by Cindy on April 29, 2009
Art Bead Scene hosts a monthly jewelry challenge, and this month’s inspirational art was “The Birth of Venus” by Sandro Botticelli. Isn’t it amazing that here we are in 2009, and we continue to be inspired by a painting from the late 1400’s? That is just incredible. I really love this particular painting, and part of that is purely the colors used. These are some of my favorite colors: shades that are faded, muted and soft.
I’ve enjoyed seeing the work by others who have participated in the challenge, and here I am finally posting mine. I’ve used a porcelain focal bead by LeAnn of Summers Studio. This piece reminded me of the shell from which Venus is emerging. I chose to focus on shades of blue representing the water in the painting. Coin and button pearls were used as they were “born’ from shells. The bail from the pendant was made from seed beads. Various shades of Swarovski crystals sparkle thoughout the necklace.
Looking forward to the finding out which painting the editors of ABS will choose next…and will find out in just a few days. It’s hard to believe it will be MAY by the end of the week!
by Cindy on April 27, 2009
If you noticed my blog was down for a few days, then I sure feel loved! A reliable web designer named Arianne helped me with backing up my blog, and other things that are mysterious to me when it comes to website changes. I don’t know what I would do without her. And guess what, there will be some big changes around here soon….stay tuned for those!
My sweet friend Kerry pointed out that my Heart Strings necklace was featured in the sidebar of today’s installment of Beading Daily. I do subscribe to this newsletter but might have missed it as I’m having a busy day and not able to open every email that comes my way. This necklace was published last summer in Step by Step Wire, but if you missed it, it is now available to download as a pdf from Interweave . That was neat to see!
‘Til next time!
by Cindy on April 22, 2009
Play and win….I’m talking about blog contests! I stumbled upon Ann-Margaret’s shop and blog recently, and the photos of the cute Westie caught my eye. She was having a giveaway and I entered. I don’t stop and take the time to enter give aways very often (I usually don’t win) but this time I did….and I won! I won the pendant and notecard set of my choice. You just have to see how Ann-Margaret did the drawing (well, with a little help)…click here!
It turns out Ann-Margaret and I have quite a few things in common. We only live about a half hour away from each other (if you visit her blog she shares so many gorgeous pictures of the DC area), we both have a love of Westies, and she was a social worker as well and enjoyed working with the elderly especially. Her blog giveaway was another opportunity for me to see how small the world really is, and to meet a super sweet person. Yesterday my box arrived….she said I would feel like a queen, and I did! In a house full of boys, it was such a treat to open a box full of pink tissue! The pendant and notecards that she sent have a wonderful message: Imagine. I like those inspiring words. Oh, and she sent me some of specialty teas too….I’ll have to try one when I’m in desperate need of a relaxing moment. That could be as early as today!
If you’re feeling lucky too, here’s a challenge you can enter! Heather from Humblebeads is hosting a giveaway that will take you back to high school. Check out her Mixed Tape Challenge.
Remember making mixed tapes?! I made them with “fast” songs on one side and “slow” songs on the other. I was making tapes in to the early 90’s. To enter the challenge, you need to list your 5 favorite songs from HS…I tried to do that but there are just too many. I went to high school in Germany…we were the Wiesbaden Warriors, so I had to include Pat Benatar’s song (which was inevitably blasted from someone’s boombox at every away game).
My Playlist
While I’m at it, I’m going for the challenge bonus and including a high school picture! My friend JoAnn posted this on Facebook (otherwise all 80’s photos are packed in storage!)….that’s me on the right. This was the height of the big-hair 80’s and I always had a perm! We were probably (gasp!) skipping school and downtown on the walkplatz. Now let’s see your old photos! 🙂
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