Elizabeth Post Johnson~River Moon Artistry

I just finished these earrings. I thought them up the other day, drew it out on paper, then began the process of making them a reality. I only tore it out twice, once because I exploded 2 beads, and the 2nd time because I got the thread all knotted up. They took a long time to make, but I think they were worth it. I am not sure how I feel about blogging right now. Lots going on, but I did want to share, even if it is only with myself.

I have been working hard this week on many things; my thoughts, emotions, and jewelry. We are going on vacation, it was going to be a 2 week vacation but after the trip to DE for my Fathers funeral...I found myself more wanting to be closer to home although a good hefty week on Cape Cod is very wonderful medicine and yes I will take that thank you very much. I was going to miss a craft show at the Studios where I have a sampling of my work in the 2 week vacation period, so I gave a quick inquiry for that and was thankfully able to get a spot there. We are leaving for vacation on our 24th Wedding Anniversary and will return on the day of my 51st Birthday. Our vacation was slated to be a working one anyway,we are staying in Grams house that is now owned by my Sister In Law so when we go we usually have a roster of some things to get accomplished. This year we are pressure washing the house among other minor tasks. The other work will be in the form of jewelry making for me, and lots

So. July has been a very strange month. My plan for Summer was to; soak it in, make it last, enjoy, play, create, etc. Well, nothing ever goes as planned, and the things not in our plans are heartbreaking some times. We brought in Independence Day very subdued. No parties, we were invited to no parties either which is just fine by us! A little BBQ, but just family (meaning Hubby and I and kids) My Father was in the hospital in Delaware where he lives near Rehoboth Beach. He had been in the hospital since June with heart issues. He had a stint put into his artery for his heart but things had gone terribly wrong. He also had COPD, which did not help matters any. I was anxious to know how he was but the communication from his companion was not really good. The news had been that he had the procedure, was not doing well, but would be ok to...thought he was going to die...but he will be ok (on July 6)...to....OMG, they told me that he is going to die today! on July 7th. I was driving my dau

Last day of June. Going to go down to our lovely waterfront, hear some music see some dancing. Looking over my post on June 1st...haha! I just laugh. What I planned to do and what got done are 2 entirely different things! Did I enjoy the beautiful month of June? YES, I did! I wish I could fit everything into the day that I want to..but I can't. I guess I am getting done what I am supposed to. Bye June...hello July. My Anniversary month! A Great month!

I have been having fun with wire crochet the last few weeks. I have more to do, but got in a few really cute necklaces before the Strawberry Festival in Beacon on the 12th that I did with my friend who had a spot there. It was more for moral support and fellowship, but she told me to bring pieces to put out. I did sell 2 items. The day was fun and a good experience. If I chose to do this, sell this way I think I would want to do it with my daughters and make some sort of side business with them. I doubt I could create enough inventory to commit to this a few times a year. One of my necklaces pictured here I did sell to a friend the other day. It was unexpected and funny for me because I had just listed it on ArtFire. More to come......

I think I am a once a month blogger. I may need to change that because I am wondering if it will keep me more on target for beading and artwork. May proved to be an incredibly busy month. The strong start in regard to beading, self promotion, etc kind of fizzled out although I was making some sweet embellished briolettes, of whom I have to finish (is that even a correct kind of word use?) I made a ruby accented rose quartz briolette and a crocheted chain for a dear friend's daughter who graduated from college. Did I take a picture? No. Guess what her name is though....Rubi Rose. How perfect is that? She is a photographer, I will ask her to take a pic of the necklace for me. The last week of May I went on a quick decision trip to VT to be with a friend who had just lost her Mother. She took me to a fabulous bead store in New Hampshire, GemStar. I got some fun strands of beads including some CZ's. Teeeeeny tiny little beads, and briolettes. I am having a slight briolette fetish.

Early Spring has been good to me, and is showing me a new beginning. After almost a year of trying to get a theme, a pattern, a way I finally feel it all coming together. I did have an ArtFire sale last month and I put some of my jewelry into a gallery yesterday. The creative process has been popping up it's wonderful head a bit more, my life and it seem to be melding better than they were before. It is has been very hard, this year to lose my dream job and have to start from scratch. I thank God for my husband who has been patient, encouraging, and supportive and I am thankful to my 3 daughters for the same reasons. My youngest, Becca made my Banner for me for ArtFire, but I added it here today as well. Today, she also sat down and tweaked with my colors and what is working/not working on the blog page. I am very grateful Becca, thank you! I am also feeling very thankful for my friends as well as my family. All of you inspire me and make me want to do better and better.

I have been very busy this month of Spring's new beginnings, etc. Very frustrated as well over no sales or attention. I look through other online shops and I really am having a hard time figuring out what I am doing wrong. My daughter says it is advertising...online? She said she would help, but I am still waiting..... But! I do not want to complain or be negative. I have been having fun hammering metal wire and will be hammering metal, specifically Bronze. My husband bought me a sheet of it last week. I got involved in using my Kumihimo disc this past week because I bought some beautiful silk yarn on Sunday. I made 2 cords, then I had to make pendants for the cords and end caps...etc. It was fun. I feel like I am all over the place though. I can never focus, it is boring! Maybe that is the problem! The bronze will be fun to work with, and with the new way to make cord...it opens up many new possibilities.

June. Really? JUNE? We are on the cusp of March, that is almost 9 months since my last post. W-H-Y... Maybe I am not a true Blogger! HA! (possibly very true) BUT, I did create another blog the other day, and that has NO posts, but the name means something to me so I think it will be of more a Spiritual nature. I am tempted to make hearts like on FaceBook, but it will not work here. BTW, the name is Gathering Feathers, Scattering Stones... which is a play on Ecclesiastes 3 A Time for Everything 1 There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven: 2 a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot, 3 a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build, 4 a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance, 5 a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them, a time to embrace and a time to refrain, 6 a time to search and a time to give up, a time to keep and a time to throw away, 7 a time to t