Jonwen45 Crafting Creations

Baby Noah - Not a Baby Now

2011-05-24T13:08:00.000-04:00

A very Wonderful, healthy, and happy 2 1/2 year old. Our first great-grandson.

Ready for Creating

2011-05-23T17:30:00.000-04:00

It is not that I have had no urge to create....I seem to be always creating something in my head.

My husband is in home Hospice care and I am his main caregiver. Sometimes there is very little
time for anything else. A week or so ago we both had a couple of very good days so I actually made
something. I really want to try to share it with my crafting friends.

Jewelry Display Tutorial

I had an old picture frame that was still in good condition...I took it apart and cleaned it.

I then cut a piece of black ( partial net and partial solid striped) fabric to fit the backing board.
I allowed about 3/4 inch on all sides of cut faric. If you look close at edge of picture on Right you
will see one staple on black fabric. I had to use one on the opposite side also...because I only have
two hands to hold it in place while I attach it.

Then out comes "old faithfull" otherwise known as my hot glue gun. Had to work in small sections
or the glue would harden before I could attach the fabric. Look at the bottom left where fabric has
not been glued to board and you will see what I meant by stripes. The light stripe, of course, is the net.

When all the glue was dry, I reassembled the frame and fasten the backing board with the metal
tabs on the back of frame. Ready to put my display together.

This is just perfect for these pairs of earrings that I will add to my Etsy shop. As I list them, I will
take them from the display and pre-package them. I also plan to use this idea at craft shows.

This was fun to do so I will start looking for something else to do as a tutorial .

Thanks for visiting and please come back .

Birthday Cake WOW

2011-04-12T14:30:00.000-04:00

Last night my husband and I had dinner with our daughter
and her husband to celebrate his birthday. The dinner was great!
It was topped off with the very best cake I have ever eaten!
Of course it was home made.Daughter did the double chocolate
cake and SIL made home made cream cheese frosting, WOW !
Did I mention that my son-in-law is a fantastic cook. We never
know what delights he is going to prepare for us to eat.

Ok, back to the purpose of this blog...crafting and creating.

I have really been on a creative streak lately. Most of the
items will end up as gifts or in my shop on Etsy.

Pictured is one that I am having trouble getting rid of.
I worked on it for 2 weeks , putting it together and
taking it apart, rearranging the beads and taking it apart
again. It is 43 inches around , no need for a clasp.I used
lavender/purple ice flake Quartz and chip rainbow Fluorite
as the main beads and filled in with tiny,tiny purple seed
beads. And just for fun I threw in a bit larger glass seed
bead that is lined with lavender/purple. It took me so long
to create this long necklace,that I feel as if it is a member of the
family. What to do? What to do?

Happy 70th Birthday, dear Hubby

2011-04-11T16:09:00.003-04:00

It is very hard to believe my wonderful,sweet,loving husband is 70 yrs old today !

We got married shortly after he turned 21. Nine months and 21 days later we had

our son who looks like his Dad just opened his mouth and he jumped out.

Then 4 1/2 years later we had a darling little girl.

I am very lucky to have been married to him for the last 48 + years.

We have had quite an adventure through this life together and it has

been amazing.

Hubby is now in Home Hospice care and we are just thankful for each day

that we have to share with each other. He continues to advise me on all of

my craft projects. If it does not meet with his approval, then it is not shown.

He is very talented and on his good days he still plays the keyboard or guitar

and sings. Sometimes we even take part in the yard concerts at our daughters'

next door. Tonight she is making him a cake...I did not know there were

that many candles in this town.

Patchwork Jewelry

2011-04-10T12:44:00.004-04:00

When I was just a little girl, many,many,many year ago...I fell in love with colors. Any and all

colors. Then as I learned in school that a color is not just "one color". It is made up of many

tones, shades and hues. That just really cemented my love affair with colors.

I was introduced to patchwork quilting by Granny. She let me help her choose and arrange

the different colored scraps of fabric that she used in her beautiful patchwork quilts.After I

helped her set up the quilting frame and attach the first layer of the quilt to it, she let me

select scraps to use for doll clothes. My workshop was under the tent made by the

frame and backing of the quilt that she and Mama were working on. I spent many hours

under the quilt tent cutting, hand sewing and putting together those wonderful colors for my

favorite dolls.

So,you ask, what does that have to do with jewelry? Just hang with me and I will tell you.

Recently I was looking through my "misfit" beads hoping that I would find just the right

one for a focal bead. Of course, you know what misfit beads are. They are the ones that no

longer have partners . Not even another one to make matching earrings. As I "played" with

my poor lonley "misfits", I was reminded of Granny's wonderful and colorful patchwork quilts.

From that it was a natural progression for me to want to create Patchwork Jewelry.

In the above picture of the patchwork bracelet, you can see that the colors have been

arranged to compliment the other ones. Just as Granny did with strips of one color, I

have tied my beads together with one color ( orange ) of seed beads.

I am happy. The "misfits" are happy and are all clamoring to be made into Patchwork

Jewelry for my Etsy shop.

Another Great-grandson....Conner

2011-04-10T00:23:00.004-04:00

Yes, it is true that I have not been able to blog for sometime....but dear friends, I have been busy!

My first great-grandson was 2 on Dec. 1, 2010. Updates will follow at a later date.

And now for the second one. His name is Conner. He was born on Mar. 28, 2011. He weighed

8lbs 15oz and was 21 1/2 inches long. He looks just like a little foot ball player. I have not seen him yet,but we have lots and lots of pictures.

I have been able to reopen my Etsy shop and am developing a new line of jewelry..."Patchwork Jewelry" . Right now I only have 2 bracelets in the shop that are Patchwork. They are pictured here in the Etsy mini. Bet you can guess which ones they are.

IS COOKING REALLY CRAFTING ?

2010-09-14T10:04:00.006-04:00

I love to craft more than almost anything else in the world.

I hate to cook more than almost anything else in the world.

So how was it that I just finished making 18 pints of pear
perserves. Not only did that involve cooking, I had to harvest
the pears from a tree older than me. Then I had to wash them,
peel them, slice them up, wash them again, put them in a large
bowl, layer of sliced pears,layer of sugar,etc over and over until
the bowl was almost to the top. Covered the bowl and let it sit over
night. Next day I used the biggest heavest pot and lid that I had.
Put all the pears in pot, turned it on medium.(No water added because
the sugar had pulled a lot of water out of pears and that was all the
liquid that was needed.

After they came to a boil, I turned them down to simmer, left the
pot lid slightly adjar so that steam would excape and to keep pot
from running over. They cooked most of day with me stirring them about
every thirty minutes or so. DO NOT let them scorch ! UGH !

When they had reduced down to about 1/2 half of what was in the pot,
I started taste-testing. Water has turned into pear syrup and it should
be about as thick a pancake syrup, if not add more sugar ,1-2 cups.
Cook somemore. I like for syrup to get a little thicker and sticky.
When syrup and pears got just like I like them, I turned burner off and
let things cool for a bit so that I could touch pot with potholder.

Some of the perserves, I put in BALL MASON CANNING JARS following their
instructions. Some I put in freezer containers (yes you can freeze Pear
preserves) let them cool a bit, then into fridge and from there they will
go into freezer, if we don't eat them first.

I think that really was crafting don't you?

AM I AWAKE YET ?

2010-09-09T11:23:00.005-04:00

....I think I am awake but not for sure.

I am not complaining (really I am not) but it seems as if
Thursdays have turned into Mondays. Mondays, however, are
not so bad. Have to be up by 7am because my hubby's Hospice
RN's regular day to see him is now on Thursday and she is
here by 8:30am. Of course she comes any time we need her,
but Thursday is the day he really gets a good exam and the
day when she checks his meds for refills and to see if there
is any equipment he needs.

After that, usually between 10 - 2 , the nursing assistant comes
and that is 5 days a week. She helps him with baths, getting dressed,
makes his bed and cleans his room. And the three things that as a
caregive confined to a wheelchair are almost impossible for me to do.
Sweeping/moping, washing dishes ( try being short and reaching over
the sink while seated in a wheelchair ), and then there is the job of
getting the laundry out of a top loading washer. Do you have any idea
just how much we appreciate Anette, our CNA ?

Just now the Hospice Chaplain came and he is with my hubby now.
Hubby always enjoys his visits and always seems to have a bit
better attitude after Chaplain Scott's visit....Hubby asleep ...
Chaplain Scott visited with me and now I feel better.

So what to do with rest of this Thursday turned into Monday ?

Think I will do what Hubby wants and craft something.

Oh did I mention that my daughter slipped in bathtub last night
and pop a rib. Doctor said there is really nothing he can do .
It will heal in time...just rest and Aleve...but right now it is
just pain.

Prayers please for Hubby,daughter and the rest of this family.

O.K., I have had my pity-party....I will get to crafting.

Please don't forget to check out my shop on Etsy.

http://www.jonwen45.etsy.com

WOW ! Look at Baby NOAH now !

2010-09-07T16:03:00.006-04:00

I can't believe that it has been 17months and 7days since I was last able to write about my favorite subject....Baby Noah. Just look at him now sitting on that lawnmower. Of course it did not have key in it (for his safety as well as ours). This picture was made yesterday (Labor Day) when we had a delightful visit with Noah, his mom, his Nanny,his PaScott, Aunt Juju and Uncle Tony. Of course the visit was waayy to short.

Just a little catch up from last few months...my husband of 48 years has had several more heart attacks and now he is under the in-home care of Serenity Hospice with me as his caregiver. My health seems to be on a downhill slide and has required numerous doctor visits. At the momement , I seem to have stablized enough to be able to take care of him. Actually I totally made up my mind to spend as much time as possible with him...heck with the housework. He has insisted that I get back to my crafting. When he is asleep or watching his favorite Westerns, I try to do some beading or other craft. I have been able to re-open my Etsy shop. (Etsy Mini) on the side of this blog. For my own sanity, I know that I feel better, mentally anyway, when I am creating something or writing .

BABY NOAH 4 MONTH UPDATE

2009-04-01T19:18:00.005-04:00

Baby Noah is 4 months old today!
He made his appearance on December 1, 2008...almost 6 weeks early.

We are so blessed that he is with us and doing so well.
We just wanted to share our joy with our friends.
This picture was make last week.

REVISITED - FIFTHQUADRANT

2009-03-29T13:45:00.003-04:00

I just had to go back to visit Fifthquadrant's Etsy shop. I had more time to just window shop and enjoy. It was so much fun finding items like I grew up with and and art objects also. Last night at 3:00 a.m. I did not know for sure the name of her shop. So here it is.

http://fifthquadrant.etsy.com/

Do take the time to stop by . You may find a few things that you just can not live without.

My shop of course is http://jonwen45.etsy.com/ .

TREASURY FEATURE - HUMMINGBIRD

2009-03-29T03:14:00.003-04:00

Check this out....fifthquadrant from etsy.com has featured my hummingbird necklace in a beautiful
blue Treasury. http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list_west.php?room_id=48358

Fifthquadrant has a wonderful vintage shop on Etsy.com. Stop in for a visit. You will enjoy the trip

BUTTERFLY REWARD

2009-03-28T21:11:00.003-04:00

My darling daughter, the one in green that you met, a few blogs back,is on a journey.
It is a medical journey . After she took the first few steps of this

fantastic trip, she said that she felt like a butterfly coming out of the cocoon.

You know how Momma's are. We like to find any
excuse to give something to our children.

So what better way to show how proud I was of her than to make her jewelry with butterflies!
The picture is of a set that I made her to wear for an event last night.
If you look at the item on bottom right, you will see that it is a medical bracelet.
I make her a matching band each time I make a new set of jewelry for her.

I have a medical alert bracelet replacement band on my Etsy shop with instructions of how to measure for the replacement. These replacement bands can be made from any beads and they usually turn out very good looking.

Check out the replacement band and instructions for fitting at my Etsy shop.

http://www.jonwen45.etsy.com

CUSTOM HANDMADE JEWELS

2009-03-24T18:38:00.004-04:00

Last week my VBF needed something to wear to several formal-dress
meetings that she HAD to attend with her husband at some fancy place in
Atlanta. When she called me to tell me the color of the different dresses
that she would be wearing, she said that she wanted matching earrings and
bracelet that would go with all of the dresses. O, yes , something that would
have a lot of glitter and gleam to it.

Knowing her likes and dislikes, I still had to spend a lot of time thinking about
the design and what materials to use. I had planned to use pearls and crystals.
When I put them on the design board , they just did not do it for me. So in keeping
with her desire for lots of glitter, I decided to use clear bi-cone crystals and larger
round AB crystals highlighting them with silver basket bead caps and a sprinkling
of silver beads.

To my VBF, Jan. I hope that you enjoy these flashy bits of metal and crystal!
Thank you for your encouragement and support in my different design adventures.
A lot of things, I would not have even tried had you not been there pushing me
forward.

Just a bit FYI.... I have always refered to us as twin-friends. We were born 8 days
a part and our families only lived 3 miles apart. Funny thing , we never met until we
started to school together. We even fit the same general discription. And as far as the
yearly school pictures, in the fourth grade the picture company put our pictures together
in the same strip of wallet pictures. We joined 4-H together,went to camp together,a few
double dates. After we each got married and lived in different towns,lots or phone calls
and visits when possible. I had a boy and girl. She had a girl and boy. Now she has
grandchildren and so do I. We are closer now than ever.

I love you TWIN-FRIEND !

CHECK OUT ANNIE QUILT GIVE-AWAY

2009-03-24T17:17:00.004-04:00

I just visited a Blog and found that she is giving away the
cutest Annie Quilt. You can check this out and register for quilt
at http://www.mylittleannies.blogspot.com/

MyLittleAnnies Quilt Giveaway 3/28/09

Win or not, it is well worth the time to visit this blog.

St.Pat's Festival

2009-03-23T20:18:00.006-04:00

Some people think that St.Pat's celebration is just for one day, March 17.

In Dublin , Ga. USA ,"the Day" is only a part of the fun. There are weeks and
weeks leading up to the Super Saturday and the arts & crafts in the park on Sunday.

Leading up to the "Big Week-End" are road races, beauty contests, Leprechaun contests,
Irish Stew Lunch, Pancake Breakfast, Green Grits, of course Green Beer, Balloon Rides,
Trail Rides,Pony Rides, all sorts of parties and dances, concerts and church services,even
kite flying. Homes and businesses are decked out in spring colors , but mostly emerald
green. The Population makes every occasion a time to wear the Green. On St.Pat's
Day, March 17, you dare not be caught without a bit of Green in your attire.

It has been several years since I have been able to attend any of the activities and I
really do miss them. My daughter tries to keep me in the loop with pictures and
helping her to decide what to wear to her office St. Pat party/luncheon . They always
have a Green theme. This year it was Green deserts. Of course she brought her Dad
and me Green Samples of everything and it was greenlee good.

The beautiful spring weather this past week-end was just perfect for the huge parade and
other outdoor activities. Really wish that I had been able to have a booth at the arts and
crafts fair.....maybe, just maybe , next year!

The picture at the top of this post is my baby girl (only one actually). She is my
favorite leprechaun in her green , all the way to her Green M & M watch and the
green bracelet that I make her on the other arm.

Presently she is working towards stocking the shop that she is setting up on Etsy.
She handmakes wonderful crochet bags and totes and diaper bags and well as other great
goodies. She is almost ready to start listing. You can find her at http://www.knotsofglory.etsy.com glory

I will make an announcement of her Grand Opening...I have been told that there will
even be door prizes.

Don't forget KNOTS OF GLORY !

........and the SOLUTION is !

2009-03-09T17:41:00.006-04:00

This is my solution to harvesting my beads from the wonderful "Bead Trees" Instead of bending over and falling out of my wheelchair head first, I carried my faithful reacher (the
metal stick with red pistol grip on one end and pincher with suction cups on the other end) to
the bead trees with me. From there it was just a matter of picking them up.

The beads will have to be processed and I have been told that is a very stinkie job. I will have to
wait until I can have doors and windows open. In the meantime , I will continue to harvest as many as I can with that very special tool called a reacher.

BEAD PICKING

2009-01-09T04:21:00.000-05:00

A few weeks ago, I posted pictures of my "bead" trees. When all the leaves had fallen off the trees, I could see that they were loaded with the prettiest golden beads. With the economy being in such a mess and me being a jewelry designer, what could be better than to find trees just dripping in free golden beads?

I am so short and the trees so tall, I could not reach any of the beads in order to pick them.
Just trying to get one of the farmers ,with harvesting equipment , to pick them for me brought on barrels of laughter .

Now the last laugh is on them. When the storms came and the winds were gusting up to 50mph,
the beads came falling to the ground. All I had to do at that point was to pick them up.

Since I am older that dirt and just a bit on the crippled side and ride around in an electric wheelchair, there was still the problem of harvesting the beads that were now on the ground.
If I bend over far enough to get the beads off the ground, I will fall out of the w/c on to my head.
But ya'll know that a dedicated craftier will not take "it can't be done" as the answer to a problem.

Stay tuned, my crafty friends,I will find the solution to harvesting the "beads".

http://www.jonwen45.etsy.co

AM I TOO LATE?

2009-01-05T01:14:00.000-05:00

Hope that I am not too late to wish everyone a very happy new year!!!!

Our day was very peaceful and refreshing after the excitement of the past month.
For those who don't know , the month of December 2008 started off with a bang
for us. On December 1,2008, our first great-grandbaby was born. Baby Noah was
not due until January 8,2009....he was so tiny,but so perfect, except for his lungs.
He was put on a vent.,had to be given blood, had a feeding tube (and several other
tubes that I don't know what they were for). He also had to be under a special light
for jaundice. But he is such a great little fighter that he was able to go home for the
first time on Christmas Eve. What a Gift !

He is doing very ,very well. He eats like a hungry horse. He is very alert to everything
going on around him. He is growing so fast, the premmie clothes are about to small already.

Go back to December 1st on this blog to see his earlier pictures. I hope I can get a couple
of the latest ones to post. He is such a precious baby. Thanks for all the prayers and good
wishes for Baby Noah's health.

I JUST REMEMBERED WHAT I FORGOT !

2008-12-27T13:07:00.000-05:00

Remember that little voice that told me "you are not finished ,yet" ? It was in reference to the
things that I was doing to get ready for Christmas.

After I got a good night's sleep, I finally remembered what it was that I forgot.

I forgot to go Christmas shopping !! I did not even BUY any gifts at all. Now how could a person
not remember something like that?

Well, actually the answer is pretty simple...... I HANDMAKE any and all gifts that I give at any time of the year. I just love making items that others like and want. I have a few HANDMADE items
left in my ETSY shop that are 50% OFF the regular price. This sale ends January 1,2009.

Get a start on Your Christmas shopping for HANDMADE items.....after all it is only 363 more days until Christmas 2009. http://www.jonwen45.etsy.com

...AND THE COUNT DOWN BEGINS.....363 DAYS UNTIL CHRISTMAS

2008-12-27T01:46:00.000-05:00

Well, are you ready for Christmas yet?...the one that is coming up in 363 days from now?

I will be perfectly honest !!! I am not ready. I don't think that I am ready for the just past
Christmas. There is still this little nagging voice inside that keeps saying, "you are not finished yet". But what is it ? My daughter put the tree up and did the decorating. We did the shopping for the food. My husband and I did the cooking on Christmas eve and Christmas Day. My son and his wife brought more food. We ate like hungry pigs and then did it all over again the next day.
Maybe today, I will just drink water, crystal,clear spring water ,right out of our own spring fed deep well.

But there is that nagging voice again...."you are not finished yet". Now what can it possibly be?

Like Scarlett "I will think about that tomorrow." I am feeling very sleep deprived.

A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS , INDEED !!!!!

2008-12-24T22:20:00.000-05:00

B
a
b
y

N
o
a
h

Baby Noah came home from the hospital today, 12-24-08.....How much better can it get ? He is 24days old today. He is now 18 inches long and weighs 5 lbs. 14 oz. He is a real little fighter.

We are so blessed that we have him and that he is doing as well as he is. Our family just wants to say thank you again for your prayers, good thoughts and words of encouragement.

May all of you have a wonderful Christmas. Let Baby Noah be a reminder of why we celebrate
Christmas. And I pray that the New Year will bring many blessings to each of you !

DISCOVERED - ONE VERY YOUNG ARTIST

2008-12-19T23:14:00.000-05:00

As I was looking for a scarf a few nights ago, I ran across a very,very young artist.
Presently we are discussing doing a feature on her. I thing that she will be one of
the greats as she gains more experience. Watch out for her on this blog.

Also,I will be getting back to my bead trees.

While Baby Noah was so critical, I was not even thinking about beads,much less the
ones that are growing on the trees. I do need to get them picked before we have the
really rough winter rains and winds. As many of these trees as are around ,you would think that someone would invent a machine that would fit on a tractor for picking beads. If you know of such a thing, please let me know. I really think I am to old to be climbing trees.

My SALE is still going on at http://www.jonwen45.etsy.com check it out.

HOW COULD I BE HAPPIER ?

2008-12-18T12:58:00.000-05:00

Just look at Baby Noah! He is gaining weight,breathing on his own, taking most of his milk by bottle instead of feeding tube. Still has a few problems that can be managed. He may get to go home this week end. Or at least first of next week. Please help me to think positive.

To watch him get to this point...see pictures starting on this blog on December 1,2008...that is his birthday.

SALE*** 1/2 OFF * 50% REDUCTION*SALE

2008-12-14T01:59:00.000-05:00

SALE to last until January 1,2009. I have just added 2 more pair of earrings to SALE.

See these and the other sale items at my shop http://www.jonwen45.etsy.com

the News gets better

2008-12-14T01:28:00.000-05:00

This picture should have been second because it was the last taken. His Dad is holding him .His little head is not even large enought o fill up Dad's hand. But look, He has no O2 now. Just a small feeding tube. They are now giving him a couple of bottles a day in addition to the feeding tube and will be increasing the bottles as he gets strong enough to nurse more.

Baby Noah has been through so much but he is such a fighter....Just look a those bright eyes.

SALE*** 1/2 OFF * 50% REDUCTION*SALE

2008-12-08T17:04:00.000-05:00

These are two of the items that I have marked
down....I just need to make space
for valentine items.

Please stop by my etsy shop and and bring others
with you ! Thanks!

http://www.jonwen45.etsy.com

UPDATE ON BABY NOAH

2008-12-07T18:51:00.000-05:00

Baby Noah is doing so much better. They have taken the tubes out of his stomach. Also the jaundice light that he has been under has done its job and that has been turned off of him. The
only thing left now is the nasal cannula for oxygen and a feeding tube through the mouth. He is needing more and more milk in his feeding tube to satisfy him. They gave him a pacifier to encourage him to suck...he was trying to suck on the vent. tube and the feeding tube. Hoping to be able to try him on a bottle next few days.

Little Mommy and little Daddy are in much better shape emotionally this week. Noah's personality is starting to shine through. I should have more pictures in next few days....some that we can actually see his face.

I have had such sweet notes from some of you. Thanks to all of you for good thoughts and prayers for Baby Noah and his Mommy and Daddy. It is amazing how much people really care.

Another pix of Baby Noah

2008-12-02T21:44:00.000-05:00

Such a beautiful little boy!! Still needs prayer!!

BABY NOAH

2008-12-02T13:48:00.000-05:00

Baby Noah was born yesterday, 12/1/08. 6weeks premature. He weighs 5lb 4oz, 14inches long.
Not as large as a cabbage patch doll. He is perfect in everyway except for his lungs. They are not completely developed yet and he can not breath on his own and he can not nurse. They have listed him as critical. We are all saying lots of prayers for him and his parents.

Picture on right was taken a few minutes after he was born.

Picture on left was taken from neo-natal unit.

Party to greatest creation

2008-11-30T19:12:00.000-05:00

Some years ago, I gave birth to my son. Then he fathered a daughter . Now tonight or maybe in the morning she will give birth to a little boy baby named Noah. He is 6 weeks early so we are saying prayers for him and his mother that they will be safe and healthy. At this point the docs say that every thing is going just great.

We will talk about the bead tree later...I am still trying to get them picked.

Pictures of Noah as soon a they are made.

ARE YOU A BEAD PICKER ?

2008-11-24T21:52:00.000-05:00

Today I heard a tractor coming down the road. Since we don't have too many of those passing by now days, I went to see what was going on. You might know that it was a farmer on a tractor....and attached to the tractor was a picking machine. I knew that it was a picking machine because I had seen it in a field of cotton last week and , for sure, it was picking the cotton. Seems to me that it was wasting more that it was saving. There was a lot on the ground and a good bit left on the bushes....This did not happen when the cotton was hand picked.

Well at any rate, I ask the farmer if he could pick my "beads" with his machine and showed him the trees. Would you believe he almost laughed his head off and then he laughed some more. I did not think that it was so "cotton pickin'" funny. I really need those "beads" picked ! When he realized that I was serious (he had that "you really are a nut case" look on his face) he very carefully explained that the cotton picking machine could not reach up high into the trees, it could only pick things that were down low to the ground.

As he pulled his fancy picking machine,back into the road, he was still laughing. I just don't understand it at all.

? I FOUND A BEAD TREE ?

2008-11-23T20:59:00.000-05:00

After all the leaves fell off this tree, I discovered the most amazing thing.....it was filled with clusters of beautiful golden beads.

Now I would say that if this is,in truth, a real live bead tree...well, then I will never have to buy beads again.

However the question now becomes "how will I obtain the golden beads from the tree branches?"

I am short. The tree is tall.
There was a time many years ago when I have little kids around me all the time that would have been up the tree picking "beads" and selling them to me for a penny each. But now I have millions of beads and no one to pick them for me.......and I have just found 4 more trees like this on the edge of the property. O, goody, now how am I going to get 5 trees of "beads" picked?

I will keep you posted on the out come of this wonderful puzzle.

In the meantime check out my shop at http://www.jonwen45.etsy.com to see how I have been using the beads that I bought.

If you know of any "bead pickers" that don't charge much, please send them my way.

My tiny studio: Interview : Meet the artist behind Jonwen Jewelry

2008-11-13T17:08:00.000-05:00

My tiny studio: Interview : Meet the artist behind Jonwen Jewelry

Little Delay in adding to shop

2008-11-11T00:07:00.000-05:00

Old age stinks but the only other option is death. Think I will stick with old age. Been feeling a bit poorly lately so I spent most of today with doctor and then waiting on my meds. At least while I waited, I was able to go to bead store. Got some pretty interesting beads and can't wait to start creating.

I have some cute Snow Mamas and some crystal angels ready for the shop.
Just have to get pictures made and posted.

My shop of course is http://www.jonwen45.etsy.com

The Day After Election Day

2008-11-05T11:07:00.000-05:00

Well, dear friends, we made it through and we are still here this morning

even if we did stay up two nights in a row watching CNN.

And as I said before , it doesn't matter who the winner is , we need to pray for this country and its people because we are in a real mess here with the economy and the prices of gas and everything else. With a great deal of courage and faith ,we need to go forward to rebuild our sick economy and renew our belief in this mighty nation.

I plan to do everything I can to help the economy to recover. I will be putting more items in my shop at reasonable prices and low shipping rates.

This will keep money here and lower gas consumption. The items will all be HANDMADE or vintage. I recycle as many objects as I can and incorporate them into my items. Presently my main focus is on jewelry and since I am a Proud member of the Etsy Fatsy Team, I will be adding some larger pieces for the Big Beautiful Ladies and Guys too. I am also a Proud member of the GAetsyTeam and CAST. All of these folks are wonderful artists and crafters!

Enough of this coffee and chatting. Got to go and create something wonderful for my shop. http://www.jonwen45.etsy.com/ .Click on the Christmas section to see the newest items. I will be adding more today. In fact , I think I will add some pictures now...they will probably be at the top of this page/or not.

Yes the pictures showed up at the top of the page . The first one is of a necklace made of cateye glass chips with an enameled hummingbird pendant. It will make a great gift...get all the details and order in my etsy shop.(web site listed above). The next picture of course is of red and green Christmas wreath earrings, also available in my shop.

CHRISTMAS GIFTS - JEWELRY

2008-11-02T23:04:00.000-05:00

I openend my Christmas Shop today. All items HANDMADE !

And I will be adding to it every few days. I am planning on having

items other than jewelry. There is just not enough time in the day

to make all the things crowded in my head. Right now I am focused

on animals, frogs,butterflies,hummingbirds. You never know what

might make its way into the shop.

Stop by any time and often. I think you will enjoy your visit.

http://www.jonwen45.etsy.com/

The picture above is just a little something from the shop......

CHRISTMAS GIFTING

2008-10-28T16:20:00.000-04:00

What are you going to do about Christmas gifts this year?

Don't forget the price of gas (even though the price has dropped somewhat,it is still out of sight!) Look at the increased prices of groceries and you can forget them ever coming down except for sales. What about clothing,entertainment,school supplies, over the counter drugs and even worse are the drugs prescribed for you, cost of all insurance, repairs on anything, the price of a new car went out of sight years ago, and what about the price of rent and even more painful .... house payments?

One great way to save and still give great gifts is to HANDMAKE them. HANDMADE anything is quite wonderful. You are not limited to just the things that you find at the stores when it is HANDMADE.

Over the years, I have saved thousands of dollars by going with HANDMADE items for gifts and everyday use. I have made everything from terrycloth robes for male and female, dolls, and stuffed toys, cloth books,painted pictures, pictures frames with photo, painted china and glass, beautiful bookmarks , jewelry of all kinds...necklace,earrings,bracelets, men's jewelry, vests, decorated and/or altered sweatshirts, painted flowerpots and I have even made a couple of wedding dresses. I could go on and on but I am sure you get the picture.

So many people are trying to live Green now days. If you look around you will find many things that can be repurposed. You can always use the plastic in the 2 liter soda pop bottles...lots of things to do with that. ( Watch for up coming posts and pictures of some of these things). Have you ever seen the sailing ships and other models made from the metal pop cans? How about the braided rugs made from plastic shopping bags?

Vintage fabric or clothing that can't or won't be worn can be turned into toss pillows or plush toys or even used to fashion another garment. Or as our Grandmothers did, use it to make a quilt or even a small baby blanket or throw for those chilly nights.

As for my Christmas Gifting, you can be sure that I will be HANDMAKING the gifts If it is something that I can't or don't have the time to make, I will shop online by going to ETSY.Com where HANDMADE is the "IN" thing to have and do.

Yes, my crafting has resulting in me opening a shop on ETSY. I am a proud member of GAetsyTeam, CAST and Fatsy. That is only 3 groups of the very talented artists that sell their wares on ETSY. Our Georgia Etsy Street Team just finished our October Sale ....it was a fun event. I have left my items on sale until midnight Nov.1....Free shipping for sale. I will be adding the beginning of my Christmas line on Nov. 1,2008. My shop is open 24 hours a day 7 days a week. Stop by at your liesure at http://www.jonwen45.etsy.com/. NO GAS money to spend!!! If you don't find what you want or need, then by all means give the other shops a chance http://www.etsy.com/ . I truly believe that you will become "hooked" on HANDMADE !!!!!!

Jonwen45 Crafting Creations

Baby Noah - Not a Baby Now

Ready for Creating

Birthday Cake WOW

Happy 70th Birthday, dear Hubby

Patchwork Jewelry

Another Great-grandson....Conner

IS COOKING REALLY CRAFTING ?

AM I AWAKE YET ?

WOW ! Look at Baby NOAH now !

BABY NOAH 4 MONTH UPDATE

REVISITED - FIFTHQUADRANT

TREASURY FEATURE - HUMMINGBIRD

BUTTERFLY REWARD

CUSTOM HANDMADE JEWELS

CHECK OUT ANNIE QUILT GIVE-AWAY

St.Pat's Festival

........and the SOLUTION is !

BEAD PICKING

AM I TOO LATE?

I JUST REMEMBERED WHAT I FORGOT !

...AND THE COUNT DOWN BEGINS.....363 DAYS UNTIL CHRISTMAS

A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS , INDEED !!!!!

DISCOVERED - ONE VERY YOUNG ARTIST

HOW COULD I BE HAPPIER ?

SALE***** 1/2 OFF ***** 50% REDUCTION***SALE

the News gets better

SALE***** 1/2 OFF ***** 50% REDUCTION***SALE

UPDATE ON BABY NOAH

Another pix of Baby Noah

BABY NOAH

Party to greatest creation

ARE YOU A BEAD PICKER ?

? I FOUND A BEAD TREE ?

My tiny studio: Interview : Meet the artist behind Jonwen Jewelry

Little Delay in adding to shop

The Day After Election Day

CHRISTMAS GIFTS - JEWELRY

CHRISTMAS GIFTING

SALE*** 1/2 OFF * 50% REDUCTION*SALE

SALE*** 1/2 OFF * 50% REDUCTION*SALE