Rainy Day Dessert

A big Thank You to to everyone who gave me advice about Picnik alternatives .
I still haven't decided what to use. But, I did find the missing collage feature. Thank you Maneki!
At least  I do have until April to find a new favorite.
Right now, I feel like I'm having a Rainy day....
I'm a little moody and melancholy about the whole
" learn a new photo edit method" issue.
I am really not motivated .I'm sad  and I'm  Mad !
But ,this week I'm letting April showers bring polymer flowers!
I am  thoroughly enjoying my handmade toggle venture.
I've been working on a new design...
what else ...a flower  toggle !!!
I like to think I'm not ignoring the photo editing issue.
Instead,I am just redirecting my energy in order to rev up my motor.
It's an effort to start up my "learn new stuff " machine !
I find sometimes a task I am not looking forward to, goes a bit smoother if I allow myself a little fun before I tackle it .
It's Like eating desert first ..LOL!
Of course there is the danger  I'll ignore the task at hand.
But, I don't think I will.
I just need to set it aside and have some fun until my rainy day feelings pass.
this week
try  eating your "dessert tasks" first !
and Bead Happy

m.e.

No Picnik !!

My blog this week was going to be about color.
Technically  about lack of color.
I  should be working on Spring pastels.
It's time for Sweet Florals and Romantic Hearts.
But, somehow I got sidetracked by Moonlight madness.
This week I set aside my pinks and purples .
I concentrated instead on night time neutrals,
blacks,silvers and moon lit whites.
Valentine's day is right around the corner.
does anything say Romance better than Moonlight  ?
This morning I was up extra early ... coffee in hand
ready to write about  Romantic  neutrals
neutral colors that is
not neutral feelings...LOL!
and then .....
oh NOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
my favorite photo edit program Picnik is closing in April!!!
Already this morning ,the collage feature seems to be missing !!!

I think this might be a case of be careful what you wish for
I've been talking the last few weeks  about branching out ...
exploring new options ,trying new techniques
I did NOT mean I wanted to try  new  photo edit options!
I learn clay skills fairly easily. But ,not computer skills !!!
I was finally comfortable with Picnik .
Now I have to find AND learn how to use something new !!!
I have no idea where to start
this week
I would be grateful if  you would
share your ideas about  photo edit programs
and
Bead Happy !!!!

.

m.e.

new.... but non-collaged toggle pics

ABS Inspiration

Trellis

Time for the ABS monthly Challenge

 http://artbeadscene.blogspot.com/2012/01/january-monthly-challenge.html
I instantly fell in love with this month's beautiful wallpaper design .
Joy of joys , so many wonderful flowers and leaves !!!
Just my thing. I only had to decide where to start ......

 I grew up in an big old Victorian house that saw years of change and updates.No ,we didn't have William Morris wallpaper.
But, we did have pieces of furniture and knickknacks from the era.
All the design elements seemed comfortable and familiar to me.
But ,somehow I kept being drawn to that trellis design. Why?
Because, it made me think of the little twisted wire fences that graced my grandmother's gardens.Those low little fences didn't keep anything out or keep anything in .They were just decorative,like garden jewelry.
I wonder if they still sell rolls of that low wire fencing ? It always got bent out of shape and quickly developed aged patina . Maybe it wasn't as lovely as I remember . Still ,I smile when  I think of those gardens .
I was determined to make a wire trellis fence for my necklace.
It took me  hours of sore hands and wasted wire to finally recreate that  twisted, aged fenceing from my past. No matter how frustrate I became I could not,would not veer from my design idea!
I WAS going to make a piece of wire fenceing !

Is it better to know something may be impossible or better to not realize ?
"How to" classes  and  tutorials do give us basic skills and tecniques to draw from.
But ,I think there are times when we should just branch out .
Times to experiment until we are able to create what we envision.
If we don't realize we are attempting the impossible maybe it will become the possible!

I am happy my little trellis necklace.
When I wear it, I am for moment, back with my Grandmother in her gardens.
Thanks for the memory ABS!
this week
make a memory
go with your vision
even if you aren't sure how
and
Bead Happy,

m.e.

Branching Out

If you enjoy creating and you like to sell what you create,

it is probably wise to develop your own style.

Customers keep returning if they know you make things they like .

It's as simple as that !

However, recognizable style should not equate with stagnant .
Here's a case in point ...
visitors to Lynda Mosley's shop scdiva.etsy.com can expect to find Glamorous Sophisticated creations with a Heirloom feel .
But, check out  her latest creation ! Rock and Roll earrings!!!
http://www.scdiva.blogspot.com/
WOW!!! Unexpected ...but , I would recognize those as Lynda's work anywhere ! She dared to go  out on a limb and came up with a  Far-out fresh and refreshing design !!!


Make 2012 your year to  Branch Out !
Experimenting with new concepts and materials breaths life into our work .
Take your muse on a mini creativity vacation.
Return to your tried and true designs with new delight .
I think  it will show .
Even my staple Rose Beads seem to bloom a bit fresher after a jewelry making break.
Cruise the blogs and bookshelves for new ideas.
Better yet, join a challenge
signups start today for Lori Anderson's Bead Soup Blog Party
http://www.prettythingsblog.com/
Art Bead Scene has a wonderful inspiration this month !
http://artbeadscene.blogspot.com/2012/01/january-monthly-challenge.html
even if you are happy climbing the same tree...
go out on a limb !
this week Branch Out
and
Bead Happy,

m.e.

2012 Resolution

Sunrise

Time to bid 2011 farewell .Where did the year go ?
The older I get ,the faster time goes by !
It's  time for New Years resolutions
"A firm decision to do or not to do something "
I should be resolving to eat healthy ,eat less ,organize my beads ,make better use of my time, etc, etc.....
I try this every year ...do I follow through ?     NO !

This year I have decided to concentrate on on a different type of New Year's resolution !
Resolution can also refer to " The fineness of detail that can be distinguished in an image" and  "The term resolution is often used for a pixel count in digital imaging "
You know pixels,those tiny dots that combine  to  make up a complete picture .
This year I have decided to concentrate on the dots that make up my life . All those colorful little incidents , precious small moments and tiny details that make up the minutes, hours and days of my life.
It is these tiny "pixels " of  existence that combine to make the big picture.

I noticed that as 2011 ends my friends are evaluating  their year by the big picture. They say they had a ''terrible year " "a disappointing year " "a difficult year"  We are all wishing each other A "Happy New Year"
We are hoping that  those  who were unhappy with the way 2011 progressed,will find fulfillment in 2012.
Who knows how individual big pictures will turn out.
But, should we focus on that ?
Wouldn't we be more content if we  focused on the dots of wonderful , the pixels of pleasant times  our lives hold ?
My 2012  resolution is , the fineness of detail should be savored .
Whatever your big picture may be for 2012,
may  it contain many ,many wonderful and joyful  little pixels
and may you
Bead  Happy !!!

m.e.

From My House to your House

Somewhere I  read the the phrase
"saving the world one bead at a time"
I honestly don't remember where I read it.  
But ,that phrase remains always in my heart.
There are many things in this world that need changing .
I think  understanding and personal connection can motivate change.
Our beads do connect us the world over.
Beads create not just jewelry ...they create true friendships.
We may never meet face to face ...but still, we are good friends 
for  this Christmas Eve post I am quoting a  John Lennon song
I believe the words ring true  no matter what holiday you celebrate this season

"And so this is Christmas  ,    And what have we done
Another year over,   And a new one just begun
And so this is Christmas   ,   I hope you have fun
The near and the dear one  ,  The old and the young
A very merry Christmas ,   And a happy New Year
Let's hope it's a good one  ,  Without any fear "

This week may we all join  hands across our  keyboards 

and Bead Happy for a better world !

m.e.

Anytime Ornaments

It's the Season of gift giving.
If you are reading my blog chances are you made many
or even most of your gifts.
I don't think anything is as wonderful as a gift you created yourself .

Taking the  time to make something with a particular person in mind is actually a gift itself ...a gift of love and caring.
Plus, you don't risk giving people something  they already have !

But, what about those people you don't know so well?

What about those people you just want to give a little "thank you"  ? 

Get out your stash of beads ,trinkets and trims !
Not to worry ,you still have time ! Don't bother with crimps or knots.

Just string a nice combo on wire and twist a loop at the top for hanging.

Don't think Christmas ornament...Think All Season Greeting!
Create something unique to decorate a house year round 

Bead-utiful little strands of beads can brighten up any corner.

Those that include crystals make rainbows when they catch the light.Who couldn't use an extra rainbow ???

Do you have a few men on your list? Check out your local hardware store.Nuts, bolts and other tool time stuff can look great with a few select beads !Fishing lures are awesome on bead ornaments . Lots of small sports items can work too. 

Ornaments are a super way to use up those orphan beads you have gathering dust .If you simply wire your creations together, you can made a big batch in no time flat . Be sure to make some extras,for those people who slipped your mind . Any you might have left over are sure to come in handy for Birthdays or other occasions through out the year. 

Great  beadie ornaments aren't just for Christmas Trees!

this week whip up some Anytime Ornaments 

and 

Bead Happy !

m.e.