New toy and final Fridays in Nelsonville

Got a new toy! I am looking for tools to help me be more productive and organized so hopefully this iPad will be what I need. I don't know what I'm doing yet but this auto correct is cracking me up!

I did the final Fridays with Luke last month. It was so fun! I will definitely be back. We will be inside McFadden insurance on the square in Nelsonville next final Friday so come see us!!!

jeannie's new etsy store!

My friend Jeannie makes hand turned wood bowls and has opened an etsy store! We went to the Hocking Hills Artists and Craftsmen Assoc. meeting this week. Good things going to happen!

http://www.etsy.com/people/TheRuggedEdge

Trip Dog

Here is a video of my favorite band, Trip Dog, that I get used guitar strings from to make recycled guitar string jewelry. It would still be my favorite band even if I weren't in a relationship with the lead guitar player! They are amazing musicians and I am so glad they got together this year.

The bass and banjo player is the owner of Insea Sound Shop http://www.insea.biz/ and a major source of used guitar strings. I wish I had pictures of his place and the other unique shops I get used guitar strings from.

I get new ideas constantly. I think it is because of the constant flow of guitar strings going through my corner of the kitchen/workshop. Right now, I am really in love with these steel flat wrapped guitar strings, black tape wound bass strings, and mandolin strings. I haven't made anything out of them yet because I don't want to cut them yet. I think I am going to start a OOAK (one of a kind) section of guitar string bracelets that are custom sized and sterling wrapped.

One of these days when I get this place straightened up, I am going to take pictures of me and my work area. I have been reading some of the artist blogs from etsy, and love seeing pictures of the artists in their natural habitat.

I am having problems with too many ideas and not enough time to put them to use! I guess that's what holiday weekends are for! Have a fun Labor Day Weekend everyone!tgis

Jeremy's Necklace

This was made for a friend's birthday/college graduation party. He turned 30 so I used a 30 caliber Luger Western spent shell that I found in an antique store. In the same store, I also found the leather boot laces used for the necklace cord. The smell of the old leather is amazing.

So when Jeremy turns 38, he can have a .38 special nickel plated pendant, and then a 44...I think we will stop at 50. For those of you who know as much about guns as I do cars, the 50 caliber shell is slightly larger than what would be considered tasteful jewelry. Unless you're Flafa Flav;) (I mean no diss to Flava; you rock homie!)

If you have a special spent shell you would like converted into a pendant, send me a convo on my etsy page:
http://www.etsy.com/shop/foxdesignsjewelry

First draft post disclaimer

I DO post first drafts.

A couple of reasons:
1) I do not take myself so seriously that a few minor mistakes cannot be overlooked by the reader. This is written by an human, therefore mistakes will be made.
2) I believe in my writing skills enough to have a mental image of how it will look before I write.
3) I also believe enough in the editing software to catch and alert with a red underline of typing mistakes. (I look at the keys; I know, bad, bad)

And of course, this was a first draft, thanks for reading.

I love you ETSY but I'm NOT quitting my day job!

I love being creative but doing financial aid paperwork does NOT let me express my inner artist. I am a TRiO Educational Talent Search school coordinator in Appalachian Southeast Ohio. Being in the foothills of the oldest mountains in the world and being able to help low income and first generation potential college students and their families is the best job in the world. I am mostly a college access adviser, closely working with the guidance counselors, students and parents to help them find the best educational fit for their situation. Everyone of my students is different; each going in a different direction. The stress is abundant but manageable, especially when I can unwind with a big tray of beads!!! It is great because when I'm done unwinding at the end of the day, I have an amazing and unique piece of jewelry.

I love etsy! I am inspired by all of the wonderful things and wish I could have the time to create and explore different materials. I WANT to start working with sterling silver. I took a class on it a few years ago and now that I have the space, I am saving up for the tools and equipment. I have recently played around with chain maille after getting a few library books on the subject.

I only work during the school year so I make most of my jewelry during the summer. The occasional snow day also lets me get a few creative hours in during the winter (so I can get my bead fix). I am thinking of entering contests, and some juried shows in the future as well. I also want to get a merchant credit card account before I do that. SOOO much I want to do and so little time to do it!

this is what I'm looking forward to

Topless jeeping with my bf and dog!