Yesterday, I was productive.  I unpacked the entire kitchen, washed every dish that we own, set up every kitchen appliance we have (after washing them, too), took all of the empty boxes to the dumpster, and made lots of yummy food.


Today, I am not doing nearly half as much.  The bedroom is still in boxes, I can't find some important paperwork (think it's still in our old room), and I have a growing headache.


But, there will be baked potatoes for lunch. 


And the view from our windows is absolutely beautiful.

View from the window in the spare bedroom/
my future crafting room.  

I love being surrounded by trees!

Adventures in Packing: Week Two

Today, I packed the inventory for my stores.

In so doing, I discovered that I have many, many, many small things.  And they all need individual attention.  I spent all day organizing them, and then putting them in small bags, and then into small boxes, and then in bigger boxes.  So, for a full day's work, I only have four big boxes to show for myself.  But, by golly, those boxes are well packed! 

No pictures yet this week, because I've been too busy--not to mention that it's been rainy and dismal, so the lighting hasn't been very good.  

In hindsight, I haven't done as much as I wanted to... there are always more things that I think need to be done.  Still, I am content in my progress.

Tomorrow, we sign the lease and the apartment is ours.

Tonight, I stop putting little things in little boxes, and try to get some sleep.

Adventures in Packing: Week One

Last week began the packing marathon.


In good news, most everything was already packed.


In bad news, most everything was already packed--in my in-laws' basement, in boxes that were falling apart, and schlucked together, and too heavy, and in desperate need of some TLC.


So, last week I ventured into the basement to tackle those boxes.  I did not go alone--my friend Lisa went with me, ready to assist in all things packing-related.  My goal was to repack those boxes that needed to be repacked (due to weight or box disrepair), and organize them according to room.


Look at the sight that greeted us:

This was one of many, many stacks.
And, yes, that is a stuffed stegosaurus on the coffee table.
And iced coffee in the foreground.

Now, I should tell you that packing, for me, goes in stages:

1. Try to be organized, keep things together, and use the right size box for everything.
2. Start to get a little more haphazard, but have "themed" boxes.
3. Schluck unrelated random things into a box, label it "miscellaneous".
4. Schluck unrelated random things into a box, forget to label it and draw a narwhal instead.

While we made good progress--finishing repacking/sorting almost all of the boxes--by the end of last week, Lisa and I hovered somewhere between stages 3 and 4.  


Case in point:

Remember that aforementioned stegosaurus?
He's in this box.

So, I own a lot of books.  After packing one too many boxes of them,
this was the look on my face.

I love reading books--holding them in my hand, feeling the paper.
Yet, I have to admit, a Kindle is looking more and more appealing.

I should also mention that I have a LOT of journals...

...Which I point out on this box.  Lisa, with the purple sharpie,
apparently agrees with my assessment.

So, that was last week.  Most everything in my in-laws' basement has been readied for departure.  I am very pleased with our progress.  

This week, I'm focusing on everything upstairs.  That includes our bedroom, the bathroom... and my beads.  I think, once I pack my beads, this move will feel official.  

Or maybe everything will just happen in a blur--like all of my other moves--and it won't really sink in until November.  

Either way, I am just so blessed that it's actually happening!  Now, if only I can retain my sanity!

---

P.S.  Sorry for the darker pictures...  obviously, they were taken in the basement!

Things to Be Happy About

1. The chance to move into a beautiful new apartment
2. Watching the moon rise
3. The smell of brewing coffee
4. The smell of freshly dried laundry
5. Trying a new idea, and having it work
6. Adorable kitties, stretching in the Autumn shade

Picture of Tolkien, taken with my cell phone--
at the right place at the right time!

...I am blessed beyond words, and content in my exhaustion--because it means that my dreams are taking form.

Updated - AUTUMN / MOVING SALE!

Originally, I was going to offer 20% off only during the month of October.  


However, plans have changed slightly.  


Why?  Well, as of yesterday, my husband and I are going to be moving in two weeks!  *happy dance*  And, due to moving insanity (yikes! short notice!), I will be closing my shop from October 18 - November 1. 


But, no worries!  I am going to extend the 20% off sale into November, once my store re-opens!


So, instead of an October sale, it is now an Autumn and Moving Sale!  Be sure to stop by my store and check out the deals! 


Such as...

This hairstick for $12.00!

...and...

These hairsticks for $24.00!

...and...

These earrings for $8.80!

...and...

This necklace for $24.00!

...and...  


Well, you get the picture!


Enjoy!

October Sale!

That's right!  


For the month of October, everything on my Etsy store is 20% off!


Yay!  Go to anafiassa.etsy.com to start shopping!

Also...

I was going to post this yesterday, but got sidetracked by life.  Remember these sets:

Look what they've become!

Both of those necklaces also have matching earrings and hairsticks--to be posted, whenever I finish gluing them.  All in all, I am feeling rather accomplished!

One Night's Transformation

It all started with a hairstick. 

This hairstick, to be precise.

This is one of the first hairsticks I ever made.  In fact, I glued it on 6/16/2008, according to my photo records.  


It's not too bad, for a starting stick...  But there are so many issues with it.  The topper is too heavy--or, if you prefer, the stick is too slight to support its weight.  I also hadn't found the right glue to use yet, so there is dried glue visible everywhere.  

Don't believe me?  Here's a closer look.

And, not only is it a glue-y mess, but the glue just didn't stick.  The topper popped right out!  So, as a result, I put this stick aside in exasperation...  I love the color combination of purple and brown--foil glass and tiger eye--but this stick just wasn't cutting it!


Forward ahead to last night.  Last night, I took it apart.  I pried the glue off of the stick and the purple focal bead--the latter of which I turned into a pendant.  I poked through my bead stash (considerably larger than it was back in 2008) to find beads that might match.


This is what I came up with:

For the record, I also found some swirly purple foil beads,
not pictured here.

And then I went to work.  Using both the beads that I salvaged, and the beads that I found, I was able to create these:

The transformed hairstick topper--much more suitable as a necklace focal.

The new hairsticks--simpler, more elegant, and definitely not as heavy!

And, why not?  Here are some earrings to match!

The whole set...  That single hairstick has come a
long way!

I am extremely pleased with both the hairsticks and the earrings...  I think I may be pleased with the necklace, as well--although it is a bit bulkier than I usually make.  Still, I think everything is a vast improvement on the glue-caked, top-heavy stick that started it all!  Three years in the making--and I think it turned out for the best!