Day 74

Hey all!

This is me getting back on track.

Have I spoken about my Curatorial Practice class here?  I don't remember.  Well basically I am in a class about curatorship and our assignment has been to curate an art exhibit (one last semester and one this semester).  We have to come up with a theme, find artists, plan an opening, hang all the work, etc.  The show is coming up this Friday, so I've been in the gallery a lot this week.  I'm really excited for the opening reception because last semester's opening was a lot of fun.  There's food and music, and I get to show off the exhibit to all my friends who come by.  That's basically what I've been up to since I got back to school.

I've been busy with the gallery and homework so I've been slacking in the earring department.  But now I'm back!

Just an Apology

Hey all!

Sorry that I haven't posted the past couple days, and I'm skipping again today.  I'm calling this my spring break from earrings, since during my actual break I made earrings the whole time.  I've just been exhausted the past few nights and I haven't been able to make anything.  I apologize, and promise to get back on track soon.

Love and Beads,
Eve

Day 73

Hey all!

Today was a relaxing rainy day indoors.  We played games, did a puzzle, and read a lot.  We made personal pizzas for dinner, and they were delicious!  It was a lovely end to an all-too-quick week.  Tomorrow, we roadtrip back up to New York.  I'll be sad to leave North Carolina and go back to the land of snow and schoolwork.  I guess it had to end sometime.  At least it was great while it lasted!

The earrings I made for today have the same blue beads as the ones I used yesterday, along with some lovely mint green beads I've used a couple times before.  I attached the two with my favorite gold chain and tadah!

Day 72

Hey all!

Today was a little colder, but we didn't let that stop us from exploring North Carolina.  We went on a ferry to Ocracoke Island, a small island about an hour and a half South from where we are staying, accessible only by ferry.  We had a picnic lunch then stopped at a bead store.  We missed our ferry back so we stayed on the island a little longer, but the island had a nice little town so we just sat and had some coffee.  It was another nice relaxing day.

I used a couple of the beads I bought today to make earrings.  We were in a rush to make the ferry (which we missed in the end) so I basically ran around the bead store like a mad woman grabbing all I could see in 5 minutes.  I came back with a decent amount of beads, and I really like them all.  Not bad for 5 minutes, huh?

Day 71

Hey all!

This morning we woke up bright and early to go kayaking.  It was not the most beautiful day, but it was really, really fun.  My friends and I were the only ones on the kayak tour so it was nice and relaxed, just us and the guide.  We learned some fun facts about the Outer Banks of North Carolina, like what the weird beaver-looking animal we saw yesterday was called (a nutria, if you're wondering).

After our kayaking endeavor, we went to the site of the Wright brothers' first flight.  It was really nice, there's a small museum and memorial on the site, and it was very interesting to see where aviation really began.  It's something North Carolina is known for, so it was a must-see.

We rounded out our day by stopping at the tallest sand dune on the east coast and then headed back to the house.  We're now having a relaxing afternoon watching Freaks and Geeks on DVD (an old show, cancelled too soon, look it up!).  Sitting on the couch gave me the perfect opportunity to make today's earrings.

Day 70

Hey all!

I decided to make earrings and blog earlier in the day today, which I guess is unfortunate for you in that you don't get to hear a marvelous day play-by-play.  Highlights of today so far:  banana chocolate chip pancakes and a phone interview with a gallery.  The pancakes were delicious, and the gallery wants a second interview.  All in all, I'd say success.

Next on the agenda after blogging:  an aquarium, Roanoke park, a picnic lunch and a delicious fish dinner. It's not quite as nice out as yesterday, but I will take a little wind over snow any day.

Today's earrings feature a crystal flower bead with a Swarovski mint-green crystal dangling from the bottom.  I had previously used these on another pair of earrings but a woman asked me to change the color before she purchased them, so I had been holding on to the flower beads waiting to find a good use for them.

Day 69

Hey all!

Today we woke up to a lovely surprise.  The weather report said rain but it was sunny and beautiful instead.  I made tortilla espanola for breakfast, a Spanish omelette dish I learned about at my friend's grandmother's house in Spain.  We ate on the deck, making for such a perfect morning.

After breakfast, we went to Roanoke Island to explore gardens and trails.  Along the way, we stopped on the side of the road at an entrance to the beach.  It was pretty windy by that point in the day, but mesmerizing nonetheless.  I love the beach.

When we went to the beach yesterday, I picked up a couple beautiful shells.  Today, I used the shells for earrings.

Day 68

Hey all!

Today was a windy day in North Carolina.  Regardless, we decided it was a good idea to go to the beach.  It was pretty chilly but pretty necessary, the ocean is just so close!

We went to the tallest lighthouse in America and had a picnic lunch on the lighthouse park grounds.  Magically, the sun came out.  Afterwards, we went to the grocery store, came back to the house, and made a delicious dinner.  Topped the day off with a movie and made some earrings.  Now you're all caught up on my day.  On to the earrings!

Day 67

Hey all!

Today was a long day!  Have I ever told you I have a life goal of visiting all 50 states?  Well I checked two off my list today.  That means 33 down.  In Delaware we went to a fantastic art museum and got free Rita's water ice to celebrate the beginning of spring.  In Virginia I got to meet up with an old friend who I hadn't seen in a couple years.  Along the way there was a lot of talking, singing, snacking... all the road trip staples.

When we finally arrived here in North Carolina, we were pleasantly surprised by the house we'll be staying in for a week.  And I mean very pleasantly surprised.  It has two decks, a full kitchen, several TV's, lots of beds, and it's a short walk to the beach.  All in all it seems to be working splendidly.

I made some earrings similar to the ones I made yesterday in terms of playing around with wire between two beads.

Day 66

Hey all!

Today has been a lovely lazy day, as Saturdays usually are.  Between yesterday and today the one thing I have done is apply to some jobs and internships.  I must have emailed 20 galleries by now, so hopefully something will pan out!

The earrings I made today are ones I'm very proud of.  I'm probably happier with these than I have been with my earrings for the past week or two.  The green beads on top have a funny story attached to them.  I bought them at the bead store near school but the first time I went, I came home with one small green bead and one bigger one (accidentally, of course).  Unsure of what to do after having a good laugh, I threw them in my jewelry bag and forgot about them.

Day 65

Hey all!

Today I am blogging from the road!  Well, sort of.  Pit stop in New Jersey for the weekend, Sunday we drive!

It was absolutely beautiful outside today.  We spent the day in my friend's backyard and running errands, staying outside as much as possible.  I hope the rest of break will follow this trend.  Shorts in March?  Yes please!

The earrings I made today use some of my favorite painted beads along with some funky beads I got on my last bead store run.

Day 64

Hey all!

I got my act together and I'm actually blogging early in the day.  Yay!  So far today I've gone to class, had lunch with friends, done laundry, washed dishes, packed, and made earrings!  Impressed?  I sure am.  I want to clean my room but I think that might just take my productive day to a level I can't handle.  That and I don't really feel like it.

On to the earrings!

Day 63

Hey all!

Well I spent another day in the library, as promised, and now I am basically on spring break!  The only thing left to do is wake up for my 10:05 class tomorrow, pack, and get outta here.  My friends and I are going to North Carolina after a weekend stopover at one of their houses in New Jersey.  Adventures await!

In my happy state, I decided to whip out some old favorites:  my antique watch gears.  Last year, I bought some awesome watch gears off etsy and I add them to earrings occasionally because they are SO cool.

Day 62

Hey all!

Today was an all-day library excursion, after my only class ended at 11:30.  I was in the library attempting to do work for upwards of 10 hours.  That's pretty unnatural, especially since I still feel wholly unprepared for my test tomorrow.  I have library adventure part two tomorrow to look forward to since my test isn't until the evening.

I am exhausted but I cranked out some earrings nonetheless.  I used some funky orange beads I bought in Bern, Switzerland, one of the most magical places on earth.  I've told you about the lovely city of Bern before, and I can't even put a finger on why it was so great I just loved it.  Go there and see for yourself!  Attractions include:  river complete with bear pit, Einstein's apartment, and a rockin' bead store.

Day 61

Hey all!

Today I was having kind of a bad day but in the last few hours it has managed to turn completely around.  Thank goodness.  First of all, putting my blog up on facebook has gotten me 25 new hits in the last hour or so.  Hi there, facebook friends!  Second of all, I had a nice little clue that someone's been reading my blog (thanks Marissa!) which really made my day.  Third of all, and most importantly, I made a bracelet that I am in love with.

Day 60

Hey all!

Wow, 60 days!  I know lately I've been pretty sloppy but 60 days is no small feat, even if it isn't all consecutive.

Today I woke up late and did nothing until literally 5 pm.  It was the biggest waste of a day since... Friday. What I did do was make a costume for a Jewish holiday that's coming up soon.  It's called Purim, and it's a story of a woman who is picked to marry the king and is able to undermine the bad guy who is close to the king from this position as new bride.

Summarizing a holiday in one sentence was tough, so if I've missed some things or mislead you, I apologize.  The main point I'm trying to make is that it's celebrated a little like a Jewish Halloween.  There's a big fair for it tomorrow, the Purim carnival, and I needed to make myself a costume.  I decided to be Bananagrams.  If you don't know what that is, you are missing out!  It's a game with tiles where you basically make your own personal scrabble board quickly before the other players finish theirs.  I have this weird crazy yellow jacket that lends itself nicely for use in a costume.

The yellow will be the bag that the tiles come in, and the shirt underneath will have tiles attached like a bananagrams board.  Moral of this long long story is that I made silly costume earrings to match:

I don't really think you need a second photo to get the picture.  I will however probably post a picture of the whole shebang (the entire costume) tomorrow.  But on the off chance that anyone who's going to Purim carnival is reading this, I've got to keep a little mystery!

Love and Beads,
Eve

Day 59

Hey all!

I am doing a quick blog, but I just wanted to show you all the fun earrings I made today.  It was something daring and new:  2 different color earrings.

Day 58

Hey all!

I didn't do all that much today, though of course I planned on it.  The Friday curse strikes again!  It is hands down the most unproductive day of the week.

What I have been doing is watching lectures from TED conferences online.  Have you heard of this?  We watched a TED lecture by Mary Roach (one of my favorite authors) in my Human Sexuality class and I was curious about the organization.  The slogan is "ideas worth spreading," and it's basically short lectures by experts about what they know.  I can't explain it any more than that but they are so interesting!

The one I'm watching now is about marketing ideas in the digital age.  What I like best about this is they sound dry by the title but the speakers are both informative and entertaining so it's really enjoyable to watch.  Don't take my word for it though, I also love curling up with a good nonfiction book from the science section.  I just wanted to tell people about it (though you might already know) because the whole concept is so cool.

While learning about ideas worth spreading, I made some earrings.  I used these chunky beads I've been holding onto for a while and got inspired by a half-made pair of earrings lying around in my room.

Day 57

Hey all!

Phew, well my terrible tough stressful crazy midterms time is coming to an end.  Soon it will be spring break and soon enough I will be a college grad!  Wanna hire me?  I'm pretty sure that's the international recent grad slogan, so I'm just throwing it out there.

I had a big midterm today, then I went out to dinner and went bowling.  I have another midterm but it isn't until Wednesday and I have already started preparing.  There's a ton of reading but overall I think I am in good shape.  What does this mean for you?  Well it means I have time to make things and blog to you about them of course!

I experimented a little with today's earrings because I was feeling free and great.

I'm sure this is getting old...

Hey all!

I know you're probably going to hate me for this, perhaps even stop checking my blog, but I need to skip again.  Again, you ask?  I know, an earring a day is starting to be more like an earring a week.  But please bear with me.  I'm a college student trying to keep those shining grades and sometimes the rest of my life has to suffer a little.  I have reading for a class tomorrow and a big midterm exam on Thursday that requires reading and studying, and in addition to all that I would love some sleep.  So please don't hate me for not having half an hour to spare for earrings.  And I promise I'll be back here in no time.

Love and Beads,
Eve

Day 56

Hey all!

Today we had a snow day.  It was fabulous.  Well it was actually a really long day of doing homework that was supposed to be due today, but at least I got to sleep late!  I also finished my work just in time for trivia night, a Monday night tradition (rain or snow or shine).  In the end it was a fairly successful and half enjoyable day.  Sorry for not mustering up that much enthusiasm but let's be honest, a snow day spent inside with homework?  Lame!

Remember those green beads I used yesterday?  Well the friend who gave me them (or the earrings I took them from) also gave me some awesome vintage military beads.  I've been struggling for months trying to find something cool to do with them.  Today, it was necklace time.

Day 55

Hey all!

Sorry for skipping a day again!  I had a super busy Saturday and basically came home, brought my basket of tools to my bed and then fell asleep before making anything.  Bright side:  I was particularly motivated this morning to get today's earrings done early.

The earrings I made this morning use parts from a pair of earrings my friend gave me.  That's right folks, I'm running an earring chop shop.

Day 54

Hey all!

Today was a lovely unproductive day.  Fridays always seem like a potential goldmine of free time to do homework but it never turns out that way.  Then Sunday has to compensate for Friday fun.  Oh well!

I helped my friend Marissa (shout-out to my loyal blog reader) make some earrings from the beads she got at the bead store on our last adventure.  They turned out so well!  If I had a picture, I would put them up here.  I've helped people make earrings a couple times before and it's so interesting because they are always so different from the things I make.  It's great to see that with the same basic ingredients (beads and wire) people can do such creative and different things, and how everyone's mind works differently.  Awesome.

On to today's earrings!  I made some small earrings that I love, but I think they need to be accompanied by an explanation.

Day 53

Hey all!

Today I went to class and got a haircut (and color, which I never do!).  Then I made some chicken for dinner.  Grocery shopping was another highlight of the day.  Now I'm watching old SNL episodes online and falling asleep.  It's the weekend soon and that may bring some more exciting stories to tell you.

I have had some funky freshwater pearls hanging around for a while and I didn't know what to do of them because of their interesting shape.  Finally tonight I decided to try a red bead and pearl combination.  I think it worked!

Day 52

Hey all!

Today I woke up at noon.  It was a lovely catch up on sleep situation.  Then I procrastinated for a while and finally did some homework.  After that I went to the class I'd been doing the homework for.  I hung out with some friends after class and that basically brings us to now.

The earrings I made today use these cool beads I picked up during my recent bead store trip, along with a funky bead from Bern, Switzerland.  Ah, the memories.

Day 51

Hey all!

I have been in a constant state of craziness for 3 days straight, and sadly blogging and making earrings had to fall by the wayside.  I am back now, and besides being super sleepy I am glad to be back in the land of the sane and unstressed.  I had a lovely day today (well other than pulling an all-nighter...) which included movies and some bowling.  And in the middle of the week too, what a luxury!

The earrings I made today use some beads from the last time I went to the bead store.  I used wire to hang green and white beads down a little, then attached a white bead to the top.