The Second Sunday of Advent - Peace

The second candle on the Advent Wreath is lit. We are eagerly awaiting the birth of the Infant Jesus. As we progress through the season, the theme of the readings change.

Today, the cantor at Mass sang, " Speak of Peace now says our God."

Peace, what we long for.
Peace in the world.
Peace among people.
Peace in our families.
Peace in our lives
Peace in our hearts.

Peace in our hearts is where it all begins. Without this peace, none of the other gifts of peace our possible.


Isaiah 6: 6-9

The wolf shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid, and the calf and the lion together, and a little child shall lead them.

The cow and the bear shall feed; their young shall lie down together; and the lion shall eat straw like the ox.

The sucking child shall play over the hole of the asp, and the weaned child shall put his hand on the adder's den.

They shall not hurt or destroy in all my holy mountain; for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the LORD as the waters cover the sea.

Peace

I'm Homesteading with Stephanie Lee!

These are works in progress.
When I'm finished,
I will have 3 rings made and quite a few pendants.
Yesterday,
I was able to solder on the ring bands.
I also added patina to several of the pieces,
but not all,
because I need to solder jump rings on to some of the pendants.
Today,
I will drill holes in the pendants that need holes.
I will add more patina,
then,
I will begin to add resin to the bezels and my bead cabachons.
So, what am I doing?
I'm Homesteading with
Stephanie Lee!
If you have a chance,
I do recommend this class.
It's well taught.
It's full of videos.
It's full of information.
It's been worth taking.
Thank you, Stephanie!
See the badge on my sidebar.
It should take you to the Homestead site!

The REVEAL - The Challenge of Color Blog Hop!

When Erin proposed this challenge to her blog readers,

I was fascinated!
I didn't know what color to choose, so I sent Erin an email saying
"either red or you surprise me."
Guess what,
Erin surprised me!
I received a post card a few days later that had the colors
Foamy Sea - Underwater - Bashful Rose
I loved them immediately.
Now, the colors in this photo are not true to the colors on the paint chip that Erin sent.
The blues are greens, but the bashful Rose is close.
I immediately set to work going through my glass rods, looking for the colors.
The Bashful Rose jumped out at me.
I found a coral that was so very close to the rose that I started to make my beads
IMMEDIATELY!
While the beads were soaking in the kiln, I went through my stash of beads and found the perfect greens to match those on my color chip.
Yipeeee!
I was able to use all the colors!
The next step was to put together the jewelry items.
I waited for the the kiln to cool.
I took out the beads,
and to my HUGE surprise,
the coral had changed from a blushing coral to an orange coral.
This does happen with corals.
Oh, well,
Life and lemons seem to go together.
I pulled out my wire and began to work.
Now, yesterday, if you read my blog,
you saw the sneak peek,
so,
in case you didn't,
here's my what I posted.

I used copper wire to link my pieces.
I used my hand made glass beads.
I used assorted beads for accent.
So,
at long last,
here it is.
Are you ready?
Ta-Da!

This Rose is not so Bashful!

The rosie coral turned orange, but I like this bracelet anyway!
I was able to use one of the greens in this one:
Foamy Sea.

Now on to the next Reveal!


Views of Underwater Charms while Flying Above the Foamy Sea
(How's that for a creative use of a title?)
I was able to use all three colors in this necklace.
Notice the little bird?
She had the proper greens in her.
She is one of my favorite beads!
I really love her!
Anyway,
there you have it.
My Reveal.
Now, get started clicking on the links below and enjoy the show.
It's going to be great!
Thank you, Erin!
This was a great Challenge!


The Challenge of Color Blog Hop - December 3, 2010

• Alice Peterson
• Amy Freeland
• Beth McCord
• Brandi Hussey
• Cary Scholes
• Catherine Pruitt
• Cindy Wimmer
• Claire Maunsell
• Cory Tompkins
• Courtney Breul
• Cristi Clothier
• Cynthia Riggs
• Emanda Johnson
• Holly Westfall
• Janea McDonald
• Jeannie Dukic
• Jennifer Cameron
• Judy Campbell
• Karyn White
• Keirsten Giles
• Kelly Morgan
• Kristie Roeder
• Kristin Stevens
• Lisa Godfrey
• Lisa Tracy
• Lori Anderson
• Mallory Hoffman
• Marie Voyer-Cramp
• Mary McGraw
• Nicole Keller
• Nicole Valentine
• Paige Maxim
• Patty Gasparino
• Rebecca Anderson
• Renate Stark-Krammer
• Rita Parra
• Shannon Chomanczuk
• Sheila Summers
• Stefanie Teufel
• Yelisa Rojas

Three Beautiful Things This Week - A Day Early!

Three Beautiful Things This Week was inspired by a wonderful blog that Clare writes called Three Beautiful Things. Everyday, Clare writes about 3 Beautiful Things that happen each day in her life. It's a wonderful blog! I can only hope to imitate her in a very small way.

(The photo is a sneak peek for the Challenge of Color Blog Hop organized by Erin Prais-Hintz who writes the one of the most inspiring blogs that I read: Treasures Found: Inspiration is Everywhere.
Stay tuned. The reveal and blog hop is tomorrow!)

1) I'm warmed by the memories of this last Thanksgiving. With the cloudy days of winter upon us, when I think of the fun we had, I smile. We had a great time!

2) Pixie is now "roo-ing" with me. She has always been uncomfortable when I "roo," but now, when I start to "roo," Pixie joins in the "roo." This is a big step for her! Pixie had a rough life in her early years, but I am so happy that now she is feeling more comfortable in her forever home.

3) Last night I put together 2 fun necklaces. I hope the recipients like them! The patina for my soldered bezels arrived yesterday. I'm looking forward to the fun of applying what I have been learning in my online class.

Nicki's Reef on Etsy A Store you will Love to Discover!

When you visit Nicki's Reef on Etsy,

You will find a peaceful place to shop!
In Nicki's own words,
"Jewelry to make you feel like you just dove into the ocean, refreshing and peaceful, renewing and energetic, soft, colorful and reef-like. Nicki's-Reef-like!"
This is so true, so very, very true.
This is a polymer pendant!
Isn't this amazing!
Nicki calls this pendant: Rectangle Waves.
Can you feel the movement of the water and see the beach?
I love it!

Greek Nights!
Look at this beautiful necklace.
Can't you just feel the water swirling around your feet?
The beads are ocean blue.
Gorgeous!
AND
The wire work is all handmade by Nicki!
This Oval Polymer Pendant
reminds me of the meeting of the earth and water.
Absolutely gorgeous!
I love what Nicki does with this medium!
Doesn't this pendant remind you of a drawing on the sand waiting for the next wave to come in?
Beautiful!
This is another example of Nicki's beautiful work!
I love this heart!
And, if you want to read Nicki's blog, click here.
You won't be sorry!