You do know I have a life outside of writing, right? I have a large family that occupies two sides of the highway in my neck of the woods. And no, we aren’t Duck Dynasty. We’re just a multi-generational (five generations!) family, trying to be there for each other. I’m “sandwich girl”–stuck between the elders and the young’uns (my daughter’s family), and doing my best to carve out time to write.

But writing isn’t all I want to do. I need hobbies. And one I’ve found I really enjoy is making jewelry. I sell a few pieces on line and in an Etsy store, but I haven’t put the effort into selling. Mainly, I just love sitting down at the work table, clearing my mind, and putting together little baubles or painting a pendant—things that, for me, don’t require much of my brain.

This weekend, Friday through Sunday, I’m taking part in an artist’s studio tour—an annual event the local art guild sponsors, so I’ve been busily putting together more baubles to display, and hopefully sell. Sales equals validation, here. And maybe I can earn enough to pay for more beads and paint! Here are some things I put together this week. I will be flooding my Etsy site with items after the tour!

amethyst and rutilated quartz bracelet, inked and painted pendant

howlite crosses bracelet

coral, ruby, copper and leather bracelet

dragon’s eye bracelet, with jasper, jade, citrine, and Victorian era button,
plus painted/inked pendant

What are your favorite “take me away” hobbies?