What I do when I'm not blogging....

I guess that would be too long for a blog post... or too short?

Not much, I'm afraid. I have been creating some beads, so I'll share 'em with you. This part of the pile 'o' beads I made recently has been sanded, but not dremel-buffed yet:

And this pile is probably going to stay matte:

And this little pile is going to get a good sanding tomorrow 'cause it's been playing in the mud (acrylic paint) *smile*:

Google Reader!! Who knew?

My friend Kelly says I need to update my blog. She's right!!

And so often I have wished I could keep up with checking all the other blogs out there that I've enjoyed; but the thought of clicking on each one and waiting for it to load (I have an elderly computer) kept me from it. No more!!


Now, thanks to Cat Therien, I know about Google Reader!! What a cool tool!

What Google Reader does is put all your blogs on one page - you add subscriptions (I'm still in the process of adding them to my reader), and it tells you on one part of the page how many new posts there are on each blog, and shows the blog entries on the other part of the page.

Click on the blog you want to peruse, and there they are... shortened versions of all those posts. Then, if you want to read it all, see it ALL, you click on the post title itself and there you are, at the actual blog. You only go to the blog entries you really want to see!

I know, I get way too excited about little things... humor me!!

Sold!!!

I was going to share a couple of beads that were just listed on etsy. Well, I'm happy to say that they were sold immediately!!! Guess I'll have to list more tomorrow ;)

Here they are anyway...

Etsy Bead Team Week SALE

Emerald Love Heart

Tangerine Blossoms and Lime Sparkle Heart

Tangerine Garland Heart

Every other week, the etsyBEAD street team members choose from their store or newly list things that fit the "challenge" category. These items are on sale in some way. Some choose to offer a percentage off, others offer free shipping.

I choose to offer free shipping to the US and Canada. So take a look at these pretty heart pendants! Not only will you get free shipping, but the money from these particular listings goes to a good cause. Click on the title of the bead to get to the listing.

Key holders/Bag decorations from Ruth Tarragano

Key holders/Bag decorations
Originally uploaded by Ruth Tarragano

I love the colors in the beads in this photo! Makes you want to frame them as is and hang them on the wall!!

Fighting with photography

I've been trying to find just the right settings on my camera, just the right lighting, to take professional looking photographs of my work. Sometimes it works, and then the next picture I take with the very same settings comes out darker... and I have to adjust "brightness and contrast" in photoshop elements to get it right.

Aghhh!!!

These turned out pretty well (some with that "tweaking").... I just want to be able to take the photo, crop, and list!!!

Jana Roberts Benzon: Stylized Botanical Brooch

Stylized Botanical Brooch
Originally uploaded by Jana Roberts Benzon

Polymer clay. Really, it is!!