Creativity to the Rescue

I started on a new painting today and completed a necklace and earring set.  Feeling creative today, tired but creative. I listed my other painting on Etsy yesterday and have gotten some great feedback.  That is so affirming.  I hope my next one is as good.  Here's the jewelry I finished today. I posted it on Etsy just a few minutes ago. Click on the caption for more details.

Purple Printed Floral Shell Beaded Necklace

There are so many things I want to try and want to learn. The next thing on my list is batik.  I am going to try and make something this afternoon.  Wish me luck.  Given my Jewish background, I am going to make a challah cover.  This is a decorative fabric that covers the ceremonial bread on the Sabbath table.  Once I get it all done, I will post a photo here. 

Still no news from the attorney.  I am beginning to wonder if he's dropped off the planet; But I know better, having worked in the legal field for so many years. The waiting and wondering is really hard. I don't know what will be or what lies ahead, and that is what is so frightening.  I try hard not to think about it. Staying busy and creative helps a lot.

Turquoise Blue With Black Threads Lampwork Glass Beads

Here's my JET Team love for the day.  These earrings are so cute and I love the color. Click on the caption for more details.

Images and jewelry designs may not be reproduced, copied, duplicated, printed or otherwise used without the expressed written consent of Body Electric Jewelry or agents. All photos, text, designs are the property of Body Electric Jewelry. Photos may be used for personal enjoyment or archive purposes but photos, text and jewelry designs may not be used in any manner for financial gain or commerce by anyone other than Body Electric Jewelry.

Funny or Cry

Jam packed a lot into the last few days.  Therapy was cathartic and helpful.  The weekend was great and Super Bowl Sunday was a ton of fun with family, friends and a lot of good food.  I made barbeque wings, meatball sliders, spinach and artichoke dip, and queso. Our friends brought egg rolls. And for desert I made more of those delicious oatmeal raisin cookies and decadent reeses peanut butter cupcakes.  Here are some photos of the food.

Before all of that we did a bit of shopping and then Skyped with my eldest daughter who is learning this semester in Spain.  It was so good to see her, and hear her voice.  She is having a blast and doing great. Her funny stories of mis-spoken Spanish kept all of us laughing.  She's been to Barcelona and France in addition to living in a beautiful basque region of Spain. I miss her but I am so glad she is having the time of her life and getting to see Europe.

Monday I took care of my grandpa who is suffering from dementia. In his lucid moments he is a hoot. He makes me laugh, and I hate to watch him lose touch with reality. My grandma had to go to the doctor and run some errands so I stayed with him most of the day.  Having not grown up with my grandpa, it is really hard because I feel like I didn't get enough time with him. I don't know how much longer he will know who I am.  This is especially hard for me since I lost both of my adoptive parents to dementia. It was a great day with him.  I brought him one of the cupcakes I had made and he absolutely loved it.  We laughed a lot and he told me some old family stories. My wife helped out too by doing their tax return and putting a wine rack together that my grandma bought. Grandma was so thankful for all the help.  I honestly don't know how she does it everyday. He woke up the night before insisting that the house was on fire.  I love them both so much and I hate to watch this happen (him deteriorate and her struggle to care for him).

Royal Rose

While grandpa slept I created this necklace. This is the second necklace I have made using these beads.  I think they are just gorgeous. The first necklace sold, and took a different turn accentuating the off white tones of the beads.  This time I focused on the lavender, rose and gold tones. Click the link to find out more in my Etsy store.

Boho Autumn Necklace

Here is my JET Team love for the day. Beautiful earthy colors. Click the caption to find out more.

Images and jewelry designs may not be reproduced, copied, duplicated, printed or otherwise used without the expressed written consent of Body Electric Jewelry or agents. All photos, text, designs are the property of Body Electric Jewelry. Photos may be used for personal enjoyment or archive purposes but photos, text and jewelry designs may not be used in any manner for financial gain or commerce by anyone other than Body Electric Jewelry.

Running on Empty

Well I am running on about 3.5 hours of sleep today.  I could not shut my brain off last night. I am guessing sheer exhaustion is finally what did me in.  I started sketching for a new painting, I cleaned up my beads (a bit), and I looked at charms for some new theme bracelets I want to make. I even created a list of things to start on and/or do today. I sold another piece today, a set with earrings.  I can hardly believe it, this makes three days in a row!

Between the mood swings and the inability to sleep I think this may be the onset of a hypo manic episode. I know the symptoms, and now I have a support system in place to help me work through it rather than act out.  Struggling through this will be just that a true struggle. In the past, although I struggled miserably, I self medicated in all sorts of unhealthy and dangerous ways.  Now that the joy of creating is back in my life, its one of the positive things I can do to maintain control and happiness.

I made one small piece today: a bracelet. I've been meaning for some time to start making LGBT Pride jewelry.  This is my first attempt.  The emphasis on this piece is certainly the "L" - LOL. I have a few other ideas rambling around inside this over crowded disorganized brain of mine.

Heading to the therapist today which is really good timing under the circumstances. My only reservation is that I have to drive downtown and I am now thoroughly exhausted. I've pumped quite a bit of caffeine into me today - I am thinking the next option might be sugar (although I've had my share of that too today). I absolutely abhor the taste of energy drinks so that is out of the question.  I'll figure something out because I really want this to be a productive therapy session.

We are having a very small get together at our place on Sunday for the Super Bowl.  Actually its more about people coming over to eat and laugh at the commercials, but nevertheless its an excuse to cook yummy finger foods and drink beer. I am going to work on the menu tonight, and get started shopping and cooking first thing Saturday (after some nice morning cuddle time with my wife). If anyone has a really good Super Bowl recipe they want to share - I'll include it in our Sunday fun.

I lived in Baltimore for almost ten years, so I'll be rooting for the Ravens. This means nothing really because I neither care about nor know anything about the game of football. This doesn't bother me, but it usually makes me the laughing stock at any Super Bowl party.  Since its at our house, maybe I wont get laughed at quite so much.

Please send me happy good nights' sleep thoughts. Hopefully I'll have some energy tomorrow.

Today's JET Team love: (This is a gorgeous pendant!)

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Images and jewelry designs may not be reproduced, copied, duplicated, printed or otherwise used without the expressed written consent of Body Electric Jewelry or agents. All photos, text, designs are the property of Body Electric Jewelry. Photos may be used for personal enjoyment or archive purposes but photos, text and jewelry designs may not be used in any manner for financial gain or commerce by anyone other than Body Electric Jewelry.