The Beaded Branch

Worktable Wednesday - Scratching the Surface

2014-10-08T07:49:00.000-04:00

I'm trying my hand at scratchboard, whenever I have a spare moment. (HA!) Drawing my mandalas into the scratchboard (board covered in clay and ink) is so very relaxing and fun! I'm coloring it as I go with watercolors. I'll be looking forward to seeing how it looks when it's done.

Worktable Wednesday Almost Ready

2014-09-24T12:44:00.001-04:00

"A Creative Mind"
This painting is almost done. Just one or two more gears to get onto it, and the hanging wire on the back.
I think I would have been more satisfied with it if the gears actually spun, almost continually of course. After all, that's how a creative mind works: always moving, but the gears don't always mesh.

Until next week, keep your sand blue!

Hanging My Paintings: The Good and The Bad

2014-09-15T11:05:00.000-04:00

Nerve wracking. Yep. It was nerve wracking (and still is).

Now, knowing about me and my business, I've made jewelry and painted silk scarves, and created cards, and painted tee shirts, and crocheted stuff, and sold it (or tried to) at craft show after craft show after craft show. I've also tried selling it online in my Etsy shop. Somehow, none of this has ever been as nerve wracking for me as my latest attempt: hanging paintings for sale at the Fluvanna County Public Library.

I'm not sure why, but I feel like I have a much more personal attachment and connection to my paintings and collages than I do to my jewelry, scarves, and other works of art. When hanging these paintings on the wall, I felt like I was opening part of my soul to the public.

These paintings were created with specific days in mind, like this one:

This one was done after Father's Day this past June. We spent the day picking cherries at a local cherry orchard. Lots of cherries. More cherries than you could imagine. Or maybe you could imagine 17 lbs of cherries. I couldn't until we picked that many.

Two of the paintings are recreated from my past:

My giraffe painting, from when I was in elementary school, taking summer art courses. The eyelashes are even sparkly, just as I envisioned them all those years ago. And, of course, Sand is Blue. That one was a real challenge to paint. It was hard, but a lot of fun, because I could just let myself go. I wanted it to have a "coloring book" feel to it, which I think it does. The small child in my felt vindicated and proud when I hung that painting on the wall of the library.

There are several more paintings to be finished, priced, and hung. I hope I can overcome all the feelings of insecurity I have when those paintings go up. I hope I can get past seeing the faults, and seeing them through the eyes of the art teachers I had so very long ago.

Until next time,

Keep your Sand Blue

Worktable Wednesday - Ready to Go!

2014-09-10T08:04:00.001-04:00

Small paintings and collages ready to go to the Library!

This is it. I was getting ready for my first public show of my art. Not my jewelry. Not my scarves. But my real Hanging-on-the-Wall, Used-Paint-and-Stuff paintings and collages. These are now adorning the walls of the Fluvanna County Public Library, along with some other paintings. And there are a few more to come, too. How does time get away from me so quickly? I don't know. But slowly, the desk is clearing off, and the tubs will be getting empty. Maybe. If I don't take on any more projects. ;-)

Worktable Wednesday - Sand is Blue

2014-09-03T08:57:00.000-04:00

Several years ago, I posted a story here in my blog about sand being blue. Lately, I've felt compelled to recreate the paintings that were lost so many years ago. They were lost due to frustration, anger, and a lot of hurt. This is all part of my rebuilding of my self esteem Here is one of the first paintings, almost done. There will be more coming in the future!

Until next time, keep your sand blue!

Worktable Wednesday - Pendents, pendents and more pendents

2014-08-27T07:30:00.000-04:00

I have quite a collection of really cute pendents. Quilts, flowers, and Art Nouveau. I'll probably be adding some of my own mandalas once I get some free time. I love making them. Next step is to figure out where to sell these little beauties!

Worktable Wednesday - Resin Pretties

2014-08-20T07:52:00.000-04:00

When I get a few minutes, I love playing with my resin! All the colors I can create, swirling colors together to make something new and different.... The only problem is this: what on earth do I do with all the resin pretties that I make? Some are turned into pendents, some are turned into buttons. But mostly, they get thrown into a box, and forgotten about for awhile. Shame on me! ;-)

Summing It Up Sunday - A week in review

2014-08-17T14:08:00.000-04:00

Another Sunday rolls around. Time for rest, relaxation, and reviewing the accomplishments of the week. And what a week it has been.

To start with, if you remember my blog post from August 6, I was wondering what to do with the piles of stock I have laying around my living room.

Well, I've started to take care of that. I'm doing a slow listing in my Etsy shop. Just one piece a day or so, but it will slowly start to rebuild my shop.

Admittedly, these pieces are actually being re-listed. But you know what? That's okay. New and fun things will be added soon. As soon as I can get my camera set up.

New scarves are being painted to be added to the stock that is going to Over the Moon Bookstore and Artisan Gallery, located in beautiful Crozet, Virginia. It's a great independent book shop, with lots of beautiful artisan-crafted jewelry and lovely works of art. Art and books. Books and art. Can't really go wrong with that combination!

Until next time, make sure your sand stays blue!

Worktable Wednesday - Silk Scarves Everywhere

2014-08-13T08:00:00.000-04:00

This week, I'm busy fulfilling an order of 10 silk scarves, that will (hopefully) arrive at Over the Moon Bookstore on Friday. Each scarf can take upwards of 4 days to complete, from start to finish. It's a long process, but one that I love.

Worktable Wednesday-More than just a photo

2014-08-06T11:07:00.000-04:00

Normally, this would be just a photo. However , a little explanation is in order. This is just one plastic tub of stock I have made. I really need to stop making things until I get some sold or something. This is the problem with being an out of control crafter. And being caught in a Catch-22 of epic proportions. How do I list stock when I have neither the time or finances to do so? Any suggestions are welcome!

Rich Turkey and/or Chicken Broth Again

2013-12-04T11:57:00.000-05:00

This is the second time I have posted this recipe, but it's worth it. This time, I have included pictures, and some helpful hints.

This recipe came to our family from my darling dad's brother, Linford. What a great uncle!

Rich Turkey or Chicken Broth

INGREDIENTS:
Chicken or Turkey carcass (bones, neck, giblets, all that stuff leftover from dinner and what is pulled out of the bird before cooking)
Just enough water to cover bird parts
1 Chicken bullion cube
1 teaspoon salt
12 whole peppercorns
4 whole cloves
1 stalk celery, cut up
1 carrot, cut up
1 small onion, cut up

Turkey/chicken pieces in slow cooker, peppercorns, chicken broth, veggie broth, carrots,
celery, onions, whole cloves

Poultry parts in slow cooker

I don't always use chicken bullion cubes. On the right side of the picture, there is a container of previously made poultry broth, and underneath it, some vegetable broth. I use that instead, and reduce the amount of water, too.

In the middle of the picture there are two freezer bags. One has chopped up frozen celery, and the other has a chopped up frozen onion. I a lot of chopping and freezing of vegetables ahead of time, to make life a little easier. I haven't had a chance to blanch and freeze my carrots yet, so those are straight from the refrigerator.

INSTRUCTIONS
Place all ingredients into your slow cooker.

EVERYBODY IN THE POT!

Cover, cook on HIGH 3 hours, then drop to LOW for an additional 4 hours.
Let it cool for a little bit before initial straining.

Ready for the first strain!

I use very high tech equipment for straining my poultry broth.

Large bowl, strainer with large mesh.

1 cup measuring cup

The purpose of the first straining is to get all the large chunks of carrots, onion, and poultry carcass out.

EVERYBODY OUT OF THE POOL!

After the first strain, put the broth into large covered bowls and put it into the refrigerator overnight. A lot of the fat will rise to the top, and slightly harden (yeah, it's kind of gross, but stick with me). This makes it easier to remove the excess fat from the broth. Just keep in mind, the more fat you remove, the more flavor will be lost too.

The following morning, remove the bowls of broth from the fridge, and remove however much fat you want.
Now it's time to move onto the second straining. This will get rid of the last of the spices, and little bits of stuff left in the broth.

I said EVERYBODY OUT! (Bits of fat, meat, spices, veggies)

Comparison of strainers: right hand, first strainer, left hand, second strainer

Once you have strained the broth, it's time for dividing it up and getting it into the freezer.

Almost done!

My high tech storage supplies

I measure the broth into 1, 2, or 3 cup segments, and freeze. This way whenever a recipe calls for a certain amount of broth, it's ready to go, no measuring needed!

Just a small sample.

Once the broth is frozen, I can transfer it to freezer bags (sandwich size) so that it stacks better in the freezer. Now I have a bunch of poultry broth that will be used throughout the coming year.

Art Class Masterpieces

2013-09-29T11:42:00.000-04:00

In August 2013, I started a whole new adventure. I volunteered to teach art at my children's school. Two afternoons a week, I am up at their school, introducing a wide range of children to all different kinds of artists and techniques. I can honestly say it is one of the most fantastic experiences of my life.
I'm sorry I missed taking pictures of the fantastic "Braille Paintings" the kids did a couple of weeks ago, but I am making up for it by having pictures of their GORGEOUS vinyl window clings that they created.
We talked about the famous architect Frank Lloyd Wright, his buildings, furniture, and all the wonderful things he created, including his wonderful stained glass windows, or "light screens", as he liked to call them.
The children in the school either colored in a vinyl cling that already had one of his designs traced onto it, or designed their own using a view from one of the windows of their home as inspiration.
Here are the beautiful, unique results of two weeks worth of work!

Until next week, make sure your sand is always blue.

West African Chicken - Recipe

2013-04-22T20:01:00.000-04:00

I'll admit it. I'm a recipe Hoarder. I'm one of those people that has a ton of recipes, most of which I have never, ever tried. I don't know why. Maybe some nights it's just easier to fall back on the tried and true recipes. Maybe it's just habit. I really don't know.
So, my goal this year is to try at least 4 new recipes every week. It's been going well, and we've discovered a lot of new, yummy recipes that we never would have ever tried if I wasn't trying to break out of a rut.
Tonight, we're trying a recipe that was given to me as part of a wedding gift (about 9 years ago) that somehow got buried in my collection. Now, this is one of those recipes that I know will be good, because the lovely lady that gave it to me is a wonderful cook, and I grew up looking forward to neighborhood pot luck dinners, knowing that whatever she brought would be just fabulous. Here's tonight's special:

WEST AFRICAN CHICKEN from Joan H.

2 Tablespoons oil (I used olive oil)
1 onion, chopped
1 4 oz can of chopped green chiles
1 16 oz can of chopped tomatoes with liquid
1 chicken flavored bouillon cube
1/4 teaspoon EACH: salt, ground ginger, and ground red pepper
1 Cup chunky peanut butter (I used smooth, because that's what I had)
6 chicken thighs (or drumsticks) (I used a whole cut up chicken tonight, because that's what I had)

Saute onion in oil. Add chicken and everything else, except peanut butter to pan. Bring to boil. Reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer until chicken is done (when it gets up to around 165F with a meat thermometer). Stir in peanut butter until smooth. Heat through. Serve with rice.

While it's cooking:

I can only say I wish the computer had Smellovision. It smells WONDERFUL. I can't wait to try it.

I removed the chicken to add the peanut butter. Yum.

The chicken and the sauce.

We were all members of the clean plate club tonight. And look at the smile in the second picture. It was a HIT!

Worktable Wednesday- School Colors

2012-10-17T11:10:00.000-04:00

Worktable Wednesday Stitch, Stitch, Stitch

2012-10-10T12:47:00.000-04:00

Worktable Wednesday: Pride

2012-10-03T11:02:00.000-04:00

Worktable Wednesday.... Swamped

2012-09-19T14:41:00.000-04:00

Worktable Wednesday: A messy desk is the sign of...

2012-08-29T07:15:00.000-04:00

Worktable Wednesday: Ready for My Close Up!

2012-08-22T07:54:00.000-04:00

Worktable Wednesday: Scarves Coming Soon!

2012-08-15T13:29:00.001-04:00

Worktable Wednesday: Piles O' Silk

2012-08-08T08:25:00.001-04:00

Worktable Wednesday: Learning to crochet

2012-08-01T08:51:00.000-04:00

Monday Mayhem: Enough is Enough

2012-07-30T07:44:00.000-04:00

There comes a time in everyone's life when they must say "Enough is enough and I've had ENOUGH!"
Three years ago, I blogged that that I was going to get my house cleaned and organized. Guess what. It didn't happen.
In fact, it just got worse, if that's at all possible.
Finally, I had to say that enough was enough, and I couldn't live like that any longer. It wasn't healthy, mentally or physically for me or anyone else in my family. I couldn't have people over to my house, I couldn't let my kids have friends over to play, I couldn't let extended family come over. I knew it was bad. I knew it needed work. Somehow, though, I couldn't seem to get the energy or interest to do it. I don't know why. Over the last seven years me and my hubby have gone through a difficult pregnancy, the birth of our twins, post partum depression that turned into agoraphobia, my feet giving out on me, the death of my darling dad, hubby losing his job (but thankfully finding a new one very soon), major appliances dying, children starting school, children sick with strep for almost an entire winter....
Well, needless to say, I've been exhausted.
However, this past spring, I seriously took the bull by the proverbial horns, and decided that I was tired of the mess. I was tired of not being able to find anything. I was tired of the house ALWAYS looking like a bomb went off. And I was tired of being alone.
I was raised in a home that was always neat, tidy, organized, and clean. And I wasn't giving my kids that gift. Now, I'm finally getting done what has needed to be done for years. I made a plan, and I'm sticking to that plan, no matter what.
Every month or so, I'm tackling one room or area of my house. I'm de-cluttering, de-stashing, organizing, re-organizing, planning, and working. Working harder than I have ever worked before.

The first "room" I finished was one of the hardest: The screened in porch. It took me over a month to sort through, throw away, clean up, and get it to a place where it could be useful once again.

This is what my screened in porch looked like about 3 years ago. Kind of humiliating that is has gotten nothing but worse in those 3 years. There was so much crap piled up on that table, that we could barely see the sliding glass doors. It was insanity.
After over a month of work, many bags of trash, and a strong desire to get rid of all the excess in my life, this is the new, improved porch:

There is now space to breathe, space to work, space to relax, and space to actually eat dinner. Life is getting better. Sand is becoming more blue again. And this month, I'm tackling the living room. Next Monday, I will show what I have accomplished there.

2012-02-17T05:40:00.001-05:00

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2012-02-14T19:52:00.001-05:00

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