one-eared pig beads: 2011

Saturday, December 10, 2011

Ornament Exchange

This week I participated in an ornament exchange sponsored by Amy of Flamekeeper Beads. My partner was Vickie Barber-Ellis of Sunshine Jewels. She makes drool-worthy jewelry and handmade copper components.

She created a beautiful ornament that matched my tree wonderfully! It is green and glass and even has some local moss from Arizona. How cool is that!

Thursday, December 8, 2011

Tattoos

I've wanted a tattoo for many, many years.

As in over 20 years.

Yeah, I know. Indecisive much?

(via Pinterest, quote by Neil Gaiman)

Luckily, when I was younger I was not only broke, but smart enough to know that this is not a step to take lightly. It wasn't something I thought about all the time, but I would entertain the thought a couple of times a year.

There are many prejudices and preconceived notions about tatts. I see them as art I get to wear all the time. I have narrowed down what I want to a few ideas (not posted here, I just love the quote and the Mucha art). I am beginning to research artists in Michigan and the surrounding states. I've been saving up my money, and my goal is to have one by the end of next summer.

I would love to hear your thoughts on tattoos, and the people that wear them.

Wednesday, December 7, 2011

In My Head

After many months of a creative drought, I finally have some cohesive designs in my head. Sadly, very little time to execute, but at least I have ideas. I can face my work bench without wanting to cry. I can make the time, but I can't force the ideas.

And now, something that makes me laugh every damn time.

Monday, December 5, 2011

My Partner in Crime - 2012

Here is my partner in crime for 2012, Tracy Bell. We are going to buddy up for shows next year; I am so excited! The things she does to metal is just awesome. Plus, she has a twisted/wicked sense of humor, just like mine. Check out her blog and her fun baubles in her Etsy site! (I have to cut this post short, as my husband just called from about 20 miles out and our truck won't go above 40 without shaking like it's re-entering the atmosphere.)

Monday Inspiration

"There is no passion to be found in settling for a life that is less than the one you are capable of living."
--- Nelson Mandela

Wednesday, November 30, 2011

Snow

I missed my window to take a picture of our first real snowfall this winter (I somehow managed to forget the sun goes down before I get home from work... duh). So, here's a picture of Steamboat Springs.

Tuesday, November 29, 2011

Survived Thanksgiving

Woohoo! I survived cooking my first Thanksgiving meal. No stress at all. I only had 4 people to cook for, although I think I made enough food for over 10. My aunt and I played several games of Scrabble, and at one point we were playing Scrabble on the table and Words With Friends on our cell phones at the same time. Nope, we aren't competitive or anything...

Now that the holiday hulabaloo is over, I've listed all sorts of glassy goodness in my Etsy store. Plus, I'm offering free first class shipping with delivery confirmation through Saturday at Noon (EST). Just use the code FREEPIG2011.

This is a simple and sparkling pendant created with some dichro.

I created this necklace with some boro beads I won from Lori Anderson a whole back.

We are currently under a winter storm watch (freezing rain changing to 1" of snow every hour til midnight), so I hope to have some great snow pictures tomorrow.

Thursday, November 10, 2011

Behind in Everything

I've been dragging some serious ass lately. I haven't been posting, reading blogs, making beads, zilch. I've made some jewelry simply because I've had shows. I desperately need to catch up on life.

If you see my mojo, please let me know. :)

Source: vineetkaur.tumblr.com via Melissa on Pinterest

Wednesday, November 9, 2011

Wordless Wednesday

Wednesday, October 19, 2011

New Items and a New Addiction

This weekend I attended the final West Michigan Bead Expo in Grand Rapids. It's been a fun show, but attendance has slowly dropped off over the past few years. I'll miss having a show so close to home. I've been listing a few new items in my Etsy store over the past few days. Stop by and take a look!

A new discovery (at last for me) is the internet crack known as Pinterest. Art, movies, quotes, eye candy, brain candy... It is wonderful!

Wednesday, October 5, 2011

I Love Blue Chalcedony

I just love Blue Chalcedony (from Gaffer Girls, via Howaco Glass). It is a beautiful, frustrating glass. I love the blues and purples that I can sometimes coax out of it. I have a show this Friday at the West Michigan Glass Art Center in Kalamazoo and next Saturday I have the West Michigan Bead Expo at Calvin College in Grand Rapids. I hope they are popular, but if not, look for them soon on Etsy!

This week I tried the frit on CIM tamarind. I plan on etching this set, which will give it a smooth, satiny finish. I think it will make the beads resemble ceramic.

As I took the picture of the tamarind and chalcedony, I also took a picture of the view off my back deck. The leaves in our yard are finally starting to turn.

Monday, October 3, 2011

Autumn

First, if you are looking for my Bead Soup, please click here.

I love Autumn. I love the changing leaves and the cool air. It signals chili season, and cozy pajama pants.

(photos found on Pinterest)

Monday, September 26, 2011

Beads of Courage

First, if you are looking for my Bead Soup, please click here.

This is a long post, but please bear with me.

Beads of Courage is a wonderful program. It is an arts in medicine program for children with serious illness. It is currently implemented in over 100 children's hospitals in the United States, Japan, and New Zealand. Every bead tells a story of strength, honor, and hope.

This weekend our local group rented the West Michigan Glass Art Center in Kalamazoo. They have an awesome set up, including a fusing area, a hot shop, and a lampworking area with 14 torches. *sigh* It is truly glass and fire heaven.

Our only goal on Saturday was to make beads strictly for Beads of Courage. We made nearly 179 beads. We had such a great time. I've posted some of the beads we made. We made fish, pumpkins, snowmen, ice cream cones, hearts, and so much more! In fact, we actually ran out of kiln space before we ran out of ideas.

So many people to thank for this weekend. First and foremost, HOWACO GLASS. Jamey brought the entire line of Effetre glass for us to use.

In no particular order, here are my glassy peeps that participated in this fun event:
Barb Reed, Sandra Rathbun, Tracy Bell, Sandra Humphrey, Marion Walter, Deb Harlan, Dawn Ceccacci, Karen Klomparens, Annmarie Stanesa, Deb Kauzlarich, Robin Moore, Chris Fisher, Laurie Stover, Sharon Pribble, and Jill Daniels.

Thanks for reading this far. This organization means a lot to me, and these crazy people even more.

Friday, September 16, 2011

Bead Soup Reveal!!!!

Click here for the entire Soup list, located on the awesome Lori Anderson't blog. Please visit as many blogs as possible. You won't be disappointed.

I am so excited! Seriously, I cannot express how much I enjoy participating in the Blog Soup. I create things. I play with shiny objects. I meet new people. For someone whose all-time favorite thing to do is to sit at home, curl up on the couch and read, "knowing" all these beautiful, caring, creative people is almost unfathomable. My life is awesome.

My partner this round is Marian Hertzog of M's Place. She creates beautiful polymer clay beads. Check out her Etsy store! She sent me a beautiful collection.

{deep breath}
This is what I created.

September kicks off an extremely busy time of year for me at work, and it really doesn't let up til February. My life is nonstop. I only mention that because when I first looked at all the goodies in my box from Marian, I was mentally designing no less than 5 pieces. When I was finally able to sit down and create, I realized *everything* had to go into one piece, not because I didn't have to time to do all the various pieces, but because I wanted it all NOW.

What Marian sent me are some of my favorite colors. Blues, purples, and black; metals in silver, brass, and copper. Perfect. I added brass and silver chain, blue pearls, a few of my handmade glass beads, and even a ceramic bead from my first partner, Nan Emmett. I used the clasp Marian sent me in the main body of the necklace, so I used some brass wire my second partner, Diane Cook, sent me for the clasp. :)

After I wear it next week (you know, quality control), I will be donating the necklace to Homes for our Troops. They build specialty adapted homes for our troops, and recently built one locally. My dad's birthday is in October, so this time of year always make me think of him, and miss him just a little bit more. He was a Viet Nam vet. Marian's son is currently serving our country in the Navy. I kept my first Bead Soup necklace because it was my first one. I kept my second one because it represents my grandmother. I was recently approached by Homes for Our Troops for a donation, so it just seemed like this is where this necklace needed to go.