Ema K

Inspiration is Everywhere

2012-02-13T11:42:00.001-05:00

I have been inspired by Romana at Create with Joy to write this blog. Romana writes an " inspirational blog that celebrates creativity" and she invites us "to inspire others and nurture your creative spirit" by linking to her Inspire Me Monday postings.

Today I share my new love...Kumihimo braiding. I have been completely smitten since I took a class back in October 2011. Recently on a shopping adventure, in search of ribbon I could use to create some Kumihimo bracelets, I stumbled on some yarn that was off white and white. It was actually a combination of different types of yarns and ribbons that, when all together, got me to thinking of flowy, fairies, romance, victorian and bohemian styles. This yarn was GORGEOUS! I had to have it! I swear I had heart palpitations when I saw it. The cost was out of my league at over $50.00 for a small skein. So I walked out of the store with my "reasonably" priced purchases and headed home to create my bracelets.

The tools I use to make Kumihimo braided jewelry.

I haven't been able to stop thinking about this small skein of yarn. It has been haunting me ... before I fall asleep, when I wake up in the morning, as I showered, waiting to pick my son up from school ... every quiet moment I had I envisioned the finished piece I would be creating with it. The beads I would be making to accompany it. Seriously I couldn't stop thinking about it.

Then along came a challenge from Erin Prais-Hintz at Treasures Found, The Challenge of Music. I have always felt certain songs reflect on my life and I didn't hesitate to sign up for Erin's Challenge. Now I knew I had to have this yarn!!! I knew exactly what I would create and which song my creation would represent. Here began my frantic internet search to find an affordable alternative to the much coveted yarn I had to have. I found something I could afford and anxiously awaited its arrival. I had a couple of false starts and needed to make a couple of additions in materials to get the look I was going after but when I had it I knew I was right on track with my vision. Now I just have to get into my studio to create the beads I need. Here is a sneak peak of what I was able to put together using Kumihimo braiding techniques and my fantastic, whimsical yarns.

Stay tuned for the reveal of the finished piece. The reveal date is February 29th!

You can find more info on Erin"s blog post on the Challenge of Music.

As always, you can visit my Etsy shop to find unique lampwork beads and jewelry.

Thank you for stopping by and visiting with me.

Bead Table Wednesday - Feb 8 2012

2012-02-08T13:23:00.000-05:00

Here is shot of what is on my bead table this week.

Kumihimo braiding to compliment my lampwork beads. I love working the Kumihimo technique. The plan is to make two kumihimo bracelets. One will be a double wrap bracelet. The second will be a single layer bracelet with a lampwork bead. I am interviewing each bead along the side the kumihimo braids.....hmmm....I can't decide. Do you have a bead preference?

You can find more Bead Table Wednesday images here.

Bead Soup The Goods Have Arrived

2012-01-30T13:00:00.001-05:00

My Bead Soup Goods are here!
I received my package of Bead Soup goodies from my partner Laurie early last week.

She sent me a beautiful collection of beads. Some lampwork glass beads, a copper clasp, copper beads and turquoise beads. My brain is busy formulating ideas. I can't wait to get busy and see how these pieces will work with the ideas I have been toying with.

I sent my package of beads to Laurie too. She may have received them over the weekend but since I'm not 100 percent sure, and I don't want to ruin her surprise, I will just share a sneak peak photo.

You can follow all the Bead Soup participants at Lori Anderson's blog, Pretty Things

New Year Resolutions I don't know....

2012-01-18T14:00:00.029-05:00

I'm not one to make New Year resolutions. I never have been. For the most part I have always done what I set out to do with my life. Now that I am getting a little older I see the need to maintain my focus in order to stay where I intend to be. I am constantly being pulled in so many different directions. Everywhere you turn, especially once you have children in school, there seems to always be someone wanting you to volunteer for this, donate to that, spend some time helping with an event, join this group or that group. Nothing is wrong with all that, in fact much of it is very good, but sometimes you have to say "no". It is easy for life to become one giant to do list. Then, suddenly you stop, look around and say WAIT A MINUTE! What is my intention?

I don't think I am complicated, I like to do what I like to do.
I like to do anything outside, in fresh air.
I like to be around people; kind people, well intentioned people.
I like to read.
I LOVE to make my beads.
I like to be creative and crafty.
I like to visit with my family and friends.
I like to have cocktails with my friends.
I like to drink tea with my sisters.
I could throw all types of things I like to do in that mix but basically that really sums it up. Put me with some great people, outside, add a cocktail or two (or a cup of tea) and I am happy.

That leads me to this post. I am questioning what I am doing right now? Am I heading in the direction I intend to be heading in or am I just doing because someone asked me to? Last year was a tumultuous year with my familys' medical issues and I think now is as good a time as any for me to pull in and spend time with myself and my intentions. My family still has health concerns to deal with but that inspires me even more to slow down and take a look at my direction and ask myself some questions. Where am I going? Where do I want to be? What do I want?

I think now would be a good time for a website and blog redesign, to better reflect me as a person and the work I love to create. I hope I can make the time for this very soon. Redesigning can be so time consuming and I am not completely knowledgeable in everything web related.

I have resigned from two positions I have held in two different groups. I am leaving another group altogether. It is time to reevaluate my direction.
It is my intention to dabble a bit more and have fun in the challenges I choose to participate in, such as Bead Soup.
I would like to become more involved with Beads of Courage and the ISGB.
I would like to attend a Gathering.
I would like to add metals to my work, become better versed in metal smithing techniques.
I would like to enter my work into some local fairs this fall.
I would like to redesign and move my studio space to better suit metal smithing.
I would like to sell more beads in my Etsy shop.

Pink Mist

Misty Harbor

New Year Resolutions? I suppose they are but not because it is a New Year. I set these intentions because it is the right time in my life to make these choices. Thank you for taking the time to visit with me. Your comments are always welcome.

Bead Soup is Here

2012-01-17T10:05:00.003-05:00

It is Bead Soup time again. I am thrilled that life is allowing me to be participating this time around. Life is good.

I am partners with Laurie from Tree of Life - rooted in my soul. Now if you have been following me and my work in anyway you will surely agree that this partnership is a perfect pairing because of my LOVE for creating trees of life!!!

Tree of Life in my Etsy shop

I am looking forward to this Bead Soup adventure. If you would like to follow additional Bead Soup adventurers please visit our gracious hostess, Lori Anderson at her blog Pretty Things.

Here are a few links to 2011 Bead Soup:

Today is for My Uncle

2012-01-16T04:44:00.000-05:00

Dear Uncle,

Today we celebrate your life.
The wonderful life you created.
The beautiful family you grew to share with the world.

It is time for you to fly away with God's Angels.
We are saddened for you to leave us.
We understand the need to leave behind the earthly ailments
and illness.

We shed our tears.
We pray for you.
We love you.

We bid you fairwell
Until we meet again in God's time.

<3

Bead Soup Sign Ups

2012-01-06T20:00:00.001-05:00

Bead Soup is coming. There have been some rule changes this year so make sure you follow up with Lori Anderson and her blog, Pretty Things.

Adios 2011 Welcome 2012

2012-01-06T13:57:00.000-05:00

Adios 2011. I am happy to see you go!

Grab yourself your favorite cup of tea or coffee. This is a little bit long but this girl needs to talk. I seriously need to let 2011 fall behind and I am looking forward to 2012 but first I must purge what was of 2011.

For me, 2011 began with high hopes of focusing on my art work and my business.I had great plans at becoming better organized in planning shows, creating interesting pieces of jewelry, growing my business and loving every minute of it. I purchased an event calender so I could keep track of upcoming shows, to make sure I kept on top of all the wonderfully fun challenges that my awesome jewelry making buddies put together and get better on top of my marketing points. Those were my priorities. Mind you my family and my husband's business always comes first. It is non negotiable that I will be available to take care of my children as needed. I have three boys; one is well on his way to being independent, another is learning how to be independent, the third is a tween and still in need of a parent (almost) ever present. So I figured I have 1.5 children well on their way so I could afford to throw a fair amount of my energy toward my work.

But alas 2011 was not going to be the year I had intended it to be. Somewhere during the first quarter of the year I decided it would be a good idea to get a part time job and help out with the home finances. My husband is self employed and the last couple of years have been slow. We have managed but with one kid in college and a second on his way in September I figured I could contribute financially. This was tough! I have been a stay at home Mom for many years. Managing a household, three kids, a part time job and providing office support to my husband in his business was too much for one person to take on.

Then came the cancer! In late February my sister began to have a series of tests which, by mid March, confirmed she had breast cancer. This diagnosis threw my family into a tail spin. We have NO history of this in our family, but that is a story for another day. All creativity was out the window and all my energy went toward supporting my sister with whatever she would need over the next few months.

At the same time my second son was preparing to graduate from high school and readying for a big move to college. My husband and I thoroughly enjoyed seeing him make the leap from high school to college, he was so ready! But as you can imagine I was dealing with a sister undergoing chemotherapy and a son graduating from high school. Two very conflicting emotional places to be.

In late July, early August my other sister was diagnosed with breast cancer! Another surgery and another loved one beginning chemotherapy. Oooooi!

In late August my mother was diagnosed with breast cancer!!! Can you imagine? In the course of a few days, we were awaiting results on my Mom's surgery, my son was moving into college, my niece moved to New Zealand AND I had a preplanned show! I cancelled the show. Something had to give.

Finally September arrived. I quite my part time job. Really there is only so much one person can handle, physically and emotionally!!!! Now I had a new plan. Plan A wasn't working out, I was on to Plan B or was it C, I don't know anymore....I was going to love my family through it!

One sister and I were able to attend almost all of my other of my sisters chemo treatments. We actually made the best of it and had some good times together. We got together often and found a really cool old Cider Mill where they sell antiques at affordable prices, we learned Kumihimo braiding together, we did some crocheting together, we drank LOTS of tea together. We actually had quit a bit of fun together. It occurred to me that this was the first time in our adult lives that ALL of us were not working at the same time and able to spend time with each other. Since both my sisters were and are in a great frame of mind about their situation we truly were able to make the best of this time. My Mom was able to join us on most of these occasions too. I do think we provided quite a boost to all the patients in the cancer center. We were happy but not obnoxiously so.

One sister is DONE with her treatments...YEAH!!! Mom is done with her radiation...Yeah!!! My other sister has some treatments left but she is hanging tough! So we celebrate what we have and move into 2012!

Let 2011 wash away and 2012 begin with renewed joy and hope.

Thanks for taking the time to visit with me.

Bead Table Wednesday - Ema K Designs

2011-12-07T10:55:00.000-05:00

Today on my bead table...
I prepped some gorgeous Miyuki glass seed beads last night, ready to be woven up into bracelets today.

My agenda includes making three different Kumihimo beaded bracelets, one in a beautiful combination of blues, another of Caribbean blue and the third in Christmas red. These will be in my Etsy shop this weekend.

Find other work from other artists on Flickr

Bead Table Wednesday on Flickr

I have been featured in Great Finds

2011-11-29T12:00:00.000-05:00

I am honored to be included in Anne Hopfer's, of Made for Me by Oaklie, Great Finds. This post will be up for until next Saturday, Dec 3. Stop by and view some Great Finds and cast your vote for your favorite.

Cyber Monday Coupon Code for my online stores

2011-11-27T08:52:00.001-05:00

Today is Cyber Monday use coupon code CyberMonday20 in my Etsy shop and ArtFire shop to receive 20% OFF today only.

Small Business Saturday

2011-11-25T20:00:00.003-05:00

Shop Small, Shop Local, Shop Handmade.

Saturday November 26, 2011

is Small Business Saturday

You can find my small business handmade items for sale on line in my Etsy shop and ArtFire shop OR if you're local to me stop by Rollstone Studios to find my handmade pieces as well as many fabulous, quality handmade items.

USE coupon code SAVE15 to receive your discount online or print this page and bring it to Rollstone Studios to receive a 15% discount off your purchase.

Black Friday Shopping

2011-11-24T20:00:00.011-05:00

So you're not interested in hitting the mall on Black Friday? You don't have to, you can still receive some great discounts on the internet on Black Friday!

I am offering 15% off EVERYTHING in My Etsy shop and ArtFire Shops. On Friday, November 25, 2011 only.
Use coupon code Friday15 at check out to receive your discount.
Enjoy shopping at all the great Etsy stores!

Thanksgiving Wishes to All

2011-11-23T08:25:00.001-05:00

It is my wish that everyone finds a place of joy this Thanksgiving. If you are with family, friends, celebrating alone or serving our country and celebrating with fellow military personnel I hope you can find a moment or

two to count your blessings.

image from the following website

http://fathermahars.blogspot.com/2010/11/thanksgiving-and-grace.html

We all have been blessed one way or another. Although our situation may not be our ideal situation if we can take a moment to be grateful for something we can hold that in our hearts and find joy.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Snow in October and it was a Total Wipe Out

2011-11-20T11:51:00.000-05:00

The day before Halloween Massachusetts was struck with a whopper of a snow storm. By the time it was done I had 13 inches of heavy, wet snow on October 30!!!!

The snow itself wouldn't have been so bad. A late fall foliage contributed to the problem. The trees were still covered in leaves. NOT GOOD!!! So many limbs completely broke off the trees due to the weight of the snow. Many tree tops broke right off, some of them falling to the ground, many of them are still hanging precariously. We refer to those deadly ones as widow makers!

An oak tree bending precariously

Our driveway. Some of the trees that didn't make it.

My much loved (by me and the birds) Bradford Pear Tree. The center is gone and it no longer has its lovely pear shape. It will have to be replaced in the Spring. :(

This is my pool side cabana. I wasn't able to get the roof off and it completely crumpled up.

My Mom and one of my sisters were without power so they came and stayed with me. I am grateful to have a generator that at least keeps our well running, heat in the house and one room with electricity. We really couldn't complain. It was really nice having some female energy in my home.

My dog and my sister's dog making the most of a warm, sunny spot.

Gratitude Today

2011-10-26T09:08:00.001-04:00

I feel a huge sense of gratitude today.

It is a dull, cloudy, rainy day but the images I encountered on the usual journey to my son's school are in my head and my heart today. The beauty I saw filled me full of warmth and joy. I know this feeling will stay with me all day.

My son and I are up and at 'em early, so it was dark. Of course we were busy readying ourselves so I wasn't paying any attention to anything besides getting the morning routine done and getting us out the door on time.
As we pulled out of the garage I noticed a beautiful tint to all the trees, we rounded the bend and stopped the car in aw of the gorgeous sunrise. I had wished I had my camera or at least my phone so I could capture the beauty happening right in my front yard. (no time to run back in and get it) The photo below is very close to what I saw.... but that is only the beginning of the story...

Image from this site

We continued our drive. At the end of our road is a lake, behind the lake are hills and mountains. The high terrain, now standing in full fall foliage, was completely washed in a hue of pink. I have been living here for 6 years and have never seen that. It was simply beautiful. A gift to be cherished. But wait...it's not over yet....

THEN we spotted a rainbow! We ended up seeing both ends of the rainbow!!! It was a great way to start the day.

I dropped my son off to school and turned back toward home. By this time the sun had completely risen and was behind the clouds. The world now was a simple gray and it was beginning to rain. All the beauty we passed on the way was gone but the feeling is still shining within me. I don't see the gray, I see all the world washed in pink and a beautiful rainbow overhead. I am full of joy.

Fabric Folies

2011-10-12T12:53:00.001-04:00

I can't put my finger on the reason why but as the season changes to Fall I find myself inspired to work with fabric. Perhaps this harkens back to my quilting days. I do have quite a stash of fabric still hanging around from those days. It comes in handy when the inspiration to make something of fabric strikes.

I came across a DIY tutorial, somewhere on the web, for a cup cozy. You have seen them. Almost any time you purchase a hot cup of java, tea or hot cocoa when you are out and about, you can get a sleeve to go over your cup to protect yourself from the heat of the cup. I was inspired by the tutorial to make some of these. I would share the link with you if I could find it again. I searched and searched yet I never did find that tutorial. I finally had to design a tutorial for myself.

It really wasn't that hard. I used a sleeve, from a cup of tea that I had purchased, as a rough pattern. Cut out two pieces of fabric, batting and interfacing. Sewed them together and whooola....Ema K's cup cozies were born....

I currently have these in a local gallery space but I will be making more to add to my Etsy shop.

Of Life and a touch of Copper

2011-09-30T13:13:00.002-04:00

Life has been an emotional roller coaster these past few months. For those of you that don't know...two of my sisters AND my mom have been diagnosed with breast cancer in the past 5 months. It is CRAZY that this is happening to my family all at the same time. No, it is not in our family. They are the first. We were completely taken by surprise when my first sister was diagnosed then to have 2 more diagnosed in such a short period of time seems unheard of. I am too much in the moment of it all and unable to put my emotions into the proper words so I will give you a brief update on how everyone is doing.

Sister #1 has set the tone for everyone. She has handled her diagnosis and treatment with the utmost amount of Grace. I can't even begin to tell you how easy she has made it for the rest of us to cope. She had her last chemotherapy treatment last week. Although she will continue with additional weekly treatments for another six months, we are looking forward to her strength (and hair) returning.

Sister #2 began her chemotherapy treatments and is half way through already. She had a different course of treatment, so although it is shorter in terms of time she is getting mega doses of chemo in one shot. She has followed Sister #1's lead and is in a very good place emotionally and showing an incredible amount of Grace as well.

Mom will begin radiation treatments shortly. This will be new to us so I'm not quite sure what to expect. Sometimes ignorance is bliss. Right now I don't want to know more. I can't even believe how much I have learned about cancer, treatments and cancer centers. We will deal with this one day at a time, just as we have everything else. And of course Mom is ever graceful also. I guess her girls learned it somewhere ;).

While I am here I would like to give a shout out to the beautiful people that work in cancer centers daily. They are truly amazing people!! I think they are angels here on earth.

My life is one day at a time. One appointment at a time. One person at a time. I don't do much thinking ahead or trying to plan a schedule for the family like I used to. Just one day, everyday filled with as much happiness as is possible. I strive to be joyful and creative everyday. I am surprisingly finding joy. It really is about the small, simple pleasures and enjoying the company of each person I come into contact with.

Creativity has been a bit more difficult. I don't have the drive to be as creative as I was in the past, but it really does make happy. So I try to do one creative thing everyday.

I haven't felt much like melting glass so I have been working a bit with metals. I have been practicing a new technique of etching metal when my time allows. I purchased a wonderful tutorial from Payton Jett. She totally rocks! You can find out more about Payton and the tutorial in her Etsy Shop. I have only etched copper so far but today I am experimenting with brass and silver. I can't wait to see what happens. I will keep you posted. Here are a couple of pictures I snapped to show you what I have been up to.

This was my second attempt at etching. The first didn't come out quit so well but I think I didn't have the right type of ink to make it work and I got excited and rushed the process along. You can't do that and expect great results. I was much happier with my second attempt.

Here is what those cut out circles look like. They are one inch discs. I have since drilled one hole in each disc. I am thinking they would make cute earrings.

And today I will etch these...

The group shot.

One inch disc with heart. Sterling Silver.

One inch disc with owl. Brass. Isn't he cute?

And of course I had to do a tree. This is a 2 inch disc in copper.

I hope I will be adding some of these to my Etsy shop, Ema K Designs, one day soon. But as I said earlier, one day at time.

If you have an interest in any of them. Please do contact me. I still need to make some money but I haven't been very good at listing lately so do contact me if you like what you see.

Peace and Joy to All,

Sisterhood of the Traveling Bead Box

2011-08-11T12:38:00.004-04:00

A girls just gotta have fun

There are so many responsibilities of my daily life that sometimes I get far too caught up in all the to do's. Every once in awhile I am reminded that I need to play too. It is a long shot, a lottery of sorts so I may not win, but I could use a little speck of happiness in my life right now, a little something that I can look forward to. So I am hoping the stars will align and I will be chosen the lucky winner.

This fabulous box of beading goodies is currently in the hands of Alice of The Bliss Guild. Alice will be adding her own touch of goodness to the traveling bead box and on August 18th she will be drawing the new recipient. Oh how I hope it will be me. :D

If you want to be part of the game visit Alice's blog at The Bliss Guild to enter.
Here is a bit more info on the Traveling Bead Box. (The following has been taken directly from The Bliss Guild Blog)

The traveling box of goodies began with Heather Powers' (aka Humblebeads)generosity. The box was passed from one lucky winner to another. Here’s a list of the previous winners. You can see how much she’s traveled.

1.Heather Powers of Humble Beads- San Antonio, Texas

2.Mikki Ferrugiaro of MFD Beadwork Originals- Utah

3.Nancy Dale of NED Beads- Vermont

4.Hannah Rosner of Good River Gallery- New Mexico

5.Chris Neit of Good Quill Hunting- Maine

6.Sandy Spivey of Sandy's Treasure- California

7.Katie Nelson of Katie's Creations- Texas

8.Kristie Roeder of Artisan Clay- Pennsylvania

9.Lorelei Eurto of Lorelei Eurto Jewelry- New York State

10.Becky Caldwell of The Gritty Bird- North carolina

11.Cindy Wimmer of Sweet Bead Studio- Virginia

12.Cindy Gambrone of Lampwork Diva- New York State

13.Paige Maxim of Paige Maxim Designs- Maine

14.Cristi Baxter Clothier of 2 if by Sea- Florida

15.Tracey Nanstad of A Beadiful Mess- Wisconsin

16.Marianna Boylan of Star Girl Jewelry & Lampwork - Michigan

17. Lois Moon of Qué Onda Q'town - Georgia

18. Collette Collins of Firefly Myst Artisan Jewelry – Michigan

19. Alice Peterson of Peachtree – Kansas—that’s me

The box is ready to go to the next lucky winner! Here's what you need to know:

The giveaway: The entire box of goodies - bead, findings, tools, supplies.

The stipulations: Must have an online forum to host the next giveaway. Must be living within the United States to enter and be willing to pay for shipping: $15.00 for flat rate priority mail billed via Paypal.

The rules: You'll take what you want from the box, add in items from your own bead stash of LIKE VALUE to replace the items you took, and do the same giveaway on your blog. We'll keep the beads traveling for as long as we can.

To enter: Leave a comment, be sure to include your email. [If you are on Blogger, think about linking your profile to your email]

Bonus: Blog, facebook or twitter about it to enter more than once. Leave another comment letting me know how you helped spread the word.

The winner will then have 2 weeks to go through the box and pick out their items and contribute to the box, and then host their own giveaway.Heather asks that each time it passes hands, the winner will email her when the next giveaway starts so she can enjoy the traveling and help promote your giveaway!

International bloggers: Sorry, but due to shipping only those in the U.S. can play along.

Finally, you must stop by the The Bliss Guild to see what Alice has taken out of the box and exactly what she is adding to the box, lots of special pieces to be sure.
Thanks for stopping by.

Excuse Me Please While I Puke

2011-07-27T18:00:00.003-04:00

I was rendered speechless. I tried to form words but the only thing that actually left my lips was jibberish. This was completely unbelievable, incomprehensible, unbearable. The words came over the phone, delivered by my Mom but felt more like an incredible blow straight to my gut. I wanted to say, "Excuse me please while I puke."

In case you are just joining me let me take a brief moment to catch you up to speed. In March 2010, I suffered a stroke. I am in my mid 40's and this was a rather unbelievable happening. I have successfully recovered. In March 2011 my sister was diagnosed with breast cancer. She is currently in the throws of treatment and recovery. Yesterday, we found out my other sister has breast cancer too!!! What the heck????

x 2 is just not right!

To say my family is completely stunned is an understatement of great proportions. I think we are all in a state of shock. We come from a line of really great genes. Our family history has had next to no medical issues, current generation aside. Our parents and grandparents are, and in some cases were, always extremely healthy. Our grandparents lived healthily into their 90s and 100s. We always believed we would follow the same course.

It is hard to put all my thoughts and feelings together right now. There is so much I want to say but the thoughts come and go so quickly.

It is my hope that we, as a family, will find balance and grace. It is my prayer that we will all heal.

Favorite Things Tuesday July 19

2011-07-19T17:00:00.001-04:00

Tuesdays are a great day to show off a few of my favorite things. Since we are in the middle of summer let's celebrate today with a summer theme.

I LOVE to drink iced tea all summer long. Even though I'm from the Northeast I visit the south often and have learned that the proper name for iced tea is Sweet Tea. I used to put sugar in my tea and would promptly gain 5 lbs by the end of the summer season. After all sugar water is what hummingbirds survive on, the only problem is I don't burn as many calories as a hummingbird. This summer, instead of using white, processed sugar I am using Agave Nectar. Let me tell you....it is GOOD stuff. I don't notice any difference in flavor, it is even a tad bit sweeter and yummier. So far I have eluded any weight gain. This is a very good thing because I LOVE my sweet tea!!! I think I will be giving agave nectar a try in my baking as well. It is so much better for you than processed sugar. I buy my agave at Costco but I have seen it at my local grocery store too.

I am so into turquoise this summer. Any and all accessories turquoise is right up my alley. I found these perfect summer accessories in dachuksb7196's shop on Etsy. Her crocheted item pieces are simply beautiful. She has some fun, sexy items for the one in your family that loves to be barefoot.

In keeping with the turquoise summer theme I created this bracelet in a style similar to Chan Luu, but ofcourse added my own lampwork beads to it. A wrappable bracelet which creates stackable layers. I will definitely be making more of these. If you have any color suggestions please let me know, I will be happy to put something together for you. I plan to list my leather bracelets on Etsy but it is likely I won't have time to do so until the middle of next week.If you are interested in more info on this bracelet please contact me on my Facebook Page, Ema K Designs.

As always, thanks for stopping by and visiting with me. I look forward to your comments.

Each Day is New

2011-07-08T16:49:00.000-04:00

Hi. Thanks for visiting my blog. My life as a wife, mother, sister, employee and artist has been crazy busy the last for months.

I began a part time job in April. I'm still not sure if I will continue with it. I like the job. Working from home, as an artist can be solitary and I miss seeing people so this job has been great fun. The problem is I haven't had a chance to make any beads or jewelry and I am sorely missing being creative. I am praying on finding a solution to this dilemma. I think if I put as much effort into my own business as I am putting into this part time job I could be successful. The problem is having enough discipline while working from home and being accountable to myself can be tricky.

My sister is successfully waging her own personal battle with breast cancer. She has made it easy for those of us that love her by handling the entire situation proactively with an amazingly positive attitude and an incredible amount of Grace. Yes she found Grace. I tell you she is an inspiration! If you are inclined to pray we would gladly accept your prayers on her behalf.

My second son graduated from high school! Phew!!! I am so pleased he is finally out of public school and will be creating his own direction and making decisions about his life. I think this is a wonderful place to be in life. I am excited to watch where he will go. He is heading off to college in the fall, studying film. Look out Hollywood....he will be storming your doors down some day soon.

Now with summer underway I hope I will be able to find some space to make beads and decide which direction I will take. I have decided I can't manage my family, manage my husbands business, work at a part time job as well as run my own business. Some decisions need to made...NOW if only I could decide.......

In the meantime....you can find my beads for sale in my Etsy and Artfire shoppes.

Life Throws Curve Balls the Key is Finding Grace

2011-03-31T08:16:00.003-04:00

I haven't posted many blogs this month simply because I haven't known where to start. Steel yourself away a moment to share my story. I have no pictures to share today, but I do have a story to tell.

The month of March has been quite a challenge for me personally. I have had many debates with myself as to what is appropriate to share on my blog. I have decided that I am who I am and I won't change that for any reason. I am not overly complicated and I am not good at pretending everything is all peachy keen when inside I am feeling unsettled. So I have decided to share a piece of my story.

I was going to write a blog about beads but I wasn't feeling inspired to do so.

I was going to write a blog about the state of our world today. Many people are struggling financially, myself included (therein lies my lack of inspiration for writing about beads). Honestly sometimes I get tired of all the effort which needs to go into marketing. Some days I just want to create. I decided against this blog.

I was going to write a blog in celebration of March 26. This date means nothing to most people but it is a date I will never forget. It is the date, one year ago, that I had a stroke. I think you will understand when I say that this came as a complete shock to myself and my family. That was a curve ball for sure! I am grateful to be healthy with only a couple of very minor lingering effects. It seemed celebrating one year later and good health was appropriate. I never got to writing that post because I was thrown another curve ball.

My sister, my friend, a woman who was a surrogate mother to me when I was young, a woman who taught me my love of being an artist, a woman who continues to teach me about life was diagnosed with breast cancer. ****CURVE BALL****

We are at the very early stages of this ordeal and her course of treatments are not completely known to us at this point. So much is unknown to us. My sister has requested internet privacy while she travels this road and I will respect her wishes. However her journey directly effects my path, so there will be parts of it I may feel compelled to write about. I have found writing and blogging to be healing for me so I may wish to write about certain events as they effect me. I hope she can understand that.

I am finding my own personal grace in realizing that when the world may seem turned upside down life can throw you a curve ball. It is then that you can choose to find grace. All those "things" that were upsetting or stressing to you suddenly seem very small. You realize what is important and where your energy needs to be focused. My family is the most important part of my life. As long as we are all together nothing, and I mean nothing, else matters.

I thought it fair to share some of this with you because I may or may not be active in my ability to create and sharing my creations with you. I can't really say right now. I need to allow the story to unfold. Obviously my sister will be my top priority. My family and I will all be finding grace together.

Customer Appreciation SALE

2011-03-28T08:40:00.000-04:00

A sale is happening in my Etsy and Artfire shops, now through April 2.
20% OFF ALL lampwork beads.

You will find a coupon code in my Etsy shop. The prices in my Artfire shop are already marked down.

Choose your favorite from my Kalypso Pearl series.....

or perhaps your favorite will be one of my Tree Silhouettes...

This is a Fire Diva Team Sale. Swing by the Fire Divas Blog to find out about all the great sales that happening.

Monochromatic Challenge Fire Diva Style

2011-03-21T11:10:00.001-04:00

The Fire Divas have created some beautiful beads for this Monochromatic Challenge.
You should vote for your favorite and you could win a lovely prize, a coupon for 20% OFF anything in Lori Bergmann's Artfire shop, AshlynDesigns.

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