Day four. And this is it, girls.

I have a severe lack of discipline when it comes to blogging lately!!  And I used to be pretty good at it. Anyone have a reason to offer?!  I'm pretty busy, and I'll admit, I don't sit down every night with the computer and get after it, mainly because that is when my girls seem to most want my attention!  And so... you know, they always win!  

With that, yes, I am STILL blogging about Tucson, even though I have been to Dallas and am now in Colorado, and steadily uploading pics to my computer, but feel like I'm living in big time slow motion on the blog.  Just hang with me!!  I'll get better.  

And so... it is now day four in Tucson.  My final shopping day. 

I am completely in love with using fibers with metals.  If you saw any of the work I did while in Tucson, you know that I went straight to my hotel room and started wrapping ribbon and linen and fibers of all types.

How funky are these?!  I say, YES!

I also find myself drawn to buckets of "Stuff" that I have to dig through to find the treasures.  Anybody feel me?  I know that if you aren't on that team, then you you are totally on the other team.   Those who totally HATE to dig through things.  

BIns and bins of all kinds of little treasures!

These are all strands of vintage brass beads.  The booth owner mentioned which designer used to use these, and I recognized the name, but now i can't remember.  Either way, I didn't really need any of these.  I'm happy to announce, I didn't buy a single strand!  Yay me.

But, I DID buy lots of these religious medallions.  Apparently these are all the rage to dangle from bangle bracelets.  My friend, Tonia, asked me to pick some up, and so I got a bunch.  I figure this might be a cool project at the May retreat.  Look at the funk that cakes on your fingers from digging in this old brass/ metal.

Ta daaaaah... my perfect findings.

And this is something that you just see everywhere!!  It IS a bit overwhelming the first year, I bought way too much, simply because it was ALL new to me.  Now, I have a little more of an idea of what I want/ need before going.

And I try to stay focused on things.

That doesn't mean I don't get a wee bit off course.
We use a lot of silk cords at MoJoy when people make bracelets with stamped metal.  I usually don't use the wider kind, but I loved these colors.  I only bought a few.

This is what I usually use.  Suzy had just bought 150 or so new ones, so I refrained from buying here in Tucson.  For those who are coming to the retreat, be thinking of something new we could do with these.  We have GORGEOUS colors!!

OhhhhMMmm Geeee.... and then there was THIS!!  I have wrapped bangles with it, wrapped earrings with it, and I think I'd put it on just about ANYTHING!!  I LOVE these colors!

These are little bags made specifically for jewelry peeps.  I bought one, but mine doesn't have one of these seriously cute covers.  The owner of the booth said they had a class to learn to do this felt technique. The LAST thing I need is a NEW hobby!!

I decided to go a different route.  I bought some of this ribbon.  I have previously blogged that I am going to use some on mine and the girls' jeans.  I am also going to bedazzle my jewelry tote.  What else could I do with it?!  Let me know in the comments!!

This is the one I am using on my bag.

Isn't it just totally decadent?!

This might be my fave.  And I have no earthly idea what I will do with it.

Spools and spools of rhinestones!

Yes, I DID buy some of these, cause the way Crystal showed me how to use them, well... now I have a purpose for all this greatness.

They had these little birthstone earring kits that I bought for Ellie, Madi, and Kaitlyn (Jessi's girl).  I didn't buy Gabs one, cause she still REFUSES to let me change her earrings ever since the day she had them pierced.

Just more stuff.

Suzy, I LOVED how these guys put their wares in these boxes, then could just fold them up and stack them when leaving and going to the next show.  YEP!  We gotta find us someone to build these for us.

As I said, I got right to work!!  I am LOVING using the ribbons and linen thread and all that fun stuff.

Since I've been in Colorado, I have made lots more!!  I think Suzy has loaded some of these on our website (mojoystudio.com), and they can be ordered directly there.  I KNOW that we'll have a lot more when I get home with this new crop!

Have I ever mentioned why I prefer earrings to every other kind of jewelry?  It's because I can whip them out pretty quickly, and then I get to get a fresh idea moving toward a new pair.  I've mentioned my strengths, but one of my top five is IDEATION.  That means I have ideas popping in my head all the time, and also explains my lack of focus.  Earrings fits nicely into that category!

I'm pretty sure I have one more Tucson post, and then.... LOUISIANA HAD SNOW!! I'll definitely be posting about that!  As well as the fun surprise Todd the Bod gave our girls for Valentine's this year.  American Girl Doll store!!  So, hang in there... lots of pics and stories coming!!

MO