Work Weekend

Mallory Square Sunset

I have been blogging since 5/10/2009.
When I began ,I challenged myself to posting  a new entry every Saturday morning. I love the weekly connection to  all my beadie friends. Usually I have to revise ,revise ,revise to keep from rambling on and on.
However, this week  my day job was short staffed and I ended up working a zillion hours !
well.... more than 40 anyway....
So this is my version of the popular "wordless Wednesday " blog entries.
I have to get ready to go to my "pay the bills "job again today !!!
Since I am my own boss in bead world, I am taking a personal day .
I hope you enjoy the photos !

this week
if your are your own boss
allow yourself a personal day
relax, refresh
and Bead Happy !

m.e.

Key West Sunsets

Big Bead Soup Reveal !

Fairy Magic

Welcome to the Big , Beautiful Bead Soup Blog Hop Reveal Part Two !!!
The challenge was to create a design using a bead mix picked by our partners.
Some people like to stretch the ingredients and get as many beadie"meals "as they can out of the mix.
I have to stretch my food meal budget way too much !!!
When I make bead soup ,my personal challenge is to use at least part of every soup ingredient  I receive ,in just one piece of jewelry  .
My partner Sara of Saturday Sequins, made a Gorgeous copper heart and matching clasp.She also sent a nice stash of beads in my favorite shades of greens and blues and lots of  lovely shiny Sequins.
Sequins !
uh oh .. I have never ever worked with sequins!!!
 My soup mix was so delicate and lovey I didn't want my design to over power the components.
I decided that copper wire ribbon would be light and airy enough to let  Sara's Heart Pendant be the star of the show.
But...I was still not sure what to do with those sequins....
Then out of the blue ,I had a Magic Moment  !
As I started  weaving the beads onto the ribbon with thin,thin wire ...
the sequins just hopped into the bead line and joined my design .
Thread a bead,thread a sequin ,thread a bead,thread a sequin ....the necklace magically  came to life.
Maybe the jewelry design fairies were working their special  magic.
I think the  design might be just right to wear to  a fairy dance  in the garden !
this week
enjoy the magical creations of the other
Bead Soup participants
and
Bead Happy !

m.e.

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 

Ana Krepel, Cat's Pajamas, Dog's Tuxedos

Andra Weber, Andra's Joyful Journey

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 

Barb Fernald, Barbara S. Fernald Jewelry 

Barbe Saint John, Saints and Sinners

Beata Benkone Meggyesi, Beahobbi

Brandy McNair, Bella Vita Handmade Jewelry 

Brenda Sigafoos, Sunshine's Creations 

 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 Davis, Natural Treasures by Deb

Debbie Phenes, Deb Joy Sing

Debbie Rasmussen, A Little of This, A Little of That

Dhea Powers, Java Bead

Diana Welte, Lilyweeds

Dita Basu, alankarshilpa

Dorota Zeranska, gdymamczas 

Dot Lewallwn, Speedie Beadie

Eleanor Snare, The Magic Square Foundation

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

Krafty Max, Krafty Max Originals

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 Florian, Lilys of the Valley Jewelry Creations

Linda Murphy, Bonita Bead

Lisa Johnson, Whimsey Wonders

Lisa Lodge, Pine Ridge Treasures

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 Callahan, Dancing Wire and Beads by Lori

Lori Finney, Using My Beads

Marcia Dunne, The Alternative Foundry

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

Melissa Muir, Kelsi's Closet Jewelbox

Paige Maxim, Paige Maxim Designs

Pam DeBoer, Purple Notes from the Studio

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

Tanya Wiles, Tenebrous Hollow Studio

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

August ABS Challenge

Key West Waters

Time for the August ABS challenge !

http://artbeadscene.blogspot.com/2012/08/august-monthly-challenge.html

I was so excited when I saw this month's inspiration, 
Fishing Boats ,Key West  by Winslow Homer

Key West is my favorite place on earth !!!
I have a HUGE stash of beads in  colors to match the water surrounding the Florida Keys.
I pulled out every last one!  Which to choose?
 I settled on either some rough cut aquamarine chunks or some glassy smooth amazonite rondelles.
When I simply could  not pick one or the other , I decided  I 'd use both.
Smooth for the clam morning ocean and rough for the little white caps the afternoon breezes bring.
I found some white recycled silk ribbon that reminded me of the sails.
My white pearl polymer clay perfectly matches that silk .
I made some shells and a big starfish  clasp to "go with "
Now I  wanted that pop of red .  I had plenty of nice red ribbons,
plenty of nice red beads.But, nothing really seemed just right......
then I remembered !!!
I had been hording a big piece of red coral. It was way to large for the bracelets I usually make myself. For some reason it had never found a necklace home either .I decided it would be the perfect thing !

My scuba diving hobby has left me with first hand knowledge of the plight of the coral reefs http://www.coral.org/
 I rarely buy coral beads .When  I do, I try to be very careful of their  source. Almost all the corals I use are pieces I have picked up on Key West beaches . But, I did have that Big red bead ! After years of sitting sad and lonely on my  bead shelf, it has finally found a home .

I think this will be a great necklace for Summer .
But I  do believe I'll enjoy it even more on Winter days.
A good reminder of my beloved Key West waters. Thank you  ABS !
this week
Give a lonely bead a home
and
Bead Happy !

m.e.

1/3 Revealed

Last week I posted a photo my daughter took in the Florida keys.
It is her first entry in a major photo contest , a  male alligator in a wonderful  background  of  reflected water and weeds.
This is a photo she took of his mate .
The female  was so well hidden in the grasses we were lucky to spot her! But ,she did finally reveal herself..
speaking of reveals ......
Today is the First of  three BIG Bead Soup reveals !!!

( pardon my not quite ready for prime time segway )

check out all the wonderful creations on today's blog hop reveals.
http://www.prettythingsblog.com/

I'm still waiting for some wire and wire ribbon I ordered  to use in my design .
I have a little time . My reveal date is August 11 .
I am so excited to work with the great soup mix I received from my partner. I love the heart focal she sent.
http://www.saturdaysequins.com/
check back 8/11 to see what I made
this week
enjoy Reveal #1
and
 Bead Happy !

m.e.

Reflections

A Ripple in Time

This is my daughter Annie's entry in the National Geographic photo contest.
It's her first  time entering such a prestigious contest .
 A big leap in her creative  journey.
I am a very proud mom!!!
(Any "likes " or "tweets " would be very much appreciated )
http://travel.nationalgeographic.com/travel/traveler-magazine/photo-contest/2012/entries/147334/view/ 


This week also marked a milestone in my beadie endeavors.

I made sale # 1000 on ETSY !

One thousand sales reflect many hours spent making and marketing my beads. Technically bead making is just my hobby, it doesn't really pay many of the bills. Of  course the IRS takes a different view, part  of my beadie income goes to them. But,I still keep my job as a veterinary receptionist.That assures the lights stay on and food is on the table !

No matter how big or small the profit, it is not a measurement the rewards my bead sales bring me . I can't measure the fulfillment I feel  bringing my clay creations to life.The connections I have made with the worldwide bead community bring me so much happiness.
The friendships begun over beads are treasures.
When I made sale 1000, I did, for just a moment ,think how many extra treats for my grandchildren  and family scuba diving trips  my bead money helped finance. But, then I reflected on the fulfillment and joy
on- line selling has brought to my crafting ventures.At risk of sounding like a t.v. commercial, my bead connections are truly "priceless" .
Was my motivation to sell about making money ... yes
But, what has  kept me making and marketing beads ?
I makes me HAPPY!
What keeps you active in the online community ?
this week reflect on your own motivation
and
 Bead Happy !

m.e.

My Bead Soup for August 11 Blog Hop

My Bead Soup from Sarah

Once again Lori Anderson ,Bead Souper Hero,

 has organized a fabulous Bead Soup bead exchange and blog hop .
 Since the blog hop is now  bigger and better than ever, this summer there will be three reveal dates.

http://lorianderson-beadsoupblogparty.blogspot.com/
I will be posting my design on August  11 . I am sooooo excited !!!
 My partner is Sarah of saturdaysequins.She makes wonderful jewelry.  http://www.saturdaysequins.com/

Just look at the gorgeous components she sent me !
I am in LOVE with  her handmade heart focal and matching clasp .
She picked my very favorite colors. I also am a big fan of copper.
I wear it all the time .Copper is supposed to help arthritis pain.
I'm not sure if it helps my arthritis . But, I do love the beautiful patina it develops with frequent wear. I wear jewelry that makes me feel happy. When my day gets me down ,one look at my beads makes me smile.

Just in case you think Sarah made my soup too easy for me
(the exchange is about thinking outside our comfort zones after all)
I rarely work with delicate wire wrap or small beads. And I never use sequins ! So I do have my work cut out for me !
 I already have an idea . The question is now can I make it work ?
 I actually cook the same way I make jewelry. I just start with some ingredients that seem to go together . Then I add some of this and some of that. I take a taste or a look and decide what to add or subtract .
Of course, subtracting is  easier with beads than beans and veges !
I know some people are recipe followers .They carefully measure and plan.They sketch  their designs and make adjustments on paper before they begin. This no doubt saves a good deal of beading wire  and frustration! I wish I could design in an organized way. But, my muse is a tad disorganized.Sometimes she even changes inspiration right in the middle of  creating !
Are you a recipe follower or a random arranger ?
 Does it really matter?
In the end the important thing is that your design makes you happy.
this week
stay tuned for bead soup updates and inspiration

and 

Bead Happy!

m.e.

Sarah's Bead Soup from m.e.

July ABS Challenge

Stay Inspired

Time for the July  ABS challenge

http://artbeadscene.blogspot.com/2012/07/july-monthly-challenge_03.html
This month many of us will be making bracelets to contribute to  the
Global  Genes 7000 Bracelets of Hope  Project.
The organization distributes donations of  handmade bracelets to  people affected by rare diseases.
So this month I had two wonderful inspirations, the ABS inspiration painting Picasso's Two Acrobats with a Dog and 7000 Bracelets of Hope !
The Global Genes  project has chosen blue as its signature color.
I decided to use as many blue shades as I could from the painting .
As an accent I loved how the chartreuse set off the blues .
I had the perfect color beads in my stash !  There were some nice graphic shapes in the painting as well . However ,my mind kept dwelling on the cause itself. Who would receive my bracelet ?
What might my bracelet mean to them ? I suppose we all want to say "we care about you "  "people who you will never meet hold you in their thoughts and prayers"
I decided to stamp some handmade beads with  few words I thought were important in the quest for cures , health and happiness.
I chose Hope,Courage,Knowledge and Love .

I hope there will be many ,many bracelets from the ABS challenge sent to the 7000 Bracelets project this month.
I hope there will be  many more sent during the year .
Each bracelet will be different,different styles,different beads.
But, I believe each will contain the positive  healing energy of human outreach and  heartfelt caring.
this week
resolve to send at least one bracelet to
7000 Bracelets of Hope
and
Bead Happy

m.e.