The new...

...prints have arrived and will be ready for sale at Swaffham on Friday at the indoor market.

Thank goodness, I was nearly out of them.  I'm asked about them every week...am I the artist.  I'm honest and say no...I'm not that talented.  Elle has all the talent...just gets the look in the eye just right, plus everything else.

This is her "A Winter Story".  I'm nearly out of the hare prints, but do have a rooster this time.  I've lots of greyhound and whippet prints for those who've been asking.

Of course, the French soap will be there as usual...verveine, masculin and lavender, plus olive oil soaps...body lotion and shower gel...just ask if you can't make Swaffham and would like to know more.  It won't be long before my whole range of items will be displayed.  Sandra...who has let me perch at the end of her tables, is moving (with her husband) into a shop in June...so exciting!  And I'm taking over the tables...so I'll see you there on Fridays!

I'm a...

...newbie again!

I've just put my first item on Folksy.  http://www.folksy.com/shops/EithneGlass

I know it's only one item with one photo, but I have to change my way of cropping pictures so they're square...but it's there... ;)

Tada...

...*drum roll*






Gosh, this exhibiting is hard work!

Anyway, a house update...we did get an offer, on the low side, but that's the second we have floating about. We also have one saying they want to come back for a second viewing, and another viewer on Saturday...so...

Ya know...(as all good interviewees say)...whatever happens, if we sell and move on, or if we don't and we stay here, I'm going to miss my conversations with the agents! They're not all too bad!

Today...

...normality returned. Today I did get to the garage, and I did get the paint. I also got new rollers for the paint, some candles...more wild bird food, and two pots of hyacinths...I will photo when they're flowering.

I also got the call from the agent. Our viewer went on to another house after visiting me, and it was in the village she lived in as a girl. When she told me that yesterday, I knew she'd prefer that...and the call today confirmed it.

So, now my painting and tiling continue...I'm looking forward to the refreshed kitchen.

Oh..oops! I also separated my jewellery from my beads on Etsy...I now have two shops.

Now there's...

...a thing!

As predicted, tomorrow came...and another draw ensued. This means that our run of not winning extends to seventeen, we have a replay to get through...but, it also means we ARE in the hat today. Let's hope game nineteen and the number thirteen are lucky for us! Nineteen because we play Notts Forest (who beat Man City yesterday), this coming Saturday (game eighteen), and how they'll be rejuvenated by that win and their new manager...and thirteen, because we replay against Norwich on Tuesday the 13th, and we're ball number thirteen in the draw today. I'm hoping that eighteen will be lucky, I have reservations there though!

Yesterday was different, seeing the game from a different vantage point, still having the same kind of supporters around us, but at least these were a little more positive towards the team. I am concerned about whether the board have the want to keep Jonjo Shelvey, he's just so good and a brightness in the gloom covering the Valley. For those who don't know, he's our sixteen year old midfielder, and little used this season, but already you can see his understanding of the game. His influence yesterday was beyond his years, and he scored a cracker of a goal. I just hope they remember that being under seventeen he's not worth as much as after seventeen...and any monetary difficulties we're in could influence that decision. Maybe by then they'll like us again, or have sold us on...I mean, Ashbey has taken Newcastle off the market, West Ham have more problems then it might be worth new owners looking at! Like a £30m debt to Sheffield United, plus other financial decisions to make. Back to the team, it was good seeing Yassin Moutaouakil playing again, and a surprise to see Matt Holland as a central defender, but you couldn't ask for more industry and savvy from an older midfielder! There were positives, but we are letting ourselves down each time.

We are "promised" four signings in this transfer window. I wonder? Who and how? More loans?

Anyway, in the short term...do I go shopping in Norwich next week? Decisions, decisions!

I also promise some new items being listed in my shop, and I'm thinking about separating my items out, maybe having one shop for the beads, and another for the jewellery...we'll see.

I promised...

...a few photos of jewellery made a week ago...earrings first...

And some pretty, girlie silver sets...

I've found these to be popular at present, just a light touch of colour and something a little feminine.

The photography is my husbands...he's in training!

I remembered...

...to order the hooks, and hopefully they should be with me today...

Last night I had a whale of a time. I went out with my daughter-in-law and youngest son's partner (doesn't that sound impersonal). Anyway, a girls night out. We went into town (London) and saw Hairspray...oh, if you have the chance and are close enough...GO!!! It's brilliant, and Micheal Ball as the mother...the tears rolled down our cheeks, he and the guy playing his/her husband got the giggles...and we all had foot stomping, clapping and cheering fun. It's what's needed in this mind numbing newsfest we're going through at present.

And my team lost again, though reading the blogs...we played a bit better. Maybe it was a case of they got their new manager a game before we did. We'll see on Saturday, though unless we score about eight goals we can't improve our position, but if we lose, and the teams below us win, we can slip further.

I'm going to take a photo of the necklace today, and I'll show it here later....so keep your eyes peeled. I've also got to get my act together with making...shopping(groceries) and then work. The husband doesn't want to starve for my art! ;)

There's got to be....

...some joy somewhere!?

My team lost again this afternoon. A 2 - 5 drubbing at home...I suppose the good side is it wasn't raining, and the Millwall supporter I'd spoken to earlier couldn't even remember who they were playing!

The consequence of the loss...our manager left the club by "mutual consent". That's the official term...he'd said at his press conference after the game, he wasn't resigning, but did fear for his job. Seems he had reason to. Now where does that leave us in getting a new person in position. There are a couple of names being banded about on the boards already, but we haven't got deep pockets, and it'll be a measure of who will come for nothing, and have nothing to spend...

I think it's going to be a long season...please, someone come and help. I promise to keep doing my bit...turning up, and shouting.

Back on the house front, yes, they did like the house, but we're too remote for them. I guess being only forty miles from London, is a bit remote!

So, jewellery...I made a necklace with some of the kyanite...it works beautifully...and will have matching ear-rings soon. I just have to remember to order some more hooks!

Another beautiful....

...day. The rain is sweeping down across the fields, but at least I haven't got to go out...well, not until later.

I didn't say, but we had more viewers on Sunday. A couple moving out from the East End, wanting to bring their daughters up in the fresh air, and who can blame them. So again, waiting to see...somehow I don't think this couple will be thinking of faerie dust though, it'll be a yes or no....straight answers.

I also got to the Newmarket bead fair Sunday morning. Got the beads I needed and spent far too much on some natural "fingers" of kyanite, crystals and keishi pearls. I did see some old acquaintances...four of them have got together to sell at fairs. I wish them the best...it's hard work, enjoyable, but hard.

One thing I've never tried is beadwork. There was a lady selling Toho kits, and they seemed the easiest way to try it. I'm all for trying something, and then I can say from experience whether it's for me or not. I bought a bracelet and a necklace kit. I'm part way through the bracelet, and the directions are as easy as she said to follow, but, don't go by their timelines, not unless you've done this before...the nylon has a mind of its own, even if steamed, and so thin it's difficult to see, let alone use, but the article is pretty...and a useful project. I have so much admiration for those who design and make the intricate beadwork items...I take my hat off to you!

All my orders passed muster. Always good to hear. Now all I've got to do from that order are the ear-rings to match a necklace already bought, and the reason I had to go to Newmarket. I've got the closest to the Christensen canes I can see, if they're not the same...and will be in the post this afternoon, for inspection.

Oh! and the puds passed the smell test too...I think I'm getting the hang of this being at home lark, bread was made yesterday (the old-fashioned way)!

I know...

...I'm a fiddler. I tweak and change until I'm happy, but it usually takes two or three tries until I like what I see. I prefer this layout, but I'm not sure of the colour. I'm sorry if this makes for confusing viewing.

A busy week last week. Our viewer arrived and went, and made an appointment for his partner to visit Saturday, which she duly did. He didn't, as a prior engagement took precedence...(his new boss took him to the Emirates to see Arsenal beat his team). Now another waiting game...

I did get my orders almost finished, the only thing outstanding is a pair of ear-rings to match a necklace I'd made. I have to wait to visit Newmarket Bead Fair to find matching beads, but the buyer has been warned it might not be easy. The rest are ready to be sent, and will be winging their way soon enough.

I received the last of my birthday present today. I had the money to spend...and bought a beautiful ring from Lunatic Art in France. I've placed a photo below.



I love her organic look and feel. I'm sure I'll be back there, so many temptations!

Anyway, I've got jobs stacking up this afternoon, as another busy week looms large. So I better press on...

oh, and PS...my team drew this Saturday! yay!!

A return to normality...

...that is what I think this week is about!

A busy few days, and then a week away...this week is supposed to be normal, but does that ever happen? Of course not!

I have ordered everything I need for orders, so that was my first job of today...and took all morning, I mean, you have to research, don't you!

I'm also going to list a few of my jewellery items on Etsy, see what happens. So far I've just put my beads there.

Then catching up with the blogs from my teams followers, and yes, I went and saw them lose again on Saturday...most are calling for a head to roll, and who can blame anyone for that. It's the lack of passion that hurts the most, or it does me...they can change their team, if someone will have them, but I can't. There is no other team running through my veins.

I do have a viewer on Wednesday...another "wait to see" moment, so we will. I just have to get things ready...which I should be doing now, as my husband decided it would be a good time to sort his wardrobe out...all over the spare bedroom. Don't you just love them!

I also want to know how leaving work to start out on your own equates to being a "lady of leisure"!? Find the time would be nice!! If anyone knows the answer to that...leave it on a card.

That tomorrow came...

...and went very fast. Luckily it's not life or death, and so far not the move or not. It was just the football match, and predictably we didn't win...I'm not going to ruminate further, there are better than me at doing that. Back to the brighter side of things....

I listed some new beads yesterday...nothing extravagant, somehow I don't trust that around here at present, but with getting ready for a jewellery sale, the beads have taken a bit of a back burner, so it was nice to get some out there again. I'm pleased with what there is though. I should post some photos....and also some of my jewellery. I'll sort that soon.

I must admit with the jewellery I've been a hoarder of beads, and now, gradually that hoard is disappearing, so soon enough I'll be out looking for complementary beads, especially as I can use my own lamp-works now. I do like a bit of sparkle too, and silver usually, though having just started some copper items, they're becoming popular.

Awhile ago I bought some natural crystal pillows, absolutely clear, and cut to perfection. I used a few in a couple of mixed bracelets, but have just made a necklace with matching ear-rings with the rest, no colour just these crystals and a few Swarovski crystal bicones...I think at present that's my favourite...there's just so much sparkle, and it's perfect for anytime including Christmas. I'm hoping I can get some more, and make myself something....it'll be my treat to me, and we all need those on occasions.

and last but not least...spacers, those little gems that complete and complement.

If anyone wants a particular colour, we can talk...I have a wide range of colours, including specials...please see what's in my shop, and sold items. Also with the jewellery...I love experimenting with others ideas...so contact me and we can arrange.