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

BEAD SOUP BLOG PARTY

I have watch Lori Anderson do the Bead Soup Blog Party for a couple of years. I enjoyed looking at bead stashes that were sent out and then seeing the final pieces that were made. Very inspiring! So this time I decided to jump on the band wagon so to speak and sign up.  It is the 7th Bead Soup Blog Party! I have been paired up with Marti Conrad, a ceramic bead artist.  Here is the stash she sent me:

 

They are so lovely!  The green beads and the large focal are the ceramic pieces she made.  The beads on the left are wooden!  I love them!  On the right are some red/gold gems.  The colors go together so nice! I am already thinking about how I will use them.  So different from what I make and that is the point of this. Lori pairs people up so we have to work outside of our box.  

I don't want to post what I have sent Marti as she has not received it yet!  And I want her to be surprised.  So stay tuned for more on this fun game!  

If you want to see who else is participating in the party (there are three different groups!) go to Lori's blog. Click here.  

What Happened to 2012?

I have been very bad at adding posts here. I have lots of ideas of what to post and have been collecting photos too.  But when it comes to just sitting down and doing it, I procrastinate. Anyone else like this? 

So, before I procrastinate again ..... here are the photos I planned on posting.  

Took a short trip to LA to see some art exhibits.  This one was on Pompeii at the J. Paul Getty Villa in Malibu, CA. 

View of ocean from J. Paul Getty Villa

J. Paul Getty Villa

For my birthday, I treated myself to a two day art retreat in Claremont, CA. The class was taught by Riki Schumacher and the project was a photo frame. Of course, I haven't finished mine yet.....  But it was such a fun class. We also went to a flea market at the Pasadena Community College that was so overwhelming but with great finds! If you have a chance to take a class with Riki, don't pass it up.  Here is a link to her. 

Riki Schumacher

Class Project - Frame

In December I had a girls day at the Vintage Marketplace in Rainbow, CA. About 1 hour north of me in San Diego.  This adorable truck is at the entrance. I should have taken photos of the booth displays but they are all so beautiful it is a bit overwhelming.  Great buys, I definitely recommend going to this show if you like vintage pieces and are in the area. They have it about every 3 months. Here is a link to their facebook page. 

Yellow Truck at Vintage Marketplace

 

December also brings December Nights in Balboa Park.  It is a busy two days for my partners and I in our studio at Spanish Village. Long days and lots of people. The lights are fabulous, food is great and a good time is had by all. Here are a few photos before it got too crowded to move.
 

Entrance to Spanish Village

The "Big Tree"

Well, that is about it for now.  As for beads and stuff, I am getting ready for the Pasadena Bead & Design Show in Pasadena, CA this coming week.  Thursday through Sunday, 17th to 20th. Hilton Pasadena, 168 S Los Robles Ave, Pasadena CA. I will be in the International Ballroom. I have been making "torch fired enamel" beads and glass beads for weeks in preparation. It is a beautiful show with so much more than beads. I hope you check it out.  For more info go to www.pasadenabeadanddesignshow.com  

I have to close with a photo of my pups!  

Lily & Aggie

 Thanks for stopping by! 

Till next time!  Jan

ART GLASS GUILD PATIO SHOW THIS WEEKEND

The heat has broken in San Diego but I am not sure if I feel fall in the air yet.  It is still in the 70's and really beautiful!  I would like it to be a bit cooler at night but after all the complaining I did a few weeks ago I think I will let it be.....

The Fall Patio Show is here and I am ready!  Yeah!!!!  I can always make a few more beads or another piece of jewelry. It is really never ending in my world.

I have been busy making my new components, Torch Fired Enamel beads and pieces, and glass beads.  Blues, Greens, Oranges, Reds, and lots of fall colors.  Here is ONE of my bead trays.  Did you know I love to make beads?

Of course I can't just let all of these beads just sit there and not do anything with them! 

I love making whimsical earrings. But you probably know that by now. These are my new componets and my glass beads. 

 

 

I found these really cool pieces, enameled them! I love these fall colors! 

 

 

More components made in purple and red!  

Hope you like them!

 

I hope to see you at the show.

 

There will be music, refreshments, a special booth just for kids and adults to create mosaic stepping stones and of course lots of glass of all kinds and shapes!  Spanish Village Art Center and Balboa Park are a great place to spend the day!
 

HOURS: 10am to 5pm both days

Booth #1

Art Glass Guild Patio Show

 

Directions: Spanish Village Art Center is located between the San Diego Zoo and the Museum of Natural History just off Park Boulevard on Village Place.

For more information on the show call 619.702.8006 or www.artglassguild.org

 

If you can’t make the show, my beads and jewelry are in Studio #9 in Spanish Village Art Center at Balboa Park. There is a link to my calendar on the navigation bar above. The calendar lists which days I work. But my pieces are there whether it is my day to work or not.

Thanks for continuing to support my work!
 

 Jan

 

END OF SEASON

Took the boat out of the lake, closed up the cabin, and took one last walk before heading home.  So many fun and relaxing days this year at the cabin. The longest season for us so far and the warmest!  

We need snow. I am not a winter or snow person. Did that, done that. The lakes are down and the trees are showing stress. The town depends on tourists who come for snow. 

Here is hoping it will be a good winter season! (And hopefully not too much snow so we can get in the cabin in June!) 

Lake George, Mammoth Lakes, CA - September 2012

 

 

Closed the Computer

Well, I finally closed my laptop and took the dogs and I for a walk.  It was another beautiful day here in Mammoth Lakes, CA. I just kept checking one more thing and before I knew it, it was noon!  I had changed out of my pj's and cleaned up a bit however.  My grand kids are here with us but right now they are in love with our  neighbors who have two boys, 8 and 4.  I think they like their parents too!  They built a Tepee today. So no wonder they didn't want to go on a walk with me and the dogs! 

Nefret and the Tepee

We did go to Panum Crater yesterday. This area has lots of craters to explore. We were on the hunt for more obsidian.  We found huge rocks of it.  Unfortunately, there was a sign that said no collecting. I didn't actually see it so when the girls showed me what they collected I didn't know they were breaking a rule.  But the rocks are happy now in our obsidian garden at the cabin. 

Mono Lake from Panum Crater.

Grandma and Nefret

Cool Juniper on a large obsidian rock.

Nefret and Juni (Nefret has on a jean vest we got for $4 at the local thrift store)

Piece of Obsidian

Tomorrow we drive back to San Diego.  I have more beads to make for the bead bazaar coming up Aug. 4th and 5th.  For more info on the bead bazaar click here. 

I made some fun earrings and a couple of necklaces this week. I will post some photos later this week. I am excited to show them to you so I hope you can make it to the San Diego Bead Society Annual Bead Bazaar.  Let me know if you have any questions.

Thanks for stopping!  Jan

Summer News

Well, it has happened again. I had intentions of updating my website once a week and before I know it, a month has gone by! Summer is a busy time for me as we spend a lot of time at our cabin in the Eastern Sierras.  In between I am working at Studio 9 at Spanish Village, making beads and jewelry and taking classes.  This may be a long post so I hope you won't be too bored. You can just scroll through to see the photos! LOL! Here goes.....

My Granddaughter, Juniper, had her "promotion to 6th grade". Interesting how schools now have all sorts of awards and make big productions going from elementary to middle school.  But isn't Juni cute?  It looks like she is crossing her eyes!!! LOL! I will have to ask her about that.

I have been having a wonderful time going on hikes this year. Since I had my hip replaced in January I can now walk, climb, and do more walking. It is fabulous! One of the  lakes in Mammoth, Horseshoe Lake, is like a dog beach. My dogs, Aggie and Lilly, and I try to go there often so they can run and I can get some exercise too. Here are some photos of the lake and us walking around it. The lake is down this year due to below normal snow fall.

This was my first time in Mammoth Lakes, CA for the 4th of July. We sat on the edge of the street and watched the parade.  Lots of horses which are my favorites.  Afterwards, there was a concert in the park and an art festival.  The weather was wonderful, in the 70's, my favorite temp. 

I mentioned in an earlier post that I would be taking a class with Diana Frey, a mixed media artist. This class was my introduction into this type of jewelry and I have fallen in love! The class was held at her studio in San Luis Obispo.  SLO for short. I fell in love with SLO. Very laid back and just beautiful. The downtown has all sorts of restaurants, bars and cool stores. I could have spent three days just exploring the downtown.  Here are some photos of the class, her studio and the class projects.  

BRIAR ROSE

From left to right: Jan Petek, Diana Salvucci-Smith, Julie Strohlman, Charlene Gray

From left to right: Jody Cottrell, Vickie Orlando, Sandy Navarro, Cecelia Alvarado, Terry San Filippo, Brigitte Willse

I am in the center back. Diana Frey is in the middle in the back top a long necklace.

Class sample - Bird in Hand

No I haven't finished mine yet! 

As you can see from the projects, we used vintage jewelry pieces along with some doll parts and a soldering iron. All new to me! 

Here is photo from the class I took with Diane Cook in Coronado, CA.  The workshop was put on by Vivi Magoo with Barb Solem.  Check them out! Barb does wonderful workshops! I actually finished the projects in class but don't have any photos of them, sigh...... I tried to take photos with my phone today but they are just not good enough. ( My photo area is piled with enamels right now!) If you go to Diane's website you will see the two projects, "Heart Strings" and "Window to my Heart" along with projects she will be teaching in new workshops. Diane also does mixed media art and I just love it!   Totally different from the jewelry I usually make. I have been looking for awhile for alternatives to sterling silver as the price of sterling has gone so high. I don't want to raise my prices but I also don't want to risk quality. The mixed media art may give me what I am looking for.  I am hoping to hone my skills and include my beads in some pieces. As I get more into it you will be hearing and seeing more! 

In the meantime, I am still working on glass beads, sterling silver jewelry AND torch fired enamel beads.  I am in also love with making the torch fired beads and using them to make fun and whimsical pieces with my glass beads. You may have seen some of the earrings at the last Art Glass Guild Patio Show or on my Etsy site.  Here are a couple of photos. 

In two weeks is the San Diego Bead Society's Annual Bead Bazaar. Aug. 4th & 5th.

San Diego Bead Society Bead Bazaar

Saturday and Sunday Aug. 4th & 5th, 2012

10am to 6mp Saturday

10am to 5pm Sunday

Scottish Rite Center

Mission Valley, San Diego, CA

 Here is a sample of what I will have at the bazaar this year. I am excited to show you all the torch fired enamel beads and how they can be used. Stop by, it is always fun to catch up! 

If you have any questions on anything you see here, just let me know.  Thanks for stopping by!

Jan