Bead (In) Sanity

Christmas traditions

2011-12-29T05:07:00.000-08:00

I haven't felt very festive this year for some reason, and according to a pyschologist on the radio, as long as you admit it, it's not an issue. I didn't decorate the house, no lights outside. I will say that I don't decorate much, but I do have trees, ornaments and display items. On Christmas day, I realized that there are family traditions that I miss.

For as long a I remember, we had a small angel chime with 4 candles.You would light the candle and the angels would turn and hit the chimes and a wonderful tinging noise would fill the room. I have one that I bought in Germany. My sister had one on her table and it took me right back to standing by the table when it was first lite, on the crochet table cloth that always covered the table. That made me think of a few other things:

Peppermint ice cream - Not peppermint flavored, but vanilla ice cream with chunks of peppermint candy. That was a must on the table. I actually found some this year at the store (and a low fat version). One taste and I was 10 years old again.

Money Cake - growing up we always had "Money cake" - it was a simple round cake with clean washed coins inserted into the cake and then it was frosted. It was mostly pennies and nickles - and a quarter! I felt I was rich if I got the quarter. Years later I discovered that tradition came from my father's side of the family. He used to mark the plate that the cake sat on so that he knew how to make the cuts so that everyone received a coin.

Metallic Paper Chain - this was something that my sister usually did. We have these strips of metallic paper, about 1.5 inches by 8 and she would put them together in a chain that was hung on the mirror that I now have in my house. I bet that my sister still has these.

Another item that was on the mirror would be all the pictures that were sent with Christmas cards. This tradition is one that I still keep. But as the numbers of persons who mail cards decreases, so does the number of pictures. Fortunately, Facebook handles that pretty nicely!

German Christmas Pyramid - I do love my pyramid. My deceased brother Jim bought me one as a wedding present for my first marriage, and I kept it. I should display it every year along with all the nutcrackers that I have collected over the years. But alas, they are in a box in the air raid shelter.

New Years Eve - Mom and Dad would have another couple come to the house for beverages and snacks. At midnight, we were all on the porch in NW Detroit with fire crackers and noise makers. About 1am, there would be a pizza delivery; provided that us kids could stay up that long. As adults, my brother, Jim, built a canon that would fire with black powder and make a wonderful noise. Sadly, we haven't had that out since he passed away.

Ah, a short trip down memory lane.

Inspiration comes from many places

2011-12-17T05:41:00.000-08:00

Much of the inspiration that I get is from movies that I watch on Turner Classic Movies, such at a movie that I watched in November called "Queen Christina" starring Greta Garbo from 1933. During much of the movie she is dressed as a man - as those are the clothes that she is most comfortable in.
In the picture from above, this is one of the few scenes she is dressed like the Queen that she is. Barely visible in this picture is a pendant that she is wearing. It's moments like this that I love being able to "stop" live TV and really look at something. I drew the sketch below based on what I saw in the movie. The stamped metal piece is part of a "challenge" that the Great Lakes Beadworkers Guild is doing.
I grabbed some dyed Lacey's Stiff Stuff that I purchased last spring and cut my pendant out and have started embellishing my piece. It's about 4 inches across and is promising to be quite elaborate when it's finished.

Once I get my Christmas gifts completed, I will return to work on this and the Taj Mahal, which has not been lost and forgotten - It's coming along wonderfully!!

Mid-December 2011

2011-12-17T05:26:00.000-08:00

Where did the year go? I don't really know.

Since my last post, I took a Maggie Meister class through the Great Lakes Beadworkers Guild. That was in mid-November. What a fun and entertaining instructor. We laughed so much. I don't think that Cynthia and I are going to be allowed to sit next to each other for classes ever again. The class that I took was the "Iside Pendant" and it turned out wonderful. Maggie's combination of stitches as a great "aha" moment for me and it accured in the first 20 minutes of class.

I've been really busy at work and really busy at home. I have been making holiday ornaments for my co-workers and have a small stash earmarked for different people. Hopefully this weekend, I can finish my present for the boss (who does where my jewelry) and a few more ornaments.

What's up in the world of Liz??

2011-11-12T06:57:00.001-08:00

At Bead and Button, a group of beaders thought it might be fun to have a hat/hair accessory beaded contest and guess who won first place with this littl number??

Dot Lewallen and I compare our beaded handbags.

Excitment at Bead and Button sitting with "rock star" bead artists - Huib Petersen, Beverly Ash Gilbert, June Huber, Sherry Serafini, Amy Katz and myself signing copies of Beading Across America.

This is pulled from the Bead and Button Show facebook page - it shows
Denise Gillitzer Uttke and I talking about, what else, beads!

Bead Cruise 2011 - relaxing on the beach in Jamaica - ahhhh, lobster red tonight. And that was me, not the entree...

This necklace started out as a hat accessory and ended up a really pretty necklace.

Fatima's Fantasy

I submitted this to Bead and Button this year to teach. Now that I know it wasn't accepted, it will be sent to the magazines to see if they might be interested. If they aren't, well, I can always sell the pattern and teach it local. There are lots of opportunities in the bead world!

Bead Embroidered purse - made in the USA in 2011. It might be my favorite.

Taj Mahal Bead Tapestry

2011-11-12T06:32:00.001-08:00

Above is a picture from August 2009, when I first started working on the Taj Mahal. And below is how it looked last night:I've been working on the Taj Mahal for over two years - on and off since August 2009 - mostly off because I like working on multiple projects at a time, but a comment on my Facebook page recently made me pull this out of it's hiding place, fortunately, all the beads I have been using are in a project bag. So it's time to work on it again.

Why the Taj Mahal? It's just a stunning building - very distinct, very gracious and beautiful. One of these days I will get there, perhaps when I retire (even though everyone that I know from India lives in the USA now).

The size of this piece is about 8x11 inches. The building itself is being beaded with size 15 seed beads in shades of cream, silver and gold. The circles in the sky are guidelines for the blue sky and white clouds. I am thinking of the trees being a little more dimensional, but haven't completely decided. The towers (minarets?) and the dome have an additional layer of interfacing to give a little dimension there. Did you know that the word minaret is taken from the Turkish and Arabic languages for lighthouse? I didn't either.

When I finish the piece, it will be framed in a shadowbox and will hang somewhere in the house. Of course, unless someone loves it enough to buy it. Many of my bead embroidered pieces are framed around the house - some are pictured on this blog post from 2009.

Collections!

2011-10-07T17:47:00.000-07:00

Marcia posted recently about collections. While we all have a bead collection, I was thinking about other collections that I have: certainly I have a moose plethora (how many times came you really use that word plethora?) - so much that I have told friends and family that the moose collection is officially closed. But they still keep coming! Here are a few!

The first picture shows three moose tiles that I have been gifted over the years. They hang in the hallway of my home.

My "Welcome" Moose lives just inside the front door.

My Moose planter was a gift from fellow beader and traveler, Rosanne Garvison. Thank you Rosanne as this moose hangs out in the dining room

Little Moose cookie cutter hangs under a cabinet in the kitchen while the cutting board moose below sits on top of a door frame.

Mr. Styling Moose was a gift from my beading buddy Sandy,

who gifted him to me a couple of years ago.

Below is a shelf in my studio with: glass moose bought on my Alaskan cruise in 2009, a toy moose from my friend Deb, a stuffed moose from Alaska, moose patch also from Alaska and a tiny jointed moose which was a gift from a co-worker many years ago.

Gracing the walls of my bedroom are a series of moose greeting cards that have been framed nicely

What's in your collection!?

September Update

2011-09-07T12:10:00.000-07:00

I had a really nice post about our summer vacation camping in Michigan, and then our new travel trailer but all that is pushed aside by some news that really caught Alan and I offside.

Alan was laid off effective this Friday. With the demise of the Michigan tax incentive for films shot here (thank you Governor Snyder, I knew that I didn't like you), the Grace and Wild film lab had a short future. Between tax incentives and digital photography, film is quickly going the way of the 8-track player and it took my husband (and several others) employment with it.

Now we knew that this might be coming, but we were hoping that it would hold off for at least a few years so that our house would be paid for. It's going to be tight, I'm going to have to hold off on extra spending, shoes, beads, etc. We should be okay, it's the period of uncertainity that we have until he finds new employment.

Big Sigh! But I have friends that I can vent to, bounce ideas off of and drink with. I will be okay - although the dogs are worried about the Milkbones....

Here's the post that I started to write about the new trailer: About 6 years ago, my husband and I were very excited that we could buy a small travel trailer - a 21MB Ameri-lite. We were really excited. It was self contained, it was everything that we ever wanted in a travel trailer. At least, for the first few years. We made a few modifications - we took out the dinette benches because the storage under them was under utilized. Alan found a recliner chair that was RV sized on line and bought that to replace one bench, and my beading spot was in an office chair that we bought at Ikea (who doesn't love Ikea). Taking the benches out allowed for more room to move, but not much.

It's still a nice trailer - but Alan wanted...more. He wanted more space, he wanted a couch and a slide. When we went camping in July, he saw what he wanted. It was a hybrid travel trailer. A hybrid is a cross between the traditional hard sided travel trailer and a pop-up trailer (with canvas ends). After our vacation, he started haunting CraigsList to see what he could find. And he found it.

He found a 23 foot Surveyor hybrid TT that fit all our needs:

We could tow with our current truck
It had a slide (or wall what do go out) with a couch
It had a queen size bed for us, and a double for guests.
In bad weather, we could fit more than 2-3 persons inside - probably about 6 now.

Maiden camping voyage is this weekend and we can hardly wait!!

Beading Across America Book Signing Event

2011-06-19T06:44:00.001-07:00

Thanks to the magic of the internet, one of my friends was able to find a picture of the book signing event at the recent Bead and Button show and I was in it. Thank you to Cindy, who has allowed me to use her picture here!!

Seated from left: Huib Peterson, Beverly Ash Gilbert, June Huber, Sherry Serafini, Amy Kaatz, Liz Thompson (me wearing my winning hat!)

Bead and Button Show Update

2011-06-18T15:31:00.001-07:00

Bead and Button is always a whirlwind of excitement and this year was no different. I took the train, which I love, always restful and relaxing. I leave Dearborn, Michigan at 7:11 and get off the train in Milwaukee at 2:30 or so (actually 3:30 Dearborn time), and with a short walk to the Hilton Hotel - I am at my resting place for the next week.

This year was a little different for me - I was actually co-teaching a class with Marcia DeCoster (imagine - me!!), not just being the assistant....nervous? A little, but once the class started, I felt just as if I was teaching at Stony Creek Beads! Our class was "Under the Mast II" - which took Marcia's popular "Under the Mast" class and added dangling rivoli's to it.

Also different was that many of my friends from the Great Lakes Beadworkers Guild were going to be attending: Kate, Sue, Sharon, Cynthia, Michelle, Gail and many more - it was like a board meeting in Milwaukee! Several of my friends also roomed together so visiting them in the Hyatt was like summer camp with GOOD beads. I also ran into several of my Facebook friends - Gwen, Dot (Dot and I met in a bar with our bead embroidered purses)

This year, with Marcia's name and mine as instructors, we had two tables for the "Meet the Teachers" event. With a great display and her two "Marc-ettes" (Pat and myself), we have a nice evening of talking with former students (Denise found me to talk about my "Indiscret" necklace and other necklaces and then we found our picture on the Bead and Button show Facebook page - OMG!) and hopefully future students.

Preparing for next year? If I save enough money - I would love to to this! Master class with Sherry Serafini That would be such a thrill to learn more from her! Let's see, time from work shouldn't be a problem, just need to start saving! I know, I know - I can do bead embroidery, but I believe that I could take it to the next level if I am exposed to Sherry for that lenght of time!

Here is an assortment of other pictures from the week. It truely is a thrill to have had a small part in this experience.

Petra and Liz pose for a picture! Thank you!

I won the first annual B&B Show hat contest for my

"Bad Ass Bird" hat (named by Nikia Angel of Buy the Kit)

This picture was taken so that my friends in the Hyatt knew that I returned safely to

the Hilton. Of course, I had to stop in for a beverage before calling it a night

The ever stylish and talented, Marcia DeCoster, takes my picture while I take hers

Jill Wiseman and I have a "walk-by" in the hall between the convention center and the Hyatt

and discover that we have AWESOME taste in shoes!

Martina, Sandy, Sabine, and Petra in the Hyatt "Gathering Place"

Cyn Bicker's wonderful Zentangled lamp - love it!

Benjamin Bunny and Little Hoot hang out together during classes

And finally, my stash that came home with me! Can you say that I have a little bit of a crystal fetish? I love them. This year, I found crystal chain for $2 a foot. I found crystal clay and crystals to put in in (picture an altoids container covered!). I bought some of the new Tulip needles that are supposed to be wonderful - I haven't tried them out yet.

And the one thing that I found in Milwaukee that is the best? Friends!

Marcia, Tracy, Janice, Martina, Dot, Anna, Gail, Sabine, Petra and everyone else who made this a wonderful week.

(p.s. I could have been happy to leave the bronchitis in Milwaukee, but if someone had to catch it, I am glad that it was me!

Bead Cruise 2011

2011-04-20T14:49:00.000-07:00

This year's Bead Cruise was a week filled with wonderful!
Wonderful teachers: Tracy Stanley, Dallas Lovett, Marcia DeCoster and Jean Campbell.

Wonderful food: sushi, lobster, jerk chicken, red beans and rice.

Wonderful alcohol: Margaritas, a Long Island Ice Tea that was so strong that I couldn't finish it (me!!), margaritas, and another couple of margaritas. Wonderful people: Bev, Sharon, Linda, Susan, Deb, Rosanne, Rita, Sharon, Sharon and Sharon!

Wonderful itinerary: Cozumel, Mexico; Georgetown, Grand Cayman; and Falmouth, Jamaica.

And a wonderful sunburn that has finally stopped peeling off my body about 2.5 weeks after the sunburn (note to others: face moisturizer at 15 SPF + face make-up at 15 SPF + sunscreen at 4 SPF does not equal 34 SPF. Just trust me on this one).

I took a metal class from Tracy in which I made my first completely handmade copper necklace, using snips, jeweler's saw, hole punches, rivets and jump rings. It turned out so very cool - I am really happy with it. I do not believe that I will be throwing away all my seed beads to continue this forever, but now I do know how to do it. Marcia - don't worry. I still love RAW. Plus beads are lighter around the neck.

I (laughingly) signed up for a class with Marca - called "Bird of Paradise" which I finished over the weekend. It's so sweet and I do love it!

I then took an additional class with Dallas Lovett for "La Fiesta" earrings - I knew when I signed up for this class that I was going to gift these earrings to Marcia (just because I can). Of course, I had to wear them to tease her and take them out of my ears when she saw them. They look so stunning on her!

It's time for a Bead and Button countdown

2011-04-20T14:39:00.000-07:00

It's getting closer and closer! Every year, I am very excited to go to the Bead and Button show in Milwaukee and this year I am even more excited. I will be co-teaching a class with the very fabulous and famous Marcia DeCoster. Our class is on Tuesday, June 7th and is a variation of her wonderful "Under the Mast" necklace.

One weekend last summer, Marcia and I were texting forth and back with ideas and thoughts and practice pieces (this works, this doesn't, that's bad) and we ended up with "Under the Mast II" - it's truely Marcia's piece with my spin on the thought of "maybe we should add more." And look! I even have an official teacher page! Me!

There is still room if you would like to take this class. Go to the Bead and Button website at http://www.beadandbuttonshowstore.com/b11349.html

I'm very excited to have "instructor" status on a national level added to my resume. I love my teaching gig with Stony Creek Bead in Ypsilanti as Jenn and Sue are great to work with. But this is so cool!! I wonder what we can come up with for next year. Actually, we have a couple of ideas lurking in the back of our minds.

Beading Across America

2011-02-24T17:21:00.000-08:00

I can't begin to tell you how grateful I am to have been included in Beading Across America, published by Kalmbach Publishing. I first wrote about this back in 2009

The book has been published and is in my hand how. I am so geeked!

This sounds so funny to imagine, but I will be at Stony Creek Bead in Ypsilanti, Michigan on April 16th, from 10am to 4pm for a book signing. As if I was Stephen King, or Charlotte Bronte! Stop by and harass me!

February 24, 2011

2011-02-24T17:05:00.000-08:00

Alas, I am guilty. Where have I been? Hanging out on Face book and totally ignoring my blog. I should be flogged with a hank of beads, ones with a cut, because they might draw blood.

Last week was the Great Lakes Beadworkers Guild Bead Daze - 4 daze of great classes, with fabulous instructors. This year we featured Kim St. Jean, Barb Switzer, Marcia DeCoster and Sherry Serafini. I was fortunate enough to have a class with Barb - the "Eye of the Muse" piece which will be stunning when I learn to have the correct tension for working with wire. If I never finish my piece, I learned how to hammer wire correctly and a great piece of information about ultra suede on the back side of rivoli crystals. I had taken a class many years ago with Barb and she has shown tremendous growth since then. For two days, I assisted Marcia with two of her classes (Under the Mast and Aurelia bracelet). My final day was spent with Sherry, where I listed with eager ears for snippets of bead embroidery wisdom. Her work never ceases to amaze me!

Finally, Marcia and I had a few quiet moments to talk about beads and travel, and one of our dinner companions snapped our picture. We are tossing a few ideas back and forth to see what comes to fruition.

I am one lucky lady....

2011-01-04T14:36:00.000-08:00

When I think about how lucky I am, it's quite amazing:

I signed up to take a class from Marcia DeCoster several years back and end up helping her at the Bead & Button show in Milwaukee every year. When instructors come to the Great Lakes guild, we assign a classroom assistant to help with little things - tally sales, keep watchful eyes on the samples, etc. When the original classroom assistant couldn't do it, I was asked to fill in. The rest is history. This little thing has really escalated nicely.

Through my association with Marcia, I have been in contact with some of the most talented men and women in the beading community. It's been awesome and I can't begin to tell you (Marcia) how grateful I am to have you as one of my friends (my real friend). Also through this, I am doing my first gig as co-teacher in a B&B class in June. Seeing my name and bio on the B&B web page was completely mind-blowing. And Marcia will tell you that I was stunned into silence when she told me. This is a wild ride, my friends.

A couple of other beaders around the country recommend me to the editors of Kalmbach's new book "Beading Across America" and the next thing that I know, I am representing Michigan in the book. Me. Me? I still am amazed that I am going to be in this publication with many of what I call the Rock Star Bead Artists.

I started volunteering for the Great Lakes Guild and now I am the "web-mistress" (you have to put that cracking a whip sound in your head when you say web-mistress - it just sounds more exciting) for the guild. I get to work with and hang out with some amazing talent in the guild.

Through my association with the GLBG, I have gotten to know the owner of Stony Creek Bead and Gallery in Ypsilanti, MI. I have been teaching there for most of this year and it's been great fun. Having to come up with ideas and transferring these ideas from my head and hand written scribbles to professional looking patterns have been very educational. I especially enjoy it when Jenn or Sue challenge me by handing me something and telling me to go for it!

I am also lucky to have a very understanding and supportive (and cute) husband who doesn't mind beads all over the house, doesn't mind the crazy bead ladies who invade once a month or so, and has learned that Bead Cruises aren't just for the women!!

Finally, I am lucky to have met many of my computer, yahoo group and facebook friends in real life through all of the above and able to have a wonderful, strong and sensible group of friends who aren't afraid to tell me what's what.

Thank you all. I am really lucky.

Rivoli teaser....

2010-12-03T12:37:00.000-08:00

...Back to my typical silver madness, I have been working on this.....

Just a little sparkly, eh? Just enough to peak your interest? Again this is part Marcia DeCoster and part me....and all sparkle.

And just to show you that I still have color in my life, here is my version of "Rings of Saturn" (designed by Marcia DeCoster).

Sadly, I have still been looking for inspiration in all sorts of places. I was looking at coronation jewels from around the world and saw this - wouldn't it be stunning??

Creating Glamorous Jewelry with Swarovski Elements

2010-10-27T14:27:00.000-07:00

As many of you know, I don't often purchase many beading books. Much of my inspiration comes from watching Turner Classic Movies and seeing old films that produce new ideas in my head.

I ordered Jean Campbell's book "Creating Glamorous Jewelry with Swarovski Elements" with some hesitation in my mind. What if she saw the same movie that I did and she came up with something better? What if I liked hers better than what I was working on? What if, what if, what it?

What if I just throughly enjoyed reading the bios, looking at the pictures and saying "wow, I never thought of doing it like that." Which is what happened. I just leafed through the book, getting more ideas than I thought of before, "what if I mix that with this idea?"

Jean, I enjoyed it completely, I will continue to read and study what you have done and see what I can do to make an idea "ours" - I like this book.

(And happily, she's teaching for the Great Lakes Guild in the spring and I can learn more!! And on the Bead Cruise in March - Hollywood necklace swap anyone??)

New Idea!

2010-10-26T16:36:00.001-07:00

I love watching old movies and having a new idea...and I love that every time I play with the graphics program, things look a little better.

Off to bead.

Am I in a rut??

2010-10-07T04:30:00.000-07:00

I just noticed/realized that the last three projects that I have written about all have the same size and colour of seed bead. Almost looks like I don't have any other seed bead in my stash/collection. This can't be correct. Am I in a rut? This can't be true. Oh wait! Dalal's dream which I will be teaching at Stony Creek Bead and Gallery on October 24th has colour and delicas. Whew.

All Sparkle teaser

2010-10-06T05:37:00.001-07:00

It's part Marcia, it's part Liz

and it's all sparkle.....

here's a teaser of what I have been working on lately.

My wildly exciting news....

2010-09-25T11:26:00.001-07:00

It started with an idea in really late July. I was toying with the idea of dressing up Marcia's "Under the Mast" (which really didn't need dressing up because it is wonderfully elegant, but I don't follow direction well). I was playing with little 8mm rivolis that I purchased a year ago...hmmm.

Through a series of conversations, Marcia and I decided IF we could do this fast enough, we would propose it to the Bead and Button show and let's see if it's gets accepted. With last minute design changes and ideas with a flurry of emails between San Diego and Detroit (what did we do without the internet and cheap cell phone rates??), my Over the Mast was mailed to B&B with fingers crossed.

And what do you know? They liked it. I was still in a little shock - somewhat in a little denial. Me? Teaching at Bead and Button with Marcia. Of course, I have helped her in class for a number of years (telling her what to do, etc), helped out when I can, and shared a cocktail or two (not many, this is business...) I've taught in the metro Detroit area for a number of years - Henry Ford Community College Enrichment education classes, Bohemian Beads (now closed) in Dearborn and currently at Stony Creek Beads and Gallery in Ypsilanti, MI.

So when I received an email from Marcia yesterday telling me that I had to read the email from the B&B show today - I was floored. It was featured in the 9/24/10 upcoming classes. WHAT?? I squealed with delight (that's the only word that is appropriate - squealed). My co-workers thought that I saw a ...palmetto bug - but I quickly assured them that it was better than that - look!! My necklace and name on an email.

Thank you Marcia for an awesome opportunity! I know that we will have a blast working together as we have over the last years.

Four words: Thank you very much or Lobster Mac and Cheese!!

Friday - clean the studio day.

2010-08-26T10:02:00.000-07:00

My desk is a mess. A big old messy mess. And I was confusing myself. What did I need to do? Supposed to do? What was I working on? Should I have finished that piece (what piece? Where did I put it?) before starting another piece?

STOP! Liz, you are driving me crazy! And although it's not a long trip, it's time that I cleaned it up. It's insanity to have a counter that's 5 feet long and bead in a 8x10inch square.

Thursday, I emptied two boxes from work and schlepped them home. On Friday, I have a day off work. No appointments, nothing to do until the late afternoon. I'll get up as if I was going to work, dressed and make coffee....and get started. Three categories:

Keep

Donate

Toss

Questions for myself:

Do I need to keep those patterns that I had bought when I first started beading? Will I ever do any of those again?

The ultra suede petal/tulip bag? Will I ever make another? Will I ever wear the ones that I do have?

Patterns printed on the internet from the mid-late 90's and never made? Will I ever make it if I haven't by now? Toss?

Interesting beads that some of the doctors have brought me from overseas during the last 10 years and I have never done anything with? Will I ever? Do I want to keep them even though my space is limited?

Dorky patterns that I did myself and never did anything with. Save because one day they might be worth money? Toss because even I never beaded them?

Stay tuned to before and after pictures...

Indiscreet

2010-08-09T17:16:00.000-07:00

There is a great movie (at least in my eyes) out there called "Indiscreet" starring Deborah Kerr and Cary Grant - both not young lovers, but still very much in love. She believes that he is married and he lets her believe this and both are very happy....until...

I'm not going to be a plot wrecker in case you decide to rent this movie - it's just a wonderful love story. In this movie, Deborah Kerr wears a necklace very similar to my version here. This necklace is made with 18mm vintage Swarovski aquamarine rivolis - a full dozen of them. I bezeled them (is bezeled a word?) using RAW the way that I learned from my friend, Marcia Decoster taught me.

I give to you - "Indiscreet"

Aquamarine Crystals

2010-08-04T07:10:00.000-07:00

Back in April 2010, I posted "Another Teaser" about a necklace that I was attempting. It's based on a movie that I was watching and so pretty. This is how it started:
My previous version picture was posted, and I was liking what it was doing to a degree. But by the time I had 8 crystals put together - I didn't care for it. I wanted it to curve, and it wasn't curving enough. I took apart at B&B and started putting it back together again. Now I have a piece that is curving better and should lay the way that I want it to. Whew - that was a PITA (pain in the ...er, abdomen)!

When I look at the piece, I didn't notice that the thread shows through on the front of the rivoli. I might have to add another bead to the last row on the top. Yes, of course, it's still RAW (you knew the answer to that...)
I now have the crystals put together and I am working on the back of the necklace. I knew that I shouldn't have sold some of these crystals until I had a clear idea of what I was going to do. But, it still will be wonderful!

Look who's famous now?

2010-07-15T04:29:00.001-07:00

Casie, my oldest Rat Terrier(ist) is famous now. She made Marcia DeCoster's blog post today!!

Bead and Button Show Report 2010

2010-06-18T09:05:00.000-07:00

Better late than never, here is my thoughts on the B&B Show this year (last years report is here and 2008 is here). I love coming to this show. This year, I drove with my friend Joanne, and two new friends Tricia and Rana (sp?) through Chicago (that took 2 hours!! Two hours?! Why didn't I take the train? Oh, yes, fun with the girls - that's why. But seriously - two hours? Don't you people in Chicago work? Or take the subway, etc??).

But that's negative thoughts and I don't want to be negative! Once I got to Milwaukee, and unloaded my wares into the hotel room, I started my search for my buddies: Marcia, Janice, Tracy and found them right where I knew that they wouldn't disappoint me! It was a fun evening with laughs, giggles and almost musical chairs as we were joined by Dallas Lovett and his trusty side-kick, Sam Mayo. What a wonderful welcome to Milwaukee!

My duties in Milwaukee are so easy: I do my best to make Marcia shine as she teaches for 4 full days. Her classes are full of so many nice, interesting and fun students that it's something that I really love to help with. It also helps me with my teaching skills and learning how to help students better. How can I miss with the great projects that she has to help with?

I thought that the show floor wasn't as crowded as in some years past, but it was far from empty. Just look at all these vendors! Many booths had lines around them with happy customers parting with their cash...that's a good thing.

My stash this year is different than it has been in some years. A couple of kits - Marcia's (of course) and Jill Wiseman's "Night at the Opera" bracelet, along with a few crystals. Just a few mind you. The hat was in the B&B bag (and I will never wear it), a Toho mug, some samples that I was lucky enough to get handed as I walked through the show floor. What am I going to do with all these crystals? I don't exactly know, but I know that Lafaye from Virginia was happy to see me (multiple times)...

How's this for a find? The long crystals were $7.00 a piece and I splurged on them. The rest of the crystals in this picture cost me ....$5.00! They were in a grab bag at the John Allen booth (and I bought 5 grab bags) and they are stunning. There are a few scratch and dents, but for the most part are pieces that I can use in bead embroidery or capturing with a bezel.

To close out this story, here is a picture of my good friends during out last dinner in Milwaukee (liberated the picture from Marcia's blog, thank you very much): Tracy Stanley, Marcia DeCoster, Jeannette Cook, Janice Berkebile, and me! Even better is that I will be on a bead cruise with Tracy and Marcia next March (see my previous post about this). I have even signed up for Tracy class so that I can play with hammers - does that mean that I am going to the dark side?And I am looking forward to next year's show already!!

Beading Across America

2010-06-17T05:45:00.000-07:00

During the 2009 Bead and Button show, I met with Amy Katz and briefly with Paulette Baron and was invited to join them in a book that they were editing with Sherry Serafini called "Beading Across America." I had a project that they were interested in the book, that I blogged about last April called Spring.

During this Bead and Button show, I saw a poster of the cover of the book - and it suddenly became real to me! It's really going to happen, and I am in the book. OMG.
Preorders for the book are available on the Kalmbach Bookstore!

Less than 300 days from now...

2010-06-02T05:20:00.000-07:00

Bead Cruise 2011!

This is be my 5th bead themed cruise and my third with Heather Powers, Bev Herman and Bead Cruise. I really enjoy cruising (which I never thought that I enjoy). This next March will be extra special since we will be cruising with my favorite instructors: Dallas Lovett, Tracy Stanley and Marcia DeCoster!

But while I still have quite a wait for this Bead Cruise - another great bead thing is happening next week, it's time for the Bead and Button Show! I leave on Tuesday, driving to Milwaukee with a few bead friends from the Great Lakes Guild. I will be assisting Marcia DeCoster for four days in class, reconnecting with friends from past years, shopping and just generally having fun.

I wonder what kind of great things I will find this year?

A little embarrassed...

2010-05-25T13:17:00.000-07:00

I'm posting my little heart off over the last month or so, and can't understand why I am not getting any comments. NONE!! I thought for certain that the tattoo would have prompted some comments - even if it was that people thought that I was insane (not too far from the truth). Nothing.

Then, I was posting this mornings post when I noticed something in settings. It was set so that I had to approve all the comments. Hell? When did I turn that setting on? I don't remember doing that. Was I drinking? Was I smoking crack?

I had a lot. LOT. of comments to approve. And only one to be deleted (I can't read Chinese).

My bad....

Fanfare

2010-05-25T03:23:00.000-07:00

Finally finished with this bracelet. Having a chubby wrist means that I needed to make more components than the directions called for, but I finally had enough over the weekend. I strung them together and took photos in the early morning light.
The sparkle on mine is very, very nice, but not as sparkly as the original. Marcia's has BLING, while mine has bling. I didn't have access to double AB jet bicones, but I had a lot of plain AB jet bicones, which is what I used. I still love it.
Is there anyone else out there that hears "Fanfare" and automatically puts in "for the common man" which was on an Emerson, Lake and Palmer recording?

I did it...

2010-05-15T14:53:00.000-07:00

After years and years of thinking about and threatening to get a tattoo, I finally did it. I have thought about moose (of course), teddy bears, Korean script and more - but I never did commit to anything over the years. That was until last year when I saw Ben Houstie's print of a flock of hummingbirds. I just love the stylized hummingbirds that he has drawn.

Well, I committed Friday night and had my lower leg tattoed. I love it. Learning how to take care of it was interesting - none of the web pages tells you exactly what to do and for how long - just bits and pieces and lots of conflicting information. So, I'll do what Mark from Liquid Chaos suggested. This picture was from this morning - about 12 hours after the tattoo was done. The colours will even out as it heals.

I love it. Yes, it hurt - but not as much as a root canal. It was more of an annoyance for about an hour, if the pain scale was a 10 total, I might have hit 5 a couple of times. It's almost completely impossible to describe.

Am I glad that I did it? Yup? And would I get another tattoo? Most likely - but I won't just jump into one - it's got to speak to me as this hummingbird did.

OMG!! Found it!

2010-05-13T11:04:00.000-07:00

A zillion years ago, I posted that I had to remake Marica DeCoster's business card case because I lost it and couldn't find it anywhere? Guess what I found today?

I put on a jacket that I don't wear very often (over the head, no zipper, but does block the wind well and I bought it in Korea in 1999 so I am sentimental over it), and there it was in the pocket. Go figure!!

What am I doing?

Beading another necklace piece
Earrings from an Ann Benson kit (I don't like peyote bezels around a large crystal so I modified it to RAW)
Spring gardening (if this rain would stop)
Zentangles
Saving for a tattoo and checking out shops and different artists work.
Work

Another teaser

2010-04-26T09:46:00.000-07:00

Working on another movie inspired necklace - just the beginnings to make certain that my "ah-ha" moment from last weekend really does work. So far there has been several take out and put back together moments to see that the spacing between these wonderful crystals (a find from Bead and Button show last year) really does work and the curvature (I just googled this word to ensure that it is a word and I did spell it correctly, but the definition is making my brain bleed) lays correctly.

More on the movie lately, but it does star two well known actors, but I don't believe that the movie is widely known....If I continue finding jewelry from old movies to emulate, will I become rich and famous? I doubt it....

African Record

2010-03-26T07:41:00.000-07:00

Recently I won some really cool sequins from Judith at BeadLine - I love them. I started this record the other day and it's progressed really nicely. There are some cupped sequins that were pretty dirty in this bunch, but a little water and a q-tip - viola! Clean.

I won't have enough to fill the entire space, which is fine as I have a plan (you know, one of those things that comes to you with the lightbulb over the head? Yes, it was one of those moments). I am going to finish the rest of the record with size 11 seed beads in black, alternating rows of matte black and shiny black; like the grooves of a record. Brilliant if I must say so myself.

Judith - was this what you pictured when you selected me?

Bead Journal Project - March 2010

2010-03-13T13:37:00.001-08:00

It's a chilly and blustery March day - rain, wind and dreary. I sit here and watch the fountain grass out the window blowing back and forth and but I'm staying warm in my old man sweater and having fun beading. So I worked today on my March knob - painted with bright green nail polish and beaded with brown, lime and turquiose.

March is complete, being installed in a couple of minutes.

I like it.

It's a good day.

And I am....

2010-02-23T10:54:00.000-08:00

....a Winner!!

Judith posted on her site about what we would do with these heshi beads from record albums if we had them. I wrote that I would do a bead embroidered record - I thought it would be interesting to turn them back into a record, eh? I received a message from Judith telling me that I had a great idea and I won! http://beadline.blogspot.com/2010/02/african-sequins.html

And more "Lovett"

2010-02-23T03:15:00.000-08:00

Finally, after a year, I had the courage to

start and complete it.

I wonder what other kits I have laying around that I need to complete?

Classes over...

2010-02-21T17:50:00.001-08:00

...and back to work in the morning. It was a wonderful four days of classes with the Great Lakes Beadworkers Guild. I was actually class assistant for Dallas Lovett for those days, but with the inspiration (and jokes) flying through the building - it was awesome. Above Dallas is giving a demonstration of what is the correct technique. Below is a photo of the masters' hands and several attentive students.

I managed to make one project in the class and purchase a couple more - I'm going to be a walking billboard for Dallas in the Metro Detroit area. The La Fiesta earrings below were made in a couple of evenings at home and the pendant "Time Beads On" was made during class

It was fun to meet and spend some time talking with all the instructors - Nancy Cain, Huib Peterson, and of course - Tracy Stanley. What a talented group of artists to be assembled in Michigand and I got to be part of it. Wow - I am so lucky.

It's going to be a good week...

2010-02-15T10:38:00.000-08:00

I work Monday and Tuesday, then I have a guild meeting with the Great Lakes Beadworkers Guild on Tuesday evening - with our Bead Daze instructors! This year, the GLBG has brought in Dallas Lovett, Nancy Cain, Huib Petersen and Tracy Stanley to teach for four days - February 17th through the 20th.

The GLBG is a great group of beaders - and I have been a member for over 10 years now. I remember going to my first bead show hosted by the guild - and being stunned that there were more bead-crazy people out there. I joined the guild, volunteered at many of our Bead Bonanza Shows and have since become the webmaster for the guild and attend many of the board meetings.

I have made some really good friends that are in this guild and

people I have met because of this guild.

I mean, without the guild - could I have done much of the beadwork that I have learned? I don't think so. We, as a guild, ROCK!!

(I'll be back next week, hopefully with some pictures!)

Happy Birthday!

2010-02-07T13:55:00.001-08:00

I was commissioned to make a business card case for one of the physicians that I work with. For the last couple of weeks, I have been been working on this for Zahraa - hoping to finish it for her birthday! I made my deadline of today and will be able to give this her tomorrow! Of course this is a pattern by Marcia DeCoster - in right angle weave. I used a rectangle Swarovski button with the two colors of silver beads. Love it!

I'm a winner!!

2010-01-28T13:00:00.003-08:00

That's winner, not whiner! Look what I won! Isn't it just me!?

(I know, I know; it's me and just a little over the top! But it's a sassy passport cover - that's why I had to try to win on Ebay!)

Better late than never

2010-01-27T10:48:00.000-08:00

I am a member of two bead guilds in Michigan - the Great Lakes Beadworkers Guild and Saginaw Valley Bead Society. Last November, three beading buddies and I travelled five hours north to Traverse City, MI and the Saginaw Valley "Beading Fantasy Weekend." What a nice weekend. We have done this three years in a row and each year is a lot of fun. Sharon, Jeanette, Diane and myself share a hotel room overlooking Grand Traverse Bay.

On Friday, the program begins in the evening and we spent the day visiting downtown Traverse City where Sharon found these great "S.L.U.T" cups - it stands for "Stressed-out Ladies Unwinding Together" - which were great for the hard cider and wine that we bought.

We also went to several of the local wineries - which are wonderful! While leaving one of the vineyards, I asked Jeanette to stop the car so that I could take a photo of the wonderful grapes on the vine.

Awesome! And the woman at Chateau Chantel was nice enough to take a photo of the four of us.

The Saginaw Valley Bead Society does a really nice job putting this small retreat (55 persons) together. The "goodie" bag is wonderful and full of great items. They have small classes for all levels of beading, sell their kits, have an open beading area from 11am to 6pm - then a group project for everyone to enjoy. It's a nice group of ladies to know.

We found a great place for carryout for dinner on Saturday - it was a small market on the main road into town - and they had shrimp - boiled shrimp - OMG! The Bayside Market also has jerky, cheese, a deli, wine, spirits; on certain days they have BBQ ribs and chicken - grilled right in front of the store. We had the shrimp on Saturday and received some jealous glances from the other beaders!!

And all good times must come to an end - on Sunday, we packed up the car, Jeanette waved goodby to the Bay and we drove home...can't wait for next year

Progress...but not in beading

2010-01-27T06:11:00.000-08:00

I am doing the Happy Dance in Detroit (it's like the Electric Slide, but without all the people watching)!! My blood pressure is down from 160/90 in August to 121/71 in October - which made me very happy. My change? I switched from diet Mountain Dew to Caffeine Free diet Mountain Dew (I have to say I am sorry to everyone who I have laughed at over the years for drinking the Caffein Free diet Mountain Dew) and I have cut out about 1 mug of coffee a day.

The rest of my numbers are getting in the right direction, and since the start of Weight Watchers (yeah, again), my next fasting blood numbers should be even better. My LDL (good cholesterol) is acceptable (do you think its the cup of Cheerios almost every morning or is that a coincidence?), blood sugar acceptable, and I have lost 10 pounds since January 9th.

Ten pounds lost, only ten more pounds - about 9 times. Progress is slow, but heading in the right direction.

2009 in Review

2010-01-26T11:47:00.000-08:00

I saw this over on Melissa & Kris's blogs (I bet you two didn't think that I read them...) and hmmmm, some of these questions really make me think. Here I go!

1. What did you do in 2009 that you’d never done before? Alan and I had the opportunity to go on a cruise to Alaska. ALASKA! It's magical. Also, I won first prize for designing a bead pattern for a starfish for the 2010 Bead-A-Day pattern. Thank you Sharon for FORCING me to do this!

2. Did you keep your New Years’ resolutions, and will you make more for next year? For the most part, I don't make resolutions, but I will be making one for 2010. I need to loose weight. Not I want to or I should. I need to. My BP was 160/90 in August and down to 121/71 in October.

3. How will you be (did I) spending New Year’s Eve? The same way I spend most weekend evenings - beading and watching old movies. I actually stayed up until after midnight.

4. Did anyone close to you die? My father passed away in February. Enough said.

5. What countries did you visit? Canada (and two states that I hadn't been in before: Washington and Alaska)

6. What would you like to have in 2010 that you lacked in 2009? I'd like for my health to be better.

7. What date from 2009 will remain etched upon your memory, and why? May 2009 - the vision from my Alaskan cruise. Those who know me, know that I am not a religious person. Something in this trip changed inside me to a little more spiritual - not necessarily religious - but spiritual!

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year? First place in a contest for a beaded starfish. The best part was that when I wrote the instructions, I didn't realize I was entering the contest - I just did it.

9. What was your biggest failure? Not sticking to "lifestyle changes" the way that I should have.

10. Did you suffer illness or injury? This damn getting older stuff is rough on my body. If I would just feel older mentally, not just physically.

11. What was the best thing you bought? The camera that my husband bought me and I have become a believer in Bare Minerals line of products. I never thought that I would really like a brand as much as I like these...

12. Where did most of your money go? Home Mortgage.

13. What song will always remind you of 2009? Detroit 67 by Sam Roberts

14. What do you wish you’d done more of? Keep in touch with family a little better. I get together with friends, but forget about family. We have never been real close, and I don't know if that's bad, but I should keep in better touch.

15. What do you wish you’d done less of? Eat.

16. What was your favorite TV program? Turner Classic Movies.

17. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year? Actually, yes I do. Hate might be too strong of a word, but there is a person who I don't care for as much as I used to.

18. What was the best book you read? Beading books of course ... Marcia's, Rachel's and Diane's

19. What was your greatest musical discovery? None.

20. What was your favorite film of this year? I think that I went to one movie in 2009 - Sherlock Holmes - just after Christmas. It was good.

21. What did you do on your birthday? Worked, what else?

22. What kept you sane? My husband, my friends and my beads.

23. Who did you miss? Dad

24. Who was the best new person you met? Several of the new Beady Friends on the Bead Cruise - Ruth, Beth, Jodi, and more...

25. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2009: Just because you can eat it, doesn't mean that you should...

Bead Journal Project - January 2010

2010-01-16T17:56:00.000-08:00

True to my promise, I'm back! I had an idea for my first couple of beaded knobs.

The first knob is a modified "Terracita" style medallion from my friend, Marcia's book. It was modified to fit the knob, which is wood and was painted with pink nailpolish (why buy paint, when I have nailpolish?).

The next knob is just a simple swirl of colours with beads that are leftover from a kit that I have. I love the texture that the swirl evokes.

Back when I have something else going on!!

January projects

2010-01-14T11:05:00.000-08:00

I will admit, since I joined Facebook, my blog posts have taken a second row seat to FB. Why is that? Instant comments? Need for mass appeal? Since I don't know the answer, but recognize the deficiency, I will do my best to stay active here.

So....bones are progressing. All the fingers have been finished and I am starting on the handbones (connected to the wrist bones, wrist bones connected to the arm bones...). While I work in my head how to do that, I have been making....

FANS!! I need to make about 38-40 of them for a new bracelet. Whew!! It's taking about 45 minutes a fan - now it's brain-dead beading which I can do easily!

Skeletons in my closet

2009-12-28T05:54:00.001-08:00

Last year I was given a hand. Literally, it was a hand and lower arm.

What was I going to do with it? I have been debating about it for a while and even posted on Facebook about it.
Over the holiday, I started doing something about it.

One finger completed at first - did I like it? I did, I did.
As of this morning, I have three fingers worth completed. Two more fingers, a ring, the hand and arm bones need to be completed....

Why?

Why not?

Merry Holidays

2009-12-27T06:05:00.000-08:00

What a nice holiday.

Gift certificate to my favorite local bead store, Stony Creek Bead,

pedicure from my brother

new Birkenstock's from my brother and his

girlfriend, and new jammies from

Joe Boxer!

We have very quiet holidays.

Today, lunch with friends;

Tomorrow, a date with my husband.

Below, a picture of my niece, Isabel who told me that

my beads were a mess and I need to straighten them.

So she did.

December Gathering of Beaders

2009-12-22T05:57:00.000-08:00

December found our merry gang of beaders in Southfield, Michigan

at Jeanette's home. I don't know how much beading we did,

but we did a lot of laughing and talking.

Here's most of our gang:

front: Sharon, Joanne, Madeline, Sharon and Susie

back: Jeanette, Linda, Liz, Diane and Deb

missing: Sandy, Kate and Joan

Last year we worked on our Round Robin Bead Embroidery project.

This year we are working on Beaded Beads for each other.

Ladies - it's been a fun year! I hope that we all have a great

holiday season and a fantastic 2010!

Rings of Saturn

2009-12-02T16:47:00.001-08:00

I've been working on Rings of Saturn (designed by Marcia DeCoster) most of the summer and through the fall. I made the base once and didn't like the way that I was doing it and took it out. Then out again. This last time, it came together nicely. I adapted the chain for a Russian Spiral - time consuming but well worth the results. This is a wonderful kit - nice mix of RAW, peyote and embellishing.

Combination Bracelet!

2009-11-14T13:44:00.000-08:00

I was playing with beads the other day, and I do love this turquoise and brown combo, when I started making the modified right angle weave stitch that Marcia Decoster used in her Romantica Lariat. Using two strips of units, with one thrown in with crystals, and a clasp from the Quadrille Medaglia to make this bracelet. It has an unexpected and cool curve in the bracelet that I wasn't expecting, and I do love it.

Black Romantica

2009-10-31T07:44:00.000-07:00

Here is my version of Marcia's Romantica Lariat. I used mostly black 8/0, 11/0 and 15/0 seed beads. I bezeled around a vintage snap that I bought at Bead & Button this year, added a vintage round and a Swarovski button. Below is a close up.
I might have to make one of these for my ID badge holder at work. I will just have to determine what colour will go with most of my clothes.

Marie Dressler - finished!

2009-10-21T15:53:00.000-07:00

Finished it! Here is my inspiration: a movie still from "Dinner at Eight" with Marie Dressler. I noticed this necklace on her and said to myself "Hmmmm, that looks interesting. I found the movie still and enlarged the necklace (don't you love the computer some days?) to study it.

Here is my completed piece - completed with 10 large rivoli's and seven smaller ones. I used a combination of right angle weave (Thank you Marcia), peyote and herringbone spirals (thank you Amy Katz). Don't adjust your colours - the background is black, and the necklace is all in silver and crystal.
For those who have known me a long time, you know that this is so outside of my comfort zone. I am thrilled with the feel and look of this piece. Isn't it regal??

Starfish and Stuff

2009-10-20T09:35:00.000-07:00

It's a hazy, autumn day in Michigan.

I didn't have anything new to update, so I thought that I would show how I am

displaying my beaded starfish. It's a a beautiful piece of amethyst which I

pulled out of the rocky soil of northern Ontario, Canada.

The starfish drapes nicely over the sides of the rock.

Above is a group photo of the Beady Friends from our Alaskan Cruise 2009

This isn't the whole group, but a good portion of it.

Aren't we a good looking bunch?

Work on my mystery necklace is progressing - working on the clasp now.

Should finish over the weekend (with luck) to show it off.

Mystery necklace progresses

2009-10-16T03:23:00.000-07:00

Look Marcia - components!

See? I was listening even though my lips might have been talking!

Some serious bling happening

Starts to take shape, but it's missing something..... That's right - more components and sparkle.

Although what made me believe that I could bezel a small rivoli like that?

Oh, yes, it was a third margarita. That's what did it.

More to come now that I have only one other deadline piece to make.

Well, two.

Instructions for Sunday's class at Stony Creek Bead Gallery &

Use the Muse.

(which I have started and might actually finish)

Liz and Denise go to the Beach

2009-10-12T04:41:00.000-07:00

I joined a Collaboration Project with Glass Act (Southeastern Michigan Glass Beadmakers Guild) and the Great Lakes Beadworkers Guild. The theme, being that this is Michigan, "Water All Around Us." I was paired up with a wonderful bead artist, Denise Billups-Walker. We met at Bead and Button in Milwaukee in June and played some ideas off each other. Denise ran with the ideas and created these wonderful glass bathing beauties and other wonderful pieces (above are some of the little cuties - little flip-flops, clam shells, starfish, fish, palm tree and lighthouse - and bathing beauty below!).

I turned in my piece on Sunday, at the Great Lakes Beadworkers Guild Fall Bead Bonanza, and while I was happy with the piece, I was pleased to see that others loved it also. So here is the first peak of "Liz and Denise go to the Beach" which will displayed at the Lawrence Street Gallery in Ferndale, MI from November 1 to 30th. Opening night reception and announcement of awards is on November 13. See you there!

I confess.....

2009-10-02T09:40:00.000-07:00

....I did it. I threw beads away.

Yup. I was so pissed at these size 11 beads that I didn't even feel like taking them apart. I was working on a "frame" about 3x5 inches, about 1/2 inch thick and it just wasn't doing what I wanted it to. It kept warping out of square. Figures that it's for a project that was due yesterday and it's now overdue. I started "debeading" and decided, bump it - toss. Naturally, anyone who knows me, knows that I didn't say "bump" but a much worse word. Yes, keeping it clean for family viewing.

Do I feel bad for throwing away about 15 hours of work? Work I did while sitting on the patio during my Fridays off during the summer? Yes, I do. Damn.

Back to the drawing board. Late.

More progress.....

2009-09-17T17:41:00.001-07:00

I've been working on this almost exclusively all week and look what's happening....

Sunday morning....

2009-09-13T06:10:00.001-07:00

I am getting ready for class this morning in a couple of hours, but find time to post here:

My necklace is moving along - I am pretty happy with the way that it's turning out. This is the front center of it. I have more rivoli's going along each end - I know there will be two more, maybe three. The 15/0 seed bead is exactly the color that I was looking for - an antiqued silver color. Below is a close up of the rivoli's and connection. I have used RAW and peyote stitches.

Finally, I think the next picture would make a great tattoo, since I have been dreaming about one for a while.....I love the simplicity of the Pacific NW Native American designs and this one By Ben Houstie is really beautiful. Anyone who knows me well would know that something flowery or "pretty" just isn't Liz - but this is really quietly beautiful.

Now I need to shower and dress, drive to class, and thank my mentor for helping me with my skills.

Newest Project

2009-09-10T18:21:00.001-07:00

I know, I know, I have been ignoring my blog and that's not a good thing to do. But I have been writing directions for a large project - that I am keeping under wraps for now, and I have been working on directions for the classes that I will start teaching soon at Stony Creek Bead Gallery. Yikes, that's on Sunday.

But here is something that I have started working on in the last weeks. It's based on a necklace that I saw in an old movie - you know, the Barrymore era - an old movie. When I get closer to the finished project, I will show the inspiration photo still from the movie and my necklace. Proto-type one didn't work so well. Good idea, but the scale was way off so it's been renovated and restarted. As you can see from my two teaser pictures, large rivoli's and 15/0 seed beads are involved.

What else is going on? Hmmmmmm, hubby is in California for an extended weekend as his cousin from NYC is getting married. I'm home letting the dogs out and in and out. I know several friends that would care for the dogs, but it's just my excuse. It's not the easiest time to leave work.

Summer is coming to a close, I have time for one more pedicure before I give up my Birkie's for the summer. Now, on a quiet Thursday evening, I am going to watch one more episode of "True Blood" (which isn't half bad) before calling it a night. Maybe I can get one more rivoli finished...

Since when.....

2009-08-26T07:10:00.001-07:00

.....did stop signs and traffic signals become a suggestion instead of the law? And turning right from the left lane?

Inquiring minds want to know.

My to-do list is still hanging around:

write instructions (two projects done, two more left)
~~finish my items for a gallery show in August (done June 14, 2009)~~
~~frame above items (done July 20th)~~
~~write an artist statement (done)~~
loose 100 pounds (well, 2.4 pounds gone)
become taller
catch up on the Bead Journal Project - only 5 months behind, but I did find all the pieces when I started clearing off my work bench...
clean up my work bench (started)
determine what beads that I have I will never use and do something to get them out of my way (this is too funny)

Teaching? Me??

2009-07-27T09:20:00.000-07:00

Okay - I have been approached (coerced, blackmailed) by my local bead store and asked to teach a simple RAW project. Moi? Teach? Seriously, girls - you want me to teach? Me? I'm called "The Bad Liz" for a reason, you know. Okay, I have been helping Marcia teach for several years (more than two is several, nicht wahr?) and I really enjoy it. It's helped me learn alot about teaching styles, my teaching capacity, patient but am I ready?

I have an idea for just a simple RAW bracelet and I am started to write instructions without looking at anyone else's on-line or printed samples, coming up with diagrams, ideas, etc. as that would be unethical. Diagrams in powerpoint, export them into Word and putting it all together. What a process. A very important learning experience for me, and it gives me newfound appreciation for all that the "Rock Star Bead Artists" do with their instructions.

I will never know if I am ready unless I try, right? What's the worse that can happen? They will fire me and I will have learned something about myself. Learning something about ones self might be a good idea.

I might have to drive out there after work one night and see if I can make it for a 6pm class .start.

Great Lakes Beadworkers Guild show at the BBAC

2009-07-24T10:28:00.000-07:00

Last night was the opening reception at the Birmingham Bloomfield Art Center in Birmingham, MI. Several pieces of my bead embroidery and other items were selected to be in this show. It was really nice to see the volume of beadwork that our guild produces - and the quality of all the artists involved. Photos were not allowed, but I didn't know if I was going to get back up to the show (it's about 45 minutes north of where I live), so I took some. I guess I really can't follow the rules.

I was completely blown away when I saw that my Soraksan Dragon was selected to be in the show poster at the entrance to the DeSalle gallery. What an honour!

The collection of religious icons looks stunning arranged this way on this wall. I might have to rethink the arrangement that I have at home - although they look good in a row over the sofa.
This is the starfish that was chosen by the editors of the 2010 Beading Calendars as first-place submission. It looks wonderful on a piece of amythest that was brought back from Ontario, Canada.

MySchloss Neuschwanstein looked so tiny in my eyes, but several people came up and told me that they loved the castle - the way I did the background with the canvas, etc.
Casie on the Rocks is the bead embroidery piece of my oldest Rat Terrier(ist) - Casie is just now starting to show her age and this piece captures her in her youth when climbing over rocks was not a big deal.

And a closeup of Soraksan on the wall. The way that they light is poised above it really makes the colours in the dragon pop. I love this piece.

I took a few other pictures and hope to get back and take a few more before the show ends on August 21st. I didn't join this show to sell anything, but if I do, that's a bonus. It's exciting to have things that I have in my home arranged professionally in a gallery. It was exciting to hear people talk about my pieces, how well they liked them, how the execution is wonderful, etc.

New Stuff

2009-07-17T06:17:00.001-07:00

I have finished a couple of projects recently. The first being the Davida Bracelet by Amy Katz. Amy did a wonderful job of putting this kit together, the instructions were easy to read and understand and the finished project is stunning. Knowing me, I made one adaptation - I changed the pale green rivolis for an olivine rivoli that goes with more of my wardrobe. The bracelet is a spiraling herringbone. It's stunning. My other piece is this necklace - an adaptation of a Maria Rypan lariat. Actually and honestly, take the word "adaptation" out and insert "Liz can't read patterns" I was adding 6 beads instead of 5 and I really do like the way it works. Add a focal bead that I purchased at Stony Creek Beads in Ypsilanti (note to self - find artist name) and a new necklace was born.

Convo me.....

2009-07-16T12:49:00.000-07:00

...what does this me? When googling the phrase, I learned that it means to have a conversation with someone - on line, text or a call back...

But "Convo me if you need more information"? No - I don't conversation you but:

I will call you

I will email you

I will text you

I will meet you

But I won't convo you.

(Or do I just need to get with the program?)

July Camping and another dog story

2009-07-13T09:44:00.000-07:00

How many of you remember this Stinky Dog Story?

Guess who found a skunk again? One guess. Yup, Chloe.....

What we learned:
1. Tawas, Michigan is still in the wilds. It's not the city of Tawas.
2. Dogs don't remember what happened the last time they chased the black and white kitty.
3. Husbands don't remember what happened the last time they let Chloe out at night without a leash.
4. Chloe is on a leash before the doors open.
5. You don't get used to the smell of skunks.
6. Dawn dishwashing pads, vinegar and water douche, and baking soda do a damn good job of getting the stink out of the dog.

Vacation photos are on Facebook

Bead and Button Booty....

2009-06-17T03:18:00.001-07:00

...a friend asked what I bought when I was in Milwaukee so I thought I'd share part of it...I bought a few crystals. Just a few mind you - some vintage, some have small scratches, some snaps, but all beautiful..Just a few little pretties to keep busy with...

Just enough to do a project or two or three...a month...for about a year....And this I just couldn't resist.....Chloe was sound asleep when I

took this picture of just her little nose peeking out of the blankets.

Religious Icons - Part 5

2009-06-14T15:11:00.000-07:00

I just added the final stitches just a couple of minutes ago.

With this cross, I have beaded a total of five religious icons.

I entered this into a gallery show later this summer and

needed to finish it.

There's one thing off my to-do list from yesterday!

Catching up....

2009-06-13T06:30:00.000-07:00

2009 Alaska Cruise

Haven't had a lot of time between my vacation on the Beady Friends Bead Cruise to Alaska, going to Bead and Button in Milwaukee and work. Above is the link to my pictures. This year's cruise was awesome - the group is a really nice group of beaders and family. I'm ready for Alaska again....

Following Alaska, I repacked my bags and took the train to Bead and Button in Milwaukee, where I assisted Marcia Decoster for four days of classes. I really love going to Bead and Button, and although I didn't see any of my Iowa friends lurking around, I caught up with many people that I haven't seen since last year.

Marcia and Liz giggling about something.

My to-do list is getting longer:

write instructions
teach RAW to a couple of friends here
~~finish my items for a gallery show in August~~ (done June 14, 2009)
frame above items
write an artist statement
loose 100 pounds
become taller
catch up on the Bead Journal Project - only 3 months behind...
clean up my work bench
determine what beads that I have I will never use and do something to get them out of my way

Back to reality - today's project is to wash that grey right out of my hair.....

Beaded Opulence.......

2009-06-09T11:09:00.000-07:00

Beaded Opulence

This book is a MUST HAVE (yes, I yelled) for your collection. While I was at Bead and Button, I was able to caress Marcia's copy of Beaded Opulence. Run, do not walk, to Marcia's web site,MAD Designs to check when you can preorder your copy! It's stunning - many projects, all beautiful, inspirational photos.

You heard it hear first!!!

Books!

2009-05-07T06:38:00.000-07:00

I don't purchase many beading books, but I have just recently bought these three: "Masters in Beadweaving" - with many of my personal beading goddesses/gods included in this book, I had to have this in my collection.

When I was in Ohio recently for a beading girly weekend, I had the opportunity to look through these books. Ohmygoodness! What stunning eye candy in "The Beaded Sphere" by Judy Walker. I can't wait to try some of these items.

Also, Diane Fitzgerald's "Shaped Beadwork" shook me out of my non-book buying behavior! Some of the pieces in this book look like cast metal items - it's fabulous.

Finally, I am waiting with "bated breath*" for the release these two books. The first from my personal bead mentor, Marcia Decoster's, book - "Beaded Opulence" and Rachel Nelson-Smith's "Seed Bead Fusion"

{*Bated here is a contraction of abated through loss of the unstressed first vowel (a process called aphesis); it means “reduced, lessened, lowered in force”. So bated breath refers to a state in which you almost stop breathing as a result of some strong emotion, such as terror or awe.}

What to post.....

2009-05-07T05:58:00.000-07:00

I just finished my newest necklace the other day and I'm wearing it today: a Crystal Collage beauty. Of course I don't have a picture of it, but it's featured on Marcia's website.

It might be a little "showy" for an office look, but it matches my tank top and I had to do it.....so, here's the picture from Marcia's web page

The woman in the cafeteria asked me how much....Nuff said.

Leaving in the morning......

2009-04-23T05:50:00.001-07:00

For a girly weekend in Ohio - at Sharon's house!! I'm driving down Friday morning with another beader from this area, also named Sharon.....that's going to be interesting.

Sharon is also the editor of the Bead a Day calendar, which as beaders we should all have one!

Certainly, beading and cocktails will ensue - I am hoping to finish my Portico necklace that I have been working on, an ID badge lariat for my sister, and who knows what else I will take with me. Sharon (Michigan Sharon) and I might work on a bracelet by Rachel Nelson-Smith

The carved Tagua nut is for my doctor buddy, Roque, who is going to Panama and will be picking up some of these beauties for me. I'm hoping for an octopus or jaguar for me. But I will let him use his eye for selecting me some.....

TTFN!!

Spring!!

2009-04-09T16:29:00.000-07:00

Start with any size "O" ring

Cover with Right Angle Weave (or another stitch if you haven't discovered the love of RAW)

Embellish with several rows of beading and crystals on the edges

Add a little metallic bling for some real sparkle

Add a bail in peyote on the back side, make certain your necklace of choice will fit through it.

Inspired by Marcia DeCoster

"Use the Muse" Contest

2009-03-25T09:32:00.000-07:00

I am really excited to have been a part of the "Use the Muse" contest. It made me use colours and beads in a combination that I normally wouldn't try. My necklace was started, torn out, restarted and torn out again. The third try worked. I really am happy with the way that the daggers spread out on the ring; the crystals, pearls and bugles lay on the ring, and the subtle colours in the beads and Russian spiral necklace.

I completed my work, duely took pictures and sent them off to be judged. Within several hours, I received a phone call from Scarlett about my submission pictures. (Scarlett! Called me!! Actually called me. Someone from a magazine called me....)

Turns out that there were one or two kits that didn't include the muse.....I was one of the lucky ones. My assumption that the muse was the brass lock charm was incorrect. Scarlett and I talked for quite while - I did my best to assure her that I was okay with what happened. I wouldn't blast her on my blog or bad mouth her to anyone that would listen. Scarlett mailed me the "muse" to see if I could incorporate it into my design.

When I did receive the muse, I looked at it, turned it over, placed it on my necklace, moved it, debated and made my decision. I was happy with the way that my piece looked without the muse and decided that I wouldn't have a piece in this contest. My decision, my call.

I was thankful for the opportunity to "design" my own piece using items that I would never have picked up in a bead store. I learned that I can made something that I really like, love even with items chosen for me and it made me think outside that "box" that I am so comfortable in. As a result, I think that my artistic box is a little larger!

Round Robin Loomatics Project Finished!!

2009-03-06T18:31:00.000-08:00

Mr. Moose left my home in January 2008 and returned in early 2009. I finished my portions of Magical Moose (non-gender specific) just this evening and proudly show it to the world.

Thank you to Deb, Sue, Sandy, Sharon, Diane, Jeanette, Kate, Linda and Madeline - this was an awesome year long project that I enjoyed working on. I hope all of the above, and Tamaya - who didn't get a chance to work on my piece - love their results the way that I love Magical Moose

John Wilker

2009-02-25T06:06:00.000-08:00

*Dad, the summer of 2007, with his sister Dorothy.

The following is what my stepbrother wrote about my dad Just after his death. It's a beautiful tribute for the last 20 years of his life. Prior to that Dad was married to my Mom for 42 years. In this day and age, it's different to hear of someone married for 62 years!

We had a gathering at my sister's house on Sunday - which was really nice for the family as the actual memorial service will not be until mid-April. My cousins were there - you know the ones that you would like to get to know better, but your lives keep you apart. I guess that there are a bit of friction between my mother and my uncle - so we didn't visit but once a year (sad, too as they only live 90 miles away).

Peacefulness, The final moments, In memorium ... but finally just the tribute; "John Wilker"

As you may already know he died peacefully at 6:56 (CST) this morning (2/24). In retrospect his struggle was short, yet it seemed like forever. He lived a vigorous life traveling this hemisphere with my mother until 3 weeks ago. I do not know many 87 year old men that could drive that big RV and keep it constantly tinkered with and in shape. I saw a man that loved my mother, as she loved him. Being there to watch their love as he lay in an ICU hospital bed, semiconscious, struggling to breathe, unable to move or communicate was a very emotional experience for me....

However it became readily apparent that the stroke left him with no chance of recovery to the vital person he was. In fact it left him with being kept artificially alive via medications and artificial feeding to give him a chance at a recovery that was not to come. Consequently Mom and I came to respect his expressed desire to not merely be alive with no "quality" of life. His death less than 24 hours after withdrawing all medical support shows how poor that quality would have been.
Mom is at peace with the decision and process. Obviously she needs our support as she adjusts to her life without her loving husband and companion....

I celebrate the 20 years my mother had with your father following the loss of my father and your mother.

We ended up telling Dad and Patsy stories, laughing while sharing part of his life with each other. Now you have to remember that my step-mom is also my ex-husband's mother, which really puts a wrench in the works at times, but I believe that we have gotten over that (well, at least I have) portion of our lives...

Dad - I'll miss you - you are in my heart for eternity. I'm glad that we learned to say "I love you" and hugs from the O'Brien side of our clan.

Patsy, thank you for taking such good care of my father during his second childhood. You had a strong influence on Dad and I love you for watching him and taking care of him.

Finished!!

2009-02-23T17:45:00.000-08:00

I finished my "Parisian Pendant" necklace yesterday evening, and wore it to work today.

It's so pretty.

Thank you Dallas - what a great design, instructions and patience in the classroom.

Bead Daze 2009

2009-02-21T17:50:00.000-08:00

Dallas Lovett helping students in his Etruscan Bracelet class.

I've spent the several days voluntering for the Great Lakes Beadworkers Guild at our annual Bead Daze - four daze of great instructors and classes! I have the opportunity to work with Dallas Lovett and take one of his classes. I haven't done much wire work, but the class that I took was stunning. I'll post a picture when I am done. Today was the last day of classes, and a day of about 4 inches of fresh snow for the instructors to play in....This is bead artists on Michigan coke - er snow.....

Jeanette Cook take aim.....

Kate McKinnon preparing to win the snowball fight....but notice Jeanette on the left packing a good one!

...And those of us from Michigan just do what we normally do.....deal with it....

Thanks to the GLBG for a great session.

Thanks to the instructors:

Dallas Lovett, Barb Switzer, Jeanette Cook, Gail Crosman Moore, and Kate McKinnon

for a great four days!

Use the Muse - seite zwei....

2009-02-16T14:19:00.000-08:00

I think that I followed the directions of the "Use The Muse" contest correctly. I am showing a little corner of my piece. Just a teaser......

p.s. Not looking good with my father, but time is the revealer of all secrets. All we can do is wait and see.

Use the Muse....

2009-02-12T17:12:00.000-08:00

....Since Dad is holding his own and I have wrapped my head around that whole situation that I can't control (why, why can't I run the entire world the way that I want??), I thought that I would post about something else that I love - those little bits of glass with holes in the middle.

I joined the "Use the Muse" contest and just put the finishing touches on my piece. It really came together better than I thought it would. I actually enjoyed this because it really made me think about beads that I didn't choose and how I should put them together. I added some from my own stash and I learned a new stitch, so I am happy with the piece as it came together. It was worth joining even if I don't win, but with so many talented beaders out there - it will be thrilling to see what everyone comes up with. Now to take some decent pictures.

Dad is stable - he's receiving great care in Southern Texas, and thank you to everyone who left a comment or emailed me. I'm hanging in there, at peace with my decisions and able to talk semi-intelligently with anyone about this now. Whew!

Life in a nutshell right now.....

2009-02-10T05:17:00.000-08:00

(deep breath)

For my friends who aren't on Facebook, here is the skinny. I received a phone call Sunday afternoon from my step-mom, Patsy. She and my dad are wintering in Mission, TX - which if you were any further south, you'd be in Mexico. She let me know that my dad was in the ICU at McAllen Medical Center - about 10 miles from where they are staying. He has:

1. coronary artery disease (not unexpected - he's 87 years young)

2. atrial fibrillation (Atrial fibrillation or AFIB describes an irregular and often rapid heart rhythm. The irregular rhythm, or arrhythmia, results from abnormal electrical impulses in the heart. The irregularity can be continuous, or it can come and go), and

3. aspiration pneumonia (Aspiration is defined as the inhalation of either oropharyngeal or gastric contents into the lower airways. Inhalation of these contents can lead to aspiration pneumonia aspiration pneumonitis. Although these two entities are managed differently, they are often interchangeably referred to as aspiration pneumonia.)

He's actually been in the hospital for the last week because of the atrial fibrillation - which means that if your heart is supposed to beat at 70 beats a minute, his is going at 130. The faster that your heart beats, the less effective it works. During the last week, he told Patsy (my step mom) that she wasn't to call us "kids" and bother us with this because he's had the AFIB for years. Dad would call me last year, and tell me that he took another ambulance ride over the weekend and by the time they got the 60 miles to the hospital, his heart was normal again. He treated that like no big deal.

But over the weekend, Dad became disoriented in the hospital, fell, broke his nose (which is how he got the aspiration pneumonia because blood went into his lungs), and the catheter was pulled from his body. From that episode, he's become worse. He is now in an ICU bed, sedated, and intubated.

We are at the wait and see point.

Patsy does not want me to come to Texas. Her exact words were "You'd fly to Texas to sit next to someone who doesn't know that you are there - that's stupid" We are in contact 4-5 times aday.

On the bizarre side, I put a note on Facebook on Sunday - "Do I know any physicians in McAllen, TX?" - I received a note from one of my ex-residents who told me that one of my other ex-residents is on staff there and gave me his cell phone number. When I got a call back, this doctor told me that he actually saw my dad the day before when he was consulted about the blood that he was spitting up (to make certain that there was no internal bleeding - there isn't). He's promised to call me everyday with updates.

So, that's what's going on right now - I know, way too much information.
As you all know, I am not the most hugely religious person in the world, so I am not going to ask for prayers - but I am not going to exclude them either. I want what's best for him (even if that's not the best for me).

Bead Cruising!!!

2009-02-06T09:39:00.000-08:00

I just heard that we are officially registered for the Beady Friends bead cruise to Alaska!! I am so excited about this! There are still some openings if you are interested! Don't have a roommate? The travel representative, Shelley, can put you in touch with other beaders traveling on their own - great way to make friends and save money!

We leave Detroit on May 15, leave Seattle on May 16 and have many exciting days beading and traveling!!

It's not time to pack - but it's certainly time to dream!!

Bead Journal Project - February 2008

2009-02-01T05:49:00.001-08:00

Doesn't she look like she is doing the happy dance!??

Round Robin Project

2009-02-01T05:34:00.001-08:00

In March of 2008, the beading group that I belong to, the Loomatics started a Round Robin Project. My project was, of course, a Moose. I wrote in my journal that traveled with the moose, that I chose the moose because it would "Fit in so well with my decor and [allow me} to see how my friends would bead a moose for me." In the back of the journal, I wrote my infamous quote about bead embroidery:

"Bead Embroidery? Why on earth would anyone want to do bead embroidery? It's f*&^%$g silly, what's the point of it? It doesn't make any sense. I hate bead embroidery!"

Moose came home on Friday night. I still have a little work to complete on it which is not expected because we didn't believe that the pieces would be finished, but have a little bit of my beading friends in the moose.

Didn't my friends do a great job? There are so many parts that I love about it.

Bead Journal Project

2009-01-19T15:00:00.000-08:00

Once December was determined, January was an easy choice. January felt right in green, with a blue background! Something just fell into place. Now, February.........

Beading Magazines

2009-01-19T14:47:00.000-08:00

It isn't often that I look at one of the beading magazines (Bead and Button orBeadwork) and find a project that I have to do immediately. This Feb/March 2009 Beadwork was different. There were two projects that I just loved.

Now, everyone knows my love affair with Marcia Decoster's work - it's not a secret, and I love, love love the Ellipse Necklace!! Started on Friday, finished Sunday morning using a different color scheme than suggested in the magazine and I just have the neckstrap to finish. I wore it to work today and received kudos for it.

The other piece was "the Alchemist's treasure" by Scarlett Lanson - how pretty is this spiral!! I think that I'll be starting that one really soon.

Kudo's to Beadwork for a great and inspirational issue.

December Project

2009-01-10T10:18:00.000-08:00

For some unknown reason, I really like this one. It's plain stitching, nothing fancy, but I like the way that the beads lay out. December was a late start - in January actually, but once my idea hit me, I just went with it. January has about 4 beads on it so far......

Bead Journal Update - December has some progress

2009-01-08T16:23:00.000-08:00

I've been watching a British television show called "Time Team" - it's a show that have been around forever and the other day I was watching a DVD. The show was talking about medieval floor tiles. There was my inspiration.....

2008 - Year in Review

2008-12-31T09:10:00.000-08:00

2008

2008 - can it be over already?? It just started. I had a really rocky start to the year with my mother-in-law passing away on New Years Day (not a good start to any day....), but that was the lowest point of the year. Although she had dementia due to Alzheimer's, and it was a mixed blessing, she is still missed.

For my artistic side, it was a pretty good year:

I received notice that I was in the 2008 Bead a Day Calendar (three days)
I had my Korean Dragon accepted for publication in the August 2008 Bead and Button magazine. I have received emails from beaders around the world letting me know how much they liked this piece
Nicole Campanella (Beadwright) accepted four pieces of bead embroidery in her book "Flatwork"
I worked with Marcia Decoster as a teacher's assistant in Milwaukee in June. I also lied to her about the weather - it was scarey. But I wasn't going to let her freak out. Besides, John the bartender would have saved us if necessary.
Simply Beads published an article on traveling beaders which featured a picture from the 2006 Bead Cruise, of which I am in.
I finished the 2007/08 Bead Journal Project with Robin Atkins and company, and have started the 2008/09 Bead Journal Project.
Our study group from the Great Lakes Beadworkers Guild continues to meet. We worked on a round robin project this year, of which the projects should be coming home soon.
I entered a funky pair of reading glasses into the Great Lakes Beadworkers Guild challenge to Bead an Everyday object.

Alan and I had a good year - we went on our second Bead Cruise with Beady Friends in January, we found a campground that we like in Monroe, MI that was can get to in 1/2 hour for long weekends. We also camped for a week in Brighton as gasoline was too expensive to drive too far this year. The state park there is very nice.

Dad and Patsy are doing well and wintering in Mission, TX - enjoying not being in Michigan with all the snow this year.

I hope that your year was as good as mine was.

Bead Journal Project - November 2008

2008-12-31T09:04:00.001-08:00

November project is finally finished. Just in time for December to be started.....and finished? Today? I don't think so.

New and Improved

2008-12-28T18:27:00.000-08:00

Here is the finished card case from a design by Marcia Decoster. As you know, the first case disappeared somewhere, so I made another. This one I like better, with small 2mm Swarovski crystal rounds coming up the corners. Can you see the hint of bling?? Actually, this would be case #3, because I learned on case #2 that RAW has a "nap" (and I took that one apart). I plan to keep a tight hold of this one!!

p.s. Snow? Detroit has snow? Not after the record highs over the weekend. I have piles of ice and green grass. The dogs are fairly happy.

Detroit's Big Snow...

2008-12-20T07:49:00.000-08:00

December 19, 2008. I could post the pretty pictures of my back yard, but I thought this one of the ruler in the snow (measuring 8.75 inches) and Chloe watching me, was all that was needed. Detroit gets snow, but 3 inches, 2 inches, maybe 4. We don't get a lot at one time.

This was a lot of snow for us. My 20 minute commute took 50, and when I drove one of my doctors to the airport, my 25 minute drive to the airport took an hour. But we got there safe, and actually faster than we thought.

2008 Bead Journal Project Completed!

2008-12-13T09:54:00.000-08:00

Completely completed!! Several weeks ago, I framed the pieces in shallow shadow boxes from Joann, Etc. About 15 minutes ago, they were hung over my dining room window (please no comments about the dust on the blinds!! I don't have time to dust when I am beading!!) - I love them!

6 Word Memoir

2008-12-04T06:10:00.000-08:00

My friend asked me to write a 6-word memoir, based on an article that she read in the newspaper to sum up my life:

Working to support my vacation habits.

Here's the link: What would your six-words be?

Did you know?

2008-11-29T11:35:00.001-08:00

Did you know that Right Angle Weave actually has a "nap"? I was almost finished with my RAW business card case, when I realized that the way that the beads were laying in my piece were not correct. I had completed a couple of rows in sections, instead of going all the way across the row, and they really stood out - in a bad way.

So, I am on row 30 of my case. Again. But doing it in rows, it's laying correctly.

Lesson learned: RAW has a nap, just like corduroy.

p.s. If you find the case pictured above - it's mine, I lost it.

Chloe and Her Red Sweater

2008-11-16T06:58:00.001-08:00

Chloe loves to be outside. Now that the weather is getting colder, when she comes in she's shaking and shivering. Many years ago, we were given a great fleece jacket for our other dog Casie - who hates to wear it almost as much as she hates to go outside. Molly - our chunky monkey dog can't wear it, she's to big (Molly is arguing that the fleece shrank in the wash and it's not her fault). Chloe doesn't seem to mind it.

Here's Chloe, playing with Big Ben, our neighbor's dog (for those of you that know me, this isn't the mean psycho dog), and generally looking good while patroling for those squirrels.....

And to keep this bead related - yes, I started working on November BJP, finished a piece while up north for a swap, and still working on a RAW business card case since I lost my first one.

Back to coffee and beads.

October Bead Journal

2008-11-01T13:40:00.001-07:00

October! The skies are clear and the leaves are changing colour.

Brr, it's getting cold out, but that doesn't bother our owl.

He's hanging out and looking for his dinner.

With the leaves dropping, it's easier to spot

supper running under the trees.

Please take the time to vote!!

2008-10-28T05:42:00.000-07:00

Next Tuesday is election day. Please take the time to vote for the politician that will hurt you and your family less. Spend 5 minutes looking up your local proposals and determine where you stand.

My mother told me when I was old enough to vote that it was my duty as a citizen. And if you don't vote you can't bitch.

Next Tuesday - take the time to vote.....

Seven Things about Me......

2008-10-20T06:18:00.000-07:00

Okay, I've been tagged by Arline - even though I honestly think that no one wants to know anything about me! Here are the rules:
1. Link to your tagger and list these rules on your blog.
2. Share 7 facts about yourself on your blog, some random, some weird.
3. Tag 7 people at the end of your post by leaving their names as well as links to their blog.
4. Let them know they have been tagged by leaving a comment on their blog.

Now to the facts about me:
1. I love shoes so much that I have promised my husband that if I bring in new shoes, I have to get rid of the same number of pairs of old shoes.
2. I love, love, love to travel. It's the reason that I work. That, and health insurance.
3. My brother died due to complications of liver transplant anti rejections medications several years ago. I am still angry at him for lying to me and other family members about his care - he told us that he was compliant. He wasn't. If he was compliant - he might still be alive.
4. I vote in most elections because I was told a long time ago "if you don't vote; you can't bitch."
5. I have done things in my past that were dangerous and stupid.
6. I would love to speak the Korean and Arabic languages. What is stopping me is that it's not very easy being that the alphabet is different.
7. I love Skittles......

I'm not going to tag anyone, but I invite people to leave a comment here with one or two things that we might not know about them........

Have fun with this!

Rachel Nelson-Smith

2008-10-12T07:23:00.001-07:00

I never thought that I would actually make this bracelet, but by adapting the pattern for me, I really like it. Of course, they aren't in the "in your face" colours that Rachel loves and uses, but more toned down for Liz (like some of my orange and green colours are toned down, right?). The flat bracelet is using the new permanent finish Toho beads - using them in a bracelet is the perfect place to see if they will keep their colours.

Next? Working on part of my round robin project with members of my bead guild. Diane's piece is at my house now. And I need to finish a swap piece for Diane - she's making me a felted bag, and I am making her a Marcia DeCoster "Etruscan" necklace. Then I need to complete my October Bead Journal piece - it's about 1/2 done, but was put aside for the above projects.

Housework? I need to do housework?

Oct 15 p.s. I've worn the permanent finish bracelet for three days, 9 hours a day, in an office setting. The colours have not changed.