Humblebeads Blog: December 2011

December 29, 2011

Peace to You

Thank you for all the thoughtful messages. It's hard to put up a post like that. I don't like to admit when I can't do it all, when I'm hurting or when I have failed at something. That's never fun.

I wish it was just me being sad or having the holiday blues. But I do have a strength that comes from a deeper source and I will continue to draw from those waters while we take care of what needs to be done.

The best thing you can do for me, besides praying for us, is keep me busy. If you love my beads, keep supporting me. I've taken off the time that I needed and I've reduced several commitments on my end so that I can focus on working at what I need to do each day. I find comfort in creating and knowing my work inspires others.

I made this bracelet as a gift for someone dear who I thought needed a reminder to find her own peace in this world too. We can't control the storms outside, but we can control how we weather them. That's a message for myself too.

Wishing a peaceful 2012 for all of us.

(Peace bead by Diane Hawkey, dove charm by Green Girl Studios.)

December 28, 2011

Two Hands, One Heart

I've been trying to decide what to share on my blog for the last few days. I try to keep things positive here and for my family's privacy I don't share certain things that we are going though and I'm sure you can understand that. But my world fell apart in November and I have been trying to keep the pieces pulled together. That's all I can say without going into details. I'm so thankful for my sister and husband who have been there to help me though this. I'm so thankful for my mom who lets me cry with her on the phone. I wish she were here, nothing beats having a hug from your mom. I'm so thankful for my dear friends who listen with kind and caring hearts as I share my heartbreak. And there has been so much brokenness over the last month.

I took a much needed break last week. I should have done that sooner, but I didn't realize how hard everything had been on me and how it was effecting my business.

You see, I have two hands and one heart and they have to work together.

For a while, they weren't.

I'm doing better, thanks to my family and some serious self-care over the last week.

If I have upset you because of a lack of communication, please forgive me.

I've done all I could over the last few weeks while trying to take care of my family.

I hope you'll understand and move forward with me.

At this point, that is all I can do - move ahead. One step at a time.

December 7, 2011

Ornament Blog Hop

I'm hosting an Ornament Blog Hop today on the Art Bead Scene.

We take decorating our Christmas tree very serious in the Humble Home. For the last 17 years Jess and I have been making themed ornaments for our tree each year. We come up with a theme together and get to work like little elves. Over the last few years the ornament collection has been a reoccurring woodland theme with birds, nests, acorns, pine cones and snowflakes. As you can imagine our tree is filled with beaded ornaments that I have created over the years. It's one of my favorite crafty projects of the season!

This year's ornament features a Vintaj brass leaf embellished with embossing powders in a faux enamel finish. I layered on an Arte Metal leaf pendant and a trio of brass beads wrapped to look like berries. I paired them up with one of my disk beads, a rhinestone rondelle, a ceramic bead from Earthenwood and a fun beaded bead that I picked up at Michael's.

Jess sat down and made his own version of the design.

Be sure to stop by the Art Bead Scene today after 12pm (EST) for a chance to win a fabu prize from little ol' me.

Fix yourself a cup of hot cocoa and put on your favorite holiday radio station as you enjoy visiting the rest of the blog hop participants for a little ornament inspiration!

Humblebeads - You are here!

Suburban Girl Studio

Spirited Earth

Garden Path Beads

Life in the Lyon's Den