Necklaces Old and New

Nikia Angel, designer of the fabulous Sparkly Wheel, is writing a book about them. I've had the pleasure of meeting Nikia, and she brought a bag filled with what seemed like hundreds of Sparkly Wheels. The necklace above, and detail below, was one of my attempts at her wheel.




The necklace below is my "Beach Spiral." Knowing how much I like spirals by now, you should not be surprised that both the necklace above, which I probably made 7 or 8 years ago, and one I just finished, are spirals. The one below has fringe on it, with some sea shell-type beads and other sandy colored beads, plus a little pink and green.




Here's some detail. It's hard to photograph a spiral fringe necklace because the fringe doesn't lay flat, but that's part of what makes it interesting.

View from my computer

This photo is the view from my computer. I took it through the window and the screen, so it's a bit fuzzy. It's a lovely and peaceful view, and I have my neighbor to thank, because the birdbath is on her property. For my July BJP I am going to try and bead embroider this scene and capture my feelings of summer, the green, the flowers, and the beauty of nature.

Pictures from France

Dennis came home last night and had a very good trip to France. Here are a few scenic photos. For the bottom photo, you can walk to the building when the tide is low, otherwise you have to take a boat. It looks pretty desolate, but I think it's just because it's a very old building. I love the clouds in the sky and the water, they both blend together.

One more thing...

Okay, can you tell I'm a little stir-crazy and lonely being by myself? I'm writing multiple entries today.... I guess you could say I'm talking to my computer.

We've lived in our neighborhood for 17 years now. One of the great pleasures is watching people walk by our house. We sit on the porch and say or wave hello, or just observe. Just now, a teenager walked by with his dog. I've watched this teenager walking his dog since he was probably 8 y.o. Little boy, little dog. Now he's almost a young man, and his dog is older and slower.

One of the great mysteries I have about people walking by, is why they stop. Have they moved away? Have they gotten ill? Are they away for the summer? So many people I've come to know over the years, and then they're just not there anymore.

Dennis will be home tomorrow. And only one more trip this summer.

Back to beading fringe...

Are you a bead perfectionist

I usually spend the summer trying to catch up on unfinished bead projects. I seem to work in spurts. With my husband still in France, I've finished a beautiful necklace by Jean Campbell, a bracelet I've wanted to make for about 2 years, my Use the Muse contest piece, and some others I can't remember right now.

But here's what I want to say: Right now I'm putting fringe on a spiral rope necklace. This technique is one of my favorites. However, I always want the fringe to look balanced, and this means a lot of ripping out and redoing the fringe until it 'looks right.' We're talking about balancing fringe on a rotating base. I think I need to let go of being a perfectionist about this. It's taking too long. But if I don't do it this way, I won't bead happy.

Sign

Today, as I was driving out of my neighborhood, I looked at the sign at the chiropractors office. It said:

What are you waiting for?

Obama in Ghana

I was just reading about President Obama's visit to Ghana. I was also looking through pictures of the trip, and I started to tear up. This president represents the America that I feel proud about, one that can make a bridge across the world, to all countries and all peoples. Maybe it will take a while for America to get back on its feet after the previous 8 years, but I believe it will happen with Obama at the helm. I know there are people who will read this entry and have different feelings than me, that's okay. I count my blessings that we can do that in this country and still be friends.

Parenting

I've always thought that our children teach us how to parent. Well, my 21 y.o. son, who has been in Israel since January, called today. He thought he would tell us that his friend, Angela, misses him 4 times more than we do, and she wants to pick him up at the airport and go to Michigan State for the night. Then we can pick him up from there and bring him home. I told him I understood, and I'm sure she really misses him like crazy. But maybe, just maybe, his dad and I will still go to the airport and see him, because we miss him too.

Friday errands

Every Friday I have a routine for the errands I run. Today was slightly different because I waited for Dennis, above, to get a ride to the airport. He'll be in France for the week. More time for playing with clay for me!


The I go to the local branch of our library. I actually go 2-4 times a week, since I love to read, and love libraries.


I head toward my next destination. I've waited to turn left at this traffic light hundreds of times.
One more left so I can go into the shopping center.
A stop at Barnes & Noble to check if any new magazines have come in...or beading books!
Sometimes I go to Panera's for a cup of coffee and a bagel.
Then my big stop, Whole Foods. I know some people call it whole paycheck...but I'm a vegetarian and the best selection in one place for foods I eat is WF. Plus, they get their bread delivered from Zingerman's, who makes the best bread. I pick up a loaf of challah and pumpernickel.

Aren't these flowers pretty?


One more left turn traffic light. This one is a long wait.


Ah, turning onto my road...almost home.
And here I am, back at home. I have just completed a big circle. Now to unload books and groceries.

And that's my Friday, every Friday. It's like an anchor at the end of the week. Hope your week has been a good one!