August Happiness Challenge - Day 11

Today's happiness was brought by food.

Fresh zucchini, cucumbers, and poblano peppers from Sue's garden... although I have to admit... the peppers make a tidge bit apprehensive. Persis braved "Peach-a-polooza" and gave me some super sweet, juicy peaches. Jeff topped of the bounty with cherry tomatoes, and fresh string beads.

Dinner was divine!

August Happiness Challenge - Day 10

Today has been extra-special!

I decided not to work too hard today. This week I've worked until 9:00pm or later every day (including Monday, which is technically my 'day off').

When Amber came in at 1:00 this afternoon, I surprised her by telling her that she wasn't going to be doing any work. Instead, because she's asked me so many times, I was going to teach her how to make earrings. She was so excited!

I placed the giant bowl of Czech pressed glass beads on the table, then gathered the tools, and findings. Amber's eyes got huge when she realized she could pick anything she wanted to use for her creations.

She's a quick learner. Keeping up with her when she's packaging is a challenge. We tell her what we need her to do, and she gets right on it. She works quickly, finds her own efficiencies, and gets the job done.

She took to making earrings as if she's been making them for years. She made my heart soar when she approached a customer, her hands brimming with earrings, and explained how she'd just learn to make them. The customer was impressed, and Amber was happy with the compliments she received.

In two hours, she made 14 pairs of earrings, and she made me very happy!

August Happiness Challenge - Day 9

This evening I'm playing hostess. It's BYOF... otherwise known as Bring Your Own Fun!

From 6:00-9:00 I'll have the pleasure of spending the evening with some great beady peeps and just bead.

I don't get to do bead for my own pleasure very often. I know, hard to believe when I spend the majority of my days surrounded by a shop full of treasures. Most of my beading happens when I teach a class, or when I'm looking for some quiet time at home. I really look forward to the second Thursday of the month. It's fun to get to know everyone who comes in for the evening a bit better, and see what new creation they're working on.

Tonight, I'm going to be starting a kumihimo necklace. I'll be donating the finished piece to a fundraising auction to benefit the Southern Oregon Historical Society.

I thought it would be fun to make the piece on the marudai I purchased for the shop last year. Lately, I've been using a foam disk to make and teach kumihimo, but since a necklace is bit more time intensive, the marudai felt like the right tool.

I'm happy I was able to remember to set it up on my own after not using it for such a long time. The necklace I'm planning will be in pewter tones with a matte porcelain bead as a focal. The closure will be a magnetic clasp.

I'll share pictures when it's finished... right now I have a gathering to get ready!

August Happiness Challenge - Day 8

*This graphic made me happy! I found it on Pinterest.

What made you smile today?

*sorry for the especially short post. It's late, and bed is calling my name... loudly!