Grief & Sorrow

This is so raw, I just found out today, but I find that when something is plaguing my mind I need to put it on paper or into cyberspace.  I had a friend that was murdered!!  Murdered, I feel like I am in an episode of 48 hours mysteries.  This doesn't happen to people I know.  This lovely lady had rebuilt her life in the last couple of years, she had divorced her husband and was working and raising her young daughter.  She was a personal trainer, and had participated in some figure competitions, lots of hard work and dedication.  She had that will and drive, she had avidly played sports and was very health conscious.  She loved her little girl, who was an absolutely doll.  Last we heard she was doing great and that life was treating her very well.

She was a dear friend but you know how the evolution of life changes and you sometimes don't see people as often, different interests or in different stages of life.  That was what was going on here, but we talked about her often wondering how she was doing, how her daughter was doing and that life was treating her well.

We find out that her ex-boyfriend who was also in the health and fitness industry was the prime suspect, and just now that the investigation is deemed a murder/suicide.  What a crazy senseless incident.  I have had many bouts of tears today. thinking how sad my friend isn't going to be able to hug and kiss her daughter, she isn't going to see her grow up, she isn't going to live her life.  She was 34 so young with so much life left to live.  I don't understand how anyone could ever arrive at a solution of murder!  And then to take your own life so you don't have to suffer the consequences.  !@#$$$%% Coward!

I hope that my post doesn't offend anyone it is not meant to, I just feel like I need to get my emotions out!!!

Hang on tight to your loved ones!!!

Penny

Some Beautiful Things

I find that most of my time these days has been spent on Esty, looking at all of the gorgeous beads that I would like to acquire.  I have been trying to complete a few pieces but, things just don't seem to be gelling.  I have heard other people say that there Muse has gone away and maybe that is what has happened to me, everything I put together seems to be missing something.  So since I have been feeling this way I have went searching for some inspiration.  Here are a few things that I have found.

Beach Hut Bead by Pipsjewellery

Sunflower by Kylie Parry

Copper Brown by Captured Moments

Turquoise & Pink Lampwork by LyndasLampwork

Marigold Fluted Bead Caps by SueBeads

What do you do if your feeling creatively challenged?  What do you do to get out of your funk?

I hope you are all having a wonderful day!!

Take care,
Penny

Bead Soup Arrived!!

My bead soup arrived safe and sound from Sweden, my partner Kristina Johansson was very generous, and definitely has challenged my creative spirit.  Kristina is a talented seed beader and sent some beautiful seed beads along.   The thing that has me thinking is the lovely hand dyed silk carrier rod, there are so many lovely colors and it compliments the beads that Kristina sent me so very nicely.  Also a lovely photo of Birgit Nilsson that you can see in the photo with my soup.

Here is what I sent my partner, Kristina.

The Bead Soup Blog Party reveal is March 3rd, please check out all the wonderful artists who will be participating on that day!!!  It is always so much fun to see the lovely designs and pure talent.

Have a wonderful day!

Take care,
Penny

Allegory Design Team 2012

Back in the fall of 2011 I was selected to participate in the Allegory Design Team, we all recently received our beads an we all will be releasing our creations throughout 2012.  The beads that Andrew selected to send to me are all greens and browns, I love the color green but realized looking in my stash that I haven't selected a lot of green.  So to say that I have been somewhat stumped by my beads would be an understatement.  I am up for the challenge!  So my first creation is a leather wrap bracelet, I  believe that the green beads that I used in this leather bracelet are vintage, and I thought that the green leather and antique gold button complimented the green beads with gold swirls very nicely.

Please check out the Allegory Gallery and please like the Allegory Gallery on Facebook, the are participating in try to get free advertising dollars.

Thank you Andrew and Will for including me in this great Team!!!

Take care,
Penny