Thank God For The Wedding-Because The Buttons Are Killing Me!

Because I have been up all night packaging and pricing the buttons for the shop who will be taking my buttons to the Maryland Sheep and Wool festival May 7 and 8.  The only thing that kept me awake was watching royal wedding shows.

 I lost an entire shelf of buttons a few days ago so this last load was very important.  The kiln ran yesterday and was finally cool enough this morning for me to unload it.  So I just need to package these, make an inventory list, and photograph every single button package.  Then I have to drive an hour to the shop to drop them off by then end of today.  I'm exhausted.

 Looking at this last load - I used a different process to glaze them and they came out so great!  I'm going to make another complete load of these colors for my etsy shop.  Love them all.  These two are especially pretty (in my opinion).

The last two weeks I have been living on 5 hours of sleep a night and then last nights all nighter - I plan to come home from the shop and sleep sleep sleep.  Definitely carry out for diner tonight!  I hope you have a great weekend!

Cute Rock Art By Kellie

I hope you had a nice weekend.  It was gorgeous here.  So sunny and warm.  I had my family here for Easter yesterday and since two of my little nieces would be here I bought some crafty things for the girls to do with Kellie.  2 bags of smooth flattish rocks, 1 bag of feathers in pretty colors, 3 packs of stick on gems, 2 packs of pretty pipe cleaners/chenille stems, acrylic paint, and glue.  Here is the fabulous peacock that Kellie made.

 You can't see it from these photos, but there is a feather on it's pompom head.  I love it!

and today Miss Molly turns 18. boohoo.  I will never be happy about these birthdays.



How did 18 years go so fast?!  She's awesome.

New Etsy Shop Coming Soon! Save The Turtles! and some buttons

Wanted to stop in and say Happy Easter to all those who celebrate it!  I am still working on the buttons for the show and the shops.  Making progress - just have to glaze a bunch and then I'll be finished and can move on to the other items on my ceramic to do list.  I have been making a bunch of porcelain hand formed buttons.  Very fun.  I like their wonkyness.

 And I'm going to be opening a new Etsy store soon.  Kellie is very passionate about saving the Sea Turtles so we are going to open a store that sells turtle items along with other gift type things (all handmade) and most of the money from the sales (only etsy and paypal fees and shipping costs will be withheld) will go to an organization that works to save sea turtles (we haven't decided on one yet but will before the store opens).  Kellie is pretty excited about it.  I'm going to list some of my turtle checker and tic tac toe games (sorry for the terrible photo - it's an old one and I don't have any turtle games on hand to photograph at the moment) 

 The game pieces are wood disks that I hand paint and collage.  The game boards are machine pieced and hand quilted by me.  They come with a coordinated zippered bag - also made by me.  Kellie is going to keep me very busy with this project of hers - but it's a win win situation. I make her happy and she makes the turtles happy and she feels good about that!

 I will also be listing my turtle pendants in several sizes.

I think Kellie plans to make some turtle rocks and things as well.  Lots of fun items to be purchased to save those cute turtles, right?  I will let you know as soon as the shop is open.  Have a great holiday weekend!

Handmade Buttons And Hand Spun Wool = Happiness!

I have commitments all over!  I need to make 500 buttons by the end of the month.  mm, just a few buttons. :O)  So When I opened the kiln this morning and saw these pretty spring buttons I was really happy!

 These are new - I'm crazy about them!  I'm going to have to make a bazillion more because I won't be able to part with these!

I like to spin my own yarn and I thought I would show you how some of these new buttons look with some of my favorite hand spun yarns- Definitely click on the photos to get the full color love experience :O)...

 Love this glaze and this button!

 Doesn't look so great with this yarn

 but man!  I really like it with this one

 and when I saw this glaze I was like - iii and had planned to make a note not to make any more buttons with it

 but zowie!  I love it with this yarn!

 these are new too - I think they are awesome.

 and these - my all time favorite glaze combination.  These are 3/4 inch buttons.  I'm going to have to make a bazillion more of these too.

 this blue really pops on this yarn.  and this is another favorite shape for buttons

 here is that pinkish color again.  I like it with this yarn too so I think this color will go with a lot of different yarns.

 this yarn is full of pretty fall colors and I really like this button with it.

 and since green is my favorite color I had to show you these.  I don't think I can part with these either.  Which is becoming a problem because I see from this post that I plan to keep a lot of buttons!

 That's it for me today.  I'm glazing glazing glazing and rolling out buttons like a mad woman!  My brand new slab roller arrived just in time because it's getting a work out this week!  I had stressed about spending the money but it's worth every penny.  I bought Bailey's Mini-Might and it's the perfect size for me.  I hope you are having a great day!

Happy Anniversary...

Mark and I have been married 21 years today.  woohoo.

I'm spending the day up to my eyes in clay.  I need about 24 extra hours today to finish everything on my list.  I haven't even started my taxed yet - eek!

Shop Update - Now 34 Colors Of Irish Waxed Linen Thread!

I now have 34 THIRTY FOUR!!! woo hoo!  Colors of Irish Waxed Linen Thread in my Etsy shop!  I still offer it in 5 yard and 10 yard quantities, but you can always request a custom order.

Aren't they pretty?

Just A Few More New Pieces From The Kiln

 I unloaded the kiln again today and there are some pieces that I really like so I thought I would show them to you.  This will be it until I make and glaze the things on my list. 

 This one is more of a grey/blue in person

 I really like how these two pendant/connectors came out

 This one looks old - I'm not sure if I like it.

I really love these buttons

These are going on a journal cover

and here are the last of those porcelain buttons

That's it for me today.  Oh, I almost forgot...I am getting a package of Irish Waxed Linen Thread today or tomorrow and there are 4 more new colors in it!  That will make it 34 beautiful colors to choose from in my Etsy shop.  WooHoo!  Who doesn't love lots of color choices?!  Have a great weekend!