Sock Monkey Pandora-Style Bead

I'm posting a picture of a little bead that was a special request. I don't make a lot of Pandora-style sculptural beads because they can be quite tricky, at least for me. Size becomes an issue and so does weight.

But I thought this one turned out very cute. It's not perfect. This is the 'first try' bead. I'll definitely correct his little eyebrows and probably thicken up the glass on his ears. Maybe make his pom-pom a bit smaller.

But I like him. I think I'll put him on my own bracelet and parade him around town. I think he's a super funny little fella!

Finally!

Wow, what a day yesterday was.
Did your heart swell with pride?
In your mind, were you saying to yourself, 'Finally....finally'?

I was.
My son and I watched in wonder as hundreds of thousands of voices raised and hands beat against the cold air for this new president. I tried to get Anna to watch but she didn't get it.
I just have to share her reaction.

me: "Anna, come watch this. It's history. You'll be sorry if you miss it."
she, glancing at the screen: "Why is everyone so excited? It's just a new president."
me, in horror: "Yes, it is a new president and that's exciting enough. But this is the first black president in US history. An African-American in the white house."
she: "Why does it matter what color he is?"

At first, I have to admit, I was shocked. Surprised and a little embarrassed about such an uninformed comment. And then I wasn't. Then, I was happy.

Because that comment means something. My ten-year old daughter really did get it. Skin color couldn't mean less to her. People just are who they are. Finally, a generation is coming up in America who maybe does get it.

I was proud of myself, too, because I helped put that there in her head. Despite living in the extreme South where, in many places - including our very rural small town, bigots filled with ignorance and prejudice still roam free.

Did I mention that, when I went to vote, not a single Obama sign was present at our voting poll? Scary, isn't it? But not at our house.

Of course, I went on to explain about the Civil Rights movement, segregation, repression, and what an amazing, hard-won accomplishment this election was.

She shrugged. Yes, she knows all about that - slavery, the civil war, separate schools and water fountains, not allowed in restaurants or the front of buses. People were mean and stupid back then. (her words, not mine)

'But, isn't that supposed to be over?' she asked. 'People know better now, don't they?"

Yes, her comments are naive and simplistic. She's ten. But she's on the right track.

Some new(ish) lampwork

Is everyone ready for the inauguration? I am. Very, very excited.

In the mean time, it's been a little while since I've posted any of my lampwork beads and other things, so I thought I'd just put up a few pictures.

I honestly can't remember if I posted pictures of Sock Monkey and Bunny Foo Foo, but I'll do that now. They're really cute little 'toy' beads that I've been making. I actually have a Sock Monkey Pandora-style bead that I haven't taken pics of yet. I will, though.

Both of these lampwork beads are available on Etsy right now.

Ihave some other things on Etsy right now. I've been experimenting with jewelry lately. If nothing else, it's giving me a very good perspective on what jewelry designers need, bead-wise. It's not always what I think they need at all. In fact, the beads I want to make are not usually condusive to design at all. Lesson learned.

Anyway, also at Mermaid Glass on Etsy.....

These beads are actually listed on Ebay right now or will be in the next day or two. The top one is actually an old bead. I made it almost a year ago, held on to it, never made anything with it and decided to let it go out into the world. So far, nobody wants it. Bleh! Too bad. It's extremely cool and very bright.

Thanks for checking things out. Have a great Monday night.

Facts I know to be true

I had to post this here. It's true, all of it, every word!
I have marked in bold letters the ones that I am either guilty of doing or find particularly accurate and insightful.

THINGS I HAVE LEARNED FROM LIVING IN THE SOUTH

• There are 5,000 types of snakes on earth and 4,998 live in The South
• There are 10,000 types of spiders. All 10,000 live in The South, plus a couple no one's seen before.
• If it grows, it sticks; if it crawls, it bites
• Onced and Twiced are words
• It is not a shopping cart; it is a buggy
• People actually grow and eat okra
• 'Fixinto' is one word
• There is no such thing as 'lunch.' There is only dinner and then supper
• Iced tea is appropriate for all meals and you start drinking it when you're two.
• Backwards and forwards means 'I knoweverything about you.'
• *DJeet is actually a phrase meaning 'Did you eat?'
• *You don't PUSH buttons, you MASH them
• You don't have to wear a watch because it doesn't matter what time it is. You work until you're done or it's too dark to see
• 'Fix' is a verb. Example: 'I'm fixing to go to the store.'
• You measure distance in minutes.
• You'll probably have to switch from 'heat' to 'A/C' in the same day
• All the festivals across the state are named after a fruit, vegetable, grain, insect or animal.
• You install security lights on your house and garage and leave both unlocked
• You carry jumper cables in your car . . . for your OWN car
• There are only four spices: salt, pepper, Tabascoand ketchup
• The local papers cover national and international news on one page, but require 6 pages for local gossip and sports
• The first day of deer season is a national holiday.
• 100 degrees Fahrenheit is 'a little warm.'
• We have four seasons: Almost Summer, Summer, still Summer and Christmas
• Going to Wal-mart is a favorite past time known as 'goin' Wal-martin' or off to 'Wally World.'
• A cool snap (below 70 degrees) is good pinto-bean weather
• A carbonated soft drink isn't a soda, cola or pop. . . . it's a Coke, regardlessof brand or flavor. Example: 'What kinda coke you want?'
• Fried catfish is the other white meat
• We don't need no stinking driver's ed . . . if our mama says we can drive, we candrive

If you understand these jokes please forward them to your friends from the south (and those who just wish they were).
EVERYONE can't be from the south; it takes luck.

More pretty stuff

It's currently too cold to make beads so, I've been wasting my time on the computer.

And yes, I have made another treasury. I'm vaguely addicted to it. There are so many gorgeous things out there and I've sort of take it as my own personal responsibility to make sure as many people as possible see them

What an egotistical maniac I am.

Anyway, check this one out. Come see it. Click. Comment. I'm sure all the Etsyians will appreciate it.

http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list.php?room_id=33463