Bend Indoor Market

This weekend, the 25th and 26th I will be participating in a new market here in Bend. The Bend Indoor Market will be a mix of vendors selling local foods,produce, antiques, art and more. Hours are 10-4 both days. It is located at 50 Scott St. S.E. near the Sparrow Bakery. I'm really excited to have an INDOOR market so close to home where I can leave my booth set up from week to week.

This is a new color combination for fall I am calling Autumn. I used rich terracotta pink, golden yellow, topaz, clear and a touch of plum.

fresh from the kiln!

Last night we had a crazy thunder, lightning and rain storm! At one point it seemed like it was right over our house. There was an amazing double rainbow arching all the way across the sky. I opened the window for a second to take a picture and right when I opened it lightning struck. It seemed like it was REALLY close, like in our neighbors yard close. The thunder was right after it. I screamed, closed the window an gave up on that picture. After the storm had moved farther away we went outside and I took this picture over our neighbors house. The rainbow wasn't as dramatic as it had been earlier, but it was better to wait than get struck by lightning for a picture! We all stood in the rain and watched the storm pass. I love being in the rain.






















One really fun thing about being a bead maker is the surprises. The beads are made in the flame of a torch and go directly into the kiln. You can't look at them for too long in between because if they cool off too much they may crack. This is what came out of the kiln this morning. Next the beads will be removed from their mandrels and the holes will be gently cleaned with a dremel to remove the residue from the bead release. A silver bail will be added to the flowers and circle bead to make pendants. The polkadot beads will be etched and some of them will be made into earrings to match the Colorful Circle Necklace in Eggplant.

Beautiful Day

Today, like most days, is a beautiful day here in Bend. The sun is shining and you can feel the crispness of fall creeping in. The kids are at school and it is eerily quiet around here! My husband Robbie is studying for his ski/board patrol class and I am waiting for my mandrels to dry so I can go melt some glass.

Yesterday we spent the day emptying almost the entire contents of our garage into our driveway so we could finally finish (after almost a year and a half!) moving in and organizing the garage. People kept driving by and asking if we were having a garage sale, which I think we just might do if we can find the time. My studio is in our garage along with way too many bikes, snowboards, skis, the gear that comes with, and all my craft fair booth things. Now it is a much nicer place to be. Robbie even hooked up our sound system. Yay! I'm really excited to go turn up the music and make beads today.

Here are my newest creations:

Colorful Circle Necklace in Eggplant, named by a very nice girl who visited my booth at the market this Saturday. Thank you!!!

Orbit Earrings in Turquoise, these are really different than anything I've made before. They can be ordered in many colors.
Matching Orbit Pendant in Turquoise, can also be ordered in many colors.

And a sweet and sparkly bead with little violets and cz's

Beautiful Bride

My good friend Kerri was married this June in one of the most beautiful and fun weddings I have ever attended. The story of her wedding is featured at OffbeatBride.com. She is wearing my Serenity Necklace.

It is such an honor when a bride chooses to wear a piece of my jewelry on her most special day!

Central Oregon Saturday Market

Just like that summer is over and the little ones, or I guess big ones now, are back in school. I can't believe they are in 7th and 2nd grade now. And I am only 30! Being young parents used to be something that my husband and I were reminded of pretty constantly by the surprise of others. People don't really bring it up as much anymore, which is fine with me.

So now that they are back at school I am enjoying a more regular bead making schedule. Yay! I'm planning on working on some new designs and adding things to my Etsy shop.

The next two Saturdays (Sept. 11 & 18) I will be at the Central Oregon Saturday Market here in Bend, as long as the weather cooperates. The forecast is looking good for this Saturday.