by Cindy on September 2, 2010
Did you see 101 Bracelets, Necklaces, and Earrings hit the stands last week? It’s a huge one, filled with great projects past issues of Beadwork and Stringing. You’ll probably recognize many of the designers in this issue. To celebrate the upcoming holiday weekend and to thank you for stopping by, I thought - why not give away a copy!
You may recall this “Inspire” metal and wire bracelet from 2009. If you didn’t see this tutorial then and wanted to learn an easy way to incorporate stamped metal and copper washers in your jewelry, you’ll find the project inside!
I’m giving away a copy to one of my blog “followers”….just to say thank you for checking in with me. If you’re not a follower, please sign up to the left! I’d love to know you stopped by. Please leave a comment if you’re interested in a copy. I’ll pick one winner this Sunday.
If you’re on the East Coast, I do hope you are safe and out of harm’s way with hurricane Earl on the way.
Late-breaking give away news!
I just found out that Janet over at Singingwoods is having a HUGE give away!! You’ll want to stop by and see her wonderful fairy blog post and all that she will be giving away to a lucky winner! I’ll give you an idea, just look at this beautiful Green Girls Studio stash…dreamy. :-) Stop over, you have til Sept. 7th.
by Cindy on August 30, 2010
It is with a heavy sigh that I face the end of summer. My all-time favorite time of the year. I wasn’t one to count down the days til the kids returned to school…. I knew that day would come soon enough. Tomorrow. But I have a tremendous store of memories to draw on when the weather turns cold and turns dark by 5:00 p.m. (shudder to think!). Our summer by the shore was one I’ll treasure.
I created a bracelet for myself, my own souvenir of the summer. I adored these ocean-inspired beads when I first found them in Shannon Westmeyer’s Etsy shop. She has more listed if you’d like some for yourself. This gal is talented…if you look at the beads closely, you’ll see such amazing detail (the waves, the starfish…) And a nice surprise, she sent some sweet freebies along with the set! I added a soldered crab link…I’m going crazy with the soldering technique I’m learning from Stephanie Lee….I’ll show more in a future post.
On our last night at the beach, we celebrated a special birthday. Our little guy turned 6! When we asked him what type of cake he’d like, he was torn between “spy gear” and bunnies. He still loves rabbits….do you remember this costume from 2 years ago? We did what we could with what we had on hand and my 9 year old son (the budding chef) baked the cake from scratch! We’ll have a tennis-themed party for him in a few weeks with his classmates.
The uniforms are set out and the new shoes are lined up by the door…. tomorrow is a fresh start, a new beginning. I’m excited about things to come…it’s going to be a busy Fall. Full of great things!
by Cindy on August 26, 2010
New information for the Inaugural Event….just a month away!
Are you signed up and ready to go?? Or are you still on the fence and trying to decide? This new information - hot off the press - might just help you make up your mind! :-) Even if you are not attending THE new East Coast workshop destination next month, this does apply to YOU….
A REFERRAL BONUS! When you help us promote the event, you can earn a $25.00 gift certificate to fundametals.net (just think, new tools and supplies for YOU). This is so easy…when your referral registers for a workshop, you’ll receive the reward! This applies to new registrants and they do need to list your name.
We’ve added a NEW evening class!
Lesley Venable will be teaching a fantastic jewelry class…just the right thing if you’d like to stop by in the evening! If you are taking full-day classes, you’ll have plenty of time in the evening to add this one. In Lesley’s Mixed Media pendant class, you’ll receive prepared bezels and learn how to give them an aged appearance. The fun starts when you build a collage for your bezel….as you can see you can even add dimensional pieces (just think of those special treasures you’ve been collecting). You’ll learn to work with resin and add a re-purposed chain. Go home with a beautiful new piece of art jewelry!
The fun doesn’t end when the classroom is cleared out….there will be attendee trunk shows! We were given a wonderful idea by Christine (she’s coming all the way from Vermont!). Event attendees are encouraged to participate in the “ArtBLISS Trunk Show Row”. You can share your handmade jewelry or supplies right in your hotel room…team up with a friend if you like. What a great way to end the day, network, meet new friends, and shop! Please contact us if you are interested in participating.
Please drop me a line if you have any questions or comments….Jeanette and I would sure love to see you there!
by Cindy on August 23, 2010
- You know you’re in FL when you see these….
Hello! I’m back after a week away…did anyone miss me? :-) We went on a long road trip down south to visit my brother and his family in Florida! The week went by way too fast…… cousins playing (6 boys!), staying up late chatting with my sister-in-law, lots of time at the pool (it is HOT there), and local sight-seeing. We were sure spoiled by the wonderful hospitality we received and were so sad to finally leave!
You know me and how I tend to turn my blog into a photo album! Thought I’d share a few pics here from our visit to the Sunshine State.
City of Jacksonville
View of the backyard...look at this sweet trio.
My son was captivated by air plants. Have you heard of them?
Couch full of cousins!
My sis-in-law and with my youngest nephew, the little chubbins. He's just 8 days older than my youngest.
All in the family
High diving in the neighborhood pool
A serene view of St. Augustine
Stopped in Savannah on the way home...always seeking out the local antique shops!
I’m hoping to catch up on my blog hopping to see what YOU have all been up to too…. Thanks for stopping by!
by Cindy on August 13, 2010
Hello friends!
I hope this finds you enjoying a beautiful summer day, Friday the 13th and all! I feel a bit drained from being in the sun all day but can’t complain because there was a great breeze on the beach and it was barely 80 degrees.
Are you ready for a little Creative Spark? I was able to squeeze in some time to finish a project inspired by last week’s Creative Spark! If you have not heard the buzz yet and would like to join in, Becky of The Gritty Bird shares a new creative theme, color scheme and phrase every week. Becky’s sparks are an inspiration for everyone - jewelry designers to mixed media artists. Here are the sparks we worked with over the week this time around (and you can select any or all of the “sparks”):
**CREATIVE SPARK ONE**
•Artistic Theme•
Woodland
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**CREATIVE SPARK TWO**
•Theme Words or Phrase•
Trees, Birds, Fly, Clouds, Moss, Grass, Twigs, Mist
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**Creative SPARK THREE**
•Theme Color Palette•
I think I captured that woodland theme and those misty colors in “Believe in Dreams” . This bracelet features a metal focal that I hand cut, filed, stamped, oxidized, polished and tumbled. :-) Just look at those gorgeous lampwork beads by Jena Fulcher and spacers by Lori Anderson…all in a soft, muted palette. The detail in the beads are just incredible, some are encased and that one pillow bead - oh! the flower on both sides is just so pretty. I wire wrapped the beads with a nice substantial sterling silver wire - 16 gauge, and added some beautiful sterling Hill Tribe bead caps and flower charm. If you think you might need a reminder from time to time that you should believe in your dreams, this one is available in my Etsy shop. Sold, thank you.
I’ll be taking a little blog break as we head on a road trip…so I’ll see you when I return!
