NEW WEBSITE

Hello!  This is a notice that this BLOG is going down tomorrow, Monday, November 25th.  I am moving over to a new updated website in its place.  The address is www.janpetek.com My plan is to have it all happen sometime tomorrow.  So, if you get this message that is what it is about. I hope you will continue to follow me.  I will have my own shopping cart, a blog and more!  You will have to be a bit patient with me as far as the shopping cart goes. I have a few items listed but once it is live I will start adding more items. Right now I have Metal Beads that are perfect for Torch Firing at my etsy store. The link is https://www.etsy.com/shop/jpetek  

Thanks for following me! I appreciate your interest in my work! 

Jan

BABE! BAY AREA BEAD EXTRAVAGANZA

This is a shameless plug for the last show I am doing this year! BABE! November 17th and 18th.  beadextravaganza.com

I should be writing all about the things I have been doing, which is a lot, but that is my problem. Too much to do! I am finding myself running from one thing to another with little preparation in advance. So, now I am updating my blog at the last minute so if you come here after reading my latest newsletter you will see something new! 

I could write a book on all of the things I have done in the last month but that would be so boring for you! Yes or no? I am never sure how much personal things you want to know. Or if you just want to know about beads and jewelry.  Please leave a note in my comment section below to let me know! I would really appreciate it! 

I am obsessed with everything to do with Day of the Dead or Dia De Los Muertos, the Spanish word. It is a Mexican holiday celebrated throughout Mexico and the world.  It wasn't something I was familiar with when I lived in Minnesota but I came to find out about it when I moved to San Diego. Especially because it is also my birthday. It is also the christian holiday of All Souls Day and All Saints Day.  Tradition is to honor those who have passed by building altars called ofrendas using sugar skulls, marigolds, and the favorite foods of those passed. 

This is a typical altar.  



My main focus is the sugar skulls and 



the painted faces.  

I watched a lot of you tube videos on how to do this. It has been something I wanted to do but just never did. So this year I was taking my grand girls to Disneyland for a Halloween party and I decided the time was right.  

I can't wait to do it again next year. Maybe I will even practice first! Ha!

In honor of Day of Dead, Halloween, and my birthday, here are some sugar skull focal beads I have been working on.  

My next project is to make a necklace with one and add a body using other beads. At my last show a customer and I were talking and we came up with all sorts of ideas.  I have started working on it but haven't finished. So next time....  

Have a great  Thanksgiving! And if you are in the Bay area of California I hope to see you at BABE! 

And as always, I am at Studio 9 at Spanish Village Art Center in Balboa Park, San Diego. My etsy store is on vacation right now but that will change after BABE! 

Thanks for checking in! 

Jan

THE LAST HURRAH FOR THE SUMMER!

Yesterday was the first day of fall and here in the eastern sierras it started out windy and chilly. By 5pm it started to hail. It quickly turned to snow but with thunder!  I watched out the window as a layer of snow started to cover the ground.  I made hot chocolate and turned up the heater.  I don't know how cold it got but we were cozy in our little cabin. 

 

View from our front window

 The dogs got me up early and I was anxious to see what it looked like outside.  A beautiful layer of snow on the ground and on the trees.  I remember this from my years in Minnesota. The first snow. Wanting to keep it pristine and not make tracks.  I haven't missed snow all these years in California. But somehow snow in the mountains is different.  The trees are different and of course there are mountains. 

 

About 6:00am

The dogs were having a great time on the deck running back and forth and playing in the snow. But I knew what they were really wanting to do.  Make those tracks!

I leave my heavy coats here along with warm socks and a scarf. I forgot gloves and a hat at home! I am not serious about snow or cold weather! The sun was out and the snow was starting to melt so I knew that once I started walking I would be fine.  I did put some socks on my hands to start!

Steve was curious to see what his boat looked like so that is the first place we went.  Oh my! Lake Mamie was like glass and the trees, well just look at how beautiful!  The boat was covered in snow as I knew it would be.  No tracks down on the dock and I didn't want to disturb that snow. 

Lake Mamie

We saw fishermen waiting for the snow to melt so they could go down to the shore to fish. And others just looking at the beauty like me. 

I knew the dogs wouldn't be happy just looking around so I took them to the other side of Lake Mamie where we always walk.  Well, I walk and they run in circles, in the water, up, down, more circles, more water, you get the picture. 



Lake Mamie with Crystal Crag in background

Aggie eating snow and Lily making a dog snow angel

It is always beautiful but with the snow it was another kind of beauty.  Most likely the snow will be all gone by tomorrow.  A high of 58 today and in the 60's tomorrow. Maybe one day more for fishing then the boat comes out of the water for the drive home in a day or two.  The umbrellas and chairs come in and everything gets buttoned up for the season.  I hope my little flower garden makes it through the winter but I won't know till next June or July. Depending on how much it snows this winter and how quickly spring comes determines when we can get back in the cabin. 

Before Snow

 

After Snow

 

I will back to making beads and jewelry soon! And my etsy shop will be back too.

I have two shows coming up this fall. If they are in your area, please stop by!

Art Glass Guild Patio Show - Sat & Sun - October 12th & 13th
Spanish Village Art Center, Balboa Park, San Diego
Click here for directions and more info

BABE! Bay Area Bead Extravaganza - Sat & Sun - November 16th & 17th
Marriott Convention Center, Oakland, CA  Classes & Bead Bazaar
Click here for more info  

Thanks for stopping by! 

Jan

NEW BEADS & OTHER NEWS

Not a very enticing title, "New Beads and other News".  But I do have new beads!  

My bead Buddie, Donna Struthers, (many of you may know Donna as we have always done the San Diego Bead Bazaar together.) has decided that her days of doing bead shows are over! (I still hope to convince her to join me once in awhile.)

Getting ready for a show can be stressful. We often feel like we shouldn't work in the garden or have coffee with girlfriends. We feel like we should make beads instead. We can never have enough beads and jewelry.  

While Donna has decided to only make beads when she feels like it I have inherited her beads!  We have a similar style but yet different.  I love to use her beads so why not just buy all of her beads? That is what I did!  It is a win win for both of us!  I now have more beads! 

I want to share them with you. 

 
Most of them are hollow beads in browns, golds, white, and green.  They all have a mat finish.

 

 

Here are some fun focal beads with an unusual shape, color and texture.  

Aren't they great? I can't wait to use them in my jewelry designs. If you are interested in any of these beads, let me know.  I will be putting some of the beads on my etsy store but not until September. 

My retail studio in Spanish Village Art Center has been stocked with new beads and new jewelry. If you are looking for something special or just looking be sure to check out Studio 9.  Hours are 11am to 4pm every day.

Take care!  Thanks!

           Simple necklace with dichro nugget; torch fired enamel  leaves and open cog as bail.