Jessica Cauthon - The Chickadee Tree is This Week's Featured Artisan for Share the Love, Blogger's Unite.
Unique Creations made by a lovely Artisan!
You can find The Chickadee Tree on:
Monday, March 19, 2012
Share the Love, Bloggers Unite March 19, 2012
Sharing a new (to me) artist from my On Fire for Handmade Team. Stop by and check out her work.
Sunday, March 18, 2012
A Non Typical Day in New England in March
It is incredibly warm here today. In fact it is hot! I can not believe it is March 18th. This time of year we are usually buried underneath mounds of snow with temps beginning to warm up into the 40's. There is NO snow and the temp reads 77 F right now! INCREDIBLE! Incredibly gorgeous that is! We are very happy New Englanders!
The unseasonable warmth has inspired lots of project around the homestead. Today's projects include.....
The unseasonable warmth has inspired lots of project around the homestead. Today's projects include.....
Starting some seeds. Some of the beauties that will growing in my garden this summer.
Taking a photo of this guy .... "No don't take my picture."
And taking him back to his dorm after spring break.
Getting ready for the summer season. :D We set up the new summer resort. The last one got destroyed in an unusually early October snow storm, that was the only snow to speak of this winter season. (picture me doing a little happy dance.)
Bringing the deck seating out of winter storage. So we don't have to sit on the floor in order to eat our dinners on these incredibly warm evenings, when I insist we have our meals outside.
A bit of basking in the sunshine (she looks hot, doesn't she?) and taking this girl for a walk. She is going in for surgery tomorrow to have a tumor removed. So I am going to hangout with her today while my husband takes son 2 back to college.
Now I need to go find my shorts so I can get outside for a walk. More happy dancing. Have a great day!
Saturday, March 3, 2012
Bead Soup Blog Party March 2012
Welcome to my Bead Soup Reveal. This is a world wide event graciously hosted by Lori Anderson of Pretty Things.
In January Lori paired everyone with a partner and the beads promptly began their journey to their new homes world wide. I was partnered with Laurie Keefe Cecere.
I sent Laurie this collection of beads. You can visit Laurie's blog, Tree of Life, to see what she created.
In January Lori paired everyone with a partner and the beads promptly began their journey to their new homes world wide. I was partnered with Laurie Keefe Cecere.
I sent Laurie this collection of beads. You can visit Laurie's blog, Tree of Life, to see what she created.
Laurie sent me a beautiful package of goodies
.
The main rule of Bead Soup is that we must use the focal bead and the clasp we received from our partner.
I found this Bead Soup to be particularly challenging. I wish I could put my finger on exactly why I felt that way. I loved the pieces I received but I just could not come up with a design idea. I was completely stumped. This does not usually happen to me which made my artistic block even more mystifying. For more than a month I have been racking my brain for a design for all these beautiful pieces. It was only this week that I finally had a direction. As I sit and write this blog, the day before the reveal, I am waiting for my kiln to cool. I decided I needed to make some lampwork beads that I could add to my Bead Soup. A kiln doesn't cool quick enough when you are sitting around waiting for it.....hurry up, checking the temp again.
It occurred to me today why I have been having such a difficult time with design ideas.
1. Over the course of the last year my family has been dealing with medical issues. This month two members of my family were undergoing surgery. Needless to say this has made it has been difficult for me to connect with my artistic spirit.
2. Another fact occurred to me as I was playing with my Bead Soup ... I consider the beads I received from Laurie to be on the small side. I can't believe I am saying that! I have always been a small jewelry wearer up until the last year. I've gone big and suddenly had no idea what to do with "small". Let me just take a moment here to say those off white spacers are THE SMALLEST lampwork spacers I have ever seen! Kudos to the artist who created those spacers. Making such small, even spacers is not that easy.
3. The color scheme is not colors I usually work with.
But...putting #1 aside, #2 and #3 are EXACTLY the point of Bead Soup! Bead Soup is about stretching ourselves to work with materials, colors and bead styles we would not normally choose to work with.
Alas, I had an idea and set myself down to git 'er done!
A personal challenge I wanted to accomplish with this necklace was to create a variety of layers. I have seen the work of others that I love. I would characterize the work as having many different layers to it. I hope I have accomplished that.
The Necklace
The clasp, connecting on the side
The tiniest lampwork spacer beads ever, copper, howlite rice beads and turquoise nuggets
Lampwork nuggets and Kalypso dots
The focal pendant
Fini!
Many thanks to Lori for hosting this wonderful event! You can swing by her blog and read about other Bead Soup happenings, Lori has a book coming out soon!
The following is a list of all the Bead Soup Participants. Enjoy!
1. Adlinah Kamsir (Singapore) and Hajer Waheed (Kingdom of Bahrain)
2. Adrienn Lukacs (Hungary) and Agata Grygiel (Poland)
3. Agi Kiss (Hungary) and Carolien Muller-Genger (the Netherlands)
4. Agnes Asztalos (Hungary) and B.R. Kuhlman
5. Alesha Conklin and Becki Mendivil
6. Alice Peterson and Carol Dillman
7. Alicia Marinache (Canada) and Dita Basu
9. Amanda Tibbetts and Andrea Trank
11. Andra Weber and Christine Murrow
12. Ann Sherwood and Diane Welte
13. Barbara Bechtel and Kerry Bogert
14. Barbara Lewis and Cat Pruitt
15. Bonnie Coursolle (Canada) and Fay Wolfenden (Canada)
16. Carmel McGinley (Australia) and Tracy Stillman (Australia)
17. Cassie Donlen and Deryn Mentock
18. Cathie Carroll and Janel Dudley
19. Cece Cormier and Morwyn Mullins
20. Charlene Jacka and Christina Hickman
21. Cheryl Brown (Canada) and Diana Ptaszynski
22. Christina Stofmeel (the Netherlands) and Eva Kovacs (Hungary)
23. Christine Damm and Deb Brooks
24. Cilla Watkins (Canada) and Elaine Robitaille (Canada)
27. Cory Celaya and Rhea Freitieg
28. Courtney Breul and Dana Hickey
29. Cynthia Abner and Jennifer Boreck
30. Cynthia Tucker and Jean Peter
31. Debbie Goering and Heidi Post
32. Dee Elgie (UK) and Joanne Lockwood (UK)
33. Dian Hierschel (Germany) and Eniko Fabian (Austria)
34. Diane Cook and Lyn Foley
35. Donna Bohler and Lisa Lodge
36. Donna Millard and Kiersten Giles
37. Doris Stumpf (Germany) and Eszter Czibulyas (Hungary)
38. Elisabeth Auld and Eva Sherman
39. Elke Leonhardt-Rath (Germany) and Marjolein Trewavas (UK)
** ME** 40. Ema Kilroy and Laurie Keefe-Cecere
41. Erika Nooteboom (the Netherlands) and Giorgia Rossini (Italy)
42. Erin Grant and Jean Wells
43. Evelyn Duberry (Canada) and Gaea Cannaday
44. Genea Crivello-Knable and Heather Powers
45. Ginger Bishop (military, Okinawa) and Martina Nagele (Germany)
46. Heidi Kingman and Lori Greenberg
47. Helen Kemp and Lisa Wangeman
48. Helene Goldberg (Australia) and Karen Vincent
49. Jamie Hogsett and Jeannie Dukic
51. Jennifer Cameron and Tania Spivey
52. Jennifer Justman and Kari Carrigan
53. Jennifer Tough and Lorelei Eurto
54. Joanna Matuszczyk (Poland) and Julianna Kis (Hungary)
55. Joanne Tinley (UK) and Michaela Pabeschitz (Austria)
56. Julie Anne Leggett and Kelley Fogle
57. Karen Hess and Linda Landig
58. Karyn Bonfiglio and Kathleen Lange Klik
59. Kashmira Patel and Kat White
61. Kathy Lindemer and Rose Binoya
62. Krafty Max and Sandra Miller
63. Kristen Latimer and Pam Ferrari
64. Kristie Roeder and Lea Avroch
65. Kristina Johansson (Sweden) and Penny Neville (Canada)
66. Krisztina Erlaki-Toth (Hungary) and Nicole Keller (Germany)
67. Lara Lutrick and Lisa Suver
68. Laura DeMoya and Lisa Hanna
69. Libby Leuchtman and Melanie Brooks
70. Linda Koch and Rosemarie Cowit
71. Lisa Chapman and Menka Gupta
72. Lisa Liddy and Marion Simmons
73. Lori Anderson and Marcie Abney
74. Lori Bowring-Michaud and Mary Govaars
75. Lori Dorrington and Maria Rosa Sharrow
76. Lori Finney (Canada) and Marie-Noel Voyer-Cramp (Canada)
77. Lynn Bennett and Mandi Ainsworth
78. Marta Kaczerowska (Poland) and Milla Starchik (Canada)
79. Mary Harding and Shannon LeVart
81. Melinda Orr and Molly Alexander
83. Michelle Jensen and Sandra Young (Canada)
84. Nan Emmett and Nicole Valentine-Rimmer (Canada)
85. Nancy Boylan and Suzette Bentley
86. Natasha Lutes and Patti Vanderbloemen
87. Pam Hurst and Rebekah Payne
88. Patty Miller and Sara Rhoades
90. Rebecca Sirevaag and Sharon Driscoll
91. Rochelle Brisson and Shannon Chomanczuk
92. Rosa Maria Cuevas (Mexico) and Tejae Floyde
93. Sabine Dittrich (Germany) and Sally Russick
94. Sandi Volpe and Sarah/Saturday Sequins
95. Shanti Johnson and Tracy Mok (Canada)
96. Skylar Brez and Theresa Buchle
97. Sonya Stille and Traci Zeller (Canada)
98. Stefanie Teufel (Germany) and Tania Hagen (New Zealand)
99. Stephanie LaRosa and Vonna Maslanka
100. Terri Wlaschin and Wendy Blum
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
The Challenge of Music by Ema K Inspired by Stevie Nicks
"What song do you connect to so personally that every time it comes on the radio the beat moves you, the lyrics speak to your soul, and the harmonies make your heart sing? If you love music, this is the challenge for you! For the Challenge of Music, we will choose a song that speaks to each of us personally and translate that song into an accessory.", quote from Erin Prias-Hintz of Treasures Found. Erin had the idea for a challenge, The Challenge of Music.
I love when a challenge inspires me to create. I didn't have to think twice about entering this challenge. I knew immediately what I would create and which song my piece would represent. I grew up in the 80's and have always been a huge fan of Stevie Nicks. There are so many songs I could have choosen for this challenge. Ultimately I ended up going with an old Stevie Nicks song, The Highway Man. I hope you will take a moment to listen to it. This song is from her album, Bella Donna. I don't believe this particular song was a hit that aired on the radio but it is one of my favorites from the album.
I love when a challenge inspires me to create. I didn't have to think twice about entering this challenge. I knew immediately what I would create and which song my piece would represent. I grew up in the 80's and have always been a huge fan of Stevie Nicks. There are so many songs I could have choosen for this challenge. Ultimately I ended up going with an old Stevie Nicks song, The Highway Man. I hope you will take a moment to listen to it. This song is from her album, Bella Donna. I don't believe this particular song was a hit that aired on the radio but it is one of my favorites from the album.
"Alas he was the highway man
The one who comes and goes
Only the highway woman keeps up with the likes of those."
...."A dream begun in white."...
-Stevie Nicks, The Highway Man
The piece I created for The Challenge of Music
A Dream Begun In White
A Dream Begun in White Necklace began with a variety of different types of yarns. (I wrote about the search for these specialty yarns, you can read that backstory here.) I knew I just had to create a whimsical, white, fairy tale type of necklace using the kumihimo braiding technique. Once I began working the necklace and saw it coming together I began to envision the beads that would accompany it. I didn't want the beads to take away from the necklace yet they had to be strong enough to stand with it. My vision was to create some beads that were white with gold foil shimmering from within. If you have been following me you will know that I am in love with a certain type of lampworking glass known as Kalypso. (aaaahhhh Kalypso!) Naturally I thought a couple of beads that included the beauty of Kalypso would work perfectly with the shimmery, sparkly yarns in the necklace. Mission accomplished!
I learned something through the writing of this blog. I have to laugh because all these years I thought the words to the song says "a dream begun in white" I found out that the words are actually "a dream begun in wine". Now isn't that funny? Perhaps my creation would have been completely different if I had realized this sooner. I for one am glad I DIDN'T know this fact until I completed the necklace. I am quite happy with this necklace and the lampwork beads I created to accent it.
I have been completely inspired by Erin's challenge. I have so many songs that I feel have been a representation of my life as I have moved through various phases of living. Some of the songs I would call theme songs, others provide inspiration and others are simply just fun. I would like to continue creating based on some of my personal theme songs. The ideas are rolling in. I guess it is time to get out my sketch book and start taking down some notes and drawings.....
Remember Bette Milder's The Rose? I walked down the aisle to that song. I see a necklace.....
Here is a list of the artists involved in The Challenge of Music. I'm sure they would love you to stop by and see their wonderful creations.
Here is a list of the artists involved in The Challenge of Music. I'm sure they would love you to stop by and see their wonderful creations.
Tuesday, February 28, 2012
Big Reveals this Week
This week is an exciting one. I joined a couple of challenges and the reveal dates for both challenges are this week!
The first is the The Challenge of Music hosted by Erin Prais-Hintz. The date for this challenge and blog hop is leap day, February 29th. Find more info on The Challenge of Music on Erin's blog.
The second challenge is Bead Soup hosted by Lori Anderson. The reveal date for Bead Soup is March 3rd.
To join in all the blog hopping fun you can visit Lori's Bead Soup blog.
There will be lots of great blog reading and beautiful creations revealed for both of these. I hope you can join us and have some fun with the participants. Some people are adding giveaways to their reveals. You won't want to miss it.
Here is a sneak peak of tomorrows reveal......
The first is the The Challenge of Music hosted by Erin Prais-Hintz. The date for this challenge and blog hop is leap day, February 29th. Find more info on The Challenge of Music on Erin's blog.
The second challenge is Bead Soup hosted by Lori Anderson. The reveal date for Bead Soup is March 3rd.
To join in all the blog hopping fun you can visit Lori's Bead Soup blog.
There will be lots of great blog reading and beautiful creations revealed for both of these. I hope you can join us and have some fun with the participants. Some people are adding giveaways to their reveals. You won't want to miss it.
Here is a sneak peak of tomorrows reveal......
Monday, February 13, 2012
Inspiration is Everywhere
I have been inspired by Romana at Create with Joy to write this blog. Romana writes an " inspirational blog that celebrates creativity" and she invites us "to inspire others and nurture your creative spirit" by linking to her Inspire Me Monday postings.
Today I share my new love...Kumihimo braiding. I have been completely smitten since I took a class back in October 2011. Recently on a shopping adventure, in search of ribbon I could use to create some Kumihimo bracelets, I stumbled on some yarn that was off white and white. It was actually a combination of different types of yarns and ribbons that, when all together, got me to thinking of flowy, fairies, romance, victorian and bohemian styles. This yarn was GORGEOUS! I had to have it! I swear I had heart palpitations when I saw it. The cost was out of my league at over $50.00 for a small skein. So I walked out of the store with my "reasonably" priced purchases and headed home to create my bracelets.
Today I share my new love...Kumihimo braiding. I have been completely smitten since I took a class back in October 2011. Recently on a shopping adventure, in search of ribbon I could use to create some Kumihimo bracelets, I stumbled on some yarn that was off white and white. It was actually a combination of different types of yarns and ribbons that, when all together, got me to thinking of flowy, fairies, romance, victorian and bohemian styles. This yarn was GORGEOUS! I had to have it! I swear I had heart palpitations when I saw it. The cost was out of my league at over $50.00 for a small skein. So I walked out of the store with my "reasonably" priced purchases and headed home to create my bracelets.
The tools I use to make Kumihimo braided jewelry.
I haven't been able to stop thinking about this small skein of yarn. It has been haunting me ... before I fall asleep, when I wake up in the morning, as I showered, waiting to pick my son up from school ... every quiet moment I had I envisioned the finished piece I would be creating with it. The beads I would be making to accompany it. Seriously I couldn't stop thinking about it.
Then along came a challenge from Erin Prais-Hintz at Treasures Found, The Challenge of Music. I have always felt certain songs reflect on my life and I didn't hesitate to sign up for Erin's Challenge. Now I knew I had to have this yarn!!! I knew exactly what I would create and which song my creation would represent. Here began my frantic internet search to find an affordable alternative to the much coveted yarn I had to have. I found something I could afford and anxiously awaited its arrival. I had a couple of false starts and needed to make a couple of additions in materials to get the look I was going after but when I had it I knew I was right on track with my vision. Now I just have to get into my studio to create the beads I need. Here is a sneak peak of what I was able to put together using Kumihimo braiding techniques and my fantastic, whimsical yarns.
Stay tuned for the reveal of the finished piece. The reveal date is February 29th!
You can find more info on Erin"s blog post on the Challenge of Music.
As always, you can visit my Etsy shop to find unique lampwork beads and jewelry.
Thank you for stopping by and visiting with me.
Wednesday, February 8, 2012
Bead Table Wednesday - Feb 8 2012
Here is shot of what is on my bead table this week.
Kumihimo braiding to compliment my lampwork beads. I love working the Kumihimo technique. The plan is to make two kumihimo bracelets. One will be a double wrap bracelet. The second will be a single layer bracelet with a lampwork bead. I am interviewing each bead along the side the kumihimo braids.....hmmm....I can't decide. Do you have a bead preference?
You can find more Bead Table Wednesday images here.
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