Bon-Bons Anyone?

I took an online class created by Heather Powers of Humblebeads.  I loved it!  This is my version of Bon-Bon Beads.  They are significantly different from Heather's, but I still like them!

I plan to try to make some like Heather's versions, but I cannot guarantee it.  We'll see what the day brings.  I might be stuck inside all day.  We are supposed to get a HUGE snow storm.  We shall see.

Nevertheless, I loved the class!

Ok, Now About Heather Power's Cane Boot Camp!!!!! It's AWESOME!!!!!!

I have to admit, I was stunned when I received the invitation to join Heather Power's online class, "Cane Design Boot Camp."

Heather had offered a scholarship for her class as a way of paying things forward.  I applied, but I decided that the odds were against me, but it would be nice if I won.

Guess what!!!!  Through the generosity of Heather who had decided to give 1 scholarship, I was awarded one of the 3 person's who were awarded a scholarship!  I am so grateful.  It's an amazing class so far. 

This is the first cane I made in Heather's class.  I am thrilled beyond words with it!!!

Now, let me show you the beads I made using this cane. 

This bead was made with the pile of scrap cane that I had made.  See the spiral?  That was an extra cane I made.  So far, I am thrilled with this class. 

I made these beads with the cane.
I love! Love! Love!  This cane boot camp.

Bead Table Wednesday: There are the Beads this week, well sort of

I made a quick trip to Michael's today with Nick.

Well, I thought it was a very quick trip.

Nick was waiting in the car.

He thought I got lost.

Just goes to show how two people can look at the same event in different ways.

I found the red and white beads you see in the photo.

I also pulled out my tin and aluminum to make something for the

Love My Art Jewelry

Art Spark

for June.

(A blog will follow on that later.)

I like what I made.

I think you will, too, when I show it.

It's just nice to know that now that Jenny is home from the hospital,

I can get back to beading and making beads and being creative.

I was trying to explain this need to the social worker at the hospital.

I'm not sure she truly understood how I felt.

For me,

the process of creating

is a physical, mental, and spiritual need.

I'm glad to be back to it!

Bead Table Wednesday: Yes - No Beads This Week!

No Beads this week,

and,

even though it's been intense this week,

I did manage to sneak away to the thrift store one quick evening.

I found this bracelet, and I loved it.

I was going to take it apart and repurpose it,

but I think I like it enough to wear it,

for now.

Do you ever do that?

Do you ever buy something with the intent to take it apart and make something new with it, 

and then, change your  mind?

Do tell.

What was it and what did you finally do with it?

Bead Table Wednesday: Yes, There Are Beads this week!

She started it!

Who?

 Heather Powers, of course!

What?

Bead Table Wednesday, of course!

So, since you are reading this tomorrow,

and

I am writing this yesterday,

I'll show you what my bead table looked like yesterday.

 In spite of the fact that I am not home, 

there really were beads on the table.

I wrote about my attempts at needle felting,

then I joined another charm exchange on Lampworketc.

Since I am not able to torch at DD's,

these little felted robins are going to be some of my charms for the exchange. 

I lined them up and showed them off as a sneak preview to the group in the exchange.

Inspired by Lorelei Eurto's work with tin,

and knowing that I could work with tin as I stay with Jenny,

I hit the thrift store and began to play with some tin.

Believe me, this is nothing like Lorelei does,

for me,

it's just play.

I cut some discs,

then I made some

 

bead caps 

and

lightweight tin earrings for summer.

I made these from an old tin of Hershey's Chocolate.

I wish the scent were still there!

When I was searching for tins, I happened to see this necklace at the thrift store.

I love it!  It's light weight and fun for the summer!

Last, but not least,

here's what else was on my table!

Yes, it's Walter.  He's so curious about everything!!!!

He just had to check out my bead table today!

So, what was on your bead table?

Bead Table Wednesday: Where are the Beads this week?

She started it!

Who?

 Heather Powers, of course!

What?

Bead Table Wednesday, of course!

So, since you are reading this tomorrow,

and

I am writing this yesterday,

I'll show you what my bead table looked like yesterday.

 

All right,

I know that this is a photo of 

Pixie Marie.

She was very tired when this photo was taken.  

Notice how her mouth is hanging open.

 This photo makes me smile.

Well, you ask, where are the beads?

This week there are no beads on my beading table.  I'm with Jenny this week.  She is going to have her stem cell transplant, but, before that can happen, she has to go through a range of tests.

This is why I am with her right now.

She will be admitted to the hospital for her transplant between the 25th and the 30th.  We just don't know when yet.

We will have a much better idea by the 25th.  That's when she meets with the transplant doctor.

Now, it's just a matter of waiting.

Pixie is stressed.

Kitties are the bosses here, and she is learning the rules.

They do tolerate each other well.  I only wish I could be a fly on the wall to see them in action when we are gone!

Now, for our family, it's just a waiting game.

We are waiting for each test to be completed and waiting for the results.

Wait!  Wait! Wait!

That's the hardest part.  I only wish we were past this stage.

Yet, there's nothing we can do.

The doctors are good.  The hospital is good.

The time will come soon enough.

For now, it's important to smile and to enjoy each day as we draw closer and closer to the transplant.

I'll keep you updated.

I've put my Etsy store in the vacation mode for now.

I hope to feature other artists and stores, but if I loose a day or two, well, that's just the way it will be.

Please keep us in your prayers.

Smiles!

Bead Table Wednesday: The Exchange is over, Red, and Polymer Clay

She started it!

Who?

 Heather Powers, of course!

What?

Bead Table Wednesday, of course!

So, since you are reading this tomorrow,

and

I am writing this yesterday,

I'll show you what my bead table looked like yesterday.

 

 The Charming Exchange is over, or, at least, my job in the exchange.

All of the packages are on their way!

So far, everyone seems to like their trades.

So, now, I am going to start working with my charms.

This is going to be fun!

When I torched this morning, I had different ideas in mind for these beads.

We'll see what happens.

I might have already changed  my mind!

I do love the beads,

so,

we'll see.

This afternoon brought challenges with polymer clay.

I'm not sure I'll ever catch on to this!

We'll see.

Here are the results of my afternoon--82 polymer clay beads.

They still need to be baked and holes poked in them,

but I think I can use them.

This should be fun!

Stay Tuned!

Bead Table Wednesday - The Charming Exchange & Another One, Too

She started it!

Who?

 Heather Powers, of course!

What?

Bead Table Wednesday, of course!

So, since you are reading this tomorrow,

and

I am writing this yesterday,

I'll show you what my bead table looked like yesterday.

 

 One table down and two to go!

I've been able to clean off one table for the charm exchange!

Yahooo!

But here's what I have left!

Two tables to go!

 If you look at the right side bar, you'll notice a new badge!

It's for Jennifer Cameron's new spring charm exchange!

The theme is play.

See my little fish?

People like to fish and that's play, isn't it?

One thing I forgot to tell you,

this charm exchange will also benefit Beads of Courage.

We are sending in one extra charm to be auctioned off for Beads of Courage.

Isn't that a great idea!

What a wonderful idea for an exchange, too!

Bead Table Wednesday - The Charming Exchange

She started it!

Who?

 Heather Powers, of course!

What?

Bead Table Wednesday, of course!

So, since you are reading this tomorrow,

and

I am writing this yesterday,

I'll show you what my bead table looked like yesterday.

 

I have to give you a little history about The Charming Exchange.

In January, Deb Batten and I decided to co-host a charm exchange on Lampworketc..

It didn't take long for packages full of charms to start arriving.

A few people dropped out along the way, but most of the participants have sent their boxes to me.

Enough of the history.

A friend, whom I shall call, Paula the Enforcer, is coming over tomorrow to help me sort out the charms.

However, before she and I can do the final sorting,

I am doing a presorting.

By that I mean, I am recounting the charms to make sure my initial count was correct and I am checking to see if postage for the return of charms was enclosed or not.

In order to do that, I had to move the charms from the "Charming Table" to 3 two x four foot tables.

You'd think that would be enough room, right?

Well, it's going to be close and the "Charming Table" might still be used.

Take a look.

This is what the tables looked like after about an hour of sorting.

I decided to take a break and come back to finish later.

These were left after the first round of sorting

Plus mine!

I have to add some some business cards.

This is what the tables looked like after the second sorting.

Now, I've only got a few left, and I can finish those tomorrow.

They won't take long.

Don't you wish you were here to touch and drool over the charms?

Te-he!  I'm lucky!

Soon, the bead tables will be empty, 

and 

I am truly hoping everyone will be happy with their return charms.

I wish I could show them all to you,

but that would be another VERY LONG BLOG.

The good news is that I will show you my charms after the exchange is finished.

See you next Wednesday with the results, I hope!

Getting Read For the Show - Bead Table Wednesday

She started it!

Who?

 Heather Powers, of course!

What?

Bead Table Wednesday, of course!

So, since you are reading this tomorrow,

and

I am writing this yesterday,

I'll show you what my bead table looked like yesterday.

I have a small bead show coming up in May.

I'm looking forward to this show, and I do need to get ready for it,

so,

today, which really was yesterday,

you can see what my bead table looked like.

Bracelets were my focus today, I mean, yesterday.

I used some of my bigger hole beads and some of my wire beads.

Did you see my mini tutorial yesterday on making wire beads?  If not, click here.  

 This is just a closer look at my wire beads.  Here's a link to them, too.

 

Here are some of  the bracelets.  There will be enough for the show.

Here they are!

I hope to put a couple in my Etsy store, too.

Take a peek when you can, or if you are interested in any of them, 

send me an email.

The one thing I didn't show on my bead table were my

Hope Charms for Jenny.

More on that later.

Until next week!

Bead Table Wednesday

She started it!

Who?

 Heather Powers, of course!

What?

Bead Table Wednesday, of course!

So, since you are reading this tomorrow,

and

I am writing this yesterday,

I'll show you what my bead table looked like yesterday.

Tools, wire, my handmade lampwork bead roses, beading wire, crystals in the plastic bag.

So, what did I end up with today,

I mean yesterday!

Not what I expected.

I used a lot more copper wire than I expected.

I can't show you everything yet,

because I'm not finished with the pieces yet.

I'm not sure which direction I am heading with the wire work.

So, here are some bits and pieces of the results.

This is an experiment that I like, but it's not finished.  Later, I'll show you the finished piece.

Again, this piece is not finished yet.  I still need to experiment more with the wire.

 Sorry about the dog hair!

This one will become a blog later.

Stay tuned!

Bead Table Wednesday and Bracelets for Hope

She started it!
Heather Powers!
What?
Bead Table Wednesday, of course!

So, here's what was on my table today.

There's a lot of blue!

The reason for this is a new blog hop organzied by 

Lori Anderson

of 

Pretty Things.

7000 Bracelets for Hope

is a project to help families struggling with rare illnesses.

My own daughter has a cancer, multiple myeloma, though not considered rare, is not common.

How could I say No to this blog hop and project?

Upon completion of our bracelet, 

and the reveal in the blog hop,

each participant will  send their bracelet and a note of encouragement to

The Global Genes Project

an advocacy group who launched this project for families with children who have rare illnesses.

So now, you've had your sneak peek!

The Blog Hop will happen on Saturday, April 16!

There were over 90 participants signed up on Lori's blog.

This will be a beautiful blog hop,

especially if you like the color blue.

Bead Table Wednesday - No Bills or Taxes this week. It's business as usual, again! Oooops a day early!

She started it!

(Heather Powers)
of Humble Beads.
What did she start?
Bead Table Wednesday, of course!
For me, it's back to normal.
No more taxes or bills on my bead table today, I mean yesterday.
So,
what did I work on?
Take a look.
I pulled out the micro torch and soldering supplies.
I also pulled out the bobbin beads I had made.
The glass looks great wrapped around the bobbin!

I needed to attach these bezel forms to metal.
And I did.
More on these later.
I also made some free form frames.
More on these later.
Maybe even next week?
I didn't get a chance to work on the bobbin beads, but tomorrow is another day!

So,
what's on your bead table today?
Are you working on something special?
Do tell!
We'd love to hear!

Bead Table Wednesday

She started it!
Heather Powers!
What?
Bead Table Wednesday, of course!

So, here's what was on my table today.

Where are the beads?

Well,
I just finished a fairly big show, so
I am playing catch up.

Today,
I have
bills, the checkbook, stamps,
my palm pilot,
and
parts of today's mail.

Hopefully,
next week, I'll have beads there again.
Today,
it was just paperwork.

What's on your bead table today?

Bead Table Wednesday

She started it!

Heather Powers!

What?
Bead Table Wednesday, of course!

This week,
there's not much on my table,
but what's there is very important.

These ingredients, when mixed together will be my charms for the
2011 Charming Adventure Charm Exchange
on Lampworketc
that Deb Batten and I are hosting.

Since the charms are due at my house the first week of April,
I think that I had better get to work, or I'll hold everything up! Yikes! There's still plenty of time! They will get finished before the due date!
Anyway, that's what's on my bead table.
What's on yours?

Bead Table Wednesday

She started it!

Heather Powers!
What?
Bead Table Wednesday.

All right, it's time to show you what's on my bead table.

Whoa, nothing!
And what's with two tables?
Let me explain.

Oh, this picture isn't her except to show you that I was thinking so much about this blog,
I didn't even notice that Pixie was in the picture!
Isn't she cute?

All right, time to get serious.
I'm getting ready for a bead show a week from Friday.
I just bought these tables, and I wanted to set up a bit to see what I need and make a list.
Since I don't remember if the space is 6 feet long or 8 feet long,
I decided to set up for 6 feet for now.
Remember the basket I found at the thrift store.
It's still in the process of transforming.
I found a crate at JoAnn's.
I plan to hang necklaces off of them

I added trays for focals, and brought over the tiny dishes for spacers.

I knew I forgot a couple of things--discs, sets, and pins.
I was concerned that the pins would overwhelm the table, but, now, I don't think so.

Remember that bright orange thing? That's my list. Actually, that's the start of my list.
More to be added as the week goes on.
Yikes!

Then it was upstairs to my real bead table to make signs.
Well, that was my intent, but I've changed my mind.
They just didn't turn out like I had hoped, so it's, literally,
back to the drawing board.

Next time I set up,
I have to set up for an 8 foot space.


So, what's on your bead table today?