Bead and Jewelry Storage, Karonkay & Dave Cowger
Video #291 Roadtrip #1-02: Wouldn’t you guys just die to have a Dave in your life?
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IN THIS POST: — storage — cabinets — spokane — washington — karonkay cowger — dave cowger — pct roadtrip — jewlery storage — cat — (Topics marked with an asterisk* are discussed in the Comments Section below).
A couple of weeks ago, we posted the first video from our Washington-Oregon PcT Roadtrip. Today, you get to see a follow-up clip from Karonkay’s home in Spokane. And this time you’ll also get to see her husband Dave along with the beautiful wood cabinets he built. Plus, there’s even a talking cat.
Wasn’t that fun? These roadtrip videos are so delightful to watch, even for me who was actually there at the time. It is so neat to meet the people who have become such a big part of our lives.
Having Karon and Dave share their creative energy with us was invigorating! All that work Karon has done with the tutorials made me feel so proud of her. She is the perfect example of someone who not only absorbs as much information and inspiration she can, but she actually applies what she learns. Looking over her racks and drawers of canes, beads, jewelry projects… and of course the incredible flowers… I could see with my own eyes her passion and skills that grow stronger every day.
Throughout my lengthy career as a craft instructor, I have seen many students get so entrenched in the ‘information gathering’ stage that they seem to get frozen in their tracks. Just stuck… watching videos, collecting tutorials, spending hours on Pinterest and buying supplies… only to have never cracked open that package of clay and actually start creating.
Karon is not that person. She is not afraid to just go for it. She is not the type to fret whether it turns out or not. Like she said when we were chatting before filming, “What I like about polymer clay is that if it doesn’t work out, you can always ball it up and start all over again.”
She is right, you know. In order to get good at any medium, including polymer clay, you need to make stuff. You don’t necessarily have to make hundreds (or possibly thousands) of beads and flowers like Karon has, but you certainly need to open up those packages of clay, and not be afraid to start making something.
No matter how good or bad the first pieces turn out, you are going to eventually get better. And who knows, one day you too may be asked to create something wonderful for a special project, just like what happened to Karon.
So tell me… are you guys making a valiant effort to actually do the tutorials that I’ve been sharing over at the members' library? Or are you finding yourself stuck… letting the fear of making a mistake hold you back from the joy of “Making What You Love… and Loving What You Make”?
00:00:03 –> 00:00:07 Hi guys, its Cindy Lietz, your Polymer Clay Tutor, and we are here again with Karon Kay
00:00:08 –> 00:00:13 and her husband Dave, and we are in Spokane, still.
00:00:13 –> 00:00:18 And, I don’t know if you could see the kids in the mirror, they’re hiding out.
00:00:18 –> 00:00:20 Hi…Hi guys.
00:00:20 –> 00:00:27 We are here because Dave built Karon a gorgeous cabinet, and you have to see what’s inside,
00:00:27 –> 00:00:38 ooh, look at that, oh my gosh, this is filled with all of Karon’s gorgeous jewelry, and
00:00:38 –> 00:00:40 most of it, you’ve made, and your sister, right?
00:00:40 –> 00:00:43 (K) My sister and I have made most of it.
00:00:43 –> 00:00:47 (C) Wouldn’t you guys just die to have a Dave in your life?
00:00:47 –> 00:00:50 That can build you one of these great cabinets?
00:00:50 –> 00:00:52 (K) No, no, no, he’s mine.
00:00:52 –> 00:00:53 (C) He is yours.
00:00:53 –> 00:00:57 *Laughing** Okay, it has to be a different Dave, but don’t you want a cabinet like
00:00:57 –> 00:01:02 this, it’s awesome.
00:01:02 –> 00:01:08 We have to show you this cool cabinet that Dave has built for Karon, and look what’s
00:01:08 –> 00:01:17 inside, look, it’s got all these skinny drawers, and oh, my, gosh…guys, you wouldn’t
00:01:17 –> 00:01:22 believe… she has worked so hard, I see tutorials all over the place in here.
00:01:22 –> 00:01:27 Let’s see, some Mica Shift is in here, what else?
00:01:27 –> 00:01:29 (K) The Rose cane.
00:01:29 –> 00:01:31 (C) Oh, Rose cane, gorgeous.
00:01:31 –> 00:01:32 (K) Snowman.
00:01:32 –> 00:01:42 (C) Oh, and a little Snowman, what else you got… oh Pandora beads, oh nice big giant
00:01:42 –> 00:01:43 ones…
00:01:43 –> 00:01:45 I’m wearing my bracelet too, see?
00:01:45 –> 00:01:46 (K) Are you…oh you are.
00:01:46 –> 00:01:51 (C) We got kinda the same thing going on here, alright, what else?
00:01:51 –> 00:01:53 (K) Let’s see, Butterfly wings?
00:01:53 –> 00:01:59 (C) Ooh, pretty color combination, oh, look at that, looks like she’s put a little…
00:01:59 –> 00:02:00 tiny little rivet in there.
00:02:00 –> 00:02:06 (K) I do, I use rivets on all of those so that they last longer when you put them on
00:02:06 –> 00:02:07 a necklace.
00:02:07 –> 00:02:08 (C) Good idea.
00:02:08 –> 00:02:10 (K) I did the same thing with the leaves over there.
00:02:10 –> 00:02:11 C) The thin… anything thin?
00:02:11 –> 00:02:13 (K) You know what, I’ll bet they’re up here.
00:02:13 –> 00:02:17 (C) She’s got drawers and drawers, any of you guys that are beaders would go nuts for
00:02:17 –> 00:02:26 this stuff….oh, oh, oh, Roses and Calla Lilies, and what else?
00:02:26 –> 00:02:27 A Parrot Tulip…
00:02:27 –> 00:02:29 (K) Hibiscus.
00:02:29 –> 00:02:36 (C) Oh it’s a Hibiscus, you know why I said…that happened, some of you, that have done the
00:02:36 –> 00:02:41 tutorial, the inside base is a tear drop shape, she had the tear drop flipped over, so that
00:02:41 –> 00:02:46 the point was at the bottom instead of at the top and it ended up making the shape of
00:02:46 –> 00:02:51 the flower a Hibiscus shape, so if you wanna make Hibiscus with that tutorial, flip it
00:02:51 –> 00:02:52 over.
00:02:52 –> 00:02:53 (K) There you go.
00:02:53 –> 00:02:54 (C) Alright…
00:02:54 –> 00:02:56 (K) There should be some little leaves over there.
00:02:56 –> 00:03:01 (C) Oh, there’s… no, there’s some…there’s just treasures beyond what you could imagine…
00:03:01 –> 00:03:02 (K) More Hibiscus.
00:03:02 –> 00:03:03 (C) More Hibiscus…
00:03:03 –> 00:03:04 (K) Different color.
00:03:04 –> 00:03:09 (C) Oh, yeah, and just…oh, and some Irises.
00:03:09 –> 00:03:12 (K) Irises, you should recognize…
00:03:12 –> 00:03:17 (C) I do recognize these, I recognize stuff all over the place in here, that’s so fun
00:03:17 –> 00:03:23 to see all of the tutorials getting made; she is just…she is what an instructor absolutely
00:03:23 –> 00:03:31 loves to see, it’s just so wonderful to see somebody doing the work.
00:03:31 –> 00:03:36 Well, thank you for showing…oh, I guess we have to show…just, I just have to show…look
00:03:36 –> 00:03:47 at this, this is her Parrot Tulip slash Hibiscus necklace, and it is just so, so awesome.
00:03:47 –> 00:03:51 And if you follow her…or follow the blog, or see her comment on the blog, or follow
00:03:51 –> 00:03:57 her Facebook, this is what she’s got on her avatar…that’s what it’s called,
00:03:57 –> 00:03:59 or profile or whatever, it’s awesome, beautiful.
00:03:59 –> 00:04:02 So thank you so much for having us here at your house.
00:04:02 –> 00:04:03 (K) Thanks for coming.
00:04:03 –> 00:04:09 (C) It’s been so much fun, and that’s it for now, we’ll see you later, bye.
00:04:09 –> 00:04:15 (K) Bye. 30:05 (K) There you go, interview the cat…Tubby.
00:04:15 –> 00:04:19 (C) Hey Tubby, how’s it going?
00:04:19 –> 00:04:20 What have you got to say for yourself, anything?
00:04:20 –> 00:04:24 (Tubby) The fact I won’t be a cat my whole life.
00:04:24 –> 00:04:27 (C) Your whole life?
00:04:27 –> 00:04:31 I think she’s gonna be a cat her whole… whole life.
Our goal is to translate these videos into as many languages as possible. If you are interested in helping with this initiative, then please do contact us and we will figure out a way to make it worth your while :)
Resource Links:
- Related Video: Karonkay Cowger Polymer Clay Flowers
- Related Video: Thinking Outside of the Box Jewelry Display Ideas
- Related Video: Jewelry Display Cards Tutorial (Intro)
- Related Video: Closet Tote Hanger Studio Organization Tips
- Related Video: How I Organize By Zones in My Polymer Clay Studio
- Related Video: Revolving Storage Bins for Your Polymer Clay Studio
- Related Video: Polymer Clay Storage In Plastic Drawer Cabinets
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Yes, I also admit that I am one of THOSE types who collects all this information, books, supplies, videos, etc and then … well I have made some things, but not recently… and I really want to try the new tutorials Cindy has been making lately. Sigh …
Sitting here on some very hard clay hoping my hot butt will soften it up as finding it difficult to stand for long today, hence all my imput to this blog.
KARONKAY would you hire DAVE out for a couple of weeks, his wood-working skills are awesome. I would make him a nice bed in the woodshed and feed him three times a day if he could make me some storage like yours. I was amazed at all your beautiful work, even the ones that turned out wrong were soooo right. You surely are an inspiration to the rest of us and a big thanks for the visit.
Cheers xx…………………………………………………………………………….
I’m so inspired!! It’s raining here in upstate NY and by gum I’m going to spend the day at my art table (used to be my dining room table about two years ago, lol) and CREATE! Thank you.
Well Cindy, I’m ashamed to say I fall into the last category. You may remember that I made the hearts with the chrysanthemum cane but most of the hearts split and cracked because of the Ultra Light Sculpy I used as the base. I made lots of Pandora style beads using your aurora technique but I have never finished sanding and glazing them. I’m really in a funk. I just can’t seem to get myself motivated to get busy and create!
Hi Cheryl,
it is hard sometimes to get motivated, with other tasks and activities calling on our time. Sanding,buffing and finishing is essential to make those beads beautiful. Beads that would make CINDY proud of us as students
I’m as bad, as have quite a few unfinished beads but I have set myself a challenge. Next month I WILL try and drill, sand, buff and polish my poor little unloved beads and not start on any new projects until the said beads are looking as good as the ones shown by CINDY. (Although might not be able to resist making the —- —– cane promised for October) Sounds soo interesting!! You are a tease CINDY but we like you.
So think of October as a month to make something from start to beautiful finish and when you set up your equipment, include a certain amount of your unfinished Pandora or other beads.. I too will do this and will ask for a progress report from you in a couple of weeks to see if you have managed to complete at least your pandora beads as these look amazing when finished.
So now I have thrown out a challenge to everyone who have loads of poor little unfinished beads. Lets make OCTOBER the month to rescue and reveal these beads in all their glory. So anyone else up for this challenge? I have 20 lentil beads waiting to be drilled, sanded and polished so hopefully I will let you know when I have completed them (could take some time) so watch this space…………………….cheers xx……………………………..
Sorry to hear you are in a bit of a funk Cheryl. Sometimes all you need to do to climb out of the funk is to clean and organize your space, put on your favorite music and just start by mixing some colors. You will see the fog lift. Then you can pop in a video (or in these days just press play on your screen) and make something.
I think there is just some much noise out there these days that it can become overwhelming. We are all seeing the amazing stuff that is getting created by people that it is easy to feel intimidated and stuck. Just shutting out all that noise, and making it about you and your enjoyment of just sitting there mixing some clay, will simplify the complication that is being created with too much flying at you at once. Opening things up again for you to feel inspired again!
I love Elaine’s advice as well… just finishing up some old projects will allow room for new projectors to come into your life.
Good luck sweetie! Hope you find your muse again… she is waiting for you!
ROFL!! Great cat! Any video is extra good with cat in it!! :D Wonderful draws, cabinets and polymer clay treasures!
wowwww I loooove thos cabbinets. Cindy you must feel great to see al thos tutorials you make with so much effort in your student beads!!! congratulations
Wis me luck … I’m doing my first big Craft show this Sunday just hope it doesn’t rain . It’s called Arts in the Park … Local on our main street …. I’ll try to figure put how to post some pictures….. I have been up late at night making stuff….. Used many oft canes in my hair barrete …favorite is the skull and cross bones that I have from last year …. When I reduced it. Some got funky so I used them in a different barrette and it looks great …I take pictures of everything make …
So I can put it on my Flickr account ….you can see them at( not all up). Letw know what you think of them…. By for now… Got to put together some necklaces with some oft beads
Natalie I hope your weekend is filled with many blessings from sunshine to many many sales. I will have to go check out that beautiful merchandise on flickr. I can’t wait to see your awesome treasures.
Have a wonderful weekend and share it all with us next week.
Well I have good news for all my fellow pcer….Arts on the park is over.. Rained off and on…. Did not have great sales….But I won 2nd place in the mixed media division… What a surprise ..got a nice yellow ribbon. … My very first … and a check for $50 which coveredy entrance fee for the event ….I must have had the biggest smile on my face … When put holiday ends I will post some pictures… Got to go now and finish getting ready for the Jewish holiday of Sukkot … Talk to you all on Thursday
Well done Natalie, wow 2nd prize in the mixed media section, congratulations. So nice to hear that, bet your grin was huge. Just think of your unsold items as new stock for your next show………………cheers xx…………………………………
Natalie that is super news *CONGRATS*
looking forward to your photos :)
Elaine I love your glass is half full comment, about unsold items being the next shows stock :)
Nathalie That is so AWESOME! Way to go on getting the award! As far as having leftover stock, Elaine is right, now at least you are part way ready for the next event. A good thing to do after an event is to sit down and think about how the event went. What went well, what didn’t? What did people say about your product/booth/pricing? How did the others do at the event? How did you compare to them? What would you change for next time? etc. This way you should see improvement on your sales with each new event. So happy to hear you had success on your first event!
Natalie, I am thrilled for you! Second place! Cannot wait to see your pics, pls post them on PCT Facebook page when you can!
Hi Natalie,
You have certainly worked hard to put your collection together. Keeping my fingers crossed you will have a lovely sunny weekend. Would love to see pictures of your stall when set up and how it all turned out
It is certainly a lovely feeling when customers admire (and purchase) your creations. How long did this take to put together? I cannot really tell muchl from your pictures, but if you have finished them well and priced them right they should sell very well…………cheers xx………..
Forgot to say I too love Marky idea too bad. I have bi folding doors.
Well… May not have a Dave but I have a Steven ..and I soon as I saw that cabinet I yelled for him to come and see it saying Steven you have to see this…. Someone who does woodworking like you …..hope he gets the idea …. I could use smaller version of it ….My Steven has been doing woodworking for about 9 years …. He has made tables, desk, entertaiwnt center, blanket chest, huge work bemch( I got his old one ast work table. And it’s great getting his hand me downs) H has made a tea box….. It’s got small compartments for tea bags…… looking at it it could. E used to store competed tuts … The One Dave made rinds me. Of a dentists cabinets or arts drawers for art paper)
P.S.
love Marky’s Idea too.
WOW, what a lucky lady with her Dave., and what an idea for the wonderful cabinet she has, wish I had even half something like that.
you are discovering some marvelous things on your trip.
thanks for showing us,
now where’s a Dave for me,LOL !!!
love to you all
XXXX
Karonkay I am so envious of your Dave. Both of you are such excellent craftspeople. Your jewelry collection is awesome. Thanks so much for sharing your talents with us and including Daves wood working skills.
Hi Cindy – I was hoping you would post this photo of my necklace storage idea. I think alot of others would be interested. I stuck the Command Strips on the back of my mirrored closet door, but they’ll stick anywhere. They come in different sizes and strength. They can be removed without leaving a trace. When I get dressed, I just turn around and pick what I want to wear. Marky
Very nice display Marky….I basically did the same thing. Isn’t it great what you can do with a blank door!
Hi Marky
Are all those necklaces made from polymer clay beads? WOW
Great idea. Thanks for sharing.
Sylvia
OMG love those cabinets! My husband HAS to make me one! What a cute youtube!! Karonkay, hubby and you and the kids. Oh don’t forget the videographer – Mr Doug. Love it. What a great time you ALL had. Can’t wait to see more!!!!!!!!!!
Wow that would be my dream to be able to do all the fun things that Cindy has taught us and have someone be so supportive as her hubby is. It is amazing and I can see why it would give Cindy satisfaction. There are so many of us out there that only do a project here and there.
Yes – I would love to have a ‘Dave’
My ‘Dave’ is in the automotive parts dept
at a near by Chrysler Jeep dealership
but for years he worked on cars
so I can’t complain …all that free car repair and maintenance…
BUT STILL Oh My Word Karon you are a lucky lady
his love for you shows in his fine craftmanship
btw we pull our kitties tails like that too – all of them love it except Nique her ‘thing’ is pull my ears and thats kind of wierd cuz she was born deaf >^,,^<
Love your work thank you SO much for sharing it
OMG love those cabinets especially the 1st one! I HAVE to have one!
Oh my lord. She is an inspiration. Did you kidnap Dave and take him back home with you? I caught the look you gave the camera when you said, “would’t you like to have a cabinet like this?” Was that a hint to Doug? Loved the pull out drawers with compartments. That must have been a lot of work to make. It is inspiring that Karon makes the tutorials. I am guilty about watching them and reading clay articles but not making projects.
Anna I doubt you are that guilty. I’ve seen some of your work in the past and it is beautiful just like so many here.
Karon is very blessed to have a Dave in her life I know because I am blessed with a Dave in my life only his name is Cecil. I imagine with all that talent in their house they are both very blessed. Love the idea but I will also have to wait till we remodel out bedroom. I will then have a door into my walk in closet my hubby can do his magic with. Unfortunately that is 3 remodel jobs down on our list. So it will probably be about a year down the road. I also love Marky’s idea. Like I said so much talent around here.
Thanks to Cindy and her oh so talented hubby and children we are seeing some of this wonderful talent straight from there creative studios.
It is going to be so much fun following you on your fantastic adventure you are creating with the help of your loving family. Hats off to the Lietz family once again for a remarkable job.
Have a great weekend everyone. Sending lots of Uuuugggs to all.