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.

October ABS Challenge

Round and Round

Time for the October ABS challenge !

http://artbeadscene.blogspot.com/2012/10/october-monthly-challenge.html
Each month I eagerly wait to see the newest ABS challenge selection. Each month a different aspect of the art inspires me.
Usually one particular thing about the picture grabs my attention.
If the chosen piece has flowers , I will be making flowers !
Those of us who make beads can often whip up something special to "go with "our inspiration.
This is one thing I love about the challenge.
It's a monthly kick in the pants to try something different.

There is also the fun of  sorting through my copious stash of beadie stuff to find forgotten treasures.
This month I was struck by the colors and the graphics .
If you look closely,there are so many colors!
There are also strong geometric shapes .
To keep that feel I picked out some heavy wire and a few round vintage elements.
The shapes and colors had my brain spinning....spinning?
ah ha! I remembered a bead type I had not made in ages...lentil swirls ! A perfect way to spin all those lovey colors into one bead .
Just for fun I added an ammonite swirl bead created by Mother Nature. I couldn't resist adding some bits of sari silk that  matched perfectly.

I loved making the lentil swirls . Creating them was a nice break from holiday florals .
Thanks  ABS  for helping me recall that technique.

this week
revisit an old favorite design
and
Bead Happy,

m.e.

This week there is a change in the air. The days are still warm.
But, I can feel a change .The leaves on the trees are still green.
But, there is the slightest hint of autumn color .
The field corn was harvested this week.
The lush seas of green ,are now tawny golden stubble.
Ripe red tomatoes have disappeared from the farm stands.
Plump orange pumpkins are appearing .

My worktable is changing too . I've finished working in fall  hues.
All of  my fall clay blends have been transformed into beads.
I have set out a selection of rich red and green clays .
I stacked up a pile of pearl white and and few squares of gold and silver.
I'll start with Christmas shades and work up to winter jewel tones.
But, first I'm going to take a break .
This weekend my Hubby and I will be "down the ocean " as we say in Maryland.
As a child I spent  part of every summer in Ocean City, Maryland .
I played in the sun and surf by day.
By night, I reveled in the sights and sounds of the boardwalk .
When I grew up (am really a grown up? ) I learned to scuba dive .
My beach allegiance changed to tropical climates with coral reefs to explore.
But, once a year I like to revisit my childhood haunts .
My Hubby and I go to the Ocean City Wine Fest held every September.
It's a chance to sample wines from small private vineyards in a  beach setting . We love it !
We always treat ourselves to some wonderful Maryland seafood meals.
We walk the beach and some years it's even warm enough for a swim!
It's a welcome break between seasons.

When  I return I'll have to start right in on preparation for the very busy holiday season .
But, this weekend  is reserved for a bit of rest and relaxation .
While relaxing ,I will raise a glass of wine to all my beadie friends .
I am so thankful for the many wonderful people I've met on-line .
This week
a toast to all of you
my cherished bead friends
may you always
Bead Happy

m.e.

Bead Soup Book

My copy of Lori Anderson's Bead Soup book arrived this week !
http://www.prettythingsblog.com/2012/09/the-bead-soup-book-is-here-and-new.html 

It is a PERFECT Beadie Cookbook !
It's chocked full of design recipes for every occasion.

Each creation has a list of ingredients and easy directions .

I feel like I know everybody who contributed, from Lori's previous Bead Soup Blog buffets.So before I saw the book I knew I liked  their styles .
No surprise, I'd love the book .
I expected Lori's easy friendly style ,tons of inspiration and great photos . But, I got much more than I expected !
The book is divided into four starting point chapters. I can best describe them as comparable to what to cook if you have left over chicken in the fridge or what to make if you couldn't resist the fresh asparagus at the grocery.
Great ideas for how to think through designs .
Useful tips on how to find inspiration for those " got it ...no clue what to do with it " beads we all have around the house.

One reason I love soup, both the bead and food type , is that you can keep  adjusting  it  until you get it perfectly yummy .You can take a recipe, add this ,subtract  that  and the result will still be good.
The Bead Soup Book recipes will fill your head with mouth watering ideas that you can improvise to  make your own .
All the recipes contain a sprinkling of smiles .
You won't want to miss Zack's Watercress Soup.It's toadily delicious!
Since I live in Maryland, I had an extra big grin when I saw the  "Blue Crab Earrings " and old Fashioned Oyster Stew " necklace !
Colder days and blustery weather are on the way.
Perfect soup weather !
Why not simmer a pot on your stove
and a pot on your work table  ?
this week cook up  something hot and delicious
and Bead Happy

m.e.

Spooky Season

Autumn's Art

At my house the days are still summery  warm.
However, the nights are starting to grow colder .
It's time to think about holiday designs.
First in my  line up are Autumn colors and Fall leaf themes
This week Mother nature sent me my first piece of inspiration.
Every September a weird and wonderful fungus grows under the oak tree in my front yard .
I believe it's called a chicken fungus. It's supposed to be edible and quite tasty. I have never been brave enough to taste it .
I prefer to think of it as an early Autumn Art sculpture .
It signals me that it's time to make a few spooky season beads and pendants . I  have already filled my shop with Fall colored leaf pendants and toggle clasps.
But,every year I like to make just a few glow in the dark Ghosties and Bat Fairies.
These make a quick Halloween necklace simply strung  on a chain or ribbon .
They can also make more intricate designs hauntingly beautiful.
Tip: don't hide your pendants away when they aren't being used.
Many make nice ornaments. I  keep a few little ghosts and bat fairies displayed on twiggy branches. Nice Halloween  decor and I can grab one for a quick gift if I need to !
 However,the real reason I make my spooky season designs , is because they are FUN to create. 
Every year they have a slightly different personality .
They just take on a life of their own as I make them .
Small little somebodies to share the season of spooky with me !
This week make something
Boo-tiful
and
Bead Happy !

m.e.