I Learned Somthing New!!!!

My mom and I took a new class yesterday how to learn Byzantine, it is a form of chain maille and from what I understand one of the easiest patterns to learn for chain maille but the finished product looks to intricate and lovely.

The lovely lady who taught us the class is Candace Prather from B-Dekk Beads, we had a fabulous time.  Speaking of time the afternoon just passed by so quickly, I thoroughly enjoyed myself and can get so caught up with what I am doing, that it was hard to stop.

Experimenting

My first word that I chose this year is GROWTH and in the realm of that word for me I want to improve my camera skills.  I plan on taking a course or having my Dad teach me some tricks for taking better pictures.  I haven't used many props when taking my pictures but today I tried a little tin box with the necklace that I made last night.  The sun isn't shining today and the sky is kind of grey and gloomy so these aren't the best but I wanted to  experiment so please bear with me.

My Mom brought me the lampwork bead all the way from the Maritimes and it has a lovely inky navy blue in the center, but I thought that the lime green beads really brought out the colors on the outside of the bead.

I am loving this color combination.

For Tasha

My dear friend asked me to make a necklace for her sister for her birthday this past weekend, I have been keeping it under wraps until the necklace was given but now I can share it.  I just love the pendant that I used they come from Celeste, Texas and the lovely lady who makes them is Martha Eason of Menagerie Studio.  These pendants have so much character, detail and texture, they are one of my favorite things.

GIVEAWAY ON LORI ANDERSON'S BLOG PRETTY THINGS

WOW, WOW, WOW, Lori Anderson, Pretty Things is having a fabulous giveaway on her blog for "A Metal Stamp Set"  worth $70.00 from PJ Tool & Supply, a jewelry and hand tool supply site.  I have been wanting to experiment and do some metal stamping and wouldn't this be great if I was the lucky winner. 

Head over to Lori's blog if you would like a chance to win too.  The winner will be announced on Tuesday, January 25, 2011 after noon.

New Additions and my Bead Soup Party Partner

I was up before the kids this morning and couldn't resist going downstairs and making a few things. 

I have made several bracelets similiar to this but never in these colors, reminds be of spring.

Four sets of earrings.

I have my Bead Soup Blog Party partner, I am very excited because I have made a new friend Maryse Thillen and she lives in Luxembourg, Germany and she is a lampwork bead artist.  She makes beautiful beads pop by her blog GlassBeadArt or her  Esty shop GlassBeadArt.    I want to get my package of Bead Soup off to Maryse as soon as possible.  Check out the Flickr group  Bead Soup Party as well for all of the bead soup swaps and the finished designs.  Happy Partying!!!

Martin Luther King Jr day Today

Tune into the Oprah show today, a special show looking back on race in America.  Very moving and powerful. 

Flub

I ordered some glass pendants from Sun and Moon Craft Kits a little while ago and was very excited to make the pendants with some images that I ordered for Sabine Sydney  both on Esty.  I did about eight pendants yesterday and when I got up this morning and had a look, my little darling pendants had spots like the glue dried funny.  I am so disappointed, I thought these would be great little valentine presents for your sweetheart or favorite friend and now I either have to junk them or hand them out to friends and family who don't mind the imperfections.  I ordered some ball chain to go with the pendants but I thought that I could also use other fibers like leather or sari silk or fancy ribbon.  What do you think about the images I used?

Growth my word of the year

What are some of the things that I have started doing to put my word in motion.  Well I have put it out in the universe in several blogs that I am trying to connect to several designers and bloggers. I need to finish my worksheet for my word so that my intention is in writing, this is number one on the list.  Over at For My Sweet Daughter, Shannon blogged about 52 Weeks of Blogging your Passion by Tara Gentile Editor of Scoutie Girl.  I have ordered this so that I can develop my blog and engage my readership and encourage new followers.  That is one of my plans getting my voice and my designs out there for customers as well as make connections with fellow designers and bead artists.  I have decided to join the Bead Soup Blog Party hosted my Lori Anderson, I am very excited about this, I have never done anything like it and I have followed the last two times and been so inspired by all of the wonderful designs.  I have got my thinking cap on for what I am going to send my partner from my bead stash.  One of the things from the 52 Weeks of Blogging Your Passion is you need to think up a mission statement, so I have my thinking cap on for what I want my mission statement to be.  I know one of the reasons why I design jewelry and why I like making jewelry for others is because I like people to feel good about themselves and I feel wearing something special can make them walk a little lighter on their feet and with their head held high.  Lots of things to do, the picture below is very restful for me so I am hoping it will help with my to do list.

Growth

I have never been one for making New Year's resolutions but I have started following a blog that suggests you pick a word for the year and try and focus on that one word to bring what you want in your life to change or bring forward to your life.  I have chosen two words for this year GROWTH and ORGANIZATION.  I think I am going to focus on growth for the first part of this year, why have I chosen growth.  While I have made some large changes in my life in 2010, I decided to resign from my job and focus my time on raising my kids but I know that I have worked to long and hard not to have something for myself and to contribute in some way for our family.  A few years ago I started making jewelry and it has become my passion.  I have always had thoughts about having my own business I was just never sure about what I should do and what suits my personality and my lifestyle.  I have been trying different jewelry techniques to expand my skills.  I have tried a couple of local farmers markets and done some trunk shows in offices as well as friends homes.  I am hoping that I can grow my business this year, that I can get my name out there and receive some recognition for my jewelry.  I am hoping that I can take some courses and expand my skills even more.  I would really like to get my work published too so that is going to be one of the first things I am going to strive to do with my word for this year.

Butterflies go through a great deal of growth and struggling to get out of there chrysalis,  it is quite challenging and that is inspiration to me.  I found this great picture from Esty.  I love how colorful the picture is it makes me feel good.

las mariposas by Jen Singh

I will keep you posted on how my progress is going.  All the best in 2011 may it bring you health, happiness, prosperity, laughter, love, hope and faith!