Audubon's Kingfisher

Audubon's Kingfisher

Sunday, November 11, 2012

Beading again part 2

I have been online looking for more items for bead embroidery..since I can make a smallish piece in about 2 weeks and its the easiest thing on my hands and wrists..only to discover one of my sources for Laura Mears porcelain beads has closed (Beyond Beadery, Spokane, Wa)

Then desperate for an owl to embroider I turned to Etsy. I found a wonderful handmade wood domino pendant with an owl on it (from Jessica Klaaren of TheBirdandBranch. I finished this pendant last week.





































And to my Joy, Laura Mears has her own Etsy shop now, LauraMearsDesigns, and my owl fix has been sated for now with this little guy. (with 3 more owl designs to come in a few weeks)










Saturday, November 10, 2012

"Oooh looky a new post" or "Beading again"

August and September were full of ups and downs. October flew by but I could not bead at all.

My boyfriend and I tried to cram in as much hiking as possible before the cold weather hit...and it hit hard in September, heralding the return of my arch nemisis Captain Tendonitis.

The discovery of riveting and a better type of paint for metal had me frantically painting and riveting everything I could get my hands on...then the pain was too much and I had to stop beading for over a month.
















My first riveted adventure (the Tsunami pendant is riveted to the filigree, I put a swarovki flatback on top of the rivet head for a more polished look:

























I got the Hunger Games movie the day it came out (yes, I am still an obsessed fan girl) ...here is a locket inspired by the books:






























A steampunk thingy ma bob (not sure if it will be a hair clip, pin, pendant, or a whatsit)

And my favorite riveted thing so far:



















I completed an embroidered Scarab pendant before the cold set in, to go with my egyptian inspired cuff bracelet :























Tuesday, August 14, 2012

Bead Soup Blog Party-Round 2

Apparently the auto-post on blogger has failed again :(  Sorry folks!

So without further ado, here is the list of the round 2 participants. Hop and enjoy!




Hostess, Lori Anderson, Pretty Things

Adlinah Kamsir, Dream Struck Designs
Adrienn Lukacs, Raszputyin Designs
Agata Grygiel, Cytherea Bijoux 
Alenka Obid, Pepita Handmade 
Amy Dickerson, Damyjo Designs 
Amy Schmidt, Amy's Treasure 
Amy Severino, Amy Beads 

Andrea Trank, Heaven Lane Creations
Anke Humpert, Anart Island Studios
Ann Rishell, My Critical Eye
April Grinaway, Brooklyn Bead Goddess 
Ashley Bunting, Miss Ashely Kate 
Astrid Boyce, Astrid Boyce Beads 
B.R. Kuhlman, Mixed Mayhem Studios 
Barbe Saint John, Saints and Sinners

Beata Benkone Meggyesi, Beahobbi
Brandy McNair, Bella Vita Handmade Jewelry 
 Bryna Lumb, Bryna's Bead Box
Carmen Lau, Little Maketto
Cate van Alphen, Fulgorine
Cathie Carroll, Cathie Carroll's Studio
Cathy Khoury, Touch Jewelry 
Christina Stofmeel, Feng Beads 

 Collette Collins, Fire Fly Myst Artisan Jewelry
Courtney Breul, Beads by Breul 
Crystal Thain, Here Bead Dragons
Cynthia Abner, Created Treasures
Deana Hager, Just Deez'Art & Life
Debbie Phenes, Deb Joy Sing
Dhea Powers, Java Bead


Diana Welte, Lilyweeds
Dita Basu, alankarshilpa
Dorota Zeranska, gdymamczas 
Dot Lewallwn, Speedie Beadie
Elisabeth Auld, Beads For Busy Gals
Ema Kilroy, Ema K Designs
Emma Todd, A Polymer Penchant
Eva Sherman, Eva Sherman Designs
Evie and Beth McCord, EB Bead and Metal Works
Francy Inman, Francy's Studio


Ginger Bishop, lilmummy likes...
Giorgia Rossini, Jo in Wonderland
Ine Vande Cappelle, Jewels by Ine 
Iveth Caruso, Creative Atelier 
JJ Jacobs, Coming Abstractions
Jackie Ryan, Kydo Jewellery
Jeannie Dukic, Jeannie's Blog
Jelveh Jaferian, Jelveh Designs
Jenna Tomalka, Twin Birch Studio
Jenni Connolly, Jenni's Beads


Jennifer Van Horn, Jennifers Jewels and Junk
Jo-Ann Woolverton, It's a Beadiful Creation
Johanna Rhodes-Nash, Fire Phoenix Creations 
 Joyce Blair, Bent Wire West Coast
JuLee Wolfe, The Polymer Penguin
Karen Vincent, Swallow Tail Jewellery
Karin Slaton, Backstory Beads
Kayla Potega, The Eclectic Element 
Kim Dworak, CianciBlue
Kris Lanae Binsfeld, Cherish Designs by Kris Lanae


Kristen Latimer, MJM Jewelry Designs
Kumi Fisher, Malie Kai Designs
Kym Hunter, Kym Hunter Designs
Lennis Carrier, Windbent
Leslie Wayment, AA Beads & More
Linda Murphy, Bonita Bead
Lisa Johnson, Whimsey Wonders


Lisa Sittniewski, Love, Yesterdays
Lois Moon, Que Onda, Q'Town?
Lola Surwillo, Bead Lola Bead
Lorelei Eurto, Lorelei's Blog
Lori Bowring Michaud, Artfully Ornamental
Lori Finney, Using My Beads
Margareta Saari, Mags-koruja
Maria Horvath, Horimarika Beads
Marian Hertzog, M's Place


 Mary Ellen Parker, BeeTree by m.e.
Mary K McGraw, MK's Creative Musings
MaryLou Holvenstot, time2cre8 
Martha Aleo, Ornamento
 Maybeline Tay, The Jewelry Larder
Megan Collins, Churchy & Her Sailor
Melissa Meman, Art. Life. Love.
Melissa Mesara, One-Eared Pig Beads
Paige Maxim, Paige Maxim Designs


Pam Farren, re-maker
Pam Hurst, Pam Hurst Designs
Patricia Handschuh, The Color of Dreams
Patty Miller, CabariBeads
Penney Klapoth, Faerie Acres
Regina Santerre, Regina's Writings
Rhea Freitag, starrgazer creates
Rochelle Brisson, A Creative Chelle


Sabine Dittrich, PerlenDschungel
Sandra McGriff, Creative Chaos
Sandra Neights, Petalo Azul
Sandra Young, It's a Bead Life!
Sara Oehler, SoftFlex Girl
Saturday Sequins, Saturday Sequins
Shanti Johnson, Sunshine Bliss
Shari Replogle, Plays With Paper
Sonya Stille, Dreamin' of Beads


Stefanie Teufel, Stefanies Sammelsurium
Tammie Everly, TTE Designs
Tania Spivey, Moobie Grace Designs
Therese Frank, Therese's Treasures
Tina Holden, Polymer Clay Bytes!
Toltec Jewels, Jewel School Friends 


Tracey Nanstad, A Beadiful Mess
Tracy Choy, BumbleBeads Designs
Valerie Norton, Hot Art


Sunday, July 29, 2012

Bead Soup Blog Party-serving of leftovers

First of all I want to say a heartfelt thank you to each and everyone of you that stopped by and took a look and my Bead Soup pieces. I spent 12 hours (no kidding) yesterday visting everyone on the list for Reveal #1. <imagine eyeballs leaking outta face here>

I was up late the night before the reveal working on a last minute piece (the butterfly necklace.)

I managed to make the matching earrings a bracelet in between hops yesterday so here they are:




































I am also going to try to write out the list of ingredients I was sent since I failed to take a picture:

10 Purple/Blue/Silver czech glass leaf beads (seen in the Butterfly necklace and bracelet)
4 Matte silver filigree links (2 are used in the 2 strand crystal pendant necklace)
1 Blue iris crystal pendant (seen in the 2 strand crystal pendant necklace)
4 Silver vintage crystal sew on beads (2 are seen on the embroidered cuff)
8 10mm Vitrial rose vintage crystal beads (as seen in the coin necklace, the locket necklace, and the charm bracelet and the one pair of earrings)
4 6mm vintage vitrial silver shadow crystals (as seen in the rosary connector earrings and the coin necklace)
10 4x2 clear ab crystal rondelles (as seen in the locket necklace and the charm bracelet)
5 6mm round white opal crystals (as seen the coin necklace, charm bracelet and locket necklace)
4 6mm bicone alabaster white crystals ( 2 are seen in the locket necklace)
2 small floral bead caps (seen in the coin necklace)
4 large floral bead caps (not used...yet)
2 4mm rhinestone rondells (seen in the locket necklace)
4 long silver glass bugle beads (not used yet)
22 4mm matte white opal ab czech flower buttons (seen on the embroidered cuff)
1 rhinestone tulip toggle clasp (seen on the locket necklace)
1 matte silver S hook clasp (seen on the 2 strand blue crystal necklace)
1 baggie of white hex cut seed beads (some used on the embroidered cuff)
Matte silver jump rings, oval and round (used in the locket necklace, the coin necklace and the charm bracelet)

All contained in a cute little heart shaped box which to my horror I can't seem to find anywhere :( I also can't find the lovely card with birds on it....


And Amber, if I left anything out, I am really sorry...I opened the package and just went to town lol!

Saturday, July 28, 2012

Welcome to Bead Soup Blog Party #6!!!!

Hi everyone!
I have been spending the last few weeks with my bead soup creating away! (I still have beads left and more things planned)

Also introducing pictures taken with a real camera! Shock! Amazement! (now I have to blame shaky hands for any blurriness.)

I received a fantastic soup from my Partner, Amber Dawn of Inventive Soul (view her treasures here )

I did not get a picture of the original soup mix...it ended up all over my work area and pieces were created the day the soup arrived.

So without further ado.....beads!




                                                                                   











                                                                                                                                                                            







































And here is the list of fellow Bead Soup Blog Partiers for blog hopping goodness (I am going to hop around after a nap :)

 Hostess, Lori Anderson, PrettyThingsBlog.com
Alice Craddick,  Alice's Beads and Baubles
Alicia Marinache,  All The Pretty Things
Amanda Tibbetts,  Amanda Made
Amber Dawn Goldish, Inventive Soul
Annita Wilson,  AW Jewelry
Beti Horvath, Stringing Fool
Birgitta Lejonklou,  Create With Spirit   
Candida Castleberry,    Spinning Spun Sugar
Carolyn Lawson, Carolyn's Creations
Cassie Donlen, Glass Beadle
Cheryl McCloud,  One Thing Leads to Another
Cheryl Roe, BeadRoe
Christina Hickman, Vintage Treasures Jewelry
Christine Hendrickson,  Clamworks
Cilla Watkins, Tell Your Girlfriends
Cindy Wilson, Mommy's Dream
Cindy Wimmer, Sweet Bead Studio
Cory Celaya, Art With Moxie
Cory Tompkins, Tealwater Designs
Cris Peacock, Cris' Page
Cynthia Deis, Shiny Little Things
Cynthia Machata, Antiquity Travelers
Cynthia Wainscott, Exotic Peru
Dana Hickey, Magpie Approved
Denielle Hagerman, Some Beads and Other Things
Diane Valasek, Dragonfly Close
Doris Stumpf, Glaszwerg
Dyanne Everett-Cantrell, Dee-Liteful Jewelry Creations
Elaine Robitaille, Too Aquarius
Eleanor Burian-Mohr, The Charmed Life
Enikö Fabian, Perl-eni
Erin Prais-Hintz, Treasures Found
Heather Davis, Blissful Garden Beads
Hilary Frye, FryeStyle
Inge von Roos, Inge's Blog
Jami Shipp, Celebrating Life
Jayne Capps, Mama's Got to Doodle
Jennifer Cameron, Glass Addictions
Jennifer Pottner, Rock Candy Beads
Jennifer VanBenschoten,  Jewelry, Art and Life
Jenny Davies-Reazor, Jenny Davies-Reazor
Jenny Vidberg, Shyme Design
Jessica Dickens, My Jewelry, My Life, Me
Jessica Klaaren, Beadful-Things by Jessica
Joan Williams, Lilruby Jewelry
Judith Johnston, Judith Johnston
Judy Riggs, Rigglettes
Judy Turner, Silver Rains
Julie Anne Leggett, The Peaceful Bead
K Hutchinson, Jumbled Hutch
Karen Meador, Dreamcatcher Ranch
Karyn Bonfiglio, Plus Size Bangles
Katherine Gale, Terra Beadworks
Kathleen Lange Klik, Modern Nature Studio
Katja Benevol Gabrijelcic, Slovonske Technobe
Kelli Jacobson, Creative Moon
Kelly Ramstack, Adventures with Kelly
Keri Lee Sereika, Pink Lemonade
Kim Bender-Hora, KimmyKat
Kirsi Luostarinen, Kirsi Luo Korut
Kitty Bozzini, Kitty Lampwork
Laura Demoya, The Bead Therapist
Laurie Hanna, Laurie's Jewelbox
Leah Curtis, Beady Eyed Bunny
Lesley Watt, The Gossiping Goddess
Linda Inhelder, Must-Haves Jewelry
Lisa Liddy, Metal Me This
Mallory Hoffman, For the Love of Beads
Marge Beebe, Rock Creek Creations
Marianna Boylan, Pretty Shiny Things
Marion Simmons, Shade Tree Studio
Marla Gibson, Spice Box Design
Marta Weaver, Marta Weaver Jewelry
Marti Conrad, Marti C's Clay Blog
Maryse Fritzsch-Thillens, GlassBeadArt, Lampwork Beads
Melanie Brooks, Earthenwood Studio
Michelle Hardy, Firefly Visions
Mikala Coates, Maybe Just Perhaps
Mowse Doyle, HoCArt
Nancy Boylan, Snazzy Doodle Designs
Nancy Peterson, Beading From the Heart
Nicole Rennell, Nicole Rennell Designs
Niki Meiners, 365 Days of Craft
Niky Sayers, Silver Nik Nats
Norma Turvey, Moonlit Fantaseas
Paige Maxim, Paige Maxim Designs
Pamela Gangler, She Always Loved Pink
Perri Jackson, Shaktipaj Designs
Raida Disbrow, Havana Beads
Renetha Stanziano, Lamplight Crafts
Shannon Hicks, Falling Into the Sky
Shannon LeVart, Miss Fickle Media
Sharon Driscoll, Right Turn Art Werks
Shelley Graham Turner, Fabric of My Life
Sherri Stokey, Knot Just Macrame
Shirley Moore, Beads and Bread
Skylar Bre'z, Brising Beads
Stacie Florer, Soul to Substance
Stacie Stamper, Park Avenue
Stacy Alderson, Iridal's Attic
Stephanie Haussler, Pixybug Designs
Stephanie Stamper, Rainy Day Designs
Suzette Bentley, Ellie's Bijoux
Tammy Jones, Jewelry Making Daily
Tanty Sri Hartanti, TJewellicious by Tanti
Terry Matuszyk, Pink Chapeau
Vonna Maslanka, Just Vonna

Next reveal date -- August 11th!
 

Saturday, June 30, 2012

I'm back! (contains beads)

<cough>
Where did all the dust come from? <frantic cleaning>

Beware the dust bunnies folks!

Ok so after a very much needed break, here are my latest pieces (yes, I am still using my cell phone to take pictures)

A bead embroidered purse on a vintage brass frame (all 100% hand sewn by me. In one day.)
























If you take a beader hiking....
























She turns the adventure into beads...

 






















I joined the Bead Soup Blog Party again...still working on a kit for my partner...I am not convinced I like what I have so far so I just keep adding beads...

I hope to have more new items to spam everyone with as I get back into the swing of things.

Wednesday, May 30, 2012

This Wednesday in Beads

So I know I promise pictures of my weekend bead adventure...but I ended up working on finishing an embroidered bracelet which took FOREVER.

Anyway here are some fantastically blurry pictures of said bracelet. I am still working on getting a real camera.


















Happy Wednesday :)

Sunday, May 27, 2012

This 3 day Weekend in Beads

I have been pretty busy...no new bead goodies to share just yet (hoping to get some things finished tomorrow)

I am running a Summer themed Challenge swap over on beading daily (http://www.beadingdaily.com/) Sign ups are open through June 9th. For more info please see my post here

This is open to all members of Beading Daily. Membership is free, if you are not a current member.

Hopefully I will be back tomorrow with tons of beady goodies to share :)

Sunday, May 13, 2012

This Weekend in woad..

Saturday I attended the Seattle Woad Workshop with expert Diane Lambert, her assistant Sophie, our host Kathy Hatori, and a really fantastic group of ladies and gentleman that were all friendly and super creative. (Thank you Lisa, for sharing your bucket!)

Why Woad?
I like blue. I also like the fact that it was used in celtic and renaissance times and since I attend renaissance faires, woad lends some authenticity to our outfits. Apparently you can also dye beads with woad. I need to take another class since I did not know that and just brought fabric.

So here is what I woaded! (keep in mind, everything was originally just plain white)








And here is the group...hard at work

There was talk of another class in September...I think that's plenty of time to find more things to woad. By noon I had run out of things to dye, I ended up buying 2 scarves and then redying alot of what I had done already so I could play with the shades of blue. I think its so facinating that one plant can make so many different colors of blue.
That's it for now :)