You do have a summer fun list, don't you?
I started writing one a few weeks ago to make sure that don't accidentally work all summer.
Yes, I'm aware that statement sounds fairly ridiculous, but somehow when you run your own business it's so easy to work all the time. There is always something to be done: new shipping boxes to order, customer emails to return, and deadlines to meet. I've decided that this summer I'm going to make a list of fun, non-business activities and try to do at least one thing on it each week. (More than one would be great, but I've set the bar low to make sure that I actually clear it.)
Some items on my list are fairly specific (try that cauliflower with tahini recipe from the new Milk Street Magazine) and others are definitely vague (take a road trip). I want to spend time walking outside, read a lot, go to a few museums, and try my hand at some fun craft projects, including a leather bag that's been (not so) patiently waiting months for me to dye the already cut pieces and stitch them together.
As part of my summer experiment, I'm going to loosen the reins on this blog. I've been blogging here weekly for seven years! I'll still continue to write here on occasion, but it won't be on a regular schedule going forward. If you like, you can sign up to receive my blog posts by email. When there's a new post during the week, you'll get an email on Friday. (No new post = no email.) That email list won't be used for anything else other than sending my blog posts.
To be clear, I'm still going to work this summer. Eating a rapidly melting mint chocolate chip ice cream cone while standing outside in the Colorado sun doesn't pay the bills. But I'm hoping a little sweetness should make the summer sing instead of slog.
Hope you have a wonderful summer! (And don't forget to make your own "summer fun" list!)
What's On Your Summer Fun List?
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My Stamped Bead Necklace in Beadwork June/July 2017
When one door closes, another one opens.
—Alexander Graham Bell (1847-1922)
Back in January, I wrote about Jewelry Stringing magazine closing. This magazine helped shaped me as a new jewelry designer, so I was sad to see it go. The good news is that its sister magazine Beadwork is currently folding in a few Stringing-like projects into future issues. I'm excited to have a new necklace in the June/July 2017 issue of Beadwork!
Stamped Metal Jewelry
The theme for the set of "Fast and Fabulous" projects in this issue was stamped metal. For my "Find Your Wings" necklace, I decided to stamp on metal beads instead of the normal pendant or charm blanks. I used copper-plated ovals and silver-toned beads from Michaels. Since I didn't know the metal content (how I wish craft stores would include that info!), I only used metal stamps that were rated for steel just to be safe. (You can damage your metal stamps if you stamp them on harder metals than what they are rated for.) The copper ovals were a little tricky to stamp because they are slightly curved; the flat silver ones were easier. The fun thing about stamping on beads is that you can decide whether or not to show the stamped message to the world (facing up) or to keep it to yourself (facing down). Unlike thinner stamped metals, you don't have to worry about the ugly hammer marks showing on the reverse side.
The eight stamped projects in this issue are from designers Jess Lincoln (Vintaj), Rita Pannulla (ImpressArt), Lisa Niven Kelly (Beaducation), Lorelei Eurto, Kristina Hahn Eleniak (Peacock and Lime), Gaea Caanaday, Becky Nunn (Nunn Design), and me (Michelle Mach). Each design puts a fresh spin on metal stamping, using a range of metals (brass, copper, pewter, and plated metals) to showcase different ideas such as a miniature book, a metal bead frame, or mandala patterns. Enjoy!
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May Genre Reading Challenge: Historical Fiction
May Genre Challenge: Historical Fiction
If you long for years gone by or just want to learn some history in a fun way, this is the genre for you! May's theme in the 12 genres in 12 months reading challenge is historical fiction. I don't normally seek out historical fiction, so I was surprised to learn that I'd read so much of it when I started looking at recommended reading lists.
Recommended Reads
Here are a few historical fiction titles I've enjoyed over the last few years:
- The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows (1946, Guernsey Island)
It's tough to write a compelling novel that's comprised of letters, but this one does it well. - The Help by Kathryn Stockett (1962, Mississippi)
The movie is good, too. - The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini (1970s, Afghanistan)
A heartbreaking story. - Number the Stars by Lois Lowry (Denmark, Word War II)
I read many historical fiction books for children in my year-long Newbery project. This one stood out as the best. - Orphan Train by Christina Baker Lane (Minnesota, Great Depression)
I keep notes on the books I read. For this one, I noted that I enjoyed the historical parts of the book more than the modern-day ones.
What I Might Read
Here are the few books that made my short list:
Possibility #1: March by Geraldine Brooks
Why this interests me: This book tells the story of the Little Women's father against the backdrop of the Civil War. I'm always fascinated by books that try to tell a different part of a well-known story. This book won a Pulitzer Prize for Fiction in 2006.
Recommended by: 50 Essential Historical Fiction Books (Abe Books)
Possibility #2: The Luminaries by Eleanor Catton
Why it interests me: The central plot(s) seem to revolve around a mystery set in a gold-mining town in New Zealand in 1866. I always love a good mystery. This book won the Booker Prize in 2013. It's over 800 pages, which is a little daunting!
Recommended by: 20 Works of Historical Fiction You Should Read Right Now (Quicklit)
Possibility #3: The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
Why it interests me: This is one of those titles that seems to pop up on many recommended book lists. The basic premise that books can feed the soul during dark times (Nazi Germany, 1939) is very compelling.
Recommended by: Best Historical Novels That Made You Cry (Goodreads)
Possibility #4: Dancing in Combat Boots by Teresa Funke
Why it interests me: Teresa Funke is a local author who has written historical fiction books for children and adults. This one is a series of short stories about American women during World War II. I like the idea of reading a book of short stories, since that seems to be an unusual format for historical fiction.
Recommended by: Small Books About Big Wars (KidLit History)
I'll be reading one (or possibly more) of these books this month.
For other book ideas, check out my Book Recommendations board on Pinterest. I'll be adding book lists throughout the year as I come across intriguing ones.
Next Month (June): Science Fiction or Science Factual. When I was looking for books to read this month, I discovered a few time travel / alternative history ones that I might read in June. Stay tuned!
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