I shipped this necklace to a customer who has a P.O. box at my same zip code. I took it to the post office, thinking it would never leave the building. Wrong!

That could’ve been true if I’d put stamps on it! Because I bought postage at the post office, my package had to go to the processing center. Instead of getting her necklace, today, my customer will get it tomorrow. 

Currently, anything under 4oz. mails for $3.50 or 7 stamps. Why didn’t I just buy a book of stamps on the spot? Laura thought of that, but she was in the car. Next time!

I have lots to catch up on! I’ll start with, today, though. I missed the Apple Festival, and was generally down and out, so I went to Mama’s to do a little making and distract myself. I’d just received these Vintaj goodies from Candie Cooper, a designer I admire. 

I chose the 5 smaller leaves and the big jump ring to work with. I saw a dangle and matching earrings. I love antique copper for fall, but these needed some color. I found some Czech glass leaves to add. They are from artbeads.com.I rounded up jump rings and eyepins. 

I needed briolette bails for the glass leaves, started with the eyepins, but wound up using 26 gauge copper wire. I did more than a little practicing.

This is what I wound up with so far:

I’m thinking about using smaller oval jump rings to keep the charms between the spacers. Earrings are coming soon, too.

Here is my first attempt at making ear cuffs for my granddaughter.

Jewelry Television (jtv.com) has a jewelry making show called Jewel School. They sell materials, and tools and demonstrate techniques. They air three shows per week in their network 

You can also watch their shows on Facebook Live. If you do, you can post comments and questions for the show hosts while they are on air. You can also chat with other viewers.

One group of viewers formed a club, the Beady Bunch. I am a member, and so are 800+ other folks, mostly women who make jewelry.Being a Beady Bunch member and recent Jewel School happenings have put some added excitement and comaraderie in my life!

around my bowl cozy. It’s still a mess, but I guess it’s okay to slop tomato soup on.

I got the mailbox finished just in time!

I found this garland of knitted caps at Michael’s and knew I had to have them for Mama’s House! 

They were 50% off, too!

I think they’ll stay up year-round.

This morning, I gave my granddaughter the leg warmers I made her. Forget ballet, tomorrow, she had to wear them to school, today! 

I made the pattern, myself. It’s very simple. I thought she would get the most wear out of a stretchy knit, so I decided on a K2, P2 rib stitch. I have lots of pale pink sport weight yarn from knitting newborn caps for the local hospital. I used that yarn and my usual size 4, 9 inch bamboo knitting needles. I knit a gauge, and knew I’d need a multiple of 4 stitches. I settled on 48 to give me close to 4 inches in width. I did a long tail cast on, and “knit 2, purled 2” across. I repeated until I had 6 inches of fabric. I cast off in pattern. I knitted a second, matching piece and stitched them both closed, lengthwise. using the mattress stitch.

The 4×6 inch tubes were just right for little beginning ballet legs! The rib stitch will let them expand as she grows. My granddaughter has requested a second pair from a variegated yarn called, “Easter Basket, from the Baby Jacuards  Collection by Bernat. I am working on them, now!

My friend, Laura, and I rode off into the sunset after a good afternoon of craft shopping in Statesville, NC.