Lessons from Nature

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Class is in session:

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Reposted from:
Lessons from Nature

Sweet Home

I remember all those years of longing for home when I lived in Texas. My soul thirsting for the beach, my heart longing for beauty of Michigan's countryside. It took us 11 years to find our way back to my sleepy hometown.

And now that I'm here, happiness just doesn't describe it. Deep down in my bones content is a little closer. These last few months have been bittersweet with a struggle my family has had to endure. Our goal is to find a little slice of joy in each day.

Yesterday it was a walk on the pier. It is finally warming up now and I'm ready for walks in the woods, strolls along the cute shops in town, sunsets on the beach. Can't wait for the farmers market to open in May! I live each day here like a tourist, loving all the wonderful things about this place.

Tips for being a tourist in your hometown:
1. Take your camera and see all your old haunts with fresh eyes.
2. Check out some local culture - visit a museum or art center.
3. Take in a show - either a play or concert.
4. Shop downtown and support local businesses.
5. Check out the events calendar and do something new!

Make plans to be a tourist this weekend and blog about it or share a photo with me on Facebook!

Garden Party Polymer Clay Bead Workshop

Your eyes aren't playing tricks on you, yes I am teaching a polymer clay beadmaking class next month!  This is a very rare chance to learn my favorite techniques and tricks during a one day workshop in my charming 1910 farm house in South Haven, MI.

In the workshop you'll discover my tips for mixing a successful color palette as we dive into the class and learn about color theory. We'll make three flower canes and an easy leaf design. The afternoon will be spent learning how to form bead shapes, apply canes and finish your beads like a pro.

The beads shown above and below are the techniques and shapes that will be covered during the workshop.

 
May 18th from 10am - 4pm.  Cost is $125 and includes all materials, tools and lunch.  Just show up ready to have the time of your life - because me and clay - we are quite the party!

Only 10 spots are available and they are filling already.  Don't delay!
For complete details and to register, click here.

Travel isn't the easiest to my little beach town, so this workshop is best for those who are in driving distance from South Haven, that's two hours from Chicago, three from Detroit.  But for those who are up for the adventure, the closest airport is Grand Rapids or Kalamazoo.  I fly out of Midway in Chicago, they offer the best deals on Southwest and it's a quick 2 hour drive to South Haven.  There are hotels just down the road and a retreat center that will offer a great deal if 4 or more would like to stay for the weekend.   South Haven is a sweet little tourist town on the shores of Lake Michigan, it's a great place for a girls weekend out!

Feel free to email me if you have questions about travel or the retreat. 

P.S. Yes, I am still planning a  fall retreat for a weekend in October.

7th Bead Soup Party

Welcome to the 7th Bead Soup Party hosted by the ultra fab Lori Anderson.  I'm sure you aren't new to the party scene, but in case you are - Lori matches us up with a partner, we swap a nice helping of bead soup that includes a focal, a clasp and some extras.  We then put on our thinking caps and come up with something brilliant and share them on reveal day.  Since the soup has 400+ participants it's spread out over several weeks.  Visit the Bead Soup Party blog for the deets.

Let me introduce you to my soup partner, Julie Anne Leggett of the Peaceful Bead. She sent me this rosy little collection of stones, pearls, a Czech button, tin bead caps from Donna Miller and a sterling silver clasp.  Be sure to stop over to Julie's blog to see what she created with the soup I sent her when you finish here.

And from there to here - I went a little crazy and over the top!  But that's crazy like a fox because I'm seriously in love with this necklace.

Along with my soup, I pulled some ingredients from my bead boxes: a ceramic leaf from Earthenwood Studio, a pewter rose from Green Girl Studios, polymer clay disks and a willow headpin from my own Humblebeads line and them some deliciously painted pewter pieces.  

I just couldn't hide away those bead caps, I wanted them to shine and show off the sweet patterns that inspired my color palette.  I wrapped them on the pewter pieces with a ball headpin, super easy.

Here are the before and afters of the pewter pieces.  I used Vintaj's painta paints in a shades of pink, yellow and green, adding on layers and mixing colors.  After they dried I used a matte sealer from Swellegant. 

 

Some of the paints are more opaque and some offer more of a wash of color, letting the metal shine through.  I loved playing the paints again and will be pulling them out for future projects. 

 

Now, thank you for stopping by, I know it's a busy day and there are so many blogs to see!  If this is your first time here and you like what you see, please take a second to sign up for my inspiring newsletter. 

Here are my handy links:
Bead Website - beads inspired by nature
Etsy Shop - beads in stock and ready to ship
Art Bead Scene - my awesome art beady blog that inspired the Bead Soup party!
Earrings Everyday - my earring blog featuring a whole bunch of talented designers
Bead Cruise - my annual event - yep, beads and cruising.  I am an evil genius. 

Head on over to the Bead Soup Party blog for the links of everyone playing along today.  Thanks again for stopping by and visiting for a spell!

But first, head over to my soup partner's blog and see what she created with the soup I sent her!  Party on people, party on...

Spring Wishes

Have you missed me? I've missed my Internet bead community!

I've been so busy with the cruise and handling a family emergency that I have been away for a month from my Etsy shop and keeping you inspired.

I'm back on the job today! I hope these new goodies in my shop help ease some of those wintry blues!

Which ones are calling your name?