Are you ready?
According to my friends at the National Weather Service this week will be the hottest we've had all summer. My strategy for getting through this week can be summed up in this seasonal haiku*:
pool water cool splash
later crafty sparkle waits
now I am too wet
At our house we are devoted to the twin summer soothers of air conditioning and swimming pools. My children are working their way through a giant pile of quilting scraps from grandma by making their 1,000th doll pillow/skirt/purse and I am beading and pounding out wire. When we have had a few hours of that we gather everything up and head to the pool. I like the contrast of indoor detail work and outdoor big, splashy work. Of course, I try to accessorize myself at the pool with some waterproof jewels. Sparkle helps to distract from my less-than-bikini-ready body and the fact that I am wearing a giant sun hat IN the pool!
If you need a nice cool place do do your detail work, we're here all week. And we don't mind if you wear your bathing suit!
Cynthia
*a note to haiku purists; yes, I know the rules are 5-7-5 + nature themes but give me a break, it's hot!
keep yourself cool here with all the crafty goodies-
Try It Tuesday and make a necklace that can get wet! This simple pearl pendant necklace uses a toggle bar and a leather loop to fasten.
This is a great way to use those 'spare' toggle bars in your collection and the necklace is very light and summery. Almost beachy!
Thursday Want to learn something new in just a few minutes?
Join us for Technique Thursday every week at Ornamentea from 6:30-8:30. Registration is not required, visit
the page to see some of the projects you can learn to create.
Thursday Have you ever altered a book? I don't mean just penciling a note in the margin. I mean ripping out pages, gluing whole chapters together, covering the cover with fabric or paint; you know,
altering a book! You can learn to create art from old books and use the techniques to make vacation journals, scrapbooks and gifts.
We have a class this Thursday evening and you don't even need to bring a book! We have all the supplies ready for you. Call 919-834-6260 to register.
This project looks difficult but the talented Heidi is patient and will have you stitching up a storm. You can make one of these to match every bathing suit you own!
Friday is
Breakfast & Beads. Join us for some early-morning craft time at our work tables. We'll have coffee, tea and breakfast treats ready to go for you. We also have fun, age-appropriate activities for your child to do in our classroom, from blocks to crafts.
Saturday I know the holidays are about 1,000 days and 500 degrees away but hand-made gifts start now! Join Andrea on Saturday for
Hand-Felted Soap and you'll discover how you can make thoughtful, useful gifts for family and friends. This combines both of my themes this week but you can't actually felt in the swimming pool. The guards will whistle at you! I have a felted soap in the shower at our house right now and I love the sort of scrubby feeling it has. And the lather! Wow! Call 919-834-6260 to register. Space is limited.
Did you miss the Spiral Rope class last week? It filled up so fast, we've added a second section on August 4th. Please call the store to register, it's not on-line yet!
We have an Enameling Slumber Party on August 13th. You can register now, but watch the blog for project pictures and details this week.
new stuff:
- new Murrini porcelain beads from Elaine Ray
- new pearl chain
- new pewter charms (made in the U.S.A.!)
- new Czech beaded chain including this turquoise mix
- they're back! cotton pearls, ultralight and very durable...and huge!
- new Czech glass bead strands...I'll post a video on the facebook page today!
- six styles of Sterling Chain are now in the case
- new stones are here and more arriving weekly
- Wax Wires...for wax carving and casting!
- teeny-tiny screwdrivers for those micro screws are here
- new styles of 7Gypsies papers and tapes and books, oh my!
- tiny tarot cards are BACK!
Sale Items
don't forget, our in-store summer stone clearance continues with green-sticker stones all half-off original price. We've also added LOTS of pendants to the clearance, come check them out!
- new summer necklace project using leather and glue-in cord ends
- Earring of the Week (on Wednesday!)
- a Decopatch mobile project AND contest to enter (by the 26th)
- later this week, pics and details about the Enameling Slumber Party!
Have you been wondering when we'd be selling off some of our Panopolie goodies?
Mark your calendar for August 21st, 9-12:00.
We'll have selected chairs, a sofa, tables, office desks, slat wall fixtures and more for sale AT PANOPOLIE on that date. I've also cleaned out Ornamentea's attic, so there will be lots of vases, bowls, plates, jars, candlesticks, lamps, mirrors and decor that you love and want to take home. Better-than-flea-market prices, all sales will be cash only. I'll post a few movies of some of the items on our We Love Ornamentea
facebook page and on the blog as we get closer.
Please, don't call the store and ask if we can hold a specific item for you, just be there on August 21st!
Thursday Add some waterproof sparkle to your fingers with our 
