May 5, 2012

One Crayon Blog Hop

I'm excited to take part in Sally Russick's One Crayon Color Challenge.  When I picked my color, I was thinking of sunshine, daffodils, sunflowers and other bright shiny hues.  But when it came to my bead box I was drawn more to the soft and subtle shades of sandy beaches and golden sunsets. 

I love the bangle tutorial from Fanciful Devices (Thanks Erin!) and a few of the techniques used in making my bangles were from the Ebook.  Of course, I added in my own flair.  I love the beaded bangle - it's created using a strand of seed beads wrapped around a wire bangle.  So easy and fun and inspired by vintage jewelry designs that have been on my mind lately.  The yellow fiber is gold sari fringe.  I paired that up with brass wire and tiny 3mm fire polish beads.  The last bangle features one of my urchins in gold with a wire-wrapped bangle.

In just a few weeks it will be summer and summer in Michigan is where my heart sings!  I can't wait.

1. Yellow Huts, 2. Yellow sand in Monkey Beach, 3. Yellow Boat, 4. Yellow Shell, 5. Yellow, 6. Yellow Shell

I'm looking forward to visiting everyone's blogs today.  First though, it's the Rings & Things trunk show and then I'm having a little bangle making bracelet party here with two beading buddies.  Can't wait!

Hosted by:

Red

Bobbie Rafferty   http://beadsong.blogspot.com

Orange

Rebekah Payne   http://treewingsstudio.com

 Yellow

Blue

Rebecca Anderson  http://songbeads.blogspot.com
Alicia Marinache  http://allprettythings.ca
Charissa Sloper   http://blog.obsidiansoda.com
Sandi Volpe   http://sandivolpe.com

 Green

Jenny Davies Reazor   http://www.jdaviesreazor.com
Elizabeth Auld  http://beadsforbusygals.com

Purple

Jennifer Judd Velasquez http://jenjuddrocks.blogspot.com

Brown

Diana Ptaszynski   http://suburbangirlstudio.com

Black

Birgitta Lejonklou  http://lejonklou.blogspot.com/
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May 4, 2012

Bright & Sunny

Tomorrow I'm playing along in the One Crayon Color Blog Hop.  I picked yellow for my color - it isn't a color I grab often and thought it would be a good challenge.  Yellow was the first color that popped up here in Michigan this spring and I suddenly couldn't get enough of it!  I have one piece done for the hop tomorrow, but I might pull out a few more beads and try another one.  Sometimes having limits, like a very limited color palette, can spark all sorts of inspiration. 

All beads can be found in my Etsy shop.
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April 30, 2012

Bead Cruise 2013

It's been a busy time as we finalized details for Bead Cruise 2013.  I'm super excited about the new classes I will be teaching next year!  I'm offering this Art Deco Tiger Lily class as one of our full day choices.  

My 2013 cruise is sailing out of New Orleans next year, so I'm really excited about playing with the theme of Jazz and the 1920's.  My next class is also vintage include:

During the Filigree Blooms class we'll delve into vintage-inspired cagework with seed beads and filigree.  I'll also share how to make those sweet French beaded leaves.

And my last class is my popular Nest Pendant.  This class is so much fun and students love walking out with several pendants and lots of inspiration!

Registration opens today - space is very limited so don't wait!

When: March 2-9th

Where: New Orleans, Cozumel, Grand Cayman, Jamaica

Who: I have a great line up of national known instructors including Kerry Bogert, Tracy Stanley, Ronna Sarva Weltman, Beverly Herman and Erin Siegel.

What: A week on a cruise ship, taking classes, having fun with beads, friends and exploring tropical islands!

http://www.beadcruise.com/
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April 19, 2012

Beauty and Strength

A few weeks ago someone I know was diagnosed with breast cancer. I felt so sad to hear the news but then I got mad and wanted to fight - yes, fight cancer in general. Me and it's big ugly head in the boxing ring - gloves off!  I felt like I wanted to create something for her to remind her how strong she is and that she will beat this. 

After some Google searching about symbols of strength I ran across the Protea flower.  Beauty, right?  I read that the protea flower is a symbol of strength because it's so resilient.  If there is a fire and the flowers and stalks are burned, the roots survive and grow back after a fire.  Wow, could there be a better symbol for someone battling cancer?

Protea are also one of the oldest flowers, dating back to over 300 million years!  They also have over 1400 types of protea and change shape several times over it's growth.  It starts out looking like an artichoke. opens into a cup shape and them blossoms into a lotus looking flower.  I just love everything about it.  And with so many variations I have a feeling I will be visiting this inspiration over and over again.
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April 17, 2012

Daffodils and a Daffy Girl

New work heading to Stony Creek Beads with me this weekend.

Current Mental Distractions:
Bead Cruise registration is opening this weekend.  How did I pull that off!

Trunk Show & book signing on Saturday.

Spending the weekend with my favorite Beady Auntie.

Dr. appointment tomorrow. The knee is healing - just keep me away from treadmills.
(Don't ask, but I had a serious Lucille Ball moment and a limp once again.)

Making more beads tonight - going to play with some new ideas.

I need to squeeze in a blog tour for my book, something I have yet to do - what's up with that? 
(Yes, in a Seinfeld voice!)

Seriously thinking about getting a booth at Bead Fest this year.

Bead & Button is looming.  Looming....LOOMING.

And then there is my email box - can I hire someone to answer my emails?

Jess: he is so cute when he is rolling beads, packing up your orders or making us dinner.
What I do without him!


Current Obsessions:
Gotye (love this song) 

eBooks (thanks to a gifted Kindle Fire)

Sari ribbons

Watercolors & children's book illustrations

Paintings of France by Maurice Utrillo

Swimming at the Y


Yep, that's my life at the moment. 
Throw in two teenage girls and my family into the mix and that's my whole world right now!
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