The Holiday's are passing.....whew!

As the Holiday's pass us by ( OK!  Where did 2013 go? )..... and we prepare to enter 2014, it's been a whirlwind, hasn't it?  The past four weeks have just flown by with preparing numerous Christmas gifts for family and the " girls " at the office.  Nothing like having eight Open Round Chainmaille
bracelets going at one time, Finishing Beadweaving, custom designing earrings for family members.... I felt selfish on the 24th wishing it to be over so I could work on MY projects.  I overlooked the, " reason for the Season".  The act of giving.  I returned to reality as I dropped off the
handmade gifts to the ladies of Gerelco while watching their faces with their anticipation of their annual handmade gifts. 

The " Ladies of the Evening ", our evening bead group met at Deborah Apodaca's wonderfully decorated home and exchanged our gifts.  Each member had the most delightful selections that were
exchanged.  I gave each ladies a coffee mug that said " Girlfriends.....better than shopping or booze ".

Actually, I am looking forward to 2014.  I have my resolutions written and ready for New Years Eve.
I have been amazed at how far my Bead Embroidery has come over the past year and I plan to continue to to expand my craft, support my friends.... " all artists " and actually get my inventory in order with photographs and costing structures in place. 

I came across this lovely little plaque that is just " So True ".

I have soooo many friends that this plaque is just perfect for.  " Maybe next years Christmas Gift". 

So, on to Creativity..... my favorite subject in our hectic lives.  I came across a photograph on Facebook, not of a specific piece of Bead Embroidery, but the setting of the photograph so caught my
attention that I had to sit there and gaze at it and realized it was just perfect.  It was elegant, coiffed, and perfectly presented.

There are times when we are so busy in creating, working, cleaning and all other responsibilities that we have that we forget that the wonderful jewelry we design is both elegant and beautiful.  I have a new perspective for 2014.

I got spammed and phished.....

It took a few weeks but even as careful as I am with opening links and all precautions, I was spammed and phished.  Needless to say, it took the office IT " dude" at least three hours to restore my computer to where I could actually do anything and that includes blogging.   I think the people that do this should, well, there should be a punishment for them.  Just  my thought on this.

Laughingly, I am now really, really behind in Blogging.  So, bare with me, I'll be working backwords or forwards and just all kinds of in-between as I have had quite a  bit happen over the past month.

First:  We concluded our " We are all Different Yahoo Doll Group" with the following doll that is owned by
Betsy Foster in Vermont.

Her fancy doll was really fun to bead on:

I've also fallen in love with this doll form and could see a series

It was bittersweet to end another Round Robin, but with the Holiday's just around the corner, it does give one the ability to work on projects dear to the heart.

Our new RoundRobins are scheduled to begin in January 2014.  How exciting!

As well, I did join another Group called the Bead Journal Project for 2014.  One selects a template and then beads this template for each month of the year.  They did have an active blog and then after reviewing the previous years, WOW!  There are outstanding beaders involve in this event.  For 2014, the postings will be on Facebook instead of Blogspot.  To bad, I enjoy working on Blogspot.  I will start an ablum on January 2nd but I am considering a theme and how to approach this theme for each month.  I love nature, Tolkien, The Outlander, Bling.....hummn!  That's a spread.  As they are all done in Bead Embroidery with some items being quilted by some participants.....Butterflies?  Or another favorite, Dragonflies.  I'll sketch to see what really thrills me.

Mrs. Bebee Goddard.....and her tea tin.

In 2012 ( 11.19.12 ) I had a blog post for the Florida Jewelry Artist Bead Retreat that was held at the home
of Bebee and Hank Goddard in Osteen, FL.  A charming little town close to New Smyrna and not to far from most of us on the Treasure Coast.  This is Hank and Bebee's Winter Home with the Summer Home in
Sylva, North Carolina very close to where my sister lives.  During our wonderful retreat, Bebee shared some
lovely tea tins for us to Bead Embroiderer as a class for some of our Group Members who were not familiar with Bead Embroidery.

My Beading Sample:

Of all the Bead Embroiderer's, our consumate Hostess was the only member that did not get to bead on
a Tea Tin......so, I made her one this month and it is shipping off tomorrow as they just came back to Osteen.

I've Been Blogged..........

By chance I happened across a Blog Post and Yahoo email from Nicole Campanella, the owner of Beadwright in regards to her Beadwright Bead Backing which I love with the colors and the less expensive alternative to Lacey's Stiff Stuff and then having to dye each piece for a particular project.  Of course, I responded and then was entered into a contest in the mix.  I did not win but I did get " blogged " by
Nicole:

http://beadwright.blogspot.com

My post is on November 20th but her blog is very active with different interests of Artists and Book Reviews.  Spend a few moments on the " Art of Marchal Mithouard ".  Spectacular.

Of course, I am continuing to use this great product.  I decided to use the tan color bead backing on the
" Indian Paint Stone Cabachon that I completed in our Cabbing Class while I was in Seattle on Thanksgiving Vacation spending time with my son Michael and his fiancee Jennifer.  ( But of course that trip will be a blog post all its own ).....

This will be finished off and then a Chenille ( thank you You Tube ) Rope will set it off with a handmade clasp.  Please feel free to critique.

Thank you Nicole for a great product in wonderful colors.

****************************************************************************************************
Nicole Beadwright Campanella

To Me

Today at 10:27 AM

Hi Catherine

You have been blogged. LOL

The link is below.

Have a great day and thank you

Nicole

-- 

 Free beading patterns on our Beadwright website

Thank you for visiting my web sites
http://nicolecampanella.com
http://beadwright.etsy.com
http://beadwright.blogspot.com

Hello Everyone!

This is our last day for being open. We will be closed until January 1, 2014. 
However, if you need NBB during our closure time please email us. 
We will be happy to assist you.

You still have time to enter our contest. I will announce the winners on Nov. 21, 2013

All you have to do is tell us why you like and use Nicole's BeadBacking then pick a number between 500 and 2,000
Email your answers here
If the link doesn't work
beadwright@gmail.com

The first five people to guess the number or come the closest without going pass the number will win.

Now how easy is that???

Ohhh you want to know what you will win???
Each winner will receive a 12x9" set of Nicole's BeadBacking!
If any person guesses the number correctly they will also receive a set of cabochons!

We hope you all join in.

On Nov 15, 2013, at 5:32 PM, Nicole Beadwright Campanella <beadwright@gmail.com> wrote:

Thank you Catherine

You are now entered in the contest. May I have you permission to use your comment on my blog? I will link back to any or all of your site. Just send them to me please.

Have a great weekend

Nicole

On Thu, Nov 14, 2013 at 7:12 PM, Catherine King <Catherine2447@yahoo.com> wrote:

I use Beadwright backing because of the color selections available as a Bead Embroiderer.  It saves dying costs and time while I am in that creative process and the firmness of the material eliminates splitting and fraying.

Number:  667

Catherine King

Sent from my iPad

Color Theory and Moods.....

Has one ever noticed how color not only affects our moods but also affects our environment?  I have been following numerous wonderful artists who specialize in Color Theory and I am still amazed with how color not only stimulates our design process but also stimulates future project designs.  I do not know how many of you keep a design diary?  I keep one with me at all times and find myself including ( taping ) snippets of magzine articles or sketches of a picture that catches my eye.  Believe it or not, U-Haul and the Cactus from
Arizona caught my attention so I sketched it.  But I am become very attuned at how color affects my day to day and my Bead Embroidery pieces from when I start to when I end a piece.  I have several pieces that started in one colorway and concluded in a totally different colorway.  Does this happen to you?

Now from Seeds which I follow on Facebook:  How dreamy is this Colorway?

  We must evolve in our color selections.  I am not a strong red person, but this caught my attention and the sketching started.

Blog Hops.....Oh! How I so enjoy you.

Being a regular particpant in Blog Hops over the past year and a half, I have become amazed at how much I enjoy them and love to view other artists interpretation of the theme.  It has gotten to the point that I look to see that special blog hop that I would love to particpate in as I've learned so much.  And now with this past
Blog Hop, the 2nd Annual October Blogfest, I actually not only enjoyed the comments on the Blog but I actually was selected to Win a Cabachon by Toltec Jewels:

You won a Blu Mudd ceramic (cab, if you like) in Octoberfest

from toltecjewels@aol.com to you 

Show Details

• Hello Catherine,

I just wanted to let you know that you won a Blu Mudd ceramic in the
Octoberfest fun. I thought you might like a cab for your exquisite
beadwork? If you would like, I'll send it along to you. Just let me
know your address in North Carolina.

I do love yoga too! How did you know? Although I honestly haven't been
giving myself the time for it (and pilates -- I love pilates too) that
I need to. I miss it & I'm glad you asked and stirred my soul for more
morning yoga time!

I'm still hopping, but LOVE your work -- your an incredible artist!

Thank you so much for sharing your talents in Octoberfest. It's an
honor!

Namaste,
Rita

Toltec Jewels
www.JewelSchoolFriends.com

______________________________________________________________________________________

Tanya McGuire has left a new comment on your post "The Second Annual October Fest Blog Hop......my mo...": 

Your necklace is stunning! 

Dini Bruinsma has left a new comment on your post "The Second Annual October Fest Blog Hop......my mo...": 

How many hours have you been working on this amazing jewellery? Gorgeous colours and design. yes :-) orange is the colour of autumn! 

__________________________________________________________________________________

Pepita has left a new comment on your post "The Second Annual October Fest Blog Hop......my mo...": 

Oh, it is beautiful!!! A real stunner!!
Have a fun Halloween!
Alenka

lilisgems (http://lilisgems.wordpress.com/) has left a new comment on your post "The Second Annual October Fest Blog Hop......my mo...": 

Liz E has left a new comment on your post "The Second Annual October Fest Blog Hop......my mo...": 

Oh what a beautiful necklace. Its so warm and inviting. Not only is the focal stunning but the chain is delightful. Fabulous piece! Thanks for sharing your favored artist! your bead embroidery is amazing! 

Nelly May has left a new comment on your post "The Second Annual October Fest Blog Hop......my mo...": 

WOW! What a stunning necklace! Your bead embroidery is fabulous! And thanks for sharing the art of Steel Goddess. Beautiful. 

Charis Designs has left a new comment on your post "The Second Annual October Fest Blog Hop......my mo...": 

Your work is amazing! Beautiful piece Christie 

Shaiha has left a new comment on your post "The Second Annual October Fest Blog Hop......my mo...": 

Oh thanks for sharing the artist. The raven is the symbol of one of my matrons so I am off to check out her shop. I just love your necklace! It just screams fall. 

All I could do is respond with a big WOW!  I was not expecting that.  Maybe for this coming year it is time to prepare myself with a new goal.  To become a published artist with not only photographs but patterns as well.  

The Second Annual October Fest Blog Hop......my most favorite time of the year!

My favorite time of the year!  Even as a Floridian I always look foward to being with family during the Autumn season in North Carolina.  The changing of the leaves,  the landscape...... watching Mother Nature cleanse the land with color.  The smell, the cool weather, the special Holidays...Halloween ( Samhain ) is my favorite.

Look at that color.....being a strong color enthusiast of orange and all of its shades and variations have been my favorite over the past two years.  This is the colorway that was used in my Bead Embroidery piece for this October Fest.... " In Thyme for Autumn".  

I have a very favored Artist that I like to share with my " peeps" during this time of year.  Professionally known as " The Steele Goddess" , her art work is striking and just so Halloween.
https://www.etsy.com/shop/steelgoddess

As a collector of Raven Art work.....she has always illustrated such divine Ravens that I just love to share.

If you have tyme to visit her shop and just enjoy her illustrations that are Magical during this tyme of year.  Enjoy!     And now.....on to my presentation for the Blog Hop " In Thyme for Autum ".  As many bloggers know, bead embroidery is my chosen medium and of course the color of Orange is the main theme of this piece.

Now join the artists of the October Fest Blog Hop...........   " Do you feel the change in the air?  
Grab a cup of coffee or tea and click each link below to enjoy everyones interpretation of Autumn.......

Our Hostess:Toltec Jewels (Rita, our hostess)  www.JewelSchoolFriends.com

Caroline                                        http://Carolynscreationswa.blogspot.com/
Andrea Glick-Zenith                    http://zenithjade.blogspot.com/
Dolores Raml                              http://craftydscreations.wordpress.com/'

Karla Morgan                               http://TexasPepperJams.blogspot.com/
Susie Harris                                http://jewelleryjunkie.blogspot.com

Susan                                           http://libellulajewelry.com
Mischelle                                      http://micheladasmusings.blogspot.com/
Billi                                                 http://billi-rs-rothove.blogspot.com/
Kay Thomerson                          http://kayzkreationz.blogspot.com/
Jean Yates                                   http://prettykittydogmoonjewelry.blogspot.com/
Kelly Hosford Patterson            http://travelingsideshow.blogspot.com
Kathy Lindemer                          http://bay-moon-design.blogspot.com
Liz E                                              http://beadcontagion.blogspot.com
Jasvanti Patel                              http://jewelrybyjasvanti.blogspot.com
Christie Murrow                          http://.charisdesignsjewelry.blogspot.com
Jodie Marshall                            http://marshalljodie.blogspot.com/
Andrea Trank                              http://heavenlanecreations.com/
Dini Bruinsma                            http://angazabychanges.blogspot.nl
Elsie Deliz Fonseca                  http://ladelizchica.blogspot.com/
Pepita                                           http://.pepita-handmade.blogspot.com
Karla Morgan                              http://texaspepperjams.blogspot.com/
Kathleen                                      http://99bobotw.blogspot.com/
Vera Lynn                                    http://veradesigns.blogspot.com/
Rana Wilson                               http://ranaleadesigns.blogspot.com/
Catherine King                           http://catherines-musings.blogspot.com/   
                                                       ( You are here )
Lily Vincent                                  http://thecreativeklutz.blogspot.co.uk/
Janice Hidey (Janimar)             http://drawingthelinesomewhere.com/
Cory Tompkins                           http://TealwaterDesigns.blogspot.com
Candida Castleberry                 http://spunsugarbeadworks.blogspot.com
Cynthia Kent Machata                http://antiquitytravelers.blogspot.com/
Alicia Marinache                          http://www.allprettythings.ca
Linda Anderson                          http://fromTheBeadBoard.blogspot.com
Leah Curtis                                  http://beadyeyedbunny.blogspot.com/
Jennifer Reno (JenRen)            http://jenrenjewelry.blogspot.com/
Robin Reed                                  http://willowdragon.blogspot.com/
Tanty Sri Hartanti                         http://tjewellicious.blogspot.com
Lisa Lodge                                   http://gratefulartist.blogspot.com/
Ingrid A.                                         http://lilisgems.wordpress.com/
Judy Turner                                  http://.silver-rains.blogspot.com
Gina Hockett                                http://freestyleelements.blogspot.com/
Nelly May                                      http://smellynelly.blogspot.com
Tanya McGuire                            http://tanyamcguire.blogspot.com/
Ahowin                                         http://www.blog.ahowinjewelry.com
Sonya Stille                                 http://dreaminofbeads.blogspot.com
Pam                                              http://www.klassyjoolz.blogspot.com
Carol D.                                        http://dillmansdallies.blogspot.com/
Asri Wahyuningsih                     http://asribeadwork.blogspot.com/
Ginger Bishop                            http://lilmummylikes.blogspot.com
Janine                                          http://www.esfera.me/travel/blog/travel-stories
Shaiha Williams                         http://shaihasramblings.blogspot.com/

And then.....finally " What is on the Loom? "

Yes, the looms have sat by until now.

What is on the Loom ( my second love )? :

I have come to the conclusion that my work is really interferring with my beadwork :)  For those of you that know me, the looms are always sitting with a project with my magnetic board next to it.  It is a continual progression.

Catherine's Butterfly has returned home.....

My Butterfly has landed from the " My Favorite Things" Yahoo Group Round Robin.  I do not think I could

envision a more beautiful piece when she arrived. 

My thanks to:  Aryde'll Hotelling, Yvonne Nathanson, Ruth Osborn, Dian Moore and Gwen Mazzocco.  

The Doll Form is from Arzi Hodges ( Etsy ) and she used a Face Cabachon by Graphixoutpost ( Etsy ).

How lovely indeed?  

My weekly photo shoot for " Just in Thyme for Autumn"

I had a few moments for a quick photo shoot of " Just in Thyme for Autumn".... I believe these photo's present a better presentation of the piece.

Even though I love the cleaness of Plexi Stands....one must  be very careful in the photographic process.  I am now challenged to develop a cleaner photo studio.

The First Love...... " Just in Tyme for Autumn".....

Bead Embroidery..... the first true love.

I just finished the Autumn inspired piece I was working on for the past month.  I am amazed at how it morphed over the past month with a basic intent, then she just grew with double beaded ropes and additional
drops and leaves on the main pendant.  And she is just in time for Autumn, therefore, " Just in Tyme for Autumn"....  Better photographs this weekend.

The St. Lucie Rock and Gem Classes have started ......Cab On!

First, the Cabachon Class and I completed the 36mm Center Snowflake Obsidian  for the center piece of
my Heidi Kummili " Pawley's Piece" which I am making in memory of Brittany Lynn.  I have my Laura Mears Black Cocker Spaniel piece and this lovely Snowflake Obsidian.  I now have four more to Cab along
with Brittany's Tags and other items to add.

Then on Tuesday it was Chainmailling Class with the Divine Ms. Genny Smith.  It was a blast and since I have mastered Byzantine, she let me start on Open Weave, a patterned I have just been dying to make.

It has truly been a fruitful week and I still have the Saturday " Lampworking " class to attend.  If I like " Lampworking" then I'll continue.  But knowing how much I just love a torch, this should be interesting.  My good friend Deborah Apodaca loaned me her Lampworking Kits so I did not have to lay out a considerable amount of money.  Thank you and many hugs girl for your thoughtfulness.

I have concluded that work is starting to interfere with Beading and Cabbing......common Lotto!

Twylah Harbic of BeadMavens just posted a lovely free earring pattern....

http://beadmavens.blogspot.com/2013/09/tah-dah-duo-drop-earrings-by-twyla.html

You can download a PDF of this lovely little treasure just in time for the holidays......

The Lovely Eva Marie Keiser free pattern....

The lovely Eva Marie Keiser has kindly shared another pattern with us today. She has always been a source of inspiration and I am a faithful devote to folliwng her blog for inspiration.  You could spend hours upon
hours perusing her blog......

http://keiserdesigns.blogspot.com

I do love working with Bugle beads.....I will need to give them a try.  Charming Halloween colorway to boot.

Fall Schedule for the St. Lucie County Rock and Gem Club

So?  Am I a glutton for punishment?  This fall I registered for:
1.  Cabbing on Monday night,

 to continue with all of my wonderful cabs that are in process.  Oh yeah.....I've got rocks.  
2.  Chainmaille with Genny Smith on Tuesday night.  She has a few classes that I have not taken and will
     enjoy.
3.  Lampworking.  While at the Sunday General Membership meeting I met the Lampwork instructor and
    the class is scheduled for Saturday mornings.....

I have always wanted to take Lampworking for beads.....shades of Jessica Boggs.......Deborah Apodaca has all the tools and glasses and offered that I could use them while I determined if this is something I would like to do.  If I really love it, then I can buy my own.

Glutton?

Hummmm, that remains to be seen.  My work is my inspiration, my peacefulness.  I am just adding a few
benefits to add to my creations.

Tomorrow night, Genny Smith, Deborah Apodaca and I will be visiting the Gem and Mineral Society of Palm Beach County to check it out and they do have the rock saw that Deborah needs to cut the Rhodocrosite.  So it is worth the visit.

http://www.slcrockandgem.org

http://gemandmineral.cc/

The last of the " My Favorite Things " Doll last left the building.....

One treasurable Round Robin has come to an end.  " My Favorite Things " Yahoo Group has come to closure.  I just finished Yvonne Nathanson's wonderful Heart Dolls and sent them on their final journey.

Are they not just adorable?  And of course, the response from Yvonne:

Thank you all so much!!!! My hearts are absolutely stunning!! I love what each of you beaded on them. They will go to my arts club tomorrow I know that the others will love them, too. ;-)) Yvonne.  

Now I cannot wait..... my Butterfly should be home soon.