I Heart Macro September 23, 2012

Despite the hot, dry summer, the trumpet vine is still blooming

Lovely orange trumpets, welcoming the first day of autumn

 

I'm joining Lori Plyler of Studio Waterstone for "I Heart Macro" slash "I Heart Close Ups: Up Close Photography for Macro Makers and the Camerologically Challenged".

Please click on the link above to view photos by other participants, or to join in the fun with your own macro photo.

 

Enjoy your week!

I Heart Macro 08-26-2012

Datura (Moonflower) life span.

A family friend had given me several dried seed pods a few years age.  I came across them about a month ago and almost threw them away, but decided to take a chance and plant some seeds in an empty pot.  They sprouted very quickly and I couldn't believe that I had flower buds so fast.  The picture of the closed bud was taken Friday night and the majority of the pictures were taken throughout the day on Saturday and the final bloom picture was taken this morning.  The beautiful, white flowers are large and very fragrant.

I'm joining Lori Plyler of Studio Waterstone for "I Heart Macro" slash "I Heart Close Ups: Up Close Photography for Macro Makers and the Camerologically Challenged".

Please click on the link above to view photos by other participants, or to join in the fun with your own macro photo.

 

Enjoy your week!

The Gossiping Goddess is hosting a Celebration Giveaway!

To celebrate two wonderful achievements, Lesley is hosting a giveaway!  The winner can either choose components to the value of £25 to use in their own creations,

  Or they can choose a piece of ready made jewellery - entirely their choice to the value of £25 (the pictures are just examples of Lesley's work.  See her blog for details). 

  The giveaway will end at 8pm British Summer Time on Saturday 25th August, so you better hurry!

6th BSBP 2nd Reveal

Hosted by Lori Anderson of PrettyThings

This is my second time to participate in Lori Anderson's BSBP and each time I had so much fun! This year I was blessed to be partnered Lola Surwillo, of Bead Lola Bead. Lola's generous soup ingredients, in beautiful shades of blues, greens and a dash of red, included her gorgeous hand made polymer clay beads and a lovely wire crocheted pendant. I was immediately inspired and couldn't wait to start creating.

My first serving of bead soup is a necklace made with the crocheted pendant. I extended the pendant by wire wrapping one of Lola's polymer clay beads and some Swarovski crystals. I attached the silver clasp to the front of some chain and dangled the pendant from the clasp.

I made some matching earrings using the 4mm Jasper and turquoise rounds and Swarovski crystals.

My second serving of bead soup is a bracelet made with Lola's polymer clay beads with the ceramic and jade rounds. I use black waxed linen to string the beads and the gunmetal toggle to finish. When it came time to attach the clasp, I had some how miss place the bar part of the toggle.  I love these colors together!

My bead soup ingredients were so generous that I was also able to make this simple beaded necklace

These dangle earrings

And with the Jasper drop pendant, I made this wire and bead necklace

And I still have a few beads left to play with!

Thank you, Lola, for being such a wonderful partner! I can't wait to see what you made with the soup I sent!

 
Thank you, Lori, for taking time to organize the BSBP and making it so much fun!

Now hop on over and visit all of the Bead Soup Blog Party participants!

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 

Ana Krepel, Cat's Pajamas, Dog's Tuxedos

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

Debbie Rasmussen, A Little of This, A Little of That

Dhea Powers, Java Bead

Diana Welte, Lilyweeds

Dita Basu, alankarshilpa

Dorota Zeranska, gdymamczas 

Dot Lewallwn, Speedie Beadie

Eleanor Snare, The Magic Square Foundation

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

--->You are Here Kym Hunter, Kym Hunter Designs

Lennis Carrier, Windbent

Leslie Wayment, AA Beads & More

Linda Florian, Lilys of the Valley Jewelry Creations

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 Callahan, Dancing Wire and Beads by Lori

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 DeBoer, Purple Notes from the Studio

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

Tanya Wiles, Tenebrous Hollow Studio

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

Blessings and have a wonderful weekend!

I Heart Macro 07082012

Bead Soup Blog Party style!

 Beautiful Jasper drop pendant

 Fun, colorful ribbon (that was very hard to photograph)

And a gorgeous crocheted fiber and wire pendant, made by the talented Lola Surwillo of Bead Lola Bead!

Today I'm joining Lori Plyler of Studio Waterstone for "I Heart Macro" slash "I Heart Close Ups: Up Close Photography for Macro Makers and the Camerologically Challenged".

Please click on the link above to view photos by other participants, or to join in the fun with your own macro photo.

 

Enjoy your week!

My Soup Ingredients Have Arrived!

My Bead Soup ingredients from Lola Surwillo of Bead Lola Bead arrived last Monday and I'm so excited to start making my soup!

 I love the ribbon that Lola used and will be incorporating it into one of my Bead Soup pieces!  This also sets the tone for the beautiful soup ingredients inside the box.

The box contains a generous portion of Bead Soup ingredients and I'll be able to make several BS pieces!  I love the colors that Lola picked!  Blues and greens and just a dash of red.  And look at the colors in the Jasper drop!

And the pièce de résistance!  Lola's beautiful fiber and wire crocheted pendant and a set of her handmade, polymer clay beads!  Lola also included some vintage seed beads that came from a 1920's era dress.  They're a gorgeous mix of greens and I would have loved to see the dress that they came from.

My yummy Bead Soup ingredients also include Swarovski crystals, Australian Jasper rounds, Turquoise rounds, Jasper drop pendant, Jade rounds, ceramic beads, gunmetal toggle, gunmetal jump rings, silver toggle and a silver jump ring.

Our reveal date is August 11th, which will be here before you know it!  Yikes!  That only leaves me 4 more weekends to work on my soup and one of those weekends I'll be out of town!  I better start pulling out my Bead Soup mixing utensils and get to work!

Enjoy your week!

My BSBP Partner

I'm very excited to be participating in Lori Anderson's 6th Bead Soup Blog Party and even more excited to be partnered with the talented Lola Surwillo of Bead Lola Bead.

Lola makes beautiful jewelry, like this romantic bracelet

Source

And this gorgeous necklace and earring set with crocheted wire and bead focal.

Source

She participates in Jeannie's Echo Creative Club and has been featured in Bead Treads Magazine.

 Visit Lola on Etsy, where you will find more of her jewelry, along with handmade polymer clay beads

Source

and lovely crochet scarfs 

Source

 My bead soup ingredients are on their way to Lola's and here's a sneak peek of what I sent.

 

Lola's soup ingredients to me are also in the mail and I'll post pictures as soon as they arrive.  We signed up for the August 11th reveal date and I'm grateful to have a little extra time to design my piece.

Enjoy your week!

I Heart Macro 07012012

I really miss working with clay

 I miss the way it feels, wet or dry 

I miss the way it smells

I miss the hand building, wheel throwing

Muddy mess of it

I miss the feel of satisfaction when the finished piece comes out of the kiln

I'm joining Lori Plyler of Studio Waterstone for "I Heart Macro" slash "I Heart Close Ups: Up Close Photography for Macro Makers and the Camerologically Challenged".

Please click on the link above to view photos by other participants, or to join in the fun with your own macro photo.

 

Enjoy your week!

Macro Monday 06252012

Snapped a quick picture of a visitor in our garden and then it fluttered off to visit else where.

I'm joining Lisa's Chaos for Macro Monday.

Enjoy your week!

I Heart Macro - 06/24/2012

Taking a few moments to get in a quick, little post for I Heart Macro. 

The above eggs are on the underside of an asparagus fern leaf, if that gives you some idea of how tiny they are.  My camera had a very hard time focusing on them and I finally decided that this was the best shot I would be able to get.

Little dove feather in one of my potted plants.

And this is one of the tiniest mushrooms (or toadstools) I have ever seen!  They have been popping up in one of my potted plants.  I see them early morning and they don't last very long.  Not sure if it's their life span, or if they are very tasty and something is eating them.

I'm joining Lori Plyler of Studio Waterstone for "I Heart Macro" slash "I Heart Close Ups: Up Close Photography for Macro Makers and the Camerologically Challenged".

Please click on the link above to view photos by other participants, or to join in the fun with your own macro photo.

 

Enjoy your week!

Regina's Writings: Hot Summers and Fish Beads and a Giveaway!

Regina of Regina's Writings is having a giveaway on her blog post Regina's Writings: Hot Summers and Fish Beads and a Giveaway!: Visit Regina's blog post to check out the beautiful necklace she made and for details on how you can win a cute brass fish bead.

Kick Start for the 6th Bead Soup Blog Party

  I am so excited that I remembered to sign up for Lori Anderson's 6th Bead Soup Blog Party!  I participated in the 4th BSBP in September 2011 and was partnered with the talented Laura Sanger .  

 

A couple of the pieces that I made with my bead soup from Laura

I wasn't able to participate in the 5th BSBP, this past February, but I enjoyed visiting everyone's blogs and checking out what everyone created.  So many wonderfully talented people!

To kick start the current BSBP, Lori suggested that the participants tell how/why we became a jewelry designer and what about it we like best.  

About 15 years ago I signed up for a woman's retreat and one of the workshops was jewelry making.  We had a wonderful instructor, who taught us how to make a multi-strand bracelet and matching earrings.  I was hooked!  I started signing up for every jewelry design magazine I could find and became a regular at our local Hobby Lobby.  I few years later I discovered various online jewelry supply stores, Etsy and Blogger.   

At first I enjoyed the fact that I could make jewelry for myself, in the style and colors that I wanted to match my outfits.  Now, I love making jewelry to share with others.  I have had a few consignments, but most of my pieces have been given as gifts and a couple were donated for silent auctions.  My hope is to be able to retire a little early and make enough money to supplement my pension and social security income.

If you haven't signed up for the BSBP, today is the last day.  Click on the button at the top of the page to go to Lori's blog and the sign up instructions.

Enjoy your week!