merry.....and a VERY New Year (me included!) I'm going to get to see my sister and brother and families, so that's a very good thing! Psst!   Big sale in my Etsy after Christmas.......

Laurelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12219009870087789422noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3499768926900438210.post-86792059258991497462011-12-17T14:37:00.000-08:002012-01-08T12:44:33.755-08:00

Broke again, broke again, piggity pig. In a nutshell: the temp job ended unexpectedly after I finished the day on Monday. Considerate, right? Not. I got a call from the agency at almost 7 pm, saying don't go back. Freaked me right out. What did I do wrong? Seemingly nothing - but they certainly could've had the courtesy to let me know when I was there so I could take my stuff (oatmeal, pens,

Laurelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12219009870087789422noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3499768926900438210.post-29685067794441815812011-11-29T14:45:00.001-08:002012-01-08T12:43:18.935-08:00

You know about the new polymer clay mag in (the virtual) town, right? I'm talkin' 'bout The Polymer Arts - oh yeah, I did blog about it awhile back. So the first ish came out - GREAT - and the second quarterly issue has now emerged (word o'the day, right?), and GUESS WHAT???? I'm one of the Emerging Artists in it! Wahooooooo! LOVE being published! I sent Sage (the editor/creator/writer/

Laurelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12219009870087789422noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3499768926900438210.post-43600407856959652152011-11-22T13:50:00.001-08:002011-11-22T13:59:31.273-08:00

Big news!  The First Annual Virtual Craft Show is being hosted by Lori Anderson of Pretty Things, Nov. 26th through Dec. 3rd, 2011 - that's right, from Black Friday through...um...the following Black Saturday? Well, whatever you call it, it's a big steamin' pile of goodness! Aw, jeeze - I can't trust myself sometimes - everything comes out wrong. That's one of the main reasons I loved acting so

Laurelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12219009870087789422noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3499768926900438210.post-86960686485270675472011-11-18T12:11:00.001-08:002011-11-22T12:52:51.712-08:00

I'm blogging from an undisclosed location ;-), but I don't have much choice right now - I've had my internet turned off again at home, and I won't be able to pay the bill for awhile, so there you go. And for those of you who are my Facebook friends, I'm going to be pretty scarce there as well, since FB is blocked from where I'm working. I can access it briefly on my phone, but can't see much or

Laurelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12219009870087789422noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3499768926900438210.post-25133914348202585222011-11-09T11:00:00.000-08:002011-11-09T11:00:17.616-08:00

First, a big giant thank you to all who commented on my last post - you are the kindest, sweetest readers, and I love you all! It really meant a whole lot to me to receive such tremendous support. You are really the best. Now on to some pixtures... You know I love, love, love Craig Ferguson, right? This is what appeared on my onscreen tv guide last month. That's right - actress Matt Smith, aka

Laurelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12219009870087789422noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3499768926900438210.post-77865445981947028752011-10-31T12:37:00.000-07:002011-10-31T12:38:24.562-07:00

....in the life of a very broke and jobless individual. Okay. So my landline and ATT email was disconnected because I couldn't keep up with the bill. Fine. I am using my pay-as-you-go cell phone. Fine. So. I have to find a way to maintain internet access, and end up purchasing a Verizon wireless data card for $25 bucks at Fry's. Never having had to pay attention to how much data I was using, I

Laurelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12219009870087789422noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3499768926900438210.post-31756472366835834572011-10-17T13:20:00.000-07:002011-10-17T13:20:52.865-07:00

Okay, this time I'm NOT promoting myself. What? That's right!  I just wanted you to see some of the Treasuries I've created on Etsy. What? If you didn't know, all those collages of images on Etsy's front page are called Treasuries. And any Etsy member can create a Treasury. Of course, there are thousands of them - they are listed by the most recent. I recently made THIS one. It's all vintage

Laurelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12219009870087789422noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3499768926900438210.post-28957734482273547482011-10-15T13:46:00.000-07:002011-10-15T13:46:19.657-07:00

Jeeze. Ya think you're the only one doing something..... and then you find out that one of your good friends has been doing the same thing.  My buddy Lynda Moseley of Diva Designs, who is an amazing polymer artist, and produces FANTASTIC tutorials...will be doing a new one on faux turq right after she releases her tutorial on faux ivory and faux bone.  Sheesh. It's bound to be wonderful! And

Laurelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12219009870087789422noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3499768926900438210.post-4878978297398944822011-10-06T13:02:00.000-07:002011-10-15T13:49:23.590-07:00

I've been back into the bad habit of staying up until 2:00 am and sleeping in until 10:30. It's just what my body wants to do these days. And my habit of reading in bed probably doesn't help, especially when I'm reading something exciting, as I was a few days ago. I FINALLY made it past the first few pages of "The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo," which were incredibly boring to me. Hey, I'm

Laurelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12219009870087789422noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3499768926900438210.post-84953609547103925002011-10-01T18:33:00.000-07:002011-10-15T13:47:56.309-07:00

Riki Schumacher is a wonderful mixed media jewelry artist. Believe me, if I had been working consistently over the last few years, I would have taken at least one of her classes, if not more. I did have the good fortune to meet her when I taught at Adorn Me in 2010, and she is such a sweetie! She has a new site for her workshops, and she's having really awesome giveaways for the launch of it.

Laurelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12219009870087789422noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3499768926900438210.post-59442857981429797902011-09-30T13:05:00.000-07:002011-10-15T13:47:30.837-07:00

I haven't talked about this much yet, but I've been putting together my new tutorial, which is on making faux turquoise with polymer clay. I mean, I haven't even spoken about it to my clay friends!  I really wanted to keep this one under my hat, so to speak, until it was almost ready. It's going to be my biggest one yet, and it's going to be really comprehensive. AND it's featuring ways of

Laurelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12219009870087789422noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3499768926900438210.post-90950997367566843842011-09-29T12:36:00.000-07:002011-10-15T13:46:54.596-07:00

Here's a little shout out for the fabulous Mike Bennett and his terrific vampire story (it's a FREE podcast!) "Underwood & Flinch." But why don't I let him say it himself? Underwood and Flinch: Promo 2 by Mike_Bennett Oh, did I mention that he's got a wonderful sense of humor as well? I subscribe to it on iTunes, and love, love, love it!

Laurelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12219009870087789422noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3499768926900438210.post-81148076306732676682011-09-25T14:02:00.000-07:002011-10-15T13:48:28.236-07:00

It's a very quiet, sedate birthday for me this year. Lots to ponder, lots to remember, lots to miss, and, quite frankly, not that much to look forward to. BUT! But, but but! Here's the good news: I'm still alive!  And I'd like to share my birthday gifts with you. There's a gift card for the supermarket from my lovely sister and her husband - thank you SO MUCH, Shelley and Mark! Maybe I'll

Laurelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12219009870087789422noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3499768926900438210.post-58927006473432996732011-09-19T14:27:00.000-07:002011-09-19T14:27:07.871-07:00

Why do I sink zis needs a Cherman agzent?  I don't know, why not? Now that we have the Bead Soup done, I wanted to show you what I made for my Charmsters Steampunk Charm Swap.  I haven't received the package yet with everyone else's contributions, and can't wait! They're bound to be a bevy of awesome! To begin with, I had juuuust enough brass hearts and findings to use. After all, there were

Laurelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12219009870087789422noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3499768926900438210.post-53097806008480125172011-09-16T20:59:00.000-07:002011-09-20T12:58:20.989-07:00

Early much? Yep, I am posting this just before midnight Eastern, but from the Pacific time zone, which makes it almost 9 pm on the 16th. Did I overthink or mis-think this? Maybe!! But on with the show! This time, I'm gonna do this Goldilocks style - you'll see what I mean in a minute.  First, another look at the wonderful soup I received from Mary K McGraw. A bounty of booty (arrrr! - you

Laurelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12219009870087789422noreply@blogger.com72tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3499768926900438210.post-17164026697776074722011-09-02T16:46:00.000-07:002011-09-02T16:46:21.968-07:00

I'm showing my age by remembering that title. I'm also showing my age by not remembering what it was; a tv show, a radio show? Gone. I only remember the title  and that it was referred to as TW3.  Ah, here we go. Thank you,  Wikipedia.  First, today's egregious misunderstanding of a term. Seen in an Etsy posting description: rod iron. No, really. ROD iron?????  Are people completely

Laurelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12219009870087789422noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3499768926900438210.post-43459463794706725432011-08-24T11:24:00.000-07:002011-08-24T11:24:06.775-07:00

Because of my dire rent/apartment/possible eviction status, I'm thinking about possibly moving to Ventura to be closer to my sister and brother, although that may just be pie-in-the-sky as well...at any rate.... Found this description of an apartment on craigslist: Welcome home to S C Timbers. A prestigious community just North of LA. With easy Freeway access to 101, and Highway 1. enjoy our

Laurelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12219009870087789422noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3499768926900438210.post-16319951454362313272011-08-19T17:07:00.000-07:002011-08-19T17:07:26.059-07:00

This is what I sent my partner, Mary K McGraw, for the Bead Soup Blog Party.   No, I didn't send her a kaleidoscope, silly! I sent her some beads 'n' stuff, but we're not s'posed to show what they really look like! So the above is a picture of the beads, made into a multiple collage and then with the colors altered in PSE, and then made into a kaleidoscope with Kaleidoscope Kreator. Here's a

Laurelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12219009870087789422noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3499768926900438210.post-12801613511160520442011-08-17T12:40:00.000-07:002011-08-17T12:40:08.696-07:00

Amazing what the lack of a little ol' "c" can do...as in this page from HGTV....this made me literally laugh out loud. After: Center of AttentionEmily makes the fireplace the focal point by hanging a huge statement portrait of President William Harrison above it and flanking it with antique scones.

Laurelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12219009870087789422noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3499768926900438210.post-533289729632908782011-08-15T17:52:00.000-07:002011-08-15T17:52:50.241-07:00

Yep, that's right - I am selling a TON (well, maybe I exaggerate) of beads, findings, and chain chain chains on Ebay right now - all in large lots, so the prices are fantastic. Come see, come see! Something for everyone! And help me pay my rent (no joke!) HERE's WHERE THEY ARE on Ebay! And here's a preview......  

Laurelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12219009870087789422noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3499768926900438210.post-11802030195163828732011-08-08T20:27:00.000-07:002011-08-08T20:27:42.514-07:00

Wow, these seem to be coming faster and faster. Or maybe I'm just going slower and slower?  I gotta tell ya, though - this time that I've spent unemployed (almost a month now - sheee-ikes!) has dragged like a draggy mcdraggerson dragger. And THAT's draggy!  And then with all my buds over at Art Unraveled this past week - I've been a lonely camper!  But keep all your fingers crossed that my wait

Laurelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12219009870087789422noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3499768926900438210.post-11483950318364474772011-08-06T14:45:00.000-07:002011-08-06T14:45:13.991-07:00

The lovely folks over at Art Bead Scene blog (I've got a new button over there on the left that will take you there if you click on it) randomly select monthly winners from among those who enter their challenges, and I winned!   Specifically, I won these gorgeous copper pieces from Kristi Bowman Design: Aren't they lovely? I can't wait to make something with them. The patina on these is

Laurelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12219009870087789422noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3499768926900438210.post-40385222970395497082011-08-02T11:36:00.000-07:002011-08-02T11:36:50.748-07:00

You MUST go over to Sarajane Helm's blog and look at all the masks from the latest mini-mask swap! She's got a slide show running with all of them, and who made them - ever so much better than what I didn't do - show you some of them that I received! Here's a peek - these golden wonders are by Varda Lev-Ellisman: And remember that all of them are made to fit within a 3" square! And most are

Laurelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12219009870087789422noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3499768926900438210.post-79389933963113956372011-07-30T13:10:00.000-07:002011-07-30T13:10:27.794-07:00

see more funny videos, and check out our Yo Dawg lols! And we have Weird Al to thank for the photo!

Laurelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12219009870087789422noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3499768926900438210.post-6247902671041231072011-07-29T17:57:00.000-07:002011-07-29T17:57:54.525-07:00

Bead Soup, that is! Sign ups start on Monday, at Lori Anderson's blog. If you are interested in joining, here's the scoop from Lori. All you need to be a part is a blog, some beads to send to your partner, and a commitment to make jewelry from the beads you receive.  How easy, and how fun is that? Then in September, we all post pictures of our creations, and go around to the other participating

Laurelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12219009870087789422noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3499768926900438210.post-50808534857758696652011-07-17T19:57:00.000-07:002011-07-17T19:57:04.467-07:00

This was one of those things that started out to be one thing and ending up being another thing entirely. That's the thing of the thing, right? Or maybe not.... THE July challenge over at the Art Bead Scene was to use this wonderful painting as inspiration for a piece of jewelry. Morning in the Garden at Vaucresson, by Edouard Vuillard 1923 reworked 1938 distemper on canvas, 59 ½ by 43 5/8

Laurelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12219009870087789422noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3499768926900438210.post-58406177903768566102011-07-14T15:37:00.000-07:002011-07-14T15:37:38.864-07:00

So. Humph. Yeah. I had to pull my classes from Art Is in Petaluma in September due to low sign ups. Boooo!!!! And my temp job is coming to an end. I only work through next Tuesday. The regular person is coming back on Monday. Poop. But!!! The good news is that I will have more time to work on my next tutorial, and I need YOU for that! Just go to my Etsy store, where I describe my

Laurelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12219009870087789422noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3499768926900438210.post-34250763095843580232011-07-07T16:32:00.000-07:002011-07-07T16:32:00.287-07:00

This was the item of the day on Polymer Clay Daily, and I have to pass it on. If you are at all interested in polymer clay as an art medium, you MUST read this article on the Ornament Magazine website. Go. Now. Read. Especially if you still think polymer is just for cutesy kid stuff.

Laurelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12219009870087789422noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3499768926900438210.post-9436986310194262522011-06-30T14:36:00.000-07:002011-06-30T14:36:10.226-07:00

I'm in the new (August) edition of Bead and Button magazine!!!!! Earlier today, I received an Etsy convo from a nice person saying that she had seen my work in Bead and Button.  Whaaa???? So of course, like an idjit, I reply back and say oh no, you must be mistaken.  Then a little while later I get a convo from Dianne Culbertson of Charmed Affections, saying that the necklace she made featuring

Laurelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12219009870087789422noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3499768926900438210.post-16694188480018070072011-06-27T15:00:00.000-07:002011-06-27T15:00:31.833-07:00

I just spent a bunch of time scouring these posts to see what I had posted before about this piece, and danged if I couldn't find anything at all! So maybe you remember something about it, and maybe you don't. But it's different now.  Huh? Over the course of 2010 and into 2011 I participated in a round robin with people from my old Charmsters Yahoo group. Old, only because I turned over the

Laurelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12219009870087789422noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3499768926900438210.post-16220254569501702882011-06-16T14:56:00.000-07:002011-06-16T14:56:06.826-07:00

I've been wanting to contribute to the Art Bead Scene monthly challenge for a long time, and I finally got around to doing one!  All you do is make a piece of jewelry using the posted art as inspiration. This month's painting is "Ophelia" by Odilon Redon, one of my favorite symbolist painters. And of course, it's about one of the great tragic love stories of all time. And of course I

Laurelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12219009870087789422noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3499768926900438210.post-82243403318402262722011-06-09T10:45:00.000-07:002011-06-09T10:45:55.852-07:00

Paul Revere (from the portrait by John Copley) Yeah, I know the Palin flack has about lost its kerfuffle at this point. But he's the guy who warned the AMERICANS (who were actually still colonists at that point) that the BRITISH were coming to take away their gunpowder.  But does he remind you of anyone? He did for me. Don't you love it? In other news, I just wanted to let you all know that

Laurelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12219009870087789422noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3499768926900438210.post-65473721981630109152011-06-01T09:00:00.000-07:002011-06-01T15:04:47.650-07:00

Ahem. Or, in the vernacular - pretty, shiny! And how! I don't care what you say, I love these little buggers. They're weird and wild and I just think they're very cute. But ho boy, were there a lot of steps and layers to them! First you get some white clay. Roll it out on your thickest pasta machine setting. Cut out an oval shape. Lay the oval shape on a sheet of silver leafing. Pick up the

Laurelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12219009870087789422noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3499768926900438210.post-24173465309392749022011-05-31T15:11:00.000-07:002011-05-31T15:11:22.187-07:00

What's a greenie?  Welp, these are greeenies! Leafy little mini masks all in green! My third set of masks for Sarajane Helm's swap. These leafy, somewhat "Green Man" ish masks were made from 4 shades of green clay, textured and cut into leaf shapes.Then I assembled the leaves into mask like shapes and cut out the eye holes over a clay copy of a doll head. Then they were cured, antiqued, sanded

Laurelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12219009870087789422noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3499768926900438210.post-39872736909905501552011-05-26T16:20:00.000-07:002011-05-26T16:20:05.578-07:00

Yum, yum, eat 'em up!  No, of course not, silly!  This is the second set of mini masks.  I didn't mean for them to come out creepy, honest!  But I think that once I added the snake-like locks of hair, it couldn't be helped. I made a mold of a doll face (but of courrrrse!) and then marbled up a big ol' hunk of clay with white, blue, translucent without bleach and translucent with bleach into a

Laurelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12219009870087789422noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3499768926900438210.post-2009584473100781442011-05-24T10:28:00.000-07:002011-05-24T10:28:53.529-07:00

Aaahhhh!  Ooh, not those ones! Creepy scary! This month I've been making more mini masks for another Sarajane Helm mask swap.  'Member the ones I did before, which ended up in her Mask Book? The deadline to have them finished is the end of this month, so as usual, I'm cutting it really close. 'Specially since I had just about finished up 2 sets of 10 (one set for each design) and when I

Laurelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12219009870087789422noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3499768926900438210.post-20301865744655280252011-05-22T08:00:00.000-07:002011-05-22T08:00:03.104-07:00

...for who among us doesn't love them? Having a stash of them feels like having the jewels from a pirate's treasure chest. It's easy to accumulate a lot of them, and they are like jewels. Put them in a bowl and run your hands through them and see if you don't feel absolutely rich! Awhile back I was taking part in a jewelry round robin, and my project of the month had the very simple  theme of "

Laurelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12219009870087789422noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3499768926900438210.post-27582831271498085702011-05-18T11:55:00.000-07:002011-05-18T11:55:12.577-07:00

In the world of polymer, that is. The amazing Sage Bray is putting the final touches on her new publication, appropriately called "The Polymer Arts." Sage is a member of my online Etsy Polymer Clay guild, which we all know as PCAGOE, although we all tend to pronounce that in different ways.  She has created lovely polymer jewelry for what I think of as the costume crowd (those who might attend

Laurelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12219009870087789422noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3499768926900438210.post-34900628936775426942011-05-07T12:06:00.000-07:002011-05-07T12:06:16.677-07:00

I adore Scott Sigler, aka our Future Dark Overlord, or FDO. He's funny, cute, and absolutely profane. Oh yeah, and he writes kick-ass splatastic hard science horror fiction. Tomorrow morning at 9 am Pacific, his new book of short stories is released on Amazon for e-readers at the amazing price of .99.  That's right - less than a buckaroo! If you're at all interested, go purchase it tomorrow and

Laurelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12219009870087789422noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3499768926900438210.post-59590972224527058992011-04-13T15:01:00.000-07:002011-04-13T15:01:52.751-07:00

...from one, no matter how hard we try to hold onto it. It's been almost a month since I've posted???!! For shame! Or not.  See, the thing is with me - after it's been a certain amount of time since I've done something, it becomes progressively harder to go back to it.  And that makes it take even longer before I do it. Or not.  This is not the first time (by a long shot!) that I've wished I had

Laurelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12219009870087789422noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3499768926900438210.post-52746343732525942262011-03-19T10:26:00.000-07:002011-03-19T10:26:01.299-07:00

A little while ago, several of my pieces were purchased on Etsy by a jewelry designer named Terri. And whaddya know, she made this pretty, pretty piece with one of them, and has already sold it! She has two Etsy stores, one to sell some really lovely lampwork beads, and one for her awesome jewelry designs, called Starseed Jewelry. Keep an eye on the last one - you may not only see something you

Laurelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12219009870087789422noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3499768926900438210.post-83924999003053926742011-03-16T15:16:00.000-07:002011-03-16T15:16:34.890-07:00

Man oh boy oh man, it's been a long time since I've said hello.  Hello!  Whassup? Yeah? Awesome! Whassup wit me? Nah much. Working at this temp job, which is an incredibly good thing, even with its minor imperfections such as pay rate and having to park a few blocks away AND pay for the privilege....BUT - please don't think I'm complaining, because, basically WORK = GOOD right now. Hmmm. I was

Laurelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12219009870087789422noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3499768926900438210.post-63198711890213782272011-02-26T09:40:00.000-08:002011-02-26T09:40:36.362-08:00

Welcome to the 3rd Bead Soup Blog Party! What is a Bead Soup Blog Party?  Each beader was paired up with another jewelry designer and tasked with sending the following: ~ A focal ~ A special clasp (not just a lobster claw) ~ Some coordinating spacers or beads Using the focal and the clasp was mandatory, but we could use anything from our own stash to round out the rest, and choose to use the

Laurelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12219009870087789422noreply@blogger.com79tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3499768926900438210.post-53946154548753790802011-02-24T19:31:00.000-08:002011-02-24T19:31:45.499-08:00

Looka this way cool treasury that I'm in on Etsy!Those are my weirdo faux brick wall beads in the bottom row. You can click up the photo to see it larger, and also GO HERE to see the real thing on Etsy. Really wonderful rustic stuff - if you are able to check it out on Etsy, click on a few of the items and leave a comment - it will help to make it more popular and give it a chance to be featured

Laurelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12219009870087789422noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3499768926900438210.post-76963522593167028332011-02-24T07:14:00.000-08:002011-02-24T07:14:06.553-08:00

This is a sneek peek of my Bead Soup confection(s?)  What? Can't tell what it is? Oh, shoot! I guess we'll have to wait until Saturday!

Laurelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12219009870087789422noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3499768926900438210.post-53255079119875938542011-02-22T18:15:00.000-08:002011-02-22T18:15:00.565-08:00

I landed a maternity leave temp gig for three months - wa-hooooo! It couldn't have come at a better time. Well, wait a minute. It could have come at a MUCH better time - like three months ago - but hey - better late than not! Especially since I've been down to my last pennies. I applied for food stamps at the end of last month, and the card finally arrived today - oh, thank goodness! Even though

Laurelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12219009870087789422noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3499768926900438210.post-78452758783116425722011-02-14T12:30:00.000-08:002011-02-14T12:30:17.223-08:00

 Since the former is so often misused as the latter lately, here's the scoop: Trans-LUCE-ent means letting LIGHT through. Trans-PAR-ent means letting PEARS through. What? Oh. Trans-PAR-ent means clear, see-through, like clear glass. From the Latin for "to appear." Trans-LUCE-nt, from the Latin for "to shine through", only means that one can see light through it, not that one can see

Laurelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12219009870087789422noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3499768926900438210.post-77148611341827808172011-02-11T13:39:00.000-08:002011-02-11T13:39:18.420-08:00

is like a melody... And I'm in love with this one that I made...  ...by following Cindylietzthepolymerclaytutor (I usually think of her that way)'s tutorial called "The Aurora Technique" It's incredibly simple, even for me! Yes, I know, but believe it or not, there are many polymer techniques that I haven't had much success with, like caning and miniatures. I will keep trying on the caning, but

Laurelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12219009870087789422noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3499768926900438210.post-23550557457416658442011-02-09T14:04:00.000-08:002011-02-09T14:04:00.886-08:00

Ask and ye shall receive... They're pretty, aren't they? But these are the ones I didn't make. I really like them both. The problem was something I've encountered time after time when making charms for swaps. I always want to make charms with my own digital creations on them. And then either the transfer/reproduction method fails, which it certainly didn't with these, or they just don't translate

Laurelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12219009870087789422noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3499768926900438210.post-18527548337992921212011-02-07T16:01:00.000-08:002011-02-07T16:01:09.837-08:00

I'm wrapping up a charm swap - well, not literally, I can't wrap everything up until I receive all the pieces! But I'm hosting a last swap for my Yahoo group, Charmsters, and have been making my charms over the weekend - almost done! and most of the contributions have arrived. So that will be wrapping up in the next few days, I hope.  I turned over the ownership of the group, which I created and

Laurelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12219009870087789422noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3499768926900438210.post-22634895927971366482011-02-02T12:38:00.000-08:002011-02-02T12:56:30.619-08:00

Lisa Pavelka. Former stand-in for Julia Roberts. Polymer adventurer deluxe. Author. Inventor. Designer. Lover of bling. Having missed her at the Viva Decor booth, (it turns out that someone had double-booked her!) we found her at the JHB booth. They are primarily a button manufacturer, but she has designed buttons for them, and they are now including her signature line, which is all of her

Laurelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12219009870087789422noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3499768926900438210.post-28186493112598596792011-02-01T15:11:00.000-08:002011-02-04T18:16:41.973-08:00

...My own personal "Rome," that is. I have reached the scary-broke level. The level where things like electricity and phone will be turned off, and I don't have enough money for rent. I applied for food stamps. And I can't seem to find work to save my life, which is pretty much a literal statement at this point. But let's not linger there, it freaks me out too much. Let's get to the fiddling part

Laurelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12219009870087789422noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3499768926900438210.post-31919239321625921582011-01-30T12:46:00.000-08:002011-01-30T12:46:52.620-08:00

When I filled out the questionnaire for this, I didn't really realize that it would be used as a whole, but there you go! It's HERE.http://artis4thesoul.blogspot.com/2011/01/spotlight-on-laurel-steven.html

Laurelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12219009870087789422noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3499768926900438210.post-52844029595922009142011-01-26T10:29:00.000-08:002011-01-26T10:29:26.942-08:00

Oooh, lovely faux beauties! Click HERE to go look at them all up close 'n' personal!

Laurelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12219009870087789422noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3499768926900438210.post-75493398952007723892011-01-25T11:31:00.000-08:002011-01-25T11:31:11.915-08:00

Bad blogger! I am having a BOGO sale in my Etsy store from now until Valentine's Day. Buy one polymer pendant and get a free polymer heart charm!    Just click on the pic (or that iPhone-looking thingie down there on the left) to go to my Etsy store and have a look around - I've also got a bunch more vintage necklace and bracelet chains, and am listing them slowly but Shirley ;)

Laurelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12219009870087789422noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3499768926900438210.post-53522090801958372162011-01-24T11:29:00.000-08:002011-01-24T11:29:29.518-08:00

Here is a very cool thing from the wonderful folks at Art Is You: WIN BACK YOUR REGISTRATION! -  Anyone who has already registered and anyone who registers from now until midnight on January 31st will go into a draw to win back their complete registration.  Don't waste another minute - secure your place today.  You can click up the pic to make it larger. And if you look over there on the

Laurelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12219009870087789422noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3499768926900438210.post-26682318299675869362011-01-22T13:44:00.000-08:002011-01-22T13:44:29.379-08:00

Sarajane Helm's new book has just been published and is available for sale at Amazon.......and I'm in it!   I haven't been able to purchase it yet, but from what I've seen of it so far, it's unbelievably awesome!  If you're not familiar with Sarajane, she has been working with polymer for many years, in fact, her 2001 book called "Create a Polymer Clay Impression" was what got me restarted with

Laurelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12219009870087789422noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3499768926900438210.post-74172529903523065292011-01-18T15:40:00.000-08:002011-01-18T15:40:15.129-08:00

Yep, I know I have. But there's much more to say and show about it. This event really seems to be set apart from the others by the way that the creators care about art and those who create it.  Let me let you read what they say about it themselves. http://www.art-is-you.com/mysitecaddy/site3/whywedothethingswedo.htm And so far, I have had exceptional communication and caring from Sallianne

Laurelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12219009870087789422noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3499768926900438210.post-85311343134697229282011-01-17T15:58:00.000-08:002011-01-17T15:58:54.045-08:00

Boy, did I ever have a wonderful time yesterday! The lovely, effervescent, and ridonkulously talented Gina Armfield  held a Journaling Jam out at the Paradise Cove clubhouse in Malibu. You know that I spend most of my time making jewelry, so it is always just pure fun to do an art journal page every now and then. I wish I had time to do more - I might even get good at it if I did! But in the

Laurelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12219009870087789422noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3499768926900438210.post-49583359598103009192011-01-11T11:47:00.000-08:002011-01-11T11:47:02.506-08:00

You remember Lori Anderson's Bead Soup parties, right? Well, the next one is coming up,  and man, this one's gonna be huge! If you have a blog, like to make jewelry, have an excess of beautiful beads, and would like to find out more, and perhaps join up, click here. And yes, of COURSE I'm going to play! It's so much fun! You get to pick out a bunch of cool stuff from your stash to send to your

Laurelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12219009870087789422noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3499768926900438210.post-530924650997120822011-01-06T10:13:00.000-08:002011-01-06T10:13:41.914-08:00

I've been WORKING this week - woo-hooo! Just like my last brief assignment, I am sticking things to other things. This time in a very different environment, though. Instead of a cubicle in a lovely roomy elegant office with a cappuccino machine, microwave, toaster, large refrigerator, lots of people, a Starbucks, fast food, restaurant and general store on the premises, and across the street from

Laurelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12219009870087789422noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3499768926900438210.post-39302541433301106092011-01-04T16:05:00.000-08:002011-01-04T16:05:33.417-08:00

Mr. Neil and his lovely Amanda are officially married now. So I guess that means he's officially ineffable to the rest of us (sigh.) He'll always be effable in my dreams, though.

Laurelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12219009870087789422noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3499768926900438210.post-90112743503487231482011-01-01T20:27:00.000-08:002011-01-03T16:50:26.945-08:00

Words of wisdom on the new year from the ineffable Neil Gaiman.... May your coming year be filled with magic and dreams and good madness. I hope you read some fine books and kiss someone who thinks you're wonderful, and don't forget to make some art -- write or draw or build or sing or live as only you can. And I hope, somewhere in the next year, you surprise yourself.A sly aside -methinks:

Laurelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12219009870087789422noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3499768926900438210.post-63068200014949771682011-01-01T09:00:00.000-08:002011-01-01T09:00:00.678-08:00

This month's challenge is called "Tri-Color Combo" since we were challenged to create an item in....wait for  it......three colors! Betcha couldn't see that one coming! The three colors were blue, green and yellow, and we could substitute white or black for one of the three if we wanted.  I wasn't able to take the time to enter this month, but there are lots of nicies (new word?) to vote for at

Laurelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12219009870087789422noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3499768926900438210.post-5689528214244575072010-12-31T17:27:00.000-08:002010-12-31T17:27:17.956-08:00

it's been a crap year for me and i am so very glad it's over.

Laurelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12219009870087789422noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3499768926900438210.post-32408713611152978562010-12-30T12:00:00.000-08:002010-12-30T12:00:08.941-08:00

Thank you all for your kind thoughts and prayers for Allegra. She is holding her own now, so that is the best news!  I think just about everyone in the whole world must be praying for her now. I first met Allegra through the Yahoo group that I created called Charmsters. It was waaay back in July of 2007 that I started the group. I was planning to attend Art & Soul in Portland, OR for the first

Laurelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12219009870087789422noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3499768926900438210.post-69992636198023062812010-12-29T12:59:00.000-08:002010-12-29T12:59:43.436-08:00

My dear, dear friend Allegra is quite ill. Please send prayers for her and her adorable husband Barry.

Laurelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12219009870087789422noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3499768926900438210.post-85634361645667009342010-12-27T11:31:00.000-08:002010-12-27T11:31:20.973-08:00

I am unreasonably excited that Primeval is coming back to BBCAmerica. Apparently it got a bunch o'cash to make a new season - yippeee! Dinosaurs and monsters and time travel, oh my! Oh, and yes, there are lots of cute British guys as well.... Have you seen it? It starts back up on New Year's Day! Hmm, this is going to be a bit wandery, I think (no, I'm not an Anglophile at all, honest! Really!

Laurelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12219009870087789422noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3499768926900438210.post-21526328131925746742010-12-22T12:56:00.000-08:002010-12-22T12:56:15.769-08:00

I'm still here. The holidays suck. So does being broke. (sigh.) Talk soon, Laurel

Laurelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12219009870087789422noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3499768926900438210.post-67081900073456268062010-12-01T09:00:00.000-08:002010-12-01T09:00:07.418-08:00

Lookie! Clickee!

Laurelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12219009870087789422noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3499768926900438210.post-25312801416313720922010-11-30T13:34:00.000-08:002010-11-30T13:34:17.093-08:00

This has been making the rounds at Facebook, but just in case you haven't seen it yet - you MUST! (psssst! wanna get happy?)

Laurelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12219009870087789422noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3499768926900438210.post-52744474722633436892010-11-29T09:01:00.000-08:002010-11-29T12:05:17.655-08:00

As a result of all the foofaraw (hey, don't laugh - it's a real word!) over Art & Soul in Portland, there was a Yahoo group created so that all of the teachers there could share their experiences. That has turned out to be the best thing! We are discussing more and better ways of getting our names and stuff out there, and to that end, Lesley Venable has created a new link site  HERE. It has a

Laurelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12219009870087789422noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3499768926900438210.post-82350065410757028582010-11-22T17:57:00.000-08:002010-11-23T08:44:23.201-08:00

See, even when I was married I never cooked much, since for the first half of the time I was off to gigs all the time and for the whole of it he was working 12 or more hour days....and then of course I never had children, so I never HAD to cook, right? Hey, if you can get away without having to do something.... And at this point in my life, 10 years post divorce, which is 10 years into living

Laurelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12219009870087789422noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3499768926900438210.post-52243403855403075782010-11-18T12:20:00.000-08:002010-11-18T12:20:55.688-08:00

Sale on EVERYTHING in my Etsy shop until the end of the month! Woo-hooooo!!!!! And don't forget - every item you purchase from one of the participating PCAGOE shops gets you an entry into our amaaaaaazing Holiday Giveaway.  You can also enter by sending a postcard - but you need to go to one of our stores to find out where to send it.  Just click on that thing over on the left that looks sort

Laurelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12219009870087789422noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3499768926900438210.post-9003400926455488982010-11-17T09:00:00.000-08:002010-11-17T09:00:01.030-08:00

Hmmmm.....to tell you the truth, I feel like I haven't been on earth lately. Financial things continue to get worse, and I'm scrambling to try and find work/a job/a temp job/a part time job/ - anything just to make some money, because the brutally honest fact is that I could be homeless in a month or two if I don't find work. Whew. It's just so unreal, being this desperate, that I can't seem to

Laurelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12219009870087789422noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3499768926900438210.post-70644885742463284802010-11-15T06:00:00.000-08:002010-11-15T06:00:08.967-08:00

I have just participated in another of the fabulous Lori Anderson's blog....swap...jewelry...thingies. Ahem. Let's be a little more clear about that, shall we? Everyone who joined was paired up with a partner. We sent our partner one of our jewelry pieces that had been sitting on the shelf for awhile, and wasn't attracting buyers. In my case, I sent my partner, Loretta Carstensen, this piece of

Laurelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12219009870087789422noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3499768926900438210.post-55274920242527577652010-11-08T08:00:00.000-08:002010-11-08T08:00:00.558-08:00

(and here's the official copy) YES IT’S ON AGAIN SHOPPERS………………………… THE POLYMER CLAY ARTISTS GUILD OF ETSY HOLIDAY PROMOTION 2010. WIN… WIN… WIN… WIN……..REALLY BIG!!!   How can I win? All you have to do is to shop in one of the participating stores listed below from November 8th until November 30th 2010 and your name will go in the drawing to win one of our fantastic prizes. Purchase 1

Laurelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12219009870087789422noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3499768926900438210.post-54983416043657362662010-11-03T12:11:00.000-07:002010-11-03T12:11:53.253-07:00

  A bountiful beautiful basket of oranges for your perusal...HERE.

Laurelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12219009870087789422noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3499768926900438210.post-27707076908678591012010-11-01T11:33:00.000-07:002010-11-01T11:33:51.796-07:00

Wonderful pieces, as always!  Go and look at larger pics, see who made each one and a little about them, and then vote for your favorites HERE. There are prizes!

Laurelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12219009870087789422noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3499768926900438210.post-5130404797604477092010-10-29T13:10:00.000-07:002010-10-29T13:12:14.306-07:00

It's the end of the month, which means I have to have my piece for the Charmsters current round robin done. This month I have Anne Savage's necklace, on the theme of "Sticks and Stones." I cooked up some pieces for it the other night, and need to finish them over the weekend and get it sent out. I made a stick and a stone. How original! But HOW did I make them? From polymer, of course! Hope the

Laurelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12219009870087789422noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3499768926900438210.post-23722511601498893772010-10-26T12:57:00.000-07:002010-10-26T12:57:43.728-07:00

Did I enjoy my train trip up to Portland and back? Yeah.......not so much. Here's what you see for 29 hours - unless the lights are turned off, which they do at 10 pm.  Not so great for us nonsocial nightowls. Yeah, you can go up to the lounge/observatory car, and hang out with the young folk if you want to.  And you CAN turn on your reading light, which in complete darkness is like a police

Laurelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12219009870087789422noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3499768926900438210.post-67852089917720971782010-10-21T14:48:00.000-07:002010-10-21T14:48:00.988-07:00

Enjoy!

Laurelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12219009870087789422noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3499768926900438210.post-84296828626574108122010-10-20T14:34:00.000-07:002010-10-20T14:34:15.296-07:00

So, bottom line, my class was great. I had wonderful students, and a wonderful time. No major errors, thank God! I SOOOO wish that I would have more opportunities to practice teaching. I just know I could become really good at it with enough practice. But sadly, it is not to be for the time being. If I can book local classes, I will do that. But I no longer have the funds to travel teach. I need

Laurelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12219009870087789422noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3499768926900438210.post-31745415928102958232010-10-15T14:43:00.000-07:002010-10-15T14:46:57.776-07:00

God, my tyuping is bad. See? Especially when I'm typing directly on my laptop. I used to have an additional keyboard plugged in when I was trying to be a medical transcriptionist, but when I do that, I have to prop the laptop up on a bookstand, which has to be backedup to somehting solid sot hat it foesn't fall over, and then I have to have room for the keyboard below it. I'm not correcting that

Laurelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12219009870087789422noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3499768926900438210.post-72354162514947486692010-10-14T14:20:00.000-07:002010-10-14T14:20:46.722-07:00

Yes, my lovelies, I'm back from Portland! But more about that later.  Today I would like to introduce you to my Art Fire store called, hmmmm, let me think....laurelsteven - imagine that! I'm still learning to find my way around there, so for now, just go to Art Fire and search "laurelsteven" from the Seller Search choice in the drop down menu on the front page. I have also been most graciously

Laurelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12219009870087789422noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3499768926900438210.post-38767293552635148512010-10-01T13:16:00.000-07:002010-10-01T13:16:21.268-07:00

And there are really some fantastic entries! People have really upped their games lately, and are making the most amazing things. You can vote for three favorites (and win prizes!) if you click HERE. No, I wasn't able to create an entry this month - too much on my plate with Art & Soul NEXT WEEEEEEKKKK!!!!!

Laurelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12219009870087789422noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3499768926900438210.post-457364695758121862010-09-30T18:15:00.000-07:002010-09-30T18:15:55.591-07:00

Julianna Cannon, aka Juls of Julsbeads, writes the freakin' funniest things on her blog. Plus, she creates the most gorgeous, eyepopping glass beads I've ever seen! I bought this set from her awhile back, and I've been trying to make something or several somethings with them ever since, but they're just so dang beautiful I haven't been able to use them yet. I've even bought a buncha beads to go

Laurelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12219009870087789422noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3499768926900438210.post-3514292710381175562010-09-29T11:16:00.000-07:002010-09-29T12:34:17.666-07:00

 WE HAVE A WINNER! THANKS, JUDY B! This is a quickie. I have a Groupon for $30 off any order plus reduced shipping at a place called Poptions that expires on Friday. Wait a minute, Miss Run On Sentence. Poptions doesn't expire on Friday. The coupon does. That's right, this Friday. But I can't use it right now, so I'm giving it away to the first person who asks for it. Leave me a comment here

Laurelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12219009870087789422noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3499768926900438210.post-52945003601970195532010-09-27T13:05:00.000-07:002010-09-27T13:05:51.133-07:00

1. It's 111 degrees outside at 12:35 pm on September 27. 2. I had a wonderful time on my birthday, which was this past Saturday. Me 'n' a coupla buds (Hi Terrill and Bonnie! - oh wait, Terrill doesn't read blogs, and I don't think Bonnie reads mine - oh well!) went to the Craft and Folk Art Museum for an opening. The space is down on Wilshire just across the street from LACMA and the Tar Pits. 

Laurelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12219009870087789422noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3499768926900438210.post-73355482819843554372010-09-21T18:26:00.000-07:002010-09-21T18:26:52.405-07:00

Or, the men that my husband (if I had one) might have to make an exception to me having, um, a thing with. If I was 30 years younger. And 100 pounds thinner. And this was another world. Timothy Olyphant Alexander Skarsgard Alex O'Loughlin Nathan Fillion Aldis Hodge (from Leverage) Craig Ferguson Denis Leary Clancy Brown Don Cheadle (actually, I want him to be my new husband) Neil Gaiman I may

Laurelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12219009870087789422noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3499768926900438210.post-76306099048080767562010-09-17T10:50:00.000-07:002010-09-17T10:50:03.657-07:00

Giant big humongous tremendous thanks to all who have purchased my new tutorial!  You are helping one of America's unemployed travel to Oregon to teach a workshop! I am profoundly grateful. And hey, if you're still in a giving mood....(hah!) check out my big destashing over on Ebay! That link will take you to the first item, and from there you can get to the rest. I don't have a store, as such,

Laurelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12219009870087789422noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3499768926900438210.post-36843262281373759052010-09-16T12:41:00.000-07:002010-09-16T12:41:32.456-07:00

How too too very muchly awesomely cool is THAT!!!!!! It's HERE and looks like this: YaYYYYYYY!! I sold several tutorials today directly because of this - thank you so much, Cynthia Tinapple! On another note, stay tuned - I'm doing a big destashing on Ebay starting later today - I will give you guys a link - right now I have to finish the  listings!  Yippeeeeeee! 

Laurelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12219009870087789422noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3499768926900438210.post-69750887189278188312010-09-14T11:14:00.000-07:002010-09-14T11:14:01.555-07:00

Hello! It's Toooosday schmoozeday, and I'm gearing up for the big trip to Portland in a few weeks. I have been making tons of my lockets so that I can teach my class on it without having to think too hard. That's important, you know!  'Member this? Yep, that's the one. I was able to simplify the process of making it, which is ALWAYS a good thing! We should have a great time in the class - wanna

Laurelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12219009870087789422noreply@blogger.com2