Valentines Sneak Peek

I just sent a Valentines swap to my partner Robin.  Valentines Day is one of my favorite holidays to create for.  So here are a few sneak peeks for the box I sent.  It's a combination of Valentines & some Kuwaiti goodies.  I have some slightly funnier gifts in there as well.  I hope Robin enjoys all the goodies.  I had a blast putting it together.  Once she receives it, I'll post full pictures.  

Special Thanks to Tara for hosting & putting all of this together!

Completed

Here's the completed piece from my previous post.  I finished it in almost 1 night.  There used to be a time where I abhorred wire wrapping (did I just write that?)  Now, it's almost therapeutic. I get a rhythm & go.  I love mixing Czech glass - especially firepolish - & making my own chain individually wrapping each bead with brass wire. 

It's also my Open House today!  If you're local & want to stop by come on over from 10am - 1pm.  I'm so darn excited to have a creative place to call my own.  If you haven't noticed, I have a new facebook badge on the right sidebar for my jewelry line, kate vee & me.  Go become a fan!  I'll have new product updates, events & shows listed.  If you're not local, I'll have an open house right here all next week & a grand re-opening of my etsy store.

To my friends & family that wrote me words of support public & private, thank you.  There has been some action behind the scenes & hopefully some closure for me.  I don't know what I'd do without my community of friends & my husband, who is such a rock for me. 

A Little Serious Time

I normally am a pretty happy go lucky kind of gal.  Yeah, I have my moments, just like everyone else but I've learned through the years you pick yourself up & go - at least in our household you'd eventually get left behind - ha!  I've shared some tough moments here on my blog, but I tend to keep most of that private.  Heck this blog started during one of the darkest time of my life.  And I'm lucky that I don't have a ton of tough moments.  We work through them as a family & continue on.  Life as a military wife has made me a stronger better wife, mom & person.

Judge Me Not Canvas 8x10 WIP

This week has been especially tough for me.  There is no grave illness & we still have a roof over our head, it's not that serious, but what happened to me earlier on this week has tested me.  I go back & forth with guilt, shame, anger, & tears.  I can't even completely talk about it without crying.  So I'm on day 2 of "dealing with it".  How did day one go?  I survived, walked through the motions, but I walked around numb.  I felt like a shell of a person.  Not even sushi, beading & blogging could salvage my day.  I normally bounce back after a few hours at most a day, but not this time.  I woke up this morning feeling better but there is still a black cloud in my heart.  I don't know how long this will last.  I am forcing myself to go to my workout tonight.  I force a smile, but it's becoming less forced.

So I stick to what I know.  I find something to feed my soul.  I go back time & again to a canvas with a sentiment.  Here's the beginnings of a new one.  And many thanks to this little sweetheart & her talented mom.  You were the source of inspiration for my canvas.  Thank you for sharing.

Judge Me Not detail Acrylic on Canvas 8x10

My Work Table this Week

Here's a little sneak peek.  I made a new necklace with these components.  If you want to see it you'll have to tune in tomorrow.

Speaking of work tables, I finally have one again!  Here are a few shots of the new & highly improved RECLAIMED studio.  I love this space!  For awhile I was avoiding this spot like the plague.  I had no work area, which was relegated to the floor & in turn turned into a minefield.  I'll unveil the new digs as well as New Jewelry for the store next week Wednesday February 9th.