EARTH DAY

 We still have a foot of snow on the ground so I'm plugged in at the bead table. I really can not wait to get outside and be working in the yard. Right now I’m working on the whip stitch around the top of my order, my least favorite part of the whole project, but it must be done. A couple of more days and it will go in the mail.  And then there is my "Love Ukraine" piece. The mocking bird is their national animal, not bird, but animal. I still have a good way to go on this piece. The blue sky will be bluer then the marker color I’ve used. I'm trying to use the Ukrainian flag colors, with the sky above and the sunflower fields below. Everyday we hear about the Russian war and the horrific destruction and death going on there and it makes me so angry. I try to imagine what it would be like to have my home invaded and destroyed. So on this Earth day, I know how fortunate I am, and I'm grateful everyday for the Alaska wilderness that I call home.

LIFE WITH ANNA

 I'm not at home. Right now I'm staying at Graces. She and Jason are on a 10 day trip and I'm pet sitting the marvelous Anna. She is a super sweety pitbull who likes to take walks, play with toys, gaze out the window and bark at the neighbor, snuggle, sleep, and beg for treats. Should be easy right? But as all you beaders know it's hard to find the right spot to set up your beadwork project. I made sure to bring a modest size piece and kept the bead colors simple. So far so good. I like a window for natural lighting but also have to supplement with a lamp if it's not a sunny day. A table would be nice, but it's a small apartment so I'm making do with a TV tray on the couch in front of the tv. I've been riveted to the news on the horrific Russian invasion of Ukraine. Today is my 4th day and I feel like I'm getting into a groove, although it seems like I do a little more lounging than I do at home. LOL. I miss Robert and Crazy but it's been a pleasure getting to spend time with the wonderful, loving Anna.  

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.