Tis the Season

Well it's that time of year again. You ponder how you survived the holidays, the family, the weight gain, where you have been and where you are going. It's a time to review last year Resolutions and time to make new ones. Lately, I've been pondering the fate of Loner Designs and as I look at my wesite, I see why my sales were low this year. I know that economy wasn't that great this year, the cost of gas, the cost of food, etc, but I also know that I have put out my best work. I have been lazy, I didn't work on Loner Designs, such as finding my style, my voice. So I sit here and ponder, I ponder a name change...such as Helen Mills Designs, HM Designs, etc., but does it really change anything?

Baby It's Hot Outside

Well it's shaping up to be another hot one in the NE & SE. My sister is as I type at the Brooklyn Indie Market. It's been a bit slow since there is not much foot traffic, but my sister says that everyone there is really great...but it would be nice to break even. It's only in the high 80s but according to my sister under the tent its about 90+ degrees. I didn't have the heart to tell her that it's 92 here in Florida and my dog and I are hanging out pool side. Hey I deserve it after two all nighters making product...

Brooklyn Indie Market

Hi Again.

The promoters at the Brooklyn Indie Market have found a home on Smith Street and every weekend from May through December they will have 20 independent designers selling their handmade items either under the big tent or kiosks all located in the chic and fashionable neighborhood of Cobble Hill, Brooklyn. They have been kind enough to allow us to participate on Saturday, July 14th. Look for us under the big tent - on the corner of Smith and Union Street, just next to the Carroll Street station F train stop and Carroll Park 11:00 am to 7:00 pm.

A Vat of Salsa

Didn't mean to disappear...
I had good intentions when I started the weekend about making product..but I will blame the Salsa.
Friday night started with a couple of Cold Coronas, 1 pot of boiling water 10 jalapeño peppers, tomato, onion and cilantro, garlic and salt. First batch of Salsa included 6 peppers - Oh crap too hot...tried to cool it off with more tomato - didn't work. Hubby went off to the store for more ingredients. We tried another batch - this time 4 peppers, oh crap again, still too hot…so I watered down the heat with more tomato followed by a few more Coronas and chips. In the end we made about a gallon of salsa...
Saturday, I met with my friend Denise. We talk about getting together to help each other with our individual businesses. I think it was a successful meeting; she was still speaking to me as of yesterday. In the coming weeks I'll give you an update on our plans...
Sunday Morning, My landscaping - jungle-ish. So I spent the morning hacking at the plants outside. Had time for a 5 minute swim before the afternoon thunderstorms began and then I heard my torch calling me. So I spent the next few hours making more of my favorite Monet Lampwork Beads.
Sunday Night, I discovered that the Vat of Salsa had finally mellowed and tasted damn good.
So what to do with a Vat of Salsa - invite some friends over for dinner this Saturday Night. Menu - Mexican of course.

Monet Calling - Part 2

Last Sunday I spent a large portion of the day in front of my torch, instead of bending wire around pretty stones. So in order to feel as if I didn't waste the day, I decided to post my little creations. My goal was to accent a pretty blue cord that I found at a local bead shop, so perhaps if I finish the necklace tonight I will post it tomorrow. I also did promise myself that I would bend wire this weekend, but now...hmmm... I think to myself that I really did enjoy my torch time. However, it's going to be a busy weekend so my torch may have to wait. Later today, I have a meeting with a friend who creates the most beautiful designs that I can only describe by saying I envy her talents. I also have a show coming up in August and as my sister says to me all the time, "You better get busy making some product."

Monet Calling

It was beyond warm today, at 4:30pm it was 90◦F in the shade (really!), but the need to play with fire today overcame my need to stay indoors or to lounge in the pool. I started the morning by working on necklace with a blue micro suede and then thought that some of my Monet lampwork beads would compliment the cord, but of course all I had were a mix of mismatched Monet beads. I fired up the kiln and made about 13 beads - mix of bicone, button and lentil shapes and as I write the kiln is ramping down.

These earrings consists of my handmade lampwork beads inspired by Monet's The Artist's Garden at Giverny, accented with Swarovski Crystals in Capri Blue, Bali Silver & sterling silver ear wires. Earrings are available with a square or round lampwork bead. LD-ER139. http://www.lonerdesigns.com/LD-ER139.htm

Cool Waters

Ah summer is here.
Time to relax by the cool blue waters and time to start wearing my favorite variations of blue with light linen clothing. Its about mixing seaside colors and this season the influence of the water and white sandy beaches will be accented with organic shades of sand and greens. Also finding their way is nature, pale pastels and other neutral colors. This piece is about mixing blues, purples, pinks with a hint of silver.

View the Collection: http://www.lonerdesigns.com/Summer%20'06%20Ocean%20Collection.htm

Lazy Girl

I have been a lazy girl this Spring, but I finally and slowly starting adding my Spring/Summer 2007 Designs to my website. I incorporated some of the gorgeous beads I purchased during my last bead shopping spree in NYC. I love the feel of the rough Citrine nugget and the look of the Ocean Jasper - it's almost translucent. Ah there are days where I think I rather hoard my beads than sell them but...

Come and see:

http://www.lonerdesigns.com/Spring%20Summer%202007.htm