Where did the time go? and Catching Up

Wow!  Time really got away from me, I had no idea that it had been so long since I had been able to sit down and make a post.  With all these boys, I am surprised that I remember to brush my teeth.

Let's see ...

First  - I created 3 bracelets for the 7000 Bracelets for Hope blog hop, but I was so excited to get them in the mail that I didn't take any pictures.  Seriously - my mind decided to take a break for a couple of weeks.  My youngest, however, was sweet and made sure that he created a special picture to be included with each of the bracelets in addition to my notes.

Second - My creative mojo has been missing. Literally gone bye bye.  I don't know the cause, but I am glad that it is over!  I have been able to sit down and make a couple of new bracelets.  I hope to get a couple more completed before Sunday and will post pics of all of them then.

Hmmm Let's see what else is going on .. Oh yeah!  I have been enjoying making my way through the Bead Soup Blog Hop.  Sadly I wasn't able to participate this time, but I have been so inspired with the beautiful designs that I have seen so far.

Little League Baseball has begun here in Georgia and the youngest is excited to play again this year.  So far he's already missed 2 out of 6 practices due to his breathing issues, but he's a trooper.  Rescue inhaler is definitely at the ready all season.  Spring mixed with running around outside in temps that range from 70s to 30s here wreak all kinds of havoc on him.   Be prepared for a multitude of pictures as the season continues.

Oh! Oh! I went shopping and found me some wonderful chain and beads.  Wanna see??? I so can't wait for everything to arrive ...

First the chain - I purchase my chain from a variety of vendors, but this time I went to one of my favs which is Antiqued on Etsy.  Here is what I picked up from her .. and aren't they all just gorgeous!

Then I went looking for beady goodness .. Let's face it we all know that there is no such thing as too many beads ... For the beads I went to Beads by C (Beads and Botanicals).  She has some amazing sample mixes so I grabbed up 5 of her mixes.. and let me tell you .. when she adds them to the shop they sell fast!  Just beautiful!  

And I have asked Melinda Orr of Orrtec to create some S-clasps for me that I can incorporate into my designs.  I am excited to see what she comes up with.. and by the way have you seen her new patina pieces??!!  They are fantastic.  I will be ordering some soon. 

I guess that just about catches me up for now... How are you all doing? What are you creating? What components have you been grabbing up?  If you've blogged about it put the link to your blog in the comments :) 

Much love

Shell 

Thankful Thursday

I wanted to say a big Thank You to everyone who has been praying and leaving encouraging comments on my blog or messaging me on Facebook.  There really is a community of artists online that support and encourage each other whether the issue is about jewelry or more personal.

I have felt the love and the prayers just lifting me up and clearing my mind.

Much love
Shell

Burdens to Carry

I missed my goal of two blog posts last week, which makes me feel sad and disappointed in myself. 

I would also like to apologize to my readers for my posts recently.  Sometimes life brings me down and I need to just get it out so that I can feel heard or just release it from inside myself. 

There has been so many things that have happened over the course of a week.  I told my friend Friday night that we don't need to watch the Lifetime Movie Network because our lives are enough of a soap opera already.  

I found this photo on Pinterest and it describes one small part of my friendship with my best friend.

Pinterest

Have any of you ever felt that everything was piling on until it felt that you were going to fall under the heavy burden?  That has been how the last couple of weeks has been.  I have felt that there has been such a heavy burden placed on me that it has almost crippled me.  I feel as though of all those involved that I am the only one that is taking the situation to heart.  The only one to be considering consequences and future steps. I have pushed through simply because as a mother and wife I have to push through for the sake of everyone else.  How many of you do the same?  I would so much rather just curl into the fetal position in a dark room and have a good long cry but life moves forward even if I am not ready for it to.

Pinterest

It is during these darkest hours that I try to remember the things that make my life wonderful.  The things that have given me purpose and a reason to move forward. 

Like my boys

and 

Matthew 11:28

and I try to remember that 

Pinterest

and that everyone should

Pinterest

I know that this feeling is only temporary.  These feelings of melancholy are few and far between.  My life is wonderful and more than I could have ever hoped for.  It is these moments that far outweigh those of trouble that I try to focus on. These moments are those that give me fuel for the days that I feel that I just cannot take one more thing.

So I choose to let the burden push me to my knees.. so that I can unburden myself at the feet of the Lord, so that He may give me peace and guidance. So that I may feel Him with me as I continue along my path. And you, my dear readers, I simply ask for encouraging thoughts and prayers for my family.  Difficult decisions lay ahead in the coming months.  

Much love

Shell

A Tower of Jewelry ...

Well actually it's a jewelry tower.  This is the first one that I have created but anticipate creating at least one more for my bead table.  I can't take the credit for this design though... I found it on Show Me Cute, the link included here goes directly to the tutorial. I even used the same basic colors that she used in the tutorial.  For the second one, I will branch out on my own to see what I can do to spice it up a little bit.

This is a great addition to my bead table.  It provides space for my current projects, as well as space for my most used components.  I will be creating another tower soon, as well as another piece that will be home to my tools.

What are you creating? 

Much Love, 

Shell