Poor Poor Neglected Blog

Being able to type fast doesn't help. My poor blog is feeling neglected. For good reason. The last post I made was to introduce my new series of bracelets... Knot, Ready for Prime Time.

Since that last post, I've actually managed to finish and list quite a few of the series in my Etsy shop. I also finished another version of one of my new designs, Morning Glory Vine. And published a couple of new peyote patterns (Camouflage and Queen Anne's Lace). I have two long bead crochet ropes finished, except for the ends. And I have a brand new peyote cuff design, Paisley.

So what happens? Where does the time go? Why don't I pay attention to my poor little blog?

As much as I hate to say it, I almost feel like I need to force myself to follow a schedule. ACK! The mere thought of a schedule for someone who left the corporate world behind (almost five years ago) makes me cringe. EVERYTHING had to be done by a schedule. Meetings, phone calls, goals, more meetings... everything. I've spent the past five years rebelling against schedules of any kind.

I'm going to blame the recent neglect on the extra activity here... my husband has an injured shoulder, so my workload around the house has increased a bit. We had company last weekend, and that meant rearranging lots and lots of boxes so they'd have a place to sleep (we're still living in a rental house, and the bulk of our stuff remains in boxes). Long overdue doctor appointments. Dentist appointments. A few custom orders (those are always nice). Still. I type more than 100 words a minute. There's just no reason for my not being able to update this blog.

For those of you who DO update your blogs with regularity...
HOW DO YOU DO IT???
Do you write a bunch of posts and schedule them to publish?
Do you have a daily/weekly schedule for blogging?
I'd love to know how you keep your blog up to date and still keep up with everything else.

Just so I don't finish this post without giving you something to look at, here's a sneak peak of my newest peyote cuff design, Paisley. It'll be in my Etsy shop tomorrow, and I'm working on getting the pattern ready to publish too. :-)

What do you wear when you want to look good in the desert? Why, this Desert Diva cuff, of course!

Once again, Carol Dean Sharpe (aka SandFibers) deserves some credit for this creation. After she saw my Camo Cuff she said that I needed to create a camouflage design that would work in the desert, in honor of the troops who are (sadly) still serving in Iraq. She even sent me a link to Wikipedia to help me out with the design! How nice is that?!?!?

Once I saw the design of the 6-color chocolate chip camouflage, I knew I'd have to create something like that. It's so very different than the "woodsy" camouflage design I used for my other cuffs (oh yeah, I also created a cuff called Hiding in the Hydrangeas, for people who just don't want to wear traditional camo). This pattern actually uses five colors -- cream, mocha, chocolate brown, black, and white; and I'm really happy with the way it turned out.

It's what all the desert divas are wearing this season... :-)

I really liked the way the Camo Cuff turned out, so I decided to make another one using some different colors. Now I know I could have gone with another "traditional" set of colors, but where's the fun in that?!?! I chose instead to create some camouflage for those people looking to hide out in their shrubbery. So here's my newest creation, Hiding in the Hydrangeas.

I think I've been inspired to do more beadweaving lately because I've sold quite a few pieces (YAY!) and because I've been lucky enough to be featured in a number of treasuries in these past few days. These are all wonderful collections of goodies, and I'm thrilled to have my pieces featured in them.

This first one was created by a fellow beadweaver, Susan (ClinkscalesArts), and includes my Foxxy Cleopatra Cuff. Her title says she was unprepared, but I don't believe it for a minute. Don't you think Susan's Mocha Eggplant earrings would have fit nicely into that collection?


Ann (myfairladyvt4) put together this wonderful treasury filled with bracelets and included Fruit Cocktail in it. I honestly try to keep up with what my fellow Etsy BeadWeavers are creating, but there were some in here I'd never seen before. Ann creates these little beaded doilies that are phenomenal. Don't you just love this Citrus Doily Bracelet?

Marilyn (GrandmaMarilyns) must have been tickled pink when she created this treasury with the same name. She also included Foxxy Cleopatra amongst this treasury made up entirely of beadweaving.

Marilyn's Cats Eye Hugs and Kisses Earrings and Pendant would have been right at home in that collection!

And... Carol Dean (SandFibers) included Fruit Cocktail in this delicious-looking collection of Tutti Fruiti.

I know it's not citrus (which Carol Dean featured prominently in that collection), but I think blueberries and limes would qualify as tutti fruiti, don't you? This Green and Blue Split Personality pendant looks positively yummy.

Ileana (enchantedbeads) has been doing a great job of snagging treasuries lately, and she just assembled Days and Nights today and included my Champagne Fire bracelet in it.

Ileana is best known for her beadwoven brooches and pendants, but I just love this little Jewelry Box. It's the perfect place to store tiny treasures. :-)

Wanna see more treasuries that feature beadweaving? Check out this Etsy forum thread! You won't believe what beautiful creations are produced by the members of this talented team. If you're thinking of assembling a treasury, search for EBW TEAM in titles/tags and you'll find an endless supply of beauty to include.

:-)