Have a Blessed Christmas

Stay safe where it is snowing madly and have a very merrry Christmas:)

Funky Monkey Girls,
Jolene & Donna

My 300th post

http://www.freefoto.com/browse/90-15-0?ffid=90-15-0

Dang, I talk a lot sometimes. The comment to my last post was an ad....that is interesting. Well, the extra money that I will get by working tomorrow afternoon will be quite helpful.

I am wondering where my creative elf hid out at because he needs to get his butt back into my studio so I can start getting on my new years jewelery stuff.

Funky Monkey Girls are in another store in Tucson:

Artists at Work 2400 N Campbell Tucson, AZ 85719

Now, if these wonderful beautiful items will sell more often, I & mom would be incredibly happy campers:)

If I can't get on here tomorrow or Christmas, have a wonderful Christmas!!!

Tis the season...

I got back into the Christmas mood last night. I was on the very SLLLOOOWWW laptop at home & hear Christmas carols. I get up, look outside the front door and then my back door and someone behind me, had a loudspeaker going & I heard Christmas carols from! That and the cool mist that covered everything just put me in the Christmas spirit, praying helped too!

My goals for 2010:

1. Purchase a really good camera for pictures.
2. Get on Facebook with friends at least 3x per week for a limited amount of time (1hr max)
3. Get on Business Facebook 4x per week espically when I make new items and take pictures of them. (1hr max)
4. Dedicate 1hr per day to take pictures of jewelery(right after day job is done)
5. Dedicate 2hrs every other day to make jewelery if the creative juice is flowing, cause if it isn't flowing I can't create worth a crap:)
6. Taking vitamins/calcium pill every day...

So basically I work at home, die/eat and go to bed....of course, adjustments will be paid aka if I am at Tom's house but hopefully this is doable.

almost christmas & issues with ICE resin.

I am so trying to get in the Christmas spirit but I just can't. Day job is a scoorage and it is draining not just holiday cheer but life spirit out of me. I am praying about it of course and wondering what kind of lesson that God wants me to learn out of this?

I did put some jewelery in Henry's shop, it is 50/50 so I will keep it in there for 3 months, yes I have intventory sheet and it it doesn't go, then I pull it out.

I am having one heck of a time getting my ICE resin to cure properly this time!!! HELP!!!!

Have a very Merry Christmas and I will to:)

christmas

Well, I need to run home and make more jewelery tonight for Henry's store. I guess I sold something in the gallery before it even opened, at least I hope it was piece of jewelry, sometimes people do get confused LOLOLOL. He wants our jewelery in his store so on Saturday, I am going over to talk about comission, pricing etc. I am really looking forward to that:)

I think the grinch has struck at work, not here but elsewhere. I am trying to be merry and bright but all I want to do is stay home in bed! If you haven't guess, home is my safe zone. I am going over to Tom's this weekend, because we need to leave ms sadie at his house so she doesn't claw/chew up my front room door. We need her on puppy prozac as soon as we can afford it, poor thing.

I am exhausted.......

Too much stress going on for this time of the year! I thought it was suppose to be festive and loving, I haven't seen much of that at all this year. This is the type of week where I really wish I would have stayed in bed all week.

The cold weather is really bothering me this year...I ache so bad that it even hurts to walk. Oh well, I can overcome the evil of pain!!

Have a very Merry Christmas and hopefully I can get some other pictures on here once I get on my computer at home!

Day Job

It has been so busy that I don't know if I am coming or going or doing whatever!!! I finally put up my Christmas tree at home so it is starting to feel like Christmas. The cold weather is kicking my hips/neck and shoulders really bad. I hate the cold, hate it, hate it, hate it....that is why I moved away from Minnesota.

Tom & I are great and have enjoyed our weekends together. We went to the 4th Ave Street Fair and I was disappointed that there was a LOT of non handmade items out there. I thought this was a juried show?

I did purchase a Christmas present for my mom, I will probably have to get Tom's after the holidays and he will get mine after that as well. I can't get an answer from him what he wants...MEN!

I'M ALIVE!

I know....day job busy busy busy, I have spent most of the past 4 days with Tom who does have a computer btw, but we haven't really had couple time for the past month & 1/2 since his dad and my family have been here. We live 30 minutes apart so the only time we see each other is weekends.

let me see, I got into a gallery and the grand opening is this weekend, here is the address and website: Aurora Show gallery 2402, 2400-2402 N Campbell Tucson AZ 85719. www.gallery2402.com We got 9 pieces in and he does want some pieces for his regular shop. I will talk to him this weekend and see what type of percentage etc that he takes out for his store when the product sells. So check our jewelery if you are in Tucson, corner of Campbell & Grant.

I am definately putting my house on the market second weekend of Jan so if you are looking, I will put the info in here. The 4th Ave Street Fair is this weekend so Tom & I are going tomorrow, we both got the date off:)

Have a wonderful weekend!

day job computer

I can't get this thing to load any new pictures. I will have to do it at home, very annoying. It is also annoying that I can't leave or even comment to some folks in my blog or theirs. ergh.

It is FRIDAY! It is a beautiful day here in Tucson, the sky is a beautiful beautiful blue and it is a bit cold. I am going to put up my christmas tree on Monday because it is Tom & I's weekend by ourselves for a long time, we are both excited!!!

I picked a bunch of jewelery to show Henry or Harry, I am so awful at names to show him tomorrow! I have to ask what percentage etc that he takes off for commission etc. But that will be cool to have another place here in Tucson:)

I still have some work to do so have a safe and blessed weekend!

Parents have left

Picture by Jolene; baby bobcats 2008 in my yard.

They left early this morning. I will miss them but now my house is mine again!!!!! Mom & I made some more jewelery that I am going to take to the new shop & hopefully he will love some pieces to put into the gallery, keeping the fingers crossed.

I have to go to Target and pick up some stuff so I doubt if I will have time to take pictures. I may do it at Tom's house and just bring my stuff with me.

I was totally wishing today was Friday, bummer it is not. For those who comment in this blog, I can not comment to a bunch of people from day job. My computer is wanky here......

Putting my house up for sale.

I will be putting my house for sale the second week of Jan...:( I am sad because I LOVE my house but I wasn't expecting to get married either:) Mom & I had a fun day together yesterday. We got into another store here in Tucson and we may have some pieces in a gallery showing next weekend as well:) cool beans let me tell you:)

Everybody got home safely so that is good. Mom & dad will be leaving tomorrow and then I will have to readjust to living in a quiet place again:)

I have been so busy with family things, that I have a lot of pictures that I need to take & get the sites updated and send some jewelery out.

It has been a great visit all along and nice to see everyone again:)

Holidays in full bloom

Picture by Jolene Hardy

We had a great Thanksgiving:) Everybody helped out in the kitchen and Tom really enjoyed that. Josie and Sadie got a long better after a couple of hours and it was just nice:) My brother left Saturday so my other brother and his daughter are leaving today so the house will be quiet again. I must have more people over so I don't get freaked out, bad word, but I am not use to all that noise, that is what I am trying to state.

We got my wedding dress and I re tried it on with my niece's dress. I need to lose 10 pds or more cause it isn't fitting as well as it did when I first tried it on, so that is a good goal. I go talk to a realtor tomorrow and see about getting my house for sale. I am sad because I love it so but you have to give up to gain something much better:) Getting nervous about the wedding stuff too, don't ask me why but once I find a reception place, I will feel better.

Of course with so many people, no beading was done so hopefully, mom & I can get on that tonight. We have work to do:)

Thanksgiving

I just am grateful for my Tom, family,friends and others who lives I briefly touch at my day job and thru my jewelery.

Well, Jeff and his family are showing up today then Jim & Kennedy show up tomorrow:) Hopefully my dead furnance will be a cheap fix...keeping fingers crossed & praying about it!

The studio is clean...I mean clean! I don't think I have ever seen it this clean. I will take pictures and attempt to get both messy studio & clean studio side by side.

I have been working my arse off at day job and I am one pooped out monkey! I get another trigger point injection today, I am pretty excited about it cause it works!

I wish all of you and your families Happy Thanksgiving and may the Lord bless each and everyone of you:)

wrong store name

I need a vacation let me tell you. Here is the link for the store where we sold a bunch of jewelery: http://www.coppercountryantiques.com/

busy week

Dang, I haven't had time to do much of anything fun this week:( The folks are here and I got dad approval, so whew! A good thing, my studio is almost cleaned up and mom & I have been making new things to add to Etsy stores so check them out:

http://www.etsy.com/shop/FunkyMonkeys

Not too much added on Viva Mexico yet but it will come. We also sold a bunch of jewelery from Copper Canyon here in Tucson! That was awesome so tonight we will be bringing more pieces there to fill in our cabinet!

Tom is cooking for Thanksgiving, poor man! Both brothers and their families except for one niece are coming to my house for Thanksgiving! I am pretty excited. Tom has met all of them except for my one brother & niece then he should be over the hurdle for awhile at least.

I am so excited...

Mom & I are beading our little fingers off...just wait till you see our new jewelery on our Esty sites:)

:) Looking forward to "seeing" you there and don't forget we extended our sale until 11/21:) Shop now for those favorites or they will be going to another home or styled into a different piece of jewelery:)

busy swamped day

This has been too busy of day....it was pretty awful.

The folks are here:) Tom will meet dad really briefly because he has to get home to pee the dog:)

HAPPY MONDAY!

I had a really nice weekend! Tom & I walked around the mall on Saturday and then got some DVD's GI Joe and Battlestar Galatic, in which I am so getting Tom hooked on:)

Sunday was chilling out and then back to my house I go, getting it ready for parents. I vaccumed a couple of rooms, washed the kitchen floor and cleaned a bathroom. Tonight, I do the rest of vaccumming and dusting. My studio, has a path to get from the door to the tables LOL. I know I keep promising to put these pics on here but after working most of day job on a computer, I don't like being on one at home.

I have some more jewelery on Etsy and I sold another piece:) YEA!! The sale is still on until 11/18 @6:00pm PST. Mom will be here so we shouldn't have any problems building the stores back up.

I am also going to have mom & dad pick up my wedding dress:) I am really excited, I still haven't picked the color of my bridesmaid dresses and I need to get that done soon.

SALE SALE SALE

There is a sale going on from 11/13 - 11/18 in both the Funky Monkey Girls shop and VivaMexico....here are the links to both shops:

http://www.etsy.com/shop/FunkyMonkeys

http://www.etsy.com/shop/vivamexico

I may keep adding more items to our sales list to make room for Christmas and the start of the New Year!

Veterans Day

http://www.ace-clipart.com/american-flag-photos-02.html

From one veteran to another....happy belated veterans day!

hating my bank...

When my wonderful credit union merged with this evil credity union....not good things resulted. Oh, we promise you will have NO issues or problems with the merge...HA! THEY LIED! sigh. So now, I have to go thru a huge amount of hassle to get my direct depost & other things moved to another bank.

Tom's dad is leaving tomorrow early and we are going on a date:) We only get weekends to see each since we live about 30 minutes away and it is hard on weekdays to get together espically with psycho Sadie who needs puppy prozac cause she freaks when her humans aren't there and even out of her sight.

My parents are coming some time next week so at least that gives me more time to wash the floors in my house. I was hit with the creativity bug so I made some jewelery. I also have to send more jewelery to the museum and Margaret's shop.

OH, I sold another piece of jewelery at the museum!!! hooray! Plus, I need to have a big Etsy sale so I will work on that either day if possible or tomorrow if possible.

Dad test

Well, it is official, Tom's dad likes me and states that I am a very nice girl! Hooray. It is always nice to have the significant others parents and family liking you:)

We went to the Celtic Faire this weekend, it was a lot of fun. Of course I forgot my sun block but no burning, yea! Then on Sunday we went to the casino here. They still allowed smoking in there and the ventilation wasn't good so yucky. Tom is so thrilled that he quit smoking cause he was stating how gross it smelled:) I lost $6.00...oh well:)

Parents are coming this weekend and a hurrican maybe be heading their way so very good timing on a visit.

I haven't been on here or Facebook all weekend so I will be doing some of that LOLOLOL...

Fort Hood

We need to remember to keep the entire post in our minds and our prayers and the list of wounded and dead listed below:

Among them are Justin Johnson of Punta Gorda, Florida; George Stratton II of Post Falls, Idaho; Kimberly Munley, the Fort Hood police officer who returned fire and halted the suspect; Nathan Hewitt of Lafayette, Indiana; and Keara Bono of Independence, Missouri, Ray Saucedo, hometown unspecified; Spc. Grant Moxon, of Lodi, Wisconsin; Amber Bahr, of Random Lake, Wisconsin; Matthew Cooke, hometown unspecified; and Staff Sgt. Joy Clark, of Des Moines, Iowa.

I am sadden to hear about this yesterday and being a veteran who served in the Gulf War I, this is so very tragic and sad. Even pray for the shooting and his family.

May God keep them close.

Honestly...

Picture by Jolene Hardy

I did take pictures last night of the messy studio. I got busy doing some jewelery and posting it on Etsy when hmmmm, I started feeling really really tired, I looked at the clock at it was 9:30pm, I am so NOT an night owl. So, the pictures will be on here tonight, I promise.

There has to be a full moon cause we got some werid patients going on....strange.

Today

It is a good day at day job because we only have 1/2 day of clinic:) We usually have training or a staff meeting going on which is today.....gee how fun.

I didn't get on the computer at home at all. Tom came over to see if the dead stinkey critter was in my laundry room causing a nasty odor....nope it wasn't...hmmm. I got my dishes down and then when Tom left, I read a book. I should have worked on my studio. I will take a picture of the scary studio and post it here tomorrow which hopefully will get me motivated.....:) Big problem, not in creating mood. It will come back when it does, then the studio will look better or worse LOLOLOL!

Okay, what happened to Fall?

Picture by Jolene Hardy

Where did fall go? Did it disappear from Tucson while I was sick? That isn't fair! I love fall it is one of my mostest favorites seasons! I like the crispy cold weather, the crispy leaves and apples bought from an orchard. yumminess. Mind you, I hate the next season that comes after fall espically in Minnesota.

I was hoping for more fall time since I can go outside and don't have to worry about breathing on people.

I updated Etsy shoppes last night...please go to links below:

http://www.etsy.com/shop/FunkyMonkeys

http://www.etsy.com/shop/vivamexico

:)

Back to work!

Picture taken by Jolene Hardy

I am back to work and going thru my tons of e-mails. My fever finally broke yesterday praise the Lord. I don't have a lot of time so if I can't cover it with leave, then I don't get paid for that day, which will suck.

Well, back to work.

H1N1 sucks..

Mom's funky bracelet, the fiber beads can be bought from here...http://www.etsy.com/shop/Ebrown2503

My advice, try not to get this crap.....I got the medication in time so I feel loads better but I can't get rid of my stupid fever. If I am fever free for 48 hrs than I can go back to work. I did clean up some of the house when I was feeling better, took tons of pictures to update Etsy stores and right now, I am Sadie sitting while Tom & his dad runs around doing some errands for him and for me. She has finally calmed down a bit and now lies down by me & occasionaly gets up to see where dad is at.

I am looking forward to talking to Tom's dad somemore once I am no longer contagious.

Oh it is Wednesday..

I wish I was there, pic by Jolene, beach by mom.

Well, the weekend was fun, sold a few things but got my name out there. Monday I start getting sick, Tuesday sick, then today I call to see if I can get an appointment. My provider THINKS I have H1N1, so I am on medication for that, off for seven days and will spray all jewelery with stuff that will santize everything.

So, if you don't hear from me for a well, I am in bed either freezing or cold.

Prayers!

Church here in Tucson pic by Jolene Hardy

Please pray for the success of the show tomorrow, Tom's knee will hold up (it has been hurting for a year & finally he goes into the doctor, we will learn more later) and that we can sell loads of stuff, meet more people and most importantly, have a great time.

I will be sure to bring a camera so you can all see the booth and my poor sign, be gentle.....:)

Have a happy and fulfilling weekend and both shops will be on vacation mode starting @1615 pst. :)

DAY JOB

IT SUCKS..................

please continue with the regular blogging.

whew....it is Friday

Picture of catus and mountains here in Tucson.


I got all my packing ready for the show, I can kind of see why I don't do a lot of them cause they are hard work but at least Tom will be able to help me out:) I just hope we can get everything into his car!





My hand made sign turned out okay. I switch my mind and glue beads on so it reads funky Monkey girls with beads, one ribbon and two girls. I have to figure out what I am going to do with the other side but I think I will hammer a mirror on it, I used an extra piece of shelving that I had laying around.





I am so pooped out and I still have to purchase receipt books! Can't forget those & I have some but it disappered, I am hoping it is in one of my boxes and I was so tired last night that I just didn't see it.





I am a bit nervous and excited of course. I may put the Etsy shops on vacation to ensure nothing gets sold twice, that would be a bad thing. The clock is kicking so slowly so I am off to do some more filing...it really needs to get done.

sign for booth

Since they don't want a hand written sign, which I understand, I just had a brilliant idea! I am going to take old rather yucky glass beads and with wire make a Funky Monkey Girl sign and put it on some poster board....I am going to be busy tonight with making lists and packing...wish me luck!

This is the blog where the give away is at...

http://www.sweetbeadstudio.com/

Another give away:)

And now the part you’ve been waiting for…..
The Blog Give Away! (2 winners)
To celebrate the release of Easy Wire 2009, I’ve put together a BIG selection of goodies for your creative enjoyment! (Especially if you’ve been wanting to start stamping or designing with metal)
Grand prize:
- A copy of Easy Wire 2009
- 36 piece 1/8″ Letter and Number stamp set
-Eurotool metal punch
-110 piece copper washer set
-Sheet metal: copper and nickel silver
-18 gauge pure copper wire, 10 yard spool
Tadaaaaaaaaaa! And I know everyone wants a chance to win, so the lucky 2nd place winner will win a copy of Easy Wire 2009.
To enter, simply leave a comment on this post….and if you’d like your name in the “hat” twice, please share this give away on your blog! :-) Give away ends at midnight EST on Oct. 27th.
Thanks for stopping by and celebrating with me - and to all of my friends and blog followers here in this online community, YOU have been my inspiration!

Today...

I think it is close to the full moon because all heck is breaking loose at day job. I don't care what stupid scienctic studies state, I fully believe that people getting crazier when it comes.

Not as tired as yesterday, praise God.

Got to get back to work...

This past weekend...

I got all my jewelery tagged for the show, the tent & tables are put in Tom's car, I have a receipt book, must get some more bags and other receipt books and money.

http://www.ecolivingfest.org/ I will be there Saturday 10/24 selling my wares, so please come & say hi!

Hooray it is Friday!

I am one pooped out person. I can not keep working late because I am going to make myself sick. BUT almost all the stuff is ready for the show next weekend:) Just have to find a few more things and then we are ready to go:)

Have a wonderful weekend!

exhausted

I worked at day job until 6:30pm. I had so much to do even with a sign that basically states leave me alone, I still getbugged. So I stayed late to get some stuff done but I know I can NOT do that all the time...

The trigger point injection went really really well:) I loved my doctor I went too so will update about how it feels.

I made some things that were completely different for me, if I had more energy today, I would have finish them so I will work on them tomorrow!

Tuesday is such a Monday

We were off yesterday. I spent most of the weekend with Tom & Sadie doggie working on getting my craft tent set up and tagging everything for the show upcoming on 1024, they received my registration and money so it is on:)

Day job too busy for words and I am scheduled for a trigger point injection tomorrow to help with my fibro, I sure hope that works!!!

My show

Mom's beautiful piece!

They received my application and money hooray! So, I am going home & working on price tags and making more jewelery for one of my stores in San Antonio who contacted me as well, oh that burden has been lifted off my shoulders:)

HOORAY IT IS FRIDAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

New updated jewelery in our Etsy shops.

What is even better it is Friday and a 3 day weekend in which both Tom & I need really bad. Day job has just beat the heck out of my these last 3 weeks and I am grateful to the Lord for helping me out during this time.

Our shops are being updated almost every day. I really really love Tom's camera and I think he knows he may never get it back:)

Links:

http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5041123

http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=7205503

This Thursday

I have been so busy that I didn't even know what time it was. Was a klutz and dropped lunch on the floor, on me and spattered on a nurse in our break room. Cleaned that up and luckily one of the other nurses was going to McDonald's & picked me up lunch.

What a day!

stuff

Well, it is definate, my niece had the H1N1, she lives in Minnesota. She was sick but not too bad, praise the Lord.

Mom has ordered new computer. I need new glue to put things on different jewelery. Hmm, was having some technical difficulties last night & felt like throwing it on the wall, I didn't. I guess you need stock of glue as well. This is what you learn by experimenting:)

It is a beautiful day in Tucson and I much rather be outside walking for a while. Maybe I will do that after lunch. I am still trying to figure out a different color for my bridemaids. The color I picked looks horrible on her so back to the coloring board so to speak.

My jewelery facebook account is going well. I am trying to pick friends that are crafty because I have my own personal facebook that I do with some games & stuff.

computer issues, paypal issues

Okay, way too many technical issues going on. For some strange reason, I ordered some things on Etsy but all of a sudden, all these items showed up stating that I bought them thru our paypal....nope, I didn't do that, so I had to contact these vendors feeling like an idiot & a bad customer cause something strange happened in our paypal account.

Mom figured out that but right now, mortgage is calling my happy name to pay it so fun stuff can't be bought at this moment. Then her computer totally crashed/burned and died, that is a bad thing for a professor who teaches on line.....

Life not good for Hardy family, my niece may have the H1N1, who lives in MN, my brother's family had AA lock up their luggage, I am not sure what happened with that yet and my other brother is sicker than a dog. I guess it is our turn to get the yuck that is going around!

I did have one review on our Etsy shops, thank you and I know our pictures aren't the greatest, I am slowly going thru them & getting them rephotographed with Tom's camera.

Weekend...

It was wonderful and very very needed. I come home on Sunday, fed myself & beaded...ah. My doctor put me an valium. Let's just say, I haven't been too healthy mentally so this will help clear and focus my mind...if I don't fall asleep on my keyboard......whheewwwww:)

I mailed a package out too late, I did put another item in it & apologized for it. I felt SO awful about it but life has been beating me with a sharp stick with thorns on it lately. I am going to get my studio into shape & get pictures etc on the walls. That will be my goal this week and I will move my sheelves in there to also assist.

My jewelery is no longer a hobby for me but I am going to take it seriously and use my BS, in organzational business adminstration & get it to work on this side of my life as well. I opened up our facebook account for Etsy:) So far so good and then I am trying to develop lines & make some of the same items, or close to each other so I can start doing that as well.

God is so awesome & so mighty and he will definately help me out. The family is being super supportive & Tom is AWESOME!

We went to Mandara Canyon, sorry I know I am spelling it wrong & it was wonderful to get up in the mountains, see green and just breath in that air. Sadie was smelling everything & Tom & I just relaxed...:) ahhhhhhh

Hop over to Lorelei blog to win........

WELCOME to this week's Enchanted Adornments Giveaway!
Here is some background info in case you are just tuning in for the first time:
Cynthia Thornton, of Green Girl Studios, has written an amazing book called Enchanted Adornments: Creating Mixed-Media Jewelry with Metal, Clay, Wire, Resin & More, and it will be released on November 1, 2009!I am really excited about the release of this book because Cynthia and her family, are all amazingly talented and this book will totally rock the hizzouse. But not only that, I contributed a piece of jewelry for the Gallery section of the book, and am really super excited for all of you to see it!
The Green Girl Studios team, graciously donated 8 small packages of beads to be randomly given away, in honor of the big book release, to my little blog! How cool is that!This week will be the first of the 8 givaways. This SIXTH package of beads contains 5 pewter components (4 beads and 1 button), all in the FROG theme!This week, I'd really like you to pass the word onalong on your own blogs/twitter/myspace/Facebook...whatever!Leave a comment and tell me where you've posted the giveaway.
In this day and age, MOST everyone is CONNECTED in some way, right?
All you have to do to enter yourself to win, is leave a comment on this post!Keep in mind, you will ONLY BE ENTERED ONCE by leaving a comment,
on this post only.
Please try to only leave one comment, or the counting will be way off! 1 comment per person will be counted. if you forget and leave 2 comments, one of your comments will be disqualified. (as long as I can keep up with that)
I will draw a random winner using the Random Integer Generator,on Monday Oct 12!Please keep in mind, you CAN NOT WIN if you leave an anonymous comment and don't tell me where I can reach you! So leave your emails!
Good luck to everyone!!
Check out the sidebar for the Calendar of Enchanted Adornments giveaways!
Posted by Lorelei at 5:00 AM
Labels: blog giveaway, enchanted adornments, frogs, green girl studios, pewter beads

Her blog:http://lorelei1141.blogspot.com/2009/10/enchanted-adornments-giveaway-no-6.html

critiques

It is facing the wrong way...oh boy, see what I tell you about computer skill stuff...

I keep trying to get critiques by going thru Etsy community site to no avail. I am trying to rescructure things & the business and if someone PLEASE go to our VivaMexico and Funky Monkey Girls shop and let me know some helpful tips in non computer guru language I would so appreciate it.

I am feeling a bit frustated as I am sure you all can tell!

Frida Kahlo

Frida's Broken Column choker by Jolene Hardy

I love Frida Kahlo! I think her picture called the Broken Column best explains fibro/chronic pain. I am trying to change her pictures if I use them in my designs. I am trying to do items or come up with lines that reflect me and how I make things.

I hope this makes sense cause I really want to go to Tom's house & day job is.....BLECK.

The week from HE**

You know, just when things can't get any worse, it does. I am getting hit with awful news at day job, life crap, the only thing is that my jewelery is getting photographed well, Tom & I are great and my family is safe & healthy. Those are all blessings.

Satan is being a pain & he needs to go away and I pray that God will bind him, which he will.

sheesh........

Beautiful Friday

I believe that fall is finally coming to the desert. It is a beautiful morning, I am drinking coffee and I stayed up late, my eyes were burning getting Etsy updated again...:) Yes, I am working on things for the show also..:)

So here are some pictures for you viewing pleasure

.

WOW...

I haven't posted in 2 days, how strange for me, huh? :) I have been trying to get all the awesome jewelery that my mom & I have made in the past posted in Etsy so someone can purchase a great piece for themselves instead of me looking at it:)

I need to take some more pictures tonight. I also need to pick up a bit, I have piles here & there, nothing too bad but it could turn that way!

Tom is coming over this weekend & we will have fun, hooray!

Updates.....

Funky Monkey Girls

Viva Mexico

Viva mexico

Funky Monkey Girls

Hooray, more updated yummys are now in our Etsy shoppes....check them out & here is a small sampling. Our Facebook is up and running as well.

Fiscal year

It is fast approaching the end of the fiscal year for my day job. So I am trying to get a bunch of things accomplished! argh........

I am still updating our facebook page so hopefully I won't get as tired as I did last night so I can get it up & running!

Also along with facebook, I need to shoot more pictures for Etsy....but like I stated, tons of jewelery and not on Etsy yet:) At least Tom's camera is pretty good for taking jewelery pictures. I just wish I had photoshop. I am definately going to save pennies for a new computer. My inheirated laptop is okay but I get so frustated with the dumb thing cause it is SO slow & does very odd stuff when you are in the middle of doing things...

Monday

It is Monday & I am facing it with joy. I got down in the dumps last couple of weeks and decieded that no-one was making me grumpy or down, I was doing it to myself....so new change of attitude was definately needed.

I did get a bunch more jewelery photo and added to our shoppes. Now, I am giving serious thought to opening yet another shop in Artfire. I am hoping that our product will move better than then it has on Etsy lately.

ANOTHER awesome thing, I got a beautiful antique looking emerald engagement ring from Tom!! The pictures are on the computer at home so I will put them on here later. I LOVE IT!!

I have picked up a great book about getting your jewelery business started etc. I am devouring it and intend to put much of what she wrote into practice. I have beautiful and unique pieces that I am not selling, so I am trying to figure out the issues. I am working on photography and do realize that is a major one.....Must learn from Margot Potter to be a selfless self promoter! :)

Excitement for today

I was contacted by a wonderful lady who reads this blog and noticed our jewelery and wants us to do a show in Arizona:) I am thrilled and very very flattered!

http://www.ecolivingfest.org/ is the website. I can only do one day but there is always next year!!

Hooray!!!!!!!!!!!!

Updated Etsy stores

This super cool necklace is now listed in Vivamexico in Etsy......

Our 2 stores Funky Monkey Girls and Vivamexico have been updated...please check them and shop and of course buy often:)

Okay better

Another cool pendant in the back of a pocket watch.

My steam punk pendant, this one turned out wonderfully!

This one did have a flat backed swarovski crystal on it, after resin, it looks like a mirror...that bubble looking thing is just a reflection, it is not on the pendant. The first picture doesn't have it on there.

Now, these are my items from playing with ICE resin....what do y'all think?

Alright, got home & listed some items in both Etsy shoppes Funky Monkey Girls and Vivamexico so I feel better that way:)

All pictures and jewlery items were done/taken by Jolene Hardy Funky Monkey Girls and copywrited as such.

Life stuff

I haven't been on the computer much, nor making jewelery much nor feel like talking to people. Doing a great deal of thinking and will be praying on it later, life changes. Not getting married but my day job. I work at a corrupt place from the top on down. I find it increasly difficult to work here. So, I am weighing all options & will be doing some praying on it later. I have enough years in to retire but I am too young....I think it is time to go do something else that doesn't bother me ethically. Yes, I protect my staff when I can but it appears that is being taken away from me as well. Not from my boss or any type of punishment just the way the system is.....

Please pray that I receive direction from God to know where he wants my path to go.

weekend & stuff

Graveyard at Tombstone.

Horrible day at day job and no computer at Tom's house so no posting of me until maybe Sunday sometime. Have a wonderful weekend all & may God bless!

quickie update

Busy, busy at day job. Taking pictures tonight for upload on Etsy. Mom made it to New Mexico just fine & I am enjoying my bed.......:)

Tired!

Boy I am tired....too many nights on the couch. Mom leaves tomorrow, I will miss her but looking forward to getting my bed back! I can NOT do this anymore. My neck is starting to hurt again so sorry mom, I love you but I have to work at work & I need my rest. Mom is lucky that she works at home.

This is a cute picture that mom took of Tom & I. No beading was done last night but disaster was stopped in the nick of time. I over poured the resin in some things & we both thought it was stuck to the wood where I put stuff on to dry. A little prying with a butter knife and we were still good since the resin wasn't completely dry yet....yikes!

Oh, don't use swarovski flat backs crystals with resin either....it now looks like a little mirror instead of a crystal. I wonder if I would have deco podged it would that have happened?

All sorts of new things being learned here & it is fun:)

Back from vacation

Mom & I had such fun. Shopping for beads and yes, I have found my wedding dress!! It is beautiful! Mom bought it for me:) Now, Tom has mom, brother, sister-in-law & nephew approval. My other brother lives in Minnesota and may not be done here & then it is the dad. Yes, my dad who still thinks I am 5 and I don't need a man, they are trouble & you will get hurt:) We will break that news to him in November after he meets Tom.

Beading news: We used my ICE resin for the first time. THAT STUFF STINKS! OH MY LORD IT WAS BAD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Our finished projects look great, will take pictures but sheesh, nasty nasty smell. I should have done it outside but I don't want dirt in my resin & I do live in Arizona. I had every fan, windows open to get rid of that smell, yuck. It is so easy to work with but the odor, oh boy.

I said congrats to Greg from Green Girls Studios about their upcoming little boy:) Such a talented family & of course, bought more Green Girl stuff. Mom actually made some jewelery that is pretty steam punk looking! I almost fell out of my chair:) Go monkey mom go!!

The meeting went great with mom & Tom & Sadie:) Sadie was all loving on mom, ignored me except when I had food, then I got her attention again, goofy dog:)

stuff

Too much stuff going on at day job, praise the Lord that I have vacation soon! I pick up mom at the airport tonight then off to bead show here in Tucson. I have a bad attitude today, please pray that it goes away but I am so sick of people that I am going to scream and run away!

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!

Day after Labor Day

Monkey dad(he turned 70 today)

Monkey mom...

Well, the brother's family made it safely here and got home safely too. They blew out a tire driving down the freeway so it was a little scary! The car is damaged, need a new bumper but the people nor the doggie were!

It was so nice to have them over. They loved my house & more important, they love Tom:) I got thumbs up!!! Hooray!

Now, Tom was suppose to go and pick out my engagement ring by himself but that changed I got to go with him....oh it is so beautiful and since it is custom, it needs to be made then he will get it in Feb/March. Hopefully I will get it before I go to MarsCon in MN in March:) LOLOLOL........I spent part of a day with him yesterday.

Very busy couple of weeks with relatives visiting, tomorrow monkey mom shows up and he will meet her also:) Dad still doesn't really know about the engagement etc, we are trying to break him in slowly cause I am the only girl and he is being a daddy and acting like I am still 12 yrs old:) That is okay....:)

Friday

Zoo at dayjob. It appears like it will storm so this is a quicky...Tom is looking/buying engagement ring this weekend. My brother Jeff and his family will be here tomorrow so that will be fun:)

Pain clinic & RAIN!

Okay I went to my group pain clinic appointment today. Filled out more paperwork and then she discussed pain clinic etc. I have an appointment to meet with the nurse/pharmacist to discuss my individual pain issues 10/13. I also asked if I could get my pain care from someone other that my main provider. I love my doctor BUT I also work with my doctor so it is hard for me to be aggressive in my pain care when I have to have a professional relationship with him as well.

GREAT NEWS...IT RAINED, THE BAD NEWS.........I HURT LIKE HECK!!!!!!!!!!!!

Tom, the love of my life, bought me a pre paid cell phone so my next cell phone bill won't be $400.00. He rocks my world and I love him dearly.

WE GOT THE CHAPEL AT THE GALLERY OF THE SUN! We are planning a very intimate wedding, around 20 people and then a bigger reception. I don't want anything huge but I still want the wedding and my dad bringing me down the aisle. :) First time getting married and I will be 45 then. I am finally ready....:)

A cloudy day

I am so busy that this will be short..........welcome new readers:) Day job is sucking and I am ready to go pound heads, sigh. I hate being a manager sometimes...it gets old.

No win for monkeys this Tuesday

Oh well, keep on trying:) I will list that piece in my shop on Etsy, maybe, I really love it and it is so comfortable to wear, very light. Rome wasn't built in a day, neither will this monkeys empire!! (please read to the sounds of the dark side of the force in star wars...LOLOLO)

It has been a crummy awful evil morning at day job. I am going to pray that God will switch that around and give me the wisdom when I am in a meeting this afternoon to be postive and try to offer up different soluctions...amen!

I will survive!!!!!!!!

Monday...just another day.

here is where we want to get married at:) cool!!

Well, it is late on Monday, thank God today went by fast!! Another hot day in Tucson and I spent a wonderful weekend with Tom and the monkey dog named Sadie:) Tom & I went to the Gallery of the Sun and we are planning on getting married there next year! DeGrazia made the cutest little chapel and Tom & I love that idea. I have never been married and I am not longer in my 20's so I rather have a small intimate wedding, nice reception and one kick butt honeymoon!

I was never one of those girls who dreamed about her wedding so I don't have the foggiest idea on what to do. I am looking at wedding gowns but they all look alike....BORING!

No beading at all this weekend...watching really bad movies on the sci fi channel. Oh, they just sucked but you can't turn the channel!

FRIDAY!!!!!!!

Sunset viewed in my backyard...

Oh thank God it is Friday. It has been a very long week dealing with very very rude and grumpy people at day job.........sigh.

I am off to Tom's house for the weekend. We are planning on doing some running around on Saturday then Sunday, it is church. I am PMS'ing which doesn't help ye olde mood either, sigh.

Sheesh, I forgot to blog about something.....for once!

oh, Mr Kotter, Mr Kotter!!! Okay, fine yes I am so showing my age but too bad:) I created something totally outside of what I usually make:) I was going to photo it last night but I need to buy some more batteries for my precious Tom's camera. Yes, he does realize that he may never get it back ever again........anyway back to the aha moment.

I had a domino bead in which I mod podged a Frida self portrait on it, then on the front, I put a F sticker, a flat back swarovski crystal and a pair of wings that I got from Art Girls. Then I wired an old optical lens on it so it pops the F.......it is really cool and very different from what I have done before.

I will pick up more batteries tonight after I get done with my CT scan of my head. Just checking the sinuses........I get tons of infections and sinus headaches and yes, I have tons of sinus surgies also so they just want to make sure everything is okay including to check if my brain is still there hee,heeeeeeeeeeee

Watch out one black night in Tucson, if you see me screaming I need brains, may I humbly suggest that you run NOW!!!!!!!!!!

Link to win Green Girl beads!!-go to Art Scene Blog...

**Horrible at linking stuff I am, go see Art Scene Blog dated 8/27/09:

The good folks over at Green Girl Studios sent us this awesome little collection of mermaid charms and pendants as a fun giveaway for our readers! How perfect, since waves and the ocean are this month's inspiration. This giveaway is separate from our monthly challenge. In fact we are making it so easy to win, everyone has a chance!How can I win that sweet stash?Your name can be entered into our drawing twice.One entry: leave a comment to this post. Yep, it's that easy!A bonus entry: blog, facebook or twitter about this post and leave a comment to let us know you did the deed!I will draw one random name on Monday. So you have until Sunday night to enter.
You know those beads are calling your name!
Did you know that Green Girl Studio's is hosting a mixed media design contest to celebrate the release of Cynthia's book, Enchanted Adornments?Here are the details, deadline is October 1st.And don't forget:
You have 5 days left to enter Soft Flex's Flex Your Creativity contest featuring their Trios wire combinations. Deadline is September 1st!
Enter the Art Bead Scene's monthly challenge to win bead from Elaine Ray and Patty Lakinsmith. Deadline is August 31st.
And spaces are filling up on the Bead Cruise, don't get left behind! Grab those beads and head to the high seas for 7 days of beading fun with me and our instructors: Melanie Brooks, Margie Deebs, Barb Switzer, Bevelry Herman and Mary Hettmansperger. Visit the website for all the details.
Posted by Heather Powers at 12:30 PM
Labels: bead contest, giveaway

ABS challenge

here is the picture of the necklace that I just put into their contest....we shall see what happens? Doesn't that fiber bead just rock!!! Made for me by the wonderful EBrown 2503 from Etsy...

Favorite Etsy store..

This is his pottery Frida piece made for us, cool tattoo and on my broken ankle:)

Please say hi to cyrusthepotter! He is from northern MN and mom stopped into his shop one day and totally loved everything in it. We have ordered commission items from him that we use in our jewelery.

http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5118903

Link to his shop above and he is a wonderful man and a Christian...

My life......

You know, my life is pretty darned great even with all the bills from the new house:) I am basically healthy, my day job is good (even though I seem to whine about it a lot), I make jewelery and fenturing out of my niche, so to speak and the new man in my life is wonderful. Yep, it is official, I am head over heels with Tom.

yesterday, he drove home, 30 minutes one way, to grab the Sadie monster(his dog) and drove to my house another 30 minutes just to cook dinner for us. He knows that I can't drive that well in the dark and made this effort because he missed me. TALK ABOUT MIND BLOWING!!!! No one that I have ever dated has done this type of stuff for me.............I mean NO ONE! I never believed in soul mates before and thought that it was all crap....now, I do.

I finally got my special art beads last night & created my piece to enter into the art scene contest. I did take some pictures last night but will take more tonight & then send them in:) I am really excited about it....