Photo Ode To Rain Boots

My memory is shot, so, I can't tell you about my first pair of rain boots. I am sure I had them as a kid. Though, I don't know. A good chunk of my memory is convinced I actually may not have ever had a pair before. *sigh* I am so happy to have remedied that little over site. Now my toes will stay dry while tromping in the garden and heels won't be wet while watching sports in the rain. Aren't those polka dots darling? How did I go so long with out them?

A Slow Recovery

Dang, this past weekend took more out of me than I thought it would. Yeah, ya usually need a day or two recovery time after any show, but this time I am more whipped out than I have felt in the past. I am trying not to be too hard on myself. Most of my boxes are still in my car still and I haven't stepped a foot in my studio yet. I am okay with that though. I won't be away too much longer... I got lots of ideas stirring in this head o'mine.



You know, I love reading blogs where the authors go on an adventure and then share all the details. I am sorry I haven't gotten to that soon myself. And it is funny, as soon as I was in my car on Sunday, driving home, the weekend felt eons away. Now, three days out from it, it is like the whole thing was a dream and it is fading fast. So fast, it almost feels irrelevant. I can't not tell you about it though!!



You already got the first impressions scoop with my live from Bead Fest Wire update for Interweave on Facebook and on the blog here. Didn't I sound a little odd? LOL... yeah that is my Kerry-acting-like-a-professional-writer voice. Rather formal, but still me if you look close. The afternoon and evening that followed that report was awesome. The book signing went really well, and eventually, over the weekend, Interweave sold out of the copies of Totally Twisted that they brought with them (as did I!). I swear I signed about 200 books in those three days. People bought them there, the brought them from home, and it was awesome to be surrounded by such a buzz. It really was super surreal to walk down a hallway and hear someone say "OMG... You are Kerry Bogert, I love your book!" One vendor even had me signing one of my projects in Chain Style and had me take a photo with the book too!! Dinner with bead friends was wonderful, but unfortunately rushed. I needed to be back in time to set up for Meet The Teachers and it meant we couldn't relax and enjoy a second "Bahamarita". Maybe in August we will though!! And as Cindy W said in her recent blog post, I really wonder what people thought of me. Am I like my blog? Am I what they expect? How am I different?



Okay, so Friday night, I popped into my pal Cassie's classroom, and OH MY STARS, the poor dear. She had two back to back classes full to capacity, and by 8:00pm you could tell she was fried. I got to jump in and help out some newbies that hadn't made a wire wrapped loop before. Gawd I love to teach! and that totally wet my whistle for Saturday morning. My first and second classes were small, just two students each. (Which, I noticed, lots of classes were low on students at this show, except the riveting and soldering ones... hmmm... that is food for thought.) Delightful was a great class. Both my students (Bev and Jen) had some wire experience so it was easy... I just showed them how I do a step and then they took off running. We spent the rest of the time chatting the day away. It really was a hoot... Jen's favorite part?... when I would mess up. That is what she said she needed to see... how I fix mistakes! I wonder if I should teach that as a class next year? How To Fix Disasters 101: Bring Your Failed Projects & Let's Fix 'Em. Nah, I don't think that will work.



It was nice on Sunday because the classes had a few more students (5 & 7). Someday, I hope to get to teach to a full crowd. I noticed my classes were quiet and at times really, really subdued. In a full room, there is just so much more energy!! I love that. But with more students, comes more responsibilities, lol... and that means, giving up bathroom breaks (which happened on Sunday, lol). Inevitably, there is one student that stays late because she couldn't finish her project... and there are those students that want to be first to the next class. That means no hour break in the day like you think there is going to be. Cassie will attest to this too. Not that we are complaining mind you. I can't say it enough... I love teaching.



As soon as my Bang Gals class finished on Sunday afternoon, I threw all my stuff in boxes, loaded my car, and settled in for the 5 1/2 hour drive back home. I pulled in to my drive way at 11:30pm. All was quiet, with everyone sound alseep. In the morning, I got the biggest hugs from Lauren, who, of course, missed me the most, and I, of course, missed her the most. ;)

Now life is going on... Bead Fest Wire is behind me and I start to think what next? Well, next weekend, April 24th, I am doing a book signing at the Memorial Art Gallery. I hope all you local gals will come for a visit. I doubt there are many people in Rochester that want me to sign there book, but, it will still be fun! Then, there are kits. I started editing and getting them ready to list this morning, but my internet was out most of the day. So, they will be listed tomorrow... for sure.

Afternoon Rambling

A few random photos from Bead Fest Wire this past weekend to go with a few random thoughts (for Random Mondays, of course!). More detailed post coming up later in the week.

:: This is a rather late in the day blog post. ugh, I am tired and drained.
:: Jacob has his first lacrosse game tomorrow.
:: Favorite quote from this weekend "I can't wait to wear this to work tomorrow."
:: Second favorite quote "I was feeling so uninspired by beading lately... you inspired me!"
:: Crap, I still need to work on our taxes. They are due this week, ugh.


(in this photo, Lori, Leslie, Cindy, me, Shelby, Jeanette)

:: SOLD OUT! of books this weekend... how cool is that?!?
:: The kids are going to be home soon and I should sweep the living room.
:: Ron took me out to lunch today and it was super nice to sit and talk with him.
:: Late night talks lasting until all hours with a girly beady friend ROCKS!
:: Teaching is exhausting... but I love it.



:: I really really hope I get more students for Bead Fest Philly.
:: Oh oh oh... details coming together about me teaching lampwork at a workshop in September, stay tuned for that!
:: damn, I wish we had some chocolate in the house.
:: I really thought I would have the energy to post kits on my website today, but it is going to have to wait. By the end of the week though, promise.
:: *sigh* I had such a blast this weekend.

Blog Tour - Live from Bead Fest Wire!

This was just posted over on Facebook, but I wanted to come share it here too. I know not everyone loves fb, and that is okay, and it shouldn't mean you miss out!!



Oh my stars, what an amazingly exciting weekend I have a head of me. Yesterday morning, I quick threw my kids on the bus and hopped into my mini van for the trek down to King Of Prussia, PA, for my first Bead Fest experience. And not just any Bead Fest show, I am here for Bead Fest WIRE! What better place is there on earth for a wire lovin' lampworker like me? I can't think of a better place.




So, I arrived on Thursday afternoon and met up first thing with my bead artist/instructor/friend, Cassie Donlen (who also happens to have beads in one of the project in my book, Totally Twisted!). The both of us are Bead Fest Wire newbies and have been wicked excited as we have been getting ready to take part in this big event. Off the bat, the energy in the Valley Forge Convention Center was awesome. You can feel the buzz in the air as soon as you walk in the door, and you just know cool things are happening here. I was so excited, that after helping Cassie set up her class room Thursday night when we crashed in our hotel room, I couldn't sleep a wink. Between setting up my classroom, the demo I am planning for 1pm today, my first official book signing, and Meet The Teachers too, there is a lot to be nervous and wired up about (pun intended, lol). It is stressful, but in the best kind of way. All that and it is only the first day! Tomorrow I get to teach, yoo hooo!!



One of the great things about beading events, in my opinion, is getting to finally meet in person so many of the people I have gotten to know online. Playing greeters at the door to the Bead Bazaar were two great ladies, Denise Peck (Step By Step Wire) and Leslie Rogalski (Beading Daily). How cool is that?!? Having a couple of editor-in-chiefs saying "Hey!" as you're walking into a bead show! I am really looking forward to this afternoon when I'll be grabbing an early dinner with some of the other beady blogging friends. If you decide to make the trip to any of the Bead Fest shows, bring friends, and plan friend meet ups. Having partners in beading crimes is the best, LOL... no stealing beads though.



On the show floor, I was instantly blown away by all the beads sparkling and the gemstones gemming. It is so hard to know what to go for first. I gave myself a budget though, and I am sticking to it. I did get myself some pretty chain at Primitive Earth Beads, some fantastic Green Girl Studio pieces, one of MyElements fun face focals, and of course, I was drooling over all the lovely colored wire at Parawire's booth. I think it is so important to take your time, walk all the aisles, chat with the vendors, and make sure you really *love* what it is you are about to buy. It makes for the best stories and memories when making a finished piece of jewelry.




Thanks so much for checking out this stop on my blog tour! I am loving sharing my Totally Twisted adventures with you!! Tune in next week for a stop at www.beading-arts.com. And ya know, I will have lots more here next week! For now, there is bead shopping to do and friends to visit.

Two Morning Moments

morning sun on Grandpa's drawing


pending blooms while waiting of the bus

Twisted Tuesdays - Jury Slides

I am a bit late to the show today. There has been an absolute frenzy of activity in my home and studio in the past 24 hours!! Shortly after my post yesterday, while sitting at my torch making bead one million two quadrillion for my class kits, it dawned on me... OH CRAP it is the 5th... and if it is the 5th, then tomorrow is the 6th!! I thought the 6th was later in the week. Even though Friday is the 9th, it could be the 6th too, right? Oh goodness. Why was I so frantic about the 6th? Because I had this vague recollection that my application for a Fall art show was due on the 6th. Once I realized the date, I dug out the application (that I received just two weeks ago!!) and confirmed that yes it is in fact due today.

I have sent the same set of slides in for this application for the past two years. I could probably have done it again, and I know there are artists out there that send the same slides in for years and years. But, I know this show uses the images submitted in slides for print media to promote the show. If accepted to the show, what chance do I have of making it into advertisements if I don't offer fresh slides?!? When I tell you my day came to a screeching halt yesterday, did a complete 180, and speed off in a totally different direction, I kid you not. And I am sure there are skid marks on the studio floor to prove it.


With the complete turn around of plans, I had to go with the flow and change up today's Twisted Tuesday too. Granted, this post has nothing to do with my new book Totally Twisted, but I do think it has something to do with art and business, how you present yourself, and how to apply (or how not to) for shows. And that is what I want Twisted Tuesdays to be about! Learning not only about the behind the scenes of a book, but about my art life in general. So, let's get on with this!!

I must say, with a bit of my own horn tooting, that I am rather proud of the grace I showed myself under this sudden pressure yesterday! Go me! LOL. I had a ton to do and only a few hours to make it happen (and a kid to pick up from lacrosse practice, and one to get to baseball practice) and I did it. Thankfully, I had been stewing on a few new jewelry ideas for a while (all through the kit making process actually), and some of the beads were already made, and even some parts of the pieces. For the most part though, all three of these pieces were created in the last 24 hours!! They are "Frazzled Trapeze", "Petticoat Cartwheels", and "Somersault Slip Up" respectfully. But I don't think that you want to know about the jewelry, right? You can see it for yourself. You are wondering about the photos, no? These aren't what you are used to seeing from me, are they?


In my years of applying to art shows, I have picked up a few tid bits of info that I think you'll find helpful and if you have had trouble getting accepted to some shows you want to be in, maybe these will do the trick. No guarantees though, even I can't get myself into all the ones I want. In fact, I was wait listed 2 years in a row for the One Of A kind Show in Chicago, and finally just gave up. I think if I applied to it tomorrow, I would still be wait listed!!

Jury Slide Do's & Do Not's:
1- Pick pieces that show your design style and have continuity. The photos should all look like they work together. In my three photos, you can see that all three pieces have similar (but not the same) color palettes, and I think you can tell they are all made by the same person.
2- NO WHITE BACKGROUNDS! Imagine yourself sitting in a dark room with slide photos flashing on a screen in front of you. Suddenly, a necklace comes up shot on a while background. It's like someone just flipped on the light switch. It is too shocking to the eyes. Go for a neutral or graduated colored background.
3- Set pieces up so that the most important part of the piece is the center of attention. I wasn't doing this yesterday when I first shot that second slide, and Laura reminded me of it when I shared that photo on Facebook (Thanks Laura!). So, I reshot it with at a different angle with the beads getting the most attention.
4- Only ever show a single piece at a time, no group shots.
5- Camera settings. If you have a good macro lens, use it! I don't claim to know a lot about photography, and I was having trouble with the first few shots I took being really grainy. Kelley (again on Facebook) told me to lower my ISO. For those with a camera that lets you set manual settings, mine were: Shutter speed 200, F-stop 5.6, ISO 600, image quality FINE, images size LARGE. With those changes, I saw huge improvements. Before I was at a setting of 50:5.6:1600, and they needed way to much work in Photoshop to be usable.

There you have it. Kerry's five tips for better juried show images. I probably have more floating around in my head but they are being blocked by my million and one other things floating around. There are a few things about each photo that erk me, but that is because I am a perfectionist, and I need to get over it. Like how the little green coil in the center of the first photo isn't perfectly straight, and in the second photo... I don't like how the orange wire looks with the sterling wire on the gray background, and on the last one, it feels like it is too far away in the shot. Oh well, what can I do? It is going to be a hectic few days around here, so posting might be spotty. I have kits to finish assembling, laundry to wash, fold, and pack, tools to find and organize, my car to load, directions to King of Prussia to download, and so much more. I handled this little crisis though, so things are happily now under control. (knock on wood)

More Randomness

:: Oh my goodness, how is it the week of Wire Fest already?!?
:: Take a deep breath
:: HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY GODSON BEN!! He is two today!!
:: Jacob was a chocolate monster and polished all the candy in his Easter basket off in a few hours.
:: insert eye rolling at Jacob's total lack of restraint here.
:: Oh my goodness, how is it the week of Wire Fest already?!?
:: Kiln is ramping up right now, and the minute the kids are gone, I am making beads.
:: Cutting wire and assembling kits this afternoon.
:: I ran Thurs, Friday, Saturday, and Today. I was tooooo sore on Sunday to run. Adjusting from running on the treadmill to running on the uneven road is killing my left hip.
:: Still rocking the no coffee thing and was surprised myself this morning when I realized I hadn't thought about making it.
:: Oh no... laundry and packing... ugh. I hope I don't forget the tools, lol.
:: It was 86 on Friday, 85 on Saturday, and it is gonna be 70 today, 81 again on Wednesday... um? what happened to Spring?
:: Oh my goodness, how is it the week of Wire Fest already?!?

Blog Tour - Crafty Pod

I am visiting with Diane over at www.craftypod.com today! I hope you'll pop over for a visit too. Diane asked me some great questions about getting started with wire, my design process, and how I organize my beads. PLUS!! SHE IS DOING A GIVE AWAY!! If you haven't had a chance to get your hands on a copy of Totally Twisted yet, hurry, go leave a comment at Crafty Pod!!

Thanks Diane!

Beads and a Bit of Babble

First of all, my apologies to dial up users. I took a boat load of photos and just couldn't show you any less than what is here!! LOOK AT THESE BEADS!! I just want to swim in a pool of them. These are all the "plaid" beads needed for my Framed class. Online registration is closed, but you can still register at the show and there are still spots available! If you are any where near King Of Prussia PA, come see me!! I will be doing a book signing at the Interweave booth on Friday and a demo too. Plus I will be at Meet The Teachers Friday night. Wow, just a week away! I can hardly believe it.





So, um, you probably won't be able to tell by this post, but I am not feeling so talkative right now. I am about to babble on for several minutes so I am sure it doesn't seem that way to you, but seriously... me no talky.

Monday I told y'all how I was feeling like crud, well, I still very much am. When I get down on myself, I tend to get quiet. It has been really nice to be distracted by this big bead project. Rather than feeling cruddy and avoiding life by spending more time than I should on the web, I am in my studio sitting at my flame making beads for hours on end. Much healthier, yes, than the web addiction but it really isn't making me *feel* better about myself. I am a little too caught up in my head.




So while in my own head recently, I decided that it is time to take control. Think up some analogy with a girl being in a wagon/cart/chariot type thing that represents her life and it just going along any random path at all different speeds and she is just sitting there in the back wondering why the hell she gets so motion sick. Yeah... so the girl = me, the chariot = my life, and the motion sickness = the crud I feel lately. I can feel something changing right now. Or rather, like it could change right now. I need to make some choices. I need either accept that my life is out of my control and quit complaining about it or I need to quit complaining and take control of things. It's really hard to explain what I mean, I dunno. Add to the analogy some bit about reins being used be the said girl in the back and you'll know what I mean.

It really is all physical. I am not taking good enough care of my body and it is letting me know. So I started with the coffee this week and that is going good. I haven't had a cup of coffee since Sunday. And the headaches aren't so bad now. I will probably still have coffee from time to time, don't get me wrong, I love the taste of it. It just won't be daily anymore. Next to go is soda. This shouldn't be so hard. We don't drink much soda, it is just that recently, it has been finding its way into our shopping cart more often than it should. So, no soda, more water.




You know me and "Carrie" right? We'll she wanted in on the action too. We all know how she likes round numbers, lol. This being the 1st of the month, it is prefect timing for a personal challenge. (Yeah, I let her pick the date.) I haven't been running much the past few weeks. Not running much = not at all. Ugh. I could go on about some knee pain and swelling I have been having, and my shoulder pain from too much torching, but they are just excuses. I am giving myself a personal challenge to run everyday this month! I don't know if it will work while I am in PA next week, but I am gonna try. I will be packing leggings and a sports bra in hopes that they have a gym in that massive hotel. Being the visual person I am, I am starting a weight journal too. Now, I know it isn't about the number, and I really truly feel strongly about that, but I do want to *see* that I am making some progress. So, each morning, when I wake up, I will weight myself and jot it down. I am kinda curious what I can do in a month of no coffee, no soda, and running everyday. If it is really good, lol, I will tell ya. Plus, I am hoping that saying that 'it takes three weeks to form a habit" will make me get into a better habit of regular exercise.

Alright, enough babbling. Thanks for lasting this long! I am guessing it is the bead photos that got you through the babble. I am all good with that, LOL. BUT, I should be beading!! I have soooo much work to do!! Here is a little sneak peak at the next round of beads.

Party Snippets

She Is Seven

Oh how long she has waited to finally be seven!! This birthday, by far, has taken the longest to get here, for her. LOL. We have a game we play as a family called "Whoonu" (it is a Cranium game!), and who-goes-first is decided by which birthday comes next. Since her last birthday, she has had to wait through Daddy's birthday, Pappy's birthday, Andrew's birthday, Gee's birthday, Jacob's birthday, and Momma's birthday before it was her turn to go first. You can see why it felt like it was taking forever.



I wanted to put together a list of things about Lauren at seven that I don't want to forget. I thought I would share them with you.

*Current nicknames are: Missy Do, Bugaboo, Miss Rotten, and LaurenAnnie
*She can read up a storm. There isn't a word she can't decode. Her favorite book today is One Fish Two Fish, by Dr. Suess.
*She is a professional dillydaddiler, she can make molasses look fast.
*Lauren loves to sing and every song she makes up uses the word love.
*She gives the biggest kisses on my cheeks and forehead. Almost too many, lol, Daddy could get jealous.
*She likes to sleep on the floor in my room when she is sick.
*Definitely a night owl, and not a morning person.
*Current Best Friends are: Ryan, Samantha, Sophia, and Bryanie
*She still lets me twirl her when she walks down aisles.
*She has been riding a two wheeler for years now, but still isn't confident about swimming.
*She loves Jacob more than anyone else in the house.
*My Dad likes to tell her she has a million dollar smile and a twenty-nine cent frown. That makes her smile.
*Lauren knows her mind and can be very very ornery, especially in the morning.
*She still insists she will be a bike maker and artist when she grows up. And when she is done with that, she will teach 1st grade.



I could go on and on, I love her so much. I will just say... HAPPY BIRTHDAY BOO!!!