How to Make a Single-Strand Slash-Dash Bar

For some time now I have been trying to learn how to tie knots.  I am intrigued with this talent.  I read, I test and I take apart.  I try these tutorials on You Tube and find them to be easy to follow.  My pieces NEVER come out as nicely as what J.D. makes but I am not giving up people.  Tie on....

Check out Tying It All Together where J.D. shares his talents with readers.  His book is full of easy to follow step-by-step instructions with great big bright photos.  A GREAT FIND!

I must say that my work stems from the same pattern but they just never come out as nicely as the illustration.  Ha!  

I am not giving up I will continue to loop, thread and tuck.

I have finally found that tying myself in knots can be fun.  Who would have thunk it.

Have a nice Saturday!

Keep Creating,

Karen

Have a Fairy Nice Day

Shawna Erback

Suan Rodio

A Woodland Fairy Tale

Lindsey Cormier

sarambutcher

Found on Etsy.com

Keep Creating,

Karen

Christmas Season

It has been some time since I added to this blog.  I've been extremely busy at work.  This is my excuse for EVERYTHING but it is a busy place and I am obsessed very focused on that.  

My oldest daughter graduated from Prescott College on December 14th so that was FANTASTIC!!  I am a proud parent and eager to see what adventures shes takes in the coming months.  I was inspired by her speech at baccalaureate.  When I saw the love, kindness and support that she and her classmates showed for one another I was reminded that the world is full of wonderfully talented and intelligent people.  They struggled together and the final result was SUCCESS for each of them.  Congratulations to each of them!

***
My youngest daughter traveled from S. Dakota to be with family and we are all overjoyed to see her.  She is far from home in a part of the country that is very different than where she was raised.  She is resilient, brave and tenacious.
***

Today I attended a funeral for a family friend today.  It was a story of an honorable man surrounded by family and friends.  A celebration of life.  

When someone young, talented and humorous passes away it's hard to swallow.  We question why and sometimes question our faith.  I think we must forgive.  Be kind to ourselves and others and BELIEVE.
***

This is a SEASON of change and jubilation.  A new beginning.

There are only a few days until Christmas and everyone is hustling to get things done.  I am moving at a slow and steady pace and I am anxious to spend time with family and friends and enjoy the cookies moment.

I hope you all have a wonderful holiday with family and friends.

Keep Creating

&

Feliz Navidad,

Karen

New Mexi Etsy Members

Dream Big, Live Large 

and Surround Yourself With Beautiful Things/People.  

Featured in this post are items from New Mexy Etsy Shop Owners throughout New Mexico.  

Enjoy!

Stuck on Silver

Fairies Market

Secret Canyon

The Funky Olive

Ristra Ranch

Sunny San Diego

Life has been extremely busy for me the past couple of months.  We were lucky enough to get away for a few days in sunny San Diego.

Balboa Park - I love the reflection of the palm tree

San Diego Botanical Gardens - Orchids

Mosaic Art

Cabrillo National Monument

  

Great Picture of the Bay

We had an absolutely WONDERFUL time. 

Creative Inspiration

I am reading this book and enjoying every word and picture.  The ideas and the creative inspiration. 

I have been on a path of all work and no play for some time now and so BORED with myself that I cannot stand it.

The abundance of fresh veggies is keeping me busy, work is keeping me distracted but my soul wants to CREATE jewelry.  I have beads and more beads...what should I do?

Keep Creating -- right!!!

Tap into that inner voice that special reminder of who you are and what you believe in. 

BELIEVE in YOU.

Have a happy day and surround yourself with positive, creative folks.

My opinion is my own. 

Keep Creating,

Karen

Summer Beauty

I am always captivated by the beautiful New Mexico sky and the subtle way the color of the mountains change throughout the day.  Lately I've had some great opportunities to capture nature in action.  Every single day I bring my awareness to the beauty of the world around me.

Taos Mountain

During a storm

Northern Santa Fe County - Gorgeous Sunset

Bounty from my Sister's Garden

Salsa Roja - Delicioso (made by my sis)

Summer is a busy time for all.  I hope you are enjoying the sunshine!

Keep Creating,

Karen

Bead Hoarders Blog Hop---REVEAL

The Bead Hoarders Blog Hop Reveal is June 20th!  

Our lovely hostess Lori Anderson has challenged us to USE OUR BEADS...no shopping allowed.

This was a GREAT way to put creative thoughts into action.  To remember when a particular bead or strand caught my attention.  I still have drawers full of unused beads calling out every time I walk into my beading room...pick me, create with me, caress me.

Their time will come.

The HEART is symbolic

The heart generates life....

The heart is a symbol of love...for ourselves and for others....

And if we listen closely our heart speaks to us reminding us that we can turn weaknesses into strengths....

Those who follow Fairies Market know I love Swarovski crystals, clay, metal, glass, gemstones....

(Okay so I love ALL things beading)

I purchased most of these beads a loooong time ago so it was only fair that they were used in this blog hop.

Murano foil beads

Heart - THEA too, Golden Spring disk beads - Humblebeads, black serpentine spacers

A somewhat recent purchase but I knew I would save these pretty heart pendants.  Now I can wear them!!!

Raku Beads - Xaz Bead Company

I met Amy Mealy at Bead Fest in Santa Fe and have yet to put all the beads I purchased to use.  I made a simple pair of earrings that are lightweight, fun and colorful.

This blog hop has helped me to see where I was, once upon a time, and where I am now.  I'm not sure that my skill has improved much but thanks to many talented artists and bloggers I have learned a LOT about bead work and jewelry making.  Thanks for the fun friends! 

Be sure you visit other sites to see what secrets the other participants had hidden in their bead stash.

Keep Creating,

Karen

Sipapu Arts & Crafts Fair

We had a good GREAT weekend in Sipapu at the Arts and Crafts Fair last weekend.  The company was wonderful, we had a nice dinner with friends and lots of laughs with other vendors.  I never really got my display together but I was able to make some sales!!  I have to tell you I shopped more than I sold but oh well.  I want to share some photos of the beautiful scenery and booths.  

All photos taken with my Nokia phone.  

Sunflowers in my garden

Keep Creating,

Karen

Arts and Crafts Fair

Fairies Market will be at the Sipapu Arts and Crafts Fair next weekend!!!  

My partner is packed and ready to go.  She has beautiful quilts and lots of sewn items in stock.  As for me I'm working on my display.  I don't have a lot of room so I need some great vertical display ideas.   

If you have any suggestions.

PLEASE share.

I'm still making jewelry and hoping that we have a good turnout.  Keep you fingers crossed for us!!!  

Even better if you are in Northern New Mexico

STOP BY and say HI!

18 gauge Enameled Copper Olive jump rings and 18 gauge Silver Filled Jump Rings

Jump Rings from Weave Got Maille

Keep Creating,

Karen

A Visit to Los Poblanos

We stopped by Los Poblanos Farm in Albuquerque, NM where we had a nice visit with some friendly folks and the farm animals.  This is a local farm but not a small scale farm by any means.  

Being here reminds me of my grandparents.  They had a big ranch and together they worked the land and raised a variety of livestock. They understood the cycle of life and how each organism has a purpose, nothing was wasted.

The Farm Shop

One of the things that Los Poblanos is known for is organic lavender.  They make a variety of products that are sold here at the Farm Shop.  I love the lavender soap and the salve, those are my favorite.

lavender

Honey

Chickens

Goats

It was a nice visit - as always.  As much as I would love to run out and buy a farm I won't but I will continue supporting local farmers/ranchers and enjoy the fruits of their labor.

Have a GREAT weekend!!!

Keep Creating,

Karen

Summer Elements Blog Hop

Rita from Toltec Jewels is hosting the Elements of Summer Blog Hop.
 It's an opportunity for participants to share the things they treasure about summer. 

 

 

I live in Northern New Mexico where the winters are cold and the summers are hot and dry.  We try to take advantage of the few short months we have to enjoy the sunshine.
My family
LOVES the outdoors.   

 

 

We camp, we hike, we fish, we cook out and we take road trips.
 Life is busy so this is how we enjoy each others company and RELAX.

 

 

 

 

 I love fireworks! 

The bright lights against a dark sky remind me that summer is here. 

 (D.C. is one of my favorite cities.)

 

 

 Summer means gardening - a labor of love.
 

 

 

I look to nature for color combinations and work them into my jewelry designs. 

I am drawn to crystals. 

I used a combination of Swarovski crystals in various sizes for this simple bracelet. 

 

 

 

 A list of all participants of this blog hop are listed below.  Please stop by and say hello. 
Thank you Rita!

 

Toltec Jewels (Hostess)     http://www.jewelschoolfriends.com/

Marlene Cupo                   http://amazingdesigns-marlene.blogspot.com/

Cheri Reed                        http://creativedesignsbycheri.blogspot.com/

Ailsa Cordner                    http://www.bramalfiebeadsetc.co.uk/

Robin Reed                       http://willowdragon.blogspot.com/

Nan Smith                         http://www.wirednan.blogspot.com/

Sherri Stokey                     http://www.knotjustmacrame.com/

Christie (Charis Designs)    http://charisdesignsjewelry.blogspot.com/

Carolyn Lawson                 http://carolynscreationswa.blogspot.com/

Susie Harris                        http://jewelleryjunkie.blogspot.com/

Andrea Glick-Zenith           http://zenithjade.blogspot.com/

Nelly May                          http://smellynelly.blogspot.com/

Melissa Trudinger               http://beadrecipes.wordpress.com/

Dini Bruinsma                     http://angazabychanges.blogspot.com/

Kathy Lindemer                 http://bay-moon-design.blogspot.com/

Cory Tompkins                  http://tealwaterdesigns.blogspot.com/

Robin Reed                       http://willowdragon.blogspot.com/

Gina Hockett                     http://freestyleelements.blogspot.com/

Karen Martinez                 http://www.fairiesmarket.blogspot.com/

Liz                                    http://beadcontagion.blogspot.com/

Jasvanti Patel                     http://jewelrybyjasvanti.blogspot.com/

Solange Collin                    http://www.blog.ahowinjewelry.com/

Gerda                                http://gerdascraftsblog.blogspot.com/

Karla Morgan                    http://texaspepperjams.blogspot.com/

Anindita Basu                     http://alankarshilpa.blogspot.com/

Alicia Marinache                http://www.allprettythings.ca/

Andrea Trank                    http://heavenlanecreations.com/

Dyanne Everett-Cantrell     http://deelitefuljewelrycreations.blogspot.com/

Mischelle Fanucchi             http://micheladasmusings.blogspot.com/

Tanty Sri Hartanti               http://tjewellicious.blogspot.com/

Shaiha Williams                  http://shaihasramblings.blogspot.com/

Mary Govaars                    http://mlhjewelrydesigns.com/

Becca Sirevaag                  http://godsartistinresidence.blogspot.com/

Lennis Carrier                    http://windbent.wordpress.com/

Regina Wood                     http://www.gina-design.blogspot.com/

Sue Kennedy                     http://suebeads.blogspot.com/

Kathleen Breeding             https://www.facebook.com/99BOBOTW

 

Keep Creating,

Karen