Tuesday, December 29, 2009

Welcome Little Riley

For those of you that haven't heard... We are thrilled to say Hello Riley James Minutella!

Here we are arriving at the hospital. Gotta love the funny t-shirt Dave got me when I was pregnant with Chloe. Figured it would be my last chance to wear it... My belly was SO much larger before my water broke 4 hours earlier.




Many contractions, and 2 pushes later...



Hello little Riley! And not even a day old yet - amazing!!!


Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Thursday, December 17, 2009

Impatiently Waiting...

Sometimes I feel like so many people all at once...
And if you have ever been pregnant, you probably know what I'm talking about...
You feel crazy, not yourself, overwhelmed, severely hormonal, and super clumsy just to mention a few of the emotions that can occur at the same moment...

I am SO happy that we have officially hit 36 weeks in this pregnancy!
37 weeks is even better...

I've been dealing with Braxton Hicks for over a week now,
Every other night for hours on end...
It's having all the pains and contractions of going into labor without actually producing a baby...
And I'm wiped! Seriously - all I do some days is sleep, eat, go to the bathroom, and sleep some more... It's been a week of this, although it seems now like a lot longer...

I can say now - and this will probably change, because the pregnancy isn't over yet...
I get why some women love being pregnant (I had a GREAT pregnancy with Chloe) and why some women think it's the worst time in their life, and why they would never do it again by choice...

Even during this pregnancy, for as hard as it has been - physically difficult and painful at times, I have my days where I think "I would do this again"...
Then I quickly change my mind as I experience one of those things that has made this one so difficult. I could probably count the really good days of this pregnancy on my two hands.

Well, at least I will have those. And it will most likely be those days that I remember as I look at this little expected baby... this new life that I'm hoping will bring us as much if not more happiness that we have experienced with having Chloe in our lives... We just love being around each other, and having one more person in our family unit has got to make it that much better...

So as I am impatiently waiting to be done with these false contractions that feel so real...
Waiting to be able to breathe normally again...
Waiting to be able to walk normal, bend over, lean over the sink to wash dishes or my hands without pain, load my kilns, sit for hours to glaze or work on new pieces, pick up Chloe and hold her on my lap or rock her at night without having her so far away, hug Dave without feeling so awkward (this belly ruins that perfect fit thing we have going on)...
And so many other things...

I am most impatient about meeting our little Riley!
I can't wait to see what he looks like, to hold him in my arms, cuddle with him and take care of him, and to see Dave and Chloe with him...
I've gotten to know him quite well so far from the inside, it's their turn now...

And Peeves... you don't even know the terror coming your way...
Rest up now kitty because if you thought Chloe was bad, just wait to meet our little Riley.
He's going to come out running says one of the Doctors (after measuring his heartbeat at the last appointment)...
And I'm sure, he's going to be going right for you...
Which makes me think - maybe we need to get a dog!

Hope all is well with everyone!
Here's one of the best pictures we got with Chloe and Santa this year...
Yes, she had her finger up her nose or in her mouth the entire time...
Stage fright or something (she loves Santa, but I think is getting to an age where too much attention and adult encouragement without her wanting to do something on her own just makes her shut down).
Oh, well... what can you do but laugh about it, cuddle her and wipe the boogies away (and send out her Christmas Card with this as her picture)

Happy Holidays Everyone!
Will keep you posted on Riley's arrival...

Friday, December 11, 2009

Christmas and Baby Countdown Is On!!!

Ok, so I've been thinking in my head that the countdown to baby #2 arrival is on...
I know Riley's due date is officially January 13 (was January 1, but we weren't sure, so an ultrasound early on was needed, and thus: January 13th).

About 3:30am yesterday (Thursday) I woke up and couldn't get comfortable and fall back asleep.
Usually getting up to pee, then drinking some water, and getting back into bed to lay on one side or the other does the trick, but not yesterday...
I thought, hmmm... maybe something I ate?
Maybe bloated or gas?
Being extremely tired, all I could do was toss and turn...
I found myself trying to stretch out my legs, my hips, my back, anything to relieve the pressure,
but nothing helped.
Our one cat Stinker just sat there staring at me, softly meowing, and pawing at me...

By 7:30am I got my butt out of bed and into a nice warm shower.
By then I knew something was up...
Mind you, in my last pregnancy I was induced, then had an epidural, so this kind of cramping is not "that" familiar to me.

It had to be contractions...
My entire stomach was seizing up, and it would last, then stop, then start up again...
So Dave and I frantically (I think he was the frantic one) got things together for Chloe and the cats...
He took a small amount of time to let work know he was going to be busy for the day, took a few calls, and then dashed about getting Chloe to school while I just sat and dealt with the contractions.

When we got to the hospital, they monitored me to see what was going on for a while...
And it turns out that I am slightly dilated, 40-50% effaced, and was having irregular contractions.

The doctors seem to think that I may be delivering early again - around 37 weeks, if not 36 weeks (36 weeks is next Wednesday).
Just not right now... 35 is too early... We want a baby with developed lungs and as little complications as possible.

I know I am getting tired of being pregnant, but yesterday was a big wake up to me thinking that he may arrive early. So now I'm really just taking it easy and drinking lots of water in hopes of holding onto the pregnancy for at least one more week, if not a little longer...

And of course, a picture of our little Chloe with her countdown to Christmas all over the world calendar (from her Nonna... it was Dave's favorite thing when he was young). I loved that she had her little slipper/boots on, and still decided to step into my shoes to try to reach up even further.

So if you don't hear from me for a few days and have emailed me, there is a good chance I may be in the hospital with our newest little one...
We've got up to a month to go... But we'll see...

Hope you all have a Great Holiday Season!

Wednesday, December 9, 2009

Jangles Blog Open Studio Tonight!

Tonight from 6-10pm EST visit my friend Jen's blog for her business:
Jangles for her holiday open house.

Here is a picture from her blog of some of her holiday pendants and beads...

If you are in the holiday spirit or would like to be...
Make sure to swing on by for lots of fun and beads for sale.

She even has some ornaments you can have made with custom names on it!
Here is a link to her Etsy Shop Listing (if this one "sells" convo her for a custom listing or request for the pieces).
These are ONLY available today/tonight!!!

I'm totally going to be ordering some for my little ones!

See you over there tonight!

Monday, December 7, 2009

December Art Bead Scene Challenge

While I don't plan on doing much between now and January...
Well, not much other than giving birth to a 2nd baby sometime by mid January...
(keep your fingers crossed for the week between Christmas and New Years - he's getting too big for me to carry or to be able to breathe or move without becoming exhausted instantly)

I have donated some small pendant sets and 2mm silk knot bundles to a winner of the
December Art Bead Scene Challenge based upon this painting by Lee Krasner [Lenore]:

Untitled (1948) © The Pollock-Krasner Foundation/Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York

Not familiar with ABS? Take a moment to become inspired...
Artists work inspiring Artistic Jewelry and Bead Making...
In amongst other things to amuse your visual and intellectual senses...

The community there is just amazing!

Wednesday, December 2, 2009

Bead Show in Delaware This Weekend!!!

My friend Darlene of D7Studio has told me that this weekend she has picked up some table space at the North East Bead Extravaganza Bead Show here in Wilmington, DE at the Millcreek Fire Hall on Kirkwood Highway.
See bead show website for discount admission coupon...

We're talking 15 minutes off of Interstate 95...
That's about 45 minutes from Philadelphia and an hour from Baltimore...
And Delaware is home to tax free shopping - so swing by and stock up!!!
There will be lots of great vendors there - a small, but good show!!!
Means less overwhelming, visual overload, brain-suckage going on...

Saturday, December 5, 2009
10am -5pm

Sunday, December 6, 2009
10am - 4pm

Darlene carries a lot of my pieces as well as a wonderful selection of other artist beads, jewelry making supplies and hand painted silks...

Here are some pictures from Bead Fest Wire back in May 2009...

Darlene busy working...
And a selection of hand made beads and focal pieces...

Nolly Gelsinger Glass Beads (Nolly's Folly)...

Hand Painted Silks...

Various Ceramic artist pieces which may include:
Jangles, Gaea, Mazet Studio, Off Center Productions, CAR Ceramics, Earthenwood

And a selection of Marsha Neal Studio textured porcelain pendants, decal pieces, shards, cabochons, buttons, etc...

Make time to swing by!!!

Monday, November 30, 2009

Winners from Sale Announced

A day late of course...
But here are the winners of the three drawings from my Buy 2, Get 1 Free Sale:

Thanks to the help of the toy version of my husband: Pirate Dave
(how funny is it that we found a toy version of him - and a pirate too - argh... see previous post for old picture of Dave as Pirate).

Sorry, that Chloe couldn't help out this time...
We had a super busy weekend, and before I realized it - it's Monday morning and she is off to school (didn't even look back at me twice as she ran into her teacher's arms and then happily played with her friends - it was music time then art!!!)

Ok, so here are the three drawing winners:

Buy a Marsha Neal Studio porcelain pendant from a Bead Shop, Online Store or D7 Studio and contact me:
Winner gets Grab Bag valued at least $50 retail:
#1 Donna Pincus

Newsletter Special Shipping Code:
Winner gets Grab Bag valued at least $50 retail:
#4 Megan Arndts

$50 Spender:
Winner gets Grab Bag valued at least $100 retail:
#3 Jennifer Judd
I have a list of names, wrote the numbers next to them, and pulled blindly from our handy ice bucket for each drawing... And I apologize for not taking the time to write out everyone's name, but for some reason (like 5 weeks to go before my due date???) it is taking me FOREVER to get things done.

Congratulations Donna, Megan, and Jennifer!
Thank you EVERYONE for shopping during the sale...

Monday, November 23, 2009

Thank You!!!

I just wanted to quick say THANK YOU to everyone that has supported me and my business, oh, let's just say - forever...

There has been so much going on in my life, especially in the past few years...

And today as I'm getting things straightened up from my Etsy and Website sale,
I've had some time to reflect on my business in the past, present, and future.

Right now I'm going to get to those orders and not spend a lot of time yammering about business and personal stuff...

But I did want to just quick post and say THANK YOU!!!

I will be keeping you in my heart this Thanksgiving Day and looking forward to a lot of new things happening over the next year!

Thanks to you!!!
~Marsha

Friday, November 20, 2009

Giveaway Pics for Buy 2 Get 1 Free Sale (Last Day!)

Here are the pictures of the pieces I've picked for the Grab Bags for the 3 Giveaway Drawings associated with my current Buy 2, Get 1 Free Sale...

November 15 - 22, 2009
B2G1F sale is good on items purchased through:

Grab Bag Giveaway Drawings will be held on Sunday, November 29th...

Ok, here are pics of the two $50 (at least) retail value Grab Bags:
Each one contains:
(2) 10 strand of 2mm silk knot bundles
(1) large lentil decal bead
(1) set of small textured porcelain pendants
(1) medium textured porcelain pendant
(1) set of porcelain clay twirls
These above two grab bags are to be given away to the winners of the drawings in the following categories:
1. If you purchase something from a shop, online store, or through D7Studio at a bead show between 11/13 to 11/22 (you will have to contact me with a copy of your receipt by 11/28 showing you purchased one of my pendants). Marsha (at) MarshaNealStudio.com is my email. As of today, there has been only 1 person that has contacted me for this drawing...

2. Newsletter "special shipping code" drawing for newsletter members that use the "special shipping code" during checkout. Want to get my newsletter? Sign up HERE. I'm going to be sending out an email today very soon, so if you want this code, sign up...
As of today, there are only 3 people that have used this code for this drawing...


This is a picture of the final drawing, well over a $100 retail value,
Which contains:
(2) 10 strand of 2mm silk knot bundles
(1) large lentil decal bead
(2) sets of small textured porcelain pendants
(1) large textured porcelain pendant
(2) set of porcelain clay twirls
(1) $25 Marsha Neal Studio.com Gift Certificate

To be entered to win this last drawing, you must spend an actual amount of $50 through either or both of my two shops during the sale. As of today, there have been 2 people entered into this drawing...

And yes, you can actually get entered into all three drawings...

Monday, November 16, 2009

Sale Is On... Baby Update... And Giveaways...

I've gotten a bunch of stuff put up in my Etsy shop over the last couple of days...
And there is more to come...

Now through Sunday, 11/22/09 anything you buy via:
or
is Buy 2, Get 1 FREE!

So swing on by and stock up on some pendants, necklaces, earrings, infant apparel or some of my favorite sheer jersey 96" long scarves!

This one is the Grass Green Scarf with my Tree Drawing in Black Ink on it.

My friend Kim of Aspenwear prints these for me...
I must admit, I'm SO happy she got me started with these scarves...
They are light weight and perfect to wear all day long - inside and out...
Seriously - you've got to try one!

Now onto the baby news...
Don't know how thrilled I am about this...
I went to my OBGYN on Friday...
Everything is totally normal, except for the fact that our "little" Riley is measuring larger than Chloe at this time in the pregnancy.
I'm not thrilled with having to deliver a "big" baby.
Lord knows that women do it all the time...
But why can't I have a delivery like I did with Chloe?
Man-o-Man...

Well, after talking things over with my Doctor...
And considering how long it takes me to do things right now...
And I've got 2 months to go still...
I'm coming to the realization that I'm going to probably have to make it a point to take some time off starting in Mid-December through the end of January.

So... This sale I'm having on Etsy and my website - will be the last big thing I do before Riley gets here...

Take advantage of it if you are interested in getting anything before the holidays get here. Because before you know it, it will be February or March...

So have fun shopping...

And later this week, I'm going to be posting pictures of the items I've picked out for the special giveaways for this sale, which will be held on 11/29.

There are three giveaway drawings:

1. If you purchase something from a shop, online store, or through D7Studio at a bead show between 11/13 to 11/22, you will need to get me a copy of the receipt by 11/28 showing that you purchased one of my pendants. ($50 grab bag drawing).

2. Newsletter "special code" drawing, for newsletter members that use this shipping code during checkout. ($50 grab bag drawing).

3. $50 spender special giveaway (anyone who spends actual $50 through my two shops during the sale gets entered to win the $100 grab bag).

So not only is it a Buy 2, Get 1 Free sale, but you have multiple chances to get entered into these drawings...

Dave always says if I could give it all away, I would...
Pass it on...

Wednesday, November 11, 2009

Buy 2 Get 1 Free Sale

I'm sitting in my studio working on some new stuff and thinking about how it would be nice to get some stuff that is around here outta here...

So I think I'm going to be having a
BUY 2 GET 1 FREE SALE
Starting Sunday, November 15 through Sunday, November 22nd.

I'm talking new stuff, old stuff, silks, scarves, beads...
Whatever strikes my fancy and I can get listed on my website or Etsy shop...


Call it nesting...
Especially with only 2 months to go until my due date...

Call it celebrating...
We've got at least 5 family members with birthdays this month...
Not to mention Chloe's 2nd birthday is coming up in early December...


Call it holiday time...
The chill in the air, I'm sneaking in some Christmas music and movies...
Means it's holiday gift giving time...
And aren't handmade things really the best things to give!
I know I love getting them (although it actually rarely happens...)
But now with Chloe around, I'm sure to get some great Kid Art!


So as I'm brainstorming about this sale and getting items gathered,
Make sure you sign up for my email newsletter for an added bonus for this sale...
Something along the lines of free first class mail shipping, maybe a giveaway...
But this will only be available for my newsletter customers!

Tell your friends, blog about it, shoot them an email with a link, whatever...
There is going to be a ton of stuff!!!

Friday, November 6, 2009

New Decal Beads... Yes - Beads!

Here are some of the new beads I've been working on this week...

Lentil Beads:

I've been working on this idea for a while for these lentils...
Have had them glazed since like March...
But finally just sat down and put some of my decals on them...

Oval Tube Beads:
And these oval tube beads...
Well, I thought they were interesting, but didn't have too much in mind for them...
Until I started playing with the lentils...
Then there was no stopping...

Round Beads:
The picture of the round beads is a bit blurry...
But right now I'm itching to start to make some jewelry with them...

Ok - truthfully, I'm torn between keep on making more new pieces with the many drawings and textures I've got (which means lots of time on the computer adjusting images to proper size and saturation, printing out, then refining...) or making jewelry with them.

I've got a few deadlines upon myself for the jewelry with wanting to get some stuff up into the My Mom Pattie Etsy shop I've set up as well as for the actual Gala held in a week and a half at Tri-State Bird Rescue...

Well, let's see what I can get done shall we???

Let me know what you think of the new pieces will ya?
Am I going in a good direction with them?

Oh, and of course...
Gotta give a shout out to Marla & Vlad over at Bisque Bead Supply for making such wonderful porcelain pieces for me to use as little blank canvases for these decal pieces!
Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!!!

Monday, November 2, 2009

Halloween Pictures...

Our autumn traditions are going to be strongly rooted around picking out some pumpkins and mums from our good friend Natalie's local farm. If you are in the general area and need some great summer veggies, fall mums, pumpkins, and gourds... Or a fresh cut and or live Christmas tree, I highly recommend stopping by their little farm (open on weekends usually). It's right on the right on Route 41 North, just past the DE/PA state line, in Pennsylvania.

Here are some pics from this year...
We got there just as they were putting out some mums in the pumpkin display field.
Chloe got to get in the back of the wagon along with her pumpkin lollipop!

Then she and daddy got to sit up front and pretend drive the tractor...

Here is a close up of one of the pumpkin tops from one of the fresh pumpkins we picked out that day... How COOL is the shape of that top? No short and stubby for us (none really at Natalie's)... Which is perfect!

And this my friends is what the inside of a fresh pumpkin should look like...
Not all shriveled up and skinny seeds...
Oh, No... You only want fresh pumpkins after trying these...

And here is a carving of the Chloe Kitty Pumpkin.
It's her side profile with her kitty ears on.
We tried for a little less complicated this year with only a black and white drawing instead of grayscale. Mommy only has so much patience being pregnant and all...

Chloe Kitty Pumpkin all lit up...

Pumpkin carving night at the cousins house...
Chloe thought it was funny to wear her cousins wig around...

And the costume parade at school...
We were at the end of the line of parents because I knew this would happen as soon as she saw us. All the kids were SO cute all dressed up...

Halloween Night...
Getting ready to go out with Daddy to a few houses...
Take an umbrella because it may rain...

I guess an umbrella is good only if you use it and can keep a 23 month old underneath it...
Peeves and Chloe had a lot of fun checking out their goodies...
Mom and Dad had fun too!

And soon I'll get back into the swing of keeping up blogging a bit more regularly...
Right now I'm in the studio pulling together some new decal pieces and working on some finished jewelry designs for the Tri-State Bird Rescue Gala event in a week and a half...

Let me know if you have anything you would like to donate too and I'll send you the pdf of the donation form...


Tuesday, October 27, 2009

Etsy Shop Sale Extended through 10/31/09

This week is going to be a bit crazy for me here at home...
Dave and I are buckling down and moving a lot of my studio and office stuff into the basement studio (he has taken off work to help, so you know it's going to get moved this week).

So I've decided to extend my Etsy Shop Sale through Saturday, 10/31/09.
All of the items listed in my shop are currently listed at 40% off their regular retail pricing, so what you see is what you pay... Have fun shopping!!!


I will be shipping any orders that I receive on Friday 10/30/09.

And remember, 20% of all sales through the end of October via Marsha Neal Studio Etsy shop goes towards the room dedication to My Mom Pattie at Tri-State Bird Rescue.

Sunday, October 25, 2009

Thanks For Visiting!

It has been so enjoyable to spend the afternoon with so many friends from blog land!!!


If you have any suggestions for improvements on Open Studio Events like this hosted through Beads-of-Clay.Blogspot.com
please email me: Marsha @ MarshaNealStudio.com
and I'll make sure to get it to the right people so we can continue to hold events like this more often...

Don't forget to spend some time looking at blog posts from the day for more insight into participating artists studios and stop by their Etsy shops or websites for specials throughout the end of today!

Thank you for participating and all your support!

Fall Tradition I'd Like To Share

Second Blog Commenter Winner is SueBeads! Congratulations!!!

Days are getting shorter...
A chill is in the air...
Leafs have started to change color and are falling to the ground...
And a spark of new excitement enters our lives...


The Fall Holidays are upon us...
In our house that means we break into monthly decorating, including Pumpkin Carving...

Dave and I have been the Halloween Pumpkin Carving ring leaders in the last couple of years... Probably because we are the most child-like, holiday loving, big kids in the family (on his side anyway). We get together with everyone right before Halloween night, scoop out pumpkins, toast the pumpkin seeds, and spend hours with all the kids (adults included) carving out pumpkins.

Here are some funny pictures from when we first started dating and getting "our" holiday traditions underway...

To get ready for the family pumpkin carving event we put the word out to pick the date, pick the carving themes, get the pumpkins, and of course, bring out all of the cool tools (clay carving tools are especially handy!)


Dave usually starts the pumpkin carving and I finish up with the details...


One of the sites we use for templates for the pumpkins is Zombie Pumpkins.
Here are some images of pumpkins past...


We also have made it a fall tradition to go to a local farm to pick out our pumpkins. My friend Natalie has a small farm right up the road from us... how convenient!


I think I've found someone else that will actually like scooping out the pumpkins and getting seeds... Yay Chloe!!!


Last year Dave thought it would be cool to take a picture of Chloe and put it into grayscale then attempt carving the image out...
Kind of creepy, but yet, kind of cool...
We've got a bit more practicing to do with this technique...


Some tips I'd like to share with you about pumpkin carving...

1. Pick out your theme ahead of time so you can find the design and the right shaped pumpkin to work with that picture.
2. When carving a pumpkin with multiple layers, play with thickness of pumpkin (scoop out more or less from the inside) to give shadowing more depth.
3. Use a stapler to attach the template to the outside of the pumpkin in order to outline the design without moving it.
4. Try different tools! There are electric pumpkin carving tools out in a lot of the stores - Dave and the other boys love those... I prefer the hand held saws for more control, but have to admit... when your hand gets tired, that little electric cutter is awesome!
5. Have a couple of extra pumpkins, just incase you have little ones that don't have the patience to carve in detail like this. Painting pumpkins is a lot of fun for them too!

Tips on Roasting The Pumpkin Seeds:

I separate out the seeds from the guts, but don't rinse them. In a bowl, coat with a little bit of vegetable oil, salt to taste (try different flavors by using garlic salt or other seasonings in separate batches), mix in bowl, put on parchment paper on a baking sheet, and bake for about 20 minutes in an oven around 350 until they are toasty brown. I have yet to perfect this, and think I may attempt to stir the seeds mid-way, and bake a little longer. I like my seeds crunchy toasty brown...
Thanks for stopping by for this Blog Open Studio Event!
Remember to check out my Etsy Shop and other Beads of Clay Artists Blogs...

Open Studio Blog Giveaway #2

Giveaway Number 2 is one of my oval large pendants in my Wallpaper Flower Design in my Asian Green Red Glaze.
Just make a comment on this post and you will be entered into a random drawing to win this pendant! Good Luck!!!