..getting closer, but not there yet...

 I have been busy trying to get an Etsy store going. I don't know why it's taking me so long, I think I have a block. But I have given myself to the end of June (yikes that's getting close) to have a least one item listed and my Etsy store up and running. I mean how hard can it be.....there are many, many Etsy stores already and the sales are in the millions and most of my blog friends have a store.  Maybe I am afraid of not making any sales or...... maybe I am afraid of making sales! Whatever it is I need to just do it.

I don't know if I will put this piece in my Etsy store or not, I have grown quite fond of "Royale". It has a certain feel of richness to it, a feeling of royalty.

Royale

...what to do, what to do....

I finished my Summer Lovin challenge from Amy (http://amybeads.blogspot.com/)but upon further reading discovered the reveal isn't until August 1. I am glad I took a second look at the  instructions, I almost jumped the gun and posted early. I love how the piece turned out and hopefully everyone else will too. My first challenge and it was so much fun, it made me step out of my color comfort zone. Normally I wouldn't pick the colors but I absolutely love the combination, thanks Amy. I will have to wait until August 1 to reveal but I will be wearing it today.

I am excitedly waiting to find out who my partner is in the Bead Soup Blog Hop (http://lorianderson-beadsoupblogparty.blogspot.com/). With that in mind I thought I would post a necklace that I strung. I found the jade beads on a trip to the coast and couldn't resist.  I had the perfect focal jade bead in my stash and with the addition of silver accents, and green crystals and the octagonal glass bead I think it turned out well. I made earrings to match and find I often pick this necklace to wear.

Jade Treasure

...in anticipation....

Lori (http://lorianderson-beadsoupblogparty.blogspot.com/) suggested that while we wait to find out who are partners are we should kick start the blog hop and write a little about how we started making jewelery. So here goes....

For as long as I can remember I have made jewelery, through the years I have perfected and honed my skills and have found a niche that I am deeply passionate about. I love to create one of a kind bead embroidery pieces and never tire of making these beautiful things. When my girls were in school I made many, many beaded daisy necklaces, one for each exam they had...it was my little good luck charm to them and these little necklaces made an impact (happy to say they always passed their exams). I have now graduated to much more involved pieces and yes my girls have taken to these new pieces as well....funny that.

I have always been involved in art and but for a misfortune in life would have gone to art college and earned my degree in fine arts. Life has a funny way of throwing curve balls so now even though I work in an engineering driven job I find my creative release in making wearable art.

I am fairly new to blogging but have found a place where I can share and receive comments and compliments on the pieces I have made. I feel incredibly lucky that I now have so many wonderful like minded friends.

This is my first bead soup blog hop and I cannot tell you how excited I am.

totally tangled..

Back in the day it was called doodling and I was a master, I doodled in all my school books, I doodled everywhere and now even when I am in a meeting I find myself doodling....only now it's called "Zentangle" http://zentangle.blogspot.ca/....and oh yeah it is addicting. You do go into a zen like trance and just totally relax.  I need to be careful though, eventually someone at work will wonder what I am doing...but because you tangle on a three and one half in square it is easy to conceal!!!

Tangled dragonfly

Tangled up or not I still had time to bead and "Urchin" was created. Fun to make and took no time at all. I thought it looked a bit weird at first but my wonderful sister loved it and thought it was really pretty. I love the color and it is fun to wear.

Urchin

This month I have promised myself that I will get my Etsy store up and running, I am having difficulty picking a store name...I think that is the hardest part, but once I am past that hurdle I think it will be a breeze. Stay tuned.

...I knew I would......

...as I mentioned in my last post, I knew I had to do more free form. It is so much fun and so relaxing. What happens, happens. "Anemone" is for my sister, just because she is my sister and because I believe she would really enjoy wearing this. She understands and encourages my creativity and when I am down on myself she picks me up. She is my friend and confidant, she laughs with me and cries with me and I am thankful for having her in my life.

Anemone

 A beauty from my garden for all to enjoy. Everything is so lush and bright, it just makes life so enjoyable.

....inspirations and aspirations...

When I escape into my bead world, my mind wanders to all kinds of wonderful places; I just wish I was a talented author so I could share my thoughts and inspirations on paper. When I am behind the camera or deeply immersed in a beading project life takes on a different perspective; I lose all track of time and what’s really going on around me. For me this is totally relaxing and I must say rejuvenating. I love reading blog posts from all my blog friends and am amazed at how many talented, wonderful people are out there.  I love their stories and being able to touch everyone’s world if only just a little bit. 

I am super excited because I am doing my first “challenge” and I can’t wait to get the kit (Summer Lovin - http://amybeads.blogspot.com/) – design ideas are racing around in my head. 

My latest piece “áalani” was a combination of my favorite – bead embroidery – and something new for me – free form peyote.  Sarah from Saturday Sequins (http://www.saturdaysequins.com/) inspired me to give this a try and OMG I love it – it is so much fun and really allows you to just go with it.  When I started I stressed a bit and thought I was doing it wrong and then I realized there can’t be a wrong if it’s free form and just relaxed and let the creative juices flow. I loved doing free form so much that I had to make a matching bracelet “áalani B” to go with the necklace.  I think I will incorporate this method into my challenge project----can’t wait.

aalani

 

aalani closeup

aalani B

aalani B

We went camping again last weekend (just can't get enough) where I spent most of my day behind the camera. I am trying to perfect birds in flight and I think I'm getting closer.

The take off

Up up and away

Got my mojo back...

I have been very busy lately but unfortunately I have had a beading block. I thought I would try a few projects using some different beading techniques, but the projects just weren't developing. I tried one (not finished), I tried another (not finished), I read blogs to get me in the right frame of mind, I looked at other artist's creations for inspiration, I was I must admit a little afraid that maybe my creativity was gone and then I came to my senses and started a project in an area that I love, bead embroidery. The creative juices just flowed and "Lindy" came to be in very quick order. My most wonderful sister Linda (Scattered Leaves) had brought me a turquoise focal bead  while on her adventures at Artfest, it was just beautiful. I paired it with some special crystal bicones and some drop crystals I had and I love the results. It was amazing I had all the different pieces in my stash already, just waiting to go into the right piece. I plan to finish the other projects (eventually) I have started but I have given myself permission to put aside or change directions if the creative juices slow.

Lindy

Close up of Lindy focal