I Really do NOT Like the Dentist!

So the other day, I headed for my semi annual dental appointment. I have always been really good about brushing and keeping my teeth clean. I am one of those that brushes just about every time I eat anything. I've been really good about flossing, that is, until I was in the hospital last year, and got out of the habit. That was four months ago. I have been flossing every now and then, but not everyday like I use to.

So, why is it that I am the one that always gets the cavities? No one in my family takes better care of their teeth than I do. Heck, my dad said he didn't even own a toothbrush til he was 18. I really hope he is exaggerating, but I do know that no one, yes no one ever flossed while I was growing up. Did anyone ever have any cavities? Just me...and I had my share of them. In fact I had everyone's share. I don't get it.

Today, I had to go back to get a cavity filled. I was told it was because I did not floss...ya, for four months..?I don't think so. Like I said, I know a lot of people who NEVER floss, and their teeth are cavity free. I guess I have to look at it this way...this is one of my trials in life. I guess it could be worse...

Metal Stamp Giveaway

So, I was able to get my beads for the Bead Soup Blog Party out yesterday. Stacie should be getting her beads by Monday. Lori (Anderson), the host of the party just sent an email reminding us about a great give away...metal stamps. I've been thinking about branching out a bit and trying my hand at metal stamping. I asked my sister, Tammy Powley who is an author of several jewelry how to books and has an about.com site on jewelry making. She said she has tried it, but just does not have a very steady hand for it. I am curious if I have a steady enough hand. Part of me says, "no way," because I have carpel tunnel. BUT!!! I do some intricate painting--Christmas ornaments--and actually have done a pretty good job, so, maybe I do have a steady enough hand. Only one way to find out is to go buy some metal stamps, but I'm just too cheap to do so. I really hope I win these, as I have some cool ideas for metal stamp jewelry, if my hands are steady enough.

http://lorianderson.blogspot.com/2011/01/metal-stamp-giveaway.html

Bead Soup Blog Party

So, I did it! I signed up for the Bead Soup Blog Party, and I am sooooo excited about it. I got my first email from my bead soup party partner. Her name is Stacie, and she is from North Carolina...one of my fav states (we lived there for 5 years, and when we moved away, I was boo hooing all the way to our new home).

So after Stacie introduced herself to me, I knew exactly what I wanted to send. I have it all bundled up and ready to go. I'm just waiting for the next step...her address so I can send them off. Later I will post a picture of what I am sending, and what I have received from Stacie. Then comes the fun part...creating! On the reveal date...no sooner...I will post what I made with the fun stuff I will receive.

There are about 210 fellow jewelry makers who are involved in the Bead Soup Blog Party, so it will be interesting to see what everyone gets and does with their new stash. So, stay tuned...

Class at the Sterlington Library

So, yesterday, Judy and I got together one last time to do last minute planning for our jewelry class at our local library. Judy is a really nice lady I recently met through jewelry making. She works at the library, and was excited to meet me. The library has been wanting to do some type of class in the jewelry area. We met months ago, and have been meeting about every month and putting ideas together. We have decided to have a class on "How to Get Started." If there is interest, then we will do a how to class. Yesterday I found out that two more of our local library branches want us to come and present our class. We are both excited to do so.

Our first class will be held at the Sterlington Library starting at 12:30 on January 20. You will learn about the tools you need, different types of beads, string, wire, and forms of jewelry making. You will also learn what a bead board is and how to use one. We have several books to displayed...mostly my sister's books including her newest...The Complete Photo Guide to Jewelry Making: More than 700 Large Format Color Photos by Tammy Powley.
You can check her book out on Amazon.com

Butterflies

My daughter has been into butterflies lately, so every time I see a pretty one, I get it. I saw this crystal butterfly pendant at Michael's several months ago, and since it was marked way down, I got it. I've hung onto it for awhile, and finally, the other day, strung it up on some mother of pearl and blue crystal.





These beaded butterflies were fun to do, and pretty easy too. In a couple of weeks a friend of mine and I will be hosting a bead/jewelry class at our local library. We don't plan to teach a how to class as of yet. The class will be the basics...what you need to get started, etc. If we have enough interest in actually learning something, I might just teach them how to make these butterflies. You might wonder what you can do with these, well, you can use them as pendants or glue them onto a hair clip or hair band. You can put them onto floral wire and put them in your indoor plants. There are actually a number of things you can do with these...just use your imagination.

Glass Beads

I came across some really pretty glass beads. It is amazing how beautiful glass beads can be. I've made several long necklaces using pearl glass beads interspersed with a few crystal beads. If you just glance at the beads you think they are the real thing.




Another necklace I recently put together, is made of colored glass beads and a mother of pearl flower pendant. I love this necklace because I love bright colors.

Treasures by Terry/facebook

Over the holidays, I made quite a bit of jewelry, especially necklaces. It seems around these neck of the woods, the shorter necklaces (about 16" for the average person) made of ebeads with a small charm are very popular. Living in Louisiana, the fleur de lis is very popular, especially if the beads are gold and black--Saints colors. One other thing I can not keep in stock are LSU necklaces--yellow and purple with sterling tiger paw charm. We also have a number of high schools who have a cat--panthers, lions and tigers--as their mascot, so I whipped up necklaces using their school colors too. Since I am a BYU alumni and my daughter is there going to school, I also made some BYU cougar necklaces.

Check out my Treasures by Terry facebook to see some of these and other jewelry. While you are there, "like" my page, then I can see who all is visiting me there...