Saturday, August 11, 2012

Welcome to the 6th BSBP Reveal #2

It's time for the Bead Soup Blog Party Reveal #2, 8/11/12


This is my first BSBP and I had so much fun. Not only was receiving a package of beads in the mail exciting and fun, but I gained new friend! 

Grab a cuppa and enjoy the party! 



This is the bead soup I sent my partner, Marian, from Ms Place. I can't wait to see what she made with the beads I sent her! Please click on "Ms Place" above to visit Marian's blog. 




And this is the bead soup I received from Marian. Now, onto what I made with this lovely soup...



I made this macrame necklace using the beautiful polymer clay focal Marian sent, which I bezeled with seed beads. The cord and other beads were from my stash. I made a necklace just like this one, except for the cord and beads, back in 1978. A timeless piece I will enjoy wearing!



All the beads in this asymmetric bracelet were from Marian, as well as the pretty clasp. The only things from my stash were beads caps and crimps. I used herringbone spiral stitch with the seed beads she sent. I love all the colors! 




These earrings were made with polymer clay headpins made by Marian and copper beads that she sent. The only thing from my stash are the earring wires that I made. I am happily wearing these earrings today for the party! They are simple earrings but they suit me quite well and I love them! 




Everything in this fun bracelet was sent by Marian, including the clasp. Yes, I know, I made two bracelets, so which one do I wear to the party? ......That's easy, I'll wear one on each wrist!  

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I know I already said it but I'll say it again, the BSBP is a lot of fun! Along with making a new friend, I met so many great people with the same passion...BEADS! And the host, Lori Anderson has done a fabulous job of organizing 400 people swapping beads. Can you imagine the work? Wow! Thank you very much, Lori! 

I hope you enjoyed your visit...now, here is the list of all participants in the 2nd reveal so you can continue hopping. Have fun! 

Hostess, Lori Anderson, Pretty Things

Adlinah Kamsir, Dream Struck Designs
Adrienn Lukacs, Raszputyin Designs
Agata Grygiel, Cytherea Bijoux 
Alenka Obid, Pepita Handmade 
Amy Dickerson, Damyjo Designs 
Amy Schmidt, Amy's Treasure 
Amy Severino, Amy Beads 

Andra Weber, Andra's Joyful Journey
Andrea Trank, Heaven Lane Creations
Anke Humpert, Anart Island Studios
Ann Rishell, My Critical Eye
April Grinaway, Brooklyn Bead Goddess 
Ashley Bunting, Miss Ashely Kate 
Astrid Boyce, Astrid Boyce Beads 
B.R. Kuhlman, Mixed Mayhem Studios 
Barb Fernald, Barbara S. Fernald Jewelry 
Barbe Saint John, Saints and Sinners

Beata Benkone Meggyesi, Beahobbi
Brandy McNair, Bella Vita Handmade Jewelry 
 Bryna Lumb, Bryna's Bead Box
Carmen Lau, Little Maketto
Cate van Alphen, Fulgorine
Cathie Carroll, Cathie Carroll's Studio
Cathy Khoury, Touch Jewelry 
Christina Stofmeel, Feng Beads 

 Collette Collins, Fire Fly Myst Artisan Jewelry
Courtney Breul, Beads by Breul 
Crystal Thain, Here Bead Dragons
Cynthia Abner, Created Treasures
Deana Hager, Just Deez'Art & Life
Debbie Davis, Natural Treasures by Deb
Debbie Phenes, Deb Joy Sing
Dhea Powers, Java Bead


Diana Welte, Lilyweeds
Dita Basu, alankarshilpa
Dorota Zeranska, gdymamczas 
Dot Lewallwn, Speedie Beadie
Elisabeth Auld, Beads For Busy Gals
Ema Kilroy, Ema K Designs
Emma Todd, A Polymer Penchant
Eva Sherman, Eva Sherman Designs
Evie and Beth McCord, EB Bead and Metal Works
Francy Inman, Francy's Studio


Ginger Bishop, lilmummy likes...
Giorgia Rossini, Jo in Wonderland
Ine Vande Cappelle, Jewels by Ine 
Iveth Caruso, Creative Atelier 
JJ Jacobs, Coming Abstractions
Jackie Ryan, Kydo Jewellery
Jeannie Dukic, Jeannie's Blog
Jelveh Jaferian, Jelveh Designs
Jenna Tomalka, Twin Birch Studio
Jenni Connolly, Jenni's Beads


Jennifer Van Horn, Jennifers Jewels and Junk
Jo-Ann Woolverton, It's a Beadiful Creation
Johanna Rhodes-Nash, Fire Phoenix Creations 
 Joyce Blair, Bent Wire West Coast
JuLee Wolfe, The Polymer Penguin
Karen Vincent, Swallow Tail Jewellery
Karin Slaton, Backstory Beads
Kayla Potega, The Eclectic Element 
Kim Dworak, CianciBlue
Krafty Max, Krafty Max Originals
Kris Lanae Binsfeld, Cherish Designs by Kris Lanae


Kristen Latimer, MJM Jewelry Designs
Kumi Fisher, Malie Kai Designs
Kym Hunter, Kym Hunter Designs
Lennis Carrier, Windbent
Leslie Wayment, AA Beads & More
Linda Murphy, Bonita Bead
Lisa Johnson, Whimsey Wonders
Lisa Lodge, Pine Ridge Treasures


Lisa Sittniewski, Love, Yesterdays
Lois Moon, Que Onda, Q'Town?
Lola Surwillo, Bead Lola Bead
Lorelei Eurto, Lorelei's Blog
Lori Bowring Michaud, Artfully Ornamental
Lori Finney, Using My Beads
Marcia Dunne, The Alternative Foundry
Margareta Saari, Mags-koruja
Maria Horvath, Horimarika Beads
Marian Hertzog, M's Place


 Mary Ellen Parker, BeeTree by m.e.
Mary K McGraw, MK's Creative Musings
MaryLou Holvenstot, time2cre8 
Martha Aleo, Ornamento
 Maybeline Tay, The Jewelry Larder
Megan Collins, Churchy & Her Sailor
Melissa Meman, Art. Life. Love.
Melissa Mesara, One-Eared Pig Beads
Melissa Muir, Kelsi's Closet Jewelbox
Paige Maxim, Paige Maxim Designs


Pam Farren, re-maker
Pam Hurst, Pam Hurst Designs
Patricia Handschuh, The Color of Dreams
Patty Miller, CabariBeads
Penney Klapoth, Faerie Acres
Regina Santerre, Regina's Writings
Rhea Freitag, starrgazer creates
Rochelle Brisson, A Creative Chelle


Sabine Dittrich, PerlenDschungel
Sandra McGriff, Creative Chaos
Sandra Neights, Petalo Azul
Sandra Young, It's a Bead Life!
Sara Oehler, SoftFlex Girl
Saturday Sequins, Saturday Sequins
Shanti Johnson, Sunshine Bliss
Shari Replogle, Plays With Paper
Sonya Stille, Dreamin' of Beads


Stefanie Teufel, Stefanies Sammelsurium
Tammie Everly, TTE Designs
Tania Spivey, Moobie Grace Designs
Therese Frank, Therese's Treasures
Tina Holden, Polymer Clay Bytes!
Toltec Jewels, Jewel School Friends 


Tracey Nanstad, A Beadiful Mess
Tracy Choy, BumbleBeads Designs
Valerie Norton, Hot Art



Sunday, July 15, 2012

My Bead Soup Has Arrived

I received my bead soup from Marian Hertzog of Ms Place for the 6th BSBP, hosted by Lori Anderson!



Who doesn't love receiving a package of bead soup? Now let's see what's inside!



As you can see, that's a lot of beautiful soup! Marian included handmade polymer clay beads made by her own lovely hands; buttons, ceramic and glass beads, copper beads, chain and clasps, silk ribbon, seed beads, and a very special package that included some of her stash she has had since the 1970's. I have stash from the '70's as well and I really appreciate her sharing some of hers with me. I wish I had thought to do the same! Whatever I make with those beads will be something I keep for myself, for sure! 
Thanks very much, Marian!

I am going to have a lot of fun creating from this bead soup and I can't wait to get started. I have some ideas already so please come back for the reveal on August 11, 2012! 

Thursday, June 28, 2012

6th Bead Soup Blog Party

I have joined the upcoming Bead Soup Blog Party, organized and hosted by Lori Anderson. This is the 6th BSBP but my first and there are 400 participants, the largest BSBP to date! Because this one is so large, there will be three reveal dates. My partner and I are in the second reveal, 8/11. It sounds like so much fun and I am so glad I joined. I went to many of the blogs during the last BSBP and was very inspired by all the beautiful makes that were created by the participants!

Here's how it works: Everyone must have a blog. We are partnered with another artist and we send each other a "bead soup", a mix of beads of our choosing to include a focal and a clasp along with other coordinating beads. We only have to use the focal and the clasp, it is up to us, but we can also add beads from our own stash. The idea is to think outside the box and work outside our comfort zone using beads chosen by someone else. This is what is so appealing to me and what makes it fun, as I will undoubtedly create something I never would have otherwise!

Meet my Bead Soup Blog Party Partner

My BSBP partner is Marian Hertzog of M's Place, a very talented artist and I am excited to work with her! She not only designs and makes jewelry, as well as makes amazing polymer clay beads, but she is also a very talented fine artist. I would like to share some of her inspiring work....


I absolutely love this necklace, "Summer Fun", made with fiber and her own handmade polymer clay beads! Very yummy!


This is not jewelry, obviously, but I had to share this amazing "Leaf Angel" she made from polymer clay!


Her talent doesn't stop with handmade polymer clay beads. This is a bracelet M made for the bridesmaids in her son's upcoming wedding. A very beautiful and special piece that I'm sure the wearer will cherish for a long time to come!

Now to decide what to send M for the Bead Soup Blog Party. I have been looking through my bead stash and putting different combinations together but haven't decided yet which one's to send. I just might have to flip a coin and hope for the best. At first I was worried about this process of choosing just the right beads, but M is so nice and I think will be happy with what I send her. It's all about having fun and we both love beads of all types and colors! 

Friday, January 13, 2012

Check Your Neck


Thyroid Awareness January 2012
January is Thyroid Awareness Month and I'd like to share some information about thyroid disease, as it's on the rise in children and adults and it's not uncommon for people to go years before getting the proper diagnosis and treatment. Many people do not know what the thyroid gland is until they are diagnosed, not to mention how important its function is to our quality of life. The most common form of thyroid disease is hypothyroidism (not enough thyroid hormone) caused by the immune system attacking the thyroid and destroying it, known as Hashimoto's disease. I suffer from Hashimoto's disease, which has caused me to become hypothyroid. However, you can become hypothyroid without having the autoimmune disease. You can also become hypothyroid after having the thyroid removed for thyroid cancer, or be born without a thyroid. The other form of autoimmune thyroid disease is Graves' disease, which causes hyperthyroidism (too much thyroid hormone). Regardless of the type, a malfunctioning thyroid causes a host of symptoms because the thyroid is responsible for just about every function in the body, so if your thyroid is not working properly you can not function properly. A prompt diagnosis and proper treatment is very important to avoid it wreaking havoc on one's life. 
Some symptoms of hypothyroidism are extreme fatigue, muscle and joint pain (including nerve pain), muscle weakness, dry hair, hair loss, dry itchy skin, dry eyes, poor memory and cognition, sleep apnea, weight gain, weight loss, a feeling of swelling in the neck, bowel problems, menstrual and fertility problems, depression, anxiety, and high cholesterol. 
Hyperthyroidism carries some of the same symptoms as hypothyroidism such as fatigue, memory problems and bowel problems, but more commonly someone might have palpitations, fast or irregular heart beat, irritability, anxiety, increased perspiration, weight loss, and shortness of breath. If autoimmune Graves' disease is the cause of a person's hyperthyroidism, they also have the risk of developing thyroid eye disease (TED). Some people can have both hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism. 
The above information and lists of symptoms is not complete and varies in each individual. For more information about thyroid disease and How to Check your Neck Mary Shomon @ www.thyroid.about.com website has great information and is the author of several great books on thyroid disease.
Thyroid Awareness Art
I made this pair of earrings today for Thyroid Awareness month. They are made with sterling silver-filled wire and Swarovski crystals. They are available from my Etsy Shop and 20% of all sales will be donated to the American Autoimmune Related Diseases Association, AARDA

"Believe"
If you haven't seen Allyson Jones Averell's art, you must go take a look. This photo shows a body painting Ally did for Thyroid Awareness 2012 on herself. She used the word "Believe" and painted a "Butterfly" with flowers on her neck in honor of Thyroid Awareness. The butterfly is well known as the symbol for the thyroid gland. You can find Ally and her beautiful artwork on Facebook at this link -  https://www.facebook.com/AllysonAverell You can see her body painting from last year here - http://thyroid.about.com/b/2010/01/14/allyson-jone-averell-facepainting-thyroid.htm and read why she chose the word "Believe" in her artwork this year here - http://thyroid.about.com/b/2012/01/04/artist-allyson-jones-averell-celebrates-thyroid-awareness-month-with-new-painting.htm 
"Story of the Shield Gland"
Timely diagnosis and treatment of thyroid disease is a worldwide problem and I recently learned while talking to Anna, a thyroid patient from Sweden, that thyroid patients in Sweden refer to themselves as "turtles". That seemed strange to me at first because I couldn't imagine how the turtle related to the thyroid. Anna carries with her a beautiful turtle pendent as a sort of mascot. She told me, "Turtles are often used as symbols for us, as they're called "sköldpaddor" (shield frogs). Anna related the turtle to "Zeno and Aesop and their story of the slow and ridiculed tortoise that eventually reaches the finish line in front of the hare. I think it suits us, nice and slow, but we'll reach our goal in time with hard work and struggling." The turtle now has a new meaning for me and I think of it as a shield of protection. I think you'll agree, Anna's turtle pendent is beautiful and I can see why it has become her "mascot". 

Tuesday, January 3, 2012

Welcome

Welcome to my first blog. I make jewelry and love all handmade arts and crafts. I started making jewelry in 1977 after I landed my first job out of high school at a shop named "The Bead Nook" at a local shopping mall. I mostly made strung jewelry and lots of macrame. I taught macrame classes back then and would love to teach again. Over the years I mostly made jewelry for gifts. For several years I wasn't able to create very often because of illness. In recent years I have been learning off loom bead weaving techniques, metal and wire work. Of late, I have fallen back in love with macrame, or what is now called "micro macrame", when I made a couple of pieces for Christmas gifts. I combined macrame with bead weaving for one of the gifts and metal work with another, which has inspired me to come up with new designs incorporating these techniques with the knotting.

Here is a simple macrame necklace I made with a bead woven Cellini spiral (aka peyote stitch in the round using different sized beads).

And here is a necklace I made using hammered copper with the macrame.