Summer is over and the boys are back in school.  I'm always amazed at how quickly it passes and how incredibly sad I am to say goodbye to our days together...

A quick summary

 first trip to disneyland

 the pride in catching your first fish

cousins

hiking, hiking, and more hiking

mini warriors

lake days and lots of camping

Back to work and responsibilities....yuck,
but knowing beautiful memories were created and there's always more tomorrows.

Soup full of Beads

The 3rd and final reveal of Lori Anderson's Bead Soup Blog Party is finally here which means you get to see what my partner, Andra and I have been up to!

 A quick reminder of what Andra sent me...

 

 Beautiful, earthy colors.

Lately, I have been teaching myself some metalwork, mostly with copper, so I thought it might be fun to put my new found love to use.  My ideas are always simple, clear cut and symmetrical when it comes to jewelry (I know, boring).  But I thought I just might be able to let these beads shine....

The necklace

 

Obviously I kept to my true earthy nature...I just can't help myself really. The copper is all my own work.  There are a few rough edges, but I think it just adds to the piece.

The bracelets

 

Believe it or not, I stepped outside the box for these.  I don't do a lot of bracelets and when I do, there's always chain involved.  I wanted to try a bangle and if this wasn't a perfect opportunity...

Again, there's an earthy feel, but I loved using the different beads to add a little spark of appeal here and there.  They were fun to make, an experiment really, but definitely something I'd like to attempt again.

Oh, and by the way...the clasp Andra sent me, I broke...
I am ashamed, but I am also a tremendous klutz...

A big thank you to Andra for her generosity and thoughtfulness in her selection of beads.  What a fun trip this was.  And an even bigger thank you to Lori for her tremendous ability to pull these parties off every year.  What a lady, I'll tell ya!

I hope you'll run over to my partner's site to check out her creative talent.  

Here's what I sent her...

A focal I created just for her :)

Here's a list of the partiers.

Have fun!!

Hostess, Lori Anderson, Pretty Things

Agi Kiss, Moonsafari Beads 
Alice Peterson, Alice Dreaming

Alison Sachs, Beads by Earthtones

Amanda Dittloff, Passion Smashin'

Andra Marasteanu, Bijoux de Monanage

Angie Szlovak, SweetBeads

Anitra Gordy, Leelu Creations

Ann Sherwood, Ann's Blog

Arlene Dean, A Glass Bash

Audrey Belanger, Dreams of an Absolution

Barb Solem, Vivi Magoo Presents

Barbara Blaszczyk, laboratorim Flory

Becky Pancake, Becky Pancake Bead Designs
Beth Emery, Stories by Indigo Heart

Bianca Odenthal, Zydies Glasperlen

Birgit Klughardt, GitesBeads
Bobbie Rafferty, Beadsong Jewelry
Bonnie Coursolle,  Jasper Gems
Cece Cormier, The Beading Yogini
Charlene Jacka, Clay Space
Cherrie Fick, En La Lumie're
Cheryl Foiles, Get Your Bead On
Christie Murrow, Charis Designs Jewelry

Christina Miles, Wings n Scales
Christina Stofmeel, Feng Beads
Christine Stonefield, Sweet Girl Design
Cindy Cima Edwards, Live to Design
CJ Bauschka, 4 His Glory Creations
Claire Smith, Embergrass Jewelry
Cynthia Riggs, Cynth's Blog
Dana Fowler, Trunk Full of Treasure
Dawn Pierro, Turtle Moon Designs
Dee Elgie, Cherry Obsidia
Donetta Farrington, Simply Gorgeous

Dot Lewallwn, Speedie Beadie
Eileen Snyder, Dorset Hill Beads
Elizabeth Bunn, Elizabeth Beads
Eva Kovacs, Ewa gyongyos vilaga!
Evelyn Duberry, Sheba Makeda
Fay Wolfenden, Torch Fairy
Fen Li, Bead Flora Jewels
Gail Zwang, Angel Moose Enterprises
Geneva Collins, Torque Story
Grace Dorsey, Fan of the Flame
Gretchen Nation,  Art Food Lodging

Hannah Annear, Squintessential
Hajer Waheed, My Beaded World
Heather Goldsmith, As I Bead It
Heather Otto, The Craft Hopper
Heidi Kingman, My Bead Therapy
Hope Smitherman, Crafty Hope
Isolina Perez, Isolina Perez
Jacqueline Keller, CreARTelier
Jane Haag, Did You Make Something Today?
Janeen Sorensen, Wild Vanilla Designs
Jean Peter, Jean P. Designs

Jennifer Judd, Jen Judd Rocks
Jennifer L Justman, Soul's Fire Designs
Joanna Matuszczyk, Bizuteria z filcu
Joanne Brown, Jo's Jewels
Joanne Lockwood, Jo Bunkum
Joyce Becker, Joyce's Joyful Gems
Judy Riley, Three Red Beads
Karen Mitchell, Over the Moon Design
Karen Williams, Baublicious
Karin von Hoeren, Creative Ideen

Karla Morgan, Texas Pepper Jams
Kashmira Patel, Sadafule .. always in bloom!
Kate Richbourg, We Can Make That at Home

Katrin Lembke, AllesPerle
Kathy Combs, Torched in Texas
Kathy Lindemer, Bay Moon Design
Kay Thomerson, Kayz Kreationz
Kelley Fogle, My Life, One Bead at at Time
Kelly Hosford Patterson, Traveling Side Show

Klaudette Koon, Only Road
Lara Lutrick, Lampwork Beads by Lara
Laura Guenther, Blue Antiquities

Laurie Lalonde, Simply Mod Jewelry
Lilik Kristiani, Soul of My Embodiment
Linda Younkman, Lindy's Designs
Lisa Chapman, Beach Cat Beads
Lisa Lodge, Pine Ridge Treasures
Loretta Carstensen, Designs by Loretta
Lori Bergmann, Lori Bergmann Design
Lori Dorrington, Lori's Adventures in Etsy Land
Lupe Meter, Gem's PC Corner
Lynn Davis, LLYYNN

Malin de Koning, Beading by Malin
Mandi Effron, Craft-o-licious
Mandy Williamson, Mimi's Beading
Margot Potter, The Impatient Crafter
Maria Rosa Sharrow, Willow Street Shops
Marianne Baxter, Simply Seablime Jewelry
Marina Dobrynina, Savon Feutre
Marjolein Trewavas, Room for Change
Marelene Cupo, Amazing Designs
Marsha Neal, Marsha Neal Studio

Marta Kaczerowska, uhuhu
Mary Govaars, MLH Jewelry Designs
Melissa Trudinger, Bead Recipes
Menka Gupta, Menka's Jewelry Blog
Michelle Burnett, Reverie and Revival
Michelle Escano-Caballero, The Cabby Crafter
Miko Wiropati, Uniquely Yunikua
Milla Hope,  LB Creative Arts and Crafts
Mimi Gardner, Other Curiosities
Miranda Ackerley, MirandackArts
Natalie McKenna, grubbi

Noemi Baena, fuego, metal, y color
Pam Ferrari, Ferrari Originals
Pam Sears, Crazy Creative Corner
Penny Neville, Copper Penny
Rachel Baron, R. Baron Designs
Rachel Myers, Rockabead Jewelry
Rana Wilson, Definitive Designs by R. Wilson
Rebecca Anderson, Song Beads
Rebecca Sirevaag, Becca's Place
Riki Schumacher, Riki Jewelry

Rose Binoya, Ahtee's Blog
Rossana De Gaspari, Rdegas Blog

Sandi James, Do Be Do Bead Do
Sandi Volpe, Sandi Volpe
Sandra Wollberg, City of Brass Stories
Sarah Goode, Pookledo

Sarah Small, blog by salla
Shai Williams, Shaiha's Ramblings
Shawn Mills, Shawn Marie Designs with Bent Wire
Sheila Davis, Stone Designs by Sheila

Sheryl Stephens, Babble Bead
Shiraz Biggie, Secret Song Designs


Solange Collin,  Ahowin Handcrafted Jewelry
Sonya Stille, Dreamin' of Beads
Stephanie Dixon, The Dixon Chick
Susan Kennedy, Sue Beads
Susan Sheehan, Strands of Thought
Suzann Sladcik Wilson, Beadphoria
Sweet Freedom, Sweet Freedom Designs
Tabatha Dinger, Modernly Created
Tania Hagen, Pelima Jewellery Design

Tanya Boden, Fusion Muse
Terri Gauthier, Blooming Ideas
Terry Carter, Tapping Flamingo
Tracy Stillman, Tracy Stillman Designs

Bead Soup Update

The big reveal is almost here!  I received my package of goodies from my partner, Andra, 

and I couldn't be more pleased.....

 

pretty package

 

beautiful colors

a pretty clasp and focal (jade?)

I finished my pieces last night, but you'll have to come back Saturday for that...

Bead Soup....Almost

It's that time again...time for the lovely Lori Anderson to work her magic as hostess to the...

And this time I was fortunate to get Andra Marasteanu as my bead partner.

Andra is from Romania so I get to go international this time around ;)

Check out her world of color and here's a sneak peek of what I sent her...

(not very helpful, am I?)

oh, our reveal date is 8/25 so stop by if you get a chance.

Old World

Bead production hasn't been up to par lately due to lazy, hazy summer days.

I did come up with my Tuscany beads the other night though.  

The inspiration, a warm night with a cool fan blowing.....

Back to life...

Back to reality...

and the truth is, i love my reality.  since becoming a single mama, i've been in constant survival mode, falling into a deep sleep each time i hit the pillow late at night.  and although it's incredibly hard work, i hit that pillow with such a huge rush of contentment...we are happy.

here's a few shots from our recent trip to so. cali...

the boys practically lived on the water slides at the resort

 

becoming confident swimmers

and then there was DISNEYLAND!!!!

 colton finally found his treasure

these two, what a pair

(my dad and mason)

my son became obsessed with palm trees...

he hugged each and everyone of them!

"dude, what are you wearing?!"

exhausted, but happy

we are back home, safe and sound.  the shop is back up and running and orders shipped out...

thank you for your patience

and thanks for letting me share :)

The boys and I are packing up and headed out....

Vacation time!

I'm leaving the shop open, but won't be able to ship anything out until we get back on June 25th.

Let summer begin!

whether you're a jewelry designer, bead artist, or creator of something wonderful, do you ever wonder where your treasures end up?  i do... i'm guilty of becoming attached to my beads and as i wrap them up and carefully place them in their mailing envelope, i can't help but wonder what will become of them.  

i know, i know, pretty cheesy.

so with much delight, i was happy to receive a convo from Kaushambi of Beaditi with a link to this necklace she created with one of my pendants....

 

wildflowers from oregon

 

 i love the simplicity and softness in the design

 

thanks k, for sharing :)

oh sweet jesus...

 

it happened, it finally happened!

 

i am incredibly honored to be Cynthia Tinapple's Polymer Clay Daily featured artist.

Painterly polymer

The “painterly” adjective is an easy one to attach to some works. But lately, “painterly” polymer has been pushed to a whole new level as in these Rustica Erosion beads. Alison Sachs of BeadsByEarthTones paints, textures, scuffs, and swipes her beads into something more than you may have thought possible.      “Down to earth and full of imperfect texture…like me,” she says.

Polymer is attracting more fiber artists, glass artists, ceramicists and, well, painters who bring very different expectations and sensibilities to our craft.

thank you!

Stuck on you

A few beads I have made in the last month or so...

Didn't realize I loved this color combo so much....geez!

It's Time!

For those of you who know me, my beads have been slowly transgressing

 into new forms and I am just itching to unload my old inventory.  

SO, it's time for a mega sale!  

For the next couple of weeks, I will be marking old beads down....way down; 

just look under the SALE section if you've had your eye on something.

And as always, thanks for the love and support :)

Hmph...

 

There will be no pictures taken today.

Sun hogs....

(good thing they're cute)

I was doing my morning blog hoppin the other day and I stopped by Heather Powers place to find this...

Van Gogh's Peach Blossoms

(her monthly inspiration)

 

First off, wow, what an incredible painting.  I can see why Heather chose this!

Then I thought, and thought...hmmm, what could I do with this?!

 

so I did a little sketching; something I've never really attempted before...

now comes the pressed molds...by this time, I'm really excited (peeing in my pants kinda excited)

painting, the fun part!

And a bead has been born!  I had no idea I was capable of doing this with my clay...

it's funny how things come about, isn't it?!

 

 

Texture

New Creations....

Down to earth and full of imperfect texture,

kinda like me ;)



Repairing

I know, I know, it's been awhile...

For the last month or so, I have been busy coming to terms with my pending divorce

and there just wasn't any desire to to drench you with my sorrows. 

Fear not though, I feel like I am finally on a clearer path and my heart is starting to heal.

 It's amazing how my beads can be cathartic.

So with my head held high and a smile on my face, I will continue to push forward because

I get to wake up to these beauties every morning...

and that, my friends, is all that matters!

Green

Honored to be amongst such beauty....



'Vegetation' by RobinCottage

All Natural Tree Neckla... MrLentz $70.00	Felted Acorns, lime gre... feltjar $12.00	moss fox / original pai... ohchalet $22.00	Handmade Soap - Choose ... prunellasoap $19.50
Green Grass Ring in Gun... SeahagAndWalru... $24.00	Vintage Green Square Ti... RedEggBoutique $36.00	Osampo Bag (small bag f... aikafeltworks $41.30	Green vegetation soap d... ceramiquecote $20.00
Linen pincushion - cro... namolio $15.00	Crochet Acorn - Green annemariesbrei... $3.50	Hand painted green arti... whitedeershop $19.00	Bag Hanger - Purse Hang... colorelish $15.00
Minimalist Photo-Green ... Maddenphotogra... $15.00	Evergreen: Made To Orde... LoftFullOfGood... $14.00	Handmade Polymer Clay P... BeadsByEarthTo... $6.00	Leaf Button - Ceramic B... BackBayPottery $6.00

Treasury tool by Red Row Studio.