Happy Staffy

Thought I'd share a drawing I made a few weeks ago!
I got a big set of 50 markers for $10 when I last visited Jon in Delaware, and was dying to try them out... and what better way to take them for a test run than to draw a Staffy?
For those not in the know, Staffordshire Bull Terriers are the UK's pitbull. Most dogs in shelters there are Staffys, and they tend to be demonized by the media. Though both the Staffy and pitbull share a common ancestor, the Staffy doesn't grow to be more than 35lbs and can sometimes be half the size of a pitbull.
I met my first Staffy at my dog-washer job, and it was love at first sight. His name was Earl, and he was one of the friendliest dogs at the facility. He loved people, was best friends with a female mini dachshund less than a third his size, and wouldn't hurt a fly. If the doxie took a toy from him and was guarding it, he'd bark at her, and then at us rather than lunge and take it away. It was as if he knew his strength and wanted us to help him out rather than risk hurting her. Even more incredible, when he was in the play area he was confronted by a pitbull pup... rather than start a fight, he walked to the corner and sat. He ended up being peed on, but he took it rather than resorting to violence. I was touched by his self-control and love for people.
Ever since leaving my job I've been missing that goofy pup, and musing about getting a Staffy of my own. How I'll go about getting one is up in the air, possibly literally... One of my current options is to fly to the UK and adopt one from a shelter, then fly him back to the US. If that'll even work is a mystery to me, but one can hope.
I also have to move out of my parent's place first... at least that'll be happening in less than two years.
Cheers!

TURKEY WEEK SALE

Gobble Gobble!
Okay, so Thanksgiving is over, but I'm sure you're all munching on leftovers.
There's also another little "leftover" that you might want to check out...

Up until November 29th, Hello Interloper is having a TURKEY DAY SALE!
By using the coupon code TURKEY upon checkout, you get 15%!
Remember, there are only 4 days left, so make sure you check out the store to see if there is something you like!

Also, I have to apologize for the general lack of updates, both in shop inventory and blog updates.
My job had officially gone from part-time to full-time with the upcoming holidays, and I've been having trouble feeling motivated to make things. (After washing dogs for nearly 6 hours at work, the last thing you want to do is make something with your hands!)
I still have a batch of earrings waiting to be glazed, and I have some candy cane earrings ready for listing.
Keep an eye out! As work slows down, I'll be able to get the shop updated with lots of new goodies.

Notice! Please Read

Hello!
This is just a quick announcement to tell you that I'm not dead, just extremely busy and exhausted.
I've been working 6 days a week for the past two weeks, and as a result I've been very tired. I'm not a very strong person physically, being only 110 lbs and never having exercised, with the exception of Physical Education back in high school. Working with dogs for 3 to 6 hours a day, some weighing as much as I do, can be a huge drain on my energy and strength. After work I always immediately take a shower, and most days take a nap immediately after that, leaving me to wake up at around 3 or 4pm.
In other words, my free time has been cut back a lot, and I've been feeling a lack of motivation to create lately. I feel more like vegging out and relaxing than working some more.
My boyfriend also spent the last week visiting, so most of my free time (which wasn't much to begin with because of work) was dedicated to spending time together.

This doesn't mean that this blog is going to die, or I'm going to stop creating things!
It just means that updates will probably be less frequent for a while.
I have a 9-day vacation coming up, and I have a day off tomorrow as well. I'll be needlefelting and finishing up the glow-animal rings I glued a few days back. If the weather wills it, I might also be able to photograph everything for posting.

Thanks for your patience!

The Last Week in a Post

Okay, okay, I know. I've been slacking horribly on updating this blog.
I KNOW WHAT I AM GUILTY OF.
Thing is, life goes on, and problems arise, problems get solved, and baby birds leap out of nests.

I'll start with the crafts, because that's what most of you followed me for in the first place.
This past week I got my earring posts, so I was finally able to glue my little clay owl heads and paw prints. I'm saving them for my next shop update, which will probably be near the end of next week.
I've also been needle felting a lot, since I got a custom order I need to finish. My thumb and index finger on my left hand look like they have a miniature case of chicken pox, but hey, diabetics deal with pricking their fingers all the time.
Still waiting on the adjustable ring blanks, but once they arrive I'll have about 10 rings to post.

And now for some really great news... I'm employed again!
Craigslist is a blessing, I swear. I managed to find a place in the next town over that needed a dog bather/fluffer that was drug and drama free. I jumped on that offer faster than you can say "wet dog smell."
Let me tell you... It is THE BEST job ever. I come in at around 9am in the morning, wash dogs, and leave at about 1pm.
The dogs are obedient, though sometimes fidgety, but never growl or bite.
My boss is a quirky and eccentric woman who is the main groomer in the facility, though also a dog masseuse.
I'm paid per dog, which is based on its size and difficulty. On most days, it comes down to $10-13/hr, which to me is miles better than the minimum wage I made at the frozen yogurt job.
Best of all, I come home satisfied and happy, though tired and smelling like a wet dog. Nothing a shower and a nap can't fix.
Plus the money I make means more craft supplies! (Next in line are clay pendant necklaces, by the way.)

I'll end with our little bird saga.
For the past few days, my mom and I have been checking up constantly on a cardinal nest in a bush near our driveway.
See, normally we wouldn't go up to a nest and disrupt the natural cycle of bird life, but there's a problem... a little feathered problem.
The only egg that hatched has grown up into a rebellious little fledgling that no matter what, does NOT stay put in the nest.
Again and again, we've found him sitting in our driveway, sitting under the bush, or otherwise in a place where he can easily be spotted, peeping away like he honestly doesn't know how he got there.
BUT HE KNOWS. He jumps out, the little bugger. Then mommy and daddy cardinal call him incessantly, can't figure out where he is. They just end up calling for him until we find him for them, and put him back in the nest.
(And trust me, I've watched the mom confusedly hop around the whole bush trying to find the baby. She couldn't realize that he was not only on the GROUND, but also hidden in a plant.)
We've probably relocated him five or six times now.
Also, did I note the fact that he can't fly at all? He can flutter about a foot forward, but can't gain any real ground or generate any lift. He's pretty much an easy lunch no matter how you look at it.
I'm hoping that he either gains some sense soon, or learns how to fly. The first doesn't seem to be happening, so let's hope those little flying feathers of his grow in soon.

Lastly, the April's Army Shop is OPEN!!!
It opened up at 11am yesterday.
I finally was able to make and submit a donation item before the deadline this month. My donation was a little needlefelted bird, and it sold earlier today for $14. I'm so glad that I was able to contribute to a good cause. :)

Until next time!