Short And Sweet...

Good morning, dear ones!  My post this Monday will be short and sweet for two reasons:

#1 ~ I've been down the rabbit hole all last week working like a maniac (except for lunch on Thursday with Sandra which saved my sanity) ...

#2 ~ Working to put the studio to rights so that I can use it more efficiently.  As you can see, I have a lonnnnnnnng way to go!

the "storm" before the "calm!" 

You can't really see it, but I managed to get the sewing table (on your right with the quilt) organized and "neated" up.  This is where you'll find me today ~ not "down the rabbit hole," but "in the salt mine!!"

I do have some new goodies to share with you, which I was able to finish this past week...

I'm also taking 2 online classes ~
Twisted Sistah and Off The Chain, so I'll be tackling those projects once the studio is finished.  I hope to have samples for the Fall Art Boutique at the end of October, but for sure when I have my Holiday Trunk Show on December 9th.

Better scoot....SO much to do!
Wishing you a week filled with blessings!
xoxo
Karen

Wonderful, Wonderful!!

I must begin this post with the deepest, heartfelt "thank you," to all my friends and family ~ near and far.  Yesterday was my second Trunk Show and the joy, fellowship, and support for my artistic muse far surpassed anything I could have imagined!

So, before I put up the pictures, I wish to thank everyone who's "liked" my work on Facebook, continues to support and comment on my blog, and sends me emails of sweet thoughts about my muse.  Your love and support inspires me to continue doing what I love so very much.  Thank you from the bottom of this SO grateful heart!!

I would like to thank those who couldn't attend but were inspired by my work and pre-ordered creations ~ I love you and thank you from the bottom of my overflowing heart!

Anna Marie (my dear sil) ~ Jennifer ~ Fran ~ Nancy W.

And those who were able to spend time with me at the show ~ you have my heart!
Kelly        Vincetta                   KC
Nancy       Deirdre                    Chiara
Kay           Sandy B                  Geri
Sharon      Sandra                     Cirocco
Mandy      Tammy                    Caela
Melissa      Kathleen
Debbie      Megan Allison
Ashley       Lacey

And their patient hubbies ~
Owen
Steve 
Ron

And their even more patient and delightful, charming young ~
Cosette                  William            Lily           Tess
Serena                   Mackenzie       Bridget
Jerry                      Jacob               Sage


So, if you weren't able to join us, here's a peek at yesterday...

At Casa Hess any celebration will always include yummy food ~ our menu du jour:
~ Sliders - (cheeseburger, hamburger, jalepeno), pasta salad, ramen slaw, fruit kebobs, bruschetta, veggies/dip ~ Thank you my Kiki for your generous donation and presentation of your dishes ~ Thank you my beloved Ron for manning the grill~

 ~ brownie bites, assorted cookies ~

~spa water and iced tea~

~white sangria ~

Here are the "other" goodies.... ~Thank you sweet Schotzie for being my cashier and for providing the sangria~

Happy shoppers....

A special "thank you" goes out to my "Phoenix girls," Ashley and Lacey, who not only made the trip from Phoenix, but also made it Cosette's (Cosey) first road trip!!!  Blessings!!!

So my dear ones, that's it for this week....I'm exhausted ~ emotionally and physically, but it's alllll GOOD!

For now it's back down the rabbit hole to resume work(?).  I'm taking a number of uber-fabulous classes next month so you will be seeing new projects.  I will be posting them on my Karen's Monday Musings Facebook page.

Don't forget, if you live out of town I will ship for free during the month of September.

There's another Trunk Show on the horizon, just in time for the holidays, so stayed tuned.
Oh, and one coming soon in Phoenix!

Asking blessings for you and yours this week, and as always, xoxo's from me to you!
Karen

Shows, Shows, and SHOWS!

Whew!  I've come up for air and want to share a whole lotta doin's with you!

As you know, my second Trunk Show ~ Fall Edition,

is this coming Sunday.  So I've been the busy bee, working on new items, pricing, tagging, setting a menu, sending out reminders and alllll the stuff that goes into such an event.  Not complaining...just sayin'

So, I think it was absolutely fantastic and fabulous that the Best Bead Show

and G&LW would schedule their Fall Shows this week!!

On Thursday, Debbie and I headed over to the Best Bead Show at the Kino Community Center.  Here's a peek at some of my purchases that inspiring my muse....

silky soft freshwater pearls

great quality headpins and SOLDERED link chain!!

some bezels asking to be added to a soldered pendant

scrumptious aquamarine!

Well, there's more from Thursday, but I'll wait until I have some creations to show you...Oh, wait...
here's one!

And another I call "Cupcake!" ~ rose quartz and Swarovski pearls

Sunday was the final day of the show so Kiki, Vincetta and I headed over to the Holidome to check things out there....

Here are the highlights....

yummy pearls ~

GORGEOUS copper jewelry art from one of my favorite artists ~ Patricia Healey

Loving these special charms (especially the bee!)

Green Prehnite ~ Aquamarine ~ Assorted Quartz

So, there you have it....my escapades for the week.  I didn't realize how badly I needed to get out from under all my work and get a healthy dose of new inspiration!

I think I'm pretty well set with gems and the "nuts and bolts" of my jewelry.  Or, at least until February when the BIG MAMA of gem shows rolls around - The Tucson Gem and Mineral Show!

I can't wait for my show next Sunday and I will be here on Monday to share it with you - promise!
Have a beautiful week and just think, we're only 40 sleeps aways till the first fall holiday appears!
I'm looking forward to that, actually, since it means my sweet sil arrives too!!  But, that's another blogpost!
xoxo
Karen