Thursday, February 17, 2011

Addiction

Let's face it, we all have one, maybe two, possibly even three things we can't get enough of.  For me, it's usually all about food.  If I'm not eating it, I'm thinking about when it's going to happen again. 
Yes, it's horrible, but something I have lived with and will live with the rest of my days. 
I've accepted it.  There, enough said. 
 So how, you may ask, does this pertain to my craft?  Okay, meet my second addiction...shiny beads.  I'm not talking about rhinestones and all the bling you see out there. I'm talking about beads that you can see your reflection in. 
I have always coated my polymer with a special gloss (4 coats, to be exact).  Boy, do I love how they shine!  But, I have felt as if I were always cheating myself out of something.  I was never quite sure of what that was until I did the research.  You see, the pros (polymer clay big wigs) sand and buff their beads.  I have always thought this to be quite tedious and way too time consuming.  But after reading several testimonies and seeing the finished products, I figured it was worth a shot. 
Now I'm hooked.  I can smooth out my beads (sanding) and buff each one until I get the desired glossed effect.  Yes, it may take a little more time and my fingers do get sore, but it's worth it.
So, although I may never stop thinking about all the yummies that will find their way into my mouth, at least one of my addictions have met with a happier outcome. 

Cheers to all!

Thursday, February 10, 2011

The Big 500

Well, I did it...500 sales.  It's a number I'm proud of considering I knew nothing about polymer clay when I began this journey.  So a BIG thank you goes out to all my wonderful supporters and customers.  Are we ready for the giveaway?!
Tari Khars of PearlandPebble was my 500th Etsy sale so she'll be receiving and extra set of beads.

And now for my blog followers....

My husband did the pick...


Boot-C of Mamas Got to Doodle!
Hey Boot-C, thanks for being a reader and I'll contact you for an
address so I can send you some pretties.
Cheers to all!

Friday, February 4, 2011

New Beads

We've had an unusually warm winter here in Central Oregon.  Temps have been sticking
 between 40-50 for the last 3 weeks.  Might seem cold, but last year our winter lasted until May!  My feelings are mixed...I love the snow, but I love to be able to be outside, running,
hiking, soaking up the sun.  I guess my heart is content with the warmth and the blue
skies because I made these last night. 


The contrast between the blue and browns is
so calming and full of warmth.  I've decided to sell sets that include different shapes...
any thoughts on this?

Tuesday, February 1, 2011

Yummy Soup

Okay, I have to admit, when I found out I'd been paired up with Anna, I began secretly hoping my soup would contain a scrap or two of turquoise.  You see, I had scurried over to her blog (omg, so beautiful) and found out she lives in New Mexico.  New Mexico, that's where I'm from!  Oh, and how she captures the beauty of the southwest... so....I thought she may have a bit of turquoise in her stash of treasures.
Maybe, just maybe, she'd share a little...?
Oh sweet mama....would you look at all that glory?!
Nuggets AND rondelles, yes, I am spoiled.
Oh and look at all that copper.  One of my most favorite materials to work with. 
The accent beads are so full of color!  Excuse me while I wipe away my drool....
And look at this beauty...

Isn't she beautiful?  She's from Green Girl Studios.

I knew, just KNEW immediately what I was going to create...actually, there is so much generosity here I think I'll be making a couple of things.
Thank you Anna, for sending a little Southwest my way and reminding me of home :)
Be sure to check back February 26th for the big reveal.
This is going to be one heck of a party!

Monday, January 31, 2011

Bead Soup Has Arrived!

I've been anxiously awaiting my package from Anna a.k.a. The Laughing Raven and I got it today!!
Oh, and what treasures I found in my little box.
Unfortunately, there's no sun today so you'll have to come back tomorrow
for pictures of my new treasures....



Wednesday, January 26, 2011

Winter Treasures

Look at the pretties I picked up this weekend. 

The sun was out and it was quite seasonably warm so off I went on a scavenger hunt/hike.  
I tend to annoy my fellow hikers with my oohs and aaaahs as I try to take in the foliage around me...
and then I gobble it all up.
And what do I do with them?  They will soon be turned into molds for future beads and pendants,  especially that awesome looking pod thingy at the bottom there.  Kinda like these...

Cheers!

Thursday, January 13, 2011

Giveaway



Alrighty my friends. 
My etsy bead shop has almost hit its 500th sale (yay!) and I'd like to show my gratitude by doing a giveaway, which I've never done, I don't know why, I'm really not a scrooge in any way. 
Soooo, when the mark is hit, not only will that person receive an extra set of beads,
 but I'll also send one of my blog followers a set of beads too.
So stayed tuned....

Cheers!


Friday, January 7, 2011

Bead Soup Blog Party!

Have you joined?  I just did and I'm totally excited.  Can't wait to see who my partner is and what the materials will look like!

 
Thanks, Lori, for putting this fun together!

Sunday, January 2, 2011

And a Happy New Year To You...

What a crazy couple of weeks and I've loved every minute of them...except the days I spent in bed due to a tummy flu...ugh.  I've enjoyed having my little men home from school, much time spent with family, and a beautiful end to the year. 
And to start off the New Year....

All items in my Bead shop will be 10% off for the upcoming week.  I've taken the last two weeks off and I have a lot of new ideas floating around...so out with the old, in with the new.
Upon completing your purchase, I'll send a quick refund back your way.
Happy New Year!

Wednesday, December 22, 2010

Snowed In...

So far 6 inches of the white stuff has dumped with more to come.
Woohoo!

Yes, I love snow.  BUT, I don't like to drive in it because I am a big chicken.  So, that means we stay home and do fun Christmas projects and play in snow.  AND the best part of all....I get to bead more...yes, my name is Alison ans I am a beading addict...that felt really good. :)

I just finished these little lovelies with some of my beads
and now I'm off to make another pair for myself
Because of the mix in colors, I've found they practically go with everything. Here's to having a productive day!

Thursday, December 9, 2010

Closing Shop

Closing shop tonight for the upcoming Christmas show.
Have a fabulous weekend!



Wednesday, December 1, 2010

I've got Christmas on the mind, how could I not with it surrounding me everywhere I go.  Not that I mind...I have always been a bit of a geek about this holiday.  It usually takes me about a week to decorate due to the massive amounts of decorations I own.  So, as usual, beading is put on the back burner and even more so now that I am fortunate enough to have my jewelry pieces in a cute little boutique AND now I'm preparing for an upcoming Christmas show.  Busy, busy, busy!

One of my bracelets...

My ruby red...

Dreaming of blue skies....

all using my clay beads, which is my goal, but sometimes I do without.


There are just too many different kinds of beads out there;
a gal could go crazy!
Thanks for letting me share and I hope you're enjoying
the beginning of this glorious season.





Saturday, November 20, 2010

New Directions

Sometimes, yes, sometimes I get bored with my beads.  I hang my head in shame when I say this, but it happens.  When this does occur I try to take my clay new in directions.  I was recently asked to show my jewelry in a shop, & Then Some, and in this little boutique were the CUTEST handmade Christmas ornaments.  And oh, I needed to be a part of it!  So I created these...
Rustic, but still a little shiny...I love them.  I made a million, well, more like 20 and saturated a tiny Christmas tree in the shop with them.  All different colors and shapes.  They look wonderful!

Wednesday, November 3, 2010

For the Love of Dogs

I've been feeling a bit under the weather for the past couple of weeks and I do believe my creativity decided to take a vacation.  So, to fill the void,  I decided to work a little more on Abby.  Abby came to us back in April, abused, fearful, and needing much love and attention.  It took a month with us before she even wagged her tail.  I decided to turn to Cesar Millan for the crucial help we needed.  Bought his book and dug right in.  She began to transform right before our eyes.  Unfortunately, I didn't get the chance to finish the book....
Apparently, Abby didn't see eye to eye with "Cesar's Way"  and where she got the matches still remains a mystery.  Anyhow, I just recently ordered Cesar's new book, although in my humble opinion it should have been sent free of charge, and we continue to progress in our training and understanding of each other.  Her transformation is a beautiful thing to watch. 
She even got into the Halloween spirit...

But most importantly, she's happy, loving, smart AND she feels safe.
                            

Sunday, October 17, 2010

Mokume Gane

This is probably my favorite technique and the first one I learned when I picked up Carol Blackburn's book.  The design possibilities are endless and I think I really enjoy the thrill I get right before slicing into the stack of clay...will it reveal a beautiful design worthy of all that time or will I be left with a pile of well, poo?! I'm happy to say, I've been fortunate...a lot of happy beads have been made and only a few piles of "poo" have been added to the scrap pile.

Here are a couple of my designs when I first began with polymer clay 4 years ago...
Coming up with different objects to inject into the clay is challenging for me and I usually resort to the old round imprints...pens, paintbrushes, straws, toothpicks.  Yes, I get lazy, maybe that's the reason for loving this technique so much.

Here's some of my recent work..
Full of color, just like my life.

Happy Sunday to you!

Sunday, September 26, 2010

Happiness

Many, many things make me happy, but I must say,
when I venture down an avenue with my clay and the
results are successful, I squeal with delight. 
And believe me, my husband will attest to the
squealing part, poor guy.
I adore the look and texture of pottery and stoneware
and decided it was time to figure out how to replicate
it with my clay. 
And by golly, I think I did it! 
Here's what I've come up with so far...

Where do you find happiness?

Saturday, September 18, 2010

Spooky Contributions

I've always been a Halloween fan.  Spooky things fascinate me. 
So my contribution to the polymer clay bead
world every year are these little guys...
To get into the pre-Halloween mood last night while creating, 
I watched Mary Reilly on Hulu.  It's a Dr. Jekyll and Mr.Hyde flick...very enjoyable!

But check out this crazy, black cat...
He comes from the imagination of chikiegirlcreations, whom I've always admired. 
And yes, he's polymer clay...love it!!

Skeerdy Cat Hairstick with Polymer Clay Bead by chickiegirlcreations


Friday, September 10, 2010

Can you smell it?

Well, I sure can!  The fabulous scent of autumn
is in the air and my innerchild is screaming with excitement. 
Not only is this my favorite time of the year,
but it's also my favorite time to create. 
Fall colors just seem to suit me well. 
So I've begun some new avenues....
Acorns, to soon adorn a necklace...


and some new egg-shaped fall beads with a
beautiful faux lampwork look.


                                           
More colors to come!