Time for Soup !

mixing the soup !

I think soup is the ultimate comfort food !

Add individual ingredients in just the right proportions.

Simmer together to make a delicious combination .

Soup can warm us body and soul . It just makes us feel good!!!

But, this week I've been working on a different type of soup ...

a sort of  Dis-comfort food !!!          Why ???

Because , I  joined Lori Anderson's Bead Soup Party!!!

http://lorianderson.blogspot.com/p/bead-soup-blog-party.html
The idea is each person will send their partner a mix of beadie ingredients much different from the types of things they most often use. We will all soon  be receiving a surprise package that does NOT contain the colors,materials or styles we feel comfortable with! We aren't supposed to include anything our partner is truly "allergic" too ..like maybe florescent orange or something of  that sort...something that  they just despise !!!
Also, no fair sending anything truly yucky...no bead veges from the back of the fridge!!!
We WILL be sending  components we think are out of our partners comfort zone. 
We will be creating with a mix to make a Dis-comfort zone Design!!!
We'll be stretching our creativity .We'll be learning by working with new ingredients and inspirations.
Best of all we'll be having FUN!!!

My partner is Sandi Volpe . Be sure to visit  her shop ! She makes lovely jewelry .Her soldered  pendants are just wonderful !!!

http://www.etsy.com/shop/sandivolpe
Sandi works most often with silver metal ,lampwork and pearls.
I will NOT be sending her any of those!!! LOL !!!

This week I have been experimenting  with Vintaj  brand components .I've been creating some beads that blend with antique brass color metals.
Maybe something like that will be in the soup mix I send Sandi..............maybe not !!!
It's a secret !!!

You'll have  to keep checking back to see what  soups we invent !!!

This week try adding a few different ingredients to your own soup mixes!

and 

Bead  Happy , 

m.e.

   

Flowers with antique bronze highlights

ABS January !

Time for a new ABS challenge !!!
This month's inspiration painting is Brown River by Wayne Thiebaud.
http://artbeadscene.blogspot.com/search/label/monthly%20challenge

I love it !!!  What  wonderful color and light !!!
I'll admit I like a bit of snow and frost during the holidays.
I suppose because it brings to mind my childhood Christmases . But, right now I am ready for SPRING !!!  This  painting  just spoke to me of Springtime . I could almost feel the warm sunshine and see bright flowers starting to bloom .Even the title "Brown River " brought to mind the muddy little rivulets the Spring rains create in my garden!

I'll take a moment here to admit I am a confessed bead hoarder .
I buy beads... because I like them....because I want them ...but, rarely because I really need them !!!
I don't usually sell my jewelry  creations  .Most of my designs I keep for myself or gift to friends and family.
True to my bead hoarding nature,on New Years Eve I purchased several strands of  the most lovey,sparkly Czech crystal beads.
The only thing I had in mind for the beads was to hold them,admire how they caught the light and finally store them away for some unknown future project.

Imagine my surprise when ABS  posted the inspiration painting ! My new beads were all the colors of the rows of foliage in the foreground  ! They looked to me just like those  little rows !   And they captured  Thiebaud's illusion of light perfectly !!!
I actually had bought something I could use right away!!!!!!!!
I was so  happy I  didn't want to add too much to detract from my new beads. I made some bright flowers and a very sunny heart. The shapes seemed to mimic the curves in the painting .Then all that seemed to be needed was a foliage inspired toggle and a wonderful antique brass bead in the same curve of the river .

It's freezing cold and snowy at my house this week.
Spring seems to be such a long way off.......
But, I  now  I have a nice dose of light and color to see me through these dreary days.
Thank you  Art Bead Scene!!!
Are you ready for some bright color this week?
Stay warm ...and
Bead Happy ,
m.e.

"Brown River"  collage

New Year Reflections

Sunrise January 1, 2011

What better inspiration for the New Year than a Gorgeous Sunrise!!! This one was right outside my front door !!!

2010 brought me my  share of joy and my share of sorrow .

But ,all  in all ,it was another  year of wonder. I try every day to appreciate each little gift I'm given.I try to "stop and smell the roses". There are so many wonders in life we miss  if we don't take time notice what's around us.

It's snowing at my house today .Outside my window the world is frosty white.But ,inside at my clay table ,my beads are the shades of  the Sunrise ! Winter is still be working it's frozen magic on the world of nature However,my world of beads has moved on to Springtime ! I suppose on many levels its good to live in the here and now. But,I do enjoy the opportunity to dwell a bit in the future. When you sell what you create ,you always  need to be  looking ahead .You must keep up with new trends ,seasonal colors and designs ! 

I LOVE it !!!. I can't see flowers outside my window today.

But, my work table is filled with cheerful blossoms!!!

As I sit here enjoying my field of  flower beads,I am reflecting a bit on the past year. What ideas will I   leave behind ,what ideas will I carry forward ?What inspired me last year ?How did I grow as an artist ?What changes did I make?What changes do I need to make?

The term  NEW year implies I can start fresh .I can change what needs changing and hold on to what is  worth keeping.I can evolve and grow .Both my beads and my business will have another new year to prosper and bring me joy!!!

As you reflect on 2010,

what new things might be in store for you ? 

Wonderful bead adventures I hope!!!

in 2011 may we all

Bead Happy !

 m.e.

Bead Connections

pendant by sculptedwindows

I talked a little last week about how beads seem to connect people.

This week I had the most wonderful proof of that ! My mailman delivered a surprise package.Inside was a gift from someone who has been buying my beads for years.Our acquaintance began as buyer/seller . However,we have become cyber -friends.When she was blogging (I wish she still had time to!)I faithfully read her blog.I think she usually reads mine ; )   I found we had more than just beads in common.My friend Cathryn cares for many cats including a feral colony. I work for a veterinarian center that endeavors to find forever homes for  the various kittens and older cats that happen on our door step.So I suppose you could say we have a bead /fur friendship!!! But, when I opened my gift I realized it was much more.

Cathryn had sent me the gorgeous necklace and earring set in these photos . She said it reminded her of me . She knew from my blogs and bead designs I LOVE all things ocean .

But ,here's what's  amazing. I have not shared here or anywhere on line that in November my family lost a beloved member.

My ex-husband Ron,died very suddenly and completely unexpectedly .We were married for 13 years.We have two wonderful children ,two  grandchildren and are expecting a new grandchild in March.We remained  close friends for 46 years.I am still coping with my personal loss.And I am dealing with the grief of my children ,grandchildren  and mutual friends.Most holidays were spent together at our daughter's home.This Christmas was a very hard one for us all. Ron also loved everything ocean .On my daughter's tree we hung a "remembrance ornament " , a shell exactly like the one on the necklace ! Any "just because" gift is a true treasure.Cathryn's kind gesture helped my heart to heal a bit.Her caring gift arrived  just when it was most needed.

The connection that made her send something so special just when I  needed it is amazing enough.

But ,that's not all ! I was very impressed by the work of the Kristie Lou Brigham who made the very  unique pendant .

I hurried  to look at  her blog and  on-line shops!

Beyond amazing !!!!! Kristie donates part of the sale of pendants like mine, to the Turtle Hospital in the Florida  Keys!!! I visit that very Hospital every year when I go to scuba dive !!! In fact, my younger daughter is considering applying for a job there when she graduates from  college in the spring !!! 

Some of you may think that what I perceive as bead connections, are mere coincidences . But ,I believe that when we create things with our hands we put a bit of ourselves into each item .As our creations move on to other hands a bit of our energy goes with  them .

I really have no words to explain how deeply I  have been touched by Cathryn's gift .

All I can say is 

Cathryn ,I thank you from the very  depths of my heart .

as the New Year begins....

take a moment to enjoy more of  the Beautiful Art of Kristie Lou Brigham

she creates wonderful clay faces and  fabulous wire wrapped pieces !!!

sculptedwindowsjewelry.blogspot.com

be sure to  visit the Turtle hospital blog to see what wonderful work they do 

http://www.turtlehospital.org/blog/

and of course ...

Bead Happy !!!!
           m.e.

Happy Holidays

Another year is almost over. Where does time go!!!
Much of my time goes to working with my polymer clay !!!
One of the very best parts of creating beads and pendants, is the connection I feel with the wonderful people who use my work in their designs.I also like to imagine who might be wearing my beads. My items have gone to places all over the world ! It's lovey to think of the connections we make when we create a piece of jewelry . Sometimes I am able to interact with my buyers .Many have become cyber-friends throughout the years. Others I never do get to know.But, I feel a connection just the same .
I put my heart into every bead I make. I believe that somehow that energy travels with my beads wherever they go !
As the year winds down, I am thankful for the opportunity to interact with beaders everywhere .
Sharing my love of making and designing with beads brings me great happiness.
I look forward to another year creating new and old bead styles and interacting with new and old friends.
I hope you have all had a year filled with blessings and beads!!!
Wishing you Happiest of Holidays
Bead Happy ,
m.e.

White Christmas

We do get plenty of snow in Maryland.But, we don't always have a White Christmas.This year we may have some snow on the ground for the holidays.The temperature has hardly risen above freezing!!! We've had several days of snow flurries and even an inch or two of the white stuff! My yard is a treasure trove of snowy inspiration.I found some lovely muted colors ,interesting patterns and even some cute little bunny tracks !

I should be thinking ahead to spring designs and colors.
However, I couldn't help but make a few frosty designs this week.
We may search and search for a certain type of inspiration. Sometimes we find what we had in mind .But, sometimes we find something entirely different . I had a table full of red and pink clay all ready to start Valentine hearts and flowers. But, those will have to wait ......
This week I'm dreaming of a White Christmas !
May all your holiday dreams come true...
Bead Happy,
m.e.

Expect the Unexpected

The weather has turned bitter cold at my house.
I'm staying inside where it's cozy and warm !
Most of my flower inspiration has been coming from photos and my memory.But, I did venture outside to enjoy my yard with a sparkling dusting of snow. I'm so glad I did!
I discovered a tiny treasure,a frozen rose bud made more beautiful with a coating of frost !

I was hoping to find some winter white inspiration in my snowy garden. But, I found something unexpected ! I love the mulberry tones of the frozen rose bud. And I love the special sparkle the frost gives it . In the summer these roses are pink and velvety.
I never expected to find one lone bud in my winter garden.
It's unique look really inspired me . All week I've been working in a mulberry palette . I've been adding metallic inks and glass micro beads to add that frosty feeling.
The color seems a bit Victorian to me . Nice for last minute Christmas designs!Perfect for some old fashioned Valentines Day creations ! Funny how beaders are always looking ahead to the next holiday!

Holidays are a time for tradition .They are a time to celebrate cherished rituals .
This is the time of the year I want to enjoy all the expected holiday treats and trimmings!
But , in the midst of your celebration
don't forget to keep an eye out for the unexpected
and be sure to
Bead Happy !
m.e.