I am so frustrated. I bought two boxes of polymer clay and they are both ruined. I made the mistake of buying them at Wal-mart instead of an art and craft store. There is no telling how long these boxes set out in a hot warehouse.

The clay blocks are so hard that when I try to cut one, it just crumbles. I have tried everything to soften it. I heated the clay with a blow dryer. I sat on the clay blocks all morning, which was not very comfortable, hoping my body heat would soften it. Then I got desperate and soaked the blocks in water. Finally, I threw them away.

I wasted money, just trying to save a couple of bucks. From now on, no matter where I buy the clay, I will open the box and check the clay before I buy it. If it's not soft, it is staying in the store.

OK, enough venting. I feel better now. My children are at the Halloween Carnival at the school. My husband is "watching TV", which means he is dosing in his chair. I am not sure who is snoring louder, him or the dog. I think I will take this opportunity to get a little work done. I should clean the kitchen, but no, I am heading to my studio area.

Today I am grateful for: open windows, cool breezes, caramel flavored coffee, and hand lotion.

My new keepsake boxes:




The purple, black,and white is my fav, but I couldn't get a good picture of it. The vintage buttons on the front of the boxes were my grandma's. I found a whole drawer full of buttons when we were cleaning out her house. I've had them in a jar for several years. I decided to get them out and use them. Buttons do not belong in a jar. I love just running my hands through the buttons and sorting through them.

I am working on dollops right now. When I finish with those, I will start on more jewelry. I need to add more to my Etsy shop.

Today I am grateful for: "the zone", my daughter's stories, being able to leave the window open at night, and quiting time.

This is what we woke to this morning. Fall is finally here. Hallelujah! We didn't get out of the 50's today and it was wonderful. You can't tell very well in these pictures, but there is a steady down pour of rain. We are suppose to be up in the 70's by this weekend with sunny skies. I love this time of year in Texas.


This past weekend was very busy. One of our churches had a bazaar on Saturday. These are the necklaces that I donated for the bazaar. I laid these necklaces out on my ottoman as I was packing them so I would know which ones to replace for my next show. I kind of like they way the pictures turned out. Maybe I should take some of my pictures for Etsy on this ottoman.




I am really busy this week. I have completely sold out of Patchwork Clay Keepsake Boxes. I want to make at least 6 for my next show. I love making these boxes because I get to use so many elements to make them; polymer clay, paint, wood, glitter glue,ribbon,fabric and found objects.

I love the tinnies that Lisa Kaus makes. When I have some extra time this winter, I am going to make my own versions of her tinnies to put on my lazy susan to hold my paint brushes, clay tools, markers and pencils, and other tools. I would like to make the environment that I work in inspiring and inviting. Right now, it is just a big jumbled mess. I can't wait until I have time to do some major organizing and cleaning.

Today I am grateful for: fall weather, apple cider, the perfect red beans and corn bread, and long sleeve shirts.

I have seen the flat back marbles charms made by soldering with copper tape and lead and really like them. But, since I don't solder (I can't even use a glue gun w/out seriously burning myself), I thought I would try it with polymer clay.

I really liked the way most of them turned out. There are a few that the initials are too big and it is hard to tell what they are. This was a first try, the next ones will be better. I'm not sure if I will make some of these up for my next show or not.

I really need to concentrate on making more keepsake boxes and patchwork clay crosses.

One of the churches is having a bazaar this weekend. I promised to donate some items. I just don't know what to donate. It's not like a show where I set everything out and people buy what they want. I am having to choose what I think people will like the most. Someone was suppose to come over and help me choose, but she never showed up. So, now I get to spend time tomorrow agonizing over that.

I have much to do before bedtime and I am quickly wearing down.

Today I am grateful for: Crunch Berry Cereal and Coke, time alone, and my little badger dog who has taken every step I have taken today.

No pictures to post today, just a report on yesterday's show. It was not a good show for me. I covered my expenses and that's about it, very disappointing. This particular event was suppose to attract 10,000 to 15,000 people, but I didn't see them and the ones that did show were not buying. I was certainly not the only seller who was disappointed. This was an event that had a lot of local business, churches, and organizations renting spaces. It really wasn't designed to benefit artist and crafters. This is one of those live and learn experiences. Needless to say, I will not be setting up at this event again.

The good news is that I don't have to work like a mad women to get ready for my next show. I have been wanting to work on a few new ideas and now I will have time to do it; what a treat.

Now, I need to spend the next couple of days restocking the pantry and cleaning house. I am actually looking forward to cleaning and getting the house back into shape.

My allergies are driving me crazy and I have medicine head with no benefit from the medicine. I think I will spend the rest of the day in bed with a box of Puffs with lotion. I would like to curl up with a good book, but my eyes are burning and itchy so I will just have to settle for listening to the TV. OK, enough whining and babbling. I'm going to go wallow in my misery.

Today I am very grateful for not having to be useful to anyone or be productive in anyway.

New Patchwork Clay Crosses just finished.

They are all wrapped up, packaged and ready for tomorrow. I am too. I'm just taking it easy this evening, playing on the computer a bit and watching some T.V.

The weather was beautiful today. I hope it is as good tomorrow. I am so looking forward to Sunday afternoon. It is my goal to spend the afternoon in my bed napping. Oh, I just remembered, I have to put some clothes on to wash. Must go now.

Today I am grateful for: Getting everything done and having time to rest.

New jewelry for my show Saturday.

The tiny charms in the top left corner are for little girl necklaces. I sell so many of those, so I am trying to get a lot made up. I have close to 30 right now on necklaces and more ready to string. My favorite "big girl" necklace is the one in the top right corner. I will be sad to sell it. But, I can't keep all of my favorites.

I have been working late into the night this week to get everything done. After this weekend, I will have a little longer between shows. I am going to take a day to do some major house cleaning. I would be so embarrassed for someone to come over right now.

The weather is finally cooling off. Today, I even ventured outside, out of the air conditioning. I am so looking forward to going for a drive in the country with my camera to see what I can see and maybe get some good photos.

Today I am grateful for: ingenuity, cooler weather, and left overs.

Charms in production.

One more step and they are done and will be ready to take of the toothpicks. They will go in a basket to wait to be put on a necklace in one way or another. The real small charms are for little girl necklaces. I make as many as I can, because I always sell a lot of them at shows. I took a whole basket full to my last show and came home with 6.

I can't type much longer my wrist hurts. My wrist is the main reason I stick to making jewelry with polymer clay; it doesn't hurt my wrist as much to work with the clay as it would with other mediums such as metal and wire.

I must go now. I will be working late tonight as it is to stay on schedule for my show.

Today I am grateful for: Advil, big loose shirts, my tex-mex chicken casserole, and Lipton's Ice Tea - semi-sweet.

That's my baby boy!!! Isn't he just so cute and precious.

I know, I know every parent thinks their kids are the best and other parents do not enjoy looking at pictures of other people's kids. Let's be honest. When someone pulls out the kid and/or pet pictures we smile on the outside, but inside we sigh and roll our eyes.

Knowing this, I still publish pictures of my kids and pull out the brag book whenever I can, because it is a mother's right to not only brag about her kids, but embarrass them as well.

We (my husband, myself and several church members) worked the concession stand last night at the football game. We really had a good time. It was really busy and we served a lot of food - Frito pie, hot dogs, nachos, BBQ sandwiches, sodas, candy, popcorn, chips, hamburgers, etc. We had a lot of volunteers and everyone did their part, so it all went very smooth. I just might do it again. By the way, we won the game, but I don't remember the final score.

Today I am grateful for 12 wonderful years married the greatest guy in the world.

Works in progress.


I sold most of my crosses and boxes at my last show. I am working frantically to get more made for my show next weekend. I have run into problems with my clay. Apparently, I purchased a couple of boxes that have not been stored correctly before going on the store shelves. I have had to fight with it to get it to cooperate. After wrestling with the clay for two days, I finally opened a box of good clay and my work went a lot faster.

I am moving on to painting now. I have a lot of jewelry to finish, as well.

I have to go now. I volunteered to work at the concession stand tonight for the football game. I am also hoping to get some good pictures of my son at half time with my new camera,while I am there.

Today I am grateful for: Luna Azul Restaurant, time with my husband (we will be married 12 years tomorrow), having something to look forward to, and new discoveries.

Isn't this amazing? I came home this afternoon from running an errand and he was hanging from my porch light, starring at me.


What a beautiful gift to brighten my day.

Today I am grateful for: all things unexpected.