It's Friday Eve...YEA!!!

Well...it is, I mean isn't Thursday the day before Friday? So that makes it Friday Eve and that makes the weekend feel so much closer. HEHE

I finished working on the little beaded memory wire fish bracelet. I think it turned out really cute. Trying to decide if I'm going to do a hemp bracelet to go with it. Ohhhh who am I kidding, I probably will. ^_^

Cute, ri iight? I think the bronze and blue look great together. I even added a tiny bronze seashell charm to the back.

I showed ya'll this one yesterday but I changed something on it and wanted to show you. I added one of my silver infinity clasp since the focal bead was a larger one than I normally use, it made it a bit heavier. I don't know if most know this but my bracelets will fit wrists size 7-9. (HEY...not everyone has a size 7 wrist...me included)

 Yes....you can do the clasp yourself. I mean...if I can do it, YOU can do it too. 

 I love how this looks like a true hippie/BoHo bracelet but it needed a little sumthin sumthin...so I added the hemp rope bracelet. It has a Tibetan bead and vintage pearl attached to match the pearl and bead on the memory wire bracelet. 

Looks very Bohoish and hippie!!!

Now I'm off to make some of my clay charms that I use when making my little paper gift boxes. I've been thinking about making a few and selling them in a set of three in my Etsy shop. What do YOU think?

Until next time............Hugs,

Regi

TGIF...and it's BBQ & Blues weekend!!!

Happy Happy Friday to all and I hope you have plans for fun and adventure this weekend. I know that we surely do because it's that time of year again. What time you ask? BBQ and Blues time..that's what time!! It's a annual event here in Foley and is fastly becoming THE place to be. Music from 11am until 5pm. If  you are near here then stop on by to listen to some AWESOME music and oh yeah.....eat some BBQ. Tickets are only $10 per person (10 and under FREE) and you get to taste all the BBQ you can eat. Yeppers, this event is a BBQ cook off to see who just really does have the best BBQ in the area. It will most certainly be a BBQ-licious time!!

Now for those that come to visit me I guess ya noticed that I have been missing for a week. No worries, all's good here...now. It's just been a rather stressful two weeks and last week I just needed some down time. Of course, ya'll that know me know me, know that I didn't just sit. My art is my therapy and that I do more of when I'm feeling down and blue. Since I did have several pieces of my shell jewelry made I had a sweet little week of sales. That cheered me up BIG TIME. Thank you to all that purchased ^_^   I have a 20% off promotion going on from now until Monday and to receive it all ya have to do is use the word BEACH at checkout. Since I did have a good week in sales, I'm currently working on some more pieces. ^_^

Here's one that I just finished and Boy oh Boy did it take me back to my hippie days.I have always loved hemp rope jewelry and I discovered I had some real beauty of some shells to make this piece with. It's bigger than any I have made so far. See................

The base is a scallop shell and inside is a broken Murex shell along with a glass vial filled with some of our beach sand. Yeah yeah...I'm an outlaw..hehe...NOT!!!  I get my sand from the shells once I clean them. Ya can't imagine how much stays inside of them when ya pick them up. Inside of the vial also are some pieces of coral and tiny shells and some tiny pieces of sea glass. The outside of the vial has two tiny barnacles attached.

I did one of my twisted square knot cords and this necklace can be worn at 20 inches all the way up to 38 inches. The closure is one of my twisted square knot ones so that you just slip it over your head and can wear it at different lengths. (everything from the 20 in between up to the 38)

I have also been working on some of my beaded memory wire bracelets and plan on getting several added to the shop by next week. That is if folks stop buying them before I even get them finished...hehe. That's alright though.....I just like that they are liked and are selling. Here's one that I have made two of so far and am patiently waiting on more wire to get here so I can make yet another one.

Now....it's time to get to work. I hope that you have a fantastic weekend. Get out and do something FUN!!

Until next time...............HUGS,
Regi

Psssttt...it's that time!!

Happy Happy Sunday morning all and I hope it's been a good one so far!!! I have been working on some bracelet holders for all the bracelets I have been making lately. No need in them just lying around...so the cats can try and sneak off with em ..hehe.  I hear some asking "what's a bracelet holder Regi?".  If you are new visiting under the old Southern ooaks tree or missed the post then just click HERE and learn how to make one for yourself.  Here are two I made to hold the beaded memory wire bracelets and one for the hemp rope ones.

This one I used paper on all of it. Around the bottom I used some ribbon that had tiny pearls sewed to it. Notice the paper on the bracelet holder part.....it has PEARLS!!!

This one I used paper for the bottom and the short column and used a felt sheet for the bracelet holder part.
I glued tiny shells around the bottom. Pretty, eh?  If you would like me to make YOU one just send me a comment and I will be more than happy to and then list it in my Etsy shop just for you. The cost will be $10 plus shipping. (remember though, I did give you a "How to" on making your own above) Also, I will choose the papers and or felt.

While I was waiting for the glue to dry on the blue one I worked on another hemp rope bracelet. I just love the deep burgundy rope with the turquoise turtle beads. Add an olive shell to it and well it's just a perfect lil beach theme bracelet.

Now if you will remember, a few days ago, I said that I would be giving away one of my jewelry pieces. Today is the day!! No hoops to jump through, I promise. Just be the fifth person to leave me a comment and you will be receiving a bracelet in the mail. Make sure you're not set up as a "No-reply" blogger/commenter or I will have no way to get in touch with you. If you're not sure then click HERE and see how you can find out and even how to fix it. Make sure to leave me an email address so I can contact you, if you are the 5th one. (Ohhhh...and only one post per person counts..hehe) Share my blog with friends and better improve your chances of being the 5th commenter. Hmmmmm....I might just send the person that sends new friends that start following me here a little sumthin sumthin as a thank you. Just make sure they mention YOUR name in their comment. Let's have some FUN this year and what's more FUN than receiving a surprise in the mail.

Until next time...........Hugs,
Regi

What day is it? Hmmmmm.....

What day is it? WHAT day is it...huh huh? It's.........Wednesday...hehe. Betcha thought I was going to say something else didn't ya.

Today I'm going to be doing some of my twisted square knot bracelets. I'm going to make them in sets of two's or three's. Using some of my stones and pretty beads and buttons for the base one and then just do the other one or two in the twisted knot. I think wearing several look so good and make them stand out even more. Show that BOHO pride people!!!  Did ya notice that I said I use buttons?  I just love old vintage buttons and there are some really unique and pretty ones that can be use for so much more than just a button. Like the silver one here that looks like a Celtic design.

I hope you have a great day and have plans for doing something....anything...that makes ya HAPPY!!!

Until  next time........Hugs,
Regi

Monday....Monday (Do Wah Do wah wah)

Don't ya just LOVE my singing? HeHe  It is definitely a Monday....a dreary, rainy, blue Monday!! At least I have plenty of things to keep me busy inside though so perhaps it's not a bad Monday at all.

I worked on some of my chenille bump vintage ornies this weekend. The Chazman wanted some for our family tree and some for his little tree in his room. That always makes me feel so darn good when my kiddo wants some of my art in his room. Ahhhh!!!

I made four Santa ornies....two for the Chazman's tree and two for the family tree. I just love the little pull toy elephant image I found and tried really hard to find a tiger one too. I'm going to have to do some more searching for one because I really, really want to make a Santa ornie holding them both.

  I love the vintage images of children all bundled up and this sweet lil face just caught my eye. Isn't she sweet? She is hanging on the family tree!!

Of course we had to have some angels for our trees and these lil beauties will look so good. The last two looked kinda faded (I am officially out of colored ink....AGAIN) and almost threw them away. I felt like someone was sending me a silent message to keep them because just as I was putting them to the side, Elvis's "Blue Christmas" came on. I mean.....don't ya think someone was telling me to keep them? I added some pretty blue glitter to their faded wings and I think they look just as lovely as all the others. Thank you Elvis!! I have to thank Karen over at The Graphics Fairy too because this is where I originally found this lil beauty. Thank you Karen!!!!

I couldn't forget the snowpeople...hehe  I made two sets of the snowbaby kiddos.The Chazman got a set and the snowman holding the sequin wreath.

Our trees look so good if I must say so myself. I love that they are filled with a few store bought ones (they hold so many memories since they were from my parents from years past) but mostly love that they are filled with handmade ones by the Chazman and ones made by me. The Chazman is already claiming the ones he wants when he grows up and it's turning out to be most of them..hehe

 Now I'm going to work on some bracelets....some hemp twisted ones and some beaded ones. I'm planning on making one of the bracelet holders later today too so please come back tomorrow to visit as my post is going to be a "How to" on making one.

Until next time......Hugs,
Regi

OMGOSH...I am becoming a cat lady!!!!

Thursday afternoon while the hubbikins and I were sitting out on the deck after he got home from work, a stranger popped their head out from under the deck. Talk about jumping...oh yes I did!! (remember the little snake that came a calling not to long ago?) I didn't stay scared for long though because it was a beautiful calico and she wanted some loving. Such a sweet baby and because of that we started calling her Babygirl...she actually comes to us when we call her too. Of course, she's still here...I just had to feed her. (knowing that she would probably stay with us but not telling the hubbikins that little tid bit of info) She hung around all night and come Friday evening a friend was with her. A beauty of a solid black cat with the biggest eyes I have ever seen. She is a bit skittish but after feeding her she slowly comes up to us. We are calling her Boo (because if ya say BOO to her she runs...hehe) and the Chazman is calling me the crazy cat lady now.

Now Gabie and Pumpkin (my inside furbabies or the Chazman's hairy sisters as he calls them..hehe) love watching Boo and Babygirl. Love watching as long as the screen door is between them that is. Not sure how the four will get along but we will probably just enjoy our two newest family members for as long as they want to hang around outside. They love laying under our fig trees and chasing the birds away. That's a great thing..it means we will have tons of figs this year. A sweet friend (thank you Kimmie) gave me a delicious sounding recipe to make fig preserves. We are so excited to try it out. A mommie and Chazman project!!! I think Boo and Babygirl are earning their keep so I hope they stay with us. It's always great when a cat(s) pick YOU for their home.

What a weekend, eh? I was going to complain about the crazy HOT and HUMID weather as it got up to 99 here yesterday but I'm not going to because I read last night that it got up to 127 in Las Vegas yesterday!! WOW...I'lll take our 99 any day over 127. Now that's HOT!!

Most that come to sit under my old Southern ooaks tree know that we clean beach houses on the weekends and this weekend was no exception. Yesterday I really felt bad for the folks that had traveled to the beach because it was nasty weather. (rainy, hot and humid but not complaining....just explaining) It did clear up as far as the rain in the afternoon but we are suppose to get hit and miss thundershowers for the rest of the week. Fingers crossed that they are few and far between and happen fast and move on. Yesterday on our clean the folks left behind a few goodies...we like goodies!! We brought home 4 of the frozen bags of Margaritas, 4 frozen bags of Pina Colada, two plastic freezer containers (hubby can use them in his cooler for his drinks) veggies, eggs, yogurt, two beach chairs, toilet paper, paper plates and a bag of unopened ice.
Today on our clean the folks had left us a fresh pot of coffee and an ice cream cake PLUS she had washed and dried all the towels for me. Now those are the kinda folks I like!!!

Now, I'm spending the afternoon relaxing (yes I will probably have one of the Pina coladas....yum) and doing laundry. I want to get it all done today so that I can sit and visit with my friend that is coming to pick up her jewelry she ordered tomorrow. I showed ya'll the bracelet on my Thursday post so I won't show ya again but I am going to show you her necklace that I finished and didn't show ya yet. ^_^

She wanted the black hemp rope and the metal pansy medallion with vintage pearls, like one of the bracelets I made for her earlier. I'm really happy with how this turned out. She can wear it three different ways...as a choker, a short necklace or as a long necklace. That way she can wear it when she is dressed up or if she is just in a tshirt and shorts. Of course, I had to make a little paper box for her to keep it in. I used one of my broken shells as the embellishment on the top. I have all of her pieces made now and she told me last night that she plans on keeping me busy a little bit later on...which is fine by me!!!

Until next time.......HUGS,
Regi (the crazy Cat lady..hehe)

Getting all tied up in knots..hehe

I'm going to have to stop apologizing for not posting because it seems it has become a habit...LOL!!! Time truly is passing on by rapidly and I'm just going to have to hang on and enjoy the ride. I just hope that you hang in there with me and do come to visit because I will swing on the old Southern ooaks tree as much as I can. YOU make me want to...so please keep visiting and THANK YOU!!!

When these old eyes will let me, I have been working on a new sculpt as well as trying to finish up the last two pieces in the jewelry commision I have. I did finish the bracelet this morning and I really love how it turned out. I wasn't quite sure how the small natural hemp would look but I think it looks amazing.

Of course as with all my jewelry pieces, I made a cute little gift box to place it in. I normally make the box out of white cardstock but this time decided to use some bright colored blue cardstock that I had. I added a paper flower with a small acrylic flower bead in the middle and one of my vellum butterflies.

I love making my little paper boxes and they are so simple. If you are new to my blog and would like to learn how to make one for yourself, simply click HERE. I like to put tissue paper inside the box or I like to make my own filler. Making your own filler is really easy. All you have to do is cut some thin strips out of paper and then fold them like you would a fan...open them up and PRESTO...paper filler.

For those that have been visiting for awhile and have met my sweet gals, Gabie and Pumpkin, I thought I would give a small update. They are at that VERY rambunctious stage but also that very, very curious stage. I have had to move all of my craft supplies out of their reach (and sight) plus keep my desk drawers taped shut. Yes... yes, the lil demons darlins can open the drawers. I keep my hemp roping, beads and other small craft supplies in them and they LOVE to pull them out. I don't know if they are trying to make something or just enjoy making a mess...hehe!! When I'm working on one of my postings or just trying to catch up on reading some of your blogs, they are right here with me. I swaney that they actually read along with me and Gabie even tries to move the mouse for me. So love these furbabies!!!

Well, it's off to work on the necklace and perhaps get some clay in my hands too. What are YOU working on today? Something fun I hope.

Until next time......Hugs,
Regi (Gabie and Pumpkin)

Need some input from you ...pplease!!

Soooo, it seems yet again I have let Father time swoosh on by. I really do need to tie a rope around his waist so that he can't move so fast, eh?

I'm working on a few things at a time...WAIT WAIT..don't go into shock. I know that I normally work on one thing at a time but for some reason my mind needs more than one thing to focus on at the moment. ^_^
I'm working on a new mermaid piece and all I'm going to say about it at the moment is the name...The Nanny. (hope that's enough of a tease hint that you will want to come back to visit just to see what it is)  I'm also working on two commissioned jewelry pieces...a twisted hemp necklace (using the metal pansy and vintage pearls) and a natural hemp bracelet (using the metal pansy and vintage pearls) Working on these two different things lets me twist and squish. What could be better therapy? I mean...really...what could?

I hope that YOU have been keeping busy and letting the creative juices flow. I would love to hear about whatch been doin!!

Until next time...........Hugs,
Regi


Oh oh ohhhhh....I wanted to get some input on something. I'm planning on doing a few children's short stories using my whimsical mermaids as the main characters. I mean they do seem to find some interesting adventures, ri iight? What do you think? Let me know...ppplease!!!

Working on commissioned pieces of jewelry!!

A friend that has bought several pieces of my jewelry has commissioned me to make several more pieces for her. I love when my art helps bring folks into my life as what happened this time. She commented on some ooaks that I had made and we started talking back and forth and discovered that we live almost right around the corner from one another. Small world, eh?

I just finished one of the bracelets she ordered.....one of my hemp ones....the one with the pansy and the pearls.  She wants another one just like it but the roping in rose color. (someone has notified me that they are hopefully going to buy one of my teacup faeries and I so hope they do. I need to make a supply run)

I made one of my paper boxes to put the bracelet in and made one of my paper flowers with a button in the center as a decoration for it. I love making these little boxes....such fun!!

After I finish this post then I'm going to start on a memory wire bracelet she has ordered. Well....actually I think a horizontal pause is going to take place first and then I will work on the bracelet. ^_^

Until next time...........Hugs,
Regi

Bohemian soul has taken over!!

Good Morning!! I hope that everyone has had a great morning so far. Our weather is a bit breezy for this time of year (45) but no complaining because the sun is out...the birds are singing...the squirrels are a chattering and Gabie and Pumpkin are doing their best to see it all...hehe

Now that I'm not working on little monsters my Bohemian soul has decided that she wants to come out and play. I'm so happy that she did!! I have been working on some of my macrame designed jewelry and am so loving the creative juices flowing through me. It's perfect therapy for me right now and I'm blessed and thankful that I have a muse that guides me...especially when I need her the most. Now...what were we talkin about? Ohhh yes (hehe) jewelry. I found one of my MANY unpacked boxes and when I opened it LOW AND BEHOLD there was some of my macrame cording and hemp. I was actually looking for something else but I feel that I was lead to this particular box so I took advantage of it. Which means I stopped looking for the original box and brought this one inside instead. I have always liked making the twisted square knot. It's a simple knot but one that can be made to look manly or very feminine. My first bracelet took to the very feminine side.

I used some of the deep red cording that has a small bit of deep purple running through it. Did the twisted square knot of course. I had these pretty charms just sitting and waiting for the right piece and this piece was it. A pretty bronze rose is the center piece with tiny bronze beads on both sides of a tiny glass faucet bead. On the left I hung a small dangle of two bronze beads on the sides of a glass black bead and to the right I did a dangle of bronze beads with the glass black beads and a very pretty glass flower bead with the deep red . I made a twisted knot closure so that all you have to do is slip it over your hand and then pull the knotted ends. I covered the closure with some of my ribbon trends....pretty butterfly!!

This piece was calling for a bit smaller feminine touch.  I used some of the light yellow (almost looks beige) roping for the center cord and some of my small hemp rope for the twisted square knots. They always twist so pretty when the center cording is thicker. Don't ya think so too? ^_^   I put the dangles on the side of this piece...some bronze glass beads along with some very pretty hues of green glass beads. Simple yet pretty!!

Today I'm working on making some of my turtle charms that I'm going to need to make a few bracelets with. I love our sea turtles here and love using them with my pieces.

So what are YOU working on? I love to read my comments about what's going on in your art work, so please take a moment and let us know. You might end up being someone's muse and give them some inspiration. I know I sure hope that I am doing that!!

Until next time.............Hugs,
Regi

Totally Terrific Thursday...YEAH BABY!!!

Can ya believe it's Thursday already? It is Thursday, ri iight? HA  Time is going by way to fast for all the things I need to get done. Ya'll know how bossy my muse can be and....well.....time is something that doesn't effect her like me so she won't let me use that for an excuse. I tell her "It's not an excuse...it's THE reason". ^_^

I'm working on several things today. One is the Santa and the antique toys piece. Here's a WIP (work in progress) photo. Be warned....it's just a head, hands and feet laying about BUT no Santa's are ever harmed during the process..hehe  HEY...I don't want to be put on his naughty list!!

The other thing I'm going to do (while taking a break from working on Santa) is making some of my jewelry pieces. I actually started some of my gypsy/mermaid bracelets yesterday afternoon when I finished with Santa and LuLu. I'm going to be making some earrings today too. Well....that's the plan at this moment!!

I love working in my little space but last night the hubbikins wanted me to watch TV with him so I took some of my work in the family room. Have to please the hubbikins even though he always falls asleep on the sofa and so doesn't know if I'm in the room..HA!! That is unless I reach for the remote...then he's awake. Is there a button on males that is connected to the remote? I wander ^_^  Now...I don't mind working anywhere, it makes me happy to be using my hands to make things. The problem is that if I am sitting down, Ms Peaches thinks that I am her personal sitting cushion. FOR REALS...every time I sit down she is right there. I think I might have solved that problem for a bit. She jumped up there last night and would not stop batting at my macrame ....so......I put a Santa hat on her that I had been sewing. HAHA...so cute but I don't think she thought so. What do YOU think?

Until next time........HUGS,
Regi (and Ms Peaches, old grump..hehe)

Something Simple from the heart

Those that have been reading my posts already know about the gifts I have been working on to donate to the Angel program here in Baldwin County. You know....it doesn't take much to put a smile on someone's face and I'm hoping that these help do just that.....plus more. I hope the ones receiving them will get a smile placed on their hearts because they will know that someone really cares. I'm hoping to get a few more things made before they are picked up tomorrow but here is what I have so far....

This time of year is a time of "giving" and I'm so blessed that I have a talent that I can use to hopefully bring a big smile!!!!



Until next time......HUGS, Regi