Here are the two cutest helpers a "mom" could ask for...or the "mommy" was holding up a piece of toast.

I finally got a decent picture of half of my booth thanks to Debbie at last night's Farmers Market in Weaverville's Meadow. The other half of the booth included me and as I am camera sensitive I opted to omit that one. This week the temp got up to a steamy 100 degrees but the shade and the breeze were fantastic and we were comfortable. This week they had misting umbrellas for those who got on the warm side which were a hit. Its fun making new friends and returning to see them each week.

This was a busy week with trips out of town each day Monday through Thursday, so tomorrow will be spent in the quiet solitude of my studio. Cleaning, creating and photographing are my objectives so we will see after sleeping in what I actually get done.

My helpers have missed their time with me and with Debbie so we will be staying home this weekend. Have a great one!

*Tonia*

Post Cards

Don't you just love these old photos? I found the photos in an antique store in Lincoln, NE and had to have them! I then went and color copied them several times and left them sitting for a year and a half until I woke up this morning and decided to make post cards. Each card is 4x6 and so far just inked on the back around the edges. On the fronts I inked, stamped, stickered and glued my way to my new little art pieces...some even have rhinestones.

My two faithful and furry helpers abandoned me in my creating this morning to sleep in with Debbie but they are helping my type as I am munching on peanuts...a favorite of theirs...such beggars.

We leave in the morning for a stop in Weaverville on our way to Redding for some shopping and to stay overnight. The "girls" will of course be coming along as they both love riding in the car. Im adjusting to small town life here in the beautiful mountains of northern California and am loving the slow pace of things just would like a straighter drive through the mountains and a Walmart closer than 2 hours away.

Im off to create more!

*Tonia*

Birdie Nests

What do you get when you mix wire and pearls and even a fetish bird? Nests of course and cute ones too! I got the birdie on my first trip into Redding, CA when I was released from the hospital and Debbie had accidentally found The Beadman, a fantastic store filed on one side to the brim with beads and the other side with fairies, windchimes and suncatchers. I have 8 done and all have word charms hanging from them. Two of them have made it onto leather cords and the rest are awaiting wired or beaded necklaces and will be split between next weeks Farmer's Market and the bead store in Weaverville when I'm the featured artist next month.

My days are filled with "playing" in my studio with beads and other creations maybe when I get it straightened up a bit I will take some pics.

The Farmer's Market

Here are our kids in the mix of my studio as I was just moving in and unpacking with my "helpers".

The weather at the Farmer's Market last night was beautiful...I had a shady spot next to a potter and behind me was a couple who made deluxe humming bird houses. You should have seen the bunches of carrots that people were carrying around!

I only sold a pair of earrings but it was a fun time. I picked up some lovely polished rocks to wire wrap and use for table cloth weights and tried a fruit smoothie. The music was fun and the kids had a blast playing in a patch of trees or racing through the meadow while their parents shopped.

I took a picture of my table with my cell phone but havent figured out how to load it onto here.

A sleepy bug seems to have bitten at our house as we have all been napping today...some of us more than usual. Im off to tidy up the studio and maybe make a couple of new pieces.

*Tonia*

Greetings from Podunk

Just another girl here signing on to my new blog with the whole family here to watch and entertain. My family consists of my very best friend and sometimes partner in crime Debbie and our dogs Jesstyr and Misty and myself.

Im new to extreme northern California after moving here to start over after my successful cancer surgery. Im an artist who is starting anew here and am having a great start...I may need to train the dogs in how to make jewelry to keep up with all that Im doing.

Not wanting to toot my own horn I am the featured artist for July and September in a bead store in Weaverville, CA and have my work in 3 galleries. I have a weekly booth at a farmers market and am going to have a booth at the Big Foot Festival in Willow Creek, CA.

Back to work for Wednesdays Farmers Market! Have a great night!