...and the rains came...

They say the rainy season has started early in Florida and whoever "they" are, ain't kidding! It's been a week of rain here in Central Florida. I know there have been plenty of people that have suffered from flooding but up here in the hills it was just what we needed.

The rains brought plenty of this...

As if the boy's don't sleep enough, Houdini spent most of Friday in this position. It rained almost all day and each time he went outside he came right back in.

...and this... Can it get any better? The rainbow ends at our house!

No retouching, honest!

Early in the week I got an e-mail from one of my best friends from High School (al-la Facebook) after 18 years of not being in contact!

Then, as if it could get any better, the rains let up and Melody arrived from Georgia!

Melody and I went from 4th grade all the way through graduation together. We've tried to stay in touch but it's not easy, we've both moved a lot. (As much as I resisted joining Facebook, I admit it has reunited me with some wonderful people! Thanks Geri.)

Due to the constant rain I've been staying inside and getting some work done, here are some of the results:

Echos, Botswana Agate and Silver in the Silver Lining shop now!

Moss is headed into the shop this evening, promise!

Oh...and a custom order, thanks ZooGirl!

See, it hasn't been all goofing around, although I do consider spending time in the studio play time.

Isn't life grand, even in the rain?

Another Secial, Special Order

About a month ago I showed off (cause I way too giddy to keep it to myself!) the piece I won the ribbon with in Deland. Well while I was at the Ormond Beach Art in the Park a customer came to the booth and really took to the design but did not like the stone much. It just so happened that I had a new collection of stones so I let her play for a while.

She selected a piece of Polish Flint (which is a stone which I had never seen before.) for the same style setting.

Tonight I finished it...

Tada!

It's on it's way to Alice.

Have a great weekend, I will!

Orlando, the City Beautiful

Sunday was a typical Farmers Market day for me with the exception of which Farmers Market! On the 3rd Sunday of each month the Lake Eola Farmers Market holds "Art Farm".

I was told about his event by "Love Alison" so I jumped at the chance, I was excited to be accepted.

I've done one other event at Lake Eola and love this location. Lake Eola is the gem of the Orlando downtown. A glistening lake with a beautiful water fountain. It is surrounded by walkways, picnic areas and some great downtown eateries. My favorite park of the park are the events held there. It is the perfect venue for everyone, vendors and patrons!

Art Farm was attended by the following artists who were very welcoming to me;

Rudy

Gabbie G

Harriet

Please click on each of their photos to go to their websites...all of their work is just wonderful!

Saturday in Paradise

Moving on from Friday as quickly as I could I pushed right into Saturday with as much exuberance as possible. Jeff was not in any rush to begin the day so steady was the tone for the morning. After getting some chores done Jeff headed out to work and I to Faerie Land for the afternoon.

When most people think of Central Florida they usually think of hotels, souvenir shops and Disney but I too forget that this beautiful land is filled with cow pastures, timberland and farms of all sorts. I had a wonderful drive up to Kaerie Faerie's place and was greeted by all that flutter and swim.

(Kaerie is a very talented soft sculpture artist and costume designer but her heart lives with her Faeries, I strongly suggest you take a peek at her blog.) Upon entering this little world it took me a while to adjust to all the goings on but in no time it was off to work.

After talking for a while Kaerie and I were setting up the area out on the patio to begin shooting some photographs when we heard some giggling in her studio. At first Kaerie just rolled her eyes..."they're just being girls.." but it went on for a while and I thought I heard something that sounded like change or metal.

We both looked at each other and snuck back into the studio and sure enough they were up to something.

I had brought my inventory of rings up to show Kaerie since I had not seen her in a while and what do you think those mermaids were into? They had dug thought the box to find my Ocean Jasper Rings that I call "Hidden Treasures"...what else would make sense for mermaids to find?

They are going straight to the shop before they disappear!

Somethin's Gotta Give

I will start this blog with two important notes:

1. I did NOT work on any custom orders yesterday.

2. Anything that was ready (or close to ready) for shipping went to the post office early in the day yesterday.

(Now, with that said I can continue this entry without scaring anyone!)

Yesterday was "one of those days" for me...

It started off well enough, the sun was shining, it was in the 70's and I had most of the day to myself. I took my usual long walk to our little Post Office and stopped by the Minneola Schoolhouse Library on the way back.

I pass this wonderful little building on my walk but have never stopped in. Although it was closed the door was unlocked and I was welcomed by Mary Kay, the Library Manager. This fabulous little place is part Library and part Museum. We spent about 30 minutes talking about the library and the city's history before Mark Kay made sure I was armed with everything I would need for both Jeff and I to become members, then I was on my way home.

Once I got started in the studio things started to go down hill from there. Almost everything I put a flame to did not work the way I wanted. Now, I'm not going to go on about this since I am considering it to be a fluke and will not continue into today.

I also try to consider these type of day's to be a bit healthy. They remind me that I am still "new" to this craft and I still have much to learn. They make me stop and reconsider what I am doing and how I can refine my processes.

In the end I wound up with one beautiful "Pink Lady", the apple of my eye...

A large teardrop of Rhodchrosite (cut by yours truly...by the way!) is set a bit off center, cause that's the way I am!

For those of you that have been asking why I am not "signing" my pieces...again I am so new at this I'm not sure what this is supposed to look like.

I have been leaning towards the "Two Bee's" thing, this keeps me away from the "Designs by..." that everyone usually uses. I also like this because if Jeff decides he will stick with the stone cutting thing, he suddenly becomes the other "B"! (Boyce & Boyce rather than BarbBoyce)

I purchased a "Bee" stamp, what you see above on the right is an early attempt to "sign" my work.

I am very excited that today will be taking a bit of a new turn. I will be going to Fairy Land! My friend, Kaerie Faerie lives there and I will be spending the afternoon with her. Stay tuned, if I have my act together I might just be lucky enough to get some photos of those little fleeting faces!