Three Day Weekend

I didn't know until Wednesday that we had Monday off -- for some reason I thought that Labor Day was one of those weird holidays that bumps to the next week when it falls on the 1st of the month. I'm really happy about the three day weekend, especially because we have only been in school 8 days and I'm already feeling a bit under the weather with a sore throat.

School has been great and I'm excited about my class. I have some new challenges this year, but I'm trying to start off on the right foot by staying a little later than I did last year so I don't have to bring (much) work home with me. My plans for next week are already done!

And so, I have time this weekend to focus on my jewelry and fabric shops. I have about 20 new fabric necklaces in the works and I hope to work on some earrings or bracelets this weekend as well. Tonight is Saturday Night Special sale, which I try to participate in every week. Check out my shops for some great deals!

Long Day at School

Today I put in my first full day at school working on my classroom -- A lovely 9.5 hours of classroom cleaning fun! My main goal was to figure out where to put tables, bookshelves, etc. -- with the potential for 30 kids and no literacy program, I had to reorganize a bit. I was able to get everything where I wanted it, and started labeling AR books with their reading level (I got through 2 boxes -- Yippee!).

I feel like I am being rewarded for all my hard work, because imagine my surprise when I find I have a double dose of front page! One of my fabric necklaces is in a treasury on the front page this evening, and a set of my pushpins are in a Storque article (and since it is one of the first related items, it shows up when the article scrolls by the front page)! I am so honored, and it made my exhausting day have a very happy end. Here are the screenshots:

Messy...

Ugh, I think my beads have taken over half of my living room!!!

Goals for today:
- Clean up beads
- Cut out more muslin packaging bags
- Pack orders to ship tomorrow

Then, I am going to browse online for materials for making my own earwires. I need 20 gauge wire, possibly a jig (I have heard you can do it without them, but I don't trust myself to make consistent earwires without a jig), hammer, block, and burr cup for filing the ends. I don't have the funds to get it all now, but I am going to browse anyway :)

Perhaps it is time to go grocery shopping?

My sadly neglected blog. I really have been busy -- My car has decided that it wants to fall apart, which hasn't helped (I still need a new compressor = no AC for me. And yes, it is going to be 97 degrees on Wednesday, which means I won't be driving anywhere). I have been so busy, that today I realized that I really need to go grocery shopping. I mean, I really really really need to go grocery shopping. Need proof? Here is my refrigerator:



















Except for some condiments on the door (which have been in there so long I am not sure they are even safe to eat), my fridge contains filtered water, iced tea, juice, two jars of raspberry preserves, half a tub of pesto, three slices of bread, and four English muffins. The bottom two drawers are empty, except for one tub of feta cheese.

I don't think my fridge has ever been empty, except for when I moved in. And so, I guess it is off to the grocery. I'm going to Kroger first (not my fav) and Whole Foods later (yum!). I don't even know what I am going to buy, except there will be some cheese -- even though it is really expensive right now, I am having a serious cheese craving. I went a whole two weeks without it!

It has been a while since I have posted, but I have been quite busy! I have been working on rephotographing photos for my jewelry shop, in addition to making bracelets and earrings (at the encouragement of my friend Tara!). I also reorganized almost every supply I own (paper, fabric, beads, etc. etc. etc.) and moved furniture around in my apartment.

And in the last week or so, I have realized that I must do the dreaded: raise prices. My thumbtacks really just aren't priced to cover my costs and my time. I am currently researching some other supply options that would allow me to keep my prices what they are now, but in the meantime I do need to raise them a smidge. I really am dreading doing it, partially because it will take a loooooong time (my goal is to get it done in an hour) and partially because I am afraid it will hurt sales. I guess you gotta do what you gotta do -- I have to value my time.

Back from "Vacation"

Phew. Isn't vacation supposed to be relaxing? We drove home to visit my mom, then to a wedding, and back here to Louisville. I think all the driving wore me out!

Despite the driving, we did get to visit some of my favorite places. We went to the Cleveland Natural History Museum one morning. My favorite part is the gems section, of course. The dinosaurs are also fascinating, and I forgot that there was a section in the back with live animals from the region. The raccoon were surprisingly endearing! Later in the afternoon we went to the botanical gardens, which I absolutely love. Someday I would love to create a similar oasis here in Louisville. Here are a few of my favorite photos of the gardens:











































I have spent the last two days trying to finish up orders placed during my break. The orders are all ready, but I still need to pack and ship them. There is a sea of thumbtacks and magnets on my table -- I tried to take a photo, but it didn't turn out very well. I always feel like I have accomplished a lot when I see that sea of thumbtacks looking up at me!

Tomorrow I am headed off to the Cincinnati Zoo with one of my best friends and her son. I can't wait!

Front Page!

I was on the front page this morning! I had a tough time getting a screen shot of the whole treasury, but I got close. I think it has to do with my screen size.

Anyway, I did a whole lot of NOTHING today. Let's see... I started to try to clean out some stuff, but realized I was out of trash bags. So, I went to Target. On the way, I stopped at Borders and I was inspired by a magazine to try to organize my colored pencils and markers by color. After Target, I went to Hobby Lobby to try to find the perfect containers. No luck. Came home, sorted markers and pencils to get a better idea of the size containers I would need, and went back out to find them. Garden Ridge, Michaels... No luck. I must be insanely picky. In the end, I saved money because I replaced the containers I store my bangles, flower pins, and make-up brushes, and used those containers to put the pens an pencils in. Not quite what I wanted, but the pots are the right shade of blue (really I was looking for white or glass) to match the other storage bins on my bookshelves, so it will work. Plus, it was free :)

I tried to do some more organizing/cleaning, but it was dinner time. Then, I remembered I have my cousin's wedding to attend next weekend, and I don't really have anything to wear over my strapless dress (I'm a firm believer in layers). I wore it to a wedding last fall, but I really didn't think the sweater that I wore matched. So, off I went in search of the perfect cardigan-thingy to wear over the dress. I found something I sort of liked at Gap, but I wasn't sure it would look good with the dress. And, silly me, I didn't bring the dress with me. I went home, ate dessert, grabbed the dress, and drove to the closer Gap to see if it would work. I think it will -- I wanted to get the ivory-almost-white color, but it was too sheer in my opinion, so I got the medium brown color (I'm sure there is a better name for it, but I can't think of what it would be -- it is a medium grayish brown color).

I know none of this has anything to do with my shop, which is the point I guess. I got so distracted today, I didn't get squat done! I have high hopes for tomorrow, though... I might get up and walk in the morning, if those cicadas aren't too bad.