Monday - Call To Order. Sale too!

I so desperately want this upcoming week to be a little easier on me.
Please!

Earthquake, Hurricane, Tornado Warnings - that's my three.
I'm done!

Riley playing with backup light as Light Saber (fake sounds too!).

My Saturday night was spent sleeping in the basement camped out with Dave, Chloe & Riley.

It felt like I was in preparation mode for days before…

Just mentally & physically draining.

Like getting ready for a week or two away from home…

Not that I was worried about the wind and rain from hurricane Irene,

But I was worried rather about the way these huge old trees may drop parts onto our house.

Or how they might come crashing through the house all the way to the street out front...

Riley watching the wind through the trees post Irene.

And I've had nightmares that have woken me with thoughts of these trees coming through the roof in a bad storm and neither Dave or myself not being able to get to the kids. 

The thoughts of their crying terrified voices is enough motivation to drop everything else and get us ready:

cat litter boxes area be damned - steam cleaned carpets, dehumidifier run, fans running, deodorizing spray a plenty, disinfectant cleaned, child proofed my office area where we would be hanging out and sleeping with a 1.5 and 3 year old, tarps to cover the rug, extra twin mattresses brought down from the attic, beds made, lights, batteries, food, water, diapers, potty seat, toys, chargers, must I go on...

Chloe coloring post Irene.

Luckily all the kids knew is that we were having our first family camping night in the basement together. They had a blast! Oh, the bliss of not knowing...

I was a bit worried for my garden.

Nothing that couldn't grow back, but I was expecting something worse than what is pictured above.

Reminded me a bit of Chloe's Rapunzel doll's hair:

Just a bit messy from the winds.

Guess it's like playing and sleeping with a 3.5 year old.

The haphazard life of a doll with very long hair...

And this photo was of the sun breaking through the clouds…

The last of the winds diminishing…

On our way to have Sunday dinner with Dave's family.

Lucky to have Irene treat us not so horribly…

Made it out ok - just a bit stressed…

Today's Cyber Monday Beads-of-Clay Sale:

20% off my Etsy shop retail items with Coupon Code: BOC20

Here is a treasury I created specifically for this event:

I need to pick a winner for my Pre-Bead Fest sale coupon code users…

I have not forgotten about you, just a bit distracted :)

How did you all fare with the Hurricane?

Hope all is well with you and your families!

Monday - Call To Order. Sale too!

I so desperately want this upcoming week to be a little easier on me.
Please!

Earthquake, Hurricane, Tornado Warnings - that's my three.
I'm done!

Riley playing with backup light as Light Saber (fake sounds too!).

My Saturday night was spent sleeping in the basement camped out with Dave, Chloe & Riley.

It felt like I was in preparation mode for days before…

Just mentally & physically draining.

Like getting ready for a week or two away from home…

Not that I was worried about the wind and rain from hurricane Irene,

But I was worried rather about the way these huge old trees may drop parts onto our house.

Or how they might come crashing through the house all the way to the street out front...

Riley watching the wind through the trees post Irene.

And I've had nightmares that have woken me with thoughts of these trees coming through the roof in a bad storm and neither Dave or myself not being able to get to the kids. 

The thoughts of their crying terrified voices is enough motivation to drop everything else and get us ready:

cat litter boxes area be damned - steam cleaned carpets, dehumidifier run, fans running, deodorizing spray a plenty, disinfectant cleaned, child proofed my office area where we would be hanging out and sleeping with a 1.5 and 3 year old, tarps to cover the rug, extra twin mattresses brought down from the attic, beds made, lights, batteries, food, water, diapers, potty seat, toys, chargers, must I go on...

Chloe coloring post Irene.

Luckily all the kids knew is that we were having our first family camping night in the basement together. They had a blast! Oh, the bliss of not knowing...

I was a bit worried for my garden.

Nothing that couldn't grow back, but I was expecting something worse than what is pictured above.

Reminded me a bit of Chloe's Rapunzel doll's hair:

Just a bit messy from the winds.

Guess it's like playing and sleeping with a 3.5 year old.

The haphazard life of a doll with very long hair...

And this photo was of the sun breaking through the clouds…

The last of the winds diminishing…

On our way to have Sunday dinner with Dave's family.

Lucky to have Irene treat us not so horribly…

Made it out ok - just a bit stressed…

Today's Cyber Monday Beads-of-Clay Sale:

20% off my Etsy shop retail items with Coupon Code: BOC20

Here is a treasury I created specifically for this event:

I need to pick a winner for my Pre-Bead Fest sale coupon code users…

I have not forgotten about you, just a bit distracted :)

How did you all fare with the Hurricane?

Hope all is well with you and your families!

BOC Second Saturday State of Your Studio

Welcome to my post to join in on the Beads-of-Clay Blog post for

Second Saturday, State of Your Studio.

Make sure to swing by the blog for this monthly blog hop to look into some artists studios...

If you have a studio or creative space, you are welcome to join up on this blog hop by including a direct link for your blog post to the BOC post so that visitors can take a look into where you create. 

My creative space for clay, jewelry and office work is in my basement.

Unfortunately this is what the view into the outside looks like:

I've been trying to figure out the best time of the year to be most productive in the clay studio.

I love being in the garden from March/April until June.

Then it just becomes horribly humid and hot and I happily go into the cool basement and hang out in the clay and jewelry areas.

I managed to even get some clay-work in yesterday and made some domed cabs for my friend Teddi and some for Darlene (D7Studio).

I just love the way these domed cabs look...

I have yet to clean up the bottoms & edges with a wet sponge,

but that will be for me to do once the kids get to napping (maybe today or tomorrow).

I've also got my glaze tests underway for my next post for Beads of Clay Blog Third Friday, Cone 6 Commercial Glaze post I do every month.

I've been glazing up some pieces and firing them in my small kiln (which gets different results than my large kiln) so that I can make up a limited "glaze color selection" for some of my jewelry listings up in my Etsy shop. I did this so that I can have a faster turn around since I don't have to have quite so many pieces ready before firing the kiln. I like to try to fire a full kiln load. Firing a load almost empty is such a waste of energy...

I've been getting in a bit of photography time too.

These are the 12 glazes I decided upon for the Porcelain Clay Twirl Earrings in my Etsy shop.

I just love the tone of blue and the translucency of this new Peacock glaze.

It picks up the detail of my textures so well and shadows nicely!

And here is my jewelry making desk.

I just got a new shipment of silks in and want to spend some time pulling some for new bundles for my Etsy shop.

Also, last night I went out to see a fellow Delaware Etsy Street Team artist (Nicole Kristiana) at her opening at The Grand on the Wilmington Art Loop then went to the after loop party "re:fresh" at the newly opened World Cafe Live at the Queen… 

Words cannot explain how great it feels to go out and be around other artists.

Especially when you are an artist working alone in a house…

Standing under the staircase, looking up the interior side of the building.

And to be in such a unique building that has so much history.

I blogged about it over on the DEST Blog if you want to see more.

Don't forget to visit the Beads of Clay Blog to see what other artists studios are looking like right now…

Thanks for stopping by for a bit!

BOC Second Saturday State of Your Studio

Welcome to my post to join in on the Beads-of-Clay Blog post for

Second Saturday, State of Your Studio.

Make sure to swing by the blog for this monthly blog hop to look into some artists studios...

If you have a studio or creative space, you are welcome to join up on this blog hop by including a direct link for your blog post to the BOC post so that visitors can take a look into where you create. 

My creative space for clay, jewelry and office work is in my basement.

Unfortunately this is what the view into the outside looks like:

I've been trying to figure out the best time of the year to be most productive in the clay studio.

I love being in the garden from March/April until June.

Then it just becomes horribly humid and hot and I happily go into the cool basement and hang out in the clay and jewelry areas.

I managed to even get some clay-work in yesterday and made some domed cabs for my friend Teddi and some for Darlene (D7Studio).

I just love the way these domed cabs look...

I have yet to clean up the bottoms & edges with a wet sponge,

but that will be for me to do once the kids get to napping (maybe today or tomorrow).

I've also got my glaze tests underway for my next post for Beads of Clay Blog Third Friday, Cone 6 Commercial Glaze post I do every month.

I've been glazing up some pieces and firing them in my small kiln (which gets different results than my large kiln) so that I can make up a limited "glaze color selection" for some of my jewelry listings up in my Etsy shop. I did this so that I can have a faster turn around since I don't have to have quite so many pieces ready before firing the kiln. I like to try to fire a full kiln load. Firing a load almost empty is such a waste of energy...

I've been getting in a bit of photography time too.

These are the 12 glazes I decided upon for the Porcelain Clay Twirl Earrings in my Etsy shop.

I just love the tone of blue and the translucency of this new Peacock glaze.

It picks up the detail of my textures so well and shadows nicely!

And here is my jewelry making desk.

I just got a new shipment of silks in and want to spend some time pulling some for new bundles for my Etsy shop.

Also, last night I went out to see a fellow Delaware Etsy Street Team artist (Nicole Kristiana) at her opening at The Grand on the Wilmington Art Loop then went to the after loop party "re:fresh" at the newly opened World Cafe Live at the Queen… 

Words cannot explain how great it feels to go out and be around other artists.

Especially when you are an artist working alone in a house…

Standing under the staircase, looking up the interior side of the building.

And to be in such a unique building that has so much history.

I blogged about it over on the DEST Blog if you want to see more.

Don't forget to visit the Beads of Clay Blog to see what other artists studios are looking like right now…

Thanks for stopping by for a bit!

Thank You ~ Shop ~ Come Back Soon...

Thank you for visiting the BOC Bloggers Open Studio Event and for spending some time here with us!

Chloe learning how to take pictures with her  iPhone (Dave's very old phone).

I enjoy visiting & interacting with you all and seeing other artists studios…

We should be doing another one in October 2011 and will hopefully have more artists participating again. And I'll have new pieces like these nests readily available (before then for sure!)

And I have plans for working on felting to combine with shards…

Lots to figure out! Let's not even touch on how bad I want to order MissFickleMedia's patinas and tutorial…

For every item you buy through the Marsha Neal Studio Etsy Shop until Midnight EST tonight, you get a chance at winning up to three $25 Marsha Neal Studio Etsy Shop Gift Certificates. I will email you tomorrow to let you know you've won. Curious to see how good your chances are for winning? Check out the sold items and see how many have sold today… 

Chances will be numbered by the order that they appear in my sold (first sold = #1, second = #2, and so on).

Have fun shopping!

Oh, and follow this blog to get updates regularly or just stop back to see I'm getting into.

Like what my friend Kelly Russell of Beadfuddled and I do with these and more pieces like them…

Pre-firing and Post-Firing Porcelain Paper Clay Pieces.

Thanks for spending your Sunday afternoon with us!

Remember to comment on the BOC main blog post for your chance at winning the big lot of donated beads! And don't forget to see both the live and static blog post links for all the artists participating!

Thank You ~ Shop ~ Come Back Soon...

Thank you for visiting the BOC Bloggers Open Studio Event and for spending some time here with us!

Chloe learning how to take pictures with her  iPhone (Dave's very old phone).

I enjoy visiting & interacting with you all and seeing other artists studios…

We should be doing another one in October 2011 and will hopefully have more artists participating again. And I'll have new pieces like these nests readily available (before then for sure!)

And I have plans for working on felting to combine with shards…

Lots to figure out! Let's not even touch on how bad I want to order MissFickleMedia's patinas and tutorial…

For every item you buy through the Marsha Neal Studio Etsy Shop until Midnight EST tonight, you get a chance at winning up to three $25 Marsha Neal Studio Etsy Shop Gift Certificates. I will email you tomorrow to let you know you've won. Curious to see how good your chances are for winning? Check out the sold items and see how many have sold today… 

Chances will be numbered by the order that they appear in my sold (first sold = #1, second = #2, and so on).

Have fun shopping!

Oh, and follow this blog to get updates regularly or just stop back to see I'm getting into.

Like what my friend Kelly Russell of Beadfuddled and I do with these and more pieces like them…

Pre-firing and Post-Firing Porcelain Paper Clay Pieces.

Thanks for spending your Sunday afternoon with us!

Remember to comment on the BOC main blog post for your chance at winning the big lot of donated beads! And don't forget to see both the live and static blog post links for all the artists participating!

Spring Is Arriving Around Here...

Congrats Rosalynn for winning my Second Giveaway! (email me your shipping address).

I love that we live in Delaware, situated right in the nook and cranny of the Mid-Atlantic region of the Eastern United States. Not thrilled about the air quality and a few other things, but at least we experience fully all four seasons...

My 2011 Winter Garden (above) is no longer covered in white.

Small tips of green and purple are poking through the soil...

Soon my main side-hill garden will look like this (deer included).

The Dark Eyed Juncos that visited with us all winter will head north. 

These decaying seed husks will be cut back and replaced by new growth…

Speaking of new growth - this blog is about to grow some new appendages.

I will be making posts about my garden and helping to educate anyone that wants to learn a bit more about gardening as I am going through my Master Gardeners training from now through summer (one of the major life changing things going on for me).

 I am excited to see if any of the seeds from this spent cone flower will produce any new plants this year.

I added about 6 varieties of cone flowers to my garden last year.
Most scattered in the garden bed along the front walk where that annual brown grass is.
It is going to be fun to see how this photo will change this year.

And to use my images for new work.

Not just pendant related...

This is a photo of the little gray barn that sits vacant now for years here in Hockessin.

I looked into renting it before the economy went into the dump.

$16 a square foot at the time. No thanks. Not going to happen...

And this place - an old farmhouse and garden nursery - vacant for years.

Walking distance from my house.

Itching to become an artists studio - don't you think?

Maybe "captain tight pants" could help out there…

I was so delighted to see this in the Southwest Airlines Flight Magazine last April, I had to get a picture!

Oh, Mal… (Sorry for the detour from clay beads - would love to see Firefly take off again!)

And I think it would be awesome if someone as cool as Nathan could invest in a project like this artists studio. 

Just throwing it out there…

Ok - time to go back to Beads-of-Clay to check out other artists posts.

Stop back here for a closing from me.

And remember my clay pieces are marked down 20% on sale in my etsy shop.

My FB fans have an extra code to use (click like on my page and you are welcome to use it too).

And all items purchased through my Etsy shop through midnight get you entered to win a chance for up to 3 $25 MNS Etsy shop gift certificates!

As of 3pm - only 1 item sold, so it's like easy money if you buy something…

See you soon!