Mid South Beading RetreatGroup, Bryson City, NC

And then as I am trying to tiddy up the blog posts:

The Bryson City Bead Retreat Group held their Weekend Long which turned into a Week Long Retreat the last week of July.  It Work out for me to attend because I had Michael flying in from San Diego, CA to see the property he was considering and we would be able to drive back together and enjoy the rest of his leave.

I had offered to teach the Bead Embroidery class and use the program I had worked on in Ft. Pierce, then the butterflies and reality kicked in.  I am going to teach, how many bead masters, bead embroidery.....GEESH!  But it did turn out to be a wonderful extended weekend.  I met some new members that have not been at the previous retreats or gatherings, Susan Council, Riza, Figgy ( everyone swears she did not exist ) and the wonderful other's that make this such a wonderful group to be in.  Beebe Goddard was alittle ill with her lower back surgery looming but she made us all feel welcome and special.  God Bless her, I can't believe I could find the Cabin.

But the best part for me was learning how to work the Torch with Harleen Powers Metal Working Class.

Carolyn Brown and Sue Harney at the Work table

Wendy Young's First Bead Embroidery piece

Wendy Young

FLAME ON!  I am just in love with manipulating metals ( Copper ) with the torch.  I had so much fun and I believe Harleen has some new candidates for Metal Working.  We did a lovely Chainmaille pattern that Genny Smith taught called Olivia and we just had a great time.  I was amazed at how well the participants did in Bead Embroidery and Wendy is a true and future Bead Embroiderer.

The Ladies at the Work Table

Learning how to anneal Copper Metal Leaves with Torch and Hammering

The Red Highlights were from Gilder's Paste.  My first attempt.

Harleen Powers is a wonderful teacher and I enjoyed spending time with her on the front porch.  There was nothing better then " FLAME ON" working with the copper, then putting it into the water and hearing the big WOOSH!  Then hammering away and trimming and hammering.  I have a new respect for hammers.  This was also my first use of Gilders Paste.  I cannot wait to try more of this.  My son came by to visit and saw that look in my eye's.......  " OH Gosh, I'm going to have to buy you a torch, I can see it now ".  Works for me!  :)

And now....the arrival of Red Bird.....My first Beaded Art Doll

The Arrival of Red Bird....., I was so excited when I saw the package from Sassy ( Ruth Osbourne ).  I knew Red Bird was home.  I have seen bit's and piece's of her evolution through the Round Robin, but nothing can beat just seeing the Bird in real life.

I am amazed with the talent of Beader's in this group.  Who would have thought that a Fabric Form could evolve over the months into a, " Work of Art".  My first Bead Art Doll and her journal is something to treasure.  I am heading over to Michaels with a 40% coupon for a glass cover and I cannot wait to display her.

I would like to acknowledge my Bird Mates in completing Red Bird:
Dian Moore ( E/less )                                            Prescott, AZ
Ruth Osbourne ( Sassy )                                        Dewey, AZ
Debra Peck ( Deej )                                              Grand Junction, CO
Sheila Cagle                                                          Chattanooga, TN
Rolanda Patterson                                                 Decatur, TX

Thank you all so very, very much from the bottom of my heart.

The Final Bird " Takaya " is complete and this Round Robin is done

I've just finished Takaya, a wonderful Toucan for Debra Peck " Deej "  in Grand Junction, Colorado.

It is kind of bittersweet. We've had a great time during this round robin and it is sad to see it end.  Again, I was assigned the tail feathers.  " This must be an omen ".  LOL!
Next up, Red Bird has come home.......and she is beautiful.

The Spirit of Bead Embroidery by Heidi Kummili

See....I'm just blogging down that hit list.... and then of course the one book we have been waiting for as
Bead Embroider's is " The Spirit of Bead Embroidery by Heidi Kummili..... kind of like that Ghostbusters moment " I GOT ONE ".  I cannot wait to sit and just enjoy.  Rolanda Patterson, a friend that sews the dolls forms in Beaded Art Dolls and we have alot together in Beaddreamz is also in Heidi's book.

Thank you all for your encouraging words. Just having a group for beaded dolls spits on what I am about to share. Heidi Kummli's new book, The Spirit of Bead Embroidery is out. If you look online at the table of contents, you will see a list of contributing artist for the gallery. Near the bottom of the list is MY name (squee).... My dear friend Carol Anne gave me a bit of wisdom when I missed the deadline due to personal issues when Heidi had contacted me requesting permission to put "Willow" in the gallery (after seeing her at Bead Dreams.) Happy dance is an understatement.... Many, many thanks to you all and the one who gave me this gift. Blessings, Ralonda Thank you Heidi.

The new daughter....Gwendolyn

Everyone who know's me know's that I am first and foremost a Cocker Spaniel person.  Just something about the Cocker Spaniels that I have had over the years where I have always found them to be the most
loyal companions and I just love them.  When Brittany Lynn passed away over two years ago the day after my Mom passed away, I was devastated.  I had had Brittany for over thirteen years, she had been found wandering the street in Lake Worth by my Groomer.  She was beautiful and it was love at first sight.  We traveled everywhere together and she was always with me, a true companion.  I had it in my mind that there would never be another Brittany but my son, Michael challenged me and found this lovely little lady from a AKC Cocker Spaniel breeder on the West Coast of Florida.  Look at that face!  I'm in love again.

Beaded Art Dolls Second Round Robin ( Teapots )

Beaded Art Dolls selected the next Round Robin Theme and I was selected to participate again in the group.

Teapots!  We were lucky that Rolanda Patterson ( yes, can this woman sew ) made twenty or so Teapot Forms, both large and small.  I did decide that I did not want a face on mine and wanted a " Alice's Teapot " for Alice in Wonderland theme.  I added the lucite flowers as Cabs and included a large Flat Back Rhinestone cache and made sure that my journal showed I wanted " Alice in Wonderland " the Mad Hatters' Teapot.  Yes, to bad Johnny Depp doesn't bead. :)

One Month since a Blog Post......Seriously?

It has been one month since a blog post....not intentional by no means. But it has just been hectic.  Attending
the Highland Games at Grandfather Mountain ( AWESOME ), then preparing to teach Bead Embroidery at the July Retreat in Bryson City, finishing two Beaded Birds from the Group 1 of Beaded Art Dolls, contemplating the pieces to complete for " Beading Babes and the next reveal" .  Working on the Cellini Spiral Neckpiece for my Exchange partner on BeadDreamz..... ( this color combination is totally out of my range and should be fascinating. )   Finding out I have a new daughter arriving in  two weeks.  A little girl cocker spaniel, black.  Just non stop actions for all those beading friends.  So I will do a catch up and try to Timeline and keep in perspective.  

Speaking of Timeline....darn it, Facebook got me.  I thought I was laying low and unobserved.  Yeah.  Right!
August 16, 2012.  I'll try to go with it.