Nervousness

This was me, this morning, just moments before my phone was set to ring with a very very important call. I was thinking, "Oh my stars... am I really doing this?" I was a huge ball of nervous jitteriness, can you see it in my eyes? It took so much effort to contain my smiles and excitement. (There are many a photo in my files now of me laughing too, but those I am keeping to myself.) I wanted to capture a snippet of it, of that excitement. I want to remember this moment and the butterflies that I had bubbling inside my innards. It really is amazing what nervous energy can accomplish, I tell ya. I was up, showered, hair done, and make up on, having an orange and a glass of water (no coffee) by 6:30am.

I am so tempted to tell you all what is going on behind the scenes here. I just can't though. Not yet. Rest assured it is big, and it would mean some pretty major life changes. Not-throw-your- family-in-the-back-of-a-pick-up-truck-and-move-to-another-state kinda life change (the kind I experienced with my parents more times than I can count as a child), but the kind of change that is pivotal. There are two paths before me, and I may need to choose which direction I want to take my art/life/career. I am proud of myself for seeking out the chance to have a choice of paths. I heard a whisper in my heart at the thought of an opportunity and I didn't quiet it. I turned it up full volume and went for it. It is scary and exhilarating at the same time. One of the best feelings in the world, if you ask me, and I hope y'all get to feel it in your own lives now and then.

The events of the past 24 hours had another effect on me... no studio time. I was knee deep in research (oh my, was that a little hint?) I am trying to get in there though!! I got stuff needs doing and things that need making. Many hands shaking like leaves isn't going to help much, but I am gonna try. Here is a little sneak peak at beads that will be available later this week... Friday or Saturday maybe. Wicked cool 80's stripey rounds, and wildly layered mod dots. Cool huh?


Anywho... thanks for letting me get out of a bit of excitement here and understanding my secrecy. Hopefully the suspense doesn't have to last for too much longer.

Twisted Tuesdays - Fun Things

Grab a drink and settle in for the next 10mins as Lorelei and I talk our way though a collaborative beading project. You'll get some good tips along the way. Plus you get to watch me ruin my wire nips by snipping memory wire, dang it. We also chat for a couple seconds about Bead Fest. Remember, I am teaching there in August!! There are still lots of spots available if you want to take a class. You'll learn a ton more than just the project. Check out the classes HERE.

I also wanted to mention that I have heard it is frustrating that you can't see up close what we are doing! Sorry!! We are learning. Hopefully during our next get together, we will do close ups. In the meantime, if you want to learn to make the head pin for the pendant I showed you, check out the Delightful project in my book!! It is the same technique.

Have a happy Twisted Tuesday!

A Green Random Monday

:: Green in color... green in purchases... green in plantings
:: HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!! I had a wonderful day... did you?
:: Oh my stars, it snowed yesterday... SNOWED! And on Saturday there was 60mph wind gusts. It is more like November than May.
:: HAPPY 12th WEDDING ANNIVERSARY to hubby & me yesterday too.
:: I was able to finish up my Mom's sweater (details on Ravelry if you would like to make one yourself) and she loves it.


:: Spent all day Saturday with my Mom and we got lots of new goodies for the gardens, plus I picked up an old travel trunk for $15 (photo below).
:: 2 Spirea (my new spring favorite), 1 Berkley Blueberry, 1 Reka Blueberry, Apple Mint, Peppermint, Red Rubin Basil, Sweet Italian Basil, and 5 Forget Me Nots too.
:: I got me some planting to do with week.
:: Cool things happening on the Bead Box front. An update in a few days? Maybe. Hopefully.
:: Our backyard is a wildlife preserve. We have 2 bunnies, 1 groundhog, and Momma & Daddy ducks. Not to mention a bazillion birds.


:: Rusty, the cat, just went after one of the bunnies... oh dear.
:: There are awesome things in my sketch book.
:: I had busy brain the other night and I think I have a title for book #2. Maybe I need to get on that second proposal.
:: Spending the day with Ron today. I can't wait for our special lunch date.
:: OH OH OH... an episode of the Lorelei & Kerry Show coming up tomorrow!! Stay tuned.

Artistic Interpretation

I was recently asked by Erin Prais-Hintz if I might want to take part in a special collaborative project with her. I won't ruin the surprise and spoil her plans before she has gotten to share the details with you. I can tell you this, for my part, she asked me if I would make her set of beads inspired by the painting on the left. The piece is called "Loose Goose" by artist Brenda Wenberg. (Sorry, no link available, Erin tells me Brenda isn't online.)

If I am being completely honest with you, I must tell you, this was the project last week causing "Creative Constipation". Of course, the minute I saw the pieces I was to interpret, my mind thought of a million things. Then I had to wait and wait and wait though mass kit production, and Bead Fest, and Spring break, before I finally had the opportunity to get into the studio and play around with ideas. Once finally able to play, I had no idea what I wanted to make anymore!! Should I do discs, should I do rounds, should I do hollows, what colors should I focus on, what shapes come at me the most? After 2 1/2 hours, I literally had all of four beads in the kiln, 2 of which were simple solid color spacer discs. Yeah, the ideas were stuck in my head and none wanted to come out.

So, I sent Erin an email requesting some more boundaries. This is where I separate "art" and "design". For me, an artist can look a blank slate and know just what they want to bring to the canvas. They are frustrated by boundaries and wants and needs of the people who will view their work. To me, designers have the opposite problem, give them a blank slate and they don't know what to do with it. BUT, give them some want (make it red!) or needs (for a bedroom) and watch out! Those designers can go nuts with ideas. When being asked to visual interpret another artist's work, I am acting as a designer, not an artist (even thought the end result is a work of art). That is just how my mind works. Once I had a few more "client guidelines", lol, OH OH OH was I excited about what ended up coming from the flame of my torch.

Check them out:




Not to toot toot my own horn, but aren't these FREAKIN' STINKIN' AMAZING?!?! Oh my stars, I am thrilled with them. I didn't want to put them in the mail and send them away I was so in love. Okay, here is what I thought... I noticed in Brenda's work, no inch of canvas is left on colored. There is something happening on every inch of the piece. There as just so many layers. So, I started to think about my classic "Mod Dot" style beads. What if, I filled all the empty space between the initial layer of dots? Then.. instead of dot on top of dots, let's go with them askew, and ivory. I wondered how I would add more interest and texture like the inspiration has. I decided to make plunged dots in the ivory. Then, I made it all pop with the coral dots that are sprinkled every where. To get an size canvas I needed to make these, I went with a large hollow bead as my base. Any lampworker will tell ya, making a plunged dot on a hollow bead is no easy task. You risk completely collapsing the hollow when you poke in the spot where you will trap the little bubble. I held my breath through so many moments of these beads! And each one took 30-45 mins to make.

It will be fun to see what comes of these beads in Erin's special project.

Cool Things Coming from Interweave!

One of the perks about being an Interweave author is that I get to hear about all the cool things they have in the works for their readers. There is couple of really awesome new things happening that I thought y'all would like to know about.

1) Check out the new Jewelry Making Daily! Like Beading Daily, this new site is a hub for all things beads. What makes this site different is the focus it has on metal working. I am in love! I already learned something new... check out Denise Peck's fusing video. I always wondered about how to do that exactly. So much information in one place, and it is free... oh freakin' stinkin' cool is that?

2) The main Interweave website has a totally new look. Check it out. One of the things I love about this new site is that you can view catalogs of future releases from Interweave. I flipped through the Fall 2010 catalog and I am excited about a few of the books I saw!! If I ever get my act together and pitch my 2nd book, you might find me in one of those catalogs, ha.

3) There is a new BEAD FEST!!! Interweave just added Arlington, Texas to the stops on their Bead Fest circuit. It will be October 1-3, 2010. Now, granted, I am not teaching at it, but it is a fabulous neck of the woods. This is a great opportunity for those that can't make it up north here to take classes and shop for beads. And who knows? Maybe I will teach there eventually. (Little known Kerry fact: I live in Hockley, TX for 4 years when I was a little girl. Even went to kindergarten there.)

4) Hot dang the extended the Bead Star deadline to May 10th!! You still have time to enter!! I won Honorable Mention in the Glass Category last year when I sent in a last minute project on a whim... you could totally do it.

Things My Kids Say

(haven't done one of these in a while)


Lauren: "Momma? In the olden days, was the world in black and white?"
Me: while trying not to giggle "No honey, just the pictures."

Post #1,201

For lack of a better post title, I went with this. I am kinda having a pensive morning. I have a lot on my mind. And I have a lot I want to scream at the top of my lungs, and things I want to whisper. I am attempting to be a professional person though, and I am tucking my words away in my braid today where I might think on them longer. I need to pull all my thoughts and feelings together so I can let you know just what I need to in a way that gives you just the right message. Intriguing, no? Oh how I wish it were. Unfortunately, it is a song I have had to sing before... or rather a post I have had to write before, and I don't like doing it. I actually think its sad that I am thinking on this topic again. Ugh.

Anyway, don't you worry your sweet braided heads on any of it. I am here, I am happy, I am frustrated, I am willful, I am inspired, and I am going to go for a walk now.

Ramblings

:: Photos for today's ramblings are from Lorelei's visit this weekend. We went to Bead Breakout here in Rochester.
:: It just started to pour, good for the seeds we planted yesterday.
:: Almost outta yarn on Mom's gift! Dang it... that was four skeins and I am only 2/3 the way done.
:: Gonna make bead box beads all week... all week. A self imposed deadline is the only thing that will make me do it.
:: Y'all have waited too long for new beads!
:: And now the sun is out. Gotta love weather reports. Our lives truly revolve around the weather, IMO.
:: Can't wait for Sweet Chili Pepper Shrimp for dinner on Mother's Day!!
:: Mother's Day is my wedding anniversary too.
:: Still don't have anything to tell you about the secret thing last week.I should email peps about it.
:: Man my nose itches... but since it just poured, I could do for a run and maybe not get all congested.
:: Got more video editing to do. There will be another episode of the Lorelei & Kerry Show later in the week.
:: It is so fun to get to play with beady friends.
:: Speaking of which... Lorelei wants me to change up my color pallet of late and work with orange more. Better make a mental note of that.
:: Lacrosse and Baseball again tonight. *sigh* Kids in sports can really run you ragged.
:: Honey Nut Cheerios ROCK!

The Lorelei and Kerry Show

My beading pal, Lorelei Eurto, hopped in her car yesterday, treked the 2.5 hours from Utica to Rochester, and hung out with me all day! We went to some antique shops, we had lunch at Simply Crepes, we went to a couple of bead shops here, and we had some fun shooting videos of the all new Lorelei & Kerry Show. Which we hope to make a regular feature of our get togethers... check it out.

Excuse my high pitched squeaking at the start, and Lorelei's soft talking. We are working on it, LOL... More episodes to follow!! This one shows how to make the sweet bottle cap button rings below. We hope you enjoy it. Oh and that shout out towards the end is to the fabulous Andrew Thornton.(Andrew, Lorelei is so down for wine tasting this Fall!)

Summer Wear

I have been promising for weeks that I would share new jewelry. I didn't want to leave you hanging any longer, but at the same time, I really don't have anything to show. Like I said yesterday, so many of the ideas are still stuck in my head and life has kept me from getting good quality time in my studio. I am hoping, really really hoping, that starts to change.

I was able to whip up this piece though. I have been imagining a larger than life free form disc for weeks. It really is the perfect Summer Wear, so that is what I shall name it. Oh how lovely it is when the sun hits those transparent layers. It grabs your eye and holds your attention without being too big or too heavy. *sigh* I love it. HA, when my Dad saw this for the first time he got all excited because he thought if I could make a disc this big then I could make plates. Sorry Dad, no plates from me.

I had a little fun in Photoshop playing with these images too. Radial blur is a very cool filter indeed. I am finding myself drawn to photo manipulation more and more. I think you may find that I will be playing with my pictures more often than not. Don't worry though, when I post this on my website, it will be looking crisp as can be on that stark white back drop. That is going to wait until later though... right this very minute, I am feeling the urge to hit the road for a nice run in the sun.

Sketch Therapy

Yesterday afternoon was a strange one for me. I was feeling all antsy and fidgety and really, nothing short of manic. I had had what was a rather frustrating morning on the torch. I ran into the problem I often run into where I find myself trapped in one frame of mind for so long (in this case, weeks of production mode) that once I am free to move on, I find myself stuck. It is what I like to call, Creative Constipation. The ideas are all there, but the have been packed in so tight, they can't seem to get out. LOL... horrible visual, I know. But it is so true. All the ideas want out at once and then it is insanely frustrating when nothing seems to be able to find it's way out.

I sent a text to my friend, Lindsey. She replied with pure genius. She has been taking part in the e-course Inside Out and loving the process. She sent a message back that said "Hmmm... why not some scribbling or doodling?" It was one of her favorite exercises in the course. She also suggested some journaling. The writing is where I decided to start.

I used to have journals when I was a young girl. Half of them I wrote in some weird celtic script I knew for some reason, so now I have no idea what they say, LOL. But as an adult, I find my blog is my journal. I tell this place most everything, so why would I need to journal? Oh how little did I realize how truly amazing it feels to just let the words flow. I filled two pages so fast I had no idea what I was even writing. I just let it out. Any word, any phrase, any thing I felt... I put it down on the page. So freeing... and such a release.

I sent Lindsey another message to say how good her suggestion had made me feel. She sent me back messages of smiles and suggested I add drawings to go with my words. My quiet time was quickly fleeting, so I turned to an exercise I learned in school. I set a timer (just 15mins) and sketched what was right in front of me. The end result is the drawing in the photo above... not to shabby, eh? Better than a poke in the eye! LOL... I imagine it would be better if I had more time. Makes me want to run out and get more of the style pen I used to draw it so I can sketch more of my afternoons away. It truly was sketch therapy.

Roaring Ceased

So, um, yeah... Rochester did it's freaky weather thang yesterday and... um... it snowed. Seriously, it s.n.o.w.e.d. Not a lot and nothing stuck, but still, there were giant white flakes wafting through the air. It was crazy, yet somehow, not totally unexpected. We have weather cliches in our city for a reason. After the mini white outs, sun shined for the rest of the afternoon. And lots of it. Just not the warm kinda of sun, lol. It topped out around 45. It was very much the kinda of day that required I treat myself to some flowers.



I am loving these flowers so much that I am researching if they will grow in my climate. They are ranunculus, don't ask me how to say that, I have no clue! But, they are a bulb, and I am hopeful about finding some locally. I think they might enjoy my front garden. *sigh*

Anyway, I am sure you can notice the vast improvement in my mood. I treated myself to Starbucks yesterday and they had the horoscopes from the paper posted for reading while you wait. Mine said: After recent unusual events, you will enjoy getting back to so called "normal". Of course, for you, the word normal does not describe a static state as your pattern fluctuates all the time. Stay flexible! I took that as the universe still intends to frak with me, so I better figure out a way to enjoy the ride... thus I buy flowers.

Today I am eager to get into the studio. I am working on a couple of different things. I really need to settle down and focus. I am hoping to have fun new things to share by next week! But, of course, who knows...

PS - BOOKS ARE BACK IN STOCK!!

Hear Me Roar

No "Twisted Tuesday" post today. I am going to rant and rave about being frustrated and under appreciated instead. Feel free to skip along to the next blog in your que should you want to avoid the whining. There. You have been warned.

The image above has abso-stinkin'-lutely nothing to do with this post. I thought it's purpose and the soft calming colors might sooth my nerves a bit though. So, think of it as just a bit of visual therapy. My Mom requested I crochet her a sweater like mine for Mother's Day. It won't be a surprise, she even picked the color, and it is going to be a mad dash to finish it by next weekend.

Anywho... I really must have woken up on the wrong side of bed today. Oh how I wish I had the option to go back to bed and try waking up again. It really started yesterday with nothing going the way I had set in my head that it would. Things that I thought would be worked on, weren't. Call that I thought I would make didn't get to be dialed. Practices lasted longer than usual, so dinner wasn't eaten together. I forgot to return a movie, so I was in the grocery store late making sure I didn't have to pay an extra 99 cents. But ya know, it wasn't so bad, I adapted. It is what I do. Life happens and move on. There is always the next day to get things done.

Now it is the next day and already, I know what I want to have happen today isn't going to happen! Grrrr... and no one in this house seems to understand that I have *stuff* going on too. The kids are taking New York State tests today, so I woke up at the crack of dawn to make them a special big breakfast... what did I end up with? Half a slice of cold bacon and a sink over flowing with dishes. It was also mentioned how someone has had the same white tee-shirt on for about 7 days because he doesn't want to go in the basement and get a clean on out of the dryer. And apparently, Mom, there are no matching socks in the house.... and can I get over to an estate sale to buy a Weber grill for friend at work... and, Mom, where is my winter coat (because OH yeah, it is snowing)... and, Mom, can you wash my game shorts and jersey... and... and... and... and... It is enough to make my head explode! Plus, four people took showers so all I have now is cold water for my shower!! Let's not even mention the current state of cleanliness in the house either. We wouldn't want to rile "Carrie" up too. (This after we had a Job Jar Day last week!)

Okay... deep breath... look at soothing image... relax and adapt. I had my rant now it is time to move on. Dishes are in the dishwasher, laundry is sorted and ready for folding, everyone has cleared out of the house and it is quiet, blog is written, and I can get a shower in a half hour when the water is warm again. The day will turn around.

And... as my Dad says "at least I am not a rock at the bottom of a lake." Oh you haven't heard that one before? Yep, it is what my Dad says about life. You could be a rock at the bottom of a lake that waits a hundred years to wash up to shore. Then once at the shore, you could have the biggest highlight of your life be that a kid picks you up. As the kid tosses you in his hand, you hope and you pray that he is good at skipping rocks... but then, you find he isn't... and you are right back at the bottom of the lake.

Post Break Ramblings

:: Rainy Sundays are perfect for extra-work dinners. Yesterday we made Coq Au Vin and I made homemade pasta for the first time ever. Kids devoured it all.
:: When I pop into blogs, it is usually for the pictures. I think today's are going to make you hungry.
:: Need to work on cleaning the studio today.
:: New jewelry designs in the works.
:: Hmmm... might order up some PMC... watch out!


:: Wishing my friend Holly would update her blog. Hello, Holly?
:: Think I might try to knit a bit today.
:: OH OH OH... there was secret excitement and energy in the house this weekend. Had me doing something I haven't done in 10 years! Not gonna jinx it though... there are already too many people that know what I am up to (all four of them, LOL, and no, I don't mean my family).
:: Thinking about secret thing made my stomach just do a huge nervous flip.
:: Dang it... tandem sports again tonight. One at lacrosse, one at baseball.


:: For being a deaf cat, my boy sure does have twitchy ears.
:: I freaking hate running... and a confession, I only ran one day last week. Better get back on the running train this week.
:: Speaking of confessions... last week, I got myself a Venti Caramel Frappaccino and the minute the taste hit my tongue my shoulders untensed and lowered themselves a good 3 inches.
:: Feels like life has been a blur for a few weeks... today it feels ready to slow down and settle back to normal. Thank goodness.
:: What the heck is up with all the bogus emails lately. I had 45 spam messages this morning. Seems like a lot more than normal.

Anyway... that is what is running through my head on this gray Monday morning. Feel free to share your random ramblings in the comments.

Local Note - Book Signing at The MAG!!

Hey Rochester locals!! I nearly forgot to give you these details!! Tomorrow at the Memorial Art Gallery's Gallery Store I will be doing a book signing. I hope you will be able to stop by. And if you are looking to make an afternoon of it, there will be a screening of the film "Who Does She Think She Is?" at the Gallery at 1pm admission is $5. More info can be found HERE. (My signing will follow the screening at 2pm.) You might remember I shared a clip of this film with you a few years ago. After several pleas to friends at the Gallery, it is finally playing here in Rochester. I am so excited!!

So, I hope can join me tomorrow. I am going to feel rather silly if at least a few of you dont stop by, even if you already have a copy of the book. Just stop in!!

Blog Tour - Craft Gossip & GIVE AWAY ALERT

It you haven't had a chance to check out www.craftgossip.com, now is the perfect time. Totally Twisted is being talked about there today on the final stop of my blog tour, AND there is a copy available to win too!! Hope over there today and leave a comment for your chance to win.

Thank you so so much for following me around on this tour. It really has been a blast. (There *may* be one more stop, I'll let you know.) EEEKKKK!! I just love how much you all love my book! I am seriously thrilled, seriously.

Magnolia Magic

Wednesday afternoon we planted ourselves under the Magnolia trees in Highland Park. *sigh* it was a magical little spot. LOTS more flowering tree goodness HERE on FLICKR.

Busy Bees

This being Spring Break, with all three kids home from school all week, I have been making a very conscious effort to keep my brood entertained. Boredom breeds contempt in my house and all sorts of bad things start to happen. So, activity: good, boredom: bad. I always have to wrack my brain when trying to come up with "stuff" to do with the kids. This week though, it has been easy. I took a little lead, though she doesn't know it, from my friend Cindy. She is wonderful at being a "tourist", where she lives or where she goes. She takes her kids to all sorts of places introducing them to new things. I decided it was time we be tourists in our own city.

Rochester is a pretty amazing place. We have lots of museums: George Eastman House, National Museum of Play, Rochester Museum and Science Center, Memorial Art Gallery, Susan B. Anthony House, just to name a few. We have lots of parks, too, and beaches, and... a zoo. The zoo is where our adventures began this week. The weather this week has been nothing short of divine, sunny and in the sixties, wonderfully comfortable and perfect to outings as it isn't the sort of weather that leaves you completely drained. Nice. (Though today is a bit cloudy and it is barely going to break 50. I am not complaining! We need the balance of an inside day today.) And, um, spring was definitely in the air. Oh, you need more than my word? HA! The orangutans were making out (tongue and all, people) and the turtles were mating. Oh yes, there are pictures to prove it, lol. It was very informative.











There are lots more photos of the animals (both mine and the zoo's) in this Flickr set (go there to see the mating turtles, it is just too risky for this blog, LOL). SO many beautiful creatures and all just a 10min drive away.

The best part though? In the car, as we were getting ready to pull out of the parking lot, Andrew was the first to say "Mom, this was so awesome, thanks for bringing us."

Twisted Tuesdays - Coiling Gizmo Info

Springy Monday

:: It is officially Spring Break here.
:: Lots of fort building going on and movie watching too.
:: It is freaking stinking chilly out and you wouldn't know if it is Spring around here!!
:: A big old HAPPY BIRTHDAY to my BFF Kelley!! I wish I could be down in VA with her.
:: Still coffeeless here and happy, though it isn't helping with the things I thought it would.


:: Started a new knitting project last week. I gotta increase from 76 stitches to 404 stitches and it feels like that will take a lifetime.
:: I am thinking a trip to the zoo might be in order today.
:: Dang my nose itches.
:: My Mom's English Bulldog had SIX puppies this weekend!! They are: Bandit, Sherwood, Alfonse, Maynard, Pheobie, and Madeline.
:: Wondering if any other dog breeders out there love there puppies like my Mom does and gives them such creative names?


:: Speaking of Spring, we totally ran-sacked our bedroom yesterday. It is all rearranged and dust bunny free. It feels so fresh.
:: Lauren is working on trying to read Junie B., First Grader: Toothless Wonder to herself! Oh what an adventure reading to herself could be.
:: Must remember to water the gardens today.
:: Need to find some studio time this week. Hmmm... wonder how that is gonna happen.
:: Here is to a good week...

Blog Tour - Beading Arts & Give Away!

I am over Beading Arts today! And guess what... there is a give away!! Just pop over to the Beading Arts blog and leave a comment!! Good luck!!

Totally Twisted KITS!!

Don't you just love two post days?!?

I had to come back and let y'all know that I just finished posting the first 4 project kits to go with Totally Twisted. (Yes, I am sold out, but more copies are on the way!) Pop over to the new "Kits & Supplies, Oh My!" section of my website to check them out. It is located under Bead Box Buyables. I thought that would be the best way to go, so now you can grab yourself a kit or get "Just The Beads, Please" when there are new Bead Box offerings.

A couple important notes about kits... 1) instructions are NOT included, you need a copy of the book to get the tutorial, 2) these are intended for personal use, not for resale, 3) HAVE FUN!

So, what are you waiting for.... go get a kit!!