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.