Bead Soup is HERE
Bead Soup hopping that is! I am so sorry I am running so late this time around, last time I finished in like two days, but this time... just too much going on! I will keep going! I went from the bottom up, and am only, shamefully, at around #58. So if I haven't gotten to you yet, I will!!!! Thank you so much to everyone who commented, you were all so kind! I had so much fun and am loving seeing all of these creative and beautiful pieces!
Have a wonderful weekend! I will try to get another post up with some new work soon!!!!
~Jennifer
Saturday, March 10, 2012
Friday, March 2, 2012
It's Bead Soup Time!!!
If you are searching for my Challenge of Music post, go HERE
I have to say, I wasn't certain if I was going to be able to pull everything together in time for this one! I was not counting on my entire family (including yours truly lol) being sick off and on for over two weeks! But, somehow, I did it! :) I didn't quite use up all of the incredible bead soup my sweet partner Kari Carrigan of Wee Gems and Charmed Pennies sent me, which you can view HERE, but I made a good effort! And things are still swirling about in my head what to do with the last bits!
My biggest challenge this time around was... which focal to start with?? Kari was so incredibly generous and I had so many possibilities that it was hard to choose where to begin! But after sleeping on it one night, I woke up the next morning with an idea... I pulled out the sweet little acorn that she had made and stared at it. Then I began pulling things from my stash, faceted pale blue jade, czech crystals, stainless steel chain... and finally Marsha Neal Studio silks. Here is what I came up with and I personally LOVE it, I have already worn it a few times (I couldn't resist).
It's really long, the longest necklace I have ever worn and I love it! The next piece that I came up with was another necklace, I could not resist the "J" pendant... it made me think of something from the Regency period. So I set out to make something with a vintage flair...
And came up with this :) Simple but a bit sparkly, elegant, I think it will be perfect for an evening out!
Then it took me time to decide what to do with those gorgeous Charmed Pennies she sent me... Of course the logical thing to do was make necklaces, right? But no, I had done two already.. and this was supposed to be a challenge... hmm... then one day it hit me... I remembered seeing the wonderful Rebecca Anderson of Songbead had done really cool little bangles! Now hmm, I didn't have pre-made bangles... but I did have some fabulous 14g Fallen Angel Brass wire. I'm one of those, if I don't have it I will try to find a way to make it myself girls these days! I also didn't have a bracelet mandrel which presented another problem, so the first try (the red one) I simply made to fit my own (rather small) wrist by simply bending and shaping the wire around my wrist. After I finished I thought, hm, well, that's alright... but I bet I could find a better way... and I stared at that coil of 14g wire for a while and then it hit me! The wire was already coiled to the perfect bangle size! I tried to fit my hand through a loop and it was no problem! I was giddy! So, I quickly whipped up two more bangles for the last two pendants and was pleased as punch!
Please excuse the pics if they are a bit off, it was icy out and my fingers were cold LOL. Ok, ok, I know you all have a ton of other hopping to do , so I'll close up for now by saying, my son's birthday was yesterday and I'm having a sale in my shop (20% off anything except Blythe jewelry) using the code: BIRTHDAY Also, I am giving away the gorgeous earrings above to a lucky person who comments (by random number generator but you MUST leave me an email to contact you at, otherwise I will have to redraw!). I will announce the winner on my birthday, March 26th :). Make sure you visit my partner Kari's blog to see what she did with what I sent her! http://weegemsdesigns.blogspot.com/
Thank you so so much, Lori, for making this blog hop possible, for having this amazing idea.. and for bringing us all together as a creative community!! You ROCK!
I had to take Linky thing out LOL it was driving everyone nuts! Here is the list instead:
I have to say, I wasn't certain if I was going to be able to pull everything together in time for this one! I was not counting on my entire family (including yours truly lol) being sick off and on for over two weeks! But, somehow, I did it! :) I didn't quite use up all of the incredible bead soup my sweet partner Kari Carrigan of Wee Gems and Charmed Pennies sent me, which you can view HERE, but I made a good effort! And things are still swirling about in my head what to do with the last bits!
My biggest challenge this time around was... which focal to start with?? Kari was so incredibly generous and I had so many possibilities that it was hard to choose where to begin! But after sleeping on it one night, I woke up the next morning with an idea... I pulled out the sweet little acorn that she had made and stared at it. Then I began pulling things from my stash, faceted pale blue jade, czech crystals, stainless steel chain... and finally Marsha Neal Studio silks. Here is what I came up with and I personally LOVE it, I have already worn it a few times (I couldn't resist).
It's really long, the longest necklace I have ever worn and I love it! The next piece that I came up with was another necklace, I could not resist the "J" pendant... it made me think of something from the Regency period. So I set out to make something with a vintage flair...
And came up with this :) Simple but a bit sparkly, elegant, I think it will be perfect for an evening out!
Then it took me time to decide what to do with those gorgeous Charmed Pennies she sent me... Of course the logical thing to do was make necklaces, right? But no, I had done two already.. and this was supposed to be a challenge... hmm... then one day it hit me... I remembered seeing the wonderful Rebecca Anderson of Songbead had done really cool little bangles! Now hmm, I didn't have pre-made bangles... but I did have some fabulous 14g Fallen Angel Brass wire. I'm one of those, if I don't have it I will try to find a way to make it myself girls these days! I also didn't have a bracelet mandrel which presented another problem, so the first try (the red one) I simply made to fit my own (rather small) wrist by simply bending and shaping the wire around my wrist. After I finished I thought, hm, well, that's alright... but I bet I could find a better way... and I stared at that coil of 14g wire for a while and then it hit me! The wire was already coiled to the perfect bangle size! I tried to fit my hand through a loop and it was no problem! I was giddy! So, I quickly whipped up two more bangles for the last two pendants and was pleased as punch!
And the last that I have to show you I made with the incredible lampwork beads Kari gave me, they are so very beautiful!!!
Thank you so so much, Lori, for making this blog hop possible, for having this amazing idea.. and for bringing us all together as a creative community!! You ROCK!
I had to take Linky thing out LOL it was driving everyone nuts! Here is the list instead:
Hostess, Lori Anderson
Special Book Sneak Peeks, Cindy Wimmer
Special Book Sneak Peeks, Cindy Wimmer
1. Adlinah Kamsir (Singapore) and Hajer Waheed (Kingdom of Bahrain)
2. Adrienn Lukacs (Hungary) and Agata Grygiel (Poland)
3. Agi Kiss (Hungary) and Carolien Muller-Genger (the Netherlands)
4. Agnes Asztalos (Hungary) and B.R. Kuhlman
5. Alesha Conklin and Becki Mendivil
6. Alice Peterson and Carol Dillman
7. Alicia Marinache (Canada) and Dita Basu
9. Amanda Tibbetts and Andrea Trank
12. Ann Sherwood and Diane Welte
13. Barbara Bechtel and Kerry Bogert
14. Barbara Lewis and Cat Pruitt
15. Bonnie Coursolle (Canada) and Fay Wolfenden (Canada)
16. Carmel McGinley (Australia) and Tracy Stillman (Australia)
17. Cassie Donlen and Deryn Mentock
18. Cathie Carroll and Janel Dudley
19. Cece Cormier and Morwyn Mullins
20. Charlene Jacka and Christina Hickman
21. Cheryl Brown (Canada) and Diana Ptaszynski
22. Christina Stofmeel (the Netherlands) and Eva Kovacs (Hungary)
23. Christine Damm and Deb Brooks
24. Cilla Watkins (Canada) and Elaine Robitaille (Canada)
25. Sabrina Straub (Switzerland) and Kathy Combs
27. Cory Celaya and Rhea Freitieg
28. Courtney Breul and Dana Hickey
29. Cynthia Abner and Jennifer Boreck
30. Cynthia Tucker and Jean Peter
31. Debbie Goering and Heidi Post
32. Dee Elgie (UK) and Joanne Lockwood (UK)
33. Dian Hierschel (Germany) and Eniko Fabian (Austria)
34. Diane Cook and Lyn Foley
35. Donna Bohler and Lisa Lodge
36. Donna Millard and Kiersten Giles
37. Doris Stumpf (Germany) and Eszter Czibulyas (Hungary)
38. Elisabeth Auld and Eva Sherman
39. Elke Leonhardt-Rath (Germany) and Marjolein Trewavas (UK)
40. Ema Kilroy and Laurie Keefe-Cecere
41. Erika Nooteboom (the Netherlands) and Giorgia Rossini (Italy)
42. Erin Grant and Jean Wells
43. Evelyn Duberry (Canada) and Gaea Cannaday
44. Genea Crivello-Knable and Heather Powers
45. Ginger Bishop (military, Okinawa) and Martina Nagele (Germany)
46. Heidi Kingman and Lori Greenberg
47. Helen Kemp and Lisa Wangeman
48. Helene Goldberg (Australia) and Karen Vincent
49. Jamie Hogsett and Jeannie Dukic
50. Jeanette Ryan and Jelveh Jaferian
51. Jennifer Cameron and Tania Spivey
51. Jennifer Cameron and Tania Spivey
52. Jennifer Justman and Kari Carrigan
53. Jennifer Tough and Lorelei Eurto
54. Joanna Matuszczyk (Poland) and Julianna Kis (Hungary)
55. Joanne Tinley (UK) and Michaela Pabeschitz (Austria)
56. Julie Anne Leggett and Kelley Fogle
57. Karen Hess and Linda Landig
58. Karyn Bonfiglio and Kathleen Lange Klik
59. Kashmira Patel and Kat White
60. Kat Barron Miller and Kelly Morgan
61. Kathy Lindemer and Rose Binoya
61. Kathy Lindemer and Rose Binoya
62. Krafty Max and Sandra Miller
63. Kristen Latimer and Pam Ferrari
64. Kristie Roeder and Lea Avroch
65. Kristina Johansson (Sweden) and Penny Neville (Canada)
66. Krisztina Erlaki-Toth (Hungary) and Nicole Keller (Germany)
67. Lara Lutrick and Lisa Suver
68. Laura DeMoya and Lisa Hanna
69. Libby Leuchtman and Melanie Brooks
70. Linda Koch and Rosemarie Cowit
71. Lisa Chapman and Menka Gupta
72. Lisa Liddy and Marion Simmons
73. Lori Anderson and Marcie Abney
74. Lori Bowring-Michaud and Mary Govaars
75. Lori Dorrington and Maria Rosa Sharrow
76. Lori Finney (Canada) and Marie-Noel Voyer-Cramp (Canada)
77. Lynn Bennett and Mandi Ainsworth
78. Marta Kaczerowska (Poland) and Milla Starchik (Canada)
79. Mary Harding and Shannon LeVart
80. Mary Jane Dodd and Stacey Curry
81. Melinda Orr and Molly Alexander
81. Melinda Orr and Molly Alexander
83. Michelle Jensen and Sandra Young (Canada)
84. Nan Emmett and Nicole Valentine-Rimmer (Canada)
85. Nancy Boylan and Suzette Bentley
86. Natasha Lutes and Patti Vanderbloemen
87. Pam Hurst and Rebekah Payne
88. Patty Miller and Sara Rhoades
89. Rebecca Anderson (UK) and Lori Anderson
90. Rebecca Sirevaag and Sharon Driscoll
90. Rebecca Sirevaag and Sharon Driscoll
91. Rochelle Brisson and Shannon Chomanczuk
92. Rosa Maria Cuevas (Mexico) and Tejae Floyde
93. Sabine Dittrich (Germany) and Sally Russick
94. Sandi Volpe and Sarah/Saturday Sequins
95. Shanti Johnson and Tracy Mok (Canada)
96. Skylar Brez and Theresa Buchle
97. Sonya Stille and Traci Zeller (Canada)
98. Stefanie Teufel (Germany) and Tania Hagen (New Zealand)
99. Stephanie LaRosa and Vonna Maslanka
100. Terri Wlaschin and Wendy Blum
Tuesday, February 28, 2012
Challenge of Music: I'm Through
I had the most amazing musical experience on the first of this month, I went to a little "pop-up" concert by Ingrid Michaelson in Portland (Oregon, for those of you who don't follow my blog :)). I have always thought her a good artist, have always enjoyed her music, thought her voice beautiful... but I have to tell you... there is absolutely no comparison to her live. Watching her interact with her audience, listening to her tell us about her music, catching glimpses into her sweet and warm and funny personality all made me adore her. But the truly spell-bounding moments were when she sang, her voice is so pure, her emotion so real you feel as if you can grasp it in your hands as it winds around your soul. Even singing lighter, more upbeat songs, her voice is so beautiful it just captures you. I cannot for the life of me remember the last evening I enjoyed that way, I was about ten to fifteen feet from her the entire concert and it was incredible.
Every piece was amazing, but the song that pierced me to the quick was "I'm Through." She confided that we were the first group to ever hear it live and told us in her own words what the song meant. She told us it was about trying to move on, going out with someone for the first time after losing someone you loved very deeply. And the new person is really wonderful and ordinarily you might really like them, but you are still too broken over your previous relationship. When she began singing, it was just her on the keyboard, I was overcome by the beauty of the music and her voice... and the sadness. Yet there wasn't just sadness, there was the bitter-sweetness of a relationship that was life changing. There is even a hint of hope, or more correctly, a knowledge that it won't always be so difficult. That moving on will happen, but when you are ready, in your own time. Here are the lyrics, courtesy her official website:
http://www.ingridmichaelson.com/music/songs-lyrics/im-through
I'm Through
I'm going out again tonight
the first time in the longest time
he holds the door and holds my hand
but doesn't feel like you
we laugh at all the people in
the restaurant across from us
he talks a lot but not too much
but doesn't sound like you
it's all because of you that I'm through
it's all because of you that I'm all through
I know there'll come a time again
when everything will fit right in
and I won't have to see your face
in strangers on the street
but I would rather feel the sting
than never to have felt a thing
I'll always know that you were the one
to rip me from the ground
it's all because of you that I'm through
it's all because of you that I'm all through
it's all because of you that I'm through
it's all because of you that I'm all through
I did manage to take a video of her on my ipod at the concert I went to, but the quality is wanting. But I did manage to find another video on youtube of her singing it at the pop-up in Seattle! Here it is:
And now, finally, here is my piece inspired by this incredible song and the lady who performed it:
Erin Prais-Hintz
Marcie Abney
Christine Altmiller
Elisabeth Auld
LJ B
Lori Bowring Michaud
Shannon Chomanczuk
Cece Cormier
Jenny Davies-Reazor
Malin de Koning
Beth Emery
Michelle Escano-Caballero
Erin Fickert-Rowland
Therese Frank
Amy Freeland
Tanya Goodwin
Stephani Gorman
Amy Grass
Beth Hemmila
Kristina Johansson
Jennifer Justman
Tari Kahrs
Susan Kennedy
Ema Kilroy
Kathleen Lange Klik
Kirsi Luostarinen
Paige Maxim
Beth McCord
Natalie McKenna
Alice Peterson
Cat Pruitt
Bobbie Rafferty
Johanna Rhodes
Cynthia Riggs
Sally Russick
Sarah Sequins
Amy Severino
Staci Smith
Kristen Stevens
Lola Surwillo
Stefanie Teufel
Sandi Volpe
Holly Westfall
Shaiha Williams
Every piece was amazing, but the song that pierced me to the quick was "I'm Through." She confided that we were the first group to ever hear it live and told us in her own words what the song meant. She told us it was about trying to move on, going out with someone for the first time after losing someone you loved very deeply. And the new person is really wonderful and ordinarily you might really like them, but you are still too broken over your previous relationship. When she began singing, it was just her on the keyboard, I was overcome by the beauty of the music and her voice... and the sadness. Yet there wasn't just sadness, there was the bitter-sweetness of a relationship that was life changing. There is even a hint of hope, or more correctly, a knowledge that it won't always be so difficult. That moving on will happen, but when you are ready, in your own time. Here are the lyrics, courtesy her official website:
http://www.ingridmichaelson.com/music/songs-lyrics/im-through
I'm Through
I'm going out again tonight
the first time in the longest time
he holds the door and holds my hand
but doesn't feel like you
we laugh at all the people in
the restaurant across from us
he talks a lot but not too much
but doesn't sound like you
it's all because of you that I'm through
it's all because of you that I'm all through
I know there'll come a time again
when everything will fit right in
and I won't have to see your face
in strangers on the street
but I would rather feel the sting
than never to have felt a thing
I'll always know that you were the one
to rip me from the ground
it's all because of you that I'm through
it's all because of you that I'm all through
it's all because of you that I'm through
it's all because of you that I'm all through
I did manage to take a video of her on my ipod at the concert I went to, but the quality is wanting. But I did manage to find another video on youtube of her singing it at the pop-up in Seattle! Here it is:
And now, finally, here is my piece inspired by this incredible song and the lady who performed it:
The picture came out brighter than it really is, the sari silk is actually a deep navy blue. I wanted the whole piece to be rich and moody and slightly tattered feeling which is why all of the metal is Fallen Angel Brass. I chose this amazing pendant from Marsha Neal Studio that I have been hoarding, I love the way it's glazed dark and smoky blues, greys, and browns and looks distressed. To me it represents the fact that the love had before was beautiful, as she says, she would have rather had it than not... better to have loved and lost. I used grey fire agate, dark faceted sapphire rounds and a single grey glass pearl. That pearl is that knowledge that someday it won't be as painful, that life can be good again when the time is right.
I'm through...
Thank you so much, Erin, for hosting this amazing challenge, I have loved every single moment! I hope you will take the time to visit all of the other participants on this wonderful ride of a challenge!
Erin Prais-Hintz
Marcie Abney
Christine Altmiller
Elisabeth Auld
LJ B
Lori Bowring Michaud
Shannon Chomanczuk
Cece Cormier
Jenny Davies-Reazor
Malin de Koning
Beth Emery
Michelle Escano-Caballero
Erin Fickert-Rowland
Therese Frank
Amy Freeland
Tanya Goodwin
Stephani Gorman
Amy Grass
Beth Hemmila
Kristina Johansson
Jennifer Justman
Tari Kahrs
Susan Kennedy
Ema Kilroy
Kathleen Lange Klik
Kirsi Luostarinen
Paige Maxim
Beth McCord
Natalie McKenna
Alice Peterson
Cat Pruitt
Bobbie Rafferty
Johanna Rhodes
Cynthia Riggs
Sally Russick
Sarah Sequins
Amy Severino
Staci Smith
Kristen Stevens
Lola Surwillo
Stefanie Teufel
Sandi Volpe
Holly Westfall
Shaiha Williams
Music speaks to the soul, don't you think?
~Jenn
Thursday, February 23, 2012
Music soothes the soul...
I love music. Music has always been such an enormous part of my life. My earliest memories are of dancing with my mom when I was around four years old, to songs like "Billie Jean" by Michael Jackson and "Wake Me Up Before You Go Go" by Wham... My first crush was on the incredible David Bowie as Jareth in the Labyrinth, I blame his voice. Even now I can't help but love that movie... and him ;). I can tell you what I was listening to in order to get through some of the most difficult times in my life... and which songs for some of the most joyful.
I don't discriminate, I love so many kinds of music! And I am always eager to hear new songs and learn about new styles of music, new artists, new songs! I find that, for me, the perfect music always seems to arrive at just the right time. When my Grandma Ruby died freshman year of high school? It was Backstreet Boys, and I am not ashamed to admit it, their harmonies and light melodies kept me feeling light, helped me survive the trip south and staying nights in her house without crying nonstop. When my Great-grandmother Madeline died in 2003, I was in college, I was listening to a mix of Evanescence, OTR (an a capella group based at the UO that I was friends with), John Mayer, and Miles Davis.
Happier moments... singing along to Bing Crosby music on Christmas Eve with my dad... we did it every year he was home. One of my absolute favorite memories. Singing "He Loves Me, He Loves You Not," (ok ok and dancing..) in a group of girlfriends for the school talent show my senior year was nerve wracking, but fun. I can likely name several songs from every dance I went to in middle school and high school, but I won't. One of the ones I remember best was arm in arm in an enormous circle with my fellow classmates at my Senior Prom singing altogether, Vitamin C's "Graduation". First song that was Eli and mine? "Kiss the Rain" by Billie Meyers... our first dance as a married couple was to Louis Armstrong's "A Kiss to Build a Dream On..." I adore that song. First song I sang to Addy as a lullaby? "A Dream is a Wish Your Heart Makes". Julie's favorite band as a baby? Paramore, go figure. Toby loves just about everything, but the kid can't go to sleep without me singing "MacCrimmon's Lament".
There's a wonderful English version of it, that I'm going to have to purchase so I can learn the words better (the version I have is all in Gaelic, which I don't speak, though I wish I did!).
So... what does this have to do with my work? A lot, actually. I listen to music almost constantly, so chances are? A piece I have created was influenced by a song... a lyric... an album... something. One of the latest pieces I did is called "Rose Kissed", I have to admit to being a sucker for Taylor Swift. She is so cute and her songs are just... captivating. Her latest single "Ours" inspired this piece which features the most amazing focal by Diana of Suburban Girl Studio:
I love the chorus: "Don't you worry your pretty little mind/ people throw rocks at things that shine/ and life makes love work hard/ stakes are high/ the water's rough/ but this love is ours". Plenty of Fallen Angel Brass, sweet freshwater pearls, and soft sari silk ribbon from GoldenOneToo on Etsy give a sweet, though slightly roughened look to this piece. I love it :).
I think I have been thinking about music like this because Erin's Challenge of Music is coming up! I finished my piece and now just need to do my write up :). The piece was both easy and difficult for me, but I think in the end, it turned out just right. I am so excited to show everyone, the reveal is on the 29th. Also, don't forget, the Bead Soup Party reveal is on March 3rd. I have been working on that one too and am also excited! I will be having a giveaway on my blog for that one, so don't miss out.
I'm recovering from the worst flu I've had in years, so if this post was a bit scattered... blame it on that ;). I hope you are having a great week!
~Jenn
I don't discriminate, I love so many kinds of music! And I am always eager to hear new songs and learn about new styles of music, new artists, new songs! I find that, for me, the perfect music always seems to arrive at just the right time. When my Grandma Ruby died freshman year of high school? It was Backstreet Boys, and I am not ashamed to admit it, their harmonies and light melodies kept me feeling light, helped me survive the trip south and staying nights in her house without crying nonstop. When my Great-grandmother Madeline died in 2003, I was in college, I was listening to a mix of Evanescence, OTR (an a capella group based at the UO that I was friends with), John Mayer, and Miles Davis.
Happier moments... singing along to Bing Crosby music on Christmas Eve with my dad... we did it every year he was home. One of my absolute favorite memories. Singing "He Loves Me, He Loves You Not," (ok ok and dancing..) in a group of girlfriends for the school talent show my senior year was nerve wracking, but fun. I can likely name several songs from every dance I went to in middle school and high school, but I won't. One of the ones I remember best was arm in arm in an enormous circle with my fellow classmates at my Senior Prom singing altogether, Vitamin C's "Graduation". First song that was Eli and mine? "Kiss the Rain" by Billie Meyers... our first dance as a married couple was to Louis Armstrong's "A Kiss to Build a Dream On..." I adore that song. First song I sang to Addy as a lullaby? "A Dream is a Wish Your Heart Makes". Julie's favorite band as a baby? Paramore, go figure. Toby loves just about everything, but the kid can't go to sleep without me singing "MacCrimmon's Lament".
There's a wonderful English version of it, that I'm going to have to purchase so I can learn the words better (the version I have is all in Gaelic, which I don't speak, though I wish I did!).
So... what does this have to do with my work? A lot, actually. I listen to music almost constantly, so chances are? A piece I have created was influenced by a song... a lyric... an album... something. One of the latest pieces I did is called "Rose Kissed", I have to admit to being a sucker for Taylor Swift. She is so cute and her songs are just... captivating. Her latest single "Ours" inspired this piece which features the most amazing focal by Diana of Suburban Girl Studio:
I love the chorus: "Don't you worry your pretty little mind/ people throw rocks at things that shine/ and life makes love work hard/ stakes are high/ the water's rough/ but this love is ours". Plenty of Fallen Angel Brass, sweet freshwater pearls, and soft sari silk ribbon from GoldenOneToo on Etsy give a sweet, though slightly roughened look to this piece. I love it :).
I think I have been thinking about music like this because Erin's Challenge of Music is coming up! I finished my piece and now just need to do my write up :). The piece was both easy and difficult for me, but I think in the end, it turned out just right. I am so excited to show everyone, the reveal is on the 29th. Also, don't forget, the Bead Soup Party reveal is on March 3rd. I have been working on that one too and am also excited! I will be having a giveaway on my blog for that one, so don't miss out.
I'm recovering from the worst flu I've had in years, so if this post was a bit scattered... blame it on that ;). I hope you are having a great week!
~Jenn
Saturday, February 11, 2012
Thank you!
Why am I thanking you? For reading this post. For following my blog. For being a part of my world :) I am so grateful to all of you! I am also so very grateful to have been blessed with Janice of J-Lynn Jewels for a friend. She has been such a huge inspiration for me both as a person and an artisan, she's so uplifting and always willing to help no matter how busy her life is. And now, she has written the most beautiful article about me! I am just so incredibly honored! This community of beaders, artisans, crafters... has been so warm, so welcoming and I feel like I have a place outside of the house for the first time in so long. Thank you, Janice, for everything!! Thank you, all of you, for being such warm and wonderful friends. I am so very blessed! Here is a link to the article, and if you haven't started following Janice yet, you should :) She always has such wonderfully inspiring posts and brings such amazing things to light with such beautiful photography!
http://jlynnjewels.blogspot.com/2012/02/kick-off-sandbox-creativity.html
Also, she has something up her sleeve with this sandbox of creativity! I, for one, can't wait to see what all is coming! It will be so much fun, of that I have no doubt, not to mention inspiring!
I have to go make the little ones lunch, but before I do... I wanted to show you all two pieces I just finished and got up yesterday!
Rosy Dawn is inspired by the beautiful blushing dawns I have been privileged to see in the last few weeks:
What do you think? Do you like the long ear wires? What are your favorite type of earrings?
Ok! Time to make lunch! I hope you all have a wonderful weekend!
~Jenn
http://jlynnjewels.blogspot.com/2012/02/kick-off-sandbox-creativity.html
Also, she has something up her sleeve with this sandbox of creativity! I, for one, can't wait to see what all is coming! It will be so much fun, of that I have no doubt, not to mention inspiring!
I have to go make the little ones lunch, but before I do... I wanted to show you all two pieces I just finished and got up yesterday!
Rosy Dawn is inspired by the beautiful blushing dawns I have been privileged to see in the last few weeks:
The lampwork beads are by Mermaid Glass on Etsy, they are from a set of orphans I got and I just LOVE them, the colors are so wonderful. These are a peachy orange, just gorgeous! And the sari silk is from the wonderful Mudhound Studios, also on Etsy :).
The second is a set of earrings called Rain on the Sea, I love these boros from Iris Glass Art. I used stainless steel to create the ear wires and made them veeeeery long, the ear wires that is. I LOVE the way they look :)
Ok! Time to make lunch! I hope you all have a wonderful weekend!
~Jenn
Friday, February 3, 2012
The Wonderful Lesley and Kari's Delicious Bead Soup!
Let us see how many things I can fit in one blog post... or if I will end up breaking it in two lol. Where to begin? I suppose to be fair we should start with the farthest back thing that matters :). Right before Christmas I received a lovely package in the mail all the way from the UK, the thrill from holding something that has traveled so far and from such a sweet soul is indescribably wonderful. Lesley Watt is an incredibly talented artisan who lives all the way in Dorset, I have loved reading her blog for quite some time now and she is a warm personality (I highly recommend following her if you don't!). To own a piece of her wonderful jewelry means a lot to me. Here are some examples of her work:
Aren't they lovely? Those are two of my favorites! And here is the gorgeous piece that I wore to my Christmas gatherings:
I hope you will check out her blog and shop! Here are her links:
Next up... are you ready? I AM! Getting a package full of bead soup in the mail is pure heaven! I have been exchanging emails with my sweet and wonderful partner this time, Kari Carrigan (she is awesome, by the way), and couldn't wait to see what she sent me! When I opened the package... I totally squealed. I admit it! I am a squealer, I love pretty packages, ask my partner last time (Elisabeth Auld) I squealed for hers too! LOVE! Kari used the sweetest pink gerber daisy! And then I opened it and the oohs and aahs just didn't stop! I decided I am going to put up a main pic of the whole awesome soup and then I made a little slideshow for those of you who want to drool over goodies with me ;).
Here is the link to the wonderful Kari's blog: http://weegemsdesigns.blogspot.com Hopefully she will be getting my soup soon! I can't wait!
Talk to you soon about Ingrid... ;)
~Jennifer
Thursday, February 2, 2012
Quick post to tell you of an awesome giveaway!
The wonderfully talented Pippa is giving away some of her gorgeous petal and flower capped beads! If you haven't seen them yet, you have to check them out, so gorgeous! Here is the link to the giveaway:
http://pipsjewellery.blogspot.com/2012/02/giveaway.html
And here are some of the lovelies!
Aren't they amazing? And here's a link to her shop for a closer look at her work:
http://www.etsy.com/shop/pipsjewellery?ref=top_trail
Ok, I promise, a long post about me today or tomorrow :) I have many exciting things including.... my amazing bead soup has arrived from the wonderful Kari Carrigan and I am so geeking out! Cannot wait to show you! Also I went to the best concert of my life... and have new things in the shop... and have to tell you about the awesome Lesley Watt... yes, long post coming!!!
~Jennifer
http://pipsjewellery.blogspot.com/2012/02/giveaway.html
And here are some of the lovelies!
Aren't they amazing? And here's a link to her shop for a closer look at her work:
http://www.etsy.com/shop/pipsjewellery?ref=top_trail
Ok, I promise, a long post about me today or tomorrow :) I have many exciting things including.... my amazing bead soup has arrived from the wonderful Kari Carrigan and I am so geeking out! Cannot wait to show you! Also I went to the best concert of my life... and have new things in the shop... and have to tell you about the awesome Lesley Watt... yes, long post coming!!!
~Jennifer
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