Tis the Season

by Staci L. Smith

Tis the season to be busy!  As I read Karen's post from yesterday, I thought, geez- I really am celebrating every moment I can.  EEEVVVVERY moment.  Like, where is all my time going? 

I am not complaining, its full of fun times.

 

However, I am just starting my handmade gifts, and feeling very behind in that regard.  All is good though, I think I have most of my weekend off to work on gifts.

 

We have had lots of snow here on the east coast as well- which delays things.  It's not even winter and it's snowed at least three times in the last two weeks.  It is simply beautiful though. Plus- having snow this week allowed me to sleep in on my birthday (two hour delay- YAY!) 

 

So it really is the season, and I have felt very blessed by friends and family already.  My kids love making gifts- here are some of my handmade birthday gifts they gave me!

 

This may be my favorite, because, where else could I get a robot ninja?

 

My youngest made me books for my reading pleasure..........





I didn't get to make any ornaments yet, and I usually like to.  Perhaps this weekend I can.

 

I have found some ladies who are totally on the ball, and made some killer handmade love this holiday.

 

Diana P of Suburban Girl Studio made these great ornaments for gifts. (by the way, she has some little charms for jewelry in her shop, like these ornaments- perfect for the season)

 

She even made homemade tags!  I love those sort of details,  I am so bad at them myself.

 

Heather Powers of Humblebeads, a endless source of creativity, made these ornaments, that could even be customized.  I love them!

 

 

Erin Praiz-Hintz of Tesori Travati made this as a gift for Heather- isn't it darling?

 

 

And Sue Kennedy of Sue Beads broke out the polymer to make this cute little guy!

 

 

I really like seeing everyone put their handmade bead and jewelry skills to use making something a little different then the norm.  This is a great way to make gifts for people whom may not wear jewelry!

 

Anyone else making ornaments for the Holidays?  Is it a tradition, or something new?  And what is your favorite medium?

 

 

 

 

 



What have I been up to you ask?

by Staci L. Smith

 

Well, the holidays are all but upon us, and to make it even sweeter, we got some nice snow this week in PA.

(aren't they so creative, I just love my little guys snowman)

 

The boys also built a fort, and it is REALLY good!

This is a shot from the side.  It is in the tree line.

 this is within the tree line, so you have to climb in to see the opening

 and this is a close up, you can see they hung their gear inside

 

I just love that they are each creative in their own way too!

 

I have been taking some time to play around a little more since my shows are done.  Both with family, and with creating things. 

 

You can read my blog here about these new prong settings I made.

front

back

  They were great practice for soldering, and I even made the larger links in the chain.  So I also got to buff and polish. 

 

I have been working on some mixed media art as well.  I carved some linoleum blocks and made some prints, as well as played with paint and other mixed media techniques.  I justify this, because some will be Christmas gifts !!!!!!

 

 

 

 

Seriously though, I really needed to take some time to play- because its how I learn.  It's how I process, and its how I discover new things too.

 

Now I need to play with some cold connections so I have something new for the blog hop on Monday!  I really hope you join us too!

 

 

Rings and Things recently sent me some samples to try out, and I think they KNEW we were having a cold connection blog hop coming up, because they sent me these............

 

Brass Blank Windows

 

I got one of each of the new designs (I think).  How perfect to add a picture between and rivet together, or make them into pins or pendants!!!!!  They have a bunch of great designs, already cut and ready to assemble.  Check them out here.  (I do not get any endorsement from them for this, I just thought they were perfect for our boot camp).

 

Sorry for the rambling, just wanted to let you all know how many directions my brain has been in this month!  At least things come out of that mess!  Whew!

 

How do you do the holidays' creatively?  Do you do handmade gifts, or just prep for shows?  Or both?  And do you hop to various mediums for gifts (like pull out all your creative juices?)