WINTER SOLSTICE/ DITCHING MY WEBSITE

  As we move into the new year and start gaining more daylight tomorrow, I find myself wrapping up some projects. I'm finally am doing the whip stitch around the top of the " Gus's Last Ride Bag "I had a question about the direction of the needle through the leather. I usually work from the bottom up so I can set up something on the table to push off of. Then I can press the needle up through the leather without killing my fingers.

Also, I'm wrapping up my website. Started it a year ago and now I'm done. It turns out I can't possibly populate a web store. LOL It just takes me too long to do a piece. I've learned so much and it was fun but now I'm back to the blog and a little informational site. No sales from the site anymore. Ofcourse you can reach me on Facebook or here or at custombeadwork@yahoo.com. I'm going to be around. I just realized that manning the computer wasn't working for me.

 So, it's the longest night of the year tonite. It's dark already, but there is a large fullish moon rising, and the light is reflecting off the snow in the yard. I'm looking forward to the turn of the clock and 7 more seconds of light tomorrow. Have a magical solstice!

A TALE OF TWO BAGS

 Today I was watching the Anchorage news and there was a story about this older couple who do the holiday craft fairs. They make and sell these really cool wooden toys, like cars, firetrucks and dogs. Then instead of going home happy, their wares were stolen out of their truck. This really hit home for me because right now I'm working on  a duplicate Chief Bag. My good friend and patron in Santa Fe had one of my bags, that she had special ordered, stolen. Why??? Are you going to resell the homemade wooden toys or this one of a kind beaded bag? It's disheartening. But I'm making a new bag for my friend. So, I'm moving forward with good tidings and the joy that the toymakers were hoping to spread. Peace.  

 

ANNUAL BEAD KITS ARE READY!

 Yay!!! Finally have the kits finished and ready to go.     KIT INCLUDES EVERYTHING! BEADS, NEEDLES, THREAD, FELT, BUTTON, TRACING PAPER AND INSTRUCTIONS. MOST OF ALL, THE  LEATHER BAG (MADE BY ROBERT) FOR YOU TO PUT YOUR BEADWORK ON! 

These are the cellphone bag kits. My new design is called yellow bird and there are 14 kits available of this design. The cost is $110.00.  Just go to: kateboyan.com and click on cell phone bag kit and hit buy.

I'm so happy to be offering kits that have Robert's bags in them!

10 VIDEOS FOR THE CELL PHONE BAG KITS

 

SUMMER SOLSTICE

Just finished this order. Mountain Lion Bag. I've learned that baby mountain lions have spots. It's going to Wyoming! I've only been there once when I was driving through, from New Mexico to Alaska. My Ford Fairmount failed me in Buffalo Wyoming. Nice mechanic put in the new fuel pump and I got to spend the night. Walked around town, had some dinner. Cool little town on a very hot day. That's what I remember. 

So Happy Summer Solstice to everyone. It's beautiful and sunny and life is good. And the big excitement today was that they sold and moved the neighbor cabin. Loaded it up and drove it on down the highway.

RAINY DAY VIDEO OF KATE'S GALLERY

https://youtu.be/Cb6yB8hlRFc       Hanging out and sewing in the gallery and we decided to make a little video. I'm feeling happy to be wrapping up some big projects.     

  

HAPPY EASTER WEEK !

Whew! I finally got my Alice in Wonderland suitcase bag finished. I'm so happy with it. It was a long haul but well worth it. I like the way I developed the story on this one. All the elements are my own take on this classic tale. I love my mushroom and the little green caterpillars. I like the way the rabbit is so expressive, and I think I really nailed the side eyes. But, my favorite element is the little mouse on the crown. So, as spring comes to the yard, and our local rabbits are turning from white to brown, Happy, happy Easter to you all!

It is up for sale on my website. https://www.kateboyan.com

GUS'S LAST RIDE

 #5 in my book report series

  I rarely read a book twice. “Lonesome Dove” by Larry McMurtry was pure pleasure both times, I read it once in the 80’s and now for my book series. I’m sure the first time I read it, it was for the enjoyment of a long (858 pages)  wondrous epic. The adventures of two ex-Rangers (Gus and Call) who take the crew and the cattle from Texas to Montana. It’s a real page turner and has everything. Heroic characters, complicated villains, unexpected plot twists, and tragic love. In my second reading of the book I cried more than I care to admit. It felt so relevant to my life circumstances right now. The more subtle issues of accepting our circumstances and the denial we can allow ourselves to live in, jumped out at me. Also the poignancy of two old timers on their last big adventure. My best friend is dying. Hard to say out loud. She lives on the other side of the country and I always thought we would have one last great adventure. But due to circumstances, Covid, no money, and such, it won’t be happening. As Gus would say ” Life ain’t for sissies.” So tomorrow as I finish up this piece of beadwork, I’ll box up this book and send it off to her. We can share the adventure via a tale for the ages. Books can take you places. It’s also what I hope to do with this beadwork. I had a few struggles on the piece. Mainly in keeping the definition of each part. It’s a complicated pattern and there are so many different colors butting up against each other. But in the end, I’m happy with the way it turned out.