ArtistsforHire

Sunday, December 27, 2015

QS Chocolate, Chocolate and More Chocolate

I forgot I had taken this picture a while back, too.  But didn't post it!  And I haven't stitched more on it since the pic anyway.  This is QS Chocolate, Chocolate & More Chocolate, a HAED cross stitch of Randal Spangler's. Full cross on 25ct antique white.

Right now I have been working on a model cross stitch assignment, of a lizard.  I'd like to get cracking on that and get it finished. It's pretty small, and just not quite my type.  And, I have another model assignment after that, that I need to get together and get started.  I'd like to take on one more, but am holding off, as it is quite big, and until I get an idea on how I am doing on things and the new year is shaping up(busy), I'll wait.  And I need to get farther on some of my own projects.  I'll post more pics as I get them done. 

Wednesday, November 11, 2015

QS Frogs Kissing WIP, A Slow Year

So I did start the HAED cross stitch SAL for 2015.   I picked the QS Frogs Kissing(I can't stand doing all hair anymore).  I barely got started, but the year is almost over for this, so I thought I would post.  This was the materials from the 18ct aida in kit form they offered, since my own supplies are in a mess from moving still.   It's a nice pattern, wish I had gotten farther on it. I still have it out, but it will be a while before I get back to it.

Some of my delay is some personal things.  Several things are going on, and I keep thinking I am balancing it pretty well.  Truth is that I am functioning, smiling, but am dragged down as far as being productive.  Funny, I am still more productive than I used to be, though.  The main thing is that I have someone close to me, that I am.......losing.  I thought I had learned so many lessons about living, when I had gotten so sick.  But I am learning many more.  This is a "slow" (depends on who's viewpoint) process of watching someone slip away.  I'll just say, think about what will be important when your time is up.  LOVE those that are important to you.  Nothing else matters at the end.

Friday, October 16, 2015

Halloween Bracelet, more items, and Etsy


Another finish!  Another seed bead bracelet.  I meant, of course, to have this done right on the heels of the other one, but obviously, that didn't happen.   This is pretty much the same dimensions as the other one.  A hair over 7 1/4" diameter , $28.  Soft lined yellow, soft lined orange, opaque black, and opaque white Czech seed beads, in theme for Halloween.  Black thread this time, which is more visible for sure.  It's up on Ebay  and I have also recently opened another storefront with it.

Remember, anything purchased direct from me, non store purchases get another 5% off. (Just tell me you want it.)  With the handmade items starting to just trickle in, I thought it was time to go back and try Etsy again.  So I have opened that up, now all the handmade finished things(of mine personally) will be separated in one easy to find place, instead of mixed in with WIPS and other postings.

I will have some other things coming now soon, I did have some cross stitch WIPS I didn't post, and a piece I will be working on as a model stitcher.  I still have a few other projects getting near completion, so I think the bead projects will be laid aside until the 1st of the year at least. 

Wednesday, September 9, 2015

A Finish, just beaded!



I had been hoping, back a couple months ago, that I was going to be able to post a finish.  That I had been off for a year with new things, and have something exactly at about that time.  I had several cross stitch and such in the works, moving along well.  So I was waiting, to time that, but as usual, things happened.  Someone close to me is seriously ill, and I just had no motivation to get the last parts(why is that always the hardest?) done when they were in a bad way, more than normal.   But now, I have a few new issues/problems in the works, and it looks like I really have to push to get some things made and ready for others to enjoy.  Beading has always been a pleasure, and after 10 years away from it, it was nice to pick up some beads that were handy, as a quick project.  Hot pink and purple bracelet, with opaque white and galvanized gold Czech seed beads.  Peyote stitch, with a rope form in the middle.  In between 1/4" and 1/2" wide, 7 1/4" diameter.  It's listed on Ebay here  and I am hopeful to be making more, especially when I can get some delicas.  Feel free to ask for custom colors etc if you like it.  For that matter, anything sold in US, NOT from Ebay direct, is 5% off.

And get ready then for more. I have had to join the real world, of too many bills and responsibilities.  Sigh.  It's been long enough.  I need to get cracking on getting projects finished. 

Wednesday, May 6, 2015

Nepal Relief

Pretty Wrap Nails
 
Just wanted to put a quick note out, these US nail wraps are only available from May 6-8(now).  100% proceeds to UNICEF for the Nepal Earthquake relief efforts.   Send me a note on Facebook.
 
 
And I am stitching, even doing some little art painting, pics coming soon!
 
 
 

Wednesday, April 8, 2015

Humbled, and other new things

Pretty Wrap Nails
 
So, I still wanted to put up an image, at least one, and I figured this is pretty nice.  I started with the Jamberry nail art wraps, to apply to your nails, a couple months ago.  I'm not getting super far with it, but I am impressed with the concept and product.  Nice stuff.
 
I've also added SuperPoints, some of you may remember that they were around a couple years ago, for click pay work.  Not a lot, but one of my favorites.  I realized that they re-opened, and it is by invite only.  Nothing to lose, can make a little money if you are sitting around online a lot.
 
Since I last posted, I've been humbled, several times.  I really thought I had experienced some of the very worst in life here.  Or at least incredible things that no one should HAVE to go through.  And I thought I had a pretty good idea of the path in front of me. It's interesting that my "Do Over" entry is my most read post. (and some interesting new...followers, sigh)  Going forward was going to be hard work, really hard, and it would take some time before I saw some real sunshine.  And I have been surprised again. Some in a bad way, new firsts for dumb stuff that I had to stand up and be a mature adult for, just....embarrassing.  Never too old for those kinds of firsts, I guess.  And I have just been grateful for the people that surround me today.  It's not perfect(not yet!) but it is love, acceptance, and my own space to breathe. More than I thought I would find, and have gone without.  Nice to know I don't have to be a total hermit to have some peace. And somewhere, in all of these tangled relationships along the way, I shed a lot of stuff.  Other people, things, normalcy.  I thought it would still be a while before I would get some of that back.  I had some time to get on solid ground and get balanced, and get in shape to see what I could get back of those things.  But it's coming, like a lightning bolt out of the blue sky.  That I am missed, needed, was "right" about things, and even need my help.
 
It's exceptional to be getting my place back in life.  Validated as a person, trying to do the right thing, and not shoved aside. It's been a really long time since I've been counted on as the strong/wise/trusted one, and without a fight.  I have a new life, and really can have some of the old pieces back that I want.  Things that lie ahead are scary(but am not fearful), exciting, liberating.  And I'm not ready, but I am.
 
I know I don't talk about this stuff much, and this isn't really the place. But I am known to be a realist, and to see and feel the amazing changes that life is putting before me now----I really am humbled. Appreciative of what is put in my reach now.  And I have been out on a new path for a year, it seems to be changing quite quickly now; the gray cloud finally lifting for real. Still hard, but no bad stumbles.  If this, what the tip of the iceberg, starting now, is what I have been holding out hope for, for what seems to have been my whole life, it's worth it. 
 
And I have been doing a little stitching again.  My next updates should have some progress pics!!
 

Friday, February 20, 2015

QS Chocolate Start

Ok, still taking pics in the dark, figured for progress pics, it shouldn't matter much.  This is my January start. Didn't realize I was just itching for a new start, and this is what I had on hand.  I'm not a particular fan of this style, but hopefully it will just stay a fun piece.  This is from HAED, Randal Spangler's QS Chocolate, Chocolate and More Chocolate.  I'm not a fan of brown, either, but somehow, it's more soothing than all the blue or brights that are in a lot of other pieces.  I started it strong at the beginning of Jan, and then had to put it down for the better part of a month.  I had a crik in my neck, and now a very sprained ankle.  And I put in some stitches on the Freebie SAL Frogs, too.  I've just picked it up again in the last few days, and at a slower pace.   This is done 1x1 on 25ct antique white lugana.

I'll hopefully have something worth seeing, on the SAL piece, pretty soon.

Sunday, February 8, 2015

Jamberry Nails and New Starts

Nail Wraps
Ok, I guess I kept thinking I would post this, but didn't, so close to some other cross stitch updates, but I will do this first, and then later post the cross stitch. 

So, the new year rang in more new things.  I have still been hoping to generate some new income that wasn't all stitching or typing. A little smaller, more, compact, "easier"(lol) ideas.   So I signed up with Jamberry.  These are nail art wraps to cut to fit your nails.  Think vinyl with adhesive.  So with a little hair dryer heat, and snip of some scissors, you can have pretty little art on your fingers and toes, that last about two weeks.  There are several other nail items, including polish, vitamins, a box of the month, etc.  Even matching sets for kids!  And of course, you can sign up to sell, as well--no inventory to keep, other than your sign up start.  It seems cute, fun, and reasonably priced.  Since I started with the late winter season, I got a lot of catalogs for the winter, and the spring ones are already in progress.  So, email me, and I will send you a free catalog and a sample nail, in the US.  That will be good permanently, any catalog I have on hand, going forward.  And I am on Facebook, too, I will have some updates there from time to time.

New starts for cross stitch.  I started QS Chocolate, Chocolate, and More Chocolate, HAED, Randal Spangler piece.  It was what I had handy, but not what I planned on working on.  It was going well, until I got a cold, and pinched a nerve in my neck.  I put it down for a while.  And I have gotten kitted materials for the HAED freebie SAL, doing the QS Frogs Kissing.  I have just barely put any stitches in it, so not much to see there.

I am also beginning the official descent on selling beads.   It will take some time, doing it properly.  I will still list some Swarovski crystals and sterling silver findings, I think, as a newer switch, for a while, since I have people still looking for bead items.  But I am dropping the standard fire polish and delicas, etc that I have had cluttering the store for forever.   It's time to make room on ebay for the cross stitch pieces.