December in Tucson

It was a little cool today and may get down to freezing on Saturday night. Yikes, that's cold! My carob tree is still abuzz with BEES. I'm hoping the freeze will take them away and all the pollen will fall off the tree. The pollen is strong (my allergies are really bothering me) and the bees are noisy. It's been like this for about a month. I don't remember it being this long before, but could be it's just a new observation for me. :) I've noticed the birds aren't coming in the yard as much and I think it might be the bees. I went online to research and I guess bees sting birds, too.

I like my corn earrings. I'll attach a picture. I love corn and have been planning these for some time and am happy with the outcome.

I can't believe it is already Dec. 2nd. Time is flying. Only 3 weeks until Christmas, guess I better get on it.

Roof Repairs and Brass Etched Pendants

I'm having roof repairs done today and it feels so good to take care of something for the home, something you don't want to spend your money on and yet something necessary. So once you make the decision to take care of it, it feels good. One thing taken care of that has been needing to be taken care of for some time. Yeah! Now to start saving for the new AC. We'll see... That's going to be a much greater expense, but it will feel really good (peace of mind) knowing we'll make it through the summer.
Only 6 weeks and 3 days until Christmas. I have the grandkids covered, kids are always the easiest (maybe the most fun) to shop for. 45 days...
All my shows are done for the holidays so I plan on re-stocking my Etsy shop - http://www.restringit.etsy.com/ for the upcoming holidays and making Christmas presents. I have been making brass etched pendants that feature natural objects (so far) like leaves and flowers, etc. They are fun and I'm in the planning stage for the next set. I've even been making ones with astrological signs, like for mothers with all their children's astrological signs. I'll attach a picture of the one I made for myself.
Wendy

Christmas Shopping in Early November

Christmas music was playing at the Painted Sky Craft Show today and I found myself feeling a little stressed, got to get with the program here. I did get a Christmas gift today and that is a start. Maybe I'll make some jewelry for my granddaughter's American Girl doll? That's an idea that just might work.

It was a good show and it was my last one for the season, so now it's prep time for Christmas. Gifts to be made and purchased, I can do this!

7 Weeks Until Christmas!

49 days... Just a thought.

The weather in Tucson was so hot today, we had to turn on the air conditioner for a few hours this afternoon. But it's off now and the forecast says cooler temps for awhile. Sounds good, I'm trying to save on utilities and cooler temps would be a big help.

My garden has become infested with caterpillars again but they are so microscopic that I'll wait a few days to get them off. I think the cooler weather will help, too. But the brussel sprouts are really getting tall and the lettuce and cauliflower are all healthy at this point and it sure would be nice to get a healthy crop. The basil has been fantastic and very easy to manage. My little cherry tomatoes (3) are getting chubby so this time I think I'll get the fruit before the insects. But the best thing has been the banana pepper plant, FANTASTIC! Yum. I water in the yard an munch on the banana peppers, they are delicious, even the dog loves them. Nice and mild with a soft skin, just perfect. I plan on planting more of them next year because we LOVE them!

Saturday is the Painted Sky Artisan & Craft Cafe' from 8:30 - 3:00. It will be my last show before the holidays as I need to concentrate of gifts for family.

Wendy

October 18th

We were cooling down here in Tucson but the last few days have been in the upper 90s. I know fall will come eventually, and in Tucson it is worth the wait. It is our best time of the year weatherwise, along with winter and such a change from the snow in Boston today.

Yesterday we went to The Tucson Wool Festival and it was wonderful, can't wait to go again next year. They were shearing goats(angora) and sheep, and next year I'm taking my camera. I'm going to make a pin/brooch of one of their goats with their dreadlocks, before they are shaved. It was a wonderful experience, the animals: goats, sheep, and alpacas, crafts and yarn: felt jewelry and bags, weaving, and many wonderful and beautiful items crafted from the yarn. If you like to knit, weave, felt, or crochet it was well worth the trip and if you like animals, you'll love it, too.

Only 11 days until Flair A-Fair. I'll be taking just my metalwork, no beaded pieces to this event. The weather forecast is in the 70s in 10 days, so hopefully we'll enjoy cooler temperatures for this event. I made a couple of handhammered copper bangle bracelets and I really like them. They are simple, I prefer a bangle to a cuff bracelet, and these are nice and sturdy. I am in the process of working on a hammered brass bangle and I can't wait to see it completed.

Fall is Here

Wow, it's so cool outside. I think the temperature is supposed to be low 70s all day. What a great day to work in the yard or in the garage, either way it sounds very pleasant. Enameling class was great yesterday, we worked on sgraffito which is the scratching through of the enamel to reveal what is underneath and I left mine as plain copper instead of another color.

Oktoberfest 2009 - 8th Annual Was Great!

I loved the atmosphere, live entertainment, delicious aromas of every kind imaginable: cinnamon almonds and pecans, bratwursts, Greek food, kettle corn, etc. and fabulous tasting Greek food, not to mention the best drinks in Tucson, Eeggees!!! I didn't get a chance to see them, but I hear the Dachshund races were are real crowd pleaser. People were happy, carefree, and it seemed people were able to get away from it all while in Hi Corbett Field. It all ran very smoothly and I am already looking forward to next year. If you've never been, it has a $3 admission, kids are free, and is well worth the time and money. Check it out next year, put it on your calendars, Oktoberfest 2010 - A Tucson Tradition -9th Annual, Reid Park, Tucson, Arizona, Sponsored by the Optimists Clubs, Sept. 30 - Oct. 1-3. Hope to see you there!

Time

There is never enough time. Maybe if I was more organized, well I'm pretty sure that would help. :) Just when you get a good idea, in fact sometimes it seems like a fantastic idea, then you find yourself too tired to safely execute the plan. But in the morning you become distracted by other things... It just slips away and at some point people realize that time is finite (and that is where I am) and you can almost hear the clock ticking (that familiar tick that at one point was so comforting). I wonder if this is more apparent with the change of seasons? Many changes occur even within ourselves and MANY things get blamed on the change of season (a least we hope that is what is happening).

Planning for the Show

I just want to create, but it's time to prepare the booth for Oktoberfest. I love etching, the possibilities are limitless and it looks great on either copper or brass. I think I'll try some zodiac symbols on brass, next.
Can I get everything in my little Scion Xb? I know I can and that car is perfect for shows, absolutely perfect, well it's perfect for me. It has so much room. I have never completely filled it up, but I think I have come close. You never really know until you put stuff in the day before or the day of the show.
Time to get organizing,
Wendy

Preparing for a Oktoberfest in Tucson

It always comes together but there is always the fear that one of these days it just won't. Only 4 days and things seem to be running along smoothly, but I have to admit there is a great deal of wheel spinning going on around here. I try to focus on all that has done to prepare for the show rather than what I still need to do and that does help. But I sure could use bench shears or a guillotine for the sheet metal and of course a Swanstrom Disc Cutter. Hopefully the later I'll be purchasing when Rio Grande comes to Tucson for the Gem Show in February, last year they offered a 10% discount if you purchased at the time of the show...

Easy Way to Apply Lacquer to Metal Pieces?

Well I've put a lovely patina on my copper components and now it is time to apply a protective coating. I have found lacquer is the very best protector as it doesn't affect the color of the patina, but I use the liquid form and it is messy. Today I will be looking for a brush that is best for lacquer. I hate brush strokes on the copper components and when I dip the component in the lacquer there is always dripping to some degree and it causes an uneven application. Are there any secrets?
Fall is still beautiful in Tucson in the morning. Next week at this time I'll be at Oktoberfest and the weather for the 4 days looks GREAT! Hope it doesn't change...

The First Day

This is the first day of my attempt to blog. The first day ever.
I will be participating in 4 shows in the Tucson area between October and December.

Oktoberfest 2009, October 1-4, 2009
Festival Hours:
Thursday 5PM-10PM
Friday Noon-11PM
Saturday 10AM-11PM
Sunday Noon-6PM

19th Annual Southwest Flair A-Fair (Fine Art and Craft Fair) Benefiting Big Brothers Big Sisters of Tucson
October 30 - November 1 (10AM - 5PM)
Plaza Palomino (Swan and Fort Lowell in Tucson, AZ)

Painted Sky Elementary Artisan & Craft Cafe
Saturday, November 7, 2009 (8:30-3:00)
Painted Sky Elementary School, Oro Valley

Sahuarita Pecan Festival
Saturday, December 5, 2009 ( 10AM - 4PM)
Sahuarita

This is a very busy time of year, but it is filled with excitement and anticipation. Fall in Tucson is more than welcome and even though we are just beginning to feel it in the early mornings and through the night, you know it is coming and it is wonderful.

Till next blog,
Wendy

http://www.restringit.etsy.com