The Newbie Beader's Blog

Wish List Monday

2011-10-03T06:54:00.000-07:00

If you're still Bead Soup hopping, click here for my creation!

Oh, hi!

I could claim that I'm nursing a Bead Soup hangover, and that's why haven't blogged, but it wouldn't be true. The truth is, I've only visited about 10 of the 362 blogs. Life has interfered with my normal blog visiting, jewelry making, and general leisure activities.

I've worked in the mortgage industry for 7 years. It's been a roller coaster ride - when I first got into it in 2004, it was a very different world. I have been laid off from six mortgage companies in the past 7 years - usually because the company was going out of business. Then I started working for The Very Big Bank. I thought to myself, "Finally! A company I can retire from someday. When I finish my degree in marketing, I can transfer within the company, and I never have to worry about them closing their doors." I was dedicated and loyal and worked my butt off.

Then things went south at the end of August, and have continued to spiral out of control. I won't get into the ugly details, because unless you work for my company in the mortgage business, it won't matter. This is my last week at my job - I was laid off/I quit. It all kind of happened at the same time - I quit about two days before I was scheduled to be laid off. So I'll finish out this week and start my new job a week from today. I'm very happy about the new job - it's a promotion and it's quite a bit more money. Both good things. I'm sad, though, that things didn't work out at the current place. I'm sad to be leaving my friends (who have all either quit or been laid off already, anyway), and I'm disappointed at the way my company has conducted itself since the incident.

Posting and jewelry creating will continue to be sporadic until my life evens out a bit. I've been on a huge roller coaster since the end of August and it's taking its toll. Please be patient with me and once my head is in a better place, I'll continue blog hopping for the Bead Soup Party. In the meantime, here are some Wish List Monday goodies - the ceramic edition:

I love this bracelet bar. The color, the design, the holes - everything.

I heart Gaea - don't you? Her bundles are so amazing and this one just really tickles my fancy. Did you know that she hand-picks her bundles and no two are the same?

I must have this mug from Jangles! This is exactly what I need to drink my coffee out of every morning at my shiny new job!

This pendant and the ribbon just speak to me. The colors make me feel calmer and more peaceful.

That's it for this week's Wish List Monday. Go visit my friend Amy over at Copper Diem and see what everyone else is wishing for!

Bead Soup Blog Party!

2011-09-16T23:59:00.000-07:00

It's the reveal of the Bead Soup Blog Party!

This party caught me off guard a little, I guess. I've known the reveal date all along, don't get me wrong. However, I procrastinated, as is my way. I didn't intentionally procrastinate, but the beads were refusing to speak to me!

Remember this?

That was my gorgeous bead soup from my partner, Terry.

I made three versions of this necklace before I came up with something un-hideous. I didn't take pictures of the first three because those versions were ICKY! I finally came up with something.

By the time I got home from work Friday night, the sun was pretty low in the sky so I had some issues with lighting. That's a crystal AB Swarovski bicone on the left - it's a bit hard to see what it is. The rest is made of garnet chips from my local bead store. I liked the garnet with the focal better than more neutral colors. I felt like it really let the focal shine.

So...I saw the amazing focal:

... and immediately thought "brass". So I dug out a simple Vintaj brass lobster clasp. The clasp I got from my partner:

... was way too gorgeous to hide at the back of my neck. And I couldn't figure out a way to feature it that didn't take attention away from the focal.

I worked it a couple different ways - I used several kinds of brass chain and made dangles out of the other beads:

...she included in the soup. It was ... blah. Boring. Everything was all along the same color palate and I didn't know how to introduce color without throwing everything off. I also did an asymmetrical design that definitely did not work. It involved pearls which were screaming "WHITE!!!" and the focal did not like it.

Let me also just say that these colors were challenging for me. I work with "beachy" colors - blue, turquoise, green, etc. Neutrals aren't anything I'm used to working with. So I didn't know what went with what.

The rest is made of garnet chips from my local bead store. I liked the garnet with the focal better than more neutral colors. I felt like it really let the focal shine.

I knew the bracelet had to have the gorgeous clasp from Orrtec Designs as the centerpiece. So I went with the original idea I had for the necklace:

This is three different kinds of brass chain with dangles from the Chinese crystal beads in topaz.

The earrings go with the bracelet instead of the necklace:

I may change these to go with the garnet instead. I may change the bracelet too, quite frankly. I like the necklace, but I'm kind of "meh" about the other two pieces.

Remember these items?

I'm in love with these, but I wasn't able to make anything that did them justice. Naturally, I thought earrings. But I couldn't make them work. I made four or five pairs of earrings with them and I couldn't make anything that didn't make me want to run away screaming.

Remember these?

I've been lusting after all the silk fairy ribbon I see in other peoples' designs, but have never had any. I literally squealed when I saw it! I made a version of the necklace that had the ribbon incorporated but it just didn't look right. I felt like it was out of place somehow. The other problem is that I tried to do that nifty wire-wrapped thing with the ribbon. That's HARDER than it looks! I found this tutorial and tried to use it with ribbon. I've since come to the conclusion that in order for ME to do this, I need a third and possibly a fourth hand. That is going to take some time for me to learn.

I feel bad because I didn't use a TON of the materials Terry sent me. I tried, but they were soooooo gorgeous, I was scared!

I mentioned this the other day, but creativity has been elusive for me lately. There's a lot of upheaval in my world right now and my creativity is suffering. I'm still in love with these materials and am still planning to create with them. I need more time, but I'll get there.

This post is CRAZY LONG so I'm going to stop babbling now! Please, please, please continue the blog hop. I can't wait to see what my partner creates with her soup!

To continue the hop, go visit Lori and see what everyone else made!

Sneaky Peeky

2011-09-16T18:14:00.000-07:00

Unless you've been living under a rock, you know there's a party tomorrow. Right?

I finished my pieces last night about 2:00 am and took pictures tonight when I got home from work in a waning sunlight.

I finally made something I don't think it hideously ugly. Yay me.

Here's a sneaky peek

Be sure to come back this weekend to see the whole thing! (And if you don't make it here until the following week or month, that's okay too. Because, yeah, it's a big list.)

Oh, the Humanity

2011-09-14T23:29:00.000-07:00

Hi, my name is Tara. I make ugly jewelry with beautiful beads.

The Bead Soup Blog Party is coming up. The reveal is on Saturday! The soup Terry sent me is stunning!

The beads have been sitting on my bead mat since I got them. I have been pushing them around, putting other beads next to them, stringing them in different patterns, taking them off again. I made a necklace last night and it was SO UGLY! I tore it apart and did something different. UGLY!

UGH!

I've had some health problems and there are things going on at work that are getting ugly fast. I'm sure I'm just distracted and not really in a creative place.

I will have it finished to show you on Saturday for the big reveal! The question is - how many times will I have redone it?

Wish List Monday

2011-09-12T10:11:00.000-07:00

Welcome to another edition of Wish List Monday! What am I wishing for?

First up, these headpins. Now, make no mistake - I would snap every single one of them within minutes of owning, which is probably why I'll never buy them, but aren't they just stunning?

This painting makes me feel restful and peaceful - something that has been lacking lately...

The name of this pendant is "Sledding Hill". How cute is that?! It reminds me of going sledding with my cousins out at my grandma's campground in Minnesota. This evokes soooo many memories for me.

Last, and most importantly, I wish I were in Maine visiting with my nephews. It was just a month ago that we were there, and I would give anything to be able to fly across the country and give them each another squeeze!

Now go visit Amy and see what everyone else is wishing for!

I Remember

2011-09-11T21:51:00.000-07:00

It's taken me the whole day to write this post, and I'm no further than I was earlier this morning. I am going to just post the video instead. Ten years ago, I was driving home from work, still in shock, and heard this song on the radio. I had to pull over because I was crying so hard. God bless the USA.

I Heart Macro

2011-09-11T08:10:00.000-07:00

This picture is a bit dated, actually. I took is a few months ago when the oranges were growing like crazy around here. This is actually at my aunt and uncle's house, taken probably back in February.

If it looks yummy, juicy, delicious - it's because it was!

Kumquat

Head over to Studio Waterstone to see what everyone else is taking pictures of!

My Kit Is On Its Way!

2011-09-08T20:06:00.000-07:00

I love Lima Beads. I love getting jewelry magazines because I can find so many new suppliers that way. The ads in Stringing, Bead Style, etc. are just as interesting to me as the jewelry. I found Lima Beads in one of those ads where they mentioned their Big Green Bead Machine. They have a great selection of Vintaj, which I love, and a huge variety of gemstones. I also love that they have art beads by a lot of my favorite artists - Missficklemeda, Gaea, Earthenwood, Jangles, etc.

I also admire Lorelei and Shannon. A lot. They make stunning jewelry. I hope to someday be able to make jewelry as beautiful as theirs. So when they partnered with Lima Beads for a challenge and I saw the kit, I had to join in!

Look at those colors! I feel calm when I see these colors. At peace. The materials they've chosen are absolutely luxurious.

So basically...you buy the kit from Lima Beads and make something. Or multiple somethings. There will be a blog hop on October 8.

I've been looking for ways to fine tune my skills, push myself creatively, and get comfortable with materials I don't normally work with. That's why I love the Bead Soup Blog Party so much. I have no idea what my partner will send me and it pushes me to be creative.

Go get your kit! Isn't it pretty???

Why I Wish It Were November...

2011-09-07T21:44:00.000-07:00

November is my favorite month of the year. First of all, it contains my favorite holiday - Thanksgiving. Food, family, friends, football, and fun. What's not to love?

Second, my birthday is in November. Traditionally, my birthday has been a difficult day for me. I was adopted when was about 5 months old and because I was born in South Korea in the 70's and I was wrapped in newspaper and abandoned, there are no records of my birth. The day I celebrate as my birthday is actually a random day that falls a couple of weeks before I was found. They don't know when I was actually born. I've always had a hard time with celebrating my birthday on a day that probably isn't the day I was born. I've come a long way, though, and am finally to the point where I can at least enjoy my birthday celebration. While I never do anything terribly extravagant, I do take care to treat myself a little bit better for the day.

Third, if it were November, September would be two months ago. It's been a rough month already. My company has gone through something completely unprecedented over the past couple of weeks and it's made my life very interesting. It's not something I can get into here, and really, unless you work for my company in my line of business, it would mean nothing if I explained it to you. Let's just say that there has yet to be a day in September where I have not, at least once, hung up the phone and cried. The change the company is implementing is painful for our clients, to say the least, and they take it out on whomever they're talking to. When things are normal, I have about one incident per year at work that makes me cry. Like I said - it's been an extraordinary month.

You know this song?

Wake Me Up When September Ends by Green Day.

If there were a way for me to sleep until October, I would try to make that happen. So, if any of you rub a lamp and a genie pops out - consider wishing for November for your friend! I'd be most grateful!

Wish List Monday...

2011-09-05T08:30:00.000-07:00

...The Lampwork Edition

Look at this gorgeous focal bead! I don't know how she does that, but it's simply amazing to me!

I've been a fan of SueBeads since I discovered what lampwork is and this focal is calling out to me.

I don't have a lot of black beads for some reason, but I love these. They're matte with shiny dots! Yes, please!

I can't have a lampwork post without fairy flowers from Mermaid Glass. I have a set of these already and I love them so much, I'm afraid to use them!

Go visit Amy at Copper Diem to see what other people are wishing for!

Bracelets

2011-09-04T11:30:00.000-07:00

When I went to the Tucson Bead Show/Gem Show back in February, one of the booths I visited was Unicorne Beads. I fell in LOVE with their teardrops! How had I never seen those before? They had some $5 strands of discontinued colors and I picked up a few. I really had no idea how to use them, but one day it kind of hit me. I put them next to some yummy gumball-like faceted agates (also picked up in Tucson), and my favorite bracelet was born!

The colors are a tiny bit washed out because Phoenix has two modes - sunny and hot as hell or nighttime. However, you get the point. I am in love with this bracelet - the colors, the way it feels on my wrist and the simplicity. The sparkles don't hurt, either. :) I am not a small girl, and I don't like tiny jewelry. That's what makes this perfect for me.

Then, we have this bracelet. This is made with coral chips and wood beads. There are triple strands of the chips between the wood beads. I have since made a similar bracelet but with only one wood bead, which I haven't taken a picture of yet.

In other jewelry-making news, I am still waiting for Bead Soup inspiration. I'm seeing three separate and completely different pieces.

Macro Sunday

2011-09-03T22:18:00.000-07:00

Sarah's Sand Dollars

2011-08-30T22:05:00.000-07:00

I was on vacation earlier this month - did you know? ;)

Okay, I've been talking about it a lot. The reason is that I totally found my creative energy while we were in Maine and there was so much inspiration!

One of the days, we went to the Georgetown Working League Fair. Georgetown is a tiny little town on an island on the coast and it's my love's hometown. There are about 1000 year-round residents. His family still lives there and we visit them every year. I love his family, the town, the state, the ocean - everything.

The fair is a small event held at the school and they have some local artists who exhibit.

There are some painters whose work I would love to own some day, but my favorite find was Sarah's Sand Dollars. I don't believe she has a website, otherwise I would show you.

This is a real sand dollar that Sarah found on the beach in Georgetown or caught in her lobster trap. (She has lobster traps!). She then dyes them and seals them.

This is what happens when the 3.5-year-old nephew gets his hands on your stuff. Ahem...

This is the back of the card.

Isn't this an amazing find? I have no idea how she dyes them, but I have two sand dollars that I found at the flats and I want to give it a try. I wore it on my trip to The Beadin' Path and the woman there asked me about it. I told her about the necklace and she said the Rit laundry dye would work - it's what they use to dye their lucite. I had no idea! So I may give that a try. I also saw Gilders Paste on Artbeads' Facebook page and I wondered if that would work.

Any ideas?

Wish List Monday

2011-08-29T16:24:00.000-07:00

What are you wishing for? Here's what I'm wishing for:

I never used to be a shoe girl and then I bought some shoes that were so totally hot, I couldn't get over them. Now? Obsessed with shoes. This pair is just too much! I love them! In my head, these shoes would go with everything.

I have an unhealthy relationship with ice cream. This ice cream dish is just too fun!

I just had to post at least one thing related to the beach. This focal bead by Jane Perala makes me just so happy!

Last, but definitely not least, Jangled never ceases to amaze me. Check this one out!

I think those are peacock pearls that she's putting with the pendant.

Head over to Copper Diem and see what everyone else is wishing for!

Earrings

2011-08-28T17:39:00.000-07:00

It's been a really, really long time since I've shown you any of the jewelry I've made. There's a reason for that - I'm always nervous about doing that because, as you can tell, I'm new to this whole jewelry thing. However, it's time for me to just get over it. So last weekend when I decided to head out into the obscene Phoenix summer heat to take pictures of my bead soup, I also took some pictures of some other stuff I've made.

The lucite flowers are hand-dyed yumminess from Bella's Beads & More, sterling silver chain from my trip to the Tucson gem show, and Swarovski crystals.

Aren't those lampworked bubble beads just delicious? They're from Sooz Beads and I love them!

The lampworked beads are from Sue Beads (I love her stuff!), the sterling teardrops are from my LBS and the heart sterling chain is also from my massive shopping trip at Tucson. Um, did you notice that the chain on the left earring is a bit wonky? I didn't notice that when I was taking the picture and did I mentioned it was about 115 degrees out there? I wasn't going to go back out there...

Please don't make fun of my wire wrapping - I'm still practicing.

The sea glass that's in the champagne glass? I found it in Maine - can you believe it? I literally jumped up and down and squealed every time I found a piece! I also found some sand dollars, which I showed you earlier:

I have since cleaned them and dried them - I'll take another picture soon. I have an idea but I may need your advice. Stay tuned!

Macro Sunday

2011-08-27T22:37:00.000-07:00

Head over to Studio Waterstone to see who else "hearts" macro!

Soup, Soup, Soup!

2011-08-24T19:02:00.000-07:00

According to Google Reader, I follow 206 jewelry blogs. It seems like all 206 people are in a frenzy over Bead Soup! I'm one of them - believe me!

Now that Terry has received her soup, I can show you what I sent.

Remember this picture?

Well, now I can show you this:

Let me tell you a little bit these materials. I was inspired by my recent vacation in Maine and decided to do a Maine-themed soup! The Keith O'Connor focal is from The Beadin' Path in Freeport, where I spent a good couple of hours. It reminded me a lot of a sand dollar I found at the flats, and then everything stemmed from there. My one regret is that I didn't find a lobster bead!

The small item next to the focal is a quartz frog - that was just for fun! The shells and pearls are to represent the beach. The earthier ceramic beads from Gaea remind me of the rocky coast. The tourmaline is from a strand I picked up in Tucson this past February. My boyfriend's family has a tourmaline quarry on some of their property and a LOT of tourmaline has been found there. I even have a ring with a tourmaline in it. The "blueberry quartz"is actually a glass replica of the real thing. Maine is known for blueberries and lobster. I greatly underestimated how hard it would be to find it on short notice, though, so the glass replica will have to do.

While I was at Hobby Lobby picking up the Vintaj charms (flip flop and star fish), I came up with a great packaging idea. I bought a blue pail and some scrapbook stickers and sent everything in this.

Picture ~~stolen~~ borrowed from Terry's blog

I then wrapped all the beads in tissue paper in varying shades of blue and green and sent it off! You should go to Terry's blog post and look at her pictures. When I was putting everything together, it was about 11:30 p.m. and the pictures I took were terrible because it was dark in my bedroom and I had to use a flash so none of the pictures look very good.

So, that's what I sent. Have you gotten your soup yet?

Wish List Monday

2011-08-22T10:45:00.000-07:00

I'm joining in on the fun! Amy over at Copper Diem has started Wish List Monday, which is a chance for us bead-loving freaks to get our wish on! I've always thought Amy had the best beady blog posts, anyway, so this was perfect! So... what am I wishing for?

I am in love with this double-decker earring bowl! I don't know who thought of taking a bowl and poking holes all around it for earrings, but they are a genius! And this one has DOUBLE the earring space!

Beach-themed stuff, shocking, right? This is a handmade ceramic starfish pendant and I'm just in love with it. I actually got to hold a starfish in a previous trip to Maine and it was very interesting. It certainly cemented my love of the beach!

Tourmaline. I love tourmaline - the colors are just so unbelievable! Are you sick of me talking about Maine yet? Well, I have another story... My boyfriend's family is from Georgetown, ME and they have a small quarry on their property, where quite a bit of tourmaline has been found. I was the lucky recipient of a ring containing some of his family's tourmaline a couple of Christmases ago. It was a green, which is mostly what is found in Maine. So it has some special meaning for me.

Look at this beauty! Julsbeads does it again and I love the swirly blues - also reminiscent of the beach!

Go to the Wish List Monday link below and see what everyone else is wishing for!

Mmmm....Soup!

2011-08-21T18:27:00.000-07:00

Do you love soup as much as I do? I could eat soup every single day. However, summers in Phoenix aren't that conducive to eating a big bowl of hot soup. Good thing there's Bead Soup to hold me over. Okay, totally lame opening, but let's move on, shall we?

Friday afternoon while I was at work, my cell phone buzzed letting me know that I had an email. A little later, I read it and it was from my Bead Soup partner, Terry. Terry let me now that her soup had arrived and that she loved it! It's always such a relief to hear that they like it, isn't it? She also said that she got delivery confirmation on my soup so it would be waiting for me. Of course, my boyfriend and I had a dinner at my boss' house Friday night and I didn't get home until late. It was the longest night ever because I knew there was some beady goodness waiting for me in my mailbox!

As a side note, when you get something in the mail (not bills, but stuff you order or stuff someone sends you), so you open it right away, or do you wait? My boss was saying that he ordered a new computer and it came a week ago and he hadn't even opened the box yet. I don't get it. I'm the type of person who tears into the packaging while I'm still in the car!

Anyway, forgive my first few pictures because they were taken in my living room with my cell phone camera because the sun was down already.

Then this morning, I braved the 109-degree Phoenix heat and took everything outside so I could use the light and take some better pictures.

Terry did a blog post saying that she got the ingredients for my soup from a number of different Etsy vendors.

Orrtec, Melinda Orr Designs

Here's what I got!

That's my focal - isn't it beautiful? This artist makes these out of polymer clay! When I clicked on the link for Hopemore Studio, I was excited because I think these are beautiful!

The gorgeous clasp.

Aren't these pretty? I so admire people who work with metal - it's something I've been too afraid to do myself, but I can admire it in other people!

When I opened the little package with the ribbon, I literally squealed out loud! I've been lusting after these silk ribbons for AGES, but didn't own any because I didn't think I knew how to deal with them! I can't wait to use them in some designs! I'm in love!

Aren't these adorable?

Glass beads in a yummy topaz-type color and jet

The whole soup.

The earthy/neutral colors are not something I normally work with so this will definitely be a challenge for me! While pushing myself creatively is something that's always a bit uncomfortable, it's a good thing to do. I can't wait to sit down at my messy, messy bead table and get to work!

Thank you, Terry, for the gorgeous soup!

Macro Sunday

2011-08-21T12:45:00.000-07:00

I'm a little late to join the Macro Sunday craze, but I enjoy the pictures so much, I thought it would be fun to post one of my own.

This was taken in Maine (have I driven you nuts yet with all my talk of my vacation?) :)

This little guy was sitting in a flower box outside a jewelry store i went to visit in Bath, ME.

Have a great Sunday - next up: Bead Soup Ingredient Reveal!

Can You Feel It?

2011-08-18T19:07:00.000-07:00

The excitement in the blog world over Bead Soup Blog Party?

I can!

The Soup

2011-08-16T21:37:00.000-07:00

I just finished packaging up Terry's bead soup ingredients and I couldn't wait to show you the sneaky peek! Here's what I'm sending her... Hmmm, I wonder what it could be!

I'm especially proud of the packaging.

Erm...that's supposed to be facing a different direction, with the blue on the bottom and the green on top. Ugh - I love you Blogger - I really do!

You'll have to check her blog to see what I sent!

BSBP - Need I Say More?!

2011-08-16T20:06:00.000-07:00

First off, I just want everyone to stand up right now and give Lori a huge round of applause and maybe a hug. She's had a heck of a time getting everything put together for the Bead Soup Blog Party, amid some pretty serious personal issues that came up. She is Wonder Woman and am in awe of the amount of time she spends helping other jewelry designers. So go give her a hug - she deserves it! While you're at it, she also really likes pie. :)

I was on vacation last week so I'm a bit behind when it comes to updating my blog with all the news. My boyfriend's family is from Maine and we get out there about once a year to visit them.

While we were playing with our nephews,

...eating lobster,

...walking on the beach,

...finding sand dollars,

...and sitting on the porch until the sun went down,

...I got an email from my BSBP partner, Terry!

Terry sent me a lovely email introducing herself and her jewelry. I am enamored with the vintage stuff she has in her Etsy shop and website! Here are two of my very favorites:

The color combination in the second one is just stunning! I fell in love with it as soon as I saw it! The first one just appeared on her blog today as part of the Mostly Metal Challenge hosted by Michelle Mach.

After spending some time looking at Terry's blog and website, I knew I had to put together an amazing soup for her. I started by visiting The Beadin' Path in Freeport, Maine.

I spent a long time wandering around in there and was thrilled to find the perfect focal for Terry. They wouldn't let me take any pictures inside the store, so here are some exterior shots.

When I found the focal, I didn't really know where I wanted to go from there, so I decided to let it simmer for a while. Once I got back home to Phoenix, inspiration struck! And then I realized it would be easier to find the ingredients back in Maine. I powered through, though, and I think I've put together just the thing. I'll post a teaser picture tomorrow or Thursday. It's going out in the mail tomorrow morning and I will take some pictures before I finish packing it up. I went with a "theme" - hopefully she doesn't think it's cheesy.

While I was gone, the number of unread stuff in my Google Reader went from 0 to 492! I have some reading and beading to do!

I also made a couple of bracelets for my boyfriend's mom and sister while we were there and I took pictures of those too. I'll update you later - I've probably worn you out for now!

Don't forget Lori's hug! Be back soon!

The One In Which Our Author Comes Out of Hiding

2011-08-01T21:43:00.000-07:00

Well, not hiding, actually - just taking the time to sit down and blog. I have been busy, but haven't we all? I recovered from my broken fingers, and although one of them is still pretty sore, we're feeling much better.

So, yeah. What's up? With school over, I've been working a lot, but also making some jewelry. One of these days, I really will take some pictures. No, seriously! I haven't made anything with my Fairy Tale Bead Swap beads yet - I don't normally work with red so it's kind of throwing me off my game. I have them on my beading desk and every now and then I run my fingers through them and move them around a little bit, but the right thing just hasn't made itself known yet. I want to make sure I do Christine's gorgeous beads justice.

And...in case you've been living under a rock, did you know that the next Bead Soup Blog Party signups are going on right now?

I had such a great time last time, that I just had to sign up again! Click here to sign up.

I debated long and hard as to whether I would even sign up. I've had some fairly serious health problems over the past few months and the future is a bit uncertain at this point. There really aren't any details I can share right now, but your positive thoughts would be very nice.

I am going to make more of an effort to blog more often and to take some pictures of my creations. I'm going on vacation this Saturday - my boyfriend's family is from a small town in Maine and we're going to visit them. We're going to eat lobster, spoil our nephews, walk down by the wharf, go the flats and swim and spoil our nephews. Oh, did I already mention that? Our nephews are 10, 9, and 3 and we only get to see them about once a year since the Arizona to Maine vacation is kind of expensive. So, when we see them, we (okay, just I) tend to spoil them absolutely rotten! I can't wait to have some serious play time with them!

Here we are a year ago. Love those kids.

Recovering From My Broken Fingers

2011-06-17T18:12:00.000-07:00

So about a month ago, I broke three of my fingers on my right hand. Not conducive to jewelry making or blogging. However, they are starting to feel a little better and I'm hoping to be able to use them a little more soon.

I am suffering serious Bead & Button show envy. I went to the Tucson shows a few months ago, but I really wish I could have gone to B&B too! Does anyone know if you have to be a wholesale buyer for B&B or can you go as a retail buyer? I don't have a wholesale license and I don't sell my stuff - it's just a hobby/obsession.

For now, I'm going to tell you about some giveaways.

Andrew Thornton is having a serious giveaway of some of his B&B treasures. Go here to enter.

So is Cindy - go here to enter.

And so is Lori, the Bead Soup Blog Party creator and genius. Go here to enter.

Copper Diem is also hopping on the giveaway bandwagon. Go here to enter.

And last, but definitely not least! Lana is having a giveaway and I've only recently found her blog, but I'm already hooked! You can enter here.

So...go and enter - hurry!

Fairy Tale Bead Swap - The Reveal (Delayed)

2011-06-04T10:53:00.000-07:00

I belong to a Yahoo group for the Bead Soup Blog Party, in which I participated for the first time a few months ago and is moderated by the lovely Lori Anderson. She organizes mini-swaps through the Yahoo group and we just completed one. The theme for this one was "fairy tale" and we were supposed to swap beads with another member with the fairy tale theme and then make something to be revealed on our blogs today.

I am, unfortunately, not able to post my creation today because a couple of weeks ago. I broke three fingers on my right hand and I can't hold a pliers. I will make something with these beads, though, and post it on here - I promise! As it is, it will probably take me three hours to type this with one hand!

I was paired with Christine Brandel of A Hot Piece of Glass (best blog name EVER!). She sent me this gorgeous selection of bead with a Little Red Riding Hood theme. I wasn't that organized when I sent her my beads - I just sent a selection of pretty, sparkly things.

Here's what she sent:

She DREW the card herself! I can't even draw stick people!

The lampwork was made by her, obviously, and there is a copper piece she made, some silver beads and some small black beads. I literally squealed with delight when I opened the package! Want a closer look? I'll let the pictures do the talking...

When I get to the point where I can hold a pliers again, I have a couple ideas in mind for this stuff. IN the meantime, please enjoy everyone else's creations.

Fairy Tale/Spring Bead Swap Blog Hop

Lori Anderson, Pretty Things

Rebecca Anderson, Song Beads

Courtney Breul, Beads By Breul

Loretta Carstensen, Designs by Loretta

Evelyn Hall, Dragon Lady Evelyn

Sandy Richardson, Sandy's Coloring Box

Dana James, Dana's Jewelry Design

Tara Plote, Newbie Beader (you are here!)

Christine Brandel, A Hot Piece of Glass

Lisa Sittniewski, Alterity Art

Joanna Matuszczyk, Filcowe

Jenni Connolly, Jenni Bead

Geneva Collins, Torque Story

Elisabeth Auld, Beads For Busy Gals

Sally Russick, Wireworked

Mary McGraw, MK's Creative Musings

Norma Turvey, Moonlit Fantaseas

Erin Prais-Hintz, Treasures Found

Stephanie Haussler, Pixybug Designs

Shai Williams, Shaia's Ramblings

Johanna Rhodes, Fire Phoenix Creations

Sandi Lee James, Do Be Do Bead Do

Sweet Addy Designs

Valerie Norton, Hot Fused Glass

I've Been Trapped Under Something Heavy...

2011-05-30T21:04:00.000-07:00

Hi! Wow - I didn't realize it had been soooooo long since I've been here! I was buried under a pile of pre-calculus textbooks and my TI-83 calculator.

I may or may not have overloaded my school schedule this past semester. I took a pre-calculus class, along with American history and accounting. I was not prepared for the toll it would take on my time and mental state. I'm done with everything but history at this point and I couldn't be happier. Next semester I'm taking a calculus class and that's it. Too much school is too much sometimes. I need to be kinder to myself.

So have I made any jewelry recently? Yes, a little ,but I don't have pictures. I'll work on getting pictures but I've been working so many hours that I keep missing the sunlight. Never fear, though - I live in Phoenix and sun is abundant here!

I also wanted to tell you about some giveaways. There is the Sisterhood of the Traveling Bead Box.

I've been keeping track of the progress of the box as it's flown all over the country. People put beads in the box and take others out. Right now, the box is with Lois at Que Onda Q'town. All you have to do is leave a comment on her blog to be entered. Hurry, though - the deadline is coming up fast!

And then there's the big giveaway. The Mac-Daddy of giveaways. The biggest, baddest giveaway of all time. Let me start by asking a question - have you gotten your copy of Beads 2011 yet?

I got mine at Hobby Lobby a few weeks ago and I've since added about a million links to my "favorites" for bead shops. Art Bead Scene is having a huge giveaway of a TON of beads that were featured in the issue! Look at these!

Wipe the drool off your chins and get over there and enter! You've still got time!

As for me, now that school is almost over, I'll be back more often and I'll show you a little bit of what I've been working on!

Life's Little Annoyances

2011-04-01T20:03:00.000-07:00

A few years ago, I started thinking about the day-to-day little things that happen that annoy the heck out of us. The copy machine runs out of toner when you're on the last sheet. The guy in front of you cuts you off at the red light. You get a rock in your shoe. The little things. I also thought a little bit about how much time in your day is spent dealing with those little things and how most of the time, we don't even notice.

Today was a day where it kind of caught up with me. I got to work and my phone was ringing. I grabbed it and ended up listening to one of my favorite clients yell at me for about a half hour, and literally couldn't get a word in edgewise. So after I hung up the phone, I set up about trying to fix the problem I hadn't heard about before then. With every solution I came up with, someone threw down a roadblock. In the midst of this, the phone is ringing off the hook, emails are flying in by the dozen and people are IM'ing me every 20 seconds.

Meanwhile, I get up to go to the bathroom and go to wash my hands and someone left a huge mess on the sink and I end up drenching my shirt. Then I go to make a copy and we're out of paper. Then my manager calls me in his office and says that my client called him and he proceeds to start yelling at me. Then I spill coffee on my shirt. Then the fax machine jams while I'm trying to fax 27 pages. And then the client calls back and apologizes for yelling at me, and then proceeds to start yelling at me again. I take my lunch break and put my Lean Cuisine in the microwave for the time the box tells me to and it's still partially frozen. I go back to my desk and my pen runs out of ink. Then I'm in the middle of a project and try to save my Excel spreadsheet and my computer crashes and loses all my work. Then my boyfriend calls and says the landscaper we hired still hasn't shown up and he's three hours late. So I call him, he answers, and at the end of the conversation, he calls me a f-ing bitch and slams down the phone.

I'm not kidding about any of these things. It's not exaggeration or an April Fool's joke. This is literally what my day was like. After the conversation with the landscaper, I packed up all my stuff and said to my boss "I have to leave. I literally can not stay in this building one second longer." and I left. And then I took out my aggressions on some weeds in our front yard since I guess the landscaper no longer wanted to do the job.

Couple of Giveaways

2011-03-16T20:07:00.000-07:00

Has anyone else come down with the ick that's been going around? My boss got it, she gave it to our department assistant, and then they both gave it to me. I'm on my third day off work and going just a little bit crazy. Acute viral laryngitis and bronchitis. Yuck!

Anyway, I wanted to tell you about some giveaways that are going on in the blog world.

First, Shea from gr8findings is having a giveaway of some of her fine silver components. Shea actually won my giveaway from the Bead Soup Blog Party, so I was excited to enter her giveaway too!

(Picture taken from Shea's blog)

These are handmade by her! Aren't they yummy! I've never worked with fine silver before (is it different from sterling?) As you can tell, I'm clueless. The only thing I really know about silver is that it's extra super expensive right now and that it's pretty and sparkly! :)

The other giveaway is by our Bead Soup hostess herself, Lori Anderson. Check out her post here to enter. She's giving away seed beads. (I say those words in a whisper because I'm afraid of them. I've always admired seed beaders, but have been too afraid to try.) I was sent seed beads with my bead soup, but I use them pretty much as spacers, etc.

(Picture from Lori's blog)

Hop over to Shea and Lori's blogs and enter. Although, why bother - I'm going to win them both! ;)

Can I Ask You a Question?

2011-03-08T22:21:00.000-08:00

This has been a sensitive topic and I won't get too much into it. I know Lorelei has had some posts about it and so have some other people.

My question has to do with "copying" someone else's designs. When I get my issue of Stringing or Creative Jewelry and see a piece that knocks my socks off, and there is a list of materials and step-by-step instructions of how to make it, is it okay to make that piece?

I am talking about a necklace I saw in Creative Jewelry last summer and I fell in head over heels in love with it. I am in the process of making that necklace. However, I'm using a different pendant, different stones, different spacers, even brass instead of silver. I am not planning to sell the necklace - I am going to wear it. I don't sell my jewelry, anyway. Is it okay to make it and wear it? And is it okay to show you on my blog, if I tell you where the inspiration came from?

And then, to add to that, what if I see a bracelet on someone's blog and I say to myself, "oh, I like the way she has the bead over there like that and it's attached like that, and then there's that other stuff over there." Is it okay to use my own beads and just kind of make a take-off of that bracelet, even if it's my own interpretation?

I truly don't want to start a huge debate - really, really, really don't want to start a debate. I just don't want to break any rules of etiquette amongst the beading community that I may not know about yet because I'm new to the community.

Woohoo - I'm Done!

2011-03-06T20:34:00.000-08:00

I'm not done seeing all the Bead Soup. That may take a little while longer. I am, however, done with my Google Reader. I've been neglecting it for the past couple of weeks and I was up to over 800 unread posts. I have been sitting in this chair for about three hours and I finally got through them all! So excited! This week's goal is to finish looking at the rest of the Bead Soup.

So in February, I got a big bonus at work and a pretty big tax refund. So, I bought a new laptop (my old laptop was dying and since I take online classes, it was a necessity), a Kindle, and a recliner for our house. I also bought some pretties. Want to see some beady eye candy?

Lampwork from Sooz Beads. The colors on the first one are my very favorite colors - all on ONE BEAD! (Insert scream of joy!) And don't you love the bubblies in the turquoise ones?

Pendants from Unique Buttons. I am loving peachy/pinky colors lately and these definitely spoke to me.

I'm in love with Czech glass lately - the colors, the Picasso finish, the affordable price - everything. I got these lovelies from Bead and Ribbon. Aren't they delicious? What's even better s that I bought a ton of them and they were still sooooo affordable!

And the ones that I'm positively drooling over:

It's the Mermaid Tail bundle from Gaea! I am a sucker for the beach. I grew up in Minnesota - Land of 10,000 Lakes. My town was right on the Mississippi River and one of the houses where we lived was right on the beach. My boyfriend is from Maine - you can stumble out of his parent's house and be at the beach eating lobster. Love the ocean and everything to do with it. Sand dollars? Starfish? Mermaids? Shells? Sea Glass? Gimme 'em all!

So that's how I spent a tiny bit of my bonus. Have you bought anything beautiful lately?

Soup Hangover! (Giveaway winner announced!)

2011-03-05T23:16:00.000-08:00

Hi, all!

What an amazing Bead Soup Blog Party! I am still working my way through all the blogs - can you believe there were over 200 of us?! I'm not that terribly far down the list yet - this week kind of kicked my butt. I had a big math test and an economics exam. It was...a bit stressful.

I am so grateful to all of you who stopped by and left a comment - it truly warmed my heart! You all must be a lot quicker than I when it comes to the blog hopping. I have never had this many comments on a post before - it was wonderful! I promise I'll work on getting to your blogs this weekend, or even the next one.

I have used the Random.org generator to choose a winner for the necklace I created and Christine Damm, your number was called! Christine, I've sent you an email to let you know, so email me and let me know your mailing address and I'll get it in the mail! (I used the word "mail" a lot in that sentence).

Before the Bead Soup party, I was very hesitant about posting pictures of any of the jewelry I'd made because as you can tell by my blog header, I'm still new and I was completely intimidated by all the beautiful stuff out there. I mean, take a look at Lorelei, Lori, Kelly, and Erin, for example. Their work is what I aspire to in like a million years. So yeah, I was intimidated. Your comments meant so much to me, though, that it made me want to continue showing you what I make, even if it's not as good as their stuff. I'll get there. So thank you all for your kindness - you have no idea how much that means!

So with that in mind, I've chosen two more people who commented on my post and will be sending them some bead soup.

Commenter #13 was Shea of gr8findings and commenter #40 was Jennifer Cameron of Glass Addictions. Ladies, I've emailed you too, and you can just respond with your mailing addresses and I'll get your soup in the mail to you!

Thank you all again - we'll talk again soon!

Welcome to the Bead Soup Blog Party! (And Giveaway Alert!)

2011-02-26T08:15:00.000-08:00

Welcome to the 3rd Bead Soup Blog Party!

What is a Bead Soup Blog Party?

Each beader was paired up with another jewelry designer and tasked with sending the following:

~ A focal
~ A special clasp (not just a lobster claw)
~ Some coordinating spacers or beads

Using the focal and the clasp was mandatory, but we could use anything from our own stash to round out the rest, and choose to use the coordinating beads or not.

Here's what I made!

It was a rare cloudy day in Phoenix and the lighting isn't the greatest.

Shirley sent me everything but the biwa pearls, which came from my stash. The seeds beads scared me a little bit, but I managed to incorporate them. :) The chain was awesome - I need to get some more.

Here's another look:

(I still think the focal looks like a mitten)

Let's take another look at that, shall we?

Mitten or Michigan??? You decide!

I'm going to admit that the focal is nothing like I would normally pick out in a million years. I'm not a huge fan of turquoise. Well...I like the color, but the stone, not so much. It's also quite a bit bigger than I normally work with. I found it so easy to design something around it, though. I've mentioned this before, but I sat down with my soup, snapped a couple pictures for my blog post and then my fingers just made the necklace.

I want to take a minute to say thank you to the lovely Lori Anderson for hosting the Bead Soup Blog Party. To be honest - this is the whole reason I started this blog. She had quite a time getting everything set up and has been great about sending us encouraging emails and helping us when we run into technical difficulties.

And if you've made it this far, I want to tell you that I'm going to give away my necklace! You guys have put up with me when I've been crazed and not able to blog.

I'm not going to tell you to blog, tweet, or facebook about it - just leave a comment and tell me to put your name in the hat! I'll be drawing a name on Saturday, March 5 and posting the winner.

Come see what the rest of us made!

1. Lori Anderson, Pretty Things

2. Kitty Durmaj, Perles and Life

3. Michelle Heim, Life In the Bead Lane

4. Lisa Petrillo, Lucid Moon Studio

5. Anitra Gordy, Leelu Creations

6. Paige Maxim, Paige Maxim Designs

7. Marianna Boylan, Pretty Shiny Things

8. Cheryl Roe, BeadRoe

9. Heidi Post, Ex Post Facto

10. Cindy Wimmer, Sweet Bead Studio

11. Terri Gauthier, Blooming Ideas

12. Rachel Walsh, Balanced Crafts

13. Marian Hertzog, M's Place

14. Mary McGraw, MK's Musings

15. Sarabeth Burke, Chronicles of Sarita

16. Deci Worland, Gem Trails

17. Erin Prais-Hintz, Treasures Found

18. Laura Zeiner, Stick Lizard Designs

19. Kristin Latimer, MJM Jewelry Designs

20. Cathryn Brooks-Williams, Chile Cats

21. Holly Westfall, Silver Rose Designs

22. Janna Harttgen, Palima-Lim

23. Libby Leuchtman, Libby Leu

24. Rebecca Anderson, Songbeads

25. Deb Hunter, Living On Air

26. Diana Ptaszynski, Suburban Girl Studio

27. Jennifer VanBenschoten, VanBeads

28. Margot Potter, The Impatient Crafter

29. Cyndi Lavin, Beading Arts

30. Courtney Breul, Beads by Breul

31. Stefanie Teufel, Stefanie's Sammelsurium

32. Patricia Gasparino, My Life Under the Bus

33. Tari Khars, Pearl and Pebble

34. Kristi Bowman-Gruel, Kristi Bowman Design

35. Jayne Capps, Mama's Got to Doodle

36. Becky Fairclough, Chameleons Designs

37. Evie and Beth McCord, EB Bead & Metal Works

38. Lynne Bowland, Islandgirl's Insights

39. Barbara Lewis, Painting With Fire

40. Lorelei Eurto, Inside the Studio

41. Stacy Hartis, Sissy & Jack's

42. Jennifer Cameron, Glass Addictions

43. Marcie Abney, La Bella Joya

44. Johanna Rhodes, Fire Phoenix Creations

45. Nan Emmett, Spirit Rattles

46. Melissa Mesara, One Eared Pig

47. Amanda Davie, Articulations

48. Cherin Poovey, Lanyard Lady

49. Virginia Joste, ViviBijoux

50. Andrew Thornton, The Writing and Art of Andrew Thornton
51. Lori Dorrington, Lori's Glassworks

52. Melanie Brooks, Earthenwood Studio Chronicles

53. Kate Gardenghi, Tropical Blonde

54. Serena Trent, PinkIce Jewel's Blog

55. Malin de Koning, Beading by Malin de Koning

56. Shai Williams, Shaiha's Ramblings

57. Francy Inman, 8 Second Studio

58. Amy Freeland, Copper Diem

59. Lisa Liddy, Joolz By Lisa

60. Sandi Lee James, Do Be Do Bead Do

61. Mary Harding, Mary Harding Bead Blog

62. Stacey Curry, Star Hitched Wagon

63. Leslie Gidden, Mad Maggie Designs

64. Elisabeth Auld, Beads For Busy Gals

65. Niky Sayers, Silver Nik Nats

66. Linda Djokic, Lutka and Co.

67. Tracy Bell, Copper, Glass, and Recycled Trash

68. Laurel Steven, Rue's Daftique

69. Ingrid McCue, Wrapped In Silver

70. Birgitta Lejonklou, Create With Spirit

71. Diana Hawkey, Diana Hawkey

72. Norma Turvey, Moonlit Fantaseas

73. Jeanette Ryan, Jeanette Blix

74. Jackie Ryan, Silver Lodge Gems

75. Jean Yates, Snap Out of it Jean, There's Beading to Be Done!

76. Debbie Goering, Prairie Emporium

77. Valerie Norton, Hot Art

78. Jana Trupovniece, Stories of the Secret Garden

79. Amy Severino, Amy Beads

80. Emma Thomas, Fred Beans Nook

81. Karen Zanco, Everyday Gypsy

82. Suzann Sladcik Wilson, Beadphoria

83. Janet McDonald, Singing Woods

84. Dana James, Dana's Jewelry Designs

85. Kristina Johansson, Wild Roses and Blackberries

86. CJ Bauschka, CJ Bauschka

87. Angela Barribea, Re: Angela Rae

88. Marcy Lamberson, Studio Marcy

89. Tanya Floyd, Glass Migrations

90. Lisa Kavanaugh, Beading Bliss

91. Sue Hodgkinson, Hello Gorgeous

92. Jenni Connolly, Jenni's Bead

93. Nally Parfyonova, Nally's Creations

94. Karyn White, Releases By Rufydoof

95. Emanda Johnson, Artemisia Studio

96. Sandy Richardson, Sandy's Coloring Box

97. Cindy Dolezal, Cindy Dolezal Designs

98. Stacie Stamper, Park Avenue

99. Mallory Hoffman, For the Love of Beads

100. Linda Landig, Linda's Bead Blog and Meanderings

101. Nicole Valentine-Rimmer, N. Valentine Studio

102. Jacinta Meyers, Jamberrysong's Creations

103. Charlene Gary, Gray Girl Studios

104. Rubiee Hayes, Glitter and Keys Galore

105. Marge Beebe, Rock Creek Creations

106. Elizabeth Freeman, Turquoise Sky

107. Shelby Foxwell, Sundown Bead Designs Rhetoric

108. Lynda Moseley, Diva Designs

109. Grace Danel, Grace Beading

110. Lois Moon, Que Onda Quitman

111. Agnes Shapiro, Beader Bubbe

112. Terry Carter, Tapping Flamingo

113. Judy Glende, Judith B. Designs

114. Mary Ellen Parker, Bee Tree By Me

115. Barbara Bechtel, Second Surf

116. Charlene Sevier, The Bead Dreamer

117. Alice Craddick, Alice's Beads and Baubles

118. Cory Celaya, Art With Moxie

119. Ronda Adams, The Ravished Heart

120. Sandi Volpe, Sandi Volpe Designs

121. Anna Lear, The Laughing Raven

122. Susie Hibdon, Vintagesusie & Wings

123. Amanda Austin, Sea Shore Glass

124. Jennifer Velasquez, Jen Judd Rocks

125. Hazel Ward, All Those Things

126. Brenda Salzano, Salzanos

127. Dee Gordon, Runako Designs by Dee

128. Anna Denisova, Anita-M

129. Margaret Saari, Mags-Jewelry

130. Genea Crivello-Knable, Genea Beads

131. Penny Neville, Copper Penny

132. Angela Blasingame, Hopemore

133. Helena Fritz, Beadwork by H's Blog

134. Stephanie LaRose, Confessions of a Bead Hoarder

135. Stephanie Haussler, PixyBug Designs

136. Diane Cook, Rosa & Josies

137. Maryse Thillens, Glass Bead Art

138. Jennifer Pride, Jewelry by J.P.

139. Shannon Chomanczuk, For My Sweet Daughter

140. Lisa Godfrey, Bead Happy

141. Heather Pyle, Welcome to My Muse

142. Regina Santerre, Regina's Writings

143. Liz DeLuca, Creative Arty Facts

144. Sig Wynne-Evans, Beaded Bear's Nonsense

145. Loretta Carstensen, Loretta's Boutique

146. Raida Disbrow, Havana Beads

147. Amber Dawn, Inventive Soul

148. Shelly Graves, Stars Dance With Me

149. Jess Italia Lincoln, Vintaj Blog

150. JJ Jacobs, Coming Abstractions

151. Carrie Tahquechi, Carrie T

152. Staci Smith, Staci Louise Originals

153. Katarzyna Kwiatkowska, Quiet Area

154. Ema Kilroy, Ema K Designs

155. Magdalena Sikora, Poranna Gazeta

156. Nicole Keller, Nicki's Reef

157. Ann Rishell, My Critical Eye

158. Noemi Baena, Fire, Metal, and Color

159. Christa Murphy, Adventures of One Beady Woman

160. Barbara Blaszczyk, Labotorium Flory

161. Collette Collins, Firefly Myst

162. Carola Greiser, Polymer Clay Shed

163. Joanna Kopijczuk, Bizuteria z Filcu

164. LeAnn Weih, Summers Studio

165. Cassandra Watsham, Design by Cassandra

166. Anna Motz, Stunning

167. Shea Zukowski, Gr8findings

168. Susan Kennedy, Sue Beads

169. Lisa Boucher, Lisa's Clay Happenings

170. Hope Smitherman, Crafty Hope

171. Alison Crenshaw, Beads by Earth Tones

172. Dorcas Midkiff, Wondrous Strange Designs

173. Melissa Rediger, Sea of Glass

174. Marina Dobrynina, Savon Feutre

175. Julie Nordine, Julie Nordine | Credit River Art Glass

176. Menka Gupta, Menka's Blog

177. Patsy Evins, Patsy Evins Studio

178. Cherrie Fick, En La Lumie're

179. Suzette Bentley, Ellie's Bijoux

180. Molly Alexander, Beautifully Broken Me

181. Lyn Foley, Lyn Foley Wearable Art

182. Tara Plote, The Newbie Beader's Blog <------- YOU ARE HERE!

183. Natalie Schuetz, Natalie S Perlen

184. Kim Hutchinson, Running on Ink

185. Haley Frank, Wide Eyed Smilin

186. Grace Caputo, Suddenly Last Summer

187. Marie-Noel Voyer-Cramp, Skye Jewels

188. Erin Siegel, Erin Siegel Jewelry

189. Janea McDonald, Organized Chaos

190. Kristi Evenson, Colie Bug & Co.

191. Linda Inhelder, Must Haves Jewelry

192. Hilary Frye, FryeStyle

193. Whitney Lassini, Whitney Lassini

194. Nancy Schindler, The Rabbit Muse

195. Pam Brisse, The Blue Between

196. Beth Bricker, Vintage Sweets

197. Ruthie Stickney, Rose Works Jewelry and Gifts

198. Rose Noble, Lady Noble Designs

199. Karen Williams, Baublicious

200. Claire Maunsell, The Next Bend

201. Christine Damm, Stories They Tell

202. Kerry Bogert, Kab's Creative Concepts

203. Wendy Blum, Sand & Sea Designs

204. Juli Cannon, Julsbeads

205. Jenny Robledo, La Dona Boutique

206. Krista French, French Elegant Jewelry

207. Pam Krinski, Ewa Beads

208. Melissa Meman, Melissa Meman, Art, Life, Love

209. Dana Jones, Dana's Jewelry

210. Shirley Moore, Beads and Bread <------ MY PARTNER!

The next party's sign ups begin August 1-3, 2011. Don't miss it!

Please visit our hostess' site at Pretty Things for more information.

Bead Soup Teaser

2011-02-25T17:34:00.000-08:00

See you here tomorrow for the Bead Soup reveal!

Have a peek:

It's Almost Time!

2011-02-24T17:28:00.000-08:00

Hi, all!

I just wanted to remind you that this Saturday (February 26) is the big reveal for the Bead Soup Blog Party! I've had a busy couple of months, but once my beading area finally got arranged from the move, I sat down with my bead soup and the design just kind of happened within a few minutes. I sat down, looked at it, and had it done within about 20 minutes!

So here are my ingredients again:

And again, upside down. Seriously, Blogger? How does this happen???

I don't have any sneak peeks because I haven't bought a new camera yet and it was one of the casualties of moving. However, I'm buying a new camera and taking pictures of my creation tomorrow night, and getting all set up for the reveal!

So we'll see you here Saturday! Can't wait to see what everyone else made! Be sure to check out my partner's reveal, too! I sent her some yummy stuff in all my favorite colors!

Finally, a Look at My Bead Soup!

2011-02-21T15:23:00.000-08:00

Okay, you all know that I moved. I think we all know that if something doesn't get broken during a move, you're not working hard enough. Well, this move's victim was my camera. So I'm going to show you my bead soup from my wonderful partner, Shirley, but they are pictures taken with my cell phone. Sigh. I am doing research on a camera this week and will have purchased one and taken pictures by reveal day. If it's not one thing, it's another!

Do you all know about Bead Soup? It's hosted by the lovely Lori Anderson of the Pretty Things Blog. You put your name in, she matches you with a partner, you send each other beads and make something, then blog about it.

So, without further ado, here are the soup ingredients that Shirley sent me:

Seriously, Blogger? Upside Down?

Okay, so I fussed with the pictures and they're all UPSIDE DOWN! What the heck??? At any rate, here is my bead soup - if your head is on a 360-degree hinge, it will be a bit easier to see, and if you know how to fix this in Blogger, let me know. Here's a picture of the whole soup.

The turquoise focal and the clasp. I love stars! Doesn't the focal look like a mitten or maybe Michigan? So fun!

A selection of glass beads. I especially like the shape of the black ones!

Seed beads. I am not a seed beader and they tend to give me a bit of a headache, so I have to admit, I was terrified! She also sent directions on a stitch and I tried it. Not pretty. I think I need to be shown, not read directions off a piece of paper. And I needed an extra hand. Maybe once science catches up and I grow a second arm, I'll try it again. :)

Wait...this picture is right side up? Is someone messing with my head?!

Antique gold chain. See how they're double links? I love it.

I spent this whole weekend organizing my beading stuff in a nifty new container I found at The Container Store and bought with my gift card from a Christmas gift.

Picture from The Container Store website.

I got the big one in the back. The drawers are about 5 inches deep and they sell little plastic dividers. So I have all my beads in there, sorted by material and color. I love having a space in this new house where I can leave my beads out all the time instead of having to shove them all back in little boxes and put the boxes under the table!

After I completely unpacked everything, I sat down to make a few things and looked up five minutes later and realized it was actually five HOURS later! I haven't made a thing in MONTHS! So, I've got some things to show you and I whipped out my bead soup design in about 20 minutes. Er...once a new camera is procured, I will be showing you what I made.

Oh, and I Forgot to Mention...

2011-02-16T21:01:00.000-08:00

I spent four days in Tucson for the gem/bead/jewelry shows! It was awesome and I purchased lots (and lots) of treasures! I couldn't find my camera for the trip, so I didn't get a single picture of the shows. However, I will take pictures of my treasures this weekend! (I found my camera today. In a box marked "Bathroom". I just don't get it.)

Also, Google Reader tells me I have 759 unread blog posts, which means that I haven't visited your blogs recently. I will, but it will take me a little time.

Okay, have math test tomorrow - time to study!

Hey, Strangers!

2011-02-15T22:50:00.000-08:00

When I set my goals for the year, I truly didn't know what was ahead of me, personally.

First of all, I received my bead soup from my lovely partner, Shirley, but haven't had a chance to take a picture of it yet. Okay, I admit it - I can't find my camera. More on that later. One of my goals for this weekend is to get pictures taken and frankly, to find my bead soup.

You see, I moved at the end of January. But that's just where the story begins... Well, maybe that's the middle of the story.

Dear God, look at that mess...

We are renters and the owner of our house wanted to try and sell. I'm in the mortgage business and the Phoenix real estate market isn't wonderful right now and there were a lot of issues with the house that had to be fixed, but that is neither here nor there. It wasn't our choice, and they wanted us out. So we called one of the many Realtors I work with on a regular basis, and asked if he would help us find a place to live. That's a great tip that a lot of people don't know. Realtors are great with helping you find a house to rent, and you don't pay them commission - the landlord does. We started getting emails from him with various houses and spent a full Saturday afternoon driving around checking out the neighborhoods. We narrowed the list down to about 5 houses, which we saw on Sunday.

As we were getting ready to leave Sunday, we saw a new one come up and added it to the list. That's the house we saw first and we instantly fell in love.

Yes, I know - all you can see is the garage. That's what the houses are like here in Phoenix.

The neighborhood? A dream. The house? Bigger, nicer, newer, wonderful. The kitchen, however? Smaller and lacking a few things. We put in an application anyway, but didn't keep our hopes up because we were the 10th people to see it on that day and everyone had made an application. Luckily for us, our Realtor really went to bat for us and convinced the landlord we were the right renters. Another advantage to having a Realtor on your side.

We got the house! Remember the kitchen, though? Yeah....no refrigerator. And no microwave - both of which were included in the lease we signed. Many phone calls and emails between us, our Realtor, the landlord, and the property manager ensued. The short version of the story is that we had to buy a refrigerator and microwave both. Because, like everyone (especially those of us in the mortgage business), we had an extra $1000 sitting around just waiting to be used. Ahem.

My poor savings... However, note that I'm wearing shorts and a t-shirt in January. I love Phoenix!

Once we had that squared away, there was the big "when can we move in?" drama. We had to be out of our old house by 12/31 and we wanted to have access to the house a few days earlier so we could clean and have the refrigerator delivered. More drama and more multiple emails between all parties involved.

Did I mention that while all of this was going on, I was trying to keep up with my algebra, economics, and marketing classes, and working about 55 hours a week because one of my team members left the company?

Back to the bead soup - I found the time/energy/wherewithal to send my partner her bead soup. The envelope contained the cutest little bag with different seed beads, gemstones, and other treasures. She has pictures of it on her blog. Because, ya know, I just wasn't quite organized enough to take pictures of it before I bagged it and tagged it. I skipped to the post office a full week before the mailing deadline and was so proud of myself! Three days later - it shows up in my mailbox. Yup. One digit off on her ZIP code. Back to the store to buy another padded envelope and back to the post office. This time, I forgot the little card I did for her which explains why I picked the beads I picked, a little story about the focal, etc. And by this time, I'd packed (i.e. lost) my camera so couldn't take pictures again.

Then, we finally move into the new house and we're still in love with it. About a week after arriving, we finally unpacked the kitchen (I'm still working 50-60 hours a week and in school three nights a week and my boyfriend would rather sit on the couch watching TV. Do NOT get me started!) and I cooked dinner. After dinner, I loaded the dishwasher and started it. A few minutes later, I come back into the kitchen and see Lake Tara in the kitchen. What the heck?! More emails and phone calls to the property manager and someone comes out to fix it.

Fast forward another week, and I'm in a car accident. It's a very tiny accident, and no one even had whiplash. I was headed home from work and the sun got in my eyes and the guy in front of me stopped suddenly and I didn't.

My poor car. 2011 Prius - bought it in September. Less than 4000 miles.

Picture taken today by the claims adjuster with my insurance company. About $8000 worth of damage and they basically have to replace the entire front half of my car as well as the passenger side door. The guy I hit was an SUV so I slid right under his bumper and it pushed my hood back toward the windshield and bent the entire frame.

Oh, and my boyfriend called me today at work and told me that the sprinkler system in the front yard malfunctioned and essentially flooded the entire neighborhood.

So...what's new with you?

The Big News!

2011-01-15T10:19:00.000-08:00

The whole reason I started a blog is right up there! I'm in the Bead Soup Blog Party and I'm so excited, I can't stand it! I know you all know about it so I won't get into what it is and how it works. I will, however, direct you to a couple of different places:

First - the lovely Lori Anderson. I believe Lori was my first "follower" on my blog and is just incredible when it comes to keeping up with comments. The jewelry she creates is awe-inspiring and exactly the type of stuff I, too, would create if I had the skills/time!

The second blog you should visit is my new friend Shirley. She is my partner! She's a beadweaver which, to be honest, doesn't interest me in the least, but Lori purposely matched us up with people who work in mediums we aren't familiar with. We've exchanged emails and I will be searching my stash and perhaps doing a tiny bit of shopping for the soup ingredients I am sending her and anxiously await what she sends me. Stay tuned!