Copper, Glass and Recycled Trash

Copper Clay Class

2012-01-31T14:55:00.000-06:00

My friend Christa and I are currently taking a metal clay class at the KIA in Kalamazoo. I have messed around with the metal clay a bit making only flat items and so far in class we have covered making flat pieces with several different techniques. This week it's going to get more interesting, will be making clay tube and start on some 3D items.

I just put together this bracelet using some of the pieces I created in class. The lady bug was made from a eraser stamp that I carved in class. The toggle is from a button I pushed into clay and the little flower section you may recognize it from my tab necklaces. The bracelet does have an adjustable length toggle so it will fit most any wrist size.

Copper n Glass Ladybug Bracelet $45.00

Bits of the Past Bracelets

2012-01-28T15:31:00.001-06:00

Some new bracelets have been brewing this past week and I finally got all the parts made and put them together today. They have bits of my grandma's hankies, old lace and buttons and go nicely with the bits of the past necklaces I finished up a few weeks ago. If you see one you need just let me know, Beadbug at usa dot com and I will put a listing up on Etsy.

Bits of the Past Bracelets $75.00

Bits of the Past Bracelet $75.00

Bracelets made with old lace and hankies with pearls, buttons and recycled copper.

Bits of the Past

2012-01-04T16:01:00.000-06:00

My mom left me with a bunch of beautiful buttons that I have been making jewelry out of. I love the look of these old buttons, they add the perfect antique rustic feel to my pieces. Many of my buttons have been used and reused on so many pieces of clothing that they are a bit rough and pitted and I like these the best. I hate to say it but my pearl button collection is getting low. I would like to offer an exchange to anyone having a jar or two of pearl buttons. If you send me your pearl buttons I would be happy to make you a piece or three. I will also pay for the shipping.

Here are my new necklaces called Bits of the Past. They are strung on a twenty four inch chain with tiny bits of lace under glass and antique buttons hanging from the bottom. Each one is it's own unique little piece of the past. One of the fun things about these is that the front and back are glass and you can see the color of clothing you are wearing through the lace so it will go with any color you put on.

Bits of the Past Necklaces $30.00

Bits of the Past Necklace $30.00

Glasses as Jewelry

2011-12-23T11:36:00.000-06:00

After thinking about my last post on ear rings I have realized that my aversion to big ear rings is because I have so much bling on my face already. You see, I love amazing glasses.

For many years I wore contacts and during that time, I also wore bigger ear rings. The need for bifocals ended my love of contacts. I have tried every kind imaginable, with every pair I was having to give up some distance vision to achieve the close up vision I needed to make jewelry, it just wasn't worth the trade off.

I worked at an eye doc's office for awhile and in that time I collected some amazing frames. I have hot pink Judy Jetson glasses, lime green ones, a fameless version that you can change the temples on, great sunglasses and your basic brown glasses. The ones I wear most often are the hot pink Judy Jetson ones who needs more bling than that!

My collection of eye wear.

You can now see why I have an aversion to ear rings. This is the time for new beginnings so next year I am going to change that. For next year I pledge to make more ear rings. Not matchy ones, I still can't break that rule but ones that compliment the jewelry that I am making at the moment.

Here are some tips for next time you have to shop for glasses, remember that they are jewelry and you should feel wonderful in them.

Don't wait until you break your current glasses or are desperate for new frames before you start shopping. This can make you purchase something that isn't as amazing as a pair that you had time to shop for.

When someone offers to help you at the eye doc's take into consideration if you like the frames she/he is wearing. They don't have to share your personal style but do you like the glasses on them? Do they fit their style or are they just safe. A person who works in the eye wear world should rock your socks off with the frames they wear. They often get a deep discount so they don't need to play it safe

Spend some time deciding on a new frame, look in more than one store. Most likely your eye doc's office can order anything you can find someplace else you just need the name brand and style number.

Don't let the person showing you frames push you into anything your not sure of.

Take photos of yourself in several frames you like and show them to your friends for help. This is where that camera in your phone will come in really handy.

Take someone with you who's glasses you love.

Take a chance on an amazing color.

Purchase a sturdy frame, frameless glasses will never hold up to much stress and if your anything like me you need something that will hold up to a lot of abuse.

Pay for the extras like scratch protection and anti glare. Make sure the anti glare coating is on the inside and outside of the lens one way some places cheap out is to only have it on the outside of the lens. Most scratch protection coatings insure your glasses for 2 years.

Your frame should be covered for a year or two against breakage ask about this because the frame company's cover this and it shouldn't cost you any extra cash. Some company's charge you to replace a frame depending on how old your glasses are, this is crap go someplace else.

Ask about replacement for lost glasses. A good office will offer to replace them for half off for the first year.

Have fun, take your time and find the perfect frame or two for your style. If you don't know what your style is take a look at Pinterest. I will warn you it's an evil addiction but if you start a board with looks you love in clothing and eye wear it will help when you go out to find those special glasses.

My Dislike for Matchy Ear Rings

2011-12-14T19:45:00.000-06:00

You may have read me say before that I really dislike making ear rings. Seems silly since they take very little supplies or time to make but they do take a lot of space in the booth to display properly and are a pain to transport. Since my booth is over filled already with goodies for the neck, wrist, hair and purse to add another item just seems a bit crazy.

My friends all tell me that ear rings are great sellers and account for a large part of there sales at every show but I just don't like them. First of all I never wear any ear rings but post style because I don't like to turn my head and be slammed in the side of the head. They also often times got stuck in my hair when I use to wear them. Since I don't wear them I am a very poor sales person for ear rings.

Even after all this I often get asked for ear rings and I always tell these folks that I would be glad to make them ear rings usually to match what ever piece they are purchasing. I never tell them this part but I think that being to matchy, matchy isn't very creative, match color, match style but matching necklace, bracelet and ear rings is just a bit to much, it's just my opinion and I do realize it isn't the norm.

I know that stores are packed with sets of jewelry this time of year for folks who can't create a look on their own but next time you put your jewelry on think about the color and texture. Do you have something else in your box of jewels that matches the color or texture that would make the look more interesting than just matching? Just a thought.

Here are the matchy ear rings that I made today and I have to say that I do love them, they were a special order but still don't make me want to crank out 50 pair of ear rings :) I guess that makes each pair I make very, very special!

Please let me know your thoughts on ear rings.

Celtic Garden Ear Rings

New Show Partner!

2011-12-05T10:24:00.000-06:00

I had my last show of the year this weekend and am now excited to introduce you to my new partner for next year, Melissa of one-earedpig.blogspot.com. She is an extremely talented bead and jewelry maker whose work is fun and full of energy. Melissa has a love for mixing silver glass with copper and silver wire for a funky eclectic look. She sells her wares on Etsy so please take a look and buy if you like what you see :) I know it's going to be a great year so I hope you come out and see us at many of our shows, they are all listed here and you can always find the list by looking at the top of the page for the Show Schedule.

Here are some photos of some of her more recent work.

Disk Necklace using silver glass

One of her wonderful beads

An etched set of beads ready for you to purchase for your project

Adjustable Leather Bracelets

2011-12-01T11:27:00.000-06:00

I just finished this bunch of leather bracelets and the Pandora sized beads fit on the leather wonderfully, it's a much more relaxed way to wear your beads. These beads don't slide around on the leather but stay put so you could space them around the bracelet if you like. I am always looking for Manly jewelry but it's so hard to make since I love beads and they usually end up making it look to girly but simply leaving the beads off an tying a knot gave this bracelet more masculen look that I really like. The bracelet is very adjustable and I have left it long just in case you want to fill it with beads or have a bigger wrist. If the tail ends up being to long it's simple to just trim it shorter.

Hand cut adjustable leather band with beads $20.00

Hand cut adjustable leather bracelet without beads $12.00

If you are interested in any of these just let me know and I will put it up on Etsy.

No name bracelet

2011-11-30T16:39:00.000-06:00

I came up with a new bracelet a few days ago but haven't shared it with you because I haven't come up with a name for it. The great thing about this design is it will be easy for me to adjust the length to fit most any wrist by just adding a few links into the design. I love the rich texture and color, the lesson I learned while building these is if one patina doesn't work try another or three. If you have a suggestion for a name I would really appreciate if you would share it.

No Name Bracelet $75.00

It's so hard to hold the camera still and take a photo of the back of your own wrist.

No name bracelet, please help me give it one.

Bead Storage Box Tutorial

2011-11-23T17:00:00.000-06:00

If you are a bead collector or maker you may have found it hard to display your beads in a cheap effective way. I shared this bead storage box on Lampworketc.com in 2005 but decided it was worth revisiting since it works so well and you may not have seen it.

Bead Storage Box Tutorial

Here is the finished box full of pandora sized beads. You can use any size box the deeper the box the thicker the beads you can place in it. I find that these thin boxes are hard to find but worth looking for. This one is 8.5 inches x 6.25 inches and 1.25 inches deep that leaves about one inch of inside height.

Supplies

This is a photo of my supplies since I have an easier time finding things when I know what they look like.

Cigar box

Black sticky-back felt I used presto felt

Black quick count raised grid plastic canvas size 7

1/4 inch Art Accents terrifically tacky tape

Super firm sponge-rubber tape 1/8 x 3/8, used for sealing doors n stuff I got it at the hardware store.

1/16 inch tig welding rod or mandrels

Scissors

Wire cutters

Cut two pieces of foam tape to fit the sides of your box.

Cut two pieces of tacky tape the same length as your foam tape.

Cut two pieces of your plastic canvas slightly taller than your foam tape.

The height of the canvas will be determined by how tall your box insides are and how big your beads you want to put in the box might be.

You can see the layers, foam, tape, mesh and then the felt bottom.

You can put two pieces of foam tape up the sides of your box if you are using a deeper box.

Put the foam tape into both sides of the box placing then tacky tape on top of it and the plastic canvas last as seen in the photo below.

Cut your felt to fit the sides and bottom of the box then stick it in. I find it is easier if I fold the felt for the sides before I take the backing off so it knows where it's going to bend once it gets into the box.

Cut your mandrels just shorter than the inside measurement of your box. You want them long enough that they will fit easily when bent slightly into the holes of the plastic canvas.

As you can see here I have little silver marks where the mandrels go in this box. The nice thing about these boxes is that the width between mandrels can be adjusted depending on the size of your beads.

Here is the first box I made, it came from Cancun with the glass already in the top. I used bigger mandrels in this box and cut the top of the plastic canvas as you can see. In transit the mandrels can slip from the plastic so that is when I looked into mandrels that bend and leaving the tops on the plastic.

Enjoy

New Bangle Design.

2011-11-21T11:03:00.002-06:00

I have a new bracelet design for my up coming show at the Michigan State University's Union on December 3rd and 4th.

Bungee Bangles come in many sizes $12.00

We have a winner

2011-11-20T13:58:00.000-06:00

First of all I want to thank you all for helping out of my word rut. The winner of the treasure tube is Rubiee Tally Hayes and her word is Believe. I will get the prize out to her as soon as I get an address, I want to thank all of you who participated, they were all wonderful words so I made a list of all that were suggested on my blog and on Facebook.

These are some I got done, Dream, Pixie Dust, Prayers, Believe, Create, and Imagine.
on silk strings $40.00. You can pick your color of string.

Magic, Inspire, Dreams and Believe.

Baritone

Bass

Be Free

Be True to Yourself

Believe

Blessings

Breathe

Cherish

Chocaholic

Create

Courage

Dance

Dream

Endure

Family

Find Your Song

Focus

Free to be Me

Friends

Goddess

God-Breathed

Grow

Harmony

Happiness

Heart Ya

Hold

Hope

Honor

Hope

I Can

ILUVU

I'm Unique

Inspire

Keep

Keep Calm and Carry On

Keep Moving
Aim High,
Top Dog
Why Not?

Lead

Listen

Live

Love

Magic

Mentioned.

No Rules

Patience

Peace

Persevere

Phalerate

Pixie Dust

Play

Prayer

Put Fear Away

Queen

Remember

Respect

Simply

Sing

Strength

Sunshine

Take risks
Tolerance

Tenor

Time

Tranquility

True Love

Vigilance

Wait
Wonder

Necklace Wrangler

2011-11-18T10:46:00.000-06:00

Comb Style Binder used as a necklace wrangler for traveling to shows.

I got roped into do a show tomorrow 11/19, from 9-3 at the Calhoun Christian School across the street from Harbor Freight and JoAnn's here in Battle Creek. It should be a nice small show and I am looking forward to it, as I was trying to pack yesterday I realized that there had to be a better way to manage the necklaces so that when I got them out of my case they weren't a tangled mess. It seems like I always spend most of my time setting up untangling necklaces. Then as I was looking through Pinterest, my new favorite time suck and I saw where a person was using those comb style book binding spines to wrangle their computer cords. They wrangled the cords so nice I figured they would work on my necklaces. I went to Office Max and spent a whole $3.99 on a box of 25 of the 55 sheet size. They come in many sizes and you could get what ever is going to work best for you. The great thing is you can cut them to fit the length of your necklace so there isn't a bunch of extra hanging off the end.

To put the combs on grab the necklaces by the top and start by placing only one side of them into the loops. It take a little bit to get them started but once you have a few loops around the chains then you can simply put the loops around both sides. I hope this makes sense? When you are ready to remove them simply grab the necklaces by the top and pull them free from the loops. It really is to easy and I know this is going to make my life so much easier and maybe help you out also.

What is your biggest organization tool for shows?

Comb Style Book Binding Spines

At the top leave a few of the combs with only one side of the necklace.

Wrap them as far down as you can so that the little devils don't have much room to move.

Treasure Tube Giveaway

2011-11-16T10:54:00.000-06:00

23 Unfinished Treasure Tubes

I had a special order for one of my treasure tubes so I made up a few yesterday. A few being twenty three, once I started I just couldn't stop but when I got to this point I was stuck. I see jewelry all the time with words and think oh what a great piece but do I write it down NO.

So here is some incentive to leave a reply and give me some ideas for these little guys. Leave a word you would like to see on a treasure tube, I will draw a name at random from those who have left a reply for a free tube with your word. This is for the tube only no necklace will be included, I would love to see what you can create for the necklace. If you have a blog and you win, it would be great if you could post your finished tube. Please let me know if you do and I will promote your blog in a post.

The drawing will be held Sunday, November 20th so that you have some time to think this over.

The tube I send you will not look as rough as these, it will be scrubbed clean, sanded, patinaed, and waxed. It will look like the second photo.

Finished Treasure Tube necklace $68.00

Ending Your Strings

2011-11-13T20:30:00.000-06:00

After looking at the silk strings you may wonder what to do with the ends. There are several things that work well, a simple knot is a great finish especially if you don't want to add any additional color or metals to your design. Another choice is using a metal crip end with a little loop like the second one in the photo, with this one you could add a bead on a headpin. The third look is a wrapped wire with a loop to add dangles onto. The fourth look is simply a bead strung on and glued. The fifth one is a large crimp bead and the sixth one is a bead then strung through a loop and then back through the bead and glued. Superglue was used on all the ends except for the knot. I like to thread the bead or other finding on further than needed, place the glue onto the end and then slip the bead or finding back over that glue. This way you don't get glue where you don't want it. OK so if your me you still might but it's a good way to try and control it.

Silk Strings Tutorial

2011-11-12T07:30:00.029-06:00

Handmade silk strings

In 2005 I got it in my head that I needed to make silk strings to go with some beads I was working on. The addiction got a bit out of hand and I made hundreds of them, I still have a nice selection of colors anytime I feel the need to use them in a jewelry design. When making jewelry I love to be able to say that I made EVERY part and piece used in the design.

I posted this tutorial on Lampwork etc but decided to update it and post the whole thing here for the rest of the world :)

These are very easy to make so here goes...

Supplies

Serger a regular machine just wont work for this project. If you choose you don't have to finish the edges but they will not wear as well.

Silk Yardage you will want this on the heavy side so it has some bounce back, Shantung Silk or Dupion Silk works great. A yard made about 50 of them to give you an idea of how much fabric to get.The silk I use does have some small slugs and thicker strings and it gives them a very interesting look when dyed. The slubs end up running across the ribbons when you cut the strings.

100% cotton thread 3 spools, I used the quilting thread on the cardboard tube from Hobby Lobby. You can use a color polly thread but then it won't dye.

Dye- You could use any type i like Tumble Dye from Hobby Lobby, it comes in a nice spray bottle. I have also used koolaid, Easter egg dye, coffee and tea with wonderful results. Any dye can be placed in a spray bottle and used for this process.

Rotary Cutter & Mat

Sandwich Ziplocs

Rubber gloves

Plastic table cloth to protect your area I have gotten these at the dollar store.

Microwave

Iron

If you get as carried away as I did this pant hanger works well to store them.

Instructions

Cut strips 3/4 of an inch wide using a rotary cutter, I cut my salvage to salvage.

Set up your serger for a 3 thread rolled hem. You want the width of the bite to be at around a 5 (mine is adjustable but some aren't) if you don't have it set wide the silk wont roll enough and you will get fuzzy edges. It should also be a bit of a long stitch since you don't want the edge to bulky. Your serger book should guide you on how to set up your machine. (if you need more help with your serger than this I can help, I taught sewing for the Viking Sewing Machine Company for 14 years)

Stitch the edges of both sides trimming a bit off so you are sure there is enough fabric getting rolled in the hem. I serged the ends to a point but if you are going to knot the ends this isn’t important.

Don’t use any seam sealer on the ends of your edges until you are finished dying or that section won’t dye. I don't ever use this but some folks may want to.

Put on your rubber gloves unless you love tie-dyed hands.

Now for the dye, like I said before the spray on dye worked great you can lay the ribbons out flat or wad them up for a more type-dyed look, spray the ribbons using all one color or several different colors making sure to not leave any dry spots unless that's the look you are going for.

If you wet the strings before you apply the dye they will end up with a more pastel look. When you put the dye straight onto the dry ribbons they will have brighter bolder shades.

After applying the dye, place two or more strings into a ziploc and put them into the microwave for a minuet to steam set the dye then hang to dry.

Iron them flat for a second heat set.

Run under warm water to see if any extra dye will rinse out. Most likely the dye will be set enough

that you won't see any extra dye escape but with some colors you will always have extra dye rinse away. It's always good to take this last step because no one wants a neck that matches their jewelry.

If you want to make black strings I suggest just purchasing black fabric and thread. It's so much easier.

Below are some photos of jewelry where I used the silk strings.

Silk string used on a resin bezel (sold)

Silk String used with antique buttons (sold)

Silk Strings on Cluster Necklace $45.00

More Treasure Tube Necklaces

2011-11-11T09:00:00.000-06:00

I have a few more Treasure Tube Necklaces finished last week and they turned out so cute I thought you may want to see them.

Treasure Tube Necklace $65.00

Rustic Roses

2011-11-10T09:58:00.001-06:00

Here is a new bracelet worked up called Rustic Roses, it's lightweight copper and fits on the wrist so nicely you won't even know it's there. It can be made to any size to fit any wrist, if you are interested please let me know what size you would like it.

Rustic Roses Bracelet $85.00

Little Metal Books

2011-11-10T09:53:00.000-06:00

Someone asked how I would put my little metal books into a necklace and I finally remembered to take some photos today. I hope you like them.

Little metal book necklace $68.00

Handmade soldered links

Stamped metal cover

I have been featured on the Ice Resin E-zine

2011-11-09T22:20:00.000-06:00

Just thought I would let everyone know that I was featured on the Ice Resin E-zine. They wrote me a while back and asked if I would like to be featured and of course I said yes. They send out a interview for me to fill out and I sent it right back with photos. I was just playing on Pinterest and saw one of my bracelets but it had the wrong link, come to find out my interview was up on their site. I wonder why they didn't let me know? Oh well here is the link.

They featured several pieces and this was one of them.

This bracelet was made for a challenge it has animal, vegetable, mineral, it's called "life's a beach".

Copper Clay or Copper Dust

2011-11-03T16:29:00.000-05:00

Just when I thought I had it all figured out everything turns to dust. I was thrilled when my first batch of little round tabs came out of the kiln all beautiful needing just a bit of wire brushing. The next batch was not so good. What did I do differently who the heck knows. After messing with the kiln temp and time the third batch turned out even worse, they turned to dust. Then it hit me, I was packing more in my little kiln box than I ever had before so tonight I will try again with fewer pieces on the same ramp schedule that I have used from the start and see if that isn't the problem.

For now these are all that I have gotten out of the kiln worth showing. I had such high hopes of having some of the other goodies all made up for this weekends shows but no such luck.

Round Tab Necklace $12.00

Zipper Pulls

2011-11-02T18:20:00.001-05:00

Someone last year around Christmas time asked if I ever made zipper pulls so I decided to take a stab at putting some together today and I really like how they turned out. These could be used as zipper pulls, key fobs or purse charms. They should take quite a bit of abuse since I made the clips out of some really heavy gauge wire and the loops with the beads are soldered.

Zipper Pulls, Purse Charms or Key Fobs take your pick $15.00

Here is what they look like hanging

Show Apron

2011-11-01T16:04:00.000-05:00

I just finished an apron stocked with all the goodies I will need to work a show. It turned out quite well, I started with 2 place mats from Target since they are already finished and looked so nice and crisp. Then deciding on the size cut off some of the top, stitched the second mat into pockets that hold pens, zip-locks, sales book, cash, business cards and my phone. These items will take care of most sales without having to dig through drawers or reach for a money bag to take care of the customer. It should make transactions more seamless and professional.

Show apron to hold Ziplocs, pens, sales book, money, business cards and phone.

Little Metal Books

2011-11-01T10:59:00.001-05:00

I have some new little books to show off, I plan on turning them in to necklaces this week. I have a show this Friday at the West Michigan Glass Society in Kalamazoo in the Parks Trade building from 5-9 and then another one on Saturday from 9-3 across the street from my home at the Pennfield Middle School.

I have spent some time this past week tweaking my booth set up, are these things ever done?

Here are the photos of my little books they measure 1.25"x1.50". Photos of necklace books will be up soon.

Little Metal Cover Books with Eyelet and Leather accents.

Miniature Metal Cover Books $25.00 book on necklace$ 55.00

Stax Stix

2011-10-25T20:03:00.000-05:00

I made a few stax stix but in the photo they all look the same color, they aren't but my camera doesn't do purples justice. I have plans of putting some of them in my Etsy store. The nice thing about these is that you can put any big hole beads on them since the chain slides out and the beads are removable.

Stax Stix $39.00

Bubble Bracelets

2011-10-25T16:48:00.000-05:00

Previously I made some bracelets with little soldered bumps but I wasn't really happy at how they fit on the wrist so I reworked the design today and am thrilled with the results. They sit on the wrist nicely with the loops around the beads floating freely like bubbles.

Bubble Bracelets $48.00 each

Bubble Bracelet

Bubble Bracelets

The Dress Form Tutorial is Ready for Purchase

2011-10-20T11:26:00.000-05:00

My dress form tutorial is now for sale on Etsy, the cost is $8.00, you will find the instructions easy to follow.

Dress form display

This is the listing, http://www.etsy.com/listing/84276976/sew-your-own-24-tall-dress-form-e

This is a pdf file to sew your own dress form not the actual dress form.

After looking all over the internet and not finding any larger dress form patterns I created my own out of items you can find at your local craft stores. The nine page pdf file that you receive with your purchase will include a very detailed supply list, full size pattern and step by step directions with 16 photos.

I taught for The Viking Sewing Machine Company and have 14 years of experience in pattern making and sewing instruction so I can insure that you will be happy with these instructions.

The third photo is of my Art Show display using the dress forms just to give you an idea of how they can be used. The last photo is of my display being packed up and ready to go to a show. These little dress forms pack well and will unscrew from the base so that the base can be screwed to your display to make them very stable.

Your pattern will come to you via your Paypal E-mail address as a PDF attachment to download, within 24 hours of payment. NO shipping charges! I often do art shows and spend time with family on the weekends so it may take a little longer to receive your order.

You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to view it. (Most PC have it already installed.)
If you don't have Adobe Acrobat, it is a free download from Adobe at http://get.adobe.com/reader/

Sewing Level: Beginner

Finished Size
Height:24 inches
Shoulder Width: 10 inches

pdf includes:
Full Sized Pattern
Step by step, clear instructions with a lot of colored photos.
Detailed Supply list including where I purchased each item.

Basic supplies needed:
sewing machine
scissors
pins
pencil
tape
½ yard fabric
thread
polly fill.
black steel tacks
upholstery foam
oval wood plaque
wood candle stick holder
electric or manual bread knife to cut foam

Mini Dress Form Tutorial

Possible use for your handmade dress forms

Special Orders

2011-10-19T16:24:00.001-05:00

I don't normally do special orders but when my husband's boss calls I do what I can to fill his jewelry needs. His wife's birthday is tomorrow and he called on Monday needing a heart shaped pin. Since I already had plans for Monday and Tuesday this left me Wednesday to get it finished. He isn't picky and I already know his wife and daughters like my style so it was kinda a no brainier. Sometime ago I had made a heart shaped pin and liked the design I just hadn't worked out the pin part so I figured that most of the design part was finished but how to make a pin out of copper that has some spring into it and doesn't just bend out of shape every time you take if off your clothing. What I found out is it takes a whole lot of hammering to make copper have spring but my finished piece was cute and I was very pleased with the whole process.

Copper and antique button heart pin. It measures about 2 inches across.

The larger heart shaped pin is my first attempt. it measures about 3.5 inches across.

All the copper used in making the pins were up-cycled legally from my husbands road project in downtown Battle Creek, MI.

Fall Art Walk Booth Display

2011-10-15T21:23:00.000-05:00

Fall Art Walk Booth

Friday night was the first time I participated in the Fall Art Walk in downtown Battle Creek, Michigan and I had a great time. I was set up at the beautiful Lynn Ivan salon right up front. No one could walk in or out without walking by my space and it was exciting to see the reaction to my new booth setup, the response was extremely positive. The table can fit on a 5-6 foot table so if I end up with an 8 foot one some places it will leave more space for processing sales.

It was a very good thing that my phone had the photos of the booth set up at home because when I got to the show I couldn't for the life of me remember how the boxes went. After looking at the photo it all came back to me. There are plans to change the tablecloth print fabric to something else but I haven't found the right fabric yet so this is what I had and it works for now. '

The big tags you see are a bit distracting in the photo but each one gives the price and gives some information about the piece. Here is a sample,

Stax Stix Necklace

$$$

Copper ground wire

dug up from the streets of

Battle Creek, MI.

Hammered into submission

then drilled and loaded

with handmade glass beads.

Many folks commented at how they liked the little stories on the tags, when they were created I wasn't sure if anyone would take the time to read them but most who were even somewhat interested did.

Booth Break Down

On Friday morning I broke down the display to pack in my car everything fit into about a 4 foot deep space in the rear of the Pontiac Vibe. Before the old booth on an 8 foot table took up the whole back of the car. I don't have to tell you that hauling that much inside isn't fun. For some reason this booth looks like more but is actually less bulky. When it comes to summer and having more table space I know it's going to take more display stuff but for now it's nice to have so little.

Everything packed in the back of my Pontiac Vibe

One of my biggest challenges was stabilizing the whole setup so that if someone hit the table it didn't all come tumbling down. I had planned on bolting it together in some way but couldn't imagine the time needed to do this each time it was set up. Then I was in the office supply store and realize that the extra large binder clips might work. If you look close at the first photo you can see that I have simply clamped each of the boxes together and once this was done it was extremely stable and really didn't need much more. The last problem was that the dress forms needed to be attached to the boxes in some way that wouldn't allow them to move at all. I realized that the bottom of the candle stick holders unscrewed and there was a hole through the middle of each base. It was easy to attach the bases to each box and then simply screw the dress form back onto the secured base.

Wood candle stick base screwed to the box.

I hope that this helps anyone who is looking to put together a compact booth display. The whole thing wasn't terribly expensive, it just took some time looking for the right pieces and designing the dress forms. Since I am writing a tutorial on how to create your own dress forms it won't take you near as long to put one together for yourself.

New Booth Display

2011-10-11T11:35:00.000-05:00

I have been working on a new table set up and think what I have come up with is going to work out great. This isn't going to be the kind that you sit behind but beside because it's quite tall. Right now it's on a 5 foot table, I am working toward not having any tables at all except one to take money and package items at. Many art shows frown on folding tables and my long term goal is to get into these shows. I don't have a good answer for something else to use that would work as easily but it will come to me sooner or later, most likely later. This set up holds a whole lot more necklaces in less space than I have used in the past. It is easier to select items when they hang in singles like this. I haven't decided on a table cloth yet this is just a sheet I had around the house.

New Booth Idea, it will all be clamped together so it's stable.

Items used in this setup, cup hooks, cupcake tins, 1 cassette tape holder with spacers removed, antique tool caddie on it's side in bottom row, old large factory spools, 5 of my mini dress forms, 4 crates of various sizes and a lap tray

Booth Idea Off Pinterest

This second booth photo is off a site that I am addicted to called Pinterest and I think it's amazing but I really would never want items setting so low it's just inviting small children to mess it up. I think some bulb style Christmas lights would be wonderful for lighting. Most shows I don't need a whole lot of light so I think they would give off a nice warm glow and not be as terribly harsh as some lighting I have seen.

On a side note, I have the tutorial for the little 24 inch dress forms almost finished and will have it posted in my etsy store next week.

Has Someone You Know Lost Their Marbles?

2011-10-06T20:09:00.001-05:00

I know you are all waiting on pins and needles to see what I was going to do with the mini marbles so I won't keep you waiting. Introducing the Lost Marbles Necklace, the perfect gift for someone who you feel may have lost theirs or it could be a great gift for yourself. The marbles inside measure about a quarter of an inch each and the globe measures an inch across so think tiny.

Lost Marbles Necklace $38.00 (siting on a black rubber washer to hold it up)

I just noticed that the marbles don't look round in this photo but trust me they are it must be the way the outer glass is magnifying them.

Top of Lost Marbles Necklace

99 is the Number of the Day

2011-10-05T16:08:00.000-05:00

99 Mini Marbles

Today I sat down to the torch with the idea of making a bunch of marbles for my next project. After sitting at the torch for three hours I finished 99 marbles, it sounds like a lot but only filled 1/8th measuring cup each one measuring about a quarter of an inch each. I should have more for you on the mini marble project by Friday.

I also have 99 followers of my blog today and I wanted to thank each and every one of you. I can remember being excited when I got my first 10 :)

1/8th cup of mini marbles

Beads of Courage

2011-09-24T20:59:00.000-05:00

Today my friends and I spent the day at the West Michigan Glass Society we made beads for the Beads of Courage Program. If you don't know about this program please take a look, it's a wonderful program that gives out beads to children with cancer to mark milestones in their treatment. Many of these children don't have a whole lot to be happy about, our hope is that the beads we made today will remind the children that there are people who care enough about what they are going through to share their talent. We all hope these beads will put a smiles on their faces when they may be facing something to scary to think about.

Our bead making group meets once a month at different locations around Michigan and although we don't have a regular name most of us call ourselves DiPWADS (doesn't play well with any divas). Twice a year we rent out the Glass Society to play with fire, stuff our faces and generally enjoy each others company. This is one of the most wonderful and sharing group of women I have ever been involved with. If you live in the area and make glass beads or would like to learn please join us for a meeting all are welcome, we list our meetings and chat on Lamp Work Etc. check out the second post for times and locations.

Photos of the beads we made today will be up in a day or two.

Jill, Sharon, Robin, Jamey, Deb K, Deb, Barb, Dawn and Marion, this is some serious creating going on :)

Jill, Marion, Dawn, Christa, Sharon, Robin and Deb K, I love it when all the torches are in use.

Dawn and Melissa with their beads or courage shirts on.

Barb, Laurie, Nancy and Sandra, more torches glowing.

Sandra, Ann Marie, Dawn, Karen and Chris, just hanging out

One of my toothy pumpkin face beads getting his eyeballs put on.

Would you like a mini dress form tutorial?

2011-09-22T15:58:00.000-05:00

After looking all over the internet for inexpensive small dress forms I decided there wasn't such a thing. I needed a beefy dress form that was light weight and easy to pack for shows. The dress form I came up with measures 23 inches tall and 9 inches across the shoulders. I really wanted her to have a well loved look so I used the wrong side of some very heavy denim and sprayed coffee on the form once it was stuffed. If she gets damp she is going to smell like coffee but the finished look is exactly what I had hoped for. Everything used to make her is available at either Jo Ann's or Hobby Lobby. I am thinking if there is enough interest I may write a tutorial/pattern so you can make some of your own. Not much sewing experience is necessary if you can kinda sew a straight line then you have enough knowledge to make one. Please leave me a note if you are interested so I can see if it would be worth while. The bottom of the form will need something so it can be clamped to the table for outdoor shows but I haven't figured out what that is yet.

I Jump for Rings

2011-09-19T12:45:00.000-05:00

Jump Ring Making

This past weekend I spend out camping with my wonderful family and I thought I could spend it just sitting around chatting like everyone else but no that was not to be, it drove me crazy not to have a project so I went home and got my wire and jump ring winder.


Jump Ring Winder

After a short time I ran out of wire and ended up with a good assortment of wire springs that were ready to cut but I had forgot my cutting lube so I had to stop there.


Wire springs waiting to be cut

In the studio today I got everything out and started cutting up the jump rings just to break blade after blade. I think the new blades I got are to thin and I am going to have to order some with a bit more beef. If you use a lot of jump rings this system is well worth looking into. I end up cutting jump rings of this multitude about once a year, that way I have what I need on hand when putting my pieces together.

A pile-o-jump-rings

Bead Soup Reveal

2011-09-17T00:01:00.005-05:00

So it's the big day we all have been waiting for. Since I will be camping with my extended family I wrote this blog early and hope that it posts at the right time.

First off I have to thank Sally of the blog Wire Worked for sending me such a beautiful bunch of goodies to play with. The challenge was how to edit what was sent into a piece as small as a bracelet since I wear them more often than necklaces. Making an necklace would have been easier since the pendant she sent me only had one hole but you know me, fearless, I just drilled it. With so many choices all of them wonderful I put together several things but ended up cutting them apart and starting over when I realized that something else would work better. After several trys I finally ended up with a bracelet that's perfect for fall and will go with so much of my wardrobe I wondered why I haven't worked in these colors before? It's time to make some more pieces in the lovely fall colors Sally sent. Please visit Sally's blog to see what she did with the beads I sent her.
If you are interested in viewing the 300 other bloggers please visit Lori's site for the list.

To see what she sent me click here.

My bead soup bracelet

Bracelet in the long view

Bead soup challenge finished piece

Edited to say: To drill glass, porcelain, rocks, shells or anything like this you simply use a small diamond bit in your drummel with your piece underwater in a shallow dish. Go slow, if you need a larger hole than you started with simply work up to that size. I got my diamond bits at harbor freight, it was a set of 10 different shapes and sizes.

The Big Bead Soup Reveal is Saturday

2011-09-13T18:08:00.001-05:00

This Saturday is the big Bead Soup Reveal, there are over 300 participants and I can't wait to see what they have created with the beads sent by their partners. I finished my piece today after putting it together and taking it apart several times I finally ended up with a piece I am thrilled with. Please come back on Saturday to see the whole piece.

Bead soup participants from all over the world!

Spotlight on Wire Book Review

2011-09-10T14:42:00.000-05:00

I checked out the new Spotlight On Wire book by Melissa Cable from the library and really like her ideas and way of explaining the how to. The the book is broke down into six sections each focusing on a different item or techniques. All of the photography for the book is nice and uncluttered, the directions are clear with plenty of step by step photos to help you along. The most interesting project in this book is the one of her showing how to use a regular pasta machine to texture copper and silver wire. I have a rolling mill but most folks don't, this is a very inexpensive way to add interest to your wire without having to layout much cash. She also made corrugated wire and I can see it in several future pieces. The project I decided to make first was out of the Heavy Gauge Wire chapter it's called Charming Story, I used the silk ribbons I had sewn and dyed a few years ago to add a bit of color.

Charming Story Necklaces

Spotlight on Wire Book Cover

Charming Story Page

Wordless Wednesday

2011-09-07T12:41:00.000-05:00

Finished Treasure Tube Necklace

Treasure Tube Necklace

Rude Comments

2011-09-06T08:52:00.000-05:00

I just had a wimp who couldn't even post their name leave this message for me on my blog...

"You have a wish list on your blog?? WTF"

I deleted it because I have the power :) The fact is it's my blog and I can do what ever I want to with it. I saw a few others with wish lists and thought it was a fun idea. I love to see what others covet and hope that maybe more of you will start a page like this. The idea wasn't that I was asking for gifts or anything it was just a simple list of future purchases that I plan on making or dream of making. I hope in the future if someone has something like this to say they just email it to me but I am sure it's not the last rude comment I will ever get.

Little Copper Treasure Tubes

2011-09-03T21:15:00.002-05:00

I decided to tackle the Treasure Boxes to Wear tutorial in the June 2011 Belle Armoire Magazine. I must say that it's my favorite magazine and I love their photography but... sometimes they truly need to focus a bit more on the how to and a bit less on the beautiful photography if the really think folks are going to make these things. The authors of these tutorials most likely write a whole lot more than actually gets into the magazine and I think they cut to much out of this particular tut. The tutorial was wrote by the very talented Denise Petersen of the Reinvented Objects blog, if you get a chance go over and check out the rest of her amazing work.

There is a huge learning curve when trying to apply an even layer of solder to an curved object and to be honest I never did get it down and I gave up after about 8 tries. I did get 5 of this style to turn out but to be honest I wasn't that thrilled with the look for all the work it took. Although I loved Denise's mine were much less refined, I'll call them rustic. Here is what I ended up with from the tutorial.

Treasure Boxes 2" tall and very "rustic"

Treasure Tube

After trying to make a bunch of these I had an idea to just leave off the soldered outer coating. Although I love the look of it the fact was it just wasn't turning out like I wished it had, I would heat one spot to attach something and another piece would slide off. Once I did my own thing they turned out quite nice and yes, there are two boxes that say BITE ME for my friend Melissa of the blog One-Earedpig Beads :) Now to turn them into some funky necklaces, photos to come.

My version of the Treasure Boxes that I'm going to call Treasure Tubes, 2" tall tip to tip

Do you need an extra hand or two?

2011-08-29T21:45:00.002-05:00

How to build your own helping hands.

Last March I needed a good way to add some height and display space to my tables without taking up much area and what I came up with were these hands. After having these at several shows I noticed when I hang bracelets from the hands they get overlooked. I am not sure why this happens because when I hang a bunch of same style necklaces from the fingers people take notice and often purchase the necklaces. Oh well, I needed more space to hang necklaces too so it all worked out. If you have some antique gloves this would be a wonderful use for them but since I haven't found any yet I had to use new ones.

This would also be a fun way to keep out and accessible at home.

Here is a short tutorial on how to build your own helping hands. Sorry I don't have photos of the steps I didn't think to take any as I was making them but I think it's easy enough to visualize.

Supplies:
Prom gloves, these came from Clair's, if you can purchase cotton ones, the silky ones snag easily. This style had elastic run up both sides and it made it easy to stretch them to the desired height.
2 1/2 inch dowels cut to whatever height you would like. I cut mine to different heights it looks nice visually.
4x4 beveled edge squares for a stable base that can be clamped to your table if you are outside in the wind, these came from Hobby Lobby.
Paint for the base and dowel.
Long screws to screw the base to the dowels.
Rubber gloves
Fiber fill or cotton batting
Staple gun
14 gauge copper wire

Instructions:
1. You will need to drill a hole through the center of the base and the center of the top and bottom of the dowel. Attach the base to the dowel making sure these are screwed in flush so that the arm will set level.
2. Paint the base/dowel pieces with your choice of color, I used brown.
3. The gloves come with a cardboard insert and I used this as a pattern to bend some heavy gauge copper wire into the finger shape. Leave a tail a few inches long on each end of your hand shape so that you can easily sick them into the top center of the dowel. Adjust shape as needed to make the hand look somewhat natural.
4. Wrap the fingers and hand lightly with some of your fiber fill or batting. Pull a rubber glove on over this and when you get the hand looking like you want. Staple the rubber glove in place onto the dowel. I did this so that the batting would be less likely to move when I was trying to get the glove on.
5. Pull the fabric glove onto the hand you have created and shimmy it down over the dowel as far as you can, using your staple gun secure it to your dowel. If you got gloves with the gathering you can hide the staples in the ripples if not just hide them in the side seams.

Ta-Da now you have some extra hands to take to the shows.

I love silver glass

2011-08-28T21:04:00.000-05:00

I know I have posted about how much I love silver glass before but here are some more lovelies for your viewing pleasure. There is something about this glass that is so simple yet every bead looks different and it's a crap shoot, what goes in the kiln isn't always what comes out, sometimes it's good, sometimes it's baby poo. No baby poo this day :)

These are all Pandora/Stax Stix size

Perfection

2011-08-26T22:19:00.001-05:00

I don't know about you but I like things to be perfect when I make them. Is this possible NO... I am human, perfection is just something to strive for. As a big believer in practice makes perfect I often will make a dozen or more of one thing just to get the technique down to a science. I spent today making bezels with copper pipe, brass backs and generic plumbing solder. These have a look that I just love, it's kind of an old rustic look that can't be accomplished with any other method. If you are looking to make some of these yourself I can highly recommend Stephanie Lee's Homesteader's Metalsmithing DVD where she explains all the in's and out's of this type of soldering. I have these for sale in my etsy store if you are interested in just purchasing them. If you look at my other posts you will see where I have filled these with resin and other goodies.

Pipe Bezels

Square Pipe Bezel

Diamond Pipe Bezel

What I sent to my bead soup partner

2011-08-24T08:36:00.000-05:00

Now that my partner Sally from Wireworked has received her bead soup package. I just learned after reading her blog today that she has a thing for journals so maybe I was getting that vibe when I couldn't think of what to send her for a focal piece and decided to send her one of my tiny etched journals. Everything in this package was personally handmade by me in my studio except the copper chain, I would have made it but I ran out of time. I can't wait to see what Sally does with these goodies. Now that I think about it I should have etched the beads it would have given them a nice soft look, oh well next time :)

Bead Soup Mix

1. A tiny book with copper etched covers, leather closure and hand torn acid free paper.
2. Little flat glass spacers
3. Little round glass spacers
4. Nine fancy glass beads
5. Hammered copper toggle
5. Copper clay links
6. Silk string stitched and dyed by me
7. Purchased copper chain

Bead Soup from my amazing partner Sally Russick

2011-08-22T21:07:00.000-05:00

I got my bead soup from Sally from over at Wireworked and all I can say is WOW. Let me show you what I got.


2011 Fall Bead Soup from Sally Russick YUMMY

Look at this beautiful pendant and aren't the colors just amazing!

The presentation was beautiful

I have all kinds of ideas it's going to be hard to decide on just one wonderful design to make these into. Exactly what did I get? Well here's a list

1. Silk Ribbon on box but totally usable in the jewelry design.
2. Handmade pendant by Mary Harding
3. Six large enameled beads by Sally
4. Ten little enameled beads by Sally
5. A ton of smoked glass beads
6. 15 quartz beads
7. A bunch of metal disk beads with swirl imprint
8. Tiny yellow yellow beads
9 A beautiful handmade clasp by Sally

And as if that wasn't an amazing amount of beautiful stuff I got a bonus package

1. Little glass vial
3. Bullet shell - I have been wanting to try etching on one of these for some time
4. 2 silver button shaped beads
5. A bunch of cute little copper beads
6. Silver key with an amazing pattern
7. An amazing round brass locket

And look at the bonus package "just because"

I was so excited about the package that I didn't even realize it was a locket and opened until just now. I have a thing for tiny lockets and vessels :) how did she know?

Bead Soup Partner

2011-08-16T20:52:00.000-05:00

It's time for bead soup again and my partner this time is the amazingly talented Sally Russick of Wireworked.com. After reading through her blog I found out we both took Stephanie Lee's Homesteader Metal Smiting Class this past winter. It was an amazing class but knowing this made me change my idea of what I was going to send out since she had already created the same things that I had in that class. So after a few days at the torch and not liking anything I had come up with I remembered I had something special that just might work for her. I really hope she likes what I sent, here is a little sneak preview, all you can really tell is colors :). All but one thing I am sending has been handmade by me, I could have also made that one thing but time ran out.

Bead Soup Sneak Peek

Hook Line & Sinker

2011-08-12T15:35:00.000-05:00

You know me I didn't just set down to my torch and make one fish yesterday, I made 6 of them and they all turned out nice so here is what I did with the rest of them. You can't tell well in these photos but they are hanging from a fish hook and the necklace has a fish hook closure.

Hook Line and Sinker Necklace

Little Lure Charms

Purse Charms

2011-08-12T13:43:00.000-05:00

I have been asked several times in the past few months if I make purse charms. To tell you the truth I didn't even know what they were so after a photo search I decided that they were kinda a fun item so I sat down to the torch yesterday with an idea. Often times what happens when I sit at the torch is the idea somehow gets lost and they never go any further. What came out of the kiln today was quite amazing, I stayed on task and actually had pieces to make the purse charm that I had in my head. I could never sell these because charging $50.00 -$80.00 for a purse charm isn't going to go over very well with my usual customer. I am now the proud owner of a beautiful purse charm made with 24 of my glass beads. Since I made this to lure people to ask me about my jewelry I thought it fitting that it be a fish on a hook :)

I caught it, lure purse charm.

Bouquet Bracelets

2011-08-05T14:27:00.001-05:00

Bouquet Bracelet out of copper n glass

I have made up a bunch more of these little bouquet bracelets since they are such good sellers. The shape of the bracelet make it so that once on it won't flip and leave you with the pretty side on the bottom of your wrist. They are very light weight and sit smoothly on the wrist due to a wide range of adjust-ability.

Bouquet Bracelet in purple, yellow and green.

Bouquet Bracelet made up in beautiful silver glass. SOLD :)

This one doesn't photograph well but is beautiful shades of navy, green and burgundy.

Do you have pretty silverware?

2011-07-27T21:16:00.000-05:00

Silverware Stamped Necklaces

Take a look at your silverware, does it have a fun design? You may have the makings for some cute jewelry, I used the top of a fork found at Goodwill to make the long thin metal sections of these little necklaces. Silverware often has very delicate designs not found anyplace else and if you look around you can often find great designs at the second hand store.

Copper Clay Bird

2011-07-26T11:33:00.000-05:00

Tiny Copper Clay Bird with Nest

Along with all the little flat things I made in the copper clay I tried my hand at making this little bird and it turned out very well.

Bronze Clay

2011-07-25T14:26:00.001-05:00

All of the clay worked on for the past few weeks is finally fired and it looks great. The copper is amazing and has a beautifully smooth but the brass is a bit pitted and looks as if it's all something unearthed from 100 years ago. The look is amazing and will work for some pieces but isn't for everything.

Bronze Clay Pieces

Copper Clay

2011-07-20T12:05:00.000-05:00

Here are some of the copper clay pieces I made in class and on vacation. I played with two kinds of clay Art Clay Copper and CopprClay, I hated the Art Clay Copper it was sticky and stretchy, there is a place for it I hope but for now I am going to stay with the CopprClay. It takes a longer firing time and you have to use the little pot and coconut carbon firing media to stop oxidation but the ease of use is worth the extra trouble. I am thrilled with my results and can't wait to play with it again but am going to wait until all my pieces are fired.

These are the copper after being fired and tumbled for an hour.

If I tumbled them longer they would be shiny copper but I didn't want that.

These have been fired but not tumbled yet, the little black fibers you see are the coconut carbon they were fired in.

Here are some pieces that have not been fired yet.

Copper Clay

2011-07-01T21:16:00.000-05:00

I spent the last two days playing with copper clay and have found a new love. I don't have photos of my pieces yet except for the one of them not baked and at my work station. I will have photos of them once I get the second set of them fired.

Here I am sitting in my huge mess along with Christa.


This is my mess of a work space, the little rust colored things are some of the tiny things I made.

Take a look at how clean their table is.

Christa and I just don't have a clue on how to work without having a total mess around us.

This clay is amazing, you create a piece just like you would working with any other clay then you fire it and it becomes solid copper. They also sell it in silver and gold but it's so expensive that am just going to stick with the copper clay.

What to do with shorts

2011-06-08T14:49:00.000-05:00

I'm back, did ya miss me?

So you are saying to yourself what is a short? When you melt glass it comes to a point where you either burn your finger,s use tweezers to hold the rod or give up and throw it in the shorts can. I have taken the ends of my rods cut them into quarter inch sections and placed them into these tiny flower bezels. They turned out so stinking cute, I know not everyone likes huge jewelry like I do so this week I am going to focus on some smaller stuff :)

I know there are 15 of them here, I don't do anything in a small way.

I wired them into little necklaces today, these will run $12.00 each

I decided that a few needed to turn into a bezel bracelet and will cost $85.00

If you are interested in any of these just let me know and I will set up an etsy sale for them. Right now I am working on getting pieces ready for shows so unless you ask it is doubtful they will end up on etsy.

Just Call Me Weed Warrior

2011-05-26T12:02:00.000-05:00

I have had to declare war on my flower garden, 2 years ago a vine took over the whole thing while I was working a full time job. It seems to have seeded itself so thick that I wonder if it will ever be totally gone. Each week I am going to have to go out and work trying to keep them under-control. Gardening has never been something I have even liked so this is quite a commitment from me. I do love the beauty of a nice looking front yard so I have decided that Thursdays or Fridays will be morning weed time. Maybe if I write it here it will really happen.

This is my first Iris of the spring.


This is the front it's still trying to take root after being dug up 2 winters ago due to a sewer isue.

Many new plants here, they are loving this rain.

This section still needs some work but I am going to wait until I have control of the weeds, they are still popping up all over.

This is several photos stitched together with a program called Pano on my Ipod.

I haven't forgotten about the beads and glass but have been working on such boring basics that there hasn't been much to show. I hope to get you some photos next week of some fun new ideas.

Metal Style

2011-05-16T14:07:00.000-05:00

I just picked up the new book Metal Style at my local library and had to give a shout out to the author Karen Dougherty for a job well done. Unlike so many books that look like they will offer up a good range of projects and then fall short on the instructions, this book works you through all different styles of cold connections using interesting projects that you will really want to make. There are 20 projects in this book that feature directions from many of the top metal workers around including Richard Salley and Lisa Niven-Kelly on how to make balled headpins, use resin, etching and many more fun techniques. I am a learn by seeing type of person and the step by step photos along with clear directions will guide you along your way to learning how to use wire rivits, tube rivets, miniature bolts and mesh screen. I am going to have to purchase this book or I will surly be paying library fines.

Six Inches Short

2011-05-06T16:31:00.001-05:00

No matter how close I figure it always comes down to just a few inches more that is needed to finish what ever project. Even when I figure and add the six inches things still some how run short. Today I was making little curtain toppers for my camper and ended up running six inches short on the lime green fabric for the door curtain, all the others are ruffeled this one is just flat. Oh well it all turned out so cute that it hardly matters. I refuse to go buy fabric just so I can have gathered fabric on my door curtain

Here is every thing I got done this week.

1. All new foam for the matteresses.
2. Bubble insulation cut to go under mattresses to keep the mold away.
3. Covered all the foam with muslin.
4. Custom made sheets to fit the beds stitched together at the bottoms so they won't come untucked.
5. Made blankets that are stitched so that they also won't come untucked.
6. Turned King sized pillow covers into couch backs.
7. Curtain toppers.
7. Made roll up shades that are stitched to the curtain toppers, they roll up and Velcro.

What did we do before velcro and duct tape?

Scamp Interior, this is the "BIG" bed, twin sized.

Scamp Interior, Bed/couch this one is 2 foot wide. You can see one of the shades down here.

Scamp Interior, I used some contact paper on the front of the fridge you see here.

This is it before the new curtains.

The whole project turned so much better than I ever dreamed it could and now I can't wait to go and try it out.

Amazing Paperweights

2011-05-02T19:03:00.000-05:00

I made my first paperweight at the West Michigan Glass Society in Kalamazoo this past Saturday and it was a blast. I was amazed at how much paperweight making was like making beads just on a much larger scale. Mine is a round one but some of the others used an optical mold to shape theirs and they are just as beautiful. You too can make a paperweight with no experience at the Glass Society, please click here if you are interested.

This is my beautiful paperweight :)

Melissa's Paperweight, The photo doesn't do this one justice.

Karen's Paperweight, this has amazing colors with some dicro running through it.

Jamey Lynn's Paperweight, Amazing

Deb's Paperweight for some reason this looks like giant nose to me :)

Ann Marie's Paperweight, The photo did pick up some of the beautiful dicro.

Sandra R's Paperweight, The colors in this are more pastel than the rest.

Sandra H's Paperweight, this reminds me of the ocean.

Friends, Food, Fire, Fun and Fondue

2011-04-30T20:48:00.000-05:00

Life was good today, it doesn't get any better than friends, food, fire, fun and fondue mixed with some glass goodness? Once or twice a year a group of women and one guy from all over Michigan rent the West Michigan Glass Society for a meeting of the DiPWADS, it stands for Doesn't Play Well With Any Divas. During our day at the glass society we share ideas, melt glass and this time we had a fondue party. It was a great success and as always we could have fed half the homeless of the greater Kalamazoo area but as you know when making beads n such you need a whole lot of nourishment. Some of the women also made paperweights in the hot shop, I can't wait to get mine home on Monday. There will be photos of those to come.

I can't wait to do it again in September, here are some photos of the fun.

This is the big lampworking table with 14 torches.

This would be the food room, it took the whole room to house all that food.

Paperweight making

A few of the DiPWADS.

More paperweight making.

Mike and Sandy shaping her paperweight.

Heating up the bottom of the paperweight so it will sit square or Melissa has just been hired at Ihop :)

A five star book review

2011-04-20T22:08:00.000-05:00

Yesterday I got a book out of the library that deserves a 5 star review, the name of the book is Easy & Elegant Beaded Copper Jewelry and it's 253 pages of amazing wire possibilities. This book includes 346 different links, hooks, ear wires and more with complete instructions for making each of them. This alone would be worth the price of $24.95 but then the author Lora S Irish takes it a step further and shows you hundreds of ways to put these parts n pieces together making some very beautiful jewelry. I think that no matter where you are from a beginner to an advanced wire worker this book would be a good purchase. The only thing that could make this book better would be a poster with all 346 links to hang on my wall as a reference tool. I can't wait to sit down at my bench with this book.

7000 Bracelets for Hope

2011-04-16T05:00:00.003-05:00


7000 Bracelets for Hope

I have joined my blog friend Laurie Anderson over at the Pretty Things for a blog hop to support the 7000 bracelets for hope project. Each person who has signed up for the hop is asked to make an adult sized bracelet using denim jean inspired theme. The bracelets will be sent to The Global Genes Project, an advocacy group who launched "7000 Bracelets for Hope", a children's rare disease campaign. The bracelets are given to one of 7000 families having children with rare diseases to show them love and support.

Since I have family and know of family's dealing with children that have rare diseases I thought it was important to join this cause. Sometimes it's the little things that can brighten the day of someone going through a difficult time.

Please take the time to see other bracelets bloggers have made for this project by clicking on the blue names below, I am #40 out of 112.

Bracelet Blog Hop

1. Lori Anderson, Pretty Things
2. Jayne Capps, Mama's Got To Doodle
3. Kym Hunter, Creatively Kym
4. Mandy Duffy, Beads for Brains: 365
5. Charlene Sevier, The Bead Dreamer
6. Lisa Boucher, Lisa's Clay Happenings
7. Mary Harding, Mary Harding Jewelry
8. Barbara Lewis, Painting With Fire
9. Amy Severino, Amy's Beads
10. Jennifer Pride, Jewelry by Jennifer Pride

11. Jenny Cameron, Glass Addictions
12. Susan Ferguson, Windrock Studio
13. Mortira vanPelt, Inspirational Beading
14. Brandi Hussey, Brandi Girl
15. Jenny Vidberg, Shyme Design
16. Angela Barribou, Re: Angela Rae
17. Stefanie Teufel, Stefanie's Sammelsurium
18. Sue Hodgkinson, Hello Gorgeous
19. Jean Yates, Snap Out of it Jean, There's Beading To Be Done!
20. Nicki Keller, Nicki's Reef

21. JJ Jacobs, Coming Abstractions
22. Stacey Curry, Star Hitched Wagon
23. Carrie Tahquechi, Carrie T
24. Deci Worland, Gem Trails
25. Debbie Goering, Prairie Emporium
26. Staci Smith, Staci Louise Originals
27. Francy Inman, 8 Second Studio
28. Linda Landig, Linda's Bead Blog and Meanderings
29. Cherin Poovey, Lanyard Lady
30. Deb Price, Green Shoot Jewellery Designs

31. Suzette Bentley, Ellies Bijoux
32. Mallory Hoffman, For the Love of Beads
33. Shirley Moore, Beads and Bread
34. Kate Gardenghi, The Tropical Blonde
35. Marina Dobrynina, Savon Feutre
36. Molly Alexander, Beautifully Broken Me
37. Linda Djokic, Lutka and Co.
38. Cory Celaya, Art With Moxie
39. CJ Baushka, 4 His Glory Creations
40. Tracy Bell, Copper, Glass, and Recycled Trash

41. Sandra Richardson, Sandy's Coloring Box
42. Sandi Volpe, Sandi Volpe Designs
43. Kim Roberts, Bahama Dawn
44. Hilary Frye, FryeStyle
45. Emanda Johnson, Artemisia's Studio
46. Lisa Kavanaugh, Beading Bliss
47. Sue Kennedy, Sue Beads
48. Raquel Amaral, Raquel Amaral
49. Robyn Hawk, Daily Jewel
50. Linda Inhelder, Must-Haves Jewelry

52. Krista French, French Elegant Jewelry
53. Andrea Robinson, Madame Magpie's Shiny Things
54. John Rasmussen, Rasmussen Gems and Jewelry
55. Breana Fry, Vault 31
56. Erin Prais-Hintz, Treasures Found
57. Cyndi Lavin, Beading Arts
58. Dot Lewallen, Speedie Beadie
59. Hope Smitherman, Crafty Hope
60. Heather Pyle, Aquariart

61. Adrienne Campbell, Adrienne Designs
62. Dee Gordon, Runako Designs
63. Judy Glende, Judith B. Designs
64. Susie Hibdon, Vintage Susie & Wings
65. Tania Spivey, Moobie Grace Designs
66. Norma Agron, Norma's Clay
67. Ana Novak, Cat's Pajamas, Dog's Tuxedos
68. Johanna Rhodes, Fire Phoenix Creations
69. Raida Disbrow, Havana Beads
70. Christa Murphy, Adventures of One Beady Woman

71. Holly Westfall, Silver Rose Designs
72. Catherine Pruitt, Boo Beads
73. Deana Hager, Just Deez' Art & Life
74. Lupe Meter, Gem's PC Corner
75. Valerie Norton, Hot Fused Glass
76. Janet Bocciardi, Honey From the Bee
77. Kitty Durmaj, Perles and Life
78. Rose Noble, Lady Noble Design
79. Sally Russick, WireWorked
80. Margot Potter, The Impatient Crafter

81. KJ, KJ's Beadacious Beads
82. Lana Kinney, Something Unique by Lana
83. Melissa Meman, Melissa Meman ... Art, Life, Love
84. Karen Bien, Everyday Gypsy
85. Rebecca Anderson, Songbeads
86. Cyn Gagen, Creative Edventures
87. Niky Sayer, Silver Nik Nats
88. Deb Beechy, Beetique
89. Marian Hertzog, M's Place
90. Kerry Bogert, Kab's Creative Concepts

91. Judy Riley, Three Red Beads
92. Charlene Gray, Gray Girl Studio
93. Erin Fickert-Rowland, Elysian Fields
94. Sharon Palac, Sharon's Jewelry Garden
95. Maryse Thillens, Glass Bead Art
96. Christine Altmiller, One Kiss Creations
97. Eileen Bergen, The Artful Crafter
98. Bobbie Rafferty, Beadsong Jewelry
99. Rebekah Payne, Tree Wings Studio
100. Mari Aparicio, Mis Amores

101. Tracy Statler, Make Bracelets
102. Marcy Lamberson, Studio Marcy
103. Kim Stevens, Picking Poppies
104. Karyn White, Releases by Rufydoof
105. Elisabeth Auld, Beads for Busy Gals
106. Lisa Hamilton, Simply Irresistible Jewelry
107. Serena Trent, All Things Made Jewelry
108. Sharon Driscoll, Right Turn Artwerks

109. Debbie La Rue, For the Love of Beading

110. Maggie Towne, Maggie's Bead Towne

111. Cassandra Watsham, Designs by Cassandra
112. Mary Ellen Parker, BeeTree by m.e.

Basics

2011-04-13T12:22:00.000-05:00

Bezel Bracelets

After the last show I was left with very few big hole spacer beads and have been working on filling that box up again, often it's the basics that pay the booth fees and they look so pretty in there little cupcake holder. I have also been working on some bezel bracelets, they are so time consuming I don't know that they are worth the trouble. I will just have to see how they are received this weekend at the show in Cadillac. Sorry about the low quality photo of the bracelets, I have misplaced my camera charger and had to take it with the camera in my I-touch.

Cupcake Bead Display

I have fallen in love with this quote and need to post it someplace in my studio.

"An artist's only concern is to shot for some kind of perfection, and on his own terms, not anyone else's." J.D. Salinger

Northern Michigan Bead and Jewelry Show

2011-04-08T18:43:00.000-05:00

Please come and have some fun at,
The Northern Michigan Bead and Jewelry Show
Saturday April 16th, 2011 from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm
Cadillac Junior High School in Cadillac, Michigan
Door Prizes
$2 admission fee with half going towards the Cadillac Art Building Fund

Bell of the Ball

Blooming Hair Ties

2011-03-30T12:34:00.000-05:00

Yesterday I spent some time making flowers for my hair ties and they turned out well with very few ugly ducklings. I started out with over 30 but when it was all said and done about 24 of them survived, that's very good odds since I normally don't work this big. I got the new/old kiln running and it could have held another 30 flowers if I had that many mandrels, there is just no way even 30 could have fit in my old kiln and I would have had to stop before getting this many. I think one more day of making these will put me in pretty good shape for the show season. By the way if you are interested in purchasing any of these they run $10.00 each with free shipping, just send me an email @ Beadbug at usa dot com or contact me through TracyBell.etsy.com

Flowers just out of the kiln

Finished Blooming Hair Ties

I am a SLOB

2011-03-23T13:44:00.000-05:00

There it's out and I feel so much better after my confession. When I get wrapped up in a project my studio always looks like a tornado has gone through and left nothing untouched. Why is it that all the projects I like involve so many different parts and pieces? Everything gets pulled out to work out of and then nothing gets put back. I think I could have a poll barn full of counter top and still be able to leave a mess on every inch of it. That may also have something to do with how much stuff I have??? Ya think? This huge mess always happens before a show, I always have tons of things started that need to be finished so they can be sold. Funny thing, folks don't want finish it yourself jewelry. What started this whole confession was my friend Dawn who had to go and post a photo of her beautifully clean studio, I had not even wanted to be in mine it was such a dump so after seeing her photos down I went to start cleaning. Here are the before photos.

It was either a tornado or and earth quake???

Yes there is counter under all that mess.

After 2.5 hours spent in my studio cleaning, washing and dumping I can now see the tops of things. I even got brave and put my new/used kiln up on the bead making table (Thanks Lenora). This means I now have to figure out how to program it before I can make beads! I think this new kiln will be a whole lot more efficient than my old one since it's all sealed and all brick, it also has a whole lot more space and I won't have to lift up the corner to get the last few beads in like before.

Now for the big reveal photos.

Notice that beautiful kiln behind the exhaust hood.

Looks like it's time to mess it up again.

Nothing is Totally Free!

2011-03-21T21:09:00.001-05:00

Today I had a first, I had someone on Etsy who thought I was in the business to send things out for free. The Money for Nothing Video came to mind while I was having this conversation with her, not sure why it did but you know how songs sometimes just attach themselves to things.

The customer,
I am interested in these for my daughter and I
she send me her address and said she lives in the USA
The listing is for 1 ladybug bead with 2 free spacers.

She is looking at a sold listing so there isn't pricing because it is already sold.
I tell her that I don't have these in stock but can have some ready to purchase by Thursday.

Then she asks for 2 sets of 3 beads with 3 free spacers, in another message and supplies her address again and I don't understand why she is giving me her address this way but .I tell her they are $10.00 for each bead with the free spacers.

She says
How about the ladybug one cause I saw at the bottom of the page it says USA no money so that's why I am messaging you

I say
They aren't free they are listed as buy the pandora bead get the spacers for free.

Now she tells me that I should send her the ladybug ones because her daughter wants charms and because money is tight and it's her daughter's birthday.

I say
No I don't think so, it reads 1 pandora bead with 2 free spacers, you purchase the pandora beads and get the spacers free. Money is tight here also, if you send me the money I send you the beads.

She still thinks I will send them for free and says I should send them because she lives in the USA

I say
Not sure where you learned to read, shipping in the USA is free for most items on my site, the beads are not free they cost me to make them they cost me to ship them and I don't know you so what makes you think that I would send you beads with out you making a purchase. Shipping is free, spacers are free with a purchase of beads.

She says
OK just 4 get them I'll get them from the store.

I say
I bet you will have to pay for them there too.

I had to laugh at the conversation, this woman must have spent some serious time on Etsy to find something for free and I bet I busted her bubble. I hope she finds something she can afford for her daughter's birthday.

First show of the year

2011-03-19T21:37:00.000-05:00

Tomorrow is my first show of the year, Bead Bonanza in Southfield and I actually think I might be ready. There are things I wish I had made up for this show but overall I have a ton of goodies and am very happy. It is a bead show but Sandra and I have done better with our finished jewelry at this show in the past so jewelry is what I focused on.


Soldered loops n beaded Bracelets

This is a new design from me they all have very beautiful silver glass beads in great colors but that didn't so up so well in the photo and since they are packed for the show I can't take a new photo for you all so this one will have to do. I hope you are having a great weekend.

On a Roll

2011-03-14T13:16:00.000-05:00

My back is still giving me fits but I have been able to get some bracelets made for the show next weekend in Southfield. I think these little bracelets will sell well and since they will be very easy for me to make just the right size for the purchaser by adding or taking out links. I do love a project that uses left overs from past projects, this one did just that. Once I started making these I was on a roll and made them in every color.

Leather, copper n glass bracelets

Leather, copper n glass bracelets in a rainbow of colors.

I Think I've Dyed

2011-03-09T14:32:00.000-06:00

I had planned on getting a whole lot more done lately but after my trip to Ed Hoy's my back decided it didn't like the trip and seized up on me. After several days on the hot pad and a whole lot of walking I think I have worked all but the smallest kink out and hope it doesn't decide to settle in again any time soon.

I am taking a class from the Kalamazoo Institute of Art called Designing with Found Objects with Bobbie Peters. If you get a chance and live in the area I highly recommend the classes there, they are well thought out and the instructors are a wonderful mix of talented artists. So far we have taken apart cell phones for pieces to be used later, etched glass, riveted, and a few other projects but the thing so far that has caught my attention is dyed glass. Using some acid dyes we have actually colored some glass, most of the students did their dying on glass slides to be used as pendants but I came home and made up a bunch of beads to try the technique on. Thinking that disks would show off the colors best I made a bunch but then when it came to designing a piece I quickly realized that I don't normally use large disks in my designs and I wanted them to lay flat. They turned out to be a little challenge but the finished link lays nice and flat on the wrist adding a whimsical look the the piece. I am thrilled with the color and the outcome of this piece and excited to see how the color will wear being used next to the skin. I named this bracelet I Think I've Dyed because the last few days that is what my back was saying :)

I think I've Dyed Bracelet

Glass Heaven aka Ed Hoy's

2011-03-04T21:19:00.001-06:00

If you're not a glass artist you may not have heard of Ed Hoy. It is a glass supplier located in Chicago and is the best biggest artistic glass goodie places I have ever seen. I'm not sure but I think it's about the size of a football field filled with all things glass and specialty stuff to make about anything you would want to out of glass. My friend Jamey Lynn owns a glass supply business called Howaco Glass and about 3 times a year Jamey, Barb and I drive to Chicago to visit and buy glass goodies from Ed Hoy for her store. If you haven't heard of Howaco Glass please click on the link above and visit her onlin store. She's a one woman business with a little help from Barb and me every once in a while. Her prices are some of the best in the business and her shipping is cheap.

Now on to the good stuff, I had my Ipod on me this morning and took some photos of this amazing place.

This just one of the frit isles.

Sheet Glass

A very small section of the 104 glass

To give you an idea of the size of these they are 3 foot long glass rods

Painted glass art

Glass n dicro mask it stands over a foot tall.

My Love/Hate List

2011-02-27T22:07:00.001-06:00

I have now visited or tried to visit all 209 bead soup blogs and there are things I noticed, some good, some bad so I'm going to use this space tonight to share those thoughts with you. If you don't like what I have to say that's OK this is just my opinion so please remember that in your comments. I also know that this list will help me work on my blog to make it easier to visit. Since I am new to this blog business I will have to ask some questions about how to change some of these things.

Please add your Love/Hates to my comment section, I would like to hear what yours are.

Things I loved,

Out of 210 participants only 17 were unable to post and one of those folks was having a baby :) This is a wonderful turn out. A few had computer problems and some had family emergencies but almost all posted stating the trouble and I will revisit these blogs.
Only 1 link didn't work, that is just amazing and means people did do their homework.
Everyone was very good about following the rules and only a few didn't list all the blogs in their blog and my bet is that they couldn't figure out how to make them work. It isn't always easy.
All the comments were so positive and I know we all look forward to seeing more.
Seeing all the beautiful work, scrolling through the blogs and viewing just how out of their element some folks worked. This has really pushed some people to work with items they would have never considered using before and they all turned out just amazing.
All the photos were beautiful but what I really love is to see the whole piece of jewelry in one photo preferably hanging as it would be when worn. I am going to work on taking more photographs of my pieces on models
I have never viewed so much bead porn in 2 days as I have yesterday and today and it was heaven.

Things I hate and didn't realize it until visiting all these blogs. I have to fix many of these on my own blog.

I don't want to be forced to listen to your music. Often I have the TV or my music on and yours running all over mine is not a good sound. It also slows down the connection and if you are on dial up you know exactly what I mean.
When I come into your blog I want to see the whole blog post not have to click on yet another link to find the whole post. Often this is my first visit to your blog and if I have to do this for every post I am just not going to stay because it is going to take way to much time to view all your beautiful stuff.
Giant top banners are a huge turn off. If you have to scroll half way down the page to get to the good stuff your banner is to large. Just my opinion and as you can see I have many LOL.
I love to comment and commented on every blog that I could find the comment button for so please don't make me go looking for it or put it at the top of your blog. I need to figure out how to make this button bigger on my own blog.
I dislike the separate window for the comments, I have no idea if my blog does this but if it does I am going to see about changing it.
I love to read all the comments so if you have folks wait for approval then I don't get to read all of them :( I truly can't imagine folks leaving bad comments but if they do you can take them out later.
Tiny photos, I think every blog program has a place to make them huge and I want to be able to see all the wonderful details.
I am not going to another blog to post a comment for the blog I am currently on. Just not going to do it remember folks we have way to many to visit :)
Just post your photos, cute slide shows take way to long to load if they load at all.
Please don't make me sign up to leave a comment if all 210 blogs did this we would never make it though all of them and I feel if you did your part in participating and getting your blog together on time then I should visit take a look around and comment.

Even though my dislike list is longer truly I had more likes about this process. These are some of the most talented 209 people I have ever been linked with and I want to thank everyone of you for participating and making it so much fun.

Just remember, Life Is Good

Bead Soup Blog Party Reveal

2011-02-26T05:00:00.004-06:00

Today is the big reveal day, there are 209 other bloggers who will also be revealing what they have created. I have to thank Lori Anderson for taking on such a huge job. First she offered to host this party with no idea that so many would respond, she could have had a cut off number but didn't and that in itself is a huge commitment. She then had all sorts of computer problems when trying to pair off people so that each person could ship a goodies package including a focal and fancy clasp to the partner they had been assigned to. I was very lucky to get assigned to Dorcas from over at wondrous strange designs , she sent out some beautiful items to work with.

The goodies I received were a fun mix of a few silver beads and clasp mixed with some hand made pottery pieces. I couldn't have been more thrilled but I don't work in silver so it was going to be a bit of a challenge to make this work since the pieces of pottery were calling out to be mixed with copper. Deciding to mix the silver and the copper together using some recently acquired skills I created a piece that used all but one of the items sent to me in a playful and unusual way, so with no further adue here is my first but not last Bead Soup piece.

Bead Soup Necklace, The focal piece did not have a hole in the pointed end
I decided to take a chance and drill it and I am so glad I did.

I wish I could have captured the color better it is so much more vibrant than this.

I used liver of sulfur on the metals to make their colors blend together successfully.

This is what I was sent and the only piece I didn't use was the small hand

Please visit other bloggers for their big bead soup blog party reveal, here is the list.

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

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

Sneak Peek

2011-02-24T14:55:00.000-06:00

I have finished my Bead Soup Blog Challenge piece early, it isn't due until Saturday morning!

Here are the puzzle pieces.

Come back Saturday for a view of it all put together.

Sneak Peek of my Bead Soup Challenge Piece

Light Houses

2011-02-24T09:08:00.000-06:00

On our recent vacation we visited a light house on Anastasia island in St. Augustine Florida. When we got there it looked like fun to climb to the top and although the climb up the stairs, over 250 of them was tough I made it to the top to walk out onto the cat walk and almost have a panic attack. I am terribly afraid of heights! What was I thinking??? I immediately sat down against the wall of the light house and proceeded to crawl around part way to the the other side so I could see more of the view. After being out on the cat walk for just a few minuets I crawled back to safety. That wasn't the worse part of the whole experience as you can see from the photo below the stairs have holes in them and you can see allllllllll the way down to the bottom. I am such a klutz that I have to look down to be sure that I am stepping properly on each step because falling down these stairs would not be fun. Next time we get someplace that there is a light house I believe I will enjoy it from the ground.

Allllll the stairs

St. Augustine Light House

Beach Treasure

2011-02-20T13:22:00.000-06:00

We spent 5 days at the beach last week and most of that time was spent looking for shells to use in my jewelry. I got quite the haul and it's a good thing we drove because I brought back was 17 pounds of shells and I would have had to ship them had we flown down to Fort Lauderdale. On the way back we stopped for a day in St. Augustine, had I know what beautiful black shells they had on their beach we would have made more time for beach browsing, there is always next time.

Here is a photo of the shells from this trip and some of the jewelry I created with the shells I picked up last year.

These are a few inches deep.

Life's a beach bracelet

Shells n Sea Glass Beads Bracelet

Vacaton

2011-02-19T17:56:00.001-06:00

I have some great photos from vacation in Fort Lauderdale Florida and just thought I would share.


Life is good in the sand :)

Monday I will take photos of my shell collection that Dave picked up for me off the beach.

Photo Friday

2011-01-28T08:19:00.000-06:00

It's time to reveal what I sent out to my bead soup partner Dorcas from over at wondrous strange designs. It was very hard to decide what to send since I haven't participated in one of these before, the rules say you have to send a focal and a fancy clasp. The fancy clasp was easy but I don't normally make focals so I had to sit a the torch and make a bunch till I got one I liked that went with the rest of the beads n goodies I had already chosen. Here are the photos.

Focal and small spacer beads

Copper Components


Triangle Beads

Little Disk Beads

The whole pot of soup :)

I know what I would make out of them but it's going to be fun to see what someone else will create.

Almost Wordless Wednesday

2011-01-26T13:19:00.000-06:00

I am going to make a piece of jewelry inspired by this photo.

Bead Soup Anyone

2011-01-25T11:11:00.001-06:00

Yesterday I opened my mailbox to a wonderful little surprise, my bead soup partner Dorcas from over at wondrous strange designs sent me a wonderful package for the swap. Laurie over at http://lorianderson.blogspot.com/p/bead-soup-blog-party.html designed a swap called the bead soup blog party. To participate you must have a blog be willing to send out a focal bead and a beautiful clasp, everything else you may get is just a bonus. I sent my package out to Dorcas last Friday and as soon as she gets her package I will show you photos of what I sent but for now here is what I got in the mail.

My bead soup booty

Now I have to create a piece with the items given and anything more I would like to add Then post them to the flicker group created for the big reveal that is scheduled for February 26th. I can't wait to see what everyone gets and then makes.
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Give Away over at Pretty Things Blog

2011-01-21T19:50:00.001-06:00

Lori Anderson of Pretty Things is offering these great stamps from Impress \She's having a giveaway drawing on Tuesday, January 25. If you want a chance to win, go to Lori's site and follows the directions. Check out these stamps @ P.J. Tool Supply

I hope I win these :)

Photo Friday

2011-01-21T14:31:00.000-06:00

These are some bracelets I have been working on. They are extremely adjustable and ride nicely on the wrist.

Leather n copper toggle bracelets