Twas' the night before...

Ho Ho Holidays

'Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house
Not a creature was stirring," except for my mouse.......

Why? 
Because I Love,Love ,Love on-line shopping !
In every other way ,the holiday season is about old fashioned traditions for my family .
We like to do things the same way ,year after year .
It seems to connect the generations past ,present and future.
Even the small  details are important to me. do e way year after year.

For example ,that's the only time of the year I make mashed potatoes and gravy from scratch .I'm ashamed to admit it.
But,the rest of the year my family gets those instant pkts.
Baking cookies is a ritual of remembrance.

I use the time worn recipe cards written in by hand by friends and family .
My tree is not decorator fancy .Rather it is a hodge podge of ornaments that each recall a special time ,place or person .

The idea of merry shoppers happliy  picking out gifts  from stores decked out in lights and greenery  is a lovey vision.
But , reality is more like swarms of stressed out shoppers pushing and shoving to grab the best deals .
To that tradition I say " No Thanks!"

Here I sit with a hot cup of coffee , dressed my cozy pj's, mouse in my  hand.

Great bargains to be had..easy to search for the weird and wonderful...perfect gifts a plenty

What's the Cherry on the my Christmas Cake of  gift giving?

I  can select from wonderful handmade and one of a kind items.

since I have a shop on ETSY I shop a lot on ETSY.

In fact,often if I make $10 I spend $15!
Not really good business management ...but, FUN!

One of my BBB (Best Bead Buddies ) Sarah from Saturday Sequins is hosting a Holiday Craft Fair on her blog ..lots of great links to gift goodies.

this week shop
but don't drop
hurry on over to the Saturday Sequins blog
and
Bead Happy !

m.e.
http://www.saturdaysequins.com/ 

Artisan Whimsy Metal Prong Challange

A Mermaid's Cuff

I always post a new blog entry on Saturdays.
This week I'm early . I have a very good reason why.
I have discovered a wonderful new bead group, Artisan Whimsey.
Check it out ...lots going on over there  http://artisanwhimsy.ning.com/
This is my entry in the Metal Prong Challenge
http://artisanwhimsy.ning.com/page/metal-prong-challenge
Believe me, for moi this was a challenge!
For a long time I've been wanting to learn to solder .
It seemed like it would be a very useful skill.
But, I just never got "round tuit ''
Maybe because it involved flames.
My attempts at glass bead making were less than a success!
It seemed impossible for me to succeed if fire was involved.
However, when I read  Staci Louise Smith's  prong setting tutorial ,
I decided to take a risk . http://artisanwhimsy.ning.com/profiles/blogs/draft-prong-setting-francesca-and-staci

I always ways use beads in my creations...beads as defined as something with a hole through it.
If the object of my beading desire doesn't already have a hole,
my dremel and I can usually remedy that in short order.
But, there are bits and pieces that are too flat or too fragile to drill.
I love putting teeny memorabilia in resin . Most of my resin molds are impossible to drill sideways.
Therefore, objects that I can not make into beads get a front to back hole and become  charms or pendants. But ,if I could learn to make a prong setting ,those pieces could be set like cabochons!
I decided to borrow a torch and soldering supplies from an artist friend.But, I didn't want to ask for any  help. Instead I wanted to see if I could follow the tutorial instructions.
Congrats to Staci ! She made it easy !
My attempts need some fine turning . My prongs are a bit rough and primitive.But, I think that works fine with my bracelet.
I like to imagine it was lost by a mermaid .
Then washed up by tides to be discovered by me....
it is possible...
anything is possible.....
After all I final learned to solder !
this week make one of your impossible dreams come true
and
Bead Happy !

m.e.

                         visit these blogs to see more entry's

The Beading Yogini, http://www.thebeadingyogini.com

Carolyn Dewison, Blue Berri Beads, http://blueberribeads.co.uk/

Pam Farren, http://www.re-maker.blospot.com

Mary Harding, Mary Harding Jewelry, http://www.maryhardingjewelrybeadblog.blogspot.com

Dawn Horner, Northern Adornments, http://northernadornments.blogspot.com/

Gina Hockett, Freestyle Elements, http://freestyleelements.blogspot.com

Heidi Kingman, My Bead Therapy, http://mybeadtherapy.blogspot.com

Lisa Laffend, http://kokopelliegirl.blogspot.com/

Laura Medeiros. http://zoeowyn.blogspot.com

Alicia Marinache, All the Pretty Things, http://www.allprettythings.ca/

Melissa Muir, Melissa Muir Jewelry, http://design.kcjewelbox.com/

Melinda Orr, Melinda Orr Designs, http://orrtec.blogspot.com/

Julie Panusis, http://catsmeowco.blogspot.com

Mary Ellen Parker, http://beetreebyme.blogspot.com/

Staci Louise Smith, Staci Louise Originals, http://www.stacilouiseoriginals.com/

Sherri Stokey, Knot Just Macrame, www.KnotJustMacrame.com

Jo Tinley, Daisy Chain Designs Jewellery, http://www.daisychaindesignsjewellery.blogspot.com

Francesca Watson, Francesca Watson Designs, http://www.francescawatson.com

Jean Wells, http://www.jeanawells.blogspot.com

Linda Younkman, Lindy’s Designs, http://lindysdesigns.blogspot.com/

Winter Warning

Ice Fairy

This week we had our first local snowfall .
The flakes did not rest tree limbs or grass.
They merely floated from the clouds, then disappered.
When I  left work in the dark, frosty little flakes were glistening in the lamplight.
The icy sparkles brushed my cheeks and then were gone.
Sunrise revealed a frosty world ,but no actual snow.
However, Mother Nature's message was  received "Winter is coming"
Last year we did not  have  typical cold and snowy weather.
The entire season was relatively mild .This year the prediction is for more snow and ice.
I heard more than a few moans and groans when those first snowflakes fell...
oh no ....here comes inconvenience of  those snowy,blowy  days.
This means days of treacherous driving .
It means anxiously listening to the "closed list "
Will the kids have school...is work open?
We can expect freezing fingers as we scrape windshields and shovel walks.
Time to stock up on milk and toilet paper(why do people think they will need more milk and toilet paper when it snows? )
But  remember ...
Here comes the silent beauty of a frosted Wonderland .
Here come the unexpected snow days off .
Here come the cozy hours spent by the fire with cups of hot coco
( maybe that's why we need extra milk )
Here come the snowmen,sledding and children's laughter.
This week I should take warning
Time to  put the ice scraper in the car trunk
Time hunt to up that can of spray lock de-icer
Time to bring extra fireplace wood up to the porch.
Time to check supplies of flashlight batteries and toilet paper !
But, instead I spent my week making a little  Ice fairy and some "ice" frosted  beads.
No matter what our outlook... winter will arrive
this week celebrate Ice and Snow
and
Bead Happy!

m.e.

REFLECTIONS

Time for the November ABS challenge!
http://artbeadscene.blogspot.com/2012/11/november-monthly-challenge.html
There are times when color seems to give a design all the impact it needs.
I love,love,love color!
For me picking out the exact shades of the inspiration picture ,is always a big part of my creative process.
But, this month I could not do that .
There was no rainbow of hues to match with my bead stash.
I do have plenty of black ,white and gray beads .
That simple, sophisticated palette can certainly be striking .
But ,I decided to creep outside my comfortable box a bit.
I wanted to try letting texture speak for me instead of color.

In the aftermath of the infamous  storm Sandy, all the trees in my area are stripped bare ,
The black branches outside my window seemed to mimic the ABS inspiration choice.
Somehow my muse  found the painting  a refection of the recent weather.
I just let my imagination run wild ,twisting and turning wire to create those images.
Maybe all that  twisting released at bit of of my pent up post storm frustrations!
My art bead is an image of one lone leaf that still hangs on despite the wind.
Vintage chandelier crystals represent the water in the painting.
They also remind me of  rain drops after the storm.

Nature can be a frightening force.
To all that suffered or are still suffering from Sandy's onslaught ,
you are in my prayers.
remember and respect the power of nature
but
this week
reflect on nature's Beauty
and
Bead Happy

m.e.

Gifts

Watch out ! Here it comes ...
the Biggest gift giving season  of the year!
I was already buying my "Happy Holiday" presents  and "Thank You" Hostess gifts. Then and what to my wondering eyes should appear?

Three pregnant co-workers! Yes 3 !
Yikes! My budget was already busted from early holiday shopping.
How to say " I really care about you"&" Welcome new baby " on a shoe sting?
Easy , hurry on over to ETSY . I found the perfect things !
Handmade almost guarantees unique .
I can't tell you what I bought. I haven't given the girls the gifts yet.
But ,I found awesome gifts for three new little Baltimore babies .
And I ordered some items personalized too!
Perfect gifts ,all purchased while drinking my morning coffee in my jammies.
Does shopping get any better than that?
I plan to buy almost all " handmade" for Christmas .
It's certainly the best way to find something different for the"have everything "folks on my list .
For my Granddaughter's American Girl dolls ,ETSY is a wealth of well made, unique outfits .
I already already sent "Felicity "an adorable Minne Mouse dress and ears for Halloween.

But ,what does all this have to do with Beads?
Because Beads make the very best gift tie-on !
A great focal bead and a length of pretty ribbon comes off the box to become an instant necklace or  wrap bracelet . Substitute hemp or thin leather cord for the guys on your list.  A simple wire hook can transform most  art beads into splendid ornaments . You can even use a chain in place of ribbon. Try securing the "bow loop "with a twist tie or bit of left over wire ...cool!
If you really can't choose a gift, many shops now offer gift certificates . A beadie wrap would certainly make a special presentation for them.
Spend some time shopping handmade. You'll find wonderful ,unique gifts .
This week get ready
to dress your gifts in beads
and
Bead Happy!

m.e.

Mood Waves

This week was a bad week at work !

Without getting into the boring details and rehashing issues that have been"hashed " enough ,here's why.

Some decisions were made that the staff did not care for at all.

Rather than discuss this face to face in an open meeting,opinions were texted back and forth. And when I say texted ..I mean the airways were on fire ! Venom spewed from those phones!

I usually love virtual commutation . Because of  my children's busy schedules, many weeks that is the only way we have time to share .
I have discussed time and again the joy my internet friendships bring me. But beware...there is a danger in a quick text or e-mail.
The recipient can't see your face or read your body language.
Your statement can be rapidly passed from person to person. Like that whisper game children play ,by the time the content is passed around it might bear very little  resemblance to what you meant to say.

 Like waves on the ocean, the ripples grow bigger and bigger until they finally crash on the shore. That's what happened at my work .
A tsunami of anger came crashing down.
I guess ...I hope we got it all straightened out .
But, I'm not certain how easily anyone can forget harsh words..forgive maybe ...but forget? 

I suppose every workplace deals with office politics ,gripes and grievances. When they surface I try to ride the waves  safely to shore .
I try not to get caught up in the undertow.
But, I find the process exhausting and depressing .
I spent my entire week balancing sad and mad.

Thank goodness for beads !
I've been working on some calming peaceful neutrals.
I just couldn't stress my overworked brain with bright  bold colors.
I'm going to create more beads in soft bronze and cheerful gold and try to recuperate from a terrible  week at work.

This  week 

create in colors that suit you mood 

and

Bead Happy

m.e.

What Bugs You ?

Does something in particular bug you ?
I try very hard not to "sweat the small stuff "
Life is  full of  big hungry caterpillar events .
We need to concentrate on turning as many of these into butterflies as possible .
In general,it's a waste of time to worry over  life's little stink bug moments.
However, sometimes the small irritations are hard to ignore !
What happened to  basic good manners?
Do people have to talk on their cell phones while I'm trying to wait on them? Or worse ...while they are supposed to be waiting on me !
Could people keep their phone's volume down in public?
I don't need to hear those loud rockin' ring tones .
(unless I love the song...LOL!)
Could people just wait 2 seconds for me to bag my things at the self checkout .Do they have to let their canned goods slam into my bread!
Is it possible to simply be kind and respectful to others?
This week I was told by a pharmacist ,that a customer asked her to call other stores to see if she could purchase her pills for less elsewhere.
I'm all for trying to save money .
But, she told the pharmacist in a haughty tone that she didn't have "time to waste " calling around herself because she was "at work ".
Where did she think the pharmacist was!
Oh my......
this recount of  life's annoyances  could go on and on .
all the itchy-bitchy bites I try not to scratch!
my secret remedy ?
BEADS
working with  beads is a form of meditation for me
when I'm making beads,designing with beads
even reading about beads
Life's little irritations cease to bother me
then it's all about the Beads !
this week
sooth your little irritations
Bead Happy !

m.e.