Chief Joseph Days here we come!

It's almost rodeo time again, and one of my best childhood friends and I are taking the challenge to have a booth at Chief Joseph Days  . If you have a moment, take some time to check out the goings on for Chief Joseph Days. It's the biggest event around and draws folks from all over the world to come see the wild bucking horse stampede, the PRCA rodeo events, and dance the night away. The Nez Perce set up teepees outside the rodeo grounds and have dance demonstrations among other things, along with everyone who can find a reason participating in the kiddie and grand parades. It's with a bit of trepidation that we do this, especially for me as I've not tried an outdoor venue like this before. Luckily for me, Teri is a pro at this sort of thing.
Teri is the owner of Calamityville Mercantile, a fun and very cool vintage cowgirl "chic" sort of shop with western treasures galore! She also creates hand woven saddle cinchas, and does beautiful work. Her hubby is a saddle maker among other things and they live out in the farm/desert country of southern Idaho in an idyllic location surrounded by fields of green and fresh produce everywhere to be had. Click on her link and see what's going on out in her shop.
So I'm going to get my cowgirl on, and get to  making some fun jewelry, and home decor, including gourd country critters, and some art pieces (hopefully)....lol.

Sometimes you just have to make something for you....

I don't know about you, but sometimes it's hard to let everything you create go out the door for someone else. Sure, we all enjoy the joy and pleasure folks get from our creations, but sometimes don't you just want to keep something for yourself?
I decided to get ahead of that and just create a necklace and earrings set to go with a western shirt I have. Funny thing, the shirt is almost too big for me now, but hey, I can still wear it so why not? The colors are compatible with other items of clothing in my closet so its a win/win!  I wore this to watch the Chief Joseph Days parade, and got several compliments on the necklace which is a pay off wouldn't you say? Giggle!
It's time to put this set away though as we are going on a picnic out in the woods, and then on to fishing. Not the sort of thing you wear to the lake where the only company you have are folks in jeans and t-shirts or cattle or deer and a heron or flock of geese. I'm thinking I want a nice sweater to wear this with for Autumn time...what do you think?

Wednesday's WIP's Wild Horses and Santas?

 

 Yesterday marked the opening of Chief Joseph Days here in Wallowa County with the Bucking Horse Stampede down main street in Joseph. I had a front row seat of sorts as I was able to set up a table and work on some of my Santa's in front of Missy's Uptown Art Gallery. What fun that was, with all sorts of interesting folks stopping by to watch and chat! It also gave me insight as to what people are thinking about my work. I garnered a couple of potential collectors, and met folks that have already bought a couple of pieces or are interested, so that was a wonderful thing. I will be able to do more demo work on Friday in front of the same gallery, right after the Kiddie Parade, and another gallery wants me to do the same at her place. One of my larger driftwood Santas sold last week, along with a fish wall hanging so I'm raring to get some  more work done. 

Oh, and the horses finally found their way down through town, running through at a "stampede" pace, which was much better than last year, as you can see in the above picture when they seemed to stop to pose for photos in front of the bowling alley....lol.

So how's your week going?

Cowgirl Chic and Vintage Button Magic

 It's rodeo time in Joseph, Oregon, with Chief Joseph days right around the corner so all the local shops have cowboyed, or dolled up their windows with everything western. We kick off the big week with the wild bucking horse stampede on Tuesday, then Wednesday night the rodeos start. For all you closet rodeo queens, or styling cowgirls, I've created a chunky but chic faux turquoise and large pearl piece. Can't you see some cowboy's sweetheart dancing the night away at the Thunder Room with this lovely necklace around her neck?

 No ensemble is complete without earrings to match. Some lil darlin will dazzle all the men next week for sure!

 A match made in heaven was formed with these large vintage button and the flat shell beads. I've been trying to pull something together with the pearly brown and white beads, but couldn't quite do it until I got back to Oregon and found the vintage button stash I'd left here. The delicious dark chocolate brown pearls and sparkly crystal beads compliment the overall collection of beads and button. Copper chain was a perfect choice to finish this necklace with. I'm making one similar for me because I like how this design turned out. What color would you have used with this button?

 Another cowgirl chic piece, complete with ox brass beads, deep red crystal beads and Howlite turquoise beads.

 I so wish I had another button like this one to create with as there are so many possibilities for use, but here's a fun and funky version that was a conversation piece at the Westsider's dinner last night. The greens are really more of a teal, but are showing up as more of a true green on my screen. Pearl beads, vintage shell buttons, copper flowers and findings all came together to showcase this awesome button.

Earrings to match. This is for my own personal collection, but I just had to share. :-)