First Day Back in Studio to Make Jewelry for QOA

Okay! I made it there and knocked out my list! Yay! I am out of shape though: my fingers are soar. These were my Gem Fest finds this year. I did find a Blue Labradorite cab to work with, but it was a tough find. The guy I got my last one from did not have any. I had a lot of half done pieces from last year to work with too. I ran out of silver sheet last year.

 These stone will all become necklaces. I am making some big pieces again, but also will make about 6 to 8 simpler styles for a better price point.

Here is one of the last pendants I cut out. My blade was working great until I bust it cutting the copper heart forms for my red enamel pieces. I got a lot started in the short time I had, but I also created a lot of homework. I need to make bezels for most of these pieces, cut out all the earring components, clean up the edges, and cut a few more things before my next scheduled date with the studio. I am hopeful and a bit excited with all the stuff I hope to get done in the next 7 weeks. Stay tuned!

One last Call for Seattle Trip

 Okay, this should be the last of it. These are the photos from my I Touch and cell phone, so quality will vary. Here is my sister at Thorton Place by her house. I am sure I said it before, but this place is cool. The sushi place with conveyor belts is there too. Can you see us in the reflection?

 These coffees were at Jewel Box Cafe which is at Thorton Place too. So good and great atmosphere.

Here is more from Zig Zags (which makes you walk in zig zags). Their hummus and brochette. Also a great atmosphere. Super good food, I will find myself craving this place a lot I am sure. And below is my zen coffee art from down the street at Cloud City. I got to drink out of the coveted Babo Cup!

 As for AFK Tavern, we were a bit too awesome for the place....hehe just kidding. We had a lot of fun getting ready to go, but it did not live up to my expectations. Definitely a kind of place you would reserve a table and bring a posse to, not a place to go solo and meet new pals.

 Super fun menu though! Still would go back and try a burger. It was in the middle of nowhere and a bit more of a drive than you'd want.

 Good Bagels and super fancy coffee also just a short walk from my sister's house.

 Asian Market booty!!!!! I could have got more!! I am loving all the pens and stuff I got there. The folding micro scissors are so handy. I am sure the sushi place here thought we were crazy. Oh, and the green tea was the best! I cannot remember the name of the restaurant (I went there last time too). Sushi was super super good, and the green tea is that cloudy version that is just the best way to have green tea. That is another thing I will find myself craving off and on.

Last Coffee stop before I left at the Cafe Jarasti (spelling?) with sister and Becky the elephant. Good crepes. Sigh... I sure hope my sister visits us soon. I hope to find time to run back up there too. Next time, my daughter wants to come with me. Missing my sister still.

More from Seattle

More photos from Seattle. I am still savouring my trip, and once I load my phone and I Touch photos, I am sure I have a few more Seattle posts in me. We got a little tipsy and graphitied a bit ;) Being bad is fun! Always something to see: here are some blue trees.

Quick sketch of my Mellow Yellow drink at Zig Zag. The ginkgo stamps were from a run to the Asian Market there....I got sooooo many pens!!

My sister found the best view of the Space Needle and we both sketched a bit from the sculpture garden there. It was a lot of walking that day :) We then headed down the street for some yummy beer and pizza which went right to our heads in a very cozy way.

This was my second sketch of the Space Needle, not sure if I like it. I used a new mechanical pencil I got that had blue lead. The one below was my warm-up and I like it better. I did that with my new brush pen. OOoooOo I love that new brush pen.

More great coffee at the Jewel Box Cafe. The conveyor sushi place is right there and a cinema and a cozy fire pit. I could hang there all day and it is only like a mile from my sister's house.

Last peek at Seattle from plane as I fly away. *sniff* "Another free Red Hook please"

I finally found a new tea cup to replace my last one that broke. I saw this set at Alchemy Cafe in Santa Barbara at a work lunch, and so loved it. I was walking through town the other day and saw the set in the window of a shop that is like 4 blocks from my lace! Loving it! Okay...time to journal a little then off to bed. I hope to update Flickr real soon and Gem Show tomorrow! Hope I find all that I need (and nothing else ;)  )

Seattle Ho!!!!!!!!

Totally fun trip to Seattle to hang out with my awesome sister and no one else! We really had a blast! These photos are but a sampling of the shenanigins we were pulling. A few highlights: conveyer sushi, coffee with a fancy touch, my sister!, drinks, inspiration, my sister!! and journaling.

The way they do coffee in Seattle makes me feel very special. I did many sketches of just cups of coffee. My sister is the best guide and she led me everywhere I wanted to go. I really love to visit Seattle. I found everything very inspiring. So many things to draw and photo and never enough time.

Loved this spice store. So colorful and smelled so good. LE pointed out one of her favorite salts that smelled like the best BBQ and then we had some at Zig Zag in their bruchetta. It was so yum!. It is so special to spend time with someone that you love, and that you can fully be yourself around.It was just what I needed!

I really like my sister's journals. She was a big part of my inspiration recharge. We found the perfect spot to sketch the Space Needle together. I think her's was the more successful sketch.

I will post my sketches soon and a few more photos. It is late and I need sleep. I will also post just about all my photos to Flickr. I have 2 months before the Queen of Arts show and will hope to be posting some pieces I have planned to make. I also will be going to the Bead Show on Saturday. I will be looking for more labradorite to make a couple pendants. I have had a lot of requests. Spell check is not working so I hope there are not too many typos :) Hope to see you all here soon!

Quick Review of First Part of Aug

Had our Valley Sketchers sketch day in Solvang for July. Not too hot and I am pretty happy with my sketch. Lots of fun adventures with my daughter. I love this touristy shot at the wharf. It was a long day, jam packed with good times.

I was not happy with this sketch, but it was the main reason I chose the spot. I could not get a good view. It has been a very busy summer with more than normal lack of time for art. I am hanging in there as best I can. Soon after these photos I went to Seattle to see my sister. Check out my next post for some highlights.

Still not a lot of free Time

 Had some great times with my daughter this month, had 5 days off with just me and her! She is just the best! I did find some time at the Art Clinic to work on my newest daily journal. I got the 3 signatures totally sewn and assembled, but the cover is not finished. I would have sewn it, but I wanted to embroider it this time. I have all the fabric ready and cut. I think I like it.

I have been carrying the loos signatures in my purse to work on so I can start on it while I wait for a chance to embroider. Orange and turquoise were the main theme... but I  am sure I strayed. I never know if there is a good blank page to art page ratio until I start to really work in them. I hope this one works well.

Went to Avila Barn on Saturday and went on the hay ride for our first time ( we have been there many times, but never went). We rode accross the farm to pick Ololliberries and it was a lot of fun! Our hands were stained purple by the time we gathered a basket full. My daughter helped me make a smoothie with them the next morning.

These are our matching braids :)