Merry Christmas, a la Star Wars

My niece made an ornament for us this year. Why is the gingerbread man painted black? Because she loves Star Wars. This is Darth Vader. :) I love being a nerdy family.

ps: it is great to be back after being sick for over two weeks.

Up on Etsy

Up now in my Etsy shop are two new pairs of earrings. These earrings were made with some cute disc beads handmade by Mermaid Glass.

Later, I'll be posting more yummies!

Thank a veteran

I couldn't find a picture of him in uniform, but here is a picture of my dad (r) and Uncle Jack (l). They both served in Viet Nam, and my dad later served in the Michigan National Guard in the 80's until his death in the mid 90's. Miss you, dad.

Goodies from Lori

Back in September I won a spectacular bag of goodies from Lori Anderson. At first, I was overwhelmed by the all the beads; I've been running my fingers through the bag over the past month and just enjoying them. I've finally put all of them into containers, and tonight I started to group things together.

Tonight I made a necklace with some yummy boro beads and copper. I will try and take a picture, but it is dark before I get home from work so I may have to wait til the weekend. Here are the beads I used:

Why we put the devil horns on her...

More evidence of how Kaylee loves to eat things...

Cuteness Alert

Here is Kaylee all woozy from the sedative after having her teeth cleaned. The Devil horns are because she is a demon spawn (this is the calmest she has ever been. EVER). The beer bottle because hubby thought it was funny. :)

VOTE

I may be disillusioned with nearly all politicians, but I voted today. It is a privilege and your civic duty, so go do it!

Studio Space

I thought I would post a picture of my work area. This is where I melt glass, set things on fire, and generally create. Aside from being curled up on the couch with my hubby & dogs, this is the happiest place in my home.

Byzantine Chain

Yesterday I took the Byzantine Chain Class with Meg Tang at Kalamazoo Institute of Arts. I had so much fun. The chain is much easier to make than it looks, and Meg is a wonderul teacher. This is the second class I have taken from her. I'm placing an order for more jump rings this evening, so be on the lookout for more chains from me.

I Love Dogs

I love dogs. I've almost always had a dog or two in my life. Nothing beats coming home after a really crappy day at work and having your dog freak out because she is so happy to see you.

They can be somewhat trying, though. This is a picture of Kaylee, our 2 y.o. lab immediately after she had a bath. We let her out, and she immediately ran to the marsh, chest-high into the muck. Her scond bath of the day consisted of very cold water from the hose.

I Love Horror Movies

So October is just a great month for me on tv. Right now I am watching a Friday the 13th marathon. It is the third one, so it is cheesier than scary, but entertaining nonetheless.

The earliest movie I can remember that scared the absolute hell out of me was Phantasm. When the Tall Man raised his hand and growled, "Boy!", I was hooked!

So what is your favorite horror movie?

Some goodies in my Etsy store!

I had a wonderful time at the West Michigan Bead Expo this weekend. I have listed several items in my Etsy store. Pop in and take a gander!

Quote of the Day

"Bitterness is like a cancer. It east up the host. But anger is like a fire. It burns it all clean."
-- Maya Angelou

An Open Letter, or, Non-Adventures in the Void

To my old friend Depression,

Nice try. No, really, it was. You've always been a sly little bitch that quietly creeps in unnoticed, but the sneak attack of nearly overwhelming apathy was a new one. You slipped in, wrapped me up in gauze and stashed me into the corner of my own mind, lost in the Void. I could still feel emotion, but from a great distance. Passion, happiness, sadness; while not gone, nearly inaccessable. To the casual observer, everything seemed to be fine. I got up, I went to work, I cooked dinner, and I did it every day. But, it all meant nothing. I felt (nearly) nothing. I lost weeks.

But we've danced this dance, in one form or another, for a couple of decades now. You may be able to creep in, but I have learned to creep in, too. I rebuilt the connection from me to me, that which makes me. I've learned over the years that it isn't enough to survive. I enjoy living.

So cue the Gloria Gaynor music. I will survive.

In short, my old friend - Fuck. You.

Wordless Wednesday

Rain

Not much to post today. We do have a lot of rain coming, and I am looking forward to it. I love rainy, dreary days. I don't find them depressing at all; rather, I enjoy the peace an serenity of a rainy day.

A Night for Choice

I recently created a necklace for an upcoming fundraiser for Planned Parenthood of South Central Michigan. The auction will be this weekend, September 17th & September 18th at the Epic Center in Kalamazoo, immediately following the play, Mitzi's Abortion.

The criteria for the auction was to represent women; their strength, their beauty. One of the most important things for me, and often the most difficult thing to hold on to, is my dreams. For this piece, I created a goddess bead with my favorite glass, Psyche. I crafted all of the sterling silver links myself. I've been holding onto the Bali silver bead with stars and moons for nearly three years. As soon as I heard of this auction, I knew I wanted to create something around it.

Sylvia Ji

Last week I bought a magazine called Hi-Fructose. It is a magazine about contemporary art. I never really like anything "contemporary", but this volume is way cool. Particulary, the article on Sylvia Ji.

From the article:

"In Sylvia Ji's work, Death is the maiden. Her paintings all feature darkly seductive women, and her most well known images are those of her Day of the Dead series: heavy-lidded, full-lipped, calavera-faced vixens; glamorous Catrina images influenced the archetypal skeleton woman of mod of death itself, both seductive and manacing."

Check out her work. I'm in love. I wonder how I can work this into glass...

Check It Out, and Checking Out

My friend Tracy has entered the blogosphere! She is a great lampworker and jewelry designer. Check her out.

Life has been getting the best of me lately. Ok, *I* have been getting the best of me lately. I must create. I NEED to light the fire and make some beads. It is so frustrating how sometimes little things can throw me off the track, how I can lose track of my muse, my creative side, my mojo.

Lori Anderson Rocks!

Lori over at Pretty Things had a drawing for people who donated to assist Kimberly Wilcox after she lost her entire studio to a fire. I was so very fortunate to win the drawing! I cannpt describe to shiny goodness of the box. Like a kid on Christmas morning, I keep reaching into the box going, "OOOOh! Look at that one! OH! Look at that one!" I had a necklace to make tonight that has to be shipped out by Thursday, but I will get some pics of the 3 pounds of wonderful soon!

2010 Hastings Summerfest

Thank you to all of my customers at the Summerfest show this weekend. I had a spectacular time! Pictures to come.

eta: Holy cow, I wasn't online for three whole days. I am never going to get caught up reading blogs. LOL

Nostalgia

"I don't like nostalgia unless it's mine."

-- Lou Reed

I just thought I would throw in a picture of one of my early beads, a mutant fish with a butt. All of my early fish had odd-numbered eyes, and nearly all of them had butts. :) I made this little guy about 3 - 4 years ago. I think I need to revisit my mutant fish. (Or Blinkies, as my friend Suzanne calls them. (Yes, a Simpson reference.)) They were so much fun to make!

Help an Artist in Need

(mainly reposted from Lori Anderson)


Last month, Kimberly Wilcox's studio was completely and devastatingly destroyed by an electrical fire. Gone. All her tools, many of which were large and expensive. The entire studio structure. Insurance has barely scratched the surface and won't come anywhere near to helping her rebuild her livelihood.

There's a way you can help Karen. Daily Art Muse has set up a donation button via Paypal, and even if you only have $1, it can grow and help. If you hurry and donate by Sunday the 22nd (and sorry, I only learned of this today), you can be in the running to win $150 worth of books.

Plus, the wonderfu Lori Anderson has also thrown in a goody drawing for those that donate. Click here for Lori's post.

A Fistful of Bookmarks and a Wristful of Bracelets

Here are just a few of the items I've made over the past few weeks for the Hastings Summerfest, August 27th through August 29th, on the couthouse lawn in Hastings, Michigan. I'm feeling good about my stock, now I just need the weather to hold out. No rain, no humidity; about 75 degrees would be great. :)

Where Have I Been?

I just realized I haven't blogged in nearly a month. I've just been enjoying the summer, and I've also been preparing for the 2010 Hastings Summerfest. I have found that I need to avoid the eye candy when I need to design. It isn't really because I'm afraid of getting others' ideas stuck in my head, but more that as I create all I can do is compare my stuff to other people's. So, when I don't look, I accomplish more.

Ah, the pathetic smell of low self-esteem. :)

Please Vote for Beads of Courage

We are currently in 13th place, but need to be in 10th by July 31st in order to stay in the running. Please take a moment to vote!

Through the Beads of Courage Program children coping with life threatening conditions received colorful beads each which symbolize the many treatments and procedures they overcome. Their Beads of Courage collection serves as a tangible, visible symbol of their accomplishments during a challenging treatment journey. Funding provided by Pepsi will help us provide the Beads of Courage Program as a source of support for children in 10 children's hospitals wishing to provide the Program as a source of psychosocial support. The Beads of Courage Program strengthens resilience and quality of life for children coping with cancer and other serious illness.

Art in Cellophane

Maria posted today about Art-O-Mat. They are a company that refurbishes cigarette machines to dispense art. The machine pictured above is in my old stomping grounds, Kalamazoo. Check out the website for a machine near you!

A Word to the Wise, or,

What $100 Will Buy You...

Last night was my ring-making class at Kalamazoo Institute of Arts. I had a wonderful time and learned many great techiniques. It is 45 minutes away, and it is country driving. I spend the drive home keeping an eye out for deer. As I apporach home, my thoughts turn towards what I had learned that night.

Well...

Last night as I turned onto my road, I was contstructing rings and necklaces in my head. My brain was full of grandeur; glass, copper, silver. It was all good. A spectacular song came on my iPod, so I decided to drive around the block. Passed my house, turned at the next intersection with a light. Turn right. The light was red. I slowed, but did not stop.

*sigh*

BTW, failure to 'Stop & Go at a Red' is $100.

Today's Quote

I can be changed by what happens to me, but I refuse to be reduced by it.
-- Maya Angelou

We Have a Winner! We Have Dinner!

We have a winner! Sue Doran won my beadie, and her selection of The Best Life, page 242 will be our dinner sometime in the next week! The entree on page 242 is Whole Wheat Penne with Pea Pesto (I love peas). Sounds yummy! Thank you all for participating! I had a blast, and I plan on doing this again. :)

Psychotic Heart Now on Etsy

I've listed a few more beads in my Etsy shop, including another Psyche & ivory bead. I love to poke and prod the molten glass, and this is the second bead I've made recently with an unexpected heart.

Lady Liberty

I love it when people send me pictures of their creations using my beads. Here is a wonderful Lady Liberty necklace GoddessJoy created with one of my goddesses! Beautiful!

Also, don't forget to enter to win one of my beads!

Pick My Dinner, Win a Bead!

I have cookbooks. Lots and lots of cookbooks. Love to read them, just don't utilize them too often. I cook the same things over & over. I really need to mix things up a little, so once a month I am going to have a drawing. I will list three of my cookbooks and page numbers, and you can win one of my beads. Just choose a cookbook and a page number and post your selection in the comments. I will place each comment in a drawing, and if I draw your name, I will make the recipe on that page and I will send you the bead!

This month's bead:

This month's cookbook selections (entrees):

Favorite Brand Name Best-Loved Recipes, pages 106 - 131

The Low-Carb Cookbook, pages 159 - 246

The Best Life Diet, 226 - 243

I will close the drawing Tuesday, July 6th at 9 p.m., EST. After I pick a name, you will have 3 days to contact me so I can send your beadie! I'll post pics and a review of the meal. So choose a cookbook and a page number in the comments!

Thank you for participating!

Wonder Woman Gets a Makeover

From http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/38023857/ns/today-books/:

"She was stuck in 1941. And as female friends of mine kept asking, 'how does she fight in that (bustier) thing without all her parts flying out? How does she carry her stuff?," Straczynski told video game and entertainment website IGN.com in an interview.

Inspiration from Zeus

This is a recent picture of a lightning strike at the Parthenon in Greece. The colors remind me of my favorite beads made of tranparent cobalt, psyche, and silver foil! I will have to ake some pics and post for comparison.

My Precious...

I've been taking a ringmaking course at Kalamazoo Institute of Arts. I've made a few rings, and my soldering skills are rather lacking, but I am loving it! I have several ideas to incorporate my beads into some rings. We'll see what unfolds over the next few weeks.

Curse you, Weird Al Yankovic!

Last night I was watching the cookbook episode on Food(ography) . I love cookbooks; I own over 60. The ironic thing? I usually cook the same 5 -10 recipes over and over. I love to read the cookbooks, not actually do anything with them.

While watching the episode, I came up with a great blog post. I'm sure it was about creativity, inspiration, cookbooks, beads, and how it all ties into my life. You'd think after 40 years of dipshititis, I would know better and at least write notes. But nnooooo. Not me.

This morning the only thing in my brain was an ear worm. A Weird Al Yankovic ear worm. White and Nerdy, to be precise.

*sigh*

My Reveal!

Here it is! My turn at creating a piece of jewelry with someone else's goodies. I had so much fun with this. My partner is Nan Emmet of Spirit Rattles. She makes wonderful ceramic pieces - check out her etsy shop!

I love dragon flies. I stenciled dragonflies in one of my bathrooms years ago when we first moved here, and they are still dancing all over my walls.

So far, I have created jewelry with my lampwork that has been pretty simple with wire-wrapping. I really wanted this neckalce to be bold, because I plan on wearing the heck out of it and one of my mottos is big boobs need big beads. :) I am very happy with it, but I have even more ideas, so as my metal-working skills increase I plan on tweakng and adding to it.

Last Day of the Bead Soup Party!

I have had so much fun drooling over everyone's goodies! A HUGE thank you to Lori, Bead Soup Coordinator extraordinaire!

I am editing my creation and will have it posted shortly.


72. Cindy, Cindy Dolezal Designs

73. Valerie, Hot Art

74. Courtney, Beads by Breul

75. Johanna, Fire Phoenix Creations

76. Shea, gr8findings

77. Julie, Pryce Designs

78. Jeannie, Jeannie's Blog

79. Patricia, Verre Design

80. Christa, Adventures of One Beady Woman

81. Heather, My Muse

82. Susan, Night Beader at Large

83. Sonja, Drachenei

84. Jennifer, Glass Addictions by Jennifer

85. Melissa, One-Eared Pig Beads :)

86. Rebecca, 2SistersBeadwork

87. Karyn, Releases by Rufydoof

88. Denise, Bling on the Blog

89. Doris, Glaszwerg

90. Megan, Churchy & Her Sailor

91. Jo, Daisychain Designs

92. Jen, VanBeads Jewelry and Design

93. Kristie, Artisan Clay

94. Jess, Vintaj

95. Suzann, Beadphoria

96. Sharon, Sharon's Jewelry Garden

97. Michelle, bMichelle

You Can Never Have Enough Soup!

Day six! I'm sorry I haven't been hyperlinking everyone - sites are being blocked at work, and I only have DSL here. I should be up to date with links and comments some time tonight!


60. Carol, Carol Bradley Designs

61. Wanda, A Frayed of Fibers

62. Diana, Vintage Blue Studio

63. Marieke, Marieke's Blog

64. KJ, Silver Parrot

65. Maire, Maire Dodd

66. Shannon, Miss Fickle Media

67. Dana, Dana's Jewelry Designs

68. Charlene, The Bead Dreamer

69. Elisabeth, Beads for Busy Gals

70. Cathryn, Chile Cats

71. Missy, Melissa Rappaport

Bead Soup Reveal, part one

Look what Nan did with my beads! It is a beautiful necklace - I love it!

Day Four!

I am so excited about day three of the Bead Soup Party. Why? Nan Emmet is my partner. :)

Once again, I will post hyperlinks as I can. Between power outages and only having DSL, my updates have been lagging. I will get to everyone!


48. Nan, Spirit Rattles

49. Amy, Copper Diem

50. Malin, Beading by Malin de Koning

51. Anne, Gardanne Glass Lampwork

52. Alice, Alice's Beads and Baubles

53. Barbara, Second Surf

54. Amanda, Articulations

55. Heather, Humble Beads

56. Melissa, Melissa Meman, Art, Life, Love

57. Kate, Organic Odysseys

58. Patti, PJ Clark Designs

59. Stefanie, Stefanie's Sammelsurium

Denise Yezbak Moore's Give-Away!

Holy Cow! In celebration of Bead Soup Week, Denise is giving away BEADS. Tons of beads! Check her out!

Souparama, Day Three!

Ok, here are more design delectables!
(I can't seem to hyper-link from work, so I'll try and do that tonight.)

27. Lisa, Alterity

28. Dale, Dales' Flights of Fancy

29. Melanie, Kookie Designs

30. Christine, A Hot Piece of Glass

31. Nancy, Beading From the Heart

32. Laurel, Rue's Daftique

33. Sandi, Do Be Do Bead Do

34. Nicki, Nicki's Reef

35. Virginie, ViviBijoux

36. Janeen, Wild Vanilla

Bead Soup Party, Days 1 & 2!

Sorry I missed the announcement yesterday; between storms, a dryer that only heats for 7 minutes, and an afternoon at the laundromat, the party completely slipped my mind. But, here we are! This Bead Soup Party lasts all week. I get to post my creation next Saturday, June 26th. So in the meanwhile, please check out the partiers from yesterday and today. Please feel free to leave some comments and some love for them on their blogs. Computer screen licking is optional.


1. Lori, Pretty Things
2. Lorelei, Lorelei1141
3. Norma, Moonlit Fantaseas
4. Beth, EB Bead and Metalworks
5. Katie, KatieBead
6. Kimberly, Bahama Dawn
7. Debbie, Prairie Emporium
8. Lisa, Joolz by Lisa
9. Kate, Tropical Blonde
10. Janet, Singing Woods
11. Julianna, Juls Beads
12. Erin, Treasures Found
14. Jen, Jen Judd Rocks
15. Kella, Me But a Little More In Depth
16. Emanda, Artemisia Studio
17. Marie, Skye Jewels
18. Loretta, Designs By Loretta
19. Stacy, Sissy and Jack's
20. Joanna, Filcowe
21. Diane, Diane Hawkey
22. Marianna, Pretty Shiny Things
23. Anna, The Laughing Raven
24. Marcie, La Bella Joya
25. Lois, Que Onda Q'town?
26. Jayne, Mama's Got To Doodle

Bead Soup Teaser

A joyful spirit is evidence of a grateful heart.
-- Maya Angelou

My Bead Soup Goodies!

Check out my Bead Soup goodies from my partner, Nan Emmet! (well, minus the clasp and silver rings. I accidentally left those out.) My brain is full of ideas of what to do with them.

Thank you again, Lori, for coordinating alll of this!

Today's Quote

Any idiot can face a crisis. It is this day to day living that wears you out.
-- Anton Chekov

Sunshine for Sale

Just listed in my Etsy shop! A fun and bright pendant and earrings to usher in Summer!

My Bead Soup Partner

My Bead Soup Partner is Nan Emmett. Holy cow, her cermaic artistry is amazing! I can't wait to get going!

Bead Soup Party!

I just signed up to do a Bead Soup Party over at Lori's blog. I can't wait to stretch my jewelry-making skills!

Not Around Much

I haven't been around much, so here are some gratuitous doggie pictures. :)

JOY

My friend Tracy fixed Pig for me. She sewed his holes up and put his ear back on. It was a rough 2 weeks without him. I cannot thank her enough!

Northern Michigan Bead & Jewelry Show

I had a wonderful time yesterday at the Northern Michigan Bead & Jewelry Show in Cadillac. I met some wonderful people. Thannk you to all of the lovely people that stopped by!

I will be posting pictures soon.

Pig Beads

Aside from a tragic first attempt shortly after I took my first lampworking class, these are the first one-eared pig beads I have tried. I made them for a special order for Beads of Courage.

What I'm Reading

Well, more like, "What I Just Read."

I finished A Local Habitation, by Seanan McGuire last night. It is the second in her October Daye series. I love these books. The main characters are intriguing and the stories are well-written.

From her website:

October Daye knows all-too-well how cruel Faerie can be to its changeling children. Born in San Francisco and carried to the Summerlands by her pureblood mother when she was just a child, she was raised in a world that never seemed capable of understanding her. She ran away the moment the opportunity presented itself, only to find that the human world wasn't any better.

Things have been going downhill from there.

The October Daye books are modern urban fantasy set in the San Francisco Bay Area, and heavily influenced by classical folklore. They follow the adventures of October "Toby" Daye as she tries to find her footing in a world that seems a little more interested in killing her than she'd like. The first book in the series is Rosemary and Rue, released by DAW Books in September 2009. Book two, A Local Habitation, was released in March 2010. An Artificial Night will be released in September 2010. Two more have been confirmed as following—Late Eclipses and The Brightest Fell, with release dates to be announced.

I cannot wait until the rest are released!

Northern Michigan Bead & Jewelry Show

April 17th is the Northern Michigan Bead & Jewelry Show In Cadillac, Michigan. I think I have enough stock, but does one ever have enough stock? I always, ALWAYS, have this horrible panic 1 - 2 weeks before a show that I do not have enough. And really, I don't. I just don't. But I'm ok with that. :)

Superior Scribbler Award

Hannah Rosner of Good River Gallery (check out her beadwork - it is simply amazing) has nominated me for a Superior Scribbler Award.

I've been wanting to post more blog entries, well, since I started oh-so-long-ago. Here is a wonderful opportuniy for me to try harder. :) Plus, when you sign Mr. Linky (it is the comments section on the Superior Scribbler Blog), you then have access to SO many more blogs about anything & everything!

Here is my list of nominees (5 of the long list of beady blogs I read every day. Check out all the links on the right side of my page.):

Lucinda of Belvedere Beads

Lori of An Artist's Year Off

Karolen of Bead Abundant

Profusion Art Glass

Bella Lilli Jewelry (ok, no lampwork, but She. Has. Skulls.)

The nitty gritty:

If you want to play along, the rules are as follows;

* Each Superior Scribbler must in turn pass The Award on to 5 bloggy friends.

* Each Superior Scribbler must link to the author & name of the blog from whom he/she has received the award.

* Each Superior Scribbler must display the award on his/her blog and link to this post which explains the award.

*Each Blogger who wins The Superior Scribbler Award must visit and add his/her name to the Mr. Linky List (comments on the SSA blog) - that way, we'll be able to keep up to date on everyone who receives the award.

* Each Superior Scribbler must post these rules on his/her blog.

OK. I have done my part. Now if you want to play along, it's your turn!

The Muppets & YouTube

I have spent the most wonderful 20 minutes cruising YouTube watching clips from the Muppet Show and Sesame Street. One of my earliest memories is playing 'Near & Far' with my dad while watching 'Near & Far' with Grover on Sesame Street. It was the very early 70s so my dad had a big fuzzy mustache, and he would tickle me with it when he was 'Near'. Later, The Muppet Show was on the air, and we would watch it every week. I just love the Muppets and Jim Henson for creating them.

It's a good day.

Desert Heart

I've overcome the lastest computer problems (ggrr, Vista) and was able to post another bead on Etsy. It is more CIM Tamarind, Ivory, Raku, and silver foil; the kiln faeries left a heart on it. :)