Ughh! My beads are AWFUL!!!

Well, I sat down at the torch last night. Super excited I might add. I laid out all the colors I was going to work with and felt really good about it. But man was it gut wrenching. I mean everything I tried to do failed. I only made 3 beads and they were all awful! They colors looked horrible and I couldn’t get the glass to melt very well. I just stink. It’s so frustrating because I want to be able to make those damn cute little beads! I felt like a child standing there with my arms crossed pouting so I can’t do this! Well, it didn’t help. I looked at the beads this evening and they were no better. If I don’t get any better I might as well sell it all to someone who can do it. Because at this point I need the money and well let’s face it there no reason to have a bunch of stuff taking up an entire room for nothing.

Without Further Adieu, My Bead Soup!

My Bead Soup is sooo late! My partner is Suzann Sladcik Wilson of Beadphoria. Suzann was more than generous with the Bead Soup she sent to me! Honestly, I struggled with the pieces I made.With the huge selection of beads Suzann sent me I fund myself having a hard time deciding what to use. I really wanted to maake something amazing since this was the first time I had ever participated in the Bead Soup Swap. Unfortunatley, I had a few set backs that lead me to posting late. I am so sorry and I hope all of can for give me but my little boy had to come first. So without further adieu here is my creation!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

Hostess, Lori Anderson, Pretty Things

Agi Kiss, Moonsafari Beads
Alice Peterson, Alice Dreaming
Alison Sachs, Beads by Earthtones

Amanda Dittloff, Passion Smashin'

Andra Marasteanu, Bijoux de Monanage

Angie Szlovak, SweetBeads

Anitra Gordy, Leelu Creations

Ann Sherwood, Ann's Blog

Arlene Dean, A Glass Bash

Audrey Belanger, Dreams of an Absolution

Barb Solem, Vivi Magoo Presents

Barbara Blaszczyk, laboratorim Flory

Becky Pancake, Becky Pancake Bead Designs
Beth Emery, Stories by Indigo Heart

Bianca Odenthal, Zydies Glasperlen

Birgit Klughardt, GitesBeads
Bobbie Rafferty, Beadsong Jewelry
Bonnie Coursolle, Jasper Gems
Cece Cormier, The Beading Yogini
Charlene Jacka, Clay Space

Cherrie Fick, En La Lumie're
Cheryl Foiles, Get Your Bead On
Christie Murrow, Charis Designs Jewelry

Christina Miles, Wings n Scales
Christina Stofmeel, Feng Beads
Christine Stonefield, Sweet Girl Design
Cindy Cima Edwards, Live to Design
CJ Bauschka, 4 His Glory Creations
Claire Smith, Embergrass Jewelry
Cynthia Riggs, Cynth's Blog
Dana Fowler, Trunk Full of Treasure

Dawn Pierro, Turtle Moon Designs
Dee Elgie, Cherry Obsidia
Donetta Farrington, Simply Gorgeous
Dot Lewallwn, Speedie Beadie

Eileen Snyder, Dorset Hill Beads
Elizabeth Bunn, Elizabeth Beads
Eva Kovacs, Ewa gyongyos vilaga!
Evelyn Duberry, Sheba Makeda
Fay Wolfenden, Torch Fairy
Fen Li, Bead Flora Jewels
Gail Zwang, Angel Moose Enterprises
Geneva Collins, Torque Story
Grace Dorsey, Fan of the Flame
Gretchen Nation, Art Food Lodging
Hannah Annear, Squintessential

Hajer Waheed, My Beaded World
Heather Goldsmith, As I Bead It
Heather Otto, The Craft Hopper
Heidi Kingman, My Bead Therapy
Hope Smitherman, Crafty Hope
Isolina Perez, Isolina Perez
Jacqueline Keller, CreARTelier
Jane Haag, Did You Make Something Today?
Janeen Sorensen, Wild Vanilla Designs
Jean Peter, Jean P. Designs
Jennifer Judd, Jen Judd Rocks
Jennifer L Justman, Soul's Fire Designs
Joanna Matuszczyk, Bizuteria z filcu
Joanne Brown, Jo's Jewels

Joanne Lockwood, Jo Bunkum
Joyce Becker, Joyce's Joyful Gems
Judy Riley, Three Red Beads
Karen Mitchell, Over the Moon Design
Karen Williams, Baublicious
Karin von Hoeren, Creative Ideen
Karla Morgan, Texas Pepper Jams
Kashmira Patel, Sadafule .. always in bloom!
Kate Richbourg, We Can Make That at Home
Katrin Lembke, AllesPerle
Kathy Combs, Torched in Texas

Kathy Lindemer, Bay Moon Design
Kay Thomerson, Kayz Kreationz
Kelley Fogle, My Life, One Bead at at Time
Kelly Hosford Patterson, Traveling Side Show
Klaudette Koon, Only Road
Lara Lutrick, Lampwork Beads by Lara
Laura Guenther, Blue Antiquities
Laurie Lalonde, Simply Mod Jewelry
Lilik Kristiani, Soul of My Embodiment
Linda Younkman, Lindy's Designs
Lisa Chapman, Beach Cat Beads
Lisa Lodge, Pine Ridge Treasures

Loretta Carstensen, Designs by Loretta
Lori Bergmann, Lori Bergmann Design
Lori Dorrington, Lori's Adventures in Etsy Land
Lupe Meter, Gem's PC Corner
Lynn Davis, LLYYNN
Malin de Koning, Beading by Malin
Mandi Effron, Craft-o-licious
Mandy Williamson, Mimi's Beading
Margot Potter, The Impatient Crafter
Maria Rosa Sharrow, Willow Street Shops

Marianne Baxter, Simply Seablime Jewelry
Marina Dobrynina, Savon Feutre
Marjolein Trewavas, Room for Change
Marelene Cupo, Amazing Designs
Marsha Neal, Marsha Neal Studio
Marta Kaczerowska, uhuhu
Mary Govaars, MLH Jewelry Designs
Melissa Trudinger, Bead Recipes
Menka Gupta, Menka's Jewelry Blog
Michelle Burnett, Reverie and Revival
Michelle Escano-Caballero, The Cabby Crafter
Miko Wiropati, Uniquely Yunikua
Milla Hope, LB Creative Arts and Crafts

Mimi Gardner, Other Curiosities
Miranda Ackerley, MirandackArts
Natalie McKenna, grubbi
Noemi Baena, fuego, metal, y color
Pam Ferrari, Ferrari Originals
Pam Sears, Crazy Creative Corner
Penny Neville, Copper Penny
Rachel Baron, R. Baron Designs
Rachel Myers, Rockabead Jewelry
Rana Wilson, Definitive Designs by R. Wilson
Rebecca Anderson, Song Beads
Rebecca Sirevaag, Becca's Place
Riki Schumacher, Riki Jewelry
Rose Binoya, Ahtee's Blog

Rossana De Gaspari, Rdegas Blog
Sandi James, Do Be Do Bead Do
Sandi Volpe, Sandi Volpe
Sandra Wollberg, City of Brass Stories
Sarah Goode, Pookledo
Sarah Small, blog by salla
Shai Williams, Shaiha's Ramblings
Shawn Mills, Shawn Marie Designs with Bent Wire
Sheila Davis, Stone Designs by Sheila
Sheryl Stephens, Babble Bead
Shiraz Biggie, Secret Song Designs
Solange Collin, Ahowin Handcrafted Jewelry
Sonya Stille, Dreamin' of Beads

Susan Kennedy, Sue Beads
Susan Sheehan, Strands of Thought
Suzann Sladcik Wilson, Beadphoria
Sweet Freedom, Sweet Freedom Designs
                  Tabatha Dinger, Modernly Created  * You are here
Tania Hagen, Pelima Jewellery Design
Tanya Boden, Fusion Muse
Terri Gauthier, Blooming Ideas
Terry Carter, Tapping Flamingo
Tracy Stillman, Tracy Stillman Designs

 

Let's Face It.....

 

Well let’s face it. I am extremely hard on myself when it comes down to evaluating if I am good or not at a task. So even though I am extremely artistic, my OCD can be detrimental to my creations. I suppose it’s because art has no limits, boundaries, or rules. The beauty in it is in the eye of the beholder. And well those eyes are mine so a lot of the times I don’t finish because it just wasn’t up to my standards for the rest of the world to see.

So when I first decide to do something I go straight in to planner mode. I will spend hours and I mean hours preparing to do a project and because I have OCD I will literally spend so many hours researching it and I end up exhausted and never even start. Or sometimes I spend months preparing to begin my new hobby and I keep telling myself that I just one or two more things and then I will be able to start. Well in theory it makes since but let’s be honest it’s a stall tactic or better yet it’s an excuse to procrastinate or never even start.

Which brings me to the point of blogging today. I signed up for the bead soup blog party and my reveal date was August 25. Which I thought was totally doable since hello it was July currently. So, I decided to check out some the blogs of other participants. I spent several hours hopping around and looking at things that the others had created. But instead of inspiring me it had me feeling a little confused as to the direction I wanted to go with my design. I love things that are modern and chic. But looking at the other designs they were more traditional and classic. So that made me panic a little. So over the next two weeks I struggled with what I wanted to do. Finally, I figured out that I should have stopped thinking about it and just started actually doing it. This is probably again an interferes of my OCD because I won’t start something until “it feels” like I am really ready to start.

So finally after all the planning this is what I came up with. It turned out nothing like I planned and I couldn't wait to post it. But on Thursday at 2am my son became very sick which lead me to dealing with breathing treatments, missing sleep, work and being exhausted. On the reveal date my son was on the breathing machine around the clock trying to get his asthma under control so the antibiotics to take care of the upper respiratory infection that was making him miserable. So after all the planning and my sick kiddo finally getting well I am able to post what I made from the Bead Soup Blog Party!

Bead Soup Delay

Sorry folks for my delay at posting my bead soup. My son spent last night and until an hour ago in the hospital. We are home now and exhausted. I will post my creations tomorrow after I get some sleep:(

Todays thought....

Why does every emotion lead me back to the one memory I want to forget?

Inside My Little Studio

Well, let’s face it creating wearable art takes practice. Lots of practice. So today I thought I would share a picture of the little Studio I spend my time in. It’s very cute and modern. I have tons of space even though you aren’t able to see the rest of the room. I have lots of glass storage and great natural light. My hope is that I will be able to get down in my studio and fire up my torch this weekend. Until then though here is what I created recently….

There has to be someone out there that is no longer attached to this purse who would be willing to part with it. I have been looking for 4 long months and not a single one has come across Craigslist, EBay or Etsy (I was really desperate when I looked here). I know you’re out there my little Kristen Round Satchel by Coach.   I will continue to patiently wait for you J

Bead Soup Arrived!

My Bead Soup arrived today! YAY! Lori Anderson is to thank for hosting the Bead Soup Blog Party which consists of 400 participants. 400 is Crazy, huh?! So the Bead Soup swap is where to individuals are paired up and then they send each other a stash of beads for the other to design with and then they each reveal their creations on the official reveal date. Lori has it set up so that the reveal is broken up into 3 separate dates a few weeks apart so that everyone will have enough time to visit each blog to see what they have created with their soup mix. I'm in the third reveal which is scheduled for August 25th. Reveal 1 is July 28^th, and Reveal 2 is August 11^th.

My partner is Suzann Sladcik Wilson of Beadphoria. Suzann was more than generous with the Bead Soup she sent to me! She sent me tons of beads, 4 claps, an amazing focal she handmade and she sent me a signed copy of her book called “Simple Beginnings: Beading A step by Step Guide for Creating Your Own Custom Jewelry”. WOW! That was so nice of her. Here are some photos of the items she sent to me. I can’t wait to get started $!

Scorpio Is All Me

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Scorpio

Your element: Water

Your ruling planets: Pluto
Symbol: The Scorpion
Your stone: Topaz
Life Pursuit: To survive against all opposition
Vibration: Resilient
Scorpio's Secret Desire: To triumph

Description:

Reputed to be the "most powerful" sign of the zodiac, Scorpios lead fate filled lives and have intense and dramatic personal relationships. Even as children Scorpios are often found to be wise beyond their years. Many astrologers call this the sign of the "oldest souls". Old and wise beyond the average, Scorpios often know all the answers, except sometimes; they too often have difficulty finding what they need to develop their own happiness.

Passion, desire and power go hand in hand for Scorpios. Their biggest challenge and test in life is choosing between the power of love and the love of power. Coming to grips with their extraordinary emotional depths and sensitivity isn't easy for those around them. They are different from all other zodiac signs and this difference has them walking, working and loving to a different beat. Others can often live with a Scorpio partner for years, but not really know them. Much to do with a Scorpio remains ever secret. Their eyes often blaze with feelings that words never express, and beware on the days or nights they hide their feelings behind dark glasses, there is likely to be a storm of some kind brewing. When you deal with a Scorpio you have to always deal with them on a psychic intuitive level. They often wear a mask. Too often they say "no" when they really mean "yes". They have contrary natures. Once they find true love they can be the most faithful dedicated of all partners but fall out badly with a Scorpio and you are likely to find they will never forget or forgive.

Most Scorpios are winners. The main thing they have to worry about is their attitudes, which make up their mind powers and can either make or break them. When they are negative about something or someone, or critical of themselves, they can tend to get in their own way.

Scorpios operate on three levels of soul evolvement; adding up to three distinctively different types of Scorpios. The first level is the Scorpion. This is the least evolved and most drawn toward using their powers the wrong way. The criminal element of Scorpio comes under this level. Then there is the eagle - the highflying, entrepreneurial, successful Scorpio, who seems able to rise above adversity and transform bad-times into good. Then the highest expression of this sign is the Phoenix Resurrected. These Scorpios are detached and extremely powerful. They are wise beyond their years and act as leaders and are an inspiration to others. Quite frequently a Scorpio goes through the three levels of evolvement in one lifetime - but the levels can operate out of sequence.

IKEA HACKERS

1 was hopping around in PINTEREST and stumbled across this bed that would be perfect for my four year old. I have been looking for one like this for quite some time. The only problem is every time I find one that looks like this is from Italy or Germany or it’s not affordable at all. So I clicked on the picture which took me to this website called IKEA HACKERS.

On their website they state they are a site about modifications on and repurposing of IKEA products. This site exists largely due to the kind contribution of IKEA hackers from all over the globe. They submit their creations, with the hope of providing alternative ideas on Ikea products. Uh, that is awesome. First I LOVE IKEA! It’s affordable and modern which I am all about. They have the neatest ideas. I encourage everyone to go and take a look. You will be amazed at what you will find with a price tag that's affordable.

  Loft Bed

That's It.... NO MORE CLAY

OK, that's it. NO MORE CLAY! I threw it all away. I don't know what I did wrong but clearly I just need to buy new clay. So until then I will sit in awe over posies and pods made by professionals, Emma Todd & Ronna Sarvas Weltman.

Polymer Clay Is Not My Friend #2

As for my sun exposure, I only had one color sitting on the dash and the air conditioner was on. I was impatient so it was barely even warm. As for the other 20 colors, yes I said 20, they have been stored in zip lock freezer bag in their original packaging in a storage tub. Some haven’t even been opened. I bought FIMO and there was one other brand but I can't remember off the top of my head what brand it was. They all seemed stiff when I bought them expect for a few that were soft. So maybe I was buying old clay to begin with???
 
I have started feeling them before I buy them to hopefully avoid buying really hard clay. Since I didn’t try working with it very long and didn’t have anything but my hands to manipulate it I figured I should put a little more effort into it since I am home and have some tools to work with and the pasta machine.

Thanks Monique I goggled tonight and found that using baby oil might work plus I have clay softener too. I figure it can’t hurt it at this point. I am going to try both of them and run it through the pasta machine and see what happens.  I will let everyone know my results. Keep your finger crossed!

Polymer Clay Is Not My Friend

Emma Todd's Amazing  Polymer Penchant

http://www.etsy.com/people/APolymerPenchant

http://www.apolymerpenchant.blogspot.com/

I was so inspired when I saw Emma Todd's new polymer flower necklace. It is beautiful. While I was reading Bead Soup Cafe Facebook she posted this and I couldn’t help but check it out. I decided I had to give my clay a try and see what I could create. So I went down into my studio (which is really the basement, but saying calling it the studio make it sound like I am a real artist) and pulled out all the amazing polymer clay that has been sitting for months. I had totally forgotten all about the amazing colors I had purchased. I can't remember why I ever stopped using it. So I gathered some of the colors I wanted to work with and threw them in my bag. We were going to see some of my family out of town so I thought the long car ride would be a perfect place for me to create. So as our journey began I pulled out all the clay and opened the baggie it had been stored and OMG, it was hard as a ROCK! So for the next hour and a half I couldn’t do anything with it. I sat it up in the windshield and thought maybe the heat would help soften the clay. NOPE! Not at all. UGGHH! Now what? So I got on the internet and it said I could use baby oil on it to soften it, which I tired, it was a total mess. I gave up. Now I am so discouraged I have tons of clay that is hard as a rock and don’t have a clue what I am going to do with it now. Since Emma is an expert at working with this medium maybe she could suggest some way to make it soft again so it doesn’t end up in the trash can.

My bead soup is almost finished! I can’t wait to get it out to my partner. Since this is my first soup I feel like I may have went a bit over board though. I just really wanted to make sure I sent her a lot of neat coordinating things. I can’t wait to get mine in the mail. It’s like Christmas in Summer!

Well, I got my Bead Soup Blog Party Partner! YAY! She is way more advanced then I am. Her Name is Suzann Sladcik Wilson of Beadphoria. Beadphoria is dedicated to the enhancement and empowerment of one’s mind, body, & spirit through the use of beading and jewelry design. Suzann and her team strive to provide individuals with timely and accurate information, great advice on tools, tips and techniques and to be an outstanding resource to all in the global beading community. AWESOME!

I can’t wait to see what she will be sending me. I have already begun looking through the HUGE stash of pieces I have collected over time. I only call it collected because I buy WAY too much to ever use all of it in my creations. Plus, I usually only create when I am giving a personal gift to someone. So let’s just say I have plenty.

Suzann and I are going to reach each other sometime tomorrow to chat about the swap. I look forward to hearing from her. So until then……

TORCH TIME

Ok, so torch time has started. Let’s just say it’s been eventful to say the least. I am trying to get ready for the Bead Soup Blog Fest and well I want to be able to send beads that I have actually made. However, I have been fighting getting sick. I have become horse and congested and well my chest hurts. So torching should probably should be the last thing that I do but since everything else sucks the life out of me I decided to sit and torch. So here' how things went......

*Day 1- was HORRIBLE! I swear every bead was a mini disaster. Nothing turned out pretty. The beads that did come out had a bad color combination, although the rods looked like they would work nicely when they were laying there on my desk.
 
*Day 2-of the 12 beads I made (or attempted to make) I had 2 turn out. Yep, you heard me 2. *Day 3-(why even bother right) I was shocked but are you ready for this ALL my beads turned out. SHOCKER! I had one that had internal cracking so it was a loss but they rest were pretty good.

So clearly I just need to keep practicing but I am running out of glass quickly. I never realized how much glass it takes to make one bead. I also realized that until I master the little beads there’s no reason to try and tackle complex designs like my two favorite artists Cassie Donlen and Kerry Bogert. I need to have patience and eventually I will make BEAUTIFUL BEADS too someday (hopefully sooner rather than later)!

Baby Lani

Dear Lani,

  NO ONE ELSE will ever know the strength of my LOVE for you. After all, you're THE ONLY ONE who knows what my HEART sounds like from the inside. 6 years ago today you left this world all too soon. Only for a short time were in my arms and by my side. I miss you every day. Today we will send pink balloons to heaven to let you know we miss you each and every day.

  Mommy and Daddy love you Lani!

Patina Please

So for the first time I used some of the patinas that I purchased from Shannon LeVart of Missficklemedia on Etsy.  I haven't decided what to make out of them but I love how they turned out. I can’t wait to finish them and post what I have come up with. It’s really inspired me to follow through and make time for myself and my creative side. I can't wait to see what I can make with the patinas that require heat since these are just the room temperature ones.

I’m pretty impressed with myself. I have been trying to get my blog up and running and no I can’t stop. Well, for those of you who don’t know I love to knit and blow glass. Although I am terrified of my propane tank so there hasn’t been a lot of torching going on. Knitting on the other hand is AWESOME! My hope is that here in the near future I will use my blog as a way to spread the word about my obsession and market them. I have several I have been working on over the holiday and have yet to photograph but when I do I post them here first. In the meantime here is a picture of this beautiful yarn that reminds me of cotton candy!