My partner for the Bead Peeps Blog Hop has been assigned

Well now!  My exchange partner has been posted for our 2015 Bead Peeps Blog Hop..... it is the delightful Krafty Max from Jacksonville, FL.  But .....shhhhhhh!  I'm learning all about her and plan on posting my introduction this weekend.  I'll link to Facebook when the post occur's.


I am delighted and stay tuned.

Florida Jewelry Artist Retreat Group Winter Gathering 2015

Retreat - the gathering of talented women in a comfortable setting facilitating extreme creativity.......

We just completed our annual 2015 Florida Jewelry Artists Retreat Group in Live Oak, FL. this past weekend and even with those bittersweet moments ( the thrill of seeing old friends and comrades and then knowing it was only for a short while ) - we had a wonderful gathering of some very talented women.  Genny Smith, our fearless leader and dearest of friends had quite a few days planned with new projects and even Jamie Poorman Dulaski taught a Super Duo class she had learned as she had just come in from the Texas Bead Society gathering.  We did Chainmaille - Beadweaving - Beaded Crochet ( except for myself ) , and just lovely ( fun ) classes and wonderful food.  Big Hugs Suzie for the best breakfast each morning.   The Dowling Park Christian Village is a wonderful setting for a special gathering of friends.

Left to Right:
Sharon Beecher- Dee - Jamie Poorman Dulaski - Beebe Goddard - myself - Suzie Hawthorne Griffis - Sue Harney - Maria Hormaza and Genny Smith

Beaded Crochet by Maria Hormaza - Genny Smiths first piece. 

This is the three row Super Duo rope ( made into a bracelet ) that Jamie taught - the pattern developed by Nina Owens and taught at the 2015 Bead Retreat.  The Five Strand Rope is below.

5-Strand Version of the Super Duo Rope.

 ** The thrill of still being in Jammies-

 

This little jewel was in the Give Away Box and Genny added our SuperDuo Earrings as a heart charm. 

 

And everyone knows that I've been waiting to do the " Tree of Life " with Genny Smith and this was my time..... I was able to complete two of them with thoughts rolling around for several others.

 

Both of mine are on the bottom row:  1st Left with Goldstone and 3rd with Turquoise Chips and

Swarovski Crystals. 

 

I still have photographs to load for the Sunflower Earrings - another SuperDuo pattern taught by Genny Smith and of course modified by MOI!  And I learned a new chaining technique on the sly - called Viper Basket.  Just happened to have the right rings.  I load these photographs this weekend along with the completion of the 18" Double Vision Chainmaille necklace and matching bracelet.  I did spend a hour or so showing the BE technique of Beading on a 8mm upholstery cording and we will delve more into that technique during our next retreat this Summer. ( Again, in Live Oak ). 

The Polls are being set up to see what is the best week for another Wednesday through Monday retreat at Dowling Park.

Our lovely Anne Hess has had her knee surgery and is in Physical Therapy......she just posted a wonderful photograph of the Therapy Dog paying a visit during therapy.  Is this not just the greatest photograph.  " They are both smiling ".

Pine Ridge Treasure - our newest Blog Hop " called " Summer Waters " kit just came in and the reveal and hop will be in June.  ( Phew!  After the Battle ).  I am still awaiting the Blog Badge from Lisa Lodge and I'll add it as available.   

What a nice little enticement.  I see stringing and wrapping in my future.

I'll definitely catch up more this weekend as our Blog Hop Partners are to be revealed for the Bead Peeps Blog Hop and of course additional photographs. 

Ahhhh! Nothing like completing projects.

This past week has just flown by and I was in one of those - " finish a project " moods as well.  I had several trays and one manniquen full of projects that either needed a clasp - a little " nip and tuck " and just very simple little fixes.  For one project I was amazed when I looked at the stitching on the Embroidery.  I've come a long ways.  So I reinforced the edging - used additional beads and firmed up the peyote bezelling - Just a few quick fixes.  I wasn't going to give up this weekend until all items were ready to photograph before I had to return to work on Monday.

For the Bead Embroidery projects - both of these projects have fringing.  This is out of my norm and Dragon Fly Dreams is using a travertine pea soup green that I was sure Cindy Tipton was playing a joke on me when they arrived in a set - but, to my surprise, they blended with my Tortoise Shell Agate beautifully.  Both pieces I cabbed at Cabbing class and both pieces have Vintaj brass pieces adhered to the cab to give depth to the piece.

Crazy Lace Jasper - Cabbed and natural Jasper rounds used on the embellishments.  And of all things, fringing.  I'll need to work on this process.  I am alittle weak on fringing like I am with Herringbone.

Then Dragonfly Dreams with the pea soup travertine beads.  I need to take another photograph of this piece this coming weekend as our storm had started coming through.

This piece is multi layered ( my favorite technique ) and those little green beads are intersperced throughout the bead work.  If you blow up with picture you will see the Turtle Shell Agate Cab.

I then had the Chainmaille Marathon - I've included gauges and ring sizes on each picture for your enjoyment ( for those chainner's out there ).

I have finally mastered the Captured Pearl Concept and had a blast playing with Mobius's.

This copper piece is using Bronze Rings - very heavy and intense to close.

And here are the Byzantine bracelets that I made from the " Weave Got Maille " - sampler pack that I won in December.  Like Genny Smith said, " I'm ready for St. Patricks Day !"

I was able to play with Square Rings 16C and 18C.  I am really looking forward to playing with the square rings on a flat weave.  Maybe with a few Crystallettes.  But then my favorite weave is :  Romonov

I love the elegance of this weave.  So this is this week's catchup and finish.   We'll see what next week brings.
I'll have a small break though for the week of February 6th where I will be joining the wonderful ladies of the Florida Jewelry Artist Yahoo Annual Retreat in Dowling Park - Live Oak, FL.  I am sure we will have great photo's to share along with " The Tree of Life ".

Doing a Little Maintenance......

Yes, I have been doing maintenance on all of the banners on the right side of my page.
"  It's not a dream ".  There are new ones to add so I cleaning them up and making room.

Bead Embroidery going....going....going..............

Just a quick little update after spending time visiting all my lovely beady blogs that
I follow:

First visit you need to make is:

http://lovemyartjewelry.blogspot.com/2015/01/playing-with-pantones-spring-2015-color.html

I have always loved visiting her blog but today was special.  She has a " giveaway "
going on for a lovely Sandblasted ( yes, sandblasted ) Color enhanced Crazy Lace Agate
Cabachon.  I have never seen a cabochon Sandblasted but it has me intrigued.  I would love
to take a look tonight at the other cab's she has sandblasted.   SO COOL!

Additionally, she has put together a lovely presentation of the Spring 2015 Pantone colors.
Still drooling. I love the colors for this Spring season.  Pantone really keeps us stimulated.

and another visit: 

https://thecrimsonmoon.wordpress.com/2015/01/21/free-flower-child-bracelet-tutorial/

Liz of Crimsonmoon has a lovely little bracelet pattern as a freebie called " Flower Child "
that you can download.  I love the flower and the tutorial looks well made to follow.
 

It looks like Lori McDaniel Anderson, the " Blog Swap and Hop Queen ", is working
with a team for a new Blog Hop Exchange.

Congratulations!  We're so THRILLED to have you involved in our Swap N Hop!  

It's going to be an INCREDIBLE adventure - and that's because of YOU!
Now, the matching process begins!  It's going to take some time, but we are

excited to get that started, so y'all can get on your way to having some awesome fun!

This is a good time to start gathering ideas and/or pieces that you'd like to send

to your partner.  Some folks likes to see who their partner is first, and that's ok, too. 
As a reminder, artisan components don't have to be expensive - just special. 
a good rule of thumb is to ask yourself if what you're sending is worthy of your best
friend, a magazine editor, a mentor or someone you look up to in the jewelry world.

PLEASE NOTE: We will be sending each of you an email with your partner's

information.... please keep a look out for that.  In addition, we will also be sending
important information that you need to know to your email.  PLEASE
make sure  you read what is sent. =)    

So now that you're IN.... we'd like to encourage you to get blogging (especially if you

have a new or dusty blog).  Having some entries on your blog will help IMMENSELY
with the matching process!

So, here are 5 things you might want to cover in a blog post or two. These are things

your partner, and the rest of us, would love to know more about.   

1. Why or how did you get started making jewelry?

     " It was by accident actually! "  A good friend who was a wonderful clay potter
wanted to take a beading class in West Palm Beach, FL but did not have the courage
to go alone so I volunteered to go with her.  I had been a fiber ( quilting ) artist for  
over fifteen years and I had beaded one wall hanging that was donated to the Boys
and Girls Club for their annual auction and this piece had hung at two shows and well
received.  So....how hard could it be?  Yeah!  I am now a prolific beaded ( Bead Embroidery )
and Bead weaving and my lovely friend is an outstanding potter, living in Jupiter, FL.   

 2. What style(s) of jewelry do you like to make?

      I am a prolific Bead Embroiderer and Chainmailler.  A bead weaver when I find

 a pattern that I just cannot live without.  And over the past year I have learned to
cab my own stones.  The Indian Paint Stone in my header was cabbed by me.  
Fearless even if I am left handed.  :)

3. What materials do you prefer to use (and which ones do you avoid)?

     Needless to say seed beads, superduos, tilas, size fifteens everywhere, pearls,

firepolish....and the list keeps going.

4. What techniques do you prefer (and are there any you don't like)? 

Very weak on Herringbone but I'll get over it.  And I am not a crotchet person.  Kumihimo

 Is another story though - I find Kumi very meditative.

 5. What colors do you use most, and which do you run screaming from?

I have yet to find a color that I ran from.  I am finishing a bead embroidery piece that has a

 " pea soup green " that I turned my nose up on.......but the cab was one I cabbed
and that color blended so well.  I was wrong.  I'll be posting photo's this weekend. 

Congratulations again!  In the famous words of Simon Cowell...."off we go!"

Linda and the Bead Peeps Team - Lori, Tammy, and Cynthia

Last year my Exchange Partner was Chris Eisenberg a lovely and

talented artist.  I cannot wait to see the pairing for this year. 
and now on to the biggest challenge.....putting my Battle vision to a
paper pattern. 

January 2015 - A little snow, a little sun but plenty of bead time.....

Just sat and reviewed my last post for 2014 and realized that, " Yep! Missed a few items ", but that being said, just reviewed the latest post from " Battle of the Beadsmith " 2015.  Still on the list. 

I can now use this on my photographs...... Yay me !  The best thing is as I was thinking and drawing about what I would like to make is, it came to me.  Just like - Pow !  An epiphany.  Working on the technique - but I will be buying a lot of Jet for this one as I will not be able to cab my cabochons for this one.

I met one of my goals for 2015 - Photography!  I start a beginning and intermediate Digital Photography class on March 9th at Southwestern University in Sylva.  Actually, I am quite looking forward to becoming proficient at photography again and actually meeting new people. 

I finally broke down and purchased a pattern that I had been drooling over for the past year.  You know, I collect quite a few patterns.  This one is a lovely romantic Cross by Glassyjewels at
http://www.glassyjewels.com called " Cris's Cross".  She does not electronically transmit patterns so I waited for the color copy to arrive and made one for Jennifer for Christmas with matching earrings. 

The pattern was easy to follow but the only recommendation I would have is to be careful with the thread path and overusing with the size fifteen beads.  Follow the thread path diagrams carefully.  Otherwise, she is stunning.  Now to make a few more. 

Chainmaille wise, wow - I so wish I had more time during the day.  I started making my own 2 x 2 chains for each of the " Skullbursts ".  I really like making my own chains now and I have new photo's to take now that I have mastered the " Mobius ". 

Please spend some time " blog hopping " and checking out other's blog.  We have three new Blog Hops coming up for 2015.  I'll post them as they arrive.

Good Bye 2014 - and Beady Resolutions for 2015. Oh Heck ! My major surprise as well.

 

First of all ladies..... to a wonderfully prosperous 2015 !           Happy New Years !

I finally had a moment to sit and blog, catch up with everyone as December is still a blur.  There
was so much beading and chainmailling going on, company lunches, family gatherings that I was
unable to sit peacefully and blog.  Additionally the four fur babies were not used to us being home
so much and they were very, " I need a hug Mom! ".    I always like to take a few moments and
think about everything that happened in during the year and that is when I realized...... Wow!  My 2014 was  non-stop.  I moved from my home state of 58 years.....I started a new job......I am getting used to a totally different environment ( laid-back ) compare to the Non Stop " Balls to the Walls"..... of  Florida and Construction.  I do find myself having to step back when doing business here in Western North Carolina,  take a deep breath and quote the following mantra - " It's all good ". 

My only sorrow is I miss the beading buddies of Port St. Lucie.  We were a very dynamic group and I do miss that dynamic.  I am blessed that I will still see some of them at the Retreats scheduled for 2015 or I will just drive and drag them up here to enjoy the beauty.

On to beady things....... our 2015 Resolutions.

Mine will encompass the next step in my beadyness.   ( My own word, thank you ). 

1.  Becoming highly proficient as a photographer.  I can see evening technical school in my future.
2.  The Website : " Raven's Call Designs ".  I have found the Raven is my personal totem so I am working around this lovely bird.

3.  Learning one new technique each month. 
4.  Self Esteem- I really am a very good Bead Embroiderer.  Why do I have issues with that?
5.  Compassion - take it to the next level.

then instill HUMOR....

( For all of those Princess Bride friends ).  Couldn't resist.
6.  Learning to design my own patterns and embroidery designs.

I think that will be a good start to 2015.

We started a new " Beaded Art Doll "  Round Robin - " Mini Beanie Babies " for something fun to do over the holiday's. 

Imagine that!  A Cocker Spaniel.  :)   This is my princess and I have a great group of ladies beading on her.

I worked on Aryd'ell's pink pig first and what a divine treasure.  I just love that pig and I did the pig butt!

She stood perfectly straight before I mailed her to the next participant. 

I continued to make Skull Bursts and Bird Skulls and have become quite proficient in making my own chains for the pendants.  I you have time visit the Chain Maille Face Book Group.  What a great group of people and such inspiration.  I just love " Jodey Savitt Hathaway"  and have found some great metal treasure's from her.  And of course, my teacher Gen Smith posts all the time.  For Chainers.....it's a treat.  My brother Don is taking up the chaining cause for Wallet Chains ( Harley Rider ).  This could become a family affair. 

I finally made the 3-strand Helms Weave in Bright Aluminum.  I always drooled on Sue Harney's
( Mid Southeast Bead Retreat ) 3 strand and I was determined I was making one for myself.  I'll need to do a close up of the weave joints but " It's Mine.....all Mine ". 

And finally ordered Square Rings...... Just made the sweetest little Byzantine and I'll photo this weekend along with the Christmas gifts that were made.

Two Embroidery pieces on the board but I will wait to do a sneak peak.  Lot's of Crazy Lace Agate.

And then finally, my surprise ending to 2014:

I had submitted an application to " The Battle of the Beadsmith's 2015 " with the personal understanding that I did not expect to make the cut.  I mean it is a Worldwide Battle of some of the greatest Bead Embroiderers ever known.  Legends actually. 

Today's list on Facebook ' The Battle of the Beadsmith " page:  I'm on it.  GULP!

Marina Garbo edited a doc.

November 17

The extremely tentative list of BOTB15 participants

AUSTRALIA:

• Neva Brown
• Patrick Duggan

• Melissa Ingram

• Catriona Starpins

• Noel Wyres

• Mel Wiegard

• Wendy Hatton

• Maryanne Villalba

AUSTRIA:

• Svetlana Hackl

• Enikö Fabian

BELGIUM:

• Anna Fjellborg
• Josane demuylder
• RITA VELLEMANS

BULGARIA:

• Albena Petkova

• Yana Cvetkova

• Aset Tsoloeva

Canada:

• Milena Stoilova

• Pauline Peskoff

• Milla Hope

Costa Rica:

• vaneska joias

CZECH REPUBLIC:

• Nela Kábelová

• Lucie Luuthien

• Ringaile Radojevic

• Alena Heinrichová

• Zuzana Hampelová Valešová 

• Monika Kašparová

• Lea Paličková

• Dita Koksová

DOMINICAN REPUBLIC:

• Edgar Lopez

ESTONIA:

• Katrin Põdra

FRANCE:

• Lakota Taylor

• EWA MACHNIK

• Barbara Steger

• Vaiana SIMONET

GERMANY:

• Kris empting-obenland

• Swetlana Fuchs

• Olga Haserodt

• Nadine Zanner

• Elena Markovski

• Natalie von Oldenburg

• Nadya Gerber

HONG KONG:

• Clara Lai

HUNGARY:

• Eva Csizmadia Lajosne

• Eva Dobos

• Margit Vogel

• Bita-Simon Erika

• Böbe Ikotics

• Gaburiné Kelemen Beáta

• Anett Pulai-Morvai 

• Edit Peng

• Zsuzsanna Lázár (Káli Gopika)

• Erzsébet Kis Jakab

IRELAND:

• Grazyna Walczak

• Katalin Appadoo

ISRAEL:

• Isabella Lam

• Svetlana Dubinsky

ITALY:

• Monica Vinci

• Mariaconcetta Gaetani

• eliana maniero

• annalisa esposito

• Serena Di Mercione 

• Tiziana Messina

• Luana Proni

• Jolanda Violante

• Giuseppe Buraschi

• Rossella Seghezzi

• Ilenia Ruzza

• Stefania Iucci

• JELENA SAVELJEVA

• Daniela Presutti

• Arianna Raffa

• Graziella Malara

• sabrina Milardi

• Maria Curridori

• Laura Giusti

• Cira Troilo

Kazakhstan:

• Alexandra Volkova (nickname Aliaska-strange),

LATVIA:

• Alla Molotkova

LITHUANIA:

• Dovilė Vasiliauskaitė-GataBell

• Rasa Vilcinskaite

MALTA:

• Joanne Zammit

NETHERLANDS:

• Monique de Boer

• Bonita Hendriks

• Kim Jansen

• Esther Wijma

• Elly Budding

• Neeltje Meerman

NEW ZEALAND:

• Leanne Gray

POLAND:

• AGNIESZKA RODO

• Elena Orłowska

• EWelina Kuzawińska-Tymosiak

• Grazyna Anton

• Joanna Młodkowska-Brach

ROMANIA:

• Alina Emandi

• Mohjazi Mirela

• Arona Haryo

• Andra Marasteanu

• Roxana Bacila

• Andrea Zelenak

• Camelia Oszlanszky

• Ioana Csiki Sava

RUSSIA:

• Maria Vukolova

• Kurtova Anna

• Nadezda Vinogradova

• Albina Lapina

• Ksenia Krutikova

• Anastasiya  Ivantsova(Kylakova)

• Sidina Irina Viktorovna

• Anna Kurzina

• Svetlana Ivanova

• Anastasia Klimanova

• Alena Kalinina

• Natalia Luzik

SINGAPORE:

• Margon vandongen

SLOVAKIA:

• Erika Sándor

• Emese Kovácsová

• Zuzana Hake

SLOVENIA:

• Apollinariya Koprivnik

SOUTH AFRICA:

• Sarah Louise Gordon

SPAIN:

• GALINA NEDELCHEVA

• LOLI GARCÍA TIRADO

• Ana María Pozo Reyes

• Tanya Ivanova

SWEDEN:

• Kristina Kristiansson

• Nausikaa Dahllöf

• Maria Nyberg

• Anna Lindell

• Veronica Jonsson

• Misan Tejre

• Fia Vindh

• Iha Vahlberg Orre

• Christina Glasell

• Margareta Gustavsson

• Carin Riese

• Charina Qvarfordt

• Tiina Lilja

• Kerstin Kallin 

SWITZERLAND:

• Natalija Bekic

• Fiby Kreutzer

UKRAINE:

• Tatiyana Kobets

• Elena Holovchenko

• Marina Korobka

United Kingdom:

• Nicole Stanley

• Olga Mulyarova

• Rebecca Williams

• Tracey Gwilliams

• Lynn Davy

• Dee Wingrove-Smith

• Katie Dean

• Marilyn Norman

• Vicky Roberts

• Dianne Cracknell

• Jenny Argyle

• Sarah Tucker

• Dee Elgie

• Jennifer Airs

• Agnieszka Buczkowska

USA:

• Kate Tracton

• Kassie Shaw

• Janice Cuozzo

• Jamie Reynolds

• Christina Neit

• Patty Parker

• Angela Plager

• Diana Yum-Bucher

• Anna Perelman

• Shirley McManus

• Ann Recotta

• Therese Magnani

• Tammy Norton

• Coral Tuttle Egelund

• Nikki Messal

• Becky Griffith

• Sharayah Sheldon

• Barbara A Conrad

• Anna Hobgood

• Carmen Smith

• Jennifer Shibona

• Kathy Benson

• Jean Upton

• Terri Richards

• Sharon Edelman

• Tatyana Fedorikhina

• Betty Cox

• Jeanne Evans

• Catherine King   ( Little ole me )

• Lynn Parpard

• Christine Maj

• Elizabeth Ann Scarborough

• Teressa Dyer

• Elena Orłowska

• Tina Odembo Hobbs

• Beth Dewey

• Lynn Hedgecock

• Mickey Parker

• Sheryl Stephens

• Dot Lewallen

• Iryna Shlapakova 

• Raven Pena

• Pauline Kuzemchik

• Hannah Rosner

• Naan Pocen

• Jody Young

• Ileana munteanu

A very large gulp as the reality sets in.