Lunch @ Teaberry's

OMG, my favorite tea house in Flemington, NJ just moved to a larger house. I had lunch with my BFF, Patty, today. The place is fabulous. And the food is wonderful. Since a picture is worth a thousand words, I'll let my pics do the talking.

More of My Collections

Well I'm sure it stands to reason that if I love bird's nests I also love bird houses. Here are a few that occupy my home. The large red one was hand-made by my Dad. I didn't have the heart to put it outside and subject it to the elements.

My Collections

It occurred to me the other day that my house is full of things I've collected either by design or not. It seems all one has to say is "I love that ....." and before you know it you're receiving that item either as a birthday present, Christmas gift, etc. So I had decided to blog about my collections when lo and behold my friend, Karen, from Karenharveycox.blogspot.com sent me a link to join a Show & Tell Friday. Right up my alley. So here it goes.

I love bird nests. I live in the woods so they are plentiful. Whether they literally fall out of a 90 foot tulip tree or a robin builds one in the fire thorn bush next to the back door, they always present themselves to me. I've even found nests complete with eggs. Although I would never disturb a nesting bird, for some reason these were abandonded. But my favorite one is a Baltimore Oreole nest found by my friend Renee's son Jack. He found it tumbling along the ground at a horse farm while his big sister was taking her riding lesson. It is literally made out of horse hair. Awesome! Hope you enjoy the pics. Of course, the other collection is the wooden bowls they sit it!

New Tennis Bracelet on Etsy

Just started another tennis bracelet to put on Etsy. It's one of my favorite designs. Hope you like it. Should be done in a week or so - depending on how the spirits move me!

A Tribute to Pumpkins

What is it about this roly-poly gord that makes us smile. Each year it marks the beginning of the fall season and we just have to rush out and get one. Whether we carve it out, just set in on our porch or bring the faux ones out of the closet, they add charm and warmth to our lives and homes. Just a few snaps of the ones that inhabit my house.

Bead Expo 2009

Saturday was a beautiful day so it was off to Doylestown, PA for Innovative Bead Expo 2009. As usual there were tooooo many choices but here's some pics of the show and the items I purchased.

New Etsy Item

Just posted a new necklace to my Etsy site. Check out more photos at www.jujuzbeads.etsy.com

The Next Bottle Bag

Just thought I'd give you a sneak peak at my next bottle bag to be added to my Etsy shop (jujuzbeads.etsy.com). I'm still knitting but once it's done it's off to the washing machine along with a pair of old sneakers to felt it to size. I love the colors and I've already strung the beads that will embelish the leather ties. Hope you like it too.

Bead Expo

I'm pumped - The Innovative Beads Expo 2009 is in town next weekend. An entire gymnasium filled with beads - it is not to be missed. While it can be overwhelming I plan to arrive with lots of time and money - well maybe not a LOT of money - but I'm sure I won't walk away empty-handed. I'll let you know what goodies I uncover.

Felted Beads

I found a knitting pattern for making felted beads. How cute is that?? So I got out my trusty needles and started 'knitting" beads. Four stitches, four rows and sew the circumference. How simples is that. I made about a dozen in about an hour, took them to the bathroom sink and submerged them in hot sudsy water. I rubbed and I rubbed them around in my palm until they felted. Then I set them out to dry.

Next I discovered that you can't get a fine gauge head pin through the felted wool. Back into the hot water they went and wha-la - the head pin went through.

Now I have to get creative and add some smaller finishing beads and a bead cap or two and wire wrap them into a charm bracelet.

Here you see the before and after shots of the "knitted" bead. More to come....

Newly Created Items

I just finished posting the items above on my Esty page (@ www.jujuzbeads.etsy.com). I love going to my local bead shop where they have a wide array of classes and, of course, the beads and materials you need to create to your heart's content. I hope you like what you see.