I made my Dad drive around the block twice so I could get a picture of this…
A ginormous poodle made of snow. Do you love it?!?! I’d have to say the tennis ball and the tail are my favorite parts. Thank you to everyone who still take time to make snowmen and such. I love seeing them in your yards—so friendly and warm even though it’s icy cold outside.
I took this picture the other day in Guanzhou. The first thought that came to my mind when I looked at it was, knock-knock jokes. Is that sad? I love the cheesiness of knock knock jokes. I Googled "knock knock jokes" and here’s a couple I found. You know, just for kicks…and giggles. Ok, ready?
Knock, Knock.
Who’s there?
Yo Momma.
Yo momma who?
Seriously it’s yo momma—open the damned door!
That one is from this website. And here’s another from this website.
Knock, Knock.
Who’s there?
Repeat.
Repeat who?
Who Who Who!
Good times, huh? Seriously. Someone needs to get out of this country a little more often. š
Who doesn’t love bead shopping on the beach? Really! What’s better than having beautiful beads brought to your doorstep?!?! Vendors at the beach walk around with their baskets of sunglasses, fruits, and my personal fav, pearls and funky shell jewelry. The last time I was at the beach, I only brought home a few bracelets. Not this time! Check out my loot!
Needless to say, I stocked up. I will stash a few pieces away for gifts and the rest I will cut up and use the parts. Those green shells in the front are calling my name right now, "Charm bracelet, charm bracelet."
It’s always fun to use beads that remind you of a place you visited. I will associate these with the sounds of waves, the sandy beach, my friends, the cabin where we stayed and so on. Even though they didn’t cost a fortune, I know whatever I make with them will be a treasure of beach-side memories.
You cannot come to Ch!na and not get a little obsessed with gold fish and koi. Or at least I couldn’t. They are everywhere! I’ve even wondered if Rocker needs a pet goldfish. My aunt always says, "if you keep a goldfish on your kitchen table, it will never die." 
There’s something quite soothing about these creatures. I’m sure it has something to do with how slow and fluid they are in their movements. Calming. Here, they are a symbols of wealth and abundance.
The other day I picked up these hand painted gold fish beads from one of my favorite vendors.
They are glass bubble like beads where the painting is done on the inside. Seems very tedious to me. I’ve been to this vendor three times and every time he shows me his paintbrush with the tip bent at ninety degrees so he can get inside to paint. Now, I only wish you could see the paintbrush he claims to use for these super intricate beads. Seriously, there is no way this brush could do that. It looks like a road killed paint brush with porcupine needle like bristles. C’mon dude. Really, do I have gullible tattooed on my forehead…..in Ch!nese?!?! However, I always find it a tiny bit amusing that he thinks I believe him.
And on the other side:
I know I over paid a ton for this one—they guy totally knew how badly I wanted it. What was that bit about goldfish bringing wealth and abundance. Worked for the vendor! As for what I’m going to do with them, I have no idea. I have a small (but growing out of quite fast) box of special beads like this. I call it my bead bank and it’s pretty much a piggy bank of unique beads. When I need just the right touch for a piece I go to my bead bank. Or when I have not a clue where to start on a design. Or a rainy day.
Bliiiiiiiiinded by the light birds…. Revved up like a…(chime in if you want to)
Are these suckers bright or what?!?! I picked them up at Ikea and had I known they were going to make those two points behind your eyebrows go nuts (you’re squinting right now just thinking about it), I would have stuck to one. Seriously, it’s as if I’m looking directly into the sun or someone welding. So, yep, no fireworks for me tonight (had enough of those to last me 10 years in February anyways—ok, who am I kidding?!? I love Roman Candles! And writing my name with Sparklers!). I’ll just be hanging out on the patio with a couple psychedelic, alien-esque blue birds. Hope you all have a super 4th!
P.S. Sorry if Blinded By the Light is stuck in your head the rest of the day (like mine). I feel terrible. Really.
We took a quick trip to the beach over the weekend with some pals. Picked up a couple of fun finds from a woman peddling shell goods on the beach.
The first was a couple of these shell bracelets ($1.25 ea.). I like the irregular and repetitive nature of them.
And the second was this little gem:
Who can pass up a book worm turtle wearing a pink straw hat?!?! I surely cannot. So quirky and cute.
More beach pictures to come…. Hope you all had a nice weekend!
Hi, Iām Candie. I design jewelry and crafts, author books, teach classes and host television programs. I thrive on simple ideas that anyone can achieve. I also love projects made from unexpected materials that stand the test of time. Join me as I lead a creative life! Read More...
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