ABS December Challenge

Winter Garden

It's time for the December ABS challenge !
http://artbeadscene.blogspot.com/2012/12/december-monthly-challenge-sponsors.html
In fact, for me ,it's wayyyyy  past my usual entry time !
 All week I've felt like Lewis Carroll's white rabbit
 "Oh dear ! Oh dear! I shall be too late !"
Why am I in this hurry up and wait mode?  Because I wasn't prepared!
Each  month I eagerly wait for ABS to post their new inspiration .
I always seem to be inspired by one aspect of the picture .
My muse gets a light bulb idea and I hurry off to my bead stash to pick out the "go with" components.
But ,this month I couldn't get those squiggly branches out of my head .
Alas  nothing black and squiggly to be found !  Maybe I could just twist some wire into the desired shapes? No, I did something close to that last month . I like my monthly ABS playtime to be a time to try something new. I figured I would just have to come up with another idea .But, my muse is VERY stubborn!
She knew just what she wanted .The perfect thing would be some curved tube beads .I found them on-line and I ordered them right away. Then I waited ...and waited..and waited !
I know the  mail can be  very slow during the holidays. However, I was short the billion extra dollars it took for "express "shipping. So I waited some more .I would like to say I waited patiently ,but that would be a big fat lie ! Every day I hurried  to the mailbox. Then finding no beads I grumbled and groaned extremely loudly ! The design was in my head and it wanted to come out .I needed those beads!

After fourteen long,long days they arrived ! Two weeks of frustration.But, at last I have created  my December entry.
 The moral of this story...
try to keep some of everything you can ever imagine you might need in your bead stash !
Even if your family thinks you are nuts or you have to build an addition onto your house to hold the stuff.
When it comes to beads, More is More!
I find "The hurrier I go, the behinder I get.”
Who wouldn't agree its best to be prepared ...what a good excuse to keep a huge bead stash !
this week stock up
hit "buy me"
and
Bead Happy!

m.e.

ABS Ornament Big Reveal

Merry Memory

Time for the ABS Ornament Blog Hop!
This year I knew I wanted my design to be a way to keep a memory .
However, I seem to be very short on time.
I think came up with the easiest ornament  to make ever !
But, it is really versatile and you can make use of your orphan beads!
How to ? Just curl a wire loop to form a  "holder '
Then string a nice assortment of beads on the wire.
Form a  loop at the top and add a bow if you like.
Your ornament is almost finished
Just add a special photo and that's it !
If you wonder why I used a beach themed bead with my daughters deer photo,it is because those are tiny Key Deer. They only live on Big Pine Key .We vacation every year in the Florida Keys and last summer she was able to get very close to the deer for her best photos  of them ever!
It was a moment to remember.
Next year I can make a new photo holder ornament or just change the picture in this one.
I think these would be perfect to hold my grand-children's annual  photos with Santa too.
I can also imagine a garland of ornaments to hold Holiday cards.
These would be great as little gifts or to tie on a big gift .
You wouldn't need a gift tag you if used a photo of the recipient !
Easy projects are welcome during the busy holiday season.
I think I'll be making more of these .
this week
Check out more fun and fancy ornament creations
at the ABS hop
and
Bead Happy !

m.e.

Visit these blogs to see the Art Bead Ornaments 
Art Bead Scene
Humblebeads
Treasures Found
Song Beads
Viki O'Dell
Sue Beads
Modern Nature Studio
Diane Hawkey
Suburban Girl Studio
Jen Judd Rocks
Ellie's Bijoux
Island Girl's Insights
Life By The Seat Of My Pants
Too Aquarius 
Shelley Graham Turner
Artfully Ornamental
Charis Designs Jewelry
Harrison Hollow Designs
Silver Nik Nats
Bead Soup Mix
Toodles and Binks
Bead Recipes
Play Sculpt Live
BeeTree by M.E.   

a life remembered....

This will not be my usual blog about beads and beading .
I am trying to heal a broken heart .
On December 17 a tragic single  car accident took the lives of 3 young people and  badly injured 2 others. One of those lost was my 21 year old co-worker Tyler . He was driving the car.
I had already prepared my blog post for Saturday the 24, so I decided to post it.
But since Tyler's  death , he has been in my thoughts every day.
All who knew him are devastated by his loss .
I suppose some reading his age as 21 might think..ah he was drinking.
But ,no he was not . But, he was speeding. The Mom in me has been feeling very angry with him for being so foolish .But as we have discussed at work ,which of us  has not behaved foolishly in our youth ?
This week we are all trying to come to grips with the fact that Tyler won't be coming back to work. It just does not seem real yet .
It is very difficult to believe his smiling face remains only in our memories.
Tyler managed our boarding kennel . He was exceptional with our clients and a joy to work with .  But, most of all he truly loved the animals.He cared for each as though it was his own.
And the animals loved him back .They came to board purring,woofing and wagging ,because they loved being with him .It is possible to fool people,but not animals. They knew what kind and honest  person Tyler was.
In January Lori Anderson  is hosting a "Memories and Thanks " blog hop .
I had already signed up with no idea of who my design would honor . Now I know it will be Tyler ,
One client wrote in a memorial
 " Tyler is at the Rainbow Bridge waiting to bring your dog to you "
That might be my inspiration . I am so very grateful to have known Tyler and been blessed by his ever present smile.

part of healing is moving forward ...
and so I shall....
On December 4 ABS is hosting an ornament blog hop 
You'll see some awesome  designs using art beads .
this is my 2011 ornament

here's a sneak peek at  what I'm working on this year

 come back here on Tues Dec. 4 to see the ABS blog hop reveals
 get some Ornament inspiration 
 and
 Bead Happy

m.e.

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.